Chapter 56
Chapter 56
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The King's Curse and Group Choices
-----------------------------------------------------------------
He was known as the one with the greatest talent in magic history.
But soon, a smile crept across the king's lips.
"Haha. Hahaha. I've finally found him..."
The prophecy and curse of the previous king.
The king had always feared it. Even now, the dying words the previous king had spoken to him lingered in his mind.
—Next year, a human with the power of extermination, the natural enemy of demons, will be born in this land. That human will lead you to ruin. You'll live in fear of not knowing when you'll die, until the end.
"Absurd nonsense!"
The previous king had said he would be destroyed by a human with the power of extermination, but after a long investigation, he had found that human.
The previous king's prophecy was wrong.
No matter how renowned a genius Lee Seojun was, killing an 18-year-old boy was easier than breathing.
'...I win.'
Lee Seojun.
Kill that boy, and I will be eternal.
—Jin, how's Lee Seojun?
"Fine, same as always."
—Good. You're keeping a close eye on him, right?
"Of course. Don't worry."
In a luxury apartment near the Magic Academy.
The man called Jin sat on the sofa, sipping wine as he talked on the phone.
"But Bert, you looked great in those photos. Saw it on the news."
—What are you talking about? I was caught squinting with one eye. Pisses me off.
Jin burst out laughing at Bert's grumbled voice.
"Ha! Yeah, did you see the article?"
—Yeah. Something about Jaun not being as threatening as before. Bunch of funny bullshit.
"They won't learn until we wipe them all out. Right?"
Jin flashed a cruel smile.
—Oh yeah, we're heading to Korea soon.
"Huh? Already?"
—Yeah. After those photos of me, the Magic Association's losing their minds. They're hunting for us. So, we'll lay low watching Lee Seojun for a bit and rest.
Hm. Jin nodded. A break. Not bad. No need to push the schedule.
Thirteen years ago, Jaun had faced a failure once.
They lost their only god, and the other members died or scattered.
But that one failure made Jaun grow. They would never repeat the same mistake...
"Hey, you didn't forget you're buying me a meal, right?"
—How's a rich guy like you so obsessed with free food?
"Gotta get what's free. King crab. Craving shellfish lately."
—Sigh. Fine, got it. I'll get the biggest one.
"Heh. Looking forward to it."
Time flew by, and two weeks passed.
Attending classes at school, drawing people's attention to earn points, continuing physical and mana training—busy as usual.
Today, after those two weeks, there were two gains.
［Mana Affinity (C)］
［Continuous Effect］
►Mana's Friend
Mana +3.
Mana recovery speed +50%.
Mana consumption -10%.
Magic power +5%.
The first was acquiring a mana-related trait from the Secrets of Evolution and Adaptation after long magic training.
Not an amazing effect for the effort, but satisfying as it boosted basic stats.
"Next..."
［Blessing of Great Nature (A)］ [Level: 3(0%)]
［Continuous Effect］
►Blessing of Great Nature
Mana cultivation grants extra mana. Up to 170% extra based on surroundings.
►Rest of Great Nature
Mana recovery speed +65%.
［Active Effect］
►Heart of Great Nature
Mana recovery speed +1000% for 1 minute.
*Cooldown: 23 hours
Blessing of Great Nature had risen to level 3.
It took longer than expected, but overall effects improved, so he was pleased.
Now he could fire one more small magic orb in battle.
Or put more power into body enhancement.
"...How long for level 4?"
It took quite a while to reach level 3, so probably 2-3 months at least.
"Hm..."
Time to check stats.
［Stats］
Stamina: 49.02
Strength: 37
Mana: 37.2
Speed: 31.7
Reflex: 33
Dexterity: 28.3
Thanks to traits from Secrets of Evolution and Adaptation, all stats had risen nicely.
Stamina nearly at 50 with 49, mana at 37 now.
He remembered mana was 21 on the first day of regression—now almost double.
"Growth is fast when points come steadily."
Of course, this speed was possible early on with diverse point routes.
Eventually, achievements and fame would hit limits on point gains.
"Gotta grow as much as possible before that."
The answer was to keep pushing harder.
Bzzz.
As he admired his improved stats, the smart student handbook on the desk vibrated.
[First elective experiential activity from next Thursday to Saturday.]
[Please choose your desired activity by Tuesday.]
"It's starting."
Elective experiential activity.
An advanced version of the weekly special elective, a 3-day job experience for all grades.
Choose a job, form groups of 3 days each, experiencing two jobs total over the semester in weekly splits.
Seems like simple experience to others, but to him who knew the original story, it was more.
In the original, two incidents during this special elective.
