Chapter 55
Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Conscience
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Haa..."
Those damn academy bastards.
Im Sol muttered under her breath, burying herself in her VIP seat.
It had been fine up to giving Lee Ho-yeon a good award for his efforts.
It eased her conscience a bit, and as his teacher and an adult, properly rewarding her hardworking student felt right... but things had gotten way too big.
The ceremony had ballooned to the point where Im Sol, a professor at the academy, was required to attend.
And with all these important people gathered, annoying hassles were inevitable.
"Long time no see, Professor Im Sol."
Some old geezer approached and struck up a conversation. She didn't want to respond, but he was a corporate sponsor for the academy—she couldn't brush him off rudely.
On a broader scale, he was funding her research grants.
"Yes. It's been a while."
"First time since that magic conference presentation last time. It was truly impressive. How's your research going these days..."
Im Sol hated these tedious chats, but she knew they were necessary, so she endured and kept the conversation going.
After exchanging meaningless greetings with several people and enduring a few lecherous stares from the old men, fatigue started to set in.
"Ah, those fucking old perverts... Not long now."
The day when she'd shock those idiotic wizards who valued tenure over achievements wasn't far off.
The new applications of magic that Lee Ho-yeon had shown her.
Once she finished compiling it, she'd present the research at the magic conference.
When that day came... she'd reach a level where she wouldn't have to worry about other mages' opinions, or so Im Sol believed.
Thud.
At that moment, someone plopped down in the seat next to her.
"Sollie~ Long time no see~?"
"Huh?"
Im Sol turned at the familiar, casual call of her name, and a familiar face sat beside her.
Min Ye-ji.
She looked fragile at first glance, but her narrow, slitted eyes exuded a seductive charm.
Im Sol always felt it—this woman was dangerous.
They interacted often, but she was still an overwhelming presence.
"Why didn't you answer my calls? I sent you that business idea summary."
"You're not seriously calling that trash a business idea, are you?"
"Why not? Just imagining you casting spells in a bikini would be killer advertising..."
"Shut up. I'll kill you."
This insane energy. That's why Min Ye-ji was so burdensome.
"Come on, between us? Why say something so scary?"
"Haa..."
Im Sol sighed, watching Min Ye-ji deftly flash a sly smile and link arms with her, wondering how to deal with this crazy bitch.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The event will begin shortly. Please take your seats in the audience. Thankfully, Min Ye-ji quieted down as the event started.
Whew. Im Sol let out a sigh of relief and participated in the ceremony.
It began with awards for outstanding students.
The real highlights were the gate suppression hunter commendations and the demon eradicator cadet awards anyway.
Most people knew the outstanding cadet awards were just filler for the pompous event.
"The kids aren't bad. Especially the student council president—I'd believe she's active-duty."
"Yeah, well, that's Moon Soo-rin for you."
Im Sol had heard a lot about Moon Soo-rin's talent too. She just wasn't too interested since their fields differed.
Whoosh—
Min Ye-ji's eyes flashed gold for a moment.
"Hmm, but no one here looks like they'd make money."
"...You're eyeing the kids for profit too?"
"In this world, nothing's left once you take out money. Sollie."
Min Ye-ji's face smiled as she said it, but her aura was sharp.
After the outstanding cadet awards ended, they endured pointless formalities before the main commendations began.
"A-young's getting an award..."
"You know the saintess too?"
Unlike Im Sol, Min Ye-ji, who was active in the field, had wide connections.
"Eh, she helps out at our guild a lot. She came for the last raid too."
"Hmm. Makes sense, Iron Blood Guild."
Next up: Commendation for the cadet who eradicated demons. 'Finally.'
Im Sol focused intently on the path where the presenter would appear.
A moment later, Lee Ho-yeon and Lucy hesitantly climbed onto the stage.
Im Sol's lips curved into a smile reflexively from the pleasant surprise.
"Aha... That's the disciple you've been favoring lately?"
"Wh-what? How did you know?!"
"How could I not? You were staring so intently."
Min Ye-ji snorted at the startled Im Sol and turned to the podium.
...Hereby commended. Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. "Ho-yeon, huh. Let's see how amazing the cadet our Sollie likes is~?"
