Chapter 28: Orphan Loved by Heaven (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 28: Orphan Loved by Heaven (2)
It was only natural, and entirely unsurprising, that the Exchange Meeting between Joaquin Academy and Parsi Academy became the talk of the town.
For seven long centuries, Joaquin Academy had virtually monopolized the education of heroes, and now Parsi had boldly thrown down the gauntlet to challenge that hegemony.
Parsi Academy challenging Joaquin, a giant that already dominated hero society—an underdog rebellion was always irresistible bait for the media.
"[Joaquin Academy is renowned as the premier hero-training institution, wielding a profound influence across the globe thanks to its rich tradition and tremendous output. However, that is not to say there haven't been contenders over the years.]"
A century ago, calls had arisen in the United States to establish an independent academy of their own. Spurred by this, politicians made their moves, but...
"[Can anything truly overcome tradition, one wonders?]"
The panelist posed the question, baiting a response from the audience.
"[Whether due to a gap in know-how, American institutions ultimately failed to become true rivals to Joaquin Academy...]"
In short, their results sucked.
"Throwing money around doesn't mean talented people will magically sprout like mushrooms after rain."
In this world, money wasn't everything. No matter how wealthy you were, a 'Blessing' could not be bought. The reason noble society remained rigid and corrupt without crumbling was precisely because of Blessings—something money could never buy.
The United States was still the undisputed superpower here, built on the same foundation as a newly emerged nation. While South Korea boasted a history spanning thousands of years, the US was a mere three hundred years old.
Only a handful of nobles had laid down roots in America. After all, those who were living comfortably in their own homelands had no reason to uproot themselves and start fresh across the ocean.
As a result, America was bloated with wealth but lacking in true substance—a nation best described as a flashy, hollow shell.
To me, as someone who had transmigrated here, it was quite amusing: in this world, the United States harbored a deep inferiority complex toward South Korea. So they tried everything in their power to get under Korea's skin.
Watching America burn with jealousy instead of marveling at Korea's technological prowess was a lethal dose of nationalistic pride.
However, this time, that nationalistic fire had sparked off in the wrong direction.
"[But what's this?! The United States has just released an official statement declaring lavish support for this Academy Exchange Meeting! Corporate funding is slated to pour in, totaling an astounding 100 billion won! In addition to boosting the existing prize pool, the President announced through a spokesperson their ambition to lay a firm foundation for this historic first Exchange Meeting...]"
Are they insane? Burning that much money on an academy exchange meet? If they have money to burn, they should just donate it.
And calling it "support" was just a diplomatic cover.
"That's just a blatant declaration that they're taking Parsi's side."
The venue for the Exchange Meeting was Parsi Academy. They weren't even hiding their intention to pour money into Parsi's lap.
"[Lastly, under US leadership, this Exchange Meeting will be broadcast simultaneously worldwide! As a reminder, NBS holds the exclusive broadcast rights in South Korea, so please...]"
"They really aren't trying to hide it."
I already knew they lacked the courage to confront me directly. That was why they were expressing their discontent in such a petty manner. After all, the US President had gotten cocky with me right before the 2nd Human-Demon War and ended up dying a sudden, violent death.
"[Although Joaquin Academy is located in South Korea, we at NBS, for the sake of fairness, will also give Parsi...!]"
The panelist rattled on without pausing to catch his breath. Unable to stomach any more of it, my blood boiling, I snapped the TV off.
The scale has gotten way too big.
It was originally a large-scale event.
But now, it had transformed into a global spectacle watched not just by hero society, but by people all around the world. Judging by the reactions of the panelists and studio audience, it was practically on par with the Olympics.
Those American bastards. They probably won't pull cheap tricks to force a victory for Parsi Academy, but...
Their desire to see Joaquin lose was 100% genuine. That was why they were broadcasting it far and wide like this—a divide-and-conquer strategy.
"Because under normal circumstances, people would naturally expect Joaquin to win."
By emphasizing that Parsi Academy was the underdog, they were hyping up the public. If Joaquin won, it was treated as the bare minimum; if Parsi lost, people would still praise them for "fighting a good fight." That was the underlying narrative—the tentative conclusion I drew from watching the broadcast.
Clench.
I clenched my jaw tight.
"At this rate, Joaquin Academy stands to gain nothing real."
Even if we won the Exchange Meeting, erasing Parsi Academy from the map would prove difficult. Doing so would prompt the US to raise a massive stink about power trips and tyranny.
Should I just flip the whole table?
