＜ 145. Winter’s Reverb ＞
#145
It was early in the morning when Evelyn Droza woke up. The ceiling I looked up at was unfamiliar. He seemed to have slept for a very long time.
“here is···?”
She slowly lifted her upper body. There was a warm smell from the blanket covering her body. Daylight seeping through the curtains crossed the room.
The interior was neat. Thick beds were lined up. It was a vaguely memorable scene. It was obviously the health room of the Phileon Academy.
‘Why am I here…? I am obviously…’
Evelyn frowned. Memories were sparse. In the blizzard, I ran into a white woman all over, and even hugged her, but I couldn’t remember the back. Just then, a familiar voice came from right next to me.
“Are you on your mind?”
“…Erzebet-senpai?”
Evelyn turned her head and widened her eyes. A dark purple-haired girl was looking down at her with her arms crossed.
In the center of the pure white neck, the scar of the statue he had made was clearly engraved. Erzebet said.
“Heh, you call me senior. You don’t even know what you’ve done?”
“Oh, that’s… I’m sorry. What the hell happened…Did I make a mistake?”
“I did. It’s also a very big mistake. First of all, say thank you to this person. Because it is your benefactor.”
Erzebet blinked. Behind her stood a young man she had never seen with her hands in her pockets. His tall height, black hair, and red eyes like the sunset were impressive. Although he was ferocious, he was a very handsome man. he said as if tossing.
“Hey, is there any pain?”
“yes? Ah yes.”
Evelyn nodded quickly. Good luck. I muttered and turned my back. Evelyn, who remembered Erzebet’s words too late, opened her mouth,
“Hey, uh…thank you…!”
But the young man had already left the room. I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on. However, it was presumably clear that he had done something very wrong. Erzebet sighed softly.
“Never mind. Because he was originally like that.”
“Hey, what the hell happened…?”
“I came to explain that. Come on, take it.”
Suddenly, she noticed that there was warmth in her hands and feet, which had always been cold. A prayer that was located in the middle of the heart. Erzebet, who sat on the simple chair, held out a mug.
“Gee, are you going to tell me? No, you don’t have to…”
“It’s noisy. You said you still need to calm down, so listen quietly. Aren’t you going to take it?”
“Ah, ba, I’ll take it. I’m sorry···!”
Evelyn took the cup. Inside the mug, hot lemon tea was steaming.
“So you are a winter witch…”
After clearing her throat once, Erzebet began to tell the story of what had happened over the past year. Ronan, who was watching him from the doorway, opened his mouth.
“You don’t think we need it? I don’t think I can even concentrate if a senior enters.”
“yes. Eri is really nice.”
Adeshan frowned as if in agreement. She was not wearing a long, thick leather coat, but the school uniform of the martial arts department worn in spring and autumn.
As soon as I heard the news that Evelyn was awake, I ran without even brushing her hair, but Erzevet was the first to come and take care of her. Ronan shook his head.
“It’s funny that I want to deny that. I should just be honest.”
He had previously helped Schlieffen’s sister, and he was just a good-natured person. Why are you ashamed of it? Adeshan glanced back at Ronan and smiled.
“Whoa, that’s like someone I know.”
“Who are you?”
“There is such a person.”
Ronan asked again, but she didn’t say anything. Anyway, it was fortunate that Evelyn came to her senses. The two of them moved on with their hearts set on each other. Adeshan asked.
“So, it’s still morning, what are you going to do today?”
“For now, I want to rest a little longer. I was tormented day and night for several days, and I was so tired.”
Ronan stuck out his tongue as if fed up. During the days he returned from Rodolan, he traveled all over the place to congratulate him. Inquisitor Karaka’s detailed testimony gave him credit for all his achievements, but on the contrary, it bothered him.
Even after returning to Phileon after completing the pilgrimage, it was not over. People from all walks of life came to express their gratitude and received countless gifts. The faces of the merchants who were still trembling saying that they would erect a statue of a hero who ended winter were good in his eyes. Ronan said.
“I’m glad it worked out, though.”
“yes. really.”
Evelyn and Asher were acquitted. It was thanks to the defense of the Archmage Lorhorn, who was no one else.
