Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Wish Ticket Victory
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The dagger's effect was spot on. The moment Han U-sol pulled it out, my anxious mind immediately calmed down.
Of course, my worries hadn't vanished, and my troubled feelings lingered, but at least I wasn't tormenting myself with dark thoughts alone. The hallucinations stopped too.
But the dagger had one fatal flaw: I couldn't touch it. I had no idea why, but whenever I tried, it zapped me like static electricity.
But who am I? I'm the type who always finds a way. I'm Korean, after all—we always figure it out.
If I couldn't carry it myself, I just had to make Han U-sol carry it for me, right?
"Secretary Han? I'm heading to the vending machine. Follow me."
"Haha... Um, sure."
And if I kept him close by my side at all times? Perfect. I'm a superstar, after all.
As I stood up from my seat, Han U-sol rose too, the dagger's hilt strung on a cord around his neck.
"Door."
"Got it."
Han U-sol took the lead and opened the classroom door. I strode out regally, leading him toward the vending area.
"Don't fall behind."
"Okay."
The dagger's range was pretty limited. Maybe two meters at most. So I kept Han U-sol as close as possible.
I bought some snacks from the vending machine and brought them back to the classroom. Sitting down and munching on cookies made me thirsty.
"Water."
"Here."
Han U-sol poked a straw into a chocolate milk pack and handed it over. I'd said water, but chocolate milk? How did he know I like it? My secretary really has a knack for this stuff.
"Mm."
I nodded in satisfaction, and Han U-sol's face lit up.
"Ooh! Just one sip!"
Reisi came running from across the room, deploying her "one sip" maneuver. I hesitated for a second—well, a little wouldn't hurt. I decided to share a bit with her.
"Secretary Han, five Choco Clusters."
"Sure."
Han U-sol handed five Choco Clusters to Reisi.
"Ooh, thanks."
"...What are you guys doing?"
Yoon Na-rin stared at us in disbelief from the side.
Having Han U-sol tag along has made my body and mind feel so much better lately.
Of course, once I return to the dorm and I'm alone, the unease creeps back in. But at least at the academy, I'm at peace.
Still, the root problem remains unsolved.
My magic power that refuses to grow. The negative thoughts that keep flooding in unbidden. And the hallucinations.
The negative thoughts and hallucinations get especially bad when I'm alone in my dorm room.
"Hm..."
It's fine at the academy, but if it's like this in the dorms, what about the weekends? I can't exactly drag Han U-sol back to my room.
The academy dorms have strict rules. Curfew and outings are lenient, but non-residents entering rooms are tightly controlled.
"...What if I put the dagger in a plastic bag?"
It wouldn't touch my skin that way. I could bring it to the dorm and set it on my desk—might work.
...Feels kinda like an air freshener.
Not the classiest, but worth a shot.
I finished my shower and sprawled out on the bed like a starfish. The room was quiet.
[Halfwit.]
And there it was—as if the peaceful silence was unacceptable, the voice struck my ear.
[A halfwit whose magic power won't grow.]
Mix and melt all you want, but how much of you is there really?
Your body from this game world, soul from the previous one.
Your flesh and soul are already split in half.
A walking contradiction like you has no business talking about blending in.
"Ah."
Shit.
I swallowed the curse that slipped out. The voice echoed in my head.
[Why isn't her magic power increasing?]
I don't know, asshole.
What am I supposed to do when it won't grow no matter how hard I squeeze every drop in training?
[She's amazing, Anis. I'll try harder too.]
Me, amazing? Where? No, you'll get way stronger, so don't. You're the protagonist. Whatever happens next, you'll handle it all.
[If not for Miss Harper, we wouldn't have deployed in time...]
No. Even without me, it would've been fine. You'd have stopped the traitors and saved everyone.
I got lucky. I was just stupidly brainwashed, but somehow landed a lucky hit and got praise I didn't deserve.
[Come to the church starting tomorrow, devotee Anis.]
...That cult freak. Brainwashing bastard.
Why? Why did I fall for it so easily?
I overcame it. I resolved myself.
To melt in. To blend.
To forget it all and start fresh.
I thought I'd accepted it. Thought I'd been accepted.
[Anis's magic power isn't increasing.]
Guess not. I was wrong. In the end, I'm just a foreigner in this world.
Increasing magic power is the natural order for natives... the rational way.
