Chapter 93: Favored Teacher (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 93: Favored Teacher (2)
“Ooh.”
The Painting Professor gasped in admiration. His eyes were pinned to Victoria’s painting.
“Marvelous, Your Highness.”
Behind the professor, the graduate students crowded together to look at the painting. They all wore similar expressions.
“This feeling that is both violent and tender! It’s rough and crude, yet that very quality forces you to focus on the structure...!”
“You flatter me, Professor.”
“Flatter you? Not at all, Your Highness is simply being modest.”
The graduate students seemed to agree.
Just as the professor said, Victoria’s painting exuded a distinct power. Something unprecedented burst through the canvas, overwhelming anyone who looked upon it.
The color dominating the canvas was purely black. The rough outlines made it difficult to discern at a glance, but judging by the shape, it was the back of a person—and a very familiar one at that.
The man was whipping his reins. Dust whipped around him, and where he stared, a speck like the entrance of a tunnel sparkled. The event named ‘Skoll and Hati.’ It was a scene from that moment.
Come to think of it, how are Skoll and Hati doing these days? If I recall correctly, the last thing I heard was that the Outer Gods Cult took them in.
“The subject itself is nothing particularly special, but the fact that Your Highness is the artist makes this painting truly extraordinary.”
And indeed, Victoria had formed a master-disciple pair with the Heavenly Sword during the Parsi Exchange Meeting.
She had chosen that memory as her representation of "The Happiest Moment."
A moment that brought glory to Joaquin, combined with respect for her master. As an educator, how could he not adore it?
Victoria gave a subtle shrug.
That wasn't entirely my intention, though.
Still, this effectively burned into the graduate students' minds the fact that her relationship with Kang Geomma was decidedly special.
It was a bit tacky for an imperial princess to show off over something like this, but since the Heavenly Sword was everyone's idol, this much was acceptable.
Just then, another shade of black caught the professor's eye.
The subject was black, and the artist painting it was draped in black as well. It was Chae Lina, well known as Kang Geomma’s cousin. She had been quietly doing her work out of the spotlight until she triggered the professor’s radar.
“Oh, oh...!”
The professor gasped repeatedly in amazement.
As he hurried over, the graduate students scurried after him like a swarm of mice. Victoria, too, followed with a pouting expression.
Stroking his chin, the professor thoroughly scrutinized the painting. Then, with a conflicted expression, he asked Chae Lina:
“This is an exceptionally well-drawn piece, but it seems a bit distant from today’s topic, Student Lina.”
Indeed.
Victoria thought.
The painting was utterly gloomy.
The background was slathered in pitch black, and right in the center, a man was bringing down a blade. While undoubtedly skillfully painted, anyone could see that this scene was completely detached from the keyword "Happiness."
“...No.”
Chae Lina reached out her hand.
“I am happiest when I watch him like this.”
Chae Lina’s fingertips stroked the man’s cheek on the canvas.
Episode. Favored Teacher
I fled from All-Power’s lab as if running for my life.
‘Mind if I borrow your husband for a bit?’
At All-Power’s words, our three-way meeting had nearly spiraled into catastrophe. Just hearing that sentence made the fallout painfully obvious.
Fortunately, Ryozo and Abel had grown mature enough not to take every word someone blurted out literally.
Even so, the glares piercing into me stung fiercely. Probably because I had been alone with a stark-naked All-Power.
Then again...
Even knowing the truth, it was natural for them to be angry. If they didn't bat an eye in a situation like that, it would mean their feelings for me had cooled. It was because their feelings for me ran so deep that Ryozo and Abel reacted so sensitively.
“...Tonight is going to be a nightmare.”
Since I postponed damage control, I needed to devise a plausible defense.
I admit it. I'm clumsy when it comes to stuff like this. When things get awkward, I tend to run away from the situation.
Whenever that happens, I basically turn into a human candle. Contrary to my blazing presence in combat, my presence fades to practically nothing. Not to mention I pour out sweat like melting candle wax.
If the God of Sword, who gave me his blessing, saw me like this, he’d probably lose his mind.
Ah, who cares? I'm the Sword God now anyway.
“Talking nonsense again... I really must be troubled.”
I muttered to myself as I walked.
I know it’s a bad habit.
I know, but...
It’s hard to fix. It’s a trait rooted deep inside me.
Above all, considering I spent decades as a solo-since-birth virgin... reading people’s hearts isn’t easy.
“......”
Suddenly, a strange thought crosses my mind.
Not a question about my long history of being single. Even I know why I wasn't popular.
Anyway.
The reason I feel this sense of dissonance:
Why do I always dodge awkward situations?
I, Kang Geomma, am not someone with such a soft personality. Storming out with a loud "Screw this!" fits me way better.
A furrow forms between my brows. My deliberation deepens. After wandering aimlessly for a while, I arrive at a conclusion.
...Could I be subconsciously suffering from some kind of trauma?
You know how some people who go through traumatic accidents erase memories of the moment from their minds?
Even to me, it's an absurd conclusion. But without a hypothesis like this, I can't make sense of my own behavior—specifically, how I turn tail and run whenever Ryozo and Abel get fierce.
Besides, ever since I fully adapted to this life, memories of my past life have been fading. It's the typical dilution that happens to possessed individuals.
But looking back on my past life properly now feels off too. The life of Kim OO was smeared with black stains. Digging into it would only ruin my mood.
I have enough on my plate as it is.
I need to prevent Chloe's blessing awakening. I have to locate the Villain Syndicate's hideout. It's awkward, but I'll need to contact the Emperor soon too. And...
