Chapter 49

Chapter 49

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 49: Kim Seo-hyun (5)

“Ah.”

I let out a single scream.

My whole body creaked, every joint seemingly screaming in protest.

I utilized the Black God Martial Arts, observing my body closely.

The condition of my body was disastrous. It wouldn’t have been strange if the body of an ordinary hero had died right then and there.

‘…Is it the backlash of the Abyss?’

-Of course. And you haven’t completely refined your body with the Black God Martial Arts. The Abyss was a power that the previous owner had used when they were at the upper level.

‘…’

I was currently transitioning from the lower level to the middle level.

But there was one reason why I could use the Abyss.

The Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven.

Because this stat, which dealt with concepts themselves, had increased.

I thrust the Black Heavenly Demon Sword into the ground and took deep breaths. My body felt like it could collapse at any moment.

My head spun with dizziness. I continued to refine my body while using the Black God Martial Arts.

I breathed slowly and calmed my mind. Otherwise, I felt like I would collapse immediately.

I looked at the space where Napak Cheon had died. Nothing remained but a sword, not even ashes.

Probably a spare sword he had left behind.

‘Obtaining a magic sword would be best.’

Napak Cheon’s state had been the perfect condition for battle.

The reward was small, but considering I barely managed to defeat Napak Cheon, who had lost more than half of his limbs, anything more would be greedy.

Just before I closed my eyes and passed out, I heard a sound in my ear.

Ding.

A blue translucent window appeared in front of me.

[An incredible achievement.]

[Calculating achievement details…….]

It was a voice more calm than before.

[Calculating achievement details.]

[You have successfully escaped from Sword Demon, Napak Cheon. You gain 5,000p.]

[You have killed Sword Demon, Napak Cheon. The reward will be upgraded.]

[You have perfectly completed Main Quest Chapter 3.5. The reward will be further upgraded.]

[Relationships added.]

[Admiration. Kim Seo-hyun feels admiration for you.]

[You have made a strong impression on Kim Seo-hyun. He will push himself harder while looking at you. The more he admires you, the faster his growth will be.]

[All rewards have been calculated. You have gained a total of 75,000p!]

I looked at the blue window and collapsed, passing out.

“This ceiling is unfamiliar.”

I muttered the words I had always wanted to say while looking at the hospital ceiling.

My body felt uncomfortable, as if I were wrapped in bandages.

…Actually, I was indeed wrapped in bandages.

-Master, have you awakened?

‘Yes.’

I forced my aching body to sit up.

I looked around.

The hospital room was luxurious.

It seemed to be over 30 pyeong, and I was its sole occupant.

‘Isn’t it too spacious?’

But I reasoned that it was better to have too much space than too little.

I calmly closed my eyes and circulated the Energy of Defying Heaven, utilizing the Black God Martial Arts.

“It has improved quite a bit.”

After my encounter with Napak Cheon, I had been close to death, but I had now recovered to a more manageable condition.

Slowly, I refined my body with the Energy of Defying Heaven and the Black God Martial Arts.

Severed muscles regenerated quickly, and my blood flowed smoothly.

My bones began to heal gradually.

Understanding one’s body is the first step to better managing it.

Black God Martial Arts was a power that allowed its user to refine, tune, and control their body at will.

After about five hours of tuning with my eyes closed, I reached a level at which I could have removed the bandages.

‘I don’t plan to, though.’

The reason I was wrapped so tightly in bandages wasn’t just because the wounds inflicted by Mine didn’t respond well to ‘magic’ or ‘divine’ treatments, but also because I possessed the Heaven Defying Body.

The bandages were almost ineffective, but they were still better than nothing.

I established minimum safety measures for the urgent parts of my body and called out to Black Heavenly.

‘How did it go?’

-Hmm, a lot has happened.

Black Heaven then provided me with a rough explanation.

As soon as I lost consciousness, Kim Seo-hyun sought external assistance, and the heroes confirmed that Mine’s ashes and the disappearance of Sword Demon’s name from the ‘Spire’ were noticeable.

Consequently, the school is arranging a grand ceremony to commemorate my deeds.

From the snippets I overhear from outside, it appears that associations and renowned Korean guilds are eager to forge connections with me.

After listening to Black Heaven, my thoughts were straightforward.

‘…This has become troublesome.’

There will likely be an elaborate award ceremony.

That’s Seo Ye-bin’s approach.

She constantly strived to nurture talented students.

Nonetheless, many were deterred by her distorted beliefs and determination.

-Only I. Only I can save this world!

Her proclamation from beyond the screen resurfaced in my memory.

Feeling a ‘gaze,’ I glanced out the window.

“……”

“……Hello.”

A man dressed entirely in black was present.

I gazed at him blankly for a moment before acknowledging his presence.

“You seem to recognize me.”

“In Korea, there’s no one who doesn’t know of you.”

“Is that so?”

The man chuckled, seemingly entertained.

“Hmm, nearly fully recuperated, I see? I’ve been cognizant since your physique was notably refined… You’re intertwined with something that even I can’t quantify.”

