Episode 46: Question (3)
There was a small commotion in the Star class. The reason was Saki Ryozo’s class reorganization.
As it was the highest class, there were definitely some students who failed to adapt and voluntarily dropped out to the Dragon class. Usually, these students were divided into two categories.
Either their origins are relatively unsuitable, or their skills do not match the level of the class.
However, the person involved in this incident is the top student in the private section of the academy.
Although she often slept, she always got perfect scores on the weekly essay tests and her skills were outstanding. What’s more, she was born to a famous family, the daughter of the Japanese Prime Minister and the empress dowager Saki Kojima.
Even if we make a hundred concessions and say that she wanted to be reclassified because she didn’t fit into the class, the class she chose was amazing.
“Miss Abel, did you hear that? That Saki girl, she was reclassified as a wolf class. What kind of nonsense did she hear when she always snorts around somewhere?”
“… Yeah, I see.”
Rachel asked Abel as she relaxed her sore joints. The sound of bones cracking was heard. However, Abel’s expression remained unchanged, and he rested his chin on his hand and stared blankly at the blackboard.
Rachel shrugged her shoulders without disappointment and glanced at Abel’s profile.
Even though it was a gaze that could easily be seen as stupid, Abel’s irises were emitting a beautiful, pure gold light. Then, a playfulness spread across his heart-shaped eyes, and Rachel burst into laughter out of nowhere.
“Do you feel that sorry?”
“Uh, yeah what?”
“Why, the class reorganization can’t be done without Tio. This year, we were one person short of the Lang class. Saki, where did she get that information and strike first? She was the one who just slept at the archery range.”
Abel, who had been quietly listening to Rachel’s story, tilted his head and asked back.
“But what does Sakiga and Lang’s class reassignment have to do with me feeling regretful?”
“I heard from Speed Weapon that he formed a party with Geomma and cleared the Buffalo Dungeon last week.”
“⎯⎯!”
While talking, Rachel glanced at Abel with one eye. Abel’s face was faintly, but clearly, embarrassed.
Rachel’s lips turned into a playful expression at that reaction. She shook her head, pretending to be very sorry.
“Saki, that’s right. No matter how much you like her, there’s a certain order. Isn’t that right? Our Miss Abel took the lead on the sword.”
“Hey, Rachel! What the hell are you talking about!”
Abel stood up, slapping the desk with his palm. Rachel giggled and twirled the side of her hair with her fingers as if she found it amusing. Abel’s mouth turned into a crooked expression.
“I’ve been feeling this way for a while now, but Miss Abel only reacts when the name of the swordsman is mentioned?! Is there really something going on?”
Abel sighed deeply and said, turning around.
“Let me be clear. Kang Geum-ma, I’ve only talked to him a few times, and we’re not really related. So I hope you won’t make any strange assumptions in the future.”
“Hehe⎯”
Rachel stared intently into Abel’s eyes. Then she just smirked and opened her mouth.
“You’re saying we’re not related until now, so you’re saying we won’t know each other from now on?”
A somewhat cold voice and sunken eyes, as if trying to gauge one’s intentions.
“Abel, I don’t know about other people, but lying to yourself doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
“… … .”
Abel’s face was filled with emotions such as confusion, surprise, and bewilderment. Rachel’s words, which were not her usual playful words or actions but rather piercing to the lungs, made his heart ache.
Abel’s attitude was always dignified. No, he had to be dignified. He intentionally did not show his emotions and maintained a calm demeanor.
There was only one goal. To gain the recognition of his grandfather, the swordsman Siegfried. Although he was a grandfather who gave him endless love, he was reluctant to acknowledge his swordsmanship.
As the strongest in the human race and the next ‘Sword Master’, his standards would be high. Abel thought so and trained with the goal of gaining the Sword Master’s approval. He also cut off unnecessary emotions.
To be reborn as a proper prosecutor, to be recognized by her grandfather, whom she respects and loves the most, and to prove that she is alive.
He held the sword handle tightly and swung it, as if to shake off any elements that might hinder his growth.
I accepted the pain of calluses on my hands and the torn muscles. I had no resentment about living that kind of life. I could endure this much to become the best.
But Simma came suddenly.
I asked my grandfather for advice about the mine attack that happened during the midterm exam.
