Chapter 204 – Succession Ceremony (6)
mR8eIt was midday, and the sky seemed unusually high for late autumn.CYboA
AkNRbThe sunlight was so intense it almost burned the eyes. Beneath it, hundreds of cameras were aimed in the same direction, firing flashes as if trying to rival the sun itself.MubGO
EnxOWThe subject of those photos had yet to appear. All that inefficient effort from the reporters wasn’t for the present, but for what was about to happen.pe9r
2VO365oThey alternated their gaze between their cameras and the main entrance of the building.MDyEZQ
D090lpTheir eyes, filled with solemnity, were as sharp as the lenses they held.V1Cc
ByKNvyThey repeatedly adjusted their focus, opening and closing the apertures with care.3PwcA2Q
5GIlRIt was a meticulous and tedious task.aDWo
zrqBut no one complained. They only wanted to capture the greatest number of images, with the highest precision, in the exact instant that door opened.z1VbR5j
knoqLTheir fingers brushed the lenses like their very wishes were contained in those small gestures.G93
mjpu8XiSpeedweapon watched them with a blank expression.Xsk1
4JdHe was waiting for the succession ceremony to begin alongside the other members of the exploration club.WNv
gM0KAt that moment, someone bumped into his shoulder as they passed.O6mL8
2LxThe person barely bothered to apologize before continuing on.DuebfvA
CM3D6hiSpeedweapon let out a dry chuckle.8svCKD
UNEXYpSAt another time, he might’ve grumbled or made a scene.uZo22
91aSBut today, that was the most normal thing in the world.0S9dac
tBf54He glanced around.7eE
Obc0rkThe crowd was so dense and vast that its mere presence was overwhelming.VTa82Q
qlqv‘God, why are there so many people? Don’t they have jobs or something?’GQZJm0Z
k7UThe massive courtyard of Joaquin Academy was completely packed.8llv
sULZNEIt was impossible to even estimate how many people had gathered.7fn
Mr3M5A red carpet ran through the crowd like a crimson river.8iM
G8CrmuRIt stretched from the main entrance all the way to the stage in the distance—so far you had to squint to see the end.m2IX
5ExUThe red of the carpet seemed to draw in the mind.gIQNK0J
nvzsdPrimary colors, in their intensity, sometimes had the power to devour the soul.u8VhAM
MaFGjImSpeedweapon shook his head. Then he nudged Ryozo in the side with his elbow, looking to strike up conversation.0OHWR
e0Qp2ES“Hey, Saki. Have you seen the faces on those reporters? If you look closely, they all look like war correspondents, right?”2ln2N
uFDpkRoShe raised an eyebrow with grace.iKt8OT
aAbdNSeeing Speedweapon so excited struck her as a little ridiculous. She was tempted to step on his foot but let it go.Vzba
J1KYoYWith an indifferent expression, Ryozo replied.HzM
8BXyj“It’s normal. This is a historic event that hasn’t happened in half a century. We know who the new Hero of the Seven Stars is, but they don’t. What’s strange isn’t them being so hyped—it’s us being so calm.”kf7
TQLBf“Well… if they’re this nervous now, what’ll they be like when they find out who it is?
They might faint and drop their cameras.”jYX8
Hjr7OeSpeedweapon clicked his tongue and shook his head.
Ryozo glanced sideways at him and thought.Ioe02O6
h9ZLxBJ‘This guy is on a direct path to becoming a grumpy old man.’GPhRg1s
7XJMSpeedweapon felt superior.0fIWntE
FKYHe knew something they didn’t.oY5w4G
AWJThat small vanity was enough to turn a teenager into a cranky old man.Od8
g3QPn9zRyozo decided to mentally disconnect from the future sermonizer.pxobbPX
HwjodShe tilted her head back and looked at the sky.Ljx4
JklgThe clear autumn sky was reflected in her sky-blue eyes.AO58
gJQBlue on blue.XjYrQ
YnaAxiThe only difference was the presence of clouds.unWB
yENMUZSA fresh breeze brushed her skin, helping to clear her thoughts.wBCg
PyrbOShe spent a while gazing at the clouds, the sun, and the sky.Edi
ICAiThen someone tugged gently at her clothes.dnJgWS
2g6xRyozo looked down.wr1OPC
jkYThe first thing she saw was a pair of glasses reflecting the sunlight.nd8QXv
2KUzIt was San Ha-na. She spoke.Zrpwp2c
I1oQtbS“You seem pretty tangled up inside, Saki.
