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After Kim Taeyang gave his answer and left, a heavy silence settled over the room.
"Then I'll be going now."
Jang Han-nam rose from his seat with a stiff expression—the conversation hadn't exactly been pleasant—and headed out of the teachers' lounge. Baek Je-in followed with a light nod and farewell.
Left alone, Jeong Da-un rested his chin on his hand, quietly mulling over what Kim Taeyang had said.
'I want to get more comfortable with Spirit Descent and Spirit Lord Transformation first before deciding on a direction. Until then, could I possibly receive guidance from both of you?'
"Haha."
A dry chuckle escaped him. The kid had realized it was a tough choice and slithered away like a sly fox. He planned to drag this out, milking the best from both him and Jang Han-nam. Easier said than done—spouting such brazen nonsense without flinching in that atmosphere. Either he was unusually pure, or he was hiding a cunning streak beyond his years. One or the other.
<What's so funny that you're laughing?> Jeong Do-jeon, the ancestor spirit who had been watching quietly, furrowed his plump face and asked.
"Isn't it amusing? How many students that age wouldn't be tempted by an opportunity laid right in front of them?"
<Hmm...>
Watching Jeong Do-jeon stroke his beard in thought, Jeong Da-un felt confirmed in his judgment. Kim Taeyang had shown a prudence beyond his years. If he'd recited the names of disciples from his own past in front of other students, the reactions would have been worlds apart from Kim Taeyang's.
Not that he was dismissing Jang Han-nam, but no matter how masterfully one wielded Spirit Descent, toppling overwhelming foes ultimately came down to the absolute power of Spirit Lord Transformation. The realms reachable through effort alone could be perfected over time. But Spirit Lord Transformation was a domain ruled by each Shangju's unique talents and luck. Asymmetric power—methods limited or nonexistent to counter—that was the ideal essence of Spirit Lord Transformation in Jeong Da-un's eyes. That was why he only sought out students suited for the special lineage he taught.
<That brat's got way more devious intentions than you think.>
"That's a bit harsh, don't you think?"
But this time, Jeong Do-jeon wasn't convinced.
"Please don't bring up Miyeon. And is that something you say to a growing teenager?"
<Hmph. You're too soft. Haven't you seen the interview footage?>
Jeong Da-un recalled Kim Taeyang's acceptance interview video from right after the placement exam. The Kim Taeyang in that footage had been a far cry from the composed figure he'd seen today. As an orphan with no background or family to lean on, he'd come across as far hungrier for success than the other students. But the one he'd just spoken to felt like a different person entirely. The gap was so stark, it almost seemed like he'd undergone some dramatic change after brushing death.
"It's a tan."
No matter what Jeong Do-jeon said, Jeong Da-un intended to carve out time to teach Kim Taeyang personally. He liked that the boy hadn't dismissed Jang Han-nam and blindly accepted his own offer.
"Too good a talent to let slip away. He's got a lot in common with me, so teaching him won't be hard."
That nonchalant poise, unshaken even by the overwhelming presence laced with ancestor power from him and Jang Han-nam—something no freshman should withstand. Kim Taeyang carried the scent of an irregular, just like him. That was his first thought after their conversation ended.
"For now, let's keep watching."
The grade chair smiled as he stood.
Kim Taeyang's strike that pierced Shin Sua's barrier was a rare ability manipulating concepts themselves. If honed in time, he might become a trump card for the Shangju Olympiad starting this summer—that anticipation stirred in his heart.
"Whew, that gave me chills."
<What's with your homeroom teacher, going nuts to keep you?>
Gemma, who had stayed silent despite being dead, overwhelmed by Jang Han-nam and Jeong Do-jeon's presence, grumbled irritably.
"That guy's got a soft spot for gritty students. I look like a hard worker, don't I?"
<With that face, anyone would peg you as a natural talent.>
"Cut the looks-bashing. He probably took notice 'cause I endure training like a stubborn mutt."
<Hmm. No ulterior motives?>
Gemma's gaze slithered stickily over my ass.
"Spread that around, and the grape sergeant'll deck you. Married with two daughters."
<Can't even joke?>
"If I said the same to you, it'd be harassment. That a joke?"
<Hah... acting all stiff again. After sleeping in the same bed last time.>
"So, did I touch you? I did jack shit, why the bitchfit?"
<Just... thought you keep boundaries better than you look...>
"Should I treat you like I actually look, then?"
