Chapter 16: There's never a moment of calm (1)As the thick dust that filled the training field gradually faded, the traces of the devastation that had just occurred were revealed clearly.
Bright red pools of blood had gathered in the cracks, and several wavy lines were drawn across the dirt floor.
I looked at my reflection in the blade of the sword and clicked my tongue. It always felt the same: cutting a person was an indescribably unpleasant sensation. This knife was made for filleting fish, and here I was, using it to cut people…
At least I could take some comfort in the fact that I'd never cut a real person. The Mao twins, and now Nox, who lay cold before me, were fights that happened in the isolated space. I never thought I'd appreciate the advantages of this virtual space so much.
Of course, if it had been in reality, I'd still have cut down any threat without hesitation, but I preferred to avoid indiscriminate slaughter.
If I let myself go and swung the sword mindlessly, I feared I'd end up becoming a human butcher without realizing it.
I shook off the blood-drenched sashimi knife and slid it back into its sheath. The blade felt a bit unsteady.
Well, considering I'd made cut after cut in such a short time, it was logical that the blade would dull, no matter how high-quality it was. I smiled wryly.
Twenty-six seconds. The fight had ended faster than I expected.
Nox was undoubtedly strong. As Chloe said, he had a lot of real combat experience, and his attacks were so precise it was chilling.
His combat instincts were extraordinary.
The students in the stands hadn't noticed, but he had used the "Blessing of the Crow" right when he drew his sword, altering his strike paths to make them unpredictable.
He added astonishing speed, even greater than Chloe's, making it difficult to counter his attacks.
Nox clearly had a natural talent for combat. But he lacked strategy.
Using invisibility to trace curved trajectories was a good tactic, but his sword exuded such a murderous aura that his next moves were easy to predict.
Of course, if he kept gaining experience and developed his potential, he'd become the best assassin.
'He was strong, yes.'
I seemed to have grown accustomed to manifesting my blessing, as I managed to control my timing well during the fight.
Even with the "Blessing of Insensitivity to Pain," the feeling of heaviness and stiffness around my eyes lingered.
But compared to the first time I manifested the "Blessing of the God of the Sword," when everything was a complete disaster, this was manageable.
I ran my hand over my neck, relieving the tension. As I did so, the barrier of the isolated space dissipated, and the murmurs of the students filled my ears.
A whirlwind of mixed emotions. I sensed that my life at the academy was about to get more complicated. I sighed and muttered to myself:
"…There's no other choice."
This was the path I had chosen.
The only thing I could do was push through with pure stubbornness.
* * *
The aftermath of the fierce battle between Kang Geom-Ma and Nox sent shockwaves throughout the academy. From the Star Class to the Common Class, everyone was talking about what had happened.
Later, the rumor spread that Nox belonged to the Auditore family, a family dedicated to maintaining order, and most people acknowledged Nox's strength.
As they say, "the needle always comes out of the pocket"; the name Auditore wasn't unfamiliar to the children of nobility.
That's why the identity of the student who faced Nox became the hottest topic. The word "faced" didn't do it justice, as Kang Geom-Ma had sliced Nox Auditore as if he were a fish. It was a shocking spectacle.
On top of that, he was a low-ranking transfer student, with no verified information or rumors about him. That alone was enough for teenage students to talk endlessly, intrigued by the matter.
Inside the Star Class classroom.
Abel sat in thought, arms crossed, showing no emotion on her face. Her figure, illuminated by the late afternoon light streaming through the window, was still breathtakingly beautiful. But her eyes, which usually sparkled like jewels, were strangely calm today.
The face of a black-haired boy crossed her mind.
The last time she saw him, he'd had a gentler expression, but today his eyes seemed to hold an indescribable coldness.
When he swung his sword in a semicircle, Nox's arm detached as if it had never been there, without a sound.
The following exchanges were so fast that even Abel couldn't keep up with them. And that sword technique… just seeing it made her shudder.
And he had done all of it with two simple kitchen knives, nothing special.
In fact, they were the same type of knives that were in her dormitory kitchen. The thought made her uncomfortable, to the point of wanting to avoid using them.
As a descendant of the Nibelung family and granddaughter of the Sword Emperor, she considered herself someone who knew quite a bit about swords. But today, she felt that confidence shatter.
Abel shook her head slightly to clear her thoughts, and her long, dark green hair swayed.
"Kang Geom-Ma…"
Abel murmured the name of the boy who appeared on the training field screen. It was the same boy who had treated her so casually before. She hadn't expected to learn his name like that…
Suddenly, as she searched her memory, she recalled something Kang Geom-Ma had said to her.
'Why? Because you look weak. In my family, the rule is to be tough on the strong and kind to the weak.'
Siegfried, the Sword Emperor, had said something similar with a somber expression. And for some reason, the thought that this boy was the unknown student he'd spoken of felt uncomfortably accurate.
No, everything indicated that it was him. The reason was clear… because Kang Geom-Ma was much stronger than she was, the academy's second-ranked student. There was no way the sacred assessment of the isolated space would have overlooked him.
"…"
Abel let out a deep sigh, lowering her head. Her face flushed as she bit her lip, feeling embarrassed.
Then, she lightly tapped the desk with her fist.
'What did Kang Geom-Ma think when he looked at me?'
The embarrassment she felt turned into a small burst of anger. She remembered Geom-Ma's nonchalant attitude toward her.
He probably knew everything and still treated her that way. How could it be that the first person she had opened her heart to at the academy turned out to be the most likely candidate for the position she'd sworn to defeat?
The thought was frustrating. Very frustrating. Although she could understand that he had reasons to keep it hidden, she felt that she had been open and sincere while he hadn't shared anything with her. She hadn't even learned his name until the day before.
Filled with determination, Abel suddenly stood up. Then, a blonde girl with pigtails sitting next to her stretched and covered her mouth to stifle a yawn.
