Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Rose Field
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That evening, after finishing the dungeon raid with Kang Hyun-sol and returning to her dorm to rest, Amelia saw the message on her smartphone screen and smiled.
"Hmm~ You're a bit later than I expected. Let's take a look at the results."
The day she received the bento box container from Kang Hyun-sol, Wednesday.
She had immediately sent a magic tool analysis request to Ecla Guild, where her father was the master.
There were several reasons for the analysis request, but the biggest one was to prepare for any possible issues.
He had a suspicious past with multiple red flags, and questions like how he obtained an A-rank magic tool with his abilities.
With so many doubts, it was an unavoidable procedure.
"Personally, I hope there's no big problem."
Amelia murmured as she opened the message on her smartphone screen.
Request Number: #E-XXXXXX
Requester: Amelia de Lavellie
Analysis Target: Bento Bag / Rank: A
Analysis Institution: Ecla Guild Headquarters Magic Tool Appraisal Room
[Summary of Results]
Mana Reaction: Very stable, no external interference.
Demonic Energy: Not detected.
Traces of Curses: Not detected.
Engraving Structure: Based on otherworldly sub-space magic circle.
Abnormal Binding or Intentional Mana Fragments: None present.
*Synchronization function linked to specific mana is unusually stable. Some signs of intentional modification, but no risk factors.
Conclusion: Safe. No traces of curses, hexes, engravings, or erosion detected in the appraisal.
Appears to be user-specific reactive type, adapted to the previous owner's mana.
And this is just speculation, but the magic tool seems to have been made perfectly for you, Amelia—from the mana engraving to the adaptive functions.
*If possible, we must find the artisan who made this bento bag and bring them to our side.
"...Hmm."
Amelia slowly scrolled through the screen, reading the analysis contents.
Soon, a natural smile formed on her lips.
"No curses, no demonic energy... It's perfectly clean. What a relief."
Looking at the bento box container on her desk, Amelia rested her chin on her hand.
"...Just who is this person to have such an amazing magic tool? No, before that—made for me...?"
If the message had only said it was based on an otherworldly sub-space magic circle, without the last part.
She might have suspected him even more.
Magic tools prefixed with 'otherworldly' only came from inside dungeons.
Having an A-rank one meant clearing at least an A-rank dungeon, which implied someone was backing Kang Hyun-sol.
One might ask if he cleared it alone, but even most S-rank hunters couldn't solo an A-rank dungeon.
Yet the man who couldn't handle a D-rank alone and asked for her help had soloed an A-rank? It didn't add up.
That's why Amelia had been suspicious of Kang Hyun-sol until receiving this message.
But the lines:
[Synchronization function linked to specific mana is unusually stable. Intentional modification present, but no risk factors.]
And
[If possible, we must find the artisan who made this bento bag and bring them to our side.]
Forced her to completely change her mind.
These meant someone had directly crafted an otherworldly magic tool—one humans shouldn't be able to make, normally only obtained from dungeons.
And for some reason, exclusively for Amelia herself.
"Could he have made it himself...? Probably not. He seems talented in many areas, but this is on another level. So... connections, then."
She tilted her head slightly, pondering.
Alchemist Yoo Ji-an, Hunter Association chairman's granddaughter Yoon Seo-rin, Britain's genius mage Sophia Litwell, even Wol Ha-yeon.
For some reason, exceptional women surrounded him.
And now, an artisan capable of creating something of this caliber.
"...He really is a special guy. Kang Hyun-sol."
The smile on her lips deepened a bit more.
Her wariness had turned to curiosity, and the curiosity was gradually becoming interest.
"Hmm~ At this rate, it feels a bit wasteful to just give him to Sophia. Or... does he already have a lot of competition?"
Her eyes sparkled lime-green.
She quietly chuckled and lightly tapped the bento box with her fingertip.
"I was going to let it end with receiving the bento box... but you're making it impossible to give up. Really?"
In the quiet dorm room, her smile was as bright and innocent as a child discovering a new toy, yet somehow joyful.
"Well... with a good excuse, next time I should approach him a little more boldly."
"Ugh, what the hell?! Goosebumps out of nowhere?"
Even though it was early April and the weather felt chilly, an intense chill suddenly ran down my spine, making my skin crawl terribly.
And for some reason, it felt like someone was staring at me from behind.
"...? Is something wrong?"
As I shuddered mid-conversation and whipped around, Chae Yeon-hwa tilted her head and asked.
"...No, it's nothing. More importantly, why did you call me here?"
I shrugged as if it were nothing and looked back at her face, soon lost in thought.
'Why did this woman suddenly summon me?'
Originally, after parting with Amelia at the cafe, I planned to head straight to the dorm and rest.
But somehow, she had gotten my contact info and sent an urgent message saying she had something to give me, so I had no choice but to enter the succubus's den.
"Hmm..."
After pondering my question for a moment, Chae Yeon-hwa opened her mouth again, exuding a seductive smile and sweet fragrance just like last time.
