Chapter 135: Unseasonable Winter (5)
“…That crazy old man.”
It was vast, disgustingly so. That was Ronan’s initial impression. The new club exceeded his expectations by far.
A field of stones stretched out before him. The ceiling and walls were made entirely of smooth, flat stone, more resembling a runway for landing than a training ground.
It seemed like someone had put together five arenas where butterflies and swords had just dueled. Seriously, if the ceiling were a little higher, it could accommodate small dragons.
“This is crazy.”
Ronan muttered, pulling out Ymir from his waist. Clang! He infused mana, striking the floor, but the blade barely made a faint spark and bounced off.
“Hah.”
Ronan chuckled. He hadn’t anticipated his wish for something spacious and sturdy to be so straightforwardly accepted. While he gazed around, a boisterous voice echoed.
“Haha, I knew you’d be surprised!!”
Ronan turned toward the source of the sound. Marya was vigorously waving from a corner of the training ground. Behind her stood a wooden building originally used as an observation point.
“How on earth did they move that?”
It was undoubtedly Katir’s doing. In front of the building lay a long table set for a feast, wafting delicious smells from the dishes.
“Hehe, this is easily the most dramatic scene in my over 70 years of teaching.””
“Your back already?”
“Oh my, Lord Ronan.”
Familiar faces gathered around the table. All the club members, and the people who bid farewell to Ronan two years ago, were present.
Ronan walked slowly forward. Katir was the first to approach and offer a handshake.
“Ronan, it’s been a while.”
“Headmaster.”
“You’re back after a long time, but the Academy is in such a bad state. It’s quite embarrassing.”
Katir chuckled wryly. The wrinkles on his face had deepened. Dark circles suggested sleepless nights battling crises.
He was undoubtedly the person suffering the most from the Winter Witch incident. Katir, trying to shake off his fatigue, patted Ronan on the shoulder.
“Well, does the new club appeal to you?”
“…Is it okay to build something like this under the campus?”
“Hehe, it was fortunate that we finished construction before the winter set in. Considering what Ronan has accomplished, I might consider adding a couple more.”
Stroking his beard, Katir laughed. Though fatigue was evident, it was a compassionate laughter.
He explained the advantages and unique aspects of the new club like durability, well-equipped training facilities, and even secret passages scattered around. Ronan nodded in acknowledgment.
“Thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”
“Sure, sure. You just need to return to third-year right away. I’ve sorted everything out already.”
“I skipped a lot of things… Do I not have to take any exams or anything like that?”
“How sly. What meaning does that hold for you now? Just expect to get very busy for the remaining period. You’ll need to catch up on what you’ve missed.”
Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to call Aselle or Marya seniors. Despite jumping straight to the upper grade, it wasn’t a bad deal considering his enhanced abilities.
No bird regrets the time it spent in the egg. Katir glanced at the clock and quenched his appetite.
“Well, now that I’ve seen your face, I think this old man should go… Sorry we can’t spend more time together.”
It seemed like there was another urgent matter. Although they parted ways as soon as they met, given his position, it couldn’t be helped. Ronan was bidding him goodbye, he spoke up.
“I’ll make it easier for you in no time.”
“Hehe… You make it sound ominous. Anyway, have a good time.”
Whoosh! The space twisted, and Katir’s figure vanished. Ronan, who was looking at the spot where he had disappeared, opened his mouth without turning his head.
“Professor Jhordin, should I just say hello and leave?”
“At least wait until you’ve finished your meal. You’ve grown a lot taller.”
“Yeah. What else has changed?”
“Don’t get too cocky just because you have a core now. You haven’t forgotten the mana manipulation method I taught you, have you?”
Nevertheless, regarding mana, there was no arguing. Ronan frowned slightly, looking again at the transformed figure of Jhordin.
“…Jhordin?”
The hollowed-out cheeks could probably be used as cups if turned inside out. His wrist, exposed from the sleeve, was reminiscent of a skeleton. Ronan asked with a worried voice.
“Please tell me it’s not because of your wife.”
“Sunya is doing well. She woke up not too long ago.”
Jhordin gave a faint smile. Sunya was slowly but surely improving. He sighed, explaining the situation regarding his wife’s condition.
“Just… I’ve been very busy.”
“Good to hear.”
“Yeah. Compared to losing my wife again, it’s nothing.”
He, too, had been dealing with significantly increased responsibilities since the arrival of the winter. There were several individuals who might truly collapse from overwork if they didn’t resolve the Winter Witch’s situation promptly.
“That monster… No, Navirose, is she feeling better?”
“Oh, she seems to be. She saw potential in me, believe it or not.”
“Thank goodness. At least I don’t have to witness that sight anymore. Zaifa, too. But she was very worried about you.”
