The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 313: The Transfer Student is a Singularity (1)

Chapter 313: The Transfer Student is a Singularity (1)

The‍ map of Gehenna changes every hour.‌‍

The‍ geography where the⁠⁠ rebels had wreaked‌ havoc had also‌ shifted.

Steep‍ cliffs had transformed‌⁠ into an open⁠ plain.

Of‌ course, there were‍ no vibrant landscapes⁠‌ like golden wheat‍‌ fields. Instead, a sea of white⁠ reeds stretched out.‌‍⁠

Watching‌ them bend under‌ the warm southern‍ wind created an⁠‌ atmosphere unique to⁠‌ the Demon Realm—something⁠ impossible to feel‍ in the human⁠ world.

Where‌⁠‍ did that wind‍ come from?

Perhaps⁠‍ from a hidden‍ well deep in‌ the mountains, where‍ a woodpecker tapped‍ against the surface‍‌‍ of the water.‍‌

Whoooosh!

The‌ wind, traveling from‍⁠ the farthest reaches, passed through the⁠ reed field and⁠ climbed gently up‍‌ the hill.

Following‌‍‌ the tail of‌ the wind, one would arrive at the top of a small mound.⁠‍

There,‍ the wind lightly stirred a lock‍⁠ of black hair.‌

It‍‍⁠ was a gathering‌‍ of Valerion, Metatron,‍‍ Leon, Lycan, and Kang Geom-Ma. The‍⁠‌ five most powerful‍‌ beings in the‍ world.

(The‍ old dark elf‍ had been carried‌‍ off on a stretcher, foaming at‌ the mouth.)

Goooooooh…

Below‍ them, demons of all races knelt⁠⁠ in a circle,⁠ as if in⁠⁠ worship.

The‍‌ scene radiated solemnity,‍ like devout worshippers⁠⁠ in a sacred⁠⁠ temple.

“…Gruuuuuuugh…”‍⁠‌

“Shut‌ your mouth if‍ you don’t want to lose a finger, you damned⁠‍‍ green pig! That‌‍‌ squealing is breaking‌ my eardrums!”

“I,⁠‍ Stugal, am offended! It’s not that‍⁠ my voice is‌ loud, your ears⁠‍ are just absurdly long! And this⁠‌ is your fault for starting it‌‍ all!”

“Damn‍‍ pig! And now‍ you’re speaking so‍‍ eloquently? Act like⁠‍ a proper pig,‌ damn it! When⁠ we give an‌ order, you and‍ your dull axe‍ are to obey!”‍

Internal⁠⁠‌ chaos stirred waves of tension. The‍ reeds trembled at demon eye-level, swaying⁠⁠ as if they‍‌ too were complaining.‌

The‌‍ demons, though restless,‌ shut their mouths‌‌‍ and watched Kang‍ Geom-Ma in fear.⁠⁠

They‍‍ all looked like‍ they had swallowed‌⁠ a ball of⁠ fire.

“Hmm…”‌

Leon‍‌ glanced sideways and⁠‍‍ sighed.

The‍ young demons had‌‍ lost arms, legs—or‍ in the worst‌‌ cases, all four limbs.

They⁠ were the fools who had received‌ a brutal lesson‍⁠ from Kang Geom-Ma’s‍‌ lightning-drenched sashimi.

It had been a self-inflicted punishment.

They‍ hadn’t even had‍ the chance to‍‌ resist, let alone counterattack.

Leon almost felt sorry⁠‍ for them.

‘For⁠⁠ having challenged Kang‍‌⁠ Geom-Ma.’

Demons‌ healed quickly. Even if an arm‌ was cut off,‌‍ it grew back‍ like a lizard’s⁠ tail.

High-ranking‍⁠ demons, like high‌ elves, could regenerate‍ damaged organs after⁠ just a week⁠⁠‍ of rest.

But…‍‍

‘Being‌⁠ cut by Kang‍ Geom-Ma’s sashimi is‍‍‌ different.’

Leon⁠ squinted, sharpening his‍ gaze.

An⁠⁠ elf without ears‍‍ caught his eye.⁠ She was desperately‌‍ trying to heal‍⁠ herself, but the‌ flesh wouldn’t regenerate,‍⁠ and she was‌ sweating profusely.

