Chapter 373: Graduate Program at Joaquin (2)
tRo“Entering Joaquin Academy means the path to success in life has opened up for you.”tTbdr
I6OvOn Earth, even the best students from the five most prestigious universities often struggled to find employment.iCuPt
WpJ1But with a simple diploma from Joaquin Academy, not only was a job secured, but a successful career was guaranteed. That’s why high-ranking noble families never let go of the rope called Joaquin.jtSLw2L
Or1tRecently, the situation had changed considerably compared to the past, more precisely from the time before the Second Great Human-Demon War.84W3o
pCiojVOThanks to the descent of the Heavenly Sword, humanity was living in an era of unprecedented peace.EMIDDF
HiyiqAnd as a result, the scope of action for heroes had diminished.RgyT
RjcIAs an extension of this, concerns also grew among the cadets of Joaquin Academy, the institution in charge of training heroes.PjK
LoO76M2Nowadays, when even the meaning of heroes’ existence was being questioned.WuY
LdyEspecially in the senior class, the atmosphere was gloomy. They couldn’t even enjoy the cherry blossoms falling in torrents.7lGJVnr
ChUfo“…What are we going to do with our lives after graduation?”04sj8Xs
pAL“That’s what I’m saying… In the past, hero agencies at least organized job fairs. But now there’s not even a whisper.”eCRFa
ZFJy“I guess I’ll have to inherit the family business.”YwI0H
bJkCPnnEasy to say from a place of privilege. Even if they didn’t find a job, at least they wouldn’t have to risk their lives on the front lines.F7Xeq9b
oRflOo8But they were also hero candidates. They were thirsty for combat. They weren’t the type to cling to self-preservation.ryv2EI
k1crFYx“Was the cause of the Parsy disaster clarified? Could it be that the Third Great Human-Demon War is about to break out?”Zuqx
J9w2QGA third-year student asked with a hint of hope. His classmate, scratching the smartphone screen with a nail, replied.3s7PquF
PBidC“I looked it up and they say it’s still unknown. Besides, it was an enemy that even the Heavenly Sword struggled with. Do you really think it’ll be our turn? They’ll probably stop it at the Seven Stars line.”t5stelq
XacSJ“That’s true… The Heavenly Sword is incredible, but he’s so incredible that our turn never comes.”O1cdnx
gV8bJt“Such a first-world problem.”RxGae2
ciYZ“Exactly! With the Heavenly Sword as such a high-performance filter, we at the bottom can only suck our thumbs.”RVG3h
oQRmE“That’s why…”roG
6rNjwgHThe girl showed him her phone screen. On it appeared an official announcement in large letters. The boy leaned in for a better look, and the girl smiled sweetly.qdIVNW
et0“How about we enroll here?”ix4GW0x
q8L6==========================5nc0S
ybpCXJoaquin Graduate School New Student Admission Notice
May 12, 2044aftO
G9ASPInformation on the admission process for new graduate students for the year 2044. Please review the attached file (……)BkxHOzM
8LzNH6x⟪Application period: Thursday, May 20 to Saturday, June 20, 2044
— New Student Admission Guide (1 MB)⟫SI26V6s
gqT5d==========================8CUEo
MPM42“Joaquin Graduate School…?”RrgOFUm
qkqH“Did you know they’re doing construction right now?”TlbTS
QYjBq“Yeah. In the back, behind the main building, there’s a huge construction site.”SvHx5J
OiOvJAfter the Second Great Human-Demon War, Joaquin Academy had undergone multiple renovations. Since it had once completely collapsed, they took the opportunity to reorganize it.t0Fx
twWO0As it was a mega-project that had spanned ten years, the construction noise had become a daily part of the students’ environment.1B4CmG
uo4FSfStill, very few showed interest, even though the site was particularly large.wuTCAD
jCLKqThe girl put away her phone and added.Nkwjjz
FCRKzX“They say that place is for the graduate school.”FyxKfT
Gde“What? There?”07uO1H
w1KkqXTThe boy’s eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity.gsIdas
L69Then, the classroom door opened, and all eyes turned toward it.QpQJZnn
GWQoKTap, tap.n1jUi2U
siAv8EQPrincess Victoria had attended class for the first time in a long while.UMhWwQx
WLXIt was rumored that she had a family conflict within the imperial family.vCVI
ADe6PZBut no one knew the details, so her classmates could only speculate.3OklKH
K7fVZGQThat stirred curiosity. During the days Victoria missed class, a rumor began circulating among third-year students of the Holy Course:X8qq7W
pBL‘What will the princess do after graduation?’zNb9N
nnNThe current emperor was still in good health and held his authority firmly. Unless there was an unexpected twist, he would continue to rule easily for another ten years.V5sg
b8vHU8What would Victoria do during that undefined period of vacancy? The third-years were split between concern and curiosity as loyal subjects.cT8
