Are You Hurting Somewhere?
Are You Hurting Somewhere?
I was sprawled on the lawn, meditating, when a video call came in from my master.
- I heard Vice Headmaster already briefed you on the matter. Is that true?
Crackle! My master's face flickered onto the hologram.
It was a little disappointing.
The connection kept cutting in and out because the battlefield was saturated with mana wave interference, and in any case, it was only a hologram — I couldn't actually see her with my eyes anyway.
Still, maybe I was lucky that the caller was Atra Clyde. At least I could talk to her.
I swallowed my disappointment and smiled brightly.
"Yes, I gave them a heads-up ahead of time. Even for a recommended admission, you can't wait too long."
I'd been thinking for a while that it would be nice if Senior Daera came to Siyoram.
Then I found out that several spots had opened up for new students, so I quietly sent the list to the Vice Headmaster.
Recommended admission has looser requirements than general admission, but if the gap in timing is too large, it inevitably causes complications.
The result was positive.
The Vice Headmaster had personally put Senior Daera on the list of candidates for recommended admission review.
'It's not really an abuse of power. Yeah...'
The very reason Siyoram was founded is me.
The Vice Headmaster is the administrator who has managed Siyoram for decades as the proxy of the Tower Master of Growth.
If I threw myself on the floor and threw a tantrum, she would have a hard time refusing me outright.
Not that this case was an abuse of power anyway.
Considering Senior Daera's current skill and potential, she was obviously qualified to enroll.
"And most of all, I thought you'd like living together with Senior Daera, Master. I did a good thing, right?"
- ......
- Oh, Junior Disciple! Thanks for recommending me!
Beside my master, who was blinking vacantly after listening to my explanation, a head of blue hair suddenly popped up.
It was Senior Daera, beaming brightly.
- I thought about it too, and Siyoram really does seem like the best choice. You're there, Master's there. And that blessing? The one that accelerates your growth?
[Yes, it'll be way better than training outside. By the way, you have cookie crumbs on your mouth.]
- Ah, that was a mistake.
The blue hair vanished from the hologram in a flash.
- That girl still hasn't cleaned up... sigh.
My master collected herself, started to heave a sigh, then glanced my way and swallowed it.
- Anyway, thank you for thinking ahead.
"Hehe, it was nothing."
The corners of my mouth lifted at the praise I'd secretly been hoping for. The Sky Wing Feather spread behind me swayed gently.
- Ahem. Judging by the situation, the outbreak seems likely to end soon. I'll come straight back once it's over, so sit tight and don't worry.
"Yes! Absolutely! No matter what! Come back without getting hurt!"
- Pfft, alright. I'll be back soon.
My master eventually let out a small laugh, and we talked a little longer.
.
.
.
Afterward, I exchanged greetings with a few others, then flopped back down onto the lawn.
'Phew... I've rested enough.'
My energy had replenished. I gave my left arm, which still felt a little awkward, a couple of spins, then placed my palm gently on the ground.
'Manifestation, Homogenization, Taesan.'
- Rumble...
The ground ahead of me trembled faintly. It was earth manipulation through Taesan.
In the end, my use of Azure Sea and Taesan had already been revealed, so now I could use them in front of others anytime I felt like it.
'Still, my father-in-law... Hong Jin-seon asked me to be careful for the time being.'
The heads of the Three Great Families are probably meeting repeatedly to discuss it.
The outcome was impossible to predict easily. The 3rd Iteration of Three Ends died before seeing the results of those talks, after all...
'Manifestation and imitation.'
To me, there's a stark difference, but to others they look essentially the same.
Common sense holds that using someone else's innate ability is no different from manifesting that ability yourself.
'What happens if it shifts into manifestation?'
I traced the grass, vibrant with life, a strange expression on my face.
Initially, I had used Calamity Flame through imitation as well.
Calamity Flame was engraved into my subconscious, and I imitated it even before I recognized its expansion ability, but in the end, it was merely an imitation.
But now it's different. Its form has changed a bit, but Calamity Flame is unmistakably my own innate ability.
'For Baek A-rin's sake, I'd like to manifest Azure Sea as an innate ability if possible.'
I don't know the precise method. I can only guess that it requires repeated use until it's branded into my very being.
In other words, I can't control whether it manifests or not.
So far, no problem. If Azure Sea settles as my innate ability, that's good for me.
'The problem is...'
If Taesan also settles as an innate ability on top of that, would it be safe for me?
I moved the life force within the soil around here and there, recalling the 3rd Iteration's case.
To put it charitably, the 3rd Iteration was a barely contained nuclear bomb.
A dangerous entity whose internal energies could collide and detonate at any moment.
If I ended up like that, I definitely couldn't laugh it off.
I had already experienced the power of Three Ends in real life. A bomb that could completely annihilate the entire area if it destabilized even slightly? At the very least, I'd be too afraid to stay by the side of the people I love.
