87
Three days had passed since the Mind Combat class on Friday afternoon. Following the agreement I made to save Amelia, I tested the effectiveness of the potion as promised.
“How is it?”
“This time, it seems the effect is weaker. The magical power has increased by about 1.2 times. But, uh, I need to go to the restroom······”
“Go and come back.”
▶ Blue Blaze Potion
─ Strengthening range 1.2 to 1.3 times.
─ Duration lasts 8 to 10 minutes.
─ Side effect: Sudden transformation after 4 doses (Amelia).
“Is this sufficient?”
The detailed information about the Blue Blaze Potion was recorded in the status window.
Shortly after, Amelia, with a refreshed expression, emerged from the restroom.
“If you’re tired, shall we stop here for today?”
“No, I can do more.”
I tried to consider her well-being, but Amelia had a strange zeal to see through whatever she started, whether by her own will or by others’. Well, thank you from my end.
After a brief rest, we resumed the testing.
“This time, it’s this.”
I presented a freshly made Body Recovery Potion, just completed an hour ago in the workshop.
It seemed the potion, infused with vigor, was well-received when consumed.
“This one tastes fairly good, doesn’t it?”
Amelia wrinkled her nose at the potion, then suddenly opened her mouth.
“Phew…”
A warm breath escaped her lips.
Perhaps due to her body’s favorable response, Amelia reacted well.
Just by observing her reaction, one could roughly estimate the effectiveness. By the way, that’s a 7-point reaction.
‘The status window doesn’t show up for the Blaze Potion.’
When I gave her the original Body Recovery Potion before, Amelia’s status window appeared. However, maybe due to the nature of the Blaze Potion, this time the status window didn’t manifest.
“I feel like half of my stamina has been restored. It’s less potent than the last one.”
“Is it as difficult as the original?”
“Yes?”
“No, let’s stop there.”
“Do we need to do more?”
“No, later. I have something else to do.”
There was something to prepare for the upcoming final exams.
It was already 7 p.m.
Should I start by raiding the store first?
“I need to hurry.”
The store was about to close soon.
***
Time flew by quickly, and before they knew it, the first day of the final exams had arrived.
Under the guidance of the faculty, 400 first-year students were transported to Inje County in Gangwon Province via the warp zone.
The march came to a halt after passing through the checkpoint of the superhuman association and reaching a remote branch of the Taebaek Mountains.
“Attention!”
Among the 400 students standing in formation, the grade supervisor, Jeong Hae-jun, shouted in a commanding voice.
“As you all know, the top 20 students who excel in this final exam will be granted eligibility to take the superhuman qualification exam.”
In an instant, the students’ eyes sparkled like stars. The “superhuman qualification exam” was incredibly important to them.
Depending on whether they had the superhuman qualification or not, the areas they could access varied greatly, and their treatment in society was also vastly different.
Moreover, the eligibility obtained from the final exam was more special compared to other qualifications. It was the eligibility to take the “intermediate exam.”
Typically, one had to build up their record starting from the “lowest level” to obtain the superhuman qualification. However, passing this final exam would give them the opportunity to start from the “intermediate level” in one go.
“Obtaining the eligibility does not automatically make everyone an intermediate superhuman. In fact, there are students in your senior class who, despite obtaining eligibility, failed. So, focus and take the final exam seriously. The qualification exam comes next.”
“Yes, sir!”
After Jeong Hae-jun finished his speech and stepped back, the exam proctors stepped forward.
“I will now explain the exam format of the final exam. I will only say this once, so listen carefully.”
The excited students regained their focus and listened attentively to the proctors’ words.
“The format is simple. Somewhere in this mountain range, there exists a trace left by a certain ‘mine’ from the past. Even now, faint magic flows there. Find that ‘magic trace.’ You can form groups or engage in battles, it doesn’t matter. Only the first 100 people in line will qualify for the next exam. That’s all.”
As the proctor finished speaking, the assistants led groups of five students each into the mountains. And soon, it was my turn.
“Kim Dohyeok, Shin Yujun, Oh Deokseong, Nikolai, Lee Haesol. Come forward.”
As my name was called, I stepped forward and said to Han Seyeon, who was beside me, “You go first.”
“Sure, I’ll find it quickly.”
Han Seyeon smiled broadly. And suddenly, I tilted my head.
“Find it quickly?”
Usually, in this situation, isn’t it more appropriate to say, “Let’s find it in the ‘magic trace’?”
It’s not like he’s really going to find me in this vast mountain range, right… He must mean, let’s meet at the ‘magic trace.’
“Follow me, everyone.”
Following the assistant’s instructions, I set off deep into the mountains under the guidance.
***
Magic Trace.
It was a trace left by an absolute mind.
“The mind of oblivion.”
The trace left by that guy had not been erased even after a century had passed, contaminating the surrounding area.
Therefore, the vicinity of the forties was a ‘field’ thoroughly managed by the Association of Extraordinary Beings, not disclosed to the public. It was solely to conceal the existence of the forties.
It could have been erased at any time, but what was left by the former Grand Master was a precious teaching material for future generations.
Only those with the potential to become top-tier talents could come into contact with the forties.
It was a precautionary measure because there was a high probability that an ordinary person approaching the forties would be consumed by their magic.
The reason the instructors formed a ‘group’ was also for that purpose.
Even if they formed a group and tried to find the forties, only those with enough mental strength could access it. If left alone, things would naturally fall into place.
“Everyone, take one.”
As we ventured deep into the mountain range, the assistant distributed silver bracelets with magic stones embedded in them to us.
“When you infuse magic into the bracelet, the number of successful candidates and a map will appear. If you ever get into trouble, infuse magic every second. The Association will then dispatch a rescue team. I hope for a good outcome.”
