61
······Somewhere in the Academy, where the waves of learning illuminate the night sky.
Noah, seated on a rocking chair, gazed out the window in silence.
“Master, the tea has gone cold.”
“Tasha’s tea is tasteless.”
“Is that so.”
“Yes. It’s plain water.”
Noah, who coolly responded to the gloomy voice, continued watching the procession of learning like a constellation and asked.
“Tasha, do you remember the Phoenix?”
“Yes, I last saw it at the northern gate of Songwaljeong in Seoul on May 13, 1944, at 16:08.”
A woman dressed as a secretary, narrating as if handling a record.
She was a being brought to life by infusing life into the magical stone of Noah’s family that he had carried since childhood, a companion who had shared centuries of life with him.
But 1944, that was a long time ago.
“It’s been damn long.”
Noah smiled as he recalled the scene as vividly as yesterday.
The Phoenix, a research steed he had been studying with, foolishly clinging to life extension in pursuit of “Eternal Oblivion.”
“You know, Tasha, I saw the Phoenix today.”
“Is that so. Surprising.”
“Yes, I was truly shocked.”
Noah recalled the Phoenix he had seen just a few hours ago in the field.
Compared to the glorious and grand Phoenix she had seen in the past, this one was small and young. But it was still the Phoenix. That’s why it bothered him.
He used to be her companion in the past, but now he was a steed completely different from what he used to be.
Of course, if it were just that, Noah wouldn’t have been concerned about Ihaesol.
There was no law stating that no one else but him could use the Phoenix as a steed.
She was truly surprised by something else.
“Morudo.”
An entity that crossed over from the crack, a darkness spirit equivalent to a lord.
When Noah sensed the lad’s energy at the academy, where he came to enjoy the creation, he was taken aback and dashed to the field in a hurry. Witnessing the lad who had obtained a host, Noah tried to get rid of Morudo.
However, she had to change her mind when she saw what followed.
“To drive Morudo away.”
Noah’s expression, reminiscent of Haese-yeon who was being restored by Haesol, turned cold.
Since separating Morudo, who had begun to decay, cleanly from the host was an impossible task even for her. She knew that there was only one person in the world who could accomplish this.
The one who opened the dimensional crack, the man who first served the phoenix, and the man who later became known as the Great Mage of Annihilation.
“Yujin.”
Once a more trusted comrade than anyone else, Noah gritted out the name of the man who had turned into an enemy. And then, another name came to mind.
“Haesol,”
For some reason, he seemed to possess abilities akin to the Great Mage of Annihilation.
The things that the lad, who was once called a hero before becoming a mage, used.
“Descendant?”
As Noah, that was the only speculation he could make.
Both had the same black hair, born from the same bloodline with black eyes.
“Tasha, investigate the background of Haesol from Class 1-1. Every detail from birth to entering the academy, leave nothing out. There must be some connection with him.”
“Yes, Master.”
Tasha, clearing the teacups, tied her apron.
Noah, regaining his appetite, asked.
“But what’s for dinner tonight?”
“Bossam and beer.”
“As expected, Tasha.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Looking up at the night sky with stars twinkling, Noah smiled happily.
—
Several days had passed since the creation. However, the students of Class 1 remained cheerful.
Our class had achieved first place in the creation competition across all grades, which explained the smiles on the faces of the students.
Seeing the lad who seemed the happiest, I clicked my tongue.
“Are you that happy?”
“I never said I was not happy?”
Amelia turned her head slightly, trying to hide her excitement.
Well, having directed the class to victory, it was natural for her to feel proud.
After all, Amelia had never achieved first place in Eternity Academy, always settling for mediocre grades between 2nd and 5th.
The lad who had always received average grades, even though it was a team effort, felt proud to have led the class to victory.
“Thanks to you, I received a scholarship and a magic wand.”
“Well, there’s no need to thank me.”
Contrary to her words, Amelia’s lips curved up in a slight smile.
The point was that she wasn’t aware of her own smile.
“Come to think of it, the results of the fantasy performance were announced.”
Amelia perked up her ears at my muttering. Not only did she participate in the joint performance, but she also directed the fantasy play in the field of magic.
However, she seemed too expectant for me to ask first, with only her ears slightly open, she pretended to be engrossed in the rune notes borrowed from me. She’s copying parts again, that girl.
Letting out a bitter smile, I felt a strange desire to tease her.
I can’t resist this.
“Um, what place were we in?”
“······.”
As I stroked my chin, Amelia’s head subtly turned towards me. Her hand that was transcribing notes had stopped moving without her notice.
“Weren’t we second place in our group?”
“···Ah.”
Amelia’s ears drooped.
Even a small sigh escaped her, and she hesitantly closed her mouth.
“Oh, we were first place.”
Amelia’s eyes twinkled as if asking when I lost my mind. I raised an eyebrow.
“Wasn’t it?”
“······.”
Unable to contain her curiosity, Amelia finally turned to me with an annoyed expression.
“Oh, so it’s first place, not second place?”
“Second place.”
“······.”
“Just kidding, it’s first place.”
“Ugh.”
“Hey, the fantasy performance······”
“Forget it.”
Amelia, visibly annoyed, abruptly stood up and stomped her feet as she left for the corridor. It seemed like she wanted to confirm the results herself.
“······I was going to say the results aren’t out in the corridor yet.”
I scratched the back of my neck.
I only heard through Jeongha that the results will be announced tomorrow, not today. Well, it’s true that we got first place, so I didn’t lie.
At that moment, a status window popped up in front of me.
