Episode 106. Winter Vacation (2)
About eight hours after the train left Alighieri Town, it had already stopped at its destination, Silvertown Station.
It was natural for Chainsilver, a city that was part of the more developed side of the empire and had a hand in building the magic train, to have a station.
Many people, including cadets, used the magic train to the point where it seemed like there was no need to use carriages anymore.
While we were fighting with the Golem during the final exam, the higher-ups were holding a train opening ceremony.
-The lady is here!
-Your Majesty, welcome!
-You’re already on winter vacation. Congratulations!
Cheers can be heard from all over the streets.
As soon as the residents saw Jenny coming out of the station, their eyes widened and they greeted her friendly.
“Nice to meet you all.”
The street in front of Silvertown Station where snow was falling heavily. Jenny was filled with joy as she greeted the residents with smiles.
There was a time when we couldn’t even have a proper conversation outside because of the Silver Age, but now we can say that we have grown to some extent.
Jenny looked at Radon and Mary.
“Arrived! Nice to meet you. Silvertown!”
“You come here often, so don’t make a fuss. Mary Rudciel.”
Mary came out of the station and jumped over the piled up snow. When Crona pointed out her dapper appearance, something flew into her face.
“Take it!”
“Eww!”
A fist-sized snowball flew in and crashed into Crona’s forehead. Mary, who had gathered up the snow that had piled up on the ground, threw it at Crona’s face and laughed heartily.
“Hahahaha! 100% accuracy!”
“Ugh! Are you trying to do it now?”
Crona shook his head and wiped his eyes, his face reddening. I don’t know if it was because he swelled up from the cold blow, or because he was angry… but what was certain was that Crona’s expression was crumpled like a vicious murderous spirit.
Mary saw that and snorted as if it was ridiculous.
“Huh. What, you’re trying to challenge me? Do you think you can land a single hit with those feeble wrists and reflexes?”
Mary’s voice, which had been like that of a baby, suddenly changed to that of a mature witch.
“You’ll find out once you try it! I’ll pay you back a hundredfold!”
Crona, who had already lost his senses, was already gathering the snow scattered around him and building a white castle.
Since there was nothing to see, he even stole a snowman made by children nearby and tore it apart, saying that he had obtained a good weapon.
“What kind of toy castle is that? It looks like it could easily fall apart if you poked it.”
“Be prepared! Mary Ryu…”
bang!-
Then, all of a sudden, the white castle collapsed. Crona, who reigned as queen, was buried in a pile of snow without even being able to escape.
The castle wasn’t strong enough to collapse with a single kick from Ruska.
“Stop doing useless things and come quickly.”
“But…!”
“Come.”
“…yes.”
When Ruska scared him with her beastly eyes, Crona cowered without making a sound.
When she took over as Crona, I took over as Mary.
“Hey buddy! You want to challenge me too?”
Mary, who is trying to burn with fighting spirit by looking at me. It seems like she is overinterpreting that I am issuing a challenge, but it is impossible.
As soon as I took out the worm-shaped jelly, Mary’s eyes lit up like stars.
“If you behave from now on, I’ll give you one. Okay?”
“Okay, brother!”
When I spoke to her like a kindergarten teacher, Mary’s attitude changed to that of a subordinate who bowed down.
He was a difficult yet easy-to-handle kid. But what about you, hyung?
“Hey guys! Get in!”
Then Jenny shouts from a distant carriage.
It was a carriage prepared in advance by the knights of the Chainsilver family who had anticipated the arrival of Princess Jenny.
As expected of a carriage prepared by a high-ranking nobleman, it was spacious enough to accommodate five people without any discomfort.
The carriage smoothly crossed the village and arrived at none other than the Chainsilver Mansion. This was the second time I had visited since summer vacation.
“Is this… the noble family I’ve only heard about?”
Only Ruska, who had come here for the first time, looked around several times.
The sight of servants and knights lined up to pave the way to welcome the princess’s return. Jenny speaks to me quietly, watching Ruska, who is having trouble adjusting to the atmosphere.
“I guess this is Ruska’s first time experiencing this kind of atmosphere.”
“That’s true. Isn’t it strange that we don’t feel unfamiliar even though we grew up in different environments?”
Unlike Ruska, who usually walks around with her eyes open coldly, she looked very nervous. Of course, that was her true self.
In the yard of a passing mansion, several maids and servants were cutting the lawn and trimming the trees.
As I walked, I opened the door to the mansion, watching them personally working hard to thoroughly prepare for the party.
The first floor of a mansion with pristine white marble tiles and a splendidly shining chandelier.
Ruska was once again intimidated by the grandeur that felt different from the outside.
“Radon! Come in!”
“I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Surprisingly, the people waiting inside were my parents, Lotus Crawler and Scylla Crawler.
And behind them stood a giant being, taller than them.
Since when did it become so easy to come and go from this mansion? Anyway, I greeted him as a son.
“Mom, Dad, I’m back. But how did you two get here…”
“You must have heard that there’s a party in two days.”
“So we’re helping out a little bit.”
