episode_0146

*Ding!*

──────────────── [The unique ability ‘Ice Freezing’ is granted to Ryu Seeun.] ────────────────

“Huh?” “Eh?”

*C-c-c-crack!*

They voiced their questions at the same time, but before they could even begin to resolve them, a powerful blast of cold air instantly swept through, freezing Ryu Seeun’s entire body. She was practically fossilized with her surprised expression, a so-called ‘Ice Statue Ver. Ryu Seeun’.

Lee Hyunjin stared at the scene with bewildered eyes, then hurriedly conjured Hong Yeonhwa’s flames and began to melt her.

*Whoosh whoosh whoosh…*

“A-are you okay?”

His voice, a little flustered, was full of genuine concern. Lee Hyunjin was just as full of questions. Why was ‘Ice Freezing’ suddenly shared? Wasn’t that ability with Hong Yeonhwa just now?

“…Uh, umm.”

Ryu Seeun, almost completely thawed by the high-powered flames, quickly checked her body, feeling herself all over. Both outwardly and, fortunately, there seemed to be no adverse effects.

Ryu Seeun then looked at Lee Hyunjin, a little awkwardly.

“Sunbae, I…” “…Yeah, yeah.” “I think I got an ability.”

Ryu Seeun said cautiously, and Lee Hyunjin nodded, indicating he knew. Strictly speaking, this ability was granted through Lee Hyunjin’s own influence.

‘Just how many abilities does this bizarre trait possess?’

Certainly, the status window that had just popped up used the term ‘granted’ instead of ‘shared,’ unlike before. Perhaps it implied permanence? Meaning… it felt like a permanent grant, beyond a simple temporary share. To confirm that, he would need to hear more details from the person involved—

“…So, how this happened is.”

First, there was the task of explaining the situation. Though it was generally hard to accept, in Ryu Seeun’s case, she already knew about Lee Hyunjin’s unique trait. Since she had heard about it before, her understanding of such secondary abilities would be quick.

“That’s what happened.”

Lee Hyunjin finished his rough explanation. For now, just in case, he omitted the actual catalyst: that he had slept with ten women…

Anyway.

“…That’s a truly fascinating trait. I felt it once before too.”

As Lee Hyunjin expected, Ryu Seeun quickly understood the situation without much confusion. Well, when someone could even steal another’s abilities through sexual intercourse, it wasn’t too strange for such a ‘minor’ (?) detail to be added.

“So, about that, I want to confirm just how properly the ability was granted…”

Lee Hyunjin asked Ryu Seeun about it. He asked about her physical condition and how much of the Ice Freezing magic she thought she could use.

Ryu Seeun, who had pondered with an “Eumm” for a moment, soon sprang to her feet.

“Yah!”

And she stretched both hands forward, conjuring a small cold storm beyond them. The sight of her arms, still bound by handcuffs as she stretched them, was a bit odd, but the magic’s power was undeniable.

*Whooosh…*

Considering they were indoors, the storm swirled quite quietly. Nevertheless, the power contained within was by no means low, so Lee Hyunjin watched the scene with genuine admiration.

“…Come here for a moment.”

Lee Hyunjin felt something click when he saw her, the successor to Ryu Jinseong’s unique magic, ‘Black Heaven,’ using Ice Freezing magic. But there was a primary problem to solve.

At Lee Hyunjin’s gesture, Ryu Seeun tilted her head but approached with quick steps, and Lee Hyunjin pulled her down onto his lap.

“…Eh.”

Ryu Seeun’s face immediately flushed bright red. Slightly flustered, she blushed.

“Su-sunbae?”

And with a mix of slight anticipation and curiosity, she glanced at Lee Hyunjin, who was embracing her.

“We have to take off the handcuffs, don’t we?” “…Ah, handcuffs.”

Lee Hyunjin merely calmly pulled out a key. It was a small key, provided inside the room, for unlocking these pseudo-handcuffs.

*Click!*

Soon, the handcuffs were undone.

“Umm…”

Even though, strictly speaking, she was freed, Ryu Seeun’s expression was somehow not pleased. There was a hint of regret, too. Lee Hyunjin let out a dry laugh.

“What are you regretting about something like that?” “But, Sunbae.” “What do you mean ‘but’?”

