Chapter 94: A Respected Teacher (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 94: A Respected Teacher (3)
I parted ways with Victoria immediately. As I darted off somewhere in a hurry, she wore a blank expression.
“Huh? Huh?”
Then, with a soft hiss, steam leaked out from between her teeth and ears. She must have caught a cold.
“Next time. Let’s talk again next time!”
“N-Next time? When...?”
“Soon!”
I felt sorry for Victoria, but someone else was in far worse shape, so I couldn't attend to her right now.
Chloe Auditore.
A yandere, assassin, dual-personality combo.
...My mind-boggling classmate was on the verge of falling into a bottomless abyss. Though she had gifted me plenty of spine-chilling memories, Chloe was nevertheless someone precious to me. Whenever I hit a wall, she would appear like a ghost to help me out.
That was true this time, too.
Secretly wiping out the cell networks of the Villain Syndicate, she had ended up on the threshold of Awakening. If I couldn't even feel a sense of debt over that, I wouldn't be human.
'That would be way too cold-hearted.'
Just hang on a little longer, Chloe.
While I'm at it, I'll cut away the padlock of the past that's trapping you.
Episode. A Respected Teacher
I had to devise a method within today. Still, I had caught the thread. That was what mattered.
Rustle, rustle.
Blades of grass growing under the spring sunshine tickled my ankles.
Feeling the vernal equinox at my ankles, I pressed forward, repeatedly mulling over my thunderous enlightenment. With an urgent heart, I picked up my pace.
“Compatibility...”
It was a word I wasn't likely to forget while walking, yet I repeated it over and over, like piecing together fragments of a dream.
Compatibility.
You could call it a sort of synergy that occurs when different properties successfully mesh together. I intended to apply this concept to Blessings and magic.
'According to Meain's explanation, the Awakening of a Blessing is a phenomenon that occurs when the amount of incoming information exceeds a human's processing speed.'
I was reminded of when I first manifested the Blessing of the Sword God. Looking back now, it was similar to an Awakening Blessing.
However, the difference between me and ordinary Blessing Awakeners was my body. Specifically, because "Lycan's Body" absorbed the strain of the Blessing of the Sword God, I was able to avoid losing control during Awakening.
Had it been an ordinary body, I wouldn't have lived out my natural lifespan.
'Chills, seriously.'
I smoothed down the goosebumps rising on my skin, then mentally weighed the feasibility of the hypothesis I had just formed.
“It's possible. I can do it.”
A word came to mind from the concept of compatibility:
'Mutual Conflict.'
Awakening of a Blessing.
Pit its opposing property against it.
'Mix magic and Blessing together.'
To use an analogy, it was a backfire operation.
And its result—no, its special nature—was something everyone strolling through this vast academy grounds enjoyed, wasn't it?
* * *
Centuries ago.
The Seven Champions—the progenitors of the current Seven Stars—triggered Blessing Awakenings one after another.
The Boss, an Infinite Regressor, had recognized the dangers of Blessings early on. The Boss strived to save his disciples, gathering items saturated with magic power from Gehenna and placing them in Joaquin Academy. As you know, that was the secret story behind the birth of the Special Pavilion.
At the same time, it was the origin of Joaquin Academy's trademark.
Joaquin nurtures Blessing manifestors. Which meant the energy of Blessings overflowed like an endless cornucopia every year.
Those energies came into contact with the Special Pavilion and collided. To use a physical metaphor, it was like oil meeting water.
And though water and oil could never mix by nature, decades of incessant collision led the world to forge a buffer zone between them.
A dimension that exists without exerting influence.
That was a subspace, and it was the answer I had come up with.
…….
……….
………….
That roughly wrapped up my explanation.
Valerion, who had been listening quietly, picked at his lip.
“...Are you saying, Heavenly Sword, that someone on the verge of a Blessing Awakening should inject magic power into their body...?”
Before finishing his sentence, he swallowed hard.
It wasn't just Valerion. The executives of the Dragon Clan, Metatron, and the others I had summoned all shared a similar expression.
As soon as inspiration struck, I had summoned them to the Special Pavilion. Coincidentally, today was a day when the graduate students had general education classes. Every single one of them answered my summons.
I scanned their tense faces before nodding.
“Yes. I plan to turn the human body into a subspace itself.”
“...”
“...”
They seemed lost for words.
I pressed on with my argument.
“If we do that, the capacity of the human body will expand. Even if a Blessing Awakening occurs, they will be able to control it.”
