A Sparring Match? Me? Why?

As I gripped the black ring, I felt a murky flow of ancestor power emanating from it. Considering it had been worn by the renowned saint Joan of Arc, it should at least be a family heirloom-grade relic, but the total output of power was weaker than expected. Well, that's probably why a low-level operative like Yeom Jin-gwan had it. Those guys prioritize practicality over anything else I know.

I could roughly guess why the ancestor power in the ring was so feeble. Reverse Ethics Armaments are mainly created through two methods. One is completely destroying an ancestor spirit or vengeful ghost and mixing it into an object.

The other is trapping the ancestor spirit inside and extracting its power. Users of Reverse Ethics Armaments wield the power of ancestor spirits without a contract. However, the first method can't use high-grade spirits as materials, and even if completed, it fails to fully manifest the spirit's original power—a major drawback.

Ancestor spirits are divided into three grades: Ancestor Spirit, Immortal Position, and Ancestor God. Given Joan of Arc's fame, she was likely at Immortal Position, so she wouldn't have been pulverized for the first method. She's definitely still sealed inside this ring. Yet Yeom Jin-gwan, who used this ring, could only command vengeful ghosts to that extent because Joan of Arc's upright nature was desperately resisting corruption.

But her suffering ends here. I couldn't let a woman who'd endured nothing but hardship in her already short life suffer even after death.

-Clunk.

I picked up the submarine model beside me and left the master bedroom.

"Gonna step out for some air for five minutes."

"Sure, go ahead~"

Confirming Gemma's response, I left the house and headed to the empty rooftop.

"Phew."

The Reverse Ethics Armament Little Nautilus, made by grinding in a dolphin's vengeful ghost. As I infused it with spirit power, the model rapidly expanded back to its original size. What appeared was a sleek, streamlined submarine big enough for three or four people.

As expected, using a Reverse Ethics Armament posed no issues. Considering most Bastards members who favored these were orphans, it was easy to figure out. The cold-eyed guy among the three Bastards Argo branch members who visited school that day—Yukjeom—was an orphanage survivor like me. It's bizarre that lacking parents actually works in your favor in a field where some lunatics massacre their families just to test this power.

"Should be fine, right?"

I'd activated the Reverse Ethics Armament from a safe distance, so Gemma wouldn't notice a thing.

"Let's see."

Confirming the soul thread bracelet's connection was so faint it was nearly invisible, I climbed the ladder on Little Nautilus's exterior to the hatch.

I didn't steal this just to sneak out of the academy ship past the teachers' eyes when needed. The prepared Yeom Jin-gwan had stashed something valuable inside for when he was cornered and had to possess his body with a vengeful ghost—to counter the side effects.

"Found it."

I entered, picked up the fist-sized glass orb rolling on the floor, and quickly exited the submarine.

Rushing back home, I pressed my ear to the bathroom door.

"Hmph~ Hm-hmm~"

Gemma was humming Edith Piaf's song. She'd be in the tub for a while yet. The clock showed past midnight, but no problem. The text I'd checked this morning said it was a temporary school closure for terrorism aftermath cleanup, so plenty of time.

I sat on the bed again, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pulling out Joan of Arc's ring and the glass orb from the submarine.

This orb was a rare item called Light of Purification, a crystal of holy power naturally forming on the surfaces of Catholic saints' remains. As the name suggests, its effect is purging corrupt power. Yeom Jin-gwan planned to use it to restore his body after fusing with a vengeful ghost, but I had a different use in mind.

Even during game playthroughs, I'd acquired Light of Purification a few times and used it on Reverse Ethics Armaments to free trapped ancestor spirits. The rewards were special blessings unique to each spirit, as I recall.

Could I safely extract Joan of Arc from the ring too?

-Flash!

Bringing the Light of Purification to the ring unleashed a brilliant glow. The light enveloping the ring turned to flames, cleanly burning away the black stains covering its surface.

-Whoosh!

The glass orb vanished, leaving a clear, transparent silver ring. Cursing lifted, the ring now a proper relic rather than a Reverse Ethics Armament. I slipped it on my finger and rubbed it, finally revealing the trapped ancestor spirit.

