Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Preparation
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After meeting Felix, I returned to the dormitory.
Now that I was in my own space, I finally felt at ease.
I pulled out the magic tool I'd hidden in my pocket and checked its information.
⚔ ITEM ⚔ ────[ Receiver Orb ]──── ▶ Grade: Mid-Low ▶ Description: A mana orb enchanted with receiving magic. (One-time use) ▶ Effect: Receives location coordinates transmitted from the Transmitter Orb. (One-time use) No wonder he handed over the magic tool so easily. Turns out it was one-time use.
If I took this to the professors, it'd be game over for me right away. He must think I'm one of them and let his guard down.
Of course, I have no intention of doing that.
I need to be the one to resolve this incident.
I slipped the transmitter orb back into the pocket of my cadet uniform hanging on the clothes rack.
"Hmm..."
But what should I do about Felix?
To deal with Felix, who's grown surprisingly strong, I'll need a lot of preparation.
There are no convenient tropes like demons being weak to light attributes.
"...Ah, if possible, I want to beat him in style."
Even if I can't find a way to win, it wouldn't be the end of the world.
It'd be a shame, but I could warn the others and then rush in first, taking hits to buy time until he's beaten to a pulp.
Of course, sacrificing myself for Lucy would feel more dramatic, but I'd prefer to handle it solo, take him down, and save her myself.
Then, after it's all over, provide some tender care to set the perfect mood.
"For now, maybe head to the training grounds... No, wait, I need to do that first."
I have no money on hand.
My only income is the 3 million won monthly stipend for maintaining dignity, but I have way too many things to buy.
I racked my brain for ways to make money, and one idea came to mind.
The Victoria Academy cadet profiles.
Basically, like SNS profiles.
Everyday is primarily an anonymous community, but you can register a profile if you want.
People who register profiles fall into two categories.
First, those promoting their guild or family, like Elise—students with established guilds and confidence in their rankings.
Second, those seeking guild invitations or sponsorships.
Exam rankings and practical lesson footage are provided to scouts by default, but they can't check every cadet, so desperate ones have to hustle.
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Name: Lee Ho-yeon
Year: 1st Year
Class: A-Class
Age: 20
Affiliation: Student Council
Introduction: I'm a mage in 1st Year A-Class. Active in the Student Council and scoring well in various classes. Videos attached below.
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Damn, what a bland profile.
I've got nothing to write about because I've done nothing noteworthy.
Sorry, Lucy, but I uploaded our 1-on-1 sparring video. Also added dungeon practice footage. Nam Da-eun shone more than me, but active hunters might take interest.
I finished inputting and hit profile registration.
"Kinda comes off as materialistic... but it'll do."
Grades aren't out yet, so limited material to hype.
Still, it's insurance with no risk. No reason not to.
I know the original story, so I could invest in good guilds, but no startup capital.
"Sigh, time to train."
If I really need money, maybe ask Professor Im Sol for a loan? She might.
Once we're closer, I'll probe.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The training building was quiet on Friday, as expected.
Doesn't matter since I'm heading to a private room anyway.
Meeting Felix and seeing how much stronger he was than expected got me thinking.
I realized how lacking my combat power is and the gravity of my situation.
Focusing on heroines made me forget this is still a game world.
'If Felix had snapped and tried to kill me back there, I'd be dead.'
Low probability, but my caution has slipped.
I've been serious so far, but from now on, I need to be even more so.
Today, I'm establishing my combat style.
My issue: low mana capacity.
Short time using magic means my mana reservoir and circuits haven't expanded.
Obvious problems with low mana—like a car without fuel, can't cast much.
Narrow circuits hinder spellcasting: slow mana flow, can't handle large amounts quickly.
I've forced it with Mana Sensitivity so far, but can't continue indefinitely.
My ideal style: blitzkrieg.
That's why Nam Da-eun's space acceleration ability tempts me so much.
I recalled that moment.
Nam Da-eun using acceleration to catch the cave mole rat.
Clairvoyance was active, so I remember every mana movement clearly.
Plus, her acceleration footage is plastered on Victoria Academy's official SNS.
More data, better analysis.
I spent hours reviewing videos and memories, compiling her mana usage.
"Man, my head hurts."
Nam Da-eun's acceleration isn't body acceleration.
She creates a spherical mana field around her body and accelerates the space inside it.
Far more efficient than accelerating the human body directly.
Like rolling a soccer ball fast vs. rapidly moving a complex jointed doll.
Basic framework: circulate mana rapidly through body circuits to generate acceleration force.
But that overloads the body, turning you into a suicide bomber.
So, accelerate surrounding space too.
Control mana so body-external mana shares the path and speed, making it absorb the recoil.
Intricate, precise skill.
