Chapter 11: The Hero's Arrival is Always Late (2)I remained lost in thought as the sunlight streamed through the window.
…Leon van Reinhardt.
"He was really handsome."
Honestly, Kang Geom-Ma's face was, in its own way, pleasant with distinct features and a commanding presence, but Leon's appearance seemed to be on another level, perhaps thanks to his protagonist's "divine blessing." With his golden hair that shone like the sun and deep blue eyes like sapphires, he was a true heartthrob. Standing, he looked like a perfect statue; sitting, he was like a painting.
As the saying goes, "the face matches the narrative." Like other invincible protagonists, the heroines would fall in love with him just by exchanging glances.
For example… even if he bumped into a heroine with a toast in her mouth at the corner of a hallway, that would be the start of a relationship; or even if he accidentally saw a heroine naked in the women's bathroom, that would also spark a bond.
'Bastard.'
It was absurd how all the women flocked to him as if he were a "walking pheromone." At least the "divine blessing" of the miracle wasn't an erotic game, because if it had been an adult game, Leon probably would've died before he could even fight the demon king. Cause of death? Most likely physical exhaustion.
Moreover, the women who gathered around him, known as the "heroine team," were also extraordinary.
There was Rachel, the niece of the Saint of the Spear; Saki Ryozo, the daughter of the Saint of the Bow; and Abel von Nibelung, the granddaughter of the Sword Emperor and the most beautiful girl in the story.
As I stared into space, I let out a sarcastic laugh. Thinking about the weight of the destiny that Leon would have to carry in the future, his popularity with women probably wouldn't be enough consolation. I shook my head and decided to focus on the class.
Tap!
The elderly professor, wearing square glasses, tapped the blackboard with a piece of chalk to emphasize his point.
"This part will be on the exam. Keep that in mind."
The afternoon class was about the First Great War between humans and demons, which took place 700 years ago, and how, upon feeling the need to train new heroes, Balor Joaquin founded the academy with his seven disciples.
"I already know the basics of this."
Balor Joaquin, the founding hero, defeated the "Lycan," the right-hand man of the demon king and the commander of the First Legion, after twenty years of intense war. Calling it a victory was merely a figure of speech; in reality, it was a battle with no real winners, only losers.
It was a tale of a hellish massacre, with screams filling the air and the stench of blood saturating every corner. I remembered that even in my past life, seeing the images from the game sent chills down my spine.
Because of that conflict, Balor Joaquin lost an arm, and unable to continue fighting, he established the Joaquin Academy to prepare future generations.
Come to think of it, the guy was funny; putting his name on the academy clearly reflected his strong self-love.
The First Great War between humans and demons led to the signing of a non-aggression treaty.
Who would have imagined that this would mark the beginning of a truce that would last 700 years?
Probably, everyone was too accustomed to the current peace. And only I knew that the first sign of that peace fracturing would begin today.
I would have liked to warn Media, but that would mean not only intervening in the story but also changing it, so I pushed those thoughts aside.
Media once told me that she wished she could soon get rid of the position of academy director. However, thanks to her "divine blessing of the poet," she was the first to sense any anomaly in the narrative.
Besides… she was the first of the Seven Star Heroes to step forward to protect the students.
According to Kwamuwiki, she was the first of the Seven Star Heroes to sacrifice herself at the hands of the demon king.
Thinking about that left a bitter taste in my mouth.
During my time at the academy, something I had felt was…
"…It would have been better not to know."
I finished reflecting and turned my attention back to the blackboard. Some subjects were so tedious that my eyelids felt heavy, but the distinguished faculty of the prestigious Joaquin Academy usually explained the lessons in a clear and orderly manner, avoiding boredom.
Thanks to that, I was keeping up with the theoretical classes better than I had expected. Although, due to my habit of standing from my previous life, I felt somewhat restless from sitting for so long.
Still, the sound of pencils on paper and the scent of wood from the pencils were quite pleasant.
However, Joaquin Academy was known for its focus on practical exams and valued written tests less. What determined whether you passed was the practical exam, which took place twice a semester. The difficulty was brutal, as expected from the best academy in the world, but I felt quite confident since I had a clear plan on how to proceed.
I observed the students who were eagerly writing. Although the written exams weren't crucial for passing, they influenced class assignments for the following year. That's why everyone kept up with the professor's chalk with bright eyes.
In three years, the students from the upper classes would be the first to be called to the Second Great War between humans and demons.
To be honest, "called" sounded nice; in reality, it was forced conscription. I had already experienced firsthand for two years in my past life how unbearable that experience was, so I preferred to avoid it a second time.
So, even though my enthusiasm for studying came a bit late, I planned to limit myself to passing the written exams with the bare minimum needed.
At that moment, a question crossed my mind.
Even Balor Joaquin, the most powerful of all, could only seal the commander of the First Legion.
Then, how powerful must the demon king, who stood at the peak of the demons, be?
When I thought about it, I wondered if there was any player who had progressed through the content up to the Demon Lord even while playing 'Miracle Blessing M.'
"I don't think it's a story where the protagonist loses… or is it?"
Well, anyway. It's not something that concerns me. Leon, the protagonist, will take care of everything.
The soft scratching of pencils filled the room. My thoughts had disconnected me from the class, and I was just pretending to take notes, doodling in my notebook.
I wasn't writing anything relevant, just things like "What should I have for dinner tonight?"
For me, worrying about my daily meals was more urgent than the affairs of the world.
***
That Night.
As usual, I went to the campus supermarket to buy something for dinner. It was one of the most pleasant moments of my day. Most of the kids from wealthy families would go to the dining hall without a second thought.
