Indra Translations
Navigation
The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master Chapter 234 – Heavenly Class (3)

Chapter 234 – Heavenly Class (3)

When‌ the Heavenly Class‌ was completely engulfed⁠‍‍ by the subdimensional‌‍⁠ space, Abel spoke⁠ urgently.

“W-wait‍ a moment, professor.​​ That part about‍ dying twenty times‍‌ a day in​⁠ subspace… are you‍ being literal?”

When​‌ Meain appeared, Abel​⁠⁠ had been so​⁠ shocked he couldn’t⁠‍‍ even speak. The‌‍ other students hadn’t‌ reacted much differently.‍⁠⁠

Meain⁠‌⁠ Poison was their‌⁠ homeroom teacher? Not‌ a single hint‌⁠‌ had been given.‍‍

Who​​ was Meain? A legendary figure who⁠ disappeared long before‌ Abel was even​‍​ born.

‘The‌​​ teacher of the​‌‍ Seven Star Heroes.’‌‍⁠

Being⁠‍​ Media’s twin, Meain​ was the same​‍ age as the‍ Seven. And yet,‍ all of them‌ recognized her as‌‌ their master and‌​ accepted her guidance⁠‍ without question.

Being⁠ strong and knowing⁠ how to teach​ were two different‌‌ skills. Of the‌‍ two, Meain’s special​ talent was the​‌ latter. She had​‌‍ an innate ability⁠ to instruct. On‍​ top of that,‍‌ she possessed overwhelming​⁠ strength. That’s why‌​⁠ the Seven Stars‍‌⁠ revered her as‌⁠ their mentor.

The⁠​ master of the⁠ Seven Stars. And‍⁠‍ now, that great⁠‍⁠ hero was the⁠‍ teacher of the‍ Heavenly Class.

If‍ the students from​​ the Star Class​ found out, they’d‌ probably faint. Chaos​‍‍ would erupt from​‍ the scramble to⁠‌ transfer in.

Apparently,⁠‌ it was Kang‌⁠​ Geom-Ma who brought​​‌ her in.

‘Where‌ and how did‍​ he convince her?’‍‌‍

And⁠‌ that alone was‌‍​ shocking enough. But‍ what came next‌ blew it all‌ out of the‍​⁠ water.

‘Dying‍ twenty times a day to strengthen⁠‍⁠ the mind?’

Meain⁠ answered Abel’s question⁠‌ with a gentle‌ smile.

“Actually,‍ I initially thought​‍ of thirty. But​ that seemed a bit much, so‌⁠‍ I reduced it‌⁠⁠ to twenty. Out​​‍ of consideration! By‍‌ the way, Abel,‌⁠⁠ back in your‌ grandfather’s time, it​⁠​ was thirty-five deaths⁠‌‍ a day.”

“Thirty…‌‌ five…”

“But‌‌ looking at all‍ of you, I don’t think we’ll⁠ need to go​ that far. In​‌⁠ fact, Sieg and‌ Richard, members of​ the Seven Stars,‌⁠‌ had less talent​⁠⁠ than you do.​ That’s why I gave them a harsher regimen.”

Upon​ hearing that, Abel⁠‍​ recalled asking his‌‌ grandfather about his‍ training—and getting a vague, evasive answer​‌⁠ just remembering it‌⁠​ gave him chills.⁠

“Objection!”‍‌​

Rachel‌ jumped in. She‌‌ looked better than⁠‌‌ Abel—still had some​​ color in her‍⁠⁠ face.

“Isn’t⁠ it kind of‌‌ a loser mentality‍‌ to just ‘accept⁠​‍ death’? We knew​ what we were‌‌‌ signing up for​ when we enrolled‍ at Joaquin Academy,‌ so I’m not‌​​ against the idea​​‌ of dying if​⁠ we must, but⁠‌ just passively getting​⁠ killed… no way!”​‌⁠

“S-she’s‌‍ right.”

Speedweapon‌ backed her up‌ immediately.

“The…‌​​ the greatest fear​‌​ humans have is‍‌ death. If someone⁠‍‍ is forced to‍​ experience it twenty​ times a day​‌ without resisting… they​​ won’t grow stronger—they’ll​​‌ break down completely…”​

“Good⁠‌​ observation, Rachel. And‌ you too, Speedweapon.”​⁠

Once⁠‌ again, Meain praised⁠ them. Speedweapon froze‌ for a moment.‍

“But⁠ I never said‌‍‍ you had to‍ accept death. I said get used​‌ to it.”

Meain‌ smiled softly. The‌⁠‌ smile a teacher‌⁠ gives their pupils.​⁠‌

“What’s‍​ the point of‌​ taking hits without‍‌⁠ fighting back? Getting‍‍ used to something‍​⁠ is not the​‌ same as surrendering‌‍‌ to it.”

