Episode 13. Im Sol

“Hello. I am Han Jaeyoung, in charge of the Mana Research Studies class for you, the A-class students.”

A white-suited old professor, who looked like he’d only ever done research in a back room, stood at the podium.

At that point, he’s practically a skeleton. Was he perhaps a necromancer?

“There are no cadets who don’t know about mana, right? You are proud new students of Victoria Academy. I will proceed with the class under the assumption that you have basic background knowledge.”

These words showed absolutely no consideration for me, who entered without any background knowledge. A teacher should look upon all students equally, but this one doesn’t seem to be a true teacher.

“Let’s skip the concepts of mana… Shall we talk about mana manipulation?”

The moment he said that, mana began to gather in the skeleton professor’s left arm.

“Mana manipulation can be broadly divided into two types. First, reinforcement.”

Woong woong-

The mana, gathered beyond a certain level, became materialized to the point where others could see it, enveloping the skeleton teacher’s left hand.

“Now, this is called the materialization of mana. It’s about reinforcing and condensing formless mana to give it shape.”

KWAANG!

The skeleton professor thrust his fist, along with his left hand, towards the steel prepared beside the podium, and the steel crumpled easily.

‘Whoa, he’s fucking strong.’

It’s skill befitting a professor at Korea’s largest institution for awakened individuals.

Enough skill that they wouldn’t be lacking even if they entered the field at any time. That’s a Victoria Academy professor.

“The second is emission. It can also be expressed as magic, but it’s slightly more comprehensive.”

Once he finished speaking, a sphere made of mana formed above the professor’s left hand.

“Right now, it’s simply the shape of mana compressed onto the hand, but by adding various processes in this state, it becomes magic.”

A small magic circle was drawn on the sphere of mana gathered in his hand, and it transformed into electricity that looked ready to burst forth at any moment.

Pa-jijik-

“This is the implementation of magic using a magic circle. Simple magic usually omits the magic circle, but large-scale or advanced magic often requires one.”

I heard explanations about magic circles, blah blah blah, but it was difficult, so I just glossed over it. It’s not like it has anything to do with me anyway.

“Well, let’s consider the basic course covered, and shall we move straight into the advanced course?”

Once again, a mana sphere was generated above the professor’s hand. However, it contained much more condensed mana than the sphere he had just created.

“Sometimes, cadets say things like, ‘Professor, I’m not a mage, so why do I have to take this class?’ Of course, some might think that. But actually, if you wrap mana around a sword, it’s called sword energy, and if you wrap it around a fist, it’s called fist energy.”

The professor continued speaking, wrapping the condensed mana sphere around his fist to create fist energy.

“Depending on how you process the mana, it determines whether it becomes magic or simple reinforcement. Ultimately, the basics are the same. The mana manipulation you’ll learn here will surely be useful.”

The mana disappeared from the professor’s hand, and mana waves began to form around the professor, like water droplets falling onto the floor.

“This isn’t exactly magic, but it’s usually called ‘detection’ in the field. It’s a technique where you simply adhere mana to the floor and spread it outwards; despite being a simple technique, it’s incredibly useful. High-level detection can even find hidden enemies or those behind walls. Even this seemingly simple technique actually…”

I tried to listen to the professor’s complex explanation, but not a single word registered.

I have no idea why mana formulas and calculations are necessary just to spread mana.

“Now, once you try it, you’ll know which parts you’re weak in. Afterward, I’ll help you individually. Try it for now.”

As soon as the professor finished speaking, instructors waiting behind began distributing strangely shaped bracelets to the cadets.

“Is this that famous Victoria mana booster?”

“Mana booster?”

“Yeah, they say mana manipulation becomes much easier if you wear this. However, its destructive power weakens too much, so you can’t use it in actual combat.”

Thanks to Kim Young-han, sitting next to me, explaining, I learned the identity of the bracelet.

Just how many game settings am I unaware of? Was this game this detailed?

“First, try using detection without wearing the mana booster. Afterward, wear the mana booster and try drawing up your mana; you’ll get a sense of where your shortcomings are.”

The professor had clearly described it as the sensation of drawing up the mana within one’s body and spreading it in all directions.

Woong-

Mana spread outwards, and I could sense the outlines of the cadets nearby.

‘Hmm, this much is manageable, as expected.’

Since using magic was manageable, sensing should be perfectly normal to use.

Looking around, the other students seemed unable to grasp it yet.

Woong woong-

Ssk. My eyes met with a female student.

Alice. The top-ranking female student of French descent.

Among the students, Alice and I were the only ones who used detection successfully on the first try.

Nam Daeun, the top student in practical skills, seemed uninterested in the class, twirling the end of her hair.

As a result, Alice’s and my detection sensed each other’s mana waves.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

Her gaze, narrowing as if she had some complaint towards me, met mine. Having nothing particular to say, I looked back for a moment before I eventually averted my eyes.

What did I do wrong for her to look at me like that? If being handsome is a crime, is this a life sentence or something?

“Some students have achieved results, but most are still struggling to get the hang of it. Let’s put on the mana boosters placed before your seats and practice again.”

“Whoa, my mana really feels lighter now?”

“Really?”

Kim Young-han, sitting next to me, wore the bracelet and was manipulating his mana with fascination.

I didn’t think I needed it, but since they gave it to me, I guess I’ll try wearing it. There must be some difference, right?

As I brought the bracelet to my arm, it automatically wrapped around my wrist, and I felt a sensation of something filling up inside my body.