"Haa... You, stop with the weird stuff..."
Whoosh—
Before Im Sol could finish, Min Ye-ji's eyes glowed gold again.
Her grinning face turned serious.
"...That kid could make money."
Min Ye-ji's eyes shifted to those of a predator spotting prey, and Im Sol waved her hands frantically to block her view.
"Hey. Don't get any ideas. He's my disciple."
"Okay, okay. I'll try."
"No, don't try—don't touch him!"
"Aww, Sollie~! Why act like that between us~?"
"Aaaah!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Rune Clan's Manual] "To think it'd be here..."
'Rune Clan.'
A clan from the original game.
Their specialty: 'Barriers.'
A clan specialized in mana forms for barriers, educated from birth solely in barrier magic, fixing their mana shape accordingly.
Thus, their barriers were the strongest—and the worst. Due to their danger, they vanished from history.
The reason I wanted to learn this barrier magic was simple.
As the story progresses, I'd encounter the Rune Clan's barrier magic a ton. One of the major villains is a survivor of the Rune Clan.
Last time against Felix, it took about a minute to dispel his intermediate-level barrier.
In a game, that time might not matter—the game paces accordingly.
But this is reality.
A few minutes to break a high-level barrier could mean life or death for the heroines. Shortening that even a little is meaningful.
Plus, I'm not saving just one.
If the academy terror happens as in the story, I might have to save all the heroines.
Mastering Rune Clan barrier magic for quick dispels is crucial. Weapons or artifacts can be bought anytime with money.
And another key point: Barriers excel at soundproofing.
Essential for smooth relations(?) with the heroines.
Anyway, I grabbed the tattered-looking 'Rune Clan's Manual' that seemed like trash and left the treasure vault.
Unfortunately, no extra chance for taking trash.
The headmaster just asked why I took it, and when I said for magic research, he muttered something about like teacher, like student.
Too bad.
Soon Lucy went in and came out after about 10 minutes.
She got an orb. That was definitely something that aids mana circulation.
Useful to me, but I had a hunch the Rune Clan's Manual was only here, so I let it go.
"Hope it was a good choice. Good luck with your academy life."
"Thank you."
Got everything worth taking, so I bowed and left the headmaster's office.
"Ah, I'm hungry. Should we grab lunch? Call Lumi too."
It was already lunchtime. Morning awards took all forenoon, and afternoon classes made time tight.
"Lucy?"
No answer, so I turned—Lucy was standing there with her head bowed low.
"...Ho-yeon."
"Yeah?"
What's with her? Her face is stiff.
"Take this."
Lucy rummaged in her pocket and offered the mana orb from the vault.
"Hey, why? You use it."
"N-no, it's fine. I didn't do anything anyway."
"Still... it's what you got."
That's when I noticed.
Lucy's arm trembled as she handed over the orb.
"Lu-Lucy? What's wrong?"
I grabbed her immediately and checked her face.
Tears welled in Lucy's eyes. The shaking spread from her arm to her whole body, and the mana orb rolled weakly from her hand.
"Ho-Ho-yeon... I'm so scared. That day, just thinking of Felix terrifies me... Everything goes dark. Seeing this orb will remind me of Felix every time. I-I... don't want to be involved anymore..."
Lucy glanced anxiously at the fallen mana orb, then covered her tear-streaked face with both hands and collapsed, sobbing.
"..."
I thought she was okay since she was quiet, but not this bad.
The Heroine Status Window hadn't shown this state for Lucy.
Probably because her guilt toward me outweighed her hatred for Felix.
"It's okay, Lucy. It's okay. Felix is already dead. It's okay..."
"Hic... Wh-why did that happen to me? Why me... Why...?"
"..."
I held Lucy's tearful hand and looked up at the sky.
Her frame was too fragile for an adult. I could almost wrap her shoulders with one arm—she was that small.
This woman wasn't a game heroine. She was a cadet who should have lived the brightest academy life.
I ruined that.
I regretted leaving an indelible trauma in this pure girl's life.
I hated myself for that trash decision to raise affection faster, make her more dependent—just to boost favorability.
I wanted to go back in time.
But my [Clear Mentality] advised even now to say the best words.
