Chapter 302: Let’s separate personal from professional, Director
mdKRtThe collective chanting didn’t cease. The arena trembled with the vibrations.DEDUd
v3pQQCt“¡Kang Geom-Ma!” “¡Kang Geom-Ma!” “¡Kang Geom-Ma!”Tcv
MgI72glThe instructors, realizing it wouldn’t end on its own, intervened.J3IeB0
tZlS“Silence, cadets!”2tHh
wnXV“Order! Order and sileeeence!”v8RcBI
wSUYet still…hZ4RZ
sVyig“Heavenly Sword! Please look at me, just for a moment!”vQcS
jh41“I’ve been waiting just for this day!”xQLcLC
KHn79NFar from calming down, the shouts only intensified.fCceB
N81The cadets resisted the instructors’ attempts as if they were civilians in a revolt.sVDs
tSRThe instructors were drenched in sweat, shouting desperately.eYu49
JncpVYqAmusingly, even some of them, amidst the crowd, gazed at Kang Geom-Ma with adoration.VXi1w
n88tLike teenage fans, they clasped their hands over their chests.iRTJo0m
CPTuUtter chaos.VOObz4d
aZoLpThe Sword Master, Siegfried von Nibelung, let out a dry laugh.e4uK
wCz0“The reputation of the Heavenly Sword keeps rising.”iLa
Ipc6dh“Of course, old man.”hf00
tRijs3The woman beside him covered her mouth and chuckled.B5Ku
LqamYP“Do you think our Geom-Ma is a nobody like you, Sieg? He’s not in the same league as us. The only valid comparison would be with Balor Joaquin, the founding hero. At least someone like that.”nSB
26PssThat sensuous beauty was Media Poison, former director of the academy and Sage of the Seven Stars.H2O
YDVCurrently, she worked as an advisor and only appeared at significant events like this.XBm
NaCX“Don… nobody…?”u3S2
HzIBdsThe Sword Master was speechless. The phrase hit him so freshly that his mind went blank, just like his hair.UkRVH
IiFF“It hurt, didn’t it?”FwUMW
XWyjZMedia twirled a lock of her hair.WSxd
pRo“It didn’t hurt at all, damn it!” he growled.Y44Ok9
XR5Ww2J“Ha ha ha! This time, I have to agree with Media. Compared to the Heavenly Sword, all of us are ordinary people. No doubt.”JLZpA
eqVCThe voice belonged to a man with a lion-like appearance, Changseong Richard.B3SD3
4am1eThe Sword Master glared at him and replied sharply.oPcn
aY6U“A man shouldn’t lose his competitive spirit so easily. Changseong, you’re aging.”WU1
sym“It’s not that I’ve lost that spirit. I just accept reality calmly. Isn’t that the pleasure of aging?”PWxrv
BoyHe shrugged as he spoke. Though close to eighty, he looked like a man in his prime.oSb9HHs
Zqf42oXUnlike.mC7ol4
2W37wX“…Please, contain them. The nobles are starting to watch.”bpE
HE2YRight beside him, Vice President Sung was sweating nervously, and he looked much more aged.wJHAvz
MFtVbSince he assumed the presidency of the Hero Association…CRoblU
gEqJ“So what if those pigs are watching us?”P7xGAQH
6nKW“Well said, Nibelung. I admit I can’t compete with the Heavenly Sword, but I could turn those nobles into minced meat, by the ton.”VMQd1
WU4“Sure, no doubt.”ZCAb
8R7EDQ…Sung accumulated more wrinkles with each passing day. He sighed inwardly.qY8AV
nZTy7r‘Here are gathered those who dominate the world, and yet, I feel like I’m in a kindergarten.’3GrQ4
AX2f74qAfter all, as humans age, they become somewhat childish.qzhax
zL0Not that they paint walls with crayons, but their stubbornness, hardened by experience, becomes more rigid each day.I9Mb
FqfPvkS‘These guys.’KXE2
h6H09EiThere wasn’t a single human in the world who didn’t owe them gratitude.Zf5
78pAnyone who thought otherwise didn’t deserve to be called human.9IiU
DgSp3nHe respected them.8zov
XqFc6LxYes, he “respected” them.vwyB
9OQrvuBut that didn’t change the fact that they made him suffer.nozVXi
TXVwEven though he was the president of the Hero Association, his fate was to be dragged from one side to another among these three living legends.5ggQ
