Chapter 341: Tradition of the Inter-Academy Tournament (4)
579JoNot just the audience, even the president of the association, Sung Yuchang, couldn’t hide his astonishment.VOcKSN
D4WEveryone was shocked because not even for a second had such an idea crossed their minds.6zt8
iHb7The “Sköll and Hati” race had originally been conceived as a test to measure synchronization between master and disciple.2vyoPQ
G5do0O‘When I first heard it… I thought Saint Yu Sein’s proposal was just a blatant attempt to mock the Heavenly Sword.’E2XTN9F
XgSHmBut… what the hell?fd63
OineSuThe chariot carrying Heavenly Sword and Victoria was moving.PVED
tuwLN5gIt wasn’t exactly a smooth ride, but the two wolves were pulling the chariot with all their might, panting as if their lives depended on it.mX3g
7MBJKiVWhat once looked like bears were now slowly slimming down, regaining their form as wild wolves.r287
k4UzaTo survive. To avoid being sacrificed by the Heavenly Sword.G2BO
5SOSköll and Hati summoned every last drop of energy to desperately move their paws.X7Q4o
HQiIt looked like their legs might snap at any moment.0jBW
3fJUzThe irreverent scene brought about a brief silence.IdYYM
d827rOf course, it didn’t last long.c8he
05Hcw***ZNlR0
n6q“Yeeeeees! I trusted you, Heavenly Sword! I knew you’d show us something different!”dW8Ne
Etzfi“Exactly! Running like crazy isn’t the only exciting thing! This is what I wanted! This is what I wanteeeeed!!”pW3fq
hDMThe air was buzzing with intensity.9PxA2Uw
VWajlAs the atmosphere heated up around him, Sung Yuchang glanced at Speedweapon, who was sitting beside him, and seeing him smiling, he spoke.pSR2aOF
nS8“Did you know Heavenly Sword was going to do this?”IflMys
JgM“Of course not. Talking privately about a test is a clear violation of the rules. As you know well, Mr. President, I’m not that kind of person.”lDTWd
g4eN“Hmm… I suppose you’re right. I only asked because you look too calm.”6v968
A4H8Dy“Haha.”2TO
vqCAASpeedweapon shrugged and laughed.mdYoC
ZaEXzAt“I guess the difference in perspective is inevitable. You’ve been with the President for quite a while, but your reaction is completely different from mine.”8gR
y6zC“Nothing I can do. A bureaucrat like me can’t go around being friends with Heavenly Sword like you.”DwU
VriI8m“I didn’t mean it that way.”LCey
7FrSpeedweapon firmly shook his head, his expression hardening.XIJgKy
lK3dThe relaxed look vanished from his face.HQJT6C
WqhHe fixed his serious gaze on the war chariot carrying Kang Geom-Ma and spoke.1nrGXF
NUMHDhI“Everyone sees the President as someone transcendental, an existence beyond human. But he’s not like that. He’s simpler than he seems. If I were like what everyone says he is, I’d do whatever I wanted without thinking of the consequences. Because there’d be nothing to fear.”msSjm
nZWbY2…Doesn’t Heavenly Sword already do that?Dc0l
bACTfBut Sung Yuchang understood what Speedweapon meant and listened in silence.MyJyw
SyXhmJw“The President, Kang Geom-Ma, doesn’t just charge forward. He’s the strongest in the world, yet he has a surprisingly broad perspective. He pretends otherwise, but he’s always looking out for those around him.”jl6
sq08Z“I agree.”eIMgAWw
rJgNB8Sung Yuchang absentmindedly toyed with the fingers of his prosthetic arm.q69
nfbu5Even after the Joaquin disaster, all he had lost from nearly dying were an arm and a leg. That was thanks to Heavenly Sword saving him.6momIJ
1wM9wad“For someone that strong, looking after others requires strategies that normal people wouldn’t even think of. And this moment is a perfect example of that.”P9J
PXv8“You mean… mistreating the wolves?”jW9
wcF16“Haha, President, you’re always so straightforward.”fz5Vi
hL8tiSpeedweapon smiled. He returned his focus to the race and murmured in a low voice.bpL7hk
rrc“One day, I should be by your side too. Damn it right now, I envy the princess beside him.”70fPntn
bBC4b3Ten years ago, on the day the Demonic Siren appeared, Kang Geom-Ma turned his back on his squad.Y5Oa
5sAmgpAnd it wasn’t a negative metaphor—it was literal. In a moment of crisis, he moved forward.3nTPt5
8eOTNAnd he didn’t even think about how to eliminate the enemy.FuKM
dBTGIHe only thought about how to protect his own.jmTMs8
Z0v91That’s why no one fit the title of “hero” better than Kang Geom-Ma.em3
ycS‘You’re different from me.’TI22
oxdMAt that moment, his gaze met that of a golden-haired youth in the royal gallery.mXTR
Yk9kkHe shone so brightly it was as if he were covered in gold dust, standing out among the crowd.hugHNAV
bMPk‘Isn’t that right, Leon?’epdTRj