Having finished his task, the assistant left us and descended the mountain. Only the novices, including Nikolaï, remained, looking back at me.
“Haesol, come with us. I’ll take you to the forties.”
The guy who had recruited three novices confidently stated.
Although I had no intention of forming a team, I shook my head.
“Thanks for the offer, but you guys go ahead. I prefer being alone.”
“Hmph, don’t regret coming late. Let’s go.”
Nikolaï grunted and then left. I chuckled at his departure.
“He’s quite a character.”
Despite being capable of being on my own, I couldn’t bring myself to leave the novices behind. He was an incredibly kind person who couldn’t be straightforward, leading to misunderstandings.
“Anyway…”
After confirming that there was no one around, I called Anastasia and Blue.
“Both of you, come out. I have something to ask.”
“Squawk!”
-…
Even without me verbally expressing it, the two who were mentally connected understood immediately what I was asking for.
As if riding on Anastasia’s words, Blue hopped onto her back.
Squawk! Squawk! Thud, thud!
Blue seemed discontent with Anastasia riding on top of me, chirping and hopping around. Of course, Anastasia didn’t even glance in my direction.
“Will this work?”
I stroked my chin, observing their combination.
The reason I had Anastasia sit on Blue’s back was to find the hidden forties.
Originally, to reach the forties, one had to follow faint traces of magic, but I didn’t possess the ability to read magic.
If I didn’t absorb the essence of Gram, I couldn’t even feel magic. I couldn’t possibly read magic. Unless it was directly related to seeing souls.
Blue could sense magic well, but couldn’t detect the remnants of magic to the extent needed.
Anyway, that was why I called for Anastasia.
Anastasia’s “eyes” were special.
As a natural light spirit, Anastasia could see all things without any ‘distortion.’
Therefore, even the mirage that unfolded to conceal her forty years could not escape Anastasia’s eyes.
The only problem was that Anastasia couldn’t ascend beyond a certain range, making it impossible to oversee the entire mountain range. But with Parang carrying her, the issue was easily resolved.
Whether Parang was truly discontent or just scratching the ground, I couldn’t tell.
“Just bring me to forty. Don’t eat me.”
“Ka-ak!”
As I tossed a ruby, Parang caught it in mid-air and soared up with a flutter.
In a flash, the creature disappeared to the other side of the sky. Watching it vanish, I spread the blanket I retrieved from my backpack and laid down with a thud.
“Ah, the view is to die for.”
This is bliss.
***
Meanwhile, shortly after Yi Haesol disappeared. Han Seyeon entered the Taebaek Mountains.
“Let’s stick together like this.”
“Shall we? From what I’ve heard, other kids might gather too.”
“Let’s do that. Since the instructor said it’s okay to form groups. It’s more advantageous.”
“Seyeon, what do you think? Will you come with us?”
Yi Haesol forced a smile that seemed apologetic.
“Sorry, thank you, but I want to search alone.”
“Oh, that’s a shame.”
“Can’t be helped.”
Seemingly unable to sway her with gentle yet firm refusal, the students gave up easily.
Everyone knew that once Han Seyeon made a decision, she rarely changed her mind.
“Han Seyeon, fighting!”
“Hope you find forty!”
“Yes! Fighting to all four of you!”
With a bright smile, Han Seyeon waved off the students, but the false grin vanished from her face.
Gradually, an eager smile, as if anticipating something, appeared on her lips.
“Hmm, where could Haesol be?”
In an instant, her eyes flickered blue.
And shortly after, a joyful laughter burst from her lips.
“Ahahahaha!”
It was the sight of Yi Haesol lying peacefully alone while everyone else was fervently searching for forty.
“Truly like Haesol.”
Han Seyeon had recently awakened her gift while suffering from a fever.
A gift is the ability to materialize one’s desires.
And Han Seyeon’s awakened gift was the Heavenly Eye, which could gaze a thousand li ahead.
The gift allowed her to search only for ‘one target’ with a demonic eye that surpassed human vision. To designate a target, contact with the target was necessary, and the duration of designation could increase or decrease depending on the frequency of contact. Even with the disadvantage of being difficult to maintain for long periods, the advantage was the ability to find the target no matter where or what it was.
Moreover, the owner of the Heavenly Eye possessed a terrifyingly superior peripheral vision that transcended human capabilities, making the Heavenly Eye the strongest gift in reading movements.
“Um~”
Hanse-yeon hummed cheerfully as she walked towards Yi Hae-sol, swaying to a tune.
***
······Meanwhile, at the summit overlooking the mountain range where the final exams were being held.
A picnic-like scene unfolded, with a blonde girl in a medieval dress, seated alongside a woman who bore a striking resemblance, possibly her family, on a red and white checkered picnic blanket.
The girl, poking at the bossam in the lunchbox with a fork, and Noah, raising a beer that Tasha had poured, enjoyed their meal.
“Mmm. The air here makes everything taste better, doesn’t it?”
After wiping her mouth, she gazed down the mountain.
Her eyes caught sight of a large stone etched with forty marks.
She had come this far with a group, leaving the city behind, for one reason: to confirm something.
“Hae-sol, are you certain about that child being an orphan?”
“Yes, I’m sure. We couldn’t find any information on him.”
“Hmm.”
‘Mahyeon’ or ‘Magic Marks’ had a unique characteristic.
Similar to DNA, if the unique properties of the soul matched, the traces of energy wouldn’t affect the mind.
Therefore, Noah, who couldn’t gather any information from Hae-sol, wanted to use this opportunity to confirm if Yi Hae-sol was indeed connected to the child of the end through this mark.
‘I wonder how it will turn out.’
Her golden eyes flashed yellow as she looked down at the field where the mark existed.
Yandere Radar Unlocked. She will find you.