Chapter 322
Chapter 322
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 323
Chapter Title: First Week's Opening Class: Law
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The first class of the first week back at school was law.
The lecture from the law professor, who possessed the latent trait 'Sleep Inducement', had the students nodding off once again today.
"And... Article 17, Section 3 states..."
"......Yawn."
Even I wasn't entirely immune to the Sleep Inducement, faint as it was, and let out a yawn.
I glanced around the classroom.
By now, almost no one was still listening; most of the students had succumbed to sleep.
The law professor's latent trait, 'Sleep Inducement', was growing stronger, showing signs of going berserk.
"..Hng."
Thinking about it, the 'minor incident' that the law professor would cause upon rampaging wasn't far off.
Graduation was drawing near, I realized anew.
"Sunwoo."
Just then, as I was lost in thought, Yoon Hayoung from the seat next to me whispered my name.
Having achieved tremendous growth in her magic over the past year, she wasn't greatly affected by the Sleep Inducement.
"Hm?"
In response to my murmur, Yoon Hayoung subtly showed me a sheet of paper.
It bore a simple spell formula suitable for a mid-tier auxiliary mage.
"It's homework for the custom spell formula class. Mind taking a look?"
Custom spell formula class?
"Was there a class like that?"
"Yeah, it's unpopular, so not many students take it."
I blankly stared at Yoon Hayoung's custom spell formula.
Even without activating Outsider's Boon, I could read the contents embedded within it.
This was the result of accumulating experience from parsing countless spell formulas up to now.
"Cold air and pillar, activation trigger... It's a trap formula."
"Ooh~ You saw it right away. Hehe."
Yoon Hayoung beamed innocently.
"Think there's anything to fix here?"
"Fixes, huh..."
I slowly examined the contents of Yoon Hayoung's custom spell formula.
The formula itself was highly refined. Hard to believe it was for a school assignment.
Spell formulas, more than relying on magical prowess, were heavily influenced by 'brains', so generally, the studious kids excelled at them.
Even though Yoon Hayoung occasionally showed ditzy moments, she was always in the top ranks during written exams.
In short, she was smart.
"It's good. High completion level, solid."
"Really?"
"Yeah, all good, but..."
I grabbed the class-issued 'smart pad' on the desk and scribbled a copy of her spell formula.
Then, I fixed its flaws and added a few modifications.
"This should cover the weaknesses better. Make the activation 'instantaneous'. And add 'mana absorption' for more efficient natural mana uptake."
"Ooh..."
Yoon Hayoung gazed at the formula with eyes full of wonder.
"Yeah, that's way better."
Instead of replying, I flashed a grin.
Since this was a pure result without using Outsider's Boon, it brought an oddly satisfying sense of pride.
Just to be sure there were no errors, I activated Outsider's Boon to double-check the formula, but thankfully, nothing was wrong.
Man, I might actually have some talent in the auxiliary realm...
Right then, a message popped up before my eyes.
[You have achieved the 'Spell Formula Creation' accomplishment.]
[You gain 3,000 points as a reward.]
[You have fully comprehended an intermediate spell formula!]
[The proficiency of 'Spell Formula Comprehension (B)' greatly increases.]
['Spell Formula Comprehension' proficiency rises by 40%.]
Oh...
My Spell Formula Comprehension proficiency shot up by a whopping 40%.
The points were just icing on the cake.
If I'd known I could raise proficiency this easily, I would've bought a spell formula workbook or something to practice with daily.
I was inwardly thrilled by this unexpected gain when...
Ding!
Another message appeared before my eyes.
[Karma rises by 0.5.]
I blankly stared at the newly popped-up message.
What the?
All classes ended at 7 PM.
I swallowed the elixir gifted by Han Seoyeun, [Heart of the Storm], and dove into wind attribute training.
It was to acquire a new attribute ahead of the potential 'Aporia' raid incident, just in case.
The Heart of the Storm doubled wind attribute proficiency growth for 30 days, yielding progress incomparable to usual.
['Wind Attribute Control' proficiency greatly increases!]
[You gain additional proficiency from the Blessing of Great Nature effect.]
Satisfied after finishing my personal training, I left the school grounds.
Then, using Formless Cloth to change my outfit, donning a hat and mask, I headed through a gate.
My destination was a nearby mountain.
Climbing a rugged path off the trails, no people were around.
I arrived at a midway point on the mountain.
It was a small monster field.
I briefly pulled down my mask and inhaled the fresh air.
"Whew. Nice and crisp."
Then, I promptly infused mana. A magic circle appeared, and out popped Gretel.
"Nyaang!"
Gretel's face lit up at being summoned after so long—my little Nadel 01(?).
"Gretel, been cooped up at home every day, huh? Must be stuffy."
"Nyaang!"
Hearing that, I felt inexplicably guilty.
Seeing her so overjoyed, I should've brought her out more often.
I squatted down to watch Gretel bouncing around excitedly.
She dashed across the field, eventually pulling off flashy mid-air flips.
"......Wow."
Watching Gretel didn't last long. I slowly surveyed the surroundings.
My visit here today wasn't just for Gretel's walk; there were a few other reasons.
The biggest was a 'promise' with someone, but I also wanted to test out the newly acquired light attribute and anti-demon power ASAP.
Fortunately, with night falling, the hidden monsters were emerging to hunt.
The 'demon-type' monsters lurking in caves would soon venture out for prey too.
Right then—
—Kieeeek!
A ear-piercing shriek echoed from somewhere.
It was a sound I'd heard countless times conquering dungeons tied to Yoon Hayoung and the 'demons'.
Gretel heard it too and stopped playing, trotting over to me.
"Nyaang!"
A sturdy cry, as if vowing to protect me. I smiled proudly and said,
"Gretel, follow me."
"Nyaang!"