Of course, he has a lot of responsibility, so it would be difficult if the talented person to be recruited as a disciple became a criminal. I thought it would take a lot longer to explain because there were so many things that I did, but it was fortunate.
“right. He said he received an invitation to the Imperial Palace. When are you leaving?”
“Ah, if you call me three days in advance, it’s always okay.”
“I see. Just tell me when you’re going. We will try to match the time as much as possible.”
“Are you on time?”
“yes. You can’t go out dressed like you normally would when you’re going to an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”
Adeshan said that he would make the costume for the emperor when he met him. Even if Ronan didn’t have to, her attitude was firm.
As I left the Gallerion Pavilion, I caught my eye on the campus that was belatedly greeted with spring. There was still a bit of cool air blowing around. The chirping of birds could be heard in the whitish dawn.
Fresh wild grass, leaves, and spring flowers that had been in full bloom for a few days gave off a refreshing reverberation everywhere. Ronan, who yawned profusely, was about to return to the dormitory. Adeshan said as he grabbed his sleeve.
“Ronan. Can you give me a little time?”
“Ahhhh… huh? What happen?”
“I can’t explain the details… I’ll go and tell you. It snowed yesterday.”
“Eye? Isn’t it completely spring now?
“I thought so too, but it rained for a while yesterday morning. You have to go before the sun rises.”
Ronan followed her with a tired expression on her face. Seeing that he clenched his sleeve tightly and did not let go, it seemed to be quite important. What will happen again this time?
Ronan was led by Adeshan to the west side of the lot. It was still early in the morning, so there were hardly any students walking on campus.
After all, it’s a time like this, so the student council president will be able to hang out with a guy like me. As I walked, thinking about various things, I finally arrived at my destination. Ronan looked up at the familiar hill and shrugged his eyebrows.
“A hill of the four seasons?”
It was the hill I had climbed with Adeshan a week ago. I remember watching the sunset for a long time while leaning on each other’s shoulders. Four trees were growing together in one place.
“It looks like it really snowed. It’s a special day.”
“yes. Let’s go up.”
Adeshan’s words were true. Because it was a relatively neglected place, the hill and its surroundings were covered with really white snow.
Adeshan grabbed Ronan’s hand and pulled it out. As we got closer to the top, a cherry tree in full bloom caught my eye. Come to think of it, I said that one tree blooms every season.
They soon reached the top. Ronan, who turned his head following Adeshan’s finger, was frozen in place.
In an instant, all the thoughts floating around in my head were blown away. Adeshan, who seemed to be smiling, said proudly.
“Remember what I said? It was pretty in winter.”
“…if you look at it, it is spring.”
“It snowed. It is winter today.”
Ronan nodded slowly. Come to think of it, I remembered that we promised to come together again when winter comes.
This could not be denied. It was a beautiful landscape.
Cherry trees in full bloom were clustered on the east side of the campus. White snowflakes were gently piled up on the bright pink petals that bloomed in a coveted manner. The pale blue sun was slowly rising in the distance.
Wheeing…! A sudden spring breeze blew through the trees. Countless petals floated in the wind and scattered with the snow. Both eyes widened.
“Wow!”
It seemed as if a million butterflies were flying at the same time. As the wind turned towards the hill, the petals flew towards the two of them.
Ronan was silently admiring the spectacle. Adeshan’s laughter came from right next to him.
“Ahahaha, Ronan, look at this.”
Ronan turned his head. She was balancing with her chin raised so as not to drop the cherry blossoms that had fallen on the bridge of her nose.
A few snow-covered petals were already attached to her black hair like the night sky. Ronan, who was quietly looking at Adeshan, opened his mouth.
“It looks pretty.”
“Fufu, isn’t it?”
It seemed like he would never forget today. The two came down from the hill only after the sun had fully risen. Ronan, who was going down the hill, opened his mouth.
“Oh, thank you, Pearl of the Snowflake. I lived thanks to you. You are the hero who saved the world.”
“Yes···? hero?”
“yes. If it wasn’t for that, there would have been a war with the dragons.”
“I’m not sure what that means… I’m glad it was helpful anyway.”
Adeshan laughed. Until then, their hands were still held together. There was no reason other than that I wanted to.
****
“Hey ah ah ah ah ah!!”
