Chapter 72: Joaquin Graduate School (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: Joaquin Graduate School (1)
The Heavenly Sword swung his blade.
Right into empty air.
That was all he did.
—Kgh...
A labored groan repeatedly echoed in Garyeon’s ears. She swallowed hard along with it, her throat parched dry.
Even without looking, she could picture the Emperor clutching his eye and groaning in pain. (Since she normally wore a blindfold, she tended to picture specific images in her head anyway.)
Garyeon felt an utterly strange sensation. She had served the Emperor for over ten years.
In all that time, had the Emperor ever shown any distinct sign of bodily weakness? He was a machine-like man who seemed as if he wouldn't even blink.
Yet that man was now gasping for breath. Though his breathing had crossed the ocean via the 'Blessing of Telepathic Transmission', it felt noticeably ragged and unstable.
“It’s nothing major. I merely severed the line connecting this knowledge to the ‘Infinite Archives.’”
“…Ah, uh, um.”
What does that even mean? Garyeon looked entirely baffled despite hearing his explanation. Her chapped lips merely twitched.
Kang Geomma offered no further explanation. Even if he explained more, she wouldn't understand anyway.
Garyeon had shifted her allegiance to this side. She had intentionally leaked the plan regarding the Black Dogs' legitimization to Kang Geomma.
It must have been a life-risking gamble for her.
Therefore, giving no explanation whatsoever felt...
Well.
How should he put it?
A bit too rude?
A tiny pang of conscience pricked his chest. That was why he had bothered to vaguely drop a hint about the effect of the Blessing of the Sword God.
How she interprets it is up to her.
Kang Geomma sheathed Murasame at his waist.
“Just in case, what’s the passcode for these suitcases?”
“It’s 0000……”
“Figures.”
“……!”
Garyeon felt a chill run down the back of her neck. Having no concept of a "universal default passcode," she was profoundly shocked.
Looking back later, she would realize it wasn't something to react so intensely to.
Given the situation, however:
...Lord Heavenly Sword is a hero who dealt a valid blow to His Majesty across the continent with a single stroke of his sword...
He can probably read my mind as effortlessly as stealing a bite of someone else's instant noodles.
Can that man even be considered human?
People worshiped and feared the Heavenly Sword as a demigod. Taking purely his combat power into account, he truly was a demigod.
But Garyeon wanted to add her own commentary on that.
Heavenly Sword Kang Geomma was not "tough on the outside, soft on the inside."
He is tough on the outside, tough on the inside...
How could anyone live up to his name so completely!
Garyeon let out a subtle gasp. Her delusional train of thought, sparked by "0000," burned furiously. She took off her blindfold and neatly folded it.
Trying to hide anything from Lord Heavenly Sword is an act of utter disrespect.
Internally, Garyeon was now seriously considering joining the Heavenly Demon Cult, Kang Geomma's fan club.
Regardless of her inner turmoil...
Clank, clatter.
On his end, Kang Geomma popped open the suitcases one by one. A musty smell hit his face.
He took out a book and dusted it off. Flipping it open at random, he saw the exact knowledge he had requested written inside.
Flip, flip.
The pages turned lightly. Since it was merely a dry list of facts in print, secondary processing of the information seemed necessary.
Compiling a textbook will lay the groundwork for the graduate school.
Of course, organizing this information and writing a textbook based on it would be Choi Seol-ah's job. There was no special reason—Choi Seol-ah was experienced in this, wasn't she?
Choi Seol-ah, accept your original sin.
Once a graduate student, always a graduate student. That was what she had muttered with a furrowed brow right before parting ways with Yoo Se-in.
Episode: Joaquin Graduate School
Uncharacteristically, I was completely absorbed in reading.
As you well know, I am a possessor. Even though this world is a legitimate worldline rather than just a game world, that fact remains unchanged.
Likewise, my special privilege remains intact: my foundational knowledge of Miracle Blessing M. Although I quit the game right around the mid-game point, I had been curious about the rest of the story, so I thoroughly read up on the main characters' fates and world lore on Kkeomuwiki.
The magic written in these books is part of that, too.
– Setting
I used to read it bit by bit before going to bed. It was a comfort game of mine after all, so I was curious about its setting.
Though it wasn't described in detail.
For reference, heroes have virtually no knowledge of magic. Educational institutions, starting with Joaquin Academy, do not teach magic.
Not only is teaching it unnecessary, but even if they knew about it, there are no proper countermeasures against it.
The only ones who could be called experts...
...were the villains, but due to their awful character, they were officially stamped as Class 1 Endangered Species.
By whom? Me.
The sole survivor is Choi Seol-ah. There might be others hiding somewhere like rats, but none of them would be as competent as Choi Seol-ah.
