Chapter 20. Sparring (2)

Places to gather data for this research. Arnaud Duré had said he'd find them himself, but it wouldn't have been easy.

Only two days had passed, so this was remarkably quick work, and he continued in high spirits.

"Thanks, Arnaud. So, where is it exactly?"

Arnaud Duré gave me the precise address. A bustling district about thirty minutes by car from Jeil High School. A park nearby, he said.

"Can I head there now? No classes today, so I can go right away."

"Sure, heading there now. I'll call when I arrive."

"Thanks again, really."

After hanging up, I messaged Lee Sea first. I'd planned to take her to training, but something urgent came up, so she'd have to go ahead.

But less than a minute after I sent it, a reply came back.

As far as I knew, Lee Sea's class had homeroom first on Friday afternoons, and back when I was in high school, that teacher was brutal about phone use—harsh punishments if caught.

I figured we'd talk more after school, so I pocketed my phone and was getting ready to leave when more messages buzzed in. I ignored them on purpose to make her focus on class, and soon the vibrations stopped.

Finally paying attention in class, I thought... but the reason Lee Sea stopped messaging became clear after I left the lab.

Sure enough, messages from Lee Sea started up again. I called and told her I'd pick her up around evening for training. She listened quietly, then took it a step further.

"Grab some on the way home?"

If she wants it, I'll get it. I agreed readily, told the satisfied Lee Sea to focus on her remaining classes and training afterward, then drove off.

By around 2:30 p.m.,

"Alright, let's go."

Dressed like someone out for a hike, with a bulky bag slung over his shoulder, Arnaud Duré led me to a secluded spot in the park.

If I summed up the research I'd present second as concisely as possible, it went like this:

First, find places where ambient natural mana exceeds average levels. In those areas, mana converts to an Awakener's unique mana, naturally revealing attribute differentiation. If significant differences emerge per location, that could be the key to boosting affinity efficiency for specific mana attributes.

The idea isn't complex. But without the Peeping Eye trait, precise analysis is tough—which is why no one but me could conduct this research.

The prototype construct—for exploration and boosting individual Awakeners' attribute proficiency—was already prepared.

My open right palm. Arnaud Duré gazed in admiration at the mana construct rippling slowly above it.

"...Incredible. Unbelievably delicate. Jin, just this construct alone could spawn over ten A-rank equivalent spells depending on applications."

"I think so too, like you said... but that's a side benefit, right?"

"True. Perfect it, and mana attribute fields could double in scope—academics, economy, Awakener prowess, all of it."

"Might be that big... Ah, good, it's reacting."

The mana construct hummed faintly, in motion. Absorbing airborne mana beyond naked-eye sight.

And... another change.

A multicolored rainbow glow. But unnatural.

"Red... stands out especially. Jin, I'm not hallucinating, right? Tell me I'm not."

Arnaud Duré's voice trembled. He refrained from grabbing my shoulder or crowding me, lest he break my focus, but urged me on. I answered exactly what I saw and felt.

"No hallucination. Red's dominant for me too."

The research was over 70% successful now. My mana construct had pierced the core insight.

Natural mana in specific locales already showed pronounced attributes. With that phenomenon confirmed as real, only one step remained: integrating it into individual Awakeners to boost attribute proficiency concretely.

Arnaud Duré... surely thought the same.

If unaware of this skill's existence... they'd think that. A safeguard hidden for public release.

Simple: I reveal the mana construct and theory. Awakeners train with it, boosting attribute proficiency... but their mana won't affect me. It'll just get absorbed into my power.

The circuit linking directly to Mana Absorption is concealed—no one will notice. Even advanced magic vanishes without power; theirs becomes mere prey.

"Hm?"

Arnaud Duré tilted his head. He'd spotted the rainbow glow from the construct dimming briefly.

But that was it.

"Ah, the structure isn't perfect yet."

"Makes sense. Research time's been short. This completion level is still astonishing."

"Thanks for the encouragement. More work ahead."

Success. Among the 36 Heroes, a top mage. Excluding myself, the one who'd scrutinize this construct most closely.

Even Arnaud Duré hadn't noticed. Despite activating Mana Absorption, he saw nothing odd.

Then no one in the world would question it.

All attribute magic from Awakeners training via this construct... was now meaningless against me.

More than enough for today's visit—

And then, an unexpected holographic message appeared in my vision.

"Huh? Jin, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

I replied to the puzzled Arnaud Duré while thinking fast.

Black Heart reacting. Why now?

Not from activating Mana Absorption—I'd tested the construct multiple times before coming.

Something... else. A new variable.

Not my mana construct. Not the skill itself.

Only one change: this park for data. It—and the Black Heart, source of Mana Absorption—must be linked.

I calmed my mind and said to Arnaud Duré,

"Arnaud, you said five spots? This the first."

"Yeah."

"Let's quickly check the other four while we're at it."

The main episode climaxing Volume 2 of Kill the Evil. Sub-quest to acquire and activate a Black Heart-derived skill.

Clues scarce so far... but maybe today.

"Have a great weekend, see you healthy on Monday. Homeroom dismissed."

Jeil High School 2nd year Class 1 students shot up as the homeroom teacher finished.

Some bolted out urgently; others clustered with friends, chattering excitedly about weekend plans.

Lee Sea and Jin Yu-ri were neither.

Silently packing bags, they rose. Jin Yu-ri from the front row. Lee Sea from the back window seat.

They met in the middle, classroom center. A tense, battle-ready aura emanated—like they were about to fight.

Yoo Hae-bin, stowing her bag in the locker to avoid carrying it, watched with a resigned expression.

Just insult each other already—what's this?">

Morning. Lunch. Atmosphere had been fine then.

But club activities earlier—weekly student council duty for Lee Sea, Jin Yu-ri, Yoo Hae-bin—had escalated hidden tensions.

Glass-mental girl's usually on top of everything, but prickly today