The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 331: Academy Exchange Diary (2)

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.