Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Defying Common Sense (3)
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“Nice to meet you, Cadet Yoo Bom.”
The atmosphere in the professor's office was strangely serious yet somehow overheated.
Yoo Ji-tae and Bom had no idea why.
He used Scales Eye to distinguish between favor and disfavor. Amidst likes and dislikes, the emotion they all shared was favor.
...And it was an intensely strong one.
“Regarding what happened in today's interview, could we have a little talk about it?”
At that moment, a bald professor with a bushy beard that looked like he'd transplanted his head hair to his lower jaw stepped forward.
“Professor Nakamura, must we do this?”
“With your permission. It won't take long.”
“Hmph.”
The professors grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Yoo Ji-tae sat on the corner sofa, leaning back against it. He had nothing to do from here on. He just needed to monitor if things proceeded smoothly.
“Was there some problem with my interview?”
“No, no issues at all. In the previous interview, there was a question about concentrating neutral mana, and I heard the cadet gave an excellent answer.”
The professor narrowed his eyes.
“I'll get straight to the point. Have you ever studied or learned about the paper called the Vladimir Concentration Method?”
Bom's eyes flickered, and she turned her head to glance at Yoo Ji-tae for a moment.
Their eyes met, and he somehow sensed she was embarrassed. Her expression was exactly the same as always, so it was just a feeling.
He figured she probably didn't know what this 'Vladimir something' was.
If so, it was a tricky situation. Whatever she meant by answering 'appropriately' earlier, it had drawn more attention than necessary. It might lead to annoyances, like spilling info she shouldn't.
Still, Yoo Ji-tae decided to watch Bom handle it herself.
Bom scanned the entire professor's office before answering half a beat late.
“No formal instruction, but I've looked it up on my own.”
Their sharp, suspicious gazes remained.
“But why do you ask? Is it related to the interview?”
“No, it's not. Pure curiosity. Feel free to answer casually. So, you're saying you self-studied a paper published only two weeks ago?”
“Yes.”
The professors chuckled heartily at Bom's reply.
Scales Eye once again showed an intense favor.
As if they'd all fallen for her collectively, the professors were at a loss.
“Understood. Then, may I ask a few more questions?”
“Sure.”
“Good. If mana begins manifesting from the coordinates of the mental image line, assuming the manifestation starting point as A and the action point as B...”
Soon, complex discussions poured from the bald professor. Yoo Ji-tae had never specialized in magic during his repeated lives. Magic had clear limits for growth, so he'd given up on it early.
Honestly, he couldn't follow what they were saying.
But he grasped two things.
“It might be better to consider the entire space coordinates where mana acts. The issue is that coordinate points aren't fixed, making concentration difficult...”
One, Bom's answers flowed naturally like water.
Two, satisfaction was gradually appearing on the professors' faces as they listened.
The more questions continued, the more their eyes blazed.
Eventually, to the point where the bald professor stopped asking.
“Ah, enough. Enough! Professor Nakamura, step out.”
“...Hm. But for someone who's studied the theory, the explanation is overly focused on phenomena.”
“Ah! That's enough, come out.”
They pushed the bald professor aside and thrust themselves toward Bom.
“Cadet, the real reason we called Provisional Cadet Yoo Bom here is because we want to scout you.”
The main point finally emerged.
Bom glanced at Yoo Ji-tae. 'What is this?' He answered with his eyes. 'Good thing.'
“You've heard about the houses, right, Bom Cadet? They're like a dream for Lair cadets.”
She nodded her small head.
All cadets entering Lair wanted into a 'good house.' A house was pride and a networking hub.
“Normally, we don't make offers like this. But we like you too much, Provisional Cadet Bom, so we can't help attaching conditions. If you join our White Horse House, we'll cover your full first-year scholarship.”
An extraordinary offer.
Lair tuition was exorbitant. Thousands per year was nothing; for typical cadets, it was no small sum.
Yet no one there was surprised.
On the contrary, Yoo Ji-tae and Bom were unusually calm, disappointing the professors who'd expected a reaction.
Just as Bom smiled awkwardly...
“No, Bom Cadet. Hear me out. If you join Lebian House, full first-year scholarship, plus a year's living expenses and separate training fees.”
“Hey now, Professor Wang. Is that fair?”
“Heh heh! If you can't match the money, step aside.”
“Bom Cadet, our Original Name House will cover two years of tuition.”
Suddenly, a bidding war erupted.
“Join ours, and we'll cover up to third year...”
“Not just tuition, but participation in joint research...”
“Then I'll add...”
Escalating conditions.
Purely material ones held little appeal for rich kids. Knowing this, professors added irreplaceable 'connections' and 'opportunities.'
Conditions that would make typical magic majors flip out in humility.
But Bom just nodded silently. Her attitude only frustrated the professors more.
“Provisional Cadet Bom, is this not enough?”
“No, it's plenty.”
“Ha ha, then...”
“But I have no intention of entering a house.”
Bom doused the room in cold water.
The professors, charging in excitedly, froze in place.
“...Pardon?”