Accelerating ambient mana to add mass, diverting body recoil to empty space.
Average person couldn't do it even with instructions.
But I'm a genius mage acknowledged by the world's top.
I'm on another level from the other starfish.
"Sssup-"
I took a deep breath in, then exhaled slowly.
Mana began accelerating along my circuits.
Start slow for adaptation, circulate gradually. Speed up once familiar, repeat.
Woooong-
Synced surrounding space to the flow.
First try, but it flowed naturally like water.
Ramped external mana to match speed.
Maintained momentum until dominating the full sphere, then max output.
Shoooooooung-
Wind swirled around the barrier enclosing my body; circuits screamed.
Physics limit beyond control issues. Even great engine in small car has speed cap.
Any faster, and internal damage.
Passed accumulated acceleration and recoil to circulating rear mana, shot body forward.
Paaang-!
Instantly covered dozens of meters.
"Hoo..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have acquired the skill: [Acceleration]. ⚔ SKILL ⚔ 『 Acceleration 』 ▶ Type: Skill ▶ Effect: Accelerates the space around your body and uses the recoil to grant explosive instantaneous speed. "Feels wrong acquiring a skill this easily."
Skills in this world aren't instant like tick-tock.
You need full comprehension, mastery, repetition for stability...
And I nailed it in one go.
Sorry, but what can you do.
"Let's see... Accelerates space around body, uses recoil for explosive speed... Huh?"
What's this? Not what I imagined.
I pictured outranging foes with fast casts, but this screams melee rush.
"Ah."
Realized: all the footage and memories I analyzed obsessively were Nam Da-eun closing on enemies.
"Fuck, it was a different skill to begin with."
Hours of agony for super speed running.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Finished training and stepped out of the private room.
"Well, not bad. Great for escaping fast."
I consoled myself as I walked back to the dorm.
"Or rushing to class after oversleeping. Hmm, actually pretty good?"
This might really work.
Ding-ding-
My smartwatch chimed, like telling me to stop daydreaming.
From Moon Soo-rin.
Moon Soo-rin: Ho-yeon, got time tomorrow, Saturday by any chance?
Saturday's tomorrow. Mentioning our eat-out promise now? Free, just busy.
Me: Yeah, no plans tomorrow.
Can't lie. Training's flexible; awkward if caught later. If she offers, go.
Moon Soo-rin: Phew, good. Sorry for the short notice, but promo club schedule popped up.
Me: Ah, got it.
Drank kimchi soup solo again. Normal to assume, right? Why not lead with important stuff, sis.
Moon Soo-rin: Yeah, come to promo club room by 9 AM tomorrow. Details then.
Me: Got it.
Moon Soo-rin: Don't forget cadet uniform. Thought it was dinner? Sorry, rain check for sure?
Me: Lol yeah. Next time, fancy place!
Sis is sharp. Did my reply sound bummed?
Promo club—finally living the handsome guy's life.
Never thought I'd model.
"Hold up."
Is promo club just using me and Elise's likeness for free?
With our looks, streaming would balloon donations. Straight-up robbery...
Ding-
Moon Soo-rin: Oh, pay deposited to your stipend account. Small, but shows sincerity.
As expected of top-tier Victoria Academy. Never disappoints.
"Door's opening~. Money incoming~."
Checked account happily.
[Balance: 5.12 million won]
Had 120k left, so 5 million deposited.
"Small amount, huh. Scales different from mine."
5 mil's big for common folk.
Anyway, gratefully accepted. Weekend shopping spree.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Saturday.
First time doing influencer stuff.
Heart pounding on way to promo club.
Basement gamer turned model—truly moving.
"Hello~."
"Hi hi~ Long time no see, junior?"
"Whoa, our promo club junior's face is too rare!"
Student council girls welcomed me warmly.
Flatter all you want, no seats beside me. Sorry.
Greeted casually and entered promo room.
Second visit since orientation, but packed with people—novel sight.
Not just Elise and Soo-rin noona; several women gathered.
Greeted Elise and Soo-rin first.
"President. Hello. Who are these ladies?"
Pointed cautiously at unfamiliar women.
"Hi junior. These are makeup artists. We're the faces of Victoria Academy—gotta look max cool."
Soon as Soo-rin introduced me, artists buzzed.
"Whoa, you're that male model? Insane."
"Right? But nothing for us to touch up. Came pre-perfected."
"...?"
I shot Soo-rin a confused look; she gave a wry smile.
"Um, that's his no-makeup state."
"What? No way."
"..."
"...For real?"
"...Yes."
"..."
Artists' motivation tanked instantly.
Even I admit I'm handsome.
Hope they don't ruin it with powder.
'Yeah, better stay quiet.'
Saw their sour faces, kept mouth shut.