Chapter 228 – Subject (1)

The ground twisted in an instant. The wings of flocks of birds preparing for hibernation could be heard flapping as they rose into the sky. Wild animals, terrified, were driven from their homes, their eyes gleaming with panic. The full moon hanging over the mountain peak visibly trembled.

With that convulsing world as a backdrop, Meain descended step by step down the stairs. With each beat of her clean, flat shoes hitting the ground, the earth and sky trembled.

Thud. Thud. Rumble.

Even so, Kojima feigned calm as he watched his master.

The surprise was only reflected in a brief shiver. Nothing more.

After all, he had witnessed that power a few times before. Although back then, only from a distance…

‘She must have weakened after wandering through the Demon Territory, but her presence is still overwhelming.’

It was staggering. Was this what it felt like to witness the realm of awakening?

Thanks to that, his doubts dissipated. That glimmer he had seen decades ago—he wasn’t sure back then. But now he confirmed it with his own eyes.

Kojima’s lips twitched. Meain spoke with a cold, sharp voice.

“So there’s no misunderstanding, this is not the power of Awakening.”

“I know. But I also know that that depth of power was strengthened thanks to the Awakening. And also…”

Kojima looked around. A purple veil enveloped the area in the shape of a hemisphere. A subspace barrier had been deployed.

“Despite saying you’d kill me, you’re still benevolent. You’ve activated an entire subspace barrier out of consideration for your disciple.”

Meain let out a snort. Her steps were slow but elegant, firm, and she walked without hesitation toward her disciple.

“Unfortunately, killing is not allowed within the academy. And the children are probably already asleep—I’d feel bad if we woke them with such a commotion.”

“You’d feel bad, you say…?”

The trembling gesture on Kojima’s lips turned into a straight line.

With a suddenly sorrowful expression, he extended his hand to the side.

“And do you not feel bad for my wife? The one who died forty years ago because you didn’t go to war.”

From his ring suddenly emerged the elongated shape of a bow. Unadorned, with the natural texture of cedar. The S+ grade weapon, Ameno Habaya.

“If I had had your power, my wife wouldn’t have died. Or at the very least, if she had died, she would’ve awakened her Blessing and wouldn’t have been forgotten.”

Kojima notched an arrow on the bowstring.

“…Kojima, you really are completely insane. Now you’re trying to blame me for your wife’s death?”

“You may despise me however you wish, Master. But today, no matter what, I must obtain the secret of Awakening.”

Only twenty paces away. The sharp arrow was pointed directly at Meain.

“I can’t allow my daughter to become someone forgotten by everyone.”

Meain frowned.

“And you’re going to do all this out of selfishness? Ignoring your daughter’s will and life?”

“Someday, she’ll understand too. Because she’s the daughter of Kojima Saki. It can’t be any other way.”

Finally, Meain let out a dry laugh.

“Pfft. I really doubt that, you know?”

“And on what grounds do you say that? I find that offensive.”

Then Meain, with a cold gaze, declared.

“Because she’s a member of my club.”

Boom.

A sudden explosion shook the area. The sound of impacts rang out one after another.

But all that chaos was contained within the subspace barrier surrounding the place.

***

A day passed, then two, then three.

I leaned back in the chair. The backrest tilted with me. Completely exhausted, the only thing I could move was my neck, which lazily rolled from side to side.

“Ha, at this rate, I’m gonna throw out my back.”

Exaggerating a little, I think over these past three days I slept maybe one hour per day. That’s three hours total.

And it wasn’t even proper sleep in a bed. It was more like a semi-conscious state, slouched in a chair like I am now.

I’d been working to the brink of death, literally. Even so, what comforted me was that starting today, I’d finally be free of some of that burden.

As I stared at the ceiling of the private archive room, I muttered.

“Tomorrow the Heavenly Class is finally being inaugurated.”

Since it had to be kept secret, speed was everything. And we managed to complete the goal in just one week after the decision was made.

My teammates and I burned the midnight oil to meet the schedule. Though some association staff helped us from within the academy, most of the operational work was done by us.

Remembering it made me chuckle.

The very students who were supposed to attend that class were the ones who built it. It was a little ridiculous. Normally, that’s work for adults, not teenagers. And on top of that, none of them were obligated to help.

And yet, they did so with a sense of duty, volunteering from the very start.

It all started the night Senior Ha-na visited us.

I took that opportunity to clearly explain why I wanted to create the class. Up to that point, I’d always dodged the topic with vague excuses, but that night, I finally let out what I’d been keeping inside.

Of course, I couldn’t say everything. There are things that only make sense if you know I’m possessed. So I summarized it in a way that made sense in context.

The idea was this—I formed the Heavenly Class with Leon at the center. Everyone selected had been carefully chosen, after much reflection. All with the purpose of helping Leon achieve his Awakening as a Hero.

With my poor oratory skills, I did my best to explain everything.

They asked if it was really necessary to create a new class. I answered that the demons’ movements were far too suspicious.

