Academy’s Genius Swordsman

< 90. Shoot at the Dawn (3) >

#90

In Ronan’s hand, the La Mancha that had already been pulled out was shining. The mana leaking from the 7th circle wizard’s body was so concentrated that it made his mind dizzy. Aun Pilla, who looked down at the two of them, opened his mouth.

“I want to talk to you guys. Are you okay for a moment?”

“I, with us?”

Erzebet’s eyes widened. Aun Pillar nodded.

“exactly. They both look like freshmen, but their skills are amazing. I couldn’t suppress my curiosity about promising juniors.”

“Junior?”

“I am also from Phileon. I’m a student of the 767th grade.”

Ronan’s eyes widened. It was more surprising that he was only in his early thirties with such a face than that he was an academy senior. Aun Pillar, who was tying his mustache, looked at Ronan and said.

“Especially your abilities were very interesting. How the hell did you destroy the fireball with a sword attack?”

“It just disappeared because I cut it into small pieces.”

“That’s amazing. I understand, everyone has secrets.”

“It’s true.”

It was an unbelievable look. For Ronan, who was really all that, there was nothing to explain. Aun Pillar continued.

“I think the conversation is going to be a bit long. I want to take you to my office, is everyone okay?”

“No, of course!”

Erzebet nodded quickly. It was a natural reaction. Among the five supreme horse towers, the Dawning Horse Tower has a high position. It was by no means unusual to receive an invitation from the top mage and deputy chief of the top mage there.

“I like it too.”

Ronan also readily agreed. Still, there were a few things I wanted to ask about. A faint smile spread across Aun Pillar’s face.

“I’m glad you responded. Then follow me.”

Aun Pilla took the lead and guided them. Contrary to the expectation that they would go on a pillar of fire, the three went on foot normally. The reason was that if the body did not reach the level of elementalization, it would end with only burns.

“The only thing that can move other people without any restrictions is space attribute magic. Is Kratir still the headmaster of Phileon?”

“Yes.”

“You are indeed Rorhon-sama’s best pupil. If there is someone who can reach the 9th circle next, it will definitely be him.”

Aun Pilar explained that Kratir was the principal even when his father was attending Phileon. Anyway, he was a great old man. To the extent that I couldn’t understand why he didn’t show up at the time of the final battle.

Before long, they entered the main gate of the Tower of Dawn. As with the exterior, the interior made of ivory stone gives an antique feel that is proportional to its long history.

The first floor, like other high-rise buildings, served as a lobby. A huge statue in the shape of a blazing sun was shining in the center.

Wizards in red robes were walking around. Whenever they encountered Aun Pilar, they bowed their heads and bowed their heads together. Ronan looked around and shrugged his eyebrows.

“It’s more common than I thought.”

The atmosphere was very different from the main building of the bizarre Phileon Magic Department. There were no upside-down stairs, and no portraits of sudden quarrels.

Also, Phileon’s spellcasters were weird. Just as I was thinking about it, a six-legged lizard caught my eye in a corner of the lobby, sleeping with its stomach turned over. Ronan’s face hardened.

‘Fuck. It’s a salamander.’

I almost would have pulled out a knife. If someone gave me paper and a pen to write down ten of the monsters I had to deal with in my previous life, it would be a monster that would proudly rise to the top of the list.

A lizard of flame that burns humans with just one breath. Its slim body, which appeared to be well over 3 meters tall, was engulfed in a non-hot fire. The students of Phileon, who had come with Erzebet, were listening to the guidance of a wizard who seemed to be their leader.

“What you are seeing now is Nancy, a salamander that has been raised in the Dawning Tower for 120 years. Cute, right?”

“Wow, this is my first time seeing Salamander. Can I touch you?”

‘Crazy guys.’

Ronan shook his head when he saw that he was listening to it while flirting again. Anyway, the tribe of wizards was not sane. They took the magical lift and headed straight to the top of the tower.

****

Aun Pillar’s office was located on the top floor of the Tower of Dawn. Through the arched window wide enough to fill the wall, I could see the still-stretching sun and the shimmering sun at a glance.

Aun Pilla explains that on a clear day, you can see the Screaming Fortress Rodolan near the horizon in the distance. The three of them sat on the reception sofa and talked. Gratitude for what had just happened and Phileon’s current status were the main themes.

“Oh, I thought it was unusual, but she was a young girl from the Acalusia family. Are you talking about three attributes?”

