episode_0061

Within the Siyoram estate, there are many buildings referred to as ‘banquet halls.’

As the name suggests, a banquet hall is a facility built for eating, drinking, and socializing, so the main purpose is to enjoy oneself, making it a facility focused on entertainment.

Arriving at the third banquet hall.

The exterior resembles a luxurious mansion that could be found in the secluded mountains, with lush foliage covering the walls, adding to the elegant impression.

Inside the walls, a verdant green garden and a colorful fountain spraying water brightened up the dim surroundings.

“The facilities are nice…”

I adjusted my spatial perception. The view of the banquet hall unfolded within a suitable range. I marveled at its immense size.

Compared to the first banquet hall where the freshman welcome party was held, it was overall smaller.

The first banquet hall is used for formal events, hence it was built with special care.

The freshman welcome party was held there, and often, events where many external figures attend are also held at the first banquet hall.

In addition, the banquet hall is a facility that opens upon request from students.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the facilities are lacking. From my perspective, both are excessively luxurious facilities.

Since I had only confirmed the exterior of the first banquet hall with my radar-like spatial perception, I couldn’t properly assess its appearance, but I assume it has a similar atmosphere.

I entered through the wide-open main gate, crossing the garden.

The interior was spacious.

Several students were busy moving around a large stage set up on one side, and tables with food and drinks were scattered throughout.

I heard how the afterparty in the chat room would roughly unfold.

Nothing special. Just eating delicious food, drinking, and having fun.

Friends sat together at tables, eating and drinking.

People who wanted to get to know each other gathered at tables to eat and drink…

Occasionally, individuals would go on stage for an event to showcase their talents, then continue to enjoy eating, drinking, and having fun…

Just imagining it made me tired.

“There are quite a lot of people.”

Despite arriving early, the interior was quite lively.

There were quite a few people chatting with those around them. The attire seemed casual, as announced in advance.

There weren’t many people like me dressed in student robes; most were in casual attire.

As I surveyed the surroundings with my spatial perception, the buzzing chatter filled my ears. But apart from that, unnecessary noise was not heard.

I cupped my hands around my ears to focus.

“Are they still refining it?”

I restored my spatial perception but didn’t discard my senses.

If I wanted to, I could shut off my hearing and touch. I could lower them to a level similar to an average person, even without going to extremes.

But I didn’t do that.

The blow I received upon entering the tower was not something I could easily forget.

If I hadn’t come up with a solution in time, it would have been over for me.

Even though it was inside the tower, this trial was a real challenge, not something I could just sigh and finish.

To prevent that, I needed to analyze the reason for the malfunction of my spatial perception and be able to resist it.

Furthermore, even if it malfunctions again, I felt the need to have insurance so that I wouldn’t be rendered powerless.

Although my spatial perception was restored in just a day, I had been consistently adjusting my senses during that time.

Through heightened hearing and touch, I could now selectively process information.

Amplifying necessary information with heightened senses and completely filtering out unnecessary ones.

It was the result of incorporating the skills I learned through spatial perception.

A breath brushed against my ear, causing me to flinch, but now there is no more Ha Yul, who used to flap his arms like a fish when touched lightly.

If I were to face the same situation again… Hmm… I might be able to endure it.

“Hey, when’s the next entrance to the tower?”

“This guy is completely drunk on the fruit flavor. Wake up, there’s still two or three months left.”

“I broke through the intermediate strength condition yesterday.”

“Wow, crazy gorilla, you already broke through that… But did you get kicked out of the tower?”

“Damn it…”

Listening to the conversations that reached my ears, most of the discussions were about the tower entrance exam.

Since this gathering was originally a post-tower entrance celebration, the topic of conversation was inevitably focused on the tower.

There were also some who engaged in friendly conversations.

It seemed like many had become closer compared to the freshman welcoming party.

Among them, two male students near the entrance seemed particularly friendly.

One appeared sturdy with thick muscles, while the other had a lean muscular build.

“No, if I hadn’t failed miserably on the first day…”

“That’s your fault. Who would challenge a special admission student from the first day…”

Did they say… that?

The mocking words of the students continued. Their usual abrupt speech pattern remained.

Their eyes flickered in one direction for a moment. It was where I was standing. His complexion turned pale.

