Chapter 4

What, what was that just now?"

Aselle couldn't understand what had happened to him. In an instant, the flow of mana was blocked, and the magic was released. It felt like the tight string he had been pulling had snapped.

"Huh? Just now, my magic was…?"

"I don't know either."

Ronan shrugged his shoulders.

He wasn't faking it, he honestly didn't know.

He could drain mana. He had discovered this ability when he was active as a punisher. Back then, he didn't tell anyone because he thought it might become troublesome.

Ronan suspected that this ability might be what allowed him to inflict injuries on Ahaiyute. There might have been another ability at play that he himself wasn't aware of.

"Unraveling the secret of this ability might be one of the tasks given to me."

Ronan tapped Aselle's shoulder lightly.

"Come here in three days, at nightfall. Around the time the moon rises."

"Huh?"

"If you don't show up…I am sure you know what will happen, right?"

Leaving behind those words, Ronan started walking away confidently. Despite Aselle shouting something from behind, he ignored it. If Aselle had really regained his senses, he would come.

"Darn it, I've wasted too much time."

Ronan first went to the riverside, washed his face and hands to remove the blood stains. He bought new clothes from the market, changed into them, and picked a few wildflowers by the roadside.

Finally, he arrived at the small house on the outskirts of the village. Ivy vines covered the exterior wall in a lush manner, creating a beautiful sight.

Unknowingly, Ronan took a deep breath. He felt a tension he hadn't experienced even on the battlefield or in front of monsters.

On the other side of this door was Iril. His sister, whom he hadn't seen since he left home at seventeen, and who had perished during the giants' invasion.

"Let's… calm down."

Ronan reached out his hand to grab the doorknob. It should have been an easy task to just pull it, but it wasn't as simple as it seemed.

Suddenly, the bouquet of flowers in his left hand caught his eye. Ten yellow and white primroses were beautifully arranged. They were the flowers that Iril loved.

He suddenly felt ridiculous. Damn it, he wasn't a blushing young man confessing his love

.

As he was about to turn around to go and discard the primroses, the door swung open, revealing a woman. A remarkable beauty in the transition from a young girl to a young lady.

"You came in early today, Ronan! Have you eaten?"

"Uh? Uh… yeah… no."

Seeing her radiant smile, Ronan froze in place. Her hair, cascading down to her shoulders, was like a sea of waves, shimmering with a silvery-blue hue even under the spring sunlight. Her unblemished, fair skin resembled an untouched snowfield, not a single footprint in sight.

"It's perfect timing. I just finished making stew."

Indeed, Iril was wearing an apron covered in various stains. She grinned as she looked at the primroses in Ronan's hand.

"Oops! Those flowers?!"

"Uh, yeah…"

"You brought them for me? They're pretty!"

"Well, not really… but since you find them pretty… I'm glad."

Ronan handed over the primroses and looked at his sister's face. Her clear, large eyes had the same sunset hue as his.

She suddenly embraced Ronan tightly, burying her face in the bouquet like a child in delight.

"My grumpy little brother, what's gotten into you? Thank you!"

In that moment, an indescribable emotion surged in Ronan's chest. His sister was just as he remembered her. A person who could give him strength just by being by his side, a sun that illuminated everyone.

Suddenly, the scene before his eyes blurred, and he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Huh? Did something get in your eyes? Let me see, come here."

"No, it's not that."

"Don't say that, just let me check quickly."

Because there was about a head's height difference, Iril had to raise her tiptoes. Ronan brushed away her hand, using hunger as an excuse, and entered the house."I ate well. It was delicious."

"Wow! Is today some special day? I'm hearing Ronan say that the food was delicious!"

Ronan neatly placed the spoon down. The wooden bowl was now empty. The simple potato stew that Iril had cooked was tastier than any delicacy he had eaten before his journey.

"Sis, how old are you now?"

"Huh? I'm twenty-two years old this year, so…"

Ronan nodded his head after hearing her age. He was a year younger than he had anticipated. Based on when he left the village in his previous life, there were roughly ten years left until the giants' arrival.

"Ah, I just suddenly forgot."

"What? That's not something you should forget!! There's nothing wrong with you, right? Did you maybe eat some mushrooms in the forest by mistake?"

"No, it's not that."

Iril sighed with concern and alternately touched her own and Ronan's foreheads. It was odd for him to suddenly bring primroses, her favorite flowers, and her brother had been acting strangely today. He used to be a child who found everything bothersome, even breathing.

"By the way, sis."

"Yeah?"