[Scenario Complete: You have successfully completed the creation ritual.]
[You are rewarded with 3000SP.]
“Oh.”
My mouth slightly opened at the unusually large reward displayed in the status window.
‘Wait, isn’t this a big deal?’
From Noble mtl dot com
From preventing a bomb threat to Han Seyeon’s rampage, 3000SP is quite a generous reward. Still, it was unexpectedly satisfying.
‘If I gather enough materials, I might be able to project one more potion······’
I opened a window on one side of the status screen that read [Potion Replication in Progress].
▶Replication Mage Han Seyul Lv.1
【Replication of the Red Elixir is in progress.】
[Replication Progress 48%]
[Estimated Time Required: 36:17]
Twenty red flame potions have been accumulated, so I guess it’s time to stop replicating them.
While having plenty of potions was good, the cost of materials was no joke, making it unreasonable to replicate them freely. It was better to either replicate a different potion or simply take a break.
The issue was that not every potion could be replicated easily. It required projecting through SP and materials, and depending on Hansol’s replication level, there were restrictions on the types of potions that could be replicated.
Currently, Hansol’s level was 1. To become useful, one needed to build up reputation and achievements to increase their level.
—
▶ Potions Available for Replication
─ Lowest Grade Red Flame Potion (20 in possession)
─ Lowest Grade Blue Flame Potion (0 in possession)
—
“A blue flame potion…”
Since potions boosting magic were not a priority, I hadn’t even projected them yet. Still, having them might be better than having nothing.
I could even offer them to others for a buff if needed.
“There might come a time when I need to use them.”
Considering the upcoming “Eunga Invasion” episode, it seemed wise to have them ready.
The problem was that I wasn’t sure how effective the blue flame potion would be on people in this world.
For some reason, it seemed like the effects of Eternity Game potions were diminished for the people of this world.
Even so, compared to potions here, the effects were significantly better.
“It would be good to have a test subject.”
Just then, the classroom door swung open noisily.
Amelia, with her cat-like eyes, appeared, glaring in my direction. As our eyes met, she quickly turned her head away.
“I guess I can test it on her.”
It was when I, with a sly smile, decided Amelia would be the test subject for the potion. Eunga, with her bobbed hair, pushed her head forward.
“Hey, let’s play soccer.”
“I don’t want to. Go play alone.”
“Ugh, no fun.”
Waving her hand dismissively, I sent Eunga away and settled in the classroom, passing the time.
It was currently a self-directed physical education period.
A time to build friendships through sports.
For me, with a stamina of ‘4’, sports were not about friendship but about survival.
As I absentmindedly watched the flying soccer balls outside, Hansol-yeon, who had been studying next to me, suddenly complained of a stomachache.
If your stomach hurts, it hurts. I was curious why she was telling me, but feeling a bit guilty and having nothing else to do, I responded with a few words, engaging in some playful banter.
It was at that moment when I began to doubt whether her stomachache was genuine.
─ Announcement: Three students from Class 1-1 participating in the field experience learning are requested to report to the guidance room after school today.
Field experience learning.
Since the establishment of the school, it had been a real field experience conducted by rotating through each class.
One team per class, selected by the professors, so who would be chosen was entirely up to them.
To prevent prior contact between professors and students, the recommending professor was unknown.
“I hope I don’t get picked.”
The named individuals are Yi Haesol and Amelia. Today, three students, including Eungaye, were summoned to the student guidance room after school…
“It’s no big deal.”
They thoroughly selected mostly senior students.
Seeing the student guidance room, it was obvious it was predetermined.
***
Early June, Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.
Despite summer approaching, this place, surprisingly cool, was known for frequent monster appearances.
That’s why each faction had at least one branch in this dangerous area.
Certainly, from the air people exuded, Cheorwon here was different from reality.
Perhaps there were more mercenaries than civilians.
“Gangwon Province, it’s my first time here.”
“Me too.”
Amelia and Eungaye looked around in amazement.
In a reaction resembling children who had just come from the countryside, the welcoming guide chuckled as if finding them cute.
The two may be elite in words only; in reality, they were rookies who hadn’t even been to such dangerous areas.
They wouldn’t send kids under 20 to a dangerous area for training.
“Just so you know, monsters suddenly appear in the mountain wilderness, so you should be careful.”
The guide, a local from Cheorwon County, warned us meticulously, as if handling children, about every little thing.
He seemed to want to emphasize the danger, but it was a bit puzzling to warn about monsters when it wasn’t even about monsters or monsters.
“Look, she’s coming over there.”
A man looked at a woman walking with the head of a giant monster from afar with a reverent gaze.
A woman stepping forward with the head of a monster bigger than her body, moving meters with each step.
“Look at the speed, it’s insane.”
“Wow, is that a knight?”
Eungaye and Amelia exclaimed in awe. I, too, was secretly surprised.
Even if I had enhanced physical abilities, I couldn’t be faster than that. No, it would be impossible just to carry a body the size of that on one’s back.
“What on earth did she catch?”
As I pondered, the woman was suddenly close enough for her face to be seen. And…
“Huh?”
I blinked at the very familiar face. Eventually, as I recognized who she was, my eyes lit up.
“The timing is perfect.”
She was the person I had appointed for the most crucial role for the next episode.
“Nice to meet you. Do you all look familiar?”
Appearing in an instant, the guide greeted us with a smile. She was Seo Harin, the leader of the Dawn Guardians Team 1 and a knight of Baeg Eun, in charge of the most important role for the next episode.