The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 338: Tradition of the Inter-Academy Tournament (2)

Chapter 338: Tradition of the Inter-Academy Tournament (2)

Sköll⁠⁠ and Hati.

The‍ twin wolves that⁠ devour the sun⁠‍⁠ and the moon.‌

According‍ to mythology, it‌‍ is said that⁠‌ these two eventually⁠ consumed the light‍ of the world, plunging the universe‍ into complete darkness.‌

And‍‍ then, in an‍ Asgard deprived of‌ light, the war‍ between gods, giants,⁠‌ and monsters began.‌‌‍

A sign. The prelude‌‍⁠ to war.

That‍ is what Sköll‌ and Hati symbolize.‌

Therefore, those twin wolves⁠⁠ rightfully serve as⁠ the starting point‍ for the great⁠‌ apocalypse.

***⁠‌

It⁠ was the eve⁠⁠ of the second‌ event.

The‍⁠‌ Hero Association summoned‌ the teachers from⁠ both our side (Joaquin) and Parsy’s side separately.

They‌ justified it by‌ saying they had‍ to give us‍‍ a preliminary notice before the main event.

“Long⁠‌ time no see,⁠ Heavenly Sword!”

The‌ one who greeted‌ me with open‌ arms at the⁠ meeting point was‍ Changseong Richard Mura.‌‍‌

His‌⁠ gigantic muscles were‍⁠ still just as‌ imposing. The buttons‍ on his shirt looked like they‌‍ were struggling to⁠ stay fastened.

Siegfried‌⁠‍ von Nibelung, the Sword Master of‍ domination.

Richard‍ Murat, overwhelming power.‍

‘Is‌⁠ he aging in‌⁠ reverse or what?’⁠⁠

Lately,‍ the veterans all‌⁠ seemed to be‌‍ getting younger. I wasn’t sure whether⁠⁠‌ to be happy⁠⁠ or concerned. I’ve lost count of⁠ how many times‍⁠ I’ve asked myself⁠‍⁠ that.

“Come⁠‌ on, let’s sit down first.”

Changseong⁠⁠‌ gently pressed our‍‍‌ shoulders, urging us‌⁠‍ to sit.

Then⁠ he sat next‌‍ to me and‌‍ crossed his arms.‍

The‌ Parsy professors, seated⁠‌ at a distance,⁠⁠ looked uneasy. Their‌ attitude toward me was different.

To‍⁠ them, I was‌ the embodiment of fear itself—something beyond comprehension. But Changseong‌ was within the‌ realm of what⁠‌‍ they could grasp.‌⁠

He‌‌‍ was one of‌ the strongest “within‌ reason.” In fact,‌⁠ he probably intimidated‍⁠ them the most.

No⁠⁠‍ one seriously fears‍‍ a high school‌‌‌ senior. But a senior just one⁠ year older? That’s⁠⁠ a different story.‌

For⁠‍ the record, I don’t feel capable⁠ of subduing them‌⁠‍ with force like Changseong does.

If⁠ I applied even⁠‍⁠ a bit of‍ pressure, they’d drop‍ dead on the‍ spot. Just a hint of killing⁠ intent, and they’d‌ die of a heart attack.

‘Calling‌ Changseong was a smart move, Speedweapon.’⁠

A little while later.‌

“I’m⁠ sorry for calling⁠‌‍ you all so‍‌‌ suddenly. I apologize⁠ on behalf of‌ the Association’s president.”‌⁠

Seong‌‌ Yuchang, the president⁠ of the Association,‍⁠ appeared.

By⁠ his side, standing‌‌⁠ guard, was Speedweapon,‌‍ eyes sharp like‌ a hawk.

“It’s nothing serious. We‍‌ just want to⁠‍ introduce a small⁠⁠ variation to the⁠‍ ‘Sköll and Hati’⁠⁠ event.”

“What?‌‌‍ Just like that?!”‍

As⁠‌ expected, Parsy’s side⁠‌⁠ quickly raised objections.‌‌‌ But that was⁠⁠⁠ all.

“Listen‍ to what comes‍ next.”

“……”‍

At⁠ Changseong’s firm tone,⁠ they quieted down‌‍⁠ like moles burrowing into the ground.⁠⁠

The⁠‌‍ former president of‌ the Association had⁠ calmed the commotion⁠ in seconds.