<O? Stiff elsewhere besides attitude?>
Why the hell was she throwing baseless sex jabs with those expectant eyes?
"......"
Our relationship rank was still just 1, so I knew it was light teasing, but my face heated up first. I'd said it to shut her up, but she wouldn't drop it.
<Blonde tanned delinquent boys without girl resistance do exist.>
"Shut it."
Gemma, hooked on teasing me, cackled the whole way to the cafeteria before switching topics.
<But seriously, how are you fine? Those two teachers weren't messing around. Pulled ancestor power into their pressure.>
"Huh? Was it that bad?"
<What? Playing tough?>
I shook my head. No lie—I hadn't felt a thing from Jeong Da-un and Jang Han-nam's ancestor-laced presence.
<Hmm, insensitivity like that might count as a perk.>
"What do you mean?"
Gemma stretched with interlaced hands behind her head. She'd changed into a form-fitting leather jacket at some point, thrusting her chest forward in a pose that was oddly erotic—I had to look away.
Anyway, those two teachers had amped their presence with genealogy power against a freshman? Were they sane? Infusing ancestor power into one's gaze wasn't hard for powerhouses like Jang Han-nam or Jeong Da-un. Borrow the ancestor spirit's strength and fire it through your eyes. Shangju from rootless families or those with freshly bought genealogies couldn't handle a gaze loaded with potent ancestor power due to low sync. Ancestors from historic noble lines carried accumulated power handed down generations, crushing foes under the weight of the disparity. Like air pressure birthing wind. The spiritual pressure from relative ancestor power gaps—commonly called genealogy pressure. To withstand it, you needed an equally ancient genealogy or substantial spirit power. In other words, my calm response under their pressure made no sense. What happened? I hadn't just endured—I hadn't felt any pressure at all.
Possessors of the trait 'No Genealogy' ignore all genealogy pressure.
Ah, so no genealogy means their pedigree flexes bounce right off. No skin in the game, no fucks given, huh.
...Wait, self-roast?
Still, immunity to genealogy pressure. An unexpected boon. Against the tough villains ahead, it'd be as clutch as wind pressure null and earplugs 5 in Monster Hunter.
<What're you mumbling about?>
"Nothing. Catch you after lunch."
I answered, and Gemma waved leisurely as she slipped into the ancestor-only cafeteria. Humming a tune—she must love today's ghost chow.
"Hm. Time to check."
Alone now without Gemma, I had breathing room. Before hitting the cafeteria, I decided to review the piled-up relationship updates.
"Let's see... hope the ranks went up."
Gong In-myeong's perception of you has risen from 'Interest' to 'Friendly'.
Negative image conversion bonus applied.
Relationship Rank: 0 → 2
Gong In-myeong is now more likely to accept your suggestions and orders in daily life and combat.
Gong In-myeong hit rank 2, solid. Mid-game he's OP anyway, so early relationship rewards taper off. Real payoff starts at 4. Then you get massive buffs for the Six Arts Yu prized—Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, Math. Rank 5 adds spirit power gains from mastering them. Music and Calligraphy are niche—maybe hype girls at talent shows or sway online comments. But Charioteering, Archery, Math boost driving, shooting, ballistics—practical gold. Best surprise: Rites. Accelerates spirit power from rituals and eases favor-gaining with manners for other relationships.
"Still, jumping two ranks at once ain't bad."
Not gunning for rank 8's 'Daesung Jisung Munseonwang's Heart-Pounding Private Lesson' that balloons spirit and ancestor power. Early story, and already this far? Good enough.
Next...
Baek Je-in's perception of you has risen from 'Wary' to 'Guilty'.
Negative image conversion bonus applied.
Relationship Rank: -1 → 2
Chance of extra medicine when requesting has increased.
Baek Je-in's basic. No more suspicion? Win. Her rewards are handy—rank 5 unlocks muscle massages for fatigue recovery on late health room visits. Key for smooth night ops. Helping transfer student Baek Yu-min next semester should seal it.
Scrolling slowly, besides Gong In-myeong and Baek Je-in, the relationship tree showed changes. Faces of U Hyo-chung, Shin Sua, Seol Romi, Mun Hee-jeong popped up in the clan tree.
"...Didn't expect connections this early."
Shin Sua made sense—we fought. But the other three, just spectators? Surprising they'd feel enough to register.
"Kinda curious, honestly..."
What're they thinking now? Curiosity won; I tapped Shin Sua's face in the interface.