Well, it wasn't something I envied much anymore. No matter how spicy or strong, food prepared by others didn't taste as good to me as the dishes I made myself. Besides, I hadn't eaten military rations for twenty years for nothing.
"Oh! Geom-Ma!"
While I was browsing the food shelves, comparing prices, I heard a young voice calling me and turned my head. There was only one person who called me Geom-Ma: Chloe.
I involuntarily felt a bit nervous and swallowed hard.
"Oh, we meet here. Are you grocery shopping?"
"Ah, yes!"
Maybe because she had a friend now, her voice sounded more confident than before. I glanced at Chloe's shopping cart, filled with various types of fish. Her shopping habits were still peculiar.
Chloe watched my reactions cautiously while she moved her lips, uncertain.
"Um… did I do something wrong back then?"
"Something wrong…?"
After a moment of thought, I decided to reassure her. Part of me wanted to joke, "Chloe, you almost slit my throat," but there was no point in holding a grudge. We'd be seeing each other frequently next year, so I couldn't avoid her forever.
"Nothing important happened."
"…Really?"
As I nodded silently, Chloe's face lit up.
"…I'm glad to hear that."
Chloe exhaled slowly, relieved, while her reddish hair, now reaching her shoulders, swayed gently. It looked like she had styled her hair, and it suited her. At first glance, she seemed like a small, adorable girl.
'What kind of person is she really…?'
Behind that innocent and sweet face, what kind of past could she be hiding? Even though she was unconscious, she knew how to handle a sword. For some reason, there was a sadness about her. It was as if she was asking for help, pleading to escape. At the same time, the fierceness of her swordsmanship sent chills down my spine.
It was just a guess, but maybe she wasn't as strong as the Mao twins. However, if she had a deadly purpose, she would be even more dangerous than them. Pushing aside my doubts, I asked her:
"Chloe, why don't you eat at the campus dining hall and prefer to shop for yourself?"
"It's just… the food doesn't sit well with me. It's too spicy and salty…"
After a brief complaint, Chloe looked at me with her round eyes.
"Um… would you mind if I invited you to dinner today? Ah! I'm not as good a cook as you, but I really want to invite you…"
"Dinner, you say…?"
Damn it, with that look, turning her down made me feel guilty, but accepting it also made me uneasy, like I'd wake up in a refrigerator the next morning. Searching for an excuse to refuse, I thought for a moment before finally speaking.
"Instead of dinner, could you do me a favor?"
Chloe blinked in surprise and tilted her head.
"A favor?"
"It's just that I want to learn a bit of swordsmanship, and you were the first person who came to mind."
"Me…?"
Chloe's face turned red. She held her blushing face with both hands and shook her head to clear it.
"But, Geom-Ma, you're already strong…"
"I want to learn to handle new weapons. I think I should get familiar with different kinds of weapons for the upcoming exam. I saw you had a katana in your room, so… do you use swords?"
"…That's awesome."
"What?"
"Oh, nothing!"
Chloe waved her arms excitedly, quickly denying it, and after taking a deep breath, she nodded silently.
"Is it really okay if it's me?"
"It's you I'm asking. If it's too much, you can say no; don't feel pressured."
Chloe nodded vigorously, agreeing to my favor.
As an excuse to avoid having dinner together, it wasn't bad.
Besides, I really needed a swordsmanship instructor, and she was strong enough to earn my respect. Just thinking about it gave me goosebumps.
Thus, Chloe and I agreed to meet in the training room at 8 p.m., after dinner.
"It seems everything worked out."
I waved goodbye to her as I sighed with relief.
Chapter 12: Auditore da Sicilia (1)When I arrived at the training field, Chloe was already sitting on the platform, cheerfully swinging her legs.
She seemed so upbeat that she was even humming a happy tune. When I approached, she turned her head toward me and waved enthusiastically.
"Oh! Geom-Ma, you're here already!"
"What's up? You're already here? It's not even seven-thirty yet."
"Ah, I just got here too!"
"You just got here…? What time?"
"Around six-thirty…"
"The meeting was at eight, right?"
Instead of answering, Chloe scratched her head with an embarrassed smile. I sighed softly as I looked at her.
She was wearing a different outfit than usual, something more form-fitting. Similar to what Abel had worn a few days ago, she had on a crop top with leggings and, over it, a sports jacket with loose sleeves.
She always wore a loose school skirt, so I hadn't noticed before, but now I could see the curves of her body, which didn't match her petite frame.
"This is unexpected."
Her toned abs and the defined muscles visible through the tight leggings made it clear why Chloe was so strong.
While I stared at her, Chloe covered her mouth with the long sleeve of her jacket and watched me discreetly, her round eyes forming a slight, mysterious smile.
"She's cute."
With a calm expression, I handed her a practice wooden sword I had strapped to my waist. I had bought it at the campus store for 30,000 won each, so it felt a bit light, but there was no other choice. Chloe took the wooden sword and examined it for a moment before speaking cautiously.
"Aren't we going to use real swords?"
"Huh?"
Had I heard wrong? We weren't in a fight to the death; what kind of lunatic trains with real swords? It was already odd that Chloe had a sharpened katana at her waist. She was a girl who could appear adorable but sometimes managed to make my skin crawl in unexpected ways.
"It's just training. If we use real swords, we could hurt ourselves a lot. For now, we'll use wooden swords."
"You're so considerate."
Chloe muttered softly as she swung the wooden sword with one hand, cutting through the air with a menacing sound. How much strength did it take to make that noise with just a wooden sword?
Watching her, I couldn't help but stick my tongue out in amazement. If Chloe got serious, she could probably crack someone's head open like a watermelon.
I gripped the sword with both hands. Normally, I used one hand to wield it, but even though it was a wooden sword, it felt different holding a long sword. Fortunately, my "divine blessing" didn't activate outside the rules.
