Chapter 220
Chapter 220
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: Sibling Rivalry Ignites
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[Han Seong Pharmaceuticals resolves mana stone supply shortage. Han Seong Development still struggling.]
[Feud rumors between Han Seong Group Vice Chairman Han Se-jin and Han Seong Pharmaceuticals Division Head Han Se-yeon. Will the siblings' battle over control begin?]
Han Se-yeon stared at the online news articles, lost in complicated thoughts.
The ambition for control that she thought she'd hidden so well until now.
Starting with this mana stone supply competition, her long-concealed goal was being reported through the media.
In truth, Han Se-yeon had never planned to hide her ambition forever.
She just intended to reveal it after securing her own weapon—one that her brother Han Se-jin couldn't easily counter.
The turning point she'd anticipated was next year, or maybe the year after.
But the story had emerged far sooner than she'd expected.
As a result, her brother Han Se-jin hadn't contacted her in three days.
"......Well, maybe it's for the best."
She couldn't hide her ambition forever.
Until now, she'd demonstrated outstanding abilities and earned recognition from key figures in the Han Seong Group. She'd even built up a few of her own people.
On top of that, she'd resolved the mana stone supply issue—a crisis plaguing companies worldwide—laying the groundwork to expand beyond pharmaceuticals into other ventures.
This was just the beginning.
The fight to claim the Han Seong family was only now starting.......
She let out a sigh.
Han Se-yeon set down her smartphone and leaned back in her chair.
"JWK......"
A sudden question arose again.
"......Why did they contract with us?"
No matter how she thought about it, it was strange.
According to CEO Yang Tae-min, it was an investment in the future, but in that case, contracting with Han Se-jin made far more sense.
"Is it really Jin-woo......?"
If so, it explained the situation to some extent.
It even resolved a few lingering doubts.
Of course, business didn't run on mere sentiment alone, but she couldn't ignore even a slim possibility.
Han Se-yeon picked up her smartphone again.
She opened the messaging app, where a long thread with Kim Jin-woo—from that morning's contact—popped up.
Han Se-yeon typed out a message carefully.
[Jin-woo, do you happen to know a company called Tara?]
......She promptly deleted it.
Doubting him just because of a similar spelling felt forced, stirring self-doubt.
"......Guess I should just think he saw something special in my future."
Maybe her self-esteem had tanked from viewing her brother as a rival.
Yeah, think positive.
Han Se-yeon closed the unsent message and turned back to work.
That's when it happened.
A news alert she'd set up on her smartphone popped up.
['Battle of the Stars', 2033 Seongmuje schedule announced. Venue: Wizgen International Science and Magic Research Institute.]
The Seongmuje schedule had been announced.
She couldn't help but pay attention, given that students from the magic academy sponsored by Han Seong Pharmaceuticals were participating.
[Top prospects Lee Seo-jun, Kim Sun-woo to compete...... 'Korea' favored as championship contender.]
Below the article was a photo of Lee Seo-jun standing beside a stone-faced male student.
Han Se-yeon blankly stared at the photo of the boy, 'Kim Sun-woo.'
"Huh? Senior, they announced the Seongmuje schedule and venue."
Lunchtime after morning classes.
Choi Seo-yoon, sitting across from me in the cafeteria, held out her smart student handbook while I ate.
"2033 Seongmuje Venue and Schedule Announcement"
□ The venue and schedule for the Seongmuje—a festival of friendship and exchange among the world's top five magic academies—have been announced.
Venue: Wizgen International Science and Magic Research Institute
Dates: March 25–31, 2033
—World Wizards Association—
The screen displayed this year's Seongmuje venue and dates.
I'd figured the official notice would come soon, and it arrived right on schedule.
"Next Monday."
"Yeah, but Wizgen—is that the island in the Mediterranean?"
"Yep."
Wizgen International Science and Magic Research Institute.
As the name suggested, it was the world's largest research facility dedicated to the study of science and magic.
Located on a tiny island in the Mediterranean, surrounded by the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe.
This island wasn't a natural formation but a special artificial one created using science and magic.
Another unique aspect: the entire island functioned as both a single research institute and a city.
"Wow. I've always wanted to visit Wizgen. My older sister friend worked there briefly once and told me tons of fascinating stories."
Choi Seo-yoon chattered excitedly, her voice full of delight.
