< 135. Unseasonable Winter (5) >
#135
“···This crazy old man.”
It’s so wide. That was Ronan’s first impression. The appearance of her new club far exceeded her own expectations.
A field made of stones stretched out. The ceiling and walls were also covered with flat stone without any curves. It looked more like a runway for takeoff and landing than a training ground.
It seemed like there were about five arenas adjacent to the first arena where Nabirose and swords were being fought just now. It’s not a joke, it seemed like a small dragon could live there as long as the ceiling was high.
“I’m embarrassed.”
Ronan muttered and pulled Ymir from his waist. Kang! I tried to stamp the floor with mana, but the blade bounced off with only a light scratch.
“under.”
Ronan laughed. He had no idea that his request for it to be spacious and strong would be accepted so honestly. While I was looking around blankly, a loud voice rang out.
“Haha, I thought I’d be surprised!!”
Ronan turned his head in the direction of the sound. In a corner of the training ground, Marya was waving her hand vigorously. Behind her stood the wooden building that had originally served as her home.
“How the f*ck did they move that?”
It was clear that Kratir had done this. In front of the building, there was a long table used for banquets. The delicious smell was coming from the food prepared on top.
“Hehe, this is one of the most dramatic scenes in my over 70 years of teaching.”
“Are you back?”
“oh my god. Ronan.”
Familiar faces were gathered around the table. They were all the club members and the people who were there to see Ronan off two years ago.
Ronan walked slowly. Kratir was the first to approach and shook hands.
“Ronan. “It’s been a while.”
“Principal.”
“It’s been a while since I came back, but the Academy is in such a bad state. “You have no shame.”
Kratir smiled bitterly. The wrinkles on his face became deeper. Judging from the dark shadows in her eyes, she seemed to have been unable to sleep properly and was suffering from heavy work.
Without a doubt, he was the person who suffered the most from the Winter Witch Incident. Kratir, struggling to shake off her fatigue, patted her Ronan on the shoulder.
“So, do you like the new club?”
“…Is it okay to build something like this in the basement of the school?”
“Hehe, it was fortunate that construction was completed before winter hit. “Considering what Ronan has accomplished, I might make two more.”
Kratir stroked his beard and laughed. Although it showed signs of fatigue, it was a benevolent laugh.
He fluidly explained the advantages and unique features of the new club. Durability, well-equipped training facilities, and even secret passages found everywhere. Ronan bowed his head.
“thank you. “I will use it well.”
“Okay, okay. You just have to return to third grade right away. “The measures have already been taken.”
“I skipped a lot of things… Do you mind if I don’t take tests or something?”
“The trick is. What does that mean to you now? However, the remaining period will be very busy. “I need to pick up as much of the things I’ve skipped as possible.”
I was lucky that I didn’t have to call Asher or Marya my senior. He suddenly moved into the upper grades, but considering his improved abilities, it wasn’t a losing business.
No bird regrets the time it spent in the egg. Kratir took a look at his pocket watch and quenched his appetite.
“Well, now that I’ve seen your face, I think this old man should go… I’m sorry we can’t hang out together.”
It seemed like there was something else going on. It was like breaking up as soon as we met, but considering his position, it was inevitable. Ronan, who was shaking hands with him goodbye, opened his mouth.
“I’ll make you comfortable in no time.”
“Huh…how does it sound ominous? Anyway, have a good time.”
Ugh! The space flipped over and Kratir’s figure disappeared. Ronan, who was looking at the spot where he had disappeared, opened his mouth without turning his head.
“Professor Jarudin, should I just say hello and leave?”
“There is at least time to eat. “You’ve grown a lot taller.”
“Right. “What else has changed?”
“Don’t be c*cky just because you have a core. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the mana exercises I taught you, right?”
Anyway, I couldn’t handle it when it came to mana. Ronan grinned and turned his head to her. Jardin, who had become a Were inchworm again, was standing there.
“···Jarodin?”
The hollow cheek looked like it could be turned over and used as a drinking glass. The wrists exposed out of the sleeves were reminiscent of poker. Ronan asked in an anxious voice.
“Please tell me it wasn’t because of my wife.”
“Sunya is doing very well. “I opened my eyes recently.”
Jarodin let out a low smile. Sunya was slowly but surely improving. The man who was excitedly explaining his wife’s condition sighed.
“It’s just that I have a lot of work to do.”
“thank god.”
“yes. “Compared to losing her wife again.”
He also explained that work has increased several times since winter arrived. There were several people who would truly die from overwork if the Winter Witch was not dealt with quickly.
“That monster…no, has Butterfly Rose gained some energy?”
“Oh, I guess so. “You saw potential in me.”
“Thank goodness. Now I don’t have to look at that price. Jaipa is also Jaipa, but he worries about you so much.”
He said that Nabirose asked about Ronan’s well-being about once a day. Why doesn’t he wake up, can I not feed him food, what if he wakes up and becomes a fool, etc.
