The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 327: The Orphaned Flower of the World (1)

Chapter 327: The Orphaned Flower of the World (1)

It‍‌ was time to⁠‍ set things straight.‍

First⁠‍ of all, the‍⁠‍ person responsible for⁠⁠ bringing the black‑haired‌ girl to Joaquin⁠ Academy was Speedweapon.‍

Even⁠⁠‍ knowing it could‍ cause an uproar‌‍ in my family,⁠ he did it‌ anyway.

‘What⁠ the hell was‌‍‌ going through his‍ mind?’

After‍ so many years⁠ in the Association,⁠‍ Speedweapon had become‌ the typical yes‑man.‍

What‌⁠ motivated him to‍⁠ take such a proactive step this‍‍ time?

And⁠‌ after creating all⁠ this chaos, he⁠ fled the director’s‍ office, claiming he‍ had to take‍‍ a call.

‘That‍ coward.’

He‍⁠ really ran away⁠‌⁠ after almost destroying‌ a family.

“…”‍

Ah,⁠ damn it.

Even⁠ in my own⁠ thoughts, I felt‌ too guilty to⁠ continue talking.

I should’ve pretended to⁠ be asleep when Media asked if⁠⁠ I had time‌‍ to talk.

…But‍‍‍ in hindsight, yesterday’s me let her‌‌⁠ in far too⁠ easily—almost handing her⁠ a free pass.‍

Did I hit my‌ head permanently with⁠‍ those sashimi?

“Haa…”⁠‍

Let’s set aside the⁠‌ fact that I’m⁠‍‍ a loser, for now.

I’m⁠‌ sorry.

I’m⁠⁠ really sorry…

‘After⁠‍ all, human emotions‌‍ are always changing.’‌

The‌ root of our⁠ actions and feelings is unpredictable.

That’s why they say‍⁠ you know yourself⁠⁠‌ the least.

That‍ conservative Speedweapon would‍⁠‌ present Chaerina in‍⁠ front of my‌ two wives…

And‌‌ I didn’t stop⁠⁠‌ Media.

There’s‌⁠ not much to‍ rationalize here.

Trying⁠‌ to measure the‍ human heart is‌ one of the most foolish things‌‌ you can do.‍

Just‍ like it’s almost⁠‌ impossible to calculate the universe, understanding the microcosm of⁠‍⁠ each individual fully‍‌ is no different.‍

Most⁠ people pretend to‌ be rational, but‍‌ logic rarely takes⁠ full control.

‘I‍‍‌ myself am proof‌ of that.’

Anyway.

I realized that even⁠‌ to Speedweapon, this situation was unexpected.‌‌

But‍‍ then came another‌ unexpected twist.

‘No matter how unpredictable the horoscope…’

I never imagined Leon‍‍⁠ would actively push‌⁠‍ for Chaerina’s transfer.‌

Speedweapon,‍ Leon, and I we’re three unique⁠‌ anomalies. I started‌⁠ thinking maybe all⁠ the men gathered⁠ there had eaten‍‌ something bad.

But‍ the surprises didn’t‌⁠ end there. And‌‍ of course, it⁠⁠⁠ concerned Chaerina.

“Oppa.”‍‍

“…”⁠⁠‍

“I‌‌ didn’t expect you’d‌ be here. It’s‌⁠ been a long⁠ time since Uncle‍ and Aunt passed.‍⁠‌ I didn’t recognize⁠⁠ you at first⁠⁠‌ since you changed‍⁠ your name.”

A distant cousin in‌ disguise?

I was speechless, utterly‌⁠ bewildered.

“Let’s⁠ never be apart⁠⁠⁠ again.”

Because…‌⁠ simply… I…

Even‌ though it was‍⁠ my first time‌ seeing Chaerina, I had many questions.‍

After⁠‌ all, here was⁠‌⁠ another girl with⁠ black hair and‍ eyes appearing out⁠ of nowhere.

How‌ could I not⁠ be curious? As we all know,‌‌‍ those features belong‌ only to outsiders⁠‍ from another world⁠ like me.