Also, since they were close to me, there was a high chance they’d become targets. That’s why they needed to understand how unstable the situation really was.

After listening to me, everyone wore a serious expression. Maybe they already suspected it, so it wasn’t all that surprising.

After all, in just one year, two Corps Commanders had appeared. It was more than obvious the demons were up to something. And if I, a Hero of the Seven Stars, was confirming it…

Their faces darkening was natural. It would be stranger if they just heard all that and shrugged.

But the worry didn’t last long. Once they understood the gravity of the situation, my teammates jumped in wholeheartedly to help me.

They said they couldn’t sit by and do nothing and stayed up all night working with me. That hit me deep.

In this life, I’m an orphan. My parents disappeared. If it hadn’t been for them, I would’ve kept living in crushing loneliness. But they filled that void. Without them, I’d be just a thug with a sword in his hand.

“How cheesy.”

I laughed to myself and slowly straightened my back. Then I started reading the news on my phone. Since becoming a member of the Seven Stars, I’d picked up that habit.

“Might as well get to know the big shots of the country—even if only by face through a screen. I don’t want to be the idiot who doesn’t recognize someone in person.”

If I pretended not to know them, my reputation would tank. I wouldn’t care, but I have to protect the image of the Swordmaster, who recommended me.

“Up early… what a life…”

In my past life, I used to follow the boss to the fish market at dawn. Now, instead of reeking of fish, I start the day smelling ink on print.

『Former director of the Lancelot Agency resigns due to corruption. New director appointed All Mute, Khan Elizabeth.』

『Mao twins of the Iron House declare, “Regretful of our past deeds, we have decided to retire to the Shaolin temple.”』

Names vaguely familiar filled the headlines.

“All Mute taking over that agency is fine but seriously, those trash twins went to a Shaolin temple?”

I couldn’t believe it. Doubting the article, I checked their photos. They were fully shaved and doing the Shaolin salute seriously. They even had eight dots tattooed on their foreheads.

“They really reformed? Those bastards?”

Well, nothing could erase the atrocities they’d committed. Better for society that they isolate themselves.

I kept scrolling. I’d already read the big headlines. Time to skim the smaller stories.

That’s when a tiny article in the corner caught my eye. I almost missed it.

『Saki Kojima, during his visit to Korea, is admitted to Joaquin Academy’s affiliated hospital due to health issues. Spokesperson assures it’s just the flu. (…)』

I frowned.

“Why’s this buried so deep?”

Even if it’s just the flu, if it affects a Hero of the Seven Stars, that’s an international security matter. There’s no cure for age—most of the Seven Stars are in their seventies. A minor illness could become serious fast.

The health of the Seven Stars is the safety of humanity. If one of them falls ill, the whole world panics. The press and public getting worked up is normal.

But this article was barely visible. That could only mean one thing. Kojima’s office was trying to suppress it.

“This must’ve slipped through accidentally.”

And seriously—hospitalized for the flu? Come on. He’s not a baby; he’s an old man over sixty.

Almost confirming my suspicion, the article vanished instantly. In the blink of an eye.

“Now it doesn’t even sound like the flu.”

I stared at the screen a moment longer, then turned off the phone and massaged my eyelids.

“I’m the one who should be hospitalized, and I’m here worrying about someone else.”

On top of that, Kojima’s a detestable person. Even the Swordmaster and Changseong, who can’t stand each other, would temporarily work together if he was involved. And his own daughter couldn’t stand the sight of him.

My impression wasn’t any different.

Although he seemed friendly on the surface, his speech was twisted. He always made me feel like he saw people as tools.

‘If he were really sick, he would’ve gone back to his own country. Not to the academy hospital.’

I closed the train of thought and got up to shower. That’s when the phone buzzed.

Bzzz—

I calmly looked at the back of it and brought it to my ear.

“Yes, Director.”

[Ah, Geom-Ma. You picked up fast.]

A somewhat nervous voice. I could clearly feel what Director Media was going through—discomfort.

“Did something happen?”

[It’s just that… you see…]

Media composed her tone before continuing.

[My sister… Meain Poison, did she tell you anything?]

“Three days ago she came in person and told me she was accepting the role as the teacher in charge of the Heavenly Class. So yesterday, we officially registered her name as the Heavenly Class instructor. Everyone who needed to know already knows, but the official announcement will be made this afternoon. Along with the news of her return.”

[Ah, that too, yes… But that’s not what I called about…]

There was a silence, then Media let out a deeper sigh.

[See… my sister… Meain Poison… it looks like they’re going to issue a warrant for her arrest…]

“Excuse me?”

What the hell? Arrest warrant? Bounty? Why?

[Listen calmly and don’t freak out…]

Media let out a bitter laugh, like she was in pain.

[…Your homeroom teacher… left the Prime Minister of Japan half-paralyzed.]

My phone slipped from my hand. The screen that hit the floor shattered like a cracker.