Chapter 394: The Master (3)

I immediately said goodbye to Victoria. When I suddenly ran off somewhere, she was left with a dazed expression.

“Eh, eh?”

Then, chiiiik, steam began to escape between her teeth and from her ears.

She looked as if she had caught a cold.

“We’ll talk about it another time.”

“A-another time… when?”

“Soon.”

I felt guilty for leaving her like that, but now there was someone else who needed urgent attention.

Chloe Auditore.

Yandere + assassin + split personality.

My companion, who more than once had left me with chilling memories, was about to fall into the abyss. But, despite everything, Chloe was someone important to me. She always appeared like a ghost to help me whenever I faced impossible obstacles.

Even now.

While secretly eliminating cells of the Union of Villains, she had ended up on the verge of awakening.

If I didn’t even feel indebted, what kind of human being would I be?

‘That would truly be unforgivable.’

Hold on a little longer, Chloe.

This time too, I will break the lock of your past that keeps you chained.

***

I need to find a method today. At least I already have a lead, and that’s what matters.

Sssrr. Sssrr.

The spring sun made the grass grow, tickling my ankles.

As I walked, I repeated over and over the thunder of my recent revelation.

“Compatibility…”

Even though there was no way I would forget it along the way, I murmured it as if gathering fragments of a dream.

Compatibility.

When different natures successfully intertwine, a kind of synergy arises. That was what I wanted to apply to the link between blessing and magic.

‘According to Meian’s explanation, the awakening of a blessing happens when the amount of injected information exceeds a person’s processing capacity.’

The memory of when I manifested the Blessing of the God of the Sword for the first time came to mind. Looking at it now, it wasn’t so different from awakening.

The only difference with others who sank into madness after awakening was my “will.”

More precisely, the “will of Lycan,” which bore the weight of the Blessing of the God of the Sword and allowed me not to be consumed by it.

If I had had an ordinary body, I would have died instantly.

‘It truly sends chills.’

I exhaled a cold sigh and, at the same time, silently evaluated the feasibility of the hypothesis I had just constructed.

“Yes. It’s possible.”

The word that emerged from my imagination was—

Conflict.

The awakening of a blessing. Forcing the clash of opposing properties.

‘Making magic and blessing grind against each other.’
Like in a backfire operation.

And the result—the benefit.

Everyone who inhabits this vast campus of Joaquin Academy enjoys it today.

***

Centuries ago.

The Seven Valiants, predecessors of today’s Seven Stars, awakened their blessings one after another.

The Master, a being of infinite rarity, had very early recognized the danger of blessings. To save his disciples, he gathered artifacts imbued with mana in Gehenna and brought them to Joaquin Academy.

As you know, thus the Special Building was born.

And it was also the beginning of Joaquin Academy’s distinctive mark—training blessing bearers. Here, the energy of those blessings springs forth like an inexhaustible fountain year after year.

That energy clashed and merged with the Special Building.

Like water and oil.

And although their nature dictates they should never mix, after years of ceaseless friction, the world itself created a space of compromise.

A place that exists but does not interfere.

That is the subspace. And that was my answer.

…

………

……………

After my long explanation, silence took over the room.

Valerion, who had listened without interrupting, bit his lips.

“…Then, what the Lord Heavenly Sword is saying is that if someone on the verge of an awakening receives mana into their body…”

Before finishing, he swallowed hard.

He was not the only one. The high command of the dragon lineage, Metatron and the others summoned, shared the same wary expression.

As soon as I had come up with the idea, I gathered them in the Special Building. It so happened that that day the graduate students had general culture classes, so they were all able to attend.

I observed them in their tension and nodded.

“Exactly. My idea is to turn the human body into a subspace.”

“……”

“……”

Everyone seemed to have lost their words.

I continued with my argument.

“In that way, the human body would have a wider container. Even if a blessing awakened, it could contain and control it.”

In short—turn the human body into a pocket of subspace.

