Chapter 29: The Academy Exchange Meet: Beginning (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29: The Academy Exchange Meet: Beginning (1)
Being selected as a representative of the academy was undeniably an honor for one's family.
Just getting accepted into Joaquin was cause enough to gather all one's relatives and throw a grand feast. This was especially true considering the customs of noble society, which valued honor far more than money.
To be chosen as a representative was a lifelong point of pride—for one's classmates, one's family, and oneself. It was something worth bragging about for the rest of one's days...
"...Um, today is the day of the competition... Did His Majesty leave any message for me...?"
The princess held the phone weakly. Even so, faint anticipation laced her voice.
[He said, "Do your best."]
The voice on the other end doused that feeble spark with cold water. It was the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household Agency, which served the British Imperial Family.
The Imperial Household Agency handled all communication between members of the imperial family. This was due to a decree from the current emperor, Victoria VIII, stating that he would not speak to any of his children prior to the war of succession. The official pretext was fairness.
"...I see."
However, Victoria knew the truth: certain imperial children even shared meals with the emperor. She was quietly alienated within the imperial family.
[He did mention that you should always keep your objective in mind.]
"Ob... jective..."
The strength drained from her body, making her almost drop the phone.
[Then I wish you good luck, Princess.]
The call ended with that dry, hollow word of encouragement.
Victoria stood frozen in her dim room for a long while. Dawn was breaking. The pale aura of daybreak slowly began to erase the horizon.
Though she was an object of envy to everyone else, in reality, no one expected anything from her.
The morning sunlight shimmered as it met the glistening trail flowing down Victoria's cheek. Wiping her face with the heel of her hand rather than a handkerchief, she prepared herself.
The long-awaited day had arrived.
Episode. The Academy Exchange Meet
This wasn't just a task for personal honor. Ryozo had promised that the three cadets chosen as representatives would be guaranteed top grades without having to take the midterm or final exams—both practical and written.
Being freed from the psychological pressure of the words "written exam" was huge. Unless one was like Ryozo or Weapon, most people naturally loathed written tests. That perk alone was enough to draw envy from the student body.
Yet no one complained. The cadets' trust in Leon, Abel, and me was surprisingly solid. Since these were the representatives we personally handpicked, no one dared object.
In fact, they went a step further, arguing that Joaquin's representatives deserved even more than that.
And I was more than happy to listen to those voices.
"S-So... there's more?"
Weapon looked flabbergasted. For this exchange meet, he had been dispatched as an agent representing the Association.
Our little alumni reunion continued even at Parsi Academy.
'Looking at us like this, we really look like a corrupt cartel.'
I raised my espresso cup with a faint, wry smile. Moistening my tongue with the bitter liquid, I added to my explanation.
"If they put on an impressive show during this exchange meet, they'll get a meeting with Lancelot Company."
"While they're still cadets?!"
It was an unprecedented perk. Currently, Lancelot Company was the dream agency for every hero. Not only did it offer astronomical salaries, but its popularity put Hollywood stars to shame.
Now that the Demons were no longer humanity's primary enemy, getting hired by Lancelot Company was the top choice for all cadets.
On a side note, it really felt like times had changed. Back in my day, the only people who wanted to be heroes were money-grabbing opportunists...
It gave me a feeling similar to seeing kids list "Neotuber" as their dream job instead of president or CEO.
"That's implicitly forbidden!"
It was understandable why Weapon was blowing his top.
The Hero Association was already suffering from a manpower shortage. The sense of crisis—that top talents might be snatched away by LanCom—was undoubtedly making him anxious.
"Whose head did that idea come out of?!"
"Mine."
That was why I had called All Mute in advance.
"..."
"I know it's bad news for the Association. But we have to motivate the cadets somehow."
At my words, Weapon faltered before speaking.
"Honestly, maybe for your cousin Chae Lina or the second-year Ji Chang-hyuk, sure. But I don't think that's going to motivate Princess Victoria. I mean, she's a princess. She's near the top of the line of succession."