I turned around.
Lush street trees cast shadows over me. Sunlight glimmers through the leaves, revealing glimpses of the scenery between them. Joaquin Academy.
The world I protected.
The world I must continue to protect.
“The Second Apocalypse will come soon too.”
Quite some time had passed since the Parsi Massacre. It was around the time when memories of that day were gradually fading from people’s minds.
Times like this are perfect for shit to hit the fan. It’s a gut feeling I’ve honed through experience.
Dark clouds will hang overhead before long. That's why I've been bustling around like crazy trying to clear out my backlog of tasks.
If I prepare thoroughly before trouble strikes, my response will be much faster.
What I realized from that Apocalypse incident: the supernatural phenomena that have occurred and will occur are more than I can handle on my own.
In a situation like this, I can't be fumbling around over some hypothetical PTSD I don't even know if I have.
In these turbulent times, prioritizing my personality flaws would be embarrassing.
Right now, I need to resolve Chloe's blessing awakening first. At this rate, Chloe will go berserk.
A yandere going berserk, huh?
My heart swells with awe already.
“Still, it was a good move to visit Lady All-Power right away.”
Meain focused on grafting the essence of blessings and magic together. Even smart Ryozo nodded in agreement with that.
Based on that recent information, grasping a clue to solving the blessing awakening is the top priority. To do that, I'll need to interact with the graduate faculty more frequently.
But if magic and blessings are more similar in nature than I thought...
Does magic also have a concept of "Awakening" like blessings do? I don't dig deeply into magic. Magic is my backup, while sashimi slicing is my main specialty.
Here's another interesting fact:
Even Lycan, the originator of lightning-attribute magic, doesn't actually have a deep understanding of his own magic.
Lycan is like me. He also prefers brutal hand-to-hand combat. He views lightning-attribute magic as just a utility tool. Calling Lycan out to ask if he knows about magic awakening would obviously yield no results.
...To think I have the 1st Corps Commander as my avatar and still have no one to consult about magic...
A sigh escaped me. I ruffled my hair and resumed walking.
“Huh.”
The scent of flowers drifted on the wind.
Someone unexpected was there.
Victoria was sitting on a bench, looking up at the sky. As I looked up with her, her palms caught my eye. They were pitch black. Did she dig through a pile of charcoal or something?
“Ah.”
Sensing my presence, she startled. The focus quickly returned to her blank eyes.
When Victoria tentatively tried to stand up, I gestured for her to sit back down.
If anyone moved, it should be me. Why should the person who was here first get up?
Just as I quietly turned away, Victoria's voice caught my heels.
“Heavenly Sword-nim. Um...”
I turned my gaze back to her. Hesitating, Victoria plucked up her courage and continued.
“When was... your happiest moment, Heavenly Sword-nim?”
Suddenly?
As I tilted my head, a flush rushed to Victoria’s cheeks. Even her ears turned red like cherry tomatoes. Is steam going to come out of her head at this rate?
“N-No special meaning behind it! It was just today's painting class topic. Since I ran into you by chance, I just thought I'd ask. If it's awkward to answer... it's fine.”
“What’s so awkward about it?”
I strolled over and sat beside her. The bench jolted slightly. Stiffening up, Victoria fixed her eyes straight ahead. Why is she so nervous?
Brushing aside my confusion, I thought of an appropriate answer to her question.
Happiest moment, huh...
It's a tough one.
Not because I had too few samples, but quite the opposite.
There were so many that picking just one felt wrong.
But Victoria didn't seem to be asking about mundane, everyday happiness.
Something more fundamental.
“My happiest moment was...”
I rubbed my thumb against the chest of my coat. A reassuring texture rested inside my top pocket.
“...probably when I first held a sword.”
The day I picked up the sashimi knife.
The day I was given a goal in life for the first time.
It was the moment that allowed me to briefly escape the shadows of the past and dream of the future. Whether in my past life or this life, the sashimi knife had saved me.
“...I see.”
Victoria’s eyes somehow turned somber. She looked like a drenched cat. Did I say something wrong?
“It seems I... still lack an understanding of you, Heavenly Sword-nim...”
Victoria murmured bitterly.
“An understanding of me?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
She scrambled up hastily. Dusting off the leaves stuck to her skirt, she bowed to me. It looked like she was planning to leave just like that, leaving behind a lonely lingering aftertaste.
“Victoria.”
Now it was my turn.
“The days I spent with Your Highness were happy too. Of course, there were horrific sights, but we overcame them and we're both standing here, aren't we?”
“The moments... spent with me?”
“Yes.”
“......”
Victoria hesitated. She bit her lower lip coyly.
“I am honored you say so. I felt the same way.”
Victoria smiled softly.
“To be honest now, I used to think that you and I were inherently incompatible by nature. Paradoxically, that might be why we fit together so well in dire situations.”
“Incompatible by nature...”
It was true. Victoria, born an imperial princess, and I, a special admission student, stood at extreme opposites.
But why wasn't that single phrase passing down from my solar plexus?
Incompatibility... Compatibility...
Ah—a hammer of enlightenment struck my temple hard. I leaped to my feet like a person hit on the knee reflex nerve.
“...Heavenly Sword-nim?”
I grabbed Victoria’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Victoria.”
“P-Pardon...?”
Suddenly, the sound of a boiling kettle seemed to whistle from Victoria’s forehead.
“Thanks to you, I think I get it now.”
Not just the awakening of blessings, but magic awakening as well.
The answer was so close all along.