Kim Ara (2)
"I wanna buy it quick."
I muttered while staring at the monitor screen. Aqua Rose. It had the appearance of a blue rose, and touching it felt like caressing water. But it didn't sell for much. The reason? Its foul smell. However, this herb's value skyrocketed enormously in the mid-to-late game. At least tenfold, no, over a thousand times. And there was only one reason for that. This flower was a key ingredient for crafting a B-grade elixir.
I set the delivery address to the penthouse and changed into workout clothes. As I did, I pondered ways to make money.
'First, sell elixirs and rake it in.'
Sell elixirs made from Aqua Rose. Or sell undiscovered recipes like this one. Not a bad idea.
'Come to think of it, there's an Alchemy Guild.'
I sat down at the computer, booted it up, searched for a site, and entered it.
[Alchemy Guild]
A site boldly titled [Alchemy Guild] popped up. I entered the resident registration number and name from my student ID, then came up with a nickname. I pondered for a moment. Scribbled something random, then pondered again. Which recipe to use? I found one with decent impact. Debating between Vitality Potion and Mana Recovery Potion, I inputted the Vitality Potion recipe.
Please wait a moment.
You have successfully joined.
'What a bunch of idiots.'
Normally, guilds aren't this easy to join. But alchemists are the type who hole up in their rooms for days, pulling all-nighters on experiments. Hard to gather them, hard to form groups. Still, to protect their interests, they made it easy to join online. And even more surprisingly, the site is managed by AI. You get a guild rank based on your recipe's efficacy.
[Diamond Badge Received]
'Diamond, huh.' I made a subtle expression. Normally, this recipe would get Platinum, or Gold if you're unlucky.
'Is it because it's reality?'
I need to look into this. I browsed recipes available at Diamond rank. And reached one conclusion.
'...Way more lacking than I thought?'
No wonder they handed out Diamond so freely. I posted a few more recipes on the board. Giving away a few like charity makes it way easier to get herbs later.
'And with this, time to buy a kit.'
One perk of the Alchemy Guild: Buy high-quality kits cheap based on your rank. I purchased the cost-effective Gold-grade Alchemy Kit.
Beep.
After posting about three recipes, the bell rang. Time to head out for training. Irritation suddenly surged. I sighed deeply and went down to the training grounds.
The penthouse had its own private dojo, but the main training grounds had the best facilities.
'And I need to naturally build connections.'
For Kim Ara, teach her how to handle power. For Seo Gayeon, awaken her mana and how to use it. For Hong Yuhwa, a bit of advice. Erhil doesn't need anything—next to her is the real deal, a Transcendent stuck teaching her, not the sword soul by my side. Same for Kim Seohyeon. With Thousand Mage and the ultimate swordmaster attached, digesting what he's learning is tough enough.
Mulling over these thoughts, I reached the training grounds, where students were already working out.
"Huff, it's the top ranker."
"That guy's really here for physical training? Ha, in close combat, top ranker might hold his own."
"Shut up and lift, dumbass. Heard he beat Park Unhyeok with mana and talent sealed."
"Bullshit."
At Park Unhyeok's name, I flinched a bit. I did feel kinda sorry for him. With mana sealed, I used Reverse Heaven energy.
"Look at that. His steps are so steady."
"Already mastering body control? World's so unfair. I grew up hearing I was a genius."
"Who here didn't hear 'genius'? This insane school's gathering world-class top students and only accepting a thousand?"
But the attention was burdensome. Guys mid-workout stopped to gawk.
"Oh, out for training? Want some help?"
Kim Seohyeon appeared with his friendly smile.
"Yeah, help me out. First time, no clue where to start."
"Alright, let's check your form first then."
Kim Seohyeon grabbed a dumbbell. But it looked off—black glossy iron marked 50kg.
"Lift this?"
"...This too heavy? I'm not some gorilla like you." Anyway, like a personal trainer, Kim Seohyeon guided my workout.
"One more. Just one more."
"Nngh."
"Good. Seoha, don't arch your back. Lift your hips more. Yeah."
"Ngh, done?"
"Still five reps."
Personal trainer my ass. The devil himself.
After training, my body felt wrecked. Zero strength left. Dragging myself back home. Then, a familiar silhouette.
Three girls surrounding one. 'Bullying?'
I was gonna pass and report to an instructor but stopped. The girl inside was familiar. Seo Gayeon. Trembling like a hamster.
Ah, those girls. The ones subtly bullying Seo Gayeon.
