31
The Academy was turned upside down by the Mine’s terror incident.
Although they tried to take advantage of the loosened guard due to the Inter-Grade Championship, the fact that the Mines infiltrated the Academy meant there were holes in the Academy’s security.
Moreover, the fact that casualties occurred among the students caused the Eternity Academy to face severe criticism from the superhuman society.
The threat to the students’ safety was a major incident that shook the foundation of the Academy.
Naturally, an investigation was conducted, revealing the shocking story that ‘Emerson Romano’ had aided the Mines’ infiltration.
It was later revealed that the Mines had targeted not only the Main Building but also Sando-dong, but this was quietly buried without being publicized.
Since there were no fatalities among the students, the Academy, which did not want to escalate the situation further, took the appropriate measures.
Of course, Emerson Romano did end up dying, but as he was the mastermind behind the terrorist incident aiding the Mines’ infiltration, there was no positive view of him. There were even stories circulating that his death was for the best.
After the incident was over.
Ha Jinwoo, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-1, was sitting in the faculty room facing a blonde woman.
“…So, are you saying you want to raise Cheon Woojin?”
“Yes.”
“As your disciple?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“…!”
The woman furrowed her brows, but Jeong Haejun was too shocked to continue speaking.
No wonder, considering who the woman in front of him was.
She wasn’t just a scourge of the Academy, no. She was a figure so powerful that even the title of the strongest fell short.
Now, living a secluded life near the heart of the Academy, her reputation was not as great as it used to be, but ‘half a century’ ago, she was the monster who mastered both sword and magic, a peerless genius who soared to fame.
The Witch of the Sword, Noah MacDowell, was a name so famous that even now, there was hardly anyone in the superhuman society who didn’t know her.
In the mid-20th century, during the ‘Night of Extermination,’ she alone subdued the named-grade mine that terrorized the entire United Kingdom, making her the hero, Noah MacDowell.
Although she appeared to be in her late teens, not even Hajinwoo knew how old she really was.
Asking Noah’s age was a taboo at the Academy.
“She must be over a hundred years old.”
That’s what a girl of that age would typically do.
But that wasn’t the important part.
“I thought you didn’t take on disciples?”
“Me? When?”
“Even when the Academy recommended taking on disciples, no one accepted.”
“You need someone exceptional to catch my eye.”
“Is Cheon Woojin exceptional?”
“Yeah, he’s not bad, right? It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a sharp kid. Although I’m not thrilled he’s from the Heavenly Clan.”
“…”
Hajinwoo blinked.
While it was rare news for the Academy that Noah was taking on a disciple, hearing such praise from her was undoubtedly a first in Hajinwoo’s life.
Even if he didn’t know, among those who could be considered giants in the current superhuman society, there was hardly anyone who hadn’t heard some praise or criticism of Noah.
This made him naturally curious. If Cheon Woojin was receiving such praise…
“What about Yi Haesol?”
“Who?”
“He’s the top student this semester.”
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“I don’t know.”
Noah shook her head.
Seeing her complete lack of interest, Hajinwoo quietly closed his mouth. Then, this time, Noah asked.
“But how come their weakness is the lower abdomen?”
The Cruels that appeared at the Academy this time were enough to surprise even Noah.
In the past, the Cruels that Noah had faced during her active days were in the early stages of development, not much different from ordinary demons. However, the ones that appeared this time were truly on par with the ‘Anti-Titans’ of the superhumans.
The ability to absorb and deflect magic, along with the ability to weaken Gifts, revealed how thoroughly the mine folks had researched superhumans over the years.
Yet, seeing superhumans who could exploit their weaknesses in a flash, even Noah couldn’t help but be curious.
Hajinwoo scratched his cheek.
“Well, a passerby informed me.”
“A passerby?”
“Yes, it was witnessed by an agent, but strangely, the passerby’s features were blurry, and the memory is fading…”
***
…On the evening of the day of the terrorist incident.
