Chapter 76: Conspiracy (2)

Although the final exams were approaching, the students had an animated expression.

Not because they enjoyed taking exams, but because they were excited about the upcoming event.

Bang!

Speedweapon slammed his palm on the table. The impact caused Ryozo’s hand, which was supporting his chin, to slip.

“Damn it! Hey, why are you suddenly hitting the table?”

Ryozo glared at him fiercely. The gazes of the other club members also turned to Speedweapon.

His expression was solemn, serious, and formal. Speedweapon lowered his voice gravely.

“…What will our exploration club do during the festival?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, don’t make a scene over something so simple!”

“Huh, Saki, it’s not just any day—it’s the Joaquin Academy festival! If I can’t get serious on a day like this, then when else would I?”

“Stop getting excited over meaningless things.”

Exactly.

What had the students so excited was the Joaquin Academy Festival.

One might think it was just a regular fair, but it was an event officially recognized by the nation.

Why? Because that was the day Balor Joaquin sealed Lycan. The liberation and salvation from the demonic invasion. In this world, it was something akin to Independence Day.

The magnitude of the festival and its significance were immense. Even people who were rarely seen under normal circumstances would attend to bless and celebrate the students. A tradition spanning 700 years. since the founding of the academy.

The head of Chloe’s family, the . Elder of the Mountain” and the most powerful assassin, Altair Auditore.

The next leader of the neighboring Iron Royal Family, Mao Lang, “Iron Pavilion.”**

And the pride of America the top candidate to become the next Star: All Mute.

You could already imagine journalists typing excitedly. For a while, newspaper headlines would be filled with festival news.

Unfortunately, Absolute and **The Fortress would not attend. Those two figures were so important and busy that they rarely made public appearances.

Even so, tradition was maintained, and they sent congratulatory speeches through their representatives**.

A day of light for humanity. A celebration honoring the bright future of young heroes.

An occasion that did not lack glorious descriptions!

However, in recent times, its meaning had been somewhat degraded.

‘It’s always those at the top who ruin things.’

It was the day nobles gathered to socialize and form new connections. For fools, it was a golden opportunity to ingratiate themselves with the elite.

If the founding hero and his seven disciples could see this, they’d probably break out of their coffins in pure rage and consider it a national disgrace.

But who cares? Corruption and conspiracies were outside the interest of teenagers.

For the young, it was simply a big event.

“Don’t you know that these kinds of things also count as club achievements? Besides, if we make a big impression, it’ll look good for the director who agreed to be our advisor.”

“Are you really going to use the director as an excuse? Speedweapon, you just want to enjoy the festival!”

An animated argument broke out between Ryozo and Speedweapon. When dealing with Speedweapon, Ryozo spoke without any elegance.

“Students who know how to have fun also know when to act. I’ll handle the most annoying stuff, like… making the poster?”

“That damn poster—it’s trash!”

Ryozo cursed, while Speedweapon continued speaking without concern. Beside them, Senior Ha-na calmly sipped her tea. I just watched silently.

‘This is a mess.’

Then Chloe, who had been quiet, spoke.

“Do you have any plans for the festival day, Geom-Ma…?”

“No, I don’t really have any plans.”

Chloe started fiddling with her fingers. Her cheeks turned slightly red.

“In that case, would you like to go with me that day…?”

Bang!

Another slam on the table. The impact sent pens and papers flying.

“Decided! We’re going to run a tasting booth. The president is excellent with knives. Let’s use this opportunity to promote the club, saying that if they travel with us, the leader will cook for them.”

“….”

Chloe looked at Speedweapon coldly. She puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away abruptly. A huff escaped her nose.

Speedweapon scratched his chin awkwardly, not understanding what he had done wrong.

He probably knew less about romance than I did, and I’d never been in a relationship.

Speedweapon tried to read Chloe’s expression.

Her lips were pouting. Frustrated, Speedweapon sighed.

It seemed his enthusiasm had deflated.

‘Still, Speedweapon always thinks about the club first.’

Thanks to him acting as the group’s motivator, the club maintained its energy. His tone might have been lighter lately, but…

If it weren’t for Speedweapon, I wouldn’t be sure I could lead this group of such different personalities. I uncrossed my arms. It was time to help as a teammate.

“I think Speedweapon’s idea isn’t bad.”

A small surprise appeared on Ryozo’s face.

Then, the members’ gazes turned toward me.

Speedweapon looked relieved and rubbed his nose.

“What’s up, Geom-Ma? Are you suddenly interested in formal events? Are you trying to impress the big shots?”

Ryozo frowned in distaste.

Formal events? How ironic coming from the person most connected to authority.

“It’s not that I have a specific goal. I just think that we’ll probably be busy clearing dungeons during the holidays. So before that, it wouldn’t hurt to have a club activity.”

Although skepticism remained in Ryozo’s eyes, he said nothing.

I cleared my throat lightly and continued.

“Besides, we don’t have many days left to enjoy this kind of festival…”

I stopped mid-sentence, realizing what I had said. Ryozo raised an eyebrow with curiosity.

“What do you mean by ‘not many days left’? What does that mean?”

“….”

A slip had connected my thoughts to the Second Great Human-Demon War that would happen in three years.

Normally, I wouldn’t make this kind of mistake, but it seemed I’d relaxed too much around them.

“….”

“Why? What makes you say we don’t have much time left to enjoy the festival? Geom-Ma, do you know something we don’t?”

The longer the silence dragged on, the higher Ryozo’s eyebrows rose. She was the type who wouldn’t let even the slightest hint slip past her.

