The Association employees sent on missions to Gehenna were recognized talents within the organization.
One small mistake could leave them seriously injured or dead. Even when combining base salary and hazard pay, their earnings didn’t reach a quarter of what hero agencies paid.
Even so, volunteers were never lacking.
‘Because it’s the only opportunity and channel to meet privately with the Heavenly Sword.’
Perhaps that’s why members of the dispatched squad envied Speedweapon. Because he had a close friendship with the Heavenly Sword.
‘They don’t know…’
A famous actor once said:
Life, seen from afar, is a comedy; but up close, it’s a tragedy.
Speedweapon completely agreed.
“I know it wasn’t an easy decision. Thank you for so readily accepting the teaching position.”
“There’s nothing to thank. But it’s my first time teaching anyone, so I’m a bit concerned… even more so since we’re talking about humans, not demons. Still, you said it’s for the preservation of the world, so I’ll accept.”
“I’m relieved to hear that. In that case, I’ll explain in broad strokes the future plans…”
The two exchanged words with a relaxed smile. Only Speedweapon’s face had gone pale.
‘President… you said you’d call someone with knowledge of magic… but what do we do if he’s not even human?’
He didn’t dare ask it out loud.
And even if he pushed for an answer, he knew it would be useless. The response would be obvious.
‘Does the race matter?’
“…”
Speedweapon and his subordinates deeply respected the Heavenly Sword.
They grew up watching him fight, and many who rose quickly were graduates of the Joaquin Academy.
A great hero, revered by all nations, beyond any status.
Even when humanity was threatened by external forces, the Heavenly Sword remained its final wall. And he still proved it, fighting on the frontlines.
A model of what a hero should be.
A figure that uprooted the prejudices embedded in this world.
Speedweapon looked at him in profile.
‘He’s always been like that.’
Kang Geom-Ma had black hair.
Just because of that, when he was a cadet, many viewed him with suspicion. Prejudice, discrimination, bad customs.
Kang Geom-Ma hated bad customs. He fought firmly to eradicate false prejudices. And he still did—combating one by one the entrenched habits of the present.
‘Prejudices…’
He had none. The President had none.
‘Inviting a dragon as a professor… I’ll have to report this to the Association president. That’s probably why the president wanted me here.’
“Holly…”
A seat of thorns.
‘Why the hell do my subordinates envy me…?’
They don’t know.
The suffering of a middle management role. The sadness of being a sandwich.
That’s what awaits the graduate students.
***
‘He looks awful.’
After chatting with Valerion, Speedweapon looked on the verge of death.
Ah… he’s intimidated, isn’t he?
Valerion was an Elder Dragon.
And Speedweapon’s reaction far exceeded the norm. Any ordinary person would’ve already rolled their eyes back and fainted.
‘Only he can endure it.’
How admirable you are, Speedweapon.
Tap tap.
“You okay?”
“…Yeah.”
“I get that you were scared.”
“Of course I was scared. I feel like my heart split a little.”
Even back when corps commanders roamed free, dragons were among the most powerful beings—comparable in strength to the true commanders.
Not even Kuarne, the psychopathic second body commander, dared to mess with the dragons.
If a single scale was plucked from a sleeping dragon, the War of Humanity wouldn’t have even begun.
‘Good thing the dragons avoid getting involved in worldly affairs.’
Since always, dragons were the absolute pinnacle of the demon race, and the very essence of the Demon World.
Some said they not only inherited the traits of ancient races but were their improved versions.
They were as majestic as the ancients, but also more powerful and superior in appearance.
That’s why neither Speedweapon nor the dispatched squad, who constantly traveled between worlds, had encountered a dragon before.
Even if I had tried myself, both sides would’ve felt uncomfortable.
Dragons preferred to keep their distance from humans.
I was the one who brought them in. In the past, I wouldn’t even have considered it.
‘Dragons are beginning to feel alarmed too.’
The tragedy of Parsy. The appearance of Ragnarok was a blow even to dragons.
