Academy’s Genius Swordsman

7. The Girl Who Will Be Count (1)

#7

Ronan turned the sack upside down. Something blue fell off. The boys’ eyes widened.

– Beep…?

“Hey, what is that?”

“bird?”

it was a bird A bird whose body is covered with blue feathers except for the beak. Its size was, at best, a little larger than a pigeon. The blue bird slowly tilted its head and looked around.

“Huh, what kind of bird is blue? that’s interesting.”

Ronan carefully picked up the bird. Except for the blue feathers, the appearance was very unusual.

If we had to compare it to a conventional bird, it resembled a crow, but it had incredibly abundant feathers.

– Beep…?

“But why is this bastard so stupid? Can’t you fly?”

The bird was crouching quietly on Ronan’s palm. Even if he touched it, he was just droopy and didn’t show any reaction. Asher lay down and opened her mouth.

“Ronan, what’s on your new leg?”

“What?”

Ronan turned the bird over. As Asher said, a silver ring was attached to her slender legs. Upon closer inspection, something was written on the surface of the ring.

“Ka… Revol… Ro?”

Ronan read the letters slowly. He frowned as he grumbled over his memories. caribolo. Caribolo’s noose.

If his memory wasn’t wrong, it was the name of one of the top five poaching organizations on the continent.

‘Then were those two poachers from Caribolo? It looked too stupid for that.’

Ronan knew something about Caribolo’s notoriety. It was thanks to the fact that there were several motives of the punitive unit who were arrested for poaching.

They would talk without sleep about the weird animals they had caught.

“Then this ring is . . .”

He soon remembered the identity of the ring. tamer ring. It was a kind of shackles made to subdue the mysterious animals that are often called phantom species. It is said that the metal that has undergone a special treatment disturbs the mana of the trapped phantom species.

“Twitter.”

A sword was pulled out of Ronan’s waist. He held the blade over the hook and pulled it straight. The tamer ring split in half fell to the floor.

“The idiots have nothing to do, so they are tormenting the speechless beast.”

– Beep?!

Because the force control was delicate, there was not a single wound left on the leg. The bird’s eyes widened. All of a sudden, the fluffy feathers began to harden.

“Hey, why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

-Beepy…

Feathers went beyond the notion of simply becoming hard, and they were becoming smooth. The bird buried its head under its chest and curled its body.

Before long, the feathers hardened, and the bird was transformed into an unbreakable egg.

“Is . . . dead?”

Ronan tapped the eggshell like a knock. There was only the sound of knocking on solid metal, and there was no response.

Just then, a large male voice resounded in Ronan’s ear.

[Wow, it’s connected! Are you the one protecting Marpez?!]

“Hey, that’s a surprise. what?”

[Sorry, sorry. I am Marpez, the original guardian of the dream bird. I’m looking for what went missing yesterday morning.]

When I listened carefully, the voice was ringing in my head, not my ear. It was the electric sound magic that I had experienced before. It was then that Ronan discovered that an elaborate magic circle was drawn on the egg.

Roughly looking at the context, it seemed like a connection magic to prevent loss. Was the tamer ring interfering with the magic in the meantime? He said with his mouth close to his cheek.

“I don’t know what Marpez… is, but I think you’re right if you’re referring to the blue bird.”

[Blue Bird! you’re right! Oh, I’m so glad…! May I ask where you found it?]

“Some idiots were running away with them in a sack.”

[Yeah?!]

The owner of the voice seemed to be quite surprised, so he began to ask questions. Ronan explained in as concise as possible the current situation and how he rescued the animal that was confused as to whether it was a bird or an egg.

[then···! I thought it was just dropped somewhere, but it must have been stolen…! I really don’t know what to thank for this.]

“That’s Okay. By the way, the bird suddenly turned into an egg, is this okay?”

[Ah, turning into an egg is one of our Marpez’s abilities. Normally they run around quickly, but when they are tired or injured, they turn into eggs and rest.]

