episode_0173

I suddenly lost consciousness due to the stimulation.

The speed is not fast.

It does not appear to be an emergency call for division consciousness.

I am continuously updating and studying the magic book… and the fully automatic crisis observation in case of an emergency is also going well.

‘It’s still immature and dizzy… but it’ll be okay once you get used to it.’

Division of consciousness. I tried it last time using my knowledge of the original, and it went better than I expected.

There are many immature aspects, but even taking that into account, I would like to place significance in the fact that it was a success.

Originally, I tried to imitate the “splitting of consciousness” that exists as a unique ability through homogenization… but unfortunately, I could not find the person who manifested it.

There were many other unique abilities that I wanted to look for.

But there aren’t many abilities found.

In the first place, the only places I explored were parts of Scotland and China, and a brief snoop around Seoul where I stopped by to use the gate…

‘There are few people who display unique abilities. You have to take that into account…’

A very small percentage of the entire population awakens as a superhuman. Among those superhumans, only a few develop unique abilities.

Most of those unique abilities are body types without much specificity.

Swordsmanship and spearmanship are basic skills.

It is a class of attributes such as fire, water, wind, earth, and electricity.

Of course, you can gradually evolve it from there, but it is inevitable that it will be very difficult.

Thanks to this, there are bound to be few people who display unique and valuable unique abilities.

‘Most of the unique abilities used through homogenization were found in Poetry Cradle.’

There are so many people with unique abilities in the poetry cradle that it’s almost confusing.

Even if you immediately spread observation in all directions, you could say that all cadets possess unique abilities. There are a small number of people who display two unique abilities.

But it’s not like that when you go outside.

The same applies to the people I met while wandering around China.

Most of them were civilians who had not yet awakened, and even the miscellaneous superhumans and necromancers who engaged in grappling rarely had unique abilities.

Consciousness slowly emerged, and soon my senses were connected.

My cheeks are soft and warm.

I turned to observation.

Elia was observed.

Elia was sitting on the sofa, and I was lying with my head on Elia’s thighs.

He was sleeping very comfortably, with a yellow blanket pulled up to his mouth.

“Baby? Everyone will arrive soon. Let’s wake up now~”

A kind voice reached my ears. A thin finger caressed my cheek. It looks like he has been waking up like this since a while ago.

“Ahaha. It tickles, Hayul.”

– Haam…

As I rubbed my cheek, giggles poured out. Then, a warm palm rubbed my cheek.

A yawn poured out from the open mouth.

I wriggled up to shake off the drowsiness that had soaked my mind.

Laughter was heard overhead again.

“Hayul, looks like a caterpillar.”

[Hing]

[I am not a bee]

“That’s not what I meant. It means cute.”

[I don’t like bugs…]

“Huh? Do you hate bugs?”

Elia sat down next to me and playfully nuzzled my cheek, then her eyes widened.

“You didn’t think anything happened when you conquered the last dungeon, right?”

Last dungeon raid?

Ah… that was at the beginning of the semester. Since it was a forested area at the time, there were inevitably a lot of bugs.

[I couldn’t run away just because I didn’t want to…]

[I hate bugs…]

[It tastes awful…]

[I hate cockroaches…]

“Ah… Hmm. I said something unnecessary. I’m sorry.”

[are you okay…]

Some time passed as I sat with my back against the sofa.

As the drowsiness slowly disappeared and I became conscious, I heard a sound coming from the door.

[Cadet Baek Arin, certified]

[Cadet Hong Yeon-hwa, certified]

A familiar scent passed my nose as the door slid into the wall.

The wings of the sky were shaking.

Soon Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin came in.

When I gently opened my eyes, the image of Hong Yeon-hwa narrowing her eyebrows as if she was dissatisfied with something was reflected on my retina.

Hong Yeon-hwa and I made eye contact.

He concentrated and moved his mouth.

“Softening.”

There was no stuttering.

Hong Yeon-hwa came up to me and hugged me, her eyes shining.

“Hayul. Nothing bad happened, right? Did you finish the work you had to do in the morning?”

“Neng. Don’t worry.“

My face was buried in my chest, where the sweet smell of flesh was exuding. He smiled happily and nuzzled his face into Hong Yeon-hwa’s arms.

[Body style]

[happiness]

[Sweet]

“Ugh, hmmm… I’m glad nothing happened.”

“Why am I being treated as invisible?”

Baek A-rin, who was standing behind him, suddenly approached me, muttering incoherently.

Blue eyes stared straight into my eyes. I looked towards it, but all I could see was a thick gray fog.

“It looks like you really can’t see it. You can’t even talk to me? What on earth does this work?”

