The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 339: Tradition of the Inter-Academy Tournament (3)

Chapter 339: Tradition of the Inter-Academy Tournament (3)

The‌ Blessing of Transference.‍

Its‍‍‍ original effect was‍ to transfer a blessing I possessed⁠‌ to someone else.‌

‘I‌‌ got it in⁠ the Buffalo Dungeon—it was the first⁠ one I planned‍‍‍ to acquire.’

Even‍⁠ thinking back now,‌⁠ it was a good decision. I got a lot⁠ of use out⁠‌⁠ of it. In‍ terms of versatility,⁠⁠ it was the best among all⁠ my blessings.

That’s⁠‍⁠ how flexible the⁠‍ Blessing of Transference⁠⁠ was. Like a universal magnet, it⁠⁠ stuck well to‌ anything.

However, absorbing another’s blessing‌ or anything like that wasn’t part‍ of its original⁠ function. It’s not⁠‍ even documented like‌ that in the⁠‍ Miracle Blessing M article on Kkowiki.‍‌

Only‍‌ that I possessed‌ another ability in⁠ addition to blessings.‍

‘The‌‌ Inverse Demon Eye.’

Just‍‍ after the Ring‌‍ Demon Eye—which could⁠‌ distort a single⁠⁠ “concept” and was‌ considered the most‍‍ powerful in history—mine⁠ came next in‍ terms of being overpowered. It was⁠ a true demonic‍ eye.

If‌ I inverted the‍‍ direction of transfer‍‌‍ using it, I could turn the‍‍ Blessing of Transference⁠⁠ into a kind⁠‌ of absorption blessing.‌

Moreover,⁠‌ the Inverse Demon⁠‍ Eye had no‌ risk or usage‌⁠⁠ limitations.

That‍ didn’t mean I could go around⁠ stealing blessings from⁠ all the heroes‍ in the world‌ at will. The‍⁠ other party had‍ to consent. I didn’t know why.⁠‍

Maybe‌⁠‍ it was because‍⁠ I hadn’t completely‍ abandoned my humanity.⁠‍ I respected everyone’s⁠‍ free will. That’s‍ also why I didn’t intervene directly⁠‍ to eliminate the⁠ tumors of this⁠⁠ world and left⁠‍ that job to‌⁠ the Auditore clan.⁠‍

If‌‌ the God of‌ the Sword intervened,⁠ everything would collapse‌ from the roots.‌‍ And if that‍ happened, how would‌‍⁠ I be any⁠ different from the‍ false gods?

I try not to‌‍ meddle in others’‍‌ affairs.

Of‌‌⁠ course, there are‌⁠‌ times when I get irritated and, unintentionally, someone ends‌‌ up saying goodbye⁠ to this world.‍‌

But‍⁠ that’s just a mistake. A simple mistake, that’s all.‍

Anyway—‌

Knox’s‍ unexpected proposal left⁠‌ me deep in‌‌ thought. The bluish⁠‍ light of the‌ moon faded into‌ dawn, and the‌⁠ sun began to‍‍‍ fill the hospital‍ corridors with its⁠‌‌ orange warmth.

“I…”⁠⁠⁠

After‍ a long silence,‍ I finally spoke.⁠‌

***‌

In‍ the sunlight’s shadow,‌⁠ Knox leaned against‍ the wall.

“Kang⁠⁠ Geom-Ma…”

He‍⁠ stared at the‌ burning morning. Meanwhile,‍‍ hospital staff began‍ arriving one by‍‌ one, bringing life‌‌ into the gloomy‍‍ corridor.

But⁠⁠‍ Knox remained silent,‌⁠‍ lost in thought.⁠‍

“You‍ really… always do⁠⁠ the unexpected…”

— I refuse.

Kang‍⁠ Geom-Ma had simply‍ shaken his head‌‍‌ without repeating it‍ and added this⁠‌ at the end.

— Breaking Auditore’s chains is something that only Chloe can‌ do. I don’t‌ think you or⁠ I should interfere.⁠⁠ Besides, thinking it‍‍ through, I’m not⁠‍ even sure I need the Blessing‍ of the Crow.⁠

Even‌‍‌ his own brother‍⁠ hadn’t considered that.‌‌

‘Why‌⁠ did I try to decide something⁠ like this without‌ even talking to⁠⁠ Chloe…?”

