Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Masked Man (3)
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Hwang Do, who had returned from the bathroom, somehow looked one layer lighter in her attire.
"Ahem. First up, teleportation, right?"
Clearing her throat, Hwang Do snapped her fingers with her right hand, and soon a canned drink appeared in midair.
"The theory of teleportation is simple. Whoosh, swoosh~ bam! You just need to roughly grasp that sensation. The first time is hard, but once you try it, you'll get the feel."
Teleportation was a type of spatial magic.
However, spatial magic itself was said to be impossible to even study unless one was a rare genius.
"And when you reach the peak of that sensation..."
Hwang Do continued her explanation, then snapped her fingers once more.
Her voice vanished as if sucked into a black hole, only to resume from behind her with a faint breeze.
"You can do things like this."
Blink.
"Compression, transfer, space jump... For now, all Statue can do is use crudely pre-made magic formulas, right?"
"Yes."
"Since Statue isn't a sensory type, you'll probably have to learn it like I did. It might take some time, but that's okay, right?"
Spatial magic wasn't something you could learn anywhere else, so I nodded vigorously.
With a smirk, Hwang Do sat on the bed and beckoned me over.
Just in case, I hugged Shiba and sat beside her. A binder appeared in her hand.
"Space."
It was something spread out above, below, and in all directions.
"It's the realm where matter exists and phenomena occur, independent of everything. But that's exactly why it's impenetrable."
I had heard this before, but she was truly serious when it came to magic. Unlike her usual playful demeanor, she exuded intellect and charisma here.
"Since it's unknowable, intuition is key. Copying artifacts made by borrowing past legacies, roughly aligning coordinates... such magic has almost no real utility."
My magic currently drew from absorbing the experiences of countless academy cadets.
During occasional training or when instructors demonstrated spells.
Glancing at those spells and conceptualizing them myself to manifest—that had been my magic up to now.
Even the high-level spells used in the dungeon hardly showed their full destructive potential.
It was more thanks to the acorn's help than my own activation. Of course, without talent, even that wouldn't have been possible.
"Statue, you're probably about to receive teachings no one else in this world could hear. Remember what I said last time? Who do you think I am?"
Hwang Do puffed up her shoulders proudly, her lips curling into a wide grin.
Grand Archmage Hwang Do. Master of spatial magic.
"This is known only to me and my master. Oh, this is a secret, okay? If she finds out I told you, I'll be in big trouble."
She dumped a pile of documents from under her palm and grinned mischievously.
"Impressive, right?"
Her nose was sky-high, like Everest. With achievements like hers, I couldn't argue. Plus, she was cute, so I'd let it slide.
I picked up one sheet and skimmed it.
"Wow."
"See? Told you. Impressive, huh?"
An exclamation escaped me naturally.
...I could see why she was called a genius, the master of spatial magic, someone even Heavenly Demon deferred to.
"I have no idea what any of this says."
"...Huh?"
It looked like learning this would take a while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ -Just read it! Memorize it! Come on! That's how you do it here! Got it?
-Statue! That's not how you seal it!
The next day, after dropping Shiba off at daycare and arriving at the academy, my eyes felt heavy and my ears throbbed like they were inflamed.
Who knew I'd relive the feeling of deciphering papers all night here. Whether in another world or this one, a student's life was the same.
All I'd learned were a few formulas and magic theories.
Even using advanced academy knowledge, it was hard to grasp.
It wasn't uninteresting, but starting from scratch with nothing made for a ton of memorization, giving me a headache.
'Still... it's helping me solve problems well.'
I processed overdue assignments in the morning while yawning.
Thanks to solid prior studying, the problems went smoothly.
Memorization could be half-assed, and with luck, I might aim for top ranks.
I opened my status window after a while to check my directives.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The number of assignments allocated to you is [2]. -Enter the top 20 Korean rankings. -Secure 1st place in written exams. Rewards were top-grade potions—practically spare lives.
Since they came from the World Tree, they probably didn't contain any man's essence or woman's fluids.
'Then it's basically mandatory.'
Top-grade potions were rare on the market, so selling them could net a tidy sum.
In a capitalist world, money held great value. Even if I didn't start a business, expanding into that area made sense.
Plus, I could craft gear without one.
lost in happy fantasies, someone tapped my shoulder.
-Tap tap.
Turning around, an open palm was thrust in my face.
"Yo! Heard you're the talk of the town?"
Bead, grinning as she sat down.
"What, got a mask inside the mask?"
Her words as she set her bag on the desk carried layers of meaning.
