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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Lion and Dream Bird (1)
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The boys arrived in Marvas only late at night. A towering shadow rising from the earth blotted out half the eastern sky.
It was the Romaira Mountains, the gateway that had to be crossed to reach the capital, dividing the central and western parts of the continent.
They entered the mountain road at dawn the next day. Since they weren't bringing horses or carriages, the toll was practically nothing.
"This is killer."
"Yeah."
Every time they opened their mouths, white breath billowed out. The sheer rock walls surrounding them like folding screens stretched up so high their peaks were invisible. The boys craned their necks back, taking in the breathtaking vista.
"Asel, check that out."
Not far off, a herd of mountain goats was scaling a sheer cliff. Asel, seeing them for the first time, let out a gasp of admiration. Ronan pointed at the goats with his index finger.
"Give one a little nudge. With telekinesis."
"N-No way."
"That's the spirit, Asel. Seeing you grow some backbone... you're becoming a man. Help that straggler back there up."
"That... okay."
Asel extended his staff at Ronan's command. The rearmost goat floated into the air and reached the summit in an instant.
Ronan grinned in satisfaction. He liked Asel's improved skill, and the way the herd fawned over the newcomer goat.
"Marya's probably already there, right?"
"Bet she's doing fine. What, missing her?"
"W-What?! No! I just need to return her book...!"
"It's okay, Asel, I get it. Those tits are rare, for sure. Even I was shocked."
"I said no!"
The road was better paved than Ronan expected. The wide path, laid with smooth cobblestones wide enough for four carriages abreast, was patrolled by guards with swords day and night.
"Thank you for your service, travelers."
"You too, buddy. When army life sucks, think of the Penal Legion scum. Those bastards don't even get proper rations."
"Th-Thank you."
Rest stops at regular intervals provided great relief to those crossing the mountains. It was a perk made possible by joint management between the Empire and the Merchant Alliance.
Money really is king.
But due to the nature of a mountain road, blocking a few key passes would paralyze the Empire's trade routes entirely.
The Winter Witch, who would appear in just a few years, wasn't called the Empire's worst criminal for nothing.
He recalled the people who died hunting her down and her spectacular end.
Maybe... I could meet those two.
The one who killed the Winter Witch was Sword Saint Schlieffen. And both were Phileon alumni. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if meeting them could change the future.
As if that'd happen.
But Ronan shook his head. He had enough on his plate focusing on his own affairs.
They crossed the Romaira in four days. Emerging from the mountains, spring returned once more.
Soon, a city stretching to the horizon came into view.
The capital, Balon.
The Empire's millennium-spanning heart.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The two passed through Balon's east gate before noon. Thanks to citizen IDs issued in advance in Marvas, they skipped most inspections.
Passing the ever-slacking sentries, the city's chessboard-like layout unfolded before them.
Designed by the founding Emperor, the greatest genius since creation, this millennial city was a work of art in itself.
"Whoaaaa..."
"Ugh, just wear a sign saying 'country bumpkin' on your forehead."
Asel spun in place like a kid with a screw loose, gawking at the capital.
Ronan pointed north. Dozens of spires, large and small, pierced the sky in the distance.
"That's Phileon."
"The City of Hundred Towers... we going straight there?"
"Nah. No need to get trampled."
Instead of Phileon, they headed to the market. The practical exam was still two days away.
Applications were submitted by mail, so no need to brave the crowds at Phileon.
"Oh, what about that feather?"
"Feather...? Oh, that weird bird. Come to think of it, he said he lived in the capital."
Ronan shrugged off his backpack and opened the innermost pocket. A blue feather, still glossy, caught his eye.
It twitched more violently than usual; without the other luggage pressing it down, it might've burst free.
Ronan picked up the feather.
"Wanna go now? Plenty of time left."
The lush tail feather curved northward. Half-expecting it, they followed—and ended up at Phileon.
Trapped in the human tide, Ronan gritted his teeth and muttered.
"Trouble to the end."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Chirp! Tweet!
"Urgh... what's up, Marfez?"
A raucous bird call jolted him awake. Baren Phanasir mumbled sleepily.
Heavy eyelids and a foggy head—he must've dozed off briefly.
Before him perched a fluffy blue bird. It was Marfez, the dream bird Baren raised, a fantasy species.
"Had a good dream or something...?"
Yawning widely, Baren rose from his chair. Piles of papers towered on his desk, and the view outside filled his sight.
Baren sighed, clutching his forehead.
"Ugh... this won't be easy either."
His office crowned Phileon's 13th tower. From the spire's peak, he overlooked the campus and the capital's northern district. Applicants swarmed like ants for exams.
-Chirp!
"Professoring never gets easier... maybe time to go back to adventuring."
Three years since the Emperor invited him to Phileon, dealing with humans still exhausted him.
Marfez, now on his shoulder, nuzzled his dark mane. Extra clingy today—must be in a good mood.
"Yeah, gotta keep at it. For your savior, at least."
Baren recalled the incident a month ago. Thought Marfez was just out for a stroll, nearly lost him forever. Even now, the thought made his heart sink.
He still hadn't met Marfez's rescuer. Recalling their words tugged at his heart.
Something like, no need to make a fuss over saving one beast? Incredibly kind-hearted.
