Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: Gene All-In
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"Hmm."
Shin Chae-yeon, who had been meditating with her eyes closed, tilted her head.
It was because the training wasn't going as she'd imagined.
No matter what she did, she couldn't sense the "spirit" that Lee Seong-hoon had mentioned.
She'd followed his instructions to the letter, so why?
"Chae-yeon."
"Yeah."
"Spirits aren't something you sense from nature, right?"
"I don't know."
As she answered, she glanced around. All she saw was furniture—the conveniences of modern civilization. The only touch of nature in the room was a single potted plant on the balcony.
As far as she knew, spirits were beings you had to seek out in nature.
However...
"Seong-hoon said I could do it at home."
"Did he? Then it should work."
"Unnie. Flipping your attitude like a pancake isn't a good habit."
Ignoring her sister, who whistled innocently and pretended not to hear, Shin Chae-yeon focused her mind once more.
Just in case, she moved to the spot closest to nature—the balcony—sat cross-legged, and began meditating as instructed—
"Unnie, what are you doing?"
"I'm gonna try it too. If two people carry the paper—"
"Seong-hoon said you shouldn't. Something about mana overload."
"Then I won't!!"
Why is she like that? Shin Chae-yeon felt like she'd figured out how to handle her sister a little.
Even so, that wasn't important right now. She concentrated.
Recalling the notes in the memo pad, she sank deeper into meditation, her mind drawing her into her inner world.
In truth, the method he'd given her didn't detail how to meet a spirit.
It simply said something like, "Meditate while attuning to the spirits, wherever you are, and they'll come." Most of the instructions were for what to do after meeting one.
'Just make your expression a bit brighter?'
It was an absurdly crude method, but Shin Chae-yeon followed it anyway. The reason was simple.
Because he was strong. Far stronger than she could ever hope to match.
He'd already taken down a swordsman from his family who rivaled active heroes.
He had such exceptional magic resistance that he could roam freely across the eleven islands.
He possessed the power to slay an undying monster.
No student at Justitia would refuse a chance to grow stronger.
Shin Chae-yeon was no different. She wanted to be strong—not just to climb the rankings.
She hated losing. The weight of her family's expectations pressed down on her. She wanted to ease the burden on her sister.
The reasons overflowed. But if she had to pick just one...
'I want to get stronger.'
She wanted to grow strong for her own sake. And the fastest way was to learn from someone strong.
Guidance was better than self-study. Shin Chae-yeon wasn't the type to let pride get in the way of that.
'Spirit.'
When would she sense it? Did she lack the talent for communing with spirits—
As those thoughts began to dominate her mind, she felt it.
Her body grew cold. Something was dripping onto her. Her mental world shattered. Even without opening her eyes, she heard it.
The next day.
I was getting ready for morning training as usual. Learning hand-to-hand combat—the romance of men—had my steps light.
[I don't think we can today.]
That text greeted me. Wondering what it meant, I asked—
[Ask Chae-yeon.]
What the hell? Scratching my head, I got out of bed. I sent a sleepy-eyed Raphael, who was up unusually early these days, back to her room.
"Whyyyyy? Not today...?"
I forcibly tucked the drowsy Raphael into bed and closed the door.
"I'll wake you when I leave."
No response. Falling asleep the moment she lay down was impressive. Naturally, my body headed to the sofa.
"Lily."
"Yes."
Lily, dressed in her maid outfit, came rushing over at my call. She politely clasped her hands in front and bowed her head, waiting for my words.
How does her attitude change like that? Money really is king. Well, magic stones in this case, but same difference.
"I'm heading out late today, so breakfast please."
No answer. I looked at the trembling girl. She nodded with an awkward smile, so I smiled back.
"You know what happens if it's bad and you yell about it? Raphael wakes up."
That seemed like death to her; with a resolute expression, Lily headed to the kitchen.
Go for it. After cheering Lily on, I picked up my phone to ask Shin Ga-yeon what was up, but—
I couldn't send the message. Someone was tugging at my pants.
[Daddy. Not going out today?]
"Heading out late."
Rubbing her sleepy eyes and dragging her pillow, Levatein had come over. Come to think of it, she always woke up at this time to see us off. Must be curious since I'm not going.
In a now-natural motion, I picked her up and held her to my chest.
[Eat breakfast first?]
"Yeah."
[Hehe. Yay.]
With that, Levatein fell asleep on my shoulder. She dropped her pillow, so I set it aside.
I picked up my phone amid her soft breathing.
Typing like this is tough. After struggling to send the text, a reply came back in under three seconds.
Is she waiting for my messages?
[She beat me all day yesterday. Chae-yeon did.]
Isn't this domestic abuse? Should I report it?
[She suddenly looked around the air, dragged me out, beat me up, and came back looking unsatisfied.]
"Aha."
