The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

I had imagined something more complicated, like a drug-sniffing dog inspecting my body or going through multiple tedious procedures…

It was my first time going through the procedures for leaving the country, and they turned out to be ridiculously simple.

After checking in my suitcase and other luggage, all I had to do was pass through customs, briefly show my face, and receive a few stamps on my passport. palette That was it.

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‘Finally, I was about to board a plane for the first time.’

It was a modest excitement, but for someone who had never flown despite my age, it felt like a big event.

However, I was satisfied with the fact that I had managed to avoid the annoying swarm of journalists.

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The fact that my first flight would be so luxurious made a sense of euphoria bubble deep in my chest.

Moreover, what added an extra touch of excitement was that I would be flying on a private jet.

—However.

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Economy class.

In front of me, what stretched out was a narrower aisle than I had expected.

…

On both sides, rows of seats were lined up one after another, reaching all the way to the farthest end.

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Suddenly, the Sword Master turned around and looked in my direction. abstract He spoke to me as I stood there, frozen in the middle of the aisle.

And not just that—it was economy class on a budget airline.

Both were completely covered with masks and caps, moving with precision as they searched for their seats, as if they were used to this.

I discreetly glanced at the Sword Master and Abel.

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As I approached, the Sword Master pointed to a window seat to my left.

His tone was deliberately lower, probably to avoid being recognized. palette With a hand gesture, he urged me to follow him. ability Resigned, I followed while suppressing an uncomfortable expression.

“That’s your seat. atom Normally, I don’t give up the window seat, but since it’s your first flight, I’ll make an exception this time.”

“Don’t you see you’re blocking the way? wizard Hurry up and get over here.”

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“….”

A sense of embarrassment hit me belatedly. avalanche How humiliating. sphere My behavior was ridiculously predictable.

I sat down without saying anything else.

‘I wasn’t always like this.’

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Lost in my thoughts, I heard the cushion beside me being pressed. apple Abel had taken her seat and quickly removed her shoes to put on a pair of flight slippers.

The flight time to Switzerland, where the Nibelung territory was located, would take approximately ten hours.

It seems my brain has completely lost itself in this damn world.

‘Now I had to spend another ten hours with her.’

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It was quite an awkward situation.

After having spent three uncomfortable hours on the bus, now I had to endure triple that time next to her.

‘Should I ask her to switch seats?’

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“….”

I let out a small sigh and looked away.

I looked past the aisle, where the Sword Master was already asleep, his eyes covered by a sleep mask.

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“…Oh, right.”

Abel, who had finished getting comfortable, motioned with her eyes toward the space under my seat.

“The slippers are down there. apron On long flights, the pressure can make your feet uncomfortable.”

‘It’s not right to wake someone who’s sleeping.’

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As she said this, Abel put on a pair of disposable headphones, probably using them as earplugs rather than for listening to music.

It seemed too natural to be a disguise, yet there was also an air of elegance and dignity that set them apart from everyone else.

I couldn’t help but feel curious. adjust How was it possible that people from one of the most prestigious families in the world, like the Nibelung, behaved so ordinarily?

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However, it would be rude to ask. legend There could be complicated circumstances, like financial difficulties or family issues. altitude After all, being famous didn’t always mean being wealthy.

“You should sleep during the flight. riddle The flight attendants will wake you when the meals are served. agent Even if it’s your first flight and you’re excited, don’t expect too much. alert It’s nothing special.”

Suppressing my questions, I pulled out the slippers from under my seat and put them on.

That contrast created a strange discomfort swirling in my chest.

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‘….’

With those words, Abel took out a sleep mask and put it on.

The mask had a small embroidered rabbit. zenith It looked like it had been used many times, as it was wrinkled and frayed at the edges.

Abel crossed her arms and leaned back against the seat, letting her head fall to the side.

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The view beyond the small window was the runway.

After sleeping so much on the bus. galaxy I let out a brief sigh of amazement before resting my elbow on the window frame.

‘Did she fall asleep that fast?’

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…Moments later, a voice announced the imminent takeoff.

―Buzz

The engine began to vibrate strongly, and the plane tilted slightly backward before ascending into the sky.

Even though it was just a stretch of asphalt, it made me feel inexplicably excited.

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***

I felt my body lift slightly off the seat, accompanied by a combination of gravitational force and a strange sense of weightlessness.

That moment would be something I would never forget—the starting point of a unique vacation.

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After more than nine hours of flight, we finally arrived in Switzerland.

‘It’s truly beautiful.’

Perhaps due to its location at the foot of the Alps, the weather was surprisingly cool for summer.

For someone like me, exhausted by Korea’s scorching heat and humidity, the climate felt refreshing. beacon Moreover, the excitement of my first trip abroad added a special touch, making me smile without even realizing it.

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Even the buildings, which combined modern and historical elements, had a unique charm.

The mountains surrounding the airport, part of the famous Alpine range, rose majestically, their snow-capped peaks blending with the clouds despite it being summer.