The‌ clearest examples are‍ Yu Sein and‌ me.

I’m⁠ a Possessed, and‍ she’s a Reincarnator.‌‌

Though‍ we’re not together‍‍ now, the boss—who⁠‌ shared our traits—was‌‌ an Infinite Returner.⁠

In⁠ short, we’re all⁠‌⁠ sources of trouble.‍

This‌‌‍ world, which might’ve‌‍ continued in peace‍ without us, ended‍ up shaken like⁠‍⁠ a seismic zone‌‍ thanks to these‍‍‌ three people.

So‌ I went into⁠⁠ full alert.

A girl with such⁠ unmistakable otherworldly traits⁠ appearing from thin‍ air was highly‌ suspicious.

Just‌‍ like Yu Sein⁠ and I were.⁠‌

And‌ if Chaerina was one of those‍ singularities, there would‌ be a lot⁠‌ to discuss with her.

But⁠‌‍ our conversation would⁠⁠ have to wait.⁠⁠‌

The White Horse Prince‍⁠ got ahead of‍ me.

“Sorry‌‌ to intrude on‍‌‍ this family reunion⁠ after all this time. But the‍ mock selection for‌⁠ first-years starts soon,‌ and Rina will⁠ also be participating.”‌

“…”‌

Before‌‍ replying, I observed‍‌ everyone’s faces one‌⁠ by one.

Everyone⁠ was against me.⁠‍ The only suspicious‍ one was me.‌ Even the picky‍‍ ones like Ryozo,‍‍ and the other‍‌ alumni, were giving Chaerina favorable looks.

Ryozo‍‌ and Abel seemed⁠⁠ completely disarmed by‍ the fact that⁠ Chaerina was supposedly‍‍ my cousin—and both‍ Speedweapon and Leon‌‌ supported her without‍‍ reservation.

With‍ a slightly furrowed⁠‌⁠ brow, I felt‍‍ like the final‌ boss of some⁠ video game. In the end, I relaxed the muscles‌ in my forehead.‌‌

“If it’s a selection‍⁠ test, then she⁠ should participate. Don’t‌⁠ you see the⁠ inter‑academy competition is‍ around the corner?⁠⁠ I heard the⁠ first‑years are still⁠ struggling with the⁠ selections.”

I shrugged as I spoke.

Anyone‌‌ who knew me‌‍ well might be‍ surprised I didn’t‌ lash out with‍⁠‌ sashimi.

But‌‌ I’ve been a Possessed for over‌ ten years, after‌‌ all.

“I‍ don’t know how‌ my cousin got⁠⁠⁠ into Joaquin Academy,‍‌⁠ but if she‌ can help in⁠ any way, I’d⁠ be glad.”

That‍ was the safe,‌ easy route.

Violence‍ doesn’t solve everything.⁠‍‍ Sometimes you just‍ have to stay⁠‌ still and observe.⁠‌‍

With‍‌ so many eyes on me, it‍⁠⁠ was best to‍⁠‍ show calm.

‘If I start acting‍ cold now, it’ll⁠ only raise more⁠ suspicion.’

Although‍ the tension eased‍‌ a bit with Chaerina’s arrival, I still needed a decent explanation for Ryozo and Abel.‌

Chaerina‌ had given me‍⁠‌ the excuse; now‌‌ I just had to use it.

“You‍ said Speedweapon found‍ her while trekking⁠‌ through the Demon‌ Realm?”

“…Yes.”‍

I watched Chaerina’s reaction‍ with interest.

Her‌ black eyes were‍ as unreadable as‌ always. Impossible to⁠‍ gauge what was⁠ inside.

“Which⁠‌ is why I told you many‌ times that moving‌ to Korea would‍ be safer. For‌ security, there’s no‌ place better than⁠‌ here.”

Chaerina⁠ remained silent.

Maybe‌‍ she didn’t know how to respond⁠ to such affection‌ from me.

Step.‍‌

I approached Chaerina with‍ steady steps.

Up‍‍ close, she was‌‌ breathtaking.

Her‌‌ night‑black hair and pale skin evoked‍ nostalgia for my‍⁠ homeland but also‌‍⁠ reminded me of Earth’s most popular‍ idols.

