The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master

The Yeongdong Expressway, connecting Seoul with Wonju.

The driver had his hands on the wheel but his gaze was lost.

In front of him, he could only see red taillights, more taillights, and even more still.

The endless line of cars made him dizzy and strained his eyes.

“…God, everyone wants to move at the same time.”

“They say the Lord Heavenly Sword was directly involved in the city’s planning. Even if they’re not moving yet, everyone wants to at least go have a look.”

His daughter responded from the passenger seat, reclining while staring at her phone.

The father rolled his eyes in annoyance as he kept his foot on the brake.

“Our Heavenly Sword, huh?”

“What, what is it?”

His daughter, who was entering adolescence, always reacted sharply.

But when it came to the Heavenly Sword, Kang Geom-Ma, she dropped all defenses.

Even now, it was the same.

To her father, who supported her, she spoke dryly and casually; but to someone she’d never even seen in person, she addressed with full honorifics and total devotion.

“I’m going to enter Joaquin Academy next year, no matter what.”

“Do you even know how tough the competition is?”

“That’s exactly why it makes sense to try. I’ll stand out there and catch the attention of the Lord Heavenly Sword.”

“And what do you want his attention for?”

“To confess my love.”

“What did you say?”

“Don’t you know he’s already married?! And the age difference! That would be a crime, a crime!”

“The Lord Heavenly Sword doesn’t age! Dad, even if you exercised, all the fat would go to your belly! You’re a complete old man!”

“Well, your Heavenly Sword will be an old man someday too!”

“But he’ll still be amazing.”

“Ha…”

The father bit his lower lip, feeling the bitterness in his chest.

A while later.

“…Huh?”

The daughter, who had been glued to her phone the whole time, suddenly sat up.

Her eyes opened wide, not having left the screen until that moment.

The father glanced at her, annoyed.

“What is it? Did seeing the competition stats for Joaquin Academy finally bring you to your senses?”

“No, no!”

She held the phone up for him to see.

Traffic was at a complete standstill, so the father could look at the screen.

On Go-eun City’s YouTube channel, there was a live broadcast.

It showed the Heavenly Sword, Kang Geom-Ma, along with Joaquin’s Golden Generation and even the former Seven Star Heroes.

“What, what is this? Why are they all there today?”

“They’ve called an emergency assembly! Dad, step on it, step on it!”

She bounced in her seat, begging him, but it was an absurd request.

“Dad, please, I’m begging you! It’s the dream of my life! I just want to see the Lord Heavenly Sword in person once…!”

“Sigh… even if you say it like that…”

At that moment, the car doors in front suddenly flew open. All at once, like a rehearsed movie scene.

And what followed was even more surprising.

People got out of their cars and started running full speed.

A fleeing scene so spectacular not even a local blockbuster could afford it.

“By car it takes an hour, but if we run we can make it in forty minutes! Let’s go!”

“Run! We have to see the Lord Heavenly Sword!”

The driver was left speechless.

“W-what the hell…?”

Then he turned his head and saw the seat beside him empty.

His daughter had vanished.

No, she was already running between the cars like a wild foal.

“Lord Heavenly Sword, here I come!”

A scene that showed just how enormous Kang Geom-Ma’s popularity was among the youth.

***

Today was the day it was officially declared that the capital of the Republic of Korea would move from Seoul to Go-eun City.

The site of the announcement was the training field of Joaquin Academy.

Given the significance of the date, civilians were allowed entry to the venue. It was assumed that, being vacation season, not too many people would show up.

To put it bluntly that was a mistake—a colossal one.

The training field was packed.

People from all over the country and even around the world crowded into the place.

‘Can’t breathe…’

It was the first time I felt like I might suffocate just from the carbon dioxide so many people were exhaling.

And that was in the waiting room, right behind the stage—yet the body heat seeping through the door was stifling.

‘I feel dizzy.’

The president was already curling his lips before going up to the podium. He waited with us, awaiting his turn.

“Hahaha, wow. If I’d known the people would get this excited, I would’ve announced it sooner. Thanks to you, Mr. Heavenly Sword, and you, Director Saki, and you, Lady of the Sword, my approval rating is breaking historical records.”

“Ah, I see. Congratulations.”

I replied formally.

Meanwhile.

“……”

“……”

Ryozo and Abel looked at him with dry expressions.

Abel whispered to Ryozo.

“Politicians really love being the center of attention.”

“That’s why I don’t want to go into politics. Being watched like that is just exhausting. I don’t see what they like about it.”

Ryozo and Abel nodded to each other, sharing a strange sense of camaraderie.

When breathing itself was becoming difficult, the staff entered the room.

“Mr. President, it’s your turn.”

“Ah! Finally! Well then, ladies and gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go first.”

“Go ahead, exert your will.”

Ryozo gave him a hollow smile.

The president flashed a forced grin and stepped out confidently. His back, venturing into that sea of humanity, appeared oddly strong.

Thus began the presidential speech.

— Dear citizens.

His deep voice echoed across the training field.

We, arms crossed or legs stretched out, watched him on the waiting room television.

