KAMIYA RITSUKO, the head of the Kamiya clan and S-Rank villain known as ‘Black Rose.’
“Makoto.”
Ritsuko’s seductive gaze lands on the androgynous beauty in front of her, a boyish girl with green short hair, KAMIYA MAKOTO.
“You called for me, Master?”
“I’ve received a request for our clan.”
As Ritsuko speaks with a Kansai dialect, a request form is placed before Makoto.
“The requester is anonymous, the fee is 200 million yen. The type is assassination, and the target is… a student of Shuo Hero Academy, KUROSAWA YUJI…”
The voice of Black Rose echoes in Makoto’s ear.
“… Kim Deok-Sung, huh?”
“How’s the academy’s security?”
“I’ll use some influence to manage that.”
Ritsuko’s gaze shifts to Makoto.
“I’ll arrange for you to have a transfer student status. You’ll approach the target as a boy instead of a girl. The disguise preparation will take about a month.”
Boy student.
At those words, Makoto’s eyes flicker slightly.
“The targets are two boys. Just kids not even full of blood yet. This is indeed a tough request, but I believe you can handle this, no matter how much you might struggle.”
“I’ll take the request.”
“Good choice.”
Hearing Makoto, Ritsuko smiles seductively.
She takes a puff of her pipe.
Puff, puff.
Smoke billows from the end of the pipe.
You are my benefactor.
After a successful conclusion, the Imgan School finished without incident, with the Priest transferred to the association’s prison, and once again, thanks to the information control by the academy and the association, news of the Priest’s capture didn’t leak out.
At the scene were only Mayuzumi-sensei and our group, so controlling the information was a piece of cake.
However, complete control of information was difficult, and instead of news about the Priest’s capture, it was reported that Mayuzumi-sensei and our group successfully stopped the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.
Thanks to this, our team received the highest score at the Imgan School.
“Thank goodness.”
I lacked confidence in the written evaluation, so I needed to make up for it with practical scores, which worked out well.
After all, the only thing I did was fire a flare, so even if the news about capturing the Priest got out, the spotlight would have been on Mayuzumi-sensei.
As someone who wants to avoid the spotlight, this was the best outcome.
Bzz.
My phone vibrates.
[Hey kid, it seems the villain captured this time is from the Cult (=^▽^=)]
[I’ll share additional information from the association as soon as it comes in φ(*⌒▽⌒)ﾉ]
A message from the President.
That disgusting emoticon is as usual.
Seriously, how old are you to be using those? Sigh.
I close the messenger.
Unlike the incident at the model gate, my contributions at the Imgan School would be somewhat recognized.
I need to check the reactions online.
I access the academy channel.
An article written by Amano Nodoka is shining at the top.
[Breaking News! Teacher Mayuzumi and Squad 2 Students! They thwarted the White Ghost Parade and defended Imgan School!]
[So that magic wave at Imgan School was because of that? ww]
[Wasn’t the White Ghost Parade a legend? It was real Σ(°ロ°)]
[Teacher Mayuzumi is the best~~(*≧∀≦*)(*≧∀≦*) The academy’s best beauty teacher, of course! ww]
[>> Hey, hey, is it a teacher fetish? www]
[>> There’s no helping it for Teacher Mayuzumi ww]
[I’ve become a fan of Teacher Mayuzumi this time ww Big-boobed teachers are the best ww]
[>> Agreed. Teacher Mayuzumi’s chest is top class in school （๑✧∀✧๑）]
[>> It shakes every class, making it hard to concentrate (/ε＼*)(/ε＼*)]
[>> Pervert. There’s a pervert here ww]
[Did squad 2 even do anything? Teacher stopped it all ww]
[>> I don’t know why that’s in the article ww]
[>> I don’t understand how squad 2 got the top score either (＃￣ω￣)(＃￣ω￣)]
All the comments on the article talk about Teacher Mayuzumi.
Of course, there’s hardly any mention of the other squad members.
Well, considering I didn’t really do much this time, it’s a natural reaction.
It’s likely that the external reactions are similar. There’s nothing to see.
I close the academy channel and open YouTube.
‘Are they really going to hype up the national pride again?’
What did I even do?
Just as I think this and enter the YouTube main screen.
[K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung! Defends Shuo Academy from interdimensional species at Imgan School! Is there a hidden effort from K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung behind the successful resolution of the White Ghost Parade incident? A detailed analysis of the proud K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung, who has once again protected neighboring Japan!!]
