Chapter 134
Chapter 134
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 134
Chapter Title: Choi Il-hyun's Miscalculation
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He must think that with my fame known throughout the world, I'd naturally be thrilled and accept right away.
And I know full well just how impressive Choi Il-hyun is. Even down to the crucial role he plays in the original story.
...But.
"Um, I've already registered as a guiding teacher."
Choi Il-hyun walked down the street with dejected steps after parting ways with Kim Sun-woo.
"What the hell."
He'd suspected something was off when he couldn't reach him during the contact period, but he never imagined this would happen.
Of all things, he'd already registered as a guiding teacher.
"...Was I too arrogant?"
Choi Il-hyun scratched his head with an awkward expression.
Thinking back, he'd been so absorbed in his personal research for years that he hadn't stepped out into the world much. He'd been clueless and way too cocky.
Time for some reflection.
But now what?
Without Kim Sun-woo, there was no reason for him to come to this school.
Kim Sun-woo was the first person in a long time to spark his interest outside of research.
His fighting style from the video was impressive, and he loved the audacity of a manifestation-type specialist kicking an reinforcement-type mage.
It reminded him of his younger self, in a way.
Of course, the fact that his kick landed on Lee Seo-jun was the best part.
"Kim Sun-woo..."
Meeting him in person felt different. He liked the subtly mature vibe, and even though he knew who Choi Il-hyun was, his lukewarm reaction was refreshingly unique.
Something about him was magnetic.
'No way I'm giving up like this.'
According to Kim Sun-woo, he'd be guided by a teacher named Lee Hee-young.
The name was unfamiliar, but maybe if he went straight to her and talked, something could be worked out.
Kim Sun-woo didn't seem opposed to him at all.
With his resolve firm, he resumed walking when he spotted a tall male student in an alley.
Choi Il-hyun stopped unconsciously and stared at the boy. It was the face he'd seen in Kim Sun-woo's recent battle video.
Most people would be stunned by how handsome he was upon seeing him in person, but Choi Il-hyun felt a strong sense of rejection and discomfort.
At that moment, the student noticed his gaze and looked back.
With puzzled eyes, he approached cautiously and spoke.
"Excuse me, are you Wizard Choi Il-hyun?"
Choi Il-hyun nodded without a word.
"Ah, I've heard so much about you from Grandpa. I knew an external teacher was coming, but I never thought I'd run into you here..."
The student was none other than Lee Seo-jun, who could be called his junior disciple.
Choi Il-hyun silently scrutinized Lee Seo-jun's face before speaking.
"Is the old man doing well?"
"Yes, Grandpa's always healthy as ever."
"Well, that old geezer. He'll probably stay healthy for another hundred years."
It might sound derogatory, but Lee Seo-jun could feel the affection in his voice.
"Grandpa seemed to miss you a bit. Why don't you come visit sometime?"
"...Miss me? Nah. Whatever. We'll meet when the time comes."
He muttered, then continued.
"Anyway, I'm busy, so I'll be off."
"Ah, yes! Take care."
With that, the two went their separate ways.
Left alone, Choi Il-hyun recalled Lee Seo-jun's face from moments ago.
"He takes after him way too much."
After finishing auxiliary form training with Yoo Ah-ra, I was wrestling with Gretel in the dorm.
Gretel thrashed desperately to escape my arms.
"Gretel, just hold on a little longer."
"Eung-ae!"
Gretel shook her head vigorously and broke free. Then she scampered off on her short legs.
I quickly used nature's mana to lightly grab her foot. Gretel's body pitched forward with a thud.
"Aigoo."
Seeing that made my eyes squint in sympathy.
"Gretel, you okay?"
As I approached, Gretel rose with a pitiful slumped posture. Then she moved to run again.
I didn't miss the chance and reached out to scoop her into my arms. In that instant, Gretel dodged with astonishing jumping power.
"Argh."
I chased after her again. Gretel had no intention of going down easy and summoned wooden vines on the floor using her mana.
The vines bound my feet tightly.
"Hey!"
At my shout, Gretel flinched and released the bind.
I swiftly snatched her up. Caught, Gretel wriggled in my arms.
"Come on, Gretel. Just for a second. Close your eyes and bear it once. Okay?"
"Ong-ae!"
Gretel cried out.
I gently grasped the fruit on her head.
She kicked her legs in the air again.
"It won't hurt. Not one bit~"
Like soothing a child getting a cavity filled, I petted her gently.
The moment she let her guard down, I plucked the fruit right off.
"Whew."
Gretel hopped out of my arms, touched the branch on her head, and glared at me with resentment. Soon, tears welled up in her eyes.
"See? Didn't hurt at all, right?"
Gretel shook her head vigorously. Five times, no less.
It must have hurt after all. Sorry about that.
"Gretel."
I approached her slowly and hugged her again, patting her back.
"I'm sorry."
I meant it. Of course, I'd do the same when the next fruit grew.
I'd apologize then too.
