Chapter 110: A New Beginning (1)

“…Will this be enough?”

I stared at the open suitcase in front of me.

Inside, there were clothes, daily necessities, and a set of sashimi knives I had bought at a store.

Seeing everything I had packed filled me with an unexpected sense of excitement.

This was the first time, in all my lives, that I was about to travel abroad.

Sure, I had been to Scopuli Island for the midterm exam and Avalon Island for survival training.
But those experiences couldn’t really be called “trips.” Both times, I had almost died, and neither experience had been pleasant…

So, in a true sense, this was my “first” international trip.

‘For some reason, this is more exciting than I expected.’

After checking that everything was in order, I sat on the bed and recalled the words the Sword Master had told me yesterday.

—If you don’t have any plans for the holidays, why don’t you come with me to the home of the Nibelung?

His words came with several explanations.

Though it was a lengthy conversation, it could be summarized into two main points.

The first point: Since I had already decided to become a future member of the Seven Stars, the Sword Master offered me intensive training during the holidays. He had been busy with interviews related to his retirement as a hero, as well as frequent visits to the Hero Association.

All of this explained his absence from the academy until now.

But it seemed like his affairs were nearly settled, and his return to the academy was proof of that. So now, he had decided to use the holiday period to personally teach and guide me in my training.

The second point: This one was more complicated and practical.

Cladi, one of the Elders, had recently died. And although it was technically Altair and Knox who delivered the final blow, I was deeply involved in the entire incident.

If that information reached the ears of enemy factions, it was obvious that I would become their primary target.

After all, I was the easiest target to reach.

They wouldn’t be foolish enough to try attacking the Sword Master, the strongest human in existence, or Director Media.

Nor would they dare to openly confront the Auditore family, pillars of order.

Therefore, I was the most probable target. Altair had assured that he would keep the matter a secret, but the truth was that there were some surviving guards from Cladi’s side who had witnessed everything.

Even though the Auditore would have silenced them, as the saying goes: “The birds hear during the day, and the mice at night.”
Sooner or later, the Elders or nobles would find out.

If they sent assassins like the Undertakers, I could easily handle them.

But if they resorted to more subtle harassment methods, things would be far more complicated.

‘I’m definitely better at using my body than my brain.’

In any case, due to the above factors, it was necessary to stay out of their reach.

Even though the academy might seem safer, it was still within the sphere of influence of the Elders.

That’s why the Sword Master kindly suggested: Stay with me.

At first, it sounded absurd. But the more I thought about it, the less I could see a better option than that offer.

‘The home of the Nibelung.’

The ancestral residence of Aaron Nibelung, the first Sword Master, and a family with over 700 years of history.

Although it never appeared in the game, it was said that their territory was practically a small kingdom.

Within its borders, the Sword Master’s word was law.

Moreover, with someone like him protecting me, no enemy would even dare to approach.

Only the other heroes of the Seven Stars, like the Spear Master or the Bow Master, would have access, but both had their own problems. Kojima Saki, the Bow Master, was the Prime Minister of Japan, and the Spear Master, who lived in France, didn’t have a good relationship with the Sword Master.

‘I don’t think I’ll run into either of them.’

I let my back fall onto the bed as I stared at the ceiling.

“I’ll be leaving this room empty for quite a while.”

Just three months ago, this place felt strange and unfamiliar. But now, it was my only refuge, and leaving it for a month was something I hadn’t expected.

Besides, I wouldn’t be able to see the members of the exploration club for a while. I thought about telling them, but I shook my head. It wasn’t necessary.

The Sword Master had suggested keeping my whereabouts unknown.
Even though I trusted my friends, the more ears that heard about it, the greater the risk.

‘Besides, Chloe’s house is also in Europe…’

I imagined the image of Chloe running toward me with her red hair flowing in the wind. A shiver ran down my body, giving me goosebumps.

‘I definitely need to stay away from her for a while.’

As I lay on the bed, my mind wandering through these thoughts, a new idea suddenly crossed my mind.

“How big will the Sword Master’s private jet be?”

I took it for granted that he had one, so my curiosity was about its size.

The Nibelung family was among the most influential noble families, so their wealth was unimaginable for someone like me.
If I had to compare, it was probably similar to the fortune of oil magnates on Earth.

I had heard that the Auditore family’s private jet could accommodate 18 people. By comparison, the Nibelung’s jet was probably as big as a commercial plane.