Due to sneaking out against the instructor’s order to wait at the training ground, I had to undergo interrogation all day long and could only return to the dormitory as the dusk fell.
Thanks to that, my body was sore, but looking at my status window, I could see that my tiredness had completely disappeared.
▶ Player Yi Haesol [Genius of Waterless Martial Arts]
[Stamina: 2(+2)]
[Strength: 1.2(+0.5)]
[Agility: 3(+1.3)]
[Endurance: 1.1(+1)]
[Dexterity: 3]
Possessed Gift: Transcendent Projectionist
Possessed Traits: ＜Advanced Levitation＞ Lv.2 ＜Stealth Block＞ Lv.2 ＜Ethereal Blade＞ Lv.5
Although physical abilities were still subpar even when wide awake, the crucial point was the overall increase in the levels of traits.
For instance, while the Ethereal Blade was merely capable of slightly moving objects before, at Lv.5, it could now exhibit feats akin to telekinesis. The Stealth Block also proved to be quite useful in various ways.
If the Stealth Block at Lv.1 applied only to me, the Lv.2 Stealth Block extended its effect to individuals in contact with me.
Perhaps when advancing to Lv.3, it might shift from contact-based to area-based application.
Regardless, the growth of traits was impressive, but the greatest achievement was undoubtedly the SP.
[Possessed Points: 11500 SP]
“You’ve really amassed a lot.”
The points earned solely from the recent terrorist incident amounted to a modest 8000 SP.
Of course, even with 11500 SP, the number of gifts that could be projected was not abundant.
To project something worthwhile, the SP I possessed fell significantly short.
Even the least expensive gifts started from 30,000 SP.
“Anyway, they’re ridiculously expensive.”
Curses involuntarily slipped out at the exorbitant prices, but that didn’t mean those gifts were entirely out of reach for projection.
There was a trick to drastically reduce the price of gifts.
Simply impose a ‘constraint,’ a triggering condition, on the gift.
A gift with a constraint imposed would require lower consumption for projection.
As the risk of the constraint increased, the effect became significantly pronounced. By skillfully utilizing this, it was possible to project good gifts cheaply and easily.
And I had already considered a gift to project through this method.
‘Physical Acceleration.’
＜Physical Acceleration＞ was not just about speeding up the body; it also slowed down the perceived time, making it a perfect gift to compensate for my significantly lacking physical abilities.
However, the projection condition was demanding.
Since ＜Physical Acceleration＞ accelerated both ‘thought’ and ‘physique,’ projection was only possible once control over both mind and body reached a certain level.
Of course, with ＜Advanced Levitation＞ Lv.2 and vitality in my possession, enabling control over both mind and body, all necessary conditions for ＜Physical Acceleration＞ were met.
Nevertheless, even with these stringent conditions, ＜Physical Acceleration＞ imposed a burden on the body each time it was used, resulting in lower SP consumption required for projection.
[Gift: Physical Acceleration]
[Projection Condition: Projection is only possible once control over mind and body reaches a certain level]
[Cost: 10000 SP]
[Projection condition fulfilled.]
[You have sufficient points for projection. Would you like to proceed with the projection?]
“Yes.”
Upon accepting the notification, my senses suddenly blurred, and the perception of time slowed dramatically.
The ticking of the wall clock elongated, the decrease in light filtering through the retina darkened my vision. A sensation akin to being submerged in water dominated my body.
Everything seen and felt flowed through the world in slow motion.
Ding!
[Congratulations. You have successfully projected to ＜Physical Acceleration＞ Lv.1.]
······It was the acceleration of the body.
***
Naturally, the day after the terror incident, all classes were canceled.
However, rather than letting things slide as they were, Infinity took it upon themselves to care for the students, considering the significant blow to the school’s image.
Under the pretext of potential contamination by Magi, all the students of Infinity underwent precise medical examinations in place of classes.
“Where did you disappear to without a word yesterday?”