"Hm? What's up?"
"Oh, no, nothing, Rachel."
Abel, startled, was left speechless. Rachel observed her, narrowing her eyes with a mischievous expression.
Her heart-shaped eyes gleamed with a hint of playfulness.
"Hehe~, really?"
"Yes, it's just that I haven't exercised these days, and I feel a bit tense."
Abel smiled at Rachel, trying to appear relaxed. Her delicate eyebrow raised slightly. Rachel, the niece of the Saint of the Spear and fourth-ranked student at the academy.
In truth, they weren't very close. Abel usually avoided making friends due to the elitism ingrained in the Star Class.
But Rachel, with her friendly nature, had always tried to break down the barriers Abel put up.
"Abel, do you have a boyfriend?"
"No!"
Rachel's playful voice tickled Abel's ears.
Rachel extended her index finger and drew circles on Abel's side, making her shudder and quickly pull away.
"Well, well, it seems our Miss Abel is still just a girl after all. I thought you'd given up on love."
"I'm telling you, it's not like that!"
Abel's face flushed as Rachel propped her chin on her hand and chuckled softly.
"So, who is it? If he's captured Abel's heart, he can't be just anyone. Let's see…"
Rachel pretended to look around, then pointed at Leon with her chin.
"Is it Leon? Well, at least he's handsome."
"No."
Abel replied with a serious expression and firmly shook her head. Rachel tilted her head slightly and commented:
"…It's strange that you're so hostile toward Leon. Then… the special student we saw yesterday at the training field?"
"!?"
Bingo. Abel's face turned completely red. Rachel's smirk widened, and she suddenly stood up, grabbing Abel's wrist.
"What are you doing?!"
"Come on, Miss Abel."
"Where?!"
"To the Wolf Class."
And so, Abel was dragged along by Rachel, unable to resist her strong grip. Rachel was as strong as a true spear warrior.
***
Break between sixth and seventh period.
Click!
The door to the Wolf Class classroom opened.
Immediately, the noise died down. The sudden appearance of two beautiful girls made the students murmur among themselves.
Rachel walked in front, smiling, while Abel followed shyly behind her.
They were none other than Abel von Nibelung, the second-ranked student in the academy, and Rachel de Muira, ranked fourth. Two outstanding girls from the Star Class.
Abel's beauty was undeniable, but Rachel had a lively allure as well.
When Rachel smiled flirtatiously, some boys placed their hands on their chests, clearly impressed. Abel, on the other hand, sighed quietly behind her.
Now on the platform, Rachel narrowed her eyes, searching for the black-haired boy. She had seen his face the previous day in the training field, so he had to be somewhere around. Black hair was rare, so he shouldn't be hard to spot.
After a quick glance, her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
Ah, there he was. His dark hair, with tips tinged gray, stood out clearly.
He was leaning against the third row by the window, sleeping on a thick history book. Next to him, a red-haired girl was watching him with a smile.
Was she his girlfriend? Rachel didn't care. After all, the unattainable always seems more enticing. She had come to tease Abel, but personally, she found that special student rather interesting.
With a slight smile, Rachel undid two buttons of her shirt and walked toward Kang Geom-Ma. Her determined steps left Abel with no chance to stop her.
Her figure was provocative, perfect to disarm any man. All attention was on them.
Rachel blew softly in Kang Geom-Ma's ear, which made Chloe, beside him, frown and look at her with a murderous expression.
Kang Geom-Ma woke up, shaking his head as if to clear away the drowsiness. He had slept so deeply that his cheek was marked and red.
With a sleepy look, he raised his head and looked around.
And the first thing he saw was Rachel's chest, framed by the open neckline of her shirt.
"…What's going on?"
Rachel tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling, and whispered softly to him:
"Did you wake up?"
A mischievous smile played on Rachel's lips.
____
Chapter 17: There's never a moment of calm (2)I didn't understand the situation that had suddenly erupted.
I was using the break to shake off some exhaustion, but when I opened my eyes, I found a bold girl practically pressing her chest into my face.
I lifted my head slightly to see who it was. Blonde pigtails and heart-shaped eyes.
A beautiful girl with a voluptuous figure, radiating a vibrant health almost as impressive as that of the headmistress, Media. The short school skirt and knee-high black socks highlighted her appeal.
Rachel of Muira, from the family of the Saint of the Spear. A formidable heroine in Miracle Blessing M and fourth-ranked in the academy.
'Why is she here?' I instinctively wondered. We had no point of contact, but when I opened my eyes, there was Rachel, two buttons undone and a seductive smile, staring straight at me.
I blinked a couple of times to make sure I wasn't dreaming, but it was real. The scent of fabric softener filled my nose, and if I leaned just a bit closer, my face would be buried in her chest.
When my expression showed a hint of confusion, Rachel tilted her head at a coquettish angle and spoke. Her blonde, glossy hair brushed her shoulder.
"Are you awake?"
"What?"
"They say guys pitch a tent in the mornings, don't they?"
"…"
"Or… could it be because of me?"
Rachel brought a hand to her lips, letting out a sultry, teasing voice. Chloe, who was sitting next to me, narrowed her eyes in irritation.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
Chloe stared at her with a burning gaze. Rachel glanced at her dismissively and let out a mocking laugh.
Patting Chloe's head as if speaking to a child, she said condescendingly.
"Little girl, don't interrupt when adults are talking."
"…"
Chloe's eyes lost their sparkle, growing cold.
"Rachel! What are you doing in another class?"
"What's the problem, Miss Abel? I'm just saying hello, aren't I?"
Abel, who had been standing behind her, tried to stop her, but Rachel didn't budge. It almost looked pathetic, with Abel struggling to pull her away.
Abel was ranked two spots above Rachel, but as a member of a family of spear-wielding warriors, Rachel's physical strength far surpassed Abel's.