Mental Resistance (B-Rank)
Partially resists skill: Illusory Fragrance (A+)
'This damn succubus is using her skill again...'
"There's something I wanted to ask Hyun-sol student."
"A question...?"
As I barely shook off the skill's effect and asked back.
Chae Yeon-hwa stood up, slowly approached me, and lightly placed her hand on my shoulder.
"After analyzing it for a full week... I just couldn't understand it. How did a 1-star—no, a novice barrier master—block Sophia student's 5-circle spells with just a mere 1-star protection barrier?"
"That was..."
"Shh. So I figured it must be related to your unique trait or a support trait."
She returned to her seat, crossed her legs, and flashed a smile brimming with allure.
An overwhelming sensuality that would make anyone without Mental Resistance leap at her right then.
"The reason I called you today isn't to ask what your trait is or demand you tell me. It's just..."
"Just...?"
"I'm moved by your earnest dedication to learning and using barrier arts, so I called you to give a reward. So, tell me? If there's anything you want?"
Chae Yeon-hwa's pink eyes shimmered excessively, almost burdensome to meet.
She slowly lifted the corner of her mouth and tapped her coffee cup with her fingertip.
"Tell me. I'll grant you one thing you desire. No matter how difficult the reward, it's all fine."
"......"
I took a short breath.
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind.
Her appearance screamed for a sexual request, blatantly tempting.
Of course, such a request wasn't even on my radar.
And after some deliberation, I thought of something truly useful as a reward—one only Chae Yeon-hwa could provide.
'If I could obtain one of Professor Chae Yeon-hwa's unique barriers...'
A unique barrier personally created by the Barrier Queen Chae Yeon-hwa, impossible to acquire through normal play.
Just getting one would smooth out future story progression like a hidden piece.
After a brief hesitation, I swallowed dryly and cautiously asked.
"Conveniently... there is one thing I want."
"Tell me."
"Could you tell me... even a little about the structure of your unique barrier, 'Rose Field'? Not the whole thing, just part of it."
For an instant, the air froze.
Even the fragrance in the room seemed to stop.
"......"
Chae Yeon-hwa stared at me motionlessly for a while, then let out a slight laugh.
"Haha... I never expected you'd ask for that. Honestly... it's completely out of left field. A fledgling barrier master who's just started learning wants to know the structure of my barrier? You've got some guts, Hyun-sol."
"Ahem, I know it's an unreasonable request."
I spoke calmly.
"Still... as you know better than anyone, my talent for barrier arts is quite exceptional, right? To grow talent like this, shouldn't I aim high?"
At those words, Chae Yeon-hwa's eyes wavered briefly.
And another short silence passed.
"...Alright. That's a very convincing explanation."
She smiled quietly and snapped her fingers.
At the same time, the air in the lab changed.
Red lines slithered across the floor, soon unfolding into a massive red magic circle in the air.
"This is a scaled-down structure of my unique barrier, Rose Field. At your level, showing the full thing would be meaningless, so I compressed it as much as possible."
Red rose patterns bloomed layer upon layer, spreading through the room.
As the light pulsed, the size gradually shrank, with thin barriers like petals wrapping a small space in multiple layers.
"Oh..."
"The core of this barrier is 'phase overlap.' Instead of separating spaces, it stacks different phases thinly to coexist without collision. In other words, even if one barrier breaks, you can maintain it from another layer."
Continuing her explanation, she raised her hand and lightly tapped the center of the red rose pattern.
At that spot, mana swirled and vanished.
"Normally, no ordinary talent could comprehend or replicate this, but..."
She paused, then smiled softly.
"It seems you've grasped it to some extent, Hyun-sol?"
"...Yeah. It's like I can almost grasp it, but not quite."
I replied as I held out my palm, trying to create a barrier just as she showed.
But it fizzled out with a pop before even completing the first barrier engraving.
Watching me for a moment, Chae Yeon-hwa smiled with her eyes and continued the explanation.
"Memorize the theory first. Overlap the phases without letting them erode each other. That's the key."
"I'll keep it in mind."
I bowed my head with genuine gratitude.
She smiled, snapped her fingers again.
With that, the rose patterns and red barriers vanished in an instant, returning the lab to normal.
"You'll need additional lessons going forward. After barrier arts class each day, I'll teach you 30 more minutes."
"...Thank you so much."
"Hehe, it makes me happy to finally have a disciple I'm seriously teaching barrier arts to."
She stood and walked toward the door.
Placing her hand on the doorknob, she seemed to ponder something for a moment, then turned to look at me.
Her smile was still soft, but laced with a subtle seriousness.
"Hyun-sol."
"Yes, Professor."
"Be careful with the second artificial dungeon evaluation this week."
"...Yes?"
With those words, she quietly smiled and opened the door.
Leaving only her fragrance behind, she left the lab.
"Be careful...?"
I couldn't follow right away and stood frozen in place for a while.