Chapter 27: Preparation (2)

Siegfried and Media left the hospital room.

Tap, tap.

The sound of their footsteps echoed along the corridor’s floor.

Their steps reverberated in the hallway as the warm orange glow of sunset cast its light across their faces. Walking ahead, Media suddenly stopped, causing Siegfried to pause beside her.

Media turned her head toward the window.

Through the glass, the main building of Joaquin Academy loomed tall, piercing the clouds as if watching over the entire academy. Media lifted a finger, pointing outside.

“…Siegfried, do you remember? When we first came to this academy, you were sprawled out on that wooden bench. When I asked you to move, you drew your sword without thinking. You said something about not taking orders from anyone. Honestly, don’t you think you went a bit overboard with that rebellious streak?”

“I don’t remember that.”

Siegfried shrugged with feigned indifference, and Media smiled softly. Her mint-colored eyes shimmered with a hint of nostalgia.

“It feels like it was just yesterday when we joined this academy, yet here I am, after 60 years. When I graduated, I thought I’d never set foot here again. Funny how life works, isn’t it? In the end, living a long life shows you just about everything.”

Siegfried stroked his chin and nodded, a glint of nostalgia also flickering in his golden eyes.

Memories, after all, are meant to be shared.

Although Joaquin Academy has now become a hub for elites and nobles, it was here that he met comrades with whom he overcame countless challenges.

It was a place he could neither fully love nor hate.

“What’s interesting is that, though I’ve been here for more than 60 years, that doesn’t even cover a tenth of Joaquin Academy’s history. It was already an ancient institution when we joined. What a vast legacy. Through ups and downs, the academy has nurtured and protected its students for 700 years. But…”

Media bit her lower lip, falling silent. The nostalgic look faded from her face, replaced by a somber expression. Her jade-green hair caught the light, rippling like waves in the air.

A vein on her temple pulsed, and a crack appeared in the window beside her, spreading like a web. The air turned cold.

Before the midterm exam, the instructors had reported that they’d already scouted Scopuli Island.

Although sightings of siren demons on the island were rare, numerous expeditions had been conducted carefully.

Even so, all that effort had been in vain, and the students’ lives were endangered by a demon.

It was an unprecedented incident in the academy’s history. It should never have happened. As director of Joaquin Academy, Media could only bear the responsibility.

“…”

Siegfried knew what Media was feeling just by looking at the slight tremor in her hands. Although she had an eccentric demeanor, her care for her students was sincere, and her commitment to their education unbreakable.

They had been together for more than half a century, and over time, they had learned to understand each other through silence alone. But at this rate, every window in the hospital would end up shattered.

Siegfried patted Media’s shoulder. Her hair, which had been floating like a specter, settled gently, returning to its light green hue.

“I’m sorry, I got a bit carried away.”

Media scratched her cheek, visibly embarrassed, and smiled. Then, eager to change the subject, she started praising Kang Geom-Ma with enthusiasm.

“But, Siegfried, don’t you think Geom-Ma is amazing? He defeated a demon siren all by himself! What do you think?”

Siegfried frowned. He exhaled a soft sigh and murmured to himself.

‘A natural talent.’

There was no other way to put it.

In the past, terms like “unmatched genius” and “gifted of his time” had been used, but those names had shone only briefly before fading away, like shooting stars. In heroic families, they rushed to call any child who showed a hint of talent a “genius,” using the term too freely.

Siegfried had never used it lightly, not even with his own granddaughter, Abel.

But in Kang Geom-Ma’s case, the term “genius” seemed tailor-made. Siegfried chuckled quietly to himself. He wondered just how far Kang Geom-Ma might go as he gained experience.

He was already a man of seventy, while Geom-Ma was only in his teens.

Perhaps that boy would one day reach “that dimension” Siegfried had dreamed of all his life.

Various thoughts crossed Siegfried’s mind.

Finally, after a moment of reflection, he broke the silence.

“I’ll be spending some time at the academy, Media.”

Media looked at him with wide eyes. For the elderly man who had always preferred the solitude of Nibelung to say such a thing was surprising.

But Siegfried’s golden eyes shone like the midday sun.

That gleam was the look of a swordsman craving challenge.

Seeing his expression, Media’s eyes curved into a crescent as she nodded.

With her hands clasped behind her back and humming a tune, Media continued walking with a light step.

At that moment, the crack in the window vanished as if it had never been there at all.

***

Upon leaving the hospital, the first thing I did was head to the academy’s forge to reforge and enhance the Murasame sword, my reward for the midterm exam.

I found myself standing before the door to the Wolf class’s classroom.

I glanced at the plaque on the door and slowly stepped inside.

The students were chatting animatedly. Noticing my presence, a few of them shot me a quick look before returning to their conversations. Just as the director had said, it seemed the fact that I’d defeated the demon on Scopuli Island had been kept under wraps.

It may sound a bit arrogant, but perhaps it was thanks to my battle with the siren demon that my classmates could laugh and chat so freely now.

I walked through the classroom to my usual seat in the third row at the back. The warm sunlight was streaming in, brushing my face.

“Geom-Ma!”

A familiar voice called from the back of the class. I turned my head.

“Chloe! What happened to you?”

Clack, clack.

Chloe hobbled over with effort, using crutches. The crutches, wedged under her arms, were a bit too tall for her, making her shoulders scrunch up awkwardly.

“Huh, well… this is how I am now. But, thanks to the first aid from ‘Mr. Speed Weapon,’ the doctor said I’d be walking without crutches in about a week.”

With a confident attitude, she gave a light thump to her chest with her fist. She seemed stronger and more self-assured; it was as if she’d somehow matured.

