Seongguk – Change

body {
font-family: Georgia, serif;
line-height: 1.6;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
}
h1 {
color: #333;
border-bottom: 2px solid #ddd;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
p {
margin-bottom: 1em;
text-align: justify;
}

“Hoo…”

Slowly. I need to do it slowly.

Jade closed his eyes and focused on the sensations in his body.

Then, the mana around him began to move according to his will.

-Whoong.

In an instant, a tremendous amount of mana gathered, and Sword Aura formed on the sword Jade was holding.

The density was so high that the color of the Sword Aura was changing from blue to a deep indigo.

“That’s not it.”

“…Yes.”

At Antonio’s words beside him, Jade had no choice but to release the mana.

‘Damn it. Another failure.’

-Thud.

Jade slumped to the floor, exhausted from the hours of training.

“You did well to gather the mana, but you mustn’t use the mana after it passes through your body. You need to approach it with the feeling of using and dominating the flow of mana around you.”

“…That’s too difficult.”

“There’s no point in me teaching you any further. This is something The Hero must realize on his own.”

“No. I’m grateful for everything Lord Antonio has helped me with so far.”

‘I thought I understood it in my head…’

But my body just won’t follow.

Until now, Jade had only used mana by channeling it through the Mana Circuit inside his body.

As a result, he instinctively used the mana he had gathered with his ability in the same way.

Of course, Jade’s method wasn’t entirely wrong.

Most Mana user use mana in this way.

The reason was simple.

Because it was the easiest way to handle it.

But to transcend his limits, he had to break free from fixed ideas and be able to manipulate mana freely.

Seeing Jade looking dejected from his repeated failures, Antonio comforted him.

“Normally, using the mana in the air is the first hurdle, but thanks to the ability the Goddess bestowed upon you, you’ve skipped that process entirely. If you practice controlling it, you’ll soon be able to break through the wall.”

“But… I need to become stronger as soon as possible. With my current skills, it’s impossible to face a Greater demon.”

Power.

Jade needed more power right now.

It hadn’t been long since Jade had reached the high realm of 6-Star.

A Swordsman who reached 6-Star was a respected figure everywhere, and he had confidence in his rapidly improving skills.

But that confidence was shattered not long after.

Raspha, whom he encountered in Growburn Village, played with them like toys.

Before the mountain-like Demonic Energy, the Sword Aura he swung shattered like glass, and he lost consciousness immediately after being struck directly by a pitch-black fist.

He was utterly powerless before the great disaster that was the Greater demon.

Antonio noticed the impatience Jade was feeling in his response.

“You mustn’t be impatient. 7-Star can be seen as the realm of true transcendence. That’s why it’s even more difficult to reach. The Hero has talent, so if you persevere, you’ll be able to surpass 7-Star and reach even higher realms.”

“I’ll try again one more time.”

I’ll keep doing it until I get it right.

Jade decided that it was better to train one more time than to lament.

Just then, someone handed him a water bottle from the side.

“Have some water while you’re at it.”

“Ah. Thank you, Lena.”

Jade brought the mouth of the water bottle to his lips… and stopped.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s okay. It must be hard on you too, Jade.”

Veronica, who had handed him the water bottle, was looking at Jade with a pitiful expression.

‘Is this why habits are so scary?’

Jade sighed at the mistake he had made.

Even so, to overlap Lena with Veronica.

Until recently, Jade had been training with Lena.

As a result, he unconsciously thought that Lena was with him.

In the awkward atmosphere, Jade and Veronica lowered their heads without saying a word.

“…”

“…”

It was an odd situation where no one could bring themselves to speak first.

Antonio, unable to watch any longer, approached them.

“You must be tired. How about we stop here?”

“That’s right. You’ve been training for hours already, so it’s best to take a break.”

“Yes. I think I need to rest today.”

Jade nodded. There was no way he could train properly in this state of mind anyway.

Jade returned to his room and sat blankly on the sofa.

“Haa…”

When he was still like this, he sighed all the time.

‘I need to forget about Lena for a while because of the inauguration ceremony, but…’

But that was too difficult.

