Chapter 331: Academy Exchange Diary (2)

Among my classmates, there’s a saying.

When something surprising happens, just point at me, Kang Geom-Ma, and you’ll more or less have the right cause…

It’s painful to admit that the one who spread that superstition (?) was none other than Ryozo, but anyway.

‘What an injustice.’

During my student days, when I entered the academy, I was forced to fight Knox.

On Avalon Island, I inevitably engaged in a bloody battle with the commander of the Fifth Corps, Agor.

And so, many other incidents were also inevitable.

…Looking back, it seems I only ever caused trouble.

I shot a reproachful glance at Leon. Going through all those calamities was one thing.

But if we’re talking about who’s to blame for this false reputation, it all traces back to that handsome guy.

And just when I thought I was finally shaking off that fame…

Nope, of course not.

Ssshh—

I felt a sting on my skin.

The stares demanded an explanation, but honestly, I had nothing to say.

Because, in reality, I didn’t teach Victoria anything in particular.

Seriously, that bizarre decision was entirely her own.

— I have a question, Lord Heavenly Sword.

Suddenly, a memory came to mind. That day when Victoria, who always attended my classes in silence, stopped me at the end.

‘Speak.’

— What’s the most important virtue for a hero? Not idealistic stuff like altruism or a spirit of sacrifice. I want to know a more realistic and personal mindset.

‘I’ve honestly never thought about it.’

— Then I’ll rephrase: What mindset do you carry as a hero?

‘…Nothing special, I guess…’

— I’m listening.

‘If someone really pisses me off, I make sure to crush them completely so they never rise again. I guess that’s all.’

—……

‘It’s not that important. Just ignore it.’

— No.

Victoria’s resolute gaze was deeply impactful.

— I’ll keep that in mind.

Uhh…

I let out a soft sigh and turned my head aside. Ryozo’s unblinking stare met mine.

As expected, our director never speaks without reason. Maybe it’s the fate of a man married to the smartest woman in the world.

Then it happened.

Whispers.

From the left, voices broke the strange silence. Instinctively, our eyes turned that way. It was the Parsy professors, covering their mouths while whispering among themselves.

“It’s clever, but clearly a bad move.”

“Totally. What’s the point of making the princess, the eldest and strongest of the group, a pawn?”

“I don’t mind being underestimated, but if they lose after this, how do they plan to cover it? That’s what intrigues me more.”

Sometimes, really, I don’t understand.

‘Why do they do things that clearly deserve a punch?’

I know they’re doing it on purpose, to get under our skin. And I know I can’t respond with violence. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small glint. It was the lens of a camera, capturing the teachers’ reactions in real time.

For safety, all camera operators had been removed from the battlefield, and the cameras were now remotely controlled from somewhere else.

‘Even this is part of the content.’

It’s always a bit embarrassing to say, but I, Kang Geom-Ma, was responsible for the ratings in this broadcast. The networks were betting everything on getting a shot of me.

It wasn’t a coincidence that all the logos on those cameras were in English or American.

The U.S. had poured astronomical sums into this exchange event. That’s why all the networks were American.

In short, they would do everything possible to squeeze my image dry.

It was ridiculous. The same country that always confronts me was now watching me this closely.

Anyway, those cameras were aimed at me like arrows made of flash. If I made the slightest mistake, they’d have their headline for the next day.

Crack.

A vein popped on my forehead. My lips were sealed shut like a broken doll’s.

My stomach churned with pain. Even if the attention tied my hands and feet—

They couldn’t seal my mouth.

“She just did what I taught her.”

And so, I made up a lie.

“Well done, Victoria.”

I swear I could hear my reputation tangibly plummeting.

‘You must win, Victoria.’

Even if our bond is a rivalry disguised as apology. You must win, no matter what.

***

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: We must watch the live broadcast no matter what.

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: Wow, this exchange event is insane, I’m really looking forward to it.

🅑 Hard Crust: The planning itself seems pretty decent.

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: I took vacation days just to watch this live.

🅐 ZonaZeta. Swordmaster: Your company must be great, haha. Letting you take so many days off in a row… We’re living in good times, hehe.

