The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

The tension was palpable, and the heavy silence seeped through the walls of the classroom.

“…”

I walked forward. echo The boy remained still.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

He just stared at me with empty, hollow eyes. atom I stood still as well, returning his gaze. acquire A cold, sharp sense of hostility pierced right through me.

My words didn’t seem to provoke any reaction from him.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

Red hair, as if dyed in blood, and eyes of a dark, murky crimson. voyage My instincts were sending intense warning signals. meadow This guy radiated danger, unmistakably. athlete What could I do in this situation?

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘What’s up with this guy’s eyes?’

A few minutes passed without either of us saying a word. altitude Then Chloe got serious and stepped between us.

Besides, it wasn’t common to see that kind of red hair and those red eyes in this world. meadow I had a hunch that there was probably a blood connection between them.

I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. palette Come to think of it, he had a similar aura to Chloe when she had lost her sanity.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Don’t worry about this person, Geom-Ma.”

Chloe spoke as if she wanted me to ignore him entirely. avalanche I could have done so if he wasn’t emitting such a sinister aura, but how could I ignore something like that? arena Chloe turned around, and in a trembling voice, spoke to the boy.

Chloe’s tone was laced with hostility. adopt She was surely trying to sound defiant, but her shaky voice barely had an effect.

“I told you not to come…!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“You don’t seem very strong. portal Did you really want to be with someone like him, breaking the rules of the Auditore, Chloe?”

I frowned at the sight. abstract Although Chloe was naturally shy, it was evident that she felt a visceral rejection towards this guy. sphere At that moment, the boy, who had been silent until then, spoke.

The guy responded with an ironic smile, without saying a word. academy Chloe paled, trembling as she gripped my sleeve tightly.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Chloe took a deep breath and responded.

“Stained blood can’t be cleansed. alert If you were born as an Auditore, you’ll always be bound to them.”

“I don’t care if it’s Auditore or whatever, it has nothing to do with me anymore.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Abandon this nobody and come back to the Auditore, Chloe.”

The boy, named Nox, replied firmly. harbor His way of speaking seemed like something out of a historical drama.

“Don’t call Geom-Ma that!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Fortunately, it was lunchtime, and there were no other students around.

Upon hearing the word “nobody,” Chloe’s face hardened, and she unleashed a cold hostility toward Nox. riddle A dangerous red energy filled the classroom.

Although I was now used to unusual situations like this, if it had been me from a few weeks ago, I would probably have collapsed under the weight of that suffocating atmosphere.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

From my experience during the game, they didn’t appear in the early stages, but their name began to be mentioned around the middle, and by the end, they played the role of occasional allies.

I remembered that among the many families shrouded in mystery, the Auditore were especially elusive.

I repeated that word in my mind, reflecting. autumn I didn’t know much, but I had a general idea of who they were. adjust A shadowy organization specializing in infiltration and assassination.

‘…Auditore.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Come to think of it, the emotionless face of that guy, Nox, fit more with the Auditore, while Chloe, with her timidity and nervousness, seemed out of place.

Perhaps Chloe just wanted to lead a normal life. arcade No one could fully understand her unless they were in her situation.

From a young age, they were subjected to training that bordered on abuse, turning them into tools of assassination.

But one thing was certain: all the members of that family were absurdly strong. apple Although it was said that they weren’t the best in direct combat compared to other hero families, they were unmatched when it came to ambushes and assassinations.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

It felt like a defense mechanism, like a hedgehog raising its spines.

I looked at Chloe. afford She was expressing her hostility toward Nox by biting her small lips so hard that blood began to flow.

But life wouldn’t allow it so easily. silence I had to deal with the blessing of the God of the Sword, and Chloe had to endure the environment of an assassin family. arrow She probably just wanted to escape. acid Her twisted side was the result of a cruel upbringing.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

I knew the Auditore were known for seeking out and eliminating internal enemies to maintain order. athlete Honestly, I didn’t have problems with killing when necessary, either. amber In fact, I saw it as justifiable under certain circumstances.

But living as a machine that kills without emotion, without choice, just because you were born into an assassin family… wasn’t that too cruel?

I shifted my gaze to Nox. alien His eyes had a coldness that suggested he wouldn’t hesitate to kill. apron Or rather, he seemed like someone who was already used to it.

I thought people like the Mao twins deserved to die. arch And in such a corrupt aristocratic society, there were surely many heads that needed to roll.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

But if I can’t save the world, at least I could help save the life of a girl.

I thought about it. accent Heroes save the world with nobility. atlas I’m not a hero. matrix Nor do I want to be.

