Observatory (1)
Observatory (1)
A gradual sense of busyness settled over Siyoram.
It was because of the approaching second-semester midterm evaluations.
The second-semester midterms were somewhat more relaxed than the first semester, but they were still a major event, so cadets, professors, and staff were all busily preparing.
"Are you all ready?"
My situation was a little different.
In response to my master's question from behind, I smiled brightly and opened my subspace without a word to show them.
My master chuckled and reached out, firmly pinching my cheek.
"You little rascal. Even with subspace, you have to check if everything's inside."
"Aub."
[I checked everything...!]
"Then you should have said that first."
"Bueb."
Playful fingers kneaded my cheek like bread dough. I let my cheek be squished by the warm touch and smiled bashfully.
I decided to leave the upcoming midterm evaluation to Incarnation and visit the Observation Post.
"Our preparations are also complete. Let me know when we're ready to depart."
"Yeees."
My master had agreed to accompany us on this schedule.
The cover story for Siyoram was an external activity with a professor escorting me as a cadet.
While other professors were busy preparing for the midterms, my master, being in charge of the Special Admission Cadet, wasn't particularly swamped with work.
[By the way, Senior Daera, are you already prepared as well?]
"What do you take me for, junior? Of course I prepared in advance."
In response to my question, Senior Daera puffed out her chest proudly.
The sofa where my senior sat was indeed piled high with subspace pouches, each packed to the brim with supplies.
My subspace is overflowing with materials, but it's good to have personal supplies ready just in case.
Surprised by this uncharacteristic preparedness, my eyes went wide, and Senior Daera's shoulders lifted with a hint of pride.
My master let out a dry laugh and pressed firmly on Senior Daera's head.
"Gwek."
"She's been pestered into preparing since yesterday, so you needn't worry about her being late."
"Aha."
That made sense.
Leaving Senior Daera grumbling at Master that she had prepared on her own, I approached Seo-yul.
Seo-yul was crouching down, finishing up organizing the luggage.
A proud smile naturally appeared on my face at the sight of her gently fluttering wings, a sign she was in a good mood.
[Seo-yul, do you need anything?]
I crept closer and gently placed both hands on her shoulders.
Since she was wearing indoor clothes that exposed her shoulders, my hands touched her smooth skin.
Seo-yul turned her head to me, smiled silently, and shook her subspace pouch.
[...?]
It was an oddly familiar gesture.
It was similar to what I had just done to my master. As my expression reflexively soured, Seo-yul chuckled with a shrug.
Her truly beautiful eyes curved into a gentle arc.
"Heh heh, I'm all done, so don't worry."
[It's not nice to tease your dad too much]
"It's Dad's fault for having such cute reactions."
It was a sophistry I couldn't argue against.
Without another word, I gave Seo-yul a kiss on the cheek.
As I received a kiss back from a bashfully smiling Seo-yul and was stretching, Yeon-hwa came down the stairs.
Our eyes met and Yeon-hwa smiled softly, but upon seeing the luggage piled nearby, she approached with regretful eyes and wrapped one arm around my waist.
"Can't you go after the midterm evaluations?"
"I'd like to go with you too, but I think it's best to resolve the Observation Post matter quickly."
The condition of the observation device I checked last time was worse than I thought.
Since the observation device that had been taken out during the emergency was in that state, the equipment accumulated inside the Observation Post might be in even worse shape.
"...It can't be helped."
No one is unaware of the importance of the Observation Post.
Swallowing her disappointment, Yeon-hwa gently tidied my hair. As I quietly accepted the touch, she suddenly lowered her head and pressed her lips to mine.
- Smack
"Have a safe trip. And don't go sticking your head into weird things again."
"I don't go around causing trouble on purp-" - Smack.
My protest was cut off by a successive kiss. By the time our lips parted, the corners of my eyes, which I had tried to keep sharp, had already softened downwards.
...Even I thought I was too easy.
"Don't get your precious self hurt, and come back safely."
"You absolutely must not get involved in dangerous matters. Even if you do, you can't recklessly use your body. Here... promise."
The mansion grounds where we had come to depart.