“yes. Fire, wind, and telekinesis. The attribute I am most proud of is fire.”

“To be born with fire and wind together is a talent from heaven. Do you have any plans to come to the Dawning Tower after graduation? Grancia’s three daughters are also doing well, so life will not be lacking.”

“Fufufufu, I will think about it.”

Erzebet covered her mouth and smiled. Anyway, she was a girl who really liked compliments. By the way, didn’t I just say Grancia? As I tilted my head to see if I heard it wrong, Aun Pillar continued.

“The same goes for you, Ronan. You will undoubtedly become a great swordsman.”

“thanks.”

“No empty words. Your skills will never be defeated by the morning star of the Empire. I hope you will devote yourself to becoming a swordsman who cuts through the darkness of the world.”

Aun Pilla said. It didn’t take long for him to realize that he was a good person. He belonged to the type of life fueled by good intentions that can be found very rarely.

‘For now.’

There were, however, a few things that were very difficult to put my mind to. The atmosphere was relaxed a lot, so I thought I could bring the topic out slowly. Ronan opened his mouth.

“But, Aun Pillar, I have a question.”

“Uh? what?”

“Why didn’t you help me sooner? When I was about to be shot down.”

The smile disappeared from Aun Pillar’s face. Ronan looked into his eyes without changing his expression.

Erzebet started hiccups at the sudden interrogation.

“that···.”

“Honestly, there was enough time to stop the fireball.”

The more I thought about it, the more I didn’t understand. I don’t know exactly how many wizards there are in the tower, but there must be at least hundreds.

Even if Aun Pillar didn’t see the fireball himself, one of them should have found it and acted on it. Aun Pilla didn’t answer right away, only gently brushing his mustache. Finally, he took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“…we found the fire ball right after you jumped out of the boat.”

“Yes?”

“Literally. No one in the tower saw the fireballs being fired and flying. Exactly the moment you swung your sword in the air, the fireball appeared. By that time, I had already reached a point where I couldn’t handle it. ”

So it was the sound of seven fireballs suddenly appearing in the empty air. Ronan frowned.

“Are you telling me to believe that?”

“I can swear on the honor of the Top Mage. The Tower of Dawn was keeping a close eye on the aircraft you were riding on.”

explanation followed. Aun Pilla said that the tower’s vigilance posture was greatly strengthened after the suicide of Nebula Clazier. In fact, they said that long before the airship arrived at the horse tower, they sent summons to grasp the ship’s location in real time. Still, something like that happened.

“I was going to reveal the truth as soon as the investigation was over. I was going to say it at first, but I thought it would only amplify the anxiety of the guests for nothing. Everyone in the tower, including me, has experienced the same phenomenon.”

It was nonsense. It was the moment when Ronan was about to ask if he had done any drugs as a group. Erzebet, who had been silently listening, opened her mouth.

“Is it a cognitive impairment magic?”

“At the moment, I guess so. Other than that, there is no explanation.”

Aun Pillar nodded heavily. Erzebet’s face hardened.

“It’s unbelievable. To cast recognition-disrupting magic in such a wide area…if that’s true, you’re saying that Top Mage-sama got it too, right?

“exactly.”

“Who the hell could do such a powerful magic…”

Erzebet muttered in a tone of disbelief. Recognition inhibition, which made it difficult to recognize the existence of the target, was basically a magic that only worked for those with lower magic resistance than the caster.

In the Tower of Dawn, where excellent wizards are scattered, it was virtually impossible to simultaneously impair awareness even to Aun Pilla, who had reached the level of the 7th circle.

“Did Rorhon-sama even play a prank…?”

“It will not be. Because he was immersed in his research and didn’t attend the last meeting of the owner. In any case, if someone used cognitive-disrupting magic on us, it would be an incredibly powerful wizard…”

Aun Pillar pulled the horse’s tail. It certainly didn’t seem like a simple accident. This time the car was about to ask about the missing person. Aun Pillar abruptly got up and opened her mouth while organizing her collar.

“…Then will you get up soon? I have a meeting in the afternoon. Before that, I will show you the Cradle of Dawn.”

“Oh my God, really?!”

At that moment, the suspicious air flow blew away. Erzbet was delighted with the momentum to get up almost from her seat.

Cradle of Dawn was a kind of laboratory where wizards gathered to develop new magic. Ronan shook his head from side to side.

“I’m done.”

“Uh? Is something wrong?”

“I don’t think there should be any more delays. I have to go to the library.”