'Not bad.'
Before starting the duel, I opened the "status window" for a final review.
Whoosh-
== ==
[Blessing of the God of the Sword]
If you slash, it will be slashed.
◎ Body Level: (25) ▷ The restriction on sword size is relaxed.
◎ Spirit Level: 3 ▷ Your presence commands respect in your words and actions.
◎ Weapon Level: 1 ▷ Unlock conditions have not been met.
☆ Synchronization: 2%
★[???]
[※ The blessing activates only when the sword is less than 32+(3) cm in length and less than 6+(2) cm in width.]
== ==
Thanks to my constant training, my body level had risen to 5. Although the relaxation of the rules didn't seem directly related to the level, the progress was a bit slow.
But more important than the sword's restriction was checking my physical condition. With that level of improvement, I was quite satisfied.
Now that I think about it, were there always these kinds of additional details in blessings? Usually, blessings improved according to skill, but I didn't remember them coming with extra elements like this.
Also, that line full of question marks. Even with my enhanced body, I couldn't decipher it.
"I'll have to investigate further."
As I looked at the status window and stroked my chin, Chloe timidly approached me.
"Um, Geom-Ma… is something wrong?"
"Oh, sorry, give me a second."
It seemed Chloe couldn't see my status window.
From her perspective, she must have seen me staring off into space. I felt like I was making her wait unnecessarily, so I quickly closed the window.
"Well, shall we start?"
"Yes, please!"
"I'm counting on you too. It's the first time today, so take it slow."
"Understood!"
"Really, go slow."
We stepped about 20 meters apart, ready to learn from the basic movements to sword handling.
Throughout my past life, I've always learned things through practice. No matter how many times you watch a video on how to cut fish, it will never be the same as doing it yourself just once.
When it comes to learning a technique, the feeling in your hands is more important than theory. My quick adaptation to the academy was due to the intensive learning I had undergone since childhood.
Of course, this method was risky. But if you're not willing to take that risk, you can't truly learn anything.
To reach the top in any field, it's not enough to leave just bones and flesh; you have to be willing to sacrifice your whole body to earn the title of being the best.
As I moved my wooden sword as a signal that I was ready, Chloe responded in kind. I firmly gripped the wooden sword and squinted my eyes. Even though it was just a mock fight, for me, it was the first battle where I wasn't relying on my blessing, and I could feel the tension in the air.
My hands started to sweat.
The stance felt strange.
But the edge of my sword was perfectly aligned with my target.
Chloe's gentle smile slowly faded in that serious atmosphere. Her expression was no longer that of someone who had lost her mind, but of a determined warrior.
For a moment, silence took hold of us as we studied each other.
When I closed my eyes for a second and opened them, Chloe was already rushing towards me, her red hair trailing behind her.
Swoosh!
In just two steps, Chloe closed the distance. I didn't know if it was due to her blessing or her innate skill, but her speed was astonishing.
In the blink of an eye, the wooden sword was aimed at my carotid artery.
'Damn it, I said go slow!'
I moved my neck to dodge the tip of the sword. The sound of air being cut echoed close to my ear. Chloe quickly switched the sword to her other hand and swung it in a diagonal arc from below.
Crack!
It seemed Chloe had calculated the angle perfectly, as I managed to block it, but just barely. I had only blocked one blow, and my hand already felt numb, with drops of cold sweat on my forehead.
A chill ran down my spine. I couldn't afford to relax, not even for a moment.
Chloe spun like a top, pivoting on her right foot, and unleashed a series of strikes in all directions. The barrage of piercing attacks targeted my weak points.
Quick and fierce.
So fast it was hard to believe, yet without any unnecessary movements. All of her strikes were aimed precisely at the same point on my wooden sword.
Crrack!
The sound of wood splintering echoed as cracks appeared on my sword. But Chloe didn't stop attacking.
As her consecutive strikes continued, I managed to deflect a few by a hair's breadth. I knew that if I let even one hit land, my body would buckle from the impact.
My breathing grew heavy.
I clenched my teeth, trying to control my panting.
Crack!
Finally, my wooden sword could no longer hold out and snapped in two.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I wanted to go slow, but…!"
[Weapon conditions have been met.]
Chloe immediately stepped back when she realized what had happened.
[The weapon has broken, triggering an error.]
Little by little, her figure began to fade.
[User control has been activated to restore integrity.]
Zzzzzt
[Humanity level is decreasing.]
[The "Inferiority" blessing of the God of the Sword has been activated.]
***
Chloe shouted Kang Geom-Ma's name with a trembling voice. However, for some reason, her voice didn't seem to reach him. All that remained was the murderous aura emanating from his dark eyes, imprinting on Chloe's mind that something was very wrong. Soon, the night wind stirred up an ominous cloud of dust.
Whoosh!
Kang Geom-Ma lowered his gaze, and for a moment, his image seemed to blur and multiply as he charged toward Chloe.
The broken wooden sword he held was aimed directly at Chloe's.
Crack!
Out of reflex, Chloe raised her sword to block and braced her full weight to withstand the impact, but the blow sent her reeling, lifting her off the ground.
"Ugh…!"
A groan of pain escaped her lips.
Even though she had tensed her muscles to absorb the blow, the impact reverberated through her bones. A sharp pain radiated through her shoulder.
The hit had thrown her off balance, and she stumbled to the side.
Chloe leaned on the wooden sword as if it were a crutch to steady herself. An involuntary tremor ran through her body.
Finally, Chloe regained her composure. She forced her eyes, which were beginning to close, to stay open, keeping her vision sharp.
