The Greedy One
The Greedy One
The dry ground was submerged.
Fierce waves crashed relentlessly, making the water's surface buck and heave. Massive glaciers, swept up by the waves, shattered into countless fragments.
I stood unharmed in the middle of it all.
Behind me, there was another sea I had raised myself. The two seas, each belonging to a different master, clashed at the center, pushing and pulling for dominance.
- A p-playboy...
I could stand unbothered amid such a natural disaster, yet a single teasing cry pierced straight through my chest. Not even Aura, the Authority of Protection, or the Authority of Space could block it.
My face, as I stood with my spear driven into the ground, twisted into a slight pout.
- I'm being wronged here.
"Wronged? What's that supposed to mean?"
When I sent the sound transmission, Baek A-rin, who had been harmonizing with the Azure Sea far away, shot me a baffled look. But I had things to say too.
- I'm diligently training my Azure Sea, so why are you bullying me?
"You haven't manifested it yet, have you? That? I can tell because it lacks the distinct characteristics of the Calamity Flame or Taesan."
- No.
"Exactly! Why is the Azure Sea the dead last?!"
Baek A-rin, shouting at the top of her lungs, brought down an Ice Spear. Kwaaaa! The sea heaved, and an even greater wave swept toward me.
"People are definitely going to talk! The Calamity Flame and Taesan are special, so why does the Azure Sea look so similar? It'll just get lumped in with the comparison!"
- That's why I'm working hard.
"The world only cares about results!"
She wasn't wrong. After all, effort doesn't always guarantee a matching outcome.
- Kwarrrr!
A whirlpool surged through the sea. Shards of ice and Aura swirled inside it like a blender. It was the Vortex Water Palm that Baek A-rin had unleashed.
'Why does everyone try to rattle their opponent verbally before a match even starts?'
Of course, I understood it was a kind of strategic tactic, but it was still a bit underhanded.
I pursed my lips slightly and drew my hand back. Ice condensed in my palm, forming a lance with a conical blade.
As a cold breath filled my mouth, I recalled the recorded information.
The battle with the 10th Iteration.
I had Observed every detail of those records and stored them with the Authority of Knowledge. The analysis was long finished, and I had perfectly grasped the forms of the techniques the 10th Iteration had used.
The source record was enacted through the Unique Ability True Blood, but the forms could be adapted to other Unique Abilities.
The most suitable Unique Ability was the Azure Sea.
'Piercing Thorns.'
Kwaaang! The thrown lance pierced the whirlpool's center. The disrupted vortex froze solid and fell into the sea, split left and right.
"Tch."
Baek A-rin frowned and dragged her foot across the ground. Chwaak! The water qi within the sea froze, forming a ten-layered ice wall.
The ice wall, its center punched through, crumbled into pieces. However, the lance, its penetrative force already spent, was swallowed by the sea that crashed in from all directions.
But Baek A-rin's expression did not improve.
Pababak! Thorns embedded themselves in the Water Mirror Orbs she had secretly deployed everywhere. The orbs lost their structure and collapsed.
"Ugh, ambushes just never work."
Baek A-rin grumbled quietly.
There was no helping it. No matter how well one hid their presence and mana, nothing could escape my Observation.
'Though I don't even really need to use Observation.'
I steadied my ice spear and closed the distance.
I wasn't neglecting my harmonization with the Azure Sea either. I continuously launched the thorns I raised from the sea and infiltrated cold energy to wrest control away.
'I know Baek A-rin's combat doctrine well.'
Was it just her doctrine?
Even without Observation, once a battle started, I could foresee the decisions Baek A-rin would make.
My own observations. Combat data collected through sparring. The little judgments I'd gathered just living alongside her.
Data becomes the basis for judgment.
The greater the accumulated data, the more accurate my judgments became, and I could even predict future actions without seeing the outcome.
'The Tower Master of Observation reportedly used her Authority centered around Foresight... but maybe she used it the same way I do.'
In particular, I had collected and analyzed even the most trivial data concerning Baek A-rin.
I might not know about anyone else, but I had to be able to predict every single decision Baek A-rin would make in a fight, from start to finish.
- Kwaang!
"Tch."
I dismantled her checks and closed the distance.
I deflected her thrusting spears one after another. I even shot down the hidden daggers lurking between the seas.
Baek A-rin, pouting, drew back one arm wreathed in a whirlpool.
She abandoned the stealth that wasn't working anyway, opting for a full-frontal assault. I wreathed my own arm in a whirlpool to meet hers.