...The thought crossed my mind, but I shook my head.
"Get a grip. You're not on your own anymore."
Old habits from my days as an orphan were still lingering.
In the past, I could run wild according to my temper without anyone holding me back, but not anymore. Now, I had a family to take responsibility for.
Rising from my seat, I pressed my forehead against the cool windowpane. Cooling off my temper, I organized my thoughts.
Joaquin needs to be fully prepared as well.
Since the broadcast was already out and public attention was unavoidable, I had to lay the groundwork to ensure the best possible outcome once the dust settled—win or lose.
I pulled my forehead away from the window and made a call.
"It's me."
If Parsi and the US were throwing money around...
"You know why I'm calling without me having to say it."
...Then Joaquin Academy would answer with brute force and influence.
"Make it happen."
I, Kang Geomma, started as an orphan, but in the end, I had people by my side in abundance.
* * *
Ten years had passed since Lancelot Company—the premiere hero agency representing the United States of America, colloquially known as LanCom—severed its sordid ties with the political realm.
They had delivered a massive middle finger to the White House, which had relentlessly squeezed them on suspicions of tax evasion, by becoming flawless, model taxpayers.
Of course, fitting for the superpower of all superpowers, the taxes amounted to a mind-boggling sum, but freedom always came with a bitter price tag.
Regardless.
Thanks to that, LanCom's two franchise stars—All Mute Kahn Elizabeth and Bongseon Rachel de Myura—could move with far greater freedom. Furthermore, their chemistry was so fantastic that both saw their popularity skyrocket as a duo. Within the US, their status almost rivaled that of the Heavenly Sword himself.
Rachel barging in unannounced had also become a staple of All Mute's daily routine.
"Unnie!"
Coolly skipping the knock, Rachel opened her eyes wide.
For once, All Mute had guests. Three of them, no less—and every single one was a familiar face to Rachel.
"Bongseon is always bursting with energy~"
Head of the Iron King Family, Mao Rang the Iron Leg.
"She's young, after all. At that age, you could chew through rocks, couldn't you?"
Saki Hina, Prime Minister of Japan and Ryozo's half-sister.
"..."
Chloe had also joined this summit.
As a side note, Chloe had achieved massive success in the food service industry. Thanks to her sharp business acumen, she had even gotten her company listed on the US stock market in a short period of time.
She fully qualified to sit in on this grand meeting. In America, being rich made you royalty in your own right.
On top of that, hailing from the Auditore Family meant Chloe satisfied the criteria on multiple fronts.
"...What is everyone doing here?"
"We were having a meeting. And Rachel, could you please knock for once?"
All Mute scolded her while pressing a palm to her aching head.
"Nyahahaha! If I knock, I feel like the door will break!"
"Excuses... Just sit down."
"Wait, that's not what's important right now!"
"You mean the White House cozying up to Parsi?"
Mao Rang gave a sly smile.
"How... how did you hear about that so fast...?"
"Because all of us received a call from the Heavenly Sword."
Saki Hina spoke, lightly covering her mouth with a folding fan.
"Otherwise, why else would the four of us gather like this?"
"Wh-What?! Why was I the only one left out!"
"Because you aren't the head of an organization..."
Rachel's eyes snapped toward Chloe, who had added that softly.
"Look at that little girl, all grown up."
"In more ways than one, she's grown bigger than you, Rachel-san."
"..."
"Stop the squabbling and sit down."
Rachel sulkily pouted her lower lip out, but flopped into a chair anyway—albeit sitting completely crooked.
"Look at you, sulking like a kid."
"That's because she's an adult in body only~"
"A petty child with big breasts."
"Hey, Chloe!"
After a moment of boisterous commotion, All Mute brought up the main topic.
Mao Rang, Saki Hina, and Chloe Auditore had indeed all been contacted by the Heavenly Sword individually.
However, the specific details had only been shared with All Mute, who had ties to the current situation in the US. There were several reasons for this.
Kang Geomma had a mountain of his own work to handle, so he couldn't explain everything in detail to all four of them.
Furthermore, it was as plain as day that the other three women would engage in subtle power struggles over who got called first.
All Mute wasn't the type to get dragged into such games. She prioritized her company above all else.
"—And that's everything I was told."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Amid the heavy atmosphere, All Mute added:
"There's no pressure. The Heavenly Sword said he respects your choices completely. He openly admitted, 'This is purely an appeal based on our personal bonds.' So if anyone feels burdened, feel free to step back anytime. Everyone here carries heavy responsibilities. Putting personal feelings aside, I want you to answer based purely on practical interest."