[Why did K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung conquer Japan despite unfavorable conditions?! Currently, Japan is in a K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung frenzy! A focused analysis on why the world is paying attention to Kim Deok-Sung’s actions! Local reactions in Japan. “I wish there was a hero like Kim-kun in Japan.” The K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung, whom Japan envies and the world admires, shines again at Imgan School!!]
[Japan suffers humiliation again! This time, at Imgan School, K-Hero Kim Deok-Sung makes a grand show! The Japanese Hero Association is in a state of emergency due to bruised pride! Why is Japan tossing and turning, entranced by Kim Deok-Sung’s achievements? “Without Kim Deok-Sung, there’s no Japan.” A shocking confession!!]
I had to admit that I had been too complacent.
Are they really hyping up the national pride this much?
Money copying is good, but this is just too much, right?
I feel a slight twinge of guilt.
[Seriously, how can they hype up national pride from this? LOL, it’s disgusting ㅋㅋ This time, Kim Deok-Sung really did nothing, that’s a fact ㅋㅋ Someone show them the Japanese media articles ㅋㅋ]
That’s a really relatable comment.
[Like 1] [Dislike -244235]
I hit the like button.
[Welcome, honorary Japanese person, LOL]
[What was that like 1 just now? LOL]
[Recommender ID system is pathetic LOL]
[Kim Deok-Sung’s achievements are insane, but here we go with Japanese media again, right? Gross, right?]
[Please stop sabotaging Light Deok-Sung]
[If you’re mad, go immigrate to Japan, LOL]
Wait, I was the one who pressed like?
If I keep reading, my mind might spiral.
Just then, as I was about to close the YouTube app.
The bell that signifies the end of class rings in my ears.
The last class has finished.
The seat next to Nishizawa, where she should sit, is still empty.
A yawn escapes me.
It’s been a long time since I had such a leisurely day.
I don’t even remember how long it’s been.
Ohhhh.
[Hey you]
My smartphone vibrates.
I check the screen and see a message from Olivia.
[Are we finishing the black sword technique today?]
[Hmph, not that I particularly want to be alone with you or anything, so don’t get the wrong idea!]
I’m not saying I want to be alone with you or anything scoundrel-like, so don’t get the wrong idea!
Is there really a need to stutter in the message?
I need to finish the training of the Black Light Sword Technique.
Originally, it was something I should have wrapped up a long time ago, but it got delayed because of Imgan School.
‘I’ve shown you all the movements, so what’s left… is the mana circulation technique.’
I reply to Olivia while reviewing the progress in my mind.
[Got it]
[Sounds good!]
When I turn my head, I see Olivia blushing and smiling brightly.
Her blue eyes, which were beaming with laughter, meet mine.
Olivia’s face turns red up to her neck.
“W-w-where are you looking, you pervert! Scoundrel! You must be the dumbest man in the world!! I-I-I-I-I….”
Olivia’s blue eyes shake.
I had anticipated this kind of tsundere outburst.
“Oh look at that. Seems like she’s not even trying to hide it anymore.”
“Pity the Princess Knight, looks like she’s completely fallen for the Black Beast.”
“I heard that Shinozaki also offered her virginity to the Black Beast…”
“The virgin bomber, the Black Beast is scary…”
“I heard Nishizawa is warming the Black Beast’s blanket naked every night.”
But the evolving rumors really hit a level I can’t bear.
It’s like something out of a light novel world.
It’s ridiculous.
“Wh-wh-wh-what nonsensical rumors are these…?”
Olivia’s face turns even redder.
She puffs up her cheeks.
Ahem.
Olivia puts her hands on her hips and shouts.
“Hey! You need to buy me a parfait as punishment for making me embarrassed! The special chocolate parfait sold at the academy shopping district! You got that?!”
The academy shopping district.
A term that refers to the street filled with cafes, shops, and various stores located on the grounds of Shuo Hero Academy, which is several times larger than Yeouido.
In the original story, this place only pops up during mundane events, but in real academy life, you’d have no choice but to visit often for various reasons.
The parfait shop in the academy shopping district is quite popular among the students.
“Alright, why not?”
It’s not like I’m broke.
Right now, real-time Korean pride YouTube views are turning into cash that’s being deposited into my bank account.
A parfait is just pocket change.
“Hmph. Fine! Just this once, I’ll let it slide. Be grateful for my generosity!”
Olivia turns her red face away, pouting.
Really, what a tsundere drama queen.
Just as I’m rolling my eyes inside.
“Kim.”
Yuji calls out to me.