"If only he hadn't lost the feather..."
As Baren gazed wistfully out the window, two shadows popped up from below.
One knocked on the glass.
"Hey."
"Gahhh!"
Baren flew back like he'd been hit by a carriage. He fell on his ass, scrambled backward, and smacked his head against the opposite wall before stopping.
Fur bristling, Baren roared.
"Wh-Who are you?!"
A black-haired boy and a redheaded kid floated in midair. The kid screamed at Baren's sight.
"Aaaah! L-Lion!"
A smartly dressed lion cowered in the corner, roaring. Mana disrupted, the pair plummeted.
The boy desperately grabbed the windowsill and the kid's hood.
"You idiot! Magic!!"
Kek! The choked kid gurgled like he was being strangled. Glancing down by mistake, he screamed again.
Far below, waves of humans surged. The boy, with superhuman strength, kicked the window in. Crash!
"Wh-Wh-What the hell...!"
Baren gaped at the intruders. The boy, kid slung over his shoulder like a sack, scanned the room and dumped him on the plush sofa.
"Kek-kek! Keek! Kek!"
The kid clutched his throat, coughing furiously. The boy strode over and smacked his head.
"Ow!"
"Dumbass, we almost died! Never seen a beastman before?"
"S-Sorryyy..."
The kid sniffled, clutching the spot. The boy, catching his breath, turned to Baren.
"...Phew. You're Professor Baren?"
"Y-Yes, but..."
"Been ages since I saw a were-lion... damn, sorry about the window."
The approaching boy extended a hand. Baren's eyes widened. A familiar blue feather peeked from his shirt pocket.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Professor, are you really okay?"
"Yes. Both are my invited guests. No worries."
Phileon's security was ironclad. Less than three minutes after their flashy entrance, guards burst in.
Armored in heavy plate and polearms, they surrounded Ronan and Asel instantly. Baren sweated explaining.
"If you say so, Professor..."
"Yeah, sorry for the commotion. Thanks for your hard work as always."
Baren bowed nearly in half. He even handed out his homemade pies to the flustered guards before sending them off.
"Huh."
Ronan chuckled from the sofa. The attitude clashed wildly with his cattle-butchering looks.
Having fought were-lions before, it surprised him even more.
"Sorry for the wait. You're the ones who saved Marfez, right?"
"...Yes."
"An honor to meet you. I'm Baren Phanasir, professor of 'Empathy and Understanding of Fantasy Species' at Phileon Academy."
At least three meters tall, a burly troll-like frame topped with a majestic lion's head. His well-groomed dark mane exuded dignity and ferocity.
"Heard you couldn't find the entrance—unfortunate choice. I should've given you the door spell in advance... sorry."
"Sorry, sorry, sorry. Why so apologetic to window-smashing intruders?"
Ronan bowed. He simultaneously pressed down on Asel's head beside him.
"We're the sorry ones. Lame country drama over."
"S-Sorrrrry..."
"N-No! You have nothing to apologize for!"
"Yeah, won't happen again. Said it's done."
Ronan crossed his legs. He made his intent clear by lighting his pipe from his pocket. Marfez, perched on Baren's shoulder, approached Ronan.
"Doing well?"
-Tweet!
Marfez nuzzled Ronan's knee. His feathers gleamed healthier than ever.
He returned the feather from his pocket to Marfez.
"Truly, truly grateful for saving Marfez."
"Just did what I could. Who'd have thought a Phileon prof. Impressive."
"Thanks to the Emperor spotting my humble talents. You're here for Phileon entrance?"
"Yeah, sorta."
"Hope you pass. I'll teach you everything I know, word for word."
After brief introductions, they chatted. He insisted they take his class if admitted.
His 'Basic Spiritology' and that one filled first, but he'd make seats somehow.
"Anyway, watch your bird better. Those thieves were from Caribolo's Snare."
"Caribolo...?"
"Yeah, you know those persistent fuckers."
Baren growled low at the name.
His mane rose; claws emerged from his shaggy hands.
"Those filthy poachers dare..."
Deeper grudge than expected. Chilling killing intent radiated from him.
Pale Asel burrowed into the sofa. Ronan exhaled smoke and snapped his fingers.
"Calm down."
"Y-Yes...? Gasp, sorry!"
The intent vanished instantly. Baren hid his hands behind his back.
Standing, he bowed at ninety degrees.
"Really, truly sorry. Showing claws before guests..."
"Nah. That was cool."
Ronan meant it. That glimpse was the true were-lion he knew.
Amazing—a were-lion suppressing his nature near-perfectly, teaching at an academy.
Life at Phileon sounded even better. Baren, reseated, spoke.
"Um... mind if I ask one thing? It's been bothering me."
"Shoot."
"What's in your right pocket...?"
"Pocket? ...Oh, yeah, was gonna ask about this."
Ronan pulled out the orb from his pocket. The mystery egg Marfez laid.
A month later, it looked unchanged.
"This guy's egg. Know what it is?"
Ronan pointed at sleeping Marfez on his knee.
No answer came. Baren stared, entranced.
"What's up?"
"This... impossible..."
Aura-sensitive Baren instantly knew it was Marfez's egg. Dream bird mana seeped from its surface.
But what truly shocked him was something else. The mana wasn't just dream bird.