Chapter 36
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Dragon's Shadow (5)
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[So me!]
"You need compensation, don't you? I have to use all the magic power you give me just for potion practice."
[Tch!]
Erich fell silent for a moment before clicking his tongue.
I thought he'd argue back more.
"Like now. Me looking like nothing special... that's actually the safest."
No one paying much attention to me, everything I've done just coming off as 'good luck' to everyone—that was honestly the best.
Before opening the dorm door, I whispered to myself.
"Tomorrow, I need to make more potions. Magic power stabilization ones and low-concentration wound recovery ones. They'll need them once training starts."
The door clicked shut, revealing a quiet hallway.
Cold air seeped in immediately as I opened the dorm window.
Morning was still dim, the hallway silent.
They weren't ignoring me openly like before, but a few quietly watched, hesitated as if to speak, then gave up.
I glanced at them and opened the small box on my desk.
Potions I'd made bit by bit all night were neatly arranged.
Magic stabilization, low-concentration wound recovery, hypothermia prevention, stamina maintenance.
Even the basics looked perfect—uniform color, not a speck of sediment.
I held each vial up to the light.
"Hm."
Not bad.
My shaky hands and the new world's magic were stabilizing, little by little.
My body felt like it was finally settling into this physique.
Erich's voice rang in my ear.
[Taking them today too?]
"Yeah."
[All of them?]
"If I can."
[Useless nonsense again.]
"Knew you'd say that."
[No drive, just all smiles.]
"Haha."
Handing them out meant someone survived, hurt less, felt a bit less miserable.
That was enough.
I slipped the box into my bag and straightened my uniform.
Barely slept, but my body felt light.
Not exhaustion—it was the 'things that needed sorting' pushing me forward.
Stepping into the hall, I spotted Hae-sol descending from the corner.
His expression was calmer than yesterday.
The red scar had almost faded.
"Hari."
"Yeah. Good morning!"
"Good morning."
Hae-sol eyed the box peeking from my bag.
"Made more?"
"Yeah."
"Not tiring?"
"It's fine. Habit now."
He studied me briefly, then asked cautiously.
"...Can I learn too?"
"Potions?"
"Yeah."
"Your magic flow's still unstable. You sure?"
"Wanna try. Watching yesterday... felt like it'd be useful."
I smiled faintly.
He meant it.
The Dal-muri ordeal had given him a real sense for 'necessary skills.'
I nodded.
"Then we'll go slow."
"Yeah."
Down on the first floor, Han-seong approached from the opposite hall.
His usual heavy expression, but his steps were just a touch quicker than yesterday.
Spotting Hae-sol, he sped up more.
"You okay?"
Hae-sol nodded curtly.
"Yeah."
"Training'll be light today."
"Got it."
I stood off to the side naturally, listening to their exchange.
Not my place to butt in, no need to speak up.
Then Han-seong turned to me.
"Hari."
"Yeah."
"You're coming too, right?"
He said it like it was obvious, putting me on guard—but my chest tickled ever so slightly.
I bowed my head.
"Yeah. I'll bring some potions."
"Thanks."
His tone stayed even, but his expression softened—just a fraction.
Hae-sol caught it too and smiled faintly.
"Hari's... amazing."
"Nah."
I shook my head.
"Just F-class, that's all."
Hae-sol started to say more, then closed his mouth.
Han-seong eyed me briefly before looking away.
Both wore complicated expressions.
In the original plot, Hae-sol got prickly around this point. I liked this vibe much better.
At the cafeteria door, Erich spoke up.
[They look happy.]
"Yeah. Feels good."
[What's got you so pleased?]
"Nothing much."
I murmured softly.
"Lots of people making it through."
Erich stayed silent.
That was fine.
For today, it was enough.
The cafeteria bustled like any other morning.
But the glances from passersby felt just a bit different now.
No direct approaches, but sidelong looks as they passed, quiet whispers nearby, close observation of my every move.
'This much is manageable.'
No one was crazy enough to drag me into a dungeon.
I ignored the stares and took my seat.
As I set down my tray and picked up my spoon, Han-seong spoke.
"Applied for counseling today."
Hae-sol looked up.
"Me?"
"No. The homeroom teachers."
Han-seong scooped some rice, lowering his voice.
"Checking on the survivors' conditions."
A couple nearby tables went dead quiet.
I took a bite of rice.
The grains spread softly in my mouth.
"It'll be fine,"
Hae-sol muttered softly.
"Yeah."
Han-seong said firmly.
"It will."
Those solid words eased Hae-sol's tension a little.
Pretending ignorance, I lifted my water cup.
"Why?"
"Hari."
Hae-sol said cautiously.
"Teachers might ask about you too."
He trailed off, drawing a short breath.
Just then, two teachers passed behind us, talking.
"Saw the Dal-muri clear rate?"
"Yeah. Recovery rate was weirdly high too."
"That F-class kid's potions, they say."
"No way. Probably just a rumor."
"...Still weird, though."
I pretended to sip my water, ears perked.
But I couldn't let their eyes land on me, so I quickly looked down and finished my rice.
Han-seong said quietly.
"Heard that?"
"Yeah."
"No telling how it'll play out. Recommend steeling yourself either way."
I set down my spoon with a slight smile.
"Got it. Better safe."
As I stood with my tray, two girls at the next table whispered softly.
"That's her, right?"
"Yeah. The F-class."
"But... they say she used them in Dal-muri. Even if it's exaggerated, rumors are her potions pack a punch."
"Dunno. Think an F-class could pull that off? Kinda fishy, no?"
I heard it all with my back turned.
Keeping a calm face, I muttered inwardly.
'Thanks, kind strangers. Things were getting dicey lately—you balanced it out nicely.'
My friends have been in denial about me being F-class lately!
At this rate, I might end up in the upcoming Blood Dragon Dungeon—or Blue Dragon, as it's also called.
Ha, life. I'd refuse any dungeon invite, come hell or high water.
But I had no idea back then.
The first one to suggest I join a dungeon would be none other than Sang-hee.
The third-floor large lecture hall in the practice building glowed with morning sunlight. The green campus beyond the windows blended with the bright interior lights, creating a serene scene utterly unlike a dungeon.
"Alright, today we'll practice maintaining awakening state."
At the instructor's words, students straightened up in unison.
I opened my notebook on the desk and focused too. Awakening maintenance was distant for an F-class like me, but a hurdle I'd have to clear someday.
It meant sustaining skill activation over long periods—especially useful for buffer skills.
"Sang-hee, please demonstrate."
Sang-hee, seated up front, flinched and looked up. Her pale hand gripped the desk edge tightly, then released.
After agonizing hesitation, she stood cautiously.
"U-um... m-me...?"
"Yes, Sang-hee. Show us the new skill you awakened during last month's Dal-muri practice."
"A-ah, y-yes..."
Sang-hee shuffled to the front with her head down. Her long, wavy brown hair half-hid her face.