Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: It's Fine Because I'm a Genius with a Time Limit
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The strange atmosphere soon spread across the entire training grounds.
"What's up with them?"
"No idea. They just suddenly started acting like that after Park Ha-yul said something."
"Did he pick a fight or what?"
The students tilted their heads in confusion before turning their attention to us with intrigued expressions.
"Quit yapping and come at me."
Cheon Seo-yoon pulled a training sword from the rack in the corner of the grounds and pointed it at me.
The half-dead corpse from before was gone, replaced by a fierce swordsman radiating an overwhelming aura.
I wiped the grin off my face and faced her with a serious stance.
I'd succeeded in dragging it out of her by force, but if I lost limply, it'd be a total shitshow with no way out.
I needed to give her at least enough shock to rattle her.
People chained to the past can't live properly in the present.
I had to make her realize through this duel that it wasn't time to stop yet.
....
That way, Cheon Seo-yoon could shine in the next episode.
After a moment's thought, I trudged over to the rack of training swords.
"What the? A sword?"
"Nah, no way he's actually drawing one. It's just for show."
For show?
Show my ass.
Ignoring the whispers, I drew the shortest sword from the bunch.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Cheon Seo-yoon's face twisted in fury as she watched.
But I was dead serious.
Serious enough to reveal some of the skills I'd been hiding.
It'd be a short spar anyway, so I needed one impactful move.
I unwound the celestial silk thread coiled around my right wrist and wrapped it around the sword's hilt.
Then, slowly, I pointed the sword at Cheon Seo-yoon.
"Ha, you crazy bastard."
An air heavier than any silence settled between us.
The tension swelled like a balloon on the verge of bursting.
That's when—
"Hey, stop!"
Baek Sa-young finally caught on and leaped in to block us.
But it was too late.
Cheon Seo-yoon kicked off the ground, and I rolled my foot forward.
With Baek Sa-young wedged between us, we charged straight at each other.
Shuuu—
Cheon Seo-yoon's movements were lightning-fast, as expected from someone vying for top spot in the superhuman class.
But the situation was oddly perfect.
It overlapped perfectly with yesterday in my mind.
Straw dummies in a row, Baek Sa-young behind them, and Cheon Seo-yoon beyond.
This was a pattern I'd drilled dozens of times.
My body moved on instinct, no intent needed.
First, my left hand's celestial silk thread whipped around Baek Sa-young's waist and contracted in an instant.
"What—"
The momentary resistance from Baek Sa-young bracing herself. Using that as leverage, I shot into the sky.
Closing the not-insignificant distance in one breath, I soared past her.
Bwoooong.
There was my target. No, Cheon Seo-yoon.
I thrust out my right hand toward the startled, frozen Cheon Seo-yoon.
Whiiiiiing—
The sword launched.
The silk thread extended in a flash, slamming down like a bolt of lightning.
"What the—"
Cheon Seo-yoon hastily raised her sword in defense.
Kwaaaang.
A explosive whoosh echoed as sword met sword.
The result...
"...Ha."
Cheon Seo-yoon's victory, for now.
My thrown sword sailed far off, while she still gripped hers.
"..."
But her face flushed beyond shock into humiliation.
She'd been pushed back, sure, but the faint blue aura glinting on her blade was unmistakably mana.
To draw on mana against a plain training sword—it was a blow to her pride she couldn't ignore.
The surroundings fell deathly silent before erupting in murmurs.
"Both of you, stand down!"
The supervising professor arrived right then.
He swept a stern glare across the grounds and bellowed.
But I breathed a sigh of relief.
It was perfect timing, just as I'd anticipated.
I'd done everything I could with a single strike using a sword.
"Sorry. I started it."
I approached and bowed deeply.
Threats of demerits flew, but I had no excuses to make.
It was undeniably my fault.
Still, I'd reignited the dying embers, so no regrets.
* * *
The incident ended with me getting 2 demerit points.
The already stern-faced female professor stormed off, her face even more twisted.
Cheon Seo-yoon, who'd been glaring at me with complicated emotions, turned away without a word, clearly rattled.
But I had a hunch.
We'd clash again soon...
Her shoulders, trembling faintly with resentment, proved it.
For a while, she'd use that anger as fuel to push forward.
Now, I couldn't ignore her grudge and killing intent anymore.
But could I win a rematch?
The thought trailed off, and I shook my head.
Unless it was a life-or-death duel where I could use my full arsenal...
It wouldn't be easy.
This had been a duel on my terms, after all.
I'd played all my cards in that brief moment, while Cheon Seo-yoon hadn't even tapped her greatest strength: her immense mana.
If it had continued, I'd have crumbled.
So, the answer was the same as yesterday.
