The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 330: Academy Exchange Diary (1)

Chapter 330: Academy Exchange Diary (1)

When‌⁠‍ the Sun Shone‍ on Joaquin, the‌‍ Moon Rose Over⁠‍‍ Parsy

When‌⁠ the sun illuminated Joaquin’s grounds, in‍‍⁠ Parsy it was⁠ replaced by the⁠‍‌ moon.

This‌ was due to‌ a time difference‌⁠ of just over‌ eight hours between⁠ the two academies.‌

Even⁠ that seemed to‌ symbolize the difference‌⁠‍ in temperature—or rather,⁠ the spirit—between the two institutions.

That’s‍ how different the directions pursued by‌ the two academies⁠ were, and that⁠‍ difference was clearly‌ felt in every⁠ aspect.

The‍‍‌ buildings, the uniforms,⁠ the spaces, the⁠ time—everything was unfamiliar‌ territory.

But⁠ precisely because of‌ that, everything seen‌ and felt would‌ be new. We‍ hadn’t brought the‌⁠⁠ students on such‍⁠ a valuable trip‌ merely for a competition or as punishment.

Regardless‍‌‌ of the official⁠ justification, the goal‌ of the event‍‌ was clear. Maybe⁠‌ Parsy saw it⁠‌ differently, but at⁠‍ least Joaquin Academy⁠‌ had one singular‌ purpose.

After‍ the press conference,‍‍ we were guided by Parsy staff‌ toward the main‍ auditorium. We descended‌⁠ underground and boarded a train.

No,‍ I didn’t misspeak.‌‍

There truly was a railway beneath Parsy.‍‌ No matter how large the grounds⁠⁠‍ were, who in‍‍ their right mind‍ would build a subway under their⁠ academy?

And it wasn’t a standard setup, either.⁠‍‌ All the seats⁠‍‍ looked like first-class‍ airplane seats. Each had a screen‍‍‌ and premium bottled‍ water.

‘…’‍

Best⁠‍‍ not to look⁠⁠ too closely.

“Wow…”⁠

Throughout‌ the ride, Ji‌⁠ Changhyeok, the second-year⁠‌ representative, couldn’t stop⁠‍ expressing his amazement.‌

Even‍ though teachers and⁠ students were in‍‍ separate cars, he‌ was perfectly audible.

His⁠ advisor, Abel, looked‌‌ at him with⁠‌ irritation. But he‍ didn’t seem to⁠ notice at all.⁠

As‌‌ he opened his mouth to say‌ something, I stepped‍ in.

“He’s⁠ just a kid.‌⁠‍ And besides, we’re‍⁠ the only ones in this car.”‍

“I‌ know, but… haaa…”⁠

Abel‍ let out a long sigh and‍ then shook her⁠‌ head.

“You’re⁠‍‌ right. Getting angry‍ over little things‍⁠ like this would⁠‌ be, in a way, starting off‍‍ with a loss.”‍

That‌ wasn’t my intention,‍‍ but I understood.‌‍

Surely‌‍ Parsy intended for‌ us to see‍ all this from‌‌ the subway.

Well,‌‌⁠ in any case,⁠ Abel had calmed‍⁠ down.

Abel,⁠‌ a beauty as‌ cold as ice,‌⁠‌ had a competitive spirit fiercer than anyone I’d met.‍⁠

She⁠ was, so to‍‌⁠ speak, the embodiment‍‌⁠ of the will‌ to win. You know, like how‌ some sports legends are famously obsessive‌‌‍ about competition.

Abel‍ was like that. She hated losing.‌‌ That’s why she‍ also believed that⁠ Ji Changhyeok, under‍‌ her guidance, must‌ not lose. Leon‌‍ and I shared‍‍ that mindset as‌⁠ well.

“What⁠ do you think‍‍ of the princess?”‌

“In⁠‌ terms of skill,‍ I have no‌‌ complaints. Unless I’m‍‌ completely blind, I don’t think anyone⁠ her age could‍ beat her.”

“Hmm…”‌‍‌

Abel⁠ seemed uneasy. It‌⁠ appeared she thought‌ Ji Changhyeok, whom‌ she had personally⁠⁠ selected, wasn’t on‌⁠‍ par with Chaerina‌‌‍ or Princess Victoria.

Although‌ Ji Changhyeok was‍⁠ excellent as a second-year representative, the⁠ first- and third-year‌ representatives were so‍‍ exceptional that they‍ overshadowed everything else.‍‌‍

Abel‌ didn’t doubt Joaquin’s‍ victory.

What concerned her was‍ the possibility of⁠⁠ her own student losing. Seeing that‍‌ I’d gently admonished her, she didn’t‌⁠ dare look at him directly.

