Chapter 132: Unseasonable Winter (2)
“Two years have passed.”
Adeshan, who had let go of her hand, stood facing Ronan. Her trembling voice carried a hint of moisture. She buried her face in Ronan’s chest as she quietly took a deep breath.
“Sunbae?”
“…Please just stay like this for a moment.”
This bold action would have been unimaginable two years ago. Back then, Adeshan was even taller than Ronan, making such a gesture nearly impossible.
The hair that hung below her chin smelled like winter flowers. With closed eyes, she listened intently to the sound of his heartbeat. Adeshan spoke up.
“You’ve really come back.”
“I’ve been saying that since earlier.”
“I’ve waited for so long.”
Her shoulders, wrapped in a coat, quivered. Ronan wrapped his arms around Adeshan like a hug and patted her on the back.
The two maintained that pose for quite a while. Finally, Adeshan lifted her head and smiled softly.
“You’ve grown taller.”
“That surprised me too.”
“Your hair has grown really long too. Strangely, you didn’t grow any facial hair though.”
“Hair? Oh.”
It was only then that Ronan realized something thick was covering the back of his neck. He felt it as his hand reached out—a tangle of hair, reaching at least down to his shoulders. Feeling this unfamiliar sensation for the first time, Ronan furrowed his brow.
“Ugh.”
“Ahaha, if it’s uncomfortable, I’ll cut it for you later.”
“Damn, thanks. But seriously, what you said just now…”
“Uh?”
“Has it really been two years?”
A moment of silence lingered. Adeshan cautiously nodded her head. Ronan, struggling with his thoughts, let out a sigh.
‘Dammit, should I be thankful I got off lightly?’
Having prepared himself beforehand lessened the shock. It was fortunate that he had prepared for various possibilities. After organizing his thoughts, Ronan spoke up.
“How have you been? And what about Sis and the others?”
“I’ve been good. They’re all healthy, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“That’s a relief. Really.”
Ronan let out a sigh of relief. It was the most reassuring thing he had wanted to hear since returning. Suddenly, Adeshan’s expression darkened.
“Oh, but Instructor Navirose seemed a bit…”
“What? Did something happen?”
Ronan arched his eyebrow. The way she trailed off seemed rather suspicious. After a brief hesitation, Adeshan shook her head.
“Um… No. I think it would be better for you to hear it from her. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. But nothing serious or harmful, right?”
“Yeah. Well, sort of…”
Adeshan pursed her lips. Although she had revealed something rather concerning, it was not the time nor place to pry further. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ronan changed the topic.
“Right, what about those monsters from earlier?”
“Ah, they are monsters called Snow Beast. They appear once every three or four days, but we’ve been unlucky.”
“Yeah, that was the name. Why are they showing up at the school?”
“Well, you see…”
Adeshan seemed about to say something when suddenly, a loud alarm echoed around them.
“What’s that?”
Ronan noticed the sound was coming from Adeshan’s wrist. More precisely, from a thin bracelet wrapped around her wrist. Adeshan widened her eyes.
“Right, I almost forgot…!”
“What’s happening?”
“It’s a student council alert. We need to have a meeting once the Snow Beast suppression is over.”
“Student council?”
Ronan raised an eyebrow. Adeshan seemed restless, indicating it was quite an important matter. Tapping Adeshan’s back reassuringly, he spoke.
“It’s okay, go ahead.”
“Are you sure? Do you… remember the layout of the campus?”
“I’m not suffering from amnesia. I’ll be at Sis’s place.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll come as soon as it’s over…!”
Turning around, Adeshan disappeared into the snowstorm. Perhaps she had acquired some speed from combat training; her footsteps were nearly inaudible.
Ronan picked up the chest he had placed on the ground. Thinking of Adeshan’s face, he murmured softly.
“…She’s become so pretty.”
Receiving such an impression from someone other than his sister was a first. Aside from the worn-out shadows under his eyes, there was no significant change from his past life, but this difference was unexpected.
The scent of winter flowers still lingered from his chest. Ronan left the campus and headed to Iril’s house.
Throughout the journey, snow continued to fall incessantly. Indeed, it didn’t seem like an ordinary winter. Surprisingly, the streets were quite clean. Fire elementals and mechanical knights were constantly engaged in snow-clearing operations.
‘It’s good to have money. During my days in the Punishment Squat, I had to clear all of this.’
Knock! Knock!
Less than ten minutes later, Ronan arrived at the door. A delicious smell wafted through the crack of the door, signaling mealtime. Thankfully, a response came from inside.
“Yes~ coming!”
Creak!
Soon, the door opened, revealing the familiar figure of his sister. Her lustrous silvery hair had grown noticeably fuller. Iril’s eyes widened.
“Ro-Ronan?”
“Sis.”
“Y-you, youuu… You…!”
His sister, whom he saw for the first time in a while, was still as beautiful as ever. Iril repeated incomprehensible words as if she had forgotten how to speak. Soon, tears gushed out of her, and she rushed towards Ronan.
“Waaaaaaaa! You’re back!”
Perhaps due to his increased height, she fit perfectly into his arms. From her boisterous crying, she seemed just as healthy as Adeshan had described. While patting his crying sister, Ronan spoke.
“Have you been well?”
“Y-yeah. I’ve been really g-gooood… Waaah!”
What Iril was trying to say was interrupted as she burst into tears once more. After shedding tears for about ten more minutes, she was finally able to compose herself.
“Phew… I must have looked really pitiful as your older sister. But now, it’s okay!”
“That’s a relief. What about Cita?”