Ronan scooped another spoonful of stew as he spoke. This was his third bowl.

"I'm planning to attend the academy."

"What?"

Iril stared at Ronan, dumbfounded. The suddenness of it all left her momentarily speechless.

What did he just say? Did he lose some sheep again? No, he mentioned something about an academy… academy… academy…

Almost jumping in excitement, she exclaimed,

"What? You're going to attend an academy?!"

"It's a surprise."

"Say it again, Ronan, huh? Did you say you're going to attend an academy? Really? Really? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Woo-hoo!"

Iril hugged her brother's neck with joyful enthusiasm. It was the moment her lifelong wish was coming true. She planted kisses on Ronan's cheeks, in rapid succession.

"I knew this day would come! I believed in you! You're talented, so you'll excel at anything you do!"

"Thank you."

"Which academy are you leaning towards? The Knight Academy, as expected? Knight Ronan! That's cool! Or perhaps the unexpectedly ordinary National Academy? Becoming a scholar would be great too! Of course, no matter what, I'm on your side! Ah, get a hold of yourself, Iril!"

Only when Ronan was finishing his fourth bowl did Iril finally regain her senses. She suddenly began rummaging around the clay jar placed by the fireplace.

In her hand emerged a substantial pouch.

"Here! Take it, Ronan! It's all yours now!"

As the sealed pouch made a jingling sound, Ronan knew that most of the money his sister had earned was inside.

Iril placed the pouch on the dining table with a triumphant smile. Her eyes were sparkling, urging him to open it.

But Ronan shook his head.

"It's okay, sis."

"What? But this is yours…"

"The tuition fee, right? I'm really grateful, but I'll just take your heartfelt intention. The place I'm planning to go requires more than this."

"Where are you thinking of going that you need so much? I've saved quite a bit, you know?"

Her cheeks puffed cutely. Ronan put the pouch back into the clay jar and spoke up.

"The Royal Philleon academy."

Iril's already large eyes widened even further.

****

[If you seek knowledge, go to Philleon.]

These were Adeshan's words. The Royal Philleon Academy. Normally called Philleon.

Situated at the heart of the institution, this prestigious educational academy was second only to the imperial palace in its status. With an exceptional faculty recruited from all across the continent and substantial capital from the royal family, it went beyond being a mere prestigious academy, churning out individuals who would leave their mark on the world.

Even Ronan, who had no previous connection to academics, knew the value associated with graduating from Philleon.

"Indeed… there were quite a few capable individuals from Philleon."

As Ronan reflected on his memories, he mumbled in agreement. General Adeshan, the swordmaster Shullifen, and even the feared criminal known as the Winter Witch, all were Philleon graduates.

Ten years remained.

Considering the task entrusted to him, it was not a long time at all. It was a mission he had taken on unexpectedly, but he had no intention of turning away from it.

He pictured the final moments. Hundreds of giants descending from the sky. He couldn't fathom how strong he needed to become in order to face them.

That's why Ronan had decided to enroll in the Philleon Academy, as Adeshan's words had implied. He believed that he could learn 'how' to become stronger, even if he didn't know 'how much'. It also aligned with his dream of attending an academy.

"By the way, was it really that surprising?"

Iril's expression was still etched in his memory. Even if he had declared that he would become an emperor, it wouldn't have surprised her more than this. Although she had blessed Ronan's future, she probably didn't think he would actually be able to get into Philleon.

Ronan wanted to bring happiness to his sister once again. So, on the third day since his return, he left the house at dawn and climbed the hill. He carried two backpacks, each big enough to hold a small child.

"Hey."

Soon, he spotted a lightly dressed boy leaning against an oak tree, dozing off. When Ronan clapped his hands three times, the boy jolted awake, startled.

"You came on time, Maselle. Honestly, I'm quite surprised."

"Ah! Uh… well, it's Aselle."

"This stubborn fellow. Come on, why do you think I called you here?"

"Um… well… because of my ability… you're interested?"

"As expected of a young magician. Your mind is sharp. Here, take this."

"Huh? Huh?"

Ronan tossed one of the backpacks to Aselle. It looked bulky, but it was lighter than he expected.

"What's… this?"

"A pouch to hold dreams and hopes."

Aselle peeked into the backpack, finding around ten thick and thin pouches inside. He couldn't even guess what they were meant for.

"What… does this have to do with my ability?"

"For now, just follow me. A raft has been prepared."

"A raft?"

Carrying the backpack, Aselle followed behind Ronan. By the riverside, an uncommon sight awaited them: a raft secured with ropes.