Chapter 50: Special Adventure Club (2)
Ronan, recalling his conversation with Varen from the previous day, raised the corner of his mouth.
– The habitat of Curse Eye… Well, fundamentally, it must be a place untouched by human feet and rich in mana. After all, curses are ultimately a form of mana.
‘I should try everything I can.’
The veins of Baydian perfectly matched that condition. Of course, he wasn’t just looking at Curse Eye, which might or might not exist.
Taking control of mana-rich veins would not only help cultivate sensitivity but also provide a fair amount of profit through byproducts.
‘I can’t do this alone.’
He had realized it once again during the crisis of the Gran Cappadocia. To stand against crises, a powerful organization was necessary.
So, Ronan established this club. He intended to gather talents to accompany him until the Advent event, strengthen and expand their power using information acquired from past lives.
To achieve that, he needed to make the most of his memories from his past life. Marya asked again.
“Why are you hesitating? What’s in the Baydian Range?”
“Don’t be hasty. There’s a pretty large vein there. It will be helpful in various ways.”
The eyes of the group twinkled at the mention of the term “vein.” Aselle, who had visited the Fountain of Phaenar before, seemed particularly surprised.
He remembered the improved mana manipulation skills and the amount of money he earned from just one visit. Braum chuckled heartily.
“Hahaha! I don’t really understand, but it sounds fun! So, when are we leaving?”
“That’s the problem. How are your ongoing classes?”
Ronan divided pieces of paper and had everyone draw up their schedules. Probably because they were all top students, their schedules were generally tight.
Ronan sighed. It will take two days to get to the Baydian Range. And that was assuming they were to take swift horses instead of walking.
“I can’t wait until the vacation.”
They needed to secure as much time as possible for smooth activities. As much as he wanted to focus solely on club activities and disregard everything else, he couldn’t deny them the opportunity to learn what they wanted.
At that moment, Aselle handed over his schedule.
“Here, Ronan. I’ve filled it out.”
“Huh?”
Ronan furrowed his brow. Aselle’s schedule seemed almost empty. Ronan grabbed one side of Aselle’s cheek and pulled it.
“Are you kidding me? What’s this, you lazy bum? Are you planning to not take any classes? Huh?”
“Ack! No, no! I… I recently finished some subjects early…”
“What?”
The moment he heard those words, a flash of insight lit up in his mind. Ronan released his grip on Aselle’s cheek. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? Aselle had finished nine subjects early, just like himself.
“Ugh… Ow… It hurts…”
“Alright, Aselle… That’s really good. Everyone, grab your weapons and follow me outside.”
“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”
“Well, um… I was planning to make a bit more of a plan, but it’s not going to work.”
Ronan swung his Lamancha and headed outside. The group followed him, not understanding a word he was saying.
At the center of Nest, there were training areas set up for various practical clubs. Ronan stood in the middle of the training ground, looking at Marya and Braum.
“Well, based on what I’ve checked, the basic subjects take up the most time. Isn’t that right?”
“Well, yes.”
“Wah! Basics are important!”
Ronan rechecked the subjects that the two were taking. All of them were subjects he had finished early in his past life. He remembered the details and essentials of those subjects perfectly.
“Well then, what’s this nonsense? If we all finish the basic subjects early, that’s all there is to it.”
“…What?”
“It’ll be useful for the future. From today, you all will come here in your free time.”
Ronan chuckled as he slung Lamancha over his shoulder. In many ways, it worked out well. Considering the danger of the Baydian Range, taking them there immediately felt somewhat uncertain.
Marya and Braum’s expressions stiffened. Ronan alternated his gaze between them and clapped his hands.
“Marya, you’ll start with Imperial Swordsmanship, and Braum, you can try Intermediate Martial arts. Get ready, everyone.”
“Wait a moment. What exactly is this…”
“Quickly, aren’t you going to draw your sword?”
Smack!
Ronan struck Marya’s forehead with the hilt of his sword. Reactively, Marya drew her broadsword, spouting curses.
“Ouch! Are you insane?!”
