Chapter 322: One of the Two Will Die (3)

The graduating class of Joaquin had been pretty restless lately.

As usual, they were busy badmouthing the director, but today a new topic joined the fray.

“Did you hear about this? They say Parsy Academy proposed an exchange to Joaquin.”

“They call it an ‘exchange’, but it’s just a way to look down on Joaquin.”

“Honestly, I think it’s fine. Parsy Academy fits the idea of a proper academy way better. Come on, right now Joaquin is nothing more than a breeding ground for bastards desperate to climb the social ladder. It’s so pathetic it gives me secondhand embarrassment…”

The current graduating class was the third generation after Joaquin Academy’s reconstruction. At that time, the nobles still held power.

But everything started to shift with the fourth generation, now second-years.

And by the time the fifth generation was admitted, even bastards and nobles were sharing the same table.

It was a humiliation the students themselves struggled to accept, and things weren’t much better at home either.

So all that frustration was directed toward the director and the younger students.

The truth was, the graduates knew very well who was truly behind all this.

But even mentioning that person was like gambling with their lives.

Because, of course, it was Heavenly Sword.

“…”

The moment that dark hair appeared in their thoughts, everyone who had been complaining fell silent. The hair on their necks stood up. To the graduating students, Heavenly Sword was a nightmare.

‘People praise him as humanity’s hero…’

But those who’d crossed paths with him in the halls knew the truth.

Heavenly Sword, in a word, was a lunatic. Something between a god and a man, with a fragile grasp on humanity.

In the fan club, they called him “refreshing like soda.”

Wrong. He wasn’t soda. He was hydrochloric acid.

“His behavior can’t even be called uninhibited anymore.”

“Totally.”

Just one look from him was enough to make nobles faint or end up hospitalized from the sheer weight of his killing intent.

Fortunately, he kept a certain line with students—albeit a thin one.

But the moment he decided someone wasn’t worth it, he became a demon. Some even said Heavenly Sword was actually a Demon King who hadn’t yet been dealt with.

“…I’m thinking of transferring to Parsy Academy.”

“Are you nuts? You’ve only got a year left to graduate and now you want to transfer?”

“I honestly can’t sleep because I’m so afraid of rubbing that guy (is he even human?) the wrong way. I’m only nineteen and feel like I’m developing arrhythmia. I’d rather transfer. Besides, Parsy has a university program.”

“Silence.”

All eyes turned to the sharp voice.

Princess Victoria was glaring at them. Was it her status? Just her gaze crushed the entire graduating class.

“Well, Your Highness…”

“Do you know why we lost the right to speak up? Because we act like you all. Always muttering behind backs. Instead of speaking out, you just complain in the shadows.”

“…”

“You call yourselves eagles, but behave like rats. And even if that’s all you say, don’t dare mention Heavenly Sword’s title lightly. It’s for your own good.”

She clicked her tongue. Then turned her gaze back to the window.

In the sky, thunderclouds clashed with deafening roars.

Her eyes, watching the storm, shimmered with emotion, and the boys watching her from below felt like knights.

They all shared the same thought.

“This is all… HIS fault!”

“No way. I’m going to tell him off right now!”

At that moment—

Slide—

The sliding door opened and all eyes turned toward it.

Shoes appeared in the doorway. Then came the sound of footsteps.

It seized the entire graduating class.

The air pressure changed, becoming razor-sharp. All around, people held their breath.

The presence crushing the atmosphere made even Princess Victoria slowly turn toward the door. Her peach-colored irises widened, and she stood up automatically.

With a trembling voice, she spoke.

“Y-You’re…!”

Heavenly Sword appeared.

Victoria’s face was filled with complex emotions. Curiously, the joy seemed to outweigh the fear.

However, Heavenly Sword walked to the front with an indifferent expression. Then, suddenly, he pointed at several students.

“Those I just named, follow me.”

Among them—was her.

***

Leon and Abel were going to have a tough time selecting their representatives.

Though not as much as in our time, it was said that the current first and second-year students were quite talented.

Not only the children of nobles—some special-admission students also showed great promise.

On the other hand, I didn’t have to think too hard when it came to selecting someone from the graduating class.

Princess Victoria was, without a doubt, number one.

‘Ryozo told me she wasn’t the type to rely solely on her noble lineage.’

Even though I always tease her, I have to admit Ryozo has a good eye for people.

— Princess Victoria’s talent is too great to waste in times of peace. Had she enrolled during the Second Great Human-Demon War, she would’ve gone down in history as a pillar of the Victoria Kingdom. If not for her succession position, she could’ve been the youngest warrior-heroine in history.

Blessings are hereditary.

With enough effort, one can reach a similar level, but there’s a limit. Sorry to the special-admission students, but that’s reality.

Though recently, more common people seemed to be manifesting blessings.

Lycan said it was a consequence of exterminating the false gods.

Still, the gap between blessings remains vast. And if we’re talking royal bloodlines.

Victoria was a direct descendant of the British Empire.

Her blessing must be among the most powerful in all humanity.

Her potential was massive.

‘Though her problem is that she’s not fully human yet.’

But I plan to make her human. That’s why I brought her here as a cadet, along with the others.

‘Well, at least they’ve got sharp eyes.’

In the end, they’re still graduates.

At first, when they entered the new training center, they couldn’t even swallow properly.

But now they were looking straight at me. They were alert.

And with good reason.

