Chapter 196: Conflict (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 196: Conflict (2)
Noon, the Wolf Class.
Even though it was lunchtime, the cadets were gathered in small groups around the classroom.
They had skipped their meals, whispering in hushed tones. The topic of their conversation, as always, was Kang Geomma.
However, unlike before, not a single person spoke of him with disdain. Instead, the looks they cast toward his seat by the window were filled with nothing but respect.
A female cadet nudged the male cadet next to her with her elbow, her eyes fixed on the third row by the window.
"Hey, did you hear that rumor? The one about choosing a new Seven Stars?"
"I've seen some articles and videos floating around. I mean, the Sword Emperor retired, so they have to fill the vacancy."
"Right. But I heard something recently..."
The female cadet leaned in close to the male cadet's ear and whispered. The male cadet, initially indifferent, gradually looked more and more shocked. He stared blankly at her with wide eyes and asked,
"...Is that true?"
"Probably? You know my dad is the deputy director of a media outlet. His information network is second to none."
The female cadet shrugged. The male cadet swallowed hard, his lips trembling slightly.
"Honestly, if anyone else had told me, I would've dismissed it as utter nonsense..."
Following her gaze, the male cadet also turned his head slightly. As usual, Kang Geomma was resting his chin on his hand, staring blankly out the window. Looking at his face, which exuded a characteristic air of transcendence, it was hard to believe he was the same age as them.
Keeping his eyes fixed there, the male cadet muttered,
"It feels kind of strange..."
"Huh? What does?"
"Just... regardless of whether what you said is true or not, it means Kang Geomma is getting so much public attention that people are even talking about this. But how should I put it... in the past, I would've found it really annoying, but now, I actually feel good about it. Something like that."
The female cadet chimed in, agreeing.
"I know exactly what you mean! Just nine months ago, we all looked at Kang Geomma through tinted glasses because he was a special admission student. Not just you and me, but the entire class."
"Looking back, that was so ridiculous. Isn't it incredibly childish to look down on someone just because of their status?"
"Agreed. I've been thinking the exact same thing lately. We were so stupid. When you think about it, we were also looked down upon just for being in the Wolf Class."
"..."
Zotto Mate, the male cadet, closed his eyes and opened them, lost in thought. If what he had just heard was true, there wouldn't be many days left for them to attend classes in the same room as Kang Geomma.
He felt a deep sense of regret about that, but at the same time, he felt relieved. Kang Geomma, who had constantly been looked down upon, bound by the shackles of status, was finally receiving the societal recognition he deserved.
Even though they had never spoken a single word to each other, the thought of Kang Geomma soaring to such heights filled his heart with emotion.
As Zotto Mate smiled faintly, the female cadet smiled warmly in return. And just like that, she had successfully recruited another member into the Sashimi Faction.
Plan successful.
Just then, the female cadet's smartphone vibrated, alerting her to a new update. Coming from a media family, most news arrived hot off the press directly to her phone. She pulled out her phone to check the latest news.
[Japanese Prime Minister Saki Kojima Visits South Korea.]
* * *
At that same hour, in the VIP parking lot of Incheon Airport.
As he climbed into a black limousine, the Archery Saint glared at Saki Hina, who was attending to him. His slightly furrowed brow reflected his irritated mood.
"I'm certain I ordered a confidential entry. Explain why the press was waiting in full force, Hina."
His flat, monotonous voice made anyone listening shrink back. The smile he had shown to the reporters just minutes ago was entirely a political facade. It was a truly jarring, two-faced nature.
"I apologize, Prime Minister. I clearly notified the secretariat—"
"Enough."
The Archery Saint cut her off coldly. He then massaged his deeply furrowed brow and let out a sigh.
"How long do you intend to keep making excuses?"
"...I apologize. It was entirely my oversight."
"Do not put yourself in a position to apologize next time. I am tired of being disappointed."
"Yes..."
After giving Hina a brief glance, the Archery Saint spoke to the secretary sitting in the passenger seat.
"We will head straight to Joaquin Academy. It is best to handle matters as they arise. Also, contact the third child once more. If there is no reply, leave it be."
"Yes, sir."
Having handed down his instructions, the Archery Saint crossed his arms and leaned deep into his seat. In that posture, he stared only at the scenery rushing past on the highway, without casting a single glance at Hina right beside him.
At that, Hina's lips twisted sharply, but she quickly regained her expressionless face.
