Chapter 4: Adults Have Their Own Reasons
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Adults Have Their Own Reasons
In the principal's office, three elegant knocks echoed. Ryozo placed her quill back into the inkwell.
"Come in."
The door opened, and a woman stepped inside with the crisp clicking of her heels. She was a tall beauty exuding the presence of a professional model.
"Hot Americano or iced Americano? Which one would you like, Principal?"
Choi Seol-ah held an Americano in each of her hands.
Once a villain, she had been reborn as a new person after attending Kang Geomma’s rehabilitation lecture(?).
Time had flowed on endlessly. In the end, Choi Seol-ah had settled firmly into her role as the principal's secretary.
"Iced today. It's a bit warm."
"What a surprise. You usually only drink hot Americanos. Besides, it's warm in March? In weather that's perfect for catching a cold?"
Choi Seol-ah said, handing the iced Americano across the desk. The ice inside the glass clinked together.
"I'm feeling a bit flushed."
"Flushed? Are you sure you didn't catch a cold?"
"...It's not that."
Ryozo mumbled before quickly denying it. She was a wolf by night, but a cat by day.
"Well, working too hard could do that. Either way, don't overdo it."
"Choi Seol-ah, you're one to talk—you always leave right on time even when your boss hasn't left."
"Isn't that what the Academy labor laws dictate?"
Choi Seol-ah shrugged mischievously.
"Listen to the notorious money-grubber talking about labor laws."
Ryozo glared at her before taking a refreshing gulp of her coffee. Was this a hangover coffee? It felt like her stomach was being washed out.
"Hmm."
Choi Seol-ah narrowed her eyes. Ryozo wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, her brow furrowing slightly.
"What are you staring at?"
"Oh, nothing special."
Choi Seol-ah said with a puzzled expression.
"I just thought you look exceptionally good today. How should I put it... your skin is positively glowing? Did you take some restorative tonic overnight or something?"
The fingertips holding the iced Americano flinched.
"You did take a tonic, didn't you! What was it? As your secretary, I need to know everything about your diet!"
"……."
Ryozo didn't respond. Despite Choi Seol-ah's pestering, she simply drank her coffee and resumed her paperwork.
However.
Tonic.
For some reason.
I should have some tomorrow, too.
A cute dimple formed on her cheek. Flutter, flutter—the end of her quill swayed gently.
* * *
Nice...
I was sitting at a long counter table in a cafe. A vapor trail drifted serenely across the sky. With my arms crossed and my chin buried between them, I gazed out the window.
Joaquin Academy was located in Wonju, Gangwon-do. It was a town famous for its fresh air and clear waters. Just sitting on a bench and taking in the forest air felt like it flushed the waste right out of your blood vessels.
Looking at the sky gave a similar feeling.
Watching the clouds imbued with the atmosphere of the vernal equinox made me feel like my vision was improving. The dark circles under my eyes, steeped in fatigue, seemed to fade a little as well.
In contrast, my body felt impossibly heavy. I buried my face even deeper into my crossed arms.
I was exhausted.
Every bone in my body was screaming.
Feels like my lifespan is shortening in real-time.
At this rate, I was going to die young.
"Haaah."
All night long, I had gone through this and that with Ryozo, the Academy Principal. And then again as soon as I opened my eyes. Because of that, the damage to my stamina was no joke.
What use was being the God of Sword?
I am a loser.
One who can do nothing but suffer in silence.
I couldn't even handle my wife, who lived with coffee glued to her lips and was supposedly sickly.
No one could sympathize with me.
It was a private, personal trouble I couldn't share with anyone.
Even if I tried confiding in someone, I would undoubtedly be called a crazy bastard. You took two of the world's top beauties as your wives, and you're complaining? they'd say.
No matter how devoted my fan club members—the Heavenly Demon Cult—were, if they found out about my inner thoughts, they'd roll their eyes. The male members would probably turn into hater anti-fans instantly.
"Chief."
