Chapter 240
Chapter 240
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 241
Chapter Title: The Mana Core
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Lee Seojun sat cross-legged, working to control the mana rampaging inside him.
The waves of mana that Jaun had created using mysteries within his inner sanctuary.
After the events of that day, a massive amount of mana had begun to run wild in Lee Seojun's body.
It wasn't normal power.
Even though it flowed through his own body, he couldn't control it at all, and the nature of the mana was different from what humans typically handled.
It was like the 'natural mana' that humans couldn't control.
But Lee Seojun didn't give up and kept trying to control the mana flowing inside him.
First, he thought to get familiar with the mana. To adapt to it.
With that mindset, he continuously tried to fuse it with the mana he had possessed before using his existing foundations.
It wasn't without results.
Lee Seojun had talent in mana manipulation that surpassed anyone else's, and no matter how much it was called natural mana, now that it had settled in his body, that power was his.
...Time passed like that.
After persistent efforts, the alien mana rampaging in his body began to slowly fuse with his own mana.
Swoooo...
And after about two hours, Lee Seojun opened his eyes.
He unfolded his legs and stood up from his spot.
He blankly looked down at his hands.
He felt an extraordinary power.
His body felt refreshed, and the density of his mana felt much thicker than before.
Lee Seojun drew the sword from his waist.
"Huu."
He took a deep breath, then swung the sword wrapped in a blade of light.
Paat!
At the same time, a sword wind blew, and a crescent-shaped blade of mana shot forward.
It was the perfect 'sword aura release' that only top-tier reinforcement wizards could use.
And the sword aura sliced the target in front of him cleanly in half with its sharp motion.
Srak—
Lee Seojun gave a faint smile as he looked at the neatly bisected target.
He had grown.
Though it wasn't growth achieved through his pure own power, opportunities were still an element necessary for growth.
Today's growth was incomparably broader than before, so Lee Seojun felt considerable satisfaction.
Then, suddenly, a name popped into his head.
Kim Sunwoo.
If he fought Kim Sunwoo now, what would happen?
Even though Lee Seojun was praised as a genius across the world, the talent Kim Sunwoo had shown didn't fall short at all.
No, considering how quickly he had mastered the Reversal Disc, known as one of the world's most difficult spells, he might even have greater talent than himself.
"...Kim Sunwoo."
He really was impossible to figure out.
He had been so eager to participate in the Seongmu Festival, but then at the final exam, he said he would yield the victory.
"...Now that I think about it, it's strange."
If it wasn't victory, then what exactly was his goal?
Lee Seojun furrowed his brow.
...What Kim Sunwoo had gained from participating in the Seongmu Festival.
After pondering alone, one thought came to mind.
"...The deal with Jaun."
Kim Sunwoo had used his hand to make a deal with Jaun.
He had protected himself and those around him using the blood oath, and also obtained things like the 'mystery rental ticket' and 'wish ticket.'
But it was hard to understand that Kim Sunwoo had aimed for the Seongmu Festival participation anticipating this situation.
How did he know Jaun would intervene in the Seongmu Festival?
"...What the hell."
Did he have prophecy abilities or something?
And what did he plan to use the mystery rental ticket for?
"Hmm..."
Lee Seojun's mind grew complicated.
Whenever he felt like he understood something about Kim Sunwoo, he showed a new side that threw him into confusion.
When would he finally learn Kim Sunwoo's true identity?
After the Seongmu Festival, which had stirred up so much controversy due to Jaun's intervention, came the new first week.
Magic academies in each country decided to suspend classes until Friday to handle the controversies related to the Seongmu Festival.
Two days of holiday might not seem significant, but it was enough time for the students exhausted from the Seongmu Festival to recover physically.
But I didn't have the leisure to enjoy such a sweet break.
"Ugh! It's finally over!"
Lee Seojun stretched largely as he came out of the association's investigation room.
During those two days, we had been questioned about the events with Jaun during the Seongmu Festival.
Of course, we couldn't talk in detail about the deals with Jaun, so Lee Seojun and I had matched our stories, mixing truth and lies appropriately in our answers.
"Sunbae-nims, you worked hard!"
Choi Seoyun, who had been investigated with us, said in a cheerful voice.
"You worked the hardest. You weren't even there, but they grilled you for five hours."
At Lee Seojun's teasing words, Choi Seoyun, who had been showing a bright expression, let out a deep sigh.
"Yeah. By the time I arrived at the inner sanctuary, the situation was already over."
Hing. Choi Seoyun made a pouty face.
I gave her a wry smile.
From her perspective, it was definitely unfair.
She had no relation to this incident at all.
As I looked at her like that, I turned my gaze to Lee Seojun.
I could feel the strong mana latent in Lee Seojun's body.
"Why?"
"No, I just thought you've grown again."
"You noticed, huh."
Lee Seojun made an embarrassed face.
"Only an idiot wouldn't notice. You're not even hiding it and making it so obvious."
"Kukuku. Mana control still isn't fully under my command yet."
At Lee Seojun's words, Choi Seoyun, who had been listening quietly, tilted her head.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, after the last Seongmu Festival, my mana capacity increased a lot."
Choi Seoyun blinked.
"Your mana capacity? I had no idea...
Hmm. But hearing you say it, I do kind of feel like something's different."
Lee Seojun smiled lightly instead of answering.
I stared at him intently and activated [Character Insight].
Name: Lee Seojun
Age: 19
Race: Human
Status: Calm
Mana Grade: S-
Interest Level: 2
'Wow.'
