Episode 153. Weekend? (7)

I arrived at the training center a little earlier than the scheduled time.

Because there was something I needed to test.

“Self-mana massage should work too, right?”

Even if I didn’t know the exact effects, if it helps with magic activation, there’s no reason not to use it.

While waiting for Nam Daeun, I decided to take a spot in the public training room instead of a private one.

As I headed towards a corner, eyes poured onto me.

“Hey, isn’t that Lee Hoyeon? Is he really going to get disciplined?”

“If he doesn’t, there’s something wrong with him.”

“Aish, you fucking idiots. I told you not to fall for that kind of crap.”

“Wow, how can a person look like that… I’m feeling so inadequate.”

They thought they were speaking quietly, but I heard everything.

‘Hmm.’

I always wear the Rune Barrier, so this kind of attention is unusual.

Lately, I’ve noticed that the Rune Barrier seems to be breached quite often.

In the original work, it was described as the best and worst barrier, a high-level barrier that would require several professors working together to decipher, so I don’t know why my barrier is like this.

Maybe I should consult Professor Im Sol later.

‘For now, let’s just do the massage.’

I’m used to people’s gazes by now.

I grabbed my left wrist with my right hand, then let go.

“There’s no need to actually grab it.”

Come to think of it, the mana in my left wrist was my own mana, so it wasn’t really a massage.

I closed my eyes, swelled the mana within my mana circuits, and forcibly expanded them.

“Kkng….”

A slight pain spread through me, and I felt like the mana circuits throughout my body were expanding little by little.

It felt like the rubber hoses inside my body were inflating.

“Ooh….”

My mana operation speed had definitely increased.

I couldn’t feel a huge difference right now, but it would definitely help with magic usage.

‘I think I can control it a bit.’

Alice and Liliana couldn’t control it precisely, so I only massaged them to a safe extent, but since this was my own body, I could roughly feel the limits of my mana circuits.

I gradually expanded my mana circuits while managing the pain.

Pushing past the initial stinging sensation to pain that felt like my skin was tearing, I discovered my limit.

“Now.”

My mana circuits were widened by about 30%.

This was precisely my limit.

This level was one that wouldn’t cause side effects or aftereffects later.

‘Around 30% is fine. No, it’s great!’

For how much I’ve grown, 30% was an incredible achievement.

Even if I couldn’t maintain it for long, it was useful as a temporary boost.

[Unique Skill Acquired!]

──『 Blood Beat 』──

▶ Unique Skill

▶ Expands mana to momentarily widen mana circuits. (Base 1.3x)

At the 1.3x expansion, the maximum duration is 1 minute. The expansion rate can be adjusted initially, which affects the duration, but it cannot be changed mid-activation. Forcibly increasing the expansion rate shortens the duration and may cause aftereffects.

───────

“Ooh….”

I glanced around and let out a quiet exclamation.

It’s been a while since I gained a skill.

It’s a doping skill, but this kind of skill suits me better.

Since I have combat sense anyway, the total amount of power is the most important thing.

“Um, did you wait long?”

Just then, a woman’s voice came from behind.

Turning around, I saw Nam Daeun standing there in her cadet uniform.

“No, I just got here too. Should we warm up and spar right away?”

“Okay.”

Nam Daeun was always wearing her cadet uniform, even on the weekend.

Does she not own casual clothes?

I got up from my seat, stretched, and raised my mana.

Nam Daeun took out a training sword and swung it around.

It’s usually standard for cadets who use swords to have their own, but Nam Daeun didn’t seem to have the means, so she appeared to use whatever sword fit her hand each time she came to the training center.

‘I should buy her a sword or something later.’

She needs a sword, if nothing else.

Seeing her live so frugally from such a young, blossoming age right after becoming an adult reminded me of myself before I was reincarnated, making me feel quite bitter.

“Let’s go inside.”

The public training room had sparring areas, but I figured using one would draw too much attention, so we went into a sparring room meant for two people.

Ziiing-

A magic barrier enveloped the sparring area, and across from me, Nam Daeun stretched and warmed up.

Thump.

“Alright, let’s begin.”

“Okay.”

I faced Nam Daeun.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The peak combat sense I felt after so long.

Nam Daeun had become stronger than last time. But so had I.

Thanks to the safety magic circle in the sparring area, we wouldn’t get hurt fighting freely.

I should go all out for the first time in a while.

[Sparring Start!]

In a state of extreme exhilaration, I let my body take over based on combat instinct.

*

“Hoo…”

Alice was resting in the training room inside her house.

Her entire body was drenched in sweat from moving around just moments ago.

“Twice… no, maybe around 2.5 times?”

The efficiency was incomparable to her usual method of forcing mana usage with magic stones.

Lee Hoyeon’s mana circuits were nearly perfect, so he could only achieve 30% efficiency, but for Alice, who had a congenital mana disorder, it resulted in more than double the effect.

Of course, contracting with Lee Hoyeon at an industry-top level, not amateur, cost quite a bit, but spending more money was still better than spending it on magic stones.

“I need to see Lee Hoyeon often….”

The duration of Lee Hoyeon’s massage effect lasts about a day.

It would be best to get the massage daily, but since that’s not possible, I have to make do with magic stones on the other days.

Still, the positive aspect is that Lee Hoyeon’s massage slightly widens the mana circuits permanently each time.

At this rate, it might be over within a few dozen sessions.

“Young Lady.”

