The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

Shortly after receiving the news that Chloe had stabilized, Knox personally came to Joaquin Academy to deliver the message.

“…It’s thanks to you.”

Since I met him, I had never seen Knox relax.

But at that moment, he was lying back on the reception room sofa, sinking into the cushions.

“You look like you’ve aged ten years.”

I served him a glass of red ginseng extract with two tablespoons of honey. It was his favorite combination.

“Mentally, I feel like I’ve aged at least twenty.”

“That’s why you’re starting to sound like a historical drama character. Soon you’ll be saying, ‘Oh great lord, I beg you to hear my plea…’”

“In that sense, I envy your mental strength, Kang Geom-Ma. You always manage to appear so composed.”

“I just fake it.”

I shrugged.

“I don’t believe that.”

Knox gave a tired smile and drank the ginseng tea. His expression softened.

Seeing the mood lighten a bit, I asked directly.

“How exactly is Chloe?”

“She came out of the collapsed state they call awakening.”

Knox hesitated before adding.

“I didn’t know the empire had such dangerous artifacts.”

“They’re dangerous in many ways.”

“I agree. Frankly, it’s not something I’d want in my hands, but His Majesty, the emperor, seems to have quite twisted tastes.”

The object the emperor put up for auction in Kaiten to hinder us was called The Mask of Lies and The Bite of Truth, a two-piece set.

As soon as I heard the names, I instantly remembered I was a possessor.

‘They were event items, but here they turn out to be imperial property.’

The Mask of Lies had the effect of disconnecting visual perception from reality.

Whoever wore it gradually lost their sense of the real world.

The Bite of Truth, on the other hand, brought the wearer’s deepest thoughts to the surface.

If the mask dragged consciousness down too far, adaptation after removal was slow. That’s why the bite served as a brake, to prevent the mind from sinking completely.

In simple terms, it was like general anesthesia with assisted breathing.

‘When both artifacts slow the mind’s absorption of “awakening,” that’s when the graduate professors of Joaquin can safely examine Chloe’s physical condition.’

Those items didn’t heal by themselves. In the end, it was people who did the healing. And that was a relief.

Because if simple objects could eliminate “awakening,” the balance of the world would break.

‘According to what I saw in the wiki, they didn’t have serious side effects.’

They were limited event items, which gave them that exaggerated flair.

‘A mask and a bite… what a ridiculous concept.’

I remembered that around that time I had stopped using Miracle Blessing M. Why had I looked for something like that then?

‘…Though thanks to that, we managed to save Chloe’s life.’

A strange emptiness washed over me.

I changed the subject.

“Just to be clear—don’t think you owe me anything. Chloe is my friend. If I can help her, it’s only natural to do so.”

“I know.”

“You don’t need to come inform me of every update. I bet Chloe would prefer to see me when she’s already jumping around happy and healthy. If you spoil everything beforehand, you take the fun out of the moment, don’t you think?”

“You’re quite the fox, Kang Geom-Ma.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Exactly what you heard.”

Knox smiled as he finished the tea.

“Even in the world of heroes, women don’t just look for the strongest men. The blend of toughness and tenderness matters too. That’s the key—your secret to winning hearts.”

“And why am I hearing my secrets from someone else’s mouth?”

“Because the one in question keeps playing dumb. So I’m telling you.”

“How considerate. Now that it’s clear, finish your drink and go. Chloe’s still in a delicate state. I already notified Ryozo, so return to your place.”

“Always with your damned habit of kicking people out. I bet the Heavenly Archer and the Lady of the Sword get impatient with you.”

“Ah, give it a rest.”

Knox left the empty cup and stood up.

He looked like he had shed a great weight, much more relieved than before.

“Both objects—when we’re done using them—they’ll return to Joaquin Academy. I’ll list them under your name, Heavenly Sword, as a temporary loan.”

“I don’t like having such horrible things in an educational institution.”

“Well, Chloe wears them day and night. Don’t worry, we’ll return them clean. If you don’t want them here, give them to the princess when she graduates from the graduate program.”

“I’ll do that.”

In the meantime, I could use them to investigate the link between Blessings and magic, and the “awakening” phenomenon.

Chloe showed signs of recovery. We had to keep observing, but it was encouraging.

I planned to use the momentum to ask the graduate professors to dig deeper into the “awakening.”

‘Maybe, with a bit of luck…’

That problem not even my father could solve—the awakening block. Maybe we’d find a clue here.

A smile curled on my lips.

“Oh, by the way.”

Knox, just before closing the reception room door, said to me.

“It’s almost time, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s close.”

“It’ll be interesting to see who the new Seven will be, walking by your side, Heavenly Sword.”

***

After Knox left, I headed straight to the training grounds.

Even before entering, the shouts pierced through the walls.

As I crossed the entrance, the hot air hit me head-on—it was the resistance generated by the intensity of my teammates, who were expelling energy like blazing flames.

With just half a dozen people, they managed to fill the entire massive training field with their clamor and the heat of their practice.

“Again!”

“Yes, sir!”