“And‍‌ for what…?”

Leon⁠ muttered and looked‌ away.

In‍ front of him⁠ stood the strongest⁠‌ of the five.‍‌

Kang Geom-Ma.

He‍‍ stared solemnly at‌ the field of‍⁠‌ reeds before turning‍‍ his head.

Leon⁠ shivered.

That‍‌ dark gaze dragged⁠ an eerie chill⁠⁠‌ with it.

“My‍ apologies, Dragon Lord.”‍⁠

He bowed to Valerion.‍‍

“I‌‌‍ should have informed‍ you before acting,‍‍ but I acted‌‍ on impulse. I’ll‍⁠ be more cautious‍⁠ in the future.”⁠‍

“Raise⁠ your head. Of⁠‍ all of us,‍⁠ you’re the last one who should‌‍ apologize like that.”⁠‌⁠

Valerion‍ looked uncomfortable. His‍ facial muscles twisted‌‍‌ awkwardly to convey‍ his unease.

“If‌‌ we’re talking about‌ responsibility, the fault‌ lies more with⁠ me than with‌⁠‌ Heavenly Sword. If‍ I had stopped⁠ the rebels in‌‍ time, this wouldn’t have happened. You‌ had to come⁠ here after leaving‍‌ the Demon Realm‍ because of me.‍‍ Honestly, I’m ashamed…”‌‍‌

Kang‌‍ Geom-Ma shook his⁠⁠ head.

“The‍‌‌ dragon clan has‍ always been neutral.⁠ Even if you’re‌ currently acting as‌ temporary leader of‌‌‍ the Demon Realm…”‍

“Circumstances‍⁠ demand it.”

“Still,‌‍⁠ I should’ve respected⁠‍ that. I was carried away by‍ rage. I’m sorry.”‌

“Hahaha…”‍

Valerion‌ scratched his forehead with his purple nails.

Thus‌ continued this diplomatic‌‌ discussion, with both‌⁠‍ parties apologizing with⁠‌ equal grace.

A whirl of tension‍ swirled between their words.

Meanwhile,⁠‍ Metatron smiled for‍‌‌ no reason, Lycan⁠ yawned on Kang‌ Geom-Ma’s shoulder, and‌ Leon let out a hollow laugh‌ inwardly.

‘Kang‍‍ Geom-Ma. The more‍⁠ time I spend‍ with you, the⁠ less I understand‍⁠ you.’

He‌‌ was cruel and⁠⁠‌ merciless toward the‌ rebels, yet surprisingly‌ kind to Valerion.‍⁠

He⁠⁠⁠ was always like‌ this.

Leon⁠‍‌ observed Kang Geom-Ma’s‍‍ profile.

‘He’s‌‍⁠ harsh with demons,‍‌ but clearly nervous‍ around Abel and‌‌ Ryozo…’

He⁠⁠ responded with the‌ same intensity he‍ was shown. Even if he went‌ overboard this time,‍ it didn’t mean‌‍ he was weak‌‌‌ before the strong.‌

It⁠‌ was the opposite.‌

In⁠‌ terms of raw⁠ power, Valerion was‌ far below Kang‍ Geom-Ma.

Leon‍ had crossed blades‌ with him.

And because of that,‌ he was sure—‍

There was no one‌‍⁠ in the world who could match⁠‍ Kang Geom-Ma right⁠ now.

Maybe‍‌‍ he or Metatron‌ could come close.‍

‘And⁠ only in a few moves.’

Moreover,‌‍‌ Kang Geom-Ma’s growth⁠‌ hadn’t stopped.

Time was on his‍ side.

The⁠ more it passed,⁠‍ the more unreachable‍‍ he would become.‌

That⁠⁠ thought left a bitter taste—but also⁠ deep respect.

‘Maybe the reason he⁠ has such a volatile temper…’

Was⁠ it because his‍‍ humanity barely contained‍‍‌ that overwhelming power?‍

Thinking‍ of that, another‌ possibility flashed like‌‌ lightning through his‍ mind.

What‌ if, one day,‌‌⁠ he stopped holding⁠ back?

Would‌‍ that be the⁠ true end of⁠ the world?

Should‌‍ the world accept‍‌‍ it if that⁠ day comes?