🅐 He’s a God: Thump thump, is it just me or does it feel like something’s about to explode from somewhere?

🅐 ZonaZeta. Swordmaster: …I don’t know who you are or where you’re from, but if you keep that up, you could end up seriously hurt.

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: Shut up, everyone! It’s the part where the Heavenly Sword’s face appears!

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: Wow, he’s freaking gorgeous…

🅑 Hard Crust: No, but seriously.

🅑 Hard Crust: Isn’t Parsie’s team looking pretty solid this time?

🅑 Hard Crust: The second and third years from Parsy are from the same clan… can we even call it a clan?

🅐 Invincible Sashimi: It’s a clan, alright. But they’re on a whole other level, unbeatable.

🅐 ZonaZeta. Swordmaster: Looks like Parsy really wants to win this time.

🅐 He’s a God: Then, should we go for it?

(‘Outcome Prediction’ created)

◎ He’s a God: Bet on how many hits they’ll take before winning.

A ㉡Invincible Sashimi: I’m putting it all on the safe choice—

(Saint_Ryu has donated 100,000 cookies to Parsy Academy.)

S Saint_Ryu: How did Parsy Academy become such a strong team?

***

The flag war was about to begin. Personal weapons were banned in this exchange event.

It was impossible to prevent everyone from using their own skills or blessings, but if the weapons were unbalanced, the event’s purpose would be lost.

What the spectators wanted was a thrilling battle.

If one side completely dominated, even if Joaquin’s reputation improved, the broadcast would become boring.

The Hero Association, which collaborated with American networks, was concerned about that.

That’s why the association had previously distributed “equal-level weapons” to all students.

The person in charge of this task was our Speedweapon. He laid out all the weapons on a long table and called the students.

“Everyone, come over here.”

The weapons were either blunt or single-edged. Since it was a friendly event, the aim was to minimize injuries.

At Joaquin Academy, which had a real subspace, that was feasible.

But if something fatal happened in Parsy, where only a simulated subspace existed—

Several event officials would lose their heads. Of course, Speedweapon was among them.

Brrr.

Speedweapon broke into a cold sweat down his forearm. Then, trying to stay composed, he continued.

“I’ll explain a few additional rules. These weapons went through a special process. While limbs can be cut, vital organs like the heart or neck can’t be stabbed. So no serious accidents will happen… probably…”

“‘Probably,’ or…?”

Ji Changhyuk was alarmed.

“It’s dangerous to give absolute guarantees.”

“And our lives don’t matter?”

“Anyway! Choose the weapon you like best!”

As soon as he said that, the students rushed over like starved beasts. Everyone wanted a weapon similar to the one they already specialized in. They chose carefully, one by one, and eventually armed themselves.

Meanwhile, a subtle tension began to form between Victoria and another student. Their eyes clashed in the air like lightning.

“Pleasure to see you again, princess.”

The one who spoke first was a third-year student from Parsy.

He had a rugged face, a heavy gauntlet up to his forearm, and a strong build. He gave off a veteran vibe. He didn’t look like he was the same age.

“Likewise.”

Victoria responded.

“Oraeboni.”

“…Oraeboni…?”

Ji Changhyuk was surprised again.

If Victoria called that man “oraeboni” (older brother), then he was undoubtedly of royal blood.

‘I’d heard that Parsy has many nobles and royals…’

But they looked so different it was hard to believe they were family.

Honestly, Chaerina resembled Victoria more than he did. Both Victoria and Chaerina were stunningly beautiful.

Ji Changhyuk seemed to be wondering the same, as the Parsy third-year gave a crooked smile.

“The princess is from the maternal line, I’m from the paternal. So even though I’m closer to the throne, I don’t resemble His Majesty at all.”

“……”

Victoria pressed her lips together.

“In the main line, they don’t even consider her the same blood—”

Just as Victoria was about to scold him, unable to hold back any longer—

“That’s playing dirty.”

Chaerina dropped the comment bluntly. Her hair was half-tied up with a ribbon. The Parsy student was momentarily dazed by her lethal beauty.

“Provoking before a match. That’s dirty.”