However, she couldn't completely stop the trembling in her hands. The intensity radiating from Kang Geom-Ma, who had gone from merely serious to exuding a killing intent with a wooden sword, filled her with terror. There was no room for any other emotions.
At that moment, Kang Geom-Ma extended his arm and threw the broken wooden sword like a projectile. Chloe twisted her waist to the right to dodge it.
The instant her red hair flew up, momentarily blocking her view…
Kang Geom-Ma, moving at a speed impossible to follow, closed the distance until his forehead was touching hers.
Just before Chloe could close her eyes, the blurry outline of his shoulder was reflected in her retinas.
Pat!
"Huh?"
"Let's call it a day."
A faint tingling sensation spread across her forehead. Kang Geom-Ma showed her his clenched fist, a slight smile on his lips.
"A tap on the forehead?"
"Thanks for helping me with practice. I'll head out now."
Kang Geom-Ma gently ruffled Chloe's hair, turned his back to her, and walked toward the exit of the training field, waving a hand in farewell.
"…"
Chloe could only watch, dumbfounded, as he walked away.
***
Since the class assignment test, she had already noticed that Geom-Ma's talent went beyond mere strength; it was almost supernatural. It wasn't about technique but pure, instinctive skill.
Even when she unconsciously activated all her blessings, she couldn't match him, and that was while he was using nothing more than a broken wooden sword.
Chloe sank into a brief moment of reflection. Then, she gently pressed her temples and let out a deep sigh.
"I knew he was strong, but…"
She walked with difficulty, forcing her body to move, even though her skin was still prickling, and the chill hadn't completely subsided.
Just as she was about to reach the dormitory entrance, a red-haired man was waiting, leaning against the wall of the building.
"You seem to be having fun, Chloe."
"Brother?"
Chloe's eyes clouded over slightly, showing a distant expression. The man frowned and spoke coldly.
"Did you enroll in the academy just to hang around with someone so vulgar?"
"…Don't refer to Geom-Ma like that."
Chloe's eyes narrowed, and her tightly clenched lips began to bleed.
"His name is Geom-Ma?"
"…"
"If you keep trying to get close to him, the Auditore will see to it that he's eliminated."
Silence fell between them for a moment. Chloe, still trembling, straightened her posture and, with a serious expression, responded:
"Not even if all the Auditore combined tried, they wouldn't be able to take down Geom-Ma."
With that, Chloe entered the dormitory, leaving a cold gust in her wake.
"Geom-Ma, huh?"
Chapter 13: Auditore da Sicilia (2)There's something I need to make clear.
To get straight to the point, the power granted to me is not a blessing from the gods or anything like that. Nor is it an exceptional talent bestowed by the heavens. Rather, I believe it's more like a curse.
To avoid relying on the blessing of the God of the Sword, I sought a new type of armament. But that power followed me, as if mocking my efforts, taking over my body.
This time, there wasn't extreme pain. No, it wasn't pain, but a pure sensation of pleasure, so intoxicating, unlike anything I had ever experienced, that enveloped my body along with an overwhelming feeling of weakness. That curse controlled me as if I were a puppet caught in its strings.
While I wielded the sword, almost resigned, something unknown sweetly whispered in my ear. It was a language I had never heard before.
I didn't know if it was a gentle persuasion or a threat that made my legs tremble. But the message engraved itself into my brain as if it were a seal. A dark desire that flared up like a black fire from deep within me.
"Strike more, cut more, destroy more."
Foolishly, I let myself be carried away. I wanted to plunge endlessly into that abyss of burning pleasure. Then, someone called out to me. They uttered the name I now recognize as my own.
In a world that turned a deep blue, the figure of a girl with red hair appeared. She was calling out to me with a heart-wrenching cry. Her call brought the broken pieces of the world together, merging them into one.
I wanted to escape from whatever was trying to consume and corrupt me from within. I carried the broken wooden sword as if to hurl it away, trying to rid myself of that evil. Even so, it clung to me, like a second black skin.
However, I managed to tear it off. I felt that if I didn't get rid of it, even if I had to peel it off like my own skin, I would lose my identity forever.
When I threw the sword, my body moved as if drawn by a magnet, shooting toward the feet of the girl in front of me.
Only then could I remember her name.
Chloe.
The yandere who had recently tried to kill me. Now, the girl who had awakened my consciousness. When I released the sword from my hands, I was finally able to move freely.
It annoyed me, and at the same time, I was glad that it was her who woke me up. After all, she was the one who broke my sword and caused this situation. So, even if just for a moment, I decided to give her a little tap on the forehead as compensation.
Chloe blinked several times, with a puzzled expression, after receiving the tap. Seeing her bewildered look, I patted her head.
It was one of the methods recommended on YouTube for dealing with a yandere. I didn't know if it would work, but I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible. I was worried that her hand might reach for the wooden sword she still held.
If she kept acting like this, I would probably have to spend my entire life dodging swords. A talent that was almost cursed, manifesting at the cost of my vitality.
It was a power foreign to this world, but one I would have to carry with me from now on.
I don't expect much here. I just wanted to live a normal life. I thought I could handle the small problems that came my way.
But now I realized there was something inside me, lurking, ready to devour my sanity.
On my way back to the dorm, as I calmed the torrent running through my veins, I thought:
This is not a blessing. It is a curse that tries to consume me completely, an art that defies the heavens.
* * *
After that day, Kang Geom-Ma didn't show up to class for three days. Only the instructor Lee Won-Bin and Chloe seemed to notice his absence, while the atmosphere in the class remained unchanged.
Chloe wanted to ask him why. If she at least knew his phone number, she would have tried to contact him, but she realized she had never asked for his contact information.
'Why didn't I ask him before?'
She even went to Kang Geom-Ma's room in the dormitory and knocked on the door, but all she heard was a faint metallic groan on the other side.