That sharp perception was her greatest strength, but as a companion, it was quite exhausting.

“It’s just… there are only a few days left until the final exams. I was referring to that.”

“Hmm.”

Ryozo stared at me with narrowed eyes. Then, showing a disinterested expression, she pulled out a yokan and began chewing it.

“So, have you thought about any type of booth?”

“No, I haven’t thought of anything.”

“Or are you planning to cook food like Speedweapon said? Because among us, you’re the only one who knows how to cook.”

Now that I thought about it, she was right. I could only handle sashimi for less than 50 seconds, so I couldn’t manage everything on my own.

Speedweapon couldn’t even boil water properly for instant noodles. Ryozo replaced nearly all her meals with yokan… So I looked at Chloe and Senior Ha-na.

“Chloe, Senior Ha-na, do you know how to cook?”

“Huh, I… I know how to make fried rice or fried eggs…”

“I hardly eat. I just prepare salad with balsamic vinegar dressing. Does that count as cooking?”

“….”

Ryozo gave me a look that clearly said, “See?” while chewing her yokan irritably.

I sighed as I pondered. As the club president, I had already proposed the idea; I couldn’t back out without losing face.

The truth was, festivals had never been something I enjoyed. Since I was seventeen, I had been fighting on the front lines of the workforce, with no time for romantic moments.

In fact, one of the reasons I enjoyed the generic mobile game *“Miracle Blessing M”* was precisely this. Although I had never shown it, I probably longed for such a life.

‘Besides…’

I observed the faces of my clubmates. Except for Saki, everyone was smiling with anticipation and excitement. But knowing what was coming, I couldn’t smile the same way they did.

‘This will be the last festival we’ll be able to enjoy at the academy.’

By the time we enter our second year, the demons will start seeing Leon, the future hero, as a threat. They won’t reveal themselves openly on the battlefield, but they will send demonic beasts to attack us.

During that time, the atmosphere of the story will grow increasingly somber. As a result, festivals and similar events will be canceled.

This festival would be the last celebration for me and my companions. Thinking about that, I felt a lump in my chest.

“What are you thinking about with such a sad expression?”

Senior Ha-na, who had set down her teacup, asked me. Through her glasses, her long eyelashes were barely visible. Her eyes radiated elegance.

“Are you thinking about this festival as if it were the last one?”

Could this woman read my mind? She adjusted her glasses and curved her lips into a faint smile.

“Do you remember what I said when I joined the Exploration Club?”

“Huh, what did you say?”

She smiled slightly and raised her cup again.

“If you don’t remember, it doesn’t matter.”

* * *

“So, in the end, we’re going to cook?”

Ryozo frowned and let out a deep sigh.

After a long meeting, we had come full circle.

The truth was, for a small club like ours, organizing something big was difficult. There were many suggestions, but the simplest and most common option was just one.

“Hey, I told you I’ve never touched water for cooking! And besides, Speedweapon can’t even make a cup of instant ramen properly! Now you want us to cook? If we’re doing this as a club, everyone should collaborate, but this leaves you all alone, Kang Geom-Ma.”

I had nearly twenty years of experience in the restaurant business.

So, handling all the orders alone wasn’t impossible for me. Moreover, while I wasn’t good with small chef knives, there were other types of blades I could handle.

Like the machete I had bought for survival training on the deserted island.

It wasn’t the most elegant solution, but I had a firm belief.

‘An expert doesn’t worry about the tools.’

However, just as Ryozo said, if I did everything alone, it would defeat the purpose of teamwork.

“Come on, don’t you trust the president? I’m sure he’s got everything planned out.”

Speedweapon smiled widely. Senior Ha-na and Chloe also nodded in agreement.

With the atmosphere in my favor, even Ryozo gave in.

“Ha… Fine, fine. So what are we going to make?”

At her question, I shrugged.

“Kimchi stew.”

The festival was equivalent to Liberation Day on Earth.

I’d use this opportunity to promote Korean cuisine and fulfill a small patriotic act.

* * *

Time continued to pass.

There were only two days left until the festival. The club members were busy with preparations.

Chloe would help with basic tasks like frying eggs, Speedweapon would handle the administrative processes and paperwork, and Senior Ha-na, with her meticulous nature, would oversee logistics and ingredients.

Even Ryozo, despite her critical attitude, worked silently. Her task was to create posters and advertisements.

She had taken on that responsibility after neutralizing Speedweapon, who insisted on doing it, with a small display of force.

Since I needed to be in my best shape for the day of the event, I didn’t have any specific tasks before the festival.

“…They’re doing everything much better than I expected.”

Everyone was efficient with their tasks.

I wondered if all teenagers in this world were like this.

Or maybe it helped that we had worked together in the Korean Sushi restaurant a while ago.

Thanks to that, I had some unexpected free time.

Step, step.

I walked through the hallway of the teachers’ building. With the academy and students focused on the festival, I took the opportunity to go see someone. Finally, I stopped in front of a door with a nameplate and knocked softly.

Knock, knock.

“It’s Kang Geom-Ma.”

The door opened.

“Ah! Come in, student Kang Geom-Ma.”

Professor Damian, dressed in a white coat, greeted me warmly. I bowed my head in greeting and entered his office.

The professor pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. In his other hand, he held a teapot.

“I was just preparing tea. You’ve arrived at the perfect moment.”

Clink.

“It’s black tea brought directly from Russia. Its aroma is exquisite.”

The professor offered me the Russian tea with a calm smile.