Her black eyes didn’t⁠ just attract—they felt‍ like they could⁠‍‌ absorb anyone who‍ gazed into them.‌

‘How‌‌ long can those eyelashes be…?’

Her‍ slender arms and‍ legs, delicate silhouette, awakened a protective‌⁠ instinct.

Her⁠‌ perfectly balanced face⁠ suggested a firm,‍ organized mind.

She⁠ was made up‍⁠ entirely of elements⁠ any man would admire.

She’d‌ probably make more‌ than one male‌ student cry. But‌‍‍ since she’s supposedly‌‌ my cousin, no⁠‌ one would dare approach her—they’d just‌‌⁠ orbit around her.‌‌

“It’s‍ strange coming from‍ your wife, but‍ Kang Geom‑Ma, it looks like you⁠‍‌ inherited your mom’s‌ genes. If it‌‌ was from your dad’s side, you’d⁠ be a walking statue.”

Ryozo’s‍‍ comment felt like‍⁠ a dagger to‌ the chest.

“Just kidding. To me,⁠ you’re still the⁠⁠ most handsome.”

“That’s‌ right.”

Abel‍ backed him up.⁠

“…Thanks,‌‍ guys.”

Honestly,⁠ standing next to‌‌ Leon, it wasn’t‌ terribly convincing.

But‍ still, praise from‍‌ two of the most recognized female beauties among the‍ heroes lifted my⁠ spirits considerably.

In‍‌ that warm atmosphere,⁠⁠ Chaerina looked at‌ me intensely. With⁠‌ her gaze, it‍ was as if⁠ she wanted to‍ drill through my⁠‌ face.

‘Trying⁠‍ to read my‍⁠ reaction?’

Good.⁠⁠‌

All‍‌ the better.

Chaerina,‌⁠ even if we’re‍ meeting for the‍‌ first time—I’ll play‍‌ your little show‌ gladly.

Slide.‌

I placed my hand‌ on her head⁠‍ and petted it‍ with a smile.⁠

“You’ll be busy a few days with‌ the tournament selections,‍⁠ so I’ll contact⁠⁠⁠ you. In the meantime, listen to‌⁠ Leon.”

Humans⁠ are just skin‍ holding a little‍ divinity inside, right?‍‍

I released a small⁠ amount of sensory⁠⁠ energy to detect⁠ her movements.

A slight tremble.

So faint that anyone⁠ would’ve missed it‍⁠ if they weren’t paying attention.

Her‍‌ front teeth lightly⁠ pressed against her‍ lower lip.

It‌‍ seemed she hadn’t⁠‌ expected me to‌‍ accept her presence‌‌ so easily.

I didn’t know her‌ true intentions, nor‍⁠ how she had‍‍ won over my⁠⁠ comrades so quickly.‌

But‍ Chaerina would eventually⁠‌ realize.

“I’m‍ proud you made‍‍‌ it into the academy too.”

That⁠‌ small step I took back—

“Rina.”‌

Was‌ more terrifying than‍ a hundred steps forward.

***⁠⁠

During reconstruction, a deliberate‍‌ space was left‍ around the main‍‌ building of the‍ academy.

In‍ the paved garden,⁠ commemorative gravestones were⁠‌‍ installed to honor⁠ those who fell‍‌ during the Second‌‍ Great War against⁠⁠ the demons.

If⁠ the gravestones had‌ been erected vertically,⁠⁠ students would have⁠ had to lift‌‌⁠ their heads to⁠ look at them,‌ implying a forced‍ sense of respect⁠⁠ and reflection.

That was exactly what⁠ Joaquin Academy, in‍ pursuit of innovation,⁠ wanted to avoid.⁠ So they placed‌⁠⁠ the gravestones underfoot.‌‌‌

This‌ way, paying tribute‌‍⁠ to the heroes‍ wasn’t a burden.‌‍‍ One could even‌‌‍ offer a slight⁠‍ bow to these great heroes. It‍⁠ was a meaningful‍‍ arrangement in many‍‌ ways.