An enemy greater than the commanders tried to invade not only the human world but also sink Gehenna.
‘Even the most detached dragons will have to get involved now.’
In my mind, I was already looking further ahead. The response to the end of the world doesn’t belong to humanity alone.
Demons are also natives of “Miracle Blessing M.”
“Together.”
Joaquin’s graduate program will become the base of that grand vision.
Fortunately, the Elder Dragon understood my purpose. Truly, it was an act of great courage that he came in person.
Until now, the only thing he’d directly done for me was open the Eye of Truth.
“Hello…”
Speedweapon, who had been gauging the atmosphere, finally addressed Valerion with difficulty. Valerion nodded with his chin.
“Yes.”
“As an Association employee, I have to ask… how did you cross the Gehenna Gate? We’ve deployed staff and several layers of special barriers there.”
“I simply crossed it.”
“…What?”
Valerion scratched his temple with his thumb.
Now that I saw it closely, his nails were triangular in shape.
“Heavenly Sword, it seems I must explain how I crossed, if you permit me.”
“As long as there’s no risk, go ahead.”
“Why do you decide if there’s risk or not, President?”
“That’s why I hate people who grasp everything instantly.”
“Just talk already!”
Speedweapon lunged.
Snap!
At that moment, a crisp sound echoed.
With a mere snap of Valerion’s fingers, Speedweapon’s world went dark.
***
A few hours later
“Ugh… ugh…”
Speedweapon, who was sprawled on the ground, stirred a bit and finally sat up.
His hair looked like a bird’s nest.
“Did you sleep well?”
I lifted a corner of my lips.
“…Did I sleep?”
Still bleary-eyed, he wiped away the drool and suddenly woke up.
“Me!?”
“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. I heard you muttering idol names… at first, I thought you were praying.”
“Uwaaaaagh!”
He hastily combed his disheveled hair and shot me a death glare. Valerion spoke for me.
“It’s not a sleep-inducing or hypnotic spell. It’s a magic that efficiently dissolves the accumulated fatigue in the body, and its effect manifests as sleep.”
“Now that you mention it…”
Speedweapon began rotating his shoulders. His previously creaky joints now moved fluidly.
“That’s a relief.”
His mind also felt clearer.
It was as if the intracranial pressure from overwork had diminished.
“Usually it only lasts an hour, but you slept three.”
Said Valerion.
“Seems like you’ve been under quite a load.”
“…”
“I understand how that feels.”
Just hearing that moved Speedweapon.
He clearly sensed the implication behind those words.
You’re doing your best not to be unworthy of standing beside the Heavenly Sword.
He frowned. Heat rushed through him. He closed his eyes tightly, and when he opened them, he changed the subject.
“For now, I’ll faithfully convey the Lord’s will to the president of the Association.”
“You’re doing great work.”
“However, both in the academy and the Association, a skeptical view prevails regarding revealing the Lord’s true identity.”
Valerion nodded.
“I know. That’s why I have no intention of revealing it.”
“You’ve probably realized why I called in a promising talent from the Association, haven’t you?”
Kang Geom-Ma motioned his chin toward him.
“You want me to get him a fake identity. You’re twisted.”
Speedweapon rubbed his neck.
“Understood. I’ll inform the president first, then handle it separately.”
“I’m counting on you, Speedweapon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Speedweapon.”
Speedweapon felt a lump in his chest.
Who in the world has received a direct request from both the Heavenly Sword and an Elder Dragon? He was probably the first… and the last.
Unintentionally, he stood a little taller with pride.
‘But now that I think about it…’
While fidgeting on his feet, Kang Geom-Ma nudged him with his elbow.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
“No, it’s just that… I do believe this gentleman is an Elder Dragon, but…”
“Do you want me to show you his true form?”
“…”
“Worried the president of the Association won’t believe it?”
Speedweapon looked down.
‘How could I say I want to see a dragon with my own eyes!’
He was someone who had admired dragons as much as great heroes.