"I'm trying to motivate not just the representatives, but the other cadets as well," I answered calmly. "There's no guarantee the exchange meet will end with this one. Once this is over, Parsi will hound us to hold another, and another. If they keep nagging, Ryozo will get stressed out and eventually give in."
"...T-That's probably true."
"If that's going to happen anyway, we might as well plan ahead for a second and third iteration. Weapon, you know better than anyone from experience how important precedents are."
I subtly brought up the Joaquin Council of Elders incident.
Faced with that argument, Weapon looked resigned. He could only cool his burning chest with a gulp of iced Americano.
'Now's the time to soothe him.'
Gaslighting 101.
"We partnered with LanCom this time, but let's work with the Hero Association next year. The Association is a public organization, so it takes time to roll out reward packages, right? Spend the next year hashing it out thoroughly with your people at the Association."
"Director, you really are...!"
"Which brings me to my point."
I pushed the empty espresso cup aside.
"The events for this exchange meet were decided by the Association, right?"
"Woah, woah! No way. That's cheating!"
I leaned in close, pulling my shoulder right up to his.
"Seriously, I'll keep it strictly to myself. I won't tell the cadets."
"Hey! Come on, man! Director, I didn't think you were this kind of person!"
No, seriously, I was just curious.
Old habits from my early days as a possessor were hard to shake completely. An impatient possessor was always thirsty for prior knowledge.
Weapon stubbornly tried to push me away.
He was surprisingly upright. Given how much he loved explaining things, his mouth had to be itching, yet he maintained needlessly strict professional ethics.
"I swear I'll keep it to myself."
So I pulled out the cheat code.
"I swear to God."
"...Mmmgh..."
Sorry for deceiving you, Weapon.
I swore to myself.
"Haaa..."
For Weapon, a sigh meant agreement.
"The first event is harmless even if you know it beforehand... so I'll give you a hint on just that one..."
"That's plenty."
Weapon looked around suspiciously before leaning in to whisper the event in my ear. Having heard it, I let out a brief sigh.
'What the.'
Knowing it really didn't make much of a difference, huh?
'That kind of kills the mood.'
Even if I knew, it wasn't like I planned to leak it to Joaquin's players.
Like I said, it was purely out of curiosity.
"The event itself sounds fun."
"Yoo Se-in gave us some advice."
An utterly unexpected name came up.
"Her? Why?"
"She's a total gaming addict, right? So she's sharp when it comes to that stuff. Besides, the Association has been interacting frequently with the Outer God Church lately, so we asked for her cooperation while we were at it."
"Hmm..."
In that context, it made sense, but...
'If Yoo Se-in had a hand in setting up the event, there's bound to be something extra attached.'
The secret shared only between Yoo Se-in and me nagged at the back of my mind.
Still, she hadn't mentioned anything to me directly. She probably had her own reasons. She might be a fallen Saintess, but when it came to the Apocalypse, she was dead serious.
"Ah."
Weapon suddenly clapped his hands as if realizing something. He rummaged through his bag and placed a long wooden box onto the cafe table.
"Almost forgot."
He wore a triumphant smile.
"Old man Wieland told me to deliver this to you."
My heart swelled with anticipation as well.
"He said it's the absolute masterpiece of his lifetime."
When the lid of the wooden box opened, a brilliant, pure light filled the cafe.
* * *
"Did something good happen?"
"Ah, was it that obvious?"
"...We're family, I can at least tell that much. We're about to depart. Keep a straight face, Geomma."
"As you wish, Academy Principal."
I pulled down the corners of my lips, which had been grinning ear to ear. Finding my playful response amusing, Ryozo chuckled softly and turned her gaze forward.
The grand gates of the main building stood right there.
We were right on the verge of stepping out of the academy's main hall.
Beyond these doors, a vast crowd would be gathered. Flanking both sides of a crimson carpet, a wall of people would stand, offering blessings for those who were to bring glory to Joaquin.
At least for today, any lingering divisions between friend and foe within Joaquin Academy were meaningless. Today was a day to cheer with one heart and mind for the three cadets lined up behind me and the faculty staff.
The moment Ryozo, standing at the lead, spoke up.
