NOVEL NEXT chapter 22
22
“What? A sword?”
Eungaye seemed bewildered by my response and asked again.
“So, you mean I should wield a large sword without using magic power?”
“I understand.”
*Sigh.*
Eungaye let out a deep sigh.
It was understandable considering that the Eungaye family’s swordsmanship revealed its true prowess only when the blade was thin. If the blade became thick, the striking surface might increase, but the intricate finesse and sharpness would diminish, losing its essence.
It was no different from merely striking with pure magic power. And this differed in direction from Eungaye’s pursuit of precision in swordsmanship.
Moreover, the suggestion to release power from magic could sound dangerously reckless when heard.
“If I understood correctly, releasing power means to loosen magic control, right?”
“Yes. Control only the major stem without completely releasing it.”
Eungaye’s face frowned deeply. Cheon Woojin, who was listening from the opposite side, also interjected with a stern expression.
“Haesol, releasing magic control is a serious matter. Eungaye, don’t listen to him.”
I inwardly bit my tongue at the expected reaction.
“That’s why I hesitated to speak.”
The people in this world considered magic as something that must be controlled without exception.
Of course, generally, that was a valid statement. It was necessary to direct magic to the desired location, and if magic control was loosened, it could easily lead to a rampage.
Furthermore, Cheon Woojin, being specialized in the intricate application of magic, interpreted my words to release magic control as a suicidal suggestion. However, this was due to his lack of knowledge about Eungaye’s magic.
The gravitational magic Eungaye possessed was the type that stubbornly refused to cooperate the more it was pressured.
In the game world, Eungaye had developed her unique magic application to handle this stubborn type of magic, which involved loosely releasing magic control and adjusting only the direction.
However, it would be a long way before Eungaye established such a unique application in her third year. It was natural for my words to sound nonsensical.
“It’s my fault for asking without consulting others.”
Eungaye shook her head. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, her expression clouded.
She picked up her plate and changed seats, as if she couldn’t stand being there any longer. On the opposite side, Cheon Woojin was holding a whole onion.
I avoided looking ahead as much as possible, ignoring the sound of crunching. It was at that moment, as I tried to continue my meal, that she spoke.
“Touching Kim Joo-hyuk Instructor was a mistake.”
What, are they all conspiring to disrupt my meal together?
I glanced to my side with a hint of annoyance. Seungdo, who sat beside me like Eungaye’s baton, was there, just like Amelia.
“No, it wasn’t me who touched him, it was Kim Joo-hyuk…”
Although I felt unjust, Amelia didn’t seem to share the same sentiment.
“You may know, but Kim Joo-hyuk Instructor’s family is one of the top five magic families in Korea. They have connections even with the Association of Extraordinary Beings.”
“Are you worried I might get expelled?”
“Not worried, just advising that it’s not wise to provoke.”
Isn’t that the same thing?
This kid isn’t very straightforward…
Anyway.
“Thank you for letting me know, but it’s okay.”
“I don’t understand why I’m saying this.”
Amelia’s expression slightly softened at my indifferent attitude. But I truly didn’t care.
Even if Kim Joo-hyuk was the heir of the Magic House, basking in the glory of that family, he was already a worn-out figure.
An instructor at the Academy. The extent of what was expected of him from Kim Joo-hyuk’s family.
Unless I were to kill Kim Joo-hyuk, there was no reason for them to pick a fight with me first. It was the same in the game.
Rather, the one who should be worried right now was not me, but Amelia. I turned my gaze to the opposite side of the kitchen.
There sat Amelia’s cousin, Edmund.
Edmund looked as disheveled as he did during the day, with his unkempt hair and tired skin.
It wasn’t that his Emerson genes were inferior.
Just by looking at Amelia next to him, you could see that at least one good gene was guaranteed in their bloodline.
It was the influence of those who approached him to exploit his Romanov lineage, providing him with drugs continuously.
Amelia, realizing that I was staring at Edmund, looked a bit awkward. I casually remarked.
“Magic herb.”
“······?”
“Edmund, they say he drinks magic herb.”
“!”
Amelia’s eyes filled with confusion at the unexpected words.