Kwarrrr! Our palm strikes, launched simultaneously, collided. The trailing whirlpools crashed together, mingling and canceling each other out. Baek A-rin pouted at the sight.
"Sheesh, now I can't even beat you in raw output."
She let out a deep sigh—or pretended to—so I spun my spear. Ting! The ice spear that had been hurtling toward my back was shattered.
Baek A-rin's face crumpled.
"Oh, come on."
- No backstabbing, please.
Especially Baek A-rin's backstabbing. It's a bit much.
Of course, I am supposed to get stabbed eventually, but there's no need to get stabbed this early.
.
.
.
[122nd Siyoram Tournament, 2nd-Year Division]
[Winner: Ipha Class, Lee Ha-yul]
[Runner-Up: Ipha Class, Baek A-rin]
[The above cadets have proven their growth, displayed brilliant potential, and clearly demonstrated their excellence—]
The match ended, and the awards ceremony followed.
Last year, I hadn't been able to participate because Baek A-rin took me out as soon as I reached the main round. This time, I stood proudly in the winner's place.
"Oh my, he's grown so big. Last year, I could still keep him in my arms and tease him for fun."
After the ceremony, Baek A-rin followed me into the waiting room, grumbling.
My expression, as I was gathering my things, turned a bit sour.
[Bewilderment]
[You tease me nowadays too.]
The way people around me treated me hadn't changed just because my combat power had increased.
No matter how much I asserted my strength, the worried looks they gave me—as if I were a child playing too close to the water—remained the same.
And Baek A-rin took every opportunity to pull me into her arms, tickle me, and poke me for fun...
"Honestly, is that even teasing? You've never refused it, Ha-yul. Did you actually dislike it?"
Baek A-rin, who had been casually changing her clothes, glanced sidelong at me. I shook my head, eyes closed.
[That's not it.]
[I like it.]
"Look at that second thought. If we both like it, how is that bullying? It's just skinship."
She definitely had a point. I nodded along, placing the winner's trophy I'd just received into my Subspace. And the credit exchange voucher I'd received alongside it...
'I should really use these soon.'
I fiddled with the credit exchange voucher that was already halfway into my Subspace.
At Siyoram, credits not only reflected in your grades but also functioned as currency for various benefits.
Early last year, I'd spent them to acquire the Sky Wing Feather and other things, but I hadn't used many since.
Shopping with the Special Admission Cadet benefit gave me nearly a 90% discount on most things, and eventually, I even received the key to the Siyoram Secret Vault.
If I needed something, I could just pop into the Secret Vault and take it.
Of course, there were things only credits could do.
That was why I'd been thinking about credits.
'A one-time Tower Entry Authorization.'
It was a product listed almost at the very top of the catalog Siyoram provided.
An authorization that let you enter the Tower of Growth once, and you could even choose the floor and theme, they said.
The place where first-years underwent survival competition was the Forest... the 1st Floor, for reference.
Besides that, there were various other floors and environments, and you could enter your chosen location to grow stronger or collect spoils and the like.
However, areas with a 'Past Manifestation' theme, like the Tower Entry I'd recently experienced, were said to have more complicated conditions.
'Most people only use it once or twice when they're upperclassmen.'
It was around that point they could tighten their belts and afford it once. It wasn't at the top of the catalog for nothing.
Since I'd accumulated a fair number of credits since last year, I could enter once and still have plenty left over.
Of course, considering my position, if I whined to the Vice Headmaster enough, she might just let me in...
'But following proper procedure was the right thing to do.'
If I were to enter, the theme I would choose was already decided.
Contemplation.
A trial where you had to fight and overcome a manifestation of yourself inside the Tower.
'For other cadets, their own self appeared at the point of entry...'
But my situation was different.
What appeared at my entry point wasn't me, but the 2nd Iteration.
If I were to enter again with Contemplation as the theme, there was a high probability someone from a different iteration would emerge instead of me.
I couldn't help sinking deeper into thought at this point.
The one I'd met back then was the 2nd Iteration.
An iteration with a low physical class but ridiculous skill. Also, an iteration that followed a good alignment.
'If another iteration appears...'
In my current state, there was an iteration I wanted to meet. But setting aside training, there was also an iteration I was reluctant to meet.
9th Iteration, 11th Iteration, 12th Iteration...
[?]
A piece of ice that suddenly slipped through my collar cut my thoughts short.
The Azure Sea's cold energy still lingered in my body, so it didn't feel cold. Wondering what was going on, I turned my Observation toward the sofa, where Baek A-rin sat flicking her fingers.