Lena appeared in his dreams every night, and sometimes he even heard hallucinations of Lena calling him.

He couldn’t forget her in this situation.

‘It was better when I was training because I didn’t have any other thoughts.’

When he rested, thoughts of Lena filled his head, making him feel like he was going crazy.

‘Should I just go see Lena again?’

Maybe Lena has changed her mind now.

Then he could travel with Lena again…

“I’m going crazy. I decided to endure it.”

Jade was barely suppressing the urge to see Lena again, which surged up several times a day.

If he met Lena, he might be happy and glad for that moment.

But soon he would remember that Lena had betrayed him. And if Lena sided with the Demon to the end, he might lose his mind and run wild.

Jade needed time to collect his thoughts.

“Are you okay?”

Veronica was worried about his condition as Jade muttered to himself and clutched his head.

She had been sitting quietly next to Jade since earlier.

“I want to say I’m okay… but honestly, it’s too hard.”

“I never thought that Lena would betray humanity either. She was so kind to me that I thought she was a really good person. It’s not your fault that you were deceived by someone like that.”

“I guess so. I didn’t know anything about Lena. Or maybe Lena hid it from us completely.”

What kind of story does Lena have?

Jade guessed that her family had been killed or betrayed by vicious people.

If she had such pain, it was understandable that she would abandon her loved ones and her life and side with the Demon.

Of course, whether Jade could forgive Lena was another matter.

“But are you going to keep staying in my room? Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you to be here?”

“Not at all. I’m happy to be with you, Jade.”

“No. You don’t have to do that for me. You must have other things to do. You can go now.”

Jade had been in a state of depression all day. It was hard enough just being around someone like that.

From Jade’s point of view, he felt a little uncomfortable and sorry for her continuing to watch over him.

He even thought that Veronica was clinging to him too much.

But Veronica shook her head, saying she was fine.

“No. It’s even more depressing to be alone when you’re depressed. I read in a book that just being there helps. And actually, I don’t have anything to do. Even when I ask if they need help, the people at the temple just tell me to rest.”

“People are worried about you. Now that I think about it, I feel bad for making you suffer when you’re not in good condition either.”

Jade could still feel the unique unpleasantness of Demonic Energy from Veronica.

The energy was very weak because it was suppressed by Divine Power.

“I’ve been like this for so long that I’m used to it, and there’s no problem now.”

“That’s a relief. If anything happens, tell me right away. I’ll have to go see the Pope right away.”

“I will. By the way, you’re really treating me comfortably now.”

“Ugh…. That’s because you asked me to. If you don’t like it, I’ll go back to the way I was.”

Jade was still worried about whether it was okay to treat Veronica, a Hero and Saintess, so rudely.

Jade had become closer to Veronica since the meeting with Lena.

After Jade told Annie the bad news after the interview, she locked herself in her room, saying she would do magic research separately.

As Jade was unable to see Annie, he naturally had many conversations with Veronica.

Eventually, they even dropped honorifics.

Veronica gave a small smile as Jade felt awkward.

“Of course not. I’m happy to have a close friend. I’ll give you a small gift as a reward for granting my request.”

“A gift?”

Veronica placed her hand on Jade’s chest.

“V-Veronica? This kind of behavior…”

Jade was flustered by Veronica’s sudden action and tried to pull her hand away.

But the more he did, the more Veronica clung to Jade.

“Don’t move, just stay still.”I understand, so at least take your hand off my chestㅡ” At that moment.

-Saaa.

The Divine Power from Veronica’s hand began to flow into Jade’s body.

“Ah…”

At the sight, Jade stopped struggling and watched Veronica’s actions.

‘It’s warm.’

The energy spreading from his chest made Jade’s depressed and anxious heart feel at ease.

“How is it?”

“Thank you. It cleared my mind.”

“It’s a simple blessing. It’s just enough to clear your mind and give you energy.”

“But do you have to put your hand on my chest like this? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to just do it on my arm? It must be uncomfortable.”

In Jade’s memory, priests usually infused Divine Power into their arms when giving blessings.