SrCCWUWhile the titans argued, the atmosphere in the venue began to calm down.KYIfht
ZcDNwhThe reason was that Kang Geom-Ma had finished greeting and returned to his seat.5oK
FxN[May the Hero’s Blessing be with you]HVR0z3
VMkThe final event of the entrance ceremony, the class assignment exam, had just begun.9ic
AQ3tnhpOne by one, the cadets were absorbed into the subspace.fd1FrTe
C9YRROnly then did the instructors collapse exhausted into their seats.HxTft
m0R“By the way.”iUcOa
qGREHgSung cautiously spoke up.Z4im
ErLplSomeone had to maintain decorum among these living legends.3EmEJRj
6wCoum“This year’s exam is also a battle royale, like ten years ago, right? They say that when the format is like that, someone outstanding always emerges. What do you three think about this generation?”Sw1Bf
1WP“Who knows.”aNSQyX
5RiheEvMedia responded indifferently.u3KwNi
23Blok“It’s not that I want to belittle them, but I doubt they’ll surpass what happened ten years ago. It was too impactful.”SLs2QYl
TR4M“That’s true.”fub6
APHWd“She’s right.”vdw
XZ9CAhu…Wow.B7Ec6rj
HQEGThese three, who never agree, just did?0jw
CVQS1“The problem isn’t who comes first. There’s always a first every year. What’s important is who is the GOAT.”B0O
9tGs3“And for you, Madam Sage, who is it?”Vux
h56yWRT“Are you really going to ask that?”n6ALl
Mh2ROzMedia looked up at the sky.3MEzLwo
yYBqJAmong the clouds, a ray of light descended forcefully.bfyMG
ubYMThe clouds seemed to have been cut with a ruler.acao3
GXoqqq“He just passed through here, didn’t he?”8lavO3
W9HnIndeed.4cK
jCUSEven Sung ended up nodding along with Siegfried and Changseong.Pbf
hCft1In the office of the director of Joaquin Academy.L456Hh
EytfxkUAn impromptu alumni meeting was taking place.Sf6g
Rnm6gRyozo, Speedweapon, Rachel, and Chloe were present.oVcAsN
D3GYh2By coincidence, almost all belonged to the Heavenly Class.qX8c
B3jM4Only two were missing to complete the circle.zjfV
OTzc4cThe absentees, Abel von Nibelung, granddaughter of the Sword Master… that is, one of my two wives…dj2hYT
Xz6OIn fact, saying it with my own mouth is quite embarrassing.LFl0
BPTIIt makes sense because, coming from Earth, having two wives still seems quite strange to me.Tgec
SpSIonMoreover, Abel is the most beautiful woman in the world of “Miracle Blessing M.” Just having her as a wife, the looks full of jealousy already pierce me like needles.aBY
g33And to top it off, Ryozo, the current director of the academy and another beauty not far behind, is also my wife.ylY
V5HAlthough there’s no ethical problem, I do feel a certain moral guilt.DaRET
jgA4Bt9However, I swear to the heavens that this love triangle wasn’t by my will.CbLUS5e
gjgWRyozo and Abel reached an agreement between them and then confessed it to me (although it was more like a notification).HiP09f
GFftVFrom the looks they gave me, it didn’t seem like I had another option.1oaMK
oAeHx‘Abel said she wouldn’t attend because she’d be attending to the legends of the old era.’H9uR5
vj18jBThe Sword Master, Changseong, the Sage Media, Sung, and others.gf2Ee4
SDTXAs a descendant of the Nibelung lineage, Abel had great influence in the aristocracy.oon210
bEwsShe was the ideal figure as a bridge between the old and new generations.XBl
qi3IhK2I know I sound like a lovestruck fool, but what can I do?FsEI0
kr1LIt’s the truth.ZbggpU
Sd0xX‘And to think that our first impression wasn’t exactly good.’hFuJ3
w0b0iLife is truly unpredictable.Uzp
rQYWho would have imagined we’d end up like this?w6Z
ito‘Although, well, that doesn’t apply only to Abel.’Rfe
Gr8hBlWhile reminiscing all this with some nostalgia, Speedweapon took the opportunity to speak and, incidentally, spout his nonsense.lMkC1U
0OGa“Wow, President. A while ago, you were amazing. From the timing to the entrance, it was all calculated, right?”OuEXVl