"Let's go."
The double doors parted, pouring forth bright sunlight. Then, despite the chill of early spring, a wave of sweltering heat and fervor welcomed us.
"Win! Joaquin! Go show them what we're made of!"
"How did Parsi become a strong team? How did Parsi become a strong team? How did Parsi become a strong team?!"
"I bet my whole life savings on the favorite!!"
"There will be no unpleasant revolt from the underdog! Joaquin's glory will be immortal and eternal!!"
Cadets and staff cheered, tossing flowers before our feet and spurring us forward with thunderous shouts.
Leaving them and Joaquin Academy behind, we stepped into the Subspace Warp.
The Subspace Barrier swallowed our group one by one.
* * *
Starting from the edges of vision, purplish light bled in before the sunset stained our faces.
Ji Chang-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut from the stinging light and opened them again. A moment later, his eyes widened.
A tunnel unfolded before his eyes. Twisted like a braided pretzel, it formed a long, looping structure. On the ground stretched a golden carpet—even flashier than the one from earlier—and along both walls, swarms of reporters flashed camera bulbs blindly into their faces. Like a pack of hyenas.
Interspersed among them were individuals who appeared to belong to Parsi. Their malicious expressions made them impossible to mistake.
"If you're going to show hostility, at least do it out in the open," Abel clicked her tongue.
Leon gave a quiet laugh and gestured toward me with his eyes. "How can they when he's standing right here?"
"..."
Abel nodded in agreement and picked up her pace.
Sharp, hostile intent continuously pricked at their skin. The cadets meekly lagged behind us adults, visibly intimidated. In the middle of enemy territory, it would be weirder if they weren't nervous.
'Well, Chae Lina is the weird one.'
She was looking around at everything as if it were fascinating.
I pulled my eyes away and looked toward the vanishing point ahead. A press conference podium had been set up ahead of the official opening ceremony for the exchange meet.
Parsi's academy principal and officials had already taken the left wing of the long stage. Naturally, we took the right wing. From Ryozo down to Chae Lina, everyone sat on the right side.
Reporters gathered in force like a swarm of bees. It was the usual press briefing.
A female reporter with a neat appearance took the first turn.
"This is the historic first exchange meet! We'd like to hear the thoughts of the Principal of Parsi Academy, the host venue."
Taking the microphone, Mr. Parsi raised his chin arrogantly.
"We are simply delighted to have the opportunity to interact with the prestigious and deeply traditional Joaquin. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sword Princess, Lady Abel, who provided the 'direct catalyst for this exchange meet,' and..."
Glint.
"...to Joaquin Academy and the other officials involved. However, the core point of this exchange meet lies in the fact that our Parsi has become an academy capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with Joaquin just ten years after opening our doors...!"
Under the eyes of the entire world, the microphone passed from Mr. Parsi through a series of businesslike hands and lips.
Mr. Parsi made an effort to praise Joaquin while simultaneously hammering home that Parsi was now on equal footing with us. With billions of people watching, he was being reasonably selective about what to say and what to hold back.
"Our Joaquin Academy..."
Starting with Ryozo, Joaquin calmly stated its thoughts. Naturally, we had to project composure and ease. That was the image of the overwhelming favorite that the entire world expected to see.
Though the microphone grew increasingly damp with saliva, the reporters' eyes were dull and listless—no doubt due to the lack of sensational material.
Those murky eyes finally sparked back to life when the microphone reached me. Even with renowned legends seated all around, the sheer difference in attention was unmistakable. For the first time in a while, I felt the sheer weight of my influence.
Wiping the microphone with a handkerchief, I brought it to my lips.
"Mutual respect is important, but an exchange meet is still fundamentally a competition."
This was a warning.
"Joaquin will not lose to Parsi."
And with that, I dropped the bait that the reporters, the public, and the world would go wild for.
"That is all."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The silence lasted only a moment.
Click, click, click, click!
Without exception, every reporter replaced their cheers with the rapid fire of camera shutters. The roars of the viewers felt like they were bursting right through the camera lenses.
Now, the stage was set.
World, go wild.