The incident happened the next afternoon. A shriek echoed through the halls of the Navardoze Pavilion. Recognizing that it was Asher’s voice, Ronan immediately slammed into his door.
“Damn it, what’s going on?”
“Lo, Ronan…! what about me Am I becoming a monster now?”
Asher, dressed in pajamas, stood in front of the full-length mirror, holding her breath. He was covering his bangs with both hands as if he had hit his forehead anywhere in the corner. Ronan frowned.
“What kind of bullshit all of a sudden?”
“Hey, look at this…!”
Asher slowly removed her hand. A part of the bangs were dyed white to form a bridge. The unpleasantly pure white was the exact same color as the witch’s hair. Ronan’s brow furrowed.
“What is this? Make me feel bad.”
“Mom, I don’t know. When I woke up, I was there.”
Asher cried and said. He said he slept as usual and woke up and looked in the mirror and saw something like this on his head. Ronan started examining his head.
“Is it a side effect of being possessed by a witch? Let’s see…”
“Wow!”
Ronan pulled back the hair he was fiddling with. Whoops! The white hair was pulled out in a bundle with a light sound. Asher crouched down, clutching the seat that was chosen.
“Oh, it hurts…!”
“Hey, look at this.”
Pure white hair slowly grew and filled the void. Whoops! Whoops! It was the same no matter how many times I pulled it out again. Ronan chuckled.
“It’s not funny. I think it will sell something expensive. Shall we pull out just enough to fill one sack?”
“Heyyy…! Ha, don’t!”
Asher waved her hand to shake it off. At the same time, something cold and sharp brushed Ronan’s cheek. Whoops! It sounded like a knife stabbing a tree. Ronan slowly turned his head.
“This···.”
His eyes widened. Ice, sharp like a dagger, was lodged deep in the tree. Asher, who took a breath, hurriedly ran.
“Hey hey…! Lo, Ronan. it’s okay?!”
“You bastard…!”
A drop of blood dripped from his rub, but now was not the time to worry about that. A white cold air was seeping out of the ice.
The stone wall was slowly turning to ice. It was very similar to the ice the Winter Witch used to handle. Ronan asked.
“Can you use ice now?”
“That, that….”
“men and horses. tell me straight This is an outright murder attempt. You don’t want to be sentenced to ‘Take it all off and kick me out into the hallway,’ right?”
“Hey! Oh no! The truth is, not long after returning…”
Asher hesitated and continued explaining. It was the morning after returning from Rodolan that he realized his new power. I tried it out wondering if there was any power left, and it was really ice.
“Then did you do the snow yesterday?”
“Yes···. right. I was afraid… I couldn’t tell anyone.”
Asher hesitated and answered. Occasionally, I heard that there are wizards who acquire new attributes, but this felt a little different. Rather, he was similar to himself, who accidentally absorbed the power of Vajura and made the core.
By the way, the minister appeared yesterday thanks to you. Ronan chuckled and lightly flicked Asher’s nose with her finger.
“Ouch!”
“great. Then forgive me.”
“Ugh… well, thank you… but why… all of a sudden?”
“Thanks, it was fun.”
Ronan laughed. Actually, the attempted murder was just a joke, and I didn’t feel bad at all.
I was so happy that I wanted to hold a banquet with expensive alcohol. He’s still dealing with deceitful telekinesis, but if he could use the Winter Witch’s powers together, it would be a ridiculously big power.
-smart.
Then I heard a knock on the door from behind. Ronan turned his head. I was hoping that some idiot would knock on the open door, and a familiar face stood there. Schlieffen, who met Ronan’s eyes, opened his mouth.
“It was quite upsetting. What’s going on?”
Seeing the serious expression on his face, he suddenly heard screams and was a bit annoyed. Ronan beckoned him to go.
“Ah, you don’t have to worry about it. that’s a good thing Go and take a look.”
It wouldn’t be too late to gather this sergeant at the club and let them know. Schlieffen shook his head slowly.
“I didn’t come here because of the sound, Ronan. I stumbled across it while looking for you.”
“ok?”
“You have to go with me right now.”
The voice was serious. He was always like that, but today was something different. I must say I was a little nervous. Ronan tilted his head.
“What’s going on?”
“This is a call from Instructor Nabirose. You say you have something to say about the festival of swords.”
