Chapter 201
Chapter 201
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Afternoon Training Break
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Afternoon 3 PM at the training center.
I had just finished the afternoon training session, the "1v1 Monster Battle," and was sitting on the waiting room floor, taking a break.
Today's opponent was a "Giant Vampire Bat." Despite its large size, its skin was thin, so I was able to dispatch it easily.
To be honest, more than that, I'd been facing such powerful monsters lately that this training monster felt relatively boring by comparison.
"Yawn..."
I hadn't slept because of the ruins raid, and the intense training had left me mentally exhausted.
After a big yawn, I turned my gaze to the massive monitor broadcasting the other students' training sessions in real time.
On the screen, students were battling monsters using their specialties.
On the right monitor, Yoo Ara was incinerating a Giant Vampire Bat with blazing fireballs.
On the monitor next to it, Choi Seoyun was engaging it with ice spears and ice barriers.
Eun Seola, true to her Silver Moon Clan origins, was using illusion magic circles to confuse the bat.
Then, she strangled its neck with binding magic, displaying combat prowess that was hard to believe from a prospective first-year.
She usually seems so shy, but her eyes change completely in battle.
As I watched the students, I sensed someone approaching from the side.
The presence came right up beside me and plopped down.
"Ugh, I'm tired..."
It was Lee Seojun, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Lee Seojun let out a big yawn and glanced at me sideways.
"...You look totally fine. Aren't you tired?"
"How could I not be? Of course I'm tired."
"...True. Sorry about that. You didn't sleep because you were helping me."
"Yeah."
It was actually my own choice, but I acted like it was a big deal anyway.
Lee Seojun gave a faint smile and spoke.
"What about the next schedule? We have a few necromancy ingredients left."
"We'll hunt them down one by one after special training ends. Two of them are owned by other people."
"The Dreamcatcher mana stone is at the French National Museum, right?"
"Yeah."
At my response, Lee Seojun fell into thought.
"...But they won't even lend it out from the museum. Think we can trade for it?"
"Like I said before, just make an offer they can't refuse."
"Like what? An offer they can't refuse..."
Lee Seojun leaned back and pondered.
"There are plenty of options. Anything more valuable than the Dreamcatcher will do. And once we get the Dreamcatcher, the remaining mysteries won't be that hard to find. We've got all the key items."
Among the necromancy ingredients, most—excluding a few—were consumables.
Like soul dust, for example.
Those could be obtained easily enough at auctions, so no big deal.
"Vacation feels busier than ever. Next week, the training chamber ticket too."
"Ah."
Right. Next week, I need to use the training chamber ticket. I'd forgotten for a moment.
I really have a mountain of things to do.
"Let's gather as much as we can before the training chamber."
"Sure."
Lee Seojun nodded.
"Ugh... So tired..."
At that moment, Lee Hyunjoo approached us with sluggish movements.
Her eyes were hollow, like she'd pulled a few more all-nighters than Seojun and I had.
Well, unlike Seojun and me, Lee Hyunjoo doesn't have the physical stats to back it up, so it's only natural.
Lee Seojun saw her and scooted over slightly, making space beside him.
Lee Hyunjoo plopped down next to Lee Seojun.
"If you're tired, sleep until the others finish training."
"Mm... Should I?"
"Yeah, take a break."
"Guess I will. Wake me when it's time."
Lee Hyunjoo lay down flat on the waiting room floor. She didn't care about prying eyes—pretty cool.
I looked at Lee Seojun and said.
"You're tired too. Get some sleep."
"Nah, I'm fine. You sleep. You must be exhausted."
"You know I have good stamina."
Saying that made it sound like I was calling out his lack of stamina, which felt weird.
Lee Seojun glared at me and spoke.
"...Your stamina is freakishly good."
Lee Seojun thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Fine, I'll catch some shut-eye too."
Lee Seojun flopped down next to Lee Hyunjoo.
8 PM.
Day two of special training was over, and free time had arrived.
I wanted to head straight to the dorm and crash from exhaustion, but I had something else to do.
More precisely, not something to do, but waiting for contact from someone regarding a plan I'd been secretly advancing lately.
They said they'd contact me around 8:30.
"Yawn."
I stepped outside the dorm, thinking the cold winter air might shake off some fatigue.
The sky had been burning red at dinner, but now it was pitch black night.
I tried to appreciate the sea view and starry sky, but exhaustion killed any poetic mood.
Bench.
Ah, there it is.
I sat on the small bench in front of the dorm.
Maybe because of the cold weather, no one was around. Quiet and peaceful.
I came out to wake up, but the atmosphere is making me sleepier. Eyes drooping—I can't sleep.
I snapped awake.
Exhausted, I'd dozed off without realizing.
Not even drunk, and falling asleep outside.
As I opened my eyes, a familiar face came into view.
"...What are you doing there?"
