Materialization (1)
Materialization (1)
The square surrounding the Tower of Growth bustled with people.
Cadets steeled themselves before entering. Professors and staff led final inspections.
Today was the Siyoram 122nd Cohort's first Tower Entry.
"Really, even though I know it'll be fine... I can't seem to relax."
[Senior... even if I wanted to cause an accident in the Tower of Growth, it'd be difficult...]
"I know that."
Lee Ji-yeon stood with her arms crossed and let out a groan. She said she knew, but her demeanor suggested otherwise.
Her worried, dripping gaze was endearing one moment—then her pouting lips gave it away the next. It felt a little unsettling that she was this worked up over it.
Lee Ji-yeon's distrust persisted even that morning.
She went so far as to leave the 3rd-year ranks and hover around me.
The expressions of those watching from afar grew strange at that. I recognized them: Lee Ji-yeon's friends from the 3rd year, whom I'd met during the previous evaluation period.
As their faces turned odd, I glanced away and asked quietly.
[...Shouldn't you be with your friends?]
"It's fine. We're the same year; we'll talk each other's ears off once we're inside."
Lee Ji-yeon shrugged, unfazed by the attention gathering around her.
My expression grew a little strange as well.
That personality trait had once been a significant obstacle to Lee Ji-yeon's growth.
After we met in China last year, seeing her so deflated, I'd wondered how to help her... But I did nothing, and she overcame it on her own in an instant.
The clear, forceful energy radiating from her now was proof. A weighty presence—solid and composed, just as the word Taesan implied.
"Ji-yeon, aren't you worrying too much about Ha-yul? What about us?"
"That's right. We're in the same 2nd-year tower entry, and you don't seem worried at all!"
Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin, who were nearby, cut in.
Yeon-hwa rested her arm on my shoulder and grumbled with obvious dissatisfaction, while Baek A-rin, who had been poking at my winged garment, chimed in.
Lee Ji-yeon blinked, looking back and forth between them.
"You two manage just fine without me worrying."
[?]
[Then what about me?]
"Junior... it's not about your ability. I just worry anyway."
[That makes no sense.]
"Hm..."
Lee Ji-yeon trailed off, her eyes shifting. She made eye contact with Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin, who had been watching her, and then nodded.
"...Ha-yul is just too unreliable in this regard."
"Isn't it weird to trust him in the first place?"
"Right? You think so too? See, my worrying isn't baseless after all."
[.......]
Their perfectly synchronized replies left me with a sour expression. I turned my head slightly toward the back and met Ellia's eyes; she was behind me.
Ellia blinked, then smiled brightly.
"Our young master, even if it's a tower, let's stay safe, okay?"
"...Yes."
It seemed there was similarly no trust there either.
"...I'll entrust my disciple to you inside the tower."
"Yeah. Don't worry, I'll look after him well."
I turned my head forward again.
My master and Professor Liana, having finished their inspection, had returned and were speaking to Yeon-hwa and Baek A-rin about me.
[......]
No matter which way I turned, there was no trust in that regard.
Of course, I didn't dare grumble.
There were circumstances, but keeping my mouth shut while resolving the Reverse Side was my karma and my sin, so I couldn't complain.
If I brazenly complained? I'd end up receiving that punishment I dodged last time with tears, late...
.
.
.
"The information matches what was delivered beforehand. However, keeping possible misunderstandings in mind, as the year-level supervisor, I will convey the guidelines."
While I was receiving these affectionate worries, a professor soon stepped onto the podium.
"...I'll really go in now. Junior, stay safe and come back well."
[Thank you.]
[Senior Lee Ji-yeon, do your best too.]
Lee Ji-yeon smiled faintly and returned to the 3rd-year ranks.
"This 2nd-year Tower Entry's theme is Embodiment. The background is roughly 130 years ago, during the Chaos Period. It is the African Demon Realm Frontline."
The one on the podium was Professor Albert Caniazel, who had taught the 1st-year Gogu Class last year and now led the 2nd-year Daeseo Class.
"There is no need to explain in detail. In that era, the African region was an even more turbulent and perilous battlefield than it is now."
The professor's blunt phrasing tensed the 2nd-year cadets' faces.
130 years ago—before Siyoram was even founded. Moreover, it was the height of the Chaos Period, and the location was a Demon Realm, practically the only one in modern times.
"The Tower Entry will last five days. However, unlike before, time within will be somewhat compressed, and you cadets will spend over two weeks there."
"Time compression...? The tower really does have amazing functions."
"It does."
Ellia murmured softly while fiddling with my hand. I nodded slightly in reply.
The tower has many built-in functions besides its signature Authorities. The original incarnation technique I used is also a tower function.
'Though five days would pass outside, we would experience around two weeks inside.'
A stay at least three times longer, conservatively.
The hardship would increase accordingly, but on the flip side, the period to receive additional Blessing of Growth corrections inside the tower would lengthen.
In other words, the more we struggled, the greater our growth.