Including up to the next fruit, I'm sorry.
Sensing my sincerity(?), Gretel nodded.
Good, she wasn't mad anymore.
I fed her a few sausages and sat on the sofa.
Then I examined the fruit in my hand.
[Mysterious Magical Tree Fruit (S)]
Classification: Spiritual Medicine
Description: Upon consumption, strength and agility increase by 5%.
Constitution improves. Growth plates open, slowly reshaping the body into a combat-optimized frame.
Eliminates bodily waste and heightens mana sensitivity.
"Whoa."
I'd been shocked earlier, but it was still amazing. Never expected an S-rank spiritual medicine.
I'd figured B-grade at best, so this exceeded expectations.
And the effects weren't just stat boosts.
It even improved constitution.
And opened growth plates?
Did that mean I'd grow taller here?
Full of anticipation, I washed the fruit thoroughly with water.
"Swallow it like this?"
...No.
There was something to do first.
Upon consumption, strength and agility increase by 5%.
To maximize this, higher base stats were better.
So, buying stats with points beforehand would be smart.
"Hmm."
Good idea. I still had spare points.
[Entering Point Shop.]
[Basic Stat Shop]
►Stamina 0.1 - 100 points
►Strength 0.1 - 100 points
►Mana 0.1 - 180 points
Needed stats: strength and agility.
Buying 10 each seemed right.
Total points needed: 29,000 combined.
Pricey, but worth it for permanent +10 stats.
[Purchased strength.]
[Purchased agility.]
[Basic Stat Shop 'Strength' now 0.1 - 200 points.]
[Basic Stat Shop 'Agility' now 0.1 - 200 points.]
"Done."
I instinctively felt a change in my body.
Power surged through me, senses sharpened.
I wanted to check my stats right away, but held off.
I wanted to see the dramatic change after the medicine.
"Some points left. More mana?"
Imbalance is bad, so investing in mana made sense.
Not too much, just +5.
[Purchased mana.]
[Basic Stat Shop 'Mana' now 0.1 - 230 points.]
Spent 39,000 points in a flash. Hard-earned, gone in a blink.
Now, time for the fruit.
I popped the Mysterious Magical Tree Fruit into my mouth.
Crunch. Sweetness spread as I chewed.
Texture like a tomato, taste like watermelon?
Worried it'd taste like sausage since Gretel scarfs them down, but this was fine.
[Achievement: 'Consumed Magical Tree Fruit' unlocked.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
[Through special trait 'Medicine Amplification', additional stats acquired.]
[Strength +0.69, Agility +0.67.]
"...Did it work?"
I checked my body. No immediate change. But soon.
Then it hit. Hot energy burst from my chest, spreading everywhere.
"Hurk!"
Like with the Golden Thread Fruit before, I steadied my posture and focused.
But this was different.
The Golden Thread had mana rampaging inside. This felt like bones and muscles tearing apart.
"Grgh!"
Unable to bear the pain, I collapsed onto the sofa, curling up. My mind nearly blanked from the agony.
And then.
I blacked out.
Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!
I snapped awake. The noisy alarm blared from my smart student handbook on the sofa.
I looked around.
Spacious living room. Sofa.
Then I remembered last night.
...I'd eaten the spiritual medicine and passed out.
I silenced the alarm and checked my status window.
[Stats] Stamina: 70.8
Strength: 74.77
Mana: 62.5
Speed: 37.9
Agility: 71.12
Dexterity: 29
"...Jackpot."
Stats jumped noticeably. Strength and agility over 70 now. Higher than even stamina.
Who'd believe these were a manifestation mage's stats?
"Oh, right."
No time for this. I jumped up. Monday. Time for school.
I quickly washed up and donned my uniform.
"Hm?"
The uniform felt off. Stiff maybe.
I checked inside. Nothing different.
"Hallucination?"
I grabbed bread from the table and stroked sleeping Gretel's back as she sprawled out.
"Gretel, I'm off."
She twitched as if saying got it, then slept again. Smiling at her cuteness, I stepped outside.
Cool autumn breeze on the way to school.
The path felt different overnight.
Colorful decorations, magic devices, banners.
Prepping for the Taehwi Festival in two days.
"Sunbae!"
From afar, Choi Seo-yoon ran up with a bright face. Up close, she smiled silently.
"Wow~ Running into you here again. Heading to school?"
"Yeah."
"Hehe. Then let's go together."
And so, Choi Seo-yoon and I walked to school side by side.
She chattered excitedly from the morning.
Summarized: her role in the Taehwi Festival and what she'd do.
Then our eyes met as I turned.
She stared straight, then gave a puzzled look.
Poke.
Her finger jabbed my cheek. I rolled my eyes to look at her.
"What?"
She pulled her finger away and examined the tip.
"No, just... wondering if you did makeup or something."
"Makeup?"
Out of nowhere?
She peered at my face again.
"Yeah, you look extra hand... I mean, your skin's amazing today."
"Sunlight effect? It's morning."