Chapter 374: Graduate Program at Joaquin (3)
HuTFThe Association employees sent on missions to Gehenna were recognized talents within the organization.VWLtEXS
9SvMUbOne small mistake could leave them seriously injured or dead. Even when combining base salary and hazard pay, their earnings didn’t reach a quarter of what hero agencies paid.vmu9
iL4Even so, volunteers were never lacking.10gM
2YvcD‘Because it’s the only opportunity and channel to meet privately with the Heavenly Sword.’LSi3mv
tVez1brPerhaps that’s why members of the dispatched squad envied Speedweapon. Because he had a close friendship with the Heavenly Sword.3wahW
Icisa9‘They don’t know…’3P4U
BQRKt9JA famous actor once said:FG2hT
51A5Life, seen from afar, is a comedy; but up close, it’s a tragedy.gp0kowo
lPIGRWrSpeedweapon completely agreed.fNme2F
ckkn5sT“I know it wasn’t an easy decision. Thank you for so readily accepting the teaching position.”Vg7
BEDgMcm“There’s nothing to thank. But it’s my first time teaching anyone, so I’m a bit concerned… even more so since we’re talking about humans, not demons. Still, you said it’s for the preservation of the world, so I’ll accept.”YUV5O1
B9T2xv“I’m relieved to hear that. In that case, I’ll explain in broad strokes the future plans…”Z9DFqen
nkJ5kL1The two exchanged words with a relaxed smile. Only Speedweapon’s face had gone pale.1Z8
bbej‘President… you said you’d call someone with knowledge of magic… but what do we do if he’s not even human?’zM1Q
AfGx4PHe didn’t dare ask it out loud.74TFnPX
lUsAnd even if he pushed for an answer, he knew it would be useless. The response would be obvious.mYzF
qkx4‘Does the race matter?’DfOi1
hH7“…”itLP1z
pMRPGSpeedweapon and his subordinates deeply respected the Heavenly Sword.Oul8
Em2HThey grew up watching him fight, and many who rose quickly were graduates of the Joaquin Academy.mxbELG
fOCIzA great hero, revered by all nations, beyond any status.PRRv3ih
oDmEven when humanity was threatened by external forces, the Heavenly Sword remained its final wall. And he still proved it, fighting on the frontlines.6Sn
dGvA model of what a hero should be.HWe53
OJeXcA figure that uprooted the prejudices embedded in this world.IGHK
2WmiSpeedweapon looked at him in profile.9Pfl2V
brc41O‘He’s always been like that.’9J4XIP0
xtWR9Kang Geom-Ma had black hair.FJX4m
edZnwEJust because of that, when he was a cadet, many viewed him with suspicion. Prejudice, discrimination, bad customs.7P09o3
6wrYKang Geom-Ma hated bad customs. He fought firmly to eradicate false prejudices. And he still did—combating one by one the entrenched habits of the present.S95F1Gy
bozFXW‘Prejudices…’EbyF
d9LCRHe had none. The President had none.Ak8P
mxO‘Inviting a dragon as a professor… I’ll have to report this to the Association president. That’s probably why the president wanted me here.’3cbxqxq
7pX52lz“Holly…”dd9u90
kUg88A seat of thorns.TqFNo
vIH1‘Why the hell do my subordinates envy me…?’SbYq
rIUThey don’t know.lIQv7O
IcsYThe suffering of a middle management role. The sadness of being a sandwich.YJz
18UueopThat’s what awaits the graduate students.diP
MZT***ige
1M5‘He looks awful.’CC5
bUf6lTAfter chatting with Valerion, Speedweapon looked on the verge of death.GNoQ0
vVvUaAh… he’s intimidated, isn’t he?IPwGhfG
wf6FwSValerion was an Elder Dragon.63bKfT