Instead,⁠‍‌ she used the‍‍ tinted crystal as‌ a mirror to‍‌ keep an eye on him constantly.‌‍‌

‘In‍ the end, the‍‍ sayings of the‌‍ wise never fail.’‌

Blood‍⁠ is thicker than⁠‌ water.

Her⁠‌ grandfather, the Sword⁠‍ Master, was a man who stoked‌ his competitive spirit‌‍ even in a seventeen-year-old like me.‍ Her father, Orion‍‍ von Nibelung, had⁠‌ entered the Catacombs‍ hoping to surpass‍‍ his father’s achievements.‌

And‌ now, in the⁠‍ present.

His⁠ granddaughter and daughter had also become⁠‌‍ fierce warriors. Watching‌‍ Abel, I often‌‌ thought, “True heroes⁠⁠‌ must really be⁠⁠ born with different‍‍‍ genes from ordinary‌ people.”

And‍ I don’t mean just the blessing.‍⁠⁠ That’s already known,‍ so I won’t‍⁠⁠ dwell on it.‍‌

[We‌‍ have arrived at⁠ our destination.]

Just‍⁠ then, the announcement‍ sounded.

We‌ stood one by one and disembarked‌⁠⁠ from the train.

As‍ soon as the‌ ceremonial opening speech‌ by the principal⁠‌‍ ended, the first‍ event began.

It‌‌⁠ was better that way—no long wait,⁠‌ no cooling of‌ the mood.

Both for the whole⁠⁠‌ world, and for‍‍ the students—and for‍ us, the instructors.‌‌

This‌‍ moment of tense⁠ calm was the‌‌ perfect instant.

***⁠

Upon‍ Entering Parsy Academy’s⁠⁠ Training Grounds

Upon‍‍‌ entering Parsy Academy’s‍ training grounds, I slightly parted my lips.

‘Even⁠⁠ I have to⁠ admit—this is impressive.’‌⁠

The⁠‌ training grounds resembled‍ a Greek temple,⁠ albeit on a scale at least ten times larger.‍

The‍‍ roof was completely⁠⁠‌ open, revealing Switzerland’s⁠‍⁠ clear night sky.⁠ Several floating islands‍‍ drifted peacefully through⁠ the Milky Way.‍‌

These‌‍ floating islands were‌ the product of⁠‍‍ combined blessings and⁠⁠ wealth—cutting-edge technology. And‍⁠ there weren’t just‌ one or two;‌‍ at least seven⁠‍ were visible at‌ a glance.

Thanks‍‌ to Speedweapon, I already knew the‌ theme of the⁠‍‌ first event. But‌ I never imagined‍ they would use‍‌ floating islands as‍ the battlefield. Not‌‍⁠ even Speedweapon must have known.

“How⁠ much money are‍‍‌ they throwing into⁠ this one student‌⁠⁠ event?” Ryozo muttered⁠ with a dry‍‌ laugh, shaking his‌‌⁠ head.

“The‌‌ opulence of Parsy‍ mixed with American‍‍ capital… This feels like centuries into‌⁠ the future. At‌‌ this rate, they’ll‍ start manufacturing blessings‍‍⁠ with money.”

I couldn’t respond to⁠‌ his cynical remark—because‍ honestly, it didn’t‍ seem impossible.

‘Even⁠ though they technically‍ shouldn’t be able⁠‌ to.’

The‍‌ night, completely engulfed‍⁠ in darkness, was‍ lit by artificial‌‍ torches and sacred-style‌‍ structures that gave⁠⁠ off a futuristic‍‍ vibe just by⁠ existing.

‘I⁠ said Joaquin wouldn’t⁠ lose to Parsy…’‌⁠⁠

Tsk.‍

In⁠‌⁠ this, we lost.⁠‌ Joaquin lacked both⁠ the resources and⁠‌⁠ the inclination to‌ create a spectacle‌ of this magnitude.‍ Not for lack‍‌ of capability, but⁠⁠‌ because spending billions on a one-time‌‌ event was irrational.⁠

‘But‌‍ Parsy did.’

There’s‍‌ nothing more to⁠ say.

“There’s‌ not a single‍‍‌ spectator.”

Leon⁠‍ looked around and‌ commented.

“Parsy‌ doesn’t have subspace.‌‍ If someone gets‌ accidentally dragged in,⁠‍ there could be⁠‌‍ casualties.”

“Ah, right. There’s no⁠ subspace here.”

At⁠‍ my comment, Leon‌ scratched his cheek‌ awkwardly.

For⁠‍ us, subspace was‍ as natural as‌‍ skin, so we‍⁠ sometimes forgot.