Chaerina tied her hair tightly. Her lashes crossed, and her eyes gleamed darkly under the locker room lights.

“Everything should be decided from above.”

And with that, Chaerina turned away. The two short knives at her waist slapped against her thighs in a steady rhythm.

***

[1 minute remaining until the start of the flag war.]

As the broadcast began, the entire combat arena vibrated. Not just psychologically—the air itself trembled.

We looked up. Holographic windows floated high above like a giant screen. Each one showed the participants from multiple angles.

‘I must admit, U.S. technology is impressive.’

With wide shots and close-ups.

They showed everything at different levels of zoom. If the American network knew how to do one thing, it was capturing motion. It was a visual delight.

Bzzzz.

The broadcast focused on one of the three floating islands. The sand strip covering the ground began to tremble.

Shiiing.

Finally, the terrain opened, and a figure emerged. With the 3D map, we could easily see each team at a glance.

☐

☐ ■ ☐

The white pieces were Joaquin, the black ones Parsy. The flag bearers of both teams were their respective “queens” Chaerina, a first-year from Joaquin, and a second-year girl from Parsie.

Both had slender figures, giving the impression of speed. Natural for a “knight,” who was responsible for mobility.

“The frontmost island must be the starting line.”

Abel muttered. Leon nodded and added,

“Looks like the knights are going to be central players. Being able to cross an island is the equivalent of using ‘double Bifröst.’”

“You can only use it once, though.”

Ryozo chimed in.

“That’s why the knight is key in the game. You never know when that ‘once only’ moment will come.”

“True.”

As I nodded seriously, the broadcast echoed again.

[Before we begin, an urgent notice.]

[The positions of the islands will shift every 1 minute.]

We more or less expected that.

The more unpredictable factors, the less foreseeable the outcome. And just by looking at Parsy, it was clear they weren’t easy opponents.

Just as we were exchanging more relaxed remarks—

[The flag war begins now!]

A metallic horn echoed throughout the arena. It was the ceremonial horn “Gjallarhorn,” which sounded with solemnity.

It had begun. There wasn’t even time for the teaching staff to get nervous.

The students from both Joaquin and Parsy launched their operations simultaneously.

Chaerina (white) and the second-year girl from Parsy (black) moved their lips. Between the islands, an iridescent arc spread—smooth yet chilling. It was the Bifröst.

The queens and pawns waited for the knights to assess the enemy’s strength before joining the battle.

“It’d be best to take them out first, then go for the central island.”

“But since it’s not like the subspace, you can’t kill, so a complete defeat is nearly impossible.”

Opinions aligned. Ryozo agreed as well.

“Yes.”

I felt an inexplicable premonition. Maybe it was the sharp instinct honed by the blessing of the God of the Sword, but the mental arrows in my head were pointing elsewhere.

⬛

♟♝♚♞♜

The girl from Parsy, on the black team, shot forward like an arrow, leaving a trail behind her.

She must’ve had a high-mobility blessing. In an instant, she reached another island and began creating a second Bifröst.

“Of course. They won’t use the knight’s one jump right from the start…”

Ryozo couldn’t finish the sentence.

Because the connection point of Chaerina’s Bifröst, from the white team, completely surpassed everyone’s expectations.

⬜
↙⬛⬜
⬜

♟♝♚♞♜ ⇢ ♞♘♖♘

Chaerina connected the black island with the one where the black pieces stood. Then, like lightning, she launched herself and jumped immediately.

Boom!

The spot where Chaerina had landed sank. Ji Changhyuk headed to the now-shaking island.

“……!”

Seeing her leap like that in a single bound, the black team’s knight was stunned. The other Parsy students also looked shaken. No one expected her to use her “one-time-only” move from the very beginning.

Even Parsy’s instructors stood up, too absorbed in the battle. The atmosphere turned tense in an instant.

The black knight stopped creating the Bifröst just before finishing it. She raised her weapon and took a combat stance.

The next moment, the swords of the two knights clashed. The sharp metallic sound rattled our eardrums.

__________________________!

An unmatched opening.

A start so dazzling that it satisfied everyone.