There Is No World For ■■

* * *Morning was the same as usual for Margan, the only dwarf teacher at Lord Howe Academy.As always, he woke up at 6 a.m. And after tidying up his bedding a bit, he started the day with a cup of strong barley tea while glancing through some news online.He didn’t have any specific news portal he frequented.On some days, he read The Wall Street Journal; other days, News Corp Oceania.Depending on his mood, he would simply browse through different news portals to pass his time.However, it was almost like it was fated for him to read the Goryeo¹ Times today.A provocative headline in the Superhumans section of the Goryeo Times happened to catch his attention.

『Korea Made Proud… Defeating the Dragon of Manchuria.』

An exaggerated, grandiose title.

His curiosity getting the better of him, Margan clicked on the article.He leisurely sipped his barley tea as he read the news… but the result was as expected.A typical article filled overwhelmingly with patriotism, exaggerated nonsense and self-praise.Margan chuckled in disbelief after he finished the article.The article claimed that a medium-sized mercenary group called the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, along with the Korean military, had defeated a dragon hiding in Manchuria?It was unbelievable enough to even make a passing dog snicker.It was already hard to believe that a dragon had been hiding in Manchuria for decades, let alone defeating it without any casualties.Utter nonsense.Of course, it was surely embarrassing to have their base in North Manchuria raided by terrorists recently, but did they really need to publish a fake article like this just to save face?Tsk, tsk. Margan clicked his tongue and skimmed through the related articles.However, the rest of the articles were no different. No, in fact, some were even worse.From the ridiculous claim that the Saintess participated in the conquest to the absurd story that it was a rookie mercenary who personally defeated the dragon.It was nothing new to see the South Korean government self-praising themselves, but this… this was a bit over the top, wasn’t it?Even jokes should have their limits.As Margan chuckled to himself for a while, a sudden thought popped into his head.…A joke.If a dwarf like him found it funny, how would the Earthian teachers react?Margan didn’t ponder for long.With the decisiveness characteristic of dwarves, he printed the article and headed to the faculty office to share it with the other teachers.His prediction was spot on. As soon as they saw the article, the entire office burst into light laughter.- Ha, they should be restoring North Manchuria, but what's this now…- Is Korea going through tough times these days?- If this story about the rookie mercenary is true, why isn't he at our academy but in Manchuria?- Shouldn’t the admissions director go and personally bring him in?Half sneer, half incredulous. Seeing his colleagues' laughter, Margan felt satisfied.Who knew that a few ridiculous articles could lighten up the stiff atmosphere of the faculty office? It seemed like today would be a good day.However…Unfortunately, the mood didn’t linger for long. Not long after, an uninvited guest arrived at the faculty office.The Holy Sword, Freya Cahn.With her hair tied up roughly and not even having washed her face, she staggered into the office and slouched onto the sofa, saying that she would wait for the principal.Used to the Holy Sword's unconstrained behavior, most teachers paid her no mind, but not everyone was unaffected.O Mordak… Is the Holy Sword really in front of me?Margan was one of those teachers. He fidgeted nervously as he stared at Freya Cahn.The Holy Sword. The Superhuman he respected the most—someone who had raised her voice for the sake of the dwarves in Australia.S-should I ask for an autograph? Or perhaps a photo?Having forgotten about preparing for his class and, after some contemplation, Margan stood up with a determined look.…L-let’s at least try to start with a conversation. Humor is always a good icebreaker, right?He approached Freya Cahn with the printed article in hand."Excuse me, Freya Cahn?""…Hmm? What’s it?""You seem bored. So, would you like to read this article? You might find it interesting."What the hell was that? ‘Would you like to read this article’? Are you a newspaper vendor? Margan sighed inwardly.It was not like he was some middle schooler handing over a love letter to a crush—what kind of disgrace was this?However, contrary to his worries, Freya Cahn’s reaction was not negative."N’ interestin' article? What’s it bout, mate?""Uh, it’s about a dragon being defeated in Manchuria…."As soon as he said the word ‘Manchuria’, she swiftly grabbed the article. Her uncovered eye sparkling with interest.He felt relieved on seeing that her interest was piqued. Margan took a deep breath and began preparing for the next part of the conversation.If the Holy Sword guffaws, I’ll join in; if she only chuckles, I’ll follow up with another joke.Unfortunately, the Holy Sword’s reaction was the exact opposite of what he had anticipated.Her lips did curve upward… but it wasn’t a sneer.Rather, it was pure joy and surprise."Crikey, this lil bugger really killed a dragon?""…Pardon?"Did she really believe that absurd article?While Margan was bewildered, the Holy Sword squinted her eye and stared intently at the photo in the article."Ah, I shoulda’ seized him back den an’ made him mai apprentice."…What? An apprentice?Digging into his ears and glancing around, Margan wondered if he had misheard. However, the other teachers had similar reactions.In particular, the admissions director’s gaze was serious; he looked at Freya Cahn with an expression akin to Caesar as he was betrayed by Brutus².If things go wrong, I’ll be the one taking the blame.Alternating his gaze between the Holy Sword and the admissions director, Margan spoke up cautiously."Um… Holy Sword? What do you mean by ‘apprentice’…?""Hmm? Nothin' special, really. You see duh bloke in this photo, yeah?"The Holy Sword pointed to the picture of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group. To be precise, she was pointing at the mercenary with golden eyes standing among the mercenaries.Margan recognized the face. It was the rookie mercenary who was said to have played a crucial role in killing the dragon."I tried recruiting im’ as mai apprentice not too long ago, but he rejected me outright.""…""Cheeky bugger. I was wonderin' what duh hell he was up tah. So that’s what he’s been at—playin' mercenary, eh?"Looking somewhat amused, Freya Cahn turned her attention to another article with a subtle smile.Regardless of her reaction, the atmosphere in the faculty office grew heavy.The word ‘apprentice’ was too big of a shock for them.Freya Cahn’s apprentice. As long as one wasn’t a fool, they could easily grasp the meaning behind it.And seeing that there were no fools among those gathered in this office, everyone thought of the same term.The Holy Sword of the next generation.It was a term not to be taken lightly either in Australia or the academy.…Oh my God.Feeling the intense stares directed at him, Margan broke out in a cold sweat.Glancing sideways, he saw that all the professors in the office were looking at him with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Hurry up and ask.’Damn it, I can’t even run away now.He swallowed hard and asked Freya Cahn."Um, Miss Freya Cahn. Uh… Where did you happen to meet the mercenary you wanted to recruit as an apprentice?""…Hmm? That’s confidential."Confidential. It meant it was something related to government operations. Another mountain to climb.It didn’t seem like Freya Cahn was interested in continuing the conversation, but the admissions director’s gaze was too intimidating for him to end the questioning there.Margan desperately wracked his mind, trying to think of another question."Then, could you at least tell me his name? Maybe we could make some arrangements on our end. What do you think?""Name? I don’t know, eh?""…Y-you don’t know?""I didn’ ask for his name. Reckon’d it’s enough that he knows mine, eh?"What kind of nonsense was that? Margan almost asked her if it made sense, but then remembered the word ‘confidential.’Could it be that even his name is something she can’t mention freely?It was a possibility. And it did make more sense than the great Holy Sword not knowing the name of someone she wanted to recruit as an apprentice.As Margan tried to rationalize this, the admissions director interrupted the conversation."The mercenary’s name is Cheon Yeomyeong."Everyone’s eyes turned to him. Not only was Margan sweating, but even Freya Cahn, who had been idly flipping through the articles, was now paying attention."Medga, how do you know that?"Medga, the man who had held the position of admissions director at Lord Howe Academy for 12 years, turned his monitor towards Freya Cahn.On his monitor was an application form."That mercenary. He’s an academy applicant. He only happened to submit his application recently. And he would have started in the second semester at the earliest due to the identity verification process.""Oh? Really?""...Do you think I’d lie about something like this?""No, it’s just that it seems a bit strange…""Strange? What’s strange about it?""He even knocked back my offer to wrait im a recommendation letter back den, can ya believe it?"You even offered to write him a recommendation letter? Regardless of the admissions director’s grimace, Freya Cahn, fiddling with her eye patch, fell deep into deep contemplation.After a moment, she smacked her forehead as if realizing something."So, he wanted to grow on his own, no handouts, eh?""…""You said duh earliest he could start was duh secon semester? So, he must’ve buggered off to Manchuria to get some hands-on experience for six months. No, I reckon that’s it since he even killed a dragon, that’s gotta be it.""…""Fair dinkum, kids these days are built different. Back in ma day, all duh Superhumans also grew up like dis. But now they’re off to academies and stuff…"Seeing the Holy Sword jumping to her own conclusions, Margan couldn’t bring himself to ask her if that was mere speculation. But it did seem pretty plausible this time.In fact, it didn’t even matter if it was just a speculation. What was important was that the Holy Sword was clearly interested in the person.As everyone in the office were lost in their thoughts, an announcement that would save them echoed through the school.