The student who said I challenged a special admission student turned his head towards me, his shoulders trembling.

An awkward silence fell between us.

I had planned to just pass by, but we ended up facing each other like this.

After a moment of silence, they cautiously spoke.

“Hello?”

“Oh, hello.”

I bowed my head, trying to hide my own awkwardness at the overly awkward greeting.

I observed them closely with spatial awareness. They were not familiar faces. Both belonged to different classes.

“Those people.”

But I had met them before.

After some thought, I remembered encountering them when I was being pursued in the tower.

I met Geohan on the first day.

He charged at me with a massive shield and mace, but I discreetly used magic to cut his ankle and took away his mace, smashing his head.

The agile student was the next day.

It wasn’t easy to counter with a spear.

So, I deliberately stuck close and struck his solar plexus with my elbow. Unfortunately, I couldn’t eliminate him.

…It’s quite awkward.

Their hesitant attitude made sense. Even though they had experienced tests in the tower, it wouldn’t make sense to greet each other with a smile.

After exchanging greetings, I walked away. They also awkwardly made way for me.

As we walked, memories of the tower came flooding back.

Memories of using magic to cut faces and tearing throats with bare hands since I couldn’t retrieve my weapons.

Various other memories…

At that time, I was too focused to pay attention, but now looking back, it feels like something was off.

Was I too violent? I don’t regret using every means necessary, but…

I discreetly glanced around. Many eyes were on me.

While being watched was nothing new, the emotions behind the gazes seemed different…

I felt it, but maintained a neutral expression outwardly.

On the day of the freshman welcoming party, my body involuntarily flinched, but now it didn’t. It was a significant improvement.

Of course, I still wanted to avoid the situation, but it seemed like things had escalated to this point.

As I headed towards the table in the corner.

A chilly gaze swept across my face.

It felt like ice was being rubbed on my face. My body shuddered.

“Oh? Hayul?”

A familiar gaze that had become more common lately. The unique gesture that proved it was familiar to my ears.

The owner of the gesture was Baek Arin.

She, who was busy preparing something on stage, widened her eyes when she saw me. It was a response that seemed questioning why I was here.

She whispered something to the nearby students and hurriedly approached me.

“Are you okay? Make sure to rest well over the weekend…”

Her blue eyes blinked, showing a hint of worry. Her gaze scanned my body.

Baek Arin probably sensed that I had been injured after appearing on the stage. She must be worried. Baek Arin and Elia were the first ones to heal me.

It felt comforting to see the hologram appear when I tapped on my smartwatch after a long time. It was soothing to see the hologram floating in the air.

It would be more comfortable after receiving the confession necklace.

“I’m fine. I slept and woke up feeling refreshed.”

The professor who examined me said it wasn’t serious, just a minor bleeding.

I only felt dizzy for a moment, and the burden of spatial perception quickly eased.

“If you’re okay, that’s good, but if anything feels off, please let me know anytime.”

“I’ll be careful. I’ll stay quiet and leave soon.”

Looking at the piled up alcohol around me, I could easily imagine the students partying late into the night.

Drinking until dawn… just the thought of it made me nauseous.

I wasn’t crazy enough to follow them all the way, so I decided to stay for a while and naturally leave after a short while.

As I was thinking that, Baek Arin made a strange expression.

“Quietly…? Um…”

“?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Why is she reacting like that?

As I tilted my head in confusion, Baek Arin just mumbled an answer and made a strange expression.

Upon closer inspection with spatial perception, I could feel her mouth corners drooping.

“Oh, it’s already time… I should go finish getting ready. See you in a bit?”

Before I could ask for an explanation, Baek Arin turned around. Her sky-blue hair tied up swayed as she walked away.

‘What was that?’

What was that expression earlier?

I feel uneasy about something.

The reason behind Baek Arin’s expression became clear not long after.

“What’s with your skin… Can I ask what skincare products the teacher uses?”

‘?’

“If you like board games, come to our table to play. Some of the freshmen are gathering there…”

‘?’

“Recruiting participants for a real-time drinking game! If you like alcohol, come over here too. We’re always welcoming new people!”

‘No, I don’t like that.’

For some reason, positive attention was increasing.

My head was spinning from the attention pouring in from all directions.