I remembered the motto of the Saint of the Spear's family being something like, "With overwhelming strength, technique is unnecessary." In Miracle Blessing M, the characters from the Saint of the Spear's family were always powerhouse types, with all their stat points pumped into strength.
And here in front of me, the heir of that family, the niece of the Saint of the Spear, Rachel de Muira, winked at me, ignoring Abel's attempts to restrain her.
'What are they doing here?'
While watching Rachel and Abel argue, wearing a blank expression for a moment, I felt a cold, sharp sensation at my side. I shifted my gaze slightly. Goosebumps spread all over my body, and I immediately looked straight ahead again.
'I'm screwed.'
Chloe had turned to look at Rachel with a blank expression. Her red eyes were dull, unfocused. And most concerning of all, she was holding a box cutter in her right hand.
I knew this would happen. Chloe was clearly in that mode. It seemed she'd lost control.
My eyes darted nervously from side to side. If I didn't defuse this situation soon, we'd have a knife fight in the classroom in no time.
Before I could say anything, Rachel, who was still struggling against Abel, looked Chloe up and down. Then, she covered her mouth with her hand and let out a mocking laugh. Chloe frowned. They both looked like they'd lost it.
"Little girl, you shouldn't play with dangerous toys."
Chloe tilted her head at an odd angle. Ignoring her, Rachel shrugged, putting her hands on her hips, and continued speaking. Her nonchalant tone made Abel press her temples, muttering to herself.
"Kid, having a flat chest doesn't mean you have to be narrow-minded, you know?"
Rachel puffed out her chest, flaunting her curves.
"Die, bitch."
The sound of the box cutter sliding forward accompanied Chloe's swift stab. A small scream could be heard.
They were way too close. Chloe was fast already, but now she was sharper and quicker than ever. A yandere on the rise… she could be deadly at any moment.
Crrsh!
""!""
'Did she grab her arm?'
With a calm expression, Rachel had caught Chloe's wrist and lifted it in the air. Her grip was so strong that Chloe's hand holding the cutter turned red almost instantly.
Chloe tried to struggle, but Rachel quickly grabbed her other wrist. It didn't look like a typical girl fight—it was more like an MMA showdown.
"Little girl, you're slow."
Rachel looked at Chloe with cold eyes. But Chloe's eyes still burned with fury. Rachel, as if taunting her, loosened her grip on Chloe's wrist slightly before tightening it again.
Crack—the sound of flesh compressing. Chloe let out a small whimper of pain.
"Urgh…"
"Rachel, stop!"
With a serious expression, Abel stepped between them. Rachel let out a soft sigh and released Chloe's wrist, almost tossing her aside.
Chloe's small frame flew toward the blackboard. However, she twisted in mid-air and landed gracefully, as if she'd rolled into the move. Some people let out gasps.
There didn't seem to be a single normal girl in this academy. At this point, all I wanted was to escape.
Rachel resumed her playful expression. She approached and pressed herself against my side. A soft sensation brushed against my elbow, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. It'd be impossible to get up before the next class.
"Your name is Kang Geom-Ma, right?"
When I didn't respond, Rachel's heart-shaped eyes narrowed. Her mouth twisted into an ambiguous smile.
"Is that girl your girlfriend?"
"No."
I answered firmly, and Chloe, who was one or two meters away, glanced sideways at me. Her eyes seemed filled with complex thoughts. The sharp box cutter in her hand made me uncomfortable.
But no, that wasn't true.
"She's a friend."
"Heh."
That was the best answer I could give. Rachel let out a drawn-out, mocking "heh." With her chin resting on her hand, she nodded slightly.
Her heart-shaped eyes were difficult to read.
Between the unbuttoned collar of her shirt, the soft curve of her collarbone was visible.
When she turned her gaze away, I found myself meeting Abel's.
She jolted and backed away. In the midst of all this, I'd forgotten she was still here.
"Why did you come here?"
"They said Miss Abel was interested in you, so I came to take a look."
"When did I say that?!"
"Huh? Then, wasn't that why we came?"
"Rachel, you dragged me here!"
"But you followed along without protest, so I thought you wanted to come!"
When Abel yelled, the stares around us turned to her. With a slight movement of her lips, Abel composed her expression, then crossed her arms and remained silent.
The students' gazes were still fixed on us. She probably realized that if she kept talking, she'd only make things worse for herself.
The Wolf Class, and many other classes, were filled with boys who'd come just to see Abel and Rachel.
All I wanted was to avoid those intense stares. I was already worn out from yesterday, and this situation was only making things worse.
But even so, it seemed Abel had something to say. Or maybe she'd just lost the right moment to leave.
I sighed deeply and rested my head on the history book. My teenage body never seemed to get enough sleep.
"If it's not important, leave."
Rachel's chin slipped from her hand. She opened her eyes in surprise, then burst out laughing. Abel also seemed taken aback.
"You're a funny guy!"
Without saying a word, I turned to face the other way. I didn't know what was so funny, but I had no energy to humor her. My life at the academy was already complicated enough.
Rachel pressed her chest against my arm, whispering in a seductive tone that tickled my ear.
"I like funny guys."
"That's nice. I'm not funny."
Rachel chuckled, holding her stomach. Her chest rose and fell rhythmically with her laughter. Even trying to pull away, her chest felt like a magnet stuck to me.
"How about we watch Netfrix in my room after class?"
'Bitch.'
"Get away from Geom-Ma right now!"
Chloe, who had come back to her senses, shouted, her face flushed red.
"Haha! She calls him Geom-Ma!"
Ignoring Chloe, who was glaring at her with hostility, Rachel looked at Abel.
Abel's eyes sparkled as if she might pull out a sword at any moment. Rachel sighed and shook her skirt before standing up.
"It was a pleasure, Kang Geom-Ma. We'll see each other soon!"
"Don't come."
"Haha, how cold you are!"
I covered my face with one hand and responded coolly. Just thinking about getting entangled with Rachel gave me a headache.
