Episode 14. Im Sol (2) [Revised]

“Seriously, they should’ve made it moderately complex. What are they even trying to do?”

Recently, I gave a mana auxiliary device to an old artifact craftsman who offered to modify it for my training. When he gave it back, it turned into a ticking time bomb.

I spent about a week seriously studying it, but I still have no clue how to use it.

Frankly, if I can’t use it, no other mage could even touch it. To bring back something like this claiming it’s for training… has the old man finally lost his marbles? I just can’t understand it.

“Huh? Where did it go?”

Last night, I decided it was too dangerous to leave lying around if I couldn’t even use it for training, so I put it on my desk in the study to dispose of it. But it disappeared in just one day.

“Ah, crap. This is why I should clean up more often.”

Bookshelves crammed full, except for the doorway, with papers and documents scattered across the floor. And scraps of paper where I’d scribbled down magic inspirations whenever they struck were also lying around.

Shwoosh

I drew a simple magic circle and started tidying up.

The books piled on the floor returned to their places, and the papers and documents were neatly stacked and placed on the desk.

Even the scraps of paper found their way into the trash can on their own.

“No, where is it? Seriously?”

It was modified, sure, but it’s no ordinary item.

They twisted the magic formations processed into the mana auxiliary device in reverse, drastically lowering mana sensitivity. Then, when mana was drawn up, it was designed to inflict internal shock as a reaction.

On top of that, they added an attribute that repelled mana, causing overload in the body.

But the synergy was unexpectedly so good that I ended up injuring myself while trying to use it for training.

In the end, I took it out intending to discard it, got caught up in other research, and came back to find it gone.

“Well, it must be somewhere. I never took it outside.”

Knowing how dangerous it was, I wouldn’t do something stupid like taking it outside. So it must be stashed somewhere, probably fallen into a hard-to-reach spot like under the bookshelf.

Knock, knock, knock

“Professor, are you in?”

“Yeah~ Come on in.”

The female assistant who helps with research entered the room and spoke, sounding surprised.

“Oh, what’s this? Cleaning up the room all of a sudden? You always said you worked better in a natural state and never cleaned.”

“Yeah, I’m looking for something. Have you perhaps seen a bracelet that looks like a mana auxiliary device?”

“Ah, if you mean the mana auxiliary device on the desk, I put it back in the practical training equipment case.”

“… What?”

“I figured you’d forget about it while researching anyway, and since the new students had their practical training class today, I tidied it up. I did good, right?”

“Hey, you crazy… Wait a minute, practical training class is today?”

“Yes. They’re probably doing it right now. Why are you asking?”

Bolt upright

I untangled my crossed legs, jumped up from my seat, pushed the dazed assistant aside, and ran towards the Mana Research Building.

“Professor, where are you going?! You have paperwork to do! Are you running away again?!”

“Argh, that immature brat.”

It wasn’t far from here to the Mana Research Building. Running would be faster than preparing a teleportation magic circle.

The mana auxiliary device and the modified training version looked very similar on the outside.

Of course, someone looking closely might notice something slightly off, but professors and assistants wouldn’t typically scrutinize mana auxiliary devices, and the students would have no idea since it’s their first time seeing one.

If a student were to actually wear the modified mana auxiliary device… there’s no telling what terrible things could happen.

Hospitalization due to mana circuit damage? That would be the best-case scenario.

There was a higher chance of becoming permanently disabled, unable to use mana, or even dying.

I couldn’t even blame the assistant. I’d been reprimanded before for taking artifacts for research and forgetting to return them.

Ultimately, the fault lay mostly with me for leaving such a dangerous item lying around carelessly.

‘Ugh… Please, let nothing have happened.’

I entered the Mana Research Building. Fortunately, the new students’ classroom was on the first floor, immediately catching my eye.

Creeaak!

I burst through the door as if intending to break it down.

Since I’d flung open the front door of the classroom mid-lecture, I should have seen the students’ faces, but they were all densely packed together at the back of the room.

“What the? What’s going on?”

“They say Lee Hoyeon suddenly collapsed? Ah crap, there are too many people, I can’t see.”

‘Lee Hoyeon?’

He was a student who stood out during the last special magic class, so I’d made a note of him.

‘It would have been better if he had absolutely no talent!’

Rather than having moderate talent and fighting against mana reflux until becoming truly disabled, it’s better to just collapse without knowing anything.

At least that way, there might be a chance for emergency treatment later.

“Excuse me! Let me through!”

“Ah, what is it? Uhh… Professor Im Sol?”

Pushing through the gathered crowd, I saw a male student lying on the floor.

The first thing that caught my eye was his appearance. I’d seen him during the last class, but seeing him again was striking.

I’ve seen many handsome people in my life, but compared to him, all the men I’ve seen so far are like squids.

And then I saw that his handsome face was contorting, frowning, and letting out groans.

‘He’s still conscious?’

Externally, he looked like he was about to vomit blood and die, but internally, a fierce battle was raging to control the rampaging mana.

Moreover, the level of control was incredibly high. And it was a mana manipulation method I’d never seen before.

‘The mana manipulation… feels somehow off.’

