Chapter 189: Mother of Fire (5)
Chapter 189: Mother of Fire (5)
It had been a while since he split fire. As the line drawn by the sword strike widened, a sudden gust of wind blew. Waves of flames, torn into hundreds of pieces, flew in the wind. Ronan looked back at Tyber and growled.
“You stupid bastard, you should know your opponent before running your mouth.”
“Se-Senior…!”
Tyber’s eyes widened as if about to burst. His idol was right in front of him. Shullifen, who had stood up from the audience, murmured quietly.
“…He’s gotten faster.”
He held a sword handle without a blade in his hand. Soon, the wind that blew away the split flames returned him in the form of a blade. Immediately after Itargand spewed out fire, he drew his sword, but was a step too late.
It seemed Aura had just blossomed. Shullifen, who had just muttered, sat back down quietly. It seemed more training was needed. Tyber, who had been speechless and frozen, stuttered as he opened his mouth.
“Se-Senior Ronan. It is truly an honor. To throw yourself like this to save me, I am really, really…!”
Tyber couldn’t believe what was happening. The humiliating incident of being sent flying by a freshman was now completely forgotten. It was a moment when he couldn’t contain his joy and his lips curled up. Crack! In an instant, Ronan’s fist flew and struck him on the top of his head.
“Ugh!”
“What are you smiling about? Do you want to die bastard?”
The impact was strong enough to believe that his skull cracked. Tyber clutched his head with both hands and crouched down.
He had done something that deserved a punishment like being impaled alive by a spike on top of a mountain, but since he did not know, Ronan decided to let it go with just one hit. Maybe someday, when he realized what he had done, he would faint. Ronan, rotating his sword once, glared Itargand at him.
“Hey, I get how you feel, but you need to dial it down a bit.”
“…My apologies.”
Itargand bowed its head as if ashamed. Even amidst this, he glanced up at his mother from time to time, like a five-year-old who had done something wrong.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t confirmed the most important person. Ronan took a deep breath and looked up at Navardose. She looked down at him with a stiff expression.
‘What’s wrong? Why is she looking at me?’
Because she was staring so intensely, Ronan unconsciously avoided her gaze. Katir, who came to his senses belatedly, announced the winner.
“Th-The match is over. The winner is student Ir!”
“Wooaaah!”
Cheers erupted from all over. Even though it ended abruptly and a third party intervened, a win was a win. The medical team, who rushed over hurriedly, carried Tyber away on a stretcher. The voice of Katir resounded in Ronan’s mind.
[Thank you so much. Ronan.]
Everyone was chanting Itargand’s name. Ronan quietly returned to his original seat. The Emperor, who had completely folded up the newspaper, let out a quiet laugh.
“Impressive. I indeed chose the right person.”
“It was nothing special. Someone would’ve blocked it anyway.”
“Perhaps. Still, if it weren’t for you, that audacious boy would have lost at least a handful of hair.”
The Emperor didn’t spare any praise for Ronan’s humility. In fact, it wasn’t entirely untrue. Given the exceptional talents gathered here, someone would have intervened, but he was the fastest to act. Suddenly, alternating between the arena and Ronan, the Emperor grinned.
“But have you done something wrong?”
“Huh? Why would you suddenly…”
“Lady Navardose seems to be looking this way.”
The Emperor said. For a moment, every hair on Ronan’s body stood on end. When he quickly turned his head, he saw Navardose, with her legs crossed, looking in their direction.
Her gaze was still fixed on Ronan. The pupils, flickering with the color of a flame, seemed to be glaring at him. The vertically narrowed pupils were those of a dragon, not a human.
‘Fuck, what is it now?’
Ronan moved three seats next to him just in case, however Navardose’s gaze followed him like a magnet. An ominous feeling creeped through him.
‘Is she really mad at me because I carelessly split the flame her son shot?’
Ronan swallowed hard. While it was unlikely she would be angry for such a reason, dragons were such unpredictable creatures that he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. Since he couldn’t ask why she was acting like this now, Ronan decided to focus on watching the entrance ceremony.
The ceremony proceeded smoothly. After brief greetings, everyone except Tyber was defeated by the freshmen, ending with a 9:1 ratio. Tyber was carried away by the medical team in humiliation after his defeat. The remaining second-year students, aside from a few monsters, eagerly engaged in duels. Clang! The sword fell from the hand of the last defeated freshman.
“Ugh… I lost.”
