chapter 5

"Academy? What are you talking about?"

Aselle was about to respond with such a bewildered tone.

"Um… Ronan, I'm really taken aback by this. What on earth is happening right now?"

"I'm in the process of writing the first page of "Ronan's Biography", The Empire's greatest History book ."

"What's that…"

"Next month, we're going to Barun."

"Barun? Are you talking about the Jido Barun ?"

"Yes. You know the Royal Philleon academy is there, right? It might be a bit early considering the entrance exam date, but it's best to go around this time for the adjustment period."

Ronan's voice was serious. Aselle realized he wasn't joking and froze in place. Despite being a country bumpkin, Aselle was aware of the status of the Philleon Academy.

Philleon? That Philleon Academy?

The city within the Hundred Towers, where the finest talents from the continent gather. Are you saying people like us commoners could enter that place?

However, Ronan was already progressing with plans behind the scenes.

"Don't worry about that part. I've already talked to your parents."

"Y-you met my parents? When?!"

Aselle jumped up from his seat. Ronan lay down and waved his hand to restrain him.

"Sit down. We're sinking."

"Just a moment… hoo… wait…"

Aselle took a deep breath and sat back down. Ronan continued.

"Yesterday afternoon. They like you, you know? What could be a better source of pride than having their only child enter Philleon?"

"Wait, wait! Okay! Ronan, assuming all you're saying is true and sincere!"

"It is."

"Yeah! You're incredibly talented in martial arts, so maybe you could get in. But why me? My abilities are mediocre at best. You know that too!"

"Aselle, Do you enjoy your current life?"

Suddenly, Ronan, who was lying down, sat up to face Aselle. His eyebrows and intensely focused pupils were as sharp as a hawk's.

Aselle lowered his head deeply. He couldn't even answer with empty words. Days of being bullied while pretending to be tough came to mind.

"No."

"Don't you want to change your life? Not everyone is born with the potential of a mage."

"But I'm… not as strong as you. I'm cowardly and… timid."

"That's right, you're a loser. You were so afraid of bullying that you tormented a junior, a pathetic piece of trash. Why do you think you were the only one who didn't get hit back then? You were beyond pitiful. Not even worth hitting."

"That, that's…"

"But, those kinds of things are all trivial matters. They're aspects that can be fixed easily."

As if triggered by a memory, Ronan lit his pipe.

The boy in front of him resembled himself. The naive and foolish version of himself who wasted his brilliant talent using laziness as an excuse. While Aselle's case wasn't laziness but rather weakness, the pattern was similar.

"Misusing your talents with various excuses will undoubtedly lead to regrets later. I guarantee it."

Ronan hadn't brought Aselle along solely due to the necessity of a telekinesis mage. He didn't want Aselle to experience the same kind of regret he had. The smoke that had been released dissipated into the strong wind.

"Well, if you really don't want to, just say it. I'll drop you off at a suitable place."

"…No."

Aselle raised his head. His amber eyes caught the moonlight and glimmered. Seeing the determined expression, Ronan chuckled softly.

"I want to go too. To Philleon."

"You made a good decision."

"Yeah, Tell me what I need to do."

"What you need to do… well…"

Aselle looked at him with an expression that seemed to say "just tell me anything." Ronan scratched his chin and recalled the plan he had formulated. Then, he casually said:

"Stealing?"It wasn't until dawn that the raft reached its destination. The area was filled with various rocks, offering good cover. After tying up the raft behind a large rock, the two boys disembarked.

"Now, keep your voice down. Follow my lead."

"Okay."

They left the riverside and entered the forest. The wind blowing through the trees carried a slightly chilly feel. It didn't take them long to spot a distant reddish glow.

"That… is what you mentioned, right?"

"Yeah. Did you pack the backpack properly?"

Aselle nodded. They cautiously approached the source of light, and as they got closer, they realized it was a massive bonfire.

Before long, they were confronted with an unreal scene, and Aselle bit his lip to stifle a scream.

-Keough! Pukkakk!

-Pyuu…!

Dozens of sharp-eared and pointy-nosed goblins were sprawled around the bonfire. They weren't dead or injured; they just seemed to be in a deep slumber. Ronan made a disgusted expression.

"Ugh, my morning dumps are more attractive than this."

"What… is that?"

At first glance, they resembled a monster called a 'goblin'. However, they were different from the typical goblins.

They were notably larger and had a much more rugged appearance. Unlike their kin who only cover essential parts, they were well-equipped with armor.

The decisive difference was the color of their skin. It wasn't the usual green associated with goblins; instead, it had a rich, golden hue.

"Those are Lunar Goblins. They're the offspring who save up in the monster business."

Ronan explained. The Lunar Goblin was a rare subspecies of goblin that he had encountered on his travels. They had a habit of collecting shiny objects like crows and held festivities every full moon.

"How did you find out about this?"

"There are various ways."

Ronan recalled a conversation he had with a peddler three days ago.

"Darn it. They've been raided again. What are my men even doing?"

"Again? Did something like this happen before?"

"Yeah. This is already the third time."

"Is it the work of bandits?"

"Like a little punk like you would understand what's going on?"

"Sir, please answer when asked. Even if I weren't in a hurry, I would've burnt your goods. You want me to set your palanquin on fire with your fancy pipe?"

"Ahem…! Ahem! That guy is so stubborn…"

The peddler spilled everything he knew. The raids happened only at night, and there were no survivors. Except for precious metals and weapons, they didn't touch any other items, even valuable spices.

