Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3)

I stared at the stone, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease. legend Then the professor, seated across from me, gently stroked the stone and spoke.

The only peculiar thing was a stone resting on a side table.

It might have been an ornamental stone, but its surface was far too rough.

The professor’s office in the Department of Blessings was similar to the academy director’s office.
Shelves were packed with teaching materials and introductory books.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

I declined the offer; it was far too unsettling to have in my room.

“Oh, no, thank you.”

“This is a research sample I recently acquired by chance. voyage Although it looks like an ordinary stone, it contains a faint amount of magical power. alien If you’re interested, I can give you a piece, Kang Geom-Ma.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

‘It’s not for me.’

Moreover, space was limited, and an ornamental stone felt like too much of an adult hobby.

“Drink it while it’s hot. august Its aroma is excellent.”

Shortly after, Professor Damian smiled kindly and offered me a cup of tea again.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Because of that precaution, learned on Earth, I hesitated to drink it. atomic I stopped just before my lips touched the cup. artist The professor tilted his head curiously.

‘…There’s a saying that you should never trust Russian black tea.’

I was about to take a sip when an idea flashed across my mind.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Refusing something offered in goodwill was considered disrespectful.

Above all, the tea’s origin made me uneasy. arrow With so many other options, why Russia specifically…? galaxy I felt as if I could be exposed to harmful substances.

But I didn’t want to consume something without being certain. auction There were still dangers lurking in the academy. arena Even if it was a professor, a symbol of trust, caution was necessary.

“Is there a problem…?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

It was a false excuse, but I said it with as much respect as possible. armor My expression reflected sadness to ease the professor’s discomfort.

This was the result of years of experience dealing with adults in the workforce.

“On second thought, I’m allergic to black tea. aluminum I’m really sorry, Professor Damian, especially after you went to the trouble of preparing it.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Still, compared to dealing with insufferable clients in my past life, this was nothing…

‘It’s not easy to shake off the spirit of customer service.’

“Oh, is that so? athlete In that case, there’s nothing we can do.”

Suddenly, I recalled my first encounter with the Sword Master. action That situation had been similar. adopt The experience of enduring difficult clients for 20 years was engraved into my bones.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

His tone reflected a mix of confidence and modesty. apron The professor radiated a natural tranquility. silence From his small gestures, his erudition could be felt. atom I nodded and spoke.

“The tea doesn’t matter. abandon I’m glad you came to see me, Kang Geom-Ma. athlete Since we’re here, ask me anything you want. advance I might not have encyclopedic knowledge, but I’ll answer as best I can.”

Professor Damian smiled understandingly and withdrew my cup of tea, clasping his hands together.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

The professor suddenly pulled an introductory book from the shelf and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. atomic He looked like a passionate scholar as he turned the pages with saliva on his finger.

“It’s a continuation of the question I asked earlier about ‘May the blessing of the gods be with you.’”

“Ah, that question. advance In fact, it intrigued me so much that I conducted some research on it.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“Ah, here it is!”

“This is the fragment. apple In fact, I went to Russia just to get this book.”

He showed me the book with a satisfied smile and pointed to a line with his finger.

“Did you really go because of my question?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“You gave me the starting point, but I was also curious. apron That’s how we academics are, don’t worry. armor On the contrary, I’m grateful to have learned something new.”

“But anyway, that’s not the important part right now.”

He shrugged.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Look, this is mine about the blessing classification system. attic I want you to remember and use this one, not the one you mentioned:

“As I mentioned in class, blessings are classified into four levels: Hero, Elemental, Guardian Spirit, and Personal. beacon Each one is based on who grants the blessing. timber Although these spirits are transcendent, they are still inevitable entities. antique But here’s the question.”

He leaned toward me, his eyes gleaming with academic fervor.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“That there are no gods left in this world…”

“Do you remember the last thing I told you?”

He paused for a moment and took a sip of tea to clear his throat before continuing.

I murmured to myself, and the professor smiled faintly.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

When I heard that proposal, it reminded me of a graduate student who used to frequent my restaurant in my past life.

“You have a good memory, Kang Geom-Ma. absorb What do you think about becoming my assistant?”

The young man, slamming his soju glass, had lamented his fate. adapt It was a hard image to forget.

—Damn it! wizard Do you know what I regret most in life, boss? academy Accepting a professor’s assistant position because of their sweet words. atom Aaaah!

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“Oh, is that so? apron That’s a shame.”

‘He said it wasn’t something a human should do.’

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in the academy.”

I shook my head to dispel those thoughts.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Suddenly, he closed his eyes and began reciting in a poetic tone.

“We’ve strayed a bit from the topic. artist Let’s go back to the mythological era.”

The professor sighed with a hint of disappointment.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

I watched him in silence. aspect They say being too intelligent can drive you mad, and now I understood why.

“No one knows their origin, but it is said that in ancient times, numerous gods existed. ability We call that era the ‘Mythical Era.’”

Professor Damian’s voice sounded ethereal, as if he were dreaming.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“The gods here are not transcendent like the ‘spirits.’ They are existences akin to concepts, lacking emotion, reason, form, and body.”

He raised his voice, intensifying the gravity of his words.

“In simple terms, their level is different. adjust Even the spirits, often compared to stars, are nothing more than fireflies before the sun when compared to the gods.”

