Chapter 26

Chapter 26

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 26: Seo Ga-yeon (3)

When Lee Seo-ha heard Seo Ye-bin’s words, he fell into thought.

‘What I want, huh.’

There were many things he wanted.

But they were only things he could obtain now.

He didn’t need shoes.

He got a pair recently.

Similarly, he didn’t need weapons.

He had the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

He did have a fantasy of becoming a dual-wielder.

But fantasies don’t feed you.

There was nothing Seo Ye-bin could offer him now that he would want.

Most items were useless to him since he couldn’t use magic, and with a little effort, he could obtain superior items.

‘Then it must be the Spirit Elixir.’

He decided to keep it simple.

The Spirit Elixir was dangerous if taken incorrectly.

Its properties could clash and explode inside the body.

But he wouldn’t have overlooked that.

“I need a Spirit Elixir.”

“A Spirit Elixir?”

Seo Ye-bin seemed puzzled for a moment, then chuckled.

“I permit it. Do you need one related to the body?”

“Yes.”

“Then this would be the best.”

Seo Ye-bin reached into her bosom.

A white box appeared.

It was taken from her personal spatial storage.

“This Spirit Elixir has relatively less backlash compared to others. I heard you’ve been struggling with physical training.”

Seo Ye-bin handed it over with a playful smile.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Strive harder. Physical strength will be the pillar of everything.”

“Yes.”

As he tucked the box with the Spirit Elixir into his chest, Lee Seo-ha felt a gaze.

Baek Ji-yeon was staring at him intently.

He looked at Baek Ji-yeon.

“…It’s quite peculiar.”

Baek Ji-yeon spoke.

“I can see with my eyes, but I can’t sense or feel anything. You’re the first person like this.”

Baek Ji-yeon shared her honest impression while looking at Lee Seo-ha.

The student in front of her seemed just ordinary, like someone who exercised a bit.

That’s what made it strange.

Someone like Baek Ji-yeon, at her level, could guess a person’s level just by watching them walk.

Unless they were an absolute being with the title ‘Emperor,’ like Seo Ye-bin standing right in front of her.

That was why it was baffling.

She had never encountered a student like this before. Unheard of, unseen…

‘No, that’s not it.’

There had been just one person.

The greatest hero in human history was said to have been like that.

‘Did he inherit a power related to him?’

Or perhaps he had a similar talent.

“…I can somewhat understand why Seo Ye-bin cherishes you.”

“Don’t spread it around too much. It attracts bugs.”

Seo Ye-bin said with a casual smile.

However, Baek Ji-yeon felt pressure in those words.

If that woman moved, the monsters under her command would too.

That was not good.

The Association had many enemies.

Because it operated under the guise of national defense.

Though it was strong with the nation’s support.

‘It’s not worth making an enemy of the Emperor, who excels in the ‘Border’.’

“…I’ll handle it with my authority. I have that much power.”

Baek Ji-yeon nodded and said.

“Don’t worry about rumors since Seo Ye-bin acknowledged that you captured Mine.”

She sighed inwardly.

The Association was powerful but entangled with the nation.

To award someone unknown, they needed corresponding proof.

That would displease Seo Ye-bin.

It needed to be handled discreetly.

Sighing, Baek Ji-yeon spoke. She knew it wasn’t right, but it was a habit from her time in the civil-servant-like Association.

“The Black Magic Alliance is quite famous. Though few in number, their higher-ups are mostly of high rank. So, the reward and prize will be substantial.”

“Can you handle it quietly?”

“Of course. But there will be differences from others.”

“That’s fine then.”

Baek Ji-yeon nodded.

‘He doesn’t seem annoyed by the attention.’

Typically, people his age didn’t know that such attention could be toxic.

She had been the same.

The student before her was unique in many ways.

‘Think of it as a short-term investment.’

Baek Ji-yeon lacked confidence, but she placed her trust in the benefits of forging a connection with Seo Ye-bin.

Moreover, Baek Ji-yeon was the same woman who had turned 1 billion into 300 million on a mere hunch.

“Ugh.”

I feel nauseous.

Though I had agreed with Baek Ji-yeon regarding the reward and other matters, and was set to receive a Spirit Elixir from Seo Ye-bin, my stomach churned.

There was one reason for this.

[Mask of Deception (A-)]

The legendary mask once worn by the heroic thief, Lupin. It conceals all information about the wearer.

: Obscures the user’s physical features.

: Adapts to create the most ideal ambiance for onlookers.

: Renders ‘Observation’ skills of grade A or lower ineffective.

… I had spent all my points on just this one item.

‘Well, it’s not too bad.’

I decided to think of it as investing in an alternate identity for future use.

But then, I needed a different kind of power.

The power at my command was the Energy of Defying Heaven.

A force that didn’t blend well with other powers.

However, mysticism and supernatural abilities were a slightly different matter.

‘I do have something in mind.’

It was a power I intended to acquire eventually.

Mulling over various thoughts, I made my way to the library. There was something specific I needed to search for.

That’s when I spotted Kim Ara.

She stood there, engrossed in a book.

Yet, her expression was peculiar.

Beneath her partially veiled hair, her cheeks were rosy, and from time to time, she appeared to swallow as though her mouth was parched.

‘…Has she finally seen the light?’

Kim Ara’s upbringing was far from ordinary.

With a parent who was the Overlord, her life had been anything but typical.

Unlike Hong Yu-hwa, who embraced her circumstances and conducted herself with decorum, Kim Ara could not.

She craved the life of an average girl.

Just like a wealthy girl in dramas who dreams of the simplicity of commoner life.

When I enhanced my vision with Nyeom, the title of the book Kim Ara was absorbed in became clear to me.

[The Beast Man Hypnotizes Me.]