Now that all the Corps Commanders—well, all except Lycan—are dead, there are practically no demons left to form contracts with. And the dragons, the highest-ranking demons, have no interest in the Human Realm except for Hontail.
The reality is that qualified manpower to process this information has dried up. It's self-evident that Choi Seol-ah is the right person to act as supervisor.
However, I thought it best for me to double-check everything first.
In conclusion, that judgment was correct.
“Not bad.”
Closing the book, I turned my gaze toward Garyeon. She stood with her hands politely clasped.
“Why did you take off your blindfold?”
“Because I do not wish to hide a single thing from you, Lord Heavenly Sword. If you desire, anything else as well—”
“Please stop saying things like that!”
That was when the VIP lounge door burst open. The sound of footsteps clacking in high heels echoed menacingly.
Ryozo, with her small face and blue eyes sparkling like carved ice crystals. Abel, whose snow-white skin was translucent enough to reveal the subtle faintness of her veins. My two women stormed in like a raiding party...
Garyeon was stunned. Shock washed over her—first at their beauty, then at their status, and finally because she wasn't wearing her blindfold.
Yet Garyeon was the Royal Steward who had served the Machine Emperor for ten years. Her trembling eyelashes stilled in an instant.
“It is an honor to meet Lady Saki Ryozo, the Immortal Archer and Principal of Joaquin, who devotes herself to nurturing the next generation—and Lady Abel von Nibelung, the Sword Princess, the flower of hero society.”
Garyeon piled on the grand titles.
“…….”
“…….”
Even so, Ryozo and Abel maintained chilly expressions. Garyeon looked embarrassed, wondering if she had committed a faux pas.
Ryozo and Abel scrutinized Garyeon as if measuring her up. Then, after darting a brief glance at me, their faces instantly brightened. Goosebumps broke out across my skin.
“Pleased to meet you. You're from the Imperial Court, right? It must have been a tough journey coming all this way.”
Ryozo extended a hand to initiate a handshake. Garyeon shook it hesitantly.
“It's not so grand as to earn the Principal's concern, but thank you for the warm welcome. Thanks to your thoughtful consideration, Principal, the future of Joaquin feels all the brighter.”
“No need for modesty. Working in the Imperial Court, you must be a top-tier talent over 'there.' As principal, I can only apologize for failing to give you proper VIP treatment.”
Abel joined in.
“Why don't we do this, Ryozo? Why don't we entertain our guest properly? According to noble etiquette, mistreating someone from the Imperial Court would make us a laughingstock.”
“Right~ right.”
Ryozo nodded her head stiffly like a wooden puppet.
“Hosting a guest amidst a pile of suitcases like this wouldn't reflect well on Joaquin Academy~ Let's move elsewhere, shall we? There's a raw fish restaurant we frequent.”
“I-I……”
Garyeon was completely flustered by their overwhelming hospitality. She awkwardly forced up the corners of her mouth and looked at me for help, but I avoided her gaze. My own blood was drying up in anxiety.
“…I am truly grateful for your kindness, but I must return to my country early tomorrow morning, so I regretfully……”
“I see. It's fine, it's fine.”
“Indeed. Since you're from the Imperial Court, you must be extremely busy.”
Wow. A bitter, sweet taste filled my mouth.
They say there's an axe blade under a woman's tongue.
My sashimi slicing techniques couldn't even compare to that.
“Thank you for your understanding. Every single person associated with Joaquin truly leads by example as a hero. I must take this lesson back to educate others at the Imperial Palace.”
Garyeon subtly pulled her blindfold back into place. The gazes that had been fixed on her briefly turned toward me.
The one who broke the silence was...
“‘Our Geomma’ set an example as a hero? I wonder how exactly he did that?”
Sure enough, it was Saki Ryozo.
“Lord Heavenly Sword's every action was thoroughly proactive. In a positive way, of course.”
Garyeon calmly responded. Hiding her eyes definitely gave her an advantage in conversation.
“You certainly view our Geomma favorably,” Abel said nonchalantly.
“Anyone who views Lord Heavenly Sword unfavorably is the strange one. I am aware such sentiment has been forming recently, but I believe those people are simply shortsighted fools.”
The Royal Steward's three-inch tongue was not to be underestimated. Her manner of speaking radiated the sheer willpower of someone fighting for survival. Garyeon continued:
“Furthermore, Lord Heavenly Sword possesses... how should I say... all the virtues a true hero should hold, which might explain why people have such strong likes and dislikes regarding him.”
“If he's a true hero, does that mean 'heroes love beauty'?”
“That as well... Pardon?”
“Pardon?”
