Chapter 118: National tournament, begin! (1/2)
Chapter 118: National tournament, begin!
“Ciaran, you’re still stronger than I expected. I didn’t think you could kill Makkany even in circumstances like those.”
As before, Ciaran sat quietly on top of the small, old building in front of Holy Dawn Academy’s infirmary. Her hands were wrapped in thick bandages. She heard the sound of something breaking through the air behind her, then heard Donna’s voice.
“Swish!” “Swish!”
When she turned around, she heard another two somethings going through the air. Minlur and Rui appeared beside Donna.
“You guys also came back?” Ciaran smiled peacefully. “How was it?”
“This was indeed a multi-layered plot planned with utmost care. Both Mori, the boss of the gnome store, and that Evil Dragon follower called Pattinson fled away.” Donna looked at Ciaran and added, “That said, we caught Iron Forest’ Johnny, and we also found out several arcane masters secretly helping the Evil Dragon followers from the shadows. There’s an important figure among them, Golden Lion Academy’s Marte.”
“Stormrider Marte?”
Donna nodded. “A powerful great master as important as Makkany. That said, he already fell into our nets. Although we couldn’t capture Mori and that mastermind called Pattinson, their goal this time should have been to draw away the teams I and Liszt direct so that they can assassinate some people on their list. After you led Moss and Ayrin away on a mission, you guys became their final target. But the final result is that you guys survived fine and dandy, and instead killed Makkany who was in charge of securing the final targets. His exposure also led to the exposure of other important figures. From now on, the Evil Dragon followers’ influence around St. Lauren should be eradicated. That’s why, we’re still the victors in this fight.”
After a small pause, Donna said to Ciaran again, “Planning everything for so long, then when the time comes to harvest the fruit of their labors, they instead squandered even the one in charge harvesting the fruit. I’m sure the one called Dias certainly feels very thwarted.”
“The reason they chose you as their final target was that, one, you just happened to take Moss and Ayrin by yourself and left St. Lauren. On top of that, the most important thing is, Dias should be aware that you were the one closest to Ashur among the several of us. For Ashur, you were the most important person. From Dias’ point of view, it’s because of Ashur that we killed his brother. That’s why, it’s very possible that you’re the first target he wants to kill. You definitely can’t lower your guard in the future,” Rui looked at Ciaran and said, his voice slow and serious.
He wasn’t good with words. He didn’t talk much in ordinary times, but this time, he quite uncharacteristically spoke a long while.
“I definitely won’t leave Holy Dawn Academy before my injuries heal. Since he’s also always been looking to get his revenge on us, then the more low-key I stay, the fewer opportunities I give him to kill me, then the more irascible he’ll get. It’ll be easier for him to make mistakes and pay a dear price by then,” Ciaran calmly said. “There will come a day when I kill him with my own hands.”
Donna nodded, then looked at Ciaran and said in a tone that didn’t dare believe, “Ayrin, that guy, did he really use Fire Embers just like that?”
“He’s fated to be a kaleidoscope-type arcane master.” Ciaran smiled, an unspeakable confidence on her face. “Plus, his body is stronger than any kaleidoscope-type master on Doraster from any era.”
“It’s not that I am strong enough to be certain I could kill Makkany even in those circumstances,” she said in a warm tone after a faint pause. “I was merely lucky to have those two students who, like Ashur, shielded me behind them regardless of everything. Were it not for them pinning him down, I wouldn’t have been able to follow Makkany’s invocation speed from the start.”
“Counting Ivan the last time, that guy Ayrin already thwarted two assassination attempts from the Evil Dragon followers.” Donna couldn’t help but shake her head. “The crucial thing is, that guy’s never satisfied. He’s probably once again training with his all…”
…
After the end of the War of the Dragons, the entire continent of Doraster had recovered its peace. In the long, long following years, there was simply no telling how many skirmishes and battles, great and small, happened between arcane masters of every nation and Evil Dragon followers.
What was fortunate was, the fight in Windsough Canyon this time ended with the victory of the righteous side.
Holy Dawn Academy, afternoon. It wasn’t time yet to open to the public, and the library basked under a drowsy sunlight.
The moment Liszt crossed inside the library’s entrance, the unremarkable-looking library manager, professor Plum, unfailingly appeared on the glossy stones in the library’s vestibule, like the clock hand of a precise mechanical clock.
Professor Plum still held in his hands an open classic book.
The book was titled “Study on Rare Bloodlines.” The author was Egriss, one of the legendary arcane masters from the kingdom of Doa who participated in the War of the Dragons.
“Senior, do you have a rough idea about Ayrin’s bloodline?” Liszt glanced at the book in professor Plum’s hands and asked with a very courteous smile.
“I don’t.” Super chatty in front of ordinary students, professor Plum’s answer was actually very straight and simple when faced with Liszt.
Liszt smiled a lazy smile. “I have something I would like professor Plum to help with.”
Professor Plum looked at Liszt without showing any expression. “What is it?”
“In a few days, our Holy Dawn Academy’s team will depart for the city of Eichemalar.” Liszt looked at him and said, very expectant, “Senior, you must also be aware of what had transpired during these few days. Ayrin already thwarted two of their assassination attempts. With Ayrin’s performance and the Evil Dragon followers’ consistent style, they will be in danger even if they go to participate in the tournament. But for now, I have to stay here and handle some affairs, to prevent the Evil Dragon followers from trying again to assassinate Ciaran or the genius youngsters of St. Lauren. That’s why there won’t be enough of a protection for them. So I want to invite senior to go to Eichemalar together with them, and protect them. I’m sure that with your ability, if Evil Dragon followers were really planning to target Ayrin and the others, they’ll certainly die a very wretched death.”
“No problem.” Professor Plum nodded and agreed, very straightforward.
“Ah?” This time, Liszt was actually a little stunned. He couldn’t resist rubbing his chin.
In his impression, this senior who loved books as dearly as his life rarely ever left this library.
Was it because Chris was also his student?
Professor Plum looked at Liszt and said, “Just help me take all the books on the fourth floor with us.”
“Ah? The entire fourth floor?” Liszt was immediately flabbergasted.
“What?” Professor Plum frowned. “It’s not possible?”
“It’s a little troublesome, but all in all, moving all these books isn’t something impossible.” Liszt let out two hollow laughs. “Since that’s the case, I’ll go and let someone prepare luggage carriages.”
“You have to find absolutely reliable people. Also, it’s best to find docile beasts like unicorns to pull the carriages. Otherwise, you know the consequences if we lose a book or two,” professor Plum said without the slightest expression.