In the waiting room of the infirmary, Eun-gaye asked.
Come to think of it, she seemed to have left without a word to anyone.
“Han Seyeon, where did you vanish off to again?”
Eun-gaye’s scrutinizing gaze shifting between me and Han Seyeon was far from friendly.
After all, with everyone who had been sitting on either side of her mysteriously absent, it was only natural for her to be suspicious.
To avoid any misunderstandings, I briefly explained yesterday’s events. Of course, I omitted the incident at the Dorm of Life. That would involve talking about Amelia and Mine. Eun-gaye’s eyes widened as she listened.
“…What!? You went to the main building? Are you okay?”
“Oh, I just went to take a look.”
That’s the truth. Cheon Woojin was the one who made a scene in the main building, and I only borrowed Gram from him. Without Gram, I wouldn’t have been able to catch a Kruth with my bare hands.
Relieved upon hearing that I had just been observing, Eun-gaye let out a sigh and nodded.
“…Sigh, always picking dangerous things to do with your weak constitution. What kind of confidence is that?”
“······.”
Unable to retort, I pursed my lips defiantly.
It was understandable, though. Eun-gaye, who had been relentlessly training with me for the Annual Grade Battle, knew better than anyone about my limited stamina. Anyway, as I had other duties in the infirmary, I got up from my seat.
“Are you going to cause another incident?”
“When did I ever cause an incident?”
“Do I have to know to ask?”
Feeling unjustly accused by Eun-gaye’s genuinely curious expression, I looked at Han Seyeon with pleading eyes, only to receive an awkward smile in return. Frustrated, I got up from my seat.
“So, where are you going?”
“3rd floor.”
“Oh, to see Amelia?”
Amelia’s injuries were known to everyone at the academy.
And since she was currently hospitalized on the 3rd floor of Infinity’s infirmary, it was only natural for Eun-gaye to ask. As I couldn’t leave the infirmary until the medical examination was over, I was actually going to the 3rd-floor rooftop to test the newly acquired physical acceleration. However, I also intended to drop by, so I left the waiting room without a word.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment, Amelia was lost in thought about the events of the previous day.
‘How did he know and find me?’
She wasn’t a fool.
The chance of Ehsol appearing when she was in crisis was so slim that it was almost unimaginable.
But that wasn’t the only thing that puzzled her. It was also about what she knew regarding the bracelet of the Black Fin Whale and the secret Ehsol had revealed before.
─Emerson, he said he could sense mana.
Even Emerson, whose secret even his cousin Ihaesol didn’t know, how did she come to understand it?
According to what she found out, it was confirmed that Emerson had indeed been secretly dealing with mages. It was safe to say that the possibility of Ihaesol coincidentally finding out was slim.
Even if it was a coincidence, it was impossible for such a rare coincidence to happen twice in a row.
“What, were you watching me all this time?”
When Amelia came to that conclusion, coincidentally the door to the hospital room opened, and Ihaesol entered. Her expression became strange.
“You’re awake.”
“Yes.”
“How’s your body?”
“I’m fine. But how did this happen?”
“What?”
“My body, being perfectly fine.”
Amelia looked at Ihaesol with a puzzled expression.
“Oh, that…”
I hesitated to say that Han Seyeon had treated me. If I mentioned that, I would have to reveal about Mordo as well. The fact that my guardian Nana and Han Seyeon used healing magic was even more unbelievable. In the end, I could only vaguely brush it off.
“I wonder if Eternity Ward is good at treating patients.”
“…”
Amelia’s expression became even more unreadable.
She knew best that her body had improved before coming to the hospital.
Although it was just a brief moment, Amelia remembered that fleeting moment when the poison seemed to have been washed away from her body.
However, sensing that something was being hidden, she didn’t pry. There was something she had to say before forgetting.
“Thank you. For saving me.”
On a spring morning when the sun shone through the window, Amelia smiled brightly.