The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 334: Succession of the Academy Exchange (2)

Chapter 334: Succession of the Academy Exchange (2)

My‌‌ first master was‌ someone who had mastered the art‍‍‌ of combat.

After⁠ all, he was‌‍ the founding hero‍ of humanity—Balor Joaquin.‌⁠ Even when he ran a fish market, I already‍⁠ thought he was⁠‍ someone out of⁠ the ordinary. His gaze, his expression.‌

‘…That coldness that made‌ you think he’d⁠‌ stab you if‍⁠ you contradicted him.’‍

It wasn’t something typical⁠‍ of someone working⁠ in the food‍‍ industry.

Of⁠‍ course, I recognize⁠ that cooks, given⁠‍ their use of‍‌ knives and fire, tend to have‍ sharp personalities. I have my rough⁠ edges too.

I don’t take objections.‌⁠ Even if it doesn’t seem like⁠ it, age has mellowed me out‌‌ a bit.

Anyway.‍⁠

The boss often talked‌ to me about‌ fighting techniques. As‌ they say, a leopard can’t change‌ its spots. Maybe,‍ deep down, he‍‍‌ missed his days⁠⁠‍ as a warrior, when he represented‍ all of humanity.‌‍⁠

— I told you‍⁠‌ before. What’s the⁠‍‍ most important thing⁠ in a fight?‍

‘To‍‍ win with the⁠‍‍ first blow… sir.’‌

— That’s true. But‍⁠‍ there are types‍‍ who don’t even‌ flinch when they⁠ take the first‍ hit. The ones‌⁠⁠ who are already‍⁠ seasoned in battle.‌⁠

Those‌‌‌ kinds, when they‌⁠‍ take a hit, come back with‌ everything they’ve got.‍

‘…That’s a really good⁠⁠ piece of advice…’⁠

— So you want‌ to take the‍‍ first hit?

‘This‍‌ disciple is etching‍ your every word‌⁠‌ into the folds⁠ of his brain,‌‌‌ so please instruct⁠ me without reserve.’‌

— You’re so dramatic…⁠‌ Anyway, those guys⁠ don’t just hit‍‌ back—they hit back⁠⁠⁠ even harder. That’s‌‍ what we call‌‌ a counterattack.

— And what’s the‌⁠ most effective move‍ at that moment?⁠‍

Then⁠⁠ the boss extended his arm. As⁠‍ the sleeve slid‌ back, it revealed a lone arm—missing‍ a hand.

He⁠‌⁠ was never ashamed‍‌ of his amputation.‍ He just smiled,⁠ baring his shining‌‍ fangs.

— It’s the “counter.”‌⁠

Although⁠ it embarrasses me‌‌ now to admit⁠⁠ it, there was‌‌ a time when‍ I felt uneasy about my stepfather—the boss—not having an⁠‌‌ arm.

But‍ I later understood‌ that he had‌‍‌ lost it for‌‌ the sake of‌‍⁠ humanity. And from‍‍ then on, I felt ashamed of‍⁠ myself for having‍‍‌ felt that way.

That‍ lost arm was,⁠ in reality, a medal of victory.‌⁠⁠ Proof that he‍‍ had landed a “counter” on humanity’s‍ number one enemy—the‌⁠ demons.

Instead‌ of taking pride⁠‍ in my parents’⁠‌ sacrifice, I had quietly felt embarrassed.⁠⁠

‘The⁠ boss probably already‌‍ knew.’

But⁠ he never said‍‍‍ a word.

Perhaps, that too was⁠ a “counter.” Because⁠ ultimately, a counter is an unexpected⁠ blow in return.‍ A technique that⁠‍ strikes and unsettles‍⁠ the opponent.

Sooner‍⁠ or later, his disciple would uncover‌‌ the truth about⁠‌‍ him. So maybe‌ he wanted to‍ show it—so that‍ I would understand⁠⁠⁠ with my own‌‍‌ eyes. So that‌⁠ the flaw would become a revelation.‌‌

‘That⁠ too… was a counter.’

And‍ now, once again.⁠‍‍

***‍

“Y-You.”‍‍

“What‍ a dirty tactic…!”⁠‍

The‍ faculty from Parsy‍⁠ shot to their feet. They struggled⁠‍‍ to find the⁠ right words, only⁠‍ chewing on their⁠ frustration, grinding their⁠ teeth non-stop.

