Academy’s Genius Swordsman

4. Cowardly Asher (2)

#4

“Bar, what was just…?”

Asher did not understand what had happened to her. For a moment, the flow of mana was cut off and the magic was released. It felt like a string that had been pulling me tight was about to break.

“yes? It must have been magic…”

“I don’t know either.”

Ronan shrugged. I didn’t really know, I didn’t catch it.

He could cut mana. It was around the time he was active as a punitive soldier that he realized his ability. At the time, I didn’t tell anyone because I thought it would be annoying.

Ronan was suggesting that it was thanks to this ability that only he could seriously injure Ahayute. There may have been other abilities at work that he didn’t even know about.

‘Unraveling the secret of this ability is probably one of the tasks given to me.’

Ronan tapped Asher’s shoulder.

“Come here at night in three days. When the moon rises.”

“yes?”

“What if it doesn’t come out, you know?”

After leaving those words, Ronan started walking in stride. Asher shouted something from behind, but ignored it. If you’re a decent minded person, you’ll come out.

“Damn, I’ve been delaying too much.”

Ronan stopped by the river first to wash the blood off his face and hands. I bought new clothes at the market, changed clothes, and picked up a few daffodils blooming along the roadside.

Eventually he arrived in front of a small house built on the outskirts of town. Overgrown ivy vines gracefully covered the exterior walls.

Ronan took a deep breath without realizing it. I felt a sense of tension that I had never felt before on the battlefield or in front of a monster.

Beyond this door is Iril. His sister, whom he hadn’t seen since leaving home when he was 17, eventually lost his life in the invasion of giants.

“Ha, let’s calm down…”

Ronan reached out to pull the doorknob. I just had to pull it, but it wasn’t easy.

Suddenly, a bouquet of flowers in his left hand caught my eye. Ten clusters of yellow and white daffodils lined up nicely. It was Iril’s favorite flower.

Suddenly, I felt funny. Nimmy, not a bachelor who confesses his love.

It was a car about to turn around to throw away the daffodils.

“Oh? Ronan!”

The door swung open and a woman appeared. She was an amazing beauty who was just taking off her womb and transitioning to a young lady.

“You came in early today! did you eat?”

“uh? Uh-huh, uh… no.”

Seeing the bright smile, Ronan stiffened as it was. Her hair, waving up to her shoulders, had a silvery bluish color like starlight. Even under the spring sun, her fair skin was reminiscent of a snowy field where no footprints were left.

“It went well. I just made a stew.”

Indeed, Iril was wearing an apron with various stains on it. She smiled and shouted as she looked at the daffodils in Ronan’s hand.

“oh! That flower?!”

“Yes···?”

“Did you bring it to me? pretty!”

“No, it’s not like that… It’s nice because it’s pretty…”

Ronan handed the daffodils and looked at his sister’s face. The clear, large eyes had the same sunset color as Ronan.

Buried her face in the flower bud, she rejoiced like a child, and suddenly embraced Ronan tightly.

“What’s wrong with my naughty little brother? thank you!”

At that moment, an indescribable emotion swelled in Ronan’s heart. The sister was just as she remembered. A person like the sun that illuminates everyone who gives strength just by being by your side.

As his eyes suddenly turned hazy, he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

“Ah, Mr.”

“what? What got in your eye? Sister will look after you, come here.”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Don’t do that, take a look.”

There was a height difference of about one head, so Iril had to lift his claws. As an excuse to be hungry, Ronan shook off her hand and entered the house.

****

“I ate well. it was tasty.”

“Wow! What day is today really? I hear everything from Ronan saying it’s delicious!”

Ronan put the spoon down neatly. The wooden bowl was clean and empty. The crude potato stew cooked by Iril tasted better than any delicacy I had eaten before returning home.

“sister. How old am I?”

“uh? Ummm…so…I’m 19 this year… Ronan is 14 years old, isn’t it? Why all of a sudden?”

One year younger than expected. He left the village when he was seventeen, and there were about ten years left before the advent of the giants.

“No, just. I can’t remember.”

“what! There is nothing else to forget! Where are you really sick? Maybe I ate the wrong thing like a mushroom in the forest…”

“no.”

Iril moaned anxiously and alternately touched Ronan and her forehead. Not only did he pick flowers he liked out of the blue, but today’s younger brother was a bit strange. He was a child who was picky about everything and had trouble even breathing.

“Really, sister.”

“Uh?”

Ronan said, scooping up another ladle of stew. This was my third bowl.

“I want to go to the academy.”

“uh?”

Iril looked at Ronan with a stunned look. It was so sudden that I instantly forgot what my brother had said.

What did he say? Did you say you lost another sheep? No, what about the Academy…Academy…Academy…

She almost jumped up and shouted.

“What is it? You want to go to the academy?!”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Tell me again, Ronan, huh? Did you say you’re going to the academy? really? Really? really?”

“yes.”

“Ahhhhh!”

Iril let out a happy exclamation and hugged her brother’s neck. It was the moment when her lifelong dream came true. A kiss fell on Ronan’s cheek at a rate of three times per second.

“I knew this day would come one day! I believed it! You’re talented, so you’ll be good at anything!”