In short, I was proposing to turn the human body into a subspace pocket. As expected, their reactions were lukewarm.
“Humans are mortal beings.”
Metatron weighed in, uncrossing his arms, which he had kept tightly folded all this time.
“It is precisely because they struggle and evolve within limited time and capabilities that humans are remarkable and wonderful. That is why Balor Joaquin is revered—because as a mortal, he repelled the 1st Corps Commander.”
“I think differently.”
I shook my head in disagreement.
“That's defining the limits of human potential.”
Humans...
We are great because we find answers in any situation.
“You all know as well as I do that the current situation is abnormal.”
Everyone quietly lowered their eyes. It was an acknowledgment.
“Magic power is overflowing in the Human Realm, and battle-hardened veterans are regaining their youth. I gathered you here to uncover the cause, but events are unfolding far too rapidly.”
“Yes. We keep that in mind.”
“Anomalies like this will likely happen frequently from now on. Coincidentally, the first target happens to be my friend.”
Shuuuuuu.
Rain like oil fell inside the Special Pavilion. The subtle patter of raindrops suddenly erupted into a deafening roar. All of us were soaked through, creating a solemn atmosphere.
“If anyone has a better idea, please speak up,” I asked.
“...”
“I don't want to use my friend like a test subject either. But there's no time, and this is unprecedented. As you all know, we will soon enter a new phase.”
I appealed to them while standing in the rain.
“I want to do whatever I can.”
“I understand your desperation, Heavenly Sword. However...”
Metatron, the man who was once the Archangel, spoke with stern eyes, as if scolding an immature son.
“That fleeting moment of recklessness could cause a massive upheaval in this world. There is a high probability it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
The dilemma where actions taken to avoid a predetermined future end up causing that very prophecy to be fulfilled.
“Simply injecting magic power will not suffice,” Valerion added. “If a Blessing Awakening is imminent, magic appropriate to that 'Rank' will be required. It isn't merely a matter of spell formulas.”
We had to induce an Awakening of magic on this side as well. The key concept of Awakening needed to interlock on both sides for a Mutual Conflict effect to occur. Valerion was pointing out that exact detail.
“”Even so.””
The dragon and the archangel spoke almost simultaneously.
“Will you proceed?”
I answered without hesitation.
“Yes. I will.”
“It might stir up chaos.”
“Then I'll twist it apart.”
“The concept of an Awakening of magic is also brand new. It's a field that must be pioneered from scratch.”
“It will be possible.”
“How...?”
Snap. I flicked my index finger and thumb. Bright yellow demonic flames flickered out from my eyes.
Rumble, rumble.
The surrounding pebbles began to vibrate restlessly. Gathering the lightning energy coursing through my veins into my hands, I drew Murasame. Electricity, condensed under such high pressure that it shone blue, coated the blade. The spatial fabric around the sword distorted from the electric current alone.
Thunder Fold (뇌절).
I thrust the Sashimi into the ground with a stomping stance. The yellow energy condensed around the blade seeped into the lightning-struck surface and crushed it. The entire Special Pavilion vibrated. Cracks split open. Flashes of light burst through the fissures in the earth, erupting and blazing wild.
The entire area became thick with an ominous aura. Everyone shuddered, completely overwhelmed. Their cheeks twitched as if their skin was stinging, and the tips of their hair singed. I had to demonstrate more to them. Only then would they believe me. In Gehenna, suppressing them was ultimately the only way to bridge differences of opinion.
I...
'More.'
I had to release the seal.
To save Chloe.
To prepare for the impending crisis.
An Awakening of magic alongside the Awakening of a Blessing. I had to grasp that secret truth.
'I must become stronger.'
I had a duty to do so.
I was...
Kang Geomma.
I uttered aloud,
“Mad Thunder Quaking Sword.”
Electric currents rippled like raised veins across skin. I pulled all of it toward me. The lightning energy that had been freely manipulating the earth and air rushed into me. As lightning poured down, everyone hastily scrambled backward.
The auspicious lightning gathered behind my back, sculpting itself into shape.
Ruuuumble.
It raised its long neck.
“Th-That is...”
Like a dragon.
Bzzzt—bzzzzzt—!
Scattering sparks, it spread its wings in high relief.
Like an angel.
I turned my head slightly. Behind me, a golden dragon flashed purple flames within its jaws. It roared.
KABOOM—!
Rrr...
Rrrrr...