"Japan will follow the Heavenly Sword's wishes."
Saki Hina snapped her folded fan upward.
"The Principal of Joaquin is my sister, after all. Staying silent now would look odd in many ways. That should serve as a sufficient justification, wouldn't you say?"
"Not bad."
All Mute nodded in agreement.
"The Iron King Family also backs Joaquin."
All Mute asked Mao Rang:
"Your justification?"
"With America—currently our rival—siding with Parsi, wouldn't it make sense for China to back Joaquin?"
"...Barely plausible, but acceptable."
Saki Hina and Mao Rang had cast their votes for Joaquin—and for the Heavenly Sword. Naturally, all eyes turned to Chloe.
"I..."
The words that followed left everyone startled. Rachel choked on her breath, coughing before staring blankly at Chloe.
"Cough, cough! Did I mishear that?"
"...I will do anything for the Heavenly Sword."
Chloe murmured darkly.
"Literally anything."
A dark crimson flame blazed in her eyes.
* * *
As we prepared under the spotlight of global attention, time flowed mercilessly fast.
It was busy, but productive—thanks to Princess Victoria faithfully following my curriculum.
I thought she'd be half-hearted about it, considering our conflicting stances.
But the princess was a model student. Despite a grueling schedule that warranted plenty of complaints, she tackled it without a single word of grievance.
Forget complaints; there wasn't even any personal conversation between us. We stuck strictly to business and parted ways as soon as we were done.
Every time, Princess Victoria seemed to hesitate as if she had something to say, before resigning herself and walking away.
After a fruitful preparation period, I suggested she take a break today. She adamantly refused at first, but I overruled her. Only after I insisted that rest was necessary to maintain high recovery elasticity did the princess finally nod, looking deflated.
"I told you. Regardless of her stance, she's impeccable as a student."
Ryozo said as she drew her bowstring back. Her gaze remained pinned on the distant target.
She visited the academy archery range whenever she had a moment. She believed there was no better way to train the mind than archery. I sympathized completely. For me, if I didn't hold a sashimi knife, I felt needles in my hands.
Anyway, I had come to the archery range to deliver a report and see Ryozo. With only a week left, it would be tough to meet separately over the next few days. Ryozo was extraordinarily busy ensuring there were no administrative gaps during the Exchange Meeting.
"At least until the Exchange Meeting ends, she'll remain cooperative. As for what comes after, even I can't say."
I leaned against the doorframe, chatting with Ryozo.
"How are things going with Leon and Abel?"
"It seems the second-year student Abel is training is walking a fine line. Her talent is average, but Abel picked her as a representative because she appreciated her hard work."
"What about Chae Lina, my cousin who Leon's training?"
"He says she's great."
Ryozo released the bowstring. The arrow flew true, embedding itself dead center into the target, its fletching quivering.
After staring at the target for a moment, Ryozo exhaled a warm breath. She leaned her bow against the wall and slid her back down against the wall next to me.
"He says in terms of raw talent, she might even surpass him."
She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
"Maybe your bloodline is the greatest in all of humanity, Geomma."
Not a chance.
Both she and I are solitary orphans.
"..."
...Right?
"Come to think of it, Geomma, this is where we first talked."
Ryozo said out of nowhere.
Now that I think about it...
Ryozo had been sleeping after ditching class back then. Her very first words to me were, "Got any sweet red bean jelly?" wasn't it?
And I, standing before Ryozo who was glaring at me with eyes like sandpaper, threw a sashimi knife...
I was a total lunatic.
I'm definitely going to be kicking my blankets in shame tonight.
Seeing my face turn pale with embarrassment, Ryozo let out a soft chuckle. She nudged over and rested her body against my legs.
"Geomma, I'm so grateful that you care about me. But don't hate the students."
Morning sunlight cast a gentle glow over Ryozo. The light bathing her face carved a pair of shadows onto the wooden floor.
"Making mistakes is just part of growing."
"..."
She was right.
"Look at you, a true Academy Principal now."
"I'm a quick learner, you know?"
Ryozo tapped her temple with her index finger and giggled. I chuckled along, my shoulders shaking.
We chatted in the quiet archery range before leaning against each other to take a nap. The spring breeze warmed us and the verdant field outside.
It was warm.
In this moment, it felt as though heaven truly favored me—for real.
-Orphan Loved by Heaven. End.
* * *
A week later.
The morning of the Exchange Meeting finally dawned.