TtVLeon captivated people with his humanity. But his view of Kang Geom-Ma wasn’t so different from Speedweapon’s.S3QmspI
dYTNLeon always tried to make the best decision in critical situations.8S6u0b9
iu5The opposite of Kang Geom-Ma, who focused on preventing the worst.zxQ
yR1zz1‘Back then maybe even earlier, the President was already looking in a different direction than the rest of us.’3QDSE
T02xMAs if he had come from another world.NibG
MwTZA man shaped by an existence that loved only this world among the infinite threads of the universe.ImY07
npecVzThe President was different.H4vj6n
GSdfYehAnd even so, Speedweapon longed to share his vision.M2oTwO
QcDfHe clenched his jaw tightly.e1jGmU9
lSj469UTo him, Kang Geom-Ma was an invaluable friend and the ideal hero he had always admired.gpWf
gKF7TGG***cbN
xhKelWe barely managed to catch up to Parsy’s war chariot. A 20-meter gap was still something we could close.tRlUhlF
KxaFzMIf the wolves pushed just a bit more.l6Yls
AOrdk“Kyekyekyeng!”2P7poU7
nWPE45G“Kerrrrrk…”uXax
CjYmfTheir howls pierced my eardrums like toothpicks.7l3SW
sbztwI know it’s shameless to say it myself, but the wolves were giving it their all. They had nothing left to squeeze out.8IZ6
Uev‘The difference between Victoria and me…’m81U
3npQjIf the princess had a blessing that could read thoughts, she might’ve gotten hurt, so I’d better not say anything.TQqbiw
8jVmqj“(Please, save us.)”pG7
EiY“(We’re going to die like this!)”89D
aO1tGvThose two lumps of iron, the Sun and the Moon, weighed at least several dozen tons. Judging by their appearance, these wolves were beasts brought from Gehenna.wzQ0
Tp11gBut even so, completing a lap pulling that weight was impossible.TByc
tdwIf they could manage it, I’d give them Churu until they burst.qgowZ
HYFPXWell, isn’t Churu for cats? I’ve never raised one. Whatever.BTU
uxofbWe had to accept the situation as it was. This improvised fix would only last a lap.K6DR2
TrFqzIn the end, either I or Victoria—or maybe both—would have to make up the power gap to win.xq7CC
dyJqiIAt the very least, I had to say I was doing my part. Compressing my power inward wasn’t as easy as it sounded.vSxbl
5bM‘If it were easy, I’d have fixed my personal messes already!’xhxBJ
h6pTI was applying pressure from above, but it was like juice splattering everywhere. Like trying to clean and making more of a mess. If I let go, we’d lose.W65
TfbIf I tried to contain it, it overwhelmed me. There was no clear answer for now.OhgRP
TLzxnNKI must’ve tugged the reins accidentally. Sköll and Hati crashed into an invisible wall—my grip strength—and the chariot jolted violently like it had hit a pothole.G0K6
G2rWcI glanced sideways in guilt. Victoria waved her hand as if to say it was okay.wqXYQ
gSsvaeThough dripping in sweat, she only looked straight ahead. It seemed like she was trying to find her own way to overcome this.P2y
j7pB「Parsy’s chariot has completed its first lap!」v8s4
DswVk「But Joaquin’s is not far behind! Oh, oh, just now Joaquin’s chariot completes its first lap as well.」ieGh
wwZb90x「Mmm, but the wolves seem completely exhausted.」fBtN
ud3Jx0L「Ladies and gentlemen! Now it truly begins! Stay tuned to the channel! Keep your eyes on it!」GTHDcz
dKSjkEI ignored the outdated, cringey phrasing and focused on our current situation.7ifYapZ
ljYJL1Thick dust blanketed our vision, which, confusingly, turned out to be a bit of help.cTx
btpIA1gKeep a cool head. We were both seeking our own solutions. But suddenly, I realized that wasn’t right.GP5gno
iykoGEven if only temporarily, I was Victoria’s master. But the problem was that I wasn’t good at teaching.EKyN
QddpRhd‘What can I do?’ZK4VBj
CAjR5n3Think, Kang Geom-Ma.qGSMRq
XHcCRrrrraaaaaarrrrrrrr.jhzbGWD
DUNThe sound of the wheels grated on us like a storm. Annoying, but unavoidable. Just an excuse.8hFCv
uORBItAfter all, Parsy was enduring it too.IrH0lSX
frZFp“Princess Victoria.”VVHrQ
3yz5jIfShe quickly looked up. I chose my words carefully before speaking. Even if it meant getting a mouthful of sand, I had to say it.U2fM2
HXsIGua‘I, a useless teacher, the only thing I can do is…’Fkj
LlK5OqIt’s motivating.AVl0be8
hOMeI“I don’t think our goal is to close the power gap right now. I doubt Yu Sein, who proposed this event, made it that simple.”ReY
fq2ZWfYu Sein had hidden riddles in every trial at this academy.14YLcND
9U3It wasn’t just about winning or losing. Losing this ridiculous event didn’t really matter.fKM
iQyCWell, I won’t lose, but that’s not the point.M5YLwmb
5MXdWith dry lips, I spoke while pushing Sköll and Hati to their limit.mR7qZ5
