Chapter 25: Admission
The cross section was clean. Braum looked at the sword that had cleanly severed his leg in despair. Ronan responded dryly.
“I just looked at it once and learnt.”
“Learnt just from looking at it…?”
Braum’s expression hardened abruptly. It was fortunate that no one else had heard Ronan’s words.
The second-year students of the martial arts department, especially those taking lessons from Navirose, were already astonished beyond measure.
“Just now…! The new student used Lady Navirose’s revolving sword, right?”
“Even if it’s a concealed disciple, can that be allowed? How can he use it so perfectly…!”
Navirose Style 3-Second Form, the Revolving Sword.
Among the sword techniques invented by Navirose, this form served as the finishing move.
By rotating the entire body, not just the weapon or specific parts, the technique maximized its power and overcame differences in physique.
Because the power dropped significantly if the balance was even slightly disrupted, it was a highly difficult form that even most graduates found challenging to replicate.
Yet, Ronan was wielding the revolving sword perfectly with just one look.
Nine people remained. Ronan, who had subdued Braum, rushed at the other students.
Clang!
“What… is this!”
The blade rotated, tearing through the air. Ronan swung the sword horizontally, vertically, diagonally, sending strikes at his senior’s weapons.
Thud!
“What the hell! Freshman!”
Thud!
“Oh, that was my cherished spear!!”
Metallic and shattering sounds resounded consecutively. Every time Ronan’s body spun, the broken hilt of a spear rose into the air.
Among the astonished faculty, no conversations passed. Navirose, who had been watching the sparring, burst into a bitter laugh.
“So, you’ve stolen it.”
Navirose recalled the time she had held her sword to Ronan’s throat during the practical exam. There was only that one opportunity to steal the technique. It was clear from the fact that he only used the 3-Second Form, the revolving sword, among the nine forms.
“I should have shown a few more forms back then.”
Since the practical exam, only a month had passed. Navirose trembled with the satisfaction of finally finding her successor, her lips curling with a sense of fondness.
“Yet, you still maintain that clownish demeanor. Are you trying to become a jester?”
Ronan deliberately slowed down his strikes as he swung the sword. The reason was unclear. However, his strikes were noticeably slower than what he had shown during the practical exam.
Slow enough to be visible to the average person.
“Wow, amazing, Ronan! Wooaah! Everyone, that’s my little brother!”
Eril cried out Ronan’s name with tears streaming down. Ronan’s dazzling performance of defeating over ten opponents was impressive even to Eril, who knew nothing about swords.
Seeing this, Ronan smiled.
“This should be enough of a display of skill.”
Clang!
Ronan’s body spun again, and Nasdo’s weapon shattered into pieces. He dumbly stared at the hilt of his rapier, the blade shattered.
“···Damn it.”
Nasdo threw the hilt aside. There was no one left holding a weapon except Ronan.
No sound came from either side of the spectators. Quietly, Kratir took out a pocket watch to check the time.
The time it took to subdue ten seniors, precisely 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
“….Phew.”
A thrill ran through his body. It was a feeling akin to a diver finding gold on the ocean floor.
The exhilaration of an educator. It was the moment Kratir was about to declare the results of the competition.
“Well done, seniors.”
A modest bow from the unrivaled Ronan. The silence was still so profound that everyone could hear Ronan’s voice. The first to react was Marya, sitting in the audience.”
“Why is he acting like that?”
Marya furrowed her brows as if she had just seen a squashed dog on the carriage road. Given Ronan’s usual behavior, this was an unimaginable action. Ronan looked at each second-year student in turn and opened his mouth.
“It was a good match. I wanted to see how far my sword could reach.”
The second-year students, who were feeling defeated, raised their heads. People’s pupils contracted in surprise.
His tone was completely different, as if he had become a different person. Ronan continued speaking in a manner that elevated the seniors’ self-esteem and showed his humility.
“Even though I rushed into it, I don’t know how much you all were on edge. Sincerely, I thank you seniors for granting my reckless and impolite request.”
The crowd began to buzz. The negative impression of Ronan was gradually fading. He lowered his head like driving in a wedge, courteous yet not servile.
“I am Ronan, the freshman from the martial arts department.”
Having concluded his brief speech, Ronan glanced at Eril. She was wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, looking at him.
“…Ronan.”
Ronan gave a faint smile. It was a plan he could reflect on later.
He genuinely wanted to reassure Eril. His apology just now was also a part of the process. The relationship between peers was a matter of utmost concern to parents, along with their children’s health.
It wasn’t enough to be known as someone skilled at sparring. He needed to instill confidence that he could get along well with people around him.
Only then could he make his concerned sister feel at ease. Only then could he continue to smile and live his life as always, even after being sent far away to a distant institution.
It wasn’t much to bow his head like this, considering that face.
Look at this, sis. I can do it.
“To misunderstand such a lovely junior like that!!”
Suddenly, Braum’s voice shattered the silence. He ran up to Ronan, grabbed his arm, and lifted him up.
