The Angel Awakens to Reincarnation (2)
James stared at the boy Park Jinho had pointed out. His vivid golden hair gleamed like threads of fine gold thread, his emerald eyes sparkled with holy power, and his unforgettable face could pass for a child actor. Metaphorically speaking, it was as if sparkles of light danced only around that boy.
“Ah, that… the one who sacrificed himself in Yumari’s place during the spirit blessing…”
That was why Dean James had ignored Refri. A superhuman boy with such striking beauty becoming famous only now? Obviously, it meant he was a total newbie who had just awakened.
If he’d come from a superhuman family or a major guild, he would’ve been famous long ago… Even if not, if it had been a while since his awakening, he’d have blown up on SNS by now.
“Park Jinho Vice Principal.”
“What is it?”
“I may lack insight, but… to me, he looks like a boy who’s been awakened for less than a year. Am I right?”
“Spot on.”
Dean James spoke with disbelief.
“No, wait… You’re saying a boy who’s been awakened less than a year is stronger than the next clan head of the Moon Cat tribe?”
“Not at all.”
Park Jinho shook his head firmly.
“No, didn’t you just call him the top scorer earlier?”
“…Dean James.”
Park Jinho recalled the previous incident. Refri, who had stopped the purge of the Moon Cat tribe, who had challenged the holy sword without a care for his own body burning away. Refri, who hadn’t given up on Hexi even when his comrades had, who had stepped forward without hesitation even when he could’ve been torn apart by the rampaging Hexi.
Park Jinho always replayed those moments in his mind.
“What is the Academy’s purpose?”
“…To train strong warriors who will protect humanity.”
Dean James frowned. The Academy’s mission was to raise warriors to fend off the Demon King’s army—why was Park Jinho suddenly stating the obvious?
“No, that’s wrong.”
But Park Jinho thought differently.
“The Academy’s purpose is to create hope… That’s what this professor believes.”
He couldn’t believe his own words. That was the emotion Park Jinho felt right now. Why had he denied the goal of raising the strong? Why had he used such abstract language like “hope”?
“Do you mean that?”
James asked in surprise.
Turning his head, Park Jinho walked out of the swordsmanship department as he replied.
“If you’re not satisfied with the swordsmanship department’s students… go ask the other departments.”
It was a blatant deflection.
Dean James followed with a dissatisfied expression.
The next place James headed was Rusa’s martial arts department.
Rusa sat sprawled in a chair by the ring, greeting James with a cheeky grin.
“James, you’re still alive, huh.”
“War God? I heard you’ve been behaving since getting owned by Vice Principal Park Jinho… I didn’t expect you to turn over a new leaf like this.”
James looked around.
Considering Rusa’s violent and impatient personality… I figured the martial arts department’s classes would be a step below our Academy’s level.
Contrary to his expectations, Rusa’s martial arts department was running a proper class.
Her personality’s gotten better. War God, who the hell reformed you like this…?
Hiding his complicated feelings, James spoke to Rusa as if nothing was amiss.
“You heard from the vice principal, right?”
“Yeah, that reincarnation power tech you guys had. You’re handing it over to us?”
Rusa grinned playfully.
“Handing over? Don’t talk nonsense, Rusa.”
“Heh, such a stickler. So, what? You wanna see the top students from each department?”
“Yes. Especially first-years with less developed abilities. That way, the reincarnation awakening effect skyrockets.”
Rusa muttered, First-years? No need to even think., then pointed at one student.
“Then go with her. She’s the best.”
“Uh, that girl.”
Park Jinho looked at the student Rusa indicated. Flowing black hair, small horns, and the refined beauty unique to the Seocheon Yu family.
“Isn’t that the dragon lady of the Seocheon Yu family?”
“Yeah, I said there’s nothing to say.”
James beamed as he gazed at Yumari. Though the swordsmanship department had recommended some absurd boy for absurd reasons… finally, a proper talent.
Central Academy entrance exam top scorer. And from the Seocheon Yu family!
Yumari smashing combat puppets—James was entranced by her elegant martial arts, unable to look away…
“Ooh.”
That’s when he noticed. Even in the midst of sparring with the combat puppets, Yumari kept glancing at someone.
At the end of her gaze sat that boy again. The one whose desire to become a superhuman made no sense when he could’ve been a child actor.
“Wait, wasn’t that boy in the swordsmanship department?”
James muttered in disbelief.
Rusa’s words came flying with killing intent.
“Don’t spout crap. That kid’s in the martial arts department.”
“……”
“And my direct disciple. Got it?”
“W-Well… yes, understood.”
James tucked in his tail before the growling Rusa.
…Maybe I should test the waters.
Managing his expression, James opened his mouth innocently.
