Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Spring passed, and slowly summer was approaching. When seasons change, the wind changes first, and that wind of change blew into the Academy as well.

Handrails were installed by driving timber into stairs following the cliff for safety, and students came to stay in rooms of 20 people each in the Inner Castle.

70 years since Beringen Adventurer Guild Academy was established, finally students were liberated from the chicken coop.

By just one student.

Not only that, the stonemason guild sent by Helauman, the Count Palatine of Kelbron and the Emperor's Champion, installed pulleys on wells and repaired buildings, and even discovered underground cisterns built in ancient times and installed water pipes.

They looked at the appearance and structure of the Academy building exactly, and figured out at once what style and what structure it was, although they didn't know the exact era when it was built.

Saying there would be a cistern storing rainwater underground, just found it.

Things no one knew for 70 years became usable only now.

Actually water pipes are high-class facilities existing only in some districts in famous cities, perhaps because it was a stonemason guild employed by a person of Count Palatine level, they installed water pipes using that expensive copper.

If this level of construction, it was hard to afford cost even at the guild, essentially Rickart and students didn't even grasp how much money the construction cost.

Could feel indirectly how big power the Count Palatine had, and how mighty the Emperor's power existing beyond that was.

Rapid development came to Beringen Academy to the extent that change of seasons felt meaningless.

Students had a hard time adapting for a while. Because they didn't know if they could enjoy this luxury.

And, as per Helauman's promise, a professor teaching ancient characters came to the Academy.

"The reason ancient characters could continue their existence is thanks to magicians. They say ancient characters are characters of magic in themselves. Magicians use ancient characters when describing magically, or drawing a certain diagram."

A person looking like he never fought once in his life since birth said. He looked to be in his late 20s, and was a person who studied at that famous Hantz University. Name was Erich, a noble.

However, there were only two students listening to his class. Exactly Rickart and Bori-bori.

In a class only two listened to barely, one was sleeping deureureong crossing arms and tilting head back. That was Rickart. After singing a song that he would take ancient character class like that.

"Then if learning ancient characters, can one use magic?"

Bori-bori asked.

"Hahaha, that is not so. do I look like a magician?"

"Not really."

"Right. Characters are characters. I just guess that perhaps, since magic has quite a long history, they are still using old characters."

Professor Erich took out one thin booklet from the bag he brought.

"This is a textbook I made myself. If having class looking at this, you can learn many things in short time."

"Book? I don't know letters though?"

"......Oh my."

Couldn't understand what ancient character class he is taking while not knowing existing letters, but still the newly arrived Professor Erich was a person with deep understanding.

"Then it would be good to learn letters slowly, and learn ancient characters at the same time."

Erich came down the podium with booklet and blank paper, and pen and ink, and approached where Bori-bori was.

Next to Bori-bori Rickart was still sleeping, but Erich didn't mind and opened the book in front of Bori-bori.

"Ancient characters are called logograms, so each letter has a meaning. The characters we use are phonograms. This is ancient character, and what is written below is letters we use."

In the booklet, ancient characters were written big, and meanings were written small in current letters below each character.

"Is there something Bori-bori-kun likes?"

"Flowers and grass."

"Good. Then let's find one meaning flower."

Erich turned pages. And, coincidentally found an ancient character meaning violet. First didn't explain about the ancient character, only spoke about letters written small below.

"This is exactly the word meaning violet. Shall we learn spelling first?"

At the word violet, Bori-bori's interest arose hwak. So opening two eyes roundly, examined winding black lines in detail.

The professor explained each spelling one by one, teaching current letters first.

"Vi, ola......"

"Then would you try writing letters we use along with ancient character?"

Erich gave blank paper and pen, ink and said. Bori-bori held a pen for the first time after birth so writing letters was awkward inevitably, but since he drew pictures so well, shape was formed in its own way.

"Writing better than thought."

"Yes, I like pictures."

Writing ancient character and current letters with difficulty kkobul kkobul like that, the professor said.

"Shall we leave to find the next flower?"

"Yes!"

Erich turned pages again. Class proceeded in that way.

Could be very slow and frustrating, two people didn't feel such thing at all. The professor had much consideration and patience, and the learning student overflowed with curiosity.

In a way, might be the first proper professor since the Academy was established.

Originally existing professors were actually just adventurers, and since they came receiving a kind of request from the guild, had no interest whether students learn well or not, die or not.

They learned like that too, naturally thought had to teach like that, and it was a way being handed down.

In the guild, didn't feel necessity to manage students, and didn't have capability to do so either. Just if there were useful students like sieving, raised as adventurers.

If inquiring closely, it was neglect close to abuse, but the sad point was that it was an era where no one considered it strange. Anyway abandoned kids at home too, right?

Thinking about it, Professor Erich's teaching proceeded slowly but steadfastly. Like that time passed, and class ended.

"I will give the textbook to Bori-bori-kun. Hope you study well. Then let's see at the next class."

Despite being a noble, he was a truly gentle and polite person. To the extent not matching this desolate and bloody world.

"Thank you, Professor. It's the third gift received in my life. Will cherish it."

