Absolute One Is Also a First-Time Dad Episode 150

As morning arrived, the house inevitably erupted into chaos.

"Kang-jun, is Seol ready for daycare?"

"Not yet..."

"The shuttle will be here soon, so hurry up."

Kang-jun quickly tied Seol's hair into a tight ponytail and rummaged through her daycare bag, muttering to himself.

"Let's see, today's checklist is..."

Just then, Dibalde quietly approached.

"My ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠liege, I humbly beg your pardon..."

"What?"

"There is a small request I wish to make..."

He hesitated for a moment, gauging Kang-jun's reaction.

"If it pleases you, might I be permitted to go out today...?"

"Where to?"

"If you would allow it, I was hoping to visit the library."

Kang-jun eyed Dibalde skeptically, scanning him from head to toe.

"You're not planning to cause trouble, are you?"

Dibalde frantically waved his hands in denial.

"I swear, I'll just read and come straight back!"

"We have plenty of books here."

"Alas, they are all children's books..."

Kang-jun glanced at the bookshelf—Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White...

Indeed, nothing suited for a scholar like Dibalde.

'He was the greatest scholar of the Huang Kingdom, after all...'

Even in his human days, Dibalde had been a prodigy who reached the 8th Circle, a genius unparalleled in magical combat—so much so that calling him a "war weapon" wouldn't be an exaggeration.

And that wasn't all.

After becoming a Lich, he spent centuries conducting research that would be etched into the magical history of the Anux Continent, developing countless original spells and establishing himself as an unrivaled scholar in magical engineering.

'Well...'

Telling someone like him to pass the time with children's books was absurd.

"Please, grant me this permission..."

Kang-jun suddenly asked, "Wait, is there even a library nearby?"

Before Dibalde could answer—

"There is a Special Library within the Management Bureau's building."

Iriel, who had been silently listening, interjected with utmost politeness.

"I've heard it houses an extensive collection of Earth's magical engineering texts, though civilian access is strictly controlled..."

"So you can't get in."

"However, I've already secured an access pass for Lord Dibalde by obtaining prior approval from the Bureau Director."

She then added earnestly,

"I will personally escort him there and back, so please allow him this outing..."

In short, Iriel would take Dibalde to the library on her way to work and bring him home afterward.

Dibalde, still adjusting to Earth's culture, had been idling away his days with nothing meaningful to do.

'At least reading in a library would be more productive...'

Moreover—

'If Iriel's personally taking him, nothing should go wrong.'

Finally, Kang-jun reluctantly agreed.

"Fine, go ahead..."

Then, shifting his gaze to Dibalde, he warned in a low voice,

"Don't cause trouble. Just read and come back."

"I-I am deeply grateful!"

"If you do cause trouble, don't bother coming back."

"Your will is my command!"

Just as Iriel and Dibalde were about to step out the door—

Kang-jun suddenly asked Iriel,

"By the way, how's training going?"

"Hm?"

"Just wondering if there's been any progress."

Iriel answered promptly.

"All students have shown remarkable improvement, however..."

"But?"

"Some seem overly impatient, which is concerning."

She continued,

"Impatience often leads to mistakes, and several students are pushing themselves too hard..."

"Like who?"

"Students No. 1, 3, and 6. While their dedication is commendable, their eagerness borders on recklessness."

Since the student numbers corresponded to their S-rank hunter rankings, Kang-jun immediately knew who she meant.

'Jung Yoon-chan, Yoon Hee-soo, Go Du-yeol...'

Ironically, all three were the type to charge headfirst into danger without hesitation, even if it meant death.

While that trait might allow them to achieve great feats in a short time...

It also made them the most likely to meet a meaningless end.

"As their instructor, you'll need to rein them in."

Iriel nodded subtly.

"I'm particularly concerned about Student No. 1, so I plan to hold a private meeting with him."

Kang-jun gave a small nod.

"Good. Keep up the good work."

With that, Iriel and Dibalde bowed.

"We shall take our leave."

As they stepped out—

"Kang-jun, is Seol ready yet?"

Lee Soo-bin urged again.

"Ah, right..."

Only then did Kang-jun remember he hadn't finished packing Seol's daycare supplies, and he hurriedly checked the checklist again.

"Busy, so busy..."

Another hectic morning, as usual.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Special Library inside the Management Bureau's Seoul branch, Dibalde spoke in an excited, trembling voice.

"Lord Iriel, I shall never forget this kindness. It's been so long since I've stepped outside..."

Iriel handed him the access pass and sternly reminded him once more.

"Lord Dibalde, you must not cause any disturbances. This is a place where the Imperial Decree of our liege is carried out, so absolutely—"

"Of course, of course."

"I will return to fetch you once my duties are done. Do not wander off. Just read quietly."

Dibalde nodded eagerly.

"Worry not!"

