Chapter 24: For My Sister (3)
Chapter 24: For My Sister (3)
Kratir pulled the empty sky, and the background tore away like a curtain being ripped off.
The landscape, which had been empty, disappeared, revealing a bustling square filled with people. The crowd of upperclassmen facing the freshmen cheered as if the sky had departed.
“Welcome Juniors!”
“Is there anyone interested in celestial alchemy?”
“If you’re from the martial arts department, join the sparring club, please!”
They were all wearing school uniforms. Philleon 786th generation. They were the 2nd-year seniors of Philleon Academy, who had entered a year ahead of the current class led by Ronan.
Seeing the bustling students, Ronan furrowed his brow.
“Are all they our seniors?”
“There are so many…”
Aselle exclaimed with his mouth wide open. Although he had only heard about one generation ahead, it seemed like there were hundreds of them. Most of them were wearing the martial arts department’s uniforms, probably due to the scarcity of magicians.
“Just in case there are some who don’t know, let me explain. The enrollment ceremony is an opportunity to greet the seniors of the class just above yours, whom you’ll see the most during your school life, and to exchange introductions.”
Kratir continued explaining while stroking his beard. It was about fostering camaraderie between upperclassmen and underclassmen.
After exchanging light greetings, there would be events like awards for outstanding students and a banquet. At that moment, a booming voice echoed from the 2nd-year camp.
“Hahaha! They say there’s someone who defeated the Empire’s Rising Star in this class? Let’s have a match!”
The 2nd-year group split to the sides, and a boy who reminded one of a bear stepped forward. He was currently ranked 2nd. The former top student of the martial arts department from last year, Braum Biodan.
“Braum! Braum! Braum! Braum!”
The martial arts students chanted his name. Braum, who stood at the front, flexed his biceps and struck a pose. His muscles, reminiscent of tree trunks, seemed like they could burst out of his uniform at any moment.
Kratir chuckled as he stroked his beard.
“Haha, Braum hasn’t changed a bit. Have you been increasing the weight of your sword?”
“Yes!! Thanks to everyone!! I’ve successfully increased it to 120kg!!”
“Good job. Shall we prepare the stage for the light greetings?”
Kratir gestured again into the empty air. This time, it seemed like he was grasping and pressing something.
-Rumble!
Suddenly, as if an earthquake had struck, the plaza vibrated, and the ground around Kratir began to sink. The professors were also engulfed by the erosion, but they maintained their composure without changing their expressions.
Before long, a massive circular space with a radius of about 200 meters was created. The freshmen watching were awestruck by the instant appearance of the arena.
“What…what is this?”
“This is amazing…”
On the other hand, the 2nd-year students weren’t very surprised. They had already seen similar scenes last year, and living at Philleon meant they would witness even more extraordinary sights.
“Hehehe, our expressions were like that too last year.”
“Don’t be too surprised, friends!”
Ironically, the wide-eyed freshmen were more entertaining for the 2nd-year students. Kratir shouted.
“Then, let’s proceed with the greetings from the martial arts department. The top 10 students, please come down to the arena. First, the top freshman of the martial arts department, Shullifen de Gracia!”
“Wow!”
The crowd of freshmen split, and Shullifen walked out. Cheers erupted for him without distinguishing classes. He truly had the popularity befitting the Empire’s Rising Star. Ronan’s name was called next in line.
“Next up! The second-ranked freshman of the martial arts department! Ronan!”
“Wow!”
“Well, damn! that’s surprising.”
The cheers, not much different from before, burst out. Taken aback by the unexpected reaction, Ronan bit his tongue and mumbled. Unbeknownst to him, he was quite popular among students, especially the 2nd-years. There wasn’t a single student who didn’t know the story of the boy who had appeared like a comet and taken first place in the practical exam.
“Hey, hey, check out that jawline. He might even cut an apology.”
“Wow… He’s handsome. He is standing next to Shullifen and doesn’t kneel?”