He said that after losing to Zaipa, he had to deal with it twice as a drinking partner. Jarodin sighed and patted Ronan on the shoulder.
“I can assure you that he is the person who cares about you the most. “Treat me well.”
“all right. Anyway, he is a very affectionate person.”
“That’s not true, Professor Jarudin. “There is a student council president.”
At that time, a cute young lady suddenly intervened. The eyebrows raised like a cat looked familiar. She spoke calmly, tucking her sword purple hair behind her ear.
“Adeshan wrote letters almost every day. “Even family members wouldn’t be able to do that, right?”
“It was an incredible amount of sincerity. “I’m glad I didn’t resemble that monster while working as a teaching assistant.”
“If I hadn’t been the Winter Witch, I could have written every single day…”
Jarudin nodded as if in agreement. She clenched her fists as if she was annoyed at the woman who was listing Ade Shan’s accomplishments that were not her own. Ronan, who was looking at her intently, tilted his head.
“Erzebet?”
“Ah, it’s been a while. Ronan.”
Only then did Erzsebet turn her head. When I saw her for the first time in a long time, she had completely become a young lady.
This was indeed the daughter of the Acalusia family, whose every demeanor and manner of speaking exuded a noble character. Ronan, who was examining Erzé Bett’s face, frowned.
“What is that wound?”
“Oh, you recognized me right away…”
Erzsebet widened her eyes. There was something like a red stain spreading around her neck.
Ronan, who had been injured in many ways, knew that those were scars from frostbite. Erzsebet smiled bitterly and stroked the scar.
“It’s a scar left by a witch.”
“Are you not deleting it on purpose?”
“Hehe, you are quick-witted as expected.”
She suffered a crushing defeat from the Winter Witch during last year’s entrance ceremony. Even the fire magic taught directly from Aun Pillar ultimately failed to melt the witch’s ice.
“I watch it every time I feel relaxed. “It was quite effective.”
“You’re strong.”
“I don’t plan on treating it until after this winter. “It would be nice if I had a chance to get revenge, but now I can’t even go near it…”
Erzsebet chewed her lips. As long as the Winter Witch was inside her shell, she would not be given a chance to try again. Ronan, who was thinking about something for a moment, opened her mouth.
“Do you want to go with me this time?”
“yes? “You mean we’re going together?”
“Originally, I was only going with Asher, but I guess I could take at least one more person. therefore···.”
Ronan briefly explained what he planned. Erzsebet’s eyes widened. she said, grabbing Ronan’s sleeve with both her hands.
“I want to go. Please take me with you. yes?”
“okay. Instead, there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Join our club.”
Ronan, who said that, showed a solemn expression as if telling him not to even dream of compromise. He was a talent he had been eyeing for a long time, and he couldn’t miss this opportunity. Erzsebet, who had been blinking quietly, tilted her head.
“I’m already a member of Ronan’s club?”
“Eh? “When did you come in?”
“It was shortly after Ronan left. Ade Shan gives me personal guidance every day, and I am so envious of her. So out of anger, I just…”
Erzsebet scratched her cheek. That was a very honest reason for joining. I was no different from a bachelor who buys flowers he doesn’t like every day in order to seduce the girl at the flower shop.
“Then what…”
“Hehe, did you promise?”
The transaction ended abruptly. At that time, a familiar woman walked out of the club building. She had a turkey in her hands that looked like it had just come out of the oven.
“Eri. “Can you take this for me?”
“senior?”
“Ah, you’re here Ronan.”
Adeshan smiled warmly. Erzébet, who had carried her turkey to her table with her telekinetic powers, clung to her, snorting.
“Oh my god, student council work is hard, so what should I do when I lift something so heavy? “Did you actually cook it yourself?”
“Eri worries about me too much. “She does it because she loves it.”
Crew members were busily going to and from the building, delivering food and drinks. I thought it was all the dishes laid out on the table, but it turns out that wasn’t the case. Ronan, who suddenly sensed her emptiness, shrugged her shoulders.
“Can’t you see Varen?”
It was strange. Even so, Secret is not the kind of person who would fall into this kind of situation. He clapped his hands as if reminding Ade Shan of something he had forgotten.
“Oh, you already asked me to tell you that you’re sorry. “He’s very busy these days developing new potions.”
“Potion development?”
“huh. “I should say it’s a popular version of the Perpetual Tale Pearl… You said you’re making a cold resistance potion that anyone can drink.”
Adeshan said that there is no one in the current islands who does not know the lion and dream bird battle. Varen, who continued his research, joined hands with Marya’s Caravel Merchant to distribute his special potions throughout the continent.
“okay. “I succeeded.”
It seems like only yesterday that I was so impressed by the club’s activities that I was tearing my teeth, but I really didn’t know what the future held for people. Rolling up her sleeves, Ronan entered the kitchen.