‘Just from the selection alone, they must realize what’s going on.’

I’d gathered only those who had formed factions and continually harassed Ryozo. Unless they were complete fools, they’d already figured it out.

I didn’t intend to scold or discipline them. If that had been my plan, I would’ve killed the director of Parsy Academy yesterday.

I wanted this exchange event to proceed by the book.

That way, the lesson would be much more effective.

As I always say, I am the God of the Sword. And when it comes to “destruction,” I have no equal.

If I put my mind to it, I could split the Earth like an apple. That’s who I am.

However—

‘What’s the point of all this?’

…

This world isn’t flat. It can’t be neatly divided into light and dark. I myself am not entirely virtuous, so I have no qualifications to judge others.

I’d decided to live respecting everyone in this world. Sometimes, of course, I go overboard—but I can’t help that.

As I said, I don’t have the qualifications.

‘Maybe I can stop carrying all this weight on my shoulders, just a little?’

There were five cadets in total. These five were the main culprits behind tormenting Ryozo…

“All right, everyone, listen up.”

I said with a soft smile. Time to put those facial muscles to work.

“The instructors told me. That you’re the best among the graduating class.”

“……”

They all stayed silent.

Though their pupils were fixed in the same direction.

Princess Victoria stood at the center of the group.

“It’s not official yet, but you probably already know—we’re doing an exchange with Parsy Academy. A lot of you here want to go, don’t you?”

“…!”

It was a joke—why did they get so nervous? Did it hit a sore spot?

“Th-That’s impossible, sir Heavenly Sword.”

One cadet stepped forward.

I’d already noticed how he looked at the princess, so I guess young love does give you some guts.

“We’re proud students of Joaquin. How could we want to go to Parsy? I-I’ve always lived proudly as a Joaquin cadet.”

“Ah~ I see. Then why do you still use words like ‘bastard’ and such? A student from such a proud academy shouldn’t be saying that nonsense.”

“This isn’t a joke. Speak freely.”

“…I’m very sorry…”

I answered seriously.

“What I hate most is when someone does something they later regret. Don’t do it again. I’ll be watching.”

“…Yes.”

The cadet stepped back two paces, completely pale.

Maybe out of awkwardness, the rest fell silent too.

One even bit his lower lip so hard it had turned white.

It was like a hailstorm had just hit. I didn’t mean to scare them that much, but my emotions ruined the mood again.

“I didn’t call you here to scold you. The reason I gathered you, even though you’re busy, is simply to select the representative for Joaquin’s third-years.”

I said as I pushed my bangs back with one hand.

The cadets started murmuring. I gave them ample time to exchange glances, then continued.

“I could pick someone myself, but that wouldn’t be fair. So I decided to give you, the top performers in practicals, a chance. From what I see, you’ve already got someone in mind…”

I glanced briefly at Princess Victoria. She didn’t look away from me for even a second. She deliberately ignored the gaze brushing against her skin.

“But in real situations, things can change. So I’ve designed a test divided into three categories. It won’t take long. We’ll finish before lunch.”

“…”

“You won’t be disqualified over a single test. The subspace will calculate the total score automatically. My opinion will barely be involved, so it’s fair.”

I also mentioned there’d be substantial rewards for those who performed well in the exchange. Though their personalities might leave something to be desired, the cadets here were undeniably top-tier.

If they were going to make the academy shine, they deserved appropriate rewards.

‘Though part of me still wants to punish them…’

The most important thing was to win the exchange. If I demotivated them now, everything would be for nothing. I sincerely wished at least one of them would win.

When I mentioned the word “reward,” the cadets—until now stiff and nervous—regained some vigor.

“What will the test be?”

Finally, the star spoke. Princess Victoria raised her chin and asked, but I didn’t answer directly.

Crack, Whoosh!

At that moment, the lights of the training center flickered off, then back on. Even though the place was new and the bulbs were fine, they began to blink erratically.

Darkness.

Light.

Then darkness again.

The flickering made the cadets uneasy. Normally, this wouldn’t faze them—but my presence amplified their fear.

Flash!

Finally, the outage ended. Immediately, sunlight filled the training center. Just as my lips were about to curve up—

“Huh, huh, huh?”

The five pairs of eyes widened in disbelief. Understandable.

Behind me, where just a moment ago there’d been no one, now stood five figures. A very logical surprise.

A group that could steal sleep from any noble—the Auditore di Sicilia were with me.

“If you can hold out against them, you’ll pass the first test.”

I sat in a chair brought over by one of the Auditore. Crossed my legs and placed my interlocked hands on my knee.

“The time limit is one minute.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the masked ones darted out like gusts of wind.

“D-Damn it!”

“Draw your weapons! Now!”

“L-Like they taught us! F-Form up!”

The cadets, gasping, unsheathed their weapons and prepared for battle.

The metallic clang of steel echoed again and again.

“Even for final-years, they’re doing pretty well.”

Knox muttered beside me, standing ready to join the fray.

“Should we go easy on them?”

“No. We’re choosing Joaquin Academy’s representative. We need to be careful. If we pick at random, we might lose.”

“Wow, how thoughtful.”

Knox gave a slight smile, and with a flourish of air, joined the masked warriors, showing off his sword technique.

It didn’t take long before the sharp sound of metal was replaced by cries for help.

“P-Please, have mercy!”

“Ahhh! A-Aarrgh…”

It was the signal—the rebirth of the faculty’s authority.