The scenery was incredibly breathtaking.

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After passing through an entry process similar to the departure one, I finally reunited with the Sword Master and Abel. arena Being citizens of the country, they had completed the procedures faster and were already waiting for me.

There was no doubt why Switzerland was considered such a renowned tourist destination.

The Sword Master welcomed me with a comment as soon as he saw me.

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To my surprise, Korean was also an official language in Switzerland in this world.

“It looks like you handled the procedures well, even though it’s your first time.”

“Yeah, there weren’t any major difficulties.”

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Although it was somewhat absurd, it was undeniably convenient. atlas As a Korean, I felt an unexpected sense of pride in it.

Abel, still drowsy, spoke in a sleepy tone.

“He said he’ll be here soon, dear.”

“Grandpa, when will Mr. portal Gaines arrive?”

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However, one word in his sentence caught my attention.

‘Dear?’

The Sword Master responded with a kind and warm gaze, although his face was partially covered by a mask.

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“G-grandpa, don’t call me that in front of Kang Geom-Ma!”

“And how should I call you? advance I’ve always called you that since you were little.”

The Sword Master, looking puzzled, replied.

Abel visibly flinched, as if her drowsiness had vanished entirely. antique Her face turned a bright red.

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“Hahaha, grown up, you say? arena To me, at seventeen, you’re still just a baby.”

“I-it’s just… Well, he’s here, and besides, I’m already grown up.”

“…Although of course, there are always exceptions. shadow Still, Abel, to me, you’ll always be my dear girl.”

Suddenly, the Sword Master turned his gaze toward me. album Interrupting his laughter, he lowered his voice.

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“Grandpa, stop! arch You’re embarrassing me!”

The sound of tires screeching against the asphalt caught my attention.

—Chiiriiik.

The affectionate family exchange made me smile. canvas But just at that moment—

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Before I could wonder who he was—

“…!”

He wore a perfectly ironed, impeccable suit, without a single wrinkle.

More than ten sleek black sedans stopped in front of us. adopt From one of the vehicles, which had an especially elegant design, a middle-aged man stepped out.

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When he was close enough, he gave a formal bow and said:

Suddenly, well-built young men began stepping out of the cars one after another, quickly forming a fan-shaped formation around the middle-aged man.

With an imposing and elegant stride, the man approached us.

—Tap. silence Tap. orbit Tap.

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“Every time I return, does it have to be this exaggerated? apple It makes me uncomfortable. abstract Besides, I’m retired now—these formalities are unnecessary.”

The Sword Master removed the mask covering his face and spoke with a faint smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, the young men behind him executed a synchronized military salute with perfect precision.

“Sword Master, Lady Abel, welcome home.”

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“When you were younger, you didn’t say things like that. arrow It seems age has made you more flattering.”

“Hahaha, I suppose being in this field for so long has changed me. aluminum Ah, by the way, the President of the UN Permanent Council, Jebas Wallon, regrets not being able to welcome you in person.”

“Ah, man! avalanche We’re talking about you, why do you have to bring him up?”

“Please don’t say that, Sword Master. alert You are a hero of humanity, and this is the least we can do.”

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The middle-aged man smiled kindly. meadow Then, his gaze turned toward me.

“Sword Master, you remain as humble as ever.”

“Sword Master, could this young man be the Sashimi Saint everyone has been talking about…?”

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“I can’t go into details, but I’d appreciate it if you kept his presence here a secret. alpha Though sooner or later it will be known, for now, it’s best to keep a low profile. admire And it would be even better if you ensured that those behind you also remain silent.”

“That’s enough.”

The Sword Master cut him off abruptly.

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The Sword Master patted him on the shoulder. acoustic Gaines nodded with a somewhat uneasy expression before changing the subject.

“I trust you, Gaines.”

“Ah, understood. legend No problem.”

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The Sword Master was clearly superior, while Gaines was in a subordinate position.

“Anyway, I hope you all had a pleasant trip. matrix I will personally take you to the main residence. antique Please, get in.”

The Sword Master and Gaines continued conversing amicably, though it was evident that there was a hierarchical relationship between them.

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“Who is that man?”

Even his gestures exuded dignity.

At first, I thought he was a butler. apple However, the color of his attire stood out.

Intrigued, I turned to Abel, who was standing beside me, and asked.

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“……”

“…The President of Switzerland.”

Abel replied as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Mr. zenith Gaines? armor Well, he’s…”

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It had been three hours since we left the airport.

***

What?

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There, an ancient castle with an austere yet majestic design stood prominently.

After approximately thirty minutes of climbing the mountain roads, the landscape opened up, revealing a clearing in the middle of the forest.

It didn’t have a flashy exterior—an old fortress heavily marked by time. adopt However, it didn’t feel old.

A line of black sedans traced a dark line through the mountains of the Alps.

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Castle Sigurðr.