I gripped the Black Heaven Demon Sword. And whispered quietly.
"Can you activate Domination Soul? Everyone except the one in the middle."
-Of course.
With the Black Heaven Demon Sword's confirmation, I approached Seo Gayeon.
"Seo Gayeon, what're you doing?"
"Uh, huh?"
"Don't butt in, L-Lee Seoha?"
"Yeah, I'm Lee Seoha."
One girl... too lazy to call her Woman A. At her words, the other girls' faces changed instantly.
"W-Wait? Y-You know L-Lee Seoha?"
I nodded at Woman B's words.
"Anything else to say?"
"N-No, uh, n-nothing. W-We were just, uh, s-saying let's g-get along."
Woman C stammered. Hadn't even activated Domination Soul yet.
Seo Gayeon glanced sideways. Lee Seoha walked with a sharper impression than usual. Mood seemed worse.
She hesitated, then spoke.
"Th-Thank you."
"Huh? Oh, that earlier?"
Seo Gayeon nodded at Lee Seoha's words.
"B-But why'd you h-help me?"
"...Does helping someone need a reason?"
"......"
I swallowed the line about helping a talented kid to gain some favor later. Sounded too lame even to me.
Lee Seoha eyed Seo Gayeon briefly. One more push and she'd fall for it.
"B-Back then, y-you s-said something."
"What?"
"Wh-When choosing majors, y-you said m-magic suits me better."
"Oh, that?"
"W-Was that real?"
Lee Seoha looked at her. Seo Gayeon looked back.
Maybe she was hoping. Barely scraping in on luck, school life was brutal. Endless competition, ruthless expulsion for falling behind, family expectations. Parents saying speak up if struggling despite hardships, proud sister, siblings idolizing "sister."
All burdens so far.
"Yeah, just being nosy."
"Nosy?"
"Yep. You've got talent but no clue how to awaken it. Seemed like a waste."
Lee Seoha looked at her.
"To me, you're at least Erhil level."
"E-Erhil?"
Seo Gayeon's eyes widened. The girl who ranked 3rd in entrance exams, a mage already mastered in illusion magic in England. Comparing her to that? Absurd.
Yet Lee Seoha's words rang true. His voice carried conviction. Maybe she just needed someone to lean on.
"Yeah. Contact me if you need help. I'll assist where I can."
Lee Seoha smoothly reached out. Seo Gayeon dazedly handed over her phone. He quickly inputted his number, flashed a satisfied smile, and headed to the dorm.
"Hit me up later."
[Seo Gayeon remembers you.]
Acquired 1,000p.
As expected. Building bonds with main characters was the way. After gaining points, I returned to the dorm, stretched, and trained as the Black Heaven Demon Sword instructed.
"Huff, huff."
"Adapting quick? But breathing's off. Step and go 'huh-hah-hah.' It'll feel easier."
Morning dawn workout.
"Magic and Mage students, basic stamina training! Warriors, mock combat!"
First period morning, grueling stamina drills. Rolling like that bumped stamina up a bit. Then, the awaited class arrived.
"Hello. I'm Professor Song Rahee, here to teach you the theory of magic disruption."
Blue robe, waist-length hair. Obviously a mage, she spoke.
"As heroes, you'll sometimes sync with mages or face enemy ones. I'll teach you existing spells in advance."
Professor Song Rahee scanned the class, pointing at me.
"Lee Seoha, right?"
"Yes."
"Mind a quick demo? Heard the top entrant this term excels at magic."
Rumor mill bullshit. Whatever.
Song Rahee was someone whose allegiance—heroes or villains—depended on player choices.
'Song Rahee's manageable.'
Not that she's weak. Excels in PvP as a mage, insane firepower to wipe dozens of students. Just easy for me.
"Lee Seoha. Attack or defend?"
"I'll defend against your spell, Professor."
"Good. Prepare to disrupt from there."
"Done."
"......"
I stood on the podium, doing nothing. But with Reverse Heaven Body, channeling Reverse Heaven energy prepped magic disruption.
Song Rahee seemed annoyed at my arrogance, face briefly angry, then calm.
"Believing you, I'll cast."
A purple orb glowed in Song Rahee's hand. Witch of Anti-Magic. Her signature, amplified anti-magic mana property.
"Simple curse magic. But my Paema property makes it hard to block."
She eyed me slyly—can you block this? I nodded.
She hurled the orb.
Fssshhh...
"Eh? What?"
It vanished on contact with my body.