Chloe suppressed the urge to kick down the door and barge in. She feared that if she did, Geom-Ma might come to hate her.
Neither conversations with her new friends nor her morning training could calm her steadily cooling heart.
She liked seeing him sitting in class, resting his chin on his hand and staring out the window, lost in thought.
She couldn't count how many times she had glanced at him secretly. She was afraid to speak to him, worried he would think she was an annoying girl.
At first, she thought she had fallen for him because of how he risked his body to protect her, but maybe that was just an excuse. Chloe simply needed Kang Geom-Ma.
'…I miss him.'
Now, she couldn't imagine her life without him, and her feelings grew with each passing second. She was willing to do anything to have him by her side.
So, one day, then two more passed. Kang Geom-Ma finally showed up to class on a cloudy morning.
Instructor Lee Won-Bin tapped the desk with the attendance list and spoke in a loud, resonant voice. His presence was so commanding that even the noble students, who were usually hard to manage, cowered before him.
Lee Won-Bin looked at the students one by one. As expected, Kang Geom-Ma wasn't present today either.
That diligent, humble student, who had just stopped attending class one day. Other instructors might have gone looking for him.
But Lee Won-Bin respected the individual will of his students, so he decided to trust Kang Geom-Ma. Surely, there was a reason.
"There's a forecast for rain this morning, so there won't be any morning training. Instead, focus on self-study."
With that, Lee Won-Bin sank into his chair. The students began whispering among themselves, but the instructor just smiled.
That's how youth is. If they stay still, they grow impatient, and if they have friends nearby, their tongues itch to talk. Lee Won-Bin pulled a small pocketbook out of his coat and began to read.
Clack!
The classroom door opened.
Suddenly, all eyes turned toward the entrance.
Normally, his appearance wouldn't have drawn much attention.
"Huh…?"
Instructor Lee Won-Bin was surprised to see Kang Geom-Ma walk in.
His eyes seemed to have lost a layer of emotion. The tips of his hair were slightly graying, as if they had turned white. He no longer looked like the young man from a few days ago; he had the air of someone with a decadent appearance.
"Geom-Ma!"
Chloe stood up abruptly, her expression stiff. A slight nervousness ran through her body, and a chill wouldn't leave her alone.
"Sorry I'm late, instructor."
"No, no. It's fine."
Kang Geom-Ma gave a slight bow to Lee Won-Bin and headed to his usual seat. Curious glances followed him.
—Isn't that the special student? Did he always look like that?
—Right? He seems more… attractive.
Whispers filled the classroom.
Ignoring the stares, Kang Geom-Ma looked out the window.
His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, seemed to gaze at the other students with a hint of disdain.
***
At lunchtime, Chloe cautiously approached.
"Geo-Geom-Ma."
"Yes, Chloe?"
"Did something happen to you?"
"No, nothing in particular."
"It's just…"
Chloe looked into his eyes as if carefully choosing her words, then spoke in a barely audible voice.
"You missed class for several days. I thought something had happened. Was it because of what happened during the duel?"
Her eyes shone with a touch of concern. Wanting to reassure her, I smiled at her gently and shook my head.
"I had a bad case of the flu. Thanks for worrying."
"I'm glad to hear that, but…"
Chloe seemed unsatisfied, and her words trailed off. I reassured her again, telling her I was fine. The truth was, the flu story was a complete lie.
For the past three days, I had suffered from a kind of withdrawal that drained me so much I could barely stay conscious.
Since the duel, I had shut myself in my room, not eating, just lying on the bed, waiting for the seizure-like spasms to pass.
The price of using the broken armament had been an agony far worse than any pain I had experienced before.
That wasn't all. My reflection in the mirror had also changed. The structure was the same, but my expression had become so cold that even I couldn't recognize myself.
I had lost count of how many times I touched my face. Even the tips of my hair had turned slightly gray.
It was clearly a penalty from the damn blessing. I let out a sigh, and Chloe silently watched me.
She seemed to feel guilty. After all, she was the last person to see me before I disappeared, and also my opponent in the duel.
Wanting to lighten the mood, I changed the subject.
"Remember we said we'd have dinner together? Want to do that today?"
"Huh? Really?!"
Chloe responded excitedly, her eyes lighting up with joy, and she jumped up, thrilled. She seemed to really like the idea.
"But today, I want you to cook."
"Of course! I'll do my best!"
Chloe clasped her small hands to her chest and nodded eagerly. I hadn't eaten for days, and my stomach was practically glued to my back. I needed to eat something.
"Then today, I'll cook whatever you want, Geom-Ma. What would you like?"
"Mmm, it's been a while since I've had fish. Since the last time I tried it at your dorm, I haven't been able to eat it because it's so expensive."
As we talked cheerfully, I felt a gaze fixed on me from behind. An unpleasant, disturbing presence.
My eyes scanned the classroom, and thanks to my heightened perception over the past few days, I quickly found where it was coming from.
A red-haired boy was leaning against the door, smiling sarcastically as he watched us.
When I stopped talking and looked toward the door, Chloe noticed too. Her expression twisted into a grimace of displeasure.
"Is he someone you know?"
Chloe nodded silently. Her face showed a mix of avoidance and fear. I, too, felt an uneasy discomfort at that guy's mocking smile.
Clicking my tongue, I got up and walked over to the red-haired boy.
"Hey."
"…"
"If you have something to say, say it with your fists, like a man."
Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3)I walked forward. The boy remained still.
"…"
The tension was palpable, and the heavy silence seeped through the walls of the classroom.
Red hair, as if dyed in blood, and eyes of a dark, murky crimson. My instincts were sending intense warning signals. This guy radiated danger, unmistakably. What could I do in this situation?
