Academy Summer Vacation (4)
As soon as I opened the door, Kang Minji and Yoon Seoa walked in. Yoon Seoa started looking around curiously, as if everything was so novel.
"Hey, Kim Siu, you okay?"
"F-Fine..."
My voice trembled naturally from the pain. I'd leveled up my Pain Resistance skill, so it wasn't quite life-threatening anymore, but compared to the first time, it was at least bearable.
Kang Minji checked my condition and looked even more worried, while Yoon Seoa ignored it all and kept scanning the room. It was a one-room studio, so there wasn't much to see, but once she'd finished looking around, she asked in a voice full of doubt.
"The room's too small. How does anyone live in a place like this?"
"...This is pretty good, actually."
I've lived in worse. Places crawling with cockroaches, or ones where the toilet was right in the living space. This wasn't huge, but it was clean, fully furnished with decent appliances—among all the dumps I've crashed in, this ranked in my top spots.
"...I see."
Yoon Seoa looked at me with a pitying expression.
Is this what a chaebol heir thinks?
"Hey... Kim Siu, stop standing there and lie down. You look like you're about to drop dead any second."
Kang Minji worrying like this? My body hurt, but my heart felt warm.
As I lay on the bed, Yoon Seoa approached.
"Seoya... is Kim Siu okay?"
Just like she'd done to Kang Minji earlier, she placed her hand on my body. Kang Minji and I flinched, but Yoon Seoa's expression didn't change at all.
"Hm... Your mana is unstable..."
Maybe because she focused on ranged attacks, her hands looked soft, without a single callus.
Does she not see me as a guy?
"..."
Yoon Seoa's cool mana began flowing into my body. The foreign energy entered my mana circuits, and my own mana recoiled in rejection, trying to push it out—but she just let it happen. Slowly, her mana assimilated with mine, creating an oddly subtle sensation from the lingering chill.
So this is what it feels like.
As the heat cooled, my raging mana gathered toward the center of my circuits.
"Your mana... has increased since that time."
After checking my status, Yoon Seoa looked at me with the same intrigued expression as before.
"The pathways are narrow... but there's too much mana."
The pain came from massive mana trying to force its way through narrow circuits.
Rose two whole stages... no wonder.
If I'd known, I wouldn't have dumped the stats all at once.
"It happens sometimes..."
"Seoya... is Kim Siu okay?"
"The pain's intense... but not that dangerous."
"Haa... Hey, loser! You gonna take better care of yourself or what?!"
I gave Kang Minji a sheepish look, but then Yoon Seoa suddenly went to the corner, rummaged through her bag, and brought over something that looked ominous at first glance.
"Hm?"
"Drink..."
She handed me the potion with a blank expression. The bottle shimmered with iridescent color, engraved with elegant script that screamed luxury.
No way this is cheap.
"You want me to drink this...?"
"Yeah."
No hesitation in her answer. I paused, wondering if I should accept such a gift.
Yoon Seoa wants an equal partner... looking this pathetic docks points.
To win her over, I had to make her see me as her equal. I wasn't ahead in strength or wealth, but hey, it was man versus woman. My looks weren't bad now, and with the Deus Ex Machina system, I could catch up in money and talent easy.
Just take it and make it up to her later.
"Thanks..."
I reached for the potion, but Yoon Seoa pulled the bottle back slightly.
"In exchange... spar with me all through break."
"Got it... yeah, sure..."
I was already dreading how much she'd torture me.
Not a bad deal, though.
Sparring non-stop with Yoon Seoa, who was already rated equal to active hunters? That alone was a win.
...Trial run as a househusband?
Suddenly, a halo seemed to glow behind Yoon Seoa. The type who gives everything once you're close?
Class difference, huh?
No need for an inferiority complex. I'd surpass her soon enough.
I forced myself up and chugged the potion she'd offered. It went down smooth, refreshing, filling my body with vitality.
You have consumed an A-rank Elixir.
Physical regeneration rapidly increases.
Most status ailments and diseases are cured.
If elixir absorption rate is high, some stats will rise.
...An elixir?!
Elxir—I'd only heard of them. The king of recovery potions, insanely expensive. An A-rank one was worth tens of billions at least.
Whoa... Seoya, I love you!
She'd basically obligated me to come running whenever she called for spars.
