Chapter 146: Candidate No. 7, Kang Geomma (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 146: Candidate No. 7, Kang Geomma (4)
Training ground, Star Class camp.
"A-Abel. That ogre just now... how did it die? Did I see that wrong? Or is there a specific swordsmanship technique like that?"
Rachel asked, tugging at Abel's clothes as if pestering her.
"Ouch, Rachel! Let go!"
Abel first slapped away Rachel's hand, which was gripping her clothes tightly. Her sleeve crumpled under Rachel's surprisingly strong grip.
Rachel stuck out her tongue and apologized.
"Ah, sorry. I guess I got too excited. Hehe."
"Sigh, anyway."
Abel spoke with a weary expression.
"As far as I know, there's no such technique in swordsmanship. And that... to me, it looks like something else entirely rather than a technique. Even you, as a spear user, must feel that the swordsmanship Kang Geomma uses is bizarre."
"Yeah, yeah. How should I put it? It's more like a phenomenon than a technique. He even cut magic during the midterm exams."
"Exactly. So trying to measure Kang Geomma by our conventional standards is just ridiculous."
"True. I mean, his score is already unmeasurable—infinite."
"That shocked me a lot too. But it's probably not just us; everyone who witnessed this must feel the same..."
As Abel looked around, Yoo Se-in's face caught her eye.
Amidst the heightened excitement, Se-in alone was frowning.
With a solemn expression, she stared intently at Kang Geomma, who was sitting far away. For some reason, her eyes were filled with deep concern.
"The synchronization speed is ridiculously fast..."
Se-in's murmur lingered in Abel's ears.
'Synchronization... speed?'
Just then, as if sensing her gaze, Se-in quickly whipped her head in Abel's direction.
"!"
Abel's shoulders flinched at the sudden eye contact. Guilty conscience—it felt as though she had been caught eavesdropping on someone's private thoughts.
Abel's face grew restless. She rolled her eyes, avoiding Se-in's dark gaze.
...Yet, Abel suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu from that intense gaze.
'What is this?'
Se-in stared blankly at Abel for a moment before leaving her spot.
Her silver hair, falling gracefully to her waist, swayed gently in the wind.
* * *
Ryozo kept asking about things she was curious about.
"Okay, I get that you used your blessing to cut the Fear. Honestly, I still can't fully believe that you cut sound or waves. But I can't ignore what I saw with my own eyes... So, does that mean you can instantly kill any magical beast that emits Fear with a heart attack (?) like that?"
"No, that's not how it works."
I shook my head.
"The situation just now was a bit unique. Ogres are magical beasts that are exceptionally dependent on Fear. On top of that, its pulse was massively amplified due to its berserk state. Honestly, if it hadn't gone berserk, I doubt I could have finished it in a single blow. I got lucky."
Ryozo gasped in sheer disbelief.
"Hey! How can you just brush that off as luck?! It was only possible because you have that absurd level of skill in the first place! Even if the circumstances aligned perfectly, that wasn't some fluke—it was like slaying a dragon!"
"Oh, Ryozo. You even know Korean idioms."
"Is that what's important right now?! Even if it was conditional, does it make any sense to manifest a Mindscape Domain and cut sound at seventeen? Huh? You baka genius!"
Ryozo thumped her chest in frustration. I scratched my head and gave an awkward laugh. Still, thanks to her silly banter, the heavy atmosphere cleared up.
Step, step.
My senses, still sharp from the battle, detected an approaching presence.
The training ground was currently filled with unconscious cadets. In fact, in the Wolf and Tiger Class camps, Ryozo and I were the only ones still conscious.
Thus, the approaching presence clearly had business with us. My suspicion quickly became reality.
"Cadet Kang Geomma."
I turned my gaze toward the voice. A man in a neat suit was standing there. Behind him, a woman was peeking out, showing only her eyes.
Just looking at their tidy attire, they weren't Academy staff. The Academy professors and instructors wore uniforms adorned with countless badges.
The man handed over a business card, sweating profusely. The paper was damp with sweat.
"Nice to meet you. I am Seong Yu-chang, a manager from the Association's Strategic Planning Department, currently dispatched to the Academy. You can comfortably call me Manager Seong."
The handsome middle-aged man, Manager Seong, nudged behind him with his elbow. The hidden woman popped out like a mole with its tail on fire.
"I-I am Ha Na-eun, the deputy supervisor of the Association's Strategic Planning Department!"
Having finished her introduction, Ha Na-eun also hurriedly held out her business card. Her hands were trembling pitifully.
She darted her eyes around, avoiding my gaze. She was desperately trying not to make eye contact, as if she had a disease where looking at me would kill her.
I tilted my head slightly.
"Why are people from the Association looking for me?"
I had heard from Medea that the Association had set up a base at the Academy. Thus, their sudden appearance wasn't particularly surprising.
However, was it really okay for them to approach me so blatantly? Medea was bound to dislike this kind of behavior. I found it puzzling.
At my slightly stiff expression, Supervisor Ha spoke up in a fluster.
"Ah, that is—"
"Wait a moment. First, let me verify if you are actually from the Association."
Ryozo, who was standing beside me, snatched the business cards from my hand and examined them. Only after scrutinizing them with narrowed eyes did she nod.
"I checked the serial numbers, and they are indeed from the Association. Their titles and departments seem correct as well."
""...!""
At Ryozo's words, both of their eyes widened in surprise. Their faces were the picture of astonishment. Ryozo pointed out the details to them.
"The first four digits are the institution code, the middle three are the department, followed by the position code. And the last five digits must be the personal security number."
"H-how do you know that?"
"My family trained me in this kind of thing since I was young. I've seen countless business card formats from various government agencies and international organizations since childhood."