What man doesn’t go crazy for horns, wings, and dragon breath? Even skeletal dinosaur bones made his heart race. To see a real one… what would that feel like?
‘It’s all over your face, it’s obvious.’
Kang Geom-Ma sighed and looked at Valerion.
“That’s what he says.”
“It’s not a difficult request. Besides, there’s magic flowing through the human world, so…”
“I-if that’s the case!”
Speedweapon’s face lit up like a blooming flower.
“If proof is needed, I’ll do it.”
Valerion rose from his seat. Speedweapon slowly backed away.
His eyes looked like they were about to fall out of his face.
“I’ll begin.”
“Yes!”
Valerion slightly parted his lips.
A moment later—
Oh, oh!
A shadow rose over Speedweapon.
Oh……!
From the massive body, a pair of branches emerged.
They were horns.
Oh……!
Fwoooosh.
The wind swept through the sealed room.
A flowerpot in the corner toppled and shattered.
“….”
Speedweapon’s previously rounded lips from astonishment straightened into a flat line.
Krrrrrrr…
The air vibrated.
The light bulbs flickered, wobbled, and then shut off with a click.
In the total darkness, a pair of glowing red dots shone. The eyes of the Elder Dragon.
They approached. Right in front of Speedweapon.
So close he could touch them with his nose.
Snort.
Valerion exhaled through his nose.
The breath blew back Speedweapon’s bangs. His forehead was completely exposed.
“Are you satisfied?”
Completely frozen, Speedweapon only moved his lips without making a sound.
Kang Geom-Ma chuckled softly.
“The professor is speaking to you.”
“Ah, yes.”
More than enough.
No, not enough.
Even my bladder is beyond full!
***
Speedweapon dashed straight to the bathroom.
Valerion and I watched him go and commented.
“He’s a good friend you’ve got.”
“Yes. He’s the best among those I can call friends in the human world.”
“That’s unexpected. Given your status, I thought you’d have many friends. I see you’re selective.”
I smiled faintly.
“Don’t dragons usually avoid interacting with other races?”
Valerion’s eyes turned serious.
Dragons are in a category above the rest of the demons. They’re only grouped under the term “demon race” for convenience.
To other demons, dragons are feared beings. Since time immemorial, so much so that tracing the origin is meaningless.
“It’s similar. I suppose it’s hard for them to approach me.”
Dragons ended up isolating themselves within demon society. And I think maybe no one approaches them, so they don’t approach others.
Valerion, after hearing me, said quietly:
“If the Heavenly Sword allows it, I too could consider myself his friend.”
“What are you saying?”
I stared at him.
“You’re already my friend, Lord.”
“But you just said Speedweapon was almost your only friend.”
“I said in the human world. I also have a squirrel friend.”
Valerion let out a soft chuckle, a bit late. I laughed with him.
When Speedweapon returned from the bathroom, blinking in confusion, I handed him a folder while he was still trembling. He reluctantly opened it.
It was the list of professors I had in mind.
“Hey… Kang Geom-Ma.”
It had been a while since anyone called me by name.
“Are you in your right mind?”
***
It seems my idea shocked the guy.
Even after seeing an Elder Dragon, he was still so expressive.
“Look forward to it.”
I assured both Speedweapon and the Elder Dragon.
“A lot is going to change from now on.”
Days passed little by little.
In a week, the construction entered its final phase. I don’t know how the information leaked, but beyond Construction H, foreign companies started showing up in droves.
“We want to contribute to building this new educational institution.”
That was the public excuse, but really, they just wanted to block each other.
What if Korea’s Construction H successfully built Joaquin’s graduate school, and at lightning speed?
The rest would be kicked out of the market. Before the well dried up, they had to sneak at least one letter into the list of collaborating companies if they wanted to survive in the industry.
It was a sense of crisis that pushed them.
“For Joaquin Academy, this competition is favorable.”
Ryozo spoke while moving her fountain pen.
“In addition to shortening construction time, H’s representative promised to reduce material costs. As expected, service quality improves more with competition than monopoly.”