- A very good morning to the students and teaching staff of Lord Howe Academy.

The resounding broadcast announced the principal’s arrival. Only then did the Holy Sword get up from the sofa and quietly leave the faculty office.

"Well, I’m off."Her departure was just as abrupt as her arrival, but no one in the faculty office dared to speak up.Amidst the bewildered atmosphere, the first to regain their composure was the admissions director."See, see that crazy bitch, huh."He muttered a heartfelt curse, scribbled something onto a piece of paper, and then approached Margan."Margan.""Y-yes?""You’re the Transfer Admission Examiner from now on. Cancel all your classes today."Not understanding what was happening, Margan blinked in confusion."Transfer Admission Examiner? Did we have such a position at our academy…""I just created it. Do you have any problem with that?""Then, what about my classes…""Gemini will take over for the time being."The admissions director thrust a piece of paper labeled ‘Transfer Admission Examiner Document’ into Margan’s hand and continued."Head to Manchuria right now and come back with that crazy bloke, Cheon Yeomyeong or whatever his name is, back to the academy before word gets out about his connection with Freya Cahn. Got it?"His expression was fierce as if to say no objections would be tolerated.Though Margan wanted to ask why him, he dared not open his mouth.Two hours later, he boarded a flight to Kaesong.

1. Goryeo was a Korean state founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until the establishment of Joseon in 1392.2. Julius Caesar’s assassins had been meticulously orchestrated by two men he considered to be friends: Brutus and Cassius.

The death of Caesar sparked a civil war. Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Julius Caesar depicts Caesar's last words as "Et tu, Brute?," which translates to "You too, Brutus?" Shakespeare used this line based on the book Twelve Caesars written by Suetonius over 150 years after Caesar has been assassinated.