"Thankful more as you say so. Then I will go. Seem okay to wake up Rickart Gongja-nim now."

"......Yes? Ricka, what? Gongja?"

"Ah, no. Was a joke. Haha."

Perhaps because he was a person sent by the Count Palatine, seemed to know about Rickart to some extent.

"Ah...... Ricky is a bit noble-like. To me he is the Empire's best hero. Hehehe."

Erich smiled awkwardly and left the auditorium. Only then Bori-bori woke Rickart.

"Ricky. Ricky."

"......Uh, uh? Ah, class ended? Should have woken. But what is this?"

"This textbook. Professor gave me as a present."

Rickart opened the textbook and scanned roughly, then said. Since observation and head were so good, memorized a few in an instant.

"Lend me too later."

"Understood."

"Aueu......! Slept well. But neck is a bit stiff."

"Should have slept lying on stomach."

"Should have done that. Let's go."

Rickart stuck hands in pockets and got up from the seat. Hair like golden broccoli was shaved all, now grew to some extent.

Rickart and Bori-bori went down to the narrow spiral staircase of the defense tower attached to Inner Castle. 1st floor was lodging where students stay.

Since it was built in ancient times as barracks where soldiers stay, it was perfect for people to live in. Students were running and playing holding cleaning tools in the hallway.

As Rickart appeared, hesitated for a moment, soon didn't care and played chasing and being chased among themselves.

Rickart passed in front of the room where students stay, just looking once seuk, everyone seemed to stay well.

Then students who bullied Bori-bori came into sight. Since Bori-bori didn't say, Rickart didn't even know who they were.

Only, those kids got scared in advance seeing Bori-bori and hid in invisible places quickly like rats.

Bori-bori didn't give any attention to rats. Because they were existences wasteful even of attention.

Leaving Inner Castle, warm sunlight greeted two boys. As if a gentle giant grasping the whole body softly.

Originally inside castle is shaded and bleak, so temperature or air itself was a bit different from outside.

So if staying long inside the castle, not very good for health, nobles walked and sunbathed often.

Rickart and Bori-bori headed to the opposite side of the chicken coop used before, next to the dormitory girls use.

There was a vacant lot newly made pushing forest a bit, eight people who left to support request together, and a few more students were gathered there.

Bolka and Morty, and Pallen took off tops and were resting sitting sweating, Ice and Jerome, Manson were standing around them talking something.

Perhaps after experiencing actual combat crossing life and death, everyone trained hard. Lara and Delphi who became princesses now also taught so-called ladies. Saying shouldn't do in that way. Wake up.

Then discovering Rickart and Bori-bori, showed hands.

"Training going well?"

"Seem to work or not, seem slightly improved, like that."

Bolka said. But said like this, after experiencing actual combat once, the capability was different level from before.

Bolka seems ignorant in a way, but was on the side of quick realization. Like when beaten by Rickart in the past.

Bori-bori tried to hide behind Rickart continuously hesitating for no reason. Even though not hidden by hiding.

But Ice looked at such Bori-bori and said.

"Did you practice a bit?"

"Uh? U, ung......"

"Show me."

Then Bori-bori grabbed the practice sword used by students awkwardly whether not inclined or disliked, or just shy.

Naturally gazes of all students in the place gathered, Bori-bori grabbed the sword and concentrated, then trembled body budeul budeul alone.

To the extent of wondering why acting like that, no one among students in the place laughed. Because soon trace of black mana like ink remained following the trajectory of clumsy sword unfolded.

Swinging sword was very clumsy, and body shook just unable to control own power properly, but clearly mana flower bloomed.

Bori-bori swung sword once and totally exhausted, panted breath heok heok sweating profusely. Doing so examined Ice's notice.

"Did well. Practice continuously. If not you get hurt."

Mana could rupture muscles or blood vessels if handled wrongly, burst eyeballs, or damage organs in severe cases. If core organs like brain or heart are hurt, instant death.

Students here all knew Bori-bori had tremendous mana talent. Because, beat one student to death with bare hands.

Therefore if not controlling that properly, very dangerous. And teaching method to control that mana, that is Mana Drive was Ice. Bori-bori disliked saying heresy though.

So feeling sorry about that inevitably, didn't know what to do with body alone for no reason.

"Originally people accumulate mana slowly little by little so doesn't matter utilizing in body. But you will be safe doing oppositely."

Bori-bori was a very peculiar case. Natural mana amount is large, and vessel containing mana is big, so even though swordsmanship or fighting skill is very terrible, training from so-called sword of blooming.

"Ung...... Thanks......"

Bori-bori said. Sound of word thanks was small enough to be hard to hear even for an ant.

However Ice was not teaching to hear thanks greeting, indifferent expression as always.

And Ice turned gaze to Rickart.

"Please."

Rickart stood blankly, went to Bori-bori and received the practice sword. And went to center of vacant lot and stood.

Ice also held a practice sword, walked slowly to center of vacant lot. Then eyes of students watching two people changed itself. Because watching competition of experts was truly more precious than gold. Could see because it is Academy, hard to see in other places.

Rickart turned here and there once each as if examining roughly holding the sword in his hand. Then raised head and looked at Ice. Just calm eyes.