CUr5VWTap, tap.ULePB7
5lb4dRVVictoria walked past the students. Along the way, the boy noticed a pamphlet she was holding.5xf8Oa
rTPMHVictoria was the center of attention even within the Holy Course. If the boy saw it, so did his classmate. And if the seatmate saw it, within five seconds the entire class was focused on the pamphlet in her hand.kzX
gArx〈Joaquin Graduate School Admission Guide〉4VZHMG
3giCc***Fw7
rXgn“South Korea’s construction capability is the beeeeeest in the world—!”iIHMkfP
eU7That phrase shouted with excitement by the Korean construction company president… was true.cRQLUkR
2eQjXWho would’ve imagined they’d progress this fast?Oobe
fe7lI had to tilt my neck back painfully to look up. A crane moved quickly, transporting metal structures. Speedweapon, who had come to visit, stood next to me watching.TOBOEV
Sz8kd“The speed is impressive, but what’s even crazier is the safety. They haven’t even poured the concrete, and it already looks like you could run an obstacle course there.”qZE
qVrMkJm“You see it too?”ndhofXe
SHNJbcs“Anyone would see it. We’ve got a good show today.”yDbgzD
TiRU5Company H, contracted by Abel, deployed all its accumulated experience without reservation. Now I understood why, for seemingly impossible projects abroad, Korea was used as the trump card.nCj6
JPajQHIFlutter.s1dOj
25P4toWBut even with that, they couldn’t have achieved such speed and safety.izBI4
aoe3yp“Ryozo made a massive decision. They’re bringing in construction materials via warp transport from subspace. If the elders found out, they’d be up in arms. But they’re gone now. And by the way, your sashimi was so good it killed me.”vgX
eUQgusRyozo made a bold choice to transport the materials through a warp from subspace.ri2Ozq2
hSnDEven a child knows that in construction, material transport takes time. But if you can save that time and money, you get these results.d1WN
vnbAn“How the hell are they building so fast?”qCNTEw
FLm“This is Korea’s construction power.”06ro
BiqK“…I don’t want to admit it easily, but I can’t deny it. Not even with same-sized Lego blocks could you do this in such a short time.”ruHMvY
Rzo8fw9“Well said.”KTU
sZc9tOJust as Speedweapon said.Lls8W
mRLP0P‘They raised the whole structure in just fifteen days.’5zwhbgT
LUQ7In another fifteen, we’d cut the ribbon (with sashimi) in front of the finished building. An unprecedented feat that would leave the U.S. shocked, China stunned, and Japan green with envy.TPdL
lZMr12fFlutter.jNd2X
yPywSRIIsn’t that decision too reckless? Surely there would be critics accusing Ryozo of acting arbitrarily and carelessly. However, Ryozo judged that, at least for now, it was okay to ease up. After all, don’t we live in an era of peace?Li5Yd
hzx‘Though it’s also true that we don’t know when the end might come.’qvsRsIJ
5tvkJNBased on what Yu Sein and I have experienced, the end of the world can’t be prevented with simple precautions. Instead of band-aids, fundamental preparation is needed.0TNcK
2dbThe Joaquin Graduate School is that first step. Preparation for the end begins here, in this land. In the Great Republic of Korea.E42Bi
aDoFlutter flutter flutter.cV19uBM
YQMZI looked away from the construction site. Then I walked away with Speedweapon, keeping enough distance not to interrupt the conversation.oYE8873
GNw“President.”89Y
Dcd4LSpeedweapon’s gaze sharpened.EKC4K6
yc1AcgT“Abel’s worried because she says you’re obsessed with a weird NouTube channel lately.”5Dz
efkVn“What channel?”KRxTa
x40x2“Those videos with cheap thumbnails. It’s a full-on cheap-patriotism channel.”TWvETsw
8MsbiI defended myself.IrLN
wkmIN“Not at all. It’s a current affairs and general knowledge channel.”JLpY
YeUv0“That’s what everyone who watches it says…”QeMl
JLmy0“What do you think?”Snv7
tB3kDqM“To be honest, you seem like an old man.”AIW
pa4VBO8….Hmm.wElF
DQl“We haven’t even hit thirty yet. Those videos are for when you’re old and don’t produce dopamine anymore.”rabEIV
2V8KHAnd this is the shameless guy I have to talk to.66YkdZz
AtSXUO“Well, you were already like an old man since cadet days, so it’s not that surprising.”HdV
MsPa“…”rYXW
LAI90n7“So, what exactly are you going to teach at the graduate school? I heard a bit of the context, but I thought it’d be better to hear it directly.”DgKH16
KBy7YWith the safety helmet under my arm, I answered.SlNF0eG
A4GFY7“Magic.”1MS
iFv5jA1“…President.”iDqAu
TCtNSpeedweapon’s face turned pale. The helmet tilted like a seesaw.Ws67k5G
UOqqf“Could you hit me hard?”z5X
ratcM“Sure. I already called the ambulance.”3B1pEk
tJ7fp“Eh, it was a joke! A joke!”ONt6a
sKekGySpeedweapon quickly placed his hands on the helmet. I laughed before continuing.uU5kH
lwcj“Are you aware that within the Association, something weird is also being sensed in the transmission?”Xpuwlps