Since our family and the Chainsilver family have a kind of contractual relationship, it’s natural to help.
And Ruska and Mary looked at them, knowing that they were my parents. Their faces looked like they were telling me that Radon’s parents were like this.
Then who is the big guy behind you? He is wearing a construction site overall… Is he your uncle? Or your older brother?
“Nice to meet you. I’m Krona Delaware.”
“It’s Mary Ludwig! Hello!”
Krona and Mary greeted my parents with their own unique personalities. The two of them were quite simple, but Ruska swallowed her breath and greeted me hesitantly.
“Hello. I’m Ruska Mad-Eye, Radon’s roommate.”
Ruska bows her head and greets my parents politely. I don’t think that just being a roommate would be enough to cause her to tremble.
“Ah! So you’re our son’s new roommate. Nice to meet you.”
“yes…”
The two people who felt special towards Ruska because they were roommates shook her hand.
Ruska tried hard to hide her embarrassment and reached out to the big man behind her.
“Nice to meet you, Radon’s brother.”
“….”
What? Brother? Oh… Now that I think about it, that could be possible.
I tried to understand Ruska as much as possible. Crona and Mary didn’t seem to feel any discomfort.
“Brother… Sir… Phew!”
But Jenny, who knew everything, was busy covering her mouth to hold back her laughter.
As I was looking at that, I couldn’t help but laugh, and the big guy’s face became gloomy.
“….”
“Excuse me… Are you my uncle or older brother?”
Ruska changed her title after seeing the bewildered reaction, but… nothing changed.
“Three ch… Hehehe!”
Jenny’s difficulty in holding back laughter has increased.
I tried hard to cover my mouth, but eventually Ruska’s laughter could be heard clearly in my ears.
“What’s wrong with you that makes you laugh like that!”
“Phuhu… puhuhu… !”
“I really want to die!”
Ruska turns her head to Jenny and shouts.
I was already in a difficult situation, but I couldn’t help but get angry when he kept laughing next to me. Eventually, I couldn’t stand it anymore, so I told Ruska to reassure her.
“It won’t be a problem. You’re my brother.”
“Really? But why…”
[Erosion rate reduction: -6%]
[+ 600 Credits]
My brother’s(?) expression still looked unpleasant.
That was when.
pop!-
Suddenly, my brother’s body burst open, emitting white smoke. As the smoke cleared, my brother’s true form was revealed.
“Nice to meet you. Are you really surprised?”
“…?”
A small, young, and cute girl in a top. Ruska looked at her with a blank expression, and then asked in a dejected tone.
“It wasn’t… you, hyung?”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Amy Crowler, Radon Crowler’s older sister. Nice to meet you.”
“….”
Ruska’s body completely frozen as if her soul had ascended to heaven. She’s like a younger sister to me… Honestly, even I found it absurd to hear this.
Could this be said to be a similar statement to the tantrum of those who demand one serving of what seems like two servings?
[Erosion rate reduction: -70%]
[+ 7000 credits]
Ruska, who shook hands with her younger brother without thinking, felt a great sense of emptiness. Even so, she could barely move her mouth.
“How did this happen?”
“It’s a transformation spell. Amy calls you her son instead of her daughter when she transforms. Right, son?”
“Yes, Father!”
Amy says confidently, shrugging her shoulders as if she were a soldier.
When a young girl tries to imitate masculinity, she looks awkward for no reason.
“If this happens, we’ll be brothers, not siblings. Hahaha.”
“Then we’ll go first, so have fun with your friends. Radon.”
“I have to tell you a funny story when you get home. Oppa!”
So my family left the mansion, saying goodbye and saying they would see each other later.
When they left, only Jenny and I greeted them as if nothing had happened, while the rest of us had blank expressions on our faces as if we had just experienced a huge storm.
Among them, Jenny and I patted Ruska’s shoulder and said, “The one that was most shocked was Ruska.
“You don’t have to take it so seriously. That’s just the way our family is.”
“Yeah, if you keep meeting each other during the vacation, you’ll get used to it quickly.”
“….”
Still, Ruska’s mouth did not open easily.
Even now, he still had a dumbfounded expression on his face.
* * * * *
The large garden behind the Chainsilver mansion. The owner, Gerard, was walking through the garden, which was covered in snow due to the influence of the series.
It was bittersweet to think of the times I had walked with my one and only wife, but even now I was not alone.
“I wonder if I came too early?”
“It doesn’t matter. I feel less lonely because I have friends of a similar age next to me.”
“That statement just now. If you twist the perspective a little, it’ll sound very strange.”
The man joking with Gerard is Baektapju, Tailly Ludciel.
He was one of Gerard’s acquaintances who arrived at the party first.
“I’m reporting to you!”
At that moment, Knight Trancy, who was running across the flower path, hits his chest with his fist and says.
“The young lady and her friends have just arrived at the mansion.”
“Who came as a friend?”
“Below, Crona Delaware, Mary Rudsiel, and Ruska Mad-Eye.”
Ruska? It was the first time I heard the name of a cadet. However, judging from the fact that he entered the mansion safely during the party, it seemed certain that he was an invited cadet.
