“Entering Joaquin Academy means the path to success in life has opened up for you.”
On Earth, even the best students from the five most prestigious universities often struggled to find employment.
But with a simple diploma from Joaquin Academy, not only was a job secured, but a successful career was guaranteed. That’s why high-ranking noble families never let go of the rope called Joaquin.
Recently, the situation had changed considerably compared to the past, more precisely from the time before the Second Great Human-Demon War.
Thanks to the descent of the Heavenly Sword, humanity was living in an era of unprecedented peace.
And as a result, the scope of action for heroes had diminished.
As an extension of this, concerns also grew among the cadets of Joaquin Academy, the institution in charge of training heroes.
Nowadays, when even the meaning of heroes’ existence was being questioned.
Especially in the senior class, the atmosphere was gloomy. They couldn’t even enjoy the cherry blossoms falling in torrents.
“…What are we going to do with our lives after graduation?”
“That’s what I’m saying… In the past, hero agencies at least organized job fairs. But now there’s not even a whisper.”
“I guess I’ll have to inherit the family business.”
Easy to say from a place of privilege. Even if they didn’t find a job, at least they wouldn’t have to risk their lives on the front lines.
But they were also hero candidates. They were thirsty for combat. They weren’t the type to cling to self-preservation.
“Was the cause of the Parsy disaster clarified? Could it be that the Third Great Human-Demon War is about to break out?”
A third-year student asked with a hint of hope. His classmate, scratching the smartphone screen with a nail, replied.
“I looked it up and they say it’s still unknown. Besides, it was an enemy that even the Heavenly Sword struggled with. Do you really think it’ll be our turn? They’ll probably stop it at the Seven Stars line.”
“That’s true… The Heavenly Sword is incredible, but he’s so incredible that our turn never comes.”
“Such a first-world problem.”
“Exactly! With the Heavenly Sword as such a high-performance filter, we at the bottom can only suck our thumbs.”
“That’s why…”
The girl showed him her phone screen. On it appeared an official announcement in large letters. The boy leaned in for a better look, and the girl smiled sweetly.
“How about we enroll here?”
==========================
Joaquin Graduate School New Student Admission Notice
May 12, 2044
Information on the admission process for new graduate students for the year 2044. Please review the attached file (……)
⟪Application period: Thursday, May 20 to Saturday, June 20, 2044
— New Student Admission Guide (1 MB)⟫
==========================
“Joaquin Graduate School…?”
“Did you know they’re doing construction right now?”
“Yeah. In the back, behind the main building, there’s a huge construction site.”
After the Second Great Human-Demon War, Joaquin Academy had undergone multiple renovations. Since it had once completely collapsed, they took the opportunity to reorganize it.
As it was a mega-project that had spanned ten years, the construction noise had become a daily part of the students’ environment.
Still, very few showed interest, even though the site was particularly large.
The girl put away her phone and added.
“They say that place is for the graduate school.”
“What? There?”
The boy’s eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity.
Then, the classroom door opened, and all eyes turned toward it.
Tap, tap.
Princess Victoria had attended class for the first time in a long while.
It was rumored that she had a family conflict within the imperial family.
But no one knew the details, so her classmates could only speculate.
That stirred curiosity. During the days Victoria missed class, a rumor began circulating among third-year students of the Holy Course:
‘What will the princess do after graduation?’
The current emperor was still in good health and held his authority firmly. Unless there was an unexpected twist, he would continue to rule easily for another ten years.
What would Victoria do during that undefined period of vacancy? The third-years were split between concern and curiosity as loyal subjects.
Tap, tap.
Victoria walked past the students. Along the way, the boy noticed a pamphlet she was holding.
Victoria was the center of attention even within the Holy Course. If the boy saw it, so did his classmate. And if the seatmate saw it, within five seconds the entire class was focused on the pamphlet in her hand.
〈Joaquin Graduate School Admission Guide〉
***
“South Korea’s construction capability is the beeeeeest in the world—!”
That phrase shouted with excitement by the Korean construction company president… was true.
Who would’ve imagined they’d progress this fast?
I had to tilt my neck back painfully to look up. A crane moved quickly, transporting metal structures. Speedweapon, who had come to visit, stood next to me watching.
“The speed is impressive, but what’s even crazier is the safety. They haven’t even poured the concrete, and it already looks like you could run an obstacle course there.”
“You see it too?”
“Anyone would see it. We’ve got a good show today.”
Company H, contracted by Abel, deployed all its accumulated experience without reservation. Now I understood why, for seemingly impossible projects abroad, Korea was used as the trump card.
Flutter.
But even with that, they couldn’t have achieved such speed and safety.
“Ryozo made a massive decision. They’re bringing in construction materials via warp transport from subspace. If the elders found out, they’d be up in arms. But they’re gone now. And by the way, your sashimi was so good it killed me.”
Ryozo made a bold choice to transport the materials through a warp from subspace.
Even a child knows that in construction, material transport takes time. But if you can save that time and money, you get these results.
“How the hell are they building so fast?”
“This is Korea’s construction power.”
“…I don’t want to admit it easily, but I can’t deny it. Not even with same-sized Lego blocks could you do this in such a short time.”
“Well said.”
Just as Speedweapon said.
‘They raised the whole structure in just fifteen days.’
In another fifteen, we’d cut the ribbon (with sashimi) in front of the finished building. An unprecedented feat that would leave the U.S. shocked, China stunned, and Japan green with envy.
Flutter.
Isn’t that decision too reckless? Surely there would be critics accusing Ryozo of acting arbitrarily and carelessly. However, Ryozo judged that, at least for now, it was okay to ease up. After all, don’t we live in an era of peace?