"You will endure far greater hardship than in previous tower entries. Such is the backdrop and era. Yet your instructor is certain this is an opportunity to gain results far more valuable than the suffering."
Professor Albert surveyed the 2nd-year cadets.
He appeared elderly. Not from the Great Cataclysm, but a superhuman who had lived through the Chaos Period.
To experience the battlefields of the Chaos Period without danger—undoubtedly an opportunity nowhere else to be had.
"...Through hardship, experience the past we have passed, and achieve diverse growth. Now, after the 1st-years enter, the 2nd-years will begin, starting with the Ipha Class."
The explanation ended.
Around then, the 1st-years, having finished their briefing, began entering the Tower of Growth.
The 2nd-years were next. With entry moments away, most were busy calming their nerves.
"Hey, the one at the front is the top seat, right?"
"Ipchun Class... yeah, you're right. This year's 1st-year top seat."
The first 1st-year to enter was the Ipchun Class. Eyes gathered on the cadet at the front.
Pale green hair, braided over one shoulder. The pure, clean wind aura exuding from her. It was Lee Ha-sol.
Just then, Lee Ha-sol, who had been walking without care for the surrounding gazes, suddenly turned her head.
Toward me. Though some distance away, her light green eyes held my image.
Soon, her gentle eyes curved. Lee Ha-sol smiled and waved.
- Whoong...
At the same time, a faint wind leaked from Lee Ha-sol and approached me.
An extremely faint presence. The wind, carrying no hostile intent, reached my ear.
- Ha-yul, don't push yourself, and come back safely.
A fairly clear voice echoed in my head. It wasn't a sound transmission. It seemed she had replicated one using Gale.
'But why is she worrying too... ugh.'
- Lee Ha-sol, you give it your best too.
I swallowed my sullenness and sent a sound transmission back. Receiving it, Lee Ha-sol's smile brightened even more.
Behind Lee Ha-sol stood Senior Daera, exuding a sharper, zapping presence.
- Bwoong!
...Ignoring the surrounding gazes, she was waving the prosthetic arm I had made for her. I smiled wryly and sent a sound transmission.
- Senior, I'll be cheering for you.
Hyuk! Far away, Senior Daera jumped in surprise. It seemed she wasn't used to sound transmissions.
"...Ha-yul."
"Yes?"
While I was holding back a laugh at the comical sight, a hand came to rest on my head.
A warm palm... it was Yeon-hwa's hand.
I tilted my head back and met Yeon-hwa's eyes, slightly narrowed and crimson. I blinked back.
"Yes, Yeon-hwa? What is it?"
"I saw you greeting the 1st-year top seat just now... do you know her?"
"Huh? Know her... Oh."
I had been tilting my head, then suddenly let out a gasp as a thought struck me.
Come to think of it, I hadn't explained about Lee Ha-sol.
"Yes, we were from the same orphanage... there are some circumstances."
"Where do all these things keep popping up from?"
"Huh, bwup, bweeeh..."
My cheek was pinched unreasonably.
After my cheek was left stinging and warm for a while, it was our turn, and we stood before the tower entrance.
Unlike a dungeon, there was no swirling vortex. The pitch-black darkness resembled a calm night sea.
Though it gave an inexplicably ominous feeling, having entered many times, I didn't hesitate.
I held my breath tightly and pushed myself into the entrance.
.
.
.
- Thud.
After a dizzying pressure on the backs of my knees, my feet touched the ground. Having been prepared, I didn't fall.
Through my senses, I quickly picked up presences. I activated Observation right away.
'Just as the briefing said.'
I was inside some enormous building.
An ivory-colored temple. I had been summoned into its spacious center. The presences were gathered a little ahead.
They were not ordinary people. Every one of them was a superhuman with trained bodies and mana.
Their auras were extraordinary. None were at an intermediate level; they were sharply honed experts.
- Wooong!
Cadets appeared one after another behind me, those who had entered first.
Yeon-hwa, Baek A-rin, Ellia, and the other cadets.
Though all felt the distinct dizziness of spatial movement, upon spotting the superhumans a short distance away, they went on guard.
But there was no excessive wariness, because they had already been briefed.
"...Heroes of the Tower, it is an honor to meet you."
- Step.
One person stepped forward from the front line of the superhuman group.
"I am Sierra Skariar, acting commander of the 3rd Defense Front."
A crisp, clear voice like a knife's edge.
At that, Baek A-rin, who had been staying alert beside me, widened her eyes.
It wasn't just Baek A-rin. Yeon-hwa and Ellia too. A mix of emotions surfaced on most cadets' faces.
I observed Sierra, the woman who had approached as a representative and offered a handshake.
Her steps were light, but her long legs were habitually ready to close distance at any moment.
Black bobbed hair and dull eyes. A long sword slanted at her waist.
'Sierra.'
I was meeting her for the first time.
But not the first time I had heard the name.
Sierra Skariar.
The current Tower Master of Space's name.