Rachel glanced at Chloe, who looked like a demon with her red eyes, and then said goodbye as she took Abel by the arm.
Before leaving, Abel narrowed her eyes and looked at me. Her long lashes lowered, covering half her eyes. Her lips moved a couple of times, but then she followed Rachel out.
When the two left, the stares of the other students landed on me. Eyes full of resentment. Without meaning to, I'd apparently become the enemy of all the boys in the academy.
* * *
Hallway of the teacher's building, on the way to the Star Class.
'I didn't expect him to be that intense…'
Having a cold attitude was one thing, but there was something hidden in his dark, shadowed eyes that put overwhelming pressure on anyone who looked at him.
Just meeting his gaze, I felt as if my head had been sliced off. The fear I felt for the first time in ages made my teeth chatter slightly.
It was clear he was different from the pretentious, shallow students I'd encountered since entering the academy.
The family of the Saint of the Spear had a tradition of engaging with outstanding warriors. From Rachel's perspective, Kang Geom-Ma was an incredibly tempting prospect. She murmured quietly to herself.
'Kang Geom-Ma…'
His somewhat brusque attitude, his aloof behavior, and those eyes filled with a sense of decay. No wonder Abel, the so-called "invincible empress" among the academy boys, was curious about him.
As they were about to reach the door of the Star Class, Rachel stopped and turned toward Abel, who sighed with her arms crossed. With a mischievous smile, Rachel apologized.
"Miss Abel, I'm sorry."
"…Ha, if you're talking about that fuss earlier, don't apologize to me. Apologize to the students in the Wolf Class."
"No, that's not what I meant."
"…Then, what?"
Rachel winked with a smile.
"I can't give up on Kang Geom-Ma."
____
Chapter 18: There's never a moment of calm (3)The Wolf Class, devastated by the hurricane that was Rachel.
Unlike the students who murmured among themselves, I couldn't say a word. Chloe, on the other hand, looked downcast. Luckily, she seemed to have come back to herself, but her face remained somber, with a hint of sadness.
Obviously, being so easily overpowered by Rachel had really upset her. But if we're being fair, Rachel was fourth-ranked in the Star Class at Joaquin Academy.
That meant, out of 2,500 students, only three could have bested Rachel.
And, as a member of the Saint of the Spear family, a line that only married powerful warriors to ensure a strong bloodline, her physical strength was probably among the highest at the academy.
To be honest, Chloe was more at fault for pulling out the knife first, but Rachel had provoked her into doing it, so it wasn't easy to say who was really to blame.
The problem was, Chloe was in my class, so I'd be spending the whole year with her, whereas Rachel was in Star Class, where I'd rarely have to see her. I scratched my head.
I couldn't just say, "You're the one who pulled the knife first." If I did, she'd probably choose me as her next target.
Chloe's shoulders drooped in dejection. Just as I was about to say something to comfort her because she looked so sad, she hesitated a moment before whispering in a low voice:
"Does Geom-Ma like big ones too?"
"What?"
"I mean… Geom-Ma, do you prefer big breasts too?!"
'So that was what was bothering her?'
I was speechless. I'd thought she was upset about being unilaterally overpowered, but it turned out it was about… breasts. I'd already noticed her glancing at me sideways while covering her chest with her hands.
'Breasts, huh…?'
I rubbed my chin and thought about it.
Sure, I might like breasts, but Rachel's were honestly a bit much, so large and pale they were almost distracting—though Chloe's weren't so small that she needed to feel self-conscious about them.
In the "martial art of breasts," the only one who could rival Rachel would be Media. Even Abel didn't come close. I imagined a chest so large it would make any other woman seem as flat as an AA battery.
However, if I told her the truth now, I'd be asking for trouble. Chloe was still holding a box cutter in her right hand.
Without my sashimi knife, I wouldn't stand a chance against an enhanced Chloe. I didn't want to spill blood over a simple question with the wrong answer.
In the end, the solution was clear; I just had to say it. She was still a girl in her growing years, so there was hope.
…Though it was a slim hope. I ran my hand over my face before answering.
"No, I don't like big breasts at all."
"…"
Chloe's eyes lit up, still gripping the box cutter tightly. I swallowed and added,
"In fact, you could say I prefer smaller ones."
My conscience weighed heavily, but survival was my priority.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Chloe's face brightened, and she smiled. She wiped the tears from her eyes with her sleeves before putting the box cutter back in her pocket.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Chloe gathered her short red hair behind her ears and gave me a sweet smile. I wasn't sure, but it seemed like an attempt to charm me.
I didn't like the atmosphere turning so cheerful. After all, Chloe was a yandere. If she kept getting closer, I'd end up in the fridge.
Sensing that things were turning dangerous, I quickly changed the subject.
"By the way… Chloe, how's Nox doing after all that?"
Chloe's face darkened at the mention of Nox's name. It was clear she despised her brother.
I started wondering why Chloe hated Nox so much. I knew she disliked the Auditore family, but with Nox, it seemed more like a personal hatred.
I didn't want to get involved in family issues. I wasn't that interested, and the less I had to do with a family of assassins, the better.
Finally, Chloe spoke in a dry tone.
"My brother is in the academy hospital."
"Why is he hospitalized? Fights in the alternate space don't cause physical injuries."
Chloe shook her head, her hair falling back over her face.
"…I haven't gone to see him, so I'm not sure, but I heard it wasn't a physical injury. So you don't need to worry, Geom-Ma."
"Hmm."
Yes, I'd cut him up pretty brutally, but I didn't think he was so weak that he'd fall apart mentally.
'Was he planning something?'
I recalled his emotionless smile. Maybe he was faking being injured to launch a surprise attack. It was a possibility.
And surprise attacks were his specialty. Sure, I could crush him again, but this time I might go as far as to actually take his head off. It'd be better to prevent issues before they start.
