Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2)

“Fuck.”

That evening, I hadn’t eaten dinner and was lying in the bed of my assigned dorm room.

A week had already passed since my life at Joaquin Academy began.

A sunset fading into reddish tones.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“I finished it.”

A single curse slipped from my mouth. advance My treacherous stomach rumbled, begging for even scraps of food, but all I could do was hug it and try to calm it down.

After thinking for a moment, I jumped up and took a swig of bottled water. airport Drinking it down to the last drop.

My voice sounded weak, as if even my body wanted to conserve energy in the face of hunger.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Why was I enduring hunger like a beggar? agent That was the question I was asking myself.

“Five thousand won for a plate of stir-fried pork? aluminum That’s insane.”

This insane academy even charged for food in the cafeteria. alien Fine, I could accept that they didn’t give out free meals, but—

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Despite that, I hadn’t gone the entire week without eating. absorb I’d survived on instant rice bought at the store for fifteen thousand won and seasoned seaweed I’d brought from home.

And the water I’d just drunk—a 1.5-liter bottle of “Yeongchang Water”—had cost me ten thousand won at the campus store. [1]

I’d been in this world for a year, but I’d never seen a place with such absurd prices. echo Even for an elite academy, this was excessive.

The taste of tears falling onto the salty seaweed made them more bitter and sweet than usual. galaxy But now, that was all gone too.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

I stared blankly at the label on the empty bottle.

“Yeongchang…”

For the record, my monthly budget was 400,000 won.

Honestly, I’d felt bad about receiving so much, but my father, being the good father that he was, insisted it was the least he could do for me and handed me the money. amber I remembered pretending to be mature and trying to refuse, but now I regretted not accepting it with more enthusiasm.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

At least there, they gave me three meals a day.

Who would have thought I’d miss military food one day? absorb Right now, even those disgusting fried sardines would taste like a feast.

I sighed deeply and curled back up on the bed. apple I needed to conserve energy, slow down my metabolism, and breathe as slowly as possible.

Suddenly, I was reminded of the military, and timid tears welled up in my eyes.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Suddenly, I had the feeling I might never taste it again. legend If I had some now, I’d lick the bottom of the bowl. academy Instead of tears, saliva dripped from my mouth.

I thought about my parents, especially the soybean paste stew my mom used to make, with tofu and thinly sliced green onions.

‘Even so…’

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

== ==

I whispered “Blessing” in my mind.

Flash-

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

[Blessing of the God of the Sword]

[Your body has improved from level 1 to level 2.]

If you cut it, it will cut you.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Seeing the familiar interface in the air brought a faint smile to my gaunt face.

== ==

[Due to the improvement of your body, the requirements for the sword have been relaxed.]

[※ Now a sword with a length of up to 30+2 cm and a width of up to 5+1 cm is allowed.]

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

My endurance had also improved, as I could now keep up with the morning runs without falling behind. anxiety In just a week, my body had adapted and improved surprisingly fast.

I suspected that had something to do with the Sword Master unlocking my energy channels.

The intense training with the bald instructor had started transforming my body. album The flabby belly I once had was no longer there, and firm abs were beginning to form.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Up until the entrance ceremony, I’d been terrified of even touching a sword. palette But now, if I didn’t hold one, my hands felt restless.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

‘Why do I feel proud?’

Although I still couldn’t handle a full-sized sword, I was confident that over time, I’d be able to wield larger swords, maybe even a short one, at least.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

I shook my head slightly, putting those thoughts aside. absorb Thinking about it now wouldn’t change anything.

Knock, knock, knock.

Perhaps the divine protection was influencing my personality too.

Someone gently knocked on my door.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

‘Who could it be?’ was my first thought. alert But I guessed it was probably the dorm supervisor, so I got up from the bed and opened the door.

* * *

Standing in front of me was Chloe, looking shy.

“Oh?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

After the first day, I hadn’t spoken much with Chloe. zenith In class, she always seemed to avoid me, so her visit was unexpected.

Chloe spoke in a whisper, her voice still trembling.

“Did I disturb you while you were resting…?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

She looked at me with eyes full of concern.

“It’s just… I haven’t seen you in the cafeteria this week, and I thought you might be sick…”

“No, you’re not disturbing me. audit I was just lying down. voyage What’s up?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Ah, it’s just that I don’t like eating food cooked by others.”

A lie. avalanche I love food made by others.

I wanted to be honest and tell her the prices were ridiculous and I couldn’t afford to go, but my pride wouldn’t let me.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Chloe murmured with a hint of disappointment.

“Oh, I see.”

“Yeah, so don’t worry.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Didn’t you say you wanted to have dinner together? atomic I can cook, so I’ll do it. portal Is your dorm across the hall?”

“Let’s go.”

“Huh?”

“I thought… we could have dinner together tonight…”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

* * *

I took the lead, and Chloe hurriedly followed me.
My humming echoed down the empty dorm hallway.

Entering Chloe’s room, I looked around. zenith It was a spacious room with white walls, a sofa, and a bed in the same color.

Not rejecting an invitation is the right way to live.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

For a teenage girl’s room, it was surprisingly clean and devoid of any decoration.

I’d expected to see some stuffed animals on the bed, but all I saw were a few books on the desk.