FtSI was about to respond while taking off my coat, but someone beat me to it, taking both my gesture and my line.OP5u
tVGjG4“How old are you, and you still call him President?”oGIN9yY
8OBmIt was Saki Ryozo.Lz9SVE
HXwnGe“It’s a way to show affection. Why are you so bitter lately? You’ve been like this since you became director.”BscI
Hw0Hqrf“If the Hero Association worked harder, my character would also soften.”kGD
KfmIi6aRyozo responded while carefully hanging my white coat on the coat rack.mneGm
7Bim“We’re doing our best, you know?”EPnV74
buSL7nm“The ‘best’ only counts if you get the best results.”nhGXUyj
Y3DPZFaced with Ryozo’s sharp response, Speedweapon was speechless.IFIx2jq
fkSi5eL“…That’s what I would have said before, but I know the Association is working tirelessly. I’ll just give you one more piece of advice reduce the amount of personnel you assign to the Academy. Redistribute them on the border between the demon and human worlds, in Hawaii. That way, we’ll all have less work. Try telling President Sung.”YU8dyv
0qlS3k“R-Ryo…!”FzMWKL
O6tSpeedweapon’s eyes welled up with emotion.6RIYQh
6bfbZNzRyozo frowned and looked away.vJ1L
NsZu8P“……”QON5V1D
fd51“……”wmSDm
h27z7She looked at me intently.X12
81uPHer face showed no expression, but I could tell it held many feelings.qUh
r46Ryozo gently bit her lower lip.hdLKpu
wCYI6‘I missed you.’kBwlX
H1SLately, I had been away from both Ryozo and Abel.bbzLh1G
aFAykzEven though we live in a relatively peaceful era, unsettling reports from the demon world, Gehenna, keep coming in.QYwXmVT
NKlH0KThat’s why I have to travel there frequently.3vmuQ1N
Q87pEven the demons, upon seeing me appear, prefer to try and talk.Rs297
UFI‘I’m definitely not a good husband.’Rd6RxOO
XHLAs a self-critical expression surfaced on my face, Ryozo gently raised her hand.Z0GmAQ
hWlqvgShe glanced around. There were too many eyes watching for a public display of affection.x0z4Onk
L7ntTap-tap.F2X0Jy
Cna62BInstead of touching my cheek, Ryozo brushed off the embroidery reading “Heavenly Sword” on my coat.4FccT
yrnGAs if trying to lighten the burden on my shoulders.VKp
BXUhhWith only a movement of my lips, I said,emk
NB776‘Thank you, Ryozo.’OtWJ
zpbTTXJAnd she smiled brilliantly at me.H9bHrc
wqhFLeaving me with that smile, she sat at the center of the U-shaped sofa.FbolkD
gxMob7She crossed her legs and rested her fist on her cheek.Jo5ry
uu5Every one of her gestures radiated the authority of the academy’s director.xNmi
tPF5vL“The reunion is nice and all…”qpe
MsUWith the blue light coming through the window above her head, Ryozo, current director of Joaquin Academy, broke the silence.cJk4
dNLQ“…But let’s talk business. This office isn’t for personal chats.”Swy
x8H7qGThe atmosphere grew heavier. Everyone, including me, nodded.MRTMrkL
RAkIWe sat down slowly into the sofa cushions.KVpD2e
w9T“How’s that initiative the Association is pushing going?”6xYG
s2j“You mean the diplomatic treaty between Gehenna and the human world? It’s going well. Thanks to the academy’s active cooperation.”lhlE
2pO4utThough her tone had an air of authority, Speedweapon didn’t seem uncomfortable.I7jRj
41OZANs‘We’re not teenagers anymore.’fl1J4
XYrThe hierarchy was clear, and we had the age and positions to accept it.wrR
UyVWIt was part of growing up.Ou9UY
ZdcGbvPAnd among us, the one with the highest rank was Ryozo.1DF42K
0yRLShe successfully rebuilt the destroyed Joaquin Academy.NjV
vEIUONot only that, she also held the position of Vice Prime Minister in Japan.BsCvS
WJZA noble among nobles.I791zm
QIBlBF‘That a woman like her is my wife… Sometimes I still pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.’aTahft
pqHoI’m proud of her.xF84sY