"Chloe, could you tell me which room Nox is in at the hospital?"
"Huh?"
Chloe's eyes widened in surprise. I smiled to reassure her.
"It's a guy thing. I just want to have a little chat with him, man to man."
"…But…"
Chloe seemed hesitant. Maybe her relationship with Nox wasn't purely hate, but more a mix of love and resentment.
It was time to use my secret weapon.
"Chloe."
"Yes?"
I gently patted her head, showing the smile I'd perfected over years of working in customer service.
"Please."
"…"
Chloe's face turned a deep red.
'Handling a yandere, rule number one: pat her head. It makes everything easier.'
My hours of YouTube research had finally paid off.
***
VIP Room, Joaquin Academy Hospital
Nox sat trembling on his bed, lost in thought. He felt an unfamiliar emotion churning in his chest. His heart wouldn't stop racing.
A dark presence seemed to rise from deep within him, showing no sign of fading with time.
And it was all because of that guy.
'Geom-Ma.'
Now, he couldn't even say his name aloud.
He could barely repeat it in his mind.
Every time he recalled Geom-Ma's dark, cold eyes, his body shook.
It was the first time he'd experienced such real fear. It mixed with his hatred for Geom-Ma and disgust with himself, forming an unbearable feeling.
He'd gone his entire life without knowing defeat. Enemies, no matter who they were, always fell to the "Crimson Blade" of Nox Auditore.
Until yesterday. Nox had lost. And not only that—he'd been sliced to pieces in seconds when Geom-Ma changed his stance, as if he were a mere fish.
The physical pain was nothing. But the pain of his broken spirit had sapped all his will to get up.
'Maybe if it had been nighttime…' he wondered, but the thought of crossing swords with Geom-Ma again made his joints lock at odd angles.
"Damn it."
Nox clenched his teeth and slammed his fist onto the bedside table. The fruits in the basket—apples and bananas—shook and fell. The metal table dented under the force of his fist.
'I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him.'
Yes, he could kill him. After all, he was an assassin. With the full force of the Auditore family, they could take that damn Geom-Ma's head.
His mind was consumed with a single obsession.
'I'm going to kill him and bring Chloe back.'
Chloe belonged to the Auditore family. And her potential as an assassin even surpassed Nox's.
Just as his mind filled with hate, someone knocked on the door.
"Knock, knock."
"Who is it?"
Nox frowned and yelled. The door slid open slowly.
"It's me."
It was Geom-Ma. Nox sank back onto his bed, his face frozen in disbelief. His jaw trembled. The fire of his will, which had burned just moments earlier, was extinguished at the sight of Geom-Ma.
"You, you, you…"
His words stammered, teeth chattering almost enough to bite his tongue. With effort, he closed his mouth.
Geom-Ma approached, hands in his pockets, and dropped into a chair beside the bed.
"Looks like the Auditores have money. This room is pretty nice."
Unbothered, Geom-Ma inspected the room, scratching his neck. It was a simple gesture, but Nox's forehead broke out in a cold sweat. Beads of sweat slid down his face.
"Can I have one of these?"
"…"
Geom-Ma pointed to the apples in the basket, and Nox gave a reflexive, spineless nod.
"Thanks."
He picked up an apple and took a big bite. Without stopping his chewing, juice dripping down his mouth, Nox sat in silence, completely overwhelmed by fear.
Geom-Ma, unfazed, picked up the knife from the basket. Nox thought he might be here to finish him off, and his body froze.
But Geom-Ma just began peeling the apple with expert precision. The peel came off thin and smooth, like silk. Nox found himself hypnotized by the exactness of the cuts.
"Eat something, even if it's just fruit."
He left the peeled apple on the table. Nox continued to tremble, unable to control his reaction to each of Geom-Ma's gestures.
"Well, looks like you're doing fine, so I'll be going."
Geom-Ma stretched, got up from the chair, and made his way to the door. Nox's gaze flicked between Geom-Ma's back and the knife on the table.
'Now.'
He was completely off guard. Slowly, Nox reached for the knife, making sure not to make any noise.
Just as he was about to grab it, Geom-Ma, with the door halfway open, turned his head to look at him. His eyes were cold.
"Oh, one more thing."
"…"
"If you're thinking of revenge…"
His dry voice echoed in the room.
"I'll wipe out the entire Auditore family."
Clack.
The door closed with a snap.
The apple had been sliced into eight perfect pieces.
____
Chapter 19: There's never a moment of calm (4)Seeing Nox, it was clear that yesterday's duel had broken him.
Though there was a faint glint in his eyes, it was nothing more than a weak spark of resentment, like a matchstick's flicker.
When I went to his hospital room, just in case, I kept a kitchen knife in the inner pocket of my jacket. If I noticed anything suspicious, I was prepared to cut without hesitation.
Even so, I wanted it to end as cleanly as possible. Nox's family is the only assassin organization in this world, and no matter how skilled I am, I can't take them all on.
That's why, to prevent future issues, I left him with a warning before leaving if they interfered, I would wipe out the Auditores.
Of course, it was a bold and arrogant threat. My blessing only lasts 30 seconds, so facing his entire family would be impossible.
Sure, in those 30 seconds, I might take down ten of them, but that would be in the worst-case scenario, and I've always tried to avoid unnecessary violence. I don't want to grow too used to the feeling of cutting through people.
Seeing his pale expression, my warning seemed to have worked. I'd seen that look many times in my past life: the face of someone who's lost their will, someone completely shattered.
I didn't feel great about it. After all, I was the one who'd crushed the will of a boy who had been revered as a genius his entire life.
I scratched my head as I left the hospital, brushing off the faint scent of medicine that clung to my clothes.
The soft purple hue of twilight stretched across the horizon, starting to fade.
I stared at the sunset for a moment. A few days ago, it seemed impressive, but now it failed to stir any emotion.
'Could it be I'm getting used to it?'