“The one who’s not sane yet is you, who hasn’t finished Imperial Swordsmanship. How are you still struggling with something so easy?”
“What…Do you think everyone is like you?”
Marya retorted in exasperation.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Instead of answering, Ronan continuously struck her forehead.
Marya resisted desperately, but wielding a broadsword she wasn’t yet accustomed to was difficult. Soon enough, she declared her surrender.
“Aaargh! Fine! I get it, I’ll do it!”
“That’s the spirit. In regular classes, you’d use a wooden sword, but here, you need to wield that broadsword.”
Marya’s complexion turned pale. Just thinking about it felt like her arm was being torn from her body. Then, Braum, who had been striking a scarecrow on his own, spoke.
“This sounds like a great idea! But for Intermediate Martial Arts, isn’t sparring crucial? Are you going to spar with me?”
“Exactly. When I’m not around, you can spar with her.”
“Her? With Marya? But isn’t there quite a difference in skill levels?”
Braum shrugged. Indeed, Marya and Braum had a difference in height of about a head.
Ronan raised the corner of his mouth and gestured to Marya. He was implying that she could at least land a good punch. Marya, who was about to get angry, raised her head.
“Fine. How should I hit my senior?”
“Wahaha! Everyone’s equal in the club, Marya! Still, we should consider skill levels, so give it a shot!”
Braum thumped his chest and shouted. His fluctuating muscles seemed like they would burst out of his uniform at any moment. Marya sighed lightly and clenched her fist.
“Well, in that case…”
“Great! It’s fine, just give it a try.”
Thump!
Marya’s fist struck Braum’s abdomen. His eyes widened. Braum, who had gasped for breath, sat down.
“Ugh… Ugh…”
“Oops, I didn’t control my strength. Are you okay?”
“That… that was… incredible…”
The impact, which pierced through his muscles, turned his insides upside down. Marya extended her hand. As Braum held her hand and stood up, he wore an expression that seemed to suggest he had gained enlightenment.
“I genuinely… Ugh, realized just now… I made a great decision by joining this club! Learning Imperial Swordsmanship and how to wield a broadsword… Ugh, I’ll teach you!”
“Huh? Come to think of it, you’re pretty good with a broadsword too.”
In this way, the two unexpectedly drew their broadswords and began sparring, using only Imperial Swordsmanship. The sight of two large swords clashing in the air consecutively was quite impressive.
‘Since there’s still energy left circulating, I can focus more on stamina training. This is a good development.’
Ronan had a satisfied smile. At that moment, Aselle approached hesitantly.
“Um… Ronan, what should I do?”
“Oh, right. You can just attack me fiercely with those weapons over there.”
Ronan pointed to the practice weapons stacked in a corner of the training area. Aselle, who thought he had misunderstood once again, tilted his head in confusion.
“…Huh?”
“You need to embody the spirit of telekinesis more.”
Ronan explained that using the full power of telekinesis only for defense was a significant waste. He instructed Aselle not only to use weapons but also all the techniques he knew to attack him.
“Be as unconventional as possible. Now that I can see mana, I need to practice.”
Ronan couldn’t just focus on stamina training. With a reluctant sigh, Aselle cast a spell.
“Invisible Hand.”
As he moved his fingers, dozens of training weapons levitated in the air. The training weapons, one by one, seemed to be aiming at Ronan, resembling living soldiers.
“Of course, Aselle was waiting for this moment. Did you want to kill me that badly?”
“I-I didn’t mean to!”
“Quiet down. Let’s get on with it.”
The bracelet that Doron had prepared seemed to be in good shape. It had improved considerably since the last time he saw it.
As Aselle swung his arm, the floating weapons surged toward Ronan. Laughing as he watched the daggers flying through the air, Ronan remarked.
“It seems like you were really looking forward to this.”
Ronan dodged and parried the weapons, practicing reading the flow of mana. He didn’t forget to create a sense of danger by aiming Lamancha at Aselle’s throat several times.
“Normally, you would have lost just now. You could have set up that Slow Zone or whatever around you. Mages are usually the first targets in most battles.”
“Heehee… Alright, got it.”