I stood behind Ryozo and massaged her tense shoulders, channeling a microcurrent to stimulate her muscles.
— How can you use thunder magic in such a dumb way?!
Lycan magic was quite useful.
“Who do you think leaked the information?”
“Obviously.”
Ryozo tilted her head slightly.
The backlight cast her face into two halves.
“It was me.”
“I knew it was the director. Master of intrigue.”
“Couldn’t you say I’m just clever, Geom-Ma?”
The sunlight brushed our skin.
“The opening ceremony is in three days.”
“Yes. And today the interviews for applicants begin.”
“And the interviewers?”
Abel, Lee Wonbin, Choi Seol-Ah, and others.
We’d formed the panel with Joaquin’s core.
“Especially Secretary Kim (Choi Seol-Ah) was excited. She said she’s going to pay back what they did to her… with interest.”
“That woman’s a villain, I swear.”
“She really does seem like one sometimes.”
Although in truth, she is, Ryozo.
“And you? Shouldn’t you be at the interviews as the director?”
“No time. Between my regular work and this graduate school launch, I can’t get up from my desk.”
I’ll have to ask Valerion again.
As I pretended to nod, Ryozo continued.
“Did you know they’re going to implement the promotion system?”
“Yes. It’s the system where outstanding students can enter the graduate school without graduating first. You mentioned it a few days ago, though the criteria were vague.”
“Right, it was unclear. But for three people, it’s very clear.”
“Three people?”
The ones who participated in the inter-academy competition.
Joaquin had promised to grant a wish to the winning students.
More than a wish, it was support for their future careers.
“All three expressed their desire to enter the graduate school. Through promotion.”
“…All three?”
“I asked if they coordinated. They said no—before or after the match, they hadn’t contacted each other.”
Knowing them, I believe it.
“…”
“Worried about your cousin, Rina?”
“It’s not that I’m worried… just…”
Ryozo placed her hand over mine.
“Go. Your hands aren’t meant to massage my shoulders, but to build the future of the Academy.”
***
Meanwhile, in the interview room.
“Cadet Ji Changhyuk.”
Choi Seol-Ah composed herself.
“Y-yes.”
Ji Changhyuk, who had competed in the inter-academy event as a second-year rep, was now in the interview.
He nervously sat in front of the panel.
“You applied for direct promotion to the Joaquin Academy graduate school, correct?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Why?”
“W-well…”
Ji Changhyuk glanced at Abel and looked down, embarrassed. Then he confessed his deepest feeling.
“…In the competition, I was carried by Her Highness and Chaerina. I was the second-year rep, but it was shameful.”
“So I thought about it a lot. With my current skills, even if I joined a company like Lancelot, they’d just laugh.”
“Hmm. Go on.”
“In that case, I preferred to use the promotion system to enter the graduate program as soon as possible and learn more.”
“That low self-esteem. That’s exactly what we want in a grad student. An inflated ego is useless.”
“Th-thank you…”
Huh? Did I hear wrong?
“Cadet… no, assistant Ji Changhyuk.”
“Y-yes.”
Ji Changhyuk lifted his head, startled.
Choi Seol-Ah gently tugged her gloves. Now that I looked closer, she also wore sharp sunglasses.
“Do you know how to print?”
“Print… like with a printer?”
“And wash tea cups?”
“P-pardon…?”
“Have you ever washed socks?”
“Excuse me… Instructor…”
Ji Changhyuk looked confused. But Choi Seol-Ah’s lips were completely serious.
“…Is this some kind of trap?”
“No.”
Choi Seol-Ah firmly denied it.
“This is the proper mindset of a graduate student.”
“…”
“Welcome. You’re accepted, assistant Ji Changhyuk.”
For the first time, Choi Seol-Ah gave a charming smile. Abel and Lee Wonbin rubbed their foreheads, exhausted.
Ji Changhyuk felt a chill run down his spine. But it was too late for regrets.
The dice of fate had already been cast.
And they showed a one.
____
Join the discord!
https://dsc.gg/indra
