Chapter 232
Chapter 232
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: Uncovering Jaun's Plan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Daria's expression grew even more complicated after hearing my words.
"...Those guys were Jaun?"
"Yeah, the terrorist group that disbanded fourteen years ago but recently started operating again."
Daria's fingertips began to tremble.
She scrunched her eyes in anguish before letting out a faint sigh.
"How can I believe that? How do I know you aren't in league with them?"
"If I were one of them, I wouldn't have taken the risk of approaching you like this."
I continued steadily, word by word.
"Think about it. If I were with them, what would I gain by coming to you?"
My words must have sounded plausible because Daria showed a hint of reluctant agreement.
"...I never imagined they were Jaun. But why would Jaun target me?"
"I don't know the exact reason. I can only guess that what they want is tied to Seongmuje."
"Ha... Something did feel off. Magic power that strong. Movements that slipped past the Association's surveillance... It was something anyone could figure out with a little thought."
Muttering to herself, Daria looked up at me.
The anger she'd shown toward me earlier had long since faded.
"But how do you know all this?"
"I told you. I've been investigating Jaun for a while now."
"No, why did you start investigating Jaun in the first place?"
Daria stared straight at me as she asked.
"...That's a secret."
I trailed off, as if there was a deep story behind it.
And it worked—doubt flickered across Daria's face.
"......What?"
"I can't go into details. Just know that I'm a victim of Jaun too."
There was no need to fabricate an elaborate explanation.
If I just set the mood, Daria's imagination would fill in the blanks with something convincing.
Whatever conclusion she reached didn't matter—let her think what she wanted.
And above all, what I'd just said wasn't a lie.
I had suffered some minor damage from Jaun too, after all.
Though, to be precise, the damage they'd inflicted on me was greater.
Things like theft, Teresa's arrest, Baek Eunseong's arm...
Among other stuff.
At that moment, a change came over Daria's expression as she looked at me.
From anger to doubt.
From doubt to sympathy.
"Did you... lose family to Jaun? Is that how you recognized their voices...?"
"I said it's a secret. Don't ask."
I hadn't fleshed out the backstory that far.
"...Got it. I won't ask."
Daria nodded cautiously.
She could've been more suspicious, but she seemed to fully trust me now.
I felt a twinge of guilt, but since she was trying to believe me, I should take it positively.
"...So, how exactly are you going to help me? Honestly, I'm anxious even talking to you like this."
Daria spoke in a trembling voice once more.
"If something happens to my sister because of all this nonsense, I'd rather just do what they want..."
"Get a grip. Jaun has no intention of letting you or your sister live."
I cut her off firmly.
Daria's face hardened in an instant.
To snap her out of her anxiety, I spoke more deliberately than usual.
"I've investigated Jaun for a long time. I know them better than anyone."
What she needed right now wasn't pity or empathy.
She needed to face reality and be shown a way through this mess.
"They never leave loose ends. The moment they achieve their goal, they'll kill you and your sister for sure."
"Then what am I supposed to...?"
"I have a plan in my head to save your sister. And you too."
This wasn't a lie.
I really did have a plan to rescue them both.
It might put me in danger too, so I couldn't say it was foolproof.
But still.
I wanted to save Daria.
In this infinitely shifting future.
To navigate an unpredictable one, more allies were better.
Above all, I didn't want to stand by and let someone die just because of "fate."
"First, open up about everything you know. What orders they gave you. What they handed over. All of it."
Daria stared into my eyes, then nodded slightly, as if sensing my sincerity.
"...Okay."
After that, Daria told me everything that had happened with Jaun.
From the moment her sister was kidnapped, to the instructions and items they'd given her.
Fortunately, her story matched what I knew from the original work—no major discrepancies.
She really trusted me and was telling the truth.
After hearing it all, I sank into thought for a moment.
"For starters, show me that stone they gave you."
Daria pulled a small stone from her pocket, one that emitted an eerie blue glow.
I stared at it intently. Its surface was etched with complex formulas.
［Summoning Stone (Relic)］
Description: Stores a person's formula information in the Summoning Stone. Infuse it with magic power to summon the target containing that formula's data. The stone disintegrates upon use.
"It's a Summoning Stone."
"A Summoning Stone?"
"It's like a mini-gate. Pour in magic power, and it summons a specific person."
Daria narrowed her eyes.
"...How do you know that without any emotion?"
"Look closely. See the formulas on this stone?"
I pointed to the formulas etched on its surface.
"These contain the 'formula information of a specific human.'"
"...Formula information of a specific human?"
"Yeah, think of it like character data in a game. You know everything in the world is made of formulas, right?"
"Ah, I get it."
Daria nodded as if she'd caught on. As expected from the top student, her comprehension was sharp.
"Looks like it holds data for six people. Bert, Natasha, Baek Eunseong, Jin, Ska, Lee Cheong... All known Jaun members. Early originals too. No reason to store people as formulas unless it's a Summoning Stone."
