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.