Chapter 23: For My Sister (2)
Shullifen continued to converse with Iril and, to be precise, it was more like Iril was doing most of the talking.
“But my brother Ronan seems to be around the same age as you. Oh! By any chance, will you also be entering Philleon this time?”
“Ah. Um. Yes, I will.”
“Wow! What a coincidence. Please get along well with my younger brother!”
“Uh, um. Yeah.”
Rohnan looked at Shullifen with a sidelong glance. The words coming out of Shullifen’s mouth were becoming more like reactions than actual conversation. “Ouch.” “Ugh.” “Whoa!” and the like.
‘Love can be quite scary.’
Ronan tilted his head as he looked at the rising star of the Empire, who had become a dementia patient. Initially, he was angry about harboring feelings of longing for his sister, but now it had become pitiable.
At that moment, Iril pointed to Shullifen’s sword.
“Wow! By the way, that sword looks really cool! Do you happen to know a lot about swords? Well then, could you recommend a good shop? Ronan needs to buy a sword right now.”
“Sister, please.”
Ronan rubbed his forehead and sighed. Iril was looking at Shullifen with sparkling eyes. Shullifen, who had been silently gazing at her without saying a word, finally opened his mouth, barely.
“Sword.”
It was a phrase that implied many meanings. Shullifen, who had been rummaging through the pockets of his uniform one by one, took something out. It was a metal plaque that gleamed in platinum.
Shullifen handed the metal plaque to Iril.
“Take this first. It’s compensation for my mistake.”
“Why are you compensating for my brother’s mistake?”
“Wow! Thank you! But what is this?”
Iril touched the metal plaque with a curious expression. On the front of the plaque was engraved the image of a knight stepping on a dragon. It was the emblem of the Gracia family, one of the major families that divided the Empire.
Ronan’s eyes narrowed. He knew the true identity of the metal plaque. It was a kind of promissory note often used in noble families. It was a document that acknowledged receiving an item and would be used later to prove payment by the family.
Considering the reputation of the family, the Gracia family’s promissory note held immense value and utility. In fact, it was an understatement to call it a one-time use voucher for free exchange that could be used throughout the Empire.
For the compensation of breaking a black iron sword, it was too excessive. Ronan exclaimed as if he was dumbfounded.
“You crazy idiot… do you even know what you’re giving?”
However, without even looking at Ronan, Shullifen continued speaking.
“There is a workshop at the western end of Craftsman’s Street… They’ve been making Gracia family swords for over 500 years. Normally, it’s difficult to gain entry… but if you show them this, you should be able to get in.”
“Wow! Really? Can we visit this place right now?”
“Well… the artisans are on vacation now, so you’ll have to visit in a few days.”
“Are you really in your right mind?”
“In my… brother’s… his sword got damaged because of me… I pray you’ll be able to make, no, obtain a good sword.”
Shullifen seemed to be about to turn away. Iril grabbed his hand again and spoke.
“Thank you so much! Because of you, I think he’ll be able to get a good sword. Thank you!”
“…”
Ronan couldn’t say anything. Iril handed the plaque received from Shullifen to Ronan.
“There! Ronan. I didn’t understand anything he was saying, but I’m sure you can use it well, right?”
“Probably.”
Rohan put the plaque into his pouch. He had never been interested in equipment before, but he had no reason to refuse something given to him.
Moreover, a secret forge that made Gracia family weapons. Ronan clicked his tongue.
“Love is indeed terrifying…”
Anyway, since it was the vacation period, they had planned to visit the forge after starting school. Ronan and Iril moved their steps back to the bustling street.
****
This time, Ronan and Iril went to the largest hair salon in the city. Ronan had no idea, but originally, it was a place where even nobles had to make reservations and wait for at least three months due to its high reputation.
“Welcome. May I have the name of the reservation?”
“Huh? Why are you asking that?”
“Whoa, the owner!!”
However, somehow, as soon as the attendant saw Iril’s face, they rushed somewhere. Soon, an elderly hairstylist with scissors stuck in his shirt pocket approached them. He was the head of the salon.
“Oh my… this is really…”
The head, too, froze in place the moment he saw Iril. He stared alternately at her face and her hair for a while before opening his mouth.