“No, with a little more practice, you’ll improve. The freshmen this year are quite talented.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Especially you, you’re a seed of talent. So, why not join our Jousting Club?”
No one from the freshmen side felt down or upset. Except for a few monsters, losing was expected in these matches. Instead, the skill and guiding attitude of the seniors, along with the anticipation and sense of belonging instilled in them by Philleon, inflated their expectations and sense of belonging. The entrance ceremony concluded with a brief speech from Navardose.
【It was a pleasure. May the Primordial Flame guide your future.】
Whoosh! Flames erupted from the air, engulfing her figure. In the place where the flames subsided, only the chair prepared by Katir remained.
Soon after the loudest cheers since Philleon’s establishment erupted. No one in that place could have imagined that they would receive blessings from Navardose. After the entrance ceremony, the freshmen were guided by the seniors to the banquet hall. Ronan bid farewell to the Emperor.
“Well then, Your Majesty. See you again soon.”
“Indeed. Thank you for your hard work. By the way, where did Lady Navardose suddenly go?”
“Yeah. I was going to ask her what I did wrong, but she suddenly disappeared… I guess I’ll have to ask Ir later.”
Navardose had been staring at Ronan until the end of the entrance ceremony. Although he couldn’t ask why she was being like that, Ronan decided to focus on watching the entrance ceremony.
【There is no need.】
“Huh…”
A voice came from the left. Ronan turned his head, taking a deep breath. Navardose, who had disappeared, was sitting beside him with her legs crossed.
Despite Itargand still being in the arena, she was still staring fixedly at Ronan. A pleasant fragrance, unfamiliar to Ronan, emanated from her red hair.
Ronan was so stunned that he was speechless. The Emperor stood up from his seat and politely bowed.
“The Emperor of the Empire greets the Mother of Fire.”
【Long time no see. You came after all.】
“I couldn’t just let it go. Next time, I will invite you to the imperial palace.”
【I apologize for back then. I couldn’t even read the letter you sent. Turns out that idiot with the crown tried to seduce my son.】
Navardose said with a tone of regret, referring to the incident with the Winter Witch. It was also why Itargand was dispatched to Rodolan, since the Emperor had requested support from Adren.
‘Idiot with a crown?’
It seemed like there was someone similar in the City of Dragons Adren. Ronan wasn’t sure if they were stronger than Navardose. The Emperor shook his head.
“No. Itargand had also been of great help.”
【Thank you for saying so. But I know Itargand is still too young to be of much help. The person who truly brought spring back to you is the child beside me.】
“There is no doubt that this child made the greatest contribution.”
【Hoho, when the opportunity arises, I shall visit again. Today, I wish to have a conversation with this child.】
“Understood. May you be in good health.”
The Emperor, after exchanging farewells once again, rose from his seat. Just by observing the way he carried herself, one could discern his stature as the leader of the most powerful nation on the continent.
With his bodyguards, the Emperor, who had completely folded his newspaper, departed. After seeing that her surroundings had quietened down, Navardose turned to look at Ronan again.
【Hey there.】
“Oh, uh, yes?”
Ronan flinched at the sudden call. She crossed her legs in the opposite direction while stroking her chin.
【There is something I want to ask you. Please answer honestly.】
“Yes?”
【It’s about what happened last night. You mentioned the reason you weren’t affected by my magic was simply due to your physique. Do you remember?】
“Oh, uh, that… yeah.”
Ronan nodded his head. It was difficult to speak while looking at her, still dressed in a dress that revealed her extraordinary curves.
【It wasn’t entirely incorrect. But I know the truth is a little different.】
“Yes? What do you mean by that…?”
【To be exact, you have the ability to cut mana. Isn’t that right?】
Ronan’s face stiffened upon hearing those words. How did this charming lady know about that?
“How… did you know that?”
【I thought so. Now it makes sense. Without that, there is no way I would have felt a sense of deja vu from a human who hasn’t even reached twenty.】
It was incomprehensible gibberish. Navardose suddenly reached out her hand and began to stroke Ronan’s face gently. The hand of the red dragon was much warmer than that of a human. She spoke.
【My child. I know your father.】
“My… father?”
【Yes. I never thought we would meet like this.】
For a moment, Ronan’s mind went blank. It felt like lightning struck deep inside his skull. As Navardose gently stroked the bridge of Ronan’s nose, she smiled affectionately.