TkurAnd Speedweapon’s reaction far exceeded the norm. Any ordinary person would’ve already rolled their eyes back and fainted.Sfzs58b
xEn‘Only he can endure it.’8RzJh
AWhZpHow admirable you are, Speedweapon.UaT
CxePPTQTap tap.iGf6Tyb
ahz“You okay?”GB1KuHo
MKLBx“…Yeah.”VfX
Rb8en“I get that you were scared.”Hgo3
pgCw“Of course I was scared. I feel like my heart split a little.”xWfv
TxnvOPEven back when corps commanders roamed free, dragons were among the most powerful beings—comparable in strength to the true commanders.2sei1u5
92DhNot even Kuarne, the psychopathic second body commander, dared to mess with the dragons.RFA45w
S23If a single scale was plucked from a sleeping dragon, the War of Humanity wouldn’t have even begun.EPoYj
1nbsn‘Good thing the dragons avoid getting involved in worldly affairs.’1F5PVn
7mVeSince always, dragons were the absolute pinnacle of the demon race, and the very essence of the Demon World.5LYBCd8
wPR4Some said they not only inherited the traits of ancient races but were their improved versions.ojs
VQ9YzThey were as majestic as the ancients, but also more powerful and superior in appearance.uMBf52v
V3ytBIThat’s why neither Speedweapon nor the dispatched squad, who constantly traveled between worlds, had encountered a dragon before.jo8L
4Dq5ufEven if I had tried myself, both sides would’ve felt uncomfortable.
Dragons preferred to keep their distance from humans.3Q3
8PshlqHI was the one who brought them in. In the past, I wouldn’t even have considered it.OKJ8j
GRw‘Dragons are beginning to feel alarmed too.’7sR
qpbPEs7The tragedy of Parsy. The appearance of Ragnarok was a blow even to dragons.tFg
vWqxDAn enemy greater than the commanders tried to invade not only the human world but also sink Gehenna.fWPz
dxL‘Even the most detached dragons will have to get involved now.’dWH
rwlIn my mind, I was already looking further ahead. The response to the end of the world doesn’t belong to humanity alone.6kpyWg
wlciDemons are also natives of “Miracle Blessing M.”SgNakm
4qao8M“Together.”Rkg
yiZ6n3Joaquin’s graduate program will become the base of that grand vision.4qt
0kkvFortunately, the Elder Dragon understood my purpose. Truly, it was an act of great courage that he came in person.seE1Mv
QHhUntil now, the only thing he’d directly done for me was open the Eye of Truth.cLV
f6HYW0h“Hello…”F5n6eWD
vbY4qqSpeedweapon, who had been gauging the atmosphere, finally addressed Valerion with difficulty. Valerion nodded with his chin.hdH
lIqVN“Yes.”cXCGF
S4IY224“As an Association employee, I have to ask… how did you cross the Gehenna Gate? We’ve deployed staff and several layers of special barriers there.”2F8
uBvYq8D“I simply crossed it.”WTy
r6w“…What?”px3wjji
E623nnValerion scratched his temple with his thumb.3cl
n1wtlXFNow that I saw it closely, his nails were triangular in shape.HEK
8IT“Heavenly Sword, it seems I must explain how I crossed, if you permit me.”Qkhb
xEevdBM“As long as there’s no risk, go ahead.”LvRQ
7nR“Why do you decide if there’s risk or not, President?”Gs4yG
aOAdc“That’s why I hate people who grasp everything instantly.”jl6P
68FQj“Just talk already!”78wp
VbmAfSpeedweapon lunged.TwQjmym
j0qSnap!sB3
kF4At that moment, a crisp sound echoed.UE5
VqjaWith a mere snap of Valerion’s fingers, Speedweapon’s world went dark.NBw3Wv