“He speaks well.”

“Well, of course—he’s the president for a reason.”

Ryozo gestured at the screen with her chin.

“He’s a bit too much of a politician, but all things considered, he’s fairly clean. Barely any ties to nobles, and only a couple of secret accounts. And the amounts are pocket change compared to others.”

“You investigated the president?”

“Investigate? That would be rude. I checked him legitimately with Vixbig—it was open research.”

Sure, hacking was now “open research.”

‘If I argue, I lose.’

I turned back to the TV.

The president, after repeating the same “one more thing” joke about twenty times, was finally dragged off by the staff.

Next came the ministers and high officials.

Those same people who always opposed Ryozo were now speaking as if they’d supported the move from the beginning, raising their voices with enthusiasm.

They didn’t disappoint me, since I expected nothing from them. If anything, their forced speeches were pitiful.

The people were already sold on the capital relocation.

If anyone opposed it now, they’d be stoned.

Not just by the citizens—also by me.

‘And the latter probably scares them more.’

The high officials continued taking turns with pompous speeches before sitting down on the chairs lined up behind the podium.

After several rounds, it was our turn.

“…Haa.”

Abel, the first to go up, took a deep breath.

I placed a hand on her shoulder. I could feel her nervousness through my palm.

“You’ll do fine. Don’t get too tense.”

“I’m used to dealing with nobles, but speaking in front of this many people really gets to me. Thanks for the encouragement, Geom-Ma. I’ll do my best not to trip over my words.”

With a clenched fist of resolve, Abel stepped out.

Shortly after, we saw her on the screen.

From the moment she appeared at the podium, the crowd was mesmerized by her beauty.

Her appearance outshone 99% of celebrities, and the venue fell into a tense silence.

Abel spoke,

— Dear citizens. I am Abel von Nibelung, daughter of House Nibelung and wife of the Heavenly Sword…

Her polished tone and carefully chosen words captivated the audience.

‘Not that she needed to. Her beauty alone was a cheat.’

Everyone watched her as if hypnotized.

‘I doubt anyone will remember what she actually said.’

Shortly after, she finished her speech.

With a bow, she returned to her seat guided by the staff.

Then, like a spring, Ryozo stood up beside me.

She twisted slightly at the waist to adjust her outfit and asked,

“How do I look? Nothing loose or off?”

I pointed to the loose ribbon behind her skirt.

“Back there.”

“Oh, I left that loose on purpose.”

“Is that a trend now?”

“No. I left it so my oblivious husband would at least have one job to do. And you’re still asking—so stubborn.”

‘So that’s what it was…’

I smiled as I carefully tied the ribbon.

It came out pretty well.

I gently pulled the ends and hugged her around the neck. Inhaling her citrus-tinged scent, my vision blurred.

I held back the rush of blood and let go.

“Do your best.”

Ryozo gave me a quick look, her cheeks red all the way to her ears.

“Have you ever seen me fail?”

“You’ve always done well. But today’s a different kind of debut.”

She seemed to pick up on what I meant and nodded slowly.

Just then, the door opened. Ryozo walked out without looking back.

I turned to the screen.

As Ryozo appeared, the attention that had still been lingering on Abel instantly refocused.

The once-enchanted gazes turned hostile.

Though I had the feeling that hatred was directed at me. I ignored the stabbing stares and focused on her.

Ryozo, elegant and composed, took the podium with both hands.

— Greetings. I am Saki Ryozo, director of Joaquin Academy.

In front of the entire world, she made this declaration.

— In my Korean name, I am Shin Go-eun.

The crowd’s expressions changed.

¡……!

On the other side of the screen, the air pressure surged.

Instantly, a roar of cheers erupted.

Smiling, I whispered,

“Today, the spotlight is yours, Go-eun.”

***

The grand event had concluded successfully.

Now the party was over.

It was time to face the real issues.

“For now, we can’t get too involved in the capital relocation.”

Ryozo gave me a few pats on the shoulder.

“With the graduate program just established, training with Uncle, and preparing the succession of the Seven Stars, we don’t have the time.”

“Agreed. Better to keep the Academy out of the relocation.”

But she shook her head.

“If we withdraw completely, they might badmouth us later. It’s better that people remember Joaquin was at least somewhat involved.”

“For example?”

“In Go-eun City… ugh, it feels weird to say that out loud… Anyway, do you know what the most urgent issue is when developing a new city?”

I answered immediately.

“Civil engineering.”

“Exactly. The terrain in Wonju is vast, but not enough for all of Seoul’s population. We have to cut down forests and make space. The materials can be moved via subspace portals, but…”

“Excavating land and cutting trees takes time and a lot of manpower.”

“Now that public opinion is on our side, if we show something from Joaquin, the support will shift toward us.”

“Hmm…”

I stood up after a moment’s thought.

Ryozo, massaging her trapezius, tilted her head.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to demonstrate something in Joaquin’s name.”

“……?”

I whispered softly.

“The sword that cuts everything.”

Immediately, outside the director’s office window, dozens of sashimi arced through the sky toward the blue heavens.