Oh no. Garyeon had stepped right onto the landmine Ryozo had carefully buried in her words.
“N-N-No. That's not what I meant.”
“Just a joke, a joke. Hahaha.”
“Ha, haha……”
“Does it sound like a joke?”
“……”
The sharp-edged interrogation continued for about another hour.
Garyeon, who had originally planned to stay overnight nearby, urgently summoned her private jet. Flying at night might be dangerous, but it was nowhere near as dangerous as the terrifying pressure emanating from Ryozo and Abel.
After Garyeon left, I was subjected to a five-hour hearing before finally being released.
Since I hadn't done anything guilty regarding the 'Imperial Court,' my innocence was officially recognized.
“You know I love you, right, Geomma?”
“Of course our Geomma wouldn't do something like that.”
“…Yeah……”
Ryozo and Abel clasped my arms on either side and leaned their heads against me. Held in that position, I thought:
If this is what it feels like to be a graduate student trapped by a professor...
Then I can completely understand why Choi Seol-ah was so utterly disgusted by the idea.
Gulp.
At the same time, an eerie chill ran down my spine, tingling near my tailbone where the nerve clusters were dense.
Maybe... just maybe...
I'm going to end up proudly listed among the greatest traitors in history. The crime? Assisting in the creation of a graduate school...
Already, I seem to hear the wails of modern-day slaves who will one day wander the underworld.
* * *
I had secured the most crucial material.
From then on, everything proceeded smoothly. The next day, Abel summoned the president of Korea's leading construction company to the academy. As on Earth, Korea's construction industry is the best in the world. That's an indisputable fact.
“Ohhh! What an honor this is for us!”
Upon hearing the outline of the plan, the president was overwhelmed with emotion.
He was proud to participate in such a historical moment.
“So, what about the construction cost?”
“Hmm. Roughly... about this much?”
Being proud was one thing, but there was no bargaining.
“It's hardly a substitute, but we will deploy all available personnel!”
“You're still taking the full amount, right?” Abel asked.
“We will cover any additional fees ourselves. We never skimp on investments in educational institutions.”
Still, the initial sum was breathtakingly huge.
Does it matter?
I'm planning to bleed it out of the Emperor's wallet anyway, so the financial damage to us will be minimal.
“We will also use top-tier building materials. Naturally, we promise to construct a building that won't ruin the beautiful scenery of Joaquin Academy.”
Ryozo bit into a piece of sweet red bean jelly and spoke:
“We will also pay special attention to the invoice so that your company receives favorable tax benefits. So please design it with safety as priority number one and priority number two.”
“Of course. We'll make sure it looks aesthetically magnificent as well. If you like, shall we sketch out a rough design right here?”
“If possible, please.”
The president cleared away his teacup and placed down a tablet PC. When he touched the screen, light burst forth from the tablet.
A 3D holographic blueprint flickered above our heads. The president asked for our opinions. Ideas were exchanged back and forth, shaping the structure as they were incorporated.
“Is there a building you'd like to use as a motif, Principal? Anything is fine. We are taking care of the budget, so please feel free to speak your mind.”
“…Hmm. Given where Joaquin Academy is located, I'd like it to incorporate some Korean elements. But I'm not sure if that would blend well with the Western-style academy buildings.”
“It's no problem at all. Greek temple architecture and traditional Hanok share several similarities. For instance……”
The lump of digital data, once like raw clay, took on a plausible shape, as if a coil of clay were being molded on a potter's wheel.
I stood watching with my arms crossed.
Though I was in the same space, mentally I felt detached from the three of them.
How strange.
"Strange all over again" felt like the right way to put it.
Ten years ago, in this very spot, I was the one receiving a scolding from Medea.
Yet now, together with Ryozo and Abel, I am shaping the future of Joaquin to cement the legacy of my foster father, Balor Joaquin.
If the old man saw this, what would he have said?
The old man I knew...
He would grumble gruffly for no good reason,
yet casually drop a single word of praise at the very end.
A typical patriarchal figure who could never be honest with his feelings.
Perhaps that was why.
I found myself wishing for an impossible reunion with the Boss. I had so many stories to tell him, and so many things I wanted to hear from him.
Above all, I wanted to tell him how I felt now: Thanks to you, my life finally has meaning. If I ever got the chance, I would definitely say those words to him.
If the chance ever comes...
Listening to the adults' conversation, I turned my gaze out the window. Today's weather was somewhat overcast.
Miraculously, an airplane raced across the sky. Its contrail sliced through the dark clouds.
Accumulated sunlight poured down—upon our sanctuary.
Glory to the Hero of the Origin.
My heart fluttered. For some reason, a dimple formed on my cheek.