Chapter 134: Unseasonable Winter (4)
“Have a spar with me.”
Navirose pulled on the hilt of her sword. With a clinking sound, the Secret Sword, Urusa, appeared.
One of the masterpieces Doron was proud of. The sword forged by mixing ten types of ores, was gleaming with a dark green hue just like her eyes.
Ronan stood somewhat dumbfounded. He couldn’t quite grasp what was happening all of a sudden. Navirose urged him with an irritated tone.
“What are you doing? Draw your weapon.”
“Damn it, I don’t know what’s going on, but…”
Ronan clicked his tongue, drawing his sword. There was something off about Navirose today. Her sensitiveness and eccentricity was just like a cat pricked by a rose thorn.
Ssshwung! Lamancha’s black blade scattered a distinctive shadow. Ymir remained still, firmly lodged at his waist.
“Are you not using that dagger?”
“No.”
Ronan nodded his head. It seemed futile to dabble in swordplay tactics now. Navirose, poised, murmured softly.
“Come at me with all your might.”
Her voice was serious. Whatever the reason, it seemed genuine.
Instead of responding, Ronan gripped the hilt of his sword. Whoosh! A dizzying crimson rose along the sword’s edge. For some reason, infusing mana into the blade felt much easier than before. Navirose arched her eyebrow.
“Is that so? You’ve come this far.”
“What do you mean by ‘this far’?”
“A core has appeared. Your core.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. Come to think of it, the pulsation of his heartbeat felt different than before. It felt like something hotter than blood was stirring inside him.
‘Is this also an aftermath of undoing the cures…?’
Maybe this was why his body felt lighter. They stepped back about thirty paces from each other. Confirming Ronan’s stance, Navirose spoke.
“Let’s begin.”
Ronan nodded. Simultaneously, Navirose’s figure vanished from sight. Bang! A green flash sparkled, and a surge of sword energy shot from where she stood.
“Shit…!”
Ronan spat a curse. Two crescents flew towards him. Crossing each other, these sword energies seemed to span about 30 meters in length.
As he concentrated, Ronan spotted Navirose darting towards him behind the sword energies. In that moment, he realized how much she’d concealed her skill during their training sessions. Her speed was something he wouldn’t even have been able to react to two years ago.
‘Interesting.’
However, amidst the confusion, his blood boiled. This was the long-awaited battle against the former Sword Saint he had been looking forward to. Thud! Trusting his instincts, Ronan leaped, propelling himself off the ground.
‘It’s high…!’
His lighter body soared higher than expected. The sword energies were suddenly close. Leaping like a swallow, Ronan swung his sword.
Swoosh! The blades formed a circle as the two sword edges intersected, splitting into four pieces that flew behind Ronan.
Bang! The blades hitting the wall caused an explosion, scattering traces of mana like sparks. Navirose, who was rushing forward, hastily stopped. Ronan rotated once more, swinging the sword downward. The intensified strike descended above Navirose’s head.
“Hmph!”
“That’s…!”
Navirose’s face froze. It resembled her rotating sword yet subtly different. The calm yet sharp blade was undoubtedly familiar from somewhere.
Though questions arose, there was no time to ponder them now. Gripping the hilt of her sword with both hands, she countered the attack. The two blade edges clashed in mid-air.
Kaaaang!
The clash echoed with a mix of metallic and impact sounds. The windows, unable to withstand the shockwave, shattered into pieces. Both surprised by each other’s strength, gritted their teeth.
“Aahh!”
“Keuk!”
However, no one was pushed back. After a brief struggle of strength, the two struck out their swords again.
Clang! Clang! The lightning-fast swords clashed repeatedly. With each blade meeting, a jade-green flash burst into the air. Suddenly, a question flickered in Ronan’s eyes.
‘Huh?’
Something was off. The more they fought, the more a sense of strangeness intensified. However, there was no time to dwell on it. Ronan gripped the handle tighter. Whoosh! The red light pulsating within the sword energy rose to the surface.
“I’m going all out.”
“Let’s prevent that.”
Navirose twisted her lips. Thump! Ronan unleashed a brief maneuver, twirling his right foot. In an instant, roots sprouted, entwining around Navirose.
“This is…”
Navirose’s eyes widened. Ronan swung his sword towards her, who was bound. Thud! Her foot, which tore away from the roots and flew out and struck Ronan in the abdomen.
“Keuuk!”