Magic herb was an ingredient used in potions to rapidly stimulate the circulation of magical power in the body.
However, taking magic herb alone would cause an imbalance in magic and lead to side effects like hallucinations. In simpler terms, it was a ‘drug.’
“Is that, is that true?”
“If you don’t believe it, find out for yourself.”
“······.”
Leaving the speechless Amelia behind, I took a bite of a sausage.
***
After school, when I returned to the dormitory, I took out the Seed of Betrothal.
[Seed of Betrothal]
[A magic potion to make the Betrothal Elixir.]
*By consuming the Betrothal Elixir, you can engrave the mark of commitment.
[Cost: 3000SP]
Throughout the semester, as I completed various quests, I had earned a total of 6500SP.
Although half of the ingredients would be gone when making the Betrothal Elixir, I made it without hesitation.
A flash of white light passed, and a glass filled with iridescent water appeared in my hand where the Seed of Betrothal had been.
Ding!
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Betrothal Elixir.]
[Betrothal Elixir]
[An item of Eternity that can engrave the mark of commitment. Manufactured using the Seed of Betrothal by the Projectionist Eun Haesol.]
*Upon consumption, acquire ＜Minor Mark of Commitment＞.
“······.”
The engagement potion was ready, but I didn’t drink it right away.
Even if obtaining the ＜Inscription of Transcendence＞ would greatly reduce mental fatigue, I felt it was insufficient to endure the mental exhaustion that came from using Icarus’s Ring.
To bridge that gap, I needed to somehow enhance the efficacy of the Inscription of Transcendence. And I knew the way to do it.
The Inscription of Transcendence was an inscription engraved not on the body, but on the mind. However, since it was forcibly engraved by penetrating the mental barrier, the clarity of the inscription became sharper as it progressed.
If it was engraved on the surface, it was inferior; if it reached beneath the surface, it was intermediate; if it touched the profound base, it was superior.
But by temporarily removing the mental barrier…
“Even with an inferior Inscription of Transcendence, I should be able to engrave it clearly.”
The issue was how to remove the mental barrier and the fact that the impact of engraving on the defenseless mind, once the barrier disappeared, would be fatal.
It was not simply supporting the body with a stake; it was literally demolishing the mind. There was a possibility that the mind might collapse and go berserk. No, the likelihood of that happening was even higher.
‘But even if the mind collapses, once the inscription is complete, the mind will be restored.’
The Inscription of Transcendence was a force that kept the mind intact.
Even if the mind collapsed, it would eventually return to its original state.
Removing the mental barrier was not a big issue for me.
If I used Icarus’s Ring to its limits, the mental barrier would naturally collapse.
“It’s truly insane, but…”
Surprisingly, it was worth a try.
Of course, there would be tremendous pain involved in destroying the mind.
“Phew.”
Taking a deep breath to calm my mind, I used Icarus’s Ring after slapping my cheeks. The moment I sat down, my body staggered.
As if a dam had burst, my mind was rapidly sucked out through Icarus’s Ring.
My head filled with white, gradually becoming unable to think at all. My vision blurred, and consciousness crumbled away.
As my last trace of consciousness was about to extinguish, the potion of engagement flew into my mouth and seeped in.
It was Gram’s manipulation of his own magic, shared with me.
[You have consumed the potion of engagement. The ＜Inscription of Transcendence＞ is etched into your mind.]
“…”
Instantly, excruciating pain surged through me.
It felt like splitting my head with a knife, smashing my brain with a pick, cells disintegrating at the molecular level, a pain so intense that not even a scream could escape.
Lightning struck in my mind, and a blue light flickered before my eyes several times.
Sensory organs flew away under the mental overload, and the autonomic nervous system went haywire.
Like a crashing wave, my heart rate soared rapidly, then calmed, only to malfunction continuously.
Trembling as if struck by lightning, I lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
“…”
Silence descended.
The room was filled with silence for a while.
After a few minutes passed…
[Congratulations! The ＜Inscription of Transcendence＞ has been etched into your mind.]
[…The Inscription of Transcendence is profound. The ＜Inscription of Transcendence＞ is promoted from ＜Inferior＞ to ＜Intermediate＞.]