A warm energy spread through me, healing the torn mana circuits.
"Stay still... it'll hurt a bit."
"Yeah...? Ugh... Ack!!"
Yoon Seoa placed her hand on me again and began guiding my mana. She forced it through the narrow pathways, expanding them. They tore instantly, but the elixir healed them right away. The result? Tougher, wider circuits than before.
Se... Seoya, I'm gonna die... seriously...
Wider mana circuits had huge perks. Faster mana draw, more mana per activation for stronger attacks. Total mana pool didn't grow, so spamming big moves drained you quick—but that was manageable with control. Only upside, really.
Except the agony.
Fuck!!!! I'll endure no matter what!!! Boost Pain Resistance!!!
O-Okay! Understood!
Couldn't touch the status screen, so I asked Machina directly. Points kept draining.
Goddamn it!!!!! Yoon Seoa, you demon!!!!
I screamed internally and somehow held on. When I came to, my remaining fate points had dropped from 70P to 20P.
Pain Resistance: MASTER
Grants very strong resistance to pain. Maintains mental clarity even under shocks that would cause loss of consciousness. Pain exceeding limits is converted to mild sensation.
Thanks... really, but... this is too much, Seoya.
It was a skill I'd planned to upgrade eventually. That hellish pain now felt like a slight sting. Total block would mess with movement—sensation was needed for precision, so it didn't fully cut it off.
Exceeding limits... pain that'd make you pass out, huh?
At first, I wanted to kill her. Now? Tolerable. Pure benefit for me.
Don't interfere, just stay still.
Only our breathing filled the room. After who-knows-how-long,
"D-Done...?"
Yoon Seoa checked my status and looked apologetic.
"S-Sorry... I..."
"Hey, Kim Siu, you okay?"
The word "done" hit, and I collapsed flat. Clothes soaked, bed drenched in sweat. Too sticky and gross to move. Black waste on my skin, limbs trembling. Body took a real hit.
"I... thought you were handling it well, so I pushed too hard..."
"..."
Even Yoon Seoa hadn't planned this much; she looked sorry. If I'd said it hurt enough, she'd have eased up—but I endured too well. She expanded to my limit. With my Pain Resistance, I overdid it. An accident, sort of.
"It's fine! You didn't mean to, and I'm grateful anyway."
"Sorry..."
"No need to apologize. Thanks for the help."
She gave me a tens-of-billions elixir free, expanded my circuits free. I just received.
Yoon Seoa's favorability has increased.
Favorability up, circuits tougher—two birds, one stone.
Clock said evening already. Hours of focus left Yoon Seoa sweaty too. White hair, blue eyes, damp shirt hinting at underwear. Cute face, but surprisingly seductive.
Yoon Seoa's top-tier looks. Makes sense.
Faces? Kang Minji and Yoon Seoa were too close to call—matter of taste.
Figure's all Minji, though.
"So, you good now?"
Kang Minji's voice pulled my gaze. Slightly subdued, tinged with irritation. Jealous?
Stared at Seoa too obviously? Minji gets jealous too.
Pride swelled, but I'd be careful next time.
"Yeah. Tough, but okay now."
I sniffed myself. Reeked bad, yet no complaints?
Minji, fine, but Yoon Seoa? Surprisingly considerate.
Bed was ruined—blankets, sheets, all filthy.
Like this,
"Guess no sticky rice cakes today."
"Sticky rice cakes?"
Yoon Seoa tilted her head curiously, and Kang Minji yelled from the side.
"W-What the hell?!"
I chuckled, teasing her as I sat up—then wobbled and fell.
Not fully recovered yet.
"Y-You okay?"
"Elixirs are the real deal."
Thought I'd need days to recover from circuit expansion aftereffects, but I woke refreshed.
Opening the status screen, satisfying numbers jumped out.
Remaining Points: 20p
"C-rank hunter level now?"
Felt like I could do anything. Mana responded instantly to my call—blue flames sparked at my fingertips.
"Way faster than before. Several times over."
Elixir boosted stats huge, and Yoon Seoa's help toughened circuits, skyrocketing efficiency and response. Yoon Seoa looked adorable.
"First..."
Time to test the stronger body. I knocked on a familiar door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Professor."
"...Come in."
Hearing her oddly flushed voice, I entered Professor Kang Mina's room.