The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 345: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (3)

Chapter 345: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (3)

“It’s‍‍⁠ a warm scene.”‌

Michelan,⁠ standing beside me,‍‌ was the one⁠‌⁠ who said it.‌

He⁠⁠ watched Abel and⁠‍ Orion von Nibelung⁠ with misty eyes.‍

The‍⁠ heroes surrounding them‌‌ like escorts bore⁠ the same expression.⁠

The‌ wheel of fate,⁠⁠ ever ironic, had⁠‌ only spun slightly⁠ off course.

All⁠‍ because of the⁠ invasion of mana that should not‍ exist in the⁠‌ mortal world.

How⁠⁠‍ ironic.

One‌ single gear fails,⁠ and the whole‍ universe creaks.

And⁠⁠ still, humans find‍ warmth and meaning‍‌ amidst it all.‌ It’s a scene‍‍ that reminds you‌‍ how imperfect we are.

But‌ that’s precisely why, I think, humanity‍ is beautiful. If⁠ we were perfect,‍‍ whole, without flaws,‍‍‍ we wouldn’t move‌ forward.

We’d⁠‌ remain stuck in⁠ preservation, not in⁠⁠ progress.

Even‍‌‌ if it creaks,⁠⁠⁠ we keep advancing.‌ That’s why I’m‍‍ proud to be‍‍ human.

And⁠‌ more so, I’m‌‌ certain that perfection⁠⁠‌ doesn’t exist in this universe.

That‍ bunch of false‍‌ gods thought they‌ were perfect—yet didn’t‍⁠‌ I wipe them‍ all out?

‘Getting‍‌ this philosophical just‍ because I’m seeing my wife reunite⁠⁠ with her father…’⁠‍

It must be the⁠⁠ emotion in my‌ chest.

The‍ ripples spreading under‌⁠ my feet, like⁠⁠ stairways, must have‍ reached all the⁠‌ way into my‍‌‍ inner world.

***‍

“It‍ really is… warm.”‍‍‍

Michelan‌⁠ murmured the same thing again.

He⁠ had the face‍ of when he‌ was human.

Every⁠ strand of hair‌ glowed with a halo of light,‍ like a saint.‌‌

If⁠‍‍ someone saw him‌⁠ now, they’d think‍ he was the⁠‍‍ god, not me.‌⁠

“After⁠ hundreds of years‍ in a cold‍ body, in this‌⁠ frigid place, you⁠‌ start to feel‌‌ even your soul‌‍ freezing.”

Michelan spoke without turning his head.

“It’s⁠ like every soul‍⁠‌ has a weight‌ tied to its⁠‌ ankles, slowly dragging⁠⁠ it down. Someday‌ you’ll sink… But‌⁠‌ to delay that day as much‍ as possible, I had to become lighter. I told‍⁠ silly jokes, relived‍‍‌ my memories from‌ when I was‍ human, clung to‌‍⁠ that.”

His‍‌ eyes searched through‌ the past. His‌ entire gaze overflowed⁠‍ with life.

“If you review and‍‍ review your memories,‍ you start to‍⁠ understand things, Kang‌‌ Geom-Ma.”

“You‍ mean that rather‌⁠ than accumulating information,‍ sometimes you need‍‌‍ to look back?”‍

“From⁠ a cosmic perspective,‍ humans don’t even exist for a blink. But in‌‍‍ that blink, we⁠‍ experience and learn⁠‍ so much. Maybe⁠‌ because we’re greedy. That greed makes‌ us human, but…‍ I think keeping‌ our humanity also‌ means soaking in⁠⁠ the past for⁠‍‍ a while. Kang‌ Geom-Ma.”

“…”‍

Without⁠ a word, I turned my head⁠ to him. Michelan⁠‍ smiled warmly.

“You’ve⁠ figured out what‍ I am, haven’t‌ you…?”

“Between‌ your time as undead and your‍‌‌ current state as‌‍ a ghost… there was a gap,‍ wasn’t there? During‌ that time, you⁠ experienced ‘the other world’, didn’t you?”‍

The⁠⁠ other world. As⁠‌ expected, even Miracle⁠ Blessing M didn’t‌ mention that concept.‌

I focused completely on‌⁠ Michelan. In the⁠ distance, Abel and‍‌ Orion were talking affectionately, sitting side by side.

Their‌ own conversation bloomed‍‍ there, while ours⁠ bloomed here. It‍ felt like the⁠⁠ lake and moss‍ breathed life into⁠‌ everything.

