The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 225 – Professor (1)

Chapter 225 – Professor (1)

Light⁠‌ green hair braided⁠ like a model‌ student’s, and skin⁠‌ so pale you⁠⁠‌ could see the⁠ veins. The skirt,‍ without any adornment,‍⁠‍ fell to the‌ knees.

Up‍‌‍ to that point,⁠ it was the‌‌ usual image of‍ her I knew‍‍⁠ well. But today,‌⁠ something was different. Very different.

‘Senior…?‌‍ Ha-na?’

Senior‍ Ha-na smiled softly‌⁠ and gently closed‌ the door. She⁠‍‍ walked in with‍ light steps, hands‌‌‌ behind her back, and asked.

“Are‌ you busy?”

I looked at her,‌⁠ stunned.

“Senior⁠⁠ Ha-na, where are‍‌⁠ your glasses?”

Yes.‍‍ Right now, Senior⁠⁠ Ha-na wasn’t wearing‌‌ glasses.

That⁠ was all. But⁠ how could someone‍ change so much⁠‌⁠ just by taking‌ off their glasses?‍⁠

Senior‍ Ha-na had always‍⁠ been a girl‌ with a plain‌ appearance.

It’s⁠‍‍ not that I want to judge‌ by looks, but that was the reality.

In‌⁠ an academy full⁠ of beauties, she‌⁠‌ stood out precisely‌ because of how⁠‌ normal she looked—or‌‌ so I thought.‍‍

“Ah,‌‌‍ that?”

Senior‍ Ha-na smiled slightly⁠⁠⁠ and pulled the⁠‌ glasses from the⁠ pocket of her‍⁠ skirt.

Then she twirled them‌‌ lightly between her‌ white fingers.

“These‌ glasses don’t have‌‍ a prescription. You know? Would you⁠‌ have preferred I wore them?”

“…I didn’t mean it‌ like that.”

“If you don’t like‌‍‌ it, I can‌ put them back⁠‍‌ on.”

“No, no.”

I quickly shook my‌ head. She smiled⁠‍‍ with her eyes and put the‌ glasses away again.⁠

“Kang‌ Geom-Ma, you’ve figured‌ it out by‍⁠ now, haven’t you?‌‍‌ These glasses aren’t⁠ normal. They’re an artifact called ‘Veil⁠ Mirror,’ made by⁠⁠ the Association to‍⁠ conceal identity.”

Right‌‌⁠ now, I was‍‌ completely bewildered—something unusual‌ for me. The‍ reason my eyes‍‌ were so wide‌‌ open was the⁠⁠‍ change in Senior⁠ Ha-na’s appearance.

Her‌⁠ name was San‍ Ha-na, but it⁠ felt like a complete stranger was‌⁠ approaching me.

“And‌ why did the Association give you⁠ that, Senior? More importantly, why are⁠ you showing your‍ real face now…?”‍‍‍

“Well, because there’s no‌⁠ longer a need‍ to hide it.‍⁠ To put it⁠ simply, when someone‍‍ goes to a job interview, they⁠ take off their‌⁠ glasses too, right?‌ It’s kind of like that!”

Job⁠ interview? What the⁠‍⁠ hell was she⁠‌ talking about?

And‌ more importantly…

Despite‌ my mastery of‍ the “Mental Spirit⁠‍ Level,” which allowed⁠‌ me to stay⁠ calm in almost‍‍⁠ any situation, I was now stammering—unlike⁠‍ Senior Ha-na’s serene⁠⁠⁠ demeanor.

‘Not⁠‍⁠ even when I faced Kuarne did‌⁠ I feel like⁠ this.’

She⁠‌ had only taken‍⁠ off her glasses.‍ And with that‍‌ single change, the⁠ person before me seemed completely different.‍‍‌

Normal‌‍ appearance? I take‌‍⁠ it back.

That⁠‌ girl was anything⁠ but ordinary. Even⁠‍⁠ among the countless‍‌ beauties at this‌‌‍ academy, she stood⁠‌ out overwhelmingly.

One‌⁠ could say she‌ was on the⁠ same level as‍‍ Abel, considered the‌ most beautiful woman⁠⁠ in this world. In fact, depending⁠‍ on perspective, some‍ might find her‍ even more attractive.‍

Her‌ crescent-shaped eyes and‌‌⁠ long lashes that‍‍‍ shimmered like petals.⁠ Saying she was‍‌ “cute” didn’t do‍‌ it justice. That‍ harmony of features‌‍‍ deserved to be‌ called “beautiful.”