I got it. She must've followed my instructions. She'd probably opened the 'gate.'
That meant she'd contracted a spirit. Like demons, spirits don't exist in the human realm. They reside in the spirit realm, but unlike demons, they're perceptible, so with high spirit affinity, you can contract them easily without aids.
Spirit mages call it opening the 'gate' to the spirit realm.
[That was me. Sorry.]
Feeling a bit guilty, I sent the message. I'd told her to sense "Breath" and "Affinity" right away upon meeting, which led to Shin Ga-yeon getting pummeled.
[Oh. Then it's fine! I'm totally okay!!]
Good then. Whatever. I pocketed my phone.
I figured Shin Chae-yeon could pull it off. She had innate high spirit affinity and rapport.
That's why I recommended such a brute-force method. Just meditating while aware of spirits would draw them to her naturally.
And sitting there with a slightly brighter expression would surely get even timid low-rank spirits to approach.
"Real combat's the best for this."
Spending all day breathing and communing couldn't beat rolling around once. Not that I'm the one rolling—ideas just flow.
Sparring with someone strong at a similar level is probably the fastest way to get used to spirits.
"Kim Tae-hyun."
No Soothing Fist, pass.
"Park Ho-soo."
Ask and get slapped, pass.
"Oh Seung-jin."
Won't even respond.
"Isia and Sophia are mages, so off-limits."
Staring at my fingers, which no longer bent, I thought.
It's been a while since I got here. Is my social circle supposed to be this small?
[Smells good.]
Whatever. I headed to the table with Levatein, who'd woken to the scent.
—Smells good!!!!
The late-rising angel would enjoy it too, probably.
"Hey. I said just get a feel, not beat me like a drum?"
"Couldn't get a feel."
"Don't you respect your big sis?"
"A few minutes older is all."
Can't communicate. Look closer—she's Raphael overkill too.
"Wanna die?"
No. Ignoring the glaring blonde, today was joint class day again.
Of course, the class we were joining was—
"Raphael. I think it's okay to kill her."
The white-haired class. Why is she so casually here?
"Right? Disrespectful, right? No respect for me?"
"Respect is earned. Think about what you do daily."
Raphael tilted her head at my words. Counting on her fingers one by one, her face hardened.
Then she smiled innocently at me.
"Isn't it a win for Seong-hoon just having me around?"
I immediately looked at Michael. Eyes closed, shaking her head. I haven't said anything yet?
"No."
"I haven't said anything yet?!"
"You're gonna ask for a refund, right?"
"Refund?! What refund?! There's no such thing!!"
Every place has refunds. No place in the 21st century doesn't.
Leaving the growling blonde behind, I scanned the area. Up on the sparring field, two people were already dueling. Today was sparring day.
The funny part? They weren't fighting—just holding up left hands, grinning in a staring contest.
"Embarrassing as hell."
"Monsters you made, Seong-hoon."
"Me? That's their true nature."
Shaking my head at the echoing laughter of black and silver hair.
Their bad blood isn't my fault.
"Is that guy trash?"
"Yes. The trashiest human I've seen."
Shut up. Ignoring the angels' trash talk, I changed the subject.
"Shin Chae-yeon. Know any good swordsmen? Real combat's best for syncing with spirits quick."
Shin Chae-yeon shook her head.
"Dad's busy. Only family swordsman I know is unnie."
"Doesn't have to be sword. Just strong."
Now she tilts her head. Looks at me, then opens her mouth like she doesn't get it.
"If they're strong, you can fight them."
How'd it turn into that? If I fight without my kit, I'm the weakest in Justitia.
As I pondered how to correct her misconception, a voice came from behind.
"Mind if I help? I'm decent with a sword."
What now? I looked at the sudden white-haired intruder.
Then at the blonde. Dumbly tilting her head, so I flicked her forehead.
"Ow!! Why?!"
"I know 'cause of this idiot. Angels are useless. You can't even hold a sword properly, right?"
"Seong-hoon. You just said the number three forbidden thing for Raphael's ears to hear. Wanna die today?"
No. Wait. Pushing back the charging blonde, I looked at Michael, but got a snort.
"Don't compare me to that fool. If the sister's useless, the little sis is competent. It's called gene all-in."
"You wanna die too?!"
Ignoring Raphael, Michael strode forward proudly. Saying something like 'Allow me,' she stepped onto the field.
Slipping between the black-and-silver pair, who laughed all day and got booted.
The whistle blew—
And her opponent fell. Sword not even visible.
Shin Chae-yeon and I froze. We alternated stares at Michael, looking smug, and Raphael.
"Don't."
"Raphael."
"Don't say it. She'll really kill!!"
"Sorry. Turns out angels aren't useless—you're just the useless one."
"I'm dead!!!!"
The battle began with the blonde lunging to tear at my cheeks.