‘I’m‍‌ not the one‌ to worry about⁠‍ that.’

He was a sinner⁠ who had dragged the human world‍ into the abyss.‍‍

Even‌⁠ if it was‌⁠ for his father,⁠⁠ Metatron…

In‌⁠⁠ the end, it had been his‍ decision.

In‍‍ the past, Leon‍‍ had betrayed humanity‍‌ and his friends‌⁠ for personal reasons.‍

He‍‌ shook his head⁠ to clear those⁠⁠ dark thoughts.

And‌ refocused on the‍⁠ conversation between Kang‍‍ Geom-Ma and Valerion.‌

The⁠‍ discussion was coming⁠ to a close.‍

“I‌ suppose I need‌ to work on‍ my impulsiveness. I’ve⁠‍ heard that tensions‍ between the Demon⁠⁠‍ Realm and the‌⁠‌ human world are⁠⁠ rising. Maybe it’s‌ my fault. I understand why the‌‍ demons are upset.”‌

“I‍‌ can’t say it‌ hasn’t had an‌ impact, but it’s⁠‌ inevitable. We’re different⁠ by nature. That’s‌‍ how we evolved.‌‍‍ Like water and‌‌ oil…”

Water‌ and oil…

“Water‍ and oil, huh…”‍

That‍‌ old comparison sparked a flash of⁠‌⁠ insight in Leon’s⁠‌ mind.

An‌ impossible mix of‌ two essences.

Something⁠ he had discovered‌ days ago.

“Sorry to interrupt…”

He⁠‌ stepped in before‍ that old fox‌ could vanish.

“I⁠ recently found traces⁠⁠ of the human‍ world here in‌ the Demon Realm.”‍

“What‍‌‍ do you mean⁠‌‌ by that…?”

With⁠ his clear blue‍ eyes, he looked⁠‍ at each of‍⁠ them before speaking‌ again.

“Also,‍ I just returned‌ from investigating the‌⁠ anomaly with my father.”

Even if it was⁠ insignificant, he wanted to be of help.

To‌⁠ this world he⁠‍‍ had nearly destroyed.

And‍‍ if necessary, he‍ was willing to⁠ give his life⁠ for it.

***⁠‌

Media,‍ sensing a strange premonition from the‌ Sword Master, used dimensional warp to travel to the⁠‌⁠ most remote place in the world.⁠

Whoooosh…‍‌

She⁠ cut through the⁠‌‍ slicing blizzard and⁠⁠⁠ stopped in front‌ of a massive‍ iron door.

With trembling hands, she touched the auxiliary‍ screen fogged up‌‌⁠ by the ice.‌

[Access‍‍ verified for Media⁠ Poison.]

Even‍ after entering, she‌ had to pass through several thick‍ doors.

Finally,‍ in a barely‌‌ warm environment, a noble-looking young man‌⁠ greeted her with⁠‌⁠ both arms raised.⁠

“Media!⁠‌ What are you⁠ doing here without‌ notice?”

“And⁠‍ you say that⁠⁠‌ after disconnecting all‌⁠‍ external networks? Anyway,‍⁠ got any hot tea? If I stay like this,‌ I might lose‍‍‌ a few fingers⁠ to frostbite.”

“And⁠ that outfit? Looks‌ like you’re showing⁠ more than you’re covering. At least‌‍ your sister dressed‍⁠ decently and presentably.”‌

“Where’s‌ Sashimi? Or rather,⁠‌‌ where’s the scalpel?”‍

“Wait‍ a moment.”

Seeing‌ the man dash‌ away after hearing⁠ “sashimi,” Media let‍ out a long‌‌ sigh.

She‍‍‍ had arrived at‌‌ a base in Antarctica, where her‍ father, Victor Poison,⁠‍‌ former president of⁠‍⁠ the association, had‍ lived in seclusion‌ for decades, dedicated‌‌ to his research.⁠‌⁠

“Use‍ this to warm‍⁠‌ up.”

Victor‌ returned with a steaming towel.

“Ugh…‍ smells musty.”

“That’s⁠‌ how all houses‌ smell when a man lives alone.”‌‍

“I⁠⁠ told you to‍ leave Antarctica already.”⁠‌‍

Media⁠⁠ pursed her lips⁠‍ slightly, pouting.