【You were the child that ■■ had mentioned. Why didn’t I recognize you sooner? You look so much like him.】
“Huh?”
Ronan furrowed his brows. It seemed like an important word went unheard.
“Could you please repeat that one more time?”
【Hmm? What do you mean?】
“The name of the person you referred to as my father.”
【Ah, ■■, that’s who I meant.】
“What…?”
Ronan frowned. He couldn’t understand the only word referring to his father’s name. It seemed like the language of shadows he had seen in the Mental World. He soon came to a conclusion and cursed.
“This damn curse…!”
It seemed like the information was being controlled by the curse. Navardose, noticing his suddenly hostile expression, widened her eyes in surprise. Ronan, taking a fountain pen from his coat pocket, handed it to her and said,
“Here, would you mind writing the name of the person you just mentioned on the palm of my hand?”
【Why is that?】
“I can’t hear that name right now. There are some personal reasons.”
【What? Hmm, fine, I understand for now.】
Navardose began writing on Ronan’s palm. It felt ticklish. Soon, when she lifted the pen, Ronan turned his hand over. There was no writing on his rough palm, just a smudge of ink as if it had spilled. Ronan clenched his teeth.
“Damn it.”
【Could it be that you cannot read the writing either?】
“It seems so.”
Ronan sighed. He wondered why this name was causing such a fuss. Navardose seemed about to say something, but suddenly her horns began to flicker slowly.
【Ah, is this starting again?】
Navardose clicked her tongue. It was the same ominous red glow Ronan had seen the previous night. He tilted his head and asked.
“What’s happening?”
【Looks like the attacks have begun again. Despite being so thoroughly defeated, they’re persistent.】
Navardose’s voice was filled with irritation and fatigue. With the reappearance of the term attacks , it seemed that something similar to what happened last night was unfolding again.
Mana was gathering around her. It felt like she was going to leave suddenly again. Anxious, Ronan raised his hand to ask.
“Um, can I come with you?”
【Hm?】
“I want to know more since the opportunity has arisen. About my father.”
Navardose raised an eyebrow, surprised by the unexpected response. After a moment of consideration, she spoke.
【It’ll be too much for a mortal to bear… No, if it’s his lineage, it should be fine. Do you really want to come with me?】
“Yes. I don’t know what’s going on, but…”
Ronan nodded. He might not have another chance to meet Navardose again. Just then, from beneath the spectator stands, a familiar voice was heard.
“I’ll go too, Mother.”
Both of them lowered their heads. Itargand was approaching them. It seemed like he had come after seeing his mother’s glowing horns. Navardose lowered her head.
【I’m grateful for your thought, but it’s okay for today, Ir. Spend time with your new friends.】
“Okay…”
He mumbled with his lower lip. It seemed that Itargand hadn’t even been to their world yet.
“But…”
【Even if you don’t want to, you’ll have to take over someday. As I said yesterday, enjoy the immaturity of your youth.】
Navardose spoke in an affectionate tone. From the sound of it, Itargand seemed like he hadn’t experienced much yet.
“…Alright.”
As he chewed on his lower lip, he nodded. Not long after Itargand walked away, dozens of students crowded around him.
“I told you earlier right, Ir? That match just now was really impressive!”
“Um, excuse me… do you have a girlfriend? No, I mean… a friend wanted me to ask.”
“Junior. You were using tremendous fire, is that an effect of the sword or your own magic?”
It seemed like they were just waiting for the right moment to strike up a conversation and get to know him. Remembering himself from three years ago, Ronan couldn’t help but smile. Navardose, who had been observing their interaction, murmured softly in response.
【It would be nice if he makes a lot of friends. It’s something unfamiliar to the arrogant dragon race.】
“Well, as long as things continue like this, I think it’ll happen naturally. But aren’t you too negative about your own kind?”
【You have no idea how remarkable what you did for Ir is. My child. I feel like kissing your cheeks right now.】
“Just do it then.” Ronan had to restrain himself from saying the words that rose up to his throat. It was a pity that Adeshan, who was looking at them with worried eyes from the opposite stands, wasn’t someone else.
【It’s been a long conversation. Let’s go together now. It won’t take long.】
“I’ll do my best to help you. But where are we going?”
【Drimore. It’s where the sky thins, and my fight begins.】
With those words, Navardose flicked her finger. Flames erupted from the air, engulfing the two of them. When the surrounding people noticed the change and turned their heads, Ronan and Navardose had already disappeared without a trace.