Mastering Bingcheongokgyeol
"What I'm going to teach you today, Eugene, is how to take your aura to the next level."
As soon as his words ended, the aura spread wide across his hand gathered at his index finger and began to fade gradually. And when it had shrunk completely to the size of a knuckle—
────!!
A piercing high-pitched sound rang out, as if slicing through the surrounding air.
"Eugene, do you know what happens when you compress ice that's frosted white over and over?"
"Ice... you mean? I'm not sure."
"It becomes transparent. As if proving there's nothing inside it at all. And the same principle applies to aura."
With that, Gwak Chunsik flicked his wrist, and the aura clinging to his fingertip shot toward the floor like splashing water droplets.
At the same time—
Drdrdrdrdrk───!
The spot it hit cratered deeply, sending cracks spiderwebbing outward.
He watched the sight impassively before turning his gaze back to me.
"Bingcheongokgyeol (氷淸玉潔). It's the foundational technique of the advanced application stage in Aura Style. And it's what you'll learn today."
The moment one of his signature abilities was demonstrated right before my eyes.
"You're teaching me this today?"
"That's right. Midterms are coming up soon, aren't they?"
I never imagined he'd teach me a technique like this so easily...
In that instant, memories flashed by of the ordeals I'd endured just to learn this skill in a short time.
'You stupid punk! You want me to teach you Aura Style? Go sweep the yard first, you brat!'
'With that level of skill, even if I taught you, you couldn't use it! Get lost!'
'You think you can get free techniques? In your dreams, punk!'
...And yet here it was, handed over just like that.
"Eugene?"
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just awestruck by your technique, sir."
"Haha! It is a beautiful one, isn't it? Alright, let's start from the basics."
Truly, life was all about connections—school ties, regional bonds, bloodlines.
"So, first I just concentrate the aura in one spot?"
"Exactly."
Gathering aura in one place wasn't hard. I did it all the time in battles or when using my bloodline ability.
As I focused all the aura flowing through my body into my right hand, the familiar red aura began to rise around my fist.
Gwak Chunsik watched intently.
"More."
"More, you say?"
Compressing it further from here?
Normally, I'd force overflowing power in to raise purity, but in this calm state, it wouldn't be easy.
I sensed the residual aura scattered through my body and slowly pushed it toward my arm.
It felt like cramming more into an already stuffed trash bin. Press it down, it puffs back up; press again, it rebounds to its original state.
"Not working?"
"Yes. It feels like there's no more room—it's fighting back."
"Then how about changing the image you're using?"
"...Image?"
Change the image? What did that mean?
"Hmm... yeah. Better to show you."
Reading my expression, Gwak Chunsik spread his palm and began shaping aura into a form.
In an instant, a drill-shaped aura formed above his hand.
"Like this. Not just pouring aura in, but drilling through. Force it in like threading through veins, pouring even more."
Since my proficiency was low, start by adjusting the mental image?
His explanation did make it easier to visualize.
"I'll give it a try."
Imagining a slowly rotating drill boring through the blockage, the red aura began to fade.
Its color grew paler, shifting to a translucent red like a gemstone.
After maximum compression—
"This seems to be the limit."
No, it wasn't rippling anymore. It jiggled like a dewdrop on the surface, but held steady.
"Well, it's your first day, so this is fine. How are you already this good when other kids whine even about the watered-down version... Sheesh, tsk tsk."
Gwak Chunsik grimaced briefly before smiling at me again.
"Alright, now let's do some light sparring like that. Exchange attacks and defenses. I'll match your speed, so come at me nice and slow."
"Got it. Here I come."
I charged at Gwak Chunsik, compressing my aura to the max as taught.
A special lesson from the mentors for midterms.
Wait. Hold on.
This could be useful...
* * *
That evening.
Despite the late hour, the kids all gathered in the club room.
"Midterm special training?"
They showed various expressions upon hearing my explanation.
"So, boss means we invite our mentors here and get them to coach our weak points? Right?"
Sea-a's eyes widened at Jinwoo's serious summary.
"You got it in one? You?"
"I'm not an idiot—what, you think I wouldn't get it?"
Young-je and Sea-a nodded, while Choi Yeon stared blankly at me, clearly lost.
"Grandpa said learning from strong people is good. I'm for it."
She raised her hand, nodding as if she'd grasped the point.