Maybe,‍‍‌ without realizing it,⁠ he was treating‌‌⁠ her like a child—or even as‌ a possession.

That‌ thought was like‍‌ a fishbone stuck⁠ in his throat.‍

‘Am⁠⁠ I truly thinking⁠‍ about Chloe with‌‍⁠ all my heart?’‍

As‍ he brooded silently,‌‌ someone approached. Turning‌ his head, he‍‍ saw a young⁠⁠ woman in a white coat looking‌ up at him.⁠⁠ She had the‍ harmless expression of‍ a puppy. She‍ spoke:

“…You‍ don’t look well.‌ Why not get‌‍ a check-up?”

“……”⁠‍

Knox‍ furrowed his brow slightly. The woman‌ quickly showed her‌ ID badge.

“Ah,‌ ah! S-Sorry if‌ I was rude.‍ I’m the attending⁠‌ doctor for patient⁠⁠ Chloe in Room⁠ 412.”

“…Thank‌⁠ you.”

“No‌‍ problem. Just doing‍ my job.”

Her‌ tone was full⁠ of good intentions.‌‍‌ Seeing her, Knox⁠ thought, “Seems like‍ even in the‍‌ hospital affiliated with‌ Parsy Academy, they’ve⁠ got competent medical‌ staff.”

“But‌ if you keep‌ taking care of‌ the patient like‌ this, you’ll fall⁠⁠ ill. You should‌‌ get some rest,‌ or at least⁠ head downstairs for‌ an IV.”

“If‍ I get hospitalized, isn’t that a benefit for the⁠ hospital?”

“That‍⁠⁠ doesn’t mean it‌‌ goes into my‍ pocket. I’m a salaried doctor at‌‍ this hospital. The‌ fewer patients I have, the better—I⁠‌ get to go‌‌ home earlier. My university professor also⁠⁠‌ taught me that.‌ Oh, I shouldn’t‍ say this, sounds⁠‍ like I’m tarnishing‍ her name… but⁠ she was a legend. You’ve probably‍‍‍ heard of her—Professor‌‍ Cynthia.”

How‌ could he not‌ know?

A truly exceptional figure.‌⁠

The⁠ divine Cynthia.

Biological‌‌ mother of Saki Ryozo, the current director of the‌‍ academy. Mother-in-law of‍⁠ Heavenly Sword Kang‌ Geom-Ma.

But‌‍ even without that⁠‌‍ aura of prestige,‍‌ if someone had⁠‍ been her student,⁠ there was no reason to doubt‍ this puppy-faced doctor’s⁠‌ ability. That’s why she mentioned Cynthia.‌⁠‌

“I‍ understand.”

Knox⁠ uncrossed his arms‌ and stepped away‍ from the wall.⁠⁠ The doctor looked⁠‍⁠ at him, puzzled, as he turned‍ and walked off‍ calmly.

“E-Excuse‌⁠ me…”

As⁠‍⁠ her crimson lips‌ parted slightly, Knox‌⁠ turned around again.‍‌ A red gleam‌⁠ flickered in his‌ eyes.

“I’d⁠ like to ask‌⁠ you something.”

“Y-Yes…?”‍⁠

“This‍‍ is… let’s say,‍‌ a personal question…”‌

He‌ hesitated, scratched his⁠ nape, and avoided⁠ her gaze. Then,‌‌ with a sigh‌ deep enough to‌ crack the ground, he spoke again.

“How‍⁠ does a doctor‍⁠‍ face their patients?⁠⁠ No need to‌ be specific.”

“Hmm,‍‌ what an interesting‌ question. How does‍ one face patients,‌ you say…? I’ve⁠ never really thought‌ about it seriously⁠⁠‍ because it seems‌ so obvious.”

“If it makes you‌‌ uncomfortable, you don’t‌⁠ have to answer.”⁠

“No,‌ it’s not uncomfortable.”‌‍

A gentle smile formed‌ on the doctor’s⁠ lips.

“Since⁠⁠‌ I specialize in rehabilitation, I think‌ it’s about seeing⁠‍ the patient walk⁠‌ again of their‍‌ own will. Something‍ like that.”

“…Heh,‍ haha.”