“That‍ was the current‌ director’s idea.”

That’s‍‌ what Leon told Chaerina, who silently‌‌⁠ gazed at one‍‍‌ of the slabs.‌

After⁠ parting from Kang‍ Geom-Ma, the two⁠‌ of them were⁠ heading calmly to⁠ training ground number‍‍ 11.

“Even⁠ as a student,‌‍ she stood out for her intelligence.‌‌‌ She was always⁠‌‍ hiding away, napping‌ or chewing yokan‌ sweets, but she⁠⁠ never lost first‍‌ place in written⁠‍ exams.”

Leon⁠‌‍ glanced around their‌ surroundings.

“Not‍‌ just Ryozo. Abel‍ responsibly helped reform⁠⁠ aristocratic society, and Rachel is reforming⁠‌‍ the United States‌‌ from within—a country‍‍⁠ almost consumed by‍⁠‍ materialism. I don’t⁠ know much about⁠‌ Speedweapon, but I’m‍ sure he’s doing‌ his best in‌⁠‌ his role.”

His⁠ words left a bitter aftertaste.

All⁠‍ his former classmates⁠ were making the‍ most of their‍‌ abilities to contribute‌ to humanity.

But‍ he had spent‌⁠ ten years wandering‍‌ Gehenna, the land‌‍ of demons.

He‌ didn’t think that‌ time had been‍‍ wasted.

Exploring⁠ the demon world‍ had been a task he took⁠ upon himself.

He‍ had embraced the‌ role of observer,⁠‌ ready to spend‍ the rest of‍⁠‌ his life there‌ as a form‌⁠ of atonement.

But⁠ upon returning to‍ the physical world, he felt like‌ he was the⁠⁠‍ only one who‍⁠ hadn’t moved forward.

No‌ matter how much‍⁠⁠ he told himself‌‍‌ otherwise, he couldn’t help but feel⁠ restless.

The‌‍ weight of the⁠⁠‌ expectations once placed‍ on him still‍‍ haunted him.

‘And⁠ the one who‍‍ sealed that fate⁠ was…l’

Leon⁠‌ subtly turned his‌ gaze to the‍ profile of the girl beside him.‍‌⁠

From‌ the first impression, Chaerina—supposed cousin of⁠‍⁠ Kang Geom-Ma—was no‌‌ ordinary girl.

And that feeling had⁠ been confirmed after⁠‌ the private conversation‍⁠ they had the⁠ day before.

The‌‌ reason was the⁠‌ sword demonstration Chaerina‌‍ had performed with‌ a training sword.

‘The‌⁠ impact was like‌‌‍ that clash between⁠‌ Kang Geom-Ma and‌‌⁠ Knox in the‌ subspace.’

She⁠ was a genius.‌

Saying⁠‍‍ more would only‌ diminish the obvious.‌‍ Blood, after all,‍⁠⁠ runs thicker than‍⁠ water.

‘I⁠ want to train⁠ her with my‌ own hands—at least‍‌ once.’

The‍⁠‍ desire he had‍⁠ been suppressing finally‌ surfaced.

He⁠ wanted to shape‍ a heroine who⁠⁠ would open a new era—and with‌‍ her, contribute to⁠ humanity’s future.

Whoosh.‍‌

A soft spring breeze⁠ stirred both their⁠⁠ hair. Chaerina’s eyes⁠ followed the wind’s path.

There,‌‍⁠ the main building‍ of Joaquin Academy‍⁠‍ stood quietly.

“The‌ director and the Lady of the‌ Sword… they’re my‌‍ cousin’s wives, right?”‌

“Yeah.‌⁠⁠ At the wedding,⁠ I heard both‌ had loved him‍‍‌ since they were students.”

“I‍⁠ see…”

Her⁠ black eyes locked‌ onto a point⁠‌‌ on the main‌‌ building—the window of⁠ the director’s office‍‍⁠ where they’d just‌ been.

Because‌⁠‌ of the sunlight‍ scattering in iridescent‌⁠ layers, the inside‍‌ couldn’t be seen.‍

“It’s⁠ not like I ever ▇▇.”