4uJAnd even if she rests her cheek on her fist and barely moves her head, no one sees it as arrogance.OsJ
fLcIal“That’s a relief. There are too many rumors swirling around Gehenna lately. If a strong foundation is laid at the base level, that alone brings great relief.”xfnpY
FSUmxRyozo turned her gaze to Rachel.qxc7
3UGaUZ3“Hmm?”Dl43
62dRachel, chewing on some cookies, hastily swallowed them.tr1b
Mtt7ojEveryone but me gave her cold stares.WcperI
hrPI2In my case, well. The first thing she said to me when we met was “Wanna die?”srB2Td
Ks2MsRSince then, my expectations for her have always been low. For about ten years, to be exact.2ICYzx
zOOWutAThump Thump.Q0tY
4n4bjlhShe pounded her chest hard, making the portrait on the wall tremble.3dH
fZinGAnd with a choked voice, she said,rshHOkY
6r3toG“Lancelot Company is also cooperating fully with the Association. Lately, thanks to ‘someone’, a policy was enforced requiring heroes to do community service.”ncXmr
wGEzburThat ‘someone’ Rachel mentioned was me.vr2W
m7bSince I’ve been running between the human world and Gehenna, the heroes in the U.S. started getting wary.AmXUI
Fi0BHeroes who rake in hundreds of millions and show up late, several beats behind, while I, Kang Geom-Ma, arrive the moment something breaks out—and for free.ZXW
4o2v‘Though I do receive certain special benefits.’ Anyway…pRjgcc
uX7UWith all that, it was no surprise the public image of heroes had tanked.N1irF
J8lBUPSo the hero companies, starting with Lancelot, entered a reform stage.nQQW
osyThose who once only talked about money now send heroes to Gehenna’s gates like it’s nothing.ALo1B
ZisfThose gates are located in Hawaii. Which means, since it’s U.S. territory, the process isn’t too complicated.piJOU
wWNTXr2“To be honest, in the Second Great Human-Demon War, heroes did almost nothing, right? Except senior All Mute. That’s why we’re on edge internally. If things keep up like this, hero companies themselves might be at risk.”76tF3
BH34Fp0“Then do your best. In return, I’ll bring forward the timeline when companies can approach academy graduates.”EDq
lcJ“Yes!”EB7
YcSRachel raised her fist enthusiastically.NBZYMNF
1gX“So this is what good friends are like. Thanks to you, I won’t look so bad when I go back to the company. Thanks, Ryozo!”3eGCoo
qL9JQA“Don’t say things that could be misunderstood. I’m not doing it because we’re friends, but because if one gives, one should also receive.”JgnsmRZ
3qrpx“Tch, so cold.”ZTtnYxm
n6TUK“Rachel, should I take that as a complaint directed at me?”B9SjJ4R
J1F“Never, Director! Loyalty, loyalty!”RJI
yB5BVRachel gave a mock salute with her hand at her brow.awcmL
k1IcP0J“You’re fulfilling your role as comic relief perfectly.”Kbo
DXPlmVMRyozo shook her head as she touched her forehead, seemingly exasperated.BO953d
ccpOP8W“Let’s move to the next topic.”fvFNUG
NBoHdFrom there, they discussed various matters.obaFGa
UmPUsELChloe, who had been mentally absent until then, also began participating actively.IbCQd
zA1xShe was the one who formed Joaquin Academy’s donation fund.pnK
hyhhTWatching her talk nonchalantly about astronomical sums of money filled me with quiet dread.YZtly7G
pt8xL5‘I really don’t have much to do here.’eq1aE
GJ6p7CKOther than being one of the Seven Stars, I hold no other position—just taking up space.hn5
dOPM6BWith a somewhat content smile, I thought.xzU
bZA‘These kids I once knew… are now discussing international politics.’K35w
BW2CzI’m a worn-out adult now.YGOINa
e8UJBut they’re still growing, facing reality head-on.EyRD52s
Tb6As someone a few years older and merely a spectator, I can’t help but feel nostalgic.0VF
Fem— You’re the typical mentally worn-out old man.dRCd
VyPA voice echoed within me in multiple layers.bVI2