“I will help. “What can I do?”
“Oh, just resting. “You must be tired when you wake up today.”
“We played a lot in two years.”
Ronan laughed. Preparation didn’t take long. The welcome party celebrating his return ended only at dawn.
****
It was the next morning when I received a call from Lodolan. Sita, who was the size of a large dog, delivered the letter. Ronan entered Asher’s dormitory and woke him up.
“Wake up Asher. let’s go.”
“Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…where?”
Asher, who was buried in bed, woke up and rubbed his eyes. His hair was tied on both sides and hanging limply.
Ronan ended up tying it last night, but it seemed like he couldn’t undo it because it was stretched out as soon as he got back to the dormitory. Come to think of it, didn’t she tell this bastard?
“Rhodolan.”
“···huh?”
Asher froze as if he were a statue. Ronan left the room, threatening to make her wear a frilly dress if she didn’t get ready within 5 minutes.
“This is my first club activity in two years.”
Ronan inserted the pre-written club activity application into the gap in Varen’s office door. The extremely expensive Griffon airship served as their means of transportation.
I don’t know what Nabirose said, but there was no particular need for a guide. After enduring hours of pain that felt as if her buttocks would be split horizontally, a huge shadow finally appeared on the horizon at dawn. It was Rodolan, the Fortress of Screams, the largest reef in the world.
“Damn it, how is this any different from a prisoner carriage?”
The landing went smoothly. Squeak – As soon as I got off the carriage, the fierce sea wind blew and tousled my hair. Ronan, who got off first, took a deep breath and let it out.
“Yes, it should be like this.”
The corners of Ronan’s mouth rose. The salty wind carried the warmth of spring. This was thanks to the fact that the Winter Witch’s curse did not last until dawn. A trembling voice came from Asher’s mouth, who followed her.
“Ro, Ronan… is this really true? Even now…”
“Man, I brought you here to do well, but that doesn’t work. “Because of her reputation as a witch, she is a rare wizard, but she may be able to receive some kind of magical inspiration.”
“That’s right, Asher. “Please show me your magic and the dignity of a chief.”
Erzsebet, who got off last, gave a warning. Asher, looking up at Rodolan, looked as if he was going to jump into the sea at any moment. Ronan looked around and stuck his tongue out at her.
“There are so many people…”
All kinds of people were walking around on the reef that served as a dock. They were probably all people who had come to solve the problem of the Winter Witch.
At the bottom of the cliff, the boats they were on were anchored side by side. There were very few small ships, and most of them were huge cruise ships or warships, and some of them had hulls tied together to form structures.
At this point, it was hard to tell whether this was a prison or a tourist attraction. Ronan frowned as he saw the ship approaching from afar.
“Who is that boat that is so flashy?”
A sailboat with its entire hull dyed red was approaching, breaking the waves. It was a very large ship with four masts, and it seemed like it could carry all of Lodolan’s prisoners without exaggeration.
They were about to head towards the fortress. A familiar voice was heard through the sea breeze.
“People from Phileon, this way.”
The three people turned their heads at the same time. An old man in a black uniform was standing with his back to me. A scary-looking bird-beaked mask was swinging hanging from his waist.
“I received a call from Butterfly Rose. “She might be able to skin a witch.”
“yes. “I’ll have to try to know for sure.”
It was someone I knew. Ronan smiled at the face he hadn’t seen in a long time. The old man who made eye contact with him tilted his head.
“Hmm? Where have we seen this before?”
“I saw it two years ago. “Interrogator Karaka.”
“···iced coffee! “That’s the boy from back then!”
Karaka’s eyes widened. He smiled brightly and shook hands with Ronan. He seemed to welcome even an old friend.
“He grew up so beautifully that I didn’t even recognize him. “The girls in the village won’t be able to sleep.”
“I hope so. How are you, Cirilla?”
“Haha, of course I’m doing well. Because so many fellow fanatics have joined us, we are not receiving as much attention as before… but we are still receiving constant love and attention. “I’ve had ears completely cut off and regenerated more than 20 times.”
More than two years had already passed since he was captured in Gran Cappadocia, and he seemed to be still being tortured. Asher covered his mouth. Karaka said, pointing to Lodolan Fortress.
“Come on, let’s go in. “If you don’t have any outerwear, we will prepare some for you inside.”
“Outerwear?”
“When you go near a witch, it gets really cold. “Please follow me.”
The three people followed Karaka. Whoa! As soon as I opened the fortress door, a bitter cold wind came pouring out. Blood-curdling screams and sobs were evenly mixed in the wind.
“Ugh! Ha, don’t do it!”
“Chu, it’s cold…! “Now please take it out!”
“My legs, my legs…!”
Aren’t you ecstatic? After muttering that, Karaka flipped over the mask hanging from her waist. Her cheerful mood completely changed. He looked back at the group and opened his mouth.
“Welcome to Lodolan.”