Ronan gritted his teeth. The impact felt like his insides were turned upside down. Simultaneously, he swung his sword as he bounced off. Boom! A crimson sword energy was launched towards Navirose.
However, it wasn’t the usual crescent shape but an organic form, resembling a waterfall. Achieving the transformation of the sword technique he longed for, Ronan exclaimed in exasperation.
“Damn, nailed it!”
“Did you manage to do it in the end?”
Navirose chuckled hollowly. A rush of crimson surged forward. She slightly rotated her sword, defending against the sword energy. Kwang! The liquified energy relentlessly pounded Urusa’s blade. Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
“As expected.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Navirose quickly turned her head. Ronan, who had reappeared behind her, was swinging his sword horizontally. A swift strike with a trailing red tail was hurtling toward her.
“Tsk…!”
Quickly turning her body, Navirose assumed a defensive posture. However, Ronan’s slash was already right in front of her nose. At this distance, Urysa would be pushed away and it would strike her. Realizing that she was a step too late, she gritted her teeth.
“….?”
However, the collision didn’t occur. Lamancha halted right in front of her. Navirose furrowed her brow.
“…What are you doing right now?”
Ronan didn’t reply. As soon as he lowered his sword, Lamancha’s color returned to its original state. Navirose, her expression twisted further, growled softly.
“I asked you what you are doing.”
“Once you’re completely healed, I’ll land my strike.”
Ronan spoke calmly. Light streamed in through the broken windows. Navirose frowned.
“What?”
“Your condition isn’t normal, Instructor. Did you get into an accident or something?”
An eerie silence fell. After several seconds, Navirose struggled to speak.
“…I’m not injured.”
“Damn it, then what the hell happened? Why aren’t you using everything you have? Your movements are sloppy too.”
Ronan listed the changes he felt in one breath. Navirose’s overall skills had deteriorated. While her aggressive onslaught remained, that seemed to be the only thing left. He had felt something was odd since he saw her meditating, but he hadn’t expected it to be this severe.
“Ronan…”
“Tell me honestly. What’s the issue?”
For the first time, he resented Adeshan. Nobody was in good health here. Judging by the degree of deterioration in skill, it was evident the Instructor had suffered a major injury.
On her arm, leg, or somewhere. They probably lied to reassure him. After a long silence, Navirose struggled to speak.
“…I lost to Zaifa.”
“Huh?”
“Exactly. It happened earlier this year. I just couldn’t keep my composure.”
Navirose sighed. She had challenged Zaifa again for the position of Sword Saint earlier this year, but ended up losing.
While she wasn’t injured, the main point was that she lost even though it was a rematch. Ronan furrowed his brow.
“Wait, wait, so you’re not hurt at all? Not even on a single spot?”
“Yeah. Didn’t I say that earlier?”
Navirose nodded. Her tone suggested she was tired of hearing such questions. Ronan, swallowing the curse that had risen to his throat, breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Damn it, you’re scaring people here.’
He felt like he had aged by ten years just from the stress. Adeshan hadn’t lied. Sweeping his bangs aside, he spoke up.
“Alright, I’m glad you’re not hurt. I thought you’d lost an arm or something and got it replaced with a prosthetic.”
“Well, maybe it would have been better that way”
“Huh?”
“This fight confirmed something for me. I can’t defeat that cat for the rest of my life.”
She had realized her limitations after the last fight. It was a tremendous shock for Navirose, who had spent her life defeating everyone, except for Zaifa and the gray-haired man.
Not only was she unable to display her true skills to their full potential, she was also unable to bring out her aura properly. Navirose smiled wryly.
“It’s like a naive attitude. I’m sorry for showing you such an embarrassing side of me.”
“Instructor.”
Ronan twisted his lips. He never imagined someone who seemed unbreakable would end up like this. Observing Ronan quietly, Navirose spoke.
“But… I’m a little better now.”
“Huh?”
“Because, unlike me, another student with more potential has appeared.”
Ronan lowered his gaze towards her. Navirose’s face seemed noticeably brighter. After sheathing her sword, she lightly tapped Ronan on the chest.
“You’ve grown so much compared to before… What on earth happened in those two years?”
“I just… did some self-reflection.”
“Some Awakened their auras, and you’re making me happy in your own way.”
As she spoke, Navirose seemed genuinely content. It felt like some of the darkness that had shrouded her face had lifted.
“I shouldn’t be a shameful mentor either.”
Seeing her able to forget her pain through her student’s achievements confirmed she was indeed a natural mentor. The two exchanged brief conversations about their recent situations.