I didn’t have high expectations since he was a prosecutor who was extremely reluctant to expose himself, but contrary to expectations, he personally stepped forward.
There is news that she will be taking on the temporary instructor position at Joaquin Academy. And it will be in the Wolf class, not the Star class that she belongs to.
I guess it was because of the Ganggeomma. My grandfather, who always looked bored, was particularly interested in things related to the Ganggeomma.
It was as if I was looking at a gemstone with infinite potential. I don’t know for sure, but it seems like I’m quite envious of Kanggeomma’s talent.
Considering his grandfather’s temperament, it must have been so. At that sight, strong emotions welled up in Abel’s chest.
‘Ganggeomma.’
The owner of an absurd talent. His talent is so extraordinary that it is hard to believe that he could be called a genius of the world. What’s more, he was born as a special promotion student.
Because Abel had received an education that excluded the idea of chosen people thanks to the hard work of the inspector, he was able to think without being bound by the nobility or lowliness of his origins.
Still, the ideas floating in her mind. The legitimacy of the nobles passing down their vested rights was power. In other words, protection.
To solidify their power, they judge each other, form relationships with suitable opponents, and then continue the line.
Thus, the descendants of the nobles became stronger day by day, but the gap with the commoners also widened.
But Ganggeomma was different.
Ignoring his origins, he overcame the situation with his own talent and force. Whether it was through his hard work or not, his health had also improved noticeably.
When I first saw him, the boy who had a frail and lanky body had now grown into a handsome young man with a masculine body and a sharp appearance.
Moreover, he continues the hero’s path more clearly than Leon van Reinhardt, who is called the hero candidate, but he does not show it on the outside.
He walks the thorny path silently, without showing off his achievements to anyone.
Perhaps it was to protect those involved with him. If rumors spread that Ganggeomma had killed Mine, Mine would persistently target him and those around him.
Even if he had a pimple, he would have hated it, but he ignored even the cadets who were teasing him and did not respond. Rather, Abel found that sight annoying.
I felt ashamed to death of myself for being jealous of such a strong swordsman. The more I thought about it, the more his face swirled around in my head.
‘… … .’
Abel’s cheeks flushed as he was lost in thought for a long time. Then Rachel looked at her with a smile. Abel, who was startled, shook his head. Then he cleared his throat and opened his mouth calmly.
“No matter what you think, I have neither the intention nor the leeway to harbor the kind of ‘feelings’ you think I have toward Kang Geum-ma.”
“Oh, when you say it like that, I feel relieved, Miss Abel.”
Rachel’s eyes quickly became filled with the usual mischievousness again. Abel was embarrassed by those eyes that he couldn’t read. Rachel winked one eye.
“I don’t have to compete with you over the sword. Thank goodness, thank goodness! I could handle that red-haired brat and Saki, but I can’t possibly compete with Abel, nyahhaha!”
“…uh.”
Abel thought, “Oops.”
* * *
“… Now, this part will be on the written test next week, so remember it. A student’s duty is originally academics. Although the practical test reflects a lot in accordance with the academy’s purpose, a cadet with no brain will grow into a hero respected by the world… … .”
A professor lecturing on the importance of learning. His long, wavy hair stands out.
It was a lecture on ‘Basic Analysis of Gaho’, which could be a bit boring. However, the professor was popular with the students because of his witty remarks.
Even I, who was still unfamiliar with the smell of ink, was enjoying this class.
Moreover, I was able to take a closer look at the settings that were mentioned in one or two words in the game play. I moved my pencil diligently.
“Well, the level of protection is determined by the subject that is inhabited. If it is inhabited by a guardian spirit, it is called a guardian spirit-level protection. If it is inhabited by a spirit, it is called a spirit-level protection.”
“Professor, if the ancestral spirit resides in me, does that mean I receive ancestral spirit-level protection? Even without that, my deceased grandfather appears in my dreams every time I dream.”
“When your ancestors are pounding iron, they only lift the weight of the pole, not the weight of the water. They don’t protect you, Cadet Joto Mate.”
The professor answered the male student’s playful question in a humorous tone. Some students who liked old jokes snickered. The professor calmed down the potentially noisy atmosphere and continued the lesson.
There was a girl who seemed completely oblivious to the friendly class time and was sleeping soundly.
It was Ryozo Saki sitting right next to me.