"And this is truly valuable information… Well, let's see. Footprints found in the vicinity weren't of human origin!"

Based on the information, Ronan deduced that it was the doing of the Lunar Goblins. Due to their agility and cunning, only individuals with specialized knowledge could track them—making them nearly impossible to pursue, This was the reason they hadn't been able to identify the culprits even though nine people had died. And Ronan possessed the specialized knowledge to track them.

"If we make a mistake, we're dead, Aselle. See that?"

Ronan pointed at the bonfire with his index finger. All sorts of animal bones littered the area. Among them were a fair number of human bones.

Nearby stood a large altar made of branches and bones. On the altar were the various items the goblins had collected over time. From various weapons to intricate gold ornaments, they were all piled up.

The grand plan was for Aselle to use his telekinesis to steal the valuables while the revealing goblins were asleep. Aselle trembled and asked in a quivering voice.

"Ro-Ronan… do we really have to go this far? Isn't there another way to earn money…?"

"There are a few."

"Well, then couldn't we try one of those? This just doesn't feel right."

"Sure. Pick one. The first option is that we become Lunar Goblins ourselves. We raid merchants at night and take their treasures. If they resist, we'll add a few extra holes to their heads. How about it?"

"…And the second option?"

"Selling you off to a brothel. There are perverts everywhere who like pretty boys like you. Short nights cost 10 silvers, long nights are 30 silvers. If you want to get blown, it's 7 silvers. What's the tuition fee? If you roll around for a month, you'll be fine until graduation, won't you?"

Aselle was frozen, unable to respond. Ronan leaned in, sitting shoulder to shoulder with him.

"So, listen carefully, kid. We're not going through all this trouble for nothing. Do you know what Philleon is?"

"Uh, what place is that? An academy?"

"Exactly. An academy. Not just any academy but a place where the cream of the crop from the continent gathers. Do you think those brats will be friends with peasants like us who reek of cow dung?"

"…No."

"The only way we'll be recognized is through skill. Unfortunately, Philleon is a place where only the best of the best among the noble children gather. They've probably been cultivating their talents since they were in diapers, right? There's only one way to surpass those kinds of people. Practical experience."

"Practical experience…!"

Ronan looked up slightly and glanced at the altar. Over twenty Lunar Goblins were frolicking around it.

"Yes, practical experience. When the noble kids fall, pretty maid sisters come running with potions and bandages, but when we're in trouble, ugly goblins come charging with clubs. I can guarantee you, one real-world experience is more meaningful than a decade for those brats. Unless we screw up big time."

Rising slowly, Ronan patted Aselle's back.

"Be a man, Aselle."

"Ugh…"

Aselle wished he could turn back time. Even if he had to swim through the river of dung, he should've jumped off the raft. But it was impossible to gather spilled water.

Taking a deep breath, Aselle steeled himself. Then, with trembling hands, he aimed at the altar. A muffled chant escaped his lips.

"Invisible Hand."

One of the daggers on the altar floated up gently.

****

"That's it, Aselle! You can do it!"

A necklace flying through the air slipped into the sack. Ronan cheered while clenching both fists. The sizable sapphire embedded in it seemed worthy of at least thirty coins.

"Whew… hoo…!"

"Just fill that sack and let's get out of here. You are doing well."

An hour had passed since the theft began. The night was turning to dawn, the sky turning a deep shade of blue. Aselle had managed to fill seven and a half sacks.

"Invisible… Hand."

He maintained an unusual level of concentration. Despite not wanting to admit it, Ronan's perspective on practical experience was accurate.

In the tense situation where dropping even a single item would expose them to the goblins, Aselle's telekinesis was undergoing remarkable growth.

As if to counter his skepticism, two hefty maces floated up from the altar. Their ornate and elaborate designs, particularly at the head, made them suitable for use by paladins.

"Oh, those should fetch a good price too, right?"

Ronan was experiencing a kind of joy he had never felt before. It was satisfying to become stronger himself, but it was equally enjoyable to witness his comrade growing stronger.

Aselle possessed a uniqueness and potential that the lackeys of the disciplinary unit could never achieve.

Everything was going smoothly. In fact, he had initially planned for the goblins to interfere at some point, but thanks to Aselle's astonishing rate of growth, it seemed unlikely that they would even need to draw their swords.

"No need to waste our strength on goblin lackeys. They'll just tire us out."

They were bound to face plenty of challenges ahead, so occasionally taking the easy way out wasn't a bad idea.

The maces were steadily approaching. While they wobbled slightly due to their weight, their overall height was sufficient, so there were no issues.

And then it happened.

"You damn chicken head!"

"Damn it! Catch them before they reach the river!"

Out of nowhere, a vigorous shout echoed through the forest. It wasn't the voices of the two of them; it belonged to others. Birds took flight, and Lunar Goblins, roused from their slumber, shrieked and rose to their feet.

-Squawk!!

-Caw! Caw!

"What? Wha…!"

Startled, Aselle huddled up in surprise. The magic that held the maces vanished.

Thunk!

The mace that had fallen straight to the ground shattered the spine of a goblin that was trying to get up. The splattered blood and brain matter hit the faces of nearby goblins.

-Ki, Keiaaak?!

"No!"

Aselle turned to Ronan, clutching his head. Ronan let out a deep sigh and grasped the hilt of his sword.

"Yeah, no wonder things were going so smoothly."