TrJO5ZV“Power isn’t just physical strength.”RtyO
ILpvix“Then…”cdj
Vc9TE“This is just my own take, but I divide my power into three mind, body, and armament.”CsTJ
dX1kcI felt a little guilty. I had basically quoted the descriptions from the Blessing of the Sword God as if they were my own thoughts.5J4
05ASjA silent apology to Yu Sein, who had configured my interface.PN7tK8E
86c7Rp“Mind… body… and armament…”ccV
KX7ZT8“Let’s try elimination. Can we close the physical gap right now?”xhE
Y24Vcv9She shook her head.I8IJc
Nfv“As for armament, though it’s ambiguous here, let’s assume the chariot is our weapon. Then we’re almost on equal footing—or at least not far behind.”DtgE
gMEI“Kekekekeng!”dToVWX
SIIHPyA bark sounded ahead and the chariot suddenly sped up.SOEOu
MPSSköll and Hati, offended by my words, bolted as if to prove their worth.VWZypI
0pMwPvpUnplanned, but a welcome result. It wouldn’t last long, but we had quickly entered striking distance.N6wjvb
zRHWIa9“W-what? Why are they speeding up!?” Edward panicked.HmQY
k9BcJkZIn these kinds of races or games, item RNG is everything. Who could he blame for a bad roll?h1tnmav
C0IRWuaaaaaaaaaaaaa!Y37
dupW“Run, puppies! Run faster!”S7Gk
gZypj“Me too! I wanna be Kang Geom-Ma’s dog! Treat me rough like that too!”Lr2ytef
tWUp43The crowd’s cheers, which had almost faded, came roaring back. We also bought ourselves some time.53qmtsL
Lg6zKBack to the main point.1eEwibK
2SRsZk“What we have left is the ‘mind.’ The only thing we can enhance right now is the mind. Wipe away whatever you can’t overcome immediately, Victoria.”T3JHK
2AAz“How do you raise your mental strength just like that?”bySmYK5
jjY1Ws“The process of figuring that out is part of mental strength too. That’s what I’d say if this were a motivational seminar, but given the situation, I’ll give you a tip.”Kg8YM
W1hlCThis is just my personal experience.BwY7y
P96I3U“My childhood had a lot of ups and downs. To be honest, I nearly went astray. My mind was unstable.”jGc
wufSTMy eyes traced the past.r8XJ
994s9OThe dust around me shifted like a screen, displaying scenes from my youth.3w88E0
AMP6“That’s when I met my teacher—someone venerable to me. He beat me up and threatened me. But I learned. Not just about swords and stuff, but… ‘I can change too. Depending on who I meet. If I meet good people, I can become someone good.’”ilZP
r6ekZw“……”cU5M
LgmLb“And when I enrolled at Joaquin Academy, that idea became a conviction. When I was about to fall apart, it was my friends and the instructors who grounded me. It was all thanks to those relationships.”eZW
1Zmu1duI smiled faintly and turned my head.U9Rkax
PUMSEp“I don’t know what kind of life you’ve had, princess, but I’m sure you’ve had meaningful or special encounters. Even if you didn’t meet them, people who inspired you. Think of them.”A0Fwoo
rQcCSzP“Meaningful encounters…”GUcLZKH
gMiGTu“And even though I’ve only lived ten years more than you, I feel like coincidences don’t exist.”DKci4fo
37Ffg1The pages of my memories flipped one by one. In all of them, I was always with someone. There was no longer a trace of the child who wandered alone in his past life.yIixS
FZd7dC“To me, coincidences… are connections.”CqQ
R7uI said to Victoria.ZnErhnK
obmUhq“Princess…”iMjX
YDDXqdAnd to myself.rgip
cfboSR“Thanks to those encounters, my mind is stronger than it was yesterday. So you should do the same.”yR3
sXTYYFL“Kang Geom-Ma…”wD2j
Pv0Victoria took a determined step. I handed her the reins and gave her my seat.0rNL
s7hLMThen something strange happened.CURkODM
bEOdAs soon as she took the reins, the chariot accelerated. The unsteady rhythm of Sköll and Hati also stabilized.zxDbmKI
IhxThat could only mean one thing.zhenk
Hvh“Thank you.”8sk
cgAJROur connection had strengthened. As a result, the burden on Sköll and Hati lightened.bK8c5
9YU2They had been forced to run one and a half laps around a field larger than a stadium, so with that load eased, they howled with joy.78e1S
vro0jD3Catching up to Parsy was just a matter of time.Ith4NRa
iRV“…Don’t call me princess. Just Victoria. That’s enough.”ejP
zLZ“I’ll do that.”zzZ0M
IYe“And also, stop speaking formally.”kVTgR19
Fq5rA0H“That… I’ll try, depending on the situation.”WlOBx6
R6nAt that moment, the dust before us cleared. And with it, my memories flowed too.Sl6asmD
68z0GvBut I didn’t feel sad. Because there were my friends, my family.AUBcS
hGotqF9The people who made me strong.v1L9
HoiThey are the blessing I’ve received.mmR
oZKzx77They are the light of Kang Geom-Ma.4hHl
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