San Ha-na.
That was the name used by “Power of Ten Thousand,” Meain Poison, when she posed as a student.
Since it hadn’t been used in years, I had almost forgotten it… but hearing it again hit me square in the head.
‘Those who brought Meain here…’
As I suspected, it was Ryozo and Abel. Just one look at their kind faces is enough to realize it instantly.
I gave them a slight smile. Then, I extended a hand with apparent solemnity.
“The Graduate School of Joaquin Academy…”
I declared before everyone.
“…will open a new era for the world of heroes!”
There was a brief silence.
Click, click, click.
The reporters hurriedly raised their cameras to my face.
And from among that crowd, Meain Poison walked away calmly.
Her presence meant that she had also accepted the position of professor.
Let me say now — it was a proposal I made without much expectation. Considering everything surrounding him, it wasn’t easy to imagine he would simply accept.
‘I was lucky.’
I looked away from the dazzling flashes. A ray of sunlight softly pierced through the gray clouds.
A flawlessly clear sky.
As if the world were blessing our new beginning.
I smiled gently, stepped down from the stage, and headed toward my two wives.
***
The world has improved.
After the end of the Second Great Human-Demon War, humans, as victors, expanded their territory into Gehenna.
After all, seizing the lands of the defeated is one of the rights of the victor.
The demons, holding back their rage, had no choice but to watch the invasion without being able to stop it.
By nature, demons deeply respect the logic of power. And behind humanity stood Kang Geom-Ma.
The powerful are not opposed. That is the law of the demon world.
Even the highest-ranking elders in that world obediently followed Kang Geom-Ma’s orders.
Perhaps that’s why they accepted the installation of internet networks without protest.
South Korea, a world leader in technology, took the lead in the project. Humanity carried out massive infrastructure work in Gehenna.
The construction, started five years ago, progressed quickly.
And at last, the ideal plans became nearly a reality.
Currently, 80% of all Gehenna is covered by internet networks.
Time moves on. Change is the first step toward evolution.
However, for some, such rapid change was nothing short of a brutal shock.
For example, Balor Joaquin.
“Pff…”
He still lives deep within Gehenna. He is no longer a half-spirit like before.
Now he can exert some physical force.
He can even use a smartphone.
That’s not a figure of speech. He and a gang of squirrels are… watching broadcasts on a smartphone inside a hole in Gehenna.
“…This changed way too much.”
The broadcast was about the founding of Joaquin Academy’s Graduate School.
Since they missed the live stream, Balor and the squirrels were watching a recap in shorts format.
“*Hey, idiot!*”
Lycan shot a fierce glare at Balor while running inside his wheel. The smartphone was connected to the wheel by a cable.
“*You’re using me — me, Lycan — as a battery*!?”
As mentioned earlier, while internet has spread, power plants — which require more resources — have only been built in central Gehenna.
Balor didn’t even look at him.
He sat cross-legged beside the squirrels.
“*Researching magic is an inevitable challenge for current humanity.*”
That was said by the strategist, a very smart red squirrel. She had been living with Balor for months now. Practically part of the family.
“*But if we teach magic at Joaquin Academy, it could provoke even more backlash.*”
“*Exactly!*”
The squirrels added their thoughts.
“If things get out of hand, even former students will run scared.”
“*To move forward without destroying the essential, it’s necessary to create a new educational institution. That’s pure Kang Geom-Ma!*”
“Hmm… that makes sense.”
Just then, the smartphone screen went dark. Everyone turned to the device.
“*Damn it…!*”
Lycan, panting, approached.
Before the wrath of the squad leader, anyone would tremble — but the squirrels remained indifferent.
“Is it that tiring to spin that thing a bit…?”
“It’s time for you to retire.”
“Ahh, the glory days…”
Laments rang out in mocking tones. Lycan’s eyes blazed with fury.
Moments later, he lunged on all fours at the squirrels. They threw up their hands and scattered.