Someone called me from the seat right next to mine. The friend who still—and exclusively—called me Chief.
It was Speed Weapon.
I had asked him several times why he still called me Chief. I wondered if he just hadn't matured yet.
But the only answer I got was that it had become a habit.
Anyway, Weapon was diligent in weird ways. Which was probably why he fit in so well at the Hero Association.
He was highly promising within the Association. His nature of taking the initiative without refusing anything was the textbook definition of a civil servant disposition.
On top of that, his distant relative, Spear Saint Richard de Myura, held him in high regard. Nothing stood between him and a smooth rise to success. You've made it big, kid. But technically speaking, he was riding straight on nepotism, too.
As expected, the lineage-centric society unique to Miracle Blessing M was hard to eradicate.
Because that's the core identity of this world.
I had lived here for ten long years.
I now exuded the vibe of a seasoned possessor.
"What is it, Weapon?"
I replied, turning only my eyes toward him.
"No, well..."
Weapon examined me closely, his brows furrowing in pity.
"Traveling back and forth between the Human Realm and Gehenna must be really tough. Your dark circles have dropped all the way down to your chin."
"……."
I silently took a sip of my espresso. It tasted sweet. That was because my mouth felt uniquely bitter right now.
Do you know, Weapon? Going back and forth between the Human Realm and Gehenna isn't actually that hard.
Joaquin Academy had Subspace Warp. Using that, even Hawaii was just an instant away.
Besides, I wielded Lightning-Attribute Magic. I could move anywhere at the speed of light.
Originally, it was the ability of the 1st Corps Commander Lycan. He was my avatar.
\- Use it as you see fit.
"Are you really giving me full authority over it?"
\- When I need it, I can just enter your body and use it.
"Is my body a drivers' diner or something? For you to come and go as you please?"
\- Strictly speaking, that is my body.
"Okay, thank you."
The guy transferred all his abilities to me, and now he was enjoying his Ramji Thunder life. Crazy bastard.
So, what I mean to say is...
The reason I'm drowning in fatigue isn't because of business trips.
"If it's tough, just say the word, Chief... I mean, Geomma. I'll speak to the Association President. There's already talk within the Association that the burdens placed on you are too heavy. They're saying it makes no sense for the hero of humanity to still be running around in the field..."
"There's talk about me in the Association?"
"Is there anywhere in the world where people aren't talking about you? You're the hero who saved the world."
"Weapon, you've always said embarrassing things with a completely straight face."
"So what? It's not like anyone's watching."
Weapon glanced around the cafe.
This was a VIP cafe created during the Academy's renovation. Yet we were the only two customers. Only the part-time worker glanced at us, stealing peeks.
At this rate, the autograph paper in their hand is going to get crumpled.
It wasn't that business was bad. Quite the opposite. Despite the insane prices, it was always packed.
In particular, merchandise featuring my trademark—the sashimi knife and drawing of the Heavenly Sword—sold like hotcakes.
And even that was Weapon's idea...
Weapon was the president of the Heavenly Demon Cult. The president of his friend's fan club. This guy was just as insane as Lycan.
Anyway.
The reason such a popular cafe was completely empty was that my wife, Abel, had rented out the entire place at her own expense.
Purely for my sake.
She had provided a space where I could relax comfortably until the special lecture scheduled for the afternoon.
"Weapon, am I not completely a freeloading husband?"
"You're not a freeloading husband; you're the pillar of an era."
"I'm losing my mind, seriously."
I tousled my hair.
"I told you not to say things like that between friends."
"Hey, you're walking around wearing dark circles like accessories, so I'm just reminding you. Seriously, your condition is terrible right now. Can you even give a special lecture like this?"
"I have to. Showing my face will give Ryozo and Abel some leverage and breathing room. I heard the nobles are stealthily raising their voices again lately, saying the Senate needs to be restored."
Weapon flared up at my words.
"Are those bastards brain-dead or what? After what the Elders pulled on you? What a bunch of lunatics. This is why peace is scary. As soon as their bellies are warm and full, they start babbling bullshit about 'rights'."