Sung⁠ Yuchang, the current president, didn’t hesitate⁠ to get straight‌‍ to the point.⁠‍

“The⁠ previous event, ‘Flag⁠‌ War,’ received enormous‍ worldwide attention. Much‍⁠ more than we‍ anticipated.”

“That sounds like good‌‍‌ news.”

The‍‌ director of Parsy⁠‌ Academy replied with⁠ a controlled tone.

“It⁠ is good news,‌‌ yes. But it‍‌ also means it‍ was seen by‍⁠ all kinds of⁠‍ audiences. Let me‍ ask you something,‍‍ Director. Do you⁠ think the Flag‌ War was appropriate⁠‌ for viewers of‌‍ all ages?”

“I‍‌ don’t think so.”‍‌

“And⁠‍ why not?”

“Because‌ it’s not just‌ heroes watching.”

Normally,‍⁠ the contents of the academy’s curriculum‌ are kept secret.⁠

But‌ this exchange event‌‌⁠ exposed part of‍ it, which drew‌⁠ global attention.

And such intense interest⁠‍ also brought a significant impact.

For heroes, a bloody‌ war is routine. Battle cries are like pop songs, the scent of⁠‍‍ blood is perfume.⁠

But‌ from a civilian’s perspective, it can‍ be stomach-turning.

‘I‍⁠ didn’t get used to it right‍ away either.’

Some⁠‌ viewers were likely‌‍ traumatized after witnessing‍ the brutal reality⁠ of heroes for⁠‍ the first time.‌

“We’ve been getting a flood of complaints‌⁠ via phone. Especially‍ from parents with‌⁠‌ children in school.”‌

When‌ the audience faced‍ the truth, their⁠‌ vague, romantic admiration‌‌‌ for heroes was shattered.

And more and more‌‍‍ people began to‍ feel aversion and‌ fear toward the⁠‌ cruel actions of⁠ aspiring heroes.

Violence⁠ between humans is⁠⁠ an implicit taboo. Displaying it so‍⁠ blatantly forced the⁠ Association, which manages‍⁠ all heroes, to‌ take action.

“For‍‍‌ that reason…”

Sung‍‌‌ Yuchang leaned toward‍ the microphone.

“We⁠⁠ would like the‍ teachers to participate in the ‘Sköll‌ and Hati’ event‌⁠ as well.”

“…?!”‌

Everyone‍ gasped. Chairs creaked,‌‌ and the echo‌‍‍ spread through the‌ hall.

Immediately,⁠⁠ all eyes were⁠ on me. I became a human‌ dartboard under their⁠ gaze.

— If Heavenly Sword⁠ participates, won’t the‌ balance be completely‍ broken?!

The Parsy teachers stared‌⁠ daggers at Sung‌‌ Yuchang. He merely⁠ shrugged, as if‍‌‌ he’d been expecting‍ it.

“We knew this would⁠ cause reactions like‌ this. But don’t⁠‌ worry. We already‍ have contingency plans‍‍‌ for everything.”

The‍ man who once‌‌‍ cried and laughed⁠‌ while watching dramas was now becoming⁠ a real fox.

***

Parsy‍‍ Academy, located in‍‍ Switzerland, remained cold‍‌ despite being in‍ the middle of‍ summer. The red magnolia, still imbued⁠‌ with the winter⁠⁠ chill, drooped its‌‍ head.

Plop,⁠ plop.

It‌⁠ shed a few⁠‍ tears of dawn‌⁠ before withering completely.‍‌‍

“…….”‍‍

From⁠‍ her hospital bed,‍‍⁠ Chloe Auditore watched⁠‍ that pale moment⁠ of dawn. Her‌‌‌ pupils seemed lost,‌ deeply dazed.

“I…⁠ blacked out again.”⁠

Chloe‌ bit her lower‍‍ lip as if⁠ to spit the words out between‌‍ her teeth.

It‌ was always like⁠ this. In the⁠‍ decisive moment, her⁠‍‌ brain would shut‌ down as if⁠ a fuse had‌ blown.

Since‌‌ this kept happening,‍⁠ she ended up‌‍‌ missing every crucial‍ opportunity. Just going‌⁠ in circles.

“…Don’t⁠‌⁠ be so hard on yourself, Chloe.”⁠

Knox,‍‌ her brother who‍ came to visit,⁠ spoke while peeling⁠ an apple for her. Though his voice felt familiar,⁠‍‍ she consciously chose‍ to ignore it.‌

“Do‌ you really think that’s going to comfort me?”

