The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

‘Am I in a hospital?’

My eyes opened automatically as the damp, medicinal smell stung my nostrils.

I rubbed my sore chest and barely managed to lift my upper body. absorb Slowly, I turned my head and took in the room.

When I looked around, the first thing I saw was an unfamiliar ceiling. wizard I glanced down and saw an IV needle deeply inserted into my right forearm, with outdated cotton curtains swaying from the breeze blowing through the open window.

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‘The Joaquin Academy’s VIP Hospital Suite.’

Unlike the hospital room I first entered after enrolling in the academy, this one was luxurious and sophisticated. harbor It resembled the hospital room I’d seen in Nox’s care center.

The glossy, marble-like furniture filled the space with a palpable air of opulence. advance As I recalled, the VIP room was reserved for nobility. wizard Scratching my chin, I leaned back against the pillow, covering my eyes with my hands.

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I didn’t want to get bogged down with mundane details.

‘Will they bill me for this later?’

Whatever circumstances had brought me to this VIP hospital room, I decided to focus on the simple fact that I was alive.

I shook my head, dismissing that concern. portal As mercenary as the academy was, I doubted they’d reach that level of inhumanity.

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I looked blankly at the ceiling, then reached up, stretching out my arm and opening my hand. artist The hospital room’s light shone between my fingers.

I opened and closed my fist, reassuring myself that I could move. audit Clenching it tightly, I felt my nails dig into my palm.

‘I’m alive.’

…Although, if they did charge me, I might have to make a nighttime escape.

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‘A demon…’

Never did I think that being alive could fill me with such relief. abstract Since I joined the academy, I’d come close to death on more than one occasion.

But this time felt different, as if those previous incidents were nothing more than a game in comparison. voyage Even Nox’s attacks, from the genius of Auditore, felt like mere child’s play next to the deadly magic of the demon siren.

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Dodging that attack was impossible. altitude Yet, for some reason, instead of shrinking back, I had charged straight at it.

And, most of all, that magic sphere the siren had cast just before its death. arctic A dark energy orb that had flown straight toward me.

That tough, hard-to-pierce skin, the strange resistance in its flesh. atom The way its bones broke didn’t feel at all like a human’s.

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It was just water. shadow But I could still feel the sensation of cutting through it in my hand.

I remember seeing a red line etched through the center of the blue sphere. shadow My blood boiled, and my muscles tensed.

Was that what people called instinct? advance I extended my blades and thrust them into the line. atomic The round sphere split in two like a water balloon, and the magic dispersed in a torrential rain.

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Beyond that, I didn’t know how else to explain it. apple Ever since I activated the Blessing of the Sword God, I’d been experiencing a series of sensations I couldn’t put into words.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to clear my mind. wizard I lay back down and opened my status window.

What was that? aluminum It felt like breaking a calm surface, a stillness shattered.

Content of The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master - Chapter 26: Preparation (1) published by TrungTu Reads.

== ==

[Blessing of the Sword God]

Fwaaash—

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◎ Spirit Level: (3▶4) ▷ Imposes intimidation in speech and actions.

If you cut it, it will cut you.

◎ Weapon Level: 1 ▷ Unlock conditions not met.

◎ Body Level: 7 ▷ Permission to use larger swords granted.

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★【？？？】

[※ The blessing activates only for swords less than 36 cm long and 9 cm wide.]

☆ Synchronization Rate: 6.8▶7.2% ▷ 【NEW! echo Unlock conditions met.】

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The Spirit Level had increased by one. meadow I recalled the mechanical voice I’d heard when I activated the blessing: “Your spirit rises as you show your resolve.”

I had thought that statistic was useless, but it seemed incredibly useful in life-or-death situations.

I guess my ability to confront the demon without hesitation had been due to that Spirit Level. atlas Thanks to it, I hadn’t frozen up and was able to move freely.

== ==

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I saw the message glowing before my eyes. armor The Synchronization Rate had surpassed 7%, meeting the unlock conditions.

‘Finally.’

Life is strange sometimes. anxiety I scratched my cheek, looking down.

They say courage and recklessness are separated by a thin line. abandon If I’d backed down like the others, we’d all be in the next world by now.

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It was the number I was most curious about in the Blessing of the Sword God, aside from those question marks at the end. arcade Excited, I extended my index finger and tapped the message.

==

☆ Synchronization Rate: 7.2% ▷ One line of 【???】 is now visible.

Fwaaash—

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==

[At 15% synchronization, further details will unlock.]

‘I can see a line.’

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‘What in the world is 【？？？】?’

…But the real question is.

I had hoped for some clue about the mystery that had been hovering over me, but now I had even more questions. zenith It felt like someone was deliberately withholding information from me.

The meaning of the message was clear. anxiety That red line on the siren’s magic—it could be nothing else.

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I sighed, taking a moment to calm myself—I’d just woken up, after all. harbor There was no point in getting worked up so soon.

It was probably related to the question marks that appeared in the Blessing, but with just those three symbols, I didn’t have any leads.

It was like trying to grasp a slippery fish that kept slipping through my fingers, leaving me with only a hint to keep going.

“Haah…”

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Still, I’d gained at least one clue. arrow The “1” in parentheses. audit As the Synchronization Rate increased, this number should increase as well.