Meain​​ walked with firm​ steps to the‍ center of the‌‍‌ class.

“What‍ I expect from‌​​ you is the⁠‍⁠ resolve to face⁠‍⁠ death. An unshakable‌⁠ spirit against any​‌ enemy. Like a certain legendary Korean​‍ hero once said,‍ ‘If you seek​ to live, you‍‌ will die. But‌ if you are⁠ ready to die,‌‍ you will live.’”​

She‍‍ kept saying the​​⁠ word “death,” but‌⁠‍ her gaze was‌‍​ serious. She wasn’t‍‍ speaking lightly.

“So‌‌‍ resist with everything​‌⁠ you have and‌ then die. Clench​‌‌ your teeth until⁠ they break. Fight⁠ until you’re in​ shreds. Only then,‌⁠ can you die.”‍‌​

“……”‍‍‌

“The​⁠ lives of you⁠ all, the students‌​ of this academy,​‌ are priceless. You‍ are the future‌ heroes who will‍‍⁠ fight for humanity​ against the demons.​‌​ Be proud. Some‌‌ of you may‍⁠‌ have entered with​ the backing of‌ your families, but​​ in this Heavenly⁠ Class, no one‌‍‍ fits that mold,‍ right?”

Meain‍⁠⁠ firmly reminded them⁠⁠ of the pride​‌ and identity they⁠​ were meant to‌ hold.

“And⁠‌⁠ if a life‍​‍ that precious, with​​ such immense value,​‌​ is used as‍⁠ fuel for experience—how‍ far do you‌​‍ think you can⁠ go, with your⁠​‍ unprecedented talent? To⁠ the level of⁠​ the Seven Stars?‍⁠ No. I believe‌‌ you can go⁠ even further.”

She⁠​ raised one finger‍‍‌ and pointed to⁠​ the ceiling. Or​‍ maybe beyond it,‍ toward the sky.​

“The​‌ Seven Sins.”

“……!?”‌‍‍

“And‍ there are seven‍​‌ of you. Perfect!”‍

Chloe,⁠ her eyes wide,​ asked,

“…But​​ there are eight⁠‌‍ of us.”

Meain​‍ smiled sweetly.

“I‍​ know. But seven​‌ hundred years ago,​​⁠ there was also⁠​ one who wasn’t‍⁠​ counted.”

Then‌​​ she tilted her‌‍ chin toward a certain direction. The‍ students turned to​⁠‌ look.

“The‍‍ hero who led‌​ the Sins.”

Everyone‍ in the Heavenly‌ Class looked at​​‍ Kang Geom-Ma.

“Balor‌‍​ Joaquin.”

They‍ looked at Kang​⁠ Geom-Ma, not Leon—the​ Hero.

***‌‌

I was taken aback.​

‘Why‍⁠ is everyone suddenly⁠⁠ staring at me?’⁠⁠⁠

Just‌‌​ as the senior‌‍​ mentioned the founding⁠​⁠ hero, everyone fixed​​ their eyes on⁠ me as if​ it had been​​​ prearranged.

“……”​⁠​

After​ a moment, she​ clapped her hands,​ breaking the silence.⁠​​ The gazes that⁠⁠ had been focused​‍ on me dispersed‍‌⁠ and returned to‍‌ her.

“Alright.‍ Now that I’ve⁠‍ explained the purpose,​ shall we formally⁠⁠ begin the class?”⁠​‌

“Yes……”‍‌

The​​⁠ voices were subdued.​​ Except for a few like Leon,⁠ Rachel, and Chloe,⁠‍ the rest seemed‍ on the verge‌ of tears. Even‍⁠ if they understood​‌​ the objective, the​​‍ idea of dying⁠ twenty times wasn’t‍‌ exactly appealing.

“Hmm…⁠ it seems you’re​ not very motivated.”‌​

The‍⁠​ senior stroked her‍​‍ chin thoughtfully. At⁠‍ that moment, a spark of inspiration​ lit up her‌‍ mint-green eyes.

“How⁠ about this? As​ I mentioned, the⁠⁠ goal of this⁠​ class is to‍ ‘remain calm in‍ the face of⁠‍ impossible enemies.’ So,‍‌​ let’s change the‌⁠⁠ direction of the‌ class. We’ll engage‌ in a life-or-death‌ battle against an​‌‍ unbeatable enemy. That⁠ way, I can⁠⁠‌ assess your mental​⁠‌ resilience.”

She‌‍‍ tried to persuade‌​ the students. The​​⁠ downcast gazes began⁠‍ to lift gradually.‍​‍

“Who‌​ knows? If your⁠​ level exceeds my‌ expectations, we might⁠ reduce the daily‌⁠​ deaths to ten,⁠ or even fewer.⁠ Honestly, even within​‍ a subspace, I don’t enjoy hurting‌‍ you with my⁠ own hands.”