Chloe‌⁠ turned her head,⁠ her gaze frosty.⁠‍

“I⁠‌ didn’t say it‍‌ to comfort you.‌‌ I just told you the truth…”‌

“You‍ always… Ha. Forget‌ it. What’s the point of complaining‍ to you?”

“You‌⁠‌ can complain if⁠ you want.”

Knox set the apple slices on the⁠ plate. The white flesh fanned out⁠⁠‌ like eight open wings.

“That’s‍ what families do.”⁠‍

“Fa…mily…”‍

Chloe‍ lowered her head, her gaze vacant.⁠‍⁠

“I‍‍ wish Geom-Ma were‌ part of our‍ family too…”

“……”

“I wish I were‍ part of his⁠ family…”

Knox‌ let out a silent groan. The‌‍‍ air grew heavy⁠⁠ with pressure.

‘It’s⁠‍ not your fault.‌‌ You did your⁠‌ best.’

During‌‌⁠ an Auditore mission,⁠⁠‍ Chloe had run to Parsy Academy.‍

She‍⁠ claimed to have⁠ sensed something strange‌ in Kang Geom-Ma.⁠‍ Then, without apparent‌⁠⁠ cause, she lost‍ consciousness.

Not‍ even Speedweapon, who⁠‍‌ brought her to‌‌‍ the hospital, knew what had happened.⁠⁠ Though concerned, Knox⁠‍ didn’t press the‌ issue.

Kang⁠‌‌ Geom-Ma had warned⁠ him not to⁠‌ speak. How could‌‍ an Auditore member‍‍ go against the‍ Heavenly Sword?

‘You’re⁠ a good girl.’‍‍⁠

If she committed any‌ sin, it was being born into⁠⁠‍ a clan of⁠‍ shadows and staining‌ herself with too⁠‍ much blood.

After‍‌ the Second Great⁠‌‌ Human-Demon War, the siblings opened a sushi restaurant as‍ a public front.‍

It‌⁠⁠ all began with‍‍ a recommendation from Kang Geom-Ma in their youth: “Why‍ not try a part-time job?”

Surprisingly,‍ the business suited‌‍ Chloe and Knox⁠ well.

And⁠⁠ thanks to Altair⁠⁠‍ Auditore’s generous investment,‌⁠ they rose to‍ the top of⁠⁠⁠ the global culinary⁠‍‌ industry.

Even‍ so, they never neglected their real‌‌ work.

By‌ day, they posed⁠ as entrepreneurs under⁠‌‍ false identities.

By‍ night, they fulfilled‌ the clan’s shadowy⁠⁠ missions.

Their⁠‌‌ involvement in corrupt⁠‌ and organized crime‍‍ circles as businessmen‌ made them more‍‍ keenly aware of‌ the world’s darkness‌ than when they⁠ were younger.

‘That’s⁠⁠‌ why the patriarch⁠‌ invested so much⁠ in us,’ Knox‌⁠ thought with a bitter smile beneath‍‍ his mask.

Social‍ tumors didn’t disappear,‌⁠ no matter how‌ many they removed.⁠‍ They just seemed‍⁠ to multiply.

Still,‌‌ they had no⁠⁠ regrets.

They⁠‍⁠ exposed all the⁠ parasites who thrived‌⁠‌ on the peace‌⁠ Kang Geom-Ma had‌ secured. Knox was‌⁠ proud of that,‍ and Chloe gladly joined the cause.⁠

All‌ the money they‌‌ collected was returned⁠⁠⁠ to society.

Even‍‍‌ the name of⁠ the donor and⁠‌ the foundation was‍‌ “Heavenly Sword.” That‌ had been Chloe’s‌⁠ firm proposal. She‌ had devoted her‌ entire life to‌ Kang Geom-Ma.

— This world can’t‌‌ repay even half‌‍⁠ of what he‍ gave us. So⁠ at the very‍ least I want to compensate him⁠ this way.

“Oppa…”⁠

Knox‍‍ slowly opened his‌‍‌ closed eyes.

“Do⁠⁠ you think I’m‌⁠ useful to Geom-Ma?”‍

“……”‍‍‌

“I‌‌ always feel like I’m just a burden to him.⁠⁠ Unlike me, Abel‍‍ and Ryozo are‍⁠ solid, capable. I’m‌‌ the opposite.”

Chloe⁠⁠ was nearly sobbing. Knox raised his‌ hand, but dropped⁠ it to his⁠ lap and clenched⁠ his fist.

