Chapter 95
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Going to School
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The Academy is the empire's largest educational institution, and this is no exaggeration but plain truth.
First off, its area is the largest.
It's no overstatement to say that the entire western quadrant of the capital—divided into east, west, south, and north—belongs to the Academy, an expanse larger than many cities.
Even compared to the universities of the United States from her previous life, it was several times bigger, enough to host diverse businesses within its grounds and sustain its own economy.
It was a true academy city.
And what first caught the group's eyes was the massive, majestic main gate befitting its scale.
A marble arch towering as high as a high-rise building, engraved with the motif of a golden dragon symbolizing the empire intertwined with a blue serpent representing wisdom.
[Those who seek to stack truths to reach the stars, gather here.]
"Wow, it looked impressive from afar, but up close it's even more stunning than I thought."
So-hyang admired the gate's appearance but was even more impressed by the calligraphy of the inscription above it.
It wasn't just masterful penmanship; the words themselves seemed infused with some enlightenment.
An inexplicable energy flowed along the strokes' centers, drawing in and circulating the natural qi.
The effect appeared to be merely illuminating the characters at night, but what was remarkable was that it persisted eternally.
Without the slightest consumption or damage—as long as it wasn't destroyed externally—it would shine forever.
If her Bright Mystery Sword Art's Eternal Spirit minimized losses near zero, this had truly zero loss.
The difference between the two was subtle yet clear.
"It's big... so big...? Uh, eek...?"
Il-ho, meanwhile, was simply overwhelmed by the structure's sheer size, mouth agape.
He had seen tall buildings before, but a single edifice this enormous was rare.
Today was a nonstop parade of wonders.
Animals stranger and more wondrous than in his dreams, scary yet fascinating magic shows, tear-jerking tales...
It was so joyful it felt almost frightening.
Was it okay for him alone to see all this without his lifelong family?
Sorry, uncomfortable—unease began to creep in—
"Well, shall we go?"
Just as his thoughts turned negative, So-hyang placed a hand atop his head and gently stroked it.
"Uh, y-yes..."
Without a word, it felt like she'd read his heart, reddening Il-ho's eyes.
So-hyang's expression naturally grew wistful.
"Aigoo..."
A band of killers who lived blindly like walking corpses driven to desperation; raised among them, he could have been worn down of humanity and steeped in murderous intent...
"He's too pure-hearted instead..."
Kind. Innocent. Exceptionally good-natured.
No matter how desperate their situation, how could they neglect such a gentle child?
The more she thought, the more resentful she grew toward the Shadow Palace folks.
Maybe she'd roll them around until they begged for death to vent her frustration.
Magic is dangerous knowledge that can be misused, so unlike schools in her previous life, it couldn't be freely accessible to the public.
"We sincerely welcome you to the Academy. What is the purpose of your visit?"
Inside the main gate, at the reception desk—the actual entrance to the Academy—they had to formally obtain passes.
"I've come to consult with the professors and audit a few lectures."
"Hmm, sorry, but... did you make an appointment in advance?"
Entry for outsiders excluding students, staff, and on-site merchants was quite strict; allowing personal visits like So-hyang's was rare...
"I didn't schedule anything specific, but they said showing this would suffice?"
How could even imperial authority be denied?
"...This person is Her Highness the Third Imperial Princess's esteemed guest, so I request permission for entry."
Especially with the capital's guardian general accompanying—the Academy's strictness crumbled...
Like sugar candy.
"Th-the Imperial Dragon Seal!? Southern General!? Eek!!"
The receptionist paled, bowing repeatedly asking to wait a moment, then dashed off at breakneck speed to fetch a superior.
"Th-the inspections ended last month, didn't they? What on earth is the reason—no, we absolutely don't intend to bar entry, but could you at least explain...!"
"...Sigh, there's no grand reason; Her Highness's friend here is just personally interested in the Academy. Wants to audit lectures and chat with professors."
"Ah, I see..."
The security captain's face still held unease, but he wiped sweat in relief.