Ryozo, just wait. You took away the attention and love meant for the rest of us siblings, and I will return the favor in kind.
The limousine, filled with an ominous silence, sped down the highway. A convoy of fifteen motorcycles followed closely behind, providing tight security.
* * *
"...!"
A sudden chill ran down Ryozo's spine, causing her to quickly scan her surroundings. She was in her usual spot—the academy's backyard—chatting with her club members.
What was that?
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Although it was the end of autumn, the weather was milder than usual, so it was by no means cold. Yet, she felt a sudden shiver...
As Ryozo looked around, Kang Geomma tilted his head and asked,
"What's wrong? Is someone coming?"
"...No, it's nothing. I just felt a sudden chill in the air. It's no big deal, don't worry about it."
Ryozo tucked her hands deep into her armpits. The muffler wrapped tightly around her neck fluttered in the autumn breeze.
Kang Geomma stared at her. While he found the weather cool and refreshing, it made sense that Ryozo would find it freezing. Korea was bound to be colder than Japan.
After a brief thought, Kang Geomma took off his outer coat and handed it to her. He casually added,
"Here."
"...?"
"I get hot easily, but I'm strong against the cold. I was actually starting to feel warm, so wear this."
Kang Geomma pushed the coat toward her again. Ryozo took it in a daze. Soon, a rosy blush spread across her cheeks.
Ryozo toyed with the coat, which still held his warmth, with both hands. A faint, familiar scent tickled the tip of her nose.
Achoo!
At that moment, Weapon sneezed. To someone from Hawaii, even Korea's autumn weather was freezing cold. Shivering with his arms wrapped around his shoulders, his eyes suddenly drifted to the coat Ryozo was holding.
"Saki, if you're not going to wear that, can I have it?"
As he spoke, Weapon reached out. Ryozo swiftly snatched his hand and twisted it.
Crack.
Weapon stared blankly at his arm, which had been twisted clockwise in an instant. His entire right arm began to burn, and a moment later, intense pain washed over him.
"Aaaaargh! Hey, Saki! You could've just said no! Who goes straight to twisting someone's arm?!"
"I don't think someone who tries to snatch something away while calling it a 'favor' has any right to talk," Ryozo retorted.
Weapon glared at her, huffing and puffing. Having rolled around on the ground, he was no longer cold; in fact, he was burning up. Of course, that wasn't much of a consolation in this situation.
Ah, crap. Did she break my arm?
His limp right arm dangled uselessly. Just as he was debating whether he should head to the infirmary, Senior Hana stepped up close to him.
"Hmm, if you miss the golden hour, you might have to be hospitalized for a fracture. Want me to give you some first aid?"
San Hana said, adjusting her glasses. It was hard to read her expression behind the opaque, glinting lenses. However, seeing the faint smirk on her lips, she didn't seem particularly worried.
By the way, is there even a 'golden hour' for fractures? Isn't that term usually reserved for things like cardiac arrest?
A brief moment of doubt. In that split second, San Hana grabbed Weapon's injured arm and twisted it counterclockwise.
"This might hurt a little~"
Crack!
"...Huh?"
Weapon stared blankly at his arm, which had popped back into place. He looked at it with wide, fascinated eyes, as if the arm didn't belong to him.
In the meantime, as a follow-up treatment, San Hana channeled her blessing into Weapon's arm. It was a blessing that applied ointment to cracked bones. The principle was similar to Albo-h*l ointment. That meant he had to vividly experience a pain three times worse than the original injury.
Cold sweat beaded on Weapon's temples, and his jaw trembled. His pupils dilated so wildly that his arm seemed to blur into a double image. A moment later, a mind-numbing pain instantly chased away any lingering cold.
"Ah."
Soon, his blank mind issued a single command: writhe. Weapon rolled around in the pile of fallen leaves once more, screaming. Watching the fantastic collaboration of Ryozo, Weapon, and San Hana, Kang Geomma muttered to himself,
What a mess.
From the coat to Weapon's fit of agony, the flow of events was so absurd that a hollow laugh escaped his lips.
Yet, they had somehow managed to stick together in this combination for over half a year. Although they bickered at least once every time they met, they trusted and relied on each other like magic in times of emergency.
And even with a broken arm like that, Weapon would laugh it off good-naturedly. Though sometimes Geomma felt like Weapon was a bit too much of a punching bag...
Well, Weapon is a healer, so he can heal himself anyway.
Kang Geomma chuckled softly. The desire to maintain this relationship forever filled his mind.