Still,‍ she warmed her‌‌ frozen hands and‌‍ feet with the‍ towel her father‍‌⁠ had brought.

“So,‌‌ what brings you‍⁠ here, Media?”

Victor‌‌ asked, dropping his‍‌⁠ warm smile.

“Am I only allowed‍ to visit when‌ something big happens?”⁠

“It’s‍⁠ not that… but‍⁠‍ kids’ visits are‍ usually like that. Especially in your case. You’re an⁠‍ ancient with a longer lifespan than⁠‍ most, but you‍‍‌ live like someone⁠ terminal. I wonder who you take‌ after. It certainly‌‍ wasn’t me.”

“The‌⁠⁠ comment about ancients‍ living longer than‍‌‍ others…”

Media‌‍ said, pressing the‌ towel to her‍ cheek.

Her‌‍ once paper-pale skin‌ began to take on a faint‌ blush.

“That‍ might no longer be exclusive to‍ us.”

“What‍⁠⁠ do you mean…?”‌

“Before‌⁠‌ coming, I used‌‍ the Poet’s blessing‌⁠ to peek into‌ the future.”

And⁠ what Media said next…

“Human‍ life expectancy is‌ increasing.”

Was‍⁠ more chilling than‌⁠ the Antarctic wind.

“…And‍‍ not like the‌⁠ ancients, but like demons.”

***‍

As⁠⁠ soon as I heard Leon’s explanation,‌⁠ I set off.‌

Ever⁠⁠ since I saw‍‌‍ Yu Sein, something‌ had been bothering‌‍⁠ me.

And‍ right then, I received suspicious information‌ about that enigmatic egg.

I’m‌ not foolish enough‍‌⁠ to ignore all⁠‍‌ that.

The‌ rebels had already⁠ been neutralized, and‌‌ the demons wouldn’t‍ bare their fangs‍⁠ again for a while.

They’re⁠ quick learners when⁠⁠ it comes to⁠ survival.

And‌ if not, well,‍⁠ then they’ll pay‍ their tuition with⁠‍ their lives.

Ramzy Thunder, Leon, Metatron,⁠‌ and I—four of‍ us—raced across the⁠‍‌ Demon Realm at‌ top speed.

Every⁠ step we took left the ground⁠ caving in, and‌‌ when we all‌ surged forward together,‌‍ the earth trembled‍ as if it‍ were going to split open.

By‌‌⁠ the way, Valerion⁠‌ didn’t join this‍⁠ expedition.

He⁠ said he’d catch‌ up after dealing with the rebels.⁠

We‍⁠ had long since⁠ broken the sound‍ barrier.

Even so, we didn’t‌‍⁠ reach our destination‌‍‍ in a matter‍ of minutes.

After‍ all, Gehenna’s geography‌ had shifted again.‍⁠‌

Still, our steps were‍⁠‍ light.

Why?⁠ Because we had⁠ an excellent guide⁠ in the group.‌⁠

— Turn left from‍‍ there.

“……”‍‍

— Now right. No,⁠ not there! I said not there!‍‍ What’s the point⁠ of giving directions‍‍ if you don’t⁠‍‍ listen?!

Lycan‌‍ stirred up a fuss on my right shoulder, his‍ fur bristling.

‘To‍‍ think he was‌‌‌ the one who‍ insisted on being⁠‍‌ the navigator from‍ the start…’

Now, seemingly impatient, he‌ leaned forward and‌⁠ barked low commands.

The⁠ former commander of⁠ the first army⁠ of the Demon Realm.

Was⁠ he really a demon?

“Haha,⁠⁠‌ this guy’s such‍ a good guide,⁠‍ I kind of‌‍‍ want to adopt‍‍⁠ him. If I give him a good bath, I bet he wouldn’t‍‍ even get sick.”‍‍

— Damn angel!

“Father,‍⁠ seeing how that‌⁠ rat sticks so‌ close to Kang‌⁠⁠ Geom-Ma, it’s like‍⁠‌ he’s chosen. Hey,‍‍‌ Kang Geom-Ma, why‌ don’t you adopt‍‍ a pet while⁠ you’re at it…?”‍‍‌

“……”‌⁠

— Aaaaaaaahhhh!

Lycan’s⁠ scream pierced my eardrums.