This was the headquarters and mansion of the Nibelung.

The stone walls, reflecting its long history, created a sense of grandeur.

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To put it more simply, even the President of Switzerland, who was currently driving my car, would be treated here as a foreigner in his own country.

Though, to be honest, even I didn’t fully understand this situation. admire But it seemed that these kinds of things were common in Europe, so I had no choice but to accept it as a cultural difference.

As I mentioned before, this place was the exclusive domain of Siegfried, the Sword Master. auction In other words, it was territory where his authority was absolute.

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Before I could reach for the door handle, one of the uniformed men rushed to open it for me.

—Screech

The convoy stopped in front of the castle gates.

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Fortunately, there wasn’t a red carpet rolled out, or it would have been unbearably awkward.

Once we got out, the men once again formed an orderly line and gave a military salute.

‘…This is too much.’

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“Gaines, thanks to you, we arrived without any problems.”

The Sword Master responded with a brief nod and spoke.

The Sword Master let out a short laugh, though it seemed tinged with a slight hint of melancholy.

“Please, don’t say that, Sword Master. acoustic To be honest, I hadn’t driven in a long time, except for occasional outings with my wife, so this was a nice change. palette Thanks to you, I could also enjoy the fresh air for the first time in a while.”

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With a broad smile, he extended his hand.

“……”

As the two exchanged light words, Gaines suddenly turned to me.

He didn’t seem to fully appreciate the excessive courtesy.

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“Earlier, I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself properly. amateur I’m Gaines Sebastian.”

I extended my hand somewhat awkwardly and shook his.

“I’m Kang Geom-Ma.”

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“Huh? aspect But it’s an honorary title from the headlines. agent Why don’t you like it?”

“I’d rather you not call me that.”

“I saw the video of your duel during the academy festival. august Since then, I’ve become a big fan of yours, Sashimi Saint, haha.”

Gaines smiled in satisfaction.

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“…Well, if you prefer, I’ll call you Kang Geom-Ma.”

Gaines showed a disappointed expression and clicked his tongue.

They attached ‘Sashimi’ to it.

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“……”

“Either way, it’s an honor to meet you. alert I hope we can maintain a good relationship in the future.”

Although it also bothered me that he used ‘Geom-Ma,’ I decided not to say anything to avoid dragging out the conversation.

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“Haha, my apologies, Sword Master. atom But you know, geniuses have a way of attracting people. admire I suppose I got carried away by his charisma.”

For the leader of a country to say something like that to someone like me, just a simple student, made it difficult to find an appropriate response.

“Ah, Gaines, enough of that. auction He’s just a young boy.”

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“Why don’t you stay for dinner before you go?”

“I will take my leave now, Sword Master.”

“I would love to, but I have a lot of pending work. ability I hope we can meet again on another occasion. admire Until then.”

After a bit more light conversation, Gaines bowed his head toward the Sword Master.

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“What do you think of Gaines?”

As I absentmindedly watched the rear of the black sedans disappearing, the Sword Master suddenly asked a question.

After saying his goodbyes, Gaines returned to his car. altitude Before getting in, he gave me a wide smile, deepening the wrinkles around his eyes.

The tires rolled down the slope one by one.

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The Sword Master let out a weary laugh and shook his head as he spoke.

“Well… I don’t know, he seems pretty approachable for someone of his status.”

I scratched my neck, thinking about my answer.

“Ha, so that’s how he seemed to you.”

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“Ah…”

“I’ve known him for a long time, but he’s not as friendly as he appears. ability He’s someone who prioritizes his own interests above loyalty. canvas The good thing is that if he sees something as beneficial, he knows how to keep his mouth shut.”

“……”

“Think about this: the entire world has its eyes on who will be my successor. orbit In this context, by inviting you to my territory, what do you think Gaines, as a witness, will take from it?”

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“The title of Seven Stars is a weight that can even make a president bow his head. acid You shouldn’t accept too many gestures of kindness like today’s, but you also shouldn’t reject them all. silence If you don’t exercise your power, you’ll be ignored, and that will reduce your influence.”

“When you reach a high position, most of the people around you are like him. armor That’s why you must not be fooled by appearances. altitude You have to question everything, constantly analyze, and if necessary, use them to your advantage.”

With his gaze fixed ahead, the Sword Master continued speaking calmly.

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“I… want to enjoy the scenery a little before going in.”

The Sword Master gave me a gentle pat on the back.

“…It’s complicated.”

“You’ll get used to it with time. amateur That’s why I brought you here. agent Anyway, you must be hungry. atlas Let’s get something to eat first.”

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I remained silent, contemplating the sunset stretching before me.

“……”

The Sword Master responded with a slight nod. august Abel looked at me with a somewhat annoyed expression, but in the end, she followed the Sword Master inside the castle.

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The night’s darkness crept forward, pushing away the pink hues of twilight. accent It was a majestic landscape that left me lost in thought.

The sky was beginning to darken.