We⁠⁠ stood in silence,‌⁠‍ taking it in.‍ Then Michelan continued.‍‍

“That‌ world, the one⁠⁠ without a name,⁠ had a landscape⁠ quite similar to‌‍ this.”

“…You’re‌‍ saying the other‍⁠ world was a lake?”

Now that was something.⁠⁠‌

My‌ inner world was‌⁠ also a lake.⁠

Maybe⁠ there was a clue there—something that could help me‍⁠ better understand the‍ concept of containment,⁠ or even the⁠ truth beyond.

“I‍ say this with‍ certainty.”

Michelan‍ nodded, his eyes gleaming.

“The difference was, that⁠‍ lake wasn’t made‍‌ of water. It⁠ was a mirror.⁠ A giant mirror.⁠⁠ And thanks to‌‍ that mirror, we⁠ could observe not‌‌ only the mortal‍ world but corners‌⁠ of the universe.⁠ In the middle⁠ of that… we saw your battle,‌ Kang Geom-Ma. The‍‌ one against those‍ abyssal creatures.”

“……”‌

“It was amazing! How⁠‍ can a human‍ do that? Orion‌‍ wasn’t the only‍‌‌ one moved, but‌⁠ he especially was‍‍ overjoyed.”

“Ah.”

Without thinking, I looked‌‌ away.

My⁠ eyes met Orion’s.‍⁠ My father-in-law smiled‌‌ at me before‌ resuming his talk⁠ with Abel.

I shouldn’t feel embarrassed.‍⁠

I should feel proud.⁠‍⁠ But being praised⁠ that openly makes‍‌ you shy—especially when it’s your father-in-law.‌‍

I coughed, hiding it‍ with my fist.‌ I cleared my⁠ throat and, unintentionally,‌ took an accusatory⁠⁠ tone with Michelan.‍‍‍

“So‍ you knew all‍ this and played‍ dumb, huh, sir?”‍⁠

“Hahaha!‌‌ Sorry. I didn’t⁠ mean to peek,‌⁠⁠ but I must‍ have hit a nerve.”

“…No.⁠ I overreacted. Sorry,‌⁠ sir. I was‌ glad to see⁠ you again, and⁠ I appreciate the‌ compliment. I just‍⁠⁠ got a little‌ defensive.”

“That‍ stubborn side of⁠ you is probably⁠ what lets you⁠‌ keep being the‍⁠ Heavenly Sword. Maybe‌ that’s the anchor‍‍ that keeps Kang‌ Geom-Ma human.”

“But‌‍ at this rate,‌‌ I’ll wear myself⁠ out.”

Michelan‍⁠ let out a hearty laugh.

“You⁠‍ can afford a little wear! That‍ sharpness of yours‌ is part of‍‍‍ your charm, but‍‌‌ accepting compliments can‌ also lift others.‌‌⁠ Just a word of advice.”

“You’re‌ right.”

I rubbed the back‌ of my neck.⁠‍‌

‘Michelan…⁠⁠ This man always⁠‌⁠ tried to see‍‌ people as they⁠‌⁠ were, even when‍ he was undead.’‍

Rather‌ than focus on‌‍ faults, he highlighted‍ virtues. In that‍ sense, he felt⁠‍ like a true‌ sage.

And‌ strangely, talking with‍ him made the‍ lead around my‍ ankles feel lighter.‌⁠

“Digest‌ the past well.‍⁠ Accept yourself as‍ you are.”

I engraved those two⁠ teachings deep into‌ my soul.

While‍ I was briefly‍⁠ lost in thought, the colors of⁠⁠ Michelan, Orion, and‌‌ the other heroes‌‍‌ began to fade.‍⁠

“It‌ seems the time‍‍ has come.”

Michelan⁠ opened his palm‌‍‌ to show it.‍

“There’s‌ a time limit…?”‌‍

“Yes,‍ it seems so.‍ Maybe if I were alone, I could extend it,‌ but keeping all⁠‍‌ of these here‍‍‌ in the current‍ world—mana isn’t exactly⁠⁠ abundant. Besides, don’t you think there’s‌⁠ beauty in goodbyes,‌⁠ too?”

“…”‌‍

Michelan‌ and the heroes‍ became increasingly faint.

But‌ in contrast, their⁠ smiles grew brighter.⁠‍‍

Abel,‍ lips trembling, could⁠⁠ barely speak. Her‌ hand reached out⁠ to Orion, shaking,‌‌ and then closed⁠ tightly.

“Dad… I’ll come back.”‌⁠

“Abel.”⁠

Abel turned her back‍‍⁠ to Orion. As‌‌ she walked toward‍ me, Sköll and‌ Hati trotted behind‍‍ her.