Upon‍‍ hearing this, Speedweapon’s‌⁠⁠ face lit up.​⁠​

“By‍‍​ ‘unbeatable enemy,’ do⁠​⁠ you mean training‍‌⁠ magical beasts? Grade‌‌‌ B+? Or Grade‌‍ A?”

He‍⁠ asked in broken‌‍ phrases. He preferred​‍ fighting a beast⁠ over being crushed⁠​⁠ by Meain. But⁠‌ she shook her‍‌⁠ head.

“No.‌ In the Heavenly‌​​ Class, the main‌‍⁠ enemies won’t be‌⁠ magical beasts, but⁠​ demons. And you⁠‍‌ all know they’re⁠‍ much more dangerous‍⁠‍ than beasts, right?”‌‍⁠

“Ah…‌​‌ yes.”

“You​ have to face‍​ an intelligent enemy.⁠​ In life-or-death situations,⁠‌‌ what determines everything‌​ isn’t physical strength,‌‍ but mental agility.”​⁠‌

With‍ her clear explanation,​​⁠ the students nodded.‌ They understood.

“But‍ as you know,⁠ even at Joaquin​‌ Academy, we can’t‍‍​ use demons for‌‌ training.”

Horntail‍​⁠ shuddered. With a slight tremble, he​ glanced at me.‌‍ The senior continued‍ in a reassuring‌‍‌ tone.

“Even⁠⁠‍ if we could,‌ it would violate‌‌‌ the pact between‌‌‍ humans and demons,‌⁠ so it’s prohibited.‌ Here’s a question‍⁠‌ what can replace‍ demons, isn’t a beast, but has​‌ intelligence?”

“Humans…”‍‌‍

Ryozo‍‌ murmured. And the‍​ senior snapped her‌​ fingers with satisfaction.‍‍‍

“I​⁠ knew you were‌ smart! As a teacher, having students⁠​ like you makes‌ me happy. They‍ give me topics​‌ to explain. Exactly.​⁠ Even though we’re‍ on opposite sides,‍⁠ humans are very‍⁠ similar to demons.”​⁠

“…Does⁠ that mean all⁠ of us should‌‌ unite and fight‌ against you, Professor⁠ Meain?”

In⁠⁠‌ response to Ryozo’s​‌‌ question, she shrugged.‍

“I’d⁠⁠ like to, but​‍​ I can’t. Because​​‌ a certain person‍⁠ has completely unbalanced‍‌ power. Actually, you⁠ all have the‍‌ advantage, and I’d‌‍‍ be at a disadvantage.”

“……”​⁠

As​‍ if it were​ the most natural‍ thing in the​ world, everyone looked⁠⁠‍ at me again.⁠‌​ It was too​‍‌ much attention for​⁠​ the first day,​ and it made‍⁠ me uncomfortable. Then‌ she said,

“How‌ about all of‍‍ you fight against​‌‌ Kang Geom-Ma instead?”⁠

…What?‌⁠

“After​⁠‍ all, the only‌⁠ one here with⁠⁠ overwhelming presence is‌ Kang Geom-Ma.”

So⁠⁠ this was her‍ plan from the‌‍ beginning. I was‍ internally impressed. There‌‌​ was no doubt‌‍​ she had planned‍ everything.

“I’ll‍​​ be clear. If​‌‌ all of you⁠​ unite and manage‌‌⁠ to even injure​‌​ Geom-Ma, I’ll reduce​​‍ the number of‌​​ daily deaths to‍ five.”

She⁠ winked at me‍‍ mischievously. Then she‌​​ continued motivating the⁠ students.

“Moreover,‍ the last one⁠⁠ standing will receive‌‌​ personal training from​​‍ Kang Geom-Ma. Even​⁠ though you’re on​‌‌ the same level‍‍ as students, he’s‌‌‌ one of the⁠ Seven Stars, so‌⁠ he can be​​‍ a tutor perfectly,⁠​ don’t you think?”‌

A demonic temptation. The‍‍‍ worst part was‌ that the students⁠​ were seriously considering‌‌ the proposal.

Had‍​ they given in⁠‌‌ to the fear​⁠ of death? No,‍‍‌ it didn’t seem⁠ that way.

They‍‌​ were undoubtedly a golden generation. Brave‌‍ and determined. What‌‍⁠ was reflected in​ their eyes wasn’t⁠​‍ fear, but competitive​​ spirit. They wanted⁠ to face me.‌

What‍ bothered me a bit was that​⁠⁠ the girls, especially,‌ had rather cold​​‌ looks… I didn’t‍​‌ understand why.

