Academy’s Genius Swordsman

< 69. Blood Hook (1) >

#69

Ronan turned his head. A girl with a hood pressed down to the top of her head was standing there. Red eyes twinkled in the shadows cast on his face.

“…Ophelia?”

“yes. I waited a long time.”

It was Ophelia, who took Sita’s feather and left to study blood magic. Adeshan’s eyes widened.

“Ah, did you come to the interview…?”

“yes. You . . . have grown taller.”

“Wow, how did you know? 3rd year Magician, Ophelia-senpai, right?”

Adeshan clapped her hands in admiration. In fact, she has grown by about a finger a little more than last month, making her 176 cm. Ronan, who had stiffened, opened his mouth.

“Is the study over?”

“yes. It’s not perfect, but to some extent.”

“It’s nice. To be honest, I thought you ran away with just your feathers.”

“I’m sorry… I had a little business.”

There was quite a bit of fatigue in Ophelia’s voice. He seemed to have suffered in his own way while he was in a state of supremacy. I had a lot of questions, but there was something else I had to do now. Ronan asked while holding a note with a map.

“Oh, did you do something? It suddenly changed like this.”

“yes. I can’t open the envelope and I’m groaning…”

“envelope?”

“Oh, I didn’t know either.”

Ophelia groaned. Suddenly, her voice echoed in Ronan’s head.

[That’s… a letter made with blood magic.]

“It’s a surprise. Why all of a sudden…”

Instead of answering, Ophelia turned her gaze to Adeshan. Come to think of it, she probably didn’t know that Ophelia was a vampire yet. Ronan, who was pulling the tail, nodded.

“understood.”

[thank you. That’s compressing the information in a drop of blood… Opening the envelope means injecting mana and releasing the information contained in the blood.]

Ophelia continued her explanation in full tone. Letters using blood were said to be a favorite method used by vampires when exchanging secret messages.

“Ummm…?”

Adeshan tilted her head in the sudden silence. A secret air current that he did not know was flowing between the two of them.

Adeshan looked at Ronan and Ophelia, who were speechless, alternately. Ophelia’s face was as beautiful as it glowed under the shadows.

…match! Adeshan, who was silent for a moment, suddenly clapped his hands and said.

“Oh, come to think of it, I forgot that the instructor organized the paperwork.”

“Adeshan?”

“Sorry. Let’s talk later.”

“Are you mad? Why is your expression…”

“I’m not mad. Ophelia-senpai, I will go back first.”

It was a strangely cold tone. Adeshan turned away, leaving those words behind. His steps were noticeably faster than usual. Ophelia muttered as she looked at her back.

“The timing is good…”

“Good for you. What did you do to keep it up?”

“Then why are you angry…?”

“I do not know. Because women don’t even know. By the way, Ophelia, we’ll talk about the rest.”

Ophelia looked around and nodded. Clearly, the open air was not a suitable place for questionable conversations.

They moved to the club building. Kik-Ik- When the wooden door opened, a dimly lit room caught my eye. The other members had not yet come to see if they were taking classes.

Ophelia took off her hood as soon as the door closed. The suppressed silver hair fell down her shoulders. Stretching like a squeeze, she opened her mouth.

“Ummm… I think I’m going to live a little now.”

“Is it because of the sunlight?”

“yes. It’s a cloudy day, so it’s a little better… Oh, what about that child?”

“If you’re talking about Sita, it will come soon. These days, I often go out for a walk.”

“That’s right… I want to see you soon.”

Ophelia looked around the room slowly. In the room with all the lights turned off, there was a gloomy atmosphere like an abandoned hut. She murmured as she caressed the three-tiered candlestick on the bar table.

“It’s a wonderful place… is this your club?”

“It’s us, not you.”

“right. I did… Then can I sleep here?”

“sure. Now he’s our member. Well, in our club, the rule is to use half-talks by everyone. it’s okay?”

“Yeah… I’m more comfortable with that too.”

Ophelia laughed wildly. She seemed to like the club quite a bit.

Ronan gave a brief account of what happened during Ophelia’s absence. The Baidian Mountains and mid-range ratings were right. to Schlieffen’s mouth. Ophelia listened to the story with her eyes twinkling with interest.

“A lot of things happened… Come to think of it, I couldn’t say hello to the other kids at all. What if you hate me…?”