"...Hm, judging by the reaction, entering like this might cause quite a stir?"
"Gyaah!! No, no! We'll notify internally and handle the formalities properly—!"
"No need for that much..."
So-hyang didn't want fanfare or grand welcomes; she just wanted to pick up some knowledge and leave. Campus chaos disrupting classes would be worse.
The solution was simple.
Dress to blend in—no one would bat an eye at students in uniforms.
Black fabric adorned with blue embroidery harmoniously weaving snake motifs into tops, bottoms, and outer robes—a standard uniform to foster student camaraderie and solidarity.
"...Wow, sturdy, huh?"
Proving its cradle of sorcerers, it was enhanced with various spells for reinforcement and convenience.
Superior comfort was basic; its defensive prowess rivaled a warrior's protective gear.
"Ugh, it's a bit big for me...?"
Il-ho, smaller than his age peers, clutched the flapping sleeves and hem-tripping skirt, looking woebegone...
"Hoho, please wait a moment."
The embroidery—serving as spell formulas—glowed, swiftly contracting the fabric to fit perfectly; he gawked, mouth open.
"Wh-what? The clothes shrank—or did I grow? Eek?"
But So-hyang had issues.
"...Hm, it's tight."
"Pardon? We brought the correct size..."
"Yeah, height-wise it fits..."
Her overwhelming presence filled the chest completely; the ties simply wouldn't fasten.
"Wh-what..."
"Ahahaha..."
The design suited average Central Plains women's builds.
"Looks like I can't wear it?"
Limbs fit fine, but bust and hips strained to burst; waist was baggy.
The baggy waist clung perfectly upon contraction, but other tight spots wouldn't yield.
Who knew buying off-the-rack clothes would highlight why she made her own; So-hyang smiled awkwardly.
"...Uh, um, please wait a moment."
The receptionist head squeezed eyes shut against the flush-inducing sights and rushed to the storeroom.
"Due to the spells on the fabric, it contracts but doesn't expand—hence the issue. We accounted for some leeway in sizing..."
Yet women's sizes couldn't accommodate; he brought men's wear.
"Ah, this should work."
Donning an oversized full set and activating the spells finally completed the change.
"Phew..."
As the head sighed in relief, Il-ho tilted his head, questioning the general.
"But we're hard to recognize just swapping clothes, yet won't someone know your face, General?"
As one of the four Golden Army generals—a public figure—recognition was likely; Il-ho's concern was valid.
"...Tch, to hide properly, gotta change the body too."
Acknowledging without retort, the general adjusted his flowing internal energy through meridians, restructuring his physique.
His over-seven-foot frame shrank to average height; soldierly features softened to mild, ordinary ones.
-Crack, crunch, grind!
Bones snapping and grinding, in a blink he became another person.
"My goodness, incredible!"
Il-ho couldn't hide his shock.
Disguise was an old friend to assassins; he'd studied martial arts-based transformation techniques.
But disguise typically manipulated facial muscles for expressions or posture for misperceived builds.
Even amplifying with internal energy, fully restructuring the body was beyond norms.
Skeleton compressed, skin texture altered—even irises subtly changed.
Essentially a different person, all in an instant...
Too refined to dismiss as mere trickery.
"Yeah, impressive...?"
So-hyang admired too.
But for different reasons: not just exterior, the internal balance was flawless.
For disguise, excess perfection unnecessary—quality sufficed.
Yet the general's reassembled skeleton and muscle fibers perfectly, stable for intense action.
This was mere byproduct of ultimate body control.
Familiar methodology. Sense of kinship.
"Hmm."
Her mouth watered; eyes gleamed sweetly.
Different type from experts she'd faced.
Perfectly restrained, honed like a sharpened blade.
Evoked well-trained special forces from past life—rigid poise.
And a fist master, centering on fists.
His flesh durability rivaled Gang Qi, permeating rather than coating to manifest Indestructible Diamond.
"Hnnng..."