“thank you.”

“Which way are you going? Is it the knight academy? Knight Ronan! cool! Or a surprisingly common national academy? It’s good to be an intellectual! Of course, no matter what, the older sister is on your side! Oh, look at my mind!”

Iril was able to regain his sanity only when Ronan emptied the fourth bowl. Out of nowhere, she began to rummage through the jars by the fireplace.

A heavy hilt was held in Iril’s hand, which came out again.

“ruler! Take it Ronan! It’s all yours now!”

There was a rustling sound of metal from the sealed bag. Ronan knew that the little sack contained most of the money her sister had earned.

Iril, who had put the sack on the table, shuddered, and her eyes were twinkling. It means go ahead and open it.

But Ronan shook his head.

“Okay, my sister.”

“What? But this is yes…”

“Is it the registration fee? Thank you very much, but I’ll take my heart. The place I want to go to doesn’t have a jaw for this.”

“Where are you thinking? You’ve been collecting quite a lot since then, haven’t you?”

The white cheeks swelled up cutely. Ronan put the sack back into the jar and opened his mouth.

“The Imperial Phileon Academy.”

Even so, Iril’s eyes widened even more.

****

[If you want to learn, go to Phileon.]

These were the words of Adeshan. Royal Phileon Academy. Also known as Phileon.

Located in the heart of the archipelago, this leading educational institution was the second tallest building after the Imperial Palace. The excellent professors recruited from all over the continent and the huge capital of the imperial family created a factory that produced great people beyond just a prestigious academy.

Even Ronan, who had nothing to do with academics, knew the value of his history of graduating from Phileon.

“Certainly… there were a lot of good guys from Phileon.”

Ronan, who was reflecting on his memories, murmured as if he understood. High Warlord Adeshan, sword castle Schliefen, and even the Witch of Winter, called the Empire’s worst criminal, were also from Phileon.

The remaining time is ten years.

Considering the mission built on Ronan’s back, it was a time that could never be said to be long. It was a task I took on by accident, but I had no intention of turning away.

He remembered the last moment. Hundreds of giants descending through the skies. He didn’t even know how strong he would have to be to deal with them.

So, as Adeshan said, Ronan decided to attend Phileon Academy. This is because we decided that we could learn how to become strong even if we don’t know ‘how much’. It was also my dream to attend an academy.

“Anyway, was it that surprising?”

Illyl’s expression was still not forgotten. He wouldn’t have been more surprised if he had declared that he would become emperor. Although she blessed Ronan’s future, she didn’t seem to think she would be able to enter Phileon.

Ronan wanted to make his sister happy again. So, on the third day after returning, he had been climbing the hill from his house at dawn. On his back he carried two backpacks that even a child could fit in.

“Five.”

Before long, he saw a boy in a light robe, nodding, leaning against an oak tree. After Ronan clapped three times, the boy stood up in amazement.

“You came on time, Marcel. To be honest, I’m surprised.”

“ah! Uh-huh… that’s Asher.”

“The bastard is picky. Now, why did I ask you to come?”

“Uh… well… are you interested in my abilities?”

“After all, I’m a wizard, so I have a good brain. Come on, take it.”

“uh? What!”

Ronan took off a backpack and threw it at Asher. I was scared because it was bulky, but it was lighter than I thought.

“Hey, what is this?”

“A pocket for dreams and hopes.”

Asher glanced at the backpack. There were dozens of thick and thin sacks. I had no idea where I was going to use it.

“May I ask what this has to do with my abilities?”

“Follow me at once. The raft is ready.”

“A raft?”

Asher followed Ronan with her backpack on her back. On the river bank, a raft that I had never really seen was tied to a rope.

It looked like it was specialized for diving rather than sailing because it looked so shabby. Asher turned on the lights and looked around, but there was only one raft.

“get on.”

When Ronan said so, pointing his thumb to the raft, Asher could only think of crying.

****

The raft glided along the current. A full moon was shining on the river and the two boys. Asher was hunched over next to her backpack, watching the calm waters.

“It’s a pity I didn’t bring a fishing rod. Grilled mullet here is amazing.”

Ronan said, spewing white smoke from his mouth. Between his thumb and index finger was a thin pipe.

“Yes. I know.”

“Don’t stutter. Are you afraid I’ll cut you up and throw you into the river?”

“Ah Okay. I won’t stutter.”

“I stutter again. Do you want to lose?”

Hans’ sword was hanging from Ronan’s waist. Asher swallowed her saliva. He knew that Ronan had cut off Hans’ ear with only a shepherd’s pole.

“sorry. I really don’t stutter.”

“Yeah, man, you can do it. Straighten your shoulders a bit. I’m not that tall because I’m so shy about everything.”

“yes. But where are we going?”

“It’s a good place. A place where you can develop practical skills and earn money.”

Asher tilted her head. I couldn’t understand what you were talking about.

“money? what money?”

“Tuition. Oh, didn’t I say? You have to go to the academy.”

“Academy?”

“Yeah, come with me. If my memory isn’t wrong, I’ll be able to earn about the first semester’s tuition in this hot pot.”