4IdjQcp***XwUUBPy
Yo3VmzPA few hours later0bg5Xzt
zxZF“Ugh… ugh…”UOVR6V
fdPEWASpeedweapon, who was sprawled on the ground, stirred a bit and finally sat up.28v5u98
F6jHis hair looked like a bird’s nest.4iKp
6OB“Did you sleep well?”AzM
tlPGXohI lifted a corner of my lips.YcJL1
qw2“…Did I sleep?”glt
zhfzXbWStill bleary-eyed, he wiped away the drool and suddenly woke up.z566j0
arj“Me!?”uBz9Px
KrMw4“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. I heard you muttering idol names… at first, I thought you were praying.”xkQ6I
xppqc“Uwaaaaagh!”BymrCZ
eJzIfHe hastily combed his disheveled hair and shot me a death glare. Valerion spoke for me.whcOTZ
eQ6cq“It’s not a sleep-inducing or hypnotic spell. It’s a magic that efficiently dissolves the accumulated fatigue in the body, and its effect manifests as sleep.”k3T
cAO7“Now that you mention it…”GMF
oFtHGTOSpeedweapon began rotating his shoulders. His previously creaky joints now moved fluidly.Wge
hIV“That’s a relief.”mtZ
XP99tt0His mind also felt clearer.hFcU
Q5x5It was as if the intracranial pressure from overwork had diminished.QmP29N
Z0Aoe“Usually it only lasts an hour, but you slept three.”6CT
S20ySaid Valerion.qg2fU4a
1ulzEme“Seems like you’ve been under quite a load.”oGym4L
p8z80“…”nm64l
VJlBnsq“I understand how that feels.”MiPfd
Xj0qJust hearing that moved Speedweapon.0DNRMCq
XJmo9He clearly sensed the implication behind those words.sWo
foFjeSYou’re doing your best not to be unworthy of standing beside the Heavenly Sword.InJWm
q7aDF3JHe frowned. Heat rushed through him. He closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them, he changed the subject.w2n
lvXhr“For now, I’ll faithfully convey the Lord’s will to the president of the Association.”FbTK6v
Z3nzree“You’re doing great work.”Osf1x
2GWIIr“However, both in the academy and the Association, a skeptical view prevails regarding revealing the Lord’s true identity.”rz1
JUcdValerion nodded.j9Ys
euD“I know. That’s why I have no intention of revealing it.”eOTZU4
DeEhe“You’ve probably realized why I called in a promising talent from the Association, haven’t you?”6hb
xtzZfKang Geom-Ma motioned his chin toward him.CqsF
0Ly8E“You want me to get him a fake identity. You’re twisted.”oxyBu
rwoSpeedweapon rubbed his neck.6DV8J
Zblac“Understood. I’ll inform the president first, then handle it separately.”iH8
AHv“I’m counting on you, Speedweapon.”2dVD
PlbYQa“Thank you, Mr. Speedweapon.”ajEt
cQpTTZvSpeedweapon felt a lump in his chest.iPA
93e3dyWho in the world has received a direct request from both the Heavenly Sword and an Elder Dragon? He was probably the first… and the last.W4E2mx
QQYsHUnintentionally, he stood a little taller with pride.Cuhk
EYi‘But now that I think about it…’2113
JR6keIWhile fidgeting on his feet, Kang Geom-Ma nudged him with his elbow.M5d
jaRd“If you have something to say, say it.”ZHRP
jULNn“No, it’s just that… I do believe this gentleman is an Elder Dragon, but…”stnX
Hk9K“Do you want me to show you his true form?”y2COCC
1uUrAC“…”1sn
8ZVRV“Worried the president of the Association won’t believe it?”p9CKM
AlpSpeedweapon looked down.jiHK4oq
kwZ‘How could I say I want to see a dragon with my own eyes!’ezj
N5nHe was someone who had admired dragons as much as great heroes.CyW