“Concepts…?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

The professor’s face hardened.

Professor Damian’s eyelids slowly lifted. voyage His eyes, once unfocused, regained their sharpness.

“Absolute beings who transcended mortality. afford However, not even they could escape death.”

“One of them, though of their same kind, marked the end of that era.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“The God of the Sword.”

“The phrase ‘May the blessing of the gods be with you’ was an expression humans began to use immediately after the Mythical Era to revere him and borrow his strength.”

“…!!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“Does that answer your question?”

***

He looked directly into my eyes. academy There wasn’t even the slightest tremor in his pupils.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

I left Professor Damian’s office after finishing our conversation.

I walked down the hallway, scratching my head.

I couldn’t even ask my questions about magic and had to leave quickly. abstract If I had stayed any longer, I probably wouldn’t have finished today.

“He’s smart, but he talks too much.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“I feel like I gained something, but at the same time, I didn’t gain anything.”

Suddenly, I remembered the professor drinking his tea during our conversation. palette He had gone to the trouble of preparing it for me, and although I had politely declined, I felt a little guilty…

We had talked about a time when humans were practically cavemen.

It’s natural for the information to be vague and ambiguous. arena However, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the effort he made to travel all the way to Russia just because of a simple phrase I mentioned.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“…Still, there’s something suspicious about Russian tea.”

It felt as if I had left without dressing properly. atomic However, the thought lasted only a moment.

I let out a brief laugh and was about to resume my walk when a strange sensation washed over me.

“Oh, I didn’t bring my sashimi today.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Lately, things have been pretty grim.

Somehow, I felt my perception was more limited than usual. antenna Normally, I don’t make these kinds of mistakes, but it seems I’m a bit excited. anxiety After all, it’s been a long time since I felt this way.

I’ve killed people and cut down demons.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Now, most things don’t affect me, and my character has become drier and more distant.

It hasn’t been long since I entered the academy, but the gap between this and the peaceful life I had before is enormous.

That has also changed my personality.

However, when I’m with the club members, I feel energy flowing, and the tension disappears.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“By now, they’ve probably finished the preparations.”

Just as they depend on me, I’m also leaning on them.

A faint smile escaped me.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

I had been away for a while to resolve my doubts, but it was time to return and lend a hand. auction I quickened my pace.

The heat was at its peak.

***

The blazing sun beat down mercilessly, and sweat trickled down my back.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“Hey, look, that’s Mahatma Sindbad, the national hero of India!”

Despite the weather, Joaquin Academy was packed with people.

Dust rose with every hurried step of the crowd.

“Wow, this will go viral if I post it on X! academy I’m going to ask for a photo!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“But nothing beats the Americans. arrow Look at All Mute! admire That tight suit… Ah, American heroes really are on another level.”

“Wow, there’s Mao Lang! avalanche Her legs are incredible! wizard The qipao really is humanity’s future…”

The students’ eyes shone brightly as they looked around.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Click, click.

The sound of cameras was constant. voyage It wasn’t just students there.

“You’ve always shown a friendly stance toward Korea. sphere Is that still true?”

“Mr. alien All Mute! airport You’re a strong candidate to become one of the Seven Heroes! action Could you share a few words with us?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

The heroes, in turn, were accustomed to the camera flashes.

Journalists, with their academy access credentials hanging around their necks, aimed their camera lenses at the famous heroes.

“Do you know BTS, Park Ji-sung, Son Heung-min?”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Pinch.

“…They’re so damn cool.”

Speedweapon muttered as he watched them in admiration.

Ryozo, looking at him with disbelief, pinched him in the side.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Speedweapon let out a sharp cry and rolled on the ground. atlas Ryozo looked at him coldly.

“Aaahhh!”

“We’re busy, and you’re still getting distracted! acid It’s already chaotic with so many people around, and you’re just standing there like an idiot?”

The sound of the pinch was clear. riddle An archer doesn’t lose precision even when pinching.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

It’s worth noting that the hierarchy between them had already been established in a previous competition.

“Talk with words, not violence! alien And hey, when there are world-class heroes around, it’s impossible not to get distracted!”

“You were the one who insisted we set up the stall! atomic Stop staring around and get to work!”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

In that match, she used her bow like a bat and struck Speedweapon as if she were beating a sandbag.

The method was a duel, and the winner was, of course, Saki Ryozo.

Even Chloe, who has experience as an assassin, was stunned when she saw the scene.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

Fortunately, since he could heal himself, he managed to survive.

Speedweapon returned completely bruised after that.

‘I didn’t know an archer could use a bow like that…’

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

I looked around to inspect the stall. arrow Chloe was diligently preparing the ingredients. agent Senior Ha-na was writing records, her glasses gleaming under the sunlight.

After that duel, Speedweapon’s insistence on posters disappeared, so in the end, it was something positive.

I checked the time on my phone and gathered the club members.

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“We have 10 minutes left before we open.”

Deliberately, I made eye contact with each one.

I looked at each of them before speaking.

“Selling food in exchange for money isn’t something to be taken lightly.”

Translation of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 77: Conspiracy (3) by Indra Translations.

“But don’t get too nervous. arctic Just do what we’ve practiced.”

“Since we’re doing this, let’s enjoy it.”

This was the first official event since the creation of the Exploration Club.

Perhaps this would be our last festival.