jsY— You and those kids are still babies to me. Learn some humility, Kang Geom-Ma.FoZ
SHqDB9l‘The Corps Commander giving sermons? What a sight.’U7dRO
fv3First Corps Commander, Demon Sword Lycan.CR1
W2eMfTMHe resides within me as a spirit.5ohTKe
gYFI4— I, Corps Commander, am disappointed in you.t4YyOr
ywF‘That sarcasm of yours is next-level.’KlU8
sn26UXIn the battle where I wiped out those damned foreign gods, Lycan met the conditions to gain a physical form.al4v
q88kFPBut he chose to remain within me, formless.hOH5
P9VbF8He says he has no attachments to the world and finds living with me amusing.ddsWM2N
BhTOFjEI also set one condition for our cohabitation.dingN4T
TS4sI“Respect my privacy.”cODd
3vv— I’ll sleep during the day. And at night I’ll become an animal and roam. Is that okay?z33eqsG
Oyu“Why at night?”IK2uh7
LGmi— You’ve got a family life too, right?Ti2O
5nN1“Ah…”7bd
kstJust like he said, every night Lycan transforms into a squirrel and takes over the academy’s bushes.Huw
tRX4KThe same First Corps Commander who once made humanity tremble… Demon Sword Lycan, now…JX9WG
po2u2Cy— I discovered a special oak tree in the east pavilion yesterday. Its acorns are exquisite. I have to go again tonight.xqKP
TOSHas turned into Thunder Squirrel.aipT2Cx
p3dvzTruly, life is unpredictable.LkVktza
WjC‘I’m glad you seem happy, Lycan.’i7dm9E
CVWSUeq— What’s with the sudden sentimentality?ZnEQ
lUj‘Just don’t say that to someone who gets giddy over acorns.’4x5gBlU
pCiAqj— …pPnQ
vs8mjHe in his way, I in mine, we kept chatting…FfdBqn
QrQ1And the afternoon flew by.0Gxja6k
7QkThe cold March wind began gently tapping on the window as if asking to come in.0r033e
NlpyGvAs twilight fell on everyone, Ryozo, as the host of the meeting, gave the order to disperse.q8FH
kAp“It’s dinner time. Let’s continue the rest tomorrow. For today, this meeting is adjourned.”y96nZ
bnVOne by one, everyone began to get up.FyG7Z
D3BqI was about to stand as well.aOkMXE
Z6VK6“Ahem. Ahem.”52r0OU
umw9X9DRyozo cleared her throat intentionally, clearly for me to hear.M4Lag
ZZ0She covered her mouth with her fist.rCaX
rT4B5G“U-Um… Kang Geom… I mean, Heavenly Sword, could you stay a moment?”0DX
bRBOgSpeedweapon tried to butt in immediately.cwEI
TauLZ2J“We said we’d go grab drinks tog—”6ebAA
bx1c1“Nyahaha!”bQI3a
v5gdf8Rachel gave a forced laugh and shoved Speedweapon from behind.TeYy
14vqWith brute force, she made him stumble helplessly.vI42om
lFe“Hey, hey, what’s your problem?!”WRkIMf
vKvwkSpeedweapon instinctively tried to resist, but Rachel glared at him with bulging veins.pvN5Na
oBm“Read the room, idiot.”qdHhhsM
accd“……”AwNGud1
cPCrO“Talk as much as you want, you two!”TE1jab
7XqXy6iRachel dragged him away like a pile of dirty laundry.s1O0eG
IJebChloe, sensing the situation, quietly followed after.MbLZ
MPgVIn the end, I was left alone in the director’s office.BIJ
kfundHFeeling a bit awkward, I sat back down.6r5P
mwZ8Ryozo approached with hesitant steps and sat beside me.gFkL
XI7She nervously fidgeted with her fingers.l6vn3u
qDCFdYThe imposing director from earlier was gone. She slightly moved her lips, then finally threw herself into my arms.LijOR0L
RhQU4She rubbed her face against my chest.X6EbHc
xvd4CLQ“Didn’t you say the director’s office isn’t for personal chats?”iaeIV
9vV“…I…”Fps26
QUnItCI said something dumb, unable to react properly.uLI
zwwnelRyozo slightly raised her forehead.RkQa1
D89WOpQ“And who do you think the director is?”ZQ45T
ZiaVkSAh, right.FFOJG
50DSuddenly, I saw the calendar.9fm
sRTkRsMMarch 9th.n0Vp9wo
phdAs soon as the date appeared in my vision, Ryozo beat me to it and leaned toward me.cngk
IJ9So close I could almost feel her breath.RyA922
nTqFky6“Today’s an odd number.”r6OlR
9PGRyozo smiled.3qdkVf
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