prjwzGqWhat man doesn’t go crazy for horns, wings, and dragon breath? Even skeletal dinosaur bones made his heart race. To see a real one… what would that feel like?6PR1Cd
sa9ma‘It’s all over your face, it’s obvious.’ESAIw
Wm9Yi9QKang Geom-Ma sighed and looked at Valerion.4iH41J
DtAkBtu“That’s what he says.”w6TADQ
dSF“It’s not a difficult request. Besides, there’s magic flowing through the human world, so…”4EhT
zmWJwiT“I-if that’s the case!”9wHfWm
9t075PsSpeedweapon’s face lit up like a blooming flower.gidJHA
XptcTY“If proof is needed, I’ll do it.”pD67c
jy6VzValerion rose from his seat. Speedweapon slowly backed away.31wD
sxqd4His eyes looked like they were about to fall out of his face.icC7
sd6FLH“I’ll begin.”GxC
P1S“Yes!”H9haJyU
E0MC51Valerion slightly parted his lips.0UM
qm6Uio4A moment later—ciRZtw
uURBLnOh, oh!uwqI6M
PzPeA shadow rose over Speedweapon.VWXo
dEkOh……!sXU5y
LqRKScNFrom the massive body, a pair of branches emerged.f97P
Ry9fThey were horns.Cgk
m4nYLVeOh……!bsdZ1H
qFB1UIFwoooosh.h82
5DuHGThe wind swept through the sealed room.ngwLTUy
IOtiA flowerpot in the corner toppled and shattered.UPSJu
VQgLl38“….”7Pd
9Z96iLSpeedweapon’s previously rounded lips from astonishment straightened into a flat line.kBKWK
zmGvY95Krrrrrrr…eTvm
lJPsDtbThe air vibrated.oc2rq
mhfThe light bulbs flickered, wobbled, and then shut off with a click.EiiSuq
jg68bzIn the total darkness, a pair of glowing red dots shone. The eyes of the Elder Dragon.N8dcSp
wi0h37NThey approached. Right in front of Speedweapon.c8mCyRL
Ic0kQMSo close he could touch them with his nose.2gy
IOUpSnort.QEVe
VJ7ckValerion exhaled through his nose.CZs1p
R5VKDThe breath blew back Speedweapon’s bangs. His forehead was completely exposed.Ok8
k9hSWBY“Are you satisfied?”IFv3yUF
rmWHrxGCompletely frozen, Speedweapon only moved his lips without making a sound.5nN
kbSL3QFKang Geom-Ma chuckled softly.fipn
zxZjz6“The professor is speaking to you.”GTmbT
CQzs59y“Ah, yes.”5sDxKfE
76SMore than enough.VOnQB5
FHFLz0No, not enough.idpRYZZ
EfAwEven my bladder is beyond full!niGM
CFM99u***8eXFMj
TMmSpeedweapon dashed straight to the bathroom.MlilL2S
dAXValerion and I watched him go and commented.SFJ
kOzLym“He’s a good friend you’ve got.”cqWYfHs
E7zWfDH“Yes. He’s the best among those I can call friends in the human world.”nJHZzJu
PNsnpBa“That’s unexpected. Given your status, I thought you’d have many friends. I see you’re selective.”AaAfz
U9l8iNvI smiled faintly.97dMxj
Ap5“Don’t dragons usually avoid interacting with other races?”SpN
K3iS06Valerion’s eyes turned serious.GT3
XiaGnDragons are in a category above the rest of the demons. They’re only grouped under the term “demon race” for convenience.Wu2SB
SZihXTo other demons, dragons are feared beings. Since time immemorial, so much so that tracing the origin is meaningless.P8mP
3z5zaF“It’s similar. I suppose it’s hard for them to approach me.”p8K
TwFZ6Dragons ended up isolating themselves within demon society. And I think maybe no one approaches them, so they don’t approach others.1zYoJw
5L1Valerion, after hearing me, said quietly:vy56
RGsK2tJ“If the Heavenly Sword allows it, I too could consider myself his friend.”eE3exjy
DcKcKj“What are you saying?”MnaZ
WZOlI stared at him.BtbunZE
woIjAft“You’re already my friend, Lord.”WRTByd
83fQRo“But you just said Speedweapon was almost your only friend.”5acbY
