Chapter 29

Chapter 29

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 29: The Noble Lady (1)

The mid-term evaluation was about to start.

Perhaps that was why.

The atmosphere among the kids had completely changed.

Hong Yu-hwa was studying next to me.

Ershil and Kim Seo-hyun were busily scribbling something in front.

“Everyone is diligently taking notes.”

…I said nonchalantly, but I was the most urgent one of all.

In my past life, I had attended a prestigious university.

But the notes here were beyond that.

It was like the difference between a well-known university in Korea and the top school in the world.

The subjects of study were different too.

Whereas the basics had been Korean, English, and Mathematics, here there were Statistics in Mana Studies, Monster Strategy, and Dungeon Statistics.

‘I don’t even know what all these are.’

Nevertheless, I wasn’t too worried.

I considered cheating using the Black Heavenly Demon Sword…

But I had something even better.

Talent: Viewing (-).

This talent was much more useful than I had anticipated.

“This question is a bit difficult, but if you want to become a hero, you’ll need to learn this solving method. Here… let Lee Seo-ha try.”

“Yes.”

I stood up and went to the front.

I approached the blackboard, looked at the problem, and activated my talent.

Viewing.

Then, the method of solution and the answer began to emerge.

All I had to do was to write it down exactly.

As I wrote on the blackboard with the electronic chalk provided by the professor, it began to appear on the floating hologram.

“Excellent. A perfect answer.”

The professor looked at me proudly.

It was as if he were looking at a splendid prospective slave.

“Do you have any concerns about your future career?”

“None. I’ve always wanted to be a hero since I was born.”

“That’s a pity.”

I answered the professor’s unsettling question immediately.

Looking disappointed, the professor sent me back to my seat.

“You’re really amazing. I don’t understand it well.”

“It’s nothing.”

Ershil asked with sparkling eyes. The stars in her eyes seemed to move with her emotions.

“Can you teach me later?”

“Sure.”

As I answered Ershil’s question, I sensed another gaze from the side.

Hong Yu-hwa stared at me, seemingly tireless.

Ding.

A message arrived.

Seo Ga-yeon

-Seo-ha, you’re really good at studying!

-Can I ask you about questions I don’t understand later??

-Emoticon of a hamster looking cautiously.

Me

-Ok

-If you have any questions, ask.

After replying, I feigned studying while I actually drew.

My days were filled with attending classes and relentless practice.

With such a hectic schedule, time sped by.

“A day seems long, but a week goes by so quickly.”

Saturday.

The written exam was just around the corner.

The Korea Hero School held a week of written exams during the mid-term evaluations, followed by practical exams the subsequent week.

To get ready for the practical exam, I found myself in the alchemy room concocting potions.

It was forbidden to bring in potions, weapons, or artifacts from outside, but it was permissible to use those made by students within the school.

“It’s a really good system.”

And the status window that filled my view was something I liked.

Arcane Elixir of Strength (A)

A red-tinted stat-boosting elixir.

Drinking it instantly increases strength.

:Strength score increases by 5 for 30 minutes.

:If the strength score is below 20, it increases by an additional 5.

Arcane Elixir of Agility (A)

A green-tinted stat-boosting elixir.

Drinking it instantly increases agility.

:Agility score increases by 5 for 30 minutes.

:If the agility score is below 20, it increases by an additional 5.

Arcane Elixir of Stamina (A)

A yellow-tinted stat-boosting elixir.

Drinking it instantly increases stamina.

:Stamina score increases by 5 for 30 minutes.

:If the stamina score is below 20, it increases by an additional 5.

Arcane Elixir of Mana (A)

A blue-tinted, stat-boosting elixir.

Drinking it instantly increases mana.

: Increases mana score by 5 for 30 minutes.

: If the mana score is below 20, it increases by an additional 5.

[You have created the world’s most outstanding Elixir of Strength! An unbelievable achievement! Awarded 3,000P!]

[You have created the world’s most outstanding Elixir of Agility! An unbelievable achievement! Awarded 3,000P!]

[You have created the world’s most outstanding Elixir of Stamina! An unbelievable achievement! Awarded 3,000P!]

[You have created the world’s most outstanding Elixir of Mana! An unbelievable achievement! Awarded 3,000P!]

“With this, I’ve earned 12,000P.”

I stored all the elixirs in the subspace.

The Elixir of Mana wasn’t useful to me, but I made one just in case I needed to give it to someone quickly.

However, there was one problem.

“I’m almost out of the supplied materials.”

I decided to start making a few potions for the school’s supply.

Although I had ordered materials from outside, those were for my personal use.

“No choice.”

I had to make a quick run.

I got ready and went outside.

After cleaning up the room and heading out, I encountered Seo Ga-yeon.

“……”

She seemed different than usual. Instead of her typically small and frail presence, she now appeared mystical.

Her black hair shimmered with starlight.

Her eyes had begun to take on a light purple hue.

This was a sign that Seo Ga-yeon was beginning to awaken to the power of starlight.

Magical energy swirled around her.

The starlight that radiated from her started to dispel the surrounding faint darkness.

