Chapter 347: End of the Inter-Academy Tournament (5)
vrZEven though in the Sword Lake, my mental world, half a day had passed, in reality only two minutes had gone by.KcFxr
2BivGovIn just that time, the once joyous banquet hall had turned into a place where everyone looked ready to vomit.QTCMMD8
qy84A group of nobles kept trying to suppress their nausea.3Ro
uVKMBxHPeople who, even with a splinter in their eye, would usually worry first about appearances, were now doing exactly the opposite, completely losing their composure.6lpGv
3K7q98***iHe9
n0Ed5Vb“Uuurk…”wnfR
kKyThe nobles trembled. Director Dante of Parsy Academy was perplexed.BgDE7
Fu3IlqZAnd Kang Geom-Ma, on the other hand, only observed with his deep, dark eyes, expressionless.NgbYx
5xCaE“From now on…”0cS5Hd9
56kiKHe had barely opened his mouth when the retching stopped instantly.dWtGJ7
vekoThe nobles fixed their broken gazes on him.z3N
i8JuS8K“If you mess with the students again, know that it won’t end with just a warning.”Am0Mf4b
1dt1D“……”mCtM
AZ0A1“I already said it. Once, I resolve with dialogue, but a second time, not anymore. I’ll use force without hesitation, so be clear on that.”bb9HNPq
b66WrYiWas that dialogue?LBvv
rrAMgIvEveryone had that question written on their face, though they kept it to themselves.W5Z1C
WxZXizThey had experienced firsthand the power of Kang Geom-Ma—or rather, a mere fragment of that power.R9w
MhT‘M-monster…’H6OnCG
LApVSHeavenly Sword had deployed his mental world.99T9Y
jRtUThey didn’t know if that was even possible for others, but it was certain that only someone like him could do it.Ff2d7nY
IuzHe had used a supernatural skill of that caliber without restriction.uGR
WNr7GxjAnd not only that—he had dragged the entire crowd into his world.k7c
KswWho would be reckless enough to defy such a monster?Ag7U
tEiZ“It’s not compassion that I let you live. It might even be a crueler punishment.”GJ3E0py
yTXP3gvKang Geom-Ma issued his warning.Vbrf
AId4RM“You’ll always remember. Every time you feel a pang of conscience, you’ll wonder, what would he do if he caught me doing this?”wsjAQ
Uo1“……”yKOIV
BZ7y6Chills.HAuXEL9
fafNfF“When someone speaks to you, you should respond.”oJ5pO
DLU“…W-we’ll correct it…”e1BIH
LEmVv“Good.”9KXZwyX
qxvAeJKang Geom-Ma nodded indifferently and turned around. His coat flared like a fan.kVX0Z
QNlxtStep. Step.3JsVB
xqlKang Geom-Ma disappeared down the hallway.XrM
dk2lzThe nobles, one by one, resumed their choked retching.9eZ
TFmKDante, looking back and forth between the nobles and the place where Kang Geom-Ma had departed, thought.OP84ZB
j0gr‘This is the bright side of using power.’Rce
lgZCEven the most corrupt nobles were, after all, heroes.wzovvf
GtMFThey gave absolute priority to the logic of strength.XAT3wS
VpIIf you dominated them, sooner or later they would yield.gM5g
zcf5pr‘If we’re civilized, then yes, we should talk first… but…’xV4D
A8xWhen dialogue doesn’t work, you have to strike.oc2oqh
woSX3That’s human nature.mMlLgd
PhmrTvBAnd against arrogant heroes, strikes are even more effective. They live lives close to violence.hn0U6o
9JpVt6Regardless of whether it’s right or not, when faced with someone stronger, rather than getting angry, they end up feeling reverence.5dRB
BUiCO1Probably, among these people, several will start seeing Heavenly Sword in a different light after this.PLs5
C1VmJHeavenly Sword understood the nature of heroes better than anyone.ogH6
N286How to dominate those who, if left unchecked, could become mere bullies.jbM
AqWIncRFaster than words, sashimi.4dCKA
Fd3Dante felt he had understood something important.wuye
YJWYqL7“He’s also given me a new insight…”HvD
8TeQeMdThe academic exchange wasn’t just for students. It was a place where teachers could also give and receive.RrwycN
KIYBIR1Now it was Parsy’s turn to return the favor.kM6MyNF
ulpd2FWDante picked up the folder Kang Geom-Ma had left. He brushed the dust off the cover and began carefully reading the names.AolRva
kX5q“So you’re the one… Kitty.”iiQtcb
be2fsThe red-eyed woman. Someone from the Auditore clan had requested the list of names.bLx
ulB8After thinking it over, Dante had handed over the shareholder registry. And that had clearly been the start of all this chaos.aKxh
Mt11awTAlong with the list, there were also documents detailing personal acts of corruption by the nobles.CdFnO
4lQx7Some held shares in Parsy Academy and had attempted to execute short sales.IT0oOt3
QCsThey had even manipulated the value of the shares.A3VShD
