Chapter 266
Chapter 266
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 267
Chapter Title: The Immortality Lecture
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Two weeks had passed without any special incidents since visiting Han Dae-hyun in the hospital.
I'd spent that time focusing on dog training and JWK matters that I'd neglected while being busy.
JWK was growing day by day.
The quality of the armaments produced at the Divine Iron Workshop had greatly improved thanks to the influence of [Golden Anvil Imbued with the Sun].
The mana stone mines were also expanding production and generating enormous profits.
With those profits, I'd set up an investment company and reinvested in companies that would grow massively in the future.
They'd probably show tremendous returns again in the near future.
"Seonwoo, you climbed to 4th overall this time, right?"
In the lecture hall for the morning theory class, 'Mysticism Philosophy Research Society'.
Ten minutes before class started, Lee Seo-jun, sitting in the seat next to me, asked.
"What? I didn't tell anyone—how'd you know?"
"Hyun-joo was sulking because she dropped to 5th overall."
"Oh."
Right. That happened.
Lee Hyun-joo was someone who held 4th overall all the way through graduation in the original story.
Plus, like all the top students, she had incredibly strong pride.
Since my intervention caused her to drop in rank, it must have been a huge shock.
I felt a bit sorry for no reason...
But... I need to earn points too.
For reference, I earned 5,000 points by rising to 4th overall this time.
Very sweet.
"By the way, there are only four exams left at school from now on."
Lee Seo-jun muttered in a small voice.
Four left. Has time passed that quickly already?
"You're really amazing. You've been taking 1st every exam. At this rate, won't you end up 1st at the very end?"
Lee Seo-jun said with a playful smile.
"...1st? You've built up points over three years. No way I can catch that."
2nd before graduation might be possible with luck, but 1st is realistically impossible.
Lee Seo-jun had taken 1st in almost every exam so far.
Even if I took 1st in all remaining exams, he'd at least get 2nd, so overturning the score was nearly impossible.
"You never know."
Lee Seo-jun quietly muttered, then suddenly turned back to me as if remembering something.
"Right. Today’s the day to submit career experience activities. Where'd you put?"
Career experience activity.
Like last year's 'elective experience activity,' it was job shadowing.
The difference from last year was that last year was more like 'observation' and 'experience,' but this time we'd be thrown directly into the field for a kind of internship life.
"Mine’s obviously Special Task Force."
My choice was, as always, to follow Lee Seo-jun according to the original story's flow, regardless of my own will.
Lee Seo-jun looked at me thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.
"...Really? So you've decided on Special Task Force as your career path completely?"
"Probably? But why the reaction?"
"No, I just didn't think you'd join an official organization like Special Task Force after graduation. You seem to have a lot of secrets."
"...Secrets, my ass."
It stung a little, but I played innocent.
Lee Seo-jun shrugged and said.
"Anyway, Special Task Force seems less popular these days. I saw the career survey in the anonymous forum last time—over 80% went for guilds or mercenaries."
"They're more stable and pay better."
Special Task Force is like civil servants.
They get salaries from the Association, so income is much lacking compared to guild activities.
Plus, they deal with terrorists and demons, so it's dangerous.
Places like the Seoul Anti-Terror Team have insanely high cut lines, so practically they're honor-only positions.
Of course, the prestige of 'Seoul Special Task Force Elite Wizard' means you can earn enormous money in guilds or as a mercenary after retirement.
All the leaders of Korea's Three Great Guilds are Seoul Special Task Force alumni, after all.
That was when it happened.
The front door slid open, and an elderly white man with a white beard walked in steadily.
It was Ryan Denitt, the teacher for Mysticism Philosophy Research.
"We'll start class right away. Please open your books."
As Ryan spoke in fluent Korean, the sound of books opening echoed through the lecture hall.
Lee Seo-jun also immediately opened his major textbook and began preparing to take notes.
"Page 72... Today's lesson is 'The Possibility of Mysticism and Immortality.'"
...The possibility of mysticism and immortality?
We'd finally reached this part.
This mysticism philosophy class was the trigger that resolved some of Lee Seo-jun's doubts while chasing Jin Cheon-woo.
And the starting point was today's lesson: 'The Possibility of Mysticism and Immortality.'
"As you all know, mysticism holds near-infinite possibilities. Many mysticism scholars have wondered: where does the potential of this 'mysticism' end?"
As the lecture began, students started taking notes with clear eyes.
Ryan then explained the process and history of researching mysticism's possibilities. His clear voice held the students' attention.
"...For that reason, mysticism scholars concluded that mysticism's possibilities are infinite. They even suggested it could overturn the laws of nature themselves."
Ryan took a breath and continued.
"So, what was the farthest possibility that mysticism researchers became obsessed with? It was 'immortality.'"
At the word immortality, Lee Seo-jun paused his note-taking for a moment.
"Why? Because the time allowed to humans is too short to uncover the secrets of hidden mysticism in the world. So many mysticism researchers sought to extend lifespan through immortality to reveal those secrets. I myself researched immortality once."
Ryan smiled faintly as he said that, then waved his hand.
Wooong—
At the same time, faces began appearing one by one on the central hologram.
"These people in the photos are the mysticism researchers obsessed with immortality research. You'll recognize some faces."
The hologram showed famous researchers straight out of a great men’s biography.
As the screen scrolled, a handsome man appeared.
Lee Seo-jun flinched at the same time.
"There's a record that even the infamous terrorist everyone knows pursued immortality and created Jaun. Though his research records don't remain."
The screen quickly moved on, and the class naturally resumed.
...Time flew by like that, and the about 50-minute lecture ended. It was a masterful lecture that kept everyone focused.