“*Every squirrel for herself!*”
“*I’m a red squirrel, not a regular one!*”
“*And that matters now?!*”
In the depths of the abyss, a small commotion broke out.
“This is a rat circus.”
Balor Joaquin let out a dry laugh. It was a familiar scene by now.
As always, he chewed on garlic and mugwort while watching.
‘I feel like Ungnyeo or something.’
Since regaining a minimal physical form, Balor could eat. Even though he didn’t need food, the red squirrel had suggested something.
“*If you consume food from this world, maybe you can recover your form faster.*”
You know, that legend — if you eat food from the afterlife, you become one of the dead. Of course, no one knew if it applied here.
“*I don’t think there’s anything to lose by trying.*”
The red squirrel was truly smart. As sharp as her pointed ears.
Balor followed her advice and only ate mugwort and garlic grown in the demon world.
Everything else was so repulsive he couldn’t swallow it.
‘Never thought I’d recover my physical form just with garlic and mugwort.’
Balor clenched and then opened his fist. The redness in his palm disappeared.
And in its place, a faint pink hue began to spread.
“At this rate…”
He might be able to cross into the human world in less than a month. Even if he failed, just the hope was enough to brighten the future.
Balor smiled, showing his teeth.
His chest filled with anticipation. After all, the bitter taste of garlic and mugwort — he could chew through it joyfully as long as needed.
“*Huff, huff…*”
Lycan slumped his shoulders, exhausted. He stood atop a mountain of defeated squirrels.
While catching his breath, Balor asked him,
“By the way, haven’t seen Metatron lately. Think Leon returned to the demon world?”
After living in the abyss for so long, he’d grown familiar with Metatron.
At first, it was hard to believe that middle-aged man was truly the Great Angel Metatron.
But after listening to his story for hours, he understood.
That man really was the leader of Gregory and bearer of the most radiant wings.
“*Looks like you didn’t know.*”
Lycan wiped his forehead and replied.
“That guy went to the human world.”
To the human world?
“They say Kang Geom-Ma summoned him.”
“…Don’t tell me.”
From among the fallen squirrels, a little paw lifted. The red squirrel pushed through the others and emerged.
“He must be joining as a professor in the graduate school!”
Thwack!
“*Aaaaagh!*”
Lycan didn’t hesitate to flick her on the head, even in the middle of the chaos, for trying to show off her smarts.
***
As a fun fact, I like the smell of a new house.
Some people might find it unpleasant, but I think it’s the scent of excitement.
I’m standing in the middle of the new training hall of the graduate school.
The walls and equipment shine with flawless brilliance. The space is also quite wide, enough for several people to clash swords without trouble.
The previous one was so narrow that any wide movement ended up interfering with others.
‘So comfortable.’
While enjoying the new-house smell for a moment, I turned my head toward where I heard a hum — the sound of a vibrating sword.
Leon was unsheathing his sword.
I spoke.
“Do you really have to go this far?”
“This place will be used by the graduate students. As responsible staff, we need to check it. If someone’s going to get hurt, it should be us first.”
Not bad logic.
Even though it’s a graduate school, it’s still an institution for training future heroes.
Physical confrontations are inevitable. That’s why verifying the performance of the “subspace barrier” is essential.
Sure, if I’m present, I can ensure stable activation. But I won’t be at the graduate school all the time.
And by its very nature, this place will depend more on student autonomy than on direct orders from instructors.
So it’s crucial to check whether the subspace barrier activates properly.
The new students arrive in a week, so at least until then.
‘He’s right.’
Although… why does it feel like he’s just looking for an excuse to fight me?
I turned my gaze to a corner of the training hall. The onlookers were staring at us.
They were dragon lineage members and graduate school staff. Among them, I couldn’t stop looking at a middle-aged man with perfectly styled hair.
Maybe because I’d always seen him in a messy state, his neat appearance felt strange to me.
