Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Roberto Vanessa
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Roberto Vanessa.
His alias is "Phantasm."
Up until now, the enemies I'd faced were snakes, grasshoppers, tentacles, bombs....
"......Hearing it like this makes it sound like kids' play."
In any case, unlike other material realm traits, his was a conceptual realm trait one dimension higher, originally classified as red grade, beyond green and blue.
Yet he couldn't escape the shackles of blue.
True to his title as one of the Eight Demons, he was stronger than any foe I'd met so far, but he still couldn't shed the blue grade label.
The reason was his talent, which lagged behind his trait.
He lacked the demonic energy and physique to fully unleash Phantasm's power.
Thus, Roberto's Phantasm only activated under specific conditions.
First, the target had to hold affection for him, and second, they had to be fully depicted on his special armament, the Demonic Space Canvas.
Only then could he manifest Phantasm's trait, dragging the target's soul into a deep quagmire and assimilating it.
Of course, the canvas interior was another world, adding the risk factor of "vision," but that was the gist in the present realm.
"That's all for today's lecture. Was it satisfactory?"
Having finished his lecture, Roberto scanned the audience with soulful eyes.
"""Yes."""
"It was amazing, Author!"
Positive cheers rained down from here and there.
Roberto, who had clasped his hands in thanks, soon flashed a kindly smile.
"I enjoyed it too. In this time, I was like a butterfly frolicking in a flower garden. If there had been a wine glass before me, I would have toasted for the sake of your shining eyes. Hahaha."
......Is this guy insane?
I got that he had his own method, given Phantasm's activation required the target's affection.
But there were limits.
What followed was so egregious it was hard to repeat.
"Please give me the key. The key to unlock your hearts~"
"The sky isn't filled only with stars, the sea isn't filled only with fish, so why is my heart filled only with you all?"
His buttery lines and voice were utterly repulsive, giving the illusion of snakes crawling in my ears.
"Fuck."
Yet I endured the torment and disgust steadfastly.
Because it seemed a real incident was about to unfold....
From some point, his gaze had been fixed solely on Joo A-rin.
"The talk—or rather, the chit-chat—ends here. One announcement."
Roberto lightly tapped his cane on the ground with a thud, then got to the point.
"As part of my creative work, I received some inspiration, so...."
Cutting out the nonsense, he was recruiting models.
I knew this was all groundwork for Phantasm, so it was absurd, but the audience reaction was hot.
In the atmosphere where everyone was raising hands, I stared at Joo A-rin.
"Why are you staring so intently?"
"Huh?"
Our eyes met then, but since she didn't raise her hand, I relaxed for that moment.
"Everyone's support leaves me at a loss, but how about that lovely lady over there? Do you have time?"
The spotlight on the stage suddenly swiveled, shining on the seats.
Dazzling brightness filled my vision, followed by dozens of gazes.
Joo A-rin's already radiant face glowed even more under the light, proving it herself, as she turned forward with a puzzled expression.
I whipped my head around a beat late and couldn't help but be shocked.
"What the...."
At the end of those gazes stood Roberto.
He had approached unnoticed, extending a hand toward Joo A-rin with an intense, sultry gaze.
"Becoming my muse is a rare opportunity. What do you say?"
My mind went blank for an instant.
This direct approach wasn't in the original story.
"......That is."
Joo A-rin hesitated in a way uncharacteristic of her, and in that brief gap, I thought.
Would Joo A-rin take that hand?
If so, today would be D-day, but what about Cheon Seo-yun, who needed to gain a new trait?
More importantly, could I beat him alone?
He was barely caught by Baek Sa-young and Cheon Seo-yun teaming up?
No, Joo A-rin might refuse.
Maybe I just stay put.
.
.
My swirling thoughts couldn't find focus, but one certainty emerged.
When the answer to a problem is ambiguous, it's not the problem—it's the problem solver.
So, let's bail first and think later.
"Modeling is my first...."
"Hold on, come with me."
I snatched Joo A-rin's wrist just as she opened her mouth. I yanked her up and dragged her outside.
* * *
Meanwhile, in Professor Lee Taek-jin's research office.
Lee Taek-jin stared down at the stack of documents on his desk with suspicion-filled eyes.
These were the results from the formative assessments over the past week.
A ranking sheet listing all Class A students by grade, excluding individual sparring....
Though just a week's record and not directly tied to true strength.
The very first name on the first page grated intensely.
It wasn't Taehak's prodigy Baek Sa-young or the famed house's pride Seol Yun-gi.
[Name: Park Ha-yul]
[Affiliation: Spellcraft]
[Subject Scores]
- Practical Training: A+
- History: A+
- Demonic Beast Studies: A+
- Understanding and Analysis of Spells: A+
Even the remaining two subjects were A+.
"What the hell is this guy?"