Rrrrrumble—!
A satisfied smile spread across my lips.
It was my first time trying it, but I was pleased with the result. So I gave it quite a grand technique name.
“Mad Dragon Lightning Fang.”
Alongside the Mad Dragon, I looked down upon the Majin and the angel.
“Wouldn't you say this comes close to an Awakening of magic?”
“...”
“...”
They couldn't open their mouths easily. It seemed as though their bodies had gone beyond numb and completely frozen.
“...Heavenly Sword.”
Metatron wetted his dry lips.
“...You are not human, so why do you claim to be human...?”
I smirked faintly.
“Because humans are stronger than gods.”
“I see... Indeed.”
Metatron gave a solemn nod.
“I will cooperate.”
Next, the Dragon Clan also bowed their heads deeply.
“We will join the Heavenly Sword's sovereign path.”
“Thank you.”
I pushed off my knees and stood up.
Even after I turned around, the Dragon Clan did not raise their heads. Not until I disappeared.
Suddenly...
I recalled a question the Sword Emperor had asked me a while back—at the Succession Ceremony where I received the title of Heavenly Sword.
—How do you feel right now?
Back then, I answered like an edgy tryhard.
Ironically, I felt the exact same way now.
'Not bad.'
* * *
A few days later, in the Academy Principal's office.
Abel crossed her legs.
“Ryozo, do you know what Geomma's been up to lately?”
“Not really.”
Ryozo merely scribbled with her quill, her expression emotionless. Abel furrowed her brow before quickly smoothing her features.
“It seems like he's doing something in the Special Pavilion with the graduate faculty lately... but he won't tell me anything at all.”
“I see.”
No matter what Abel said, the feather at the end of the quill swayed gently as if nothing were amiss.
“...”
“...”
Silence.
Honestly, Abel was displeased. The number of women approaching Geomma lately had increased noticeably.
'There were always a lot, though.'
Women making eyes at Kang Geomma were a dime a dozen. It was a good thing he was oblivious.
Furthermore, thanks to Abel and Ryozo's overwhelming presence, those women hadn't approached him aggressively.
But that was now a thing of the past.
'Rachel...'
Even All-Power Meain Poison made her anxious.
She had come hoping to discuss it with Ryozo for that very reason.
Scratch, scratch.
Ryozo was always immersed in her work.
Abel clasped her hands around her knees. She twiddled her thumbs while glancing sideways at Ryozo.
The two had lived under the same roof for ten years. In truth, they had become quite informal with each other. Yet due to their circumstances and personalities, they couldn't become best friends. Whenever it was just the two of them without Geomma...
'Sometimes the air in the room feels as oppressive as fine dust.'
Abel let out a deep sigh.
Tap.
Ryozo tapped her quill against the desk.
“What on earth are you unsatisfied with?”
“...What?”
“I asked why you're so anxious.”
“Well...”
Abel narrowed her eyes.
“It's natural to worry when your husband might get caught up in scandals, isn't it? If anything, Ryozo, you're being far too insensitive right now.”
“It's not insensitivity; I've simply set my priorities. Whatever Geomma is doing in the Special Pavilion with the faculty, I'm sure he has his reasons. And as for the women throwing themselves at him, they've been around forever. I don't know why you're suddenly making a fuss about it now.”
“Haa... Fine. Forget I said anything.”
“Then leave.”
The corners of Abel's eyes flared. She spoke clearly, suppressing her emotions.
“...Ryozo, I know you work day and night for Geomma, for our family. But lately, you're far too neglectful of feelings.”
“Is now the time to indulge in feelings? You saw the Parsi Massacre. Geomma is preparing for when something like that happens again in the future. But what about you? Why are you trying to lock him in a pen under the excuse of being anxious?”
“Stop... it.”
“Stop demanding emotional support from Geomma. He's your husband, not your grandfather.”
Clatter!
Her knees slammed against the desk. Though the teacup rolled off and fell as she stood up, she turned away coldly.
“I really didn't want to say this...”
Gripping the doorknob, Abel turned her head halfway back.
She glared at Ryozo with one eye and spat out her words.
“Saki, you're becoming more and more like that person.”
Slam!
The door closed so violently that the papers on the desk rattled. Ryozo stared at the door for a moment before resuming her quill movements.
Snap.
Immediately afterward, the quill broke in two inside her grip.
“Damn it.”
Ryozo covered her eyes with both hands.
“...Damn it...”