Chapter 301: Nice to Meet You, Dear Readers

It’s been ten years since I started a new life.

Looking back, I lived so intensely that even I feel proud of myself.

They say time flows like water, but this life wasn’t a gentle stream—it was an unstoppable torrent.

I’m now in my late twenties, approaching thirty, and yet I’ve lived such a tumultuous life that it can’t even compare to my past existence.

If I wrote the story of my life, it would be a novel long enough to use as a pillow.

Hmm.

In fact, my autobiography is selling remarkably well. Although I tried desperately to refuse, I had no choice.

My two wives pressured me without end. And I bet everything.

At this point, you must be wondering—what did I do to brag about such a busy life and even publish an autobiography?

Well.

It’s a little embarrassing to say it myself, but.

I saved the world.

I was seventeen.

I had enrolled in the academy hoping to enjoy the youth I missed in my previous life, but life had other plans.

They say the harder your youth, the easier the rest becomes.

Well, my youth was far too hard.

Even so, it’s thanks to that hardship that I am who I am today. And because it was so bitter, I now enjoy certain adult privileges.

For example.

I’m loved in every corner of the world.

Even in both the human world and the Demon Realm.

I received an offer to become the Demon King from Gehenna, but of course, I refused.

I was the one who halved the power of their faction. I’m not crazy enough to become their leader.

Even if they offered me all the lands of Gehenna, I wouldn’t take them.

They might have the custom of submitting to the strong, but I don’t intend to live among people with horns on their foreheads.

Anyway, I’ve gone on for too long.

In short, I’m living like a character in a game.

Under the same roof with several high-caliber women.

Ah, right.

[The Blessing of the Sword God (%) Appears]

I still retain the blessing of the Sword God.

Before the equipment evaluation table.

“…Cadet, is this really your weapon?”

“Yes, Instructor Lee Won-Bin.” The young cadet lifted his chin firmly.

He stood in full military posture, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Lee Won-Bin.

They say bald men are strong, and this instructor was the one reviewing the cadets’ gear.

Lee Won-Bin was a true hero, selected five years in a row among the ‘Top 100 Heroes of the Year’ by the Hero Association.

But…

‘I’m standing before the instructor! Damn, his head shines even more in person! No wonder they call him Radiant Lee Won-Bin!’

Lee Won-Bin had rejected all the offers from competing hero agencies and chose to remain as an instructor at Joaquin Academy.

A distinguished man who preferred to contribute to the future of humanity over enjoying wealth and fame.

A model instructor. But the cadet’s sparkling eyes weren’t only out of respect…

“I’ll ask again.”

“You can ask as many times as you like, my answer won’t change.”

The cadet responded firmly and raised a sashimi knife bought from Daiso.

“Only mediocrities blame their equipment. I am a hero candidate inheriting the will of ‘that man.’ I will not take a step back.”

Lee Won-Bin stared silently. The cadet was tense, but inside, thrilled.

‘Did he see the image of that man in me?’

All cadets in that line—no, all heroes in the world—admire that man.

Nowadays, in this peaceful era, the competition to enter Joaquin Academy is fiercer than when corps commanders were active.

The status of heroes remains solid. And all of it is thanks to the dedication of that man.

Lee Won-Bin was one of the first to recognize his potential.

That’s why, even though there were many gear evaluation tables, only Lee Won-Bin’s line was absurdly long.

He smiled faintly.

He resisted the urge to cheer. That smile no doubt acknowledged his potential.

Ah, he heard it—the murmurs of the cadets behind him.

However.

“Cadet.”

Lee Won-Bin instantly erased the smile from his face, as if it had never been there. Then he sighed, as if too disappointed to be angry. And he spoke loudly for all to hear.

“Do you know how many cadets have brought Daiso sashimi knives over the past ten years?”

“Uh… no, sir.”

“A total of 9,432. Including you today, that makes 9,433.”

“S-So many…?”

Lee Won-Bin nodded solemnly.

“Do you know what the class assignment exam entails?”

“From what I understand, it’s a battle royale in a subspace, just like ten years ago…”

This year’s entrance ceremony was special.

It marked the tenth anniversary of humanity’s victory.

Hence, the subspace battle royale was a personally arranged event by the current academy director, Sung (13).

“If you manage to survive with a sashimi knife, I’ll accept it as your weapon. As you know, the grade limit for equipment is class D.”

“Ah…”

“Even if you end up in the lowest class, I won’t take any responsibility.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

The cadet, finally realizing his mistake, quickly withdrew the sashimi knife and placed a proper weapon on the evaluation table.