'Still, it's not like other possibilities don't exist.'
Calamity Flame bloomed from my right hand. It flickered gently, almost endearingly, in a bright hue.
My Calamity Flame is different from other Calamity Flames. It's incredibly docile and obedient. It follows my commands meekly.
'If Azure Sea and Taesan manifest and their natures soften the way Calamity Flame's did...'
There's a possibility.
A possibility that Calamity Flame, Azure Sea, and Taesan could safely coexist within my body, and that a Three Ends achieved that way would be equally obedient — that possibility is enough.
'Maybe I should make that my goal for sophomore year...'
Since I've already been found out, there's no reason to hesitate.
A Three Ends with a reduced burden? Just hearing the words made my heart pound.
Of course, that isn't the only thing I have to do.
I nodded to myself, thinking of the Proof of Protection stored inside my body and Senior Daera.
'Ah. I need to try imitating Senior Daera's unique ability, too.'
My to-do list had grown again.
My plate was already full for the soon-to-arrive sophomore year.
* * *
[Unique Ability 「Tae?」 is growing.]
* * *
Throughout history and across the world, a frozen land has never been a hospitable place to live.
On ground frozen solid, it's hard for even a single blade of green grass to grow.
Naturally, herbivores that live off grazing plants struggle to survive, and so do the carnivores that prey on them.
And that's not all. The cold alone imposes massive restrictions on any activity.
Even omnivorous humans, who have adapted to and survived in every kind of ecosystem, are no exception.
"And on top of that, disasters come crawling into a land like this. No wonder it's so hard to live here, wouldn't you say?"
Virtually the entirety of the Changhae territory is cold land.
On top of that, if left neglected, it swarms with dungeons and monsters.
It is a region decidedly hard for people to live in.
"Good grief. No matter how much you think about your unique ability, why on earth would you settle in a place like this?"
"I haven't a clue why you always unload those complaints onto me, honestly."
"Because you're the only one who'll listen."
"Am I supposed to be thankful?"
"Isn't taking things in a positive light easier on the mind?"
At the smooth reply, Hong Jin-seon let out a low sigh. He took a sip of the tea on the table and continued.
"Your tongue's as sharp as ever. I was worried when I heard a Special-Grade Dungeon appeared, but it was a waste of effort."
"Of course it's natural to worry when a Special-Grade Dungeon shows up in your friend's backyard."
A tent, simply erected.
Hong Jin-seon, seated before the table, fixed his gaze on the man sitting across from him.
The first thing that caught the eye was a clear, blue hue, like a pristine sea.
Blue hair, loosely tied back and roughly reaching his shoulders.
Similarly, his blue eyes held a heavy dose of mischief, yet paradoxically, a deep, unfathomable depth could be felt within them.
He was the current head of the Changhae family, the Ice-Pot Autumn Moon, Baek Wol-seon.
"So, what's the business? You're not the type to come hang out just because you're bored. Or did you come all the way here to keep a confined friend company out of pity?"
Baek Wol-seon was stuck at his family estate — more precisely, near the Special-Grade Dungeon.
Wasn't this precisely the time when the unprecedented dungeon outbreak was a major issue?
When his daughter had declared she would lead troops to the battlefield, Baek Wol-seon had flipped the tent in anger, but this was why he hadn't been able to follow her.
"Sorry, but I don't have that much leisure either. I came only because I had something to tell you in person."
"A story from that battlefield? What is it that makes it a matter warranting a personal visit from you?"
Baek Wol-seon dropped his playful demeanor for a moment.
A catastrophe that had erupted on the other side of the world, on a battlefield where his daughter had led her forces.
He'd been startled by the word 'Catastrophe,' but thanks to extremely thorough preparation, he heard there was little damage and his daughter had returned unscathed, so he hadn't paid it much mind.
But it was a matter significant enough for the head of the Calamity Flame family to visit personally?
He had no choice but to set aside his jesting for a moment.
"You... know about Cadet Lee Ha-yul, I assume?"
"Huh? Ah, yes. I know him. Hmm..."
"Hmm?"
Baek Wol-seon's face, which had been holding a serious expression, suddenly turned a little dour.
At the uncharacteristic reaction, Hong Jin-seon raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"......"
Baek Wol-seon composed his expression in an instant.
The reaction bothered him, but given the nature of the matter, Hong Jin-seon refrained from further digression.
After taking a moment to steady himself, Hong Jin-seon brought up the main point.
"Cadet Lee Ha-yul manifested Azure Sea."
"Are you unwell?"
Tsk-tsk, Baek Wol-seon clicked his tongue and looked at him with pity.
"You must have really had a rough time on that battlefield... tsk. When you go back, don't wander around for nothing; get a day or two of good rest."
"......"
The clicking of the tongue, and a gaze laden with pity.
At that, Calamity Flame quietly rose within Hong Jin-seon.
It was the urge to smash that smug face in.