But Ice felt feeling like whole body tied by something unknown facing that calm gaze. and goosebumps rising sareureu scanned whole body.

Not the first time. Thing felt every time sparring with Rickart. If facing those eyes from front, strangely goosebumps rise and body seems to stiffen.

That eye. That eye was exactly the biggest problem. Rickart's eye seemed to see thing beyond, not just looking at opponent. Piercing thoughts, even mind.

Ice turned neck forcibly and moved arms and legs, had to check his body is fine. Still facing those eyes chest was stuffy.

Took deep breath at the spot and relaxed tension with effort, barely grabbing posture said.

"Please first."

Reason Ice asks for first attack is because never lasted even one move when he attacked first.

Then Rickart moved to left sharply hwak without hesitation, immediately escaped to right and swung sword aiming at waist.

Posture was neat but movement not special. And about maximum speed boys of that age trained can do. Not that fast speed to experts. sufficient to respond.

So Ice rather dodged to direction attacking, caught blind spot. Up to here no problem.

Rickart turned body facing Ice again, immediately lifted sword high above head. At that moment Ice's sword aimed at Rickart's flank. But Rickart's blade held above head was facing down.

Chaeng!

First clash. Ice thought have to escape. And, development after that was drawn in head wildly.

However Rickart took movement not in those many developments. Like reading thought in advance and responding.

Ice was flustered and faced Rickart's eyes once again. That eye...... What on earth seeing? What is seen from me?

Papabak.

Rickart chased quickly Ice backing off with short steps, Ice clenched teeth tightly and swung sword of counterattack. Since can't lose just blocking. Anything.

Whish! Peok!

"Euk!"

Two swords passed by. One cut empty air, other one struck opponent's neck accurately.

Ice was hit in neck by blunt blade and flinched very momentarily then tried to fight again reflexively, but quit because game was already over if it was real sword.

Rickart stood widening distance before knowing, watched Ice quietly.

"Still too many thoughts. Time and again said don't let thoughts swing sword. Have to swing as seen just. Keep trying to fight numbers is bad habit."

Speaking honestly, in Rickart's eyes Ice had absolutely no development. In that aspect felt no difference with Bori-bori. Originally if person with high stage looks down, all feel much of a muchness.

Actually fight between experts reached certain stage flows to number fight almost unconditionally. However Rickart was talking about beyond that. Stage of no thought no conception.

Ice was blocked by wall here. How can person fight without thought.

Ice clearly belonged to genius. Enough to be hard to find opponent in similar age group. Had skill to come up with all sorts of best attack and defense instantly, and choose and execute best among them again.

However saying have to abandon thought. How to do that......

"......Thanks."

Ice frowned face slightly as if a little painful, touched his neck and said. Hit spot was sore.

Morty who was watching said nonchalantly.

"Exactly 10 rights 10 losses with this."

"Can't know watching their sparring no matter how much."

Bolka replied. Because it was match with nothing special looking from outside. Match of two was always like that.

Not only Bolka but when other students saw, Ice was genius itself. Know if sparring directly. Since lose at level of being toyed with almost.

But such Ice loses always blandly if sparring with Rickart only, couldn't understand even watching directly.

"Like tower stacking play."

Rickart spun practice sword round and round like playing and said to Ice.

"stacking up hard and crumbling at once warleureu. Then new things unfold in front of eyes. Realizing tower I cherished and labored so much was actually nothing, need to think disappears. Seem you are not resolved to crumble tower yet."

Word hard to understand. However to Ice, instruction like how to widen two legs, how to take posture was meaningless so could only give explanation like this.

And Rickart himself thought explained quite accurately in his own way. Since no way to express otherwise than this.

Only, Ricky of previous life was environment where had to crumble laboriously built tower always whether he wanted or disliked because survival was top priority goal. Because if constant pattern is read, directly connected to death.

Creative attack and defense, even jumping over that rather looking ordinary attack and defense, action of power, path, line, dot, no thought no conception, mind, and past life. As jumping over stage, became harder to express with language more and more.

"E, excuse me......"

Ice and Rickart returned to where students were, unexpectedly Bori-bori approached Ice. Looking back wondering what, Bori-bori was holding out small paper bundle.

"Apply on neck...... Chewed tightly and made......"

Ice received paper bundle Bori-bori gave without saying any word. Opening, it was something like minced herbs.

"Scar won't remain, and can heal quickly......"

Bori-bori said not meeting Ice's eyes throughout. Watching that, Bolka laughed.

"Hey, never made such thing for me even if dying."

"T, that, Bolka is sturdy."

"What sound? Ice is sturdy too."

"No still...... Ice is handsome. If scar remains loss is big."

"What!? Ha! Haha! Ha!"

Bolka burst out vain laughter repeatedly whether too dumbfounded. Although other students hearing that laughed loud.

Like that Bori-bori Academy students supported each other, encouraged, and developed competing in good faith.

Only, students didn't dream. That teaching received right next to casually is thing of person who broke through human limit for the first time, and opened new horizon of sword.

And students didn't know how much their potential ability was either.

Chapter 7 – Only Pure Soul. End.