[…The Inscription of Transcendence is profound. The ＜Intermediate Inscription of Transcendence＞ is promoted to ＜Superior＞.]
[Player Haesol Lee’s mind has collapsed. Restoration of the mind is complete.]
In the quiet space, status notifications appeared and disappeared in succession.
The next day. In the cool breeze that entered through the open window along with the morning sun.
“Ugh…”
I slowly opened my eyes, lying on the floor as if dead. Frighteningly, I checked my status window to regain my senses.
“Oh.”
▶ Passive Abilities
＜Intermediate Poison Immunity＞ Lv.1
＜Low-grade Curse Evasion＞ Lv.1
NEW ＜High-grade Invincibility Seal＞ Lv.1
The end of the passive ability list. A golden skill with the word NEW, indicating a newly acquired ability. As I read the skills listed there, my mouth dropped open, and a smile crept upon my face.
“High-grade. Wow, this is really something.”
Just obtaining intermediate level skills would have been enough to celebrate as a success, but to have one step further with high-grade. With this level, I could significantly boost my demonic abilities. I wanted to confirm it right away, but it was difficult at the moment. My mind was still a bit foggy from just regaining consciousness.
“Ugh.”
As I got up from the floor, there was no part of my body that felt sore. How long was I unconscious for this to happen?
“I’m late.”
Opening my smartphone to check, I had already missed the time to go to school by a long shot. Fortunately, the only silver lining was that it had only been past the first period.
If I had missed Kim Joo-hyuk’s second period class, he would surely have piled on the demerits. I leisurely got up and made my way to the sink to wash my face. Since I was already late for the first period, I had some time to spare.
***
“As announced last time, the intergrade tournament is scheduled for next week. I hope you all prepare thoroughly.”
End of the day. Ha Jin-woo standing at the podium spoke.
Gulp. The sound of someone swallowing echoed through the classroom like a cave. The intergrade tournament. The weight of that word had the classroom tense.
The annual intergrade tournament at Eternity Academy involved 1st-year vs. 2nd-year and 2nd-year vs. 3rd-year battles in a one-on-one tournament style. And unless there is a miracle, it always ends in favor of the higher grade.
Naturally, it doesn’t affect grades, but for outsiders and Eternity’s instructors who come to watch, it was a debut match for the new students.
And this year, there might be more students capable of causing a stir than expected. The students seemed to know this already as Cheon Woo-jin, Nikolai, and even I were glanced at.
“Huh? Me?”
How do they see me? I couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.
Sure, I obtained the ＜High-grade Invincibility Seal＞, but that doesn’t mean I can wield infinite demonic power.
While my mental strength is formidable, there are limits to the ‘Icarus Ring,’ the artifact that triggers the demonic power.
For instance, when I pushed the Icarus Ring to its limits while inscribing the Invincibility Seal the day before, the ring overheated.
And when a magical tool overheats, it becomes temporarily unusable. In the case of the Icarus Ring, it’s around half a day to a full day. It was a reminder that even the use of demonic power requires moderation.
As I pondered this, the explanation about the intergrade tournament continued.
“As advice, do not fixate on victory or defeat. Even if you lose, approach it with the mindset of showing all you’ve got. It will be good for your future.”
Ha Jin-woo’s words were true. Those who come to observe the intergrade tournament do not pay attention to the immediate victory or defeat of the students. Such victories or defeats were merely superficial and subject to change.
What mattered was the ‘potential.’ The potential was the compass that showed how much stronger a student could become in the future.
“Of course, even though I said not to fixate on victory or defeat, if there are those who can’t do anything and end up losing, it would be wise to prepare yourself.”
After finishing his speech, Ha Jin-woo gave out a few assignments, concluding the day, and as the students left, the tension that had permeated the room dissipated.
The classroom quickly turned into a buzzing hive of excitement. Ignoring the excitement, I got up from my seat to leave the classroom. But someone’s voice halted my steps.
“Are you busy right now? If not, I have something to say…”
I blinked and looked at the student blocking my way. With a stylish pose and one hand holding his head, the student was Eun Ga-ye.