FMG8y5x“I said in the human world. I also have a squirrel friend.”KcoQ46u
kSOj0oValerion let out a soft chuckle, a bit late. I laughed with him.ETv
2iGfIlWhen Speedweapon returned from the bathroom, blinking in confusion, I handed him a folder while he was still trembling. He reluctantly opened it.hfiz
B0z3Wx3It was the list of professors I had in mind.DjjCYvu
2iuzzl“Hey… Kang Geom-Ma.”ztn
ZPcQ8It had been a while since anyone called me by name.wPH
0E8“Are you in your right mind?”Kvn46
yade0Qx***xcRbvb
5fTSei4It seems my idea shocked the guy.R0li
psroeVEven after seeing an Elder Dragon, he was still so expressive.gXkoHcM
TVkQsf1“Look forward to it.”YqzOy
1KrI assured both Speedweapon and the Elder Dragon.pBAQyGx
JdwHH0v“A lot is going to change from now on.”nB4mXbw
FlpZBDays passed little by little.xDcgTv9
yECKPoIn a week, the construction entered its final phase. I don’t know how the information leaked, but beyond Construction H, foreign companies started showing up in droves.x0JzXO
t0ciK“We want to contribute to building this new educational institution.”LZH
la9tXEWThat was the public excuse, but really, they just wanted to block each other.Z8EI
meR1lNWhat if Korea’s Construction H successfully built Joaquin’s graduate school, and at lightning speed?inNg
4SacaBThe rest would be kicked out of the market. Before the well dried up, they had to sneak at least one letter into the list of collaborating companies if they wanted to survive in the industry.duIV6It
ysLxKIt was a sense of crisis that pushed them.g3z6Ic
uos9bW“For Joaquin Academy, this competition is favorable.”wQbeVIU
9j0HRyozo spoke while moving her fountain pen.9GSXg
aLzfWT“In addition to shortening construction time, H’s representative promised to reduce material costs. As expected, service quality improves more with competition than monopoly.”bnmh
frnOI stood behind Ryozo and massaged her tense shoulders, channeling a microcurrent to stimulate her muscles.J3TpXN
1nKBOP— How can you use thunder magic in such a dumb way?!7aX
4JJHBj4Lycan magic was quite useful.TK1V
29NInR“Who do you think leaked the information?”nHqLnv
5vprV“Obviously.”Cv5OC
XgXsI93Ryozo tilted her head slightly.cts
xvxkvsyThe backlight cast her face into two halves.SHKpWo9
Pjv5Y“It was me.”dUzztsQ
9vn“I knew it was the director. Master of intrigue.”Xaj
F6OQESq“Couldn’t you say I’m just clever, Geom-Ma?”SQlOw
fOPThe sunlight brushed our skin.iTK
CIoi“The opening ceremony is in three days.”Y2i
0lO9c“Yes. And today the interviews for applicants begin.”FHfZ7h
pbsP“And the interviewers?”Vo5Z
Vs3Abel, Lee Wonbin, Choi Seol-Ah, and others.qUGoHy
Xq87rWe’d formed the panel with Joaquin’s core.49g656p
80LeI1C“Especially Secretary Kim (Choi Seol-Ah) was excited. She said she’s going to pay back what they did to her… with interest.”KGsvJ
IpwSZ“That woman’s a villain, I swear.”1IQ
toU“She really does seem like one sometimes.”AiX
f73Q2HHAlthough in truth, she is, Ryozo.sBSP5RR
jZVp“And you? Shouldn’t you be at the interviews as the director?”RCX
50sn“No time. Between my regular work and this graduate school launch, I can’t get up from my desk.”oVV
Jt6PI’ll have to ask Valerion again.D1h
uRYuQKwAs I pretended to nod, Ryozo continued.aIQdd
VFu5f“Did you know they’re going to implement the promotion system?”00s
