Chapter 96

Translator: MJK

Chapter: 96

Chapter Title: So-ye’s School Prep Package v1.0 (Attribute: Love)

Recently, I'd been swamped with one thing after another, but things were finally settling down.

riu's fake funeral would be grand, and word was that the Xiao family's relocation was going smoothly.

'Xiao Lin's situation seems a bit tricky, though.'

It wasn't anything serious.

Besides, still nursing a grudge from Meiling, she insisted on handling it herself.

"Heave-ho."

With a light heart, I headed to the garden early in the morning.

Under the dim dawn light, the yard looked completely different from before.

'The air's different.'

Just breathing it in filled my lungs to the depths with pure energy.

The space itself felt denser, more solid.

As I approached the World Tree.

Drip.

A crystalline droplet at the tip of a leaf caught my eye.

'Dew?'

Not ordinary dew—this was a pure energy crystal seeping from a dimensional gap.

Circulating my Internal Energy, I checked it out.

"Spatial flows, huh."

I dabbed the dew with my finger and popped it in my mouth.

Flash!

A clear ringing filled my head, like a bell tolling.

At the same time, the scenery before me started overlapping strangely.

Not the objects themselves, but the distances between them, spatial coordinates.

Invisible paths flowing between them appeared as clear, solid lines.

'This is...'

Casually, I glanced at the fermentation jar stand at the garden's edge.

Normally a 10-second walk.

But now, my eyes saw a path folding the space between me and it—reachable in one step.

Shh.

I took a step.

No wind resistance.

Thud.

Before I could blink, my hand was already gripping the jar lid.

"...Shrinking Earth?"

No, something higher.

Not boosting physical speed—distorting my very coordinates to move.

Beyond enhancing the body with Internal Energy, now I could wield space itself with it.

"Jackpot."

No more needing elevators or portals to manage the vast Okinawa territory or a five-story building.

Think it, and you're there.

Grinning in satisfaction, I spatial-jumped to the kitchen.

Time to make breakfast for the family.

Now, the truly important event was right around the corner.

So-ye's enrollment.

Seeing the elegant gold-embossed paper made So-ye's school days feel real.

"Oppa! I'm all dressed!"

The door opened, and out came So-ye in her uniform.

Neat navy jacket, checkered skirt, cute ribbon tie.

She'd only been in hospital gowns until yesterday, and now here she was, looking so grown-up.

"Our So-ye... you've really grown up."

My nose tingled unexpectedly.

But the real fuss was from the critters.

"Kkiyooooot!"

Gorani dramatically pawed the air, pretending to sob in感動.

Muryong circled So-ye, clapping, while Hasuo scattered pollen from who-knows-where for a celebration show.

"Hehe, how do I look? Matches well?"

"Yeah, the best in the world."

I stroked her head.

But looking closer, worries piled up.

'Isn't the uniform fabric too thin? What if she gets cold?'

'And why's the bag so heavy? Her shoulders will hurt.'

Overprotective instincts kicked in.

"Here, let me see."

I grabbed So-ye's backpack.

A few textbooks, and it was already heavy.

Even with her improved nutrition, it was too much for a growing girl.

"Nope. Hold on."

I fetched some [Floating Stone Powder] from the shed.

Byproduct from the Tower last time.

I thinly coated the bag's lining, infused it with Internal Energy to fix it.

Humm.

The heavy bag became feather-light.

It floated even when I let go.

"Whoa! The bag's like a balloon!"

"Kept the weight balanced so it doesn't float too much. No more sore shoulders."

Next, shoes.

New ones would hurt her feet.

For today, I used [Fluffy Cotton] from the garden to make insoles.

Cloud-like cushioning with shock absorption.

"Try 'em on."

"Whoa! Super fluffy!"

So-ye bounced happily.

But we weren't done.

The little family ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stepped up.

"Cluck cluck!"