But not me. I'm irrational.
A contradiction shouldn't expect rationality. Ah, I get it now.
[Pray to the Lord, devotee Anis.]
Bullshit. God never answered my prayers. Never listened, so never saved me.
Not even when I hanged myself in exhaustion—the only thing that pitied me was that rotten rope that snapped.
...Yeah. In my past life too, only that old rope took pity on me.
[Forgive me... Ah, my Lord...]
God.
I don't believe in that crap.
God is for broken people only.
I'm still fine.
[Excellent! Anis Harper!!]
No, Baldy, shut up for a sec.
"...Ah."
Ugh.
Ughh.
I wish tomorrow would come soon.
I plugged my ears and closed my eyes.
Night passed quickly, morning arrived.
Once I left the dorms, reached the academy, and met Han U-sol, my turbulent mind settled instantly.
Clang-!
The clash of metal rang out, and the sword flew from Han U-sol's grip.
I pointed my spear at his throat.
"Urk."
"I win!"
It was practical training class—a spar with Han U-sol.
Reisi, nearly mastering dagger arts, was getting interested in other weapons. This match was like a sampler for her, showing off various arms.
"Wish ticket acquired!"
"Mm..."
Conveniently, Han U-sol was handy with a sword, so to settle last time's bet, I challenged him to a match with a wish ticket on the line.
I have no clue what he was thinking, but he blushed and accepted readily.
Of course, since it was to show Reisi proper technique, we restricted abilities. The result? My victory, naturally.
Without his powers, Han U-sol was just a strong wild boar. No big deal for me.
"What do you think, Reisi? That's the feel of the spear."
"Cool! So romantic! I wanna learn spear too!"
I started teaching an enthusiastic Reisi the basics of spearwork.
Han U-sol just sulked on the sidelines.
'Heh heh. What should I make him do with this wish ticket.'
As I corrected Reisi's spear stance, I chuckled inwardly.
"...Hm."
I pondered what to ask for, but nothing specific came to mind.
Because Han U-sol does whatever I ask without needing a ticket anyway.
"Mm."
I thought deeper, but still nothing.
'I'll save it for later, use it when I need it.'
No rush now; it'll come in handy someday.
'...Make him confess to Na-rin?'
That could be fun.
"...They're fighting well."
Yeriel gazed out the principal's office window. Her golden eyes fixed on the two sparring in the training grounds.
The black-haired girl and white-haired boy.
Opposite in appearance and origin. They really didn't match, she thought.
"Indeed."
Fergus replied offhandedly without looking up from his book. Clearly not listening properly.
"......"
Yeriel shot him an irritated glance, then reached for his book.
"Hm?"
She snatched it away and began reading aloud.
"...This lewd nun. She says no, but her body is honest. You like it here, don't you? Flooding like..."
"Uwooo!!"
Fergus reacted wildly—uncharacteristically—and yanked the book back.
"Wh-what are you doing, Lady Yeriel?!"
"...You were so engrossed you ignored me. I wondered how fun it could be."
Pity flickered in Yeriel's eyes.
"A-hem."
Embarrassed, Fergus cleared his throat, closed the book, and changed the subject.
"...By the way, that magic circle found in the church basement wasn't for summoning magic beasts—it was for extracting impure energy."
"......I see."
Impure energy. Extracted by sacrificing humans, injectable into magic beasts to boost their power.
Yeriel knew it well—she'd used it once before.
She turned back to the window.
The black-haired girl and white-haired boy chatted closely, seeming quite friendly. Anis Harper and Han U-sol.
Still didn't match. Not in looks, not in birth. Fundamentally opposites.
She hadn't expected them to get this close.
"Lately, magic beasts have been appearing suddenly in the city. All emerging from summon stones someone planted. We handled them without major damage, thankfully."
"Couldn't catch the planter?"
"Even tracking heroes only nabbed small-fry villains. Probably has trace-erasing or teleport powers."
"...I see."
"That's why we've captured a lot of beasts this time. Taming them all will be tough."
"...Yeah."
Yeriel sighed, stood, and glanced out the window once more.
'...Her magic power still hasn't increased.'
Strong kid.
...Hope it's not too late.
She murmured to herself, gestured lightly at the air, and vanished.
With Yeriel gone, only the sound of Fergus turning pages lingered in the office.
"The nun who tasted a man and fell... Hot."