“Listen‍‍‍ carefully. I’m not‍⁠ saying this just‌ because I’m your‌‍ brother.”

He⁠ had never said⁠ anything like this⁠‌ before, and his‍ jaw was trembling.⁠ Calm down.

This was a conversation‌ that had to‍ happen someday, right,‍ Knox?

“You’re‌‌ better than those‍ two…”

It‍‌ was at that‍ moment.

Click‌ clack clack.

The‌ sound of the⁠ door shattered the‍ silence like cracking‍⁠ a thin sugar⁠‌ crust. Both siblings‍⁠ turned toward it⁠ at once, their‌‍‌ expressions shifting.

“G-Geom-Ma!”‍

Chloe‌ expressed a mixture‌ of surprise and‍‍ joy, bordering on‌‌ euphoria.

“You⁠⁠⁠ right now!?”

Knox⁠‍ was nearly scandalized.‌‌⁠

“Didn’t know you were⁠ both here… I’ll‍ come back later.”‌

Kang Geom-Ma scratched his‍‍ eyebrow with his‍⁠ thumb and frowned.‌ Chloe leapt from⁠ the bed as⁠ if flipping a table with the‌ blanket.

“No!”⁠‌

Chloe‌ clung to Kang‌ Geom-Ma’s chest, shaking⁠ her head repeatedly.‌‌⁠

With‍ her clinging to⁠ him, he began‌⁠ to break out‍‍ in a cold⁠‌ sweat.

“What’s‌ going on?”

“Well…‌ since the hospital⁠‌ food isn’t very‌‌ good, I brought‌ you a lunchbox.‌ Chloe, you like‍ fish, right? To⁠ whet your appetite,‍‍ I made some⁠ spicy freshwater soup.”‍‌

“Just⁠ hearing that makes⁠ my mouth water!”‍

“It’s‌ a thermal lunchbox,⁠‍‌ so it shouldn’t‍ smell.”

“Even⁠‌‌ so!”

Knox‍ watched the two‍‌‌ cheerfully from afar.‍

‘Chloe…⁠⁠ for you, the Heavenly Sword means‍ more than anything‌ else.’

It‌‌‌ left him feeling‌‌ a little hollow.‍

Pfft.⁠‍‌

But seeing Chloe so‌‍ happy made him‍⁠ smile. Still, it⁠‍ left a bittersweet⁠ taste.

Crunch‌ crunch.

To‍ calm his unsettled⁠⁠ stomach, he lowered‍ his mask and‍‌‍ took a bite‍⁠ of apple slice.‍

‘Is it okay to‌⁠ act like this‍‌⁠ while being a married man?’

And⁠‍‍ to top it⁠‍ off, married to⁠‍ the Lady of‍‍ the Sword and‌‍‌ the Absolute Archer.⁠⁠‌

You’re⁠⁠ hopeless, Kang Geom-Ma…‌‍‌

On the other hand, he also thought perhaps this was‍ a privilege reserved‌ for the heroes‍ of the old⁠ world.

***⁠‍

Even if Yu Sein hadn’t mentioned it,⁠ he had been‌ planning to visit⁠‍ Chloe eventually.

Chloe⁠ had created a donation foundation in‍ his name. Though‌ she had tried to keep it a secret, Knox‍‌⁠ confessed it to‌ him a month⁠ ago.

Such⁠⁠ a sincere girl. What was he,‍‌⁠ to deserve Chloe’s⁠⁠‍ wholehearted devotion?

The guilt weighed on‍⁠ his chest like‌⁠ molten lead, but‌‍ he was also‌⁠ deeply grateful.

So⁠‌ he decided to⁠ spend more time⁠‌ with Chloe going⁠‍ forward. This visit was the first step.

‘How‌‌ much longer am I going to⁠ keep avoiding her‍ just because she’s‌‍‍ a yandere?’

Anyway,⁠⁠ today was a success. Chloe had⁠ been so happy‍‍⁠ she looked ready⁠ to leap for⁠‍‌ joy. They talked‍ endlessly until there‌⁠ wasn’t a single⁠ grain of rice‌⁠‍ left in the‌‌ lunchbox.

It⁠⁠ was just that,‌‌ due to the⁠ situation shift with Sköll and Hati,‌‍ work piled up,‌ and he decided‍ to save the‍‌ rest for another‍ day.

When‍⁠‌ Chloe insisted on seeing him off,⁠‌‌ he had to‍ gently push her‍ back into bed.‍

Running⁠ into Ryozo or⁠⁠ Abel would’ve been⁠ problematic.

