Chapter 26: Preparation (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 26: Preparation (1)
The damp, pungent smell of medicine piercing my nose forced my eyes open.
The first thing I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. As I tilted my head slightly, I saw an IV needle buried deep in my right forearm and elegant cotton curtains fluttering in the breeze blowing through the window.
Is this a hospital?
I clutched my aching chest and managed to push myself into a sitting position. Then, I slowly turned my gaze to survey the room.
Unlike the first hospital room I’d stayed in after entering the academy, the interior here was incredibly luxurious and sophisticated. It was similar to the room Nox had occupied previously.
Joaquin Academy Affiliated Hospital VIP Ward.
The white furniture, polished like marble, practically reeked of money. If I recalled correctly, the VIP ward was reserved exclusively for nobles. I scratched my chin, propped my head up with both hands, and sank my back into the bed again.
I didn't want to dwell on such worldly matters right now.
Regardless of how I ended up in a VIP room, I decided to be satisfied with the fact that I was alive.
Surely they won't try to bill me for this later, will they?
I shook my head to clear the worry. No matter how stingy the academy’s cost of living was, they wouldn't be that inhumane.
…But if they actually did bill me, would I have to skip town in the middle of the night?
I stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment, then reached out one arm and spread my fingers. The hospital lights filtered through the gaps between them.
I opened and closed my hand experimentally. When I released my fist, which I’d clenched with unexpected strength, nail marks were stamped into my palm like seals.
I’m alive.
I couldn't believe how glad I was to be breathing. There had been times since entering the academy when I’d nearly died unintentionally.
But now, I could dismiss all those previous incidents as mere trifles. Compared to the magic the Majin Mermaid wielded, even the swordplay of Nox, the Genius of Auditore, felt like a child’s tantrum.
The Majin…
The sensation of skin being sliced away, the resistance of hacking through flesh. The feeling of bones snapping was also vastly different from that of a human.
Most of all, there was that magic sphere the Mermaid had fired before she died. It had flown toward me, radiating a chilling mana.
It was an attack that should have been impossible to dodge. Yet, for some reason, I had thrown myself forward without hesitation.
It was because I saw a red line etched across that round blue sphere. I felt the hot blood coursing through my body and my muscles swelling.
Was that what they called a sixth sense? I had instinctively thrust my sashimi knife, and the blade had passed right through that line. The sphere was split in two, bursting like a water balloon, and the magic instantly turned into a rain shower.
It was clearly water. Yet, the sensation of cutting it remained vivid in my hand.
What was that feeling? It felt as if a ripple had disturbed a perfectly still, mirror-like pond.
There was no other way to describe it. Ever since manifesting the Blessing of the Sword God, I had been plagued by sensations that defied explanation.
I scratched the back of my head vigorously, as if trying to untangle my complicated thoughts. Then, propping myself up halfway, I opened my status window.
Flash—
* * *
[Blessing of the Sword God (劍神)]
If you cut, it will be severed.
◎ Body Rank: 7 ▷ Sword specifications are relaxed.
◎ Mental Rank: (3 ▶ 4) ▷ An aura of intimidation dwells within your words and actions.
◎ Armament Rank: 1 ▷ Unlock conditions have not been met.
☆ Synchronization Rate: 6.8 ▶ 7.2% ▷ 【NEW! Unlock conditions have been met.】
★ 【？？？】
[※ The blessing only activates when using a sword less than 36cm in length and less than 9cm in width.]
* * *
My Mental Rank had increased by one level. I remembered the mechanical voice I’d heard when I manifested the blessing: “By demonstrating valor, your Mental Rank increases.”
It was just a guess, but perhaps the reason I hadn't been paralyzed by fear when I first saw the Majin was due to this Mental Rank stat. It likely allowed me to move freely instead of freezing up.
I had thought it was a useless stat, but it turned out to be the most helpful one in a crisis.
There’s a fine line between bravery and recklessness, but if I had been shaking like a pair of castanets like my teammates, we’d all be on a one-way trip to the afterlife right now.
Life truly is unpredictable. I scratched my cheek awkwardly and looked further down.
Finally.
The text shimmered on my retinas. My Synchronization Rate had surpassed the 7% threshold and met the unlock condition.
Personally, this was the value I was most curious about in the "Blessing of the Sword God," second only to the question marks below it. Excitement bubbled up at the thought that I might finally get a clue. I reached out with my index finger and tapped the text.
Flash—
* * *
☆ Synchronization Rate: 7.2% ▷ The Line(s) of 【？？？】 (1) can be read.
[The next unlock condition will be met upon reaching 15% Synchronization Rate.]
* * *
I can see one line.
The meaning of the text was easy enough to grasp. It had to be that red line I saw on the Mermaid’s magic.
…But the important thing was.
No, what the hell is 【？？？】 anyway?
I thought I might finally get a clue to the mystery that had been nagging at me, but instead, I was even more in the dark. It was as if the information was being intentionally hidden.
It kept tossing out bait like a loach slipping through my fingers.
It was likely the same concept as the question marks below the Synchronization Rate. The fact that there were three of them made it impossible to even guess, which was driving me crazy.
“Sigh…”
A sigh escaped my lips. I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. I had only just woken up; there was no point in getting worked up.
Still, looking on the bright side, I had gained one thing. The number '1' enclosed in parentheses. As the Synchronization Rate increased, that number would likely go up as well.
Since the world of Miracle Blessing M was fundamentally a game, it wasn't hard to deduce that this would be the case.
It would be much easier if it just defined what kind of "lines" they were, but it felt like someone was tossing me shapeless puzzle pieces and playing a prank by telling me to put them together.
I didn't know for sure, but it was probably the same shameless bastard who threw me into this world.