The blue bird’s name was Marpez. It doesn’t look like that at all, but at first he said that he had many talents besides changing his feathers into eggshells because he was a ‘dream bird’ belonging to a fantasy species.

“So how did you lose it?”

[So… I originally studied phantom species in the laboratory of the system…]

He said he may have been robbed while spending time in a nearby town for work. Mar…somehow, even when sleeping, it transforms into an egg, and I was guessing that the crime probably took place around that time.

[I just wanted to report the disappearance to the National Police Agency, but I’m really glad.]

“Well, that’s right. By the way, how do you get this friend back? I have no plans to go to the system right now.”

[Of course I have to. If you tell me the location, I will be there within two days.]

“Um… we have to keep walking around to wait two days. If I let him go, will he go straight to his house?”

[Yes? Ah yes. For now, yes, but…]

Fortunately, this strange bird is said to have a strong homing instinct, so it will find its nest wherever it is left on the continent.

The only downside is that it usually takes three to four days for a bird that has once turned into an egg to recover and wake up from the egg.

After thinking for a while, Ronan opened his mouth.

“Will it come out a little faster if I spray the potion?”

[Yes? Potion? No, you don’t have to…]

“Right? no?”

[No, of course, Marpez’s feathers have the ability to absorb substances that are beneficial to them. But you really don’t have to. I will soon-]

Ronan had already taken out a potion bottle and was holding it. It was the potion left over from Asher at dawn. He dropped a few drops of the potion on the eggshell.

“It’s small, so this should be enough. I just sprayed it, so leave the cage door open.”

[Stand, sir! Why do you have to do that…!]

“It’s not a big deal, it’s annoying to carry around for three days.”

It was true that the potion worked. Suddenly, cracks began to form on the egg, and a crimson beak protruded through the broken pieces.

He laid the egg, which turned into a bird, on the floor. After a few minutes, Marpe… and whatgigi returned to the form of a perfect bird.

The glossy flowing feathers looked many times healthier than when they first took it out of the sack.

Ronan said.

“Go home, man.”

– Beep?

Bird fixed his gaze on Ronan, and his clear eyes were blinking continuously. How did he know that the bird was getting better, a more urgent electric sound resounded in his head than before.

[Oh my gosh! Really, really, I don’t know what to thank…! No, not like this. Come on, pull out a feather. He probably won’t resist, knowing he saved himself.]

“feather?”

It was terribly suspicious, but Ronan did what he said for the time being. Indeed, the bird did not resist. Again, the tail feathers, which are especially desirable for feathers, were gently pushed in.

The feathers had a mysterious blue color that no painter could steal. Ronan tilted his head. It’s pretty, but why are you picking this up?

swish!

Then the feather came out of his hand. The feather that flew away like an arrow went back to the blue bird’s body and returned to its place. Ronan muttered as if it was ridiculous.

“…and what kind of magic is this again?”

[All dream bird feathers have the characteristic of returning to their owners. If you come to the islands, please follow that feather. I definitely want to give an example.]

“Because it’s okay. I have no intention of campaigning for saving a single beast.”

Ronan was sincere. More money is better, but I didn’t think there was any need to make money while doing stupid shit.

[Don’t do that. A beautiful heart deserves a reward. ah! My introduction is late. My name is Professor Baren Panasir, who studies phantom species. Then… we’ll be looking forward to the day we meet…]

Suddenly the sound was cut off. It seemed that the cause was that all the eggshells engraved with the magic circle returned to feathers.

The bird did not move until Ronan plucked its feathers again. It was the moment when he reluctantly pulled out a tail feather.

– Beep!

“Uh-huh?! Yumma!”

Suddenly, a roaring bird jumped into the river. Ronan, who was about to fly away, stopped in place. An unbelievable sight was unfolding.

“Damn, what is that?”

The bird was not flying, but was jumping across the river. The bird, which was running without regard to the strong current, disappeared from sight in an instant. The two boys stood blankly, looking in the direction the bird had disappeared.

“Nimi… I’ve lived for a long time, so I see all kinds of things.”

“yes···.”

“By the way, what kind of professor wasn’t that person?”