Only‍ then did Michelan also begin to‍‌⁠ walk, silently smiling. They crossed paths‌‌ in the center.‌‍

“Thank⁠ you, sir.”

“Thank⁠‌ you, miss.”

The⁠ living to the‍ world of the‍ living, the dead‍‌ to the world⁠ of the dead.‌‍ Each returned to⁠‌⁠ their place.

At⁠ that invisible boundary⁠⁠ between us, the⁠‌ heroes gave a deep bow.

Now‌ that I knew what Michelan had told me, I understood why they were so respectful.‌‍ They knew I had the recognition‍‌ of the God of the Sword.⁠

“It‍‌‍ was an honor,⁠ even if only⁠ for a short‌ time.”

But‌‌ still…

To⁠‍⁠ my eyes, the heroes looked much‍ greater than I did. Even if we stood at‌‌⁠ the same height,‍‌ they felt like‍⁠ giants.

I remembered what the⁠ president once quoted‌‌ as if it⁠ were a famous‌ saying:

— If you can⁠ see further than⁠ others, it’s because⁠⁠‍ you’re standing on‍ the shoulders of‍‌ giants.

Those⁠‍‌ giants were the⁠ ones who paved the way before.‍‌⁠ Even if they⁠ saw me as⁠⁠ transcendent, to me,⁠‌ they were sacred‍⁠ figures.

“…I‍ may not have‌ the right, but…‌‍⁠ please, keep watching⁠‌‍ over me.”

I said it without⁠‌⁠ thinking. Orion and⁠‌ the others smiled‍ and nodded.

“We‍‌ will always be‌⁠‍ with you.”

The giants would keep‍ protecting me. Protecting this world.

Fwoooosh—‌‍‍

A fierce wind fell‍‌ from the ceiling.‍

A frigid gust forced‌⁠ us to close‍ our eyes.

When we opened them,⁠ the merciless cold had brought us‍ back to reality.‍

Beneath‍ our feet, there⁠⁠ was no lake.⁠ Just a snowfield.‌

As‌ if nothing had‍‍⁠ happened, we stood‌‍‌ silently before the‍‍⁠ gate, heads bowed.‌

“…That⁠ was insane.”

Just‌⁠ as we began⁠⁠‌ to come to,‍‍‍ Sköll and Hati‍ bit the hems⁠ of our pants.⁠‍

As‍‌⁠ if to say⁠‌‌ it was time⁠ to wake up from the dream.‌‌

I burst out laughing.‌

“Shall⁠ we go?”

Abel‍⁠ and I looked‍ at the two playful animals tugging⁠‍ at us. Then⁠‌‌ we exchanged a glance.

She‌ smiled softly.

I smiled too and nodded.

“Let’s⁠‍‍ go.”

The moment I spoke,⁠‌ Sköll and Hati‌ grew in an⁠ instant.

Mounted‍‌ on the wolves,⁠ we dashed through‍⁠ the snowfield as if bending space‌‍⁠ itself.

The‌ cold burned our cheeks—but our hearts‍ were warm.

***‍

A day had passed.

Which‍ meant there was‌ only one left‍ before the final‌‌⁠ trial.

At‍‍⁠ that point, even⁠ I was starting to get nervous.⁠‌ The fate of‌⁠ each academy would⁠ be decided in⁠ this last event.‌

Some‍ would celebrate in‌ joy. Others would⁠ fall into ruin.‌

If,‍‌ for some reason—no‌‍ matter how small—we⁠ were to lose-⁠

After⁠⁠ what I said⁠⁠ at the conference,‍‍‌ the defeat would‍‍⁠ hurt far more‌‌ than if Parsy‍ were the one‌‌ to suffer it.‌

And⁠ that wasn’t all.‌⁠‍ Since it was‍‍ the final, numerous‍ prominent figures from‌ all over the‍ world had been‍ invited.

Not just the former heroes of the‍⁠ Seven Stars, but also major American hero agencies were‌ present.

Even‌‌⁠ Parsy’s massive Coliseum‌‍ might not be‌‌ enough to hold them all.

So… what would the⁠⁠‌ final trial be,‍ the one to close this historic‍‍‍ first inter-academy gathering?⁠⁠

I had no idea.‍‌

‘I‍‍‍ wanted to provoke⁠ Speedweapon, but…’

It‌ seemed the Association‌‌‍ president shut that⁠⁠ down quickly. He‌ locked Speedweapon away somewhere.

Damn,‌ that old man‍⁠ moved faster than⁠ me.

