Entrance Ceremony (2)

“Huff.”

Hong Yuhwa let out a deep breath. She steadied her breathing, neatly crossed her knees as she sat, and began to regulate her breath. Even that motion looked like a photoshoot from a magazine.

Her opponent was a formidable foe. The Magma Lizard had strong resistance to fire attributes, making it a particularly tricky enemy for her.

Time limit: 30 minutes. After a grueling 30-minute battle, she finally seized victory. The Magma Lizard's resistance was ultimately pierced by her Flames of Crimson Lotus, reducing it to ashes.

Hong Yuhwa shifted her gaze. At this pace, she was confident she'd at least place in the top three—

Speed was unavoidable. She'd chosen the academic path of magic, different from the others. Fights like this were inherently disadvantageous for her.

With elegant steps, Hong Yuhwa stepped through the portal and emerged outside.

The auditorium felt empty compared to before. With nearly 3,000 people gone, that made sense—but something felt off.

A bustle of commotion.

“Hey, what's going on?”

“Ah, Miss, you've arrived.”

Scouts from her guild were moving about busily.

A window floated in front of her, displaying the rankings. But the result was incomprehensible.

“……4th place?”

There was no way. She couldn't possibly be stuck at a mere, mere 4th place.

Hong Yuhwa turned her gaze. Right in front of her was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the electronic scoreboard. It listed those who had cleared faster than her.

“…….”

Hong Yuhwa's eyes trembled. The Trial Tower was fair. Thirty years of history and the mysteries of this world guaranteed it. That's why she couldn't believe it.

A mere, mere 1 minute and 22 seconds ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to clear the trial? And by a student just entering Korea Hero School?

There are countless people in this world, and countless hidden masters among them. Yuhwa, keep that in mind and always live humbly.

Her grandfather's words suddenly came to mind.

She clenched her eyes shut and bit her lip.

Lee Seoha. She engraved those three syllables into her mind.

Hold on.

Right before the entrance exam. A boy had said something.

If you awaken the true power of your Crimson Lotus, you can beat Kim Seohyeon.

Just flattery from some passerby. No, nonsense. There was no reason she wouldn't recognize her own talent. Her grandfather, or some stranger seeing through the ability she'd awakened herself? Impossible.

Hong Yuhwa etched "Lee Seoha" into her mind and turned away.

“Ughhh.”

Lying on the bed, I finally felt alive. Was I that tense? My body ached all over.

Damn, this is insane.

I looked around. A penthouse over 50 pyeong. It came furnished with basics (magic-enchanted bedding, auto-cleaners, etc.). This was my assigned room? And free. Very important, so I'll say it again: free.

The top student by year gets the best room, then vice-top, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and so on. Not as good as my penthouse, but comparable.

This place really isn't normal.

With the world's top students here, they might not be impressed, but to me, this treatment was absurd. A penthouse for one student? Whatever, works for me.

“Wonder what it'll be.”

Brimming with anticipation, I pulled out the漆 black wooden box. Reward from the Trial Tower.

Moon Spirit Pill, Solar Single Tree, or maybe Heavenly Lord's Pill?

Inside the black wooden box was a single black dan.

Not any of the three I mentioned. But I got even more excited. It was exactly what I needed right now.

“Jackpot.”

Impressive specs. A mere elixir boasting A-rank. The Magic stat penalty downgraded it to A-.

Normally, that drop would be huge, but my Magic is 0. So the penalty exists, but means nothing to me.

No plans to learn Magic anyway.

I'm starting from behind. I aced the entrance exam, so no one's picking fights yet, but soon they'll realize I have nothing. Can't go the normal route.

With the Pill of Spiritual Talent, I can revise my plans.

The potential maximization is nice, but the real draw is awakening Nian.

Time to grow.

The exam netted me a cool 8,000P. First, boost the foundation of everything.

I opened the Multidimensional Paid Shop. Talents and constitutions tempted me: Magic Dominator, Sword Heaven, Heavenly Martial Body, etc. All insanely powerful.

But pipe dreams. Starting with them? Fine. Dumping points now delays growth too much.

Need something usable now, with high potential and growth.

And there's one even veterans grab early.

Simple description. But it's a talent usable from early to late game across fields. Handiwork boosts combat overall, and is essential for veterans' cooking, alchemy, blacksmithing.

Wanna test it lightly.

Spotted darts on the wall. I threw one at the board.

Thwack! It flew straight ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and hit dead center.

Better than expected?

I've thrown darts a few times, but not this good. Smiling satisfied, I eyed the wooden box.

Time to eat.

After buying Handiwork, I stripped and entered the bathroom. Bathroom bigger than my old one-room. Naked, I got in the tub and turned on the water.

Quietly, I took out the Pill of Spiritual Talent.

Spiritual talent. A spiritual power. While mana wields material force in this world, spiritual talent is power based on mental strength.

Later, Kim Seohyeon awakens this and gains resistance to all abilities.

Come to think of it, that's when he started seeming more feminine.

A veteran's theory of Kim Seohyeon being a girl in disguise popped up. Nah, probably not.

I popped the black pill in my mouth.

Crunch. Sweet-bitter flavor filled my mouth. Tasted good—like jelly with lemon Zero Cola fizz.

Chewed it thoroughly and swallowed. Chewing boosts elixir efficiency.

As it entered my body, something coursed through me, and I blacked out.

“Urk!”

Stomach churning. Nauseating stench everywhere. I scrambled out of the tub and dry-heaved.

What the hell is this dogshit smell? Dizzy, I looked at the tub. Black liquid floated on the water where I'd soaked.

Waste matter. This pill type expels impurities like this to unlock potential. Creepy that it was inside me.

I swung my arm wide. Users said it feels light—like reborn. And it really did. Body lighter overall, more agile, brimming with power.

“Whew, looking good.”

Standing, mirror showed paler skin. My base was decent, customized to peerless hunk—no need for more tweaks.

“Status window.”

Strength up 1, Agility and Stamina up 3 each. Spirit probably from the pill. Nian ties closely to mental power. Dexterity to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠5 from Handiwork.

……But fully awakened potential is just 3s and 5s?

Kinda sad. Fed to others, it'd be at least 7s.

Whatever, plenty of ways to get stronger.

No obsession here. I shook it off and sat on the tub floor. Closed eyes, focused. To sense the spiritual power now in me.

Something's there.

Wriggling? A subtle force squirmed inside. It moved at my will. Mysterious and fun.

Looked around. Yellow duck toy.

Move, move.

I infused it with Nian and glared. It floated up.

This is spiritual talent. Basic force exerting material power via spirit. Not how it's ultimately used. Weak now, but grows to unimaginable might.

Dizzy though.

5 seconds. Just 5 seconds lifting the toy, and vertigo hit. Stopped, breathed steadily. Regretful. With mana, more possible—but no mana, this is limit. Sucks not getting mana from Reverse Heaven Body sometimes.

I read the Nian explanation. The more I read, the more my eyes sparkled.

……Actually, mana doesn't seem that necessary.

Hail the System.