XDUauFor them, a sentence of social death would be appropriate.ZuLDu
2Ah“From this moment, I will proceed to confiscate the money that has been fraudulently embezzled.”8uVUy
RGb1“……!”3zVXG
cCvmWjz“And of course, this information will be made public at the end of the exchange.”T2hI
TXjgDante’s eyes turned cold. The nobles tried to protest while wiping the corners of their mouths with the back of their hands.T24ed
vPR33j“Hey, you’re the director of Parsy Academy! This will push the academy into ruin! Do you think you’ll still keep your position after this?!”fcoBVw
k6rJKw“I say that because I have no intention of staying in office, you damn fools!”nrxOcNn
3vMfAt Dante’s icy shout, everyone was left speechless. With a face twisted like a war god’s, he continued pressing them.PEu
L7ub“I will resign as director of the academy as soon as the exchange ends. The choice of successor I’ll leave entirely to the Hero Association. And the internal audit will be handed over to the Order family, the Auditors.”VUbG4
N1P7Fb“You’re going to bring those blood-reeking guys into a cradle of students!?”RLFo2am
xTBv“Joaquin Academy went through the same thing ten years ago. Seen that way, the involvement of the Auditors can be considered a necessary evil for the academy’s growth.”LnyrnO
t5Wm“Dante… Do you think you’ll walk away from this unscathed?”d3Pg
Pk7GVDante didn’t respond. He just snorted through his nose. He knew he was also at fault, so he planned to donate all his money and property to the GM Foundation.JaXW
bPeIPWWhether that was forgiveness or not, at least it was a way to calm his conscience.gkJftVQ
npjJ0iThe chaos didn’t settle all night. The high-ranking members of Parsy had to face the final day of the event with eyes wide open.bhE
Y89X***hT3Iv5E
2MRsLZThe next morning.AVHv
y4j6x0NOnly upon entering the training field did we find out what the final test would be.f6DCPnQ
n0HIGFor something that had been kept an absolute secret, the title was rather simple. What needed to appear had finally appeared.CVxQe
5bQE9N“War.”MEyvtnz
4B0Ryozo tilted his head.k8fU
YbRKB“They say the final test is war, but I don’t think it’s just an ordinary fight. Well, maybe it is. Or maybe it’s another twist, one more trap that ends in a labyrinth or something like that.”L8Bo
YyT1QmRyozo, while walking toward the guest area, kept theorizing. Connecting dots and deducing was his specialty.UgT1Gk
XQZQiY“We’ll find out as soon as it starts. Just wait a few minutes.”TtV4
6ip“Yeah, but… I’ve got a bad feeling. Like something’s really going to blow up. I’ve got that feeling—a strong déjà vu.”Klc
WVHI threw my arm over his shoulders and began rubbing his arm. With the warmth from the friction, his frown gradually eased.gQOvs
jqayX8“Yeah… with Geom-Ma around, there’s nothing to worry about.”OUa
AOdwMfAbel naturally hooked onto my arm too.3Wf
8kp50eRyozo furrowed his brow a bit more but then sighed.u4oOyT7
WG6E“Today’s an even day, right?” he muttered.cof3Eg
MsZ3D“…Yeah. Let’s go support our students.”quo5A
xGI“That, that sounds more like the Ryozo I know.”Ee2drCf
nZPXMFMI, being a proper Korean, knew how to keep my balance in any situation.gaNwr
5B3Fr4“Are you still watching that YouTuber lately? ChopChopman, or whatever his name is?”Eevd1Tg
s2VQ3h“Haven’t watched him in a while.”gBUW
HFbChatting like that, we soon arrived at the guest area.Hwz
Mr0dAs always, we sat there to observe the training field from above.GSBP5
UtINBut.fpe
ZhmNm“The training field…”Q0n1nd
fBXThere was absolutely nothing.Zy1FM
DsWUThe first test, “Capture the Flag,” had dazzled us with a floating island. The second, “Sköll and Hati,” had shown us the grandeur of an ancient era.ng0OZv
1ffAEach one had inspired us in its own way. Perhaps that’s why the current emptiness felt so crushing.kigdoJ
M8PtDLAnd we weren’t the only ones confused. Even the Parsy staff looked bewildered and lost.jhlp
HUgGThey were the hosts, so the emptiness had to be even more disconcerting for them.cj4
prST“And the students?”iBrsK
PhmRyozo pulled out his phone and asked. From the other side came a hurried voice—it was Choi Seol-Ah, his assistant.Uefu
l9zhne— Actually, I was about to inform the director a while ago, but the students arrived an hour ago via a subspace warp along with the instructors!JHma
BWM“…What…?”fcDHQz
leZrIKRyozo went blank and then shot to his feet, indignant.AFkIU
HHVjkC“Why didn’t you report that to me immediately?! More importantly, who ordered the students to return to the academy?!”Ek0gw