I wonder how you got the invitation though.
“And Radon Crowler. That’s it.”
Of course, that friend came too. It was natural since Silvertown, which certainly accepted his family, accepted him.
Even Gerard himself didn’t feel any resistance because he was starting to get to know his boss, Lotus.
“I’ll go and check it out in a bit, so you can take your leave now.”
“yes!”
As the Knight Commander Trancy disappears, Tailley asks with a look of surprise on his face.
“Did you just say Crowler?”
“But that’s true.”
“That family must be infamous for their bad reputation. They’re quite famous for working their neighbors.”
“To that extent?”
“Everyone who knows knows. Even if you try to refute it by saying it’s true, it all sounds like the truth because of that family’s troubles.”
I had already researched up to that point, so I knew the general idea. We were not that far apart anymore, so that much was essential.
“It is said that the branch family, the Layert family, drove out everyone from the Crowler family and reclaimed the main family seat. They are truly an unusual and incredible family.”
“If it’s Layer, then it must be a family that received an invitation to the party. Hmm…”
“I know everything. You’re the one who takes care of the Crowler family in this town.”
Currently, he is leading the Crowler family. It is possible that he will run into Layert, who was a branch of the family.
But Lotus himself must have guessed that too. It seemed like he could give a bit of advice that it was a bit dangerous.
“Has the rumor spread to where you are?”
“No, last summer vacation… my daughter was calling her new friend Radon Crawler. So I just did some research.”
“So that’s how it’s connected.”
“And that guy Radon… I really want to meet him in person sometime.”
“Do you like it?”
Tailly Ryuudsiel with a meaningful smile. It’s unnatural to like someone without even meeting them.
“My daughter showed me a new spell she had developed at the Academy. But guess what? The moment she got caught, she had a vision of being eaten by naked, muscular men.”
At that time, Tailley praised her daughter. It was a very good mind-breaking magic.
But then he got angry and erased magic from the world so that it could never be used again. It was a simple task for him, the master of the White Tower.
“I got traumatized because of that. From then on, whenever I showered or bathed, I wouldn’t let anyone in. So I asked Mary. Why did she develop that magic…”
Then his daughter Mary said,
My friend Radon gave me the inspiration.
“Radon Crawler… Radon Crawler… Hahahaha! I’ll have to be very polite when I meet him.”
“Don’t bother me too much. It’s time for a grand ceremony.”
“Don’t worry. It won’t be as rough as you think. Hehehe…”
Tailly Ludciel with a sinister smile somewhere.
Although Gerard did not know the details, he was secretly worried about the boy named Radon.
I knew very well how upset Tailley was when she became like that, having been with him for 30 years.
“By the way, have you checked?”
“….”
The wind has become even colder. The flowers covered in snow are shaking slightly.
The expressions of the two who had been talking to each other until just now were lowered.
“I’m talking about the culprit who released the lycanthrope that murdered your wife seven years ago…”
“….”
“I haven’t figured it out yet.”
Tailley’s answer, which was breathless and colorless, fell short of expectations.
Gerard’s wife was as sad as the family, as she was a close friend of the same generation.
Even after seven years, it was natural to still be chasing the culprit.
“But the results were quite surprising.”
“…?”
“Do you remember the Nine-Tailed Fox incident that happened in Alighieri a while ago? There was a huge commotion there where an unidentified demon appeared and crippled the King of Talema.”
Talema, who was at a similar level to Gerard’s sword at present, was defeated without a fight. The imperial family is also keeping a close eye on the identity of the demon.
It is human nature to have endless curiosity, and this soon led to analyzing the traces left behind by the demons.
“It was never easy to find the devil’s footprints. Not to mention the traces that should have remained there.
It wasn’t even detected by magic detection. I doubted whether it was a living creature before it was a demon. If only I hadn’t gotten the tree branch that the demon was swinging around.”
It wasn’t a famous sword or high-level magic that disabled Talema. It was just a slash from a tree branch. The eyewitness accounts of those who were there were numerous.
If it had been a sword, I would have picked it up and analyzed it, but who would be interested in something as flimsy as a tree branch?
The Magic League managed to obtain the old, crumbling branch with great difficulty and sent it to the White Horse Tower for analysis.
“And I was barely able to analyze it with the help of the archives loaned from Alighieri.”
The magic had already faded from the tree branches. As expected, there seemed to be no trace of it.
But he bet everything on the archive’s power to distort space and time, and the gamble paid off.
It was only 0.1 seconds, but I was able to return some of the demonic power that had been cut off by the tree branch.
“It was an experiment that, if it failed, would have resulted in the branch disappearing into space and time. The only clue was that branch.”
“So… what does that have to do with Lycans?”
At that question, Tailley swallowed his breath and said.
“It’s because the magic that was inflicted on that Lycan seven years ago… and the subtle power detected from the tree branch are the same.”
The air is getting colder as if the wind is blowing.
The garden was not brightened even though the sun had not set yet.
Beneath the gray sky, there was only a tangled mess of past regrets.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