Kkoko rolled over two fresh miracle superfoods—[Spiritual Eggs]—from the coop and tucked them into So-ye's front pocket.

For when she got hungry at school. Pure mom vibes.

"These need boiling first."

I picked up the eggs and petted Kkoko.

-Sniff!

Muryong pulled out a shiny pebble he cherished and tried stuffing it in So-ye's pocket.

"Wait, hold up."

It wasn't a pebble—an S-rank magic stone.

"Take that to school, and it'll cause chaos! No way!"

This wasn't school supplies; it was a school-destroying bomb.

-Himyu...

Muryong drooped his ears and tail, crestfallen.

Hasuo stepped in instead.

With a solemn face, he fiddled with his head and plucked his freshest, greenest leaf.

Pop!

Standing on tiptoes, he tucked it into So-ye's pocket like a talisman.

'Huh?'

I was impressed.

That leaf took three months of dedicated growth for one.

Delaying his own progress to give it to her—commendable.

"Hasuo, thanks. I'll treasure it!"

So-ye beamed, and Hasuo shyly wriggled.

"Kywoong!"

Gorani scratched his side and pulled a small flute from his fur.

Carved from [Wind Bone] found patrolling the back mountain.

"Necklace it is. Don't lose it."

I strung it on leather and hung it around her neck; Gorani snorted contentedly.

Slither.

Then White Snake slipped over the fence.

Heard the news and came with a gift.

Gently placed a white, translucent scale on So-ye's head.

Shine.

It morphed into a pretty [White Ribbon Hairpin].

"Whoa, so pretty! Thanks, White Snake!"

"Hiss."

White Snake bashfully enjoyed her pets.

"Chwee."

Finally, the badger timidly approached.

Held out a sturdy chestnut burr from the back mountain.

But it was smooth.

He'd spent all night filing down the sharp spines with paws and teeth so it wouldn't prick her.

'How much effort with those clumsy paws.'

A [Steel Chestnut Burr] that could smash rocks if thrown in a pinch, but looked like a cute ornament.

For bopping bullies? ...

So-ye giggled and hung it on Bunny's ring on her bag as decor.

"Thanks, everyone! I'll do great at school!"

Her bag brimmed with love, care, and slightly over-specced items.

That bag alone could survive a dungeon, not just school.

'Yeah, now I can relax.'

Smiling warmly, I finished her prep.

Not ordinary school life, but ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠she wouldn't be lonely or struggle.

That night, in a Hannam-dong mansion in Seoul.

St. Mary PTA president Choi Mi-ran set down her teacup, lips twisting.

"So, the new transfer student... is an orphan?"

So-ye's profile glowed on her tablet.

"Has the chairwoman lost it? Or some special background?"

Choi tapped the file dubiously.

St. Mary wasn't for just anyone with money.

An orphan with an unemployed guardian?

A direct hit to the school's prestige.

"Can't have that. Need to check."

She sipped elegantly, muttering.

"Minjun's so naive, trusts everyone. If he hangs with bad influences and gets tainted... I need to see her level myself."

Her eyes gleamed like a predator sizing prey.

Promising thorough scrutiny.

The quiet countryside night, everyone asleep.

Rustling from So-ye's bag by her bed.

Mini Bunny on the keychain snapped its button eyes open.

Shh...

Like a spec-ops soldier checking gear pre-mission—precise, solemn.

Flash!

Black button eyes scanned the items one by one.

Bunny rearranged items with cotton-paw precision.

Optimal paths for So-ye to grab in 0.1 seconds in crisis.

No gaps. Perfect setup.

This could survive the demon realm, not just school.

All armaments flawless.

Bunny's eyes flashed red, then faded.

Watching So-ye sleep-talk excitedly about tomorrow, Bunny clenched its cotton fist.

An unassigned mission.

But the one Bunny valued above its own life.

So-ye's school life started tomorrow.

No one would know the dangling plush was a calamity-grade bodyguard that made ancient beasts tremble.