Baek Arin checked the focus of my eyes and tilted her head.

[……]

‘……’

If you keep saying, “It’s a curse…”, you could face death like last time.

Also, I adjusted the confession necklace tightly so that it would not run wild.

“…Well, everyone has a secret or two that they can’t tell others. Right?”

Baek A-rin shrugged her shoulders and asked me, who was in Hong Yeon-hwa’s arms, as if asking for my consent.

[yes…]

I nodded hesitantly.

.

.

.

We sat around the round table in the center of the room.

I had no choice but to sit next to Hong Yeon-hwa.

Elia was sitting next to me, and across from me was Baek Arin.

“Am I an outcast? I’m going to wear this in my poetry cradle. That’s how I know.”

“No nonsense…”

[Why are Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin late?]

Although we roughly figured it out through observation, we did not measure it accurately.

Hong Yeon-hwa was the first to answer my question.

“I have been listening to 『Comprehensive Battle Logic』 and 『Advanced Practical Swordsmanship』. It was still an introduction, but it seemed like there was a lot to learn from listening.”

Comprehensive combat logic and advanced swordsmanship…

This is a subject that Hong Yeon-hwa, a combat major, would likely take.

In particular, comprehensive combat logic is a subject that was used quite favorably in the original work.

To achieve weapon skill proficiency, you must complete subjects such as swordsmanship and spearmanship, but for overall ssambatjil proficiency, the comprehensive combat logic subject was the most efficient.

I also remember the professor in charge as someone who was once famous on the demonic front. Although he received the highest level of evaluation, he retired due to injury around that time.

I remember him as a person whose achievements merited him being treated as a top-class hero.

In particular, in the second session, I took a comprehensive combat logic course.

The unique ability that the second round started with was “Fighting Aptitude”

As the name suggests, it is a unique ability that provides all-round correction in the combat area, so I did well in the comprehensive combat logic subject.

“I came after listening to 『Advanced Magic Mechanics』. Well… it was so complicated that my head started pounding.”

Baek A-rin shook her head and responded as if she was sick of it.

Baek Arin is also a combat major, but she is so versatile that many people are listening to her.

Deepening magical mechanics.

This is a subject that involves in-depth study of the analysis, interpretation, and reconstruction process by tearing down established magic techniques from the top to the basement.

Because it is a very difficult subject, if you go into it half-baked, your level of proficiency will increase by a negligible amount and you will only waste time.

[Did Elia just hear the outline?]

“Yes, I only heard about 『Ability Healing Art (Ⅱ)』.”

Elia is a cadet in an auxiliary major… and came after listening to a major lecture with unique abilities in the healing field.

‘Hmm…’

It seems like everyone has planned their timetables in advance.

Well, since I know in advance what subjects I will take, I would have been able to plan sufficiently during the first semester… or at least during vacation.

…I also tried to spend time with Seoyul during vacation, but it didn’t go as planned.

I didn’t know that the two-headed poisonous dragon would be resurrected, get beaten up, and turn into this mess.

“The rate should also be decided within this week. Do you have something in mind?”

“That’s right. Since Mr. Hayul is a special admission student, there are a lot of subjects he can apply for, right? You can change it midway, but you have to decide carefully at the beginning.”

[yes]

[I have a few things in mind]

As I answered Elia’s question, my attention suddenly focused.

“What is it? Did you decide in advance?”

Hong Yeon-hwa asked with sparkling eyes.

[yes]

[I plan to take classes focusing on magic]

If you enter the Tower of Knowledge, you will be able to study magic well.

But in the end, studying is only possible if you have basic knowledge. Until then, I plan to raise my level of magic.

“Hell, magic…?”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s face, which had been immersed in anticipation, became trembled.

“Magic is good.”

On the other hand, Baek A-rin clapped her hands in anger.

“Have you thought about anything in detail?”

[I’m going to follow the advice I received from Professor Liana]

[I’m also thinking about circuit construction (Ⅱ) and development/reverse development (Ⅱ)]

“It is better to listen to circuit construction. It’s used in any magic. The same goes for development and reverse development subjects. Other subjects I would recommend are…”

[Thanks for the recommendation]

[I completed everything from the previous part…]

First of all, I plan to take classes focusing on magic.

Also, as another subject, I will learn production…

“『Monster training and response』? Will you listen to this too, Hayul?”

Elia, who was looking at my course list, tilted her head and asked.

[yes]

[I was interested so I tried just one]

Monster training.

It is not a subject that takes up time. Because it is a liberal arts-like subject that is briefly written for only one or two hours a week.

This is a lecture on seeing various monsters in real life, training them… and learning about what is commonly referred to as taming.