With that, Gretel and I headed toward the source of the noise.
Not far off, a grotesquely shaped demon monster was lumbering about.
"......Whoa. It's huge."
Its size rivaled a two-story building.
Green-skinned, horns on its forehead, massive bat wings flapping on its back.
It was the infamous A-Rank monster, a gargoyle.
"Gretel. Bind it!"
At my shout, Gretel slapped the ground. Dozens of wooden vines erupted, tightly wrapping the gargoyle's arms and legs.
—Kyaek! Kek? Keeek?!
The fully bound gargoyle thrashed wildly. Hands on hips, I eyed the immobilized creature.
"Test subject secured."
Even when first teaching Yoon Hayoung anti-demon, I'd bound one such demon for experiments.
"Let's do this."
I immediately manifested a light attribute orb. The blinding glow pierced the darkness, terror flashing across the gargoyle's face.
—Kiiiik! Kiik! Kek!
Calmly, I infused anti-demon power into the orb hovering above my hand.
An esoteric light mingled into the orb of light.
Willpower drained simultaneously, bringing a moment of dizziness.
But I kept my focus steady.
"Hup!"
I inhaled sharply and unleashed it.
Pang!
The anti-demon light orb streaked forth, emitting an otherworldly glow.
Not yet familiar, it trembled unstably mid-release but accelerated to tremendous speed toward the gargoyle.
A beat later—
Kwaaaang!
The orb hit the gargoyle and exploded.
[You have made your first demon kill using 'Anti-Demon'!]
[Executed via synergy with light attribute!]
['Anti-Demon' proficiency rises by 22%!]
"Whoa. That's a huge jump."
Proficiency up by a full 22%.
I'd wanted to test the destructive power too, but it shattered completely, so no dice.
"Urgh, definitely heavy on the willpower drain."
Dizzy again, I clutched my head.
Then, rustling sounds and footsteps approached from behind.
I turned. Ellen, hat pulled low, was walking toward me.
The S-Rank magic gear she'd worn all over last time was gone, returned to Han Seojin probably.
"You're here. Or, here you are?"
"The rune clan's Ellen greets the Priest."
Ellen bowed politely at the waist.
Considering her rampaging lone-wolf personality in the original story, it was still hard to get used to.
Then, her gaze shifted to Gretel beside me, eyes widening.
"......That's."
"My familiar."
"Nyaang!"
Gretel waved happily.
Ellen stared at her for a moment before speaking.
"I saw it on the news once. When you saved Han Seoyeun from the demon."
Then she added,
"But up close, it looks kinda creepy. Like a tree mixed with human, an uncanny valley vibe..."
......Gretel, uncanny valley?
I shot her a glare, and Ellen, realizing her slip, bowed her head deeply.
"......Ah! Sorry!"
"Upon second look, it's cute. Especially the arms!"
She blurts out anything.
I almost retorted but let it slide.
"......So, why'd you call me?"
Today's meeting was at her request.
"There's something I need to tell you regarding the Hanseong Family."
"......Hanseong Family?"
Ellen nodded.
"The Association has recently started investigating them. Focusing on their ties with demons."
I already knew that. I'd investigated personally as a trainee.
"I know that. They left traces, so it's natural."
"The issue is Han Seojin trying to pin the incident on Han Seoyeun."
"Han Seojin?"
"Yes."
Hmm. Things were getting annoyingly complicated.
Not entirely unexpected, though.
"......For that, you didn't need to meet in person. Phone or message would've sufficed."
"Ah, well..."
Ellen trailed off.
"......Priest?"
"More to say?"
"It's... I wanted to ask a favor in person."
Ellen mumbled hesitantly. What favor could make her act like this?
"What favor?"
"Teach me... I mean, teach me Rune Binding."
I was at a loss for words.
S-Rank Ellen seeking instruction from me, A-Rank level.
I wasn't in a position to teach anyone.
I'd half-expected this, though.
Her revering me as Priest stemmed from 'Rune Binding'.
But I couldn't teach her Rune Binding.
Simple reason.
I only knew the answer, not the process or solution.
And to reach the answer, process and solution were essential.
Pretending to ponder long and hard, I finally spoke.
"It's too soon."
"Priest!"
Ellen cried out.
"Compared to you, I'm just a green novice... but even so, I, Ellen, received S-Rank from the Association! I think I'm qualified."
More than qualified—overflowing.
S-Rank was top 0.001% in the mage world.
Not exact numbers, but an elite realm few attained.
But with no way to teach, what now?
Her gaze said she wouldn't back down.
No choice.
I focused my mana. Then manifested a spell formula in my palm.
The spell formula for Rune Binding.
Ellen saw it and her eyes went wide.
"That's......"
"What your clan desired, the Rune Binding in spell formula form."
"..!"
Ellen's mouth fell open.
I manifested it larger for clarity.
"Memorize it perfectly in your head."
She looked, then lifted her head to meet my eyes.
"Ahh! Thank you! But... how do you manifest it?"
A spell formula was like origami or cat's cradle.
Seeing the finished form meant nothing without knowing how to make it.
So, I played it bold.
"Discern the form and master it yourself."
"......Pardon? What does that—"
Ellen stared at me in bewilderment.
Natural reaction.
Like showing a massive paper castle and telling her to replicate it.
But I pressed on.
"A clan's secret art is attained through anguish and torment. No realization, no meaning."
I barely knew what I was saying myself but continued.
"......Only after that process does one earn the right to the clan's secret."
My casual words made Ellen's expression turn solemn.
"......I see."
She seemed to deeply internalize my words.
Her eyes welled with fervor as she looked at me, clenching her fist.
"Rune Binding isn't just a clan secret—it's a trial to become a Priest?"
I blinked blankly and nodded.
"......Y-Yes. You get it."
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