And I followed.
"...It's okay, Lucy. I'll protect you from now on. Forever."
I gave her corny but warm comfort and hugged her tighter.
This was the best way to raise favorability.
"Hic... Hic... Ho-yeon... Hic..."
Lucy buried her face in my chest, shedding tears like chicken droppings.
Enough to soak my uniform, dampness spread on my chest.
"..."
My mood soured, and the blue sky was cloudless today.
How long did I hold her? Lucy soon stopped crying, pulled away with bloodshot eyes.
"Ah, a-ah. Sorry. I just got sad suddenly. Yeah. I'm fine, don't worry. I'll head out first today."
Lucy fanned her face frantically, forcing a smile.
"Lucy, wait."
"Don't come."
I had to stop my outstretched hand.
"Don't come... Tomorrow, let's meet like nothing happened. Okay? Got it?"
"...Yeah. See you tomorrow."
At her pleading tone, I nodded quietly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Not in the mood for lunch, I headed to a private room in the training grounds.
Afternoon class was Magic Analysis. Reverse-engineering spells and barrier dispelling.
Doubtful if Lucy, wanting proof, would show... but I wanted to master the 'Rune Clan's Secret Technique' before class.
"Haa, okay. First, the mana form for barriers is hexagons linked... Ah, fuck."
Can't focus for shit.
Even with [Clear Mentality] preventing emotional swings, this hit hard.
"Again, link hexagonal mana forms, distribute power evenly... Okay."
Actually, saying it was just to get in the zone—the structure was already figured out.
Magic circles and mana operation methods were all written; with my talent, no way I couldn't.
"Still, good pick. Practical stuff."
I had the mana operation orb in my left hand too.
⚔ ARTIFACT ⚔ ▶ Grade: Mid-High (A) ▶ Description: [Mermaid's Tear] ✨ Effect: Mana operation speed increased. Mana circulation accelerated. "Mermaid's Tear..."
Tear. The name felt ominous somehow.
Ding-
Then, a notification hit my smartwatch.
"What? Not a message tone."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ A private message has arrived from EveryDay. [YejiYomi: Hello, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. I'm contacting you personally to offer sponsorship. Could you share a contact where I can reach you casually?] "...What the hell is this."
Honestly, I needed money then, but now with a solid money-duplicating machine, it's fine... Still, maybe reply just in case?
I'll think it over slowly after class.
Finished training roughly, left the facility, and headed back to the lecture building.
Still over 30 minutes till class, so the classroom was mostly empty.
"Ho-yeon?"
"Lumi. Early bird?"
Lumi, true to her top-student nature, was already waiting 30 minutes early.
"Yeah. Oh, and Lucy said she's feeling suddenly unwell and skipping class. Boo."
"...I see. Hope she's okay. I'll check on her later."
"Yeah."
I sat and looked at Lumi's face as she met my eyes.
She looked incredibly like Lucy. Almost identical. Only hair color, clothes, expressions distinguish them. The base faces match perfectly.
That's the 'setting'.
"Something on my face?"
Hmm.
Lumi stroked her face, looking at me.
Gulp.
Sudden surge of lust.
I wanted to ravage Lumi, who looked exactly like Lucy, make her a mess on my terms. Pour this pent-up desire into her delicate body.
"Lumi..."
"Yes?"
With 30 minutes till class, she clearly wasn't thinking anything lewd.
"Come with me."
"Y-yes? Wha?"
I grabbed Lumi's hand abruptly and dragged her out of the classroom.
"Ho-Ho-yeon? What's sudden? You look unwell... Ho-yeon?"
Thud thud thud.
Ignoring Lumi, I pulled her as fast as possible to the farthest first-year bathroom in the lecture wing.
Into the last stall of the men's room, I cast the Rune barrier.
A quiet, small, colorless barrier unfolded.
The instantly perfected, solid barrier wouldn't let our sounds escape.
Learned it, time to use it. Right?
"Ho-Ho-yeon? Wait. N-no way, right now?"
"Lumi. We're secret friends, right?"
"Yes, but... n-not now... Mmph!"
I shoved my tongue into Lumi's mouth, sealing her lips.