It was like a beacon of hope.

Seo Ga-yeon was evolving.

She would ascend in rank at an alarming speed, unlike before.

If she found the right path, she could become a benchmark for humanity.

“Hey, Seo-ha?”

The starlight faded.

The hair dyed with starlight turned back to black.

The purple-tinted eyes reverted to black.

“Are you starting to awaken already?”

“Yes, because Seo-ha helped me.”

She said with a bright smile.

But a strange sense of déjà vu washed over me.

“But now I think I understand why Seo-ha recommended magic to me.”

Seo Ga-yeon extended her hands forward.

Whoosh.

A sphere of stars appeared.

The power of the stars burned the being called Mine.

But the power of the stars didn’t stop at just burning Mines.

Just by imagining, it could generate magical power and manifest magic.

“Are you going to practice again today? I didn’t see you at the training ground.”

“Uh? No, I was just making elixirs in the alchemy room.”

“Elixirs? What kind of elixirs?”

As I talked with Seo Ga-yeon,

I realized the nature of the déjà vu.

Seo Ga-yeon was speaking without stuttering.

Well, that was a good thing.

“I made a few elixirs for the practical exam. Oh, I made one Elixir of Mana, do you want it?”

“Yes.”

I handed her one Elixir of Mana.

“Then, I should give you something too.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, I have some pride. I’ve always been receiving from Seo-ha. Haven’t had dinner yet? Want to eat with me? I’ll buy you something tasty,”

Seo Ga-yeon said with a smile.

I declined.

I had to make a quick run now for a supply of materials.

“Sorry, I have a prior engagement today. How about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Okay,”

Seo Ga-yeon nodded with a smile.

Feeling a strange sensation, I bid Seo Ga-yeon goodbye and went outside.

-Master, be careful. If a timid girl like her suddenly changes, it can be very dangerous. That’s what the previous master said.

“It’s fine. Seo Ga-yeon is a good girl.”

-The previous master said the same thing. Even though she was called the ‘Heavenly Demon’, her body was divided into 25 pieces.

The Black Heavenly Demon Sword spoke in a somewhat distant tone.

Having left the school, I headed to Seoul.

I could have arrived quickly using the Warp Gate, but this time I deliberately took the subway.

It’s free for Korea Hero School students and quite convenient, yet it also made tracking easy.

I needed to make this trip as inconspicuous as possible.

– We are now arriving at Seoul Station. Seoul Station.

Soon, I reached my destination. Since it was rush hour, the station was bustling.

I used Nyeom to slip into a nearby restroom and change my outfit.

– Master, you have a pretty good body.

‘……’

Despite the unintentional ridicule from Black Heavenly Demon Sword, I proceeded.

I changed clothes three times and donned a hat pulled down low.

A black hoodie, black jeans, and a black hat.

Plus, a black mask.

Black Heavenly Demon Sword gave me a weary look, but it was necessary.

White would stand out too much.

Then, I wrapped myself in Heavenly Defying Energy.

A black power engulfed my entire body.

This world was a blend of science and magic, the realm of magic engineering.

Where there’s science, there’s also magic.

In other words, using Heavenly Defying Energy, I could preemptively avoid things like CCTV.

I likely wouldn’t show up on the screens.

‘Choosing Heavenly Defying Body was a stroke of genius.’

With that thought, I ascended to the top of the tallest building in the vicinity.

I avoided people as much as I could since I might be mistaken for someone suspicious.

– Master seems suspicious enough…?

Ignoring Black Heavenly Demon Sword’s comment, I continued to the building’s rooftop.

The view from above was impressive.

Neon signs illuminated the streets, and some people, having drunk too much, were passed out in the back alleys.

‘It’s a good day for a quick run.’

A quick run was straightforward.

In Epic World, veterans optimized for combat used it to quickly collect materials.

In other games, you’d hunt monsters for resources.

But in Epic World, the harsh reality was closely mirrored.

Korea, after annexing North Korea, was now known as Unified Korea.

Korea was where the most ley lines converged, so there were many exceptional heroes.

Because of these heroes, monsters were nearly extinct.

To hunt monsters, one must travel far abroad.

So, what did a quick run entail?

I recalled a question a newcomer once asked.

-Guys, I have a question.“

-I’m following the Epic World notice to gather materials by attacking monster nests, but there are only people there.

-Did I go to the wrong place?

[Photo with the location marked approximately.]

-You went to the correct place. Those are all the mobs you need to farm.

ㄴ?

ㄴ Those guys are the Mines.

Indeed.

In Epic World, Mines were beings more detestable than monsters.

No, comparing them to monsters was an insult; they were nothing but trash.

They were a race that deserved extermination, just like the orc tribes living in the Five Chinas.

I took out a mask I had purchased from a multidimensional shop.

[Mask of Illusion (A-)]

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

: Blurs the user’s features.

: Changes the user’s aura to the most ideal, depending on who is observing.

: Invalidates ‘Observation’ skills of A rank or lower.

I donned the mask, clasped my hands together, and prayed.

“Please let me be a righteous thief.”

Tonight, I planned to raid the Mines’ warehouse.