"Any questions?"
There were none.
Ryan nodded and opened his mouth again.
"None, then. I'll assign homework. Research 'immortality' based on today's lesson. Detailed instructions will be posted on the information system tonight."
Ryan clapped lightly.
"That's class for today. Good work, everyone."
The hidden lair of the Ten Demon Society, where nothing was visible.
The King was leaning back in his chair, reviewing documents.
[Kim Jin-woo]
Birth: March 25, 2008 (26 years old) (Birthplace unknown)
Nationality: Republic of Korea
Residence: Unknown
Family: Unknown
Education: Unknown
Wizard Rank: A
"...Cheonhae, are you messing with me right now?"
As the King spoke lowly, Cheonhae bowed his head in fear.
"My King. This is information obtained through the intel guild Black Rock."
"...Black Rock?"
At the name Black Rock, the King fell silent for a moment and looked back at the documents.
Black Rock.
It was the world's top information guild.
The King, active hidden in human society, knew it well.
"Even Black Rock investigated, and this is the result?"
"Yes. It's not personal records, but info registered with the Association. Black Rock says this is a first too..."
"...Interesting."
The King smiled faintly.
Kim Jin-woo.
He'd felt something off when they met in Han Dae-hyun's hospital room.
He'd also suspected a connection to the hooded terrorist he'd encountered before with Kim Jin-woo.
So he'd personally investigated Kim Jin-woo's info just in case, and this was the result.
Unknown. Unknown. Unknown...
The King couldn't help feeling baffled.
"A weird guy. They couldn't even track his movements?"
"Yes, tracking is completely impossible."
"Tracking impossible too..."
Where did a guy like this come from?
No, is it even possible to hide info like this from Black Rock?
"My King. Black Rock had one opinion on Kim Jin-woo's identity."
"Speak."
"They think Kim Jin-woo might have a 'special status.'"
"...Special status?"
"Yes. The info is hidden to an abnormal degree... You must have felt he's no ordinary person, my King."
"Certainly."
All human info is databased per Association security laws.
But 'Kim Jin-woo''s status had only the data shell, no contents.
Meaning a fabricated identity. So likely a forged status.
But in the wizard world rife with terrorism, forged identities are taboo.
"Black Rock is convinced Kim Jin-woo's status is 'forged.'"
"It seems plausible, but the Association never allows forged statuses under any circumstances."
"...That's just the known story. It's not impossible."
"What do you mean?"
Cheonhae caught his breath and said.
"There’s a possibility that Kim Jin-woo is a bigger deal than we imagine."
The King narrowed his eyes.
A big deal?
"Someone in a position to manipulate Association data... Probably only Association Chairman Kim Jin-cheol."
"You're saying Kim Jin-woo is Kim Jin-cheol?"
"No. But the opinion is there's a high chance Kim Jin-cheol is behind Kim Jin-woo."
Feeling baffled, the King checked the documents again.
According to Cheonhae, Kim Jin-woo had a special status permitted by Kim Jin-cheol.
"...Just what is his true identity?"
Afternoon, after all regular classes ended.
Having finished personal training, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and felt satisfied.
Growth speed had clearly slowed after Magic Control reached A-Rank, but after acquiring 'Hyperfocus,' it was speeding up again.
Mana training was going better than before, and strength workouts too.
Above all, concentration on magic control had greatly improved.
It'd take time to reach S-Rank, but I could shorten that time considerably.
"Ahhh~"
Stretching, I let out a big yawn and then showered.
When I came out, Lee Seo-jun, who had finished training first and packed his bag, was waiting for me.
"Kim Seon-woo. Training going well lately? Your magic control looked unusual."
I chuckled at his words and shrugged.
"You noticed? My focus has been really good lately."
At my boastful words, Lee Seo-jun looked at me enviously.
Who’s jealous of who here...
The guy with the 1 million point genius trait is still greedy.
"...Sigh."
"What? Sudden sigh?"
I shook my head at Lee Seo-jun's question.
"Nothing. Never mind."
Lee Seo-jun eyed me suspiciously for a moment, then nodded.
"Anyway, training's done? Let's head back together."
"Hang on, lemme pack my stuff."
As I packed my bag, Lee Seo-jun, checking his smart student handbook, spoke up.
"The mysticism philosophy homework just dropped on the info system. It's 2-person teams?"
"Yeah?"
I feigned ignorance and asked.
"Yeah, 2-per-team. Topic's immortality research. Wanna team up with me?"
"Sure."
If anything, I welcomed it.
"Okay. We're teaming up then."
I finished packing and turned on my smart student handbook too.
[Mysticism Philosophy Research Society Homework]
[2 Persons per Team]
[Duration: 14 Days]
[Research the conditions needed for immortality, investigate beings that attempted immortality historically and their results, and freely write your opinions.]
"1st place locked in. Immortality's our specialty."
Lee Seo-jun chuckled at my words.
"Yeah."
Like that, Lee Seo-jun and I left the training grounds.
Maybe because my hair was still damp from the shower, the wind felt refreshingly cool.
I blankly looked up at the night sky.
A bright full moon hung in the darkness.
...Wait, full moon?
Isn't a full moon when the Moonstone Pendant's effect activates?
At the same time, magic power began emanating from the Moonstone Pendant hidden in my clothes.
[The 'Moonstone Pendant' detects moonlight.]
[A full moon has risen, so the 'Moon's Blessing' effect activates!]
The message floating before my eyes.
Seeing it, my heart pounded.
Finally getting that 0.5 stat increase?
Wonder what stat it'll be.
Magic power would be nice.
And shortly after, the message appeared.
[Dexterity increases by 0.5!]
Damn.