Just then, a blonde woman stood behind Alice.

“Scarlet. You’re here?”

“Yes. I came to give you the video I took earlier. I’m reporting now in case it might have interfered with your training.”

Scarlet stood at attention and handed over the video file.

“Thank you.”

Scarlet had become strangely gentler compared to when we first met.

Her strong pride and dignity from our first meeting had disappeared, replaced by increased loyalty.

I didn’t know the reason, but it was a positive change, so I decided to leave it as it is.

“Ah, and I found this in your room, Young Lady.”

Scarlet presented a smartwatch.

“… What is this?”

“It seems likely that Cadet Lee Hoyeon left it behind after the massage. I haven’t opened it, though.”

“Really?”

Alice casually took the smartwatch.

“Send the video to me. I need to check if it can be used for blackmail. Ah, were there any unusual occurrences during your duties?”

“None. However, I might have good news for you soon. I’ve nearly breached the defenses.”

“Understood. Good work.”

Alice waved her hand dismissively, sending Scarlet away.

Clutching her pounding heart, Alice finished her shower, entered her room, and locked the door.

First, she checked the video Scarlet had sent.

Lee Hoyeon was profusely sweating while massaging his own body.

“Mmm.”

She hadn’t expected much, but as expected, it couldn’t arouse Alice.

• Hngh. Hhup… Kkuh.

‘So I reacted that much.’

Watching the scene only made her face flush, so Alice stopped the video.

Then, she took out the smartwatch from her pocket.

“… A smartwatch.”

There wasn’t really a lock set.

Some people are like this sometimes.

They think it’s fine because they never take it off their body, making them vulnerable to security risks.

Alice thought, ‘It’s fortunate that Lee Hoyeon is that kind of person.’

Lee Hoyeon had done various things to the smartwatch to avoid suspicion.

He had manipulated the message list, contacts, and internet history, so Alice couldn’t help but be fooled.

Of course, he had removed the truly important records.

“This… I should deliver it tomorrow.”

Tomorrow is a normal school day, so I can just give it to him in Class A.

“….”

Alice, who had become increasingly interested in sex lately, knew that some couples recorded their sexual encounters on video.

Just in case, with a sliver of hope, she accessed the smartwatch’s gallery.

“!”

And she found a video of a woman with something in her mouth.

Thump. Thump.

Alice’s heart pounded, and when she pressed play, she heard Lee Hoyeon’s voice, the same one who had been touching her body moments ago.

• Wh-what is it, Master?

• Don’t worry about it. I just wanted to try.

• It’s a bit embarrassing.

• Hurry up and take it.

• Ugh… Haaap.

Chup. Chwop. Jjubeub.

The lewd act between the man and woman was captured perfectly on video.

It was a video of a beautiful woman taking Lee Hoyeon’s ‘thing’ into her mouth, licking it like ice cream.

“W-what is this…”

Alice had expected something, but seeing the video she never thought would actually appear, she swallowed hard.

“….”

• Slurp Please cum, Master. Slurp

Alice couldn’t take her eyes off the video.

Lee Hoyeon’s voice, heard intermittently throughout the video, confirmed that this was a real recording.

Gulp.

After glancing back to make sure the door was securely locked, Alice slipped her hand inside her panties.

“Eeeung… Hoyeon.”

Chijjeok-

Soon, the sound of wetness filled the room.

*

“Haa… haa… That was tough.”

“You too.”

Nam Daeun and I were catching our breath on the sparring floor.

The magic circle in the sparring area was active, so we didn’t have to worry about each other’s safety.

I thought I’d have an advantage fighting with the mindset of not caring about Nam Daeun’s safety, but that was a huge miscalculation.

Nam Daeun attacked with the intent to kill, making it incredibly difficult to fight her.

Moreover, I don’t know what kind of training she did, but she was much stronger than last time.

It’s not like she’s a sponge; how can she get stronger just by training?

“Hoo… Speaking of which, did you go see your little sister yesterday?”

“I went yesterday. And I’m going again the day after tomorrow.”

“Oh, really? You visit her often.”

“It’s usually once a week, but as a reward for getting first place… No, no, that’s not it. The hospital regulations changed.”

“Ah… I see.”

Nam Daeun realized her slip of the tongue and her face flushed slightly.

Since I’m a sweet, gentlemanly guy, I naturally pretended not to notice.

Still, it’s a relief.

Seeing her only sibling, her little sister, often means I don’t have to worry about Nam Daeun’s mental state.

She’s also a character who could go berserk at any moment.

“Right. Thank you for what you did during the last special exam.”

I pulled out the wallet I had put in my pocket.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“It’s a token of my appreciation for the exam, and also for sparring with me. Don’t feel burdened, just take it.”

“This… this is a bit…”

Perhaps flustered by the sudden, high-value gift, Nam Daeun stammered.

If I let this continue, she’ll refuse.

Before Nam Daeun could mention the word ‘burden,’ I cut her off.

“What are you talking about between us? If we’re sparring like this, we’re practically best friends. It’s the least I can do, so please accept it.”

“… Okay. I guess I can brag to my little sister.”

Nam Daeun smiled faintly and took the wallet.

Phew, now I can finally relax.

Carrying around a wallet full of holes would break my heart too.

Her face will probably brighten up even more when the grades are announced tomorrow.

I hope she makes some friends then, too.

Watching Nam Daeun clutch the wallet tightly in both hands, I smiled warmly to myself.