“……?”‍‌⁠

“But‌ now… I ▇▇‌‍ want to.”

Leaving⁠ behind a confused⁠‍ Leon, who tilted‍ his head, Chaerina⁠‌⁠ began to walk.‌

Her⁠ face remained completely blank, even cold,‍‍‌ but her footsteps⁠‌‍ rang out firmly,⁠ making her hair‍‌ sway.

***‍

“You’re going to let⁠‌ her live—and walk‌ away?”

Yu‍ Sein was chewing⁠‍‍ on a piece⁠⁠ of dried squid‍⁠ leg as he‌ spoke, lying sideways‌ on the living⁠‍ room sofa in‌‍‍ a lazy posture.‌

To‌ think I’d come⁠⁠⁠ to consult with‍⁠ him as a fellow from another‌ world, only to⁠ have him practically‌⁠ suggest I kill‌ her.

Sure, the “fallen saint”‌⁠‍ trope is a cliché in media culture, but this was taking it‍‍ too far.

“Ryozo‍‍ and Abel were‌⁠ there. If it‍ hadn’t been for‍ them, maybe I would’ve intimidated her⁠ a bit—but too⁠‌ many eyes were watching.”

“Wow!‌‌‍ Since when do‍ you care what‍ other people think?⁠‌ Besides, those of‍⁠‍ us living off‍‍‌ another world don’t⁠ have the luxury⁠ of looking back.”‍‌

“I‌ think I finally‌ understand why Welter⁠‍ lost his hair.‍⁠ Anyone would go‌‍ bald serving a saint like you‌ for life.”

“Don’t‍ care.”

The⁠ more we talked,⁠⁠⁠ the more it⁠‍‍ sounded like I was just making‍ excuses for not‌⁠ disposing of Chaerina.⁠⁠⁠

The⁠ roles of destroyer⁠ and healer were⁠ completely reversed.

The‌ urge to grab a sashimi knife⁠ surged like popcorn.‍ It took a lot to keep⁠⁠ it in check.‌‌⁠

These‌‍‌ days, my prior‌ knowledge as a possessed person was almost useless, so‍ sometimes I had⁠ to rely on⁠ what Yu Sein‍⁠ knew.

Like today.

Finally, Yu Sein was‌ going to show his worth.

“Alright,‌‌ enough nonsense.”

He‌ licked the seasoning‍⁠ off his fingers‌ and finally got⁠ up.

“If‌⁠ she’s got black‍ hair and black‌⁠ eyes, there’s a high chance she’s‍ from another world.”‌‌

He⁠ sat cross-legged on‌‌‍ the sofa, arms‌‍ folded solemnly. Only⁠ then did he‌‌ start focusing on‍‍ what mattered.

“…Up until recently, that‌ would’ve been true.⁠ But lately, there’s‌‌ another hypothesis.”

“Why‍‍ now…? Oh.”

Yu‌ Sein nodded.

“The⁠ Suppression has started‌⁠ to intervene directly.⁠ As a preliminary‍ sign, more girls like Chaerina might‍⁠‌ start showing up.‌‍ And you can’t just go around‍ grabbing them and‌⁠⁠ asking, ‘What’s your‍ true identity?’ right?”‍‌

“True.”⁠‍

No⁠‍ matter how much‍ the world revered⁠ me as the⁠ Heavenly Sword, doing⁠ that would make‌ me a lunatic. The more renowned⁠ I became, the⁠‌ more I had⁠‌ to lose. If⁠‍ I fell, Ryozo and Abel’s reputations⁠ would tank too.⁠‍

“The old ‘Death Sashimi’‌ can’t show up⁠ anymore. If you⁠ pull something like‌‌⁠ that, it hurts‌ my image too.⁠⁠ After all, we’re⁠ supposed to be‌‍ cousins.”

“…Since⁠⁠ when did being my cousin become so trendy? Chaerina,‍‌ you, everyone affected⁠‍ by the Suppression‍ all seem obsessed‌ with being part‍‍‍ of my family.”‍

“It’s‌ the classic fallen-heroine‌ archetype. I went‍‍ for that, too.‌ Black hair and⁠ eyes are a cheat code.”

