Fragments of the Sorcery World (4)
He closed his eyes and thought. 'Just like seeing the invisible path, it starts with perceiving spiritual power.'
When he finally opened his eyes, what filled his vision was a massive aggregate of spiritual circuits. From the faint cyan-white particles floating in the air to the murky purple aura emanating from the spirits. He could see the minute strands of spiritual power tangled like yarn, drifting through the atmosphere. It swirled slowly yet with a definite flow, like ink dissolved in water.
'No need to strain to breathe in the air. It's already entering my lungs.'
The same went for spiritual power. This space was already saturated with it. His body was like something submerged in a giant tank.
His task was simple. Not to forcibly suck it in, but merely to recognize the flow and not resist it.
As he opened his mind, the faint spiritual power drifting around naturally seeped through his skin. A cold, fishy sensation pierced his lungs, like a chill wind laced with the metallic tang of blood.
'One thing left.'
He felt the jugu gripped in his hand.
'Fill it with power like I did the talisman. No need to overdo it. Just match the unpleasant energy permeating the surroundings.'
The jugu neither glowed nor made any grand noise. But he could certainly feel it. A chilling, heavy texture utterly different from before.
'...This is it.'
He swung the jugu.
Whoosh—!
The sound of cutting through the air rumbled lower than usual. And then—
Splat!
A heavy resistance and recoil transmitted through his fingertips. It was a signal that he had fully planted his feet in this world.
The chat window filling the bottom right of his vision was a total madhouse. Those who'd dismissed him had shut their mouths, while his supporters went wild as if it were their own victory, showering him with praise.
Riding that wave of recognition, he curled up the corner of his mouth. It was a thrill he'd never felt before in his life.
That aside.
"Hey, you saw that, right?"
Time to settle up.
"Hand over Sigyeong."
A brief silence, then text from the guy who'd posted the mission appeared.
He didn't hide his grin.
"Gonna learn it now and try it out right away."
"Going back on your word, huh?"
"Tch. Was hoping to test it right now."
He smacked his lips. But the guy had a point. The exam wasn't over yet. And right in front of him, that pissed-off spirit from the hit was growling.
"Fine, you first."
He gripped the wooden sword tight again. He'd mastered the sensation. Now it was just practice.
*
"...Mm."
When Do-gyeol came to, the familiar ceiling came into view. His mind snapped alert.
"What? Was it a dream?"
It had all felt too real. The red dragon's heat, the jugu's chill grip, the electric impact.
'What happened? I remember up to the final gate... Was it all just a dream?'
In his despair, he clutched his head. Of course. What was he thinking—going to a sorcery academy, opening his Yeong-an, summoning a dragon? All delusions.
Right as that thought crossed his mind—
The chat window still floating in the corner of his vision. Confirming it, Do-gyeol let out a sigh of relief and sat up.
"Whoa, scared me for real. Never thought I'd be glad to see this shitty hallucination."
Ignoring the chat, Do-gyeol stretched. His body ached. Probably muscle soreness from all the rolling yesterday—and even that pain felt welcome.
"Anyway, you're here to keep the promise, right? Meaning you'll teach me that thing?"
"What's got you so worked up?"
His eyes lit up. Absorb spiritual power and make it his own?
"That's OP as hell!"
"Ah, like with the talisman?"
"More tests now? Come on."
Do-gyeol shot back, annoyed.
"You're not changing the deal and assigning new homework, are you?"
The chat's tone was firm. From their reactions, it really was dangerous.
"Fine. Not a test, just the teaching process, right? If so, welcome aboard. I'll nail it."
His enthusiastic reply kicked off the advice.
"Easy peasy? Did that in the final gate."
He immediately sat cross-legged. The house didn't have exam-ground density, but faint spiritual energy flowed.
He drew it deep into his lungs, then exhaled it. Once, twice. It was a sensation he'd felt in real combat—no hesitation.
"To get the feel for handling spiritual power?"
"Toughen?"
"It pops."
It made sense now. The talisman had burst mid-engraving the dragon.
"So, swim when the dam breaks."
"Anyway, got the in-and-out feel. Next?"
Do-gyeol smirked. He'd compressed intent into talismans, coated the jugu with power.
'What's hard about that?'
He gathered ambient energy again, focusing it into his right palm.
'Come on.'
His palm chilled. Bluish energy rippled as a bonus.
"Done? Next."
"What? I held it."
"No, I held it then released."
"I can just do it again!"
Fired up, Do-gyeol regathered power, unblinking focus on his palm.
"See? Holding steady."
Hours passed. The instant a stray thought flickered, the power slipped through his fingers.
Only then did Do-gyeol realize: talismans and jugu had jusa ink as a medium to hold power.
'But now, bare hands.'
Holding something is easy; keeping hold isn't. Tension naturally relaxes, and things drop.
'And this is worse.'
Not a still object—more like flowing water. Like cupping water in your hand without spilling a drop.
"Crazy—how during sleep? Losing focus unconsciously is natural."
For the first time, Do-gyeol hit a wall. More precise, persistent focus than bursting the red dragon or taking in power.
'Low fuel?' Hold more, spill less remains.
'Too thin here.'
He headed out: haunted houses, abandoned buildings, fox passes he'd hunted.
But streets were calmer than expected.
"Fewer spirits than I thought. Academy was crawling."
"Shut up. Almost got it—watch soon."
Do-gyeol grumbled, but anxiety gnawed at him. 24-hour hold demanded reshaping life as a sorcerer.
*
A week passed. Today, too, wandering for power, heading home.
As they said, holding felt natural now. But sleep? Impossible. No human stays willed and tense asleep.
"I'm not a wuxia hero. How to apply that?"
Ignoring their cackles, he arrived home. An envelope in the mailbox caught his eye.
[Acceptance Notice]
You have been finally accepted as a new student to Cheongram Jujul Academy······
Dormitories will be assigned to all new students on enrollment day, so be sure to pack your belongings······
His heart dropped. Hadn't the academy passed judgment ages ago? He'd given up.
Swallowing hard, he tore open the envelope.
"Accepted?"
Unlike the chat's jokes, the spiritual power still rippled steadily in Do-gyeol's hand clutching the notice.