"...Ha."
Manager Seong let out a faint, hollow laugh.
It was only natural for him to find it absurd that a mere female cadet had figured it out just by looking at the barely visible numbers in the corner.
Even I, knowing how clever Ryozo was, flinched. No, it was actually a bit chilling.
Is it really fair for someone who can identify positions just by serial numbers to call me a "genius"? She's basically a walking computer.
I glanced at Ryozo. In response, she tapped her temple with her index finger.
'Are you AlphaGo?'
Ahem. Manager Seong cleared his throat to break the awkward silence. He spoke up, brightening.
"First, let me answer Sashimi Swor—no, Cadet Kang Geomma's question. We came to see you regarding the special reward for this mock exam."
"If it's a special reward from the Academy, why did the Association come to deliver it?"
"Since we planned and managed this exam, the Principal entrusted us with granting the special reward. Since the atmosphere here is currently a bit chaotic, could you spare some time for us elsewhere?"
Manager Seong's attitude was extremely polite. Even though he looked at least twenty years older than me, he spoke with utmost respect. Still, I couldn't let my guard down.
I recalled the concerns of the Sword Emperor and the Principal. They were highly reluctant to see me get involved with the Association. There had to be a reason.
But aside from that, I had a few personal curiosities. Not only about the special reward, but perhaps I could also ask about the 'Monolith'. As mentioned before, most artifacts were managed under the Association.
I understood why the two of them worried about me. They treated me like family.
But in everything, my own will had to come first. Ultimately, the choice and the responsibility were entirely mine.
My mind was made up. It was right to take the initiative now.
I nodded to Manager Seong.
"Sure, let's go."
"Ah, thank you! Then I will escort you right away—"
Ring, ring.
A sharp ringing sound came from Manager Seong's pocket. As he pulled out his phone and checked it, his face instantly turned pale.
"...Excuse me, I need to take this call."
Manager Seong had a brief conversation, then let out a sigh heavy enough to sink the earth. He quickly turned to Supervisor Ha.
"I need to head to the Principal's office because of this matter. Supervisor Ha, explain things in my stead."
"The Principal's office... Don't tell me, Manager..."
As if guessing the situation, Supervisor Ha groaned. Manager Seong gave a bitter smile. A shadow had fallen over his face.
"Don't worry about me, just take good care of Cadet Geomma."
Without further explanation, Manager Seong hurriedly left. His final expression was incredibly heavy.
Looking at her superior's retreating back, Supervisor Ha spoke in a forced, calm voice.
"Cadet Kang Geomma, please follow me."
"Can I come along too?"
Ryozo asked, raising her hand.
"Geomma's... thought process is a bit unique. It'll probably be easier to communicate if I act as a mediator."
Isn't this a bit too overprotective?
"I'm not a child. You don't need to worry about that."
"No."
Ryozo glared at me. Her eyes practically screamed, 'Do you really think it makes sense to let you go alone?'
Supervisor Ha thought for a moment, then agreed.
"Understood."
While Supervisor Ha had been avoiding my gaze, she looked straight at Ryozo.
"However, since you are not the directly involved party, all contents of the conversation must be kept strictly confidential. Do you agree?"
"..."
Ryozo looked at me silently. Then, making eye contact with Ha Na-eun, she nodded.
"If you want, I can even sign a non-disclosure agreement."
* * *
Following Supervisor Ha, who led the way, we moved to the Academy's main building. She pressed the button for the 5th floor in the elevator.
Ding. The doors opened, and Ryozo and I blinked at the completely transformed scenery.
The large reception hall on the 5th floor of the main building had been converted into the 'Hero Association Strategic Planning Temporary Department'.
Office desks and computers packed the space tightly. At a glance, it looked no different from a corporate office.
Guided by Supervisor Ha, we reached a private room. Thus, Ryozo and I sat across from Supervisor Ha with a wide table between us.
"..."
As a strange atmosphere settled over the room, Ryozo interlaced her fingers. She narrowed her eyes and took the initiative.
"Supervisor Ha, could you first explain why you brought us all the way here, and what this is about?"
Overwhelmed by Ryozo's cold aura, Supervisor Ha stammered.
"F-first, let me explain step-by-step the purpose behind planning this mock exam and why we invited Cadet Kang Geomma."
Ryozo immediately corrected the focus of the conversation.
"Well, I'd prefer to skip the small talk. I've already figured most of it out on our way here anyway."
"...?"
Ryozo smiled faintly and continued.
"Ogre subjugation is originally a second-year curriculum. And Joaquin Academy rarely changes its curriculum."
"..."
"Isn't it strange? Normally, 'ogre subjugation' is something all cadets participate in, not just one representative from each class. Yet, for this exam, only one representative from each class was put forward."
"..."
"I found that rather suspicious. How should I put it... it felt like an excuse to select and approach exceptionally talented individuals. Bringing us here seems to be part of that as well."
"..."
"As for why the Association is always hovering around Joaquin Academy graduates... well, seeing how you immediately handed Geomma your business card earlier, I have a pretty good idea."
"..."
Supervisor Ha merely parted her lips, looking like someone whose secrets had been completely exposed. She was driven into a corner before she could even speak.
Considering she became a deputy supervisor at such a young age, Ha Na-eun must be an elite, yet Ryozo completely overwhelmed her in a battle of words, forcing her into silence.
Honestly, I think Ryozo might be the strongest in the world when it comes to verbal sparring. Keeping quiet was probably the best way to help her.
A triumphant smile played on Ryozo's lips.
"So, Supervisor Ha, you can leave out whatever ulterior motives the Association has toward Geomma, and just tell us what the special reward is."
"..."
In the end, Supervisor Ha nodded with a half-resigned expression.