‘Why‌‌ had she been hiding such a face behind glasses?’⁠‌‍

Any‍‍‌ average actress would‌‍ be overshadowed standing‌‌⁠ next to her.‌ She’d steal all‍ the spotlight.

And now she was‌ alone with me,‍ in this private‍ library, in the‌⁠ middle of the night. Maybe because⁠ of the curve‍ of her lips,⁠ the atmosphere turned‍‍ strangely seductive.

Thud.‌⁠

Senior‌ Ha-na stood right⁠ in front of‌ me. The distance between us was‍‌ barely the width‌‍ of the desk.‍

She‍ was the first⁠⁠ to speak.

“Oh⁠⁠ dear, what a scatterbrain I am. This is the‍‌ first time I’m seeing you since you became a Hero of the‌‌ Seven Stars, isn’t‍‍ it? I almost‍‍ forgot the basics.‌‌ My apologies, my apologies~ Age is‍⁠‍ catching up with⁠‍ me.”

Senior‌ Ha-na tapped her‌‌ head lightly. Then‌ she held her‌ skirt with both hands and bowed in a formal‌ greeting.

“I,‍ Meain Poison, former‌⁠ director of Joaquin‍‍ Academy, humbly greet‍ the great Heavens,‍‌ the Heavenly Sword.”‌‌‍

She⁠ raised her face‌ slightly.

Her⁠⁠ braided hair fell⁠ over her left‍ cheek, and as‌ she tilted her⁠ pale neck, her‍‌ eyes locked with‌‌‌ mine.

“Or⁠‍ would you prefer‍ I call you‌‌⁠ Demon King?”

I felt as if‍⁠ a block of⁠ ice had settled‌ in my chest.‍‌

***⁠‍

First⁠⁠ floor of the⁠‌ main building of‍⁠ Joaquin Academy, Starbucks.‌

As‌ expected of a café during exam‌ season, it was‍‌ packed with students⁠ even at night.‍

At‌ a table in‌ the corner, Saki⁠ and Speedweapon were⁠ seated.

Both‍⁠ had come to‌‍‌ discuss the creation⁠‌‍ of the Heavenly‌ Class , as‍ well as prepare‌⁠ for exams.

“Hmm.”‌

Speedweapon⁠ was resting his‍ chin in his⁠‌ hand, staring into‍ space, with a pencil stuck between‍ his upper lip‍‌ and nose.

Seeing⁠‍‌ this, Saki frowned.⁠

“Speedweapon, I skipped my nap because you⁠ insisted, and now you’re the one‌⁠ zoning out. What is that supposed‌ to be?”

“Ah,‌ sorry.”

The⁠ pencil slid off‌ his nose and⁠⁠‌ rolled across the‌‌‍ table. Speedweapon scratched‍ the back of‌‌ his head, embarrassed.⁠⁠‌

“It’s⁠ just that I remembered something right‍ before I saw‍ the Director.”

“If⁠‍ you’re going to brag about meeting‍ the Academy Director‌‌‌ one-on-one, you can⁠ stop right there.‍‍ I’m not jealous.”‍‍

“Well…⁠ I did want‌ to brag a little… No, that’s‌‌ not it!”

Saki⁠‍ glanced at him sideways while bringing‍‌ the straw of‍‌ her drink to⁠ her mouth.

“What‌‍ happened? Tell me.”

Not‌‌‍ that she was‌⁠ really interested.

She⁠‍‍ just thought it⁠‌ might be a bit of entertainment‍⁠ to kill the‍ boredom.

“Well…”‍⁠‌

Speedweapon⁠ hesitated. He looked‌ around once. Then he leaned toward‌ Saki and spoke‌ in a low‌‌ voice.

“Just‍‌ as I arrived⁠ at the Director’s‍ office, before opening‍‌‌ the door, I happened to overhear her on a call. And the person on the⁠ other end…”

“Were‌‌ you eavesdropping? Don’t‌⁠ you know that’s⁠ a crime?”

Saki⁠⁠ leaned back, disgusted.⁠ At her reaction,‍⁠ Speedweapon quickly raised‌‌ his voice.

“No,‍ no, it’s not⁠‍‌ that! Really!”

At‌⁠ that moment, all‌ the students’ eyes‍⁠ locked onto him.

“……”‌‍

The‍ students, tense from⁠ exam season, looked‍ at him like they were about‌⁠ to stab him‌⁠ with the pencils in their hands.‍

“Urgh.”‍‍‍

Speedweapon‍ shrank in his⁠ seat, almost hiding⁠ himself. After about‍ thirty seconds of⁠‍⁠ uncomfortable silence, the‌ stares finally dispersed.‍

Relieved,‌ Speedweapon glared at‌‌‌ Saki, who continued sipping her iced⁠ americano like it⁠⁠‍ wasn’t her problem.‌‌

‘Damn‍‍ it.’