"If you have something to say, say it."
My words didn't seem to provoke any reaction from him.
He just stared at me with empty, hollow eyes. I stood still as well, returning his gaze. A cold, sharp sense of hostility pierced right through me.
'What's up with this guy's eyes?'
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Come to think of it, he had a similar aura to Chloe when she had lost her sanity.
Besides, it wasn't common to see that kind of red hair and those red eyes in this world. I had a hunch that there was probably a blood connection between them.
A few minutes passed without either of us saying a word. Then Chloe got serious and stepped between us.
"Don't worry about this person, Geom-Ma."
Chloe spoke as if she wanted me to ignore him entirely. I could have done so if he wasn't emitting such a sinister aura, but how could I ignore something like that? Chloe turned around, and in a trembling voice, spoke to the boy.
"I told you not to come…!"
Chloe's tone was laced with hostility. She was surely trying to sound defiant, but her shaky voice barely had an effect.
The guy responded with an ironic smile, without saying a word. Chloe paled, trembling as she gripped my sleeve tightly.
I frowned at the sight. Although Chloe was naturally shy, it was evident that she felt a visceral rejection towards this guy. At that moment, the boy, who had been silent until then, spoke.
"You don't seem very strong. Did you really want to be with someone like him, breaking the rules of the Auditore, Chloe?"
Chloe took a deep breath and responded.
"I don't care if it's Auditore or whatever, it has nothing to do with me anymore."
"Stained blood can't be cleansed. If you were born as an Auditore, you'll always be bound to them."
The boy, named Nox, replied firmly. His way of speaking seemed like something out of a historical drama.
"Abandon this nobody and come back to the Auditore, Chloe."
"Don't call Geom-Ma that!"
Upon hearing the word "nobody," Chloe's face hardened, and she unleashed a cold hostility toward Nox. A dangerous red energy filled the classroom.
Fortunately, it was lunchtime, and there were no other students around.
Although I was now used to unusual situations like this, if it had been me from a few weeks ago, I would probably have collapsed under the weight of that suffocating atmosphere.
'…Auditore.'
I repeated that word in my mind, reflecting. I didn't know much, but I had a general idea of who they were. A shadowy organization specializing in infiltration and assassination.
From my experience during the game, they didn't appear in the early stages, but their name began to be mentioned around the middle, and by the end, they played the role of occasional allies.
I remembered that among the many families shrouded in mystery, the Auditore were especially elusive.
But one thing was certain: all the members of that family were absurdly strong. Although it was said that they weren't the best in direct combat compared to other hero families, they were unmatched when it came to ambushes and assassinations.
From a young age, they were subjected to training that bordered on abuse, turning them into tools of assassination.
Come to think of it, the emotionless face of that guy, Nox, fit more with the Auditore, while Chloe, with her timidity and nervousness, seemed out of place.
Perhaps Chloe just wanted to lead a normal life. No one could fully understand her unless they were in her situation.
But life wouldn't allow it so easily. I had to deal with the blessing of the God of the Sword, and Chloe had to endure the environment of an assassin family. She probably just wanted to escape. Her twisted side was the result of a cruel upbringing.
I looked at Chloe. She was expressing her hostility toward Nox by biting her small lips so hard that blood began to flow.
It felt like a defense mechanism, like a hedgehog raising its spines.
I shifted my gaze to Nox. His eyes had a coldness that suggested he wouldn't hesitate to kill. Or rather, he seemed like someone who was already used to it.
I knew the Auditore were known for seeking out and eliminating internal enemies to maintain order. Honestly, I didn't have problems with killing when necessary, either. In fact, I saw it as justifiable under certain circumstances.
I thought people like the Mao twins deserved to die. And in such a corrupt aristocratic society, there were surely many heads that needed to roll.
But living as a machine that kills without emotion, without choice, just because you were born into an assassin family… wasn't that too cruel?
I thought about it. Heroes save the world with nobility. I'm not a hero. Nor do I want to be.
But if I can't save the world, at least I could help save the life of a girl.
I let out a dry chuckle. It wasn't the right reaction for the situation, but I couldn't help it. I placed my hand on Chloe's shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"I need to have a word with this bastard."
I couldn't avoid it. My power was practically a curse, but I wouldn't allow myself to be defeated. In the end, everything returned to the starting point. I tried to escape the blessing of the God of the Sword, but it was futile.
A phrase came to mind: "There is no paradise for those who run away."
After all, my name was Kang Geom-Ma. The sword ("geom") and the demon ("ma"). A perfect name for someone with a damned obsession. I had even flaunted that name in front of the Sword Emperor.
"Nox, right?"
"…"
Nox blinked without saying a word.
"Follow me."
Then I continued, in a dry voice.
"I'm going to cut you."
I am a swordsman.
For me, conversation is something done with swords, not words.
***
Academy Faculty Room.
Instructor Lee Won-Bin, with his shaved head, was deep in thought, arms crossed. What kind of experience could make someone change so much in such a short time? It wasn't just his appearance that had changed, but also the atmosphere and the impression he gave off.
He had never been a typical teenager to begin with. Sometimes, he seemed to have the experience of someone much older.
"Something must have happened to him."
As he pondered, someone approached him from behind and surprised him with a "Boo!" It was a woman with short hair and a slender figure, wearing a playful smile.
"Sunbae!"
"Ah, Kim, instructor."
"Oh, what kind of reaction is that? It's no fun scaring someone if they don't react."
Lee Won-Bin's calm reaction made Instructor Kim frown in mock disappointment, and she then popped a couple of gummy bears into her mouth.
She always had some kind of sweet on hand. Lee Won-Bin, hiding his complex thoughts, decided to play along.