Lee Won-Bin motioned with his chin for him to pass.

“W-Was an honor to meet you!”

“May the blessing be with you, cadet.”

He watched intently as the cadet hurried away.
And let out a slight laugh.

Though many cadets had brought sashimi knives, today felt different.

“Are you finally showing yourself today?”

His disciple, literally the most pride-worthy in the world.

Currently, he moved between the human world and the Demon Realm, fulfilling the role of a universal regulator.

In almost three years, the times he had shown his face could be counted on one hand.

Even when he came to the academy, he only dropped by to see his two wives and left immediately.

Because of that, he hadn’t attended entrance ceremonies either.
But today—

‘Today is the tenth anniversary.’

Just like the current academy director—also one of Lee Won-Bin’s disciples—Saki Ryozo had mentioned that there was a high chance he would attend today.

Perhaps because of that, the guest lineup at today’s entrance ceremony was spectacular. Not to mention the former heroes of the Seven Stars.

The entire golden generation from ten years ago was present.

Now, each one is a prominent figure in their field; disciples so precious that even glancing at them feels like a crime.

‘You’re the only one missing.’

While stretching his cheek with a silly smile, his gaze settled on the cadets lined up before him.

Hmm. Looks like I won’t be leaving early this year either.

***

The Academy had been left half-destroyed after the Second Great Human-Demon War.

Except for a few key facilities, most of the buildings were reduced to bare steel frameworks.

People said.

From that day on, even though humanity had won, Joaquin Academy would vanish into the shadows of history. That its 700-year tradition would end here.

“Hey, did he come today?”

“Who, idiot?”

“Ah, you dumbass…”

As universal law dictates, pessimistic predictions never come true.

The training grounds were boiling with people.

It had been expanded so many times that it was now twice its original size.

Before, it was already as big as three football stadiums combined, but now it looked like it could hold an entire village.

“Wow…”

A boy with dyed hair and the energy of a delinquent let out a breath in awe.
His name was Speedweapon. This is being narrated.

“Saki… I don’t know about her personality, but her skills are scary good.”

Indeed.

Despite all the worries, Joaquin Academy had risen from the ashes. Perhaps it had even surpassed its former glory.

“Saki became a person thanks to marrying him. Don’t you remember how she was at the Academy, Speedweapon? She was totally insane back then.”

A voice chimed in.
Speedweapon looked away with an indifferent expression.

A blonde woman, clad in tight clothes that revealed her voluptuous figure.
She was Rachel of Mura, a distant relative of Speedweapon and currently one of the most famous heroines alongside All Mute.

“Rachel, do you really have to dress like that with so many people watching? Why do I always get second-hand embarrassment?”

“And you, why are you dressed so stiffly? Anyone would think you came from a funeral.”

The two bickered as usual.

Since arriving in Korea yesterday, they hadn’t stopped fighting.

Speedweapon came representing the Hero Association, and Rachel as part of Lancelot Company.

Attendance at the entrance ceremony had become a tradition for both organizations, but this year, they had insisted on coming personally.

“P-please don’t fight…!”

A red-haired woman tried to step in between them.

“Chloe, are you taking her side?!”

both shouted in unison.

“N-no, that’s not it…”

Chloe Auditore da Sicilia.

She came from a noble assassin family, but rose to success as a food industry magnate.

The Auditore clan, already wealthy, had amassed enough fortune to leave assassination behind.

With a troubled expression, Chloe pointed behind them.
Speedweapon and Rachel turned slowly like broken toys.

And the air grew heavy.

“……”

“Haha……”

Two women stood there. Both so beautiful they stole your breath away.

Speedweapon had known them since his student days, so he wasn’t too fazed—but anyone else would be stunned.

Moreover, both were at the height of their beauty.

Men who looked at them had expressions as if they’d lost their souls.

To Speedweapon, however, those two were like goddesses of death.

Even Rachel gulped nervously.

“What are you doing?”

The tall woman’s voice shattered the silence. Rachel, still holding Speedweapon by the collar, let out an awkward laugh and let go.

“L-Long time, Abel.”

A sword genius who rose on her own merits despite being the “granddaughter of the Sword Master.” The Swordfighter, Abel von Nibelung.

She brought a hand to her forehead and shook her head.

“We met last week in the U.S. What do you mean ‘long time’? And how old are you two? Still bickering like this? Everyone knows you’re his friends. If you act undignified, what do you think it looks like to him?”

“Haha. Abel, you’re getting more like the Sword Master every day.”

Speedweapon glanced toward the VIP section’s highest seats.

Where legends of a past era were reuniting.