“I apologize, miss. Would you bestow upon me the honor of crafting your beauty?”
“Craft… my beauty?”
Iril giggled. Ronan looked at the head with a sharp gaze and said.
“He’s asking if he can cut your hair. He’s just saying it in a way the old man would understand…”
“I…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
“Ah, I see! Please make me look pretty!”
Iril sat in the chair. The head took a deep breath and lifted the scissors. He had been trimming the hair of noble ladies and madams for over 40 years, but this was the first time he felt nervous.
Of course, this was Iril’s first time at such a place, and she only felt anticipation. She looked at Ronan and said.
“Oh? Aren’t you getting a haircut?”
“I’m good.”
“Are you trying to get into school with that messy hair?”
“Yeah. Isn’t it okay?”
Rohnan swept his bangs aside. The hair he awkwardly brushed aside swayed messily. Iril’s face stiffened for the first time since she met her brother.
“No way! Excuse me! My brother is getting a haircut too!”
Iril raised her hand and shouted. She forcibly sat her brother down in the chair, despite his several attempts to decline.
“Fine, I’ll get a haircut. I said I’ll get one.”
“Umm… guest? How should I cut it for you?”
Ronan let out a sigh.
“Just cut it however you want. Neatly.”
“Oh, I see…”
The hairstylist’s expression stiffened for a moment. But he soon skillfully pulled out a commercial smile. Shortly afterward, the cutting began.
‘Come to think of it, apart from my sister, this is the first time someone else is cutting my hair.’
Snip! Snip!
With each sound of the scissors, thick locks of hair fell to the ground. Ronan’s head began to sway back and forth.
For some reason… sleep… started to overwhelm him.
In his hazy consciousness, he heard a murmuring sound.
“Oh, this is really…”
“Indeed, hair definitely influences a person’s impression. This is on a transformation level.”
“Oh, has the guest woken up?”
Ronan opened his eyes. It seemed he had dozed off for a moment. He was still blinking his heavy eyelids. He looked around. Irill was looking at him with both hands clasped.
“Wow…”
“What’s the matter, is it already cut?”
“The previously overly abundant white hair was now refined into a sophisticated style that exuded a city woman vibe. The volume had reduced by about half, but the beauty had increased by more than tenfold.
“…It suits you. But why is everyone staring at me?”
However, something was off. Despite Iril’s beauty that could be considered strikingly violent, all the people around were looking atRonan. Iril murmured with a voice full of emotion.
“So my younger brother was this handsome…”
“What?”
Ronan turned his head to face forward. In the tall mirror, he saw an unfortunate-looking guy sitting in the chair, blinking his eyes.
Ronan raised his hand and touched his head. The previously expanded hair that resembled a new house had turned into neat Black hair. It conveyed a clean, yet wild impression, like Professor Varren’s mane.
“…Is this me?”
The black hair that had fallen over his forehead was now smooth and had a radiant shine. His fully visible irises were gleaming rebelliously. The head hairstylist, who had scissors stuck in the front pocket of his shirt, approached with a smile.
“Today is the best day of my hairstylist career. I didn’t just craft one, but two gemstones. And not just any gemstones, but the shiniest jewels.”
He explained that he had been cutting Ronan’s hair from the middle. Ronan stared at his reflection in the mirror with a blank expression. No matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t get used to it.
“Darn, it’s so awkward. How much is it?”
“I won’t accept money. I’m thankful for giving me this wonderful experience.”
“Huh?”
“Please come again next time. Be careful on your way back.”
The head politely saw off Ronan and Iril. As they left, Iril felt that the gazes that were solely on her were now dispersed. While initially both men and women were looking at Iril, now men were looking at Iril, and women were looking at Ronan.
Rohan furrowed his brows.
“It’s quite burdensome, how did you handle this, Noona?”
“Huh? What?”
“…Never mind.”
Well, considering Iril was naturally beautiful, she probably got used to envious looks like this from a young age. Ronan made a helpless expression and swept his bangs aside.
‘Guess it’ll become a hassle again until I grow it out.’
The two siblings continued to have a good time afterward. They toured famous places in the city, had dinner, and returned to their accommodation as the sun began to set.
Their lodging for the day was an inn converted from an entire tower, one of the renowned inns in the city known as the “Sunset Watcher.”