“…My first flight will be on a private jet…”

A feeling of excitement grew inside me. I wondered if these kinds of experiences would end up spoiling me.

With a smile I tried to suppress, I jumped up from the bed and went to check my luggage once more.

There were only two days left until departure. Not much time.

“Hmm…”

As I looked at the neatly packed suitcase, I felt like something was missing. I had packed all the essentials, but still…

“Ah, right. I should bring some instant ramen.”

I had almost forgotten something more important than a passport for any Korean.
Grabbing my wallet, I headed to the academy’s convenience store.

***

Two days later, the day of departure finally arrived.

After checking my luggage one last time, I stood in front of my room’s door.

Gripping the doorknob, I took one final look inside.

“…”

The small space carried an air of emptiness. A whirlwind of strange emotions swirled in my chest. With a faint smile, I stepped out of the room.

‘The Sword Master told me to meet him at Incheon International Airport.’

I had spoken with him on the phone the night before to finalize the details. He mentioned that he would arrive a day earlier to complete the departure process.

With all the commotion caused by Cladi’s death, the Council of Elders might pressure the government to make things difficult for us, even if they couldn’t completely block our departure.

That was probably why the Sword Master had decided to go ahead of time.

Walking briskly, I arrived at the academy’s bus terminal in no time.

The place was nearly empty since most students had left the day before or right after the closing ceremony. Only about ten people were scattered across the benches, waiting for their buses.

As soon as I entered the terminal, I felt several gazes directed at me. Two girls, in particular, stared at me wide-eyed, whispering among themselves.

“That black-haired guy… Is that him? The student who defeated Relentless Iron?”

“Ah, the Sashimi Saint? They say he has a demonic personality, like some kind of maniac who slices people up with kitchen knives…”

Even though they were whispering, their voices were loud enough for me to hear everything clearly.

“Hey, is that all? A friend of mine, who’s in his class, told me he confesses to a different girl every week. And if they reject him, he pulls out a knife. She said he confessed to her too, and when she turned him down, he almost killed her…”

What the hell?

I had no idea how these rumors were spreading, but apparently, my image was that of a complete lunatic. Threatening people with a knife if they rejected me? If that were true, I wouldn’t be at the academy—I’d be rotting in prison.

Besides, I was already careful to keep my distance from girls because of Chloe and Rachel. The sheer absurdity of it made my blood boil.

“Wow, he’s totally insane… But, hey, he’s got a decent face. And that hair color of his is kinda cool. Plus, he’s super strong and a celebrity at the academy. Lately, my type is strong, bad guys. Maybe he’s worth a shot.”

“What’s wrong with you!? Are you crazy? What if he stabs you? That’s not a bad boy—he’s a straight-up psycho! And do you think someone like him, with that class difference, would ever be accepted by your family just because he’s strong?”

“Maybe you’re right… But, hey, doesn’t it seem like he’s looking at us?”

“Oh my god! Don’t look at him directly! If you do, he might confess his love to you…”

“Agh!”

The two students, realizing I was looking their way, visibly flinched, cutting off their conversation mid-sentence. Their faces turned pale, their eyes trembling as if an earthquake had struck them.

To them, I seemed scarier than a demon.

Honestly, I was tempted to say something. No one enjoys hearing ridiculous rumors about themselves, especially if they paint you as a fool who confesses left and right.

I’m not the type to just smile and let things slide.

In fact, I’m more of a move before you think kind of person. So, for a second, I considered teaching them a lesson—maybe even using my sashimi skills to clear up any misunderstandings.

“Haa…”

I let out a deep sigh, suppressing the flood of emotions. I had changed—or at the very least, I was aware of it. I couldn’t afford to lose my temper every time I was provoked.

Even if they didn’t admit it, giving them a lesson would only fuel the rumors further. I’d probably go from “the lunatic who confesses to girls every week” to “the psycho who does it every single day.”

I still didn’t understand how these rumors started, but my public image was already completely ruined.
The best thing to do was to ignore them and move on with my day.

Above all, today was a good day.

I decided to dial down my emotions and focus on staying positive.

As I remained silent, exhaling another long sigh, the two girls exchanged glances and nodded at each other.

Their faces now reflected a newfound certainty, as if they had just confirmed their worst fears.