Abel and Rachel were the most driven.

Both charged at Father again and again without rest.

Their movements had become more refined, their attacks much more violent.

In the early days, the boss didn’t even use his hands. Now, even his feet were coming into play to respond to them.

This was the result of just two weeks.

‘I feel damn proud.’

That day, Ryozo was absent.

The fact that she, who almost always considered these practices mandatory, was missing was proof enough that the matter keeping her away was of utmost importance.

At that moment, Ryozo was in direct consultations with the executive and legislative powers of Korea regarding the relocation of the capital.

At first, the opposition was strong.

Korean politicians fiercely rejected the fact that Ryozo had Japanese blood.

I frowned just as I felt someone sit softly beside me. Yu Sein, with her legs crossed, placed a gaming console on top.

I couldn’t help but let out a disbelieving laugh.

“You really had to come here just to play?”

“Of course. It’s the new console, you know? The Nintendo Switch 2. Even if you want one, it’s not that easy to get.”

“If you came just to show off, you picked the wrong place. Do you think they’re going to be distracted by a console in the middle of this?”

“At least you’re looking at it.”

Yu Sein gave me a mischievous smile.

“…It’s not that impressive.”

“Come on, don’t be like that.”

She leaned in closer, almost entirely, with the console practically pressing the screen into my eyes. She rubbed it insistently, like trying to tattoo it on my retina.

I pushed her cheek away with my hand.

“Sorry, but I’m not in the mood to talk about consoles.”

“Still worried about Ryozo?”

“…Again?”

“It’s always the same with you—if it’s not Ryozo, it’s Abel. And if someone gets in their way, you plan to cut them off at the root.”

“You’re making me sound like I’m obsessed.”

“Well, you are.”

…Damn it.

Yu Sein, swinging her legs playfully, added,

“With the capital thing, everything will go fine.”

“Of course. Ryozo isn’t just anyone, is she?”

“Wow, listen to you brag.”

“Hey!”

“It’s definitely more fun teasing you now. Back in our student days, you were so dramatic it felt like if I poked you, you’d cough up the blood of a dark dragon.”

I should’ve brought the sashimi with me.

Yu Sein moved just five handspans away and threw me sidelong glances. Finally, she spoke.

“Recently, she told me she’s already reached a peaceful agreement with the politicians.”

“When did you see her?”

“Please. Don’t you know we talk often?”

“Often, you say…?”

That console was probably a gift from Ryozo.

“Stop taking advantage of Ryozo and Abel.”

“We’re family, aren’t we? You got benefits from the emperor himself, and I can’t even keep a console?”

“You could at least keep it to yourself…”

“Anyway, she came to consult me. It seems that, to integrate better into politics, she’ll have to change her name. She was unsure about which to choose.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“And why talk about that with you?”

“Excuse me, sir. Did you forget I’m a saint? When children are born, sometimes I offer baptism and also give names. If I declare, ‘From now on, this person shall be called this,’ you don’t need paperwork, records, or certificates.”

“So she came to you because you’re a shortcut.”

A bittersweet feeling rose in me.

It wasn’t jealousy toward Yu Sein, nothing like that.

It was simply the current situation.

Korea’s institutions had lost administrative capability.

‘With Seoul half-destroyed…’

Congressmen barely managed to keep appearances, the president was nearing the end of his term with rock-bottom approval ratings.

The parliament in Yeouido and the palace in Yongsan were paralyzed. So, power had naturally shifted to Ryozo.

Joaquin Academy was one of the institutions holding Korea together in this world.

And in national emergencies, the law allowed the director of Joaquin to temporarily assume part of the State’s authority.

Thus, Ryozo’s influence in the government was constitutionally protected.

Even so…

“Korea and Japan always had friction. They’re neighboring countries, after all.”

I nodded slowly.

The media and politicians, whose favorite pastime was looking for excuses, wouldn’t leave Ryozo alone.

Even amid Seoul’s disaster, they kept defending only their own interests.

What bothered them was that a person of Japanese descent held leadership.

Even when they clearly knew Ryozo was no longer Japanese.

Click.

Yu Sein put the console away.

“Changing her name might just be a patch, but in turbulent times, sometimes that’s enough.”

“I don’t want Ryozo to have to give up her identity because of this.”

“You’re so arrogant.”

“…Huh?”

“That’s Ryozo’s decision. You have no right to tell her what to do or not, even if you’re her husband.”

Yu Sein spoke with a solemn tone.

“She doesn’t want to change her name out of obligation, but because she always wanted to. At this point, her identity is more Korean than Japanese.”

“I know that…”

“No, you only half-know it.”

“Then what don’t I know?”

She looked at me with eyes full of disappointment.

“The list of the Seven Heroes will be updated soon.”

“And when it is, her name will be recorded in history forever, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Ryozo wants that spot not to be filled with a Japanese name, but with three Korean syllables.”

“Ah…”

“So stop sitting around like a bum and start thinking about what Korean name Ryozo could use.”

“If that’s all it is, there’s no problem.”

Because I had already thought of that name.