It’s not a very popular subject, but it will be helpful for necromancy… I might use it later, so I’m thinking of taking one.

There is no particular task, so there will be no pressure.

‘Did they show unicorns here too?’

Unicorn.

A high-ranking monster whose standard hierarchy is about level 4. A rare species that only a few are found in city cradles.

After blowing off a bicorn’s horn, I’ve been thinking about what it would be like to be a unicorn.

Do you think unicorns hate me too? To be honest, I wasn’t sure I would like it…

“Then I want to listen to it too.“

“I should listen to it too~”

[yes?]

[Is that okay?]

Elia and Baek A-rin revised the timetable in real time. I was puzzled by that and asked back.

[Isn’t the timetable messed up?]

“It’s okay. Because I have a lot of free time.”

“I want to listen to it too.”

Hong Yeon-hwa also quickly revised her timetable.

“Yeonhwa, you? You are not trained, but exterminated… Argh!”

“Quiet.”

I have been organizing the subjects I would like to apply for for a while.

I already received advice from Professor Liana.

It was quite easy to organize and share opinions with others.

In particular, Baek A-rin’s recommended picks matched many of the subjects I had in mind.

There was also advice that I hadn’t thought of in the plan I had in mind.

Thanks to this, I was able to edit in real time.

[…keep in mind…]

– Ugh…

[Weng]

I felt a sensation in my cheek.

The culprit was Hong Yeon-hwa.

Hong Yeon-hwa was pressing my cheek with a pitiful expression.

“Yeonhwa?“

When I tilted my head to know something, Hong Yeon-hwa, who looked hesitant, asked me a question.

“…I guess I should learn magic now”

“Is it possible?”

Baek A-rin across from me tilted her head and asked.

“You opened the introductory textbook the other day and tore up the book in two hours…”

“Wow! Shut up!”

Hong Yeon-hwa shouted. My body shook as a loud noise erupted right next to me.

“Ah, ah! I’m sorry, Hayul…!”

[are you okay…]

My ears hurt…

.

.

.

“Phew… It ended somehow.”

Elia, sitting next to me, said while massaging my shoulder.

As she said, the timetable was roughly finished. I’ll have to do a final review, but that will be over soon.

“Would you like to have a snack? There are a lot of things available over there.”

“Oh, I just looked. There were a lot of snacks and a variety of drinks in the refrigerator.”

“What should I pick out for Hayul?”

[Oh, I…]

[Please give me one drink]

“Confirm~”

I headed towards the main dishes equipped with Hong Lotus Flower and Elia.

“Oh, that’s right, Mr. Hayul. Would you like to try some of this?”

[yes?]

It was then.

Baek A-rin, who was sitting quietly, clapped her hands as if she had forgotten and rummaged through the subspace pouch hanging on her waist.

Soon, a black plastic bag was taken out of a pure white hand.

It was quite big.

It’s also a somewhat familiar sight.

As if to confirm my thoughts, Baek A-rin took out the contents of a large plastic bag.

Soon the contents were spread out on the table.

Long, pure white color, shiny surface…

“What is that? Phlegm rice cake?”

It’s phlegm rice cake. Perhaps because it is inside subspace, it is soft and not hard.

When Hong Yeon-hwa, who was approaching with a bunch of snacks, tilted her head and asked, Baek A-rin waved her finger.

“There are many more than that. Take a good look.”

As Baek A-rin said, it wasn’t just rice cakes that were placed on the table, but all kinds of rice cakes were beautifully laid out.

“Ah! I tried this. Isn’t it Songpyeon?”

What Elia, who was bringing drinks, pointed out were round rice cakes in various colors, including white, pink, and yellow.

“Yes, yes, that’s right. But when did you ever eat that? It wouldn’t be well known in the UK, right?”

Baek A-rin asked, tilting her head.

Although there has been a lot of cultural disruption after experiencing great upheaval, there are still many cases where regional characteristics remain.

Elia’s hometown was England… Scotland? I didn’t think I would enjoy eating songpyeon there.

“I tried it once before I first entered the city cradle.”

Elia explained calmly.

“There was a time when I came to Seoul by taking the wrong gate. To kill time at the next gate, I walked around and ate songpyeon.”

[seoul? Admission?]

[When you met me?]

“Yes, yes, that’s right. That was my first time eating it. There are many food alleys around.”

‘aha…?’

I nodded at Elia’s explanation.

Come to think of it, while Elia’s hometown is England, the place where I first met her was Seoul.

Since there is a gate terminal in the UK, it would have been possible to head to City Cradle directly from the UK rather than through Seoul.