The training session lasted until the late evening. Ronan had to carry the three exhausted members to the dormitories due to their lack of mana and exhaustion.
****
“Ouch, my shoulders. I pushed myself too hard… It’s been a while.”
It was nighttime. After settling the tired members in the dormitories, Ronan returned to the first arena. Having moved his body close to its limit after a while, his whole body felt sore.
“Are you okay? Here, have some water.”
“Thanks, Adeshan.”
Adeshan, done with her tasks, handed him a water bottle. Her kindness was becoming more familiar over time. Adeshan had also mentioned that quite a number of applicants had visited today.
“Are the ones who just left the last ones? No one passed today either?”
“Seems that way. With talents like these, it’s tough…”
“haha, I’m thinking of trying out as well, except for the assistant tasks.”
Adeshan chuckled and bumped Ronan’s arm. But her words were sincere.
Lately, Ronan’s feelings were leaning more towards the advice of General Adeshan. And it was all because of the existence of Nebula Clazier.
“Since their true nature has come to the surface, they’ll probably be even more reckless.”
The future was already irreversibly twisting. If Ronan were to develop her talent and turn her into a Commander, naturally, she would become a target for those fanatics.
Of course, judging from Nebula Clazier’s movements, in her past life, attempts to assassinate Adeshan would have continued. It was likely that this was the birth of General Adeshan, avoiding all those ill-fated schemes.
But the present her was not a regressor. Ronan didn’t wish for Adeshan to become endangered. He didn’t want to drag her into a muddy swamp like he had in his previous life.
‘I should probably tell her soon. To give up on that dream.’
-Urgh…
While he was lost in thought, the entrance to the arena slowly opened. A girl in a pressed robe often entered with hesitant steps. Both Ronan and Adeshan’s attention turned to her.
“Who’s that?”
She was the girl who had visited last night as well. With flowing silver-gray hair and bright red eyes, she looked at Cita, who was dozing on Ronan’s head.
“Squee… beah…”
“…I see.”
The girl approached until she was right in front of Ronan. She stared at Cita fixedly while standing still for a while. Ronan, who couldn’t wait any longer, spoke first.
“Did you come for the interview?”
“Interview…?”
Ronan nodded. He briefly explained about the top-tier adventure club.
The fact that they had plenty of time was one reason, but the energy flowing intermittently from the girl was intriguing. The girl’s lips, which had been sealed in silence, parted slightly.
“If I join your club… could I keep seeing it and… touch it?”
“It? Cita?”
Ronan glanced up at Cita. It had woken up in the meantime and was staring intently at the girl. Ronan nodded.
“Well, I mean… Cita almost always follows me around. So, there’s a good chance.”
“Then… I’ll give. The interview.”
“Sure. What’s your name and grade?”
“…Ophelia. Magic department, third year.”
“Wow, I thought you were at most a second-year. Third year, huh? It’s just like the entrance exam. You just need to show off one skill you’re confident in at the Magical Engineered Scarecrow over there.”
Ophelia nodded and stood in front of the magical engineered scarecrow. For a moment, mana gathered in her hand. It wasn’t the typical blue color; it was red like blood.
Or is it aura? Ronan thought that for a moment, and Ophelia began the incantation. Amidst that, she kept her gaze fixed on Cita.
“Huh?”
Ronan’s eyes widened for a moment. A swirling liquid gathered at the tip of her hand. Ophelia seemed to notice Ronan’s gaze and shrunk her shoulders.
“Hot…!”
She dissolved her existing magic as if making a grave mistake and started a new incantation. In the place where the red liquid had disappeared, a black aura remained.
“Shadow Claw.”
Ophelia’s elongated shadow transformed into a massive claw that swiped at the magical engineering scarecrow. Adeshan’s eyes widened.
“Dark attribute magic…!”
It was the first time he had seen it for real. It was as rare as telekinesis or light attribute magic. However, Ronan’s interest lay elsewhere.
He clearly saw it. The magic Ophelia had initially attempted to use was a type of blood magic, similar to Cita’s. Ronan opened his mouth as if possessed by something.
“…You’re in.”
