The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

When I went to his hospital room, just in case, I kept a kitchen knife in the inner pocket of my jacket. riddle If I noticed anything suspicious, I was prepared to cut without hesitation.

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.

Even so, I wanted it to end as cleanly as possible. sphere 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.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

That’s why, to prevent future issues, I left him with a warning before leaving if they interfered, I would wipe out the Auditores.

Seeing his pale expression, my warning seemed to have worked. atlas I’d seen that look many times in my past life: the face of someone who’s lost their will, someone completely shattered.

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. acoustic I don’t want to grow too used to the feeling of cutting through people.

Of course, it was a bold and arrogant threat. abandon My blessing only lasts 30 seconds, so facing his entire family would be impossible.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

I stared at the sunset for a moment. accent A few days ago, it seemed impressive, but now it failed to stir any emotion.

I scratched my head as I left the hospital, brushing off the faint scent of medicine that clung to my clothes.

I didn’t feel great about it. athlete After all, I was the one who’d crushed the will of a boy who had been revered as a genius his entire life.

The soft purple hue of twilight stretched across the horizon, starting to fade.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high.

‘Could it be I’m getting used to it?’

***

I clicked my tongue softly and patted my chest. autumn Today had been especially draining. zenith Thinking that a simple ramen dinner would do, I headed to the campus supermarket.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

When was the last time I slept so well? audit I scratched my neck and reached for the water bottle by my bed.

I opened my sleepy eyes and let out a long yawn. august I’d slept so deeply that my body, which had felt like a lump of damp cotton before, now felt light.

‘I love weekends.’

I turned my head to check the time on my phone. abandon Then, I wriggled a bit in bed before finally getting up, beginning my usual lazy weekend routine.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Although I hadn’t been drinking, I probably looked like a tired office worker, one of those people worn out by life.

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.

‘I could go for a beer.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Saliva started gathering in my mouth, and I wiped it with my sleeve. alien What a strange fate I have.

I pictured how refreshing a cold, frosty 500cc glass would be. autumn 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.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Just yesterday, two cute girls were fighting with knives in front of me. aluminum 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. attic I chuckled dryly.

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.

I messed up my hair as if to shake off my thoughts. shadow The more I got caught up in all this nonsense, the deeper I’d get pulled into situations I didn’t want. aspect I didn’t have to worry about Nox anymore, but Rachel… well, she was another story.

‘I think I’m going crazy too.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

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.

‘Guess I’ll figure it out as I go.’

Her personality, affected by her blessing, was completely unpredictable—a true “yolo” mentality. legend She was one of those characters you couldn’t quite figure out.

Somehow, I’d gotten wrapped up with the last person I wanted to deal with. silence I didn’t mind avoiding conflict, but I had no idea how to handle her.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

The exam involved forming a team of five, regardless of class, to hunt monsters. absorb 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.

Though it was a long katana-type sword, it wasn’t like I had any other weapon, so I couldn’t really complain. palette Also, the fact that it wasn’t bound by standard blessing categories was a plus. apple And, well, if I didn’t end up liking it, I could always bring it to the blacksmith.

I had a lot on my plate. apple My top priority was preparing for the midterms coming up in two weeks. silence The reward was a B-ranksword, “Murasame,” so I intended to give it my best.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

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. armor Basically, imagine a salmon walking on two legs.

The upside was that if you got a good team, you could earn rewards without too much effort. atlas That would be ideal.

‘Damn it.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

If only they were mermaids instead of those grotesque fish.

Mazoku were the demonic races that made up the demon army, while magical beasts like the merman were just their pets.

‘But those were mazoku, right?’

Even in the game, they were disgusting creatures, and the thought of seeing them in real life sent shivers down my spine. anxiety I’d fished my whole life, but the idea of facing fish with legs made me want to curse.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Humanity responded by sending the Seven Star Heroes, their strongest warriors. anxiety After seven days of relentless fighting, the heroes achieved victory.

Around 700 years ago, a truce had been signed between humans and mazoku, and though peace had held, there were always minor conflicts.

He claimed he wanted to revive the first battalion commander, Lycan, who had been sealed away by Balor Joaquin, one of the founding heroes.