M2soOZl— D-director, it’s been total chaos here too! I’m really sorry! T-the students actually returned to the academy almost by force… but they claimed it was unfair and decided on their own to return to Parsy Academy!ktKywG
Ihs4gFBoth Ryozo and I, Abel and Leon, felt the pores of our skin open. We even swallowed hard at the sound of Choi Seol-Ah’s voice.aBXex
xQRC5Vz— And… the person who ordered them to return to Joaquin Academy was none other than…YQkBLg2
fghgJust then, the floor of the training field opened. From a square trapdoor, a figure emerged.lNZMM
UBDSilver hair. Sacred white robes.sYKn4
MhLhIt was the saint, Yu Sein.8VYr47T
E2eCKEverything was in chaos.BSkN
mhRWNothing made sense.de0z
Lqlkcy4An international event that had caught the attention of the United States and stirred jealousy in Japan had just been wrecked.CYRW
idcBw9And all because of someone completely unexpected.7Jgz
HzJV“What the hell is going on here?!”ek8S
wT9“Where are our students?! Where did they go?!”xM99
C7zWte“Do something, anything!”oykwe
dNBJb“Cut the transmission, stop the damn broadcast first! What will everyone think when they see this?!”CS3Fn0
dAHherThe Parsy instructors were screaming at the top of their lungs amidst the chaos.avn
jlD5qIt wasn’t hard to guess who had caused this unprecedented disaster.Wpe
ldldBlThey were probably already in a bad mood from being crushed by me last night.oXqLf
W4L7blbAnd now, the Association and the saint had secretly teamed up to snatch away even their chance at revenge.nIkGXU
QtAN7Without even asking for a measly authorization.Ltbe2sj
XD3YQfP‘What the hell are you thinking, Yu Sein?’pa2KU
p6bNCSEven if I didn’t show it, there was no one more shocked than I was.ve2Mkw
xVRYu Sein’s sudden action, always one to spout enigmatic phrases, left my heart in tatters.Cv5ycJ
WSoo9SMy torso leaned forward purely out of reflex.Xiq
tPcdcGZAnd in that moment, I, the possessed, and Yu Sein, the reincarnated, locked eyes in midair.KJdku
Oo5She nodded ostentatiously, as if to make sure I saw her, and then raised her index finger pointing at the sky.fSAaj
9BECtoZI looked up like a bolt, directing my gaze to where she pointed.rLN
cnAajThe sun.97JB3n
MK0RYAnd if you looked closely there was a black spot on it.SK7mf
xQE3“……”Ty6SW
bxJ3Ah.PhQy
hkF2The time had finally come.EBEW
AELg2kLWithout taking my eyes off Yu Sein, I asked Ryozo,PVv
oKBl“Ryozo. That déjà vu you mentioned earlier—didn’t you feel it also on the day of the ‘Joaquin Tragedy’?”qwBTs
yTZ7“Huh, eh?! Ah!”WpDk5tn
8eNRyozo replied perfectly with three “eh”s.eP335uT
gJQpkwWithout wasting time, I drew my sashimi from my waist.8AziHgt
QJXbWzdMy hands trembled, and the blade’s vibration was uneven.MAMwj
bmaLShiiing.tNO
dv42I placed one foot on the railing and prepared to launch myself.Ef4Zh
z51YzMThe seriousness of my movement made everyone from Joaquin go pale.s7C1MxG
3bjpEven Sköll and Hati, who were hiding beneath Abel’s legs, cautiously poked their heads out.jU6Sy
OxK5A“Take cover for now.”UOuCEyl
8Zo2mZe“What’s happening…?”FYV
f8Yh5bc“Not even I know.”dkVg
kBOMy black coat floated in the air.mrbsW8
t8lElectricity swirled over my skin and sparks surrounded me.jNp
G1UAt that moment, Sköll and Hati bolted and suddenly grew in size.BBxCf
7qjH0MIThey positioned themselves on either side of me, as if to escort me, and opened their jaws with a roar.LSA
J1U5— Awoooooooo…!ID89rj3
grT6— Awoooooooo…!zcKYGXn
4POjGLI felt their desire to accompany me.DMfE1p
MDxYes, for this kind of supernatural event, demons were more suitable than heroes.FBTtKR2
zjMYI amplified the [Lightning Magic] that Lycan had bestowed upon me.dLX9pg
NoZCWith the [Blessing of Transfer], I infused electricity into Sköll and Hati’s bodies.BUi
HlsgQTheir fur stood on end, and their eyes glowed with a fierce yellow light.MSY
cN3SThe electric charge enhanced their physical abilities.Bjf
BlpevThe pressure they emitted distorted space-time around them.MREvVu
u4isaRwI had temporarily released their power limits.CU1
rVmLqoKIf they continued like this, they’d end up seriously damaging the physical world.FSX
Rsj3wiaSharing my [Lightning Magic] with them was like giving them protective suits.Tdx4W3
h4xoWKHaving Lycan nearby would’ve been ideal, but.mQafy9o
zuPLS‘This is the best we can do for now.’JTysja
aryZI climbed onto Sköll’s back and spoke quietly.Rzdf
JyUl“I’m going to confirm something with them.”iO9
n0HAggRAnd so, the three wolves lowered their tails like lightning and dashed off.WBMJW
mUM4FToward the sun.g5CJDAn
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