I clicked my tongue softly and patted my chest. Today had been especially draining. Thinking that a simple ramen dinner would do, I headed to the campus supermarket.
***
When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high.
I turned my head to check the time on my phone. Then, I wriggled a bit in bed before finally getting up, beginning my usual lazy weekend routine.
'I love weekends.'
I opened my sleepy eyes and let out a long yawn. I'd slept so deeply that my body, which had felt like a lump of damp cotton before, now felt light.
When was the last time I slept so well? I scratched my neck and reached for the water bottle by my bed.
I took a few long gulps to rinse out my mouth. 'Now I feel a bit more alive,' I thought, wiping my lips with the back of my hand.
Although I hadn't been drinking, I probably looked like a tired office worker, one of those people worn out by life.
'I could go for a beer.'
I pictured how refreshing a cold, frosty 500cc glass would be. In my past life, I used to pour myself a glass straight from the tap while cleaning the shop.
I could almost feel the foam brushing my tongue, the cold bubbles tingling down my throat.
Saliva started gathering in my mouth, and I wiped it with my sleeve. What a strange fate I have.
Just last year, I could enjoy a cold beer and live a normal life, yet now, without realizing it, I was in the eye of a surreal storm.
Just yesterday, two cute girls were fighting with knives in front of me. I thought about how I'd gone to see the guy I'd sliced to pieces only to threaten him with annihilating his entire family. I chuckled dryly.
'I think I'm going crazy too.'
I messed up my hair as if to shake off my thoughts. The more I got caught up in all this nonsense, the deeper I'd get pulled into situations I didn't want. I didn't have to worry about Nox anymore, but Rachel… well, she was another story.
Her personality, affected by her blessing, was completely unpredictable—a true "yolo" mentality. She was one of those characters you couldn't quite figure out.
Even in the game, she'd often approach the protagonist, Leon, flirtatiously, yet she wouldn't really fall for him until much later than the main heroine, Abel.
Somehow, I'd gotten wrapped up with the last person I wanted to deal with. I didn't mind avoiding conflict, but I had no idea how to handle her.
'Guess I'll figure it out as I go.'
I had a lot on my plate. My top priority was preparing for the midterms coming up in two weeks. The reward was a B-ranksword, "Murasame," so I intended to give it my best.
Though it was a long katana-type sword, it wasn't like I had any other weapon, so I couldn't really complain. Also, the fact that it wasn't bound by standard blessing categories was a plus. And, well, if I didn't end up liking it, I could always bring it to the blacksmith.
The exam involved forming a team of five, regardless of class, to hunt monsters. Most of the academy's exams and drills focused on cooperation.
Individual skill was important, sure, but on the battlefield, trust in your teammates was even more critical—or so they say.
The upside was that if you got a good team, you could earn rewards without too much effort. That would be ideal.
For the midterms, the monster to hunt was a "merman," a D-rank creature with the upper body of a fish and the lower body of a human. Basically, imagine a salmon walking on two legs.
'Damn it.'
Even in the game, they were disgusting creatures, and the thought of seeing them in real life sent shivers down my spine. I'd fished my whole life, but the idea of facing fish with legs made me want to curse.
If only they were mermaids instead of those grotesque fish.
'But those were mazoku, right?'
Mazoku were the demonic races that made up the demon army, while magical beasts like the merman were just their pets.
Around 700 years ago, a truce had been signed between humans and mazoku, and though peace had held, there were always minor conflicts.
The most obvious example was from 50 years ago when the sixth battalion commander, Basmon, crossed the border without permission.
He claimed he wanted to revive the first battalion commander, Lycan, who had been sealed away by Balor Joaquin, one of the founding heroes.
Humanity responded by sending the Seven Star Heroes, their strongest warriors. After seven days of relentless fighting, the heroes achieved victory.
However, three of the seven heroes fell to Basmon.
The mazoku claimed Basmon had acted on his own, and humanity, fearing to break the fragile truce, let the incident slide.
'If it took the seven heroes so much to deal with just one commander, what would a full-on war look like…?'
And to top it off, Basmon was the "weakest" among the demon king's commanders—classic cliché. The fact that Balor could single-handedly seal away Lycan was astounding.
The problem is that in three years, there will be an all-out war with the mazoku, including the demon king himself.
"…"
I rubbed my face, patting my cheeks to clear my thoughts.
If I want to survive in that chaos, I have to stay calm. I decided to focus solely on the midterms for now.
I needed to find a good team. Normally, young nobles wouldn't want to team up with someone like me, a scholarship student, but…
I was somewhat known around campus now. If it was going to be impossible to live quietly here for the next three years, I could at least use my reputation to make things easier.
With that thought finished, I stared up at the ceiling before sinking back onto my bed. At this stage of growth, no matter how much I sleep, I'm always tired.
***
A week later, as if mocking me, no one wanted to include me on their team.
My original plan of joining a good group and coasting through the exam was forgotten; now, I was on the verge of failing.
I seriously wondered why.
It was probably because of how I'd acted with Nox. Looking back, maybe I'd been a bit too extreme in my reaction.
Seems that my inability to do things "in moderation" had earned me a reputation as someone to avoid.
And it wasn't just me. Chloe hadn't received any invitations either. After the incident with Rachel, the other students seemed to be avoiding her too.
Well, I couldn't blame them for keeping their distance from someone who pulled out a knife instead of talking, but since I'd also been involved, I felt a little responsible.
I was used to being a loner, but Chloe had actually managed to fit in and make friends at the academy. Now, overnight, she was isolated.
After thinking it over, I asked Chloe.
"Haven't you gotten any team invites yet?"
"Oh, no, nothing yet, hehe."
She replied with a forced smile, scratching her head.
"Doesn't it bother you? I mean, I'm used to people avoiding me, but you actually made friends."