His mana grade had already reached S-.
I remembered it being A- around this time last year, so skipping an entire grade like this was absurd growth.
Of course, it was just the numerical value of mana density, not meaning he was an S-Rank wizard.
To become an S-Rank wizard required not just mana grade, but also control ability and real combat experience to back it up.
Even so, the growth Lee Seojun showed was truly ridiculous. Achieving that mana grade at his age was nearly impossible.
Lee Seojun smiled faintly and said to us,
"For now, let's get out of here."
"Yeah."
With that, we left the association building.
As we stepped outside, countless buildings came into view.
Then, an electronic billboard caught my eye. News was playing on it, related to the Hanseong family.
「Han Seyeon Declares First Entry into Succession Battle」
The article had dropped.
Declaring her ambitions through an official article like this was a development not in the original story.
It seemed our mana crystal deal with her had been the trigger.
The more Hanseong Pharmaceuticals grew, the stronger her power to oppose Han Sejin would become.
Well, we've got drinks planned for this weekend, so I'll hear the details then.
"Now that the investigation's over, I'll be heading out."
At my words, Choi Seoyun flinched.
"Already?"
"Yeah, I've got something to do."
This time, Lee Seojun chimed in.
"Then at least let's grab a meal."
"Yeah. It'd be a shame to part like this."
Choi Seoyun grabbed the hem of my clothes from the side.
Light makeup and bright clothes.
Seeing her dressed up more than usual, it looked like she had planned to hang out after the investigation.
I felt bad for disappointing her.
But today's appointment was really important.
"Sorry. It's an important appointment."
"...If it's important, no helping it."
Lee Seojun muttered in a regretful voice. Choi Seoyun also pulled away from me with a disappointed face.
Lee Seojun turned his gaze to her.
"Then should just the two of us eat?"
"...No. I'll just eat at home too."
At her immediate reply, Lee Seojun smiled as if he expected it.
"Kukuku. Alright. Then see you at school on Wednesday."
It seemed the situation had wrapped up roughly.
"Then I'm off."
"Yes, take care!"
7 PM in the evening.
After parting with everyone, I walked through the outskirts of Seoul, admiring the reddening sunset.
I wandered aimlessly down the road until I entered a shabby alley with no people around.
Then, I heard footsteps behind me, followed by a voice calling my name.
"Kim Sunwoo."
I stopped and turned toward the direction of the voice.
Someone emerged from the darkness of the alley.
A blonde woman wearing sunglasses.
Though it was a face I'd never seen, I instantly recognized her identity.
My appointment for today.
It was 'Bert,' her face hidden by an infi mask.
"Bert."
When I called her name, she smirked.
"What? How'd you know it was me?"
"Your voice is the same as last time."
"Oh, right. My bad."
Bert chuckled.
She pretended to be embarrassed, but I knew it wasn't a mistake.
She had deliberately left a hint, pleased that I recognized her.
Bad taste, but I'd play along.
"By the way, I didn't expect you'd contact me the very next day. Honestly, when you asked for the mystery rental ticket, I thought you were just saying it."
I didn't bother answering unnecessary prying.
"The item?"
Bert pulled out a pure white orb from her bosom.
"Here. The 'Mana Core' you wanted."
I activated Outsider's Benefit to inspect the Mana Core in Bert's hand.
［Mana Core (Sacred Relic)］
Type: Orb
Description: A core possessing near-infinite mana
Durability: SSS
Grade: Sacred Relic
The real deal. From the start, with the blood oath in place, she wouldn't bring a fake.
"But what do you plan to use this for? The Mana Core looks impressive on the outside, but there aren't many practical uses for it."
"You don't need to know."
Bert furrowed her brows at my response.
"...This guy's got some nerve. Screw the blood oath, want to just die together?"
She shut her mouth for a moment, then smirked.
"Kidding. I've got mountains of work to do; can't afford to kill you over it."
Muttering that, Bert spoke again.
"But as I said last time, the Mana Core is pretty important to us. You'll have to do the blood oath promising to return it the next day as agreed."
"That's the deal, so of course."
Bert nodded in satisfaction.
"First condition of the oath: not using it to harm Jaun. Second: return it on time the next day. That good?"
"Yeah. But do you even know how to use a blood oath?"
"I studied it roughly yesterday."
Since it was magic closely related to rituals, I could learn it easily with Outsider's Benefit.
It wasn't that difficult a spell to begin with.
But apparently, the word "studied" sounded funny to Bert.
She chuckled to herself.
"...Then let's start."
I manifested wind magic at my fingertip.
The wind magic made a small cut on my wrist.
When I radiated mana into the blood from the wound, it emitted a mysterious red light, and a ritual pattern engraved on my wrist.
"With these conditions, I make the blood oath."
[You have achieved the 'Blood Oath' accomplishment.]
[As reward, you acquire 3,000 points.]
Fortunately, the blood oath succeeded perfectly on the first try without mistake.
Bert approached closely and examined the ritual pattern. Confirming the blood oath was properly applied, she looked a bit surprised.
"...This your first time? Inputting a ritual into your own body isn't easy."
"I'm confident in ritual-related stuff. This good enough?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Then hand it over quick. I'm short on time too."
Bert handed me the Mana Core with a displeased face.
As I held the Mana Core in my hand, a strong mana aura flowed into me.
This was the Mana Core...
It felt strange holding this sacred relic that played an important role in the original story.
With this, I could now supply the mana needed for 'Dimensional Observation.'