He mentioned that Navirose would inquire about Ronan’s well-being at least once a day. Questions like why he wouldn’t wake up, whether she could feed him food or not, what if he woke up but turned into an idiot, and so on…
Since her defeat against Zaifa, she claimed to have faced double trouble by entertaining drinking companions. Sighing deeply, Jhordin tapped Ronan’s shoulder.
“I can assure you that she is the person who cares about you the most. Treat her well.”
“Got it. Anyway, she seems to be a caring person.”
“Not exactly, Professor Jhordin. There is also the Student Council President.”
Suddenly, a graceful young lady interrupted. Her upturned, cat-like eyes were familiar. With her dark purple hair swept behind her ears, she spoke demurely.
“Adeshan Unni wrote letters almost every day. Even families don’t do that, do they?”
“Quite an effort indeed. It’s fortunate that while serving as her assistant, she didn’t begin to resemble that monster.”
“If it hadn’t been for the Winter Witch, she would’ve definitely written daily without fail…”
Jhordin nodded in agreement. She clenched her fists as if she was angry by listing achievements that were not her own. Ronan, observing her intently, smirked.
“Elizabeth?”
“Ah, long time no see, Ronan.”
Only then did Elizabeth turn her head. Seeing her after a long while, she had blossomed into a truly beautiful young lady.
Her manners and speech exuded charm, truly the pride of the Acalusia Family. Ronan, inspecting Elizabeth’s face, furrowed his brows.
“What is that scar?”
“Oh, you noticed it instantly…”
Elizabeth widened her eyes. There were blotches resembling red stains spreading around her neck.
Having experienced various injuries, Ronan knew it was a scar from frostbite. Elizabeth, with a wry smile, traced her scar.
“It’s a scar left by the Witch.”
“You’re not deliberately removing it?”
“Hehe, you are quick-witted as expected.”
She suffered a crushing defeat against the Winter Witch during her entrance ceremony last year. Even the flame magic directly imparted to her by Aun Philara ultimately failed to melt the Witch’s ice.
“I look at it every time I let my guard down. Surprisingly, it’s quite effective.”
“You’re strong.”
“I don’t plan on treating it until this winter ends. It would be great if there was a chance to take revenge, but now I can’t even get close…”
Elizabeth chewed her lip. As long as the Winter Witch remained inside her shell, the opportunity for a rematch wouldn’t present itself. While contemplating something, Ronan spoke up.
“Would you like to come with me this time?”
“Huh? Go together?”
“I was originally planning to only take Aselle with me, but I guess one more wouldn’t hurt. So…”
Ronan briefly explained his plan. Elizabeth’s eyes widened. Grabbing Ronan’s sleeve with both hands, she spoke.
“I want to go. Please take me with you. Please?”
“Sure. But there’s a condition.”
“A condition?”
“Join our club.”
Ronan wore a stern expression, as if telling her not to even dream of negotiating. She had been a talent he was keeping an eye on for a while, and he couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity. Gazing thoughtfully, Elizabeth grinned.
“I’m already a member of your club.”
“Huh? When did you join?”
“Not long after you left. Adeshan Unni gave me personal guidance every day, making me so envious. So, impulsively I…”
Elizabeth scratched her cheek. It was an honest reason for joining, similar to something like a single man buying flowers he doesn’t even like to impress the girl at the flower shop.
“Well then…”
“Hehe, a deal is a deal, right?”
The deal ended unexpectedly. Just then, a familiar woman walked out of the club building. She held a roasted turkey that looked freshly taken out of an oven in her hands.
“Eri. Could you take this?”
“Sunbe?”
“Ah, Ronan, you’re here.”
Adeshan gave him a warm smile. Elizabeth, who had telekinetically moved the turkey to the table, clung to her, whining.
“Geez, how will you handle such heavy things while managing the Student Council? You didn’t cook this yourself, did you?”
“Eri, you worry too much. I do it because I enjoy it.”
Club members bustled around the building, carrying food and drinks. It seemed like there was more than just the dishes laid out on the table. Feeling a sudden emptiness, Ronan shrugged his shoulders.
“Varen isn’t here?”
It was odd. Varen wasn’t the kind of person who would miss such an occasion. Adeshan remembered something she had forgotten and slapped her forehead.
“Oh, I’m sorry, he wanted me to convey this to you. He’s extremely busy lately developing new potions.”
“Potion development?”
“Yeah. He’s trying to create a mass-market version of the Everlasting Snowflower Pearl… a cold resistance potion that anyone can drink.”
Adeshan mentioned that there wasn’t anyone in Jido who didn’t know about The Lion and the Dream Bird Workshop. Varen, who had been steadily conducting research, partnered with Marya’s Caravel Merchant to distribute his special potions throughout the continent.
“Indeed. He has made it big.”