Well, it’s normal. After all, someone who was your classmate just a few days ago has suddenly risen so high.”hGiu
suDl8“……”tEKwb
Gv9tRyozo looked at her, visibly confused.snCop
iYpHa-na approaching her like this?alOP
rNENormally, she only responded when spoken to—she never initiated conversation.U5UaZrO
hxmVkCMRyozo hesitated a moment before replying.lUMIrOj
tm8gK“Yeah, I feel a little out of place. But it’s not like I’m that shocked or in disbelief. Think about it—everything Geom-Ma’s done up to now… that’s what really doesn’t make sense, don’t you think?”7aMT
Qp1At those words, Ha-na smiled faintly.nPZ1BT
1Q4“You’re right. He’s taken down two Corps Commanders, and… well, a lot more. Achievements like that are far beyond what a teenager should be capable of. If anything, only ‘one’ person comes to mind who might compare.”WVV
4q7Ic3E“That’s why people compare him so much to Balor Joaquin.”O3z
cqZ“Hmm, I’m not so sure. I wasn’t referring to the founder hero. But if you see it that way, it’s a valid comparison.”rH5oQM
HUvlU“Is there really someone who can be compared to Geom-Ma and still be human?”HavVk
wA4dx4YRyozo asked, surprised.
Ha-na replied with an enigmatic smile.0iTo
NwDghOM“I never said they were human.”L7LbAvD
qsDqde“Then… who were you talking about?”ThM3a
8mf“That’s… a secret. I’ll leave it as a riddle. You seem to like that kind of thing. If I can give you a hint… don’t think in terms of black or white, right or wrong. Try to go beyond that.”zhtG4C
Nl8Ix1After saying that, Ha-na turned her gaze back to the main gate. She even began to hum, as if enjoying the moment.Z7YWPNB
NtC87tB‘San Ha-na, you really are a complete mystery.’wYqqM
YwTRyozo watched her thoughtfully.
About this person called San Ha-na.HMyNScc
zPhdL7r‘The more I see her, the more certain I am… she’s definitely hiding something.’hAb5yk8
X4KmIt was Kang Geom-Ma who first noticed something unusual about San Ha-na.5T1PZPW
rFaqBDFHadn’t he said she looked like someone? At the time, she didn’t understand what he meant, but now, she could sense it… barely.t8I
hCttTP‘San Ha-na is definitely connected to someone we know.’fzrb
KW3The problem was, the more she tried to recall who it might be, the more it slipped through her fingers, like sand trickling between joints.
If she tried to focus too hard, it only made her dizzy.0eYOL3
QQpy‘I’ll have to keep a much closer eye on her from now on.’oOr
xoguUZsDum— Dum—tl3gY
HnoSuddenly, a drum resounded up front.n0qU
KYXThe sound, like a heartbeat, brought with it a solemn silence.V5UO6k
Adh8i7A silence that gathered hundreds of thousands of gazes in a single direction—the still-closed main gate.zqlbB
A9pBWiINo one said a word.
But everywhere, you could hear the sound of swallowing.7wIL4
kgVFbAZBwooooh…!cvSTWiG
jdXThe trumpet players standing at attention blew in unison.l8hnjt
6pIxsKThe sound of drums and trumpets mixed in a deep tone.Njub8
xsr7HeqEveryone could feel their hearts pounding in their chests.mbcuSp
17IWhat kind of person would walk through that door?QQ04d39
Xh5KWould it be the hero they supported?agU
Q2OcWiWhat title would he receive?nW2Y
HYlaqUsExcited imaginations churned in their minds.JB4pGcJ
YUCIn truth, it didn’t matter who it was.37wtH0
GOxBWhat mattered was that they were witnessing a historic moment. That alone was enough to make their eyes gleam with emotion.goTG
gU2r“The new Hero of the Seven Stars makes his entrance.”rAJpeO
vgkNThe doors began to open.LvH8Wp
7nh7gctThe reporters gripped their cameras like they were snipers ready to shoot.rlQaB
hM8RgwAnd the crowd, already full to bursting, was on the verge of erupting.
Everyone had a cheer waiting in their throats.qVT69Y
8OZbVqsThen, a silhouette appeared through the portal that had just opened.u4v
cEOliEyes fixed on that figure widened simultaneously.V4QM21
amOSome reporters even looked away from their cameras to make sure they weren’t seeing things.RIzFd
W10nFootsteps.pBpa
FdbDioA pair of black shoes stepped onto the red carpet.FvpHoqR
r9wPeople blinked and rubbed their eyes. Some even creased their eyelids from opening them so wide.myWsQfp
02oSomeone muttered without meaning to,s7T
HxnB“Isn’t that the Sashimi Saint?”uAisob5
MVC0That comment lit the spark.
The murmur spread like a contagious whisper.rINf
wDzQ8hrAfter all, there were few who didn’t know Kang Geom-Ma.ZhR
GtHzu3The hero of the Joaquin tragedy.spSwi
beLWThe prodigy student who set noble heirs straight.YyU
PG8That’s why the world saw him as a promising hero.zRu
PWmVAnd most agreed without argument.eNPe5JD
SJh04U1But “promising” was just that—a promise.MgsWLG
LxSWVKUnlike the members of the exploration club, the public didn’t know the details.ReL
kQbThat’s why seeing someone so incredibly young standing there caused such a stir.ta6
UJ24VsWasn’t he too young?
