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—

We’ve got no hope either.