The ice that had gotten into my clothes moved according to her gestures. She must have placed it there with Basic Telekinesis.
[What are you doing?]
"Don't just stand there spacing out. Come over here."
After flicking the ice into a corner, Baek A-rin beckoned me over.
I brushed off my clothes to remove the ice and scurried over. Suddenly, two arms reached out and pulled me into a hug.
"How can you call it bullying when you melt into a hug this easily."
Baek A-rin chuckled, and my face was pressed against her. The skin I was nestled against felt nothing but cool. It was because of the Azure Sea's cold energy that had spread through her body as she used it.
"Both of us being cool like this feels a little weird."
[Agree]
I felt the same.
Baek A-rin rubbed her cheek against the crown of my head, wearing an odd expression, then ran a hand down my waist.
"What were you thinking about so deeply?"
[The Tower Entry Authorization you can buy with credits. I was thinking it's about time I used it.]
"Aha? Makes sense, since you've collected so many credits, Ha-yul. I was considering using mine soon, too."
[You've collected a lot too, Baek A-rin, being the Top Seat.]
"I've been saving since early last year. Though, starting this semester, a certain someone is expected to overtake me, so it'll slow down."
As the top admission scorer, Baek A-rin had earned many credits and reportedly spent almost none.
[Then would you like to use them together? I plan to enter under the Contemplation theme.]
"Together? Could we enter with the Contemplation theme at the same time?"
Baek A-rin blinked and tilted her head. I shrugged my shoulders.
[Even if we enter separately, since we're using them anyway, it'd be nice to do it together. We'd probably come out at the same point anyway.]
"That's true. I'll think about it."
[Okay.]
The conversation lulled for a moment. In the meantime, I kindled the Calamity Flame I had been preparing.
The soft Calamity Flame ignited on my right arm and spread throughout my entire body.
Before long, the Calamity Flame seeped into Baek A-rin's skin as she held me tight.
- Chiiiik...
The cold energy inside my body slowly melted away. My body warmed up, flushing with heat, and the sensation was quite pleasant.
'Though not as much as Baek A-rin.'
"Hooo..."
The breath near my head became uneven. Baek A-rin shivered and hugged me tighter. My body sank deeper into her embrace.
When I lifted my head from where it was buried against her chest, I found her eyes, slightly languid, gazing at me.
It was the expression that surfaced on her mask. When I Observed behind the mask... surprisingly, her true expression was quite similar.
- Hwareuk, hwareureuk...
The Calamity Flame spread. The cold energy inside melted away, and warmth filled the void. Suppressed feelings crept up and caught fire.
'...I do have a lot of women around me, but...'
It just sort of happened.
Who could have predicted this? If I had told my past self from the beginning of last year about the current situation, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.
Affection, which I'd been too timid to even touch, was so sweet it was maddening.
Once swallowed, it was impossible to spit back out, and I could only open my mouth wider, demanding more.
I was at the point where losing even a single one of the affections I'd swallowed would make me not want to live.
Though I hadn't realized it myself, I was the type with terrible greed and an extremely strong sense of possessiveness.
The part of my mind still frozen by the Azure Sea assessed coolly.
- Smooch.
My body, warmed by the Calamity Flame, moved.
I pressed a brief kiss to the skin beside her lips, where a cool sensation still lingered.
[You're mine now.]
[You called me... a playboy... but even if you say you hate it, Baek A-rin... you can't leave now.]
Baek A-rin's languid eyes widened into round circles. Those pretty eyes stared straight at me, then soon curved gently.
"Isn't that a bit too much? People's feelings can cool down, you know."
[No.]
I shook my head decisively, my mind both hot and cold, and hugged Baek A-rin tight. The Winged Garment I wore wrapped itself around her firmly too.
[You're mine now... so if you were going to hate it, you shouldn't have been so nice to me from the start.]
"...Pfft, what kind of logic is that?"
Baek A-rin giggled and murmured in disbelief.
But she didn't seem to be in a bad mood, as she cradled my head with one hand.
[I'm working hard on the Azure Sea too. I'll manifest it soon.]
"Alright. Since you've said so, I'll trust you. And what you just said—if others ask, do I have to answer the same way?"
[Yes.]
"Even in front of my parents?"
[Yes.]
When I answered without a moment's hesitation, Baek A-rin smiled brightly.
"Okay, I'll trust you."
I nodded and burrowed into her soft embrace. I buried my face in the slightly damp spot where the cold energy had melted away.
I savored the comfort, feeling the touch of her hand tidying my hair.
* * *
[Mental State 「Mi?」 has matured.]