Handles Azure Sea Well (1)
Handles Azure Sea Well (1)
'The manifestation went well.'
I was in a training room near the arena, having secured my spot in the main tournament.
I nodded as I observed the three special undead lined up before me.
The three undead I'd created specialized in a sword, a spear, and a shield, respectively.
'I did make them a bit hastily... but I'd already designed them beforehand, so there weren't any issues.'
I fought three matches in the tournament preliminaries. I advanced to the main round by sending undead to claim victory in all three.
This was both to demonstrate my proficiency with Taesan and to test the undead's actual combat capabilities.
I was satisfied with their performance.
The bodies were stitched from monsters ranked 5th Rank or higher, filled with complete and suitable thought residue. I'd even woven Taesan into their operation from the production process onward.
This alone would make them high-quality undead, but I added one more process.
Artificial skill.
In other words, I wanted to see if I could separately inject and utilize combat techniques through the Authority of Knowledge.
'It doesn't reach the level of an Innate Talent, but the skill itself was successfully implanted.'
The result was a half success.
Even without direct manipulation, these three undead display high-level combat skills. They can easily slaughter most ordinary superhumans or monsters.
On top of that, they even make autonomous tactical decisions to coordinate attacks.
The autonomous decision-making comes from Taesan, but I've confirmed it links with their combat skills.
That was evident from me winning all three matches using only undead. I even won the last two matches with just one undead each.
'It really was impressive that Aiden managed to take one down.'
Even though I had adjusted their weight class, he subdued an undead of that caliber in three exchanges? I pretended not to be fazed up on the arena, but I was genuinely shocked.
Compared to last year's Aiden, it's an earth-shattering level of change. If he fought his past self from last year, he'd probably win even with 100-to-1 odds.
...Though it's a bit ironic for me to be saying something like that.
Anyway.
'With this, I can greatly increase my forces on the undead front.'
Right now, I only have three special undead of this caliber, but if I steadily increase their numbers, they'll become a sufficient force in anti-army combat.
- ...We would be far more helpful to you than these unclean things.
A sullen thought was transmitted to me.
It was Terramor's thought.
I fluttered a wing feather and gave a bitter smile.
'Of course, I think so too. Still, having more usable forces can't hurt, right?'
- That is true... but I cannot help feeling concerned seeing your jade hands caress such unclean things.
'That is some heavy-handed flattery...'
Jade hands? I'd heard of a "jade body," but I never knew an expression like that existed.
'So Terramor shares the typical spirit aversion to undead after all.'
If anything, her sharper sense of self seems to make it stronger.
The other spirits were similar.
My expression turned a bit odd as I recalled the usually gentle spirits turning delinquent and picking fights the moment they saw an undead.
- Ding.
Just then, an alarm rang.
[Contact: Lee Ji-yeon]
[▷Lee Ji-yeon: Junior]
[▷Lee Ji-yeon: Is it okay if I come over now?]
'Ah.'
I didn't even need to read the whole message to understand what she meant.
I straightened my clothes and cast a purification magic around me. The wing feather fluttered and shifted into a Winged Garment...
I finished checking myself and glanced at the three undead standing there awkwardly. I considered putting them away, but decided to leave them out, considering the status of the guest.
- Junior, may I come in?
[Yes, please come in.]
It didn't take long for the guest to arrive.
The training room door opened and Lee Ji-yeon entered first.
She was dressed in an ordinary cadet uniform. A green Winged Garment hovered around her. She gave a faint smile as she looked at me, but a hint of tension lingered in her expression.
I nodded in greeting, and Lee Ji-yeon stepped aside.
Following behind her, an elderly man entered.
His hair was graying, and wrinkles lined his hands and face. Yet his energy wasn't thin or weak; it carried a heavy, solid weight.
His not-quite-cloudy grey eyes turned toward me. For an instant, the elder's eyes widened, then a natural smile settled on his lips as he politely bowed his back.
"Though I am an unworthy old man, I am Lee Seon-hyeong, entrusted with the role of Chief Administrator of the Taesan family. I greet you for the first time, Young Master Lee Ha-yul."
[Ah, yes. Hello...]
Lee Seon-hyeong, the Chief Administrator of the Taesan family.
I'd been informed of his visit beforehand, so I wasn't flustered.
He had plenty of reasons to visit.