"Me too. How about inviting Han Yeo-eun, guild master of Artemis?"
"Why call that crazy bitch!"
"What if I badmouth our goddess? You wanna die?!"
The meeting room devolved into screams and violence the moment Han Yeo-eun was suggested as Jinwoo's mentor.
I sighed, tapped the table, and slightly released the power of the Ring of the Ancient Berserker (True).
Black haze spread from me outward.
The kids startled and glanced my way.
"───Show some restraint."
"...Sorry."
"...My bad, boss."
That quieted things down.
"Continuing: I've already thought of who to invite. The key now is for you all to bring them here."
Academy midterms lasted three days total. With so many subjects, I'd selected people who could help with the remaining ones.
"Two in total. First: Sword Saint of the Cheoncheon Sword Family."
"...Huh? My grandpa?"
Choi Yeon reacted instantly to "Sword Saint."
"He handles most weapons, right? And he's trained talents for ages, so I figured he'd be a huge help. Choi Yeon, can you convince him?"
She pondered briefly before nodding.
"Yeah. He seemed interested in our club anyway. If I ask, he'll probably say yes."
"Great. And next... Han Yeo-eun of Artemis."
"Bossiiiiiiing! Just kill me!!"
"Our goddess descends upon the clubroooooom!!"
Polar opposite reactions.
"Boss, you're really calling that crazy woman? We'll all die!!"
Jinwoo flailed his limbs in panic.
Sea-a clamped his mouth shut and smiled at me.
"You wouldn't invite Han Yeo-eun without reason, right, Eugene?"
"Exactly. She's an assassin/rogue-type hero, but actually an all-rounder. Her weapon tech and situational judgment will be a big help."
She'd built the massive Artemis Guild on those skills alone.
"For self-study time, I'll ask Gwak Chunsik and Instructor Ji Suhyun. They're world-class in aura and mana control, and experienced teachers."
I was aiming for three things this time.
Networking with other mentors.
Filling my current gaps quickly.
It'd be grueling, but I couldn't pass up assembling the world's top instructors to my taste.
Gwak Chunsik had even approved my plan with a satisfied nod.
Daytime with the upright masters, nights with the shadowy ones.
In a game, it'd be the training hell route—but this would make our club stronger.
"S-So, boss, when do we contact them? It's pretty late tonight, right?"
Jinwoo, now beside Young-je after slipping Sea-a's grip, asked cautiously.
"Right now, obviously."
"Wh-What? R-Right now? But that crazy—our mentor's super busy right now?"
"No matter how busy, would they ignore a disciple asking for help? Just try."
As if that excuse would work with Han Yeo-eun's personality.
Jinwoo, hearing my gentle tone, resignedly pulled out his phone.
A few taps, and the ringtone sounded.
Moments later—
"Hello?"
A woman's voice came from Jinwoo's phone.
"Ah... uh... Mentor? I, um... have something to ask."
"Something to ask? You?"
"Y-Yes. It's just..."
Jinwoo glanced at me nervously.
I mouthed it gently once more: Go on?
Successfully reading my lips, he squeezed his eyes shut and continued.
"Um, I know it's late, but... just maybe, could you help our club with midterm special training? If not, no worries. Really, if not, thank you an—yway?"
"......"
A brief silence.
"On my way."
"Ah, right? As expected, you're bu—Huh? Coming now?"
"Why? You asked for help."
"No, I mean, you said you were busy this week..."
"I'm free now. Heading to the academy."
The call cut off abruptly.
Jinwoo stared blankly at the now-black screen, then slowly raised his head, trembling hand giving a thumbs-up.
"D-Done... right?"
His voice shook as clear tears streamed down.
I patted the shoulder of Jinwoo, who was yelling behind him, "No way! She said she was busy!"
"Yeah, good job."
"...Boss. What are you trying to learn by calling Han Yeo-eun? I did get stronger thanks to her, but I don't get why you want her."
For once, a solid question from Jinwoo.
The others looked at me curiously too.
"Nothing that grand. Just asking her to teach some useful techniques for everyone. Oh, and Jinwoo—you're already good at this one."
"Huh? What's that?"
───How to take a hit without it hurting.
"We'll start with how to take a hit without it hurting."
The first subject in Instructor Han Yujin's crash course curriculum.