Lee Hyunjin lightly flicked Ryu Seeun’s forehead with the back of his hand, then moved her off his lap. Ryu Seeun’s expression darkened further. Lee Hyunjin noticed the change in her expression but didn’t show he cared, as part of his ‘neglect play.’

“Alright, I’ve got an idea.”

He merely brought up what he wanted to say. Ryu Seeun frowned, sensing that it was going to be a bothersome discussion. Lee Hyunjin said to her,

“You use nature magic, right?” “…Yes.” “Plant-based too.” “Y-yes.” “Since you’ve taken my Ice Freezing magic, how about we try an experiment?”

“…”

“An experiment?” Ryu Seeun tilted her head as if asking, and Lee Hyunjin chuckled.

“Yes, an experiment.”

Like a child sharing an exciting plan with a friend, Lee Hyunjin soon began explaining with an enthusiastic expression. And as Ryu Seeun listened to his explanation, her expression gradually began to mirror his.

“Oh…”

*****

“…” “…”

At this moment, Rachel felt a grave threat to her life and seriously considered whether she should immediately fall to her knees and bow her head.

A moderately atmospheric cafe on the outskirts of the Academy campus. She could see her favorite drink placed in front of her, but she didn’t have the courage to pick it up and drink it. Because currently, a Pikachu was seated across from her.

Cheongsong Academy’s second-year, overall top student. Cheon Soyul, the prodigy of lightning magic.

Her light brown hair was tied in a ponytail, and her eyes, sharp enough to cut, glared at Rachel. She was terrifyingly quiet. She had merely, simply, accepted a request to join her after they coincidentally ran into each other. Thinking back, she shouldn’t have. Because Rachel had committed a sin.

[*I-I-I’m screwed…!*]

The inner angel Rachel clutched her head and began spinning in circles on the spot. Idiot, idiot! How could she even think of sitting down and having tea with the fiancée of the man she had an affair (?) with?! She should have run away instead. If she couldn’t bow her head and apologize for her wrongdoing, then at the very least, she should have fled without looking back.

It was then, as the angel Rachel whimpered with such thoughts.

[*If you think about it, I didn’t do anything *that* wrong, did I?*]

Devil Rachel, with a cute pair of horns on her head, appeared before angel Rachel. In front of the trembling angel Rachel, she proudly puffed out her chest.

[*Well, I just exercised with Hyunjin, that’s all. We didn’t have feelings for each other, so maybe Soyul will forgive me?*]

It was nonsense. Angel Rachel swung a bat and clobbered devil Rachel.

‘Where am I, who am I.’

Ultimately, Rachel fell into a daze, unable to reconcile her two personalities.

Cheon Soyul was still staring at her. Without a single word, terrifyingly. She wished Cheon Soyul would just say something. Anything! Even scold her! Rachel, holding onto that wish, bravely parted her lips.

“U-um…”

Then, for a moment, she was slightly intimidated by Cheon Soyul’s suddenly flashing golden gaze.

“Do you h-have something you want to say? Ahaha…”

She managed to speak with great difficulty. She did it. She succeeded. Rachel squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them, managing to look straight at Cheon Soyul.

“…Something to say?”

She immediately fell silent at the frigid voice that Cheon Soyul uttered, cold enough to make frost settle.

Cheon Soyul quietly watched Rachel, then casually crossed one leg.

“Yes, something to say. Hmm…” “…” “Then, how about I put it this way?”

She uttered quietly.

“Don’t you think you’ve committed a grave sin against me? My friend, Rachel.”

“…Ha.”

And Rachel let out a dry laugh. Just as the chilling smile on Cheon Soyul’s lips was about to deepen, Rachel began to rise, preparing to unleash her secret technique: ‘Kneel and Beg for Forgiveness.’ No matter what, this moment had finally come. She would live if she was forgiven, right?! They were friends!

‘Soyul… we’re still friends, right? Right?’

Rachel took a deep breath, ready to immediately bow her head at a right angle.

*Rumble-rumble-*

“…Huh?” “Oh.”

The table shook. Cheon Soyul and Rachel’s gazes simultaneously dropped downwards. Was it an earthquake?

*Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble…!!!*

“W-what is it?”

No, it wasn’t. The vibration seemed to shake not just the table and the cafe, but the entire Academy campus, causing both of them to jump up in surprise. They instinctively looked out the window.

“…Insane.”

Outside, a massive, black, frozen tree was growing, obscuring the sky.