To meet Lee Ji-yeon, who handles affairs as the proxy Family Head. And also, to see the unidentified Taesan manifestor—me—before the meeting...
"Please, do not bow so deeply to this old man."
As I bowed my head in return, Lee Seon-hyeong slowly shook his head.
I straightened my back slightly at his words. Lee Seon-hyeong maintained his smile and gave a bow smaller than before.
"Though I sent word ahead through the Young Lady, I was concerned that I might be disturbing you at an important time."
[No, not at all. The preliminaries are over, and there's plenty of time to prepare for the main round.]
"It relieves me to hear you say so. Thank you."
I shook my head and observed Lee Seon-hyeong.
'I saw this person in the original story too.'
His position as the Chief Administrator of Taesan was the same.
Just as Lee Ji-yeon had said, contrary to his self-deprecating label as an old man, he's a remarkable superhuman.
Unlike the Calamity Flame Family's Chief Administrator, Jang Mo... no, unlike Choi Ji-yeon, he isn't related to the family head by blood.
Instead, he is a figure who served the family faithfully since the time of the former Family Head, Lee Ja-ah, earned their trust, and after retirement, had his administrative skills recognized, leading to his appointment as Chief Administrator.
"You're quite robust for an old man, sir. You even guide me in sparring sometimes."
"Heh heh, I am still a superhuman, though not in my prime. I'm not yet at the age where I need a cane to walk."
"I've seen you use that cane to discipline the kids, though."
"Oh my, please don't embarrass me in front of the Young Master."
At Lee Ji-yeon's teasing remark, Lee Seon-hyeong gave a faint smile and shook his head.
Soon, his gaze, which had been turning toward me, landed on the three undead standing idly to the side.
"Hoh..."
A small sound of admiration escaped Lee Seon-hyeong's lips. His grey eyes scrutinized the undead.
"Those are... undead raised with Taesan."
[Yes, that's correct.]
He recognized them instantly.
Well, he'd served Taesan manifestors his whole life, and the Innate Talent they give off is far too blatant.
"May I be permitted a closer look?"
[Of course.]
I made them precisely to show the relevant parties, after all. Once permission was given, Lee Seon-hyeong examined the undead one by one.
"Huh..."
The more he scrutinized the undead with his serious gaze, the greater Lee Seon-hyeong's surprise grew.
"I had heard the rumors, but this level of perfection..."
[Rumors?]
As a question mark floated above my head, Lee Ji-yeon giggled and answered.
"On the way here. Rumors have already spread that a certain junior beat up the cadets using only undead."
[Senior... that's a very malicious way to phrase it.]
"It just means you were that overwhelming."
Lee Ji-yeon shrugged.
Meanwhile, Lee Seon-hyeong, who had been examining the undead in detail, stepped back a few paces.
"...This old man dares not offer any advice. Such precision and perfection. A manifestation of this level... you are truly remarkable."
The surprise in the gaze directed at me was quite significant.
'With a reaction like that, they'll probably report back that I'm fairly good with Taesan.'
I nodded internally and pointed to Lee Ji-yeon.
[It's thanks to Senior's help.]
Lee Ji-yeon's help was also involved in creating the undead.
Of course, the skill implantation side was handled by the Authority of Knowledge, but solidly modifying the undead bodies was a different matter.
"Claiming my help was a big part of it pricks my conscience, though. Their performance was already incredible before that. Especially the suitability and completeness of the undead aspect is absurdly good..."
[Your help genuinely was a big deal, though.]
But Lee Ji-yeon kept insisting on modesty and overly downplaying her own contribution. I couldn't help but puff out my cheeks.
[Displeased.]
[Grievance.]
"Ahaha, alright. I won't say any more. My help was quite significant."
Only then did Lee Ji-yeon stop her protests. A hand came up to my face and pressed my cheek, making the air puff out.
"...Ah."
Lee Ji-yeon suddenly flinched.
Wondering what was up, I observed and found that Lee Seon-hyeong, having finished inspecting the undead, was now looking at Lee Ji-yeon and me.
"Ahem."
"Is your throat ticklish?"
"It's nothing."
Letting out a dry cough, Lee Ji-yeon subtly lowered her hand. Lee Seon-hyeong gave a small smile and walked over, his steps clicking lightly.
Then, without warning, he bowed his head deeply toward me again. Even deeper than the first time.
"Actually, setting aside official business, I wanted to meet you personally to offer my thanks."
[Pardon?]