As dusk began to settle over the academy, Kang Geomma's pocket vibrated. It was a text from Medea. However, there was no explanation, just a link to a location.
"...Main Building, 5th Floor, Academy VIP Grand Reception Room?"
The Academy Principal usually sent long, rambling preambles and postscripts with every single text. Was it an incredibly urgent matter? It was slightly suspicious, but Kang Geomma brushed his doubts aside.
Besides, the succession ceremony was drawing near. Even if the Sword Emperor and Medea took charge of most of the arrangements, they couldn't handle everything. After all, he was the key figure in this situation. This summons was bound to be related to that.
I should head over.
Kang Geomma stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants. Ryozo was the first to notice him moving. She was already wearing the coat he had given her, wrapped tightly in it.
"Are you leaving already?"
"Yeah. The Academy Principal seems to be looking for me urgently. I'll stop by there and head straight to the dormitory. Don't wait up."
"Ah... okay."
Ryozo hesitated, her eyes darting around. She had been planning to casually suggest having dinner together...
But her disappointment was brief, and she shook her head.
Well, today isn't the only day. I can just ask him next time.
The menu would be kimchi stew. Ryozo formulated a plan to visit Kang Geomma's dormitory under the pretense of returning his freshly washed coat.
"Alright. Go ahead then. I'll wash this clean and return it to you."
"I just washed it yesterday, so it's fine."
"No."
Ryozo glared at him resolutely.
"Geomma, even if you're fine with it, I'm not. Anyway, hurry up and go see the Academy Principal."
Ryozo waved her hand to send him off. Since the coat she was wearing was quite large, the sleeves half-covered her palms.
"Thanks. Let the other members know for me."
With that, Kang Geomma's figure completely disappeared from view. Only then did Weapon notice his absence, looking bewildered.
"Wait, when did the president leave?"
Ryozo replied to Weapon's question.
"The Academy Principal apparently summoned him for something urgent. So he left a message with me and went ahead."
"The Academy Principal... urgently... and at a time like this, too."
Weapon muttered something as he stroked his right arm. Ryozo sensed something suspicious.
"What? Is there something you're hiding?"
"Well, there is... but I don't know if I should say it."
"What is it? Just tell me."
"If my guess is right, it's probably because of the Seven Stars Succession Ceremony."
At the mention of the "Seven Stars," Ryozo's brow furrowed.
"What does the Seven Stars have to do with Kang Geomma?"
"Well, the reason is..."
Weapon hesitated, trailing off. An intense internal conflict raged within him over whether he should speak.
Should I tell her, or not?
Although the president hadn't explicitly told him to keep it a secret, he had remained quiet. Weapon loved explaining things, but he was also tight-lipped.
However, it was a fact everyone would find out in a few days anyway, and the club members were all trustworthy. Having made up his mind, Weapon spoke in a low voice.
"Next week, the president will succeed the Sword Emperor and become the new Seven Stars Hero."
* * *
Following the link Medea had sent, I strolled down the hallway on the fifth floor of the Main Building. It struck me once again how incredibly vast the academy was. Even though I frequented the Main Building, the scenery here felt completely foreign.
"The atmosphere is really antique."
Countless portraits adorned the walls of the hallway. Beneath each frame was a name, presumably belonging to the person depicted. Judging by the armaments they each held, they seemed to be heroes who had graduated from the academy.
As I walked along, admiring the frames, one portrait caught my eye. Halting reflexively, I peered at the figure inside the frame.
"This person is..."
Due to a blur effect, the face was hazy, as if shrouded in fog. However, the distinct hair made it obvious who this person was. As far as I knew, there was only one historical figure with black hair.
"Wow, seeing you like this, you really look like the spitting image of the Hero of the Origin. I'd almost believe he came back to life."
A voice suddenly drifted in from the side. I quickly turned my eyes toward the source of the sound.
A mysterious young woman was leaning against the hallway wall. What was that outfit she was wearing—a kimono? However, its style was far removed from the traditional kimonos I knew. It wasn't modest; it was provocative.
Covering her mouth with a folding fan, she slowly approached. Clack, clack. The sound of her wooden Japanese clogs, worn on bare feet, echoed through the hallway. There was a strange, calculated affectation in her every movement.
"Who are you?"
I furrowed my brow. Despite my cold tone, she smiled and parted her lips.
"A fan of the Sashimi Sword Saint..."
"..."
"...and perhaps someone who might become your family, Kang Geomma?"