“You met Adeshan before coming here? But that kid didn’t tell you about my condition?”
“She didn’t. She said I should hear it from you myself.”
“Anyway, she’s a good kid, even though she’s not my assistant anymore.”
“I think so too. Uh, Instructor. I have a favor to ask.”
Navirose tilted her head. Ronan spoke up. Hearing that he wanted to go to Rodolan, the expression on her face changed.
“Rodolan? Are you planning to go see the Winter Witch?”
“Yes.”
“I expected that. As soon as you come back, you’re throwing yourself into the whirlpool.”
Ronan scratched his head, appearing somewhat irritated. Navirose quickly raised her eyebrows as she playfully rebuked him.
“Alright. I’ll contact the Inquisitor, Karaka.”
“Thank you.”
“But don’t do anything reckless. The Sword Festival is coming up soon.”
“Hey, do you think I’d be so foolish?”
“Whatever. You’ve caused quite a stir, and not in a good way.”
The two people facing each other giggled at the same time. Navirose picked up the scattered water pouch. After pouring out the remaining water, she spoke.
“Ronan.”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you’re back.”
With those words, Navirose turned her back. Ronan noticed her quickened pace, as if she were running away. It was strange for the one feeling embarrassed to be the odd one. Ronan grinned as he watched her disappearing figure.
“Me too.”
****
Even though the sun had set, the sky remained overcast. The wind, resembling a lament, irregularly rustled through the air. Whenever the moonlight peeked through the clouds, the accumulated snow on the ground glowed faintly.
Navirose had mentioned that she would receive a reply from Rodolan by tomorrow at the latest. After finishing the conversation with her, Ronan immediately left the Gallerion Hall.
He was heading towards the new club building. Originally, he planned to visit it a bit later, but Marya made a huge fuss that it had to go today.
“It was supposed to be around here…”
Ronan, reaching the north side of the campus, looked around. The garden, once full of flowers and trees, had transformed into a white snowfield. Even after rubbing his eyes and searching, he couldn’t see any building suitable for a club.
‘Damn it, did they give me the wrong information?’
Ronan took out a cigar and cursed. Due to the continuous snowfall, it was challenging to ignite a fire. At that moment, he heard a familiar voice from not far away.
“Ro-Ronan! Over here!”
“Huh?”
Ronan turned his head. A small figure, wrapped in fur clothing, was trembling. The tulip-like red hair in their hands looked even more vivid than the lantern.
“Were you there?”
Wiping his wet cigar, Ronan shifted his steps. Aselle was completely covered in snow, turning into something akin to a snowman. Ronan furrowed his brow.
“Are you okay, dude?”
“I-I thought you’d be lost, so I came out for a bit…”
“Sigh, you idiot.”
Ronan brushed off the snow from Aselle’s hat. Behind Aselle stood a small building. It appeared modest and unassuming, possibly just a warehouse, but its exterior was entirely covered in white and concealed by the snow-covered roof, making it hard to notice. Ronan frowned.
“That old man Katir tricked me.”
“Oh, no… you’ll be surprised when you go inside.”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
Muttering, Ronan entered the interior of the building. The moment the door closed, the sound of the wind diminished.
A small lantern glowed overhead. The rectangular space was filled with thick piles of firewood.
“Amazing. A firewood bed.”
“It’s, it’s all an illusion. The stairs appear suddenly, so be careful.”
“What?”
Ronan tilted his head. Aselle lifted his foot without hesitation. Witnessing his legs pass through the firewood, Ronan widened his eyes. Surprisingly, all the firewood was just an intangible illusion.
‘He put in quite some effort into this.’
It was an advanced technique he had only seen in the library of the Dawn Magic Tower. As they walked through the fake firewood, the stairs leading downwards appeared shortly.
They were notably steep and deep stairs. A pleasant smell wafted from somewhere. While descending the stairs, Ronan asked Aselle.
“So, why did it have to be today? There are plenty of other days.”
“Th-That’s…”
Aselle hesitated, scratching his cheek, avoiding eye contact. It seemed clear that he was hiding something, not even responding when Ronan threatened to tie his hair into pigtails.
The moment he finally reached the end of the stairs, the view became clear. Aselle exclaimed.
“I-I brought him!”
“Ah, finally.”
Ronan’s eyes widened. There was a crowd of people gathered together.
It was a familiar and yet nostalgic sight, but right now he was more surprised than glad. Ronan let out a laugh as he saw the new club.
“…That crazy old man.”
