Chapter 65

Chapter 65

I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy.

Episode 65: The Overlord (1)

“How preposterous.”

Celestial looked at Lee Seo-ha and Hong Yu-hwa with an incredulous expression.

The flash of light just a moment ago.

It held a chilling power. Ordinary people would think that Hong Yu-hwa had delivered the final decisive blow.

And a decisive blow it was.

If not for the dark power left by Lee Seo-ha, it would have been a close call.

‘That power is worth researching.’

The dark power left by Lee Seo-ha.

That was the decisive factor.

The dark power weakened the Minotaur’s resistance.

The high-level magic technique Giga Flare used by Hong Yu-hwa at the end indeed possessed tremendous power, but the Minotaur would have withstood it at least once.

A strike that plunged a black sword into the Minotaur’s chest using Nyeom.

The corrupt power eroded the resistance from within.

“What do you think?”

“That power is dangerous. It has the potential to kill Mines.”

If that power were to be directed at them, they would also face troubles.

Celestial swallowed those words.

They were here to lead them on the path of good.

“Emperor, do you remember what I said before?”

“That you wanted to teach?”

“Yes. I want to observe directly.”

Celestial looked at Lee Seo-ha.

A desire to watch him closely rose within him.

“Keep my identity hidden. If not possible, then through my disciple.”

“…Do you perceive it to be that dangerous?”

“Yes.”

Celestial and the Emperor would prevent him from joining the Mines.

The transcendent beings who witnessed that power would think the same.

However, if he were to join the Mines, he would become a sharp dagger that pierces their hearts.

“If still not possible…”

Seo Ye-bin smiled bitterly at Celestial’s words.

If he joined the Mines.

He would be brought down by the combined efforts of all transcendent beings.

By no one else but themselves.

[Achievement Summary.]

[Successfully subdued the Minotaur wielding Death. Awarded 5,000p.]

[Contributed significantly to the subduing of the Minotaur wielding Death. Awarded 5,000p.]

[Hong Yu-hwa developed a strong sense of rivalry towards you. She will compete with you in everything, big and small. Each time she loses to you, her growth speed increases, and each time you lose, her growth speed and favor towards you will decrease.]

[A new relationship has been added.]

[Competition: Hong Yu-hwa feels a sense of rivalry towards you.]

-Have you awakened, master?

-Lee Seo-ha, you’re awake!

“…Yes.”

Black Heaven and Eternal Heaven greeted me as I opened my eyes.

And so did the window shown by Reading.

“How long have I been unconscious?”

-About 16 hours now.

“Better than I thought.”

I yawned while scanning the window.

And I thought to myself,

‘Hmm… complicated, isn’t it?’

Meaning, to ensure Hong Yu-hwa’s growth, I needed to keep defeating her to stimulate her.

‘It’s manageable for now.’

But there would come a day when I hit a wall.

The Usurper.

Unlike in the original game, its grade was marked with a question mark. I didn’t know why, but it suggests there was no limit to its grade.

‘The highest grade is EX.’

An EX-grade Usurper? That’s quite formidable.

EX-grade was a level only a handful of transcendents can reach. Currently, one of the ‘Apostles’ above the Seven Evils possessed it.

Now, a great and mighty hero who was no longer alive had held this grade of talent.

Thinking about the impact those two had on this world…

‘It’s good, but…’

Hong Yu-hwa has come this far; she won’t join my side. After the final evaluation…

“……”

I felt as if I had been struck on the head.

I suddenly remembered the insult I heard right before I collapsed.

“Lee Seo-ha, you’re more pathetic than I thought.”

The last thing Hong Yu-hwa said.

Pathetic. Pathetic.

Ha, was I pathetic?

My head began to boil. The word ‘pathetic’ echoed in my ears.

That’s ridiculous.

I had removed the Minoatur’s resistance with the Energy of Defying Heaven; do you think she could have done that much on her own?

Of course, those there wouldn’t have known that.

The Energy of Defying Heaven was a different type of power from ordinary mana.

You only saw what you knew. Hong Yu-hwa has just acquired the Usurper, and she didn’t have special ‘eyes’ like Kim Seo-hyun or Ershil, so…

‘No way.’

I curled up the corners of my mouth.

-Master, you look evil.

-Lee Seo-ha, even an evil look suits you!

Knock, knock.

There was a knock. I pushed the thoughts from my head and focused on my senses. I detected a single presence.

A familiar presence. It was Ershil.

“Come in.”

Creak.

“Hello.”

Ershil entered with a beaming smile.

“Hello.”

“Fortunately, you look healthy.”

“My body is strong.”

Black God Martial Arts strengthened the body beyond limits.