Everyone thought the same.bUo4Y0k
ot1j7The reporters’ eyes gleamed like wolves who had spotted prey.7VrEGo
PVUJFootsteps.dMg03AP
vGvCGWithout stopping, Geom-Ma walked the path cleared between the crowd.V20cjg3
7MpHis white coat fluttered elegantly in the sunlight.
With every step he took, the noise gradually faded.xx5
GmvpJPFootsteps.jmbI35
gAVBehind him came the Sword Master, the Sage Media, Changseong, and Saki Kojima.3oKi
gHhkMAt a glance, it was clear he was leading the procession.ZpuQ
Uj3xkNvAll eyes refocused on his steps at the front. His expression couldn’t have been calmer. If anything, he looked slightly bored.rwnI
O2ABIt was obvious he was used to such curious stares. Not even a crowd this massive could intimidate him. Everyone watched in silence.ZRKjZo
MQLDs9RHis dark, indifferent eyes stirred something in their hearts—a warm emotion that slowly grew.0G5tvf
DdzRIt was reverence.
For a boy who hadn’t even reached adulthood.9iDLI
qpAV“The president…”u3HKuR
id9Speedweapon murmured to himself. He was holding back all the emotion swelling in his chest.Wdoklu
eyDVEver since the first time he owed his life to the president, he had vaguely imagined this scene.X6FI
axCRThe image of him charging at the demon siren with two sashimi knives in hand. And not only that—during the Joaquin tragedy, he was the one who stepped forward first.CMRa
xb978nSpeedweapon knew well that behind every decision Kang Geom-Ma made was a sea of anguish and internal struggle.KCUDW
UvDaHsLThat the President, despite everything, was also human. He had also once been a student like them.0FFVze2
hVtFHwAnd that only made him more admirable.QpIOa
0V3JDespite all the weight he carried, he stood up to the strong. And he never asked for recognition or understanding.xQI
g8yHe barely even spoke with his own clubmates.i2RkTt
MNe43aHe preferred to bear it all alone.UMD
6OjSpeedweapon’s eyes reddened.KnU
8AhLhbThis was the moment that so very human, so superhuman friend of his was finally being acknowledged.WgjBTgC
mAWNmAnd he decided not to hold back anymore. His friend deserved the loudest cheer. And he would be the one to start it.MTm1c4
kvPHe took a deep breath. And with his lungs full, shouted with all his might.nRQeqE
VQJFg“Idiots!”beKm7Q
i7fNAYShattering the solemn atmosphere, Speedweapon shouted again.osZMqWC
efOhA“Yell louder, dammit! He’s the new Hero of the Seven Stars! The one you were all waiting for!”qbUzfU
Ge9LYAXFor a moment, everyone looked like fools. They glanced at each other with confused expressions.kSet
90CRbAnd then, someone else joined in.8B407a
uYUIs68“Kang Geom-Ma!”aGFYf
iyxpA first-year student shouted at the top of his lungs, baring his teeth.gQ8
jrJmA student from the Warrior class who had once looked down on Kang Geom-Ma.xtXoF
H7LfWbiHe was also one of the survivors of the Joaquin tragedy.1mNG
DhEPA sharper voice rose from the crowd.vKRJO
yLj5T3p“Mr. Geom-Ma!”DljL9w
NXG18It was Horn, among the people.Rhsc
s3V91zzChoi Seol-ah, who was beside her, tried to cover her mouth, but ended up giving up.LgF9
VOyDW1iShe sighed, then eventually raised her voice too.76RcIhB
5qJi8Q“Congratulations, my Lord!”yX1w
uhHVMfBAnd she didn’t stop there.jgT
JY95cR“Kang Geom-Ma!”nyoGQ
kXEG“Demon of the Blade!”hHGol
LQCQO“Gang Geom-Ma!”heQ
YQGRNyCries in every language on Earth erupted one after another.ISYTl3s
pvwxThe air turned fiery with the surge of cheers.iwvWgc
OdCFKzJoaquin Academy as a whole boiled with excitement.O7bizd
FViBteThe reporters, finally snapping back to their senses, began snapping pictures nonstop.dox4q
sdcVFT4Upon seeing the scene, a smile formed on the Sword Master’s lips.EmWCnqw
ONCvzGHis eyes landed on the white coat of the one walking ahead.
The golden letters embroidered on the back gleamed clearly in his view.o64Xod
QC1Some might say the title was excessive. A lofty, almost arrogant nickname.oRN
uKGBut on that boy, it couldn’t have looked more fitting.dzek
CraZe“Heavenly Sword.”9EgS
K3YZ8The Sword Master savored the weight of those two words as he looked up.DAx9m
TKdJ5For an autumn day, the sky seemed exceptionally high.GAo37
Xei5sGJWas it just his imagination? Maybe not.1QHMtGe
ObE2dWith that thought, the Sword Master resumed walking.2tOtB
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Haimiya_cutie.
MahayanaYou can feel the aura in this title.
Haimiya_cutie.
Mahayana“Heavenly sword” huh sounds amazing 👏.
Santiago. Bernal
MortalQue buen titulo