I received similar concerns from A-rin and Ellia, who had come to see me off. They even held my hand tightly and looked at me with earnest eyes as if they wanted an oath.
"I came back unharmed this time, didn't I...?"
"One time doesn't erase your track record, so it can't be helped."
I shut my mouth tightly at that sound argument.
Professor Liana, who had gently stroked my cheek and kissed it affectionately, smiled softly.
"Our King, come back safely, okay? And don't forget to take the spirits with you."
"Yees."
I received a send-off filled with sincerity and worry.
Vowing to return unharmed this time too and regain even a little of their trust, I turned around and manifested the Authority of Space.
- Bwooom...!
The space before me distorted, and a whirlpool of mana took shape.
Since there was no Fairy Tree at the destination, I opened it as a standard gate.
"We'll be off."
While waving, I grabbed the forearm of Seo-yul, who was wearing armor and about to enter the gate first.
[It's okay, I've already observed the connection point]
"...Still, there could always be an accident."
[Right you are]
Seo-yul pouted her lips slightly and held my hand. There was armor between us, but I could still feel her presence.
My master and Senior Daera also stood in front of the gate.
With a grin, we all pushed our bodies into the gate together.
.
.
.
- Whoooosh...!
"Whoa."
A cold wind blasted roughly. As I listened to Senior Daera's squeaky groan, I observed the surroundings.
The world was white.
The ground was a snowfield stretching to the horizon, and above it, a blizzard endlessly raged from a pale, cloudy sky.
"Whoa, whoa... You really brought us here."
[The Observation Post is in Antarctica, after all]
The secretly established Observation Post's location is Antarctica. Specifically, it's buried in the center, making it difficult to find.
"If you're cold, quickly put on more clothes."
"Argh, I hate the cold the most."
My master took a thick coat out of a subspace pouch and draped it over my shoulders, then handed one to Senior Daera as well.
"Hwahaha... it's warm."
Senior Daera, who had been shivering, put on the coat over her cold-weather gear and then hunched her shoulders, still trembling slightly.
"Magic really is great... Ah, I should have learned magic."
"With your head, anything above low-grade would be too much."
"Master."
[Seo-yul? Here]
I also took out cold-weather gear from my subspace and handed them to my master and Seo-yul.
My master smiled gently and put on the coat, while Seo-yul draped a cloak over her armor.
Satisfied with that, I smiled and observed the surroundings.
[Now then...]
Just as I had observed in advance, there were no dangerous elements immediately upon entering.
'In the original story, there were times when Antarctica also became a Demon Realm.'
Antarctica is one of the regions from which humanity withdrew after the Great Cataclysm.
Because there was no one to come and protect this harsh land where few people live.
Now, it's barely touched as a monster hunting ground, and even that is niche compared to other popular hunting grounds.
'Why did they put it here, of all places?'
I've visited the Observation Post in the original story too, but I never got a clear answer.
In the 11th Iteration, I even tried flooding the entire area, but there were no significant results.
"Dad."
[Yeah]
I nodded at Seo-yul's call. Not just Seo-yul, but my master and Senior Daera were also staring in one direction.
- Thud...
A heavy vibration was transmitted from beyond the blizzard. Bobbing my head, I swung my arm. Strands of wind energy rose and pushed away the snowstorm.
Mana Affinity Expansion Ability
Homogenization - Gale
Whoooosh! The raging Gale swept up the cold wind and snow together and pushed them outward.
Eventually, the monster that entered the barrier of Gale flinched.
It had long white fur, yellow-glowing eyes, and dull gray skin, with its fists clenched tightly.
[It's a Snow Giant]
Snow Giant (Jangseolseong).
It is a 4th-Rank monster that rarely appears in ice-climate regions.
It's not a particularly threatening entity. It's not a variant, nor does it even have an innate talent. Its mana is ice-attribute, but it's nothing special.
"I'll handle it."
I raised a hand, ready to clear the obstacle quickly so we could depart, but Seo-yul, who had gently placed a hand on my arm, stepped forward.
[......]
I didn't want Seo-yul to fight.
I barely managed to suppress the honest truth that nearly slipped out.
"...My dear disciple, it's written all over your face."