“He… I didn’t hear anything.”

“…well, it doesn’t matter.”

The car was just about to turn. Something round caught Ronan’s eyes. A sphere was placed on the spot where the bird was sitting.

“What else is this?”

Ronan picked it up. The lump the size of a pine cone was a broad oval like a gravel.

“egg? Did you just give birth?”

Except for that case, no explanation was given. In fact, the surface of the sphere was enveloped in warmth like a freshly laid egg.

However, Ronan wondered if it should be called ‘al’. Asher looked at the sphere and opened her mouth.

“It looks a little … odd.”

Ronan also agreed with that opinion. To be honest, the expression that it was strange was somewhat polite. If it hadn’t been in the form of a perfect sphere, I would have thought it was shit and kicked it.

The rough surface was rough as if it had been smeared with mud, and the color was a very similar brown color.

“Damn, it’s not real shit, is it? Asher, lick it.”

“Oh, I hate it.”

Fortunately, there was no smell. Ronan pondered for a long time whether to throw it away or not, and eventually shoved the sphere into his pocket. Either poop or eggs, they are by-products of the phantom species anyway, and it might be sold at a high price later on.

‘Do you want to know about the merchants of Marbas?’

Ronan picked up the oar again. The blue feathers, which were constantly moving, were thrown into the backpack. Anyway, I had to visit the system sooner or later, even for the entrance exam, so I was going to stop by at that time for the writer who was wondering if it was Baren or something.

****

For four days, the boys wandered around the nearby villages and estates, selling loot. Even after filtering out what to take and what to throw away, it took quite a while because there was a lot of raw material. After earning some money, Ronan bought two powerful mules.

“Remove the power from your body! Hold the reins lightly! You don’t want to be treated like an asshole who can’t even speak properly, do you?”

“Come on, wait! It’s harder to balance this than I thought… Ahhh! Don’t hit me with a horse whip!”

Ronan taught Asher how to ride a horse. Fortunately, Asher was quick to learn. I wanted to buy a horse rather than a mule, but it was difficult to find a good horse in a place like this.

When there were about five sacks left, the boys moved to a large city called Marbas. Built in front of the Roraima Mountain Road, this splendid city was an important commercial hub where markets were held every day.

“Two gold coins.”

“What?! I’ll see you again just once, even though I didn’t learn it, it’s just a real sapphire.”

“Hmm… three. no more.”

“Three Nimmies. Like a greedy raccoon. Let’s go, Asher.”

“What?! hey! What did you just say?!”

The remaining five sacks were filled with expensive items that had not been sold anywhere else. They spent half a day just looking for a merchant who paid the right price.

Fortunately, a place called the top of the caravelle bought most of the leftovers at a conscientious price.

“Um… it’s in very good condition. The craftsmanship is also delicate…how about twenty-two gold coins?”

The manager at the top, a man named Duon Caravel, paid more than ten times the price for the same necklace as before. Asher was astonished, and Ronan nodded her head humbly. It was just the right price.

“like. You have a conscience.”

“Heh heh, the life of a merchant is trust.”

Duon bought weapons, potions, and handicrafts. People who appeared to be employees moved goods back and forth between the stalls and the wagons. Duon put the settlement money in a neat wooden box and handed it to him.

Ronan liked him. It was nice to give the right price, but I especially liked that they didn’t ask the source of the items. If there is an opportunity, I would like to do business in the future.

“Thank you for the transaction. I wish you all the best in your future.”

“Oh, can you take a look at this too?”

Ronan, who suddenly remembered what had happened a few days ago, rummaged through his pockets. He took out a dark sphere and held it to Duon. I had completely forgotten about it since I put it in my pocket that day.

“Why are you taking horse dung out of your pocket?”

“It wasn’t horse dung, it was some kind of bird. Should I say it was cheap?”

“Are you a bird? this?”

Duon carefully accepted the sphere. He looked closely at the sphere while wearing a discriminator that looked like a monocle.

The feelings I thought would end soon took an hour. Duon tilted his head.

“This is… a bit strange.”