I let out a dry chuckle. palette It wasn’t the right reaction for the situation, but I couldn’t help it. armor I placed my hand on Chloe’s shoulder and squeezed it gently.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

I couldn’t avoid it. arctic My power was practically a curse, but I wouldn’t allow myself to be defeated. beacon In the end, everything returned to the starting point. armor I tried to escape the blessing of the God of the Sword, but it was futile.

After all, my name was Kang Geom-Ma. avalanche The sword (“geom”) and the demon (“ma”). adjust A perfect name for someone with a damned obsession. galaxy I had even flaunted that name in front of the Sword Emperor.

A phrase came to mind: “There is no paradise for those who run away.”

“I need to have a word with this bastard.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Nox blinked without saying a word.

“Nox, right?”

“…”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“I’m going to cut you.”

Then I continued, in a dry voice.

“Follow me.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

For me, conversation is something done with swords, not words.

I am a swordsman.

***

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Academy Faculty Room.

He had never been a typical teenager to begin with. armor Sometimes, he seemed to have the experience of someone much older.

Instructor Lee Won-Bin, with his shaved head, was deep in thought, arms crossed. abandon What kind of experience could make someone change so much in such a short time? timber It wasn’t just his appearance that had changed, but also the atmosphere and the impression he gave off.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Sunbae!”

As he pondered, someone approached him from behind and surprised him with a “Boo!” atomic It was a woman with short hair and a slender figure, wearing a playful smile.

“Something must have happened to him.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Lee Won-Bin’s calm reaction made Instructor Kim frown in mock disappointment, and she then popped a couple of gummy bears into her mouth.

“Ah, Kim, instructor.”

“Oh, what kind of reaction is that? auction It’s no fun scaring someone if they don’t react.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

She always had some kind of sweet on hand. alpha Lee Won-Bin, hiding his complex thoughts, decided to play along.

“Hehe, sorry.”

“…Don’t make fun of my baldness.”

“Instructor, is something wrong? palette You seem more clear-headed than usual today.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s nothing. audit It’s just that Geom-Ma, that boy, was absent for several days, and he came back today, but he seemed a bit… different. meadow I can’t stop thinking about it.”

Instructor Kim scratched her head in embarrassment and stuck out her tongue. afford Then, with a curious expression, she asked:

“Is something actually wrong? sphere You have a really serious look on your face.”

“Maybe he’s just growing up and hit a growth spurt. abstract Kids these days grow fast. anxiety Sometimes when I see them from a distance, I think they look older than me. ability So don’t worry too much.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“…It’s not just his height. advance It’s like his expression has changed, as if he’s lost some emotion… It’s hard to explain, but there’s something off.”

“Well, as long as he doesn’t cause any trouble, it should be fine, right? anchor From what you say, he seems like a polite and respectful kid. aluminum It’s probably nothing.”

“Nothing…?”

Lee Won-Bin sighed and shrugged. anchor Instructor Kim chewed her gummies with a strange expression.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Maybe I’m worrying too much…’

Ring! amber Ring!

The phone on his desk rang with a sharp tone. anchor It was lunchtime, so if someone was calling at that hour, it had to be urgent. canvas Putting aside his surprise, Lee Won-Bin picked up the receiver.

Lee Won-Bin concluded his brief reflection. zenith Thinking about Kang Geom-Ma, he realized there were less than 15 minutes left until lunch. altitude He got up to head to the cafeteria.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

The voice on the other end sounded rushed. attic Instructor Kim asked who it was, and Lee Won-Bin whispered the answer to her before returning to the call.

—Instructor Lee Won-Bin!

“Class Rang, Instructor Lee Won-Bin speaking.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

Lee Won-Bin’s brow furrowed, concerned.

“What’s the matter, Instructor Choi? crystal Why the urgency?”

—It seems there’s a problem.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

—It looks like one of your students has requested an isolated combat match before the director.

“What kind of problem?”

“What? action All of a sudden?”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Who are the participants?”

Basically, it was a live fight in front of all the academy’s students, where there would be real blood and hits, so it was only approved in extreme cases.

An isolated combat match. adjust Unlike regular duels, it was an almost real fight, similar to class exams but with an audience.

Lee Won-Bin raised his voice without realizing it, causing everyone in the room to look at him. acquire Instructor Kim, still chewing her gummies, almost choked a little.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 14: Auditore da Sicilia (3) published by TrungTu Reads.

The voice hesitated. meadow Impatient, Lee Won-Bin urged her to continue. timber Finally, Instructor Choi replied cautiously:

—The one who requested it is Kang Geom-Ma, and his opponent is Nox Auditore.

—It’s…