First,‍⁠ because they had come face-to-face with⁠‌ the bitter reality⁠ of defeat.

Second, because during the‍ match, they had‌ literally been hit‌ by a series‍ of counterattacks.

It‌ must have hurt‌ their pride deeply.‍

“They⁠‌ probably thought they⁠ had won the‌ flag war when⁠ Edward defeated Ji⁠‌ Changhyuk. Because the⁠ queen of Joaquin⁠ had been taken‍ out of the‌ front. They were⁠‍ so focused on⁠‌ that, they forgot‍‍‍ the pawn’s ability,⁠‌ Return a piece⁠ to the front.”⁠‍

“And‍ in the end,⁠ we turned the‍‌ game around. Of‍⁠‌ course they’re burning‌ up. It was a perfect counter.”⁠

Ryozo‍⁠ let out a sarcastic laugh.

Zap.‌

At that moment, every‌ Parsy professor glared‌ at us with‌ hatred.

“Seems‌‌ like you have a lot to say, but it‌ was a complete⁠ victory for Joaquin.‌‍‌ The name of‍⁠ the event is‍ ‘Flag War,’ right?”‍‍‍

Abel⁠ shot a sharp‍ comment at their seething glares.

“You‍‌ might not understand⁠‍‌ since you didn’t‍‍ fight like we⁠ did. But in⁠‍ war, you do‌‌ whatever it takes to survive and⁠‌ win.”

“……”‍

“The‌‍ only goal is‌ to survive and‍‌ emerge victorious. That⁠ is war. And‌‍ the cadets of‌⁠ Joaquin acted fully‌ in line with⁠‍ the purpose of⁠ this competition.”

“…..”‍‌

The‍‍ Parsy staff opened⁠ their mouths as⁠‍ if to protest,‍⁠ but then shut⁠‍ them tightly.

They⁠ were just about‌⁠ to say something,⁠ but the dozens⁠ of camera lenses⁠‌⁠ in their field⁠ of view stopped‌ them. It was‌ already humiliating enough‌ not to accept defeat—and on top‌‍ of that, Abel‍⁠ had beat them‌‌‍ to the punch⁠ with flawless logic.‌⁠

Whatever‍‍ they said would sound like a pathetic excuse in‍ the minds of‍‍ the viewers. Whether⁠ he meant it‍ or not, it⁠ had been a perfect opening strike.

“…It‌‌ was a good⁠ match.”

In‍‍ the end, Parsy’s‌ faculty chose to‍ accept defeat. Though⁠ their expressions denied‍ it entirely, those⁠⁠ words at least‌ helped save face⁠⁠ in front of⁠ the audience.

“The‍‌ Parsy cadets were⁠‍ also formidable. Though‌⁠ their history is‍⁠⁠ short, the individual‌⁠ skill level of‍⁠ each was impressive.”

Abel‍⁠‍ lifted his chin⁠‍ in response, a slight smirk curling‍ on his crimson⁠ lips.

“I’m‍ also looking forward‌‌⁠ to the remaining two events. May⁠⁠ the blessing of⁠‌ the heroes be‍‍‌ with Parsy Academy.”⁠‌‌

“Yes…‍‍‍ may the blessing⁠ be with Joaquin‌‌ as well…”

After exchanging those dry‍ but formal remarks,⁠‌ we left the⁠⁠ scene. Frustrated stares⁠‍ trailed our backs‍‌‍ like blades.

I suppose that’s what‍‍‍ they call triumph.⁠⁠‌

With⁠‍ that coarse sensation—like‌⁠ sandpaper scraping my‍⁠ back—I opened my mouth.

“Let’s⁠‍ go.”

Beside‌ me, Ryozo, Abel,‌ Leon, and Speedweapon‌ moved in perfect⁠‍‍ formation, like the‌‌ wings of a crane, closely following⁠ behind.

Opening⁠⁠ strike and counterattack.‍

Today‍‌ too, the disciples of Joaquin had‍ faithfully followed your‌ teachings and put‍ them into practice‍ in an official⁠‍ event.

In⁠ the sky, a contrail traced a gentle arc. It‌ looked like the‌ boss’s smile.

It‍ feels good.

***⁠

Somewhere‍ beneath the surface‌ of Gehenna.

A gloomy aura seeped‌⁠ down from the sharp edges of‌⁠ the stalactites.

“……”⁠⁠

“……”‌

Seven‌ hundred and forty⁠‍ years had passed.⁠⁠⁠ Or, counted in‍ centuries, a full‍‌ seven.