The professor who was looking at her looked away as if he was used to it. He could have expressed his dissatisfaction or reprimand, but he continued his lecture without saying anything.
It may be due to her external status as the daughter of the great Saki Kojima, but in fact, even though Ryozo sleeps like this, she gets full marks on every note test.
From an educator’s perspective, it must be a very burdensome student.
I turned my head and looked at the side of Ryozo’s face, who was sleeping soundly. The beautiful shoulder line connecting to his neck. Pure white between his sky-blue hair.
‘You sleep really well.’
Today marks two days since Saki Ryozo was reassigned to the Wolf class. I wanted to find out why she was here, but I didn’t have time to ask.
Why? I couldn’t talk to him because he had been sleeping all day. Even if I shook his shoulder to wake him up, he would just blink his heavy eyelids a few times and fall back asleep.
The students who came to get to know her also sighed when they saw her sleeping throughout class.
Well, up to this point, we can just pass over her as just a pretty girl with a sleeping personality.
But why does she always insist on sitting next to me? She looks as lazy as a sloth, but she always takes the seat next to me.
It’s a good thing Chloe, the original owner, was hospitalized for a long time, but if she finds out, there will be another stabbing.
‘… Still, thanks to him, the aftermath was easier in many ways.’
When the checkpoint officer’s head was cut off, Saki quickly got to work cleaning up instead of giving a sermon. Even though a human head was cut off right before his eyes, his attitude was not much different.
Speed Weapon, who is of the same brain type, uses his brain quickly to analyze the process. On the other hand, Ryozo spares himself unnecessary words and identifies the important connections. He is indeed a sweet potato prevention heroine.
I scratched my chin and turned my gaze toward the professor. My fingers holding the chalk were covered in white powder.
“The ranks of guardian spirits are classified from top to bottom as Young (英) Spirit, Jeong (精) Spirit, Suho (守護) Spirit, and Sa (私) Spirit. Most of the guardian spirits here probably have commander-level guardian spirits. Right?”
When the professor asked that question, a subtle emotion spread through the students’ faces. The professor continued his explanation as if he was trying to console them.
“Cadets, don’t be disappointed. Even if it’s a guardian spirit, no, a commander-level protection, if you can use it skillfully, it can be more effective than a guardian spirit-level protection. Besides, isn’t a spirit-level protection something that only exists in this world?”
I had one of those few blessings a few days ago. In the midst of it all, a female cadet raised her hand and asked.
“Professor, what about the spirit-level protection?”
“A protection of the heroic level. People call it a protection of the heroic level. It may be a bit awkward for me, a professor of protection studies, to say this, but it is actually a level that is considered legendary. Since the first manifestation of protection by mankind, only one person, the progenitor hero Balor Joaquin, has manifested it. Well, of course―”
The professor suddenly cuts off his words. It seems he was about to mention Leon, the second awakened spirit-level guardian. However, he soon shakes his head.
Of course, Leon has not yet fully awakened to the second Heroic Spirit level and title protection in human history, the ‘Protection of Miracles’. It would be difficult for a scholar to make a hasty judgment.
“Okay, let’s end today’s class here.”
After saying that, the professor set up the introduction and banged on the desk. As soon as the class ended, the students left the class in a hurry. They couldn’t stand the lunch break.
Just as I was about to get up from my seat, a question suddenly crossed my mind.
“Professor, I have a question.”
When I shouted, the professor who was cleaning up got wide-eyed. It was a surprising reaction since I usually just listened to the class quietly. Soon, the professor smiled gently.
“Of course, Cadet Kanggeomma.”
“Do you know anything about the phrase ‘May God bless you.’?”
Saki Ryozo, who had been sleeping soundly, rubbed his eyes and slowly raised his head at the sound of my voice. The professor stroked his beard and answered with a puzzled expression.
“I don’t understand what you’re asking, but there’s something wrong with what Cadet Kanggeomma said.”
“What are you talking about?”
The professor blinked at my words.
“There are no more gods left in this world. Well, I am still impressed by the passion of the students I have met. If you have any questions, please come to my lab at any time.”
The professor was leaving the class. I blankly stared at his back.
Saki snickered at the sight. I slowly turned my head to look at her.
“Are you all asleep?”
“Well, I don’t think so.”
Ryozo buried his forehead in the desk again.
“wow.”
I briefly admired it.