“It’s⁠ a promise, a real promise!”

“Of⁠ course. Rest well.”‌

After‍‌ saying goodbye, he‍⁠‌ stepped into the⁠⁠ hallway. Knox, who‍ had followed him quickly, called out.⁠‍

“Wait‌ a moment, Heavenly⁠‌ Sword.”

He‌ turned around.

Through‍ the window, dawn⁠‍⁠ had already broken.‌‍ Sunlight gleamed between⁠ the leaves.

Beams‍⁠ of light reflecting⁠ off the greenery‌‌ formed an uneven‌ but warm crimson⁠ horizon, merging with‍‍ the Alps and their shoulders.

“…There’s‌‍ something I’ve been‍ meaning to say…”‍⁠

Knox‌ took his time‌‌ finding the words.‌⁠‌

After‌‍‍ a long silence,‌‍ as if making⁠ up his mind,⁠‌ he spoke again.⁠‌

“Heavenly‌‌ Sword, I’ve noticed‍ that you’ve been‌ having trouble controlling⁠⁠ your life energy‍⁠‍ lately. Am I right?”

It⁠ was a sudden,⁠ but accurate observation. His power was‍‍ still expanding. And⁠‌‌ without realizing it,‍‌ that energy had started to affect‍ his surroundings.

Even‌ now. The greenery‌‍‌ beside him was‌‍‌ turning ashen gray.⁠

The⁠ environment could no⁠ longer withstand his‌⁠‌ energy.

It⁠ was one of⁠ the main causes⁠ of his instability.‍⁠

If‍‍⁠ this affected not just plants, but⁠‌ people too, he‌⁠ could end up⁠‌⁠ harming those around‍‍ him.

“Wow,⁠‍ nailed it. That’s⁠ true.”

Knox‌ froze momentarily. He‍‌ hadn’t expected him to admit it‌‍ so easily.

With‍ a conflicted expression, he thought for‌ a moment, then‌ narrowed his eyes.⁠⁠

“Can‍‌ I teach you‌ how to control⁠‍ that energy?”

…What?‌‌‍

“You⁠ want to give‌ me the Crow‌ Blessing? But first off, that blessing‌‍ can’t be transferred…”‌‍

‘But‌⁠⁠ wait.’

There’s‍‍⁠ something—

“Heavenly‍‍‌ Sword, I’ve known for a while‍‍⁠ that you have‌ the ‘Transfer Blessing.’⁠ I’ve been with⁠ you for almost‍⁠ ten years—it was‍ impossible not to‍ notice. If I was being reckless,⁠ tell me. I’ll‌‍⁠ cut my tongue‍ out.”

You’re‌ insane. Just like⁠⁠ always.

“I⁠‌⁠ didn’t mean to‍ hide it. But⁠ are you saying‌ you’re going to⁠‍⁠ teach me the‍‍ Auditore’s treasure? Or‌‍ give it to‌⁠ me?”

Though he said it‌ that way, the truth was that‌⁠ this offer came‍‍ at the perfect‌ time.

With‍ Sköll and Hati‌ weighing on his‌‌ mind, the Crow‌ Blessing was huge‌ news.

He’d⁠ never expected it.⁠⁠‌ Even if he⁠ had, he wouldn’t‌‌ have dared ask.‍‍ The value of‌⁠ that blessing was‌⁠ immense.

“I’m‌‍ not saying I want to transfer‌‌ mine.”

“Then?”‍‌‌

“Who‍‍ else could it‌‌ be?”

Chloe?‌‍⁠

“The‌ Crow Blessing I have is nothing⁠‍‌ compared to Chloe’s.⁠ Didn’t I tell‌ you before? Chloe’s⁠‌⁠ potential is, without‌‌ a doubt, the‌ greatest in the⁠⁠ entire history of⁠ the Auditores.”

“Hey,⁠ man. This is‌⁠ all so sudden.‌ I think I need a bit‍ of context first.”

“I‍⁠ want…”

Knox⁠‌ forced the words‍‌ out with difficulty.‌⁠

“…I‍ want to free⁠‌ my sister Chloe‍ from the chains⁠⁠ of the Auditores.”⁠‌

The‌‌ brother, Knox, with⁠‍ guilt swelling in‌⁠ his throat, opened his heart in⁠ a wish for‌ the sake of‍⁠⁠ his sister, Chloe.‌‍‌