Whoever threw me into this world is probably laughing.

If they would only define clearly what that “line” meant, I’d feel much more at ease. afford But it was as though someone had thrown me a half-solved puzzle, leaving me to piece it together.

The world of “Miracle Blessing M” was, at its core, a game, so this made sense.

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I chuckled dryly and closed the status window. advance I stretched, feeling my joints ease.

Someone knocked on the door, then entered.

“Kang Geom-Ma! atom You’re awake!”

Knock, knock

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“I was so worried… If something had happened to you, I would have fired every supervisor who claimed they’d inspected the island. echo I’m so glad you’re all right.”

“…!”

“Gah, Director… y-you’re… choking me…”

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I sensed another presence on the other side.

Media wiped her tears with the back of her hand. riddle I cleared my throat, feeling a bit awkward, and glanced toward the door.

Even from behind the door, the force radiating from it was unmistakable.

“Oh, sorry, I got a little too excited.”

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“Come on, Grandpa! abstract Are you embarrassed? arctic Just come in already!”

“Media, I’ve told you not to call me that,” came a reply accompanied by a frown as Siegfried, the Sword Master, stepped inside.

When I looked at the door, Media shrugged and raised her voice.

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For someone like me, having two legendary heroes come to see me every time I ended up in the hospital was overwhelming.

Siegfried stood beside Media, arms crossed, silently looking at me.

It felt like déjà vu. beacon The first visitors I had when I was hospitalized after the entrance ceremony had also been the director and the Sword Master.

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I spoke cautiously, and Media smiled as she brushed a hand over my hair.

“Director, Master Siegfried, to what do I owe the honor?”

Media stepped back and, after taking a few steps away, bowed deeply. absorb At this, Siegfried also unfolded his arms and saluted me. athlete My eyes widened in surprise.

“Your teammates told us everything. aspect You’re amazing, Kang Geom-Ma.”

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Seeing Media bow in such a way toward someone like me made me realize how noble she truly was. athlete Siegfried added with a determined expression:

“You saved the students.”

They were known as the Seven-Star Heroes, humanity’s hope.

“On behalf of Joaquin Academy, I apologize. atlas Everything that happened during the intermediate exam was our fault. wizard Because of this, Kang Geom-Ma, your life, your team’s lives, and even the lives of all the first-year students were at risk. sphere I swear, in the name of Joaquin Academy, that I’ll uncover the truth behind the appearance of that demon.”

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“I just did what I had to.”

I replied modestly, scratching under my nose. accent Media lifted her head, and her eyes seemed warmer than before.

As I looked at Media and Siegfried, I understood why they were called humanity’s hope. advance Every word and gesture radiated dignity.

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Indeed, a sudden appearance of a demon on an island that had already been inspected was undoubtedly unusual. artist Her analysis made sense.

“Kang Geom-Ma, although what you achieved was incredible… until we investigate fully, we must keep this incident a secret. august It appears the problem may originate within the Academy. riddle I’m so sorry, Kang Geom-Ma.”

Then her expression darkened slightly. avalanche She sat beside me and, after a moment’s hesitation, said:

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Media laughed softly, looking at me affectionately.

“Oh, come on, Kang Geom-Ma, you could at least complain a little!”

Besides, I didn’t care for fame or recognition, and honestly, if I could keep a low profile, that was fine by me.

“I understand.”

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“Oh, that’s right!”

‘Is that an antique coin purse?’

Then, as if remembering something, she clapped loudly and pulled an old-fashioned purse from her robe, the kind grandmothers usually carry.

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Seeing my expression, Media frowned, looking almost hysterical.

She once told me it was “female intuition,” but maybe I needed to watch not just my words but my thoughts around her.

…How does she know? abandon I’d suspected for some time that Media could read minds.

“Kang Geom-Ma, I know what you’re thinking! alpha I’m not that old!”

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When I waved my hand dismissively, Media pouted and huffed.

“What?”

“What, you don’t know what a spatial pocket is?”

“Kang Geom-Ma, I don’t know what you were imagining, but this is a spatial pocket.”

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An item that could hold anything regardless of volume or mass. alien It was a multipurpose item that went for the highest bids in the auction house when I played the game.

“Yes, whatever.”

…But, impressive functionality aside, it really looked nothing like a high-end item.

A spatial pocket.

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A B-rank weapon: Muramasa, the Rain Sword.

Media pulled something long from the purse, which turned out to be a straight-edged sword with a handle wrapped in simple cord.

The blade, marked and worn, glistened as if wet under the light.

“Normally, I’d give this to you in an official ceremony, but given the circumstances, I’m presenting it to you personally. agent I hope you like it, Kang Geom-Ma.”

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A metallic sound vibrated in my ears.

Cling-

I accepted the sword with trembling hands, feeling the roughness of the handle. shadow I ran my fingers over the blade.

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Even though I was excited to have a new weapon, I felt a strange sense of dissatisfaction, as if something was missing.

“Do you like it?”

‘Although…’

Media smiled proudly and asked:

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Scratching my cheek, I replied, “Could I take it to the blacksmith?”

“Huh… why?”

A radiant smile lit Media’s face.

Media looked at me, puzzled. abstract I responded with a smile and murmured:

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“To get it upgraded.”