Principal's Gratitude
"...Fortunately, Kim Jihun, you weren't seriously injured. Your divine rank is intact, and there's no mental corruption either. But please don't push yourself. There's evidence of the Void having burrowed deep, so using your abilities before it heals naturally could damage your rank."
A day had passed since the attack during the promotion battle. Kim Jihun was listening to an explanation from a divine being working at the school's medical facilities. She advised him not to overuse his abilities until his body was fully recovered.
"Still, it's a relief that Asrie immediately restored your Creation Force, so the internal damage isn't severe. You should be back to normal in about three days."
Jihun nodded attentively to her explanation.
He had spent the entire previous day in the school's medical facilities. Fortunately, he was healthy, but they needed to monitor him for any aftereffects from the Void exposure. Luckily, he was fine. Though slightly eroded by the Void, Asrie had swiftly expelled it from his body, leaving no issues. He just needed some rest.
The divine being who had explained his condition to Kim Jihun smiled warmly and offered her congratulations.
"Oh, and congratulations on passing the promotion battle safely. The principal said he'd give you your reward, so stop by when you have time."
Jihun nodded as if he had expected this. He had brilliantly passed the promotion battle and would naturally receive his reward. In the chaos when he was injured, he hadn't received it yet, but now that things had settled, it was time.
Time to check on that reward.
With that thought, Kim Jihun turned his steps toward the principal's office—a large room in the school building. He knocked with his hand.
*Knock knock.* His hand rapped on the thick door, crafted with care from fine wood by a divine being. It slowly opened.
Jihun stepped inside and bowed his head politely.
"Hello, Principal. I heard you called for me."
Jihun greeted him and looked straight ahead. The spacious office held a ornate executive desk and chair—a typical but somewhat plain scene.
In response to Jihun's polite greeting, the principal rose from his seat and approached, extending his right hand for a handshake.
"Pleased to meet you, Kim Jihun. I am Cross, principal of Allei School here. I hold the rank of a high-level Creation God."
"The honor is mine."
Kim Jihun shook his hand. He glanced up subtly to appraise Principal Cross.
Incredible divine power.
The male high-level Creation God, Principal Cross, seemed to possess tremendous divine power. Even restrained, strands of fervent Creation Force and divine power flowed from his body, and his firm grip spoke of the efforts and struggles of countless new gods.
After the handshake, Cross waved his hand lightly at an empty space in the office. Instantly, furniture of utmost luxury and comfort materialized: a sofa, a table, and even ambient lighting that created a cozy atmosphere. All in a single moment.
Watching this, Kim Jihun realized,
This is the creation of a high-level Creation God.
His creation was precise, swift, and delicate. The flow of divine power and Creation Force was so rapid it was imperceptible, with zero waste. A pinnacle of skill honed by vast experience in creation.
Soon, Jihun grasped another fact.
That's why there are no other furnishings in the office.
The high-level Creation God before him created whatever furniture he needed on the spot. And discarded it when unneeded. Such was the power of those unbound by material attachments—true high-level Creation Gods.
Cross smiled kindly and said to Kim Jihun,
"Please, have a seat. We have quite a bit to discuss."
Jihun sat as guided by Cross.
"Leila is a direct descendant of my bloodline. I can only imagine how heartbroken she must have been if that child was hurt... Thank you so much for protecting her, Kim Jihun."
Cross had reacted quite late to the Void invasion. He had let his guard down, never imagining anything could breach the arena—a slice of the Boundary reinforced by his high-level output barrier.
But it had happened, and it could have been a disaster. Fortunately, it wasn't. Thanks to Kim Jihun desperately shielding the powerless Leila, and Asrie rescuing him faster than anyone.
Cross continued,
"So, as a token of my gratitude, I'd like to give you a little extra reward."
Cross waved his hand in the air. Three boxes materialized from the void and descended onto the table. Jihun couldn't help but flinch.
The boxes emanated tremendous divine power that resonated through the room.
Tensing slightly, Jihun asked,
"What are these?"
"Modest rewards from our school for you, Kim Jihun. The first box is for passing the promotion battle, the second for taking first place, and the third is thanks for protecting Leila."
He pointed to each in turn.
Jihun stared mesmerized at the third box. The one for protecting Leila pulsed with the strongest divine waves of all.
Steeling himself, Jihun reached out and opened them one by one as indicated.