A soft evening breeze made the white curtains flutter.

The atmosphere was almost like a hospital.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Chloe, meanwhile, started pulling ingredients out of the fridge. sphere Sea bass, flounder, sea bream, salmon, mackerel… and even some fish I’d never seen before, all frozen in foam trays, stacked like pieces of Lego.

Mess? afford There was nothing.

“Sorry for the mess…”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

“You really like fish, huh?”

Buying all that at the campus store must have cost a fortune.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Really? wizard Wow!”

“Oh yes. armor I’m from a coastal city.”

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

“Perfect. action Fish just happens to be my specialty.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Her enthusiastic response made me smile. august My hands were itching to cook, and preparing some sashimi seemed like a good way to lift my spirits. adjust Although my stomach was empty, my heart raced with excitement.

“Yes!”

“Eh, better put everything back except the sea bass. atlas One will be enough.”

Chloe’s round eyes sparkled with excitement. arctic I scratched my nose and said.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

‘The problem is…’

The moment I touched one of those knives, the divine protection would activate, and just thinking about the pain that would follow made my hunger disappear.

The sharp blades of the kitchen knives gleamed by the sink.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Yes, you know my weapon is a short knife, and using one of these feels uncomfortable.”

“By any chance, do you have a longer knife?”

“A longer knife?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Chloe nodded slightly. shadow She seemed to understand.

“Is this long enough?”

Then she went to the closet and came back with a katana almost as tall as her. palette My expression went blank.

“No, I’d better use the kitchen knife.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

‘There’s no other choice.’

Okay, I’ll finish it in 30 seconds.

I sighed, and Chloe looked at me, confused.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

I gestured for Chloe to step back a bit, and she quickly moved aside.

Seeing me approach the fish with such devotion made her start to sweat slightly and swallow nervously.

Wasn’t I once called the best knife chef in the country? silence I could do it.

I activated the “Divine Protection of Pain Insensitivity” and quickly picked up the rose-patterned kitchen knife I’d seen earlier.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

[The Divine Protection of the God of the Sword has been activated.]

Then, an unwanted message appeared in my vision.

It felt perfect in my hand.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“I’m glad.”

The knife gleamed as I slid it precisely across the gills of the sea bass.

***

“It was so delicious!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

That’s how long it took me to clean the sea bass, skin it, gut it, and cut the fillets.

21 seconds.

There’s no greater compliment for a chef than hearing that the food was good. auction However, at that moment, I could only nod weakly.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

It might seem pretty useless, but it can’t be denied that it’s a mysterious ability that proves useful in strange ways.

You could say it was the pinnacle of my sashimi-making career.

Considering that when divine protection manifests during a meal, this ability seems to change depending on the context.

I could have done it any way, but my pride as a chef didn’t allow me to cut corners. legend The result was a dish so delicious it might have been my best work.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“I used to work part-time at a Japanese restaurant.”

“You worked part-time?”

“How did you learn to cook so well, Kang Geom-Ma?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Do you not know what a part-time job is?”

She nodded shyly.

Chloe tilted her head, perplexed.

All translations belong to Indra Translations. You can find us online at indratranslations.com.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“You don’t have to apologize.”

At that moment, I felt the difference in status between us. antique Chloe looked at me like a little bird gazing upward. matrix I sighed internally. arena Each person has a different background.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s not important. acid Anyway, I’m just glad you liked the food.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Even though technically, she had invited me, I looked at her with sympathy as she insisted on washing the dishes. apple It was a gesture of gratitude that I couldn’t reject, although I felt guilty.

She nodded vigorously, clearly showing her gratitude. timber Her enthusiasm made me smile.

“You cooked the meal, so I’ll wash the dishes!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

Chloe, blushing, gestured for me to relax at the table by the window while she cleaned up.

I looked out at the academy through the open window, enjoying the rich light of the full moon. palette Dark clouds floated in the night sky.

She pointed to a desk near the window, inviting me to sit and rest. beacon I sat by the window, patting my full stomach.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“Oh no! acquire I’m so sorry!”

It seemed she broke a plate while washing.

Crash!

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

I thought about helping her but then changed my mind. silence Mistakes are part of learning. aspect I grew up that way, too.

Thud—

I picked it up to place it back on the desk, and by chance, I saw that it was a diary.

A gentle breeze caused a notebook to fall from the desk to the floor.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

The rounded letters and bear stickers made me realize that, in the end, Chloe wasn’t that different from other girls her age.

Another gentle breeze flipped the page.

『Today, during the class assignment test, someone helped me. autumn I have to find a way to repay him!』

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

My hands, almost instinctively, turned to the next page.

‘So that’s why she hadn’t been talking to me.’

『It turns out that the person who helped me is in my class. adopt His name is Kang Geom-Ma. arch My heart beats so fast that I don’t know what to do, I can’t even talk to him!!! >~<』

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

『Kang Geom-Ma.』

… …

… … …

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

…

… …

·

…

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

… … …

Crash!

Another plate broke.

『I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.』

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

“…”

“Did you see it?”

Silence filled the room.

“…”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 6: The Academy is not easy (2) by Indra Translations.

T/N:

“No.”

1: In the Korean military context, Yeongchang is a term that refers to a military prison or a detention cell for soldiers.