"That's why I'm giving the lecture."
I said, resting my head against my interlaced hands. Just then, an airplane sliced across the long expanse of the sky, leaving behind a faint white contrail.
"Still, complaining with full bellies is better than thousands of people dying."
"……."
Weapon followed my gaze up toward the sky. There was a time when a clear, peaceful spring day like this wasn't taken for granted.
And that was a mere ten years ago.
Our conversation paused briefly.
"I've made up my mind."
He nodded to himself as if making a monumental decision. Then, like the resident exposition dump he was, he poured out his thoughts.
"Since the Association President is at the Academy right now, I'll talk to him. The Association was already planning a Gehenna Exploration Squad anyway. Actually, no, we should move up the deployment schedule under the guise of gaining real combat experience."
Weapon leapt to his feet. I caught his chair, which nearly tipped backward from his enthusiasm.
"There's really no need to go that far..."
"Stay out of this. Saki and Abel do everything for you, so why shouldn't I?"
Are you seriously comparing yourself to them?
"Forget it."
Weapon gave a thumbs-up.
"I'll go settle this right now. My performance record for this quarter is great, you know? The Association President will probably agree right away if I talk to him."
"Hey, wait..."
"Chief."
Weapon rubbed his philtrum with his index finger.
"What are friends for if not this? You're supposed to lean on friends at times like these. Besides, didn't you enroll in Joaquin Academy to make use of school ties like this?"
This bastard's mindset is totally rotten, isn't it?
A completely bureaucratic way of thinking.
And if I didn't travel back and forth to the Demon Realm or somewhere similar, I was bound to die early. My vital essence was being drained dry.
"Ayyy. Get outta here."
"No, it's not like that—"
Even as I pressed down on his shoulders trying to force him back into his seat—
"I'll take the thought."
"You really don't listen to a damn word, do you?"
Was his body greased or something? He slipped right out of my grip.
Looks like I'll need to use slightly rougher measures.
I quietly gripped my Daixo Sashimi.
[Blessing of the Sword God manifests—]
It happened in a split second.
"Why is it so noisy here?"
The moment the relief pitcher appeared, the two part-timers behind the counter ducked down like moles.
A woman stood there. Her golden irises were cold and dazzling, as if carved from eternal snow.
"A-Abel."
Weapon, who had been acting like an unbridled wild horse, instantly grew quiet. The guy was terrified of Abel.
He once told me that as he sank deeper into bureaucracy, he came to realize just how terrifying Abel's status was in high society.
The descendants of the Sword Saint. The Nibelung Family's influence had grown overwhelmingly powerful compared to the past.
Sword Emperor, Sword Princess, and Heavenly Sword.
They had three whole figures holding the title of 'Sword' standing tall.
"I rented this place so he could rest, so why are you bothering an innocent person, Weapon?"
"I-I'm not bothering him..."
"I'm not interested in excuses."
Her eyes, which had glared coldly at Weapon, shifted to me. Immediately, they formed a soft, smiling crescent.
"It's almost time, right?"
"About an hour left."
"Mmm."
Abel observed me closely. She rested her cheek on her palm and tilted her head.
"That Seven-Star Coat looks cool, too, but the students might find it a bit intimidating for a class."
"I guess... so?"
It was definitely an outfit designed to advertise to the whole world that I was one of the Seven Stars.
Stepping right up to me, Abel adjusted my tie. Then, she suddenly sniffed the air.
"Come to think of it, your clothes haven't changed at all since yesterday?"
"W-Well, I had a drink with Weapon."
Before Abel's gaze could slide over—
\- Weapon.
I activated my Lightning-Attribute Magic. At near light speed, I sent a desperate plea for help to Weapon.
\- My life depends on you.
A signal between men.
\- Please save me.
My telepathic message reached him. Weapon seemed to grasp the underlying meaning and stammered nervously:
"Y-Yeah! We drank all night. That's why we're having hangover coffee like this. Ha, haha, hahahaha!"