He opened the first box. Inside was a small orb.
◈ An essence refined from the divine power of countless gods. Consuming it raises a low-level god's rank by one step.
◈ Effect: Increases rank by 1 step.
◈ Usage: Consume.
What emerged was a dazzling white orb—a sacred gem compressed and purified from immense divine power. As Jihun lifted it, Cross said,
"It's the Essence of Divine Power. Your scheduled reward for winning the promotion battle. Consuming it will grant you mid-level god rank immediately. But remember, with your Void wound, you can't take it yet. Wait until you're fully healed."
Jihun nodded. The medical divine being had said something similar: no ability use until fully healed from the Void. Same logic applied here—safer after recovery.
He opened the second box next. Inside was a glass vial of golden liquid. Jihun examined it closely, and text appeared.
◈ Heals any injury or disease.
◈ Effect: Complete recovery from any affliction.
◈ Usage: Consume.
"Recovery Elixir?" Jihun muttered puzzled.
Cross began explaining.
"The highest grade among Recovery Elixirs—the Absolute Recovery Elixir. It restores you even from the brink of death. Our divine race's ultimate instant potion. That's the first-place reward."
Jihun closely inspected the golden liquid sloshing in the vial, emanating a subtle holy glow. It looked profoundly sacred.
Seeing Jihun's gaze, Cross smiled and pointed to the third box.
"Now, open the third one. It's the most precious reward, something you'll find very useful later."
His words piqued Jihun's interest. Jihun turned to the third box. He could feel it: the overwhelming sacred aura and surging waves of Creation Force.
This is no ordinary item.
Even sealed, immense energy leaked out. Calming his pounding heart, Jihun opened it.
"This is...?"
Jihun murmured. At first glance, its purpose was hard to guess. Inside lay a blue ore shimmering with iridescent light. He examined it intently, and golden text revealed its info.
◈ A medium required to create low-grade souls.
"Soul Stone?"
Kim Jihun was stunned. A Soul Stone? What was this?
He looked to Cross questioningly. The high-level Creation God smiled broadly and said,
"Congratulations, Kim Jihun. The 'higher-ups' already recognize you as a prospective Creation God with creation rank."
"...What do you mean?"
Jihun couldn't grasp the vague explanation. But Cross didn't elaborate, merely describing the item calmly.
"This is a Soul Stone. A rare medium essential for creating intelligent beings with souls. Obtaining one so early is truly exceptional."
Jihun stared at the ore in the box per Cross's words. It shimmered with brilliant blue, flecked with flowing golden luster—like a noble gem. He couldn't comprehend it. A profound holiness emanated from the stone, as if touching it was sacrilege.
Cross looked at Jihun and said,
"Someday, you'll understand what receiving this means. That's all."
Cross rose, having said his piece. Jihun stored the rewards in his subspace and stood as well.
Cross saw him off.
"Once more, thank you for protecting Leila, Kim Jihun."
As Jihun stepped out, Cross added,
"Oh, and Leila asked me to pass this on: 'Don't avoid me.'"
Jihun startled at Leila's sudden mention. Cross gazed warmly, supportively. Jihun nodded.
"...Yes, got it."
He left Cross's office.
In the now-silent office, Cross sat murmuring,
"I've grown weak. To let the Void approach like that."
He reflected on the universe's dawn, pioneering the frontline at the Boundary, pushing back the Void while creating existence. That youthful passion overflowing.
But he had lived eons. Like a rock eroded by time, sloth and arrogance crept into his noble, steadfast divine spirit. He had stopped training, abandoned struggle. How long had he stagnated, content as principal?
He drew a golden greatsword from his subspace and gripped it. A wry smile at his beloved blade after so long.
"I've lost the edge."
He was still strong. But the ferocity and zeal of old were gone. The daily bloodbaths' instincts had faded. Watching Jihun's desperate fight, he realized his own sloth.
"To reflect watching a low-level god. Heh..."
Thus, he resolved.
"Time to return to the frontline."
Cross smiled, gripping his blade firmly, recalling that hot-blooded past.
"Hey, Kim Jihun."
"...Hey."
As Jihun walked the hallway after leaving the office, he encountered Leila—the girl he had shared his first kiss with just yesterday—blocking his path.
Leila said to him,
"Why are you avoiding me?"
Recently, Kim Jihun had been dodging Leila.