"Urk... Mmph."

A nude woman with a gag in her mouth and blindfold on. Her shocking figure—covering only certain areas with leather bondage belts—made even her historically exaggerated large breasts unnoticeable.

"Mmph. Ngh."

Sitting cross-legged, her head on my lap. A pitiful moan escaped Joan of Arc's gagged mouth.

I'd seen how ancestor spirits sealed in Reverse Ethics Armaments were bound in the game a few times, but nothing like this.

"Uh..."

I had no idea how to react. My body and mind froze solid.

"Ah, we're out of bath salts. Where'd I put the extras?"

Right then, Gemma burst out of the bathroom, long towel covering below her neck.

"Huh?"

Was she moved seeing the brown-haired saint, savior of her country?

-Flutter.

Gemma's hand let the towel drop limply.

-Thwack!

"Poltergeist..."

The slipper flying at tremendous speed smacked my face.

* * *

What followed was nightmarish. Gemma swung kitchen knives, scissors, and sword sticks as a poltergeist, targeting my neck. I begged her to remove Joan of Arc's blindfold and gag to explain, but she remained fainted and silent.

"It's not what you think!!"

"Shut up! You call yourself human after that?! Die!!"

Framed as an attempted rapist, I shoved the stark-naked knight back into the ring to prove she wasn't human. Only then did Gemma stop.

"What the. An ancestor spirit?"

"Someone you know well."

"Never seen her."

"Yoanna Arkenis."

"Who's that."

"Yoanna's her real name. Better known as Joan of Arc."

"Ah, Joan of Arc... What?!"

Why was Joan of Arc in SM play? While shocked Gemma muttered on the floor, I dashed to the nearby pharmacy, bought glucose packs, and returned.

"She's been starved forever and weakened, so let's feed her something first, then talk."

I quickly set up a simple offering table and pulled Yoanna from the ring. Fortunately, even unconscious, incense smoke near the glucose packs was drawn into her mouth with her breaths.

"What'd you say before leaving? You can contract multiple ancestor spirits?"

Gemma, finally grasping the situation, asked as I cleared the table.

"Yeah."

"So you're gonna carry around that busty brute like me?"

"Watch your mouth with France's savior."

"I'm mixed. Didn't live in France long."

"Anyway, contracting's impossible. Neglected too long and sealed in a Reverse Ethics Armament, her grade dropped from Immortal Position to Ancestor Spirit."

Proof of severe soul damage. Contracting in this state risks the spirit's very existence.

"Sounds like you're bummed you can't contract her even though you like her?"

"Why do you care?"

"Don't wanna hand France's hero to a playboy like you."

"You were my first, and now I'm a playboy?"

"Your talent overflows."

"A compliment?"

Seeing Gemma pinch her forehead in genuine anger, I figured I'd stop poking.

"Anyway, confiscating the ring till she wakes. No touching her, blessing or not, you shameless pervert."

Speechless, she snatched the ring with nimble fingers.

"Design's tacky, but pricey. I'll keep it safe."

She muttered and slipped Joan of Arc's ring onto her left ring finger without hesitation.

"Hey, wait, that's—"

And the next instant.

-Flash!

An unexpected message appeared before my eyes.

* * *

"Run! Gonna miss the high-speed tram."

"I'm hurrying already."

A bit later, Gemma and I headed to the meeting spot. We'd been looking for an external training room to test the enhanced Spirit Lord Transformation when a sudden message arrived.

Senior Kim Yun-ju had rallied the Map-making Club members for drinks.

Obviously, I wasn't joining just to party—I needed to work toward the happy ending. Gathered together, I'd leak info on one of Argo's secrets and go investigate today.

"This the place?"

From the stop near home, the high-speed tram brought us to a large cafe not far from the academy ship's center. Marron Five, the chain with five chestnuts on the sign. Famous for chestnut ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠lattes, it had dozens of branches on the ship, including in Argo's cafeteria.

-Ding-a-ling.