"Oh! No, I don't mind. As long as I have you…"
Her voice trailed off, as if she were talking to herself. Though she claimed she didn't mind, Chloe did seem genuinely unbothered; in fact, she looked calmer than before.
Yeah, Chloe had always been like that. I couldn't help but smile.
"Well then, why don't we team up for this exam? We still need three more people, but neither of us has a team yet. What do you think?"
"Oh, yes! Absolutely!"
She nodded energetically, flashing a bright smile. My suggestion wasn't just out of pity.
I considered Chloe a strong and dependable ally. With her on my team, I might not need to draw my sword in every fight. Even though I could take down single opponents within 30 seconds, the exam required us to kill as many mermen as possible within an hour. I couldn't do that solo.
We were discussing the exam when an unexpected visitor showed up.
"I came to see you!"
Rachel. She'd been quiet for a few days, but apparently, that calm had ended. My expression soured at the sight of her.
"What do you want now?"
"Huh? Just wanted to see you."
Chloe, seated beside me, was watching her with sharp eyes, as if she might strike at any moment. Her hand was already moving toward her pocket, and I could almost see the metallic glint of a knife.
"Not today. I'm busy and don't have time for you."
"Kang Geom-Ma, you're so mean!"
"Can you stop calling me that?"
Rachel stuck her tongue out playfully. I rubbed my temples and gestured for her to leave. But ignoring my signal, she moved even closer, practically pressing herself against me.
"Do you have a team for the exam?"
She asked, hitting me right where it hurt.
"No."
"Really? Lucky! How about joining our team?"
Her sudden proposal left me a bit taken aback.
"Why me? I'm sure there are others lining up to team up with you."
"They're boring. I think things would get interesting with you around."
"I already agreed to team up with Chloe."
"That's fine! We happen to have two open spots."
I was tempted. As much as Rachel annoyed me, there's a saying that goes, 'Hate the sin, not the sinner.'
I rubbed my chin, thinking. It was an invitation from the academy's fourth-ranked student, after all. Considering the current situation, my outlook for the exam was pretty bleak, so my options were limited.
I looked at Chloe to see how she felt about it. She frowned, probably irritated by Rachel's presence, but in the end, she reluctantly nodded.
"Alright, I'll join."
"Perfect! No backing out now."
Rachel seemed pleased with my answer, flashing a wide smile. She quickly pulled out her phone to send a message, saying she'd contact the team leader. Suddenly, a doubt crept into my mind.
"By the way, who's the leader?"
"Leon van Reinhardt, do you know him?"
Damn it…
Chapter 20: Partial examination (1)Recently, I've become very skeptical about my luck. A phrase people often use popped into my head "What kind of crime did I commit in my past life…?"
As someone who vividly remembers his previous life as a regular person, I can confidently say I didn't do anything so awful. Seriously.
Even if I could reluctantly accept that I might have gotten tangled up with the main heroines, I could at least comfort myself by thinking meeting them was a coincidence that defied mere chance.
'But damn it.'
It finally happened. The story is very different when it comes to the main character, Leon van Reinhardt. In the end, I knew in my head I was responsible for the choices I'd made, but accepting them as they were was another matter.
When I heard Leon was the team leader, I tried to complain and back out, but the decision had already been approved. Upon asking in the faculty office, they told me Rachel, that sly fox, had discovered I didn't have a team and had already submitted the request to add me to theirs.
I laughed in disbelief—it was so ridiculous that I almost wanted to cut the situation off at the source. If she was going to put so much effort in, she could have taken the responsibility of leading the team herself instead of dumping it on Leon.
I remembered a post I'd seen randomly on social media: "Group Project Experience, College-Style." Back then, not being in college myself, I couldn't understand it, but now I know exactly what it meant.
What a hassle.
With a heavy head, I leaned back against my chair, and Chloe approached me timidly, noticing my dismay.
"Kang Geom-Ma, is something wrong? Since that wretch… I mean, since that blonde left, you don't look too good."
"It's just that working with the Class Star students makes me a bit nervous and worried."
"There's no one in the Star Class who's stronger than you, Kang Geom-Ma. I'm sure of it!"
"…Thanks."
Chloe cheered me on, raising her fists. Though her words were sincere, they didn't exactly lighten my spirits.
I considered asking the instructor to take me out of the team, but it would be irresponsible to leave now after having Chloe join because of me.
Alright, it's just this one time. I shouldn't look at the situation so negatively. When I think about it, the team I'm on now is made up entirely of "elite" students.
There's Chloe, who joined thanks to me, from the Auditore family; a friend of Rachel's from Dragon Class; Rachel, the successor of the Changseong family and fourth in the academy; and, of course, Leon, the protagonist and the most powerful character in the game.
Just hearing the lineup is enough to impress anyone. While other students are struggling to form teams, I unknowingly joined the strongest group in the academy.
'Not bad.'
I could just fade into the background without attracting attention. My blessing, which only lasts 30 seconds, won't be of much use anyway, so that's fine.
There's no use regretting things now. Although my time at the academy has been unstable, I've managed to get by each time by adjusting accordingly.
Of course, I still plan to teach Rachel a lesson for dragging me into the team without my permission. Not that I'll go so far as to cut her… even if I lose my temper, I won't pull a knife over something like this.
'It's settled.'
Once I made the decision, a smile of relief appeared on my face, and Chloe smiled too, seeing me more relaxed.
"Chloe, what time is our team meeting this evening?"
"Oh, the blonde said we'd meet at six at the main building's café."
Apparently, Rachel is just "the blonde" to Chloe now. I took out my phone and checked the time. We had about two hours left.
Even though it was just a team meeting, I felt nervous. The reason was, of course, Leon. On his first day, I'd only seen him from afar among a crowd of students, but now I'd be having a face-to-face encounter with the character I had once played as. It was a feeling that was hard to describe.
As I rested my chin on my hand, I suddenly asked Chloe.
"Have you been to the café in the main building before?"