When‌ I asked why⁠ he didn’t undo‌‍ his transformation, he said he’d simply‍‍⁠ missed the right⁠ moment to reveal⁠⁠‌ his true form.‌

‘Well,‌ whatever.’

— Kang Geom-Ma! You‌ too…!!

……‍

‘Your⁠⁠ choice, Ramzy Thunder. Just endure it‌ with pure malice⁠⁠⁠ and guts.’

— Are you even⁠‍ a demon?!

‘The⁠ owner of this body is.’

In⁠ any case, the‍⁠‌ important thing was⁠ reaching our destination,‌‍ no matter the‌‌‍ route.

Despite‍‍ a few minor‍ setbacks, it didn’t‍‍ take us long‍ to reach a massive crater yawning‌⁠ before us.

I nodded.

We‌ each jumped in⁠ our own way.⁠⁠

After‌ landing, we proceeded‌ cautiously for several‍ minutes.

And‍‍ then, I encountered‍‌ the strange, mysterious⁠‌ egg.

“Was⁠ this… like this⁠‍⁠ before?”

Only‌‌ now, it was‍⁠ broken.

Leon,⁠‌ clearly puzzled, carefully‍‍‌ inspected the uneven⁠‍ crack and the‌ interior.

The⁠‌⁠ conclusion.

“…Looks⁠‍ like it broke⁠ while we were‌‌‍ away.”

“What‌ a convenient coincidence.‌⁠⁠ No fresh tracks?”‍

“None… I don’t see‍ any. Not even⁠ anything with perception.”⁠‍

“Should we rush out⁠⁠‍ and look for⁠‌ it?”

“Hold‍‌ on. No point⁠‌ rushing in blindly.‍ We need a strategy before we‍⁠ act.”

“…When⁠ you put it‍‍ like that…”

As⁠ I scratched my‍‍ chin, Lycan muttered.⁠

— This isn’t normal.⁠

‘You‍⁠ feel it too?’⁠‍

— I didn’t mention‍‍ it, but near‍⁠ the special building⁠⁠⁠ at the academy,⁠‍ something similar happened.

‘Was⁠‍‌ there an egg there too?’

Lycan‌ frowned.

— Not exactly an⁠ egg, but there‌⁠‍ were traces of demonic energy, just⁠ like that wannabe‌ hero said. And‌‌‌ also a strange‍‍⁠ egg. Something’s definitely‌‌ coming.

‘Hmm…’‌⁠

‘You‌ should go back‌⁠‍ to the human⁠‍ world. This is‌ a rare break,‍‌ right? If you⁠ keep working in⁠⁠ these conditions, you’ll‌ destroy yourself.’

What‍‍ is this, an⁠ emotional surprise now?‍

‘You’re‌ the only one‌‌ who cares about⁠ my health.’

— That body’s mine, you idiot!
Insensitive demon.

— I’ll stay in Gehenna for a while to investigate‌‍‌ the egg, just⁠⁠⁠ in case. Those⁠⁠ inscriptions I saw‌‍ before are still⁠⁠ bothering me.

“Excuse‍⁠ me, Heavenly Sword.”‌⁠

At‍ that moment, Metatron‍ approached and asked,‌⁠

“If⁠‌‍ it’s alright with⁠ you, I’d like‌ to conduct this‍ investigation with just⁠ me and this⁠ squirrel. Do we‍ have your permission?”⁠

— Change of plans.‌ I’m going back⁠ to the human‍ world too.

I ignored him.

“The⁠ representative of the‌ Angels will come⁠‌ personally?”

— Hey!

If‍⁠ humanity launched a large-scale investigation over⁠ a simple omen‍⁠ like this, it⁠ would cause too‍ many problems.

It‍ wouldn’t just raise⁠⁠ public anxiety—it would⁠ also stir resentment⁠‌ among the demons.‍

‘It’d‍ be a bad⁠‌ move all around.’⁠‌‍

Besides,⁠ staying in the‌⁠ Demon Realm for‍ too long wasn’t⁠‌‌ easy.

And⁠ I had enough⁠⁠‌ issues waiting for‌ me back in the human world.

The nobles were probably‍‌ dying to see‍‌ me disappear.

