episode_0059

Spatial perception is the only ability I have that can be classified as active.

The other two, the all-around vision that has not yet expanded into a technical ability, and the affinity for magic that enhances magic, are just passive innate abilities that are always in effect.

While spatial perception also has a passive nature, the fact that I can control it makes it somewhat similar to an active ability.

On the first day, I almost died because of it.

The vast expanse of spatial perception overwhelmed my brain with information, almost causing my head to explode.

I didn’t know how to categorize the information or how to filter out unnecessary information.

Moreover, the spatial perception at that time was suspiciously good, resulting in an overwhelming amount of incoming information.

Even now, recalling that day makes me break out in a cold sweat. If I had failed to control it back then, I would have died.

– ……

My thinking slowed down. There was too much information to process. All sorts of things were flooding into my mind.

As the processing slowed down, so did my thinking. It felt like the world was slowing down with me.

It was dangerous. Instinctively, I controlled my spatial perception in that moment.

“Shrink.”

I forcibly pulled back the spatial perception that was expanding on its own. I narrowed the range that was exceeding kilometers.

“Categorize.”

I set criteria for the observed information. I prevented unnecessary information from flowing in. I blocked out deep data that was not necessary at the moment, such as space, body, magic, skills, and internal structures of facilities.

I adjusted the observed space.

I folded the space and filtered the incoming information.

It was difficult to manipulate. What had been suppressed so far was now raging like an explosion. That’s why I struggled with control.

But little by little, I managed to control it. I was not the same as I was on the first day.

Since then, I have dealt with spatial perception a lot, and my level of proficiency is different from that time.

I stopped expanding and distinguished the collection of information.

My head spun. Even during the adjustment process, more information came in. It was excessively unnecessary information.

At that moment, there was a popping sound, and something burst inside me.

Suddenly, my nose started bleeding. My breathing felt congested. When I touched my nose, bright red blood stained my hand.

“My nose is bleeding.”

On the first day, my nose didn’t bleed… did it?

For a moment, my head felt fuzzy. I groped for memories of that day. The moment when spatial perception unfolded…

…What was it like? The memory was vague at that time. It was foggy, like a mist.

“Finally done… Aaah! Hayul!?”

As I was absentmindedly controlling spatial perception, a scream erupted nearby.

Curious, I pulled in that information and saw a pale-faced Hong Yeonhwa. Her attractive red hair swayed gently.

It had been only a few days since I saw her properly. It felt like a long time, even though it was just a few days.

“Why! Why?! What’s going on!”

Yeonhwa rushed towards me, grabbing my shoulders. Her overly dramatic reaction drew the attention of those around us.

Murmurs could be heard. It was a bewildered response like, “Why is she like that?” I quickly wiped my nose.

It was an excessive reaction over just a nosebleed.

Feeling embarrassed yet sensing something, I shrugged as if it was nothing.

Suddenly, my eye started itching. It continued even when I closed it. I felt a tingling sensation from within.

And then, a trickle.

Blood flowed from my eye. A streak of blood ran down my cheek.

“Huh?”

“Ah.”

Somewhere, Yeonhwa froze in the motion of getting tissue to wipe my nose.

But it didn’t end there. The other eye also started itching, and blood began to flow. Two red lines were drawn.

Yeonhwa’s mouth hung open.

The expression on his face was impressive, as if the world had collapsed.

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There was a bit of a commotion.

The only disturbance was the healers like Elia and Baek Arin rushing over upon hearing the commotion, and Hong Yeonhwa’s stomach collapsing.

Before long, even the first-year professors came to check on me.

Professor Teonil Arvani, known as a master of compound magic and the head of the Spring Division, examined my face from all angles and made a diagnosis.

“It seems to be due to excessive use of your abilities. During the trial, there seemed to be something wrong with your abilities. Is that related to this?”

– Nodding

“Could it be due to a sudden change in your abilities… It’s strange that the Tower of Growth couldn’t detect it. In any case, I hope you find stability. If possible, try to restrain your abilities for a while.”

I nodded in agreement with Professor Teonil’s diagnosis.

The other healers had already dispersed long ago.

Although I had just come out of the Tower of Growth and my physical fatigue and injuries had disappeared, the mental fatigue still lingered.

The healers who were wandering around me in a fluster were sent away by Professor Liana.

“Well, it’s best to just rest deeply this week. How about it, Ha Yul?”

Professor Liana, who was listening to the diagnosis with me, let out a deep sigh.

I nodded as if I was listening. Professor Liana spoke with a complicated expression.

“Let’s talk about what happened during the trial later. There’s no need to worry since the details haven’t been disclosed.”

It was the story I wanted to hear. I nodded in relief.

The third round using Geophwa, Changhae, and Taesan.

I first used Geophwa and then operated Taesan.