“They are all good guys, so that won’t happen. By the way, I haven’t received any letters in the last few weeks. What happened?”

“ah. I had a bit of a conflict with my parents… and suddenly they stopped my studies and told me to take care of the sex… ”

“castle···?”

Ophelia didn’t seem to have a very good relationship with her parents and other blood relatives. Although he appeared to be a member of a fairly high-ranking rank, he was reluctant to talk about his family history.

Ronan didn’t even bother to dig. He placed the note on the bar table and snapped his fingers.

“So, Ophelia, is this a note made with blood magic?”

“yes. right.”

“Do you know who sent it?”

“Would you like to find out…?”

“ok. It’s probably not that serious.”

Ophelia nodded her head. As she picked up the note, the map-shaped bloodstain began to move again. The lingering bloodstains eventually turned into red hooks. Ophelia’s face hardened.

“Where did this come from?”

“what’s the matter?”

“Answer me first. Did you get it yourself?”

His eyes were sincere. Ronan claimed that someone he knew had picked up a spill. Ophelia folded the note and returned it to Ronan.

“Is that person… are you trying to find the essence of fresh blood?”

“how did you know?”

“It is written here. The person who sent this note is… an organization called Blood Hook.”

“It’s a name that doesn’t even look nice to hear. Are they bad guys?”

“yes. It’s not that big, but… should I say it’s a rising divinity?”

blood hook. At most, young vampires who did not exceed the age of two hundred were the main constituents of the group. Ophelia, whose tongue seemed to be pitiful, continued to explain.

“They are ruthless bastards. Immerse yourself in the glory of a past you’ve never experienced before.”

“…Ophelia, how old are you?”

“There is joy in the world . . . that comes from ignorance.”

Blood Hooks longed for the days when vampires reigned as nightmares. Their main source of income was wandering in foreign land not belonging to the imperial territories, attacking passersby and private houses, and making and selling slaves.

Recently, he said that he also plays the role of a treasure hunter who finds anything if he pays a price. Ronan pondered for a moment and revealed that the one who received the note was Professor Jarrodin of the Department of Magic. A shallow wrinkle was formed between Ophelia’s porcelain-like forehead.

“Jarodin…? Are you talking about the person who was the top mage of the Full Moon Tower…?”

“ok. right.”

“That’s why I was in front of the 41st tower… the kids were so anxious because they wanted to die…”

“What does that mean?”

“This note contains the essence of fresh blood, so if you are willing to accept the offer, it is an invitation to come. The one marked on the map is the tangent point.”

Ophelia said they would most likely demand outrageous things in return. He said that if he asked for money, he would ask for an unimaginable amount, and if it was an item, he would change it only at the level of the treasure listed in advance.

“If the other person looks very desperate .

“no way. Jordin isn’t even an idiot.”

“There is no time other than ‘right now’ for a desperate person… You can make a blood pact after demanding that you become a family member in the not-too-distant future if not right now.”

The oath of blood was a promise that could never be broken. Ronan chuckled.

“I don’t understand. Can’t we just kill them all and take things? There is no reason to accept such a head-to-head deal.”

“Of course, if you have the skill of Jarrodin, you can turn the little ones there in an instant… The problem is that what you are looking for is the essence of fresh blood.”

“Why?”

“If it’s a chunk of pure mana that can’t be dealt with without blood magic… the kids probably have the essence of fresh blood in an unprocessed state. After receiving the payment, I will finish processing and allow you to take it back…”

“Huh, you bastards who are weak.”

Ronan recalled the memories of his previous life. On the battlefield ten years later, Jarrodin’s appearance was nowhere to be found. Of course, it was difficult to imagine that the reason was because they had become slaves to vampires as vampires as vampires as vampires as bloody hooks.

In retrospect, the essence of fresh blood was too many and it was only a material for one of many revival attempts. I wasn’t even sure I could revive my wife, so I couldn’t accept such an offer.

‘If you are sane.’

But Jarrodin was addicted to love. No matter what the field, it was an idea exclusively reserved for addicts to mistake the improbable possibility for certainty. Ronan patted his chin and began to ponder.

‘He’s a good person.’

Ronan didn’t like Jarrodin. To be honest, I liked him, and to be honest, I thought he was a damn good guy.