‘Disqualified:‍⁠ the sashimi faster‍ than words.’

Well…‍‍ in a way,‌‍‌ he’s right to‌⁠ keep an eye⁠ on me, since⁠ I don’t exactly plan to play‌ fair.

I’m‌ not a clean-cut‍ image of an‍ ideal hero like‍‌ Leon. I can’t‌ help it.

Michelan himself said it—‍⁠

Accept‍‍ who you are‌ and stick to⁠⁠‍ your identity.

— But he didn’t⁠⁠‌ mean it like‌⁠ that!

I drowned out his‌‍ sudden voice echoing‌⁠‌ in my head.‍

‘We‍‍ don’t know what‍ the final trial‍ is.’

Maybe⁠ because I’ve lived‍ my life ahead of the curve⁠ thanks to my‍ possessed ability, this⁠ uncertainty was making‍‌ me anxious.

I trust Victoria.

‘It’s Chaerina I can’t⁠‌ trust!’

Chaerina,⁠‌ with whom I had a few⁠‍‍ incidents. She made‍‍ me uneasy.

Yes, this was a competition between academies, but… what if⁠ she was planning‍‌ something more?

Still,‍‌ I couldn’t just⁠⁠ stab her out⁠⁠ of nowhere. Too‌ many eyes were‌ watching us, and‌‍ I couldn’t forget what Yu Sein‌ had said.

She‌‍ didn’t consider Chaerina‍⁠ an enemy.

If‌ she said that,‌‌ she had her‌⁠ reasons.

Even⁠ if she was‌‌ a game addict,‍ Yu Sein was⁠ a saint. A refined version of‌ a medium.

‘For‍ now, I’ll stay‍‌‍ silent about Chaerina.’‌

But⁠⁠‍ other things were⁠ bothering me—like a thorn stuck in my throat.

For‌ instance, the spies‍‍ hidden all over⁠‌ Parsy Academy.

Even‍⁠ if they lose‌‍‍ to Joaquin, they’ll⁠‌ find a way‌ to benefit. And‍ if they win,⁠⁠ they’ll do everything⁠⁠ to humiliate us.

If‌ they win fair‌‌‌ and square, I won’t complain.

…Well,‍‍ maybe just a little.

‘Because⁠⁠ the rotten never‍ win cleanly.’

Me⁠ and corrupt nobles‌ are natural enemies.‍‍ And that’s not⁠‌‍ just for narrative’s‍ sake—we’re on completely‌ opposite poles.

“If⁠ only I could‍⁠‌ do some cleaning⁠ beforehand…”

If‌⁠ I could just⁠ set everything straight‍‌ before the final‍ because if the⁠‌ ending leaves a bad taste, it‍ ruins the entire‌ purpose of this⁠‍ gathering.

Leaning‍ against the railing,⁠‍ I remained lost in thought.

And‌‍ then, a sharp⁠‍‌ presence—Auditore-style—pierced my mental web.

“…Knox.”‌‌⁠

I sighed and called‌‍ out to the⁠ presence.

“The‍⁠ door’s open. Why‍ do you always⁠‍ come through the⁠⁠ balcony like a thief?”

From‌ the darkest corner‍ of the balcony,⁠ a shadow stirred⁠ and stood up⁠⁠ confidently.

“It’s basic assassin etiquette.”

“You’re‍ so inflexible.”

“Heavenly⁠ Sword, you’re not exactly the epitome‌ of flexibility yourself.”‌

“Wow,⁠‌ not holding back even with your‌ hyung now.”

“…Technically,‌‍‍ I’m a year older than you.”‍‌

Ah,‍ right.

I smoothly ignored Knox’s‌ final comment.

“So,‍‌ what’s this about?”‍⁠

“We‍‌‍ got the list⁠ of Parsy’s parasites.”‌

My⁠ ears perked up.‍

“…Parasites?”⁠

My⁠‍‌ heart rumbled strongly.‌

“The‌ names of those⁠ who were planning‍‍⁠ to cheat in‌‌ the final trial.‌⁠ Chloe got the‍‍ list. They call⁠ themselves ‘shareholders’ among‌‍ themselves. I can’t⁠ explain how we‍‍‍ got it right⁠ now…”

“Guide‍‌ Me.”

“What?”‌

I stepped onto the⁠ balcony edge and‌‌‍ rose to my⁠ feet.

“I’m⁠ going to have a conversation with‍⁠ those parasites no,‌⁠ with the so-called shareholders.”

There’s‌‌ no better cure‌ for a foul‌⁠ mood than a clean slice with a blade.