…Could that really be the title?

Thinking it was something I shouldn’t see Kim Ara reading, I walked away quietly.

“…….”

Suddenly, Kim Ara was looking at me.

“…When did you get here?”

“Just now. Why?”

“Nothing.”

Kim Ara said, then eyed me suspiciously.

Her suspicion was fleeting, quickly replaced by her dark purple eyes returning to their usual intensity.

“Looking for something? I’m a member here, so I might know.”

“Really? Can you help me find the chronicles of a great hero? It’s got an old cover.”

“Sure, I’ll help.”

Kim Ara settled at a nearby computer and instructed.

“Go to the bookshelf labeled B-11.”

“Okay, got it.”

I walked to the bookshelf as Kim Ara had directed.

-Master, that woman is dangerous.

“…Really?”

The voice of the Black Heavenly Demon Sword trembled unusually.

-Yes. How can she read such obscene books? The titles of the books she was looking at are ‘The Prince Lying Under My Feet’ and ‘How to Train a Duke’, featuring illustrations of naked men and women in embraces. How peculiar for men and women!

“…….”

I respected personal preferences.

I quickly located the chronicles of the great hero.

The cover appeared to be at least 10 years old.

I picked it up and stepped outside.

“Planning to borrow it? If you return it within a week, there’s no problem.”

“Okay.”

I placed the book in the spatial storage and departed.

Upon arriving at the penthouse, I entered the training area.

I sat down on the bare floor and laid out the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

-Ready to move on to the next stage?

“Yeah, I guess so.”

Black God Martial Arts was a discipline created by a woman named the Heavenly Demon, who dedicated her life to it.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword had taught me much, but I was still at the beginner’s stage.

-There’s no need to rush. You’re progressing quickly enough.

“Yes.”

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword was right.

My growth was rapid.

However, to contend with the impending threats, even this pace might not suffice.

-The Energy of Defying Heaven had increased, but there was still much lacking. However, cultivating Black Energy should have been fine.

I assumed a cross-legged position.

I directed the scattered Energy of Defying Heaven within me toward the Black Energy.

This process was long and tedious.

But I could not relax.

Unlike mana, the Energy of Defying Heaven was dangerous and could run rampant inside the body if mishandled.

“At least having the concept stat makes it easier.”

I sighed and closed my eyes.

The Energy of Defying Heaven within me began to gather toward my heart.

Two hours passed like this.

The Black Energy, now the size of a finger joint, had grown a bit.

The monotonous task was finally over.

Then, it was time for physical training.

I changed clothes and headed to the training area.

Many were already exercising in the training area.

Exercising was more enjoyable when there were many people.

I walked toward the exercise equipment located in one corner.

It was similar to the gyms of my previous life, but the weights were on another level.

All of them were at least ten times heavier.

I sighed and lifted a 60kg bench press.

“……”

If cultivating Black Energy was a long and arduous journey, this process added physical pain.

I followed the set routine and moved to another exercise.

I headed toward a cycle with gravity magic.

“……Huff, huff.”

Suddenly, Hong Yu-hwa was cycling vigorously beside me.

She might have overdone it at this rate.

“Miss Hong Yu-hwa acts dignified like a scholar during the day, but works hard like this at night.”

“Graceful in learning, but so combative in physical training…”

“……”

I couldn’t help but feel incredulous at Hong Yu-hwa’s followers.

Wasn’t that almost taunting?

“Huff, huff.”

However, Hong Yu-hwa was earnestly cycling, as if trying to outdo me.

“Huff.”

And when our eyes met, the corners of her mouth rose high.

Dinner time.

I came down to eat, utterly exhausted.

‘I have no appetite.’

But not eating would affect my training later.

“Arrived?”

Kim Ara, rubbing her eyes, spoke to me. I nodded and then headed to eat with my tray.

Maybe I’ll have tteokbokki today.

Kim Seo-hyun sometimes stole my tteokbokki, but there were days when I craved it.

Having picked up tteokbokki, I also grabbed odeng, fried foods, and sundae, and looked for a seat, when I spotted Seo Ga-yeon.

She looked pitiful sitting there all alone.

“Is this seat taken?”

“Huh? Uh, no, it’s not.”

At Seo Ga-yeon’s reply, I quickly sat down opposite her.

But there wasn’t much to talk about.

I checked my phone.

‘No particular messages.’

While bringing an odeng to my mouth and fiddling with my phone, I got curious about the Alchemy Guild and went online to check.

‘…What’s this?’

My inbox showed 999+ messages.

The top posts on the hot bulletin board were:

[Shouldn’t the recipes taught by Veritas be credited to Veritas?]

[In-depth analysis of the recipes taught by Veritas.]

…such were the posts dominating the board.

“You joined the Alchemy Guild too?”

Kim Ara, who sneakily sat beside me, asked.

“Well, I am learning alchemy, after all.”

“Seo-ha joined the Alchemy Guild? Do you know someone named Veritas there? They’re a huge topic on Neutube right now!”

Seo Ga-yeon quickly said this.

Without her usual stuttering.

That was characteristic of Seo Ga-yeon.

She got excited and talked about topics she’s interested in.

That’s why her nickname in the community was ‘The Chatty One.’

“I know.”

How could I not?

That person is me.

“I recently got curious about alchemy and barely passed with a Bronze. But with Bronze, I can’t see all of Veritas’s recipes. Do you know what your rank is, Seo-ha?”

I paused while eating.

It’s not a problem to tell her. But my rank and ID might be an issue.

“Ah, so-sorry. I got too excited.”

Seo Ga-yeon apologized and then started eating bread.

Munching on it with her small mouth.

“Hamster…”

Kim Ara spoke in a soft tone.

I nodded in agreement.