It seemed uncomfortable for both the person using and receiving the Divine Power to put their hand on their chest.

“Ah, that’s simple. It’s because I wanted to touch Jade’s chest.”

“I see. If that’s the reason…”

Jade nodded, then belatedly realized something was wrong.

Did she just say she wanted to touch my chest?

“W-what?”

“Gasp. Was that too direct? The book said I shouldn’t say it like that…”

Am I hearing things wrong?

As Jade doubted Veronica’s answer.

-Bang!

Suddenly, the door burst open and Annie entered.

“Jade! About the inauguration ceremony…”

Annie, who was looking for Jade in a loud voice, trailed off.

“Annie? Why are you stopping mid-sentence… Ah.”

Jade then realized why Annie was flustered.

Jade and Veronica were currently clinging to each other on the sofa.

With Veronica’s hand on Jade’s chest.

It was a situation that seemed very likely to be misunderstood by others.

Jade hurriedly began to explain.

“Annie, listen. This is just…”

“Oh… I’ll come back later.”

“W-wait a minute!”

Jade called out to Annie pitifully, but

-Thump.

The door closed as she left.

**

Annie hurriedly returned to her room and lay down on the bed.

-Thud.

‘What did I just see?’

Jade and Veronica doing that kind of skinship.

Annie was still shocked by what she had just seen.

“I knew it to some extent… but have they already gotten that close?”

Annie had known for a few days that Veronica was interested in Jade.

‘Veronica seems to be trying her best not to show it…’

For the past few days, she had been sticking to Jade wherever he went, and she had been comforting and caring for Jade, who was having a hard time.

Honestly, Veronica’s actions seemed to show that she had feelings for Jade.

“It’s amazing.”

Does Jade have something else that captivates women?

Even if you look at his face in the best light, it’s just average,

I don’t feel any great charm that would make a woman fall in love with him.

But strangely enough, women who were too good for him felt attracted to Jade.

‘Well, he was cool when he was fighting as a Hero…’

From Annie’s point of view, Jade was a lucky guy.

By the way, how long has it been since it happened that he’s already switching women?

‘I thought Jade would never forget Lena and live alone for the rest of his life.’

“No. Is it better that way?”

He’ll be able to forget Lena if he’s with Veronica.

In Annie’s opinion, Jade needed someone to be with him more than anything else.

“Veronica is trustworthy. Actually, she’s too good for him…”

Annie felt a little jealous, but she thought that Veronica, a beautiful and kind Saintess, would be able to heal Jade’s pain.

Right now, Jade is in an unstable state. He’s so worried that he might do something.

Of course, Annie was also betrayed by Lena, a friend she trusted and relied on more than anyone else.

As a result, she couldn’t sleep properly and was living a life close to a wreck.

But it was obvious that Jade, who was in love with Lena, was more hurt than Annie.

-Knock. Knock. Knock.

Did something happen?

Annie jumped up from the bed at the sudden knock.

Annie quickly opened the door.

“Who is it?”

But contrary to Annie’s expectations that someone would be there, the door was empty.

“Huh?”

Annie was embarrassed and even went out into the hallway to look around, but there was no one who seemed to have anything to say to her.

Is there anyone in the temple who would play this kind of prank on me?

In the end, Annie had no choice but to return to her room, lost in thought.

At that moment, something caught Annie’s eye.

“Huh?”

What she found was a small piece of paper lying on the floor in front of the door.

“What is this? Did they put it through the crack in the door when they knocked?”

Annie first turned the paper around and examined it.

But because there was no writing on the outside, she couldn’t guess what was inside at all.

“Is it okay to open something like this? What if it’s dangerous?”

What if magic is activated when I unfold the paper…?

Annie was worried about the unidentified paper.

Or.

‘M-maybe a love letter?’

If it was a love letter, it made sense that they left the paper and disappeared.

With a sudden thought, Annie unfolded the folded paper with anticipation.

-Flutter.

Inside the paper, words were written in neat handwriting.

‘What’s it about…?’

Annie began to read the words with excitement.

But she was breathless at the unexpected first word.

-Help me.