Daria's expression changed again as she looked at me.
This time, it was surprise.
"...Your deductive skills are insane. I knew you were top in theory scores, but I never imagined this level."
I shrugged instead of answering. It was less my deduction and more the original work plus outsider knowledge.
Daria pondered for a bit before tossing out another question.
"But this is a virtual world—can they really summon outsiders here?"
A sharp question, fitting Russia's top student.
"It's possible. This isn't a simple virtual world; it's one made from 'formulas.'"
"..."
For the first time, Daria looked puzzled despite grasping everything so far.
...How do I explain this?
Talking like this, I almost felt like a Formula Studies professor.
"It's similar to what I mentioned earlier. You know the real world is made of formulas, right?"
"Yeah."
"This world is too—made from formulas. So it's fundamentally different from a virtual world conjured by mysteries. This place follows the same principles as actual 'reality.'"
Even after my explanation, Daria's face remained full of doubt.
"If it's built on the same principles as reality, why call it a virtual world at all?"
...Huh. She's right.
Her sudden philosophical jab even made me pause.
"...Anyway. Can you sort of see Jaun's goal now?"
Daria nodded.
"Jaun gets summoned to the final exam site, then achieves some objective."
"Exactly."
A brief calm settled over Daria's face.
From an unknown foe to knowing who they were and their rough purpose—naturally, it eased her mind.
"So, what's the plan to save my sister?"
"For now, act like they want."
"What?!"
She looked at me like, *What the hell now?*
"Saving your sister comes first."
"But you said they'd kill her once they get what they want!"
I shook my head.
"We'll create a situation where they can't. Offer them a deal they can't refuse."
"...A deal they can't refuse?"
I shrugged like it was no big deal.
"Hostage exchange."
Time flew after my secret meeting(?) with Daria.
A day passed, then another.
Amid Seongmuje's myriad trials, many events unfolded.
First, the Chinese Wizard Academy ranked dead last in team scores, just like in the original, and was eliminated.
Werner interfered in an exam, causing Luke's unfair elimination, and from the Korean Wizard Academy, Eun Seol-ah dropped out.
Lily Rose miraculously survived to the end and made it to the final site.
This confirmed the final exam participants: me, Lee Seo-jun, Yoo Ah-ra, Lily Rose, Daria, Choi Seo-yoon, plus the 1st and 2nd places from other years.
Ten people in total.
...And then.
The day of Seongmuje's long-awaited final exam arrived.
"Students who survived to the final exam, you've all worked hard through these grueling trials."
In the vast courtyard before the central region's mansion, the Apostle of Observation addressed the ten gathered students.
"You've proven your potential through countless ordeals and earned the right to enter Seongmuje's final trial, the 'Final Stage.'"
A few students beamed with pride at the words "earned the right to the Final Stage."
James, the special examiner watching quietly behind the Apostle, gave a faint smile.
"Before explaining the Final Stage exam, we'll reveal the current school rankings."
The Apostle of Observation swept an arm through the air.
A massive hologram materialized above.
+Live School Rankings+
1. Korean Wizard Academy - 4,200pt
2. British Wizard Academy - 3,400pt
3. Russian Wizard Academy - 3,250pt
4. American Wizard Academy - 2,850pt
"As mentioned yesterday, the school in the lead is the 'Korean Wizard Academy.'"
4,200 points.
A whopping 800-point gap over second-place Britain, holding sole possession of first.
"But first place isn't locked yet. The winner of the upcoming Final Stage will award 1,000 points to their school."
British and Russian students' eyes blazed with determination.
1,000 winner points meant they could still fight for first in this last exam.
"That said, American Wizard Academy students needn't despair. The Final Stage victor also receives the honor of 'Individual MVP' and a special blessing."
The Apostle of Observation scanned the group with a light smile.
It was the genuine smile I'd glimpsed during our private talk.
"Next, the individual rankings."
The Apostle swept an arm again.
+Live Student Rankings+
1. Kim Sun-woo — 2,120pt
2. Lee Seo-jun - 2,010pt
3. Yoo Ah-ra - 1,690pt
4. Lily Rose — 1,600pt
"Number one is Kim Sun-woo. Two is Lee Seo-jun. Three is Yoo Ah-ra. Remarkably, all top three are from the Korean Wizard Academy."
I felt a slight surprise looking at the rankings.
I'd pulled far ahead of Lee Seo-jun early on, but at some point, the gap shrank to just 110 points.
To catch up like this... He was a monster, plain and simple.
Without the theory exam, I'd probably be second.
Somewhere, a frustrated "Ugh" sounded—Lily Rose, clinging to fourth.
"These individual points will grant special privileges based on Final Stage performance."
"Oh..."
Anticipation lit up Lee Seo-jun's face.
"Now, the rules for Seongmuje's final exam."
All eyes turned to the Apostle.
"The stage for Seongmuje's final exam is the 'World of Dreams.'"
The Regressed Extra Became a Genius