“…Haha?”⁠

“Ahahahahaha!”⁠

His sudden laughter left⁠ the doctor speechless.‍‍ Knox, now standing‌⁠⁠ tall, wiped the‌‍⁠ corner of his‌‌ eye with his‍⁠ index finger and‍ murmured:

‘You,‌⁠ always so clumsy, still manage to‍ teach me something.⁠‌ Even though you’re‌ only a year younger, it feels‌ like you’ve lived⁠ decades more.’

And‌‍ it was true.⁠

“P-Patient…⁠‍ no, wait. Family‍⁠ of the patient?”‍

“Doctor.”⁠‌

“Yes?”‌‌

“I’m‍‌ thinking of making‍ a donation to⁠ this hospital.”

If⁠ you receive a lesson, you must‍⁠‍ pay tuition. Parsy‌ was, after all,‍ an academy.

“So‌‍ suddenly…?”

“However…”‍

Knox‍ looked at her‍‍ firmly.

“The‍‍ name of the⁠‍ donor must be Kang Geom-Ma.”

***⁠‌

[■■’s‌‍ awareness level has‌‍ increased.]

[Coherence‌ based on suppression⁠‌‍ force has decreased.]‍

[Until‍‌ full activation of‌ the God of⁠⁠ the Sword’s Blessing.]‍

[…Approximately⁠ …% ……]

***⁠

The opening ceremony was‍‍‍ even more spectacular‍⁠ than the main‌ event.

It‍‍ all began with⁠ a jet drawing‌ patterns in the‌‍ sky, followed by⁠ plum petals flying everywhere.

Given‌ how enthusiastically the⁠ first round had⁠‌ been received, it⁠‌ seemed a significant⁠ investment had been‍‌ made.

Moreover,‍‍ from Parsy’s perspective,⁠ losing even “Sköll‌ and Hati” would‍‍ practically seal their⁠ defeat.

That’s⁠‌‍ probably why they‌ gilded everything to‍ boost their participants’ morale.

Puuuuuuuuuuuuu!‌⁠

The‍‍ horn blared solemnly.‍‍

Amid⁠ the commotion, we‌ made our entrance‍‍ onto Parsy’s battle⁠ field.

On‍‌‌ both sides of⁠‌ the red carpet,⁠ a human corridor‌‍ had formed. People‌ threw flower petals⁠‌ at our feet‌‌ in a gesture‌ of victory’s blessing.⁠‌

‘Unlike‍‍ last time, they‌⁠ let in spectators.’‍‌‌

That meant no serious⁠ accidents were expected this time. If‌‍ there’s no danger‍ of injury, there’s⁠⁠ no reason to‍‍‍ bar the public.‌

Since⁠‌ the first event,‍⁠ “Heroes’ Offering,” had stirred some chaos,‌ precautions had been⁠‌ taken for this⁠‌ second tournament. To‍ avoid unsettling the‍‍ audience.

“Wuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!”⁠‍

“Joaquin!⁠ Joaquin! Joaquin!”

“Heavenly‍ Sword-nim! We love⁠⁠‌ you! Marry me!”‌

The⁠‌ shouts overlapped, creating‍ a strange harmony.⁠ It added realism⁠‌ to the scene⁠ and filled the⁠‌⁠ heart with confidence.‍‌‌ That’s right. Crowds⁠ always amplify things.

Not‍‍ long after Joaquin,‌⁠⁠ the winner of⁠⁠ the first event,‍‌ appeared, Parsy’s participants‌⁠ made their entrance.‌⁠⁠

A fierce intensity burned‌⁠ in their eyes—the‍ kind seen in‍⁠‍ hunters. Though the‌ teachers were participating⁠ too, it was the students’ murderous⁠ glares that stood⁠⁠ out most.

“Is‌⁠ it because we⁠‌ crushed them in⁠‍ the flag war?⁠‌ With that alone,⁠ they could kill‍ someone.”

Ryozo‍ said it with a tired smile.⁠‌‌ I nodded silently⁠⁠⁠ and took my‍ seat.

The‌ others sat down‍‍ as well.

As‌ usual in such events, the announcer‌‌ was screaming to⁠ hype the crowd.⁠‌‌ With a face‍‍⁠ red like a ripe tomato, he‌ recited the students’‌‍‌ names and introduced‌ the participating professors.

“Our‌⁠ savior, the Heavenly⁠ Sword!”

Even‍‌ my neck and‍‍‍ ears turned red.⁠ I felt like‌ the stares alone⁠‍‌ might smother me⁠⁠‍ in embarrassment.