This was a mana manipulation method completely different from any known technique.

It was as if he wasn’t passively following a formula, but actively and intuitively handling mana…

‘Huh?’

Im Sol suddenly felt a tickling sensation in her chest. It was a state of hyper-focus, right on the verge of enlightenment or reaching a new level. It was a rare phenomenon that Im Sol had only experienced during her own awakening.

However, seeing Professor Han Jae-young, the professor of Mana Studies, try to grab Lee Hoyeon’s body, she had no choice but to postpone her moment of realization.

“What are you doing!”

“Professor Im Sol? Why are you here? This is fortunate. We need to provide emergency treatment to the patient. Time is critical, so please assist.”

“No, don’t touch him.”

“What on earth are you talking about? This student’s internal mana circuits are in chaos. We need to act immediately.”

“I said don’t touch him, so don’t touch him!”

Any external mana mixed in now would only interfere. This is why low-level professors should all be cut from Victoria Academy, ugh.

After glaring at the skull-like professor, I looked back at Lee Hoyeon.

But the nagging feeling from earlier was already gone.

Opportunities like this don’t come easily, and I wasted it because of that crazy professor. A sense of emptiness washed over me, but now wasn’t the time to get angry.

‘If it continues like this… I can’t be sure.’

His mana manipulation was undoubtedly brilliant, but the opponent was too vicious. The modified mana auxiliary device relentlessly agitated his mana, inflicting shocks upon his body.

The more efficiently he drew up mana, the stronger the backlash, and the more fatigue accumulated in his body.

Is there any way to help…

‘Wait a second, it seems faster than before?’

The speed of his mana manipulation had definitely increased. It was clearly at a higher level than when I first saw it.

“He’s developing… unconsciously…?”

“Huh? Professor Im Sol, what are you talking about?”

He straightened the twisted mana circuits back into place, forcefully clearing the blocked pathways.

Mana circulated rapidly throughout his body, capturing the mana that tried to escape.

“This kind of mana manipulation is… possible?”

If mana control without incantations is at this level…

No, is an incantation even necessary? Was the initial premise wrong from the start?

The student right before me is breaking the fundamental principles of magic.

Just as I re-entered the state of hyper-focus, trying to glimpse a new level…

Lee Hoyeon opened his eyes.

“Ah….”

A sigh of regret escaped me involuntarily.

Just a little more! If only I had a little more time, I could have witnessed a new realm!

“Wha… How did you do that!”

“Gasp!”

The incident where I nearly died was officially treated as a simple accident, with Professor Im Sol’s research equipment mistakenly mixed in with the students’ practical training gear.

From my perspective, it was a near-death crisis, but it seemed others didn’t see it that way.

Apparently, it’s common for simple magical mishaps to cause people to vomit blood.

Of course, this was done after receiving my consent to handle the matter quietly for the sake of my relationship with Professor Im Sol.

I received an apology from Professor Im Sol once she regained her composure, and since I had no lingering side effects, I decided to let it go.

There was no need to make enemies with the Academy and the professor.

After the incident fizzled out, I was kidnapped by Professor Im Sol.

“Make yourself at home.”

Smiling brightly.

What on earth is this situation?

The person hailed as the genius mage of the century is sitting me down like I’m a decorative doll and smiling.

“Oops, look at me. I’ll bring some tea.”

Clap, clap

As soon as a hand emerged from her blue robe and clapped twice, a teacup and tea set flew over from afar, landing on the table.

Im Sol personally picked up the teapot and poured it into my cup.

“Here, drink this and relax.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Slurp.

Wait, this is instant coffee.

Glancing ahead, Im Sol seemed completely unfazed by such trivialities, her gaze fixed on my face like a sunflower tracking the sun.

“Ahem, Professor? I’m curious about the reason you summoned me.”

Im Sol let out an “Ah!” sound, her eyes widening. Only then did she seem to snap back to reality and straighten her posture.

“First, I want to apologize. I’m truly sorry for the harm caused by my mistake.”

Im Sol bowed her head deeply.

“Oh, no. It’s okay.”

“No, I should have formally apologized, but the Academy wanted to bury the incident… So, I’ll personally make it up to you.”

“It’s really fine, so please don’t worry.”

Normally, saying something like this makes people feel more apologetic and want to take better care of you.

A truly bad person would just shut up and end it there, but Im Sol isn’t that kind of character.

“Thank you.”

“Did you summon me just to apologize?”

It felt a bit strange to think she summoned me just for an apology.

I had already received a nominal apology right after the treatment.

It didn’t quite add up that she would call me again just for another apology.

“I wanted to apologize properly, and also, there’s a proposal I wanted to make to you.”

“A proposal?”

An event that wasn’t in the original story suddenly occurred, which was disconcerting, but I tried to respond as calmly as possible.

“It might sound sudden to you, but I want you to help with my research.”

“Research? I’d be happy to help if it’s something I can do… but is there really anything I can help with?”

“Before we talk further, can I ask something? That mana manipulation method you used earlier to fix the tangled mana circuits yourself. Did you learn it from someone?”

Mana manipulation method? Why is she suddenly asking about that?

Let’s reconsider the character Im Sol.