The reactions were still lukewarm.

“Humans are mortal beings.”

Metatron intervened, finally uncrossing the arms he had kept tightly folded.

“Precisely because they fight and evolve in a limited time is why humans are astonishing. That’s why Balor of Joaquin is revered—because, being mortal, he defeated a legion commander.”

“I don’t see it that way.”

I shook my head firmly.

“That is pigeonholing the limits of humanity.”

Humans. We are great because we find answers in any situation.

“Everyone knows it. The current situation is abnormal.”

They lowered their gaze little by little. It was their way of nodding.

“Right now, mana is overflowing in human bodies. Ancient warriors are rejuvenating. I summoned you here to investigate the cause, but everything is rushing faster than expected.”

“Yes. We are aware.”

“These phenomena will continue repeating. And the first to suffer it, by chance, happened to be my friend.”

Shhhhhhh.

An oily rain began to fall inside the Special Building.

The murmur of fine drops suddenly turned into a roar. We were all drenched, and a solemn air filled the room.

“If anyone has a better idea, say it.”

I said.

“……”

“I don’t want to use my friend as if she were a guinea pig either. But time is short and there are no precedents.”

I looked at them, drenched under that strange rain, and added.

“Everyone knows that soon we will enter a new phase. That’s why… I want to do something. Anything.”

“The urgency of the Lord Heavenly Sword I understand well, but…”

Metatron, the former Archangel, spoke with a severe gaze, as if scolding a reckless son.

“That instant of recklessness could unleash an enormous convulsion in this world. There is a high probability it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

The dilemma—an attempt to avoid the foretold future ends up, in fact, fulfilling it.

“Injecting mana alone is not enough.”

Valerion added.

“If the awakening of the blessing is imminent, magic of equal magnitude will be needed. It is not just a matter of formulas. The awakening of magic must also be induced. Only if both awakenings align will the effect of collision arise.”

They pointed out, then, that critical point.

“And even so…”

The Dragon Lord and the Archangel spoke almost in unison.

“Will you carry it out?”

I answered without hesitation.

“Yes. I will.”

“It could cause a cataclysm.”

“Then I’ll twist it to my favor.”

“The awakening of magic is a new concept. It’s only just beginning to be defined.”

“It will be possible.”

“How…?”

Tac. I snapped my fingers. From my pupils burst a yellowish glow that slid like a thread.

Rumble…

The stones around me began to shake violently. I gathered the electricity swirling in the air and unsheathed Murasame. Lightning compressed to such a voltage that it turned the blade blue. The current alone was enough to solidify the space around the sword.

Thunder Slash.

I struck the blade down with all my strength. The yellow energy condensed and seeped into the ground, surging upward like lightning. The entire chamber shook. The crash roared, flashes split the earth, and light exploded.

The entire place became steeped in a grim aura. The onlookers shrank back, trembling, their cheeks burning from the heat and their hair singed at the tips.

They needed to see this.

It was the only way they would trust and follow.

In Gehenna, when there is no agreement, only the demonstration of power subdues the discrepancy.

I…

Had to release even more of my restraints.

If I wanted to save Chloe.

If I wanted to be ready for what was coming.

Blessing awakening and magic awakening. I needed to decipher that conjunction.

‘I must become stronger.’

It was my duty.

I am the Heavenly Sword.

I said in a firm voice.

“Blade of the Furious Lightning.”

Electricity ran like burning veins across my skin. The full energy of the storm rushed toward me. The lightning that wrung the earth and the air enveloped me, and the others recoiled in terror.

Behind me, the bolts of lightning swirled and took form.

Rumble.

A long neck rose.

“Th-that’s…”

Like a dragon.

Screeech—¡krrrr!

Sparking, wings unfolded.

Like an angel.

I turned my head slightly. Behind me, a golden dragon exhaled violet flames. Its roar shook everything.

¡Boooom!

—rrrrrr…

——rrrrrr…

———rrrRrrruuuum!