Though Iriel felt like she was leaving a child by the riverside, there was no turning back now.

"Then I shall see you soon."

With that, Iriel headed toward the Special Training Room located in the building's basement.

Meanwhile, Dibalde took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered to himself while rubbing his nose.

"I can smell the fragrance of knowledge."

He held the access pass to the sensor, and the tightly sealed automatic doors slid open.

The sight of the library's interior left him awestruck.

"Holy moly..."

It was a sanctuary of knowledge—housing over 100,000 books and countless peer-reviewed research papers.

Access was strictly limited to Bureau-affiliated researchers, making it an inviolable domain.

"Truly, a paradise unlike any other."

As Dibalde scanned the shelves, debating which book to start with—

"Hm?" ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

His eyes landed on a young woman in a white lab coat, engrossed in a thick research paper at a large table.

"Must be something interesting."

She was so absorbed that she seemed to have forgotten to breathe, her pen swiftly jotting down notes.

Dibalde strode over and peered over her shoulder, reading along.

'A thesis on mana circuits?'

After a while—

"What is this?"

Dibalde suddenly exhaled in disbelief and shook his head, muttering in a tone that bordered on mockery.

"This is a complete mess."

Startled, the woman in the lab coat whipped her head around and stared at him in confusion.

"W-Who are you?"

She was Lee Ji-hyun, a researcher at the newly established Hunter Power Research Center under the Bureau's jurisdiction.

Though not as renowned as Dr. Alpha Boom, she had an impressive academic background—double-majoring in physics and bioengineering at Harvard and graduating two years early.

Afterward, she had worked at several prestigious firms in Silicon Valley, the forefront of magical engineering.

In fact, she had been headhunted to lead the Hunter Power Research Center based on recommendations from Bureau researchers.

"Would you know me if I told you?"

However, the response he received was icy.

"Would you still say no if I told you who I am?"

At those words, Dr. Lee Ji-hyun stared at him intently...

"I'm Dr. Lee Ji-hyun from the Hunter Power Research Center. I was recruited by the Management Bureau when the center was first established, so I'm not familiar with the existing researchers. I hope you understand..."

Devard immediately cut in.

"You're a doctor?"

"Yes..."

"You're really a doctor?"

"Yes...?"

Without hesitation, Devard snatched the research paper she was reading, lightly tapped it on the table with a tap, tap, and asked in a sharp tone: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Why the hell is a doctor reading this nonsense paper?"

Lee Ji-hyun was at a loss for words, her lips trembling as she stared up at Devard's face.

What's going on? Is he someone important...?

Devard's striking looks and domineering tone naturally exuded an intimidating presence...

And as a result, even if she didn't know exactly who he was, she instinctively concluded that he must be someone high-ranking.

After all, the Special Library was strictly off-limits to anyone not affiliated with the Management Bureau's research division.

But regardless of that, she couldn't tolerate his outright dismissal of the paper.

"I don't know how great you are, but I'm not sure if you're aware of who the author of this paper is."

"Who is it?"

"'Dr. Alpha Boom'—a name that always ranks among the top three scholars whenever the greatest minds of our time are listed. This is his latest published work."

Devard muttered under his breath.

"Who? Dr. Alpha Boom?"

"Yes, Dr. Alpha Boom."

She continued rambling.

"No matter how many unsettling rumors follow him, no one can deny that he's an exceptional researcher."

The paper meticulously detailed a new mana circuit configuration that could maximize destructive power while using minimal mana.

The theory alone was convincing, but what's more, it even included flawless case studies, leaving no room for refutation.

However, it was dangerous.

If military weapons researchers took this paper's principles and began developing lethal armaments—

It was certain that devastating mana-based weapons, capable of taking countless innocent lives, would flood the world.

And for some unknown reason, the author, Dr. Alpha Boom, had distributed the paper for free to scholars worldwide.

Almost as if he wanted researchers across nations to mass-produce these dangerously lethal weapons based on his theory.

"I don't know who that is, but the paper is garbage."

"And your reason?"

"There are far more efficient circuit configurations out there."

Dr. Lee Ji-hyun immediately retorted, "That's absurd."

Devard pressed further.

"Then how would you evaluate this paper?"

"I consider it flawless..."

She cautiously added,

"But I also believe it's an unnecessarily dangerous study for humanity."

"Why?"

"Because one day, this research will take countless lives."

Devard nodded, then swiftly snatched her pen.

"Watch closely."

With fluid strokes, he began sketching a new form of mana circuit formula onto her notebook...

"Just this minor adjustment alone makes the formula several times more efficient, don't you think?"

"Good heavens..."

"Now, if we swap the propulsion and absorption formulas here and convert the preservation formula into transmission..."

She stared, dumbfounded, at the diagram of the mana circuit now sprawled across her notebook.