ne4AAwn“Yes. It’s the system where outstanding students can enter the graduate school without graduating first. You mentioned it a few days ago, though the criteria were vague.”bRw
i04“Right, it was unclear. But for three people, it’s very clear.”4dL4oDe
Bmdf4c“Three people?”Nz6V
RQ5rThe ones who participated in the inter-academy competition.oA2H
lRZtefnJoaquin had promised to grant a wish to the winning students.Cecu
gL1sOfFMore than a wish, it was support for their future careers.JltkW
z4eQiiP“All three expressed their desire to enter the graduate school. Through promotion.”weYUN
hJtBVYw“…All three?”oj5wDs
hYxgfzg“I asked if they coordinated. They said no—before or after the match, they hadn’t contacted each other.”NKggqa
bxD2M8Knowing them, I believe it.LLADgz
IrPZ“…”MEtV
78bIODa“Worried about your cousin, Rina?”zHv
3NUaVHS“It’s not that I’m worried… just…”krvZrl
M6WDKRyozo placed her hand over mine.NVR
z1v6J“Go. Your hands aren’t meant to massage my shoulders, but to build the future of the Academy.”s5Hko
SWl***BmW
F6bMeanwhile, in the interview room.HQlrI
FB0a“Cadet Ji Changhyuk.”Ex44lag
FRF5Choi Seol-Ah composed herself.o5rS
gDHOJ“Y-yes.”4uDcZ5
n8YDiASJi Changhyuk, who had competed in the inter-academy event as a second-year rep, was now in the interview.uZ4QsBm
AcEqlbwHe nervously sat in front of the panel.pD6umir
78ULQ“You applied for direct promotion to the Joaquin Academy graduate school, correct?”cCq
ajp“Yes, yes…”ySqQqn
QiAW“Why?”T8c0t
qtc4WcO“W-well…”2174Nw3
fqI4py4Ji Changhyuk glanced at Abel and looked down, embarrassed. Then he confessed his deepest feeling.D30
GJK“…In the competition, I was carried by Her Highness and Chaerina. I was the second-year rep, but it was shameful.”DllKQ
SKoeS1“So I thought about it a lot. With my current skills, even if I joined a company like Lancelot, they’d just laugh.”OtP49S
d55Sr“Hmm. Go on.”slm
DS7wA6“In that case, I preferred to use the promotion system to enter the graduate program as soon as possible and learn more.”GfSaL
rZSEeu“That low self-esteem. That’s exactly what we want in a grad student. An inflated ego is useless.”sRrAV3p
zawTl“Th-thank you…”pXxnd
ozQeHuh? Did I hear wrong?xp6kT
bsVY“Cadet… no, assistant Ji Changhyuk.”hkHPz
exft“Y-yes.”WULIW
Llj3BqRJi Changhyuk lifted his head, startled.hpwx15q
zUZdw7wChoi Seol-Ah gently tugged her gloves. Now that I looked closer, she also wore sharp sunglasses.IbTZGB
19vhe“Do you know how to print?”SFmYe7c
k8g“Print… like with a printer?”gmCsz
qVd5“And wash tea cups?”CaF
gYpA“P-pardon…?”oL8J
HYyd“Have you ever washed socks?”UvDf9T
ipTGM“Excuse me… Instructor…”Vv8kYwM
pFsYdJi Changhyuk looked confused. But Choi Seol-Ah’s lips were completely serious.AvxJG
k7aS“…Is this some kind of trap?”kYxtN
byXi“No.”Rrsqs
LK1l6Choi Seol-Ah firmly denied it.X94Yb
uqhzC“This is the proper mindset of a graduate student.”iUH
718v“…”ekLR
cILkoXQ“Welcome. You’re accepted, assistant Ji Changhyuk.”EpYNUC
YD2h5For the first time, Choi Seol-Ah gave a charming smile. Abel and Lee Wonbin rubbed their foreheads, exhausted.Oxb
OGonYJpJi Changhyuk felt a chill run down his spine. But it was too late for regrets.tNku
5qYrBThe dice of fate had already been cast.c6Csf2K
3sFSPqAnd they showed a one.HyG
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