He muttered, nearly inaudibly, seething inside.

“It’s‌⁠ not like I tried to listen.‍ She was using‌ speakerphone…!”

“Ah, well. Then you should’ve clarified that‍ earlier. Do you‍‌‍ know how easily‍‌ people can misunderstand‌ you with the‍‍ way you phrased‍ it? Also, you want to be⁠ Kang Geom-Ma’s right⁠‍ hand, and you’re reacting like that,⁠‍‌ raising your voice?‌ Remember the higher⁠⁠ your position, the‌ more you have⁠ to watch your‍‍ words and behavior.⁠⁠ That’s one and‌ two.”

Speedweapon‍⁠ clenched his teeth,‍ swallowing his anger.⁠‍

Saki’s‍‌‌ words were right—painfully⁠ right.

From⁠‍ now on, he⁠ would have to‌ behave like a rock.

“Whew…”‍‌

Speedweapon⁠ sighed in resignation.‍‍

Saki‌‌‍ looked at him‍ indifferently.

“So,‌ who was the⁠‌‍ person on the‌⁠ other end of the call?”

“…It’s⁠ not a big⁠‌‍ deal… It’s just‌ that the voice⁠⁠ sounded way too⁠⁠ familiar. So I replayed it in‌‍‌ my head and‌ suddenly realized. The‌ person talking so⁠ casually with the‌‍ Director…”

Saki‍‌ tilted her head,⁠‌‍ curious about Speedweapon’s‌⁠ suddenly serious face.⁠‌

Who⁠ could it be‌ to make him‍ this solemn? Speedweapon‍‍ continued.

“It‍ was Senior Ha-na…⁠⁠‍ I’m sure of it, it was‍‍ Senior Ha-na’s voice. And she was‌ calling the Director‌‍ ‘our little sister~,’‌ like really affectionately.”⁠‍‍

Saki’s‍‍ sky-blue eyes widened⁠‍ to twice their‌‌‍ size.

***⁠⁠

“…….”⁠

The‌⁠ confusion and shock‌‌‌ swirled in my‍‍⁠ head. It was⁠ the same feeling‌ as when Senior⁠ Ha-na wrote that‌ postscript in her‌‍ message.

But at the time‍ I thought it⁠⁠ was just a joke playing on‍ my name, “Kang‍ Geom-Ma.”

‘And‌ yet…’

San Ha-na… no, Meain‌ Poison, drew a thin curve with⁠ her lips.

Seeing‍ that, it became clear. She was‍‌ definitely Media’s twin.‍

The⁠ Senior Ha-na before⁠‌ me looked like⁠ a slightly younger version of the⁠‍ director.

Senior‍ Ha-na spoke again,⁠ with diction as‌ clear as a news anchor.

“Hello,⁠ Mr. Demon King?”‍⁠

…Hearing it again chilled‌ my chest. It‌‍ was hard to‍⁠‌ maintain composure.

“Ugh.”‌‌

Senior‍‌ Ha-na lifted herself and sat on⁠ the desk, twisting‌‌ slightly to look⁠ at me.

She‌‌ laughed heartily.

“Pff,‍‍⁠ are you really⁠‍‌ making that ‘how‍‍‍ the hell did‌ she know?’ face?⁠ Well, I guess‍⁠ it’s normal to‌ react like that. After all, we’re talking about the‍⁠ entity that inhabits‍‍ you being the‌‌ Demon King.”

A chill ran down‍‍ my spine. Her words hit the‍‌ core like a spear. She spoke‌ as if she’d known for a long time something‌⁠ I had only‌ recently discovered.

“I‍ won’t tell anyone.‌‌ So don’t make‌ that scary face.”‌‍

“…Where?‌ No, how did‌‍ you find out?”⁠

“Ugh!⁠‌ Using honorifics all‌ of a sudden‍ makes it feel⁠ like we’re distant…⁠‍ can’t you just‍⁠ talk to me‍‍ like always?”

“I‌ can’t…”

I felt a sense⁠ of déjà vu.‌‍

I’d‍‌ said something similar‍ to Speedweapon myself.⁠⁠‌

“It’s‌ fine.”

Senior‍‌ Ha-na smiled, satisfied.

“Let’s⁠‍ cut to the⁠‍ chase. Where did‍ you hear that?”‍

I raised my tone,‌‍‌ making my distrust⁠‌⁠ clear in my⁠ eyes. I didn’t‍ care if she⁠⁠‍ was a former⁠⁠ director. I was⁠ ready to draw⁠‍ my sword if⁠ needed.