"Instructor, is something wrong? You seem more clear-headed than usual today."
"…Don't make fun of my baldness."
"Hehe, sorry."
Instructor Kim scratched her head in embarrassment and stuck out her tongue. Then, with a curious expression, she asked:
"Is something actually wrong? You have a really serious look on your face."
"It's nothing. It's just that Geom-Ma, that boy, was absent for several days, and he came back today, but he seemed a bit… different. I can't stop thinking about it."
"Maybe he's just growing up and hit a growth spurt. Kids these days grow fast. Sometimes when I see them from a distance, I think they look older than me. So don't worry too much."
"…It's not just his height. It's like his expression has changed, as if he's lost some emotion… It's hard to explain, but there's something off."
Lee Won-Bin sighed and shrugged. Instructor Kim chewed her gummies with a strange expression.
"Well, as long as he doesn't cause any trouble, it should be fine, right? From what you say, he seems like a polite and respectful kid. It's probably nothing."
"Nothing…?"
'Maybe I'm worrying too much…'
Lee Won-Bin concluded his brief reflection. Thinking about Kang Geom-Ma, he realized there were less than 15 minutes left until lunch. He got up to head to the cafeteria.
Ring! Ring!
The phone on his desk rang with a sharp tone. It was lunchtime, so if someone was calling at that hour, it had to be urgent. Putting aside his surprise, Lee Won-Bin picked up the receiver.
"Class Rang, Instructor Lee Won-Bin speaking."
—Instructor Lee Won-Bin!
The voice on the other end sounded rushed. Instructor Kim asked who it was, and Lee Won-Bin whispered the answer to her before returning to the call.
"What's the matter, Instructor Choi? Why the urgency?"
—It seems there's a problem.
Lee Won-Bin's brow furrowed, concerned.
"What kind of problem?"
—It looks like one of your students has requested an isolated combat match before the director.
"What? All of a sudden?"
Lee Won-Bin raised his voice without realizing it, causing everyone in the room to look at him. Instructor Kim, still chewing her gummies, almost choked a little.
An isolated combat match. Unlike regular duels, it was an almost real fight, similar to class exams but with an audience.
Basically, it was a live fight in front of all the academy's students, where there would be real blood and hits, so it was only approved in extreme cases.
"Who are the participants?"
—It's…
The voice hesitated. Impatient, Lee Won-Bin urged her to continue. Finally, Instructor Choi replied cautiously:
—The one who requested it is Kang Geom-Ma, and his opponent is Nox Auditore.
Chapter 15: Auditore da Sicilia (4)15 minutes left until the duel.
I thought the process would be complicated, but it turned out to be easier than expected. The media asked me once again if it really had to be in an isolated room, but seeing my determination, he agreed to allow the duel there, adding a word of caution.
Although the isolated space is outside the realm of reality and does not cause direct physical harm, his words are a sign of concern. At times he seems like a child, but he also has a dual charm that shows maturity.
The rules of the duel in the isolated room are simple. Just like in the class assignment exam: Kill or be killed.
The isolated space was protected by the academy's blessing, so it was beyond the reach of reality. No matter what happened inside, there would be no direct physical injury.
Even if the flesh tears and bones break, you will not die. Of course, psychological damage is another matter. Even if it is virtual, experiencing death is tied to the most basic fear.
'Well, winning is enough.'
I decided to relax. Worrying wouldn't change the outcome. Besides, Chloe lent me a weapon. A Sashimi knife with a rose pattern engraved on it.
"At least it's a brand name, so it should be better than the one from Daiso."
However, in my other hand, I continued to hold the Sashimi knife from Daiso.
The murmurs of the students in the training field waiting room could be heard clearly. As entertaining as the fight was, I didn't expect such an explosive reaction.
All the efforts I made to stand out until now seem to be in vain.
I sighed, scratching my head. Chloe looked at me with an apologetic expression.
It seemed like she thought I was involved in this because of her. To comfort the depressed Chloe next to me, I forced a smile.
"Chloe, this isn't because of you, so don't make that face."
"…Nevertheless."
"If you feel that bad, treat me to a nice dinner afterward."
Chloe nodded slightly, her expression still grim. The waiting room fell silent again, so I asked a question to fill the void.
"You seemed really scared earlier."
"… My brother is strong."
"Chloe, you are quite strong too."
She shook her head. Her red lips trembled.
"My brother is a genius with extraordinary talent in the history of the Auditore family, especially in assassination techniques. At the age of 14, adults already called him the 'peak of night techniques.' Of course, you are strong too, geom-ma, but my brother has a lot of real combat experience…"
"… 'The pinnacle of night technique,' huh?"
I understand what it means, but hearing a young girl say something like that feels strange and uncomfortable.
I rubbed my face to clear my mind and then looked at the Sashimi knife.
It's always the same.
No matter how much I tried to avoid it, in the end, I could only make this decision, and I realized that I was muttering to myself in a resigned tone.
I remember what my first master said in my past life: 'you are destined to use a sword for your entire life.' Perhaps, even he would not have imagined that in my second life, I would still be playing around with a sashimi knife.
(We will continue with the pairs in isolated rooms. Students involved, please proceed to the training area.)
A monotonous announcement, just like on the day of the opening ceremony, signaled the duel. Since it was an unusual fight in an isolated space between students, it seemed like they were taking it seriously.
"I will be back."
"…Yes."
Chloe, her head lowered, barely responded. Even though I was the one about to fight, she seemed more nervous than I was.
"Chloe."
"Yes?"
When I called her name with energy, Chloe automatically looked at me.
"There are many geniuses in the world."