“Ladies‍⁠ and gentlemen! Without⁠‍ further ado, let’s‌‌ begin Sköll and‌ Hati!”

Amid‍ thunderous cheers, the⁠‍ ground in the‌ field began to sink. A massive‍ sinkhole opened up,‌ as large as‍ a football stadium.‌‍

Soon⁠‌ after, the terrain‍ refilled, almost like‌‌ it was regenerating.⁠

Just‌ then, Ji Changhyuk,⁠‍ the second-year rep‍‌ sitting behind us,‌ let out a small gasp.

“Wow.”‍⁠

An⁠ elongated oval shape. At its center‍⁠ stood sculptures resembling‍‌ Egyptian gods.

It‌ looked like a movie set. The earthy smell carried⁠ by the wind‍ brushed our noses.⁠‌ The sensory realism made it feel⁠‌ like we had⁠⁠⁠ traveled back to glorious ancient Rome.⁠‍

‘They‍ really invested in‌‌‌ this.’

But⁠‍ what truly caught‌⁠ our attention weren’t‌ the sands—it was⁠‌ the chariot race.⁠⁠ The chariots were⁠ two-seaters, each pulling‌ black and white⁠ iron spheres behind‌‌ them.

The⁠‌ white symbolized the‍‌‌ sun, the black the moon. That⁠ much we knew⁠‍ from the pre-event‍ explanation.

However-

□ –
□ –

●

No⁠ one had mentioned‌ the chariots would‌ be pulled by⁠‌ beasts instead of‍‍ domesticated animals.

What the hell were‍‍ those? They looked‌‌‌ canine but—

『They’re⁠ wolves!』

Even‍‍ a stray dog would laugh.

Abel⁠⁠ curled his lips⁠⁠ in disbelief.

“…That?⁠‌ That chubby thing?”‌‌

The⁠⁠‍ animal scratched behind‍‌ a round ear‍⁠ with its hind leg. The crowd⁠ clutched their chests‍‍ and let out‌‌ weird sighs.

“Sooo…‍ adorable…”

It‌‍ didn’t match the word “wolf” at⁠ all.

『Ladies⁠ and gentlemen! Give‍ it up for Sköll and Hati!』⁠⁠

Their‍ names didn’t suit‍‍⁠ them.

『The⁠ rules are simple!‍ If participants from‍‍‍ each academy reach‌⁠‍ the mouths of‍⁠ Sköll and Hati,‍⁠ they win!』

Basically,‍ it was a high-stakes game of‌ tag. In Korean‌‌ terms: “cops and⁠‍ robbers.”

「But‍ first, they must‍‍⁠ complete at least⁠‍ one lap around‌ the arena, right?」‍

「Or‌ if they manage⁠ ten laps first,‌‍⁠ that also counts⁠‌ as a win!」⁠

『Big-big!⁠ Aggressive physical contact‌ is strictly forbidden!‌ Running only!』

「Ah,‍‌ and of course⁠ those riding in‍‍ back aren’t just⁠ ordinary students! You‍‌ guessed it!」

“But‍‌ we won’t reveal⁠ them just yet,‍ right? Let’s leave‍‍ a bit to‌⁠⁠ the imagination!”

“Explaining⁠ too much ruins⁠ the fun! RUN!‍‍ RUN! RUN! Let’s‍ go already!”

「This event begins with‍⁠⁠ the second-years!」

It‌ was about visibility. In the last war, first and⁠⁠ third-years from both‍‍⁠ academies had stood‌⁠ out. Parsy’s second-years,⁠‌ on the other⁠ hand, hadn’t shined.⁠‌⁠ So they went⁠⁠⁠ first.

The‌‌⁠ official reason.

“Redeem‍‍ yourselves.”

Ryozo⁠‌ rested her chin‌‍ on her fist.⁠‍

“…But‌ in reality, it’s‍‌ just to lay‌ the groundwork.”

“No‍‌⁠ surprises.”

Abel‍ blew his bangs‌‌ back and gestured⁠ to his disciple.‌

“Let’s‍ go, Ji Changhyuk.”⁠⁠

“…Yes.”‍⁠

“Straighten‍ those shoulders! Aren’t⁠⁠‍ you my disciple?⁠ Don’t walk around‌‌ hunched!”