It felt like just yesterday he was tearing at tufts of fur, impressed by the club activities, yet one never knows what the future holds. Ronan rolled up his sleeves and entered the kitchen.
“I’ll help. What can I do?”
“Oh, you should just rest. You must be tired after waking up today.”
“Two years give you quite the break.”
Ronan chuckled. Preparation didn’t take long. The welcome party to celebrate his return lasted until dawn.
***
He was contacted by Ronolan the next morning. Cita, who was now the size of a large dog, delivered the letter. Ronan entered Aselle’s dorm room and woke him up.
“Get up, Aselle. Let’s go.”
“Uuuhhh… Where?”
Aselle, buried in his bed, blinked as he got up. His hair was tied on both sides, a result of Ronan having tied it up last night, and Aselle hadn’t undone it since returning to the dorm. He realized he might not have told the kid.
“Ronolan.”
“…Huh?”
Aselle froze in place like a statue. Ronan left the room with a threat that if he wasn’t ready within five minutes, he would make him wear a frilly dress.
“This is my first club activity in two years.”
Ronan slid the pre-written club activity application through Varen’s office door. The outrageously expensive griffin airship served as their mode of transport.
He had no idea what Nabirose had said, but there was no particular need for a guide. After enduring hours of pain that felt as if his buttocks would be split horizontally, a huge shadow finally appeared on the horizon of the dawn sea. It was Rodolan, the Fortress of Screams, the largest reef in the world.
“Damn it, how is this any different from a prisoner transport carriage?”
The landing was smooth. As they descended from the carriage, a fierce sea wind tousled their hair. Ronan, the first to alight, took a deep breath and exhaled.
“Yeah, it should be about this much.”
Ronan’s smirk appeared. The brisk wind carried the warmth of spring. As Aselle followed, a trembling voice escaped his lips.
“Ro-Ronan… Is this really right? Even now…”
“Dude, I’ve brought you here for good reason. Despite her reputation as a witch, she’s a rare sorceress. You might gain some magical inspiration.”
“Right, Aselle-Nim. Please demonstrate your magic and dignity.”
Elizabeth, the last to descend, gave a warning. Aselle, glancing around, looked as if he was going to jump into the sea at any moment. Observing the crowded area, Ronan clicked his tongue.
“So many people…”
All sorts of people roamed the rocky platform serving as a pier. They were all here to try and solve the Winter Witch problem.
Below the cliff, the ships they arrived on were docked side by side. There were few small boats, mostly massive cruise ships or warships, some even interlocked their hulls, forming structures.
At this point, it was hard to tell if this was a prison or a tourist spot. Ronan furrowed his brow as he saw a ship approaching from a distance.
“Who’s on that flashy ship?”
A colossal ship, its hull painted entirely in red, approached, breaking through the waves. A giant four-masted vessel, it seemed capable of carrying all of Rodolan’s prisoners and still have room left to spare.
They seemed to be heading towards the fortress. Amidst the sea breeze, a familiar voice called out.
“Those from Philleon, over here.”
The three turned their heads simultaneously. A cloaked old man stood, slightly stooped. A menacing beaked mask dangled from his waist.
“We’ve received word from Navirose that you might have a way to strip off the witch’s shell.”
“Yes. I’ll have to try to know for sure.”
It was someone familiar. Ronan smiled at the face he hadn’t seen in a long time. Meeting his eyes, the old man nodded with a smile.
“Hmm? Have we met somewhere before?”
“Two years ago. Interrogator Karaka.”
“Ah! The boy from back then!”
Karaka’s eyes twinkled. He extended a handshake to Ronan, a familiar attitude despite the long absence.
“You’ve grown impressively; I didn’t recognize you. The village girls must be left sleepless.”
“That would be nice. How’s Cyril?”
“Haha, she’s doing well. With so many fellow fanatics having joined us, she’s not receiving as much attention as before… but she’s still being cared for with great love and affection. I’ve completely cut off her ears and regenerated them more than 20 times.”
It had been over two years since her capture in Gran Capadokia, and she still seemed to be undergoing torture. Aselle covered his mouth. Karaka pointed towards Rodolan’s fortress and spoke.
“Let’s go in. If you don’t have any outerwear, we’ll provide some for you inside.”
“Outerwear?”
“It gets terribly cold near the witch. Follow me.”
The trio followed Karaka’s lead. Whoosh! As they opened the fortress door, a chilling wind rushed out. It carried a mix of blood-curdling screams and sobs
“Aaaah! D-don’t! Please!”
“C-Cold…! Please get it out now!”
“My legs, my legs…!”
“Exhilarating, isn’t it?”
Karaka, muttering, put on the mask hanging from his waist. The cheerful atmosphere around him had changed completely. He looked back at the group and opened his mouth.
“Welcome to Rodolan.”