“Is he from the commoners? He doesn’t even have a noble surname.”
Kratir called out the students from both martial arts departments based on their rankings. A total of 20 students stepped onto the stage.
Ronan looked around. Sitting in the front row, he could barely spot Eirl, who was waving both hands. Then, a familiar voice came from the side.
“Hey! Long time no see!”
“Marya.”
“You should have told us if you cut your hair. I was wondering about it.”
Among the named students was Marya, who ranked 9th. After a long time, he finally saw her lively and chatty demeanor. Marya spun around in place and spoke.
“How’s the uniform? Does it suit me?”
“Yeah.”
Ronan nodded. Thanks to his impressive physique, the uniform fit him well. Marya burst into cheerful laughter and playfully tapped Ronan’s biceps.
“Your haircut looks great too! You should have gotten it earlier!”
“It felt awkward.”
“What did you do while you were away? Did something suddenly inspire you to change your appearance?”
Marya raised her eyebrows inquisitively. Ronan recalled the events of the past two weeks.
He had virtually dismantled a branch of a smuggling organization, awakened an unknown creature called Sita from an egg, and Shullifen had fallen head over heels for his sister, whom he had brought along. He also learned about the secretive forge of Gracia.
Ronan shrugged his shoulders.
“Nothing much happened.”
“Hmm? It’s even more suspicious now…”
Marya raised an eyebrow as if in doubt. Ronan said,
“But seriously, what’s going on right now? They suddenly called me out and told me to fight.”
“Well, it’s one of the regular events of the enrollment ceremony. You don’t know about ‘light greetings’?”
“It’s not light at all.”
Marya closed her eyes and shook her head. She had long grown accustomed to Ronan’s ignorance. She gestured and explained the concept of ‘light greetings’.
“In essence, it’s a formal introduction.”
“Well, you could see it that way. There’s almost no chance for a freshman to beat a sophomore.”
Light greetings were a major event of the entrance ceremony. Freshmen and the top sophomores of the martial arts department would engage in combat to showcase their skills. Ronan nodded in agreement.
“Not bad. It’s a way to get to know each other through swordplay, after all.”
“That’s what I think too. Anyway… did you suddenly decide to cut your hair?”
“Something like that.”
Marya sighed. Without removing her suspicious gaze, she returned to her spot without saying another word.
Ronan shrugged. He couldn’t understand why she was so fixated on his haircut.
The 1st-year and 2nd-year students faced each other. Kratir spoke.
“Alright, then let the 1st-year students start with their selections! Shullifen, please!”
Shullifen extended his finger without saying a word and pointed to the young man in front of him. He was Nasdo, currently in 1st place among the 2nd-years.
Nasdo nodded calmly as if he had anticipated it. It was Ronan’s turn to call out the names. A bear-like creature beside him grinned widely.
“Hahaha! So you’re the rumored second-best? Nice to meet you, Ronan!!”
2nd in the martial arts department’s 2nd-year class, Braum Biodan. Ronan raised an eyebrow as if intrigued. Braum’s back was practically filled with a greatsword almost as large as Ronan himself.
“I’m here to test the sword.”
“Ooh! Are you recognizing my awesomeness at a glance? I knew I’d be able to communicate with you!! Well then, call out my name!”
Ronan nodded. Braum shouted, raising both arms. The crowd erupted in cheers once again.
‘He seems to have high expectations, but it’s a pity.’
Seeing Braum’s excited face, Ronan chuckled. In any case, regardless of the opponent, the fight would likely end within a few seconds. A swift slash, and it’s over. That was Braum’s future.
Ronan was about to turn around.
“Um, with such a big difference in physique… is it okay?”
“Hmm?”
He noticed the anxious face of his sister in the front row of the audience. Come to think of it, he had never shown Eril how he wielded his sword.
“Well, there’s no need to worry.”
Eril would return to the Noble Quarter tomorrow. Given her caring nature, she was bound to be worried. While lost in thought, Ronan quickly raised his hand.