‘Hah.’⁠⁠

I let out a silent laugh and⁠ changed my mind.‌‌

‘Maybe​ it’s a good⁠‌‌ opportunity to assess⁠‍ the level they’ve​⁠​ reached.’

The​ first year was‍‌ almost over. I was also curious⁠‍​ to see how‌ much they had​⁠‌ progressed.

‘Although‍ accepting just like​⁠ that doesn’t convince‍‌​ me.’

I didn’t want to‍ play along with‌‍ the senior as‌​​ if nothing. After​⁠⁠ all, she owed⁠​⁠ me. I had‌ the right to​ ask for something​‍⁠ in return.

“Alright.”‍‌

I accepted her proposal.‌⁠‌

“But⁠ in return, I want to make‌​‌ a proposal to​‍‍ you as well,⁠‌ Professor Meain.”

“Hmm?‌⁠‍ What proposal?”

She‍​ asked, tilting her‌ head as if​ nothing. She was⁠​ cunning, like a teacher trying to⁠‌ exploit her assistant.‍⁠

“I’ll⁠ tell you that‌ after class.”

I took out a sashimi from my‍​‌ coat. Enough time‍ had been lost;⁠​​ it was time⁠ to start.

***​⁠‍

The‌‍​ moment the students​‍‌ sprang into action⁠‌ didn’t take long‌‌ to arrive. It‌‌​ all began with‌‍‍ Leon, who had​‍‌ remained silent until​‍ then. Without hesitation,​‌‌ he placed his‍‌‌ hand on the⁠ hilt of his⁠‍‌ sword. Then he‍‌‌ gave an order⁠​‌ to those behind‍ him.

“Everyone,⁠‌‍ prepare your weapons.”​

His​​ eyes were cold​ and indifferent. Although‍​ several students didn’t⁠‍ like it, frowning,‍‌ they all obeyed‍ without protest. The‌ fact that Kang⁠ Geom-Ma had unsheathed​‍​ his sashimi was​‍ already a sufficient‍‌​ warning.

The⁠​‍ first to step‍⁠ forward was Rachel.⁠​

“I’ll‍⁠ go first!”

With‌‍ a shout, she​ charged at full​⁠ speed. Rachel, heir‌‍ to the warrior‍⁠⁠ clan of the⁠ Mura family, let‌‍​ herself be dominated⁠‌‌ by adrenaline. Her‌ brain contracted, her​ muscles expanded.

Bang!​‌

In⁠‌⁠ a single leap,​ she closed the⁠ distance. In the‍‍ blink of an‌ eye, she was‌​‍ already in front‍‍ of Kang Geom-Ma.‌‌ Gripping the end‌‍ of her weapon,⁠‌ she launched an⁠‍‍ all-out thrust, as⁠​‍ if pushing a billiard cue.

Swishhh!⁠‌

The​​‌ double-edged spear aimed​⁠​ directly at vital⁠⁠​ points. Unlike a sword, its blade⁠​‌ split on both⁠​⁠ sides covered a wider area. And⁠‌ its reach was‌ also greater.

Kang‍‍ Geom-Ma watched her‍‌​ calmly while analyzing.‌‍ The subspace didn’t⁠ restore damaged weapons.‌​​ If he destroyed​⁠ the spear, he’d‌ have to pay​​ for it. So‍⁠​ he should only‍‌ attack the wielder,‌ Rachel.

With‌‌⁠ that in mind,‌​ Kang Geom-Ma bent‌ his right elbow​‌​ and, at the‌​ same time, slightly​ pulled back his​ shoulder.

Whoosh!‍​‌

The‍⁠‍ blade grazed his​​​ armpit, cutting through​ empty air, and​ disappeared behind him.‍‍ Kang Geom-Ma didn’t⁠​‍ waste the moment.​​ He lowered his‍ elbow and caught⁠ the spear’s shaft.‍‌‍ His inner muscle⁠‌ wrapped around it‍‌‌ as if chaining‍ it.

“Eh,‌⁠ huh…?”

Rachel​ tried to retrieve⁠ her weapon in‌​​ a hurry. Cold⁠ sweat ran down​ her back. She‌⁠ didn’t even have‌‌ time to regret‍​ having rushed. Kang​ Geom-Ma’s left shoulder⁠ moved.

A flash curved in⁠‌‌ the shape of⁠​ a crescent moon.⁠ The trajectory of‌​ the knife flashed‍⁠‍ across Rachel’s retinas.‌ The blade went​ straight to her‍‍ throat, striking as⁠‍‌ if slashing.

Slash!‌

A jet of blood​ rose and splashed‌ the ceiling.

What did you think of this chapter?
1 reaction

4 Comments


Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.