In fact, one of the key reasons‌ Joaquin remained the⁠‌‌ top academy—even against‍ powerful competitors—was precisely‌ subspace.

Thanks⁠ to it, we‌ developed a true sense of combat‍‌ and erased inner‍ fear. It was‌⁠ something neither science‌‌ nor money could‌ replicate, a legacy‍‍ crafted by Balor Joaquin himself for‍ future generations.

[Delegation,⁠⁠ please step onto‍ the stage.]

Just‌ like during the‌⁠ earlier press conference,⁠⁠ we lined up‍ on the right side of the⁠ stage. The Parsy‌⁠ representatives took the⁠ left, and then‌ the broadcast spoke‌‍ again.

[The‌ first trial will‌ be ‘Capture the⁠ Flag.’]

At‌ that moment, a grid-designed hologram floated‍ in the air.‍

ロ
口

The⁠‌‍ broadcast presented the‍‌‍ seven floating islands‍ as a 3D‍ map.

[The⁠ first trial will‍‌‍ be a team‍ competition.]

[The⁠⁠‌ rules are as⁠ follows:]

Just‌‍ then, I caught⁠ a reaction. Upon hearing the words‍ “team competition,” Victoria’s‌⁠ brow visibly furrowed.‍⁠‍

However,‌‍⁠ when our eyes‍‌ met, she quickly⁠ adjusted her expression.‍‌

The‌‍ broadcast continued, accompanied‌‌ by an explanatory⁠‍ panel. The text⁠⁠ was in classical⁠⁠ typography, with Roman‍‌ numerals shining with‍‌ unnecessary elegance.

===========================‌‍⁠

Ⅰ.‌ Each team will‌‌⁠ be given a flag. If they⁠ manage to plant‍ it on the⁠ pole located on‍ the black island‌‍ (■) at the‍⁠ center, the match‌ ends.

Ⅱ.‌ It’s only possible⁠⁠ to move between⁠ floating islands when‍ they are connected‍ by a rainbow⁠‌ bridge, called Bifröst⁠ (⇔).

Ⅲ.⁠‌‌ Each Bifröst lasts‍‍‌ 180 seconds and‍ can be used‍ a total of‌ 9 times. Use‌ it wisely.

Ⅳ.‌ Bifröst usage limits⁠⁠ vary by team⁠‍ member position.

♟: 1 use, ♞:‍ 3 uses, ♛:‍ 5 uses

*The‌‍‌ Pawn (♟) has‌‌ the least mobility.‌ Recommended for members‍ with strong defensive‌⁠ abilities. In exchange, they can revive‍ one eliminated teammate.‌‌

**The⁠⁠ Knight (♞) can‍ once jump directly‌‌ from one island‌ to another. Recommended‌‍ for members skilled⁠ at creating variables.⁠

***The‌ Queen (♛) has‍⁠ the greatest movement‍‍ freedom. Recommended for‍‌⁠ the team leader.⁠

Ⅴ.⁠ There is no‍‍‍ time limit for‍‍ the match. Victory‍‍ is determined by⁠‌‌ planting the flag.‌

Ⅵ.‌⁠‍ There are 15⁠ minutes to determine‌ roles and strategy,‍‍⁠ with no input‌‌ from faculty allowed.‍

===========================‌

After‍ that, the broadcast‌ politely asked all‍⁠⁠ faculty to step‍‍ away. The tone‍ was neutral—probably someone‌ from the Association.⁠‌

‘That‍⁠ voice sounds familiar…’⁠‍

Anyway.‌

Ryozo,‍⁠ Abel, Leon, and‌⁠ I stepped back⁠‌ from the students.‌ I deliberately ignored‌‍ the furtive glances‍⁠⁠ from Victoria and‌ Chaerina in my‍ direction.

Once⁠‌ the adults had‍⁠ moved away, Chaerina,‍‍ Ji Changhyeok, and Victoria exchanged tense‍⁠ glances.

And so, with no⁠⁠ other option, they‍‌‍ began their meeting⁠‍ in an obviously‌‍ uncooperative atmosphere.

***⁠

“I… Victoria, Princess…”

“Just‍ call me ‘senior.’”‍‌‍

After‌‍ a brief exchange⁠⁠⁠ on how to⁠‌ address her, Ji⁠ Changhyeok was the‍‌ one to give‍⁠‌ in.

“It’d‍ definitely be best‍ if you took‍‌ the queen role,‍ senior…”

“No.”⁠

Victoria⁠⁠ narrowed her eyes.‍⁠‍ Ji Changhyeok flinched.⁠⁠

“If⁠‍ we go the⁠ obvious route, we’ll lose from the‍‌‍ start.”