A satisfied smile crossed my lips.

It was the first time I had done it, and I was pleased. So I gave it a grandiose name.

“Thunder Dragon Fang.”

With the electric dragon at my side, I looked down from above at the demon and the angel.

“Wouldn’t you say this already borders on the awakening of magic?”

“……”

“……”

They couldn’t form words. They were paralyzed, rigid from the discharge.

“…Heavenly Sword.”

Metatron wetted his parched lips.

“…You are not human. Then why do you insist on proclaiming yourself as one…?”

I smiled sideways.

“Because the human being is stronger than the gods.”

“I see… You are right.”

Metatron nodded gravely.

“I will cooperate.”

Afterward, the dragons also bowed their heads.

“We will follow the path of the Heavenly Sword.”

“I thank you.”

I stood up.

Even when I turned to leave, the dragons did not raise their heads. Not until I disappeared from the room.

Then I remembered.

At the succession ceremony, when I received the name of Heavenly Sword, the Sword Master asked me.

— How do you feel now?

At the time I answered lightly.

And, paradoxically, I still think the same today.

‘Not bad.’

***

Abel crossed her legs.

“Ryozo, do you know what Geom-Ma has been up to lately?”

“I couldn’t say.”

Ryozo, with an indifferent expression, only kept moving her pen. Abel frowned, though she quickly hid it.

“I’ve heard he’s been in the Special Building with the graduate professors… but he never says anything.”

“I see.”

No matter what Abel said, Ryozo’s pen continued to dance, unperturbed.

“……”

“……”

The silence was heavy. Abel was upset, though she didn’t say it. Lately, more and more women had been hovering around Geom-Ma.

‘Well, there were always many…’

But now they approached more brazenly. Before, the presence of Abel and Ryozo had been enough to keep them at bay. That had changed.

‘Rachel…’

And Meian Poison was also a reason for distrust.

That was why she had come to consult Ryozo.

Sssrr, sssrr.

But she was always buried in paperwork.

Abel laced her hands over her knee, playing with her thumb, while glancing at her from the corner of her eye.

They had lived under the same roof for ten years. They were close, yes, but circumstances and temperaments had prevented them from becoming intimate friends. When Geom-Ma wasn’t around and they were left alone.

‘Sometimes the air feels like fine dust.’

Abel sighed.

Tap.

Ryozo tapped the desk with her pen.

“What is it that unsettles you so much?”

“Eh?”

“Why are you so anxious?”

“Well…”

Abel opened her eyes wide like a sparrow.

“Isn’t it obvious? If my husband gets entangled in rumors, of course I’ll be worried. You’re the one who’s too cold!”

“It’s not coldness. It’s setting priorities. If he’s in the Special Building with the professors, there’s a reason for it. And those who flirt with him—that’s always happened. I don’t understand why it bothers you so much now.”

“Ugh… Forget it.”

“Then leave.”

Abel’s eyes sparked. Containing her emotion, she answered firmly.

“Ryozo, I know you work day and night for Geom-Ma. For our family. But lately you’ve been neglecting feelings.”

“Feelings, now? After what we saw in the Tragedy of Parsy? Geom-Ma is preparing so it doesn’t happen again. And you? Do you intend to lock him up with the excuse of your insecurity?”

“Enough…”

“Don’t demand emotions from Geom-Ma. He’s your husband, not your grandfather.”

Clang!

Abel’s knee hit the desk. She stood up abruptly, the teacup rolled, and she turned sharply toward the door.

“I didn’t want to say this, but…”

With her hand on the doorknob, she barely turned her face.

She glanced at her sideways, and spat the words.

“Ryozo… you’re becoming more and more like that person.”

Bang!

The door slammed so hard that the documents shook.

Ryozo looked at it for a moment, then returned to her pen.

Crack.

But it broke between her fingers.

“Damn it.”

She covered her eyes with both hands.

“…Damn it…”