Even if it was something he did for his own benefit, he was definitely grateful to have helped him even while enduring the curse. Ronan, who was drooling, opened his mouth.

“Ophelia. please help me ”

“yes? Do you want help…?”

“Write a reply. I will accept the offer.”

Ophelia’s eyes widened. Ronan explained the plan he had just made, step by step. As always, it was a clear and insane operation.

“I’m serious···?”

“ok. Instead, make sure to change the tangent.”

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t accompany you. The problem of blood relatives…”

Ophelia drew the tail. It seemed to be a family-related issue. Ronan, who yawned loosely, waved his hand.

“Ahhh… you don’t have to follow me, man. Don’t worry, I’m going alone.”

“···Children are the standards for vampires, and nothing compared to mortals. Rather, they are more ferocious and violent as they do not know anything.”

Ophelia explained the dangers of the Blood Hook. The strength itself was not comparable to the high-ranking vampires, but he said it was more dangerous for humans. It is said that the malice and ingenuity accumulated over hundreds of years destroys the human body and mind like a sandcastle. Ronan giggled.

“okay. But if you just say it’s dangerous and don’t stop it, I think you don’t like my plan either.”

“that···.”

Ophelia shut her mouth. It was a silence that contained positivity. Finally, a soft sigh escaped between her lips.

“Okay…but if I don’t go, what will I do with the essence of fresh blood…?”

“Ah, that’s it.”

It was the car Ronan was trying to say. tock tock. Suddenly there was a knocking sound from outside the curtained window.

“I’m here now.”

“yes?”

Ronan approached the window and pulled the curtain back. Shh! As soon as the window was opened, a rushing shadow clinged to Ronan’s face. The black, fluffy feathers tickled his nose, almost making him sneeze.

“Are you here?”

“Bye!”

“How far have you been wandering around this time?”

Ronan held Sita with both hands. Seeing the salty smell, it seemed that he had traveled as far as the dawning sea.

“Do you know how mad I was with Lucy for you, man? Didn’t you catch a stingray this time?”

“Baya~”

Sita, who had been tilting her head cleverly, rubbed her face against Ronan’s cheek. Ophelia stood up from her seat with her hands clasped.

It was noticeably bigger than before. As she looked at Sita as if possessed, her mouth opened softly.

“Would you like to come over?”

“Bye?”

Ophelia held out her hand. Sita, who had only blinked her eyes, moved to the bar table right in front of her. Ophelia stroked Sita as if she were handling a jewel that would break if touched. Sita’s eyes, who were staring at her, flickered briefly.

“Bye.”

At the same time, a rose made of blood appeared in front of Sita. It was the same thing I had shown when I met Ophelia the other day. Sita took the rose and handed it to her. Ophelia’s eyes widened.

“This···!”

“I think I remember you.”

Ophelia picked up the rose of blood with trembling hands. Sita jumped up and landed on her shoulder. Ronan said with both hands in his pockets.

“I will go with him. Just tell me how to deal with that bloody thing. Are you okay then?”

After a moment of silence, Ophelia opened her mouth.

“Yeah, I think it will.”

“Teach me as soon as possible, because I have to finish my work before Jarrodin does something stupid. I’m leaving next weekend.”

“yes. Let’s do it right now. I will teach you as hard as I can. There are so many things I want to tell you.”

“I’m going first. I’ll be there soon.”

Ophelia had set herself up to become Sita’s teacher. She walked out of the building holding Sita. There was silence in the empty room. Ronan, who was still holding the hilt of the sword, murmured.

“… we can’t lose such a talented person.”

Ronan recalled the mana exhaled by Jarrodin as he groaned. If there is a possibility of turning to the enemy, it would be a reasonable force to kill them in advance.

But the world was not just about rationality. He knew that he had to do all he could so that he had no regrets.

It was the car that Ronan was refining the plan. aah! An eerie energy was transmitted through the wall to the point where my shoulders suddenly shrugged.

“Ugh…!”

The hair all over his body stood upright. Ronan hurriedly turned his head. Red mana, like that of Sita or Ophelia, was seeping through the cracks in the door.

“Fuck, what the hell are you teaching?”

Ronan kicked the door and walked out of the building. His eyes widened as he saw what was outside.