Suddenly Salivating
Suddenly, my mouth was watering. Wizards didn't just study magic—they delved into pharmacology and alchemy too. That way, they could boost their total mana not only through natural breathing but also by brewing and consuming mana potions.
Low-level wizards scraping by on what little they had often skipped those subjects altogether. But anyone aiming for high mage status had to master the basics first. Outsiders might think the kids from prestigious families just gulped down elixirs handed to them on a silver platter. In reality, those from renowned houses learned self-reliance for the distant future when they'd stand alone—their foundation for survival. To soar higher without crashing to the ground at their most vulnerable.
Young Sepine Alavad had memorized herb names, shapes, and effects just to bask in praise, caring little for honor or foundations. Knowing these finer details was her quiet joy and pride.
"Whoa, jackpot. A cluster of blue morning glory poppies."
"...Huh."
"Oh, that's..."
"Wermme, this is a mana territory mushroom."
Every time they spotted a spirit herb while wandering the forest...
"Holy crap, check this out! Who plants purple mallow flowers in the school woods? This one's gotta be at least ten years old."
"......"
Hero, Shin Yuseong's reactions were way faster.
No, what the hell? Not only did he know the names, but he was plucking rare spirit herbs like they were rats in a trap. Some secret technique?
Last time, she'd felt overwhelming awe at his swordsmanship. Today? A strange sense of deflation. How was she losing in her field of herbology, a wizard's specialty...?
"Wow, a nobong honeycomb too!"
Feeling like a total scrub in front of someone she liked, Sepine Alavad just clamped her mouth shut and sniffed.
"Hmmm, so you just foraged in the woods and came back?"
After Professor Shin Arin's lecture ended, the next class was "Magic Game Experience and Creation." Another session with the hero. A mix of joy and vertigo for Sepine Alavad.
Drained, she slumped headfirst onto her desk, mumbling blankly.
"...Yeah, I was the idiot watching from behind."
"Whoa, you've turned into a zombie."
Before class started. Shin Yuseong and Imir hadn't arrived yet, so the only one at her desk was Maho from the magic research department.
Maho grinned, twirling her pink hair.
"Can't even flirt properly anymore. Kids these days are hopeless."
"...Maho, you sound just like my grandma."
"Haha, grandma? That hurts a bit."
"...Sorry, my bad."
First class, she'd bolted due to unavoidable circumstances. Second time, their group of four played the lesson-game. The girls got casual with each other, but she was stuck in limbo with the hero she wanted to get closer to. Infuriating for Sepine.
Last class, she'd just peeked at him. No progress this time either. The problem had to be her.
"Yeah, fumbling around like that is definitely an issue."
"Ugh, I knew it..."
Sepine groaned, squeezing her head shut-eyed. I used to be great at talking. No distractions, but now I'm a total moron. Cool elite lady, where'd you go?
Come back, cynical me...!
But if hearts bent to will, everyone would thrive.
Magic Dice Roll: Jackpot!
Party Formed!
You've teamed up with a Shrine Maiden.
"Ah."
"Ughhh."
If the dice didn't align, no amount of heart could fix it. Facing a shrine maiden (Maho) instead of the hero (Shin Yuseong), Sepine smacked her forehead.
Today seemed like a two-player labyrinth crawl, not four-per-group.
"Pushing you is exhausting."
Maho strolled with hands behind her back, gazing at the blue sky, muttering casually.
The Goddess pouts and curses at the Hero. (ㅁ_ㅠ)
"Huh? Out of nowhere?"
I'd said it myself and immediately regretted it. Our damn goddess always blamed the hero first...
Not surprising—just her daily routine. After 20 years, it felt comfortably routine.
So can I curse back now?
The Goddess says to bear with it since you're Hero and Goddess. (ㅠㅠ)
Oh, heroes can't curse at goddesses?
[......]
Fresh realization aside, I set the goddess aside and focused. Crucial moment.
Tak, tak, tatak. The berserker on my monitor swung his greatsword into a whirlwind, shredding surrounding foes.
Grind grind grind—!
With top-tier gear, enemies melted effortlessly.
DOUBLE KILL!
TRIPLE KILL!
"Yes! That's it!"
Only my character stood tall in the game. Ah, even with Glenn's simple skillset, could anyone stop me? Untouchable.
Blasted the enemy base for perfect victory. Points piled up, hitting my old high school goal.
"Master already, huh."
High school dream, now a breeze. Superhuman reflexes from slicing stars shredded the enemy team.
Before the stale air choked me, time for higher peaks.
The Goddess shakes her head pitifully at the Hero massacring civilians in-game. (ㅡㅡ)
"No, hey hey, weekends are for gaming and chilling. It's just a game—civilian slaughter's fine here! Do it IRL and you're jailed!"
The Goddess smiles benevolently, suggesting a more active hobby. (^ㅅ^)
No, active hobbies for a homebody who loves his corner and bed? What even is that? Our damn goddess with her unreasonable demands today.
Worst part: "No friends to hang out with outside?"
Surprisingly, school's top handsome ace with stellar grades. But I preferred hikikomori life—otaku degeneracy.
Not on purpose, but making friends? Tough.
School forums reeked of high school boys' yas forums. Despite 90% girls in hallways.
Huh, weird. Who's trash-talking me?
No lawsuits planned, but...
Subtle kinship and alienation. Eyes burning with greed—not friend material. Magic board game crew was chill, but inviting them felt off.
What to do? Weekend solo queue for healing.
—To the battlefield!
"Alright, let's go—."
Half my usual characters gender-swapped. Slight disconnect from old world designs, but treating as new chars? Fun enough.
My control? God-tier, even to me. Pro gamer post-grad if bored?
Might be too broken.
Thinking: splitting seconds to 0.001s? Gamer conscience stung. Stick to massacring noobs.
Enemy screams echoed, but necessary sacrifices. Hate it? Join my team, punk.
I targeted trash-talkers, nuked their base, fist-pumped.
That salty? After 10+ kills? Kept yapping.
"Losers whine ugly."
Why PK? No profit—neither suing nor paying settlements.
"...Huh? Oh? Whoa?"
Unless the address he dropped was my apartment complex. Double-checked: yep, next building over.
For real?
No fear of IRL fights, but shocked. Goddess prank...? Event?
The Goddess looks wronged and protests. (ㅠㅠ)
She denies. Low trust, but believing this once.
Too far? Nah. Neighbor? Curiosity piqued.
Hm, suddenly my mouth's watering again.