"......Yeah, they do a lot of amazing research there."
Truly bizarre experiments beyond imagination were underway.
Like artificially creating mysteries, or synthesizing mysteries with mana.
It might sound like a gathering of mad scientists up to no good, but fortunately, as an international organization, Wizgen avoided unethical research.
"Ugh, I'm so excited. Oh, right. Senior, I checked the schedule with you, and on the first day......"
Choi Seo-yoon's face lit up with joy again as she started babbling.
What had her so thrilled? I chuckled in amusement, listening, when a group approached our table.
"Mind if we join?"
It was Lee Seo-jun leading the usual trio.
"Sure, go ahead."
At my words, Lee Seo-jun and the others sat down beside us.
Choi Seo-yoon bowed her head politely at the sudden company.
"Hello."
"Yeah, hi. Oh, are we interrupting? Should we sit somewhere else?"
Lee Seo-jun grinned mischievously.
Shin Young-jun flashed his trademark impish smile and chimed in. "Hey, hey, we are interrupting. Let's go somewhere else."
When they actually started to stand, Choi Seo-yoon's eyes widened, and she waved her hands frantically.
"No! Please sit here! Don't worry about it!"
"Really? Feels like we're bothering you~"
Shin Young-jun smirked teasingly once more.
I picked up a piece of meat with my chopsticks and ate silently, watching the scene.
Everyone seemed extra cheerful today.
Was it the Seongmuje announcement?
"Oh, right. You guys see this? The 'national rising star picks' from Star5."
Shin Young-jun pulled out his smart student handbook, tapped quickly, and showed us the screen.
"Star5's Must-Watch Rising Stars by Country"
Korea: Lee Seo-jun (3rd year), Kim Sun-woo (3rd year)
USA: Luke Fallon (3rd year)
UK: Lily Rose (3rd year)
China: Yang Ying (3rd year)
Russia: Daria Taran (2nd year)
"Korea's the only one with two."
"Huh? For real?"
"Wow."
Everyone peered at the screen, reacting with surprise.
I felt the same—odd seeing my name right next to Lee Seo-jun's.
"Oh yeah, between these, who do you think is the biggest threat?"
Shin Young-jun tossed out the random question.
Lee Seo-jun seemed to ponder for a moment, glancing at me before answering.
"......Uh, hmm. Kim Sun-woo?"
"Kim Sun-woo's on our team, dummy."
"Why? There's individual matches too."
"Nah, I mean in the team events."
"Hmm. No one really."
Shin Young-jun shook his head with a tsk at Lee Seo-jun's response.
"Look at this arrogant guy."
"Fine, Luke Fallon then."
"Oh? Thought you'd say Lily Rose."
"Lily Rose is a fellow swordsman, so she's easier for me. I can read her, y'know?"
Shin Young-jun nodded with an "Ah," clearly relating as a fellow reinforcement-type wizard.
Shin Young-jun turned to Choi Seo-yoon next.
"You?"
She thought for a bit before replying.
"For me, it's Daria—the other 2nd year like me."
"Daria? Don't know much since she's 2nd year."
"I hear she's a rare genius from Russia after a long time. Her training videos look seriously tough."
"Well, making that list as a 2nd year over some 3rd years means she's got something special."
Shin Young-jun nodded, then looked at me.
"Kim Sun-woo, you?"
Everyone turned to me with expectant eyes.
"Oh, I got you. Lily Rose, right? She still snipes at you nonstop. Heh."
Shin Young-jun chuckled playfully.
True, as the Seongmuje approached, Lily Rose's jabs at me had ramped up.
Though I let it slide since it sometimes netted points.
"Nah, not her."
"Oh? Then Luke for sure?"
I shook my head again.
"Not him either."
Shin Young-jun looked mildly surprised at my unexpected answer.
"Neither? Then who?"
"Daria Taran."
Everyone's faces showed shock at the unanticipated pick.
"......Huh? Daria? The Russian 2nd year?"
I nodded.
"Yeah, she's the one I'm most wary of."
Moscow, the capital of Russia.
In a dimly lit alley devoid of people, a woman walked with a hardened expression.
Her appearance was stunning.
Wavy brown hair and a slender neckline.
Her sharp features were so perfectly harmonious they needed no description.