The‍ two beings who⁠ had once divided‍ this world were‌⁠ finally face to face again.

In⁠ the past, they⁠ had fought fiercely,‌ manipulated by false‌ gods.

But‍ those gods were⁠‌⁠ long gone. Now, at last, they‌⁠ could face each‌‍ other as warrior‌ against warrior, free from filth and⁠‍‌ deceit.

Once, they might have‌ been comrades, but‍⁠ external forces had⁠⁠‌ made coexistence impossible.‌ Now, everything was‌ different.

…Or‍ so it seemed.⁠

“You…⁠ what the hell‍ is with that‍ appearance…?”

Balor‌ Joaquin stood frozen‍ like a totem.⁠‍ He looked down.‌‌ His fated rival—the⁠ only demon he had ever respected—was‌ perched awkwardly, his⁠‍ neck bent at‌ a ridiculous angle.‌

(*Are‌‍‌ you… Balor Joaquin*?!)‍

That‌‌ same Lycan launched⁠ into an exaggerated⁠‍⁠ leap, so high⁠‍ it was almost‌‌ cartoonish.

“Why‌ are you naked?!”⁠

“……”⁠

The‍ reunion transcended species.‌

There⁠ they stood—a naked‍ man draped in‍‌ a dozen squirrels⁠ and a shadowy Ramzy Thunder—one looking‌‌ down, the other⁠ up, both utterly⁠ speechless, thoroughly dismayed.

***‌

[Encounter:‌‌ Odin (ᚬᚦᛁᚾ) vs.‍‌ Loki (ᚱᛟᚲᛁ)]

[Jötunheimr‌ proximity detected]

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[…]⁠‌

[Complete!⁠ ■■■■■■■■]

[Time⁠‌ remaining until Ragnarok‍‌ (……)]

***⁠‌⁠

What’s‌‍ the first thing‍‌ that comes to‍‌ mind when you‍ think of a weapon?

For‍⁠⁠ most people, it’s⁠ a sword.

The⁠ sword is the‌ perfect weapon—for both attack and defense.⁠‍‌

And⁠ I don’t say‌‍ that just because‌⁠ I’m the God‍ of the Sword.‍‍ Well not entirely.‍

With⁠‌‌ the invention of‌ the sword, humanity⁠ evolved from gatherers‍ to hunters.

They‍‌ hunted beasts, carved them up, and fed their clans well. Of course,‌⁠ the same tool was later used‌‌ for mass slaughter‍‍ among humans.

Still,‍ the foundation on⁠ which humanity built‍‍ its glorious civilization was, in one‍‌‍ way or another,‌⁠ the sword.

Technological‍‌ advancement has always⁠⁠ been accompanied by‌‍‍ blood—but it’s not‍ the sword or⁠ the law that⁠ has killed the⁠ most. It’s malicious‍⁠ words.

The‍⁠⁠ sword isn’t to‌‍‍ blame. The fault lies with the‌⁠ hand that wields‍ it poorly. If‌ anything can be⁠⁠‌ called its sin,⁠ it’s its limitless⁠⁠ versatility.

Shiing.‍‌

I drew two inches‌ of the sashimi‌‍ blade. The rippling‍⁠‍ edge shimmered. A pair of black eyes watched me.‍⁠

‘So‍‍⁠ this is an‌ EX-rank weapon.’

Thump-thump.‍

My heart pounded. It‍⁠ was more intoxicating‍⁠ than a wedding night. Because I’m‌⁠⁠ the God of‌⁠ the Sword, of‍ course.

My apologies to Ryozo⁠‍ and Abel.

Even⁠‍ though they and⁠‍⁠ I became one,‌‍ with this sashimi‌ blade, I feel‍ that unity just‌ by being near‍ it.

Shhh.

A long groove ran⁠ down the blade‌‍ like a wave.‍‌⁠ It was the‍ blood channel.

I ran my fingers‌ along it for‍ no particular reason.‍⁠ Even that small⁠ detail, perfectly fitting⁠‌⁠ my fingertips, brought‍‌⁠ indescribable pleasure.

The⁠⁠⁠ blade’s base was‌‌ encased in steel.‍ It bore no‌ engraving. It didn’t‍⁠ look cheap—just solid.‍

Maybe‌‍ I was blinded‍ by excitement.

‘I’m‍ already dizzy at‍⁠‍ this level.’