“For the reincarnation awakening target, that boy seems promising too.”
“…What nonsense is that?”
“No, he looks talented at a glance.”
“Of course he is. No. No!”
Rusa grabbed James by the collar and yelled.
“I’ll nurture that kid’s talent myself… Don’t even think about using some shady ritual like reincarnation awakening on him.”
“Guh!”
Thus, James was half-chased out of the martial arts department.
No way that boy’s dual-majoring in swordsmanship and martial arts? I heard there are fewer than twenty dual-majors in Central Academy… and they’re all monsters.
The most famous among them was Student Council President Yusihyun. The Seocheon Yu family genius known for triple-majoring in swordsmanship, magic engineering, and martial arts.
No way that boy has that kind of talent…?
James shook his head. No, a newbie not from a superhuman family or major guild couldn’t have such talent. There must be some misunderstanding.
But even Rusa acknowledged it. That the boy has talent. She even seemed to cherish him.
No way?
James shook his head, muttering in disbelief.
No, Yumari was the top entrance exam scorer. Hongwol was second, and that boy wasn’t even in the rankings. Means his talent isn’t that high. He’s clearly overhyped. Plus, he has holy power. Having holy power means…
Steeling himself like that, James headed to the magic engineering department.
“No, again?”
James no longer had the strength to be surprised.
Meanwhile, as Eastern Academy Dean James was losing his mind over the angel Refri hiding in every department…
A certain rumor spread among Central Academy students.
‘No way the Eastern Dean came here for nothing. He’s humanity’s top shaman—super busy.’
‘Then why?’
‘According to my dad’s intel network… he came to share Eastern Academy’s secret art, Reincarnation Awakening, with Central Academy.’
Reincarnation Awakening, Eastern Academy’s ultimate secret art. Students who succeeded gained potential on a whole other level.
‘Makes sense.’
‘What else you got…?’
‘He’s been touring with our professors and checking students. Why do you think?’
Thus, the well-connected students quickly guessed Dean James’s purpose.
‘Right now, James is picking students for reincarnation awakening. Can’t miss this chance.’
‘Rumor has it the professors are pushing some first-year named Refri.’
‘Refri? Volunteer club president Refri? The one who owned the student council?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Tch, he’s a big shot. Persuasion won’t cut it.’
Thanks to the club war incident, Refri had become somewhat of a recognized figure. The students quickly shelved plans for “persuasion” via threats.
‘Then let’s make it public.’
‘What?’
‘When selecting the reincarnation awakening target, judge fairly by soul rank. Strong past lives mean high soul rank, right?’
A few students confident in their soul rank existed. Needless to say, from superhuman families.
‘Don’t let the professors push Refri. Go to Dean James and demand a public selection for reincarnation awakening.’
And this proposal appealed to James too.
No way even Klein, who only knows magic, rates that boy so highly. Is there really something I’m missing?
James shook his head.
No, from what I’ve seen, that Refri boy is overhyped. Central Academy professors like Park Jinho still judge talent by personality.
Of course, James acknowledged Refri’s good personality. He took good care of those around him, picked up trash when he saw it, greeted the Academy staff warmly, and even fed snacks to the pink stray cats wandering the paths.
Of course, these small good deeds were Refri’s habit of farming angel power as naturally as breathing.
But unaware of that, James thought:
He’s a really good kid… but it can’t be helped.
He bit his lip.
No matter the personality… if you’re not born with special abilities or trained from childhood, you’re just a discard card.
James’s eyes gleamed. A divine light flickered in them.
Plus, Refri has holy power. I can no longer overlook those with holy power…
So, during tea time with Park Jinho, James naturally brought up the proposal.
“Of course, several professors recommended Refri… but there’s a fairness issue.”
“What are you getting at?”
“How about selecting a few more students, including Refri, and picking properly?”
Park Jinho’s eyes sharpened.
“Picking properly?”
“We’ll select students with strong past lives. More precisely, strong souls.”
“Fine. That method isn’t bad.”
Park Jinho nodded readily.
Huh? I thought Park Jinho, who favors Refri, would oppose.
James was a bit surprised at Park Jinho’s easy agreement.
“Then let’s set a date soon.”
Watching James rise slowly, Park Jinho hid his blooming smile.
Refri possessed monstrous holy power even a saintess acknowledged. He was loved by the heavens enough to forcibly draw the holy sword… and had a warm, noble soul that even a deranged Hexi mistook for an angel.
Though Park Jinho knew nothing of souls, he was certain Refri’s soul was on another level.
It went according to plan.
A shaman obsessed with souls. James Tardun, the Shaman King.
What would he think upon seeing Refri’s soul?
I wonder how he’ll react?
Park Jinho rose, hiding his smile.