At my master's words, I fixed my expression as well.
* * *
Cool air clashed against the armor. Beyond Gale's barrier, a violent blizzard raged.
There was no chill.
In such a harsh environment, even the body of a fairy knight would shrink back, but the cold could not invade this armor in the slightest.
'Hehe.'
Lee Seo-yul, having loosened her wrist, found herself smiling without realizing it at the presence she sensed behind her.
Lee Ha-yul was fidgeting, his worry and concern clearly on display.
It was obvious he intended to intervene immediately if things looked even a little dangerous.
'Dad, honestly... making a fuss over that.'
A standard 4th-Rank monster.
It wasn't something the world would dismiss as "that," but Lee Seo-yul gripped her sword's hilt lightly and confidently.
The drooping tip of the sword traced a line across the snowy field. Strands of pure white mana flowed down over the silver-gray blade.
The moment the blade was wrapped in mana, Lee Seo-yul kicked lightly off the ground. The roaring Snow Giant raised both arms high and slammed them down.
Kwaang! The crushed ground exploded.
The rising white smoke obscured the surroundings.
As if that could block her sight, Lee Seo-yul raised her blade and slashed through the smoke. The target was the right wrist.
The Snow Giant's grayish fur was as tough as steel wire. Its hide and muscle were so thick and hard that even sharp blades couldn't easily pierce them.
- Seogeok!
A wrist as thick as an ancient tree was severed cleanly, like a radish before a kitchen knife.
- Kuaaaaah─!
The Snow Giant roared at the unfamiliar pain. The fierce cry dispersed the rising smoke, but Lee Seo-yul had already slipped behind it and was swinging her blade.
Chwaak! This time it was the left ankle.
The ankle was sliced clean off, not just the tendon severed. As its mass inevitably tilted to one side, the sword flew toward the right ankle.
Its intellect was shallow, but it had the instinct to judge where the next target would be. The Snow Giant opened its mouth wide and unleashed its mana.
- Kwarururu!
Cold energy swept through the area.
This kind of reckless mana discharge could be broken through even without armor, but Lee Seo-yul thought of Lee Ha-yul's tender heart and nimbly stepped back.
The Snow Giant, having narrowly escaped the crisis, violently twisted its body around.
It glared at Lee Seo-yul with bloodshot eyes, then slammed its arms and legs against the ground and leaped.
It moved well even without its ankles. Lee Seo-yul chuckled at the fierce mana gathered in the Snow Giant's mouth, turning her sword in a reverse grip.
The white aura coiled around the blade swelled. The five-colored wings spread above her armor rustled lightly.
- Chwajajak!
The strike, curved like a crescent moon, bisected the mana cannon and sliced through the one remaining wrist.
It was the same as before. The wrist, then the ankle.
The crescent arc, soaring backward like a returning boomerang, curled swiftly and cut through the remaining intact ankle as well.
- Thud!
The Snow Giant, which had leaped with such vigor, crashed into the ground, all four limbs severed.
Conversely, Lee Seo-yul, having gently fluttered her wings, landed leisurely like a butterfly and flicked her blade clean.
"Whoa."
Daera's mouth hung open at the slaughter that had ended in an instant.
She knew Lee Seo-yul fought well. Wasn't her race known as a fairy knight, designed for combat?
But seeing it firsthand, her skill was beyond imagination.
She hadn't noticed on the last battlefield because she'd been busy protecting Ellia and Liana.
'She's freaking strong.'
A 4th-Rank monster had been destroyed in an instant.
Of course, it wasn't the strongest of its kind, merely a physical charger with no unique abilities, but the fact that Lee Seo-yul had dispatched it using only basic physical ability and aura was the same.
"See? I told you not to worry."
Lee Seo-yul took off her helmet and swept her hair back, smiling.
Even by her own standards, it was an action that should have looked cool, but Lee Ha-yul came rushing over breathlessly.
[Seo-yul! Are you hurt anywhere?]
"...You saw that it didn't even graze me?"
[You didn't push yourself too hard and strain something... Ah, no, you didn't. I'm glad.]
Lee Seo-yul's expression, which had been expecting admiration and praise, drooped a little.