"…"
"But in the end, I won." (Well I will win)
***
I entered the training field and scanned my surroundings. The stands were packed. The number of people was almost in the four digits, which impressed me. **
It was annoying, but the atmosphere was reminiscent of the Roman coliseum.
It feels like at any moment, they're going to give a thumbs down and start booing if they don't like the show.
'Oh, wait. They're here too?'
Among the crowd, I saw a few members of the star class. Rachel from the Changseong Family and Saki Ryozo from the Jeolgung Family.
To my surprise, Abel von Nibelung and Leon Van Reinhardt were also present.
'This adds even more pressure.'
With my weapon in hand, I walked to the center of the training field, where I met Nox. He was holding two sharp katanas, one in each hand. When he saw the sashimi knife I was holding, he scowled.
"Are you trying to mock me? It seems that the nobles cannot distinguish between courage and arrogance."
He openly showed his contempt, spreading an intense aura of murder throughout the place.
'Damn Lunatic.'
Scratching my neck, I responded casually:
"True masters don't blame their tools."
"I will cut off your insolent tongue first."
Nox's threat was so intense that the murmurs in the training field immediately stopped.
I took a deep breath. From the moment I first saw Nox, I knew he was a formidable opponent.
But now, seeing the venom in his eyes, a chill ran down my spine.
The special blessing of the auditore, the "Blessing of the Crow," is one of the most powerful for concealing a presence in history.
And as an assassin, he must have some tricks up his sleeve. Furthermore, the reddish katana he was holding was undoubtedly an S-Rank weapon, the "red sword."
As I observed him, analyzing, the broadcast echoed once again.
(The isolated space will now be used.)
(May the blessing of the hero be with you.)
The purple barrier of the isolated space began to reveal itself.
I draw my sword.
(The blessing of the Sword God manifests.)
++++++++++++++++++++++
"May the blessings of the gods be with you"
++++++++++++++++++++++
* * *
The duel began, and for the first few seconds, we both observed each other, judging each other.
Nox, without changing his expression, tilted his neck slightly and, with light steps, rushed towards me. The shadow he cast as he moved stretched into a red line and disappeared from my sight.
"What's that?"
"Did you see that?"
"Damn, and he's supposed to be from the normal class?"
The watching students reacted in surprise at Nox's movements. Most of them were unaware of the true nature of the Auditore family, so they assumed it would be a duel between low-level students.
But very few in the star class could follow Nox's speed with their eyes. Most had no idea what was happening. You could hear the sound of throats swallowing nervously among the crowd.
A blurry figure moved in a red arc, aiming for my back. Detecting the murderous intent behind me, I quickly jumped up.
A whistling sound filled the air as it was cut.
Soon, the red light followed me.
Toothache!
The sound of metal clashing echoed repeatedly.
Every time the swords collided, sparks flew as if they were fire.
Both figures attacked at incredible speed.
Even watching closely, they would suddenly disappear from my field of vision.
The sharp sound of metal rebounding filled the audience's ears.
Toothache! Toothache!
The brutal sword clash continued for a while.
Then, Nox and I separated, about 8 to 10 meters.
Nox looked confused. As Chloe said, he was no ordinary opponent.
He had tried to erase his presence using the "blessing of the crow" to take me down, but I had reacted as if it was the most natural thing.
'That bastard….'
I should be more careful. I was too focused on speed.
At first, I thought I could tear him apart, but seeing his skills, I knew it wouldn't be that easy.
"I will cut his neck in one strike."
Nox brought the red sword to his lips and stained them with blood.
The swords changed to something deeper. The "Red Swords," S-Rank weapons and Auditore's treasures, increased their cutting power the more blood they absorbed, slicing through metal as easily as tofu.
The cold, hard grip of the sword gave him incredible confidence. Nox smiled as he gripped it tightly. He felt like he could cut anything.
In comparison, Geom-Ma's weapon was just a simple kitchen knife. However, even though it was a cheap knife, the one he was holding seemed to be emitting an unsettling sound.
The terrifying aura made Nox raise his eyes to look at me. My dark and gloomy eyes were fixed on him.
My arms relaxed and my body leaned forward. It was an unbalanced posture, with my center of gravity forward. The tip of the sword, like the barrel of a gun, was aimed at Nox.
Nox froze when he saw my face. He felt the blood in his veins run cold. For the first time in his life, he felt fear.
Crack⎯
The veins in my arms bulged as I gripped the sashimi knife tightly.
My breathing was light and frequent. A slight cold sweat was running down my back.
Bang!
Using compressed air as propulsion, I launched forward like a bullet.
Lightning strikes marked the ground beneath my feet.
"""Hah?"""
A loud bang, the sound of a compressed explosion, echoed throughout the training field. At the same time, Nox felt a sudden heat on his left shoulder.
One of the Katanas fell to the ground, rolling. Its arm had been severed, and its red pupils were fully dilated.
The movements he could follow a moment ago were now invisible.
All the students filling the stands felt their skin crawl.
Their screams were trapped in their throats, unable to comprehend the situation.
Knock, knock
The sound of rapid footsteps continued. Nox turned toward the sound, but all he could see was a blurry shadow.
"Fuck!"
Shadows, holding sashimi knives, surrounded him like a whirlwind.
Then, a bolt of light, fast as thunder, was aimed at one point. Someone in the audience gasped.
Something was happening, but no one could see it. It was not a speed that humans could achieve.
All the students who were observing were speechless. There was no murmur or whisper.
The hanger in the air stirred up the dust. As the dust thickened, the scent of blood wafted through the air.
Several students began to groan and stagger, their temples throbbing under the intensity of the assault.
Desir-
A series of sounds sliced through life.
Desir-
The spilled blood collected in a puddle.
Desir-
A scream filled with terror echoed across the training field.