"Yes! The avocado shake there is delicious, so I go pretty often."
"How much does it cost?"
"Around 50,000 won."
I was speechless.
***
Inside the Starbucks café on the first floor of the academy's main building.
Chloe and I arrived about 15 minutes before the appointed time. The place was filled with teenage boys and girls. Fortunately, Leon had reserved a private room so our team could meet there.
…But.
Looking at the menu from the counter, I couldn't help but frown.
What the hell? Why does an americano cost 25,000 won? Even with the staff discount, the price was still around 20,000. Since the café was operated by an external provider, the discounts were minimal.
Even with café prices being sky-high these days, this was too much. In the restaurant where I used to work, that price would cover an entire omakase set.
The difference in how nobles and commoners perceived money was overwhelming.
'What a joke.'
As I stared at the menu, Chloe watched me closely.
"Kang Geom-Ma, have you decided what you'll get?"
"Yes, an espresso."
"That's too bitter; I can't drink it."
"You don't understand yet. Espresso is the true taste of adults."
"Wow, that sounds cool…"
Chloe looked at me with bright eyes. I couldn't tell her I chose the espresso because it was the cheapest—it was only around 10,000 won. I have my pride.
Unlike me, Chloe ordered her avocado shake without a second thought, which cost a whopping 48,000 won.
'This is nuts.'
With our drinks in hand, we entered the meeting room with frosted glass walls. The interior had an old-fashioned style with a long, rectangular table. We sat in a corner as inconspicuously as possible.
"No one's here yet."
"True. I guess it's because we're still ten minutes early."
"Maybe."
Just then, the glass door opened.
"Oh, Geom-Ma and little one! You two arrived early."
Rachel entered with an iced americano in hand, greeting us cheerfully. Two other guys were following behind her. One was her friend from Dragon Class, and the other was Leon van Reinhardt.
The Dragon Class guy was a young man with two-toned hair who greeted us with a slight nod before dropping into one of the empty chairs.
'Troublemaker?'
Then my eyes automatically turned to Leon. Seeing Leon up close was simply impressive.
It was easy to see why the heroines fell for him at just a glance. His blonde hair shone like the sun, and his blue eyes sparkled. On top of all that, he had a kind personality—how could girls not fall for him?
As I stood there, momentarily speechless, Leon smiled and extended his hand to greet me.
"Nice to meet you."
His voice had a natural elegance to it. I shook his hand in return.
"Kang Geom-Ma."
He gave a bright smile and took his seat.
"The duel in the alternate space the other day was impressive. I'm glad to have you on the team, Geom-Ma."
A typical protagonist line. But coming from him, it didn't feel out of place at all.
"Why don't we start by introducing ourselves?"
"Alright!"
Rachel, sipping her shake, raised her hand enthusiastically. Her friend nodded along without saying much.
"I'll start as the leader. I'm Leon van Reinhardt, from the Star Class. I've been assigned as the team leader, and while I'm not perfect, I hope we can work well together during the exams."
"I don't need an introduction, do I? I'll pass!"
Rachel laughed and passed the turn to the two-toned hair guy.
"I'm Speed Weapon from Dragon Class."
"Speed Weapon… doesn't sound like the type to talk much."
After Leon's comment, Chloe introduced herself more confidently than I'd expected. When it was my turn, I scratched my neck before speaking.
"I'm Kang Geom-Ma, from Wolf Class, same as Chloe."
After the introductions, Leon smiled at me and pulled a laptop from his bag.
After a few clicks, a hologram projected the map of the island where we'd be taking the exam. A clear reminder that we weren't on Earth.
The hologram displayed the map of the island where we'd be taking the exam.
The hologram displayed the map of the island where we'd be taking the exam. In the bottom right corner, it showed the island's area: 163.6 km², a massive stretch of land. There was no doubt that this was the world's most prestigious academy since even midterm exams for first-year students were conducted at this scale.
Leon checked that everyone could see the hologram clearly before starting his explanation.
"Today, during lunch, our head instructor gave the team leaders a file. This is the map of Scopuli Island, where the exam will take place."
Leon took a sip of coffee to clear his throat before continuing.
"First, on the day of the exam, we'll transport to this island through a spatial gate. However, even though the gate is an alternate space, the island itself is a real location, so the monsters there can inflict real injuries. Keep that in mind."
With that, Leon typed a few keys to zoom in on the hologram, showing a more detailed view.
"We've been assigned the northeastern coastline. Besides our team, two other teams will also be hunting 'demonic beasts' in the same area. The exam's goal is to see which team can kill the most creatures within the set time."
Leon's firm tone and his ability to explain things clearly had everyone nodding in understanding. No wonder he was the protagonist. I crossed my arms, listening in silence.
"Alright, does anyone have questions?"
Leon turned to check for questions, and Speed Weapon, who had been quiet, raised his hand hesitantly.
"If it's Scopuli Island, sirens are known to appear there, right? Is there any risk associated with that?"
"The instructors already checked that during the pre-inspection, so there's no need to worry about it."
"Understood."
"Any other questions?"
This time, Chloe cautiously raised her hand.
"Um… Could there be ambushes or fights between teams assigned to the same area?"
Chloe's question, typical of someone from an assassin family, left Rachel and Speed Weapon a bit surprised. However, Leon smiled kindly and answered.
"The purpose of this exam is to focus on hunting monsters, so any conflicts between students would result in disqualification. Does that answer your question?"
Chloe nodded repeatedly to confirm her understanding.
"Good. That's all for today. We still have a week before the exam, so let's work together for good results."
As soon as Leon finished speaking, he started packing up his laptop. The others stood and left the meeting room. Since I was sitting in the furthest corner, I waited for everyone else to exit first.
As I reached the door, Leon, who had just finished packing his things, called out to me.
"Hey."
"Yes? What's up?"
"Kang Geom-Ma, where are you from?"
____