“Uh...”
“W-what's the reason?”
The professors asked belatedly.
“I've never seriously thought about magic.”
Bom's words plunged them all into shock.
This too defied their common sense. Even reviewing all provisional cadets that year, none had such talent.
Yet this genius had never seriously considered magic?
“Provisional Cadet, what...”
A deflated voice escaped one professor.
“I know it's a place where everyone approaches magic earnestly. I've just learned as I went along, no passion. I don't think I'm suited to join.”
'Hah!' A sigh finally burst from Myeong Jong. They were flabbergasted.
“Sorry.”
The professors clung to Bom repeatedly. 'Wasting talent like yours is a sin!' But Bom didn't yield.
Regretfully, they tried Yoo Ji-tae once more. But he respected Bom's will.
It was clearly a great opportunity, but not for her. He wouldn't force it.
“You knew from the start?”
On the way out of Lair, Yoo Ji-tae asked.
“Pardon?”
“Vladimir or whatever.”
“No idea.”
Her immediate reply made Yoo Ji-tae even more puzzled.
“Then how'd you handle it? You did great.”
“Just... gauged the mood a bit.”
Gauged?
“The other professors called the questioner 'Nakamura,' so I looked around the nameplates. Saw 'Magic Theory Professor Nakamura.'”
He recalled her turning her head to search.
“Theory professor, so figured he'd go for theory. Avoided it in answers.”
“I see.”
“And when he spoke, he habitually squinted. So, don't answer those.”
“Why?”
“Felt like questions above my station. Once I skipped one, the other professors liked it. I took that as the line.”
Judging by reactions, all her assumptions hit the mark.
Pretty sharp.
The professors' love calls were real opportunities. Could've been a natural path to greatness.
Yet no material, honor, opportunity, or recognition swayed Bom.
After this, the regressor grew a bit more curious. What future awaited Bom?
But he decided not to worry much. In six apocalypses, Bom never triggered one.
Still.
Her social skills shone here.
“...Why'd you take those?”
Bom held business cards. Personal ones from the magic professors.
On the way out, she'd politely asked. They gave them willingly, hoping for future contact despite regret.
“Could be good connections.”
Rejected offers yet secured goodwill, keeping relationship doors open. Impressive.
To the end, their favor was extreme.
The professors would toss and turn regretting it.
Days later.
Student dorms in Lair were assigned. A 4-person officetel with five whole rooms. Finally, Bom, Summer, and Autumn moved out of Yoo Ji-tae's room to their own.
After moving, Bom fetched a flowerpot somewhere and placed the blue egg atop it. The Blue Dragon egg that had hung from Autumn's neck.
The automatic release of polymorph hinted the Blue Dragon would hatch soon.
“Hello, our baby.”
Bom often talked to the egg or misted it with a spray bottle.
“Why spray water?”
“Like prenatal care.”
I see.
Plenty of time until the spring entrance ceremony, so they could relax.
Bom toured Lair inside with Autumn, sightseeing. Summer showed curiosity for the arena, gym, training rooms, etc.
He used to sense their presences whenever possible before, but lately reduced it. In his view, their relationships were stabilizing.
That day, Yoo Ji-tae left the dorm and entered Lair's 'Cheongcheong Hall.' One of the buildings for events.
[Azure Dragon House Practical Interview]
Seeing the placard, he proceeded.
A person he absolutely had to eliminate was here.
In Lair, status was told by name tag color. Guardian Yoo Ji-tae wore an orange one around his neck.
On the third floor, a crowd gathered outside the ongoing interview auditorium. White tags on their necks: reporters and media. Further in, big cameras and boom mics.
He pushed through. Guards saw the tag color and parted readily.
Azure Dragon House interview in full swing. Hundreds of provisional cadets seated.
Entering the auditorium, Yoo Ji-tae spotted him instantly.
Wei Lian.
A 38-year-old Chinese professor.
Clean, handsome face looking mid-twenties. Media called him 'Lair's Prince' or 'Professor on a White Horse'—his refined image held quiet elegance.
Chief professor of the martial house 'Azure Dragon House.'
And the instigator who ignited the global dragon hunt craze in the third cycle.
Also, not human.
An element hastening the apocalypse—he had to die.
“Whoa, that's Professor Wei Lian? Seriously, how is that a professor's face?”
“Could befriend older cadets...”
“Looks super nice too.”
“Just personality? He's rich. Strong. War hero, Lair full prof. Young, handsome... Got it all.”
Murmurs drifted over.
Probably not just them—few who knew Wei Lian truly knew him.
But soon, all would learn.
The interview was about to start. 'Whoa, check that one.' While observing quietly, Yoo Ji-tae turned to the minor commotion. Cameras aimed there.
Familiar hair glinting in light. Pouting, irritated expression.
Summer.
Yoo Yeoreum was among the interviewees.
Staring piercingly at her face, Summer's head slowly turned.
Their eyes met.
She narrowed hers slightly, then turned away as if he was nothing.
Why's she here? The regressor smiled faintly.