To prepare for the next clash, I needed to raise my celestial silk proficiency and physical stats.
I wrapped up my thoughts and kept walking.
Back to the center of the training grounds, business as usual.
"Um, Park Ha-yul."
Then, someone approached hesitantly and spoke up.
A vaguely familiar face.
Who was it...
"It's me, Cheol-su. Kim Cheol-su from the sorcery division."
"Oh. Right, Cheol-su."
A talent specialized in info gathering and hacking.
We hadn't really talked since the first day of electives—distant acquaintances at best.
I soon learned why he'd approached.
"Today's spars are within divisions. Move to your assigned sectors. Starts in 10 minutes."
With only two sorcery division kids in A-Class...
"We're sector 20."
"Got it."
I walked amiably with Cheol-su.
Stinging glares prickled from all sides, thanks to the duel, but maybe because I'd thrashed about once?
No one picked a fight.
Anyway, just as we reached the sector and started gearing up.
Bzzz.
My phone buzzed, drawing my eyes down.
[It's Jeong Ae-ri, president of 'Dodam.' Can we meet briefly before orientation starts today?]
Why Jeong Ae-ri, though?
* * *
The fine arts club 'Dodam' is one of Taehak's most storied groups.
Its history stretches back to the school's founding—practically ancient—and over the years, it's wielded massive influence over art associations and society as a bastion of traditional Korean painting.
...Or so Jeong Ae-ri believes.
That's why she's so passionate.
Striving to hone the eye and skill befitting a president...
She confidently claims she's already achieved it.
Age aside, her ability to judge artwork value is top-tier in Korea.
Her picks always shone, no matter what; her rejections never did.
Not bragging—it's fact.
Just look at her art gallery's track record.
So why...
Is it complacency after success, or a side effect of her elevated tastes?
Lately, Jeong Ae-ri worries she's stuck in a rut.
Ordinary artworks just don't satisfy anymore.
She can barely recall the last time simply viewing one brought pure joy.
But.
"The more I see it, the more I crave it."
And yet here she is, gazing at a single piece like an enraptured patron.
Truly astonishing.
Two weeks of stolen glances, and far from tiring, she's more hooked.
The girl in the portrait sits demurely, head shyly raised.
But the lines chase her inner fire—bold, unbridled, creating stark contrast.
Sometimes savagely rough, like downing espresso shots in a row, heart dropping.
Has there been a piece this gripping lately?
Shaking her head, Jeong Ae-ri habitually checked the signature in the bottom right.
"D.H....... No, Park Ha-yul."
It took time to track down, but worth it.
He's now the student—no, artist—she must recruit for her gallery.
Preparations complete.
Contract terms bold enough to rock the industry.
No prior contact—it was all part of the buildup.
Can't let him slip; must snag him fully prepped.
Today was D-Day.
Knock knock.
As if punctuating the wait, the door opened, and he entered.
"Hmm~"
And damn.
His looks hold up to the work.
A decadent allure amid refinement evokes Modigliani.
In this era where off-canvas appeal sells, it's perfection.
"Nice to meet you, junior. This way."
But she doesn't show it.
Jeong Ae-ri greets Park Ha-yul as the flawless negotiator, excitement hidden.
She smiles leisurely, guides him to a seat, pours meticulously prepared tea.
"But why'd you want to meet separately..."
Park Ha-yul trails off, expression wary.
Can't blame him for the sudden invite.
No need to rush, but no beating around the bush either.
Jeong Ae-ri sips her tea to wet her throat and cuts straight in.
"Sorry if the one-sided contact felt pushy. It's about your artwork—something important."
"...My artwork?"
"Yes. Portrait of a Girl. Just a working title I gave it, but know it comes from affection."
Jeong Ae-ri smiled and pointed to the painting in the corner of the president's office.
Park Ha-yul's gaze followed.
"...Huh?"
But his reaction's off.
His eyes blink rapidly, then he rubs them.
"What is this..."
* * *
"Something wrong?"
Jeong Ae-ri asked, but he hesitated, pausing.
...
The painting had changed.
To an ordinary eye, the difference might be imperceptible, but I could see it.
That subtle shift elevated the work's quality and class immensely.
Darker lines, heightened contrast, needless side details excised.
These tweaks coalesced, revealing emotions and intent I'd missed far more vividly.
I pride myself on painting—no slouch there.
But this felt like corrections from an Impressionist master like Van Gogh or Manet.
Who, and why...
My face screwed up in mounting frustration at the unsolved mystery.
Then—
My forward vision rippled.
[You've expanded the spectrum of your Manifestation.]
[You've stepped into the realm of 'Enhancement.']
[You've achieved a new accomplishment.]
[As reward, a new function is added to Manifestation.]
So that's enhancement...
No way—the painting I made?