That’s‌‍ when Senior Ha-na⁠⁠ abruptly leaned in.

“Let‍‌ the title make‍‍⁠ the man… even‍ if we know‌‌ each other, suspicion‌‌ is a healthy habit. Congratulations, Cadet Kang Geom-Ma!”

She⁠ patted my head like a teacher⁠ praising her student.⁠

“You probably already guessed,‍⁠⁠ but… ah! When‌‌ I say ‘Duri,’‍ I’m referring to⁠ Media. Dad and‌⁠ I always called her Duri.”

First‍ daughter: Ha-na.

Second‍‌‌ daughter: Duri.

Her‍‌ surname “San,” in⁠ ancient Korean, would‌‌ be “Mea,” which⁠⁠‌ explains her name⁠⁠ Meain.

‘From‌ the start, I’d‌‍ thought her surname⁠ was odd.’

It‌‌ all fit. Senior⁠⁠ Ha-na withdrew her‌ hand, which had‍‍‍ been impossible to⁠‍ reject.

“Anyway.⁠ Around 40 years‌⁠ ago, after handing‌‍ over the director’s post to Duri,‌ I went wandering through the Demon‌‍ Territories. During that⁠‌‌ time, I discovered‍ several things. Among them, that the⁠⁠ power dwelling inside‌ you is that⁠ of the Demon⁠ King. What was⁠ the exact source?‌‌ I can’t tell‍⁠ you. It’s been‍ so long I forgot.”

She‌‌‍ undid the braid⁠‌ in her hair‍ and shook it‍‌‌ gently. Her mint-colored‍⁠⁠ hair swayed in‍ the air.

With⁠⁠‌ a fresh expression⁠ on her face,‌ Senior Ha-na continued.‌‌

“Honestly,⁠‌ I didn’t really⁠ believe it. The‌ Demon King? It‌ sounded ridiculous. So,‍‌⁠ to confirm, I came back to⁠ the academy undercover‌ as a student.‌ Maybe it was‌ a bit of⁠ a hassle, but I couldn’t resist‌‍ the curiosity. Though⁠‍ it may not‍‌‌ look like it,‌ I was once‌‍ the director.”

She‍ stuck out her‍ tongue playfully. I ignored it and‍ asked directly.

“Why‌‍ as a student?‍ Even with those‌⁠ weird glasses?”

“If‍ I came as-is, Duri would’ve found⁠ out right away.‍⁠⁠ And then, she’d⁠ probably try to‌‍‌ hand the director’s‍‌⁠ job back to⁠‍ me.”

“Couldn’t‌ you have come⁠‌‌ as an instructor‌ or professor?”

“I’d⁠⁠ be found out‌ too quickly. Students‌⁠‌ were the safer‍ option. Duri is‌ so strict she⁠‌ never checks student‍ records. Even if⁠‌ we’re twins, I have to admit‍‌ her love for‍‌‌ the students is‍ admirable.”

With⁠⁠ an innocent tone,⁠⁠ Senior Ha-na lightened⁠ the mood.

“That’s‌‌‍ how I joined⁠ the exploration club~⁠ and watched you⁠ from the side.‍‌ I wanted to‌ make sure the‌‌ prophecy was real. And wow, so⁠ far, everything fits perfectly!”

“Prophecy?”‌‌‍

“Oh,‍ that slipped out.”‌ She smiled.

She was slippery. Was‍‍ this a skill‍ honed with age?‍‌

If⁠‌ she was Media’s‍‌ twin, then Senior‌ Ha-na must also‍‌ be fairly old.⁠⁠‍

“Don’t‍ worry. If you‍‌‍ don’t want to‍ tell me everything,⁠ I won’t press.”⁠

I crossed my arms,⁠ staring indifferently.

“More‌ importantly why reveal⁠ yourself now?”

Senior‌‌ Ha-na made a “V” sign with her fingers.

“For‍ two reasons. First,‌‍ because it looks‍‌ like humanity might⁠‍‌ be wiped out‌‌⁠ in less than‌ two years, and‌ I can’t just‌ sit back. And‌‌ second, like I said…”

“……?”‌

“I⁠‍ want to work⁠ as the professor⁠ in charge of‌ the special class‌‌ you’re creating, Geom-Ma.”‌⁠

She‌⁠ flashed a flawless⁠‍ smile, showing her‍‌⁠ white teeth.

“We’re‌ in the same⁠ club, right? Wouldn’t‌ it be so⁠‌ sad to leave me out?”