The most obvious example was from 50 years ago when the sixth battalion commander, Basmon, crossed the border without permission.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

However, three of the seven heroes fell to Basmon.

And to top it off, Basmon was the “weakest” among the demon king’s commanders—classic cliché. autumn The fact that Balor could single-handedly seal away Lycan was astounding.

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…?’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“…”

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.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

I needed to find a good team. acoustic Normally, young nobles wouldn’t want to team up with someone like me, a scholarship student, but…

I was somewhat known around campus now. atomic 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.

If I want to survive in that chaos, I have to stay calm. abstract I decided to focus solely on the midterms for now.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

My original plan of joining a good group and coasting through the exam was forgotten; now, I was on the verge of failing.

***

A week later, as if mocking me, no one wanted to include me on their team.

With that thought finished, I stared up at the ceiling before sinking back onto my bed. amber At this stage of growth, no matter how much I sleep, I’m always tired.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

It was probably because of how I’d acted with Nox. aluminum 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.

I seriously wondered why.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

And it wasn’t just me. armor Chloe hadn’t received any invitations either. acoustic 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.

After thinking it over, I asked Chloe.

I was used to being a loner, but Chloe had actually managed to fit in and make friends at the academy. echo Now, overnight, she was isolated.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

She replied with a forced smile, scratching her head.

“Haven’t you gotten any team invites yet?”

“Oh, no, nothing yet, hehe.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yeah, Chloe had always been like that. portal I couldn’t help but smile.

“Doesn’t it bother you? crystal I mean, I’m used to people avoiding me, but you actually made friends.”

“Oh! arctic No, I don’t mind. album As long as I have you…”

Her voice trailed off, as if she were talking to herself. arctic Though she claimed she didn’t mind, Chloe did seem genuinely unbothered; in fact, she looked calmer than before.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

I considered Chloe a strong and dependable ally. academy With her on my team, I might not need to draw my sword in every fight. atlas 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. apple I couldn’t do that solo.

She nodded energetically, flashing a bright smile. artist My suggestion wasn’t just out of pity.

“Well then, why don’t we team up for this exam? ability We still need three more people, but neither of us has a team yet. august What do you think?”

“Oh, yes! alpha Absolutely!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Rachel. academy She’d been quiet for a few days, but apparently, that calm had ended. august My expression soured at the sight of her.

We were discussing the exam when an unexpected visitor showed up.

“I came to see you!”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Chloe, seated beside me, was watching her with sharp eyes, as if she might strike at any moment. echo Her hand was already moving toward her pocket, and I could almost see the metallic glint of a knife.

“Huh? sphere Just wanted to see you.”

“What do you want now?”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Kang Geom-Ma, you’re so mean!”

Rachel stuck her tongue out playfully. acquire I rubbed my temples and gestured for her to leave. arrow But ignoring my signal, she moved even closer, practically pressing herself against me.

“Can you stop calling me that?”

“Not today. legend I’m busy and don’t have time for you.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Do you have a team for the exam?”

“No.”

She asked, hitting me right where it hurt.

“Really? atom Lucky! antique How about joining our team?”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

Her sudden proposal left me a bit taken aback.

“They’re boring. apple I think things would get interesting with you around.”

“Why me? album I’m sure there are others lining up to team up with you.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“That’s fine! voyage We happen to have two open spots.”

I rubbed my chin, thinking. atomic It was an invitation from the academy’s fourth-ranked student, after all. canvas Considering the current situation, my outlook for the exam was pretty bleak, so my options were limited.

“I already agreed to team up with Chloe.”

I was tempted. timber As much as Rachel annoyed me, there’s a saying that goes, ‘Hate the sin, not the sinner.’

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

I looked at Chloe to see how she felt about it. anchor She frowned, probably irritated by Rachel’s presence, but in the end, she reluctantly nodded.

Rachel seemed pleased with my answer, flashing a wide smile. antenna She quickly pulled out her phone to send a message, saying she’d contact the team leader. orbit Suddenly, a doubt crept into my mind.

“Alright, I’ll join.”

“Perfect! autumn No backing out now.”

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 19: There’s never a moment of calm (4) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Leon van Reinhardt, do you know him?”

Damn it…

“By the way, who’s the leader?”