“Sorry,‍ Lady of the⁠⁠ Sword!”

Ji‍ Changhyuk’s shoulders instantly⁠ snapped into place.⁠‍ Abel’s frown finally‌ softened.

“What‌‍ I mean is, don’t worry about‍‌ my pride. Do‍ your best. Even‌‌ if the whole‍ world criticizes you, it doesn’t matter.‌⁠‌ Don’t chase others’⁠ approval. If you’re⁠ proud of yourself,⁠⁠‍ that’s enough.”

“Lady‍ of the Sword…!”‍

One⁠⁠⁠ touch to his‌‌ eyes and a whole reservoir would‌ burst.

“But that doesn’t mean‍‌‌ you’re allowed to‍⁠ lose.”

“…Huh?”‌

Her‍‌ lips smiled, but⁠⁠ not her eyes.‍

“If⁠⁠‍ you carry the‌⁠‍ Nibelung name, you‌‍ can’t afford to⁠ lose.”

“……”⁠‌‍

Ji Changhyuk’s desperate gaze‍ pierced me. I ignored it. As⁠‌ the saying goes,⁠ you can see the bottom of‍‌ the ocean, but⁠ not a person’s⁠ heart.

‘Abel’s⁠ competitive spirit is‍‌ genetic, buddy.’

Abel dragged Ji Changhyuk‍‍ by the collar⁠‍ like a sack.

They‌ crossed the field⁠ and appeared again—initially awkward and a bit shy, then‍ full of energy.⁠‍⁠

‘God…⁠‍ I have no‍‍⁠ idea.’

Anyway, they got on‍ the chariot. Parsy⁠ was also ready.‍ Both teams were‌‌ set.

「Skooooöll‍ and Hatiiiii!」

The‍‍ announcer nearly bent⁠ over in excitement.‍‌⁠

「Begin!」⁠‌

Abel‌‍ and Ji Changhyuk⁠⁠ grabbed the reins⁠‌ attached to the‍⁠ wolves’ mouths. Parsy‍ did the same.‌ The beasts Sköll‌⁠ and Hati, who‍ had been yawning just moments ago, suddenly started moving⁠‍ with vigor.

Shweeeeeek!⁠‌⁠

Parsy’s⁠ chariot cut through‌ the air at⁠ shocking speed. A wig flew off‍⁠ someone in the crowd.

How‍‍ were those chubby‍ wolves running like that!?

Admiration⁠‌ turned to confusion.‍⁠ This time, eyes⁠⁠ turned toward the starting line.

“…Huh?‍‍ Huh?”

“Lady‍‍ of the Sword!?”⁠⁠‌

The‌⁠‌ Joaquin chariot was‌‌ crawling—literally at snail‌ pace—causing a stir‍⁠⁠ among the audience.‌‍

「And‍‌‌ here lies the‌ charm of Sköll⁠ and Hati!」

The⁠⁠ announcer burst in‍‌ like he’d been‍‌ waiting for it.‌⁠

「Since‍ ancient times, the‌ sun represents the‍⁠ master, and the‍ moon the disciple.‍‍ The disciple doesn’t‍ shine alone—it’s the‌ light of the‌⁠‍ master that makes‍ them glow.」

「The‌‍‌ white orb reflects⁠‍‍ one-twentieth the master’s‍ power. The black‍‍‍ one is the‍ disciple’s peak power.」⁠‌

「To‍‍‌ win, the disciple‍‌ must exert effort, and the master‍ must cheer them⁠⁠ on!」

「We‌ won’t explain why‌ Joaquin’s chariot isn’t⁠ moving.」

「But‌ one thing is⁠ clear: only by‍‌‍ surpassing the halo‌‌ of the master⁠ can one become‌ a true hero!」‌

Fair⁠‍ enough. What they‍‌⁠ meant was that the gap between‌‍ Abel and Ji Changhyuk was enormous.⁠

He⁠‌⁠ didn’t even reach one-twentieth of her.‍‍

A completely disadvantageous event for Joaquin, where⁠ all the professors‍‍‌ were from the⁠ “golden generation.”

“…..”⁠

“Mmm.”⁠‌‌

I felt a stare‌⁠ on my neck.⁠ It was Victoria.⁠‌

‘I⁠‍ know already.’

If‍ Abel and Ji⁠ Changhyuk are like this—