UYdZeK8“You mean the magical energy flow? Yeah. Everyone from chief rank and above knows. And they take it seriously.”q5C3
RirSNVl“Same thing’s happening at Joaquin. But since it’s an educational institution, instead of just taking it seriously, we want to go a step further.”5hLy
xKyuwK0“…That’s why you want to teach it?”xjv6
606WIuI shrugged.ROCI5S
m9u“It’s not something you can learn just because it’s taught, but at least we want students to understand the concept. That’s why I took advantage of the Emperor.”2nqy1f
wKkuWGK“President, you’ve got it all planned, huh?”z6g
oMFfW“And just a minute ago, you were complaining it was all shallow patriotism.”BzE
g0j5H“Haha, I got carried away by Korean cinema.”QTqF3
xKLWvWe exchanged knowing smiles. This is the Korean spirit. Anyway.7kg53R
PG7We strolled leisurely through the Academy while talking. After seeing the raised construction, the other buildings seemed low.JwT
YUKThanks to that, I felt like my vision and hearing were sharper. As the noise faded, the world seemed clearer.yzPg96
TwI“The work on the instructional materials is being done by some teachers interested in magic, along with Instructor Kim. (Choi Seol-Ah)”UUww
jjm2“If you need more personnel from the Association, let me know. Lately, we’re the organization with the most contact with Gehenna. I’ll do what I can to help.”YEmg
Y4BUIt was an unexpected gain. I nodded gladly.9WsW46Y
1zCxRKC“Then I’ll ask for support with the material review staff. Instructor Choi… I mean, Kim. I still get confused. I’ll demand she change her name soon. How long does she plan to live under an alias?”fyW
B8S“Lately, that instructor hasn’t stopped complaining to me, my ears hurt.”y0dLW
yasYV“What did she say?”eWYyWS
s2fsE“That she writes ten times more than a web novel author.”cerY
6zJ8Ks“That must be exhausting…”Mmr
x0VQ9“Is it really that much? Ten times more than a web novel… isn’t that just 50,000 characters a day?”Z1rYW
mVgWSSpeedweapon looked at me with a face full of things he wanted to say but ultimately just let out a deep sigh.i3K7e
A3g“…It seems the materials are coming along well. But there’s something more important.”Ii4Gwmn
7oCoNy“I know.”fcc88
80p7ZSQuality professors. They must have extensive knowledge of magic and also the charisma to handle modern-day slaves.Gdc9
Y6F3“Does such a person exist? The Swordmaster and the vice president of the Association hate magic. Besides, they don’t even understand it well.”m9u4f9W
3Qn6gD“Right. That’s why Ryozo was racking her brains too, so I’m the one who solved the problem.”eXNBu4
zyZVq8pI smiled proudly.jBME4Y
TJx“The person who agreed to take charge arrives today.”U8Bm
EuoMn5“Ah, then I’ll take my leave.”l0rr35
q6Fb“Where do you think you’re going? Stay.”9WwcW
EfvZ“I’m with the Association. Is it okay for me to stay?”8mX
bM1Fb4P“It’s someone the Association wouldn’t mind seeing.”gP8
JHjI led the puzzled Speedweapon to the agreed meeting spot. We arrived at the special guest reception room. Usually, when the Heavenly Sword or the Swordmaster visits, they are received here.Mpn
vU1In the center of the room, a chair.x3T
rlQkJ3Under thick eyebrows, eyes glowed with a reddish light. Just by looking at that gaze, it was clear this wasn’t an ordinary person. A middle-aged man was waiting for us.DQeUlj2
8hlkqSpeedweapon tensed. As a promise of the Association, he had seen the faces of many important figures.aQleztr
src‘But I’ve never seen anyone like this…’I55xeU4
RQPlaAaCould he be from the imperial side? If he’s one of those who live hidden under a veil, it would make sense not to know him.8CFmXOq
tSuZTWhile moistening his lips, Kang Geom-Ma greeted him with a wave.5RsaR
4r7QwH“Thanks for coming from so far.”Oljck
MMhg4“It’s nothing. If the call comes from the Heavenly Sword, of course I’ll attend.”96n0o
UiDfAt first glance, the man seemed older than the President, but he spoke respectfully. Maybe his rank or position wasn’t that high. That eased Speedweapon a bit.RydJY
4aMK“This is my friend, Speedweapon.”CBbf
Ixy8RNIKang Geom-Ma introduced him.7YF
axxRY“Nice to meet you. I’m Speedweapon, affiliated with the Association.”uLaAo3k
re3EJ“Pleasure. I’m Valerion.”RJp
k4NvWow.ZtXRmv
K0dXoHe must’ve been teased for that name. What kind of father names his son after an ancient dragon…?ANK
jcYlazc‘Although, to be fair, our boss has the character Ma (demon) in his name, so we can’t talk much.’Isgr
Ag7DL9YSpeedweapon’s eyes showed a hint of compassion.aQ1r1
A9OlWBut only for a moment. Kang Geom-Ma and the middle-aged man were watching him in silence.w1vQt
PQrtThen he noticed. That man’s pupils were vertical.12NPUW
Qw0Can a human’s eyes even be like that?oA79
nVlAwa“……”A46zvu
rB55Hmm?o3MLf
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