Baek A-rin tilted her head as if puzzled by Elia’s explanation.

“Mistake…? Can I get on the gate by mistake?“

“There was a mistake on the part of the management office. Why were there so many gate transfer errors in March of this year?”

“Ah… then? It wasn’t even a fuss. There hasn’t been any accident so far, but it happened one after another, causing a lot of controversy.”

“Well, I had a lot of time and received ample compensation, so I have no complaints. And…”

Elia extended her hand to me. Long, white fingers neatly organized the hair.

“If that accident hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met Hayul. Maybe it’s someone else, but for me it wasn’t an accident, it was luck.”

Elia smiled brightly. My face widened with an expression of genuine relief.

[I was also lucky to meet Elia]

I am also sincere.

I truly feel lucky to have met Elia that day.

If you think about it, isn’t it like fate or meeting enemies?

At that time, I was in such a state of collapse that I was scared and ran away from outside help.

At such a time, I happened to meet Elia, who had spirit affinity, and received help.

The unfamiliar but well-intentioned help from Elia served as an opportunity to relax my crushed spirit a little.

“Big… Why are you suddenly bringing all the rice cakes?”

“Huh? Hayul, you like rice cake.”

“What?”

Hong Yeon-hwa blinked.

“Didn’t you know that too?”

Baek A-rin giggled and picked up a rice cake.

“Now, try to grab one.”

Baek A-rin held out the rice cake.

It was a rice cake with the same ingredients as the one I ate last time.

I opened my mouth and bit the end of the rice cake. The rice cake broke, and I chewed the chewy texture.

“……”

“……?”

Suddenly, I turned my head to see that it was quiet next to me, and I saw Hong Yeon-hwa with a shocked expression on her face.

.

.

.

[But is it okay to decide like this for Yeonhwa and Baek Arin?]

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing that can’t be done, right?”

[Aeng]

They both tilted their heads at my question. I was taken aback by the complaint that I didn’t understand what was going on.

[that]

[Can I not make a plan with my friends?]

“Friends? Ah…”

Hong Yeon-hwa let out an exclamation at my response.

Why, a representative example is Shin Seoyul, who has a different name from Seoyul… some friends.

Aren’t these people who have a family and power of their own and have been close friends with Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin since they were children?

Even in the original… no, didn’t you definitely go around with those friends at the beginning of the first semester?

It’s not like that these days.

Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin looked at each other at my question.

After a while, their mouths opened at the same time.

“…specifically?”

“It’s okay.”

[…is it so?]

Something made me tilt my head, but since the people involved said that, well…

I roughly agreed and reviewed the subjects I wanted to enroll in.

* * *

[Group chat room: Red and White Team (6)]

▶Shin Seoyul: Hey

▶Shin Seo-yul: Where is Mr. Hong?

▶Shin Seo-yul: I just saw you in the front seat.

▶Yang Yun-ha: Seeing that he jumped out right away, it looks like he went to meet Lee Ha-yul.

▶Shin Seoyul: Evande

▶Shin Seo-yul: You didn’t even share your course list that year.

▶Yang Yun-ha: Have you been abandoned once or twice this year?

▶Shin Seoyul: Are you a genius?

…

▶Shin Seo-yul: But where is Mr. Baek again?

▶Shin Seo-yul: No, he didn’t share his course list in the first place.

▶Lee Si-eun: I saw it

▶Shin Seo-yul: Hmm?

▶Lee Si-eun: I heard you were flying with Mr. Hong.

▶Shin Seo-yul: We were also abandoned by Mr. Baek?

▶Yang Yun-ha: It’s really a red and white team without red and white.

[Group chat room: Room without red and white (4)]

▶Shin Seo-yul: Mr. Baek is also a crazy bitch.

▶Shin Seo-yul: The tournament was like that too.

▶Shin Seo-yul: Are you touching what Mr. Hong bid for right now?

▶Shin Seo-yul: Isn’t this going to lead to war?

▶Lee Si-eun: War is not a thing

▶Lee Si-eun: Why don’t you just say that Taesan is involved and there is internal strife among the three major families?

▶Yang Yun-ha: Do you think a war will break out over just one man, Seoyul?

▶Shin Seo-yul: Don’t you know that reality is worse?

▶Shin Seoyul: Huh? Don’t you know the color of Gyeonggukji?

▶Shin Seo-yul: Looking at Lee Ha-yul’s change, it seems like they will take it away through war, right?

▶Lee Si-eun: I don’t know about war.

▶Lee Si-eun: If you tell me the text history, you will probably be the first to be cut off.

▶Shin Seo-yul: If I die, you die too, fuck

…

* * *