I gave a short snort and heartlessly closed the status window. I interlaced my fingers and stretched my arms, eliciting a satisfying series of cracks from my joints.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door, and it slid open.
“Geomma! You’re awake!”
“…!”
At the same time, Medea rushed in with light footsteps and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Our Geomma! If anything had happened to you, I was going to—damn it—fire every single one of those instructors who said they’d done a preliminary scout! I’m so glad you’re okay, Geomma.”
Medea spoke with a trembling voice, as if we hadn't seen each other in twenty years.
“Ack, Principal… I… can’t breathe.”
“Oh, sorry. I was just so happy.”
Medea apologized, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. I let out an awkward cough and shifted my gaze toward the door.
I sensed another presence outside the room. Even through the steel door, an overflowing aura of intimidation couldn't be hidden.
As I stared silently at the door, Medea shrugged and raised her voice.
“Hey, you fossil! Are you a grown man acting shy? Is this a blind date? Get in here already!”
“Medea, haven't I told you repeatedly not to call me that?”
Sword Emperor Siegfried grumbled as he stepped inside, looking displeased.
He stood beside Medea, crossing his arms with military precision as he looked at me.
It was a scene that felt strangely like déjà vu.
The people who had come to visit me after I was hospitalized on the day of the entrance ceremony were also the Principal and the Sword Emperor.
To me, it felt quite burdensome to have two of the Seven Star Heroes show up every time a single academy cadet was hospitalized.
“Principal, Sword Emperor. What brings you both here?”
When I spoke hesitantly, Medea gave me a bright smile and stroked my hair.
“I heard everything from your teammates. Our Geomma, you were simply amazing.”
Medea spoke softly. She stood up and took a few steps back from the bed.
Then, she bowed her head deeply toward me. Seeing this, the Sword Emperor, who had been standing beside her, uncrossed his arms. My eyes widened at the sight.
“On behalf of Joaquin Academy, I apologize. The unfortunate events that occurred during this midterm exam were entirely the fault of our academy. Because of that, the lives of Geomma, your teammates—no, potentially every first-year cadet on Scopuli Island—were in danger. I, Medea Poison, swear upon my honor as the Principal of Joaquin Academy that I will uncover the reason behind this Majin appearance.”
Medea’s act of bowing to someone like me—who was nothing more than a fledgling in their eyes—made her look more like an adult than anyone else. The Sword Emperor added with a resolute expression.
“You saved the students.”
The Seven Star Heroes, hailed as the hope of humanity.
Just looking at Medea and Siegfried, one could see why they were called that. Their words and actions were imbued with a noble dignity.
“I only did what I could,” I said, rubbing the area under my nose out of embarrassment.
Medea lifted her head. Her eyes were slightly more flushed than before.
Then, a shadow of gloom suddenly crossed her face. She sat down gently beside me, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.
“Geomma, your deeds were truly magnificent… but for the time being, we have to keep this incident a secret until the truth is revealed. It sounds ridiculous coming from me as the Principal, but I suspect this might be an internal problem within the academy. I’m so sorry, Geomma. I should be doing more for you, but instead…”
It was certainly a situation where a Majin had appeared out of nowhere on an island that was supposed to have been scouted. Based on the circumstances so far, that was the logical conclusion.
Besides, I didn't particularly crave fame or glory. Honestly, if I could just move past this quietly, that was enough for me. She didn't need to feel this sorry.
“I understand.”
“…Geomma, you really are something. You’re a kid; you should act like one and throw a tantrum once in a while.”
Medea let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh, right!”
Then, as if remembering something, she clapped her hands loudly and pulled something out of her robe pocket. It was a clasp coin purse, the kind old grandmothers used to carry around.
I guess you can’t hide your age.
As I looked at her with half-closed eyes, Medea’s lips twisted.
She spoke in a sharp, somewhat hysterical tone.
“Geomma! You were just thinking that I look old, weren't you?!”
…How did she know? I’d felt this before, but it was like this woman could read minds. Medea vaguely called it "a woman’s intuition," but still.
In front of her, I’d have to be careful not only with my words but also with my thoughts.
When I waved my hands in denial, Medea pouted and let out a huff.
“I don't know what you were imagining, Geomma, but this is a Subspace Pouch.”
“That is?!”
“What, you know about Subspace Pouches?”
“Yes, well.”
A Subspace Pouch.
An item that could hold anything regardless of volume or mass. Even back when I played the game, it was a versatile item that traded for the highest prices at the auction house.
…But regardless of its performance, its appearance was quite lacking, much like Speed Weapon’s Recorder.
Medea reached deep into the pouch. Then, a long piece of metal was pulled out by her hand. Gaining momentum, Medea happily drew it out all the way.
What Medea held was a single-edged sword.
The hilt was wrapped in worn, stained twine. The marks of the tempering process on the blade flowed like rain clouds.
B-rank Armament. The dew-laden blade, Murasame.
“Normally, I should give this to you officially, but given the circumstances, I’m giving it to you privately. Geomma, I hope you like it.”
Medea handed the sword to me. I held my breath as I took it. The rough texture of the hilt felt right in my hand. I ran my fingertips down the blade.
Kiring.
A lonely sword-cry echoed in my ears like a faint ringing.
But…
I was certainly excited about the new armament, but it felt like something was missing.
My chest felt tight and itchy for some reason.
“Well? Do you like it?”
A radiant smile graced Medea’s face. I scratched my cheek and spoke.
“Is it okay if I take this to a blacksmith?”
“Uh, it’s possible, but why?”
Medea asked, looking puzzled. I simply gave her a thin smile in response and whispered softly.
“Armament Enhancement.”