“Headmaster, I have a suggestion.”
“Hmm? What is it, Ronan?”
“Can I face all of the 2nd-years alone?”
While his tone was composed, the content was not. A dreadful silence fell upon the plaza.
To cut to the chase, Ronan’s proposal was accepted.
Kratir divided the professors into a brief discussion. The members of the interview committee who had evaluated Ronan thought, “Well, as long as the parties involved are okay with it, does it really matter? It could be interesting.”
“I also wanted to know more about Ronan’s skills.”
Convincing the 19 participants, including his peers and seniors, wasn’t as difficult as expected. They were already aware that Ronan had outperformed Shullifen and ranked 1st in the practical exam.
“Can I face him too? We’d be satisfied and pleased if you win.”
“Me too. But are you sure…?”
His peers were curious about what kind of technique Ronan had demonstrated to achieve such results.
“It’s fine. Go for it.”
Shullifen also accepted Ronan’s claim. He thought the event of “light greetings” itself was a waste of time. However, while the reactions of the freshmen and other students were mostly favorable, the 2nd-years’ responses were different.
“Hey, underclassman. What made you do something like this?”
“Hahaha! He’s completely crazy!”
“He thinks he’s second-best, so he’s looking down on us? Let’s break him, Braum!”
Ronan’s statement trampled over the pride of his seniors. With unified minds, they were burning with passion to look after their juniors in need.
Braum shouted while blood vessels bulged on his forehead.
“Ronan!! My passion! Don’t toy with it like this! I won’t leave it alone!!”
Of course, Ronan was oblivious to such pride. He aimed to put Eril at ease. Showing her once was much better than talking about it tirelessly to calm her worries.
“Well then, let’s begin the ‘light greetings’. Take your positions!”
Kratir announced. Ronan and ten 2nd-year students faced each other with about 50 meters of distance between them. Students wearing blue neckties all glared at Ronan with determination.
“R…Ronan! Why did you do something like this…!”
Eril was contemplating Ronan with a contemplative expression. She was the first to recognize her brother’s talent, but this was definitely not it.
*Boom!*
A magical firework signaled the start. Ten boys and girls rushed toward Ronan. Stout Braum led the charge with powerful strides, followed by Nasdo, who was in 1st place.
“Ugh… Do you have any flashy techniques?”
Though the gap would narrow in a matter of seconds, Ronan had enough time to ponder. He suddenly recalled the swordsmanship Navirose had shown during the practical exam interview.
“Yeah, that was quite good.”
It was a sword technique performed while rotating the entire body with the sword. He had even attempted to imitate it briefly. Ronan nodded to himself.
“Alright, then.”
“Take this!!!”
Just then, Braum, who was charging forward, swung his greatsword. A golden blade gleamed as it soared horizontally.
Whoosh!
The rush of air pushed against Ronan’s forehead. Ronan spun in place, catching the greatsword head-on.
Thud!
“Wha-what?!”
Braum tightly clenched the hilt of his sword. If he had let go of just a little bit of strength, he might have lost his grip on the sword. It was an unbelievable strength coming from his small stature. Braum’s pupils widened as he recognized the familiar black blade.
“You…How did you learn the Navirose Instructor’s swordsmanship…!”
“Oh, you know?”
“Where did you learn that!”
Instead of answering, Ronan stepped on Braum’s greatsword and leaped up. He rotated vertically three times and swung the sword.
“Ugh!”
Braum urgently raised his greatsword horizontally, assuming a defensive stance. The 120kg greatsword, reinforced with mana, was as good as a large shield.
However, Ronan’s intention wasn’t a straightforward confrontation. The trajectory of the dark iron sword subtly shifted.
Swoosh!
The hilt of the greatsword was sliced off, and the hefty blade fell to the ground.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
The cut was clean. Braum stared helplessly at his severed sword. Ronan dryly responded.
“I just watched once and then learnt.”