One: someone grudge-holding against the Choi family targets Choi Seoyoon.
Two: terrorist group Jaun's disguised request targeting Lee Seojun.
Especially the Jaun episode involves other factions, getting complex and serious.
"Hm..."
Ideally, Lee Seojun handles both incidents coolly like original, but leaving it all to him worried.
With butterfly effect diverging from original, who knew what would happen.
He opened the smart student handbook and accessed the integrated info system.
Main screen prompted special elective choice.
Options: Mercenary Work, Beast Hunting, Dungeon Assault. Three total.
The incident-prone one: 'Mercenary Work'.
Per original flow, Lee Seojun and Choi Seoyoon would pick it.
To ensure Lee Seojun's safety, best to join too.
［Mercenary Work］
［Selection complete.］
"Done."
Choice made. He just hoped Lee Seojun picked Mercenary Work too.
Somewhere in Seoul, a guild HQ.
Cramped for a guild HQ, but efficient with no wasted space.
This was the base of 'Dawn's Blade', led by Yoo A-yeon, the Witch of Fire.
Now, seven Dawn's Blade executives gathered for a grave meeting.
"Jaun's gone completely dark since then."
"Yeah. Vanished without a trace after the Rome terror."
Dawn's Blade members were all A-Rank or S-Rank wizards.
All here held grudges against Jaun—past victims.
"Yoo A-yeon, what's the plan? Wait until they move?"
A man in his 30s asked Yoo A-yeon.
All eyes turned to their leader, but she had been silent, deep in thought.
Then another woman spoke.
"How about teaming with the Special Task Force?"
"No."
"Hate it."
"Better solo than with those stiffs."
Mention of Special Task Force soured the mood.
All voiced opposition. Half had worked with them to catch Jaun but quit over the Association's bureaucracy.
"Special Task Force is out."
Even Yoo A-yeon, who had worked with them, opposed.
"They're swamped with demon incidents now. Won't prioritize Jaun much. And as you know, with Jaun hidden, our options are limited."
All focused on her words.
"Few choices? Pick the most likely. With Jaun hiding, where are they most likely to surface?"
Everyone thought the same.
Yoo A-yeon scanned them and said.
"Right. Lee Seojun. Surveillance on him."
"...Habitat of monsters. That's it for class. Here's your assignment."
In 2nd Year Class A, 50 students bored through lecture.
Today's class: theoretical 'Monster Biology'.
Famous for excessive homework.
"Ugh, homework again?"
"Seriously sucks."
Students groaned. But Monster Bio teacher ignored and continued.
"This is group work. Pairs: pick a monster each, research habitat, habits, behavior patterns."
Ugh.
Groans erupted again.
Same for him.
Teacher's words sparked instant complaint.
Assignment itself fine. Problem: group work.
Solo better; groups meant managing many annoyances, tiring.
At least pairs only.
"Form pairs freely. Due next next Tuesday. Score by quality and monster rarity."
Teacher glanced at students, smiled brightly.
"10 minutes till end. Form pairs freely!"
Rustle.
Students rose to pair up.
He sat blankly, pondering partners.
Not just theory: needed to observe monsters, so combat ability mattered.
Top combat and theory...
...No one better than that guy.
"Kim Sunwoo!"
Lost in thought, a voice called.
Looking up: unfamiliar male student.
"Wanna pair with me?"
...Who?
Unknown face meant total extra, nothing.
"Hey, move. Pair with me. I'm 43rd, specially offering."
Another unknown approached.
'...What.'
Only two, but some wanted to pair.
Probably because he topped theory scores.
Absurd, considering evaluations months ago.
Then, a familiar face pushed through.
"Kim Sunwoo, pair with me."
Long-haired girl, Yoo Ahra.
"Oh, it's Yoo Ahra. Gotta find someone else."
"Sigh."
Yoo Ahra's arrival scattered the two.
They felt outmatched.
Suddenly, just him and Yoo Ahra.
"Uh..."
Yoo Ahra...
Solid partner. Magic top-notch, theory excellent too.
Would help a lot.
But he hesitated.
As 2nd in scores, she was 2nd choice for partner.
Tough call. Reject...?
"Kim Sunwoo."
Right on cue, the top 1st choice appeared.
"Lee Seojun."
Lee Seojun's arrival irked Yoo Ahra, but he ignored her, confidently saying.
"Pair with me."
He grinned.
No dilemma with Lee Seojun.
"Sure."
Lee Seojun smiled satisfied.
Yoo Ahra alternated bewildered looks between them.
All pairs formed.
Teacher gave little time, so everyone paired by scores.
List submitted, end bell rang.
"Whew, finally over."
"What's next class?"