‘Though it’s also true that we don’t know when the end might come.’
Based on what Yu Sein and I have experienced, the end of the world can’t be prevented with simple precautions. Instead of band-aids, fundamental preparation is needed.
The Joaquin Graduate School is that first step. Preparation for the end begins here, in this land. In the Great Republic of Korea.
Flutter flutter flutter.
I looked away from the construction site. Then I walked away with Speedweapon, keeping enough distance not to interrupt the conversation.
“President.”
Speedweapon’s gaze sharpened.
“Abel’s worried because she says you’re obsessed with a weird NouTube channel lately.”
“What channel?”
“Those videos with cheap thumbnails. It’s a full-on cheap-patriotism channel.”
I defended myself.
“Not at all. It’s a current affairs and general knowledge channel.”
“That’s what everyone who watches it says…”
“What do you think?”
“To be honest, you seem like an old man.”
….Hmm.
“We haven’t even hit thirty yet. Those videos are for when you’re old and don’t produce dopamine anymore.”
And this is the shameless guy I have to talk to.
“Well, you were already like an old man since cadet days, so it’s not that surprising.”
“…”
“So, what exactly are you going to teach at the graduate school? I heard a bit of the context, but I thought it’d be better to hear it directly.”
With the safety helmet under my arm, I answered.
“Magic.”
“…President.”
Speedweapon’s face turned pale. The helmet tilted like a seesaw.
“Could you hit me hard?”
“Sure. I already called the ambulance.”
“Eh, it was a joke! A joke!”
Speedweapon quickly placed his hands on the helmet. I laughed before continuing.
“Are you aware that within the Association, something weird is also being sensed in the transmission?”
“You mean the magical energy flow? Yeah. Everyone from chief rank and above knows. And they take it seriously.”
“Same thing’s happening at Joaquin. But since it’s an educational institution, instead of just taking it seriously, we want to go a step further.”
“…That’s why you want to teach it?”
I shrugged.
“It’s not something you can learn just because it’s taught, but at least we want students to understand the concept. That’s why I took advantage of the Emperor.”
“President, you’ve got it all planned, huh?”
“And just a minute ago, you were complaining it was all shallow patriotism.”
“Haha, I got carried away by Korean cinema.”
We exchanged knowing smiles. This is the Korean spirit. Anyway.
We strolled leisurely through the Academy while talking. After seeing the raised construction, the other buildings seemed low.
Thanks to that, I felt like my vision and hearing were sharper. As the noise faded, the world seemed clearer.
“The work on the instructional materials is being done by some teachers interested in magic, along with Instructor Kim. (Choi Seol-Ah)”
“If you need more personnel from the Association, let me know. Lately, we’re the organization with the most contact with Gehenna. I’ll do what I can to help.”
It was an unexpected gain. I nodded gladly.
“Then I’ll ask for support with the material review staff. Instructor Choi… I mean, Kim. I still get confused. I’ll demand she change her name soon. How long does she plan to live under an alias?”
“Lately, that instructor hasn’t stopped complaining to me, my ears hurt.”
“What did she say?”
“That she writes ten times more than a web novel author.”
“That must be exhausting…”
“Is it really that much? Ten times more than a web novel… isn’t that just 50,000 characters a day?”
Speedweapon looked at me with a face full of things he wanted to say but ultimately just let out a deep sigh.
“…It seems the materials are coming along well. But there’s something more important.”
“I know.”
Quality professors. They must have extensive knowledge of magic and also the charisma to handle modern-day slaves.
“Does such a person exist? The Swordmaster and the vice president of the Association hate magic. Besides, they don’t even understand it well.”
“Right. That’s why Ryozo was racking her brains too, so I’m the one who solved the problem.”
I smiled proudly.
“The person who agreed to take charge arrives today.”
“Ah, then I’ll take my leave.”
“Where do you think you’re going? Stay.”
“I’m with the Association. Is it okay for me to stay?”
“It’s someone the Association wouldn’t mind seeing.”
I led the puzzled Speedweapon to the agreed meeting spot. We arrived at the special guest reception room. Usually, when the Heavenly Sword or the Swordmaster visits, they are received here.
In the center of the room, a chair.
Under thick eyebrows, eyes glowed with a reddish light. Just by looking at that gaze, it was clear this wasn’t an ordinary person. A middle-aged man was waiting for us.
Speedweapon tensed. As a promise of the Association, he had seen the faces of many important figures.
‘But I’ve never seen anyone like this…’
Could he be from the imperial side? If he’s one of those who live hidden under a veil, it would make sense not to know him.
While moistening his lips, Kang Geom-Ma greeted him with a wave.
“Thanks for coming from so far.”
“It’s nothing. If the call comes from the Heavenly Sword, of course I’ll attend.”
At first glance, the man seemed older than the President, but he spoke respectfully. Maybe his rank or position wasn’t that high. That eased Speedweapon a bit.
“This is my friend, Speedweapon.”
Kang Geom-Ma introduced him.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Speedweapon, affiliated with the Association.”
“Pleasure. I’m Valerion.”
Wow.
He must’ve been teased for that name. What kind of father names his son after an ancient dragon…?
‘Although, to be fair, our boss has the character Ma (demon) in his name, so we can’t talk much.’
Speedweapon’s eyes showed a hint of compassion.
But only for a moment. Kang Geom-Ma and the middle-aged man were watching him in silence.
Then he noticed. That man’s pupils were vertical.
Can a human’s eyes even be like that?
“……”
Hmm?
____
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