The laughing part was nice.
Though it would've been better if his eyebrows hadn't twitched so suspiciously.
Still, thanks to Weapon's quick wit, I barely escaped the crisis. Abel pulled back her suspicious glare and restored a bright smile to her lips.
"I prepared clothes in the private changing room. Go change. I'll help you."
"I can change by mys—"
"I'll help you."
A suffocating silence fell.
Hiccup!
Only at the sound of the part-timer hiccuping beneath the counter did the world snap back to reality.
Grab.
Abel grabbed my wrist and dragged me along toward a completely sealed private room.
Swish.
I frantically twisted my head around. Weapon was looking back at me with pitiless eyes.
Slide.
Then, he pulled a recorder out of his inner pocket and blew into it.
The sound of a flute echoed softly throughout the cafe.
Among heroes, Weapon belonged to the rare healer class. The mournful melody buffed and rooted for me.
Right.
Play that recorder, Weapon.
Peep-peep-pee-pee-pee—
The deep lethargy carving through my whole body washed away.
I felt energy welling up inside me.
However, I shall refrain from revealing what kind of vitality it was.
Adults have their own reasons, after all.
* * *
The class where the special lecture took place was the Tiger Class.
Normally, a nation-saving event of this scale should naturally be held in the Star Class.
Yet the Tiger Class was chosen for the venue. It was where his academy life had begun, and the choice aimed to encourage cadets who might feel discouraged compared to those in the Dragon or Star Classes.
"Wow, look at all these people..."
A female cadet gasped in awe, but her voice was swallowed whole by the roaring clamor of the crowd.
Calling it 'bustling' was far too polite; it was a scene of indescribable madness.
It was a literal mob scene. Amid the sea of squeezed-in cadets, everyone pushed and shoved past one another, desperate to get closer to the podium.
Even just a few centimeters closer!
The cadets' struggles were desperate, resembling a scene straight out of a zombie movie.
Faced with this situation, she turned aloof.
What's so great about the Heavenly Sword anyway?
After-stories were always exaggerated, weren't they?
At the end of the day, the Heavenly Sword was just a human like her. A Homo sapiens with two arms and two legs.
Ambition was the virtue of a hero.
Furthermore, blind admiration for someone was tantamount to belittling oneself.
Rattle.
The classroom door slid open to the left.
As if the chaos had never existed, silence fell over the room.
Everyone strained their eyes so hard their eyeballs looked ready to pop out like frogs'.
Step.
One step.
Step.
Two steps.
Step.
On the third step, That Person stepped onto the podium of the classroom.
He—the Heavenly Sword—wore an embroidered black coat. Through its opening, a sashimi knife drawn an inch from its sheath gleamed faintly.
"More people gathered than I expected."
Everyone locked their focus on him. It was an intense level of concentration that wouldn't miss even a hangnail.
Gulp.
She moistened her lips with her tongue.
Don't be fooled, self. Whether he's one of the Seven Stars or the Heavenly Sword, he's a human just like me!
She pulled herself together so as not to be entranced.
"Nice to meet you."
Yet at that single greeting, the cadet's soul bowed reverently from deep within her chest toward That Person.
"As you may know, I'll be in charge of you all for the next few days."
Her pores opened up.
"I am Kang Geomma."
Her heart thudded against her ribs as if trying to shatter them.
"First, I'll take questions."
Silence.
Commotion.
Action.
Snap!
Everyone raised their hands simultaneously in a synchronized, perfectly rehearsed motion.
"What on earth..."
She looked around blankly.
It felt like walking into a bamboo forest, with hundreds of pairs of arms rising like dense stalks. She was the only one left out.
The female cadet bit her lower lip. In the end, she lowered her gaze.
How humiliating.
It was humiliating, but...
Snap.
Even she, who had tried so hard to deny it, thrust her arm up to assert her presence, just like the rest of the cadets.
She, too, had grown up hearing the myth of Kang Geomma.