Of course, it wasn’t a bad offer. Maybe one day you’ll learn magic, and there’s a good chance that this valuable experience will be useful in the future.

However, the purpose of his visit to the Tower of Dawn today was to find clues about Haeju. Aun Pillar said in a voice filled with regret.

“Then there is nothing you can do. If you ever need any help, please come to me anytime. I’ll do my best to help you as a senior at Phileon Academy, not as a substitute for Matap Master.”

“Thank you for the words.”

“Oh, I have something to give you.”

Aun Pillar, who was rummaging through his inner pocket, held out a flat metal box. Inside were five scrolls the size of an index finger. Ronan tilted his head.

“What is this?”

“This is a scroll I made. If you go to the Phileon Academy, you will certainly do a lot of dangerous training, so please use it in case of an emergency.”

Aun Pilla explained that his favorite magics, including the Prominence Bird, were engraved. Ronan’s face hardened. Unless he was deaf, what he gave him was by no means a magic suitable for self-defense.

‘···After all, wizards are insane.’

Prominence Bird was the magic he used when fighting Ahayute. It was not something that could be given like handing over vegetables picked from the garden unless it was returned.

“thanks.”

Of course he didn’t refuse. Ronan laughed and put the metal box in his inner pocket. To be honest, I liked it. quite a bit too. Erzebet said.

“You worked hard, Ronan. How long are you planning to stay in the tower?”

“Well. If not, three days?”

“Fufu, it’s similar. See you again when we have a chance.”

“okay. I also eat rice with my friends. Don’t be alone every day.”

“Wow, that’s a pointless meddle!”

All three of them got on the elevator and headed downstairs. The Cradle of Dawn was upstairs from the library, so Ronan had to let them go first. As the elevator was about to go down again, Aun Pillar looked back and said:

“Oh, be careful not to read the evil forbidden book.”

“Forbidden?”

The conversation did not continue as the elevator went down immediately. Ronan tilted his head.

‘Suddenly, what is it?’

Rather than a warning, the tone seemed to give advice to the old woman. Soon the elevator stopped. The moment the door opened, the view of the library spread out in front of me. Seeing his majestic figure, he smirked.

“…that’s great.”

The huge library with one of the largest collections on the continent occupied six floors of the 24-story horse tower.

The ceiling of the library, which had six floors combined into one, was located in an indeterminately high place.

Books were piled up along the round wall. Likewise, dozens of bookshelves in the shape of a column soared up to the ceiling.

The sunlight streaming through the scattered windows provided the best light source for reading. People were picking up books by standing on a floating platform.

The corners of Ronan’s lips rose. If it was here, it wouldn’t be strange if there were at least one or two clues about his curse. As he looked at the city of books, he ruffled his bangs and muttered.

“Let’s try it.”

Ronan went straight to action. The first step was to find the librarian Sarante spoke of. If you tried to gather information randomly, you could search for it for a year rather than three days.

The problem was that the library was so wide that it was difficult to find a librarian. There were a lot of glasses holders who looked like original librarians, so it was difficult to infer from their appearance alone.

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Maybe I should hold on to one person and ask. That was the car I was thinking of. A woman’s voice came from behind.

“Hey, is there any book you are looking for?”

“Um?”

Ronan turned his head. A little girl was standing there. His short orange hair and short stature as small as Asher were impressive.

“You must have come from Phileon Academy. If you need anything, please let me know.”

“Maybe… that’s the librarian?”

The girl nodded her head. Ronan looked at his youthful face and drooled.

‘…You don’t look old enough to be friends.’

I couldn’t think of any contact with Sarante, who had been in hiding hundreds of years ago. His voice was also innocent, and at best he looked similar to him or slightly younger. Ronan asked the question, seemingly suspicious.

“Are there any other librarians besides that one?”

“yes? no. There are many people who help, but I am the librarian.”

“Ummm…then that’s right. Wait.”

Ronan, who had been looking through his pockets without saying a word, took out a ring. A jewel in the middle of the silver ring was sparkling. It was the same thing as a keepsake of Sarante, which he said to show when he met the librarian at the Tower of Dawn. The librarian’s eyes widened when he saw the ring.

“that…!”

“My friend told me to show you this. Do you know anyone?”

“Uh, how… oh my… nonsense…”

I didn’t think I’d be that surprised if I ran into a dragon while walking. The librarian, who looked at the ring and Ronan alternately, suddenly grabbed his wrist and said,

“I know you better than anyone. Follow me.”