“……Yes.”

I responded tentatively. Concealing anything from this man is challenging.

“But why are you here?”

“I’ve been monitoring you,”

The man declared, looking at me intently.

“Since just before you entered the dungeon.”

His eyes gleamed with knowledge.

It was then I realized why the main quest was termed ‘escape.’

‘…It was a test.’

I was overcome with a sense of futility.

No, if the man known as ‘Celestial’ wished to see me, there was no conceivable way he couldn’t.

He was the individual who could perceive ‘God’s Throne’ in the USA from Korea.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that it felt like he had all of Asia within his purview.

“It’s good that I’ve been keeping an eye on you. Recently, the Seven Evils and the apostates have been stirring up trouble. I noticed you while monitoring their activities.”

The corners of the man’s mouth curled up.

“I observed quite closely. That power of yours, which negates all others—not an external law, but even negates the authority of those external laws—was really interesting.”

“I hope your observation wasn’t in vain.”

“Far from it. If that power were a technique to blind oneself, then all but ten of the heroes would have to bite their tongues and die.”

He spoke with a hint of amusement.

“But what brings you here?”

“Um.”

Celestial seemed troubled by my question.

“It might seem a bit sudden, but would you like to become my disciple?”

“Your disciple?”

I looked at him in surprise.

To be Celestial’s disciple.

The title itself was tempting.

…But I would not gain much from being Celestial’s disciple.

Should I accept, wealth, connections, and power would surely follow.

He’s an entity who has transcended by understanding the world’s laws. There were few who were his equal.

It sounded paradoxical, but that’s precisely why I had nothing to learn from him.

He might have seen magic, the world’s laws, and the gods, but he couldn’t teach me better than Black Heaven.

‘The Energy of Defying Heaven is well-taught by Black Heaven.’

-Of course. If there’s no predecessor, I’m the one who knows the Energy of Defying Heaven best.

And his personality was more akin to that of a magician.

He would devote his time to researching the Energy of Defying Heaven.

…I should politely decline.

It’s regrettable, but it’s the correct decision.

“I’m sorry, but…”

“Sorry, but I’ve already decided to teach Lee Seo-ha.”

A clear voice interrupted. Brilliant golden hair. Violet eyes that seemed to see through everything.

She stood there, clad in her usual black uniform with a white coat draped over it.

“We’re not officially in a master-disciple relationship, are we?”

“What. I, the principal of this school, have decided so.”

Seo Ye-bin declared with a smile.

“He can’t become a ‘star’, can he?”

“Sometimes things in this world are more valuable for that very reason.”

“Will he follow you?”

“He will. I’ll see to it, and the world will ensure it.”

“That’s arrogant.”

“I’ve always been this way.”

Seo Ye-bin and Celestial engaged in conversation.

Yet, their exchange was fraught with tension.

“Hmm.”

“Then let me instruct the child touched by starlight.”

“…”

Seo Ye-bin fixed her gaze on Celestial.

“Have you forgotten our agreement?”

“I haven’t forgotten, of course. But that child is unique. She’s necessary for the looming threat. Just as you’ve recognized something special in this child, so have I.”

“I understand. What’s your opinion?”

Seo Ye-bin turned away.

The door creaked open as if by itself. Seo Ga-yeon stood in the doorway, trembling like a scared hamster.

“……Where’s Seo-ha?”

“Lee Seo-ha is still at school. You’re to accompany me to learn ‘magic’.”

“Leave the school?”

“Yes. While the education here is sound… there’s a different environment awaiting you.”

“But I want to stay at this school.”

“Sigh, what a headache.”

Celestial cast a glance in my direction.

Black Heaven gave a nod.

Seo Ye-bin’s lips formed a slight smile.

All eyes were on me.

‘This is overwhelming.’

Ding.

Main Quest Chapter 4: The Growth of Seo Ga-yeon.

Seo Ga-yeon, having awakened the power of starlight magic, represents a pivotal moment for humanity.

Lead her down the right path.

◈ Reward: 3,000P Additional rewards based on performance.

A translucent window materialized.

“First…”

I gathered my thoughts.

With a clear mind, I could discern the way forward.

However, there was one matter that demanded immediate attention.

“Has our Ga-yeon chosen a weapon yet? Shouldn’t that be our first step?”

“You’re always so direct.”

Seo Ye-bin responded to my suggestion with a bright smile.

“Right. We should take care of that first.”

Seo Ye-bin and Celestial walked ahead.

I spoke with Seo Ga-yeon.

“What do you want to do?”

“What would you like me to do?”

Seo Ga-yeon asked back.

As if my opinion was more important than hers.

“I want to be with Seo-ha.”

“……”

Her straightforward words caught me off guard.

They hit harder than I expected.

“Seo, Seo-ha, do you dislike me?”

“Of course not.”

It’s impossible.

She was a being who never gave up even in despair and led humanity with integrity.

Others might not know, but there’s no way I would dislike her.

“How could I dislike you?”

I said with a smile.

Seo Ga-yeon stared at me blankly.