However, there was a time when my relationship with Taesan was strained due to being caught using it.

I was a bit worried about this incident in the game as well, but I felt a bit relieved after hearing Professor Liana’s reassurance.

Seeing the change in my expression, Professor Liana chuckled and reached out her hand. Her gentle touch brushed against my hair.

It was a familiar touch. At first, it was awkward, but now I didn’t pay much attention to it. Honestly, it felt good even though it was awkward.

“…”

As I was being touched like that, a strange gaze fell on me.

The owner of the gaze was Professor Atla. She was staring at me intently with a complex expression.

Although Professor Atla was not my first-year professor, she was in charge of my major and had been watching the trial with me.

Curious, I tilted my head towards Professor Atla, and a thought crossed my mind.

‘Oh, feedback?’

Professor Atla must have observed my diligent fighting for the past few days. Her eyes were filled with various criticisms, wouldn’t they have poured out?

I straightened my posture. It was an expression of willingness to listen.

After a moment of silence, Professor Atla opened her mouth.

“…Well…”

‘Well?’

Unexpectedly, Professor Atla mumbled her words. She seemed hesitant. I felt a sense of unease.

‘Did I mess up that badly?’

Although my spatial perception had become a mess, I had fought well in my own way.

Certainly, compared to movements with spatial perception, there were many flaws in my actions.

If only my spatial perception had been intact, I could have earned twice the points I gained.

Would my movements during the trial have appeared chaotic to Professor Atla, who had only seen me using spatial perception?

I waited anxiously for her next words, and she finally spoke.

“…Well done.”

I was dumbfounded by the unexpected praise.

“While you need to work on the shortcomings of your detection ability, it was a good choice to come up with a countermeasure immediately in that situation.”

Praise? followed. It didn’t last long. It was just a few words considering my condition.

But even that was remarkable.

After receiving concern in return for causing trouble last time, I knew Professor Atra was a good person, but I had never heard such praise before.

Seeing my expression, Professor Atra awkwardly turned his head, and I met the gaze of Professor Liana with a strange expression.

A strange expression… or should I say a smirk.

“…Why the strange face?”

“Oh, nothing in particular?”

Professor Liana brushed it off and turned her gaze towards me, extending her hand. On her palm lay my smartwatch.

I hesitated for a moment before taking the smartwatch. I regained my composure, albeit momentarily.

“Hyul, go back to your dorm now. Rest well over the weekend, and let’s meet next week.”

After exchanging greetings with Professor Liana, who was smiling broadly and waving her hand, and nodding casually at Professor Atra, I turned around and left.

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I returned to the dormitory.

“It feels like it’s been a while.”

I tossed the clothes I was wearing into the laundry basket, feeling awkward as I changed into new clothes.

Even though I had only been away for a few days, I felt this strange sensation.

It was even more pronounced because I often left the dormitory empty before.

After attending a lecture in the morning and receiving a class from Professor Atra in the afternoon, I usually went to the library or my private practice room.

After changing clothes, I sat down on the bed. The soft touch enveloped my buttocks gently. An immense temptation beckoned me.

It whispered for me to lie down, to fall asleep here…

“…But I shouldn’t sleep.”

While my physical wounds and fatigue had disappeared, there was still a considerable mental fatigue lingering.

If that was all, I wouldn’t have minded. I was tired in many ways, but that didn’t mean I had time to waste.

However, after leaving the tower and receiving a sudden mental attack from spatial perception, I felt like I had been hit on the back of the head. It suddenly erupted and fiercely attacked me mentally.

It was also because of Hong Yeon-hwa’s presence, and although I tried to act nonchalant with my gaze darting around, it was actually quite dangerous.

I felt like I would faint immediately. As the temptation of the bed intensified, I felt like I would faint even more.

Compared to struggling with the scenery on the first day, it was truly a great improvement… but I couldn’t help feeling tired.

“…Let’s just sleep for a little while.”

After hesitating for a moment, I nodded my head.

I’ll just sleep for a little while and then wake up… and then check my plans.

With that self-justification, I tidied up my belongings. Among them, the most important egg of the Origin was placed on the bedroom shelf after some contemplation.

After washing up a bit and changing into comfortable clothes, I threw myself onto the bed. The plush sensation enveloped my whole body.

My mind settled down. Recalling the sleep method Professor Liana had taught me internally, I let go of my consciousness.

* * *

Not even a minute had passed since Hyul lay down on the bed when he fell asleep, emitting a steady breathing.

Curled up, he covered himself with a thick blanket, with only a small part of his face barely visible outside.

In the midst of the serene silence.

Despite no interference, the Origin egg trembled.

– Ding!

Following that, a quiet alarm sounded in the silent room.

[The Origin egg reads the owner’s wish]