But her face was cold enough to freeze the air around her.
Her tightly pressed lips trembled now and then, as if suppressing boiling rage.
—Daria Taran.
A voice echoed from the shadows of the alley.
The woman halted and peered toward the source.
Soon, a woman with purple hair emerged confidently from the darkness.
"Knew you'd come. Good girl."
The Russian woman who'd stepped out smiled as she spoke.
Her expression and tone brimmed with relaxed ease, in stark contrast to the woman opposite her.
Brown-haired Daria glared at her with deep fury once more.
"What do you want from me?"
"Loosen up. Someone might think I'm gonna eat you alive."
"Shut up and answer."
The woman chuckled briefly, then nodded.
"Not a tough ask. Just keep pursuing your original goal."
She pulled something from her pocket and tossed it to Daria.
Daria swiped her hand and caught it.
A mysterious blue stone etched with countless runes.
And a vial of suspicious potion.
"We don't want much from you. Next week's Seongmuje. Just give it your all there, like you planned."
The woman continued with a leisurely smile.
"And on the final day, when you reach the individual finals' goal point...... infuse that stone with mana, and you're done. Easy, right?"
Daria examined the stone in her hand. She could tell it held a mystery.
She didn't know what injecting mana would do, but it was clearly bad news.
"What's this potion?"
"Just a simple amplifier. If you think reaching the goal's gonna be tough, drink it. With your power alone, beating Lee Seo-jun or Luke seems iffy. Oh! Kim Sun-woo too."
"And drink it slowly. Chug it, and you might never use mana again."
The woman looked at Daria and smirked again.
"Loosen up~ Do what we ask properly, and I'll keep my promise."
"You'd better."
"Yeah, yeah. Here, a gift."
She pulled something else from her pocket, infused it with mana, and tossed it to Daria.
Daria caught it again.
It was a photo.
Of a smiling young boy.
"Your little brother's doing fine. He does cry sometimes, missing his big sis."
Daria stared at the photo and gritted her teeth.
"......What are you people?"
"Our identity......"
The woman let out a small laugh.
"You'll learn naturally if you complete your mission well."
"......Oh, finally."
Inside the magic academy's personal training ground.
Mid-training, I glanced at the popup message and murmured in quiet admiration.
[Lightning Attribute Control has leveled up!]
[Lightning Attribute Control] [Level: 1 (0%)]
[Passive Effects]
> Attribute Proficiency
Increases proficiency when using lightning attribute mana.
Higher levels boost lightning attribute mana power.
Lightning Attribute Control.
It had taken over six months. After all that time, I'd fully made lightning my own.
Unlike light attribute, it doubled the effort since I rarely faced compatible foes, so no helping it.
Still, I was plenty satisfied.
I'd achieved my goal, after all.
"Time to test if it's working properly."
I removed the [Formless Spirit's Legacy] ring from my finger and cast the spell.
Crackle......
Zzzap......
A small orb formed in my palm, sparks flying as the lightning sphere took shape.
Fully mastering lightning brought a satisfied smile to my face.
I extended my hand and fired it at the training dummy.
Zzzap!
The mana orb, charged with thunder, shot forward like a bolt of lightning.
Moments later—Boom! An explosion rang out.
[You have gained insight.]
[Mana Control proficiency has increased by 2%!]
I grinned, gathered my gear from the floor.
"Alright, time to head out."
I grabbed my bag and left the training ground.
Outside, a refreshing spring breeze brushed my hair.
I slipped the [Formless Spirit's Legacy] back on and infused it with mana.
The ring absorbed the blowing wind like a sponge, glowing brightly.
Soon, it turned transparent.
I inspected the ring closely.
Inside the clear band swirled a tiny vortex, like a miniature whirlwind.
I casually formed another mana orb, and this time, a small whirlwind spun within it.
Proof that it now held 'wind attribute' properly.
I couldn't discharge spells inside school grounds, so I let it dissipate.
I resumed walking. My destination wasn't the main building where classes started, but the school gate.
At the gate, I spotted about fifteen students gathered in a cluster.
Lee Seo-jun, Shin Young-jun, Choi Seo-yoon, Yoo Ah-ra, and plenty of familiar faces.
"Kim Sun-woo! Why're you so late?!"
"Sorry, was doing morning training."
Today was the day the Seongmuje began.
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