Breath quickened; cheeks flushed.
"...Don't look like that; gives me chills."
Shall I slice a bit?
Hard enough to repel her sword? Whose skin superior?
Pure strength couldn't match her unsealed, but durability...?
And such a master's ultimate techniques—how unique, stimulating...?
Friend or not, just go for it?
"......"
Cold sweat beaded on the general's neck; toes gripped.
Could she really...?
"Hey, just stared intensely and you glare like I'm sinning! That hurts my feelings!"
So-hyang brushed off the whim cleanly, bursting into bright laughter, slapping his back.
"You're insane, really..."
The general sighed at the madness felt in that instant.
Not just the ominous gaze.
Observing her as she'd observed him.
Result: spine-chilling maniac.
Typically, profound experts had steady strides, balanced torsos.
But So-hyang's varied.
Not from low skill or hiding; she naturally chose optimal steps each moment.
Considering terrain, surroundings, natural qi flow, even humidity.
Breathing, blinking—even petting the child's head or wiping cheeks...
Always pondering a sword swing in any direction.
High-level warriors maintain readiness, but hers teetered on the brink of action—paranoid compulsion evoking frontline trauma.
Yet she maintained it without tension, vigilance, enmity, or killing intent.
Soldiers on constant alert suffer mental exhaustion; she was serene as everyday.
Mirror-still mind had limits.
Even creepier: her level unguessable.
Movements screamed expert, yet no detectable internal energy.
Even profound senses caught no qi.
Not unreadable level—felt like powerless mortal.
Impossible without absent dantian; baffling.
Ethereal harmless shell clashing with alien menace.
The general hid emotions but inwardly fatigued.
What could he do? A soldier.
Obey orders, fulfill duty.
"...Phew, we'll enter campus like this; inform superiors accordingly. Purely escorting the guest—no other intent; tell the Academy not to misunderstand."
"Yes, sir."
Nodding quietly, the head reeled inwardly.
A general personally escorting—her Highness's friend or not...
Even her Highness rarely warranted this.
How exalted to need a transcendent expert's close protection?
New consort? Successor to the late Empress? Looks fit...
Thoughts endlessly tangled.
Actually surveillance, not protection—but outsiders couldn't guess.
Anyway, So-hyang and company strolled the campus.
Diverse faculty buildings interspersed with lawns and landscaped trees.
Students sauntered leisurely or rushed urgently, immersed in studies.
"See? Third spell's way faster—four, five times—drawing sigils plus mudras and chants, right?"
"Bullshit; draw array with feet, mudras with hands, chant too? You got two brains?"
"...I do?"
"-What, how...?"
"Cough...! Urk..."
"Fuck! Internal injury! You madman!"
"But... cough... success?"
"Success my ass—you're dying!"
Male students sprawled on grass amid books, debating fervently.
"Senior, you'll really be good to me?"
"...Yeah, promise. It's not much, but... take it?"
"Oh? Frost Roses? So rare...?"
"Summer now; good for vase or experiments."
"Thanks, Senior—no... Oppa."
Male-female duo exchanging affections, pink aura glowing.
"Mm, heartwarming."
Youth learning, loving—how admirable.
A soft smile graced her face.
"...Hey, look over there."
"Look my ass—you're dying, psycho! Medical hall qui—...ck."
The convulsing, vomiting student; his paling friend...
"Uh-uh..."
"Oppa? Oppa! Senior! Where you looking?!"
Even the whispering lovebirds—her gaze drew all eyes.
"Everyone's so pretty."
So-hyang met stares openly, smiling brighter, waving cheerily.
"Senior! Th—this...! Hey!"
"...Eh!? No, not like—"
"Forget it! Eat the roses yourself!"
Blossoming love crushed.
"...Who is she? No way we'd miss her in our department—"
"Wow, that face, those breasts, wow..."
"-Hey, why'd your hemorrhage stop?"
"...? What's that... holy shit, true?"
Dangling life revived.
"Mm, splendid weather."
Truly, summer.