As I tilted my head, Lee Seon-hyeong smiled bitterly and looked at Lee Ji-yeon. His grey eyes seemed to gaze upon both the present and the past.
"As someone who has served the young lady since she was small, her habit of belittling herself has always been a source of deep concern for me."
'Ah.'
The inferiority complex and sense of inadequacy Lee Ji-yeon had harbored since childhood.
They were never pleasant emotions to carry around, but for a Manifestor of Taesan, for whom self-worth and pride were paramount, they were especially disruptive feelings.
"However, that particular concern has been resolved recently."
Lee Seon-hyeong's gaze returned to me.
"The young lady has stopped belittling herself and has embraced her own sense of self and pride. All of it happened after she met you, Young Master Lee Ha-yul."
[...That wasn't my doing. Senior Lee Ji-yeon achieved all of that on her own.]
"Haha. Your response is remarkably similar to the one the young lady just gave."
[Guhk.]
"Pfft."
...Looking at the tone alone, I suppose so.
But really, my help wasn't a factor this time. I poked Lee Ji-yeon, who was hiding a smile, with my Winged Garment.
"There's more I should thank you for. The Twin-headed Poison Dragon. For personally finishing off a vile species that even the current Clan Head couldn't fully handle. And for saving Lady Lee Ji-yeon in the process... From an official standpoint, that constitutes an even greater debt."
[I was the one who received help... and I've already been more than excessively compensated.]
"I haven't really given anything... Ack, ah, alright, I got it."
Lee Ji-yeon's mouth clamped shut under the relentless poking of my Winged Garment.
"Hahaha. You two appear to be remarkably close."
[Oh.]
Lee Seon-hyeong let out a laugh. His gaze shifted back and forth between my Winged Garment and the one draped over Lee Ji-yeon.
At his look, Lee Ji-yeon rolled her eyes, then shrugged.
"...It's just... you know... I'm around my junior a lot, so... it happened naturally..."
"Indeed. The sight of it wrapped around your waist looks perfectly natural."
"Excuse me?"
Lee Ji-yeon blinked. Her gaze, after a moment of thought, suddenly dropped to my waist.
Before I knew it, the green Winged Garment had coiled itself around my waist in several layers. On top of that, her arm was draped over it as if pulling me closer. Lee Ji-yeon's eyes flew open wide, as if she hadn't been aware of it at all.
"Uh, ah, wait. This is... well... there's a reason..."
Lee Seon-hyeong chuckled.
His demeanor was a little different from before.
* * *
The main tournament was held the very next day after the preliminaries.
After waiting in the player waiting room, I walked out when the time came.
As soon as I stepped outside, a torrent of noise washed over me.
The spectator stands were packed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
This was despite the arena being several times larger than the preliminary battlegrounds. It was thanks to the main tournament drawing in not only cadets and faculty, but outside officials as well.
'Hmm.'
There were a few familiar faces. I noted that I'd have to go greet them after the match, and stepped up onto the arena.
My opponent ascended from the other side.
"You're here? Guess we ran into each other right away in the main."
"Yep."
By sheer coincidence, my first opponent in the main was Yeon-hwa. At her words, I nodded and ran my hand over my spear as she rested a standard-issue sword over her shoulder.
"...Over there. Saw the other people too?"
Yeon-hwa subtly gestured with her eyes to one side. I, finishing my last check, nodded.
"Yes. Should we go greet them together after this?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
Yeon-hwa, who had been smiling brightly and dangling her sword, suddenly blinked. She seemed to mull something over for a moment, and then a mischievous grin spread across her face.
"Ha-yul. You went up against A-rin in the main round last year, right?"
"Yeah."
"And you made a bet, lost, and ended up spending the whole day together?"
"Uh... yes..."
That definitely happened.
As I recalled the previous year and nodded, Yeon-hwa curled her lip up.
"Then, shall we make a bet too?"
"A bet?"
"Yeah, since we're at it, it'd be fun for us too."
"...Heh. I won't lose so easily like I did last year."
At Yeon-hwa's words, I squared my shoulders.
The Lee Ha-yul from last year and the Lee Ha-yul of today are entirely different beings.
I meant that I was no longer a novice who could be effortlessly subdued, even in a match where I had to hold back like last year.
As I showed my confidence, Yeon-hwa grinned.
"If I win, obviously, Ha-yul grants me a wish."
"Sure."