“Oh, wait a little bit, Ronan’s friends took Cita with them. They will probably return soon.”
Iril explained that Cita had been busy moving around recently. The Elite Adventure Club also seemed to be carrying on some activity while he was away. Iril asked in a worried tone, pinching her brother’s cheeks.
“And have you eaten yet? Why do you seem so thin?”
“Eaten…?”
Ronan raised an eyebrow. Come to think of it, he hadn’t eaten anything for two years. The moment he realized this fact, a loud rumble echoed from his stomach.
“I haven’t.”
“Hehe, I’ll prepare something right away. I’ll be out in the backyard for a bit, so wait in the kitchen!”
Smiling, Iril headed out through the back door. As Ronan entered the kitchen, his eyes widened. The familiar nuisance was seated at the table, devouring stew. The harmony of dark blue hair and a napkin draped around the neck seemed absurd.
“You… you’re here?”
“It’s been a while, Ronan. Has it been two years?”
Shullifen greeted him casually. His attitude was as if they had only met and parted ways yesterday. Ronan, forgetting what he intended to say, just stared at him. Clang. The Raising Star of the Empire placed down his spoon and spoke up.
“I was planning to get up as soon as I finished eating.”
“…I guess you were.”
“You’re giving me a suspicious look. Judging by Miss Iril’s reaction, I had noticed that you were back. Would it be a sin to interfere with the reunion of you two siblings?”
“Who said that?”
Ronan sat at the table. The scent of delicious stew wafted from Shullifen’s bowl. Seeing the stew filled with plenty of meat and vegetables, Ronan’s appetite stirred.
“Mmm… looks delicious. Sis, you’ve improved. Putting in so many other ingredients.”
“Miss Iril’s cooking has always been excellent.”
As Ronan and Shullifen made eye contact, Shullifen pulled his bowl closer, as if guarding his food. Ronan chuckled, seemingly amazed.
“I won’t steal it. Idiot.”
“That’s a baseless assumption. I have observed that your physique has changed.”
Shullifen began to finish his stew. Ronan, reading the relief on his face, shook his head. Despite the change in appearance, Shullifen’s personality hadn’t changed a bit.
‘When will this guy start showing his true colors?’
The matured Shullifen had become quite a handsome young man. For some reason, he seemed to be more handsome than when Ronan saw him in his previous life. Shullifen, having finally emptied his bowl, opened his mouth.
“I believe it was worth the two years invested. The Aura around you itself has changed.”
“You’re not simple either.”
Ronan raised the corner of his mouth. He could tell without paying much attention. The genius before his eyes had reached a much higher level than when he had seen last.
‘He must’ve surpassed the initial stages of Awakening. Monstrous bastard.’
The pulsating Core was almost visible to the naked eye. Ronan wondered how many examiners would be able to defeat this bastard in a formal duel. He wanted to draw his sword against him right away, but it wasn’t the right time yet.
“Have you been staying here the whole time? To protect my sister?”
“How could I? The house next to this happened to be vacant, so I bought it. Miss Adeshan and the club members also took turns standing guard.”
“Amazing…”
Ronan chuckled in amazement. Buying a house just to guard someone. Perhaps because he was the son of a great noble, the scale of things were different. After tapping on the desk for a moment, he opened his mouth.
“…Thanks. For keeping your promise.”
“I simply did what was natural.”
Shullifen nodded calmly. There was no hint of any formality in his tone. Suddenly, the back door opened, and Iril entered. Her basket was filled with eggs.
“Ta-da! I’m back! Wait a bit, I’ll make it right away. Will you eat too, Shullifen?”
“…If you’re offering, I’ll gratefully accept.”
“Hehe, okay~”
Ronan chuckled as if he was astonished. Even the recently emptied bowl was not small, yet he remained consistently the same. Iril began humming while preparing the food.
“Ronan.”
“Yes?”
Squeak!
Suddenly, Shullifen stood up and gestured toward him, understanding the signal Ronan stood up as well.
Ronan was about a few centimeters taller. He followed Shullifen to the second floor. Shullifen stopped in front of the balcony on the second floor, making Ronan raise an eyebrow.
“What’s going on?”
“It’s not a pleasant story for Miss Iril to hear.”
Shullifen turned his gaze out of the window. Snow poured down under the cloudy sky.
Though the well-built house didn’t let the cold in, one could tell how freezing it was outside. He unfolded his arms and spoke.
“Do you know what’s been happening on the island?”
“What…?”
“Don’t be surprised. It’s currently the Golden Plum Fox Moon, Ronan.”
“…What?”
Ronan’s face stiffened. Shullifen chuckled with a mixed tone.
“It’s amusing. Having to wrap yourself in leather clothes when the cherry blossoms are supposed to be in full bloom.”
Ronan didn’t reply. The Golden Plum Fox Moon was the time when he had just enrolled into the Philleon Academy. He was intoxicated by the spring flowers in full bloom, wielding a black iron sword.
“…Does this have something to do with the monsters appearing in the middle of Philleon?”
“So, you’ve encountered them. It’s not just Philleon; the entire island is struggling. These creatures appear wherever it snows.”
“Fuck. What the hell happened?”
Ronan frowned. Even as he asked the question, a corner of his brain tingled. He had undoubtedly experienced something similar to this in his past life.
“This winter has been going on for a year. Only on this island.”
“A year?”
“Yeah… It all started with one student.”
Rattle! Creak!
The windows were creaking from the blowing cold wind. After a long silence, Shullifen spoke.
“Do you know about the Winter Witch?”
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