With this circuit, mana loss would be minimized for sure...

Then Devard added,

"I don't know how great this 'Dr. Alpha Boom' is, but he's clearly centuries behind."

"What do you mean—"

"And the fact that he spread such dangerous research worldwide doesn't sit right with me."

She nodded repeatedly in agreement—

"By the way, the perfect mana circuit you're so impressed by right now?"

Devard smirked.

"It's just the prototype of a study I conducted ages ago."

Lee Ji-hyun blinked.

"If this is the prototype, does that mean there's an even more mana-efficient formula?"

Devard answered without hesitation.

"Of course."

Then he lightly tapped his own forehead with his index finger.

"It's all in here."

"That's impossible..."

"Believe it or not."

With that, Devard shook his head dismissively.

"Magical engineering these days is pathetic."

Just as he was about to leave—

"Wait a second!"

Lee Ji-hyun grabbed his sleeve.

"What if I stole this circuit and claimed it as my own research? Why would you just show me something like this so carelessly?"

Devard stared at her silently for a moment.

"You said it was unnecessary research for humanity, didn't you?"

"Well, obviously—"

"I agree."

If peace for all was the goal, this was research that should never be pursued.

"Consider it... trust between scholars who share the same ideals."

"Then why did you conduct this research in the first place?"

Devard answered without a shred of hesitation.

"Because I only ever research for his sake."

Lee Ji-hyun opened her mouth to press further—but then clamped it shut, her cheeks flushing red.

Devard's unabashed gaze somehow felt unbearably heavy and scorching.

"W-Why are you staring so intently all of a sudden...?"

Then, Devard whispered softly—

Like the murmur of a devil.

Sweet and smooth.

"Stay still."

When Lee Ji-hyun tried to avert her gaze, he stopped her instantly.

"Look me straight in the eye."

"Why?"

"Right now—"

Devard murmured quietly.

"I'm admiring my own reflection ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in your pupils."

He was a narcissist.

"Huh...?"

Before Lee Ji-hyun could fully grasp the situation—

"Your lip color is quite lovely."

"Th-Thank you..."

"Which brand is it?"

"B-Brand...?"

She muttered "Brand..." a few times under her breath before suddenly realizing—

"Wait, are you talking about lip balm?"

Devard nodded.

"Yes. Since I shared my knowledge with you—"

"Yes..."

"You will now share your lip balm information with me."

He was a narcissist with a particular fascination for Earth's cosmetics technology.

Same time.

"Cadet No. 1."

Iriel was conducting a one-on-one meeting with Jung Yoon-chan in the observation room overlooking the Special Training Room.

"You seem unusually unfocused today."

Yoon-chan answered in a subdued voice.

"My apologies..."

Iriel kept her eyes fixed on the documents in her hands as she continued firmly.

"Cadet No. 1, your performance in all evaluation metrics has shown astonishing growth."

"Thank you..."

"True strength is like building a tower—brick by brick. Direction matters more than speed."

Yoon-chan suddenly asked,

"Instructor, is there a shortcut?"

"A shortcut?"

"Even if it's risky..."

He licked his lips and pressed on.

"If there's a way to gain strength even a second faster, I want to take it."

Iriel silently studied him.

"You seem quite impatient."

"......"

"There is one shortcut I know."

A brief silence fell over the room.

Thud.

Iriel set the documents down.

"The shortcut I know is—"

She spoke with weight.

"Not taking any shortcuts at all."

"Huh...?"

"Just swing your sword silently."

Her words carried sincerity.

"Strength is something you realize you've already gained only when you look back. There's no more efficient method than that."

She met Yoon-chan's gaze and offered a rare, gentle smile.

"You seem burdened. You're dismissed for today."

"Huh?"

"Rest is also a skill. Consider this a test."

With that, she stood up first.

"Let's see how well you can rest."

"But—"

"Put down your sword today and sort through your tangled thoughts."

After adding a final "That's all," Iriel promptly left the observation room.

"Sigh..."

Left alone, Yoon-chan also stood up...

And muttered under his breath as he opened the door.

"So not taking shortcuts is the shortcut..."

Frustrated, he absentmindedly ruffled his hair before scrolling through his contacts.

He needed someone to confide in.

As his fingers mindlessly swiped through his smartphone, they suddenly stopped.

Immortal.

Mustering his courage, he sent a text.

- There's something urgent I'd like to discuss. Could we meet briefly?

How much time passed?

- Food?

A reply came instantly.

"Is he asking if I've eaten...?"

Yoon-chan quickly responded.

- Not yet.

Another moment passed.

- Let's. Get. Udon.

- North Sea Udon Shop. Garibong-dong.

- Come. Before. I. Order.

Reading Kang-jun's reply, Yoon-chan let out an involuntary chuckle before hurrying off.

Yeah. Today was a day for rest.