"If Ha-yul wins... then I grant you a wish."
"Yeah, that's... Huh?"
"Great. You've accepted, yeah?"
"?"
My reflexive nod stopped abruptly, and my head tilted to one side.
If Yeon-hwa wins, her wish.
If I win, her wish...
Something about that is severely off.
"Now wait just a min—"
[Evaluation, start!]
The signal and roar from the sky cut my words short.
A dismayed expression formed on my face.
- That's so unfair.
When I sent a Sound Transmission loaded with a ton of sullenness, Yeon-hwa winked one eye.
I felt my irritation almost melt away at that, but I forced my lips into a pout and clasped my hands together.
Kugugung! Three pillars erupted from the ground. The pillars crumbled, and three Special Undead rose, clutching their weapons.
'Charge, for now.'
The three undead kicked off the ground and shot toward Yeon-hwa, who was standing still and observing me.
The one hefting a greatshield took point. Behind it, the undead wielding sword and spear fanned out to the left and right.
"Hup."
Yeon-hwa exhaled a short breath and let her sword hang loose.
The very instant the broad shield was about to slam into her, Yeon-hwa's body instantly slipped into a blind spot.
The shield couldn't react. But the response was swift.
The lead undead naturally spun around, swinging its mace, while the trailing spear and sword thrust in from behind.
A systematic tactic where each armament cut off escape routes, applying gradual pressure.
It was textbook.
The combined assault of those three undead, superior in both skill and physical class, could overwhelm most ordinary cadets.
It didn't land.
Quick, precise movements evaded the attacks. Attacks she couldn't dodge were deflected aside by a sword that moved like a comb's teeth, carving out a path.
She wasn't even properly using Aura, let alone Calamity Flame, yet she was casually handling the combined attack of three undead.
Yeon-hwa, who had been countering as much as possible without moving from her spot, let out a deep breath. In a single instant, her blade blurred.
The greatshield split cleanly in two vertically.
Immediately after, the head of the descending mace flew off. The disarmed undead leaped backward, and the sword and spear surged in from both sides.
Once more, Yeon-hwa's blade blurred. Then, the afterimage of the sword split in two, slicing left and right.
The blades that had been painstakingly repaired the day before were cleanly cleaved. The long spear shaft was severed.
Movement that casually defied the laws of physics. An Expansion Ability from the Technique Category. And one that had been honed to a level beyond mere proficiency.
The undead, instantly disarmed, widened the distance.
"I don't wanna do another sword fight."
Yeon-hwa didn't just let them go.
A crimson Aura wrapped around the blade of her sword. Over it, embers began to form.
The embers silently swelled. Calamity Flame poured out, centered on the blade, and devoured everything in every direction.
- Fwooosh!
The undead swallowed by the Calamity Flame wavered, and after only a few seconds, they melted into the flames. The Calamity Flame grew even larger.
'No, my Special Undead.'
Three undead that had taken a day or two to create were burned to nothing in three seconds.
Of course, they'd be restored once the match ended, but a strange sense of futility struck me squarely in the chest...
Fwoosh!
I had no time to dwell on the futility.
Yeon-hwa, having burned the undead, wrapped herself in Calamity Flame and charged straight at me.
The flame wreathing her was quite fierce and large. Her own output was strong, but it had just fed on the Vitality Energy the undead possessed and swelled larger.
Taesan's techniques aren't only about the undead. Life Force Manipulation and Earth Manipulation. Close-quarters combat through them is also one of my specialties.
Of course, the fact that she burns vitality is a disadvantageous match-up, but there are ways to deal with it.
'Manifest, Homogenization.'
I briefly considered countering with Taesan, but I changed my mind, figuring I'd already used Taesan plenty in the preliminaries.
Yeon-hwa kicked off the ground and leaped into the sky. At the same time, the ground, suffused with a chill of Cold Energy, froze solid, and then a dense cluster of massive ice spikes erupted upward.
"The Azure Sea?"
Yeon-hwa furrowed her brow. At that, I straightened my shoulders, which had hunched up unnecessarily, and drove my spear, packed full of Water Energy, into the ground.
The Water Energy surged. At that omen, Yeon-hwa's brow furrowed further.
'Pseudo Expansion Ability.'
It wasn't fully settled yet, but I can imitate it by combining Mana Manipulation and magic.
'Tidal Wave.'
A waterfall erupted from the ground.