I decided to ignore them completely. I pulled out my earbuds, preparing to disconnect from reality.

At that moment, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“Hey.”

The crisp voice belonged to someone I didn’t expect. The girls, confused, slowly turned their attention toward the source of the sound.

“……!”

At the same time, their eyes widened in shock. The person who had appeared was completely unexpected.

Everyone in the terminal, including those who had been distracted, turned their heads toward the newcomer. Standing there was a girl of dazzling beauty, someone who seemed to have stepped straight out of a dream.

‘Abel…?’

It was undoubtedly her. Abel von Nibelung, her hair flowing gently as she approached with an imposing aura.

Her cold, piercing eyes locked onto the two students, who immediately started stammering.

Faced with overwhelming superior genetics, it was as if they didn’t dare to speak.

Abel crossed her arms, maintaining an icy expression as she glanced at the name tags on the girls’ uniforms. Both indicated they were second-year students.

With a stern tone and a furrowed brow, she finally spoke.

“Don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate for second-year students to be gossiping about first-years? Regardless of whether it’s ‘true’ or not, it’s just disrespectful to talk like this when the person in question can hear you.”

“……”

The two girls were left speechless, their mouths slightly open, unable to respond.

“And realistically, do you really think someone who pulls out a knife after being rejected would still be studying here? He’d be in prison, not at the academy! Besides, you knew these rumors were false, didn’t you? Yet, you still chose to gossip about them right in front of him. Don’t you think that’s even more inappropriate?”

Faced with Abel’s cold logic, the two girls hung their heads as if they had been caught red-handed.

Even though their expressions showed discomfort, they couldn’t refute anything she said.

It was evident that, even though Abel wasn’t using her noble status as a weapon, simply being a member of the prestigious Nibelung family gave her a natural authority. In a place where hierarchy mattered, standing against her wasn’t an option—especially not with her overwhelming presence.

‘Of course, I don’t think Abel intended that…’

Besides, Abel is a beautiful girl who is the king of worldviews. They deserved to feel deeply humiliated, both in terms of status and as members of the same gender.

‘…But looking at her now, she really seems like the Abel I remember from the game.’

In the game, Abel always maintained a cold and distant attitude. Even with the protagonist, Leon, a charismatic heartthrob surrounded by admirers, she kept her distance.

But what intrigued players the most was how that hardened exterior concealed a fragility that made her even more fascinating.

Her demeanor had always been a topic of discussion, and it seemed that even in this world, she remained true to her character.

It was probably related to her past story. As I recall, those clues were only resolved towards the end of the game. Therefore, I have no idea about that aspect. I quit playing when I was halfway through or nearing the end.

I wanted to know more about her past since Abel was one of the main reasons I played Miracle Blessing M. It’s a shame I never got to that part.

However, considering my current situation, perhaps it’s better not to know anything. After all, Abel is Leon’s main heroine.

Meanwhile, the eyes of the two students who had been criticizing me earlier were now filled with tears. Receiving so many harsh words for several minutes had that effect.

It was a moment that reminded me that, sometimes, words hurt more than swords.

“Ah…” Abel sighed, shaking her head as if exhausted.

There was a sense of boredom in her gaze. It wasn’t hard to understand why. Her few words had reduced those two students to a miserable state.

Moreover, it was clear that all the attention now directed at her was making her uncomfortable.

Abel was that type of person: someone whose appearance attracted stares but whose personality preferred to avoid them.

Shrugging off the weight of all those gazes, Abel started moving. She was pulling a huge suitcase as she made her way toward me.

Then, Abel approached me.

“…….”

“…….”

She stared at me intently and then casually sat down next to me. Naturally, I also had to bear the attention she was attracting.

A guy with infamous rumors like “he threatens with a knife if rejected” sitting next to Abel, the most beautiful girl in this world.

I could imagine what people were thinking.

It was certain that even more bad rumors would pile up.

Suddenly, Abel spoke, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

“Did you pack everything? My grandfather said I should go with you to the airport. Since we’re in Wonju, it’ll take us about three hours by bus to get to Incheon Airport.”

When I seemed embarrassed, Abel crossed her arms and focused her eyes only on me.

“What? Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

“…….”

Suddenly, I remembered a fact I had buried in the chaos of the past few days.

During that brief period as a player, the main reason I spent so much money on the game was Abel.

“You’ll be staying at my house during the holidays, right?”