“What do you mean by that, Speedweapon?”

Abel’s eyes sharpened.

“Hey, hey, why are you reaching for your sword hilt? Aren’t we classmates?”

“Enough. Sit down.”

The voice came from a woman with sky-blue hair, her arms tightly crossed.

Step.

She walked between her old classmates and sat in the seat one to the left of center, sipping her coffee.

“Saki? She couldn’t even handle bitterness as a kid, and now she’s addicted to caffeine.”

“Life’s more bitter, so coffee tastes sweet.”

Speedweapon nodded at Abel’s remark.

A while later, Speedweapon sat shyly in his designated seat.

From there, the entire training ground was in view.

The center seat was empty.
That place was reserved for Saki Ryozo, the Director.

But she had deliberately avoided sitting there.

To her right sat Abel, and between the two of them, it seemed they were guarding the seat of honor.

All eyes in the venue were fixed on that spot.

Whether cadets or nobles, everyone seemed eagerly awaiting someone.

Not even idol fans gaze with such anticipation.

“Sa… Saki.”

Speedweapon whispered.

Ryozo gave him a cold look.

It was uncomfortable sitting right next to her, but curiosity got the better of him.

She replied disdainfully.

“What?”

“No, just… is he coming today?”

“I don’t know.”

“What! If you don’t know, who does?! Everyone here came just for him!”

Yes, the entrance ceremony is a global event, but it happens every year.

He, however, doesn’t attend every year.

It’s not because he thinks he’s a star, but because his world is elsewhere—the problem solver for both the human world and the Demon Realm.

“He said he would come.”

Ryozo murmured, almost to herself.

“…He said he would come…”

Her tone was indifferent, but her sky-blue eyes betrayed her anxiety.

Speedweapon opened his mouth but said nothing and simply looked forward.

Expectation and tension. The training ground was a cauldron of emotions.

Cadets whispered among themselves.

— Is he really coming today?

— It’s the 10th anniversary, after all.

— I’ve been waiting for this day for ten years.

— But you were seven back then.

A bit later.

Ryozo, who had been staring at her watch, stood up with a resigned air.

The cadets wore bittersweet expressions.

Happy to have entered their dream academy, but disappointed not to see him.

Ryozo felt it too.

‘Still… as Director, I must do my duty. But boys… I want to see him the most.’

Murmuring that inwardly, she stepped up to the mic.

“Welcome—”

It was at that moment.

A shadow loomed over the training ground.

One by one, everyone looked up at the sky.

It had been a clear spring day, not a cloud in sight. And suddenly, black clouds began to gather.

Wind blew, and thunder echoed as the clouds clashed.

BOOOM! BANG! BZZZT!!

The sky roared, the air vibrated.
Lightning tore through the dark clouds.

With every flash, a human figure seemed to flicker into view.

A sudden storm, without any warning.

KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

Unease rose across the field like breath.

“……”

But on the faces of the golden generation, only excitement was visible.

After all, they knew who arrives with thunder.

Kyaaaaaaa…!!

The storm reached its climax.

Some cadets covered their ears, others swallowed nervously.

And then—

Slash—

With that sound, the thunder ceased.

Slash—

The sky split in two, and sunlight poured like a blessing onto the cadets.

Lightning. A sky divided.

A chain of sudden calamities.

FLASH!

Through the parted clouds, a spark flashed.

A halo of light spread along the cloud’s edge.

And then—

BOOOM!!!

A pillar of light thundered down, shaking the entire venue.

Everyone shut their eyes against the blinding flash.

Ryozo was no exception.

When she opened them, her vision was still blurry.

But…

“Sorry I’m late.”

That smile of his, at least, was crystal clear.

“Why are you so late?”

It had only been two weeks.

Ryozo bit her lower lip to hold back her emotions, then smiled softly.

“Idiot.”

Sparks like threads danced off his black coat and equally dark hair.

“I had business in the Demon Realm.”

Saying that, he turned, dragging electricity with him.

Two radiant characters appeared in their retinas.

천 검 (Heavenly Sword).

He brought his lips to the microphone.

“Nice to meet you, dear readers.”

With one hand, he wrapped his arm around Ryozo’s shoulders.

“First of all, congratulations on your enrollment.”

And in the other, he held a sashimi knife.

“I’m Kang Geom-Ma.”

A heavy silence fell over the training field.

“H-Heavenly Sword!”

That single cry was the signal.

The world shook. The cheers that erupted were louder than the thunder that had terrified the cadets before.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

《May the blessing of the gods be with you.》

+++++++++++++++++++++++

It was such a clear day it hurt to look at.