“Don’t say such things, Ronan! You defeated all of us with your legitimate skill! I, Braum, acknowledge you!!”
“It was just sheer luck.”
“Hahaha! What an unassuming genius! Headmaster, please declare the winner!”
“Ah, yes.”
Kratir, who belatedly came to his senses, looked at the second-year students. Their softened faces were much more apparent than before.
“…He’s actually quite decent, huh?”
“Yeah, really. I thought he was just a rascal living off his talent.”
“Solid Freshman!”
Kratir recalled Ronan’s words. Even he felt that Ronan’s handling of the situation was quite mature for his age. He had gracefully resolved a situation that could have created emotional friction.
“Then, I will announce the winner. The winner of this ‘light greeting’ is…”
He didn’t expect this kind of outcome. Kratir smiled.
“First-year! Student Ronan!”
“Wowowowowowow!”
The previously subdued atmosphere exploded into uproarious cheers. Thunderous cheers erupted regardless of faction. Kratir clenched his fists in the air and lifted them up.
Creak!
Ronan’s feet shot up, creating a high podium. In an instant, Ronan, who had reached mid-air, cursed out loud.
“Damn, what is this?”
From the stage, Phillion’s view spread out. This was where he would spend the next five years. A voice resounding with his own name, a name he would hear for years, reached him. Ronan smirked.
“…Noisy, isn’t it?”
****
The subsequent entrance ceremony proceeded smoothly. The brief introduction to magic ended in the seniors’ overwhelming victory. Except for Elizabeth, the top freshman, all nine of them lost to the second-year students.
“I-I apologize, Elizabeth!”
The defeated peers looked at Elizabeth and bowed their heads. However, the girl with a crimson-haired ponytail just turned her head haughtily, snorted, and that was all.
“Hmph.”
“Please, forgive me!”
The sight was reminiscent of a spoiled cat from a wealthy household. Elizabeth did not accept her classmates’ apologies and returned to her seat with her momentum.
Overwhelmed by her energy, Aselle became timid and shrunk back.
“Such a person is my classmate…”
“Exactly. This is messed up, Aselle. What are we going to do?”
After various procedures were carried out, Shullifen and Elizabeth, the top students from each department, recited their oaths.
Endeavoring to learn and shaping the future, and such things. The entrance ceremony concluded with congratulations from Kratir and the professors once again.
“Since you’ve worked hard, you must release your tension, right? The gathering will take place in the Galerion Castle’s main hall. Everyone, please move there!”
Afterward, a freshman reception was prepared, but as a spectator, Eril couldn’t attend. Ronan hurriedly left the reception to accompany her.
“Aselle, enjoy yourself with Marya first. I’ll see Eril off on my own.”
“Uh, sure…”
A carriage was already waiting in front of the main gate. Ronan carefully packed the items he wanted to give to his sister.
Even though he transferred his belongings as slowly as possible, the end had come. Eril spoke up.
“I had so much fun. It was the happiest time of my life.”
“You’re going that far with it.”
“No. Now I can truly relax, brother. When can I see you again after I leave?”
“During summer vacation… so about five months from now.”
“Heh! That’s a long time. But at least I won’t have to worry about my young brother, right?”
Ronan nodded. In front of the station, a carriage that had been pre-booked was waiting. Cita, who had been perched on Ronan’s shoulder, turned its face toward Eril.
“Bye~”
“Take care, Cita.”
Eril was still smiling brightly, but her tone held a tinge of regret. She stroked her brother’s face and spoke gently.
“You have to eat well. Write me a letter once a month…No! Once a week. Don’t follow any strange people. Don’t pick fights with your friends just because you’re strong. And if you get a girlfriend… make sure to tell me.”
“I’ll think about the last two.”
Ronan laughed nonchalantly. Eril fixed his collar for him.
“Well then, I’m off.”
Eril got into the carriage. Ronan waved his hand until the carriage became a small dot and disappeared. Cita, who had been looking at where she had left, lowered its head deeply.
“Byeeeee~”
Its wings, all four of them, drooped. It seemed like she had grown attached to Eril in just two days. Ronan gazed at the spot where the carriage had vanished and let out a sigh.
“Five months, huh?”
It felt excessively long. In reality, if he wanted to meet, they could do so every weekend. He was allowed to leave the premises on weekends, after all.
But still, Nimbuten was quite far away. Even just accounting for the round trip, it would take a good two days. As he pondered over something, Ronan muttered to himself.
“How much is a decent house in Jido Barun, anyway?”
If Eril moved to Jido Barun as well, that would solve the problem. He felt the need to save money for the first time in his life.
But he didn’t plan on focusing on that right away. Money would accumulate gradually, and for now, what mattered most wasn’t that.
– If you seek knowledge, go to Phillion.
“Finally.”
He hadn’t forgotten Adeshan’s words for even a moment. Many things had happened, but in the end, he had succeeded in achieving his primary goal.
“Cita, let’s go.”
“Bye!”
Ronan turned his steps toward Phillion. This was just the beginning.
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