“Oh, this feeling is strange.”

This time, I drew up mana starting from my fingertips.

It definitely got easier… No, wait. It feels heavier, actually. Is this thing defective?

I drew up more mana. Strangely, even with the booster on, it became harder.

“No, this thing is defective… Kkwaak!”

A sudden, immense pain from inside my body caused a groan to escape my lips.

Kudangtang!

Unable to endure the pain, I fell off my chair.

Yet, the pain didn’t subside, so I clutched my chest and rolled on the floor.

I tasted a foul metallic flavor in my mouth, and blood dripped from my nose, soaking the floor.

Kolok kolok!

I coughed while covering my mouth, and my hand was stained with blood.

Fuck. What the hell is this?

“Hey! Are you okay? Professor! There’s been an accident here….”

Kim Young-han next to me was shouting something, but my vision was blurring, and I couldn’t hear him properly.

‘What kind of bullshit is this…’

I couldn’t regain my senses from the pain that struck without warning, but I knew the cause.

The mana inside my body was in chaos. My mana circuits were so twisted that it was difficult to generate mana properly.

Moreover, every time I tried to draw up mana, the pain intensified.

Although I didn’t know the cause of the pain, I intuitively knew that if I could just fix the mana circuits, the pain would disappear.

Of course, it would involve great pain, but my consciousness was fading. If this continued, I might actually die.

“Kkeuh…!”

I forced the mana, which refused to move, to stir. The mana, which clearly moved according to my will, was trying to escape my control somehow.

It felt like a ball of mana was bouncing around inside my body, striking me from the inside.

“Ooh!”

Unable to withstand the dizzying sensation and pain, I vomited stomach acid and blood.

The chunks that came up my throat poured onto the floor. After retching several times until nothing else came out, I definitely felt a little better.

[Clear Mental Fortitude] is always helpful. It allows me to maintain consciousness even when pain like undergoing surgery without anesthesia washes over me.

Enduring the somewhat familiar pain, I attempted to regulate and control the mana.

I grabbed the mana that kept trying to escape somewhere, carefully realigning the mana circuits and pathways within my body back to their proper places. It required intense concentration, as I had to control all the minute circuits throughout my entire body.

Throughout that process, I felt my understanding of mana deepen, which in turn sped up the recovery process.

“Hoo-hoo. Sssip. Hoo.”

Finally, I succeeded in controlling all the mana. My body, which felt like it could die at any moment, began to regain vitality.

Sssip. Although my insides were still in turmoil, they weren’t getting any worse.

If it had been even a little later, my life might have been in danger. Fortunately, it seems I’ve survived.

Only now did I have the chance to look around.

All the students and professors were standing and looking at me, and right in front of me stood Kim Young-han and Professor Im Sol.

“You… how…”

Professor Im Sol, wrapped in her robe, stared at me with wide eyes.

Her surprise was evident; her pupils, visible beneath her hood, were dilated, and her open mouth moved slightly, unable to find words.

Why is Professor Im Sol here?

Professor Im Sol is usually confined to her lab when she doesn’t have classes.

Anyway, my head still hurts.

I wish they’d hurry up and treat me.

“Uh… uh…”

“Huh?”

“Uh… How did you do that-!!!”

Professor Im Sol was muttering to herself, so I played along once, and suddenly she shrieked.

“Keugh!”

Then she grabbed me by the collar and started shaking me.

“How! How did you do it-!”

“Keuhuk, just a moment. Please, just a moment…”

“Professor Im Sol! Let go! There’s blood coming from the student’s mouth! Hey! Let go!”

Fortunately, the old professor next to me snapped out of it and stopped Professor Im Sol, who was shaking me by the neck.

Kulok. The blood pooled in my mouth spilled out. My head started spinning again.

“What? Huk! What is it! Blood?! Send him to the emergency room quickly! You’re a professor! What are you doing!”

“No, the medical team has already arrived, so let go of the kid!”

“Ah, okay.”

Only then did Professor Im Sol release my collar.

‘Why the hell is she acting crazy all of a sudden…’

Im Sol.

A mage born with innate talent in magic. Someone whose authority is recognized not only in Korea but worldwide.

Although she didn’t have much interaction with the protagonist, her quirky personality and actions, combined with her cat-like face exuding a decadent charm, made her quite an attractive character.

‘Now that I think about it, she was just a crazy bitch.’

While she was a bit of an unhinged character, that was her charm point in the game, but seeing her in reality, she’s just plain crazy.

Jiiing-

As expected of a game world, the people who came as medical staff were emitting light from their hands and placing them on me. It’s hard to believe that just being exposed to light reduces pain, but that’s reality.

Even now, the pain is decreasing in real-time.

“Wow, this is really amazing. Kolok kolok.”

“Hoyeon, are you okay? You’re alive, right?”

“Yeah, thanks for worrying about me.”

“If a friend I made just two days ago died, I think I’d have nightmares.”

“….”

Fitting for the medical staff of a high-level academy, the treatment finished quickly, and they efficiently packed up and began to withdraw.

“Your mana circuit damage was severe, but the treatment is complete. It shouldn’t cause any disruption to your daily life.”

“Thank you.”

Instead of me, still lying down and catching my breath, the old professor expressed his thanks.

“The cause was likely that mana booster… It might be defective. It would be good to investigate it.”

“Kuhum. Hmm…”

As soon as the medical team finished speaking, an awkward cough sounded. Looking over, I saw Professor Im Sol coughing awkwardly, her face flushed red.

“Well, actually…”