Lee Taek-jin muttered a question-like soliloquy, furrowing his brow. Kim Mi-young beside him nodded faintly in agreement.
"Any comments from the other professors?"
He asked again, just in case, phrasing it indirectly to check for evaluation issues.
"Well...."
But Kim Mi-young's response differed from expectations.
"First, Professor Cha Myung-hwan said he's a well-rounded talent unseen these days."
"Well-rounded?"
"Yes. He praised his historical knowledge and insight as befitting a great scholar. And...."
"And?"
"Professor Ko Jun-hee of Spellcraft said a brewer is still a brewer. He spared no extreme praise."
"......Extreme praise."
Lee Taek-jin smiled bitterly, forced to admit part of his judgment was off.
Park Ha-yul had indeed become a completely different person from his first-year self.
Not the disgraceful brewer from rumors, but a talent exceeding his ranking.
Had he awakened a new trait in that time?
Otherwise, it was inexplicable.
"That guy."
His displeasure lingered, but Lee Taek-jin knew to separate public from private.
Rising from humble origins to this position was thanks to his cold demeanor and rigorously efficient mindset, so he resolved.
To observe more closely....
To gauge Park Ha-yul's value as a talent. And if useful.
If he could serve his grand ambitions—even if a brewer—he'd embrace him.
"How's the list of academic conference companions I picked last time?"
"For the new demonic beast conference in Busan next month, Scholar Baek Sa-young and Scholar Cheon Seo-yun."
"Add Scholar Park Ha-yul."
"Understood. Scholar Park Ha-yul too....... Yes?"
Kim Mi-young startled and asked back, but he didn't elaborate.
Just his usual stoic mutter.
"Next agenda?"
"Oh, contact from the virtual reality tournament team. There's a setup error they can't judge with their skills, so they request your help."
"Error?"
"Yes. They say a perfect score came out on the first day. Apparently possible only by killing an orc shaman in 3 seconds...."
"Tch. An official Taehak event run this sloppily."
Lee Taek-jin clicked his tongue briefly, then suddenly recalled an old matter.
"Assistant Kim. The tech team for this tournament...... Surely not those idiots who made the scarecrow for the diagnostic eval?"
"...Yes, seems so."
"Bunch of morons, as expected. That's why I kept saying it needs professor oversight."
Grumbling irritably, Lee Taek-jin grabbed his jacket and stood.
"Heading there now?"
"Yeah. Dragging it out is just annoying. I'll be back in 30 minutes—no need to follow."
Lee Taek-jin strode out confidently.
Unaware he was off to hunt nonexistent bugs.
* * *
At the same time, behind Dodam's club hall, in the outdoor clearing.
I was paying the price for my impulsive—but necessary—action.
"What are you even doing? If you don't explain properly...."
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
Joo A-rin poured out words nonstop, unfiltered, showing her fluster.
I admitted it: dragging her out in front of everyone risked making her a laughingstock.
"I was going to refuse anyway, but because of you...."
I also just learned it would've passed smoothly if I'd stayed put.
But no regrets.
Even rewound 10 minutes, I'd act the same.
In a situation with no certainties, dragging her out was the simplest fix....
"Hey? Say something?"
Anyway, the priority now wasn't justifying the act, but the reason.
Break the silence first and bullshitter whatever.
No choice.
I pondered briefly and resorted to a desperate measure.
It might look like jealous loser vibes toward Roberto, but nothing else came to mind.
"Wait a sec."
I pulled out my phone, searched Roberto, and skimmed related articles.
Old news, but I figured the setting would be there.
Roberto embroiled in model scandal. He vehemently denied....
Jackpot.
Not proven guilty, but good enough.
If asked why meddle, no retort.
Just say as a department mate or investor, it felt off, so I couldn't stand by.
"That's why I brought you out. Read this first, then talk."
I thrust my phone at Joo A-rin.
Or tried to.
Bzzz.
At that moment, Joo A-rin's phone rang.
She glanced down at the caller, then answered.
"Butler No, can we talk later....... Yes?"
Then her eyes widened round, looking my way.
Curious, I perked my ears, finally hearing the elderly voice.
- Miss, that Kim Myung-chul...... He's the Third Young Master's man. Meeting now at a cafe outside campus....
Kim Myung-chul and Third Young Master clicked.
The wolf's identity was busted right on time.
"Got it. I'll call back soon."
Joo A-rin hung up hastily.
Her face rigid with shock, I stood awkwardly holding out my phone.
But.
"No need to see. I just got the news too."
"......Huh?"
"But it's kinda unpleasant. You said you'd confirm directly, so as an investor, did you not trust me?"
Not trust? What no trust.
At first baffling, but chewing it over, I got it.
She thought I pulled her out because of the wolf.
This...... isn't bad.
"Not that...."
I first slipped my phone behind my back.