‘Now I see who Leon resembles.’
Metatron. He was also present as a member of the staff. He has been appointed professor at Joaquin’s graduate school.
Alongside Valerion, the Dragon Lord, Metatron was one of my hidden aces.
He was once the greatest of angels and also the elder brother of the cruel corps commander Kuarne.
Despite wrestling with good and evil for millennia, he remained firmly on the side of good.
‘Once magic is taught, the darker sides of human nature will be revealed.’
That’s why the students needed a figure capable of neutralizing that internal darkness.
And no one was more suitable than Metatron.
“……”
Sensing my gaze, Metatron gave a slight nod.
I returned the gesture, once again expressing my gratitude.
‘I didn’t expect you to accept so easily.’
Metatron also bears a debt to humanity, as he was briefly their enemy due to Kuarne’s hypnosis. Yet he accepted the post without much hesitation.
He didn’t explain his reasons, but I suppose he wanted to spend more time with Leon.
Leon, for his part, looked more tense than usual. And yet he’s wielding Balmung? This guy is desperate to show off.
‘He wants to prove something to his father.’
Even if I were an orphan without a family, I’d understand.
Leon has always longed for recognition from his father. And now, appearing before him as a professor, even more so.
‘Alright, alright.’
I’ll have to let him show off a bit.
Ah, but that doesn’t mean I plan to lose the duel.
I just want to go along with it — not surrender.
Thud.
I flipped the bag hanging from my shoulder.
Dozens of Daiso sashimi knives tumbled out chaotically. The corner of Leon’s mouth twitched.
“I’m not in a position to worry about you, but… for your sake, shouldn’t you at least bring a real weapon?”
Leon gave Balmung a light shake. Is it okay for a hero to act this arrogant?
“We’re in a new era. And I have some experiments I want to try.”
“You’re going to use me for those?”
He was clearly annoyed. Since I didn’t keep provoking him, Leon adjusted his grip on Balmung.
A bright light enveloped the blade.
“You’re in serious mode.”
Leon activated the “Blessing of the Miracle” for this duel.
Just thinking about its effect gives me chills.
【Blessing of the Miracle】
: Please save the world from the Demon King.
Hmm…
‘You’re too diligent as a hero.’
Better set the record straight.
“I’m not saying we’ll fight halfheartedly. I just want to test something. This is a graduate school — I want to explore new uses for magic.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
He’s upset. Leon lowered his stance.
As if he had rocks in his hips, he firmly centered his weight.
Toward me. He could almost shoot lightning with his gaze.
I scratched my neck. Living with such seriousness must be exhausting.
【The subspace barrier is deploying.】
BOOM
I stomped hard. Dozens of sashimi knives floated into the air.
【May the blessing of the hero be with you.】
As the voice echoed, Leon charged at me.
“Until it’s destroyed.”
The sashimi knives vibrated and shed their sheaths. Instantly, they extended.
At the same time, I snapped my fingers.
Snap
A stream of blue energy touched the nearest sashimi knife.
Electricity jumped from one blade to another. Using the Blessing of Transmission, I passed my spell to all of them.
In a split second, an electric net spread across the entire training hall. It even extended behind Leon.
He didn’t flinch.
He turned to the side to adjust his angle. He lunged with Balmung aiming at my side.
I snapped my fingers again.
Slash!
Balmung’s blade sliced through my body.
Or rather, where my body had been.
A net woven of electricity.
The lines of light between each sashimi knife transmitted current, and at that moment, I teleported.
Light in particle form gathered where Leon was, and took my shape.
“This is…”
Leon couldn’t help but murmur in awe. I turned my body, electricity still crackling from my shoulder.
This was what I wanted to test today.
Using the sashimi knives as nodes to teleport through lightning.
All the spells and blessings I possess fused organically to give birth to this technique.
I named it right there, in front of everyone.
“Absolute Lightning.”
____
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