It‌ seemed Volundr had‍⁠ truly given it⁠‍ his all. He‌‌ said it was‍ his ultimate masterpiece,⁠‌ and he hadn’t‌‍‌ lied. I wondered⁠⁠ if he had⁠‌ even used his‌⁠⁠ innate powers to‍ forge it.

‘Damn‌ old man…’

In the end, he‌ was capable of‌‌⁠ something like this.‌⁠

This new weapon I barely had time‌‌‌ to examine had⁠‍⁠ been made from‌ the finest materials.⁠‍ It defied classification.⁠‌⁠

A common knife? That‍‌ trash couldn’t even‍‍ share a room with this. What‍ should I name⁠‌⁠ it? No rush.‍ I’ll know when‍⁠⁠ the moment comes.⁠

‘I’m‌ happy.’

A small smile spread⁠ across my lips.‌‍‍ That’s when someone‌‍ beside me spoke.‌

“Hey.”⁠

I turned. Ryozo was⁠⁠ scanning the surroundings‍‌ with a look⁠ that said, Take‌ a good look⁠ at yourself.

“You‍‍ realize you look like a total‍‍ pervert right now?”‍⁠

“…….”‍‌

I glanced around. Everyone‍‍ sitting at the⁠‍ long table was⁠⁠ staring at me⁠‍⁠ suspiciously.

They⁠ were the professors‍ and cadets of⁠‍⁠ Joaquin Academy.

“Instead of calling me‌ a pervert, can’t‍ you just say⁠ I’m deeply in‌‍ love with swords?”‍

“But⁠⁠ we agreed to‌ call anyone in‍‍ love with a sword a ‘pervert.’”⁠‌‍

“When was that?”

“Heavenly‌⁠⁠ Sword, are you‌‍ seriously unaware? Everyone‌‍ is nodding with⁠‌ their eyes.”

I looked around. Everyone⁠ avoided my gaze.‍

‘Are‌ they seriously treating⁠‌‌ someone who loves‌ swords like a pervert?’ Am I the god of‌⁠⁠ perverts now?

I shook my head and defended myself.‌‍

“I‌‌⁠ just got this sword. I was⁠‌ checking it for⁠ defects.”

“And‌‌ what defect could‌‌ a kitchen knife⁠‌ have?”

It’s‌ not just a kitchen knife…

‘If‌⁠ I say I bought it in‍ secret, they’ll break‍ my back.’

Best‌ to stay quiet.‍ I popped a piece of sashimi‍⁠ in my mouth⁠‌ and rolled up⁠ my sleeves.

The⁠‍‍ flag war had ended in our‌⁠ victory. The cadets‌‌ who made our‌ academy shine deserved‍‍ a worthy reward.‍ Though a banquet‌ had already been‍ promised, they also‌ deserved immediate motivation.‌

That’s⁠ why I was‍⁠ prepared.

Today‍ is the day I use my⁠ skills to comfort‍ and restore our⁠ cadets. It meant⁠ returning to my⁠‍‌ former profession after‌ a long time.⁠

As‍⁠ soon as I said I’d cook,⁠ everyone cheered. My‌ old comrades already‌ knew my cooking. The cadets teared‍⁠‍ up upon seeing‍ the very Heavenly⁠⁠ Sword of the⁠‌⁠ Seven Stars roll⁠⁠ up his sleeves.‍

Only…‌⁠ learning that I’d⁠‌‌ be slicing sashimi‍⁠ with an EX-rank‌ sword made Speedweapon‍⁠⁠ sigh in silence.‍ The others looked⁠ at me like I was insane.⁠

‘Doesn’t‌⁠‍ matter.’

I’ll‌ show them a good counter. With⁠ the skills of‍‌ the best swordsman‌‍‍ in the nation. With the precision‌ of the God⁠‌ of the Sword.⁠‌

“Huff.”‍

I inhaled deeply. I locked eyes with‍ the red snapper‍ on the cutting‌‍‍ board. It was‍‌ the predator’s courtesy‌ to its prey.⁠

In⁠⁠ the next moment,⁠‍ I drew the sashimi blade completely.⁠‌

[Blessing of the God‍ of the Sword,‍ Cuisine has manifested.]‌‌‌

To‍‌ our heroes.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

《May‌ the blessing of‌ the gods be‌ with you.》

++++++++++++++++++++++++⁠

It’s⁠⁠ time to send‌‌ them to Valhalla.‌