It hadn’t just been my effort. Although I defeated the demon, my teammates had each fulfilled their roles flawlessly: Chloe had gone for help, Rachel had held her ground against dozens of enemies, and Speed Weapon had provided healing support.

…Thinking back, I realized that the protagonist, Leon, actually hadn’t done much.

I was beginning to wonder if he could even hope to defeat the Demon King. With his current record, I doubted he’d even make it past one of the demon generals’ minions.

‘Maybe he just got lucky with that first blow.’

As I tilted my head, lost in thought, Chloe looked up at me with bright eyes, practically wagging an invisible tail like a puppy seeking praise.

I found it endearing and burst out laughing.

I wanted to pat her on the head, but if I did it in the middle of the classroom, the male cadets would likely start whistling. I let my hand drop and smiled warmly.

“Thank you, Chloe. I survived thanks to you getting help.”

“What’s really impressive is that you defeated a demon all on your own!”

“I got lucky. I almost didn’t make it.”

“…You’re amazing.”

Chloe scratched her head, her cheeks turning pink.

She filled me in on what had happened while I was in the hospital: the cost of the VIP room had been split among the team members, and rumors of a dispute between Director Media and the academy’s Elder Council over increased security were circulating.

It seemed a lot had happened during that week of recovery. As I listened and nodded, the classroom door suddenly burst open.

“Quiet and take your seats!”

Instructor Lee Won-Bin commanded the students to settle down with a tone more tense than usual. Sweat beaded on his bald head, dripping down his neck.

As the room quieted, Instructor Lee cleared his throat, casting a nervous glance down the hallway while wiping his head with a handkerchief. The light gleamed off his bald scalp.

“Before we start the morning exercises, I have an announcement.”

A hint of discomfort flickered in his eyes, and his rigid tone made the students sense that this wasn’t just any announcement.

“Let me introduce the new co-instructor for the Wolf class.”

He finished his introduction and immediately rushed to greet the newcomer, bowing deeply in respect. His manner was unusually formal.

A man entered the classroom. Every student’s mouth dropped open, some exclaiming in surprise.

The man clapped Lee Won-Bin on the back and stepped to the front of the class. Lee, looking tense, tried to stay by his side but eventually backed up a few steps.

“For a time, alongside Instructor Lee Won-Bin, I’ll be the acting instructor for the Wolf class. My name is Siegfried von Nibelung.”

“You can just call me Won-Bin, Mr. Siegfried!”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate between colleagues.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

Blushing, Instructor Lee bowed his head respectfully.

The classroom erupted into whispers. Amid the rising excitement, I was the only one who remained motionless, processing what was happening.

‘…Why is he here?’

***

Night had fallen heavily over Joaquin Academy.

The moon was hidden behind dark clouds, and the lights of the academy barely pierced through the misty night, casting an eerie atmosphere.

In the shadows, a man and a woman spoke in secret. This scene was far from romantic; rather, the woman was repeatedly slapping the man.

“I’m sorry.”

Slap!

The middle-aged man with graying hair lowered his head, trying hard not to touch his burning right cheek.

The woman, smiling, pointed to his left cheek with her index finger, and the man obediently offered his other cheek.

Whack!

The blow was so fierce his head jerked to the side. The man held back his fury and the humiliation that surged within him. He had no other choice.

‘If I don’t hold back…’

He timidly lifted his eyes toward the woman. Her gleaming purple hair seemed to emit an ominous glow in the mist, and her figure was commanding.

She was munching on a bag of gummy worms, licking her fingers before wiping her hand on the man’s shoulder.

‘Damn it,’ he thought bitterly, not daring to raise his head.

In rank, this man held a position that would normally spare him such treatment. The woman gave him a contemptuous look before speaking in a lazy voice.

“Why couldn’t you do your job properly? You make everything so troublesome. Isn’t that right, Elder?”

“…I apologize.”

“And all you’re going to say is ‘I’m sorry’? You need to take responsibility. Isn’t it a simple enough task to bring me Leon half-dead? Even after sending a siren demon for the job? Thanks to your incompetence, that wretched Siegfried is now stationed at the academy.”

“My apologies, Instructor Kim.”

“If you say ‘I’m sorry’ one more time… you know what will happen, right?”

She tapped his forehead with her index finger.

The middle-aged man looked on the verge of tears. The instructor, showing no mercy, popped another gummy into her mouth.

“By the way, did you bring what I asked for?”

“Yes, I have it.”

“It’s still hard to believe. That a siren demon was defeated during a first-year exam… Although, with this year’s students, nothing seems impossible.”

“A-actually…” The man hesitated, nervous under her cold gaze.

“Just say it. You know I hate being kept waiting.”

“It was defeated by a single student.”

“Leon?”

“No, someone else.”

“Then who? Tell me already, don’t make me wait!”

“It was Kang Geom-Ma, the top student in this year’s class.”

Her violet eyes widened in shock. The man, fearful, watched as she processed the news.

At last, the instructor smiled, leaning in close and whispering in his ear.

“The commander of the Fifth Corps is furious over this. There won’t be a next time, understood?”

“…!”

She gave him a wink, and he bit his lip, trembling with fear.

“You may go now. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“I… I’m sor—” He barely choked back the words and hurried away.

Fwoosh!

The instructor watched a violet flame dance in her palm, its light reflected in her eyes.

“Kang Geom-Ma…”

After murmuring his name, she extinguished the flame and smiled wickedly.

“This is going to be fun after such a long time.”

The gummy bag in her hand had reduced to a piece of charcoal, giving off a sickly sweet, burnt smell.