A mage recognized worldwide for her talent. A mage acknowledged as S-class for pushing the field of magic to its absolute limits.

For someone like that to be interested in my mana manipulation method means she saw something in it…

The only thing that comes to mind is [Mana Sensitivity]. She must be saying this after seeing me break through my mana circuits on my own.

“Hello?”

Ah, I was lost in thought while someone was right in front of me.

“I apologize. I was just thinking for a moment. I haven’t learned my mana manipulation method from anyone.”

“So it’s 100% your original method?”

“Uh… Yes, I suppose so?”

Unless there’s someone else in this world who received [Mana Sensitivity] as a special bonus… it’s probably just me.

“Can I trust that answer?”

“Yes, you can trust me.”

She seemed skeptical, so I assured her.

“Haa… inhale.”

Suddenly, Im Sol started fidgeting like a horny cat. She took deep breaths, inhale, inhale, then grabbed my hand with sparkling eyes.

“You… Lee Hoyeon. You’re a genius. Compared to you, all the mages and S-class hunters I’ve ever seen are just starfish!”

“Starfish?”

“Yeah! These starfish!”

“… No. You praise me too highly.”

Why is she suddenly chanting about starfish? Does she have a rivalry with starfish?

“It’s not excessive praise. With talent like this, you’d need to look for competitors not just in Korea, but on a global scale…”

“My talent is that significant? I feel like I’m just decent.”

My mana manipulation method is just skill-based, isn’t it?

“Haa, if the other starfish heard you say that, they might try to kill you. For your information, that bracelet you broke free from? I have trouble manipulating mana even while wearing it.”

“What? Really?”

Of course, it was genuinely dangerous, but if that bracelet is something even an active S-class couldn’t handle, her reaction makes sense.

My talent, [Mana Sensitivity], was really that significant?

“Yeah! So, I really want you to help with my research. It will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the advancement of the academic field of magic!”

“Hmm…”

I’m not interested in contributing to the advancement of magic… but still, helping her would likely be very beneficial.

Even if she isn’t a heroine, Professor Im Sol’s capabilities are outstanding. It would be very helpful for my future school life.

There’s no downside to becoming friendly with a professor.

However, there was another problem.

Honestly, I don’t think I can help with the research.

The mana manipulation method Im Sol is fixated on is purely due to my special bonus. I lack any knowledge or talent that would be useful for research.

The only difference I have from ordinary people might be my understanding of mana, but that’s in the realm of intuition, impossible to explain verbally.

After much thought, I decided to just be honest. I haven’t even properly pursued the heroines yet, so I can’t afford to waste time on something uncertain. This is the right approach.

“Will I… be of any help? Actually, my mana manipulation method is heavily influenced by my skill, so I don’t have the expertise to assist with your research.”

“I know that much. In fact, you, Lee Hoyeon, are also a subject of my research.”

“What??”

“Believe it or not, I’ve saved up quite a lot of money. I’ll give you any compensation you desire.”

Hmm, honestly, having money would be nice, but…

Seeing my interest waning in real-time, Professor Im Sol waved her hands back and forth, looking frustrated.

“No, this is a genuine loss for all humanity! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute to the world’s magical advancement!”

As if unable to calm herself even after saying it, she cried out “Aaargh!” and ran her hands through her hair. She looked like a true fanatic obsessed with magic.

Her hood fell back from the frantic motion, revealing her cat-like face.

She was definitely portrayed as a cold, mature adult woman in the game, so how could she become so ditzy?

Does her personality change when it comes to magic?

“Uh… Please calm down first, and let’s talk slowly.”

“Okay. Inhale… Haa…”

Im Sol placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath. The figure visible beneath her robe was quite alluring.

Cough, the words “I’ll give you any compensation” from earlier kept echoing in my mind. Calm down.

“… You seem quite interested in my chest?”

“W-what?”

How did she know? I admit I glanced whenever her robe fluttered, but did she catch me?

Im Sol pursed her lips, then stood up with a determined look in her eyes.

Swish-

Her robe slid down her body, falling limply to the floor.

An unusual combination: a pink boxy t-shirt that seemed more draped over her chest than worn, and black leggings covering her thighs.

It was a combination purely prioritizing comfort, yet it only served to accentuate Im Sol’s voluptuous figure.

In that state, Im Sol moved to sit beside me.

A unique, sweet scent, different from fabric softener, emanating only from women, wafted strongly towards me.

“As a token of apology… and if this is what you desire, I’m willing to endure it.”

Why are you suddenly acting like this, Professor? It’s scary…

Sitting next to me, Im Sol leaned down, looking up at me from below.

The sensation of looking down at a beautiful woman felt awkward, yet strangely thrilling.

Her slender fingers began tracing their way up my body, starting from my waist.

Tap. Tap.

Those faint touches felt surprisingly sensitive, making me excited.

As I lost my composure, mesmerized by Im Sol’s face slowly approaching mine and her fingers tracing my body, she spoke again.

“Hoyeon-ah. Will you help me research?”

“… Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the world’s magical advancement.”

“That’s a good choice. Heh heh.”

As expected, I believe people should live with a perspective for all humanity.