It seemed Lee Ha-yul had already scanned her entire body and confirmed she was unharmed, immediately letting out a sigh of relief.
After recomposing her expression, Lee Seo-yul looked down at the top of Lee Ha-yul's head and asked,
"How was that? Didn't I fight well?"
[Yes, you were amazing.]
"Mmhmm."
Only then did a satisfactory answer emerge. Lee Ha-yul puffed out his chest and smiled, and Lee Seo-yul, smiling brightly as well, put some distance between them and opened a gate.
There was some distance to the observation post.
We could just use spatial leap to get there, but since we were already out, the plan was to ride mounts and explore directly, as a form of practical training.
- Woom!
The gate connected. Lee Ha-yul searched through the contracts linked to him.
'This would be a good time to bring out the Black Snow Horses.'
After the incident with the Tower Master of Bitter Cold.
We had received several high-quality Black Snow Horses as a gift from the Changhae family.
I'd made a separate cold zone on the estate and was raising them well, and it seemed perfect to bring them out and ride them now.
- Purureung
A jet-black horse walked out of the gate.
It was a Black Snow Horse that had received the signal. One, then two... It was just as I was waiting for the third.
- Purureung!
[Huh?]
A pure white horse burst out through the blue whirlpool.
The unique feature, of course, was the mysterious horn sprouting from its head...
[Why did you come?]
It was the unicorn that lived in the mansion. Lee Ha-yul tilted his head and asked, and the unicorn promptly slipped out of the gate.
"It seems the fellow wants to give you a ride?"
Lee Seo-yul pointed at the unicorn's mouth, which was holding a saddle.
[...So it does.]
I wondered if it might be too cold, but thinking about it, the unicorn's constitution wasn't so weak that it would shiver and whine from the cold here.
[Alright, let's go together, then. Think of it as a walk.]
- Pureung!
As soon as I gave permission, it happily stomped the ground.
Chuckling, Lee Ha-yul started to reach out a hand, then stopped.
Because Lee Seo-yul had already stepped forward, picked up the saddle, and fastened it onto the kneeling unicorn.
The entire process was remarkably smooth and swift. In the blink of an eye, Lee Seo-yul had already placed her foot in the stirrup and mounted the saddle.
"Here, take my hand."
Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she extended her hand.
With her magnificent armor on, she looked every bit the fairy-tale prince.
Lee Ha-yul, even while feeling delighted and happy, gave a little pout.
[...I wanted to give you a ride this time...]
"Now, now, hurry."
I deliberately hinted at wanting a turn, but Lee Seo-yul just smiled and ignored it.
Lee Ha-yul, lips still slightly pouted, eventually took her hand and climbed onto the saddle in front of Lee Seo-yul.
- Ting
The back of my head touched the solid breastplate. That was only natural, since Lee Seo-yul was wearing armor.
Still, I thought the ride felt a little uncomfortable. Just then, my head was pulled backward.
- Squish
Instead of hard metal, I was hugged against a soft texture. A puff of warm body heat rushed over me, even in the chilly weather. Lee Seo-yul had only deactivated the breastplate.
Even while feeling satisfied with Lee Seo-yul's cozy embrace, which I'd grown so accustomed to, I narrowed my eyes with a hint of concern.
[Seo-yul? Still, your armor...]
"It's fine, I only removed the chest piece. And since I have my wings, there's no problem."
Her widely spread five-colored wings gently wrapped around Lee Ha-yul.
A fairy's wings were both a concentration of mana and a manifestation of their unique abilities. The wings of a fairy knight, in particular, possessed a strength that common armaments could never hope to match.
At a loss for words, Lee Ha-yul closed his mouth.
Smiling broadly, Lee Seo-yul wrapped one arm around Lee Ha-yul's stomach, held the reins with the other, and looked back.
"......."
"......."
Atra and Daera, who had at some point saddled up and mounted their Black Snow Horses, were looking at them with inscrutable gazes.
Atra's gaze, in particular, was remarkably blatant.
Lee Seo-yul shrugged her shoulders, faced forward, and pulled the reins.
The three horses moved in the direction Lee Ha-yul indicated.