'At this point, she's basically saying 'recognize me.' Should I just ask outright what her deal is?'
...No. She wouldn't reveal the truth.
If she had, she wouldn't be playing friends this long.
"Isn't that too direct?"
She flashed a toothy grin at my vague reply.
It was strange.
That beautiful face spreading into a smile disarmingly eased the heart.
But that's why I could pin her down precisely.
"Hee hee hee."
As an unknown bitch.
...Anyway, I half-expected rumors from last time.
A few cadets peeking confirmed it.
The stares were burdensome, but more were coming.
And I needed one event to build on that.
'Cornus, Im Jong-hyun, Jeong Si-woo, Azalea.'
I knew their reputations well.
Even losing wouldn't hurt; it'd still make waves.
So, the midterms tournament in a week—that was the showdown.
A chance to grab ranks and qualify for the Forest Keeper selection.
To maximize ranks, I'd face top-seater Jeong Si-woo.
'Can I win?'
Leaning back fully, lost in thought.
Jeong Si-woo. Even without status windows, he seemed unbeatable...
-For real?
A voice from the gathered cadets.
-Si-woo's hospitalized?
...Why the hell is he hospitalized again?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Discharged soon?"
"Yeah."
"Still, glad it's not serious. Hee hee. Well, gotta go? Rest up~!"
Si-woo waved to the departing female cadet, then bitterly stroked his wrist.
A long, vein-like blue scar spread unpleasantly across one arm.
A scar from prolonged mana overload.
Common for hunters, discharge in three days, but that gap was fatal for him.
'Did I overdo it? Need to tone down training intensity.'
Normally, he wouldn't train so frantically.
But the midterms stakes were more valuable than anything. Just this once, he had to get serious.
His one sister's position.
If he could get even a hint, he'd do anything—even at his limits. That's why he trained.
-Snicker.
'No wonder, blasting mana like that. Body was bound to suffer.'
Could he beat Im Jong-hyun like this, that fiery guy probably still grinding his teeth.
Common ailment, but with aftereffects and high recurrence—needed long-term management.
-Knock, knock, knock.
Exactly three knocks.
"Come in."
The heavy iron door opened, and a masked man entered from outside.
Holding a box of vitamin drinks in one hand.
Unexpected visitor; Si-woo widened his eyes.
"Si-heon?"
"Here to visit."
Si-woo took the offered vitamins, looking surprised.
"Never thought you'd come. Nice seeing you... Ah, sit here."
"Just dropping by, no big deal. Can you take the exam properly?"
Si-heon's blunt question sounded like concern to Si-woo, unaware of his circumstances.
"No problem. Three days till discharge, then settle down..."
He must've pushed hard, from that tone.
Si-heon glanced at the discolored arm. One look told the state.
'What drives him to push like that? Staked his life too?'
If the World Tree was behind it, the effort made sense.
Somehow, Si-heon felt kinship.
'He's weathered harsh storms too.'
"...You've been through a lot."
"Uh, yeah."
Separate from the World Tree, he genuinely liked him as a person.
"Gotta produce results this exam, huh?"
"Yeah... have to."
"For the World Tree?"
Blunt talk, but Si-woo nodded with a smile.
"Right. You know it."
"Makes you husband material, then piles on the crap jobs. Right?"
"...Still, I see it as a growth chance."
Conversation possible only among World Tree husband candidates. Si-woo unaware, but Si-heon knew.
"Growth my ass."
He knew how rotten those World Trees were inside.
But Si-heon knew one thing, not two.
Treatment varied by candidate; Jeong Si-woo got the most lenient penalties.
Si-heon spoke with slight admiration.
"Still, impressive. Not easy."
Si-woo paused, mouth agape in thought, then chuckled.
First time hearing "suffering as World Tree husband candidate."
Even with special treatment, his efforts weren't diminished.
-That punk's all show.
-Got chosen outta nowhere and powered up, damn, wish I got picked too.
Words from all sides, communities—flashed through his mind.
Si-heon alone knew shared pain, but sincere comfort was given.
"Well, heading out."
"Yeah. Thanks. Oh, Si-heon. Even if I fail, it's just training... I'm fine."
Si-woo scratched his head, forcing a bright smile.
"Huh? Train, huh?"
"Yeah, really thanks, man. I'll buy you a meal later. Head back."
"..."
Si-heon stared blankly, then awkwardly smiled and left the room.
'Training? Not life-or-death, just training?'
He expected tiers, but not this much.
Si-heon's face as he left was somewhat dazed.