Opening the door filled my nose with rich coffee aroma. The trademark here? Emperor Gojong. His face everywhere—walls, ceiling, mugs, tumblers.

"Interior's a total error. No clue why it's popular."

"Drinks are good."

The business genius barista nailed the public taste, so even tacky decor couldn't hurt with great flavor and prices keeping customers coming.

"Hey bro! Over here!"

Looking up at the voice, U Hyo-chung waved from the second-floor railing.

"What. You early?"

"Nothing to do at home."

"Wish they'd announced the closure yesterday."

"Yeah."

Ordering drinks first, after five minutes, others arrived.

"Made you wait?"

Kim Yun-ju first. Light purple hoodie tucked into white denim skirt. Glasses ruined it otherwise.

"Not past time yet."

As I replied, the door opened, revealing the other two women. Shin Sua in uniform on closure day, hairstyle screaming effort. Mun Hee-jeong in tight overall dress with blouse and cute pink beret.

"...Isn't that otaku club girl fashion?"

Gemma muttered blankly at the cat-pattern stockings hugging soft thighs.

"Then you pick her clothes."

"Why would I bother."

"Said you'd coordinate last time."

"Ah, that was..."

No appreciation for her effort? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But considering Mun Hee-jeong's usual wrapping, this plainclothes was bold. She seemed embarrassed, head down, even greeting me first.

"Hi..."

"Hey. Hi. Suits you."

Mun Hee-jeong clenched her fists, head bowed. What changed her mindset? That worry vanished under a sudden question.

"But Shin Sua, why uniform?"

"...Announcement came too late."

"Out all morning?"

"Didn't wanna change what I picked, idiot!"

Incomprehensible, but whatever. Feeling Mun Hee-jeong's gaze, I turned— she was sniffing my clothes up close.

-Sniff sniff.

"What're you doing?"

"...Fragrance."

Gemma's and my faces twitched uncontrollably. Last night's intimacy left her scent on me.

"Taeyang must do offerings diligently."

Her admiring mutter calmed me quick.

"Of course! Shangju basics!"

"Order 29. Chestnut latte ready."

Perfect timing. Grabbing my drink, seats had shuffled. Shin Sua shoved me to the center of the six-seater, taking left. Mun Hee-jeong with iced Americano sat right. Yun-ju senior and U Hyo-chung opposite. Five members.

Wait, one missing—

"In-myeong, right? Bad time sense."

"Hold up. This guy's still sleeping at home..."

As Shin Sua pulled her phone on Kim Yun-ju's words, Gong In-myeong climbed to the second floor.

"Aigoo. Got lost."

Lost finding a main-street shop? His excuse before apology was too shameless; I shut my mouth.

"......"

More than that, the sunglasses woman tailing him caught my eye. She thought she hid well, but her red basketball shoes stuck out while eavesdropping from the opposite table.

"Anyway, all here. Sorry for calling on closure day. But other days won't work."

Kim Yun-ju resumed her usual expression, leading.

"Senior-junior ceremony and midterms coming; everyone's busy. Thought celebrate surviving this incident before that. School gave gold too."

"O! Super lucky!"

"Hold on. Midterms far off, and only Gong here does senior-junior sparring."

Shin Sua interjected quietly.

"Yeah. Hard to gather without one missing."

"Aw, don't be like that."

She wasn't alone sensing something off.

"Everyone getting busy?"

"Ah, that's..."

Kim Yun-ju trailing off confirmed it.

"She hacked the teachers' network."

As Gemma whispered, Gong In-myeong and Shin Sua's phones buzzed simultaneously. Naturally, the one on the eavesdropper's table too.

"What's up."

Bad feeling; Shin Sua read the text tensely.

"Senior-junior sparring on schedule. But besides 1st/2nd year top rankers, vice-rankers and partners will join in teams. Vice-ranker Shin Sua, select partner and come to Training Ground 5 tomorrow after school."

Shin Sua, glued to her phone, gaze wandered blankly before locking on me.

"Delinquent. You free tomorrow? Say yes. Huh?"

"A sparring match? Me? Why?"