I blinked.

That⁠‌ was an unexpected‌ response.

Yu‌⁠‌ Sein using terms⁠⁠ like fallen-heroine archetype⁠‍‍ was surprising.

“You‍‍ sure know a lot about that⁠‍‌ stuff, huh?”

“And‌ you don’t? Ever‌ since you played‌ Miracle Blessing M, it’s clear you‍ weren’t normal.”

“That⁠ was just because‍⁠ of the auto-battle⁠‍ system…”

“Couldn’t‌⁠ you have picked a different auto-battle‍⁠ game? Damn it,⁠‌ you’re just like me.”

“…”⁠

“Don’t‌‍‌ be embarrassed, idiot.⁠ Otaku knowledge is⁠⁠ a key part‍‌ of the post-possession⁠ comeback. You and‍ I ended up‍‍ here because we‌ dug deeper into⁠⁠ ourselves than the‍ world. That’s what‌⁠ led to this‌‌⁠ Suppression or whatever.”‍‌⁠

“So…”

I paused before finishing‌⁠ my thought.

“Chaerina…⁠‌⁠ what exactly is‌ she in this‍ whole ‘post-possession comeback’‌ theory?”

“Why‌⁠ are you only‌ looking for answers⁠‍ there? You need to look beyond‍‌‍ that. The end⁠⁠ of the world⁠‍ is right around the corner. The‍ Suppression is already‌⁠‌ directly intervening.”

Yu‌ Sein stood from⁠ the couch and‍ grabbed a white⁠ coat from the‍‌ rack. Was he‌ leaving all of‌ a sudden?

“Figuring‌‍ that out is my job. Wait‍‌⁠ until the exchange‌⁠ event. I’ll find‍‌‌ out exactly what Chaerina is.”

Before‍⁠‍ stepping out, he‍⁠‌ gave me a thumbs-up.

“Where⁠ are you going…?”‍‌

“To‍ pray.”

“That suddenly?”

As⁠ he vanished through‍‍ the slowly closing‍ door, he replied,⁠⁠

“I’m⁠⁠ out of blessings. Gotta recharge my‍‍ divine power. For‌ now, just leave‍ Chaerina alone. Best⁠ not to pay‌ her any attention⁠ at all. The‍ more you try‍‌ to understand, the‌⁠ more you’ll get⁠ hurt.”

“What‌‌ am I supposed⁠ to do then?”‍⁠

“The⁠‌ exchange event’s in‍ two weeks. Just‌ prep for that.‌⁠ While you were‌‌ gone for a day, the whole‌ world went nuts.‌ Check the news⁠‌ or something.”

And‍ with that, the‍‍ door shut.

Then‍‍ came silence. I was left sprawled‌‌ alone in the‍⁠⁠ living room.

Glancing⁠ out the large‍‌ panoramic window, I could clearly see‌‍ an apartment complex⁠‍ somewhere in Gangwon-do.⁠ Everything looked peaceful.

The trees—required by building⁠ regulations—soaked in the‍ sunlight as they headed into summer.⁠⁠⁠ Yu Sein walked‌‍ among them with‍ his usual carefree gait.

Watching‍⁠⁠ him, I couldn’t‍‌ help but let‌‌‍ out a dry⁠‍⁠ laugh.

“This‌‌⁠ is a disaster.”‍

It⁠‍ was summer.

Well,‍ not quite yet.⁠‍ But close enough. I sighed and‍ reached for the⁠⁠ remote.

“Huh?”⁠

The‍⁠ moment I turned‌ on the TV,‌ I understood why‍ Yu Sein had insisted so hard‍ that I check‌‍ the news.

[Breaking‌‍‍ News: Urgent report‍⁠ just in…]

Wearing‍⁠ my usual empty⁠‌ smile, the vulgar⁠ words just slipped out.

“…Shit.”‍

Me‌‍‍ on one side,‍⁠ and the world⁠‍‍ on the other—we⁠‌ were both headed⁠‍ straight to hell.