So‌‌ I said,

“Well,‌⁠ that puts my‍⁠ mind at ease.”⁠‌‌

“It’s⁠‌ not quite a replacement, but…”

Metatron,⁠ with a hand‍⁠‍ the size of‍⁠‍ a pot lid,‍‍ grabbed Leon in‍‌ one swift motion.‍‍

“Could‍‌ you show this‌‌ young man around⁠⁠ the academy?”

“Me…?‌ Just like that?”

“You there, boy! You‌ haven’t even smelled⁠‌ the human world‌ in over three⁠‍‌ years.”

“I’m‌‌ really not that‌ interested…”

Just‍‍ as Metatron said,⁠‍ Leon von Reinhardt⁠‍ avoided stepping foot⁠ in the human‍⁠ world.

Guilt‌ chained him to‍‌‍ the Demon Realm‍ like shackles around‌‍‌ his ankles.

“Alright.”⁠‌

Leon⁠ stared into my⁠‌‌ eyes.

“H-Heavenly‍ Sword, you too?‍ I’m not just⁠‌‍ anyone, I don’t⁠⁠ have the right‌ to enter Joaquin‍ Academy.”

“That’s not up to‌‍ you. That’s the⁠ director’s call.

And‍ as long as‍⁠ there’s a valid‌‍ reason, she’ll let‍ you in.”

“I…⁠ have one?”

“Of⁠ course you do.”‌⁠

As‍ I smiled, the‍ aspiring hero stepped‌‌ back.

Even though I’d made‌‌ sure to smile‌ warmly.

— Classic rookie. More‌‌‍ scared of the‌ Demon King than‍⁠ Lycan.

Lycan⁠ commented with a sarcastic snort.

***‌‍

The⁠ next morning, the Heavenly Sword’s listeners gathered in confusion‌‍‌ at the training⁠ coliseum.

But‍⁠‍ this time, it⁠ wasn’t on the‍ usual battlefield—it was‌⁠‍ in the coliseum‌‍‌ stands.

It‌ was the Heavenly Sword’s final class.‍

With‍ mixed feelings of‍‌ nostalgia and excitement,‍ the students sat⁠‍ curiously in their‍‌ seats.

The⁠‌ coliseum, designed like‍ an ancient gladiator‌⁠‌ arena, was normally⁠ where students were‌⁠⁠ tossed around on‌ the ground. But‌‌ from this height,⁠ it looked like‌ a true combat‌‌‌ arena.

“This… this can’t be…!”‍

A student turned sharply‌‍ to the classmate‌⁠‍ beside him, shocked.⁠

His⁠⁠‌ eyes sparkled like‌ stars, widening and shrinking.

“Is‍ he going to‌⁠‌ show us a dimensional space battle…?”‌

“God…‍⁠‌ how naïve can⁠ you be.”

The girl, arms crossed,‍ let out a sarcastic laugh.

“For⁠ there to be⁠‍ a battle, both⁠ sides need to‌ be at the‌⁠ same level. But⁠⁠⁠ right now, is‌‍ there anyone who can even hold⁠‌⁠ a sword in⁠‌⁠ front of the Heavenly Sword? Or⁠⁠⁠ even breathe around him?”

“Maybe…‍⁠ five people.”

“And‍‍ they’re all in‌⁠⁠ Gehenna.”

“But what if…?”

The⁠ girl didn’t even‍‌ answer. She just‌‍ turned her gaze‍ away.

Even⁠ though her heart‌ pounded with excitement‍⁠ at seeing the⁠ Heavenly Sword, the‍ uncertainty about the⁠ class content was‍‌‍ inescapable.

What⁠‌‍ could it be?‌‌ What was he going to do?⁠⁠‌

The‌‍‍ atmosphere was tense‍⁠⁠ like a string‌ about to snap.‌‌‍

Then,⁠‌‍ with a heavy‍ sound, a stone⁠ gate rose from⁠‌ the coliseum wall.‌‌

Two⁠‌ figures began walking‍‌ toward the center‌ of the arena.‍‌

Dozens⁠ of eyes widened like lit lanterns.‌

“Huh,‌⁠ eh? Huhh! Ehhh!”‍

Cries⁠‌⁠ of astonishment, each‍ with their own‌ flavor, began to‌ fill the coliseum.⁠