“What?”
“I’ve decided to duel with the Association President today.”
Yuji clenches his fist with a serious tone.
“I will definitely straighten out the Association President’s distorted feelings.”
“Sure, good luck with that.”
“Yep. For Shinozaki and you, I will definitely achieve this.”
Why am I being grouped with Rin?
What a strange guy.
Yuji walks out.
For some reason, Rin has already left the classroom as soon as the class ended.
I shake my head.
“Why aren’t you moving quickly?”
Olivia, her face still flushed, urges me.
Is she really that eager for the parfait?
Well, parfaits, along with crepes, are the two desserts that appear the most in light novels.
It’s not strange for Olivia to like parfaits.
“I was about to go.”
I grab my bag and get up from my seat.
For the time being, there shouldn’t be any major events ahead.
*
Tokyo.
Shinozaki Mansion.
The private duel between Kurosawa Yuji and Shinozaki Ichiro that took place in the gravel-paved Japanese garden ended in Shinozaki Ichiro’s defeat.
Flap.
The right sleeve of Shinozaki Ichiro’s yukata is lay shredded in the garden.
“I lost.”
Shock is evident on Ichiro’s rock-like face.
An EX-rank hero and an F-rank bottom-tier student.
Objectively speaking, the concept of fighting didn’t even hold up.
So Ichiro set conditions for Yuji, who had thrown down the gauntlet.
No combat mode allowed, no gifts allowed, limited magic power.
A duel purely based on each other’s swordsmanship.
Naturally, Ichiro was confident in winning.
“If your sword even grazes a single hair on my body, I will accept it as my defeat.”
“And what if I win?”
“You said you wanted to tell me something? The shame of Kurosawa. I don’t know what that is, but I’ll hear whatever you desire.”
The conversation they had just had replayed in Ichiro’s mind.
The shame of the Kurosawa family.
An untalented man with an F-rank aptitude.
Someone unworthy to wield the Kurosawa’s sacred sword or even claim to be the son of the Sword Master.
Erasing him was the final task of erasing the shadow of Kurosawa.
He had thought so.
“This is the sword I inherited from my father, President.”
“The sacred sword of the Kurosawa…”
A smile crept onto Ichiro’s face.
“Ha, hahahahaha, hahahahaha!”
Ichiro burst into laughter.
The scene of the duel replayed in his head.
The trajectory of the sword that Yuji had swung.
There was no doubt it was the sword of a master.
The sword he so longed for yet hated and wished to surpass was right in front of Yuji.
Ichiro closed and opened his eyes.
“Yes. That’s true. Kurosawa Yuji. You have inherited his sword.”
Kurosawa Yuji is the son of the Sword Master.
“If a man can draw such a sword, then who else could possibly claim to be his son?”
Swordsmen speak through their swords.
Ichiro acknowledged the sacred sword that Kurosawa Yuji had displayed.
“How ironic. Even ten years after he passed, I still can’t seem to escape his shadow…”
A resigned smile appeared on Ichiro’s face.
The Sword Master.
It was a life spent chasing after his back.
After the Master died, he tried to overlay the name of the Shinozaki family over his.
He just wanted to win, even if it was in that way.
But today.
He had lost again to the Sword Master’s sword.
“What on earth have I done…”
As a sense of emptiness surged in his heart, he heard Yuji’s voice in his ear.
“You have already escaped your father’s shadow, President.”
“Me?”
Ichiro turned his gaze towards Yuji.
Yuji nodded in reply.
“You are the representative hero of Japan, the President of the Japan Hero Association, the head of New Crowns, the guardian of the new era… All of this is a legend you’ve built with your own strength.”
Yuji spoke as if singing.
“In this era after your father’s death, you have been the master. From the beginning, there was no shadow of your father in this world.”
Yuji’s dark eyes met Ichiro’s.
“Your father would surely recognize you now as the Sword Master of this age. So please, no longer be bound by your father’s shadow or the past, and look toward the future.”
Black hair and black eyes resembling the Sword Master.
His similar gaze, voice, and face filled Ichiro’s vision.
“Hahaha, yes, the Sword Master would surely say that.”
Ichiro laughed.
Yuji was right.
If it were the Sword Master, he would definitely say that to him now.
For some reason, he felt relieved.
But at the same time, he felt ashamed.
“…I don’t know why I only realized this now.”
As he had said, he was already standing at the same level as the Sword Master, at the pinnacle of this era.
Yet why had he been so bound by the past?
Ichiro finally understood.
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