"Sunbae, sleeping here will make your mouth crooked."
Choi Seoyun was crouched in front of me, clutching her smart student notebook tightly in both hands.
Her cheeks were flushed, probably from the cold.
"...How long have you been there?"
"Uh... About five minutes."
Felt like a quick nap, but five minutes passed? What time is it now?
I hurriedly checked the time.
8:20 PM.
I'd slept for 20 minutes.
"If you saw me sleeping, wake me up."
"I was going to, but..."
Choi Seoyun trailed off and swallowed her words.
Then she gave an awkward "Hehe" smile and tucked the smart student notebook into her coat pocket.
"You looked so peacefully asleep, I couldn't."
Choi Seoyun stood up lightly and sat next to me.
I leaned back against the bench and yawned hugely. The short nap left lingering drowsiness.
"But today, Sunbae Lee Seojun looked tired too. Were you both up all night?"
"......Yeah."
I debated lying but answered honestly.
"What were you doing?"
"Wandered around nearby. Looking for ruins or dungeons. It's Gangwon Province, after all."
Since wizards scouting dungeons or ruins in Gangwon isn't unusual, Choi Seoyun nodded without suspicion.
"Did you find any?"
"That's none of your business."
"Ugh, so unfair."
Choi Seoyun pouted cutely.
"But why not sleep inside? Dozing off here like a drunk. Did you drink?"
"Hey, what kind of student drinks?"
"...Sunbae drinks."
Choi Seoyun narrowed her eyes as she said it. I was speechless and shut my mouth.
"...Ahem. I'm just waiting for someone here."
"Who? Sunbae Lee Seojun went to sleep earlier."
Muttering to herself, Choi Seoyun made a strange expression and spoke.
"...Maybe Seola?"
Seola? Eun Seola?
"Not Eun Seola. But why her, all of a sudden?"
"...You two seem pretty close lately. Oh, and I heard you cured Seola's illness."
"To be precise, I didn't cure her illness..."
A strong gust blew in. Choi Seoyun's long hair fluttered in the wind, slapping my face.
"Oof..."
"......"
"Ah!"
Choi Seoyun startled and fixed her hair. Then she giggled at the silliness.
As I peeled hair from my lips, a small vibration came from my pocket smartphone.
"Hm? Something came up for me, so I gotta go. It's cold—head inside quick."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
I stood up.
Choi Seoyun called from behind, but I gestured for her to go ahead first, then slipped away to a nearby blind spot out of her sight.
Using Outsider's Privilege, I checked the smartphone alarm. A message popped up.
[Company establishment complete, and all mana engineering machines are fully set up!]
[Photo]
"Oh ho."
The photo showed numerous machines mining mana stones.
Another photo had a sign reading "JWK."
Recently, I'd started a venture with Yang Taemin.
He had the tech I wanted, and I had the funds he needed.
Our goals aligned, so we set up the company without issues.
Sure, partnering with a near-stranger has risks, but I know the original Yang Taemin well. So I trusted and delegated.
The company JWK, founded by Yang Taemin and me, plans to expand beyond workshops and mana stone mining into various fields.
If it grows, it'll boost my influence even without magic.
For reference, I own 90% shares, Yang Taemin 10%.
But Yang Taemin will act as CEO.
I'm too busy now to handle company affairs.
[Oh, and here are the resumes from the job posting.]
[Photo]
I scanned the resume photos. High salary drew a lot of applicants.
[From the resumes, they all seem clean—no criminal records, diligent types. How about interviewing them all?]
[That sounds good.]
[Got it, I'll leave it to you.]
[Yep! Hehe]
I ended the chat. A bit miffed that I stayed up for just three minutes of discussion, but unavoidable.
I pocketed the smartphone and returned to the spot.
Choi Seoyun was still on the bench, staring down at her smart student notebook.
Looked like she was texting someone, but her fingers were still, so maybe not.
"Choi Seoyun."
At my call, she jumped like I'd poked her side.
"Eek?!"
"...Why so startled?"
"N-No! You call suddenly, of course I jump!"
Choi Seoyun repeated herself. Then she awkwardly shoved the smart student notebook into her pocket.
...Something's off. Expression, actions, trembling—all awkward.
Like someone caught stealing.
Then a hypothesis hit me.
"...You wouldn't be. That again, would you?"
"Huh? A-Again?"
"Check your smart student notebook."
"W-Why?"
Choi Seoyun panicked hard.
"Not getting blackmail messages like last time?"
Before, people with grudges against the Choi family had sent her threats.
I'd heard it stopped lately, but maybe not.
If so, another deviation from the original.
Choi Seoyun blinked.
"Nope, nothing like that."
"Then what?"
"Just startled because you called suddenly?"
Her tone turned firm, like no blackmail.
"...Really?"
At my response, Choi Seoyun smiled faintly and stood.
"Whatever. It's cold—let's go inside."