“Now, where did this ball go? Right? Left?”
“Boo!”
Cita had returned to the inn earlier and was playing with Aselle. When Ronan, with his newly cut hair, entered, one person and one wolf turned their heads simultaneously to look at him. Aselle said in a trembling voice.
“Ro… Ronan… right?”
“Yeah. Is something strange?”
“No, no… It looks really good on you. Really.”
“Beah!”
Cita flew over and smacked Ronan’s cheek. It seemed like it was even more affectionate than usual. Ronan was slightly pleased by this excessive display of affection.
Then, Iril walked to the window, seemingly enchanted by something.
“Wow.”
The sun was setting. From the special room with glass walls at the Sunset Watcher, they could see the western avenue at a glance.
The avenue covered in white cobblestones was now ablaze with a rosy hue. Shadows created by people moving within the sunset danced like a festival. She spoke while gazing out the window.
“It’s so, so beautiful. There are so many beautiful things in the world.”
Ronan twisted his lips without saying anything. He felt a little bit of gratitude towards his sister for this small repayment of the favor she received.
The three of them continued to share stories until late into the night. Ronan fell asleep only after everyone, including Cita, was asleep. The night before the enrollment ceremony passed like that.
****
The day of the enrollment ceremony dawned.”
Ronan and Aselle changed into their school uniforms after breakfast. For magic students, it was standard to wear a black robe with a cloak attached, while martial arts students wore a black blazer over a white shirt and black slacks as the base.
In the case of martial arts students, each grade was distinguished by the color of their ties, and as a first-year student, Ronan had to wear a red tie. Iril clapped her hands and let out delighted cheers.
“Wow! Both of you look so good!”
“It’s a bit tight.”
Ronan undid the top button of his shirt. The group then headed straight to Philleon.
After the vacation, Philleon Academy was strictly controlling entry unlike usual. The armored guards were checking each person’s identity without missing anyone.
“Hmm? You…”
“Yes?”
A guard who recognized Ronan struck up a conversation.
“I felt like I’ve seen you somewhere. Weren’t you the friend who dueled with Shullifen? How have you been?”
“Well, I’m doing okay.”
“I heard you were the top scorer in the practical exam. I’m curious about how you managed to break the record of the Empire’s rising star. I’m expecting a casual greeting.”
“A casual greeting? What’s that?”
Ronan made an unfamiliar sound. He shrugged his shoulders once and moved to the inside of the gate. Unlike the day of the entrance exam, the street had become less crowded.
“Greetings, everyone! I am the current headmaster of Philleon Academy, Krava Kratir.”
The entrance ceremony was held in the main square where the results were announced. Iril and the other observers sat in temporary seats set up around the edge of the square to watch the ceremony.
Behind Kratir giving a speech on the podium were familiar faces lined up in rows.
The former Great Sword Grandmaster Navirose, a peculiar elf with piercings in his ears, a Wolfkin prayer chamber, and other interviewers who had assessed Ronan’s practical test were there.
“We believe that each and every one of you here will become talents that lead the continent forward. Even though our lives are fleeting, the accomplishments you achieve will be passed down for eternity, exceeding a hundred, no, a thousand years.”
“Sorry, but I don’t even have ten years left.”
The speech, while clichéd, contained very positive content. After a while, when Kratir finished the speech, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
“Welcome to the academy. Class 787.”
“Wowowowowowow!!”
“Thank you. Shall we move on to the next step? Your seniors are waiting.”
“Seniors?”
Suddenly, Kratir turned around. He made a gesture as if reaching out to empty space. Ronan’s eyes widened.
“What the hell?”
Clearly, the view across the empty square was ripped away like a curtain. As if revealing a painting that had been covered by a cloth, the image of the crowded square, filled with people, appeared.
“Hello Juniors!”
“Please join the sparring club, those in the martial arts department!”
“Hehehe! Who’s Ronan? I’m looking forward to the introductions this time too!”
On the opposite side of the main square, all the students were in school uniforms. The students who had already entered Philleon Academy a year ahead of them greeted the newcomers with cheers that seemed to reach the sky.
Philleon Class 786.
They were the seniors of Philleon Academy, one year ahead of the newcomers.