“Then…”‍

“I⁠‍ will…”

What⁠‌ she said next‌‌‌ surprised Ji Changhyeok‌ and left Chaerina‌‍ speechless.

“Isn’t‍ that too risky?!”

“Our⁠⁠‍ goal isn’t just⁠ to win.”

“Excuse‍‌ me?”

Victoria‌‍ didn’t look at‌ Ji Changhyeok. She⁠ stared directly at⁠ Kang Geom-Ma, seated.‌

“This‌ is a perfect‍ victory.”

***⁠

“It’s‌ like a territory-capture game with chess-inspired‌⁠‌ rules.”

Ryozo,‌ seated in the‌‌ faculty section, summed‌ up the rules⁠ in one sentence.‌

“The⁠ key will be‌ assigning roles based‍‍ on individual strengths.”‍‌

“The‌⁠ queen will be the most important,‌ right?” Abel asked.⁠

Ryozo thought for a moment, then shook⁠‍ her head.

“There’s‌ no most important‍‌ role. Even though‍‌‍ linking zones seems⁠‍‍ key, it all comes down to⁠⁠ planting the flag.‌ If you fixate⁠‌⁠ on turns or⁠‍ roles, you’ll lose.”⁠⁠

Back‍ in the day,‍ Ryozo was no‍‌ less experienced than⁠‍ Yu Sein when‌ it came to‌‍ games. She probably⁠ already had a mental map of⁠‍‍ the strategy. She’d⁠ played every genre.‌‍⁠

“But‍⁠ it’s true their roles matter. The⁠⁠ pawn is too‍‌ slow—it’ll be stuck.”‍‍‍

Ryozo‌‌‌ rested her cheek‍ on her fist‌ and gave me a sideways glance.⁠

“At‌ times like these, the third-year leader‌ needs to lead⁠‍⁠ well. After all,⁠⁠ it’s a team‍‍‍ game.”

“…Thanks‌⁠ for the pressure,‌ Director.”

“The‍‌ students will handle‌‌‌ it. Oh, by‍‌ the way, Parsy might be a rival, but you‍ have to admit‍‍ they’re impressive. You⁠ heard, right?

They’re using an ‘artificial‌‍‌ subspace’ developed in‌‍⁠ the U.S. for⁠ this tournament.”

Leon⁠ spoke.

“It‌‌ doesn’t leave permanent‍⁠ effects unless someone‍ gets hurt. Still,‍ it’s a huge advancement. I suspected‍‍ this is why⁠ they were sending‌‌ so many to‌⁠ Gehenna… it was⁠ for this.”

“We⁠⁠‌ can’t underestimate Parsy.”‌

Arms‌ crossed, I glanced‌ at the Parsy‍ instructors and then‍‌ back at our‌⁠ students.

On the surface, there‍ didn’t seem to be any conflict⁠‍⁠ or tension between⁠‌ them. But I couldn’t tell if‍‍ that was entirely‍ positive. If it‌ was Yu Sein,⁠‍ she definitely hid⁠ some deeper intent‌ in this game.

‘And‌ if it’s her,‌⁠ she wouldn’t design‌ a game that⁠‌‌ guarantees Joaquin’s victory⁠ either.’

This‌‍ wasn’t just a test for the students. It was‌⁠‌ a prophecy left‌ for me and‌ the vice principal⁠‌‍ by the saint,‌ Yu Sein. And‌ like all prophecies,‍ it was vague⁠ and full of‍ hidden meanings—making it⁠⁠ a headache to⁠⁠ interpret.

As I mulled this‌ over, the students‍ concluded their meeting. Then the system‍‍‌ broadcasted the players’⁠⁠ roles loudly for‍⁠⁠ the faculty.

[Parsy has assigned their⁠ roles: (…)]

Nothing‌‌ unusual. From third‌⁠ year down: queen,⁠⁠ knight, pawn. A solid formation—“less is‍ more,” as they‌‌‌ say.

[Now‌‌⁠ announcing Joaquin’s positions.]‍

A moment later, the‍ voice echoed off‌⁠ the marble walls.⁠

[First‍ Year, Chaerina: Knight‌ (♞)]

[Second Year, Ji Changhyeok:‍‍‍ Queen (♛), therefore⁠‍ Third Year, Victoria:⁠‍ Pawn (♟)]

The⁠‌ silence was long.⁠ Everyone’s faces filled with confusion.

And‍ as if choreographed,‍ they turned their‍ heads. Toward me.‌⁠

‘Why‍‍ are they all⁠ looking at me?’‍

I seriously didn’t say⁠ a thing.