A body that recovered from minor injuries and broke limits. I believed the martial arts aspect of the Energy of Defying Heaven was also excellent.

‘The best part of Black God Martial Arts is the body and eyes.’

This thought has not changed even now.

Burns from the Minotaur’s Death Energy and minor injuries had already healed.

‘Really a crazy body.’

“The blood vessels and organs infused with the Energy of Defying Heaven are all under control, strengthening even the hardest parts to train.”

Usually, this kind of method has its limits, but the body of Black God Martial Arts surpassed even those limits.

It was not for nothing that it ranked among the strongest martial veins just for its eyes and physical training.

“But why the sudden sick visit?”

“I just have some things I want to talk about.”

Ershil said this and took out a coat from her spatial storage.

Spatial storages were expensive. That’s why I had also received one from Seo Ye-bin. But it wouldn’t be strange for someone like Ershil to have one.

“A coat?”

“Yes, the reward I promised you last time.”

Ershil took out a box and the coat, and handed them to me.

“This coat is the epitome of the British Royal Family’s magical engineering. Its features are…”

“Ah, no need to explain.”

“Right, you do have good eyes.”

Ershil nodded, a hint of disappointment in her gesture.

I appraised the coat using Reading(-).

[Nightmare Coat Intersecting Dreams and Reality (B+)]

An exceptional blacksmith, Yu Cheol-seok, crafted it with flowing metal, and a powerful mage full of potential enchanted it.

France’s most renowned designer also participated in its creation, hence it’s also known as the most beautiful coat.

:Sensory stat block for grades below C. Causes confusion for sensory stats below B.

:Activates Stealth (B) when worn at night.

:Convertible from coat to cloak form.

:Enhances charm.

“Not bad.”

“Right? Not only does it function well, but it’s also pretty.”

That detail wasn’t too important, but since Ershil gave it to me as a gift, I decided to accept it with pleasure.

“And this is?”

“You sustained severe injuries this time, right? It’s for special treatment.”

Ershil said that, then stood up.

“Anyway, take care of yourself. Oh, did you hear? The final exams were suspended, so those with low scores have to take makeup tests.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but I don’t know why, Lee Seo-ha, you ranked first in this exam.”

“…Really?”

That was surprising.

I knew I had done well, but I didn’t realize someone else could see that…

‘Seo Ye-bin, perhaps.’

Or maybe it was Celestial. Celestial took a keen interest in the students of the Korean Hero School and never hesitated to give advice.

‘I didn’t expect to keep the top rank, but that’s a relief.’

I examined the elixir Ershil had given me.

It seemed to be an elixir effective for internal injuries, without any particular boosts to abilities.

‘Not bad.’

I could make an elixir of this caliber, but it required too much effort and expensive ingredients. The school provided ingredients for free, but many expensive ones were still hard to come by, so it’s a save on money.

After Ershil left, a little while later.

I sensed someone’s presence.

It was Seo Ga-yeon. She stood silently at the door.

“…Come in.”

Creak.

Seo Ga-yeon opened the door and came in. Her expression was gloomy.

“You heard?”

“I felt someone coming.”

“I see.”

Seo Ga-yeon murmured that.

“Do you want to sit here?”

“Yes.”

Seo Ga-yeon sat next to me.

“Why such a gloomy expression?”

“…I feel like I’m not much help to Seo-ha.”

“Don’t worry. Even if it’s tough later on, I’ll make sure to put you to good use.”

“I hope so.”

Seo Ga-yeon nodded in agreement.

…She really must have felt quite uncomfortable.

“What about the others?”

“They’re all busy. The final exams have been suspended. Oh, the ones who cooperated in capturing the Minotaur got their scores.”

“…Sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind as long as Seo-ha is safe.”

Seo Ga-yeon didn’t receive any points because I told her not to use her starlight magic. It might seem unnecessary, but her power was unique, so it’s better to be cautious.

“If you have any requests later, just tell me. I’ll help if I can.”

“It’s okay. That magic wouldn’t have bloomed without you anyway.”

“I’m saying this because I feel sorry.”

“Then…”

Seo Ga-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Later.”

-It’s not possible right now.

Seo Ga-yeon looked at me.

The aura of her magic, the words buried in her heart, were vividly felt by me.

“I want to be of help to Seo-ha when I can.”

-I’m still weak. I can’t stand by your side right now.

The emotion was too clear and intense.

“If Seo-ha is in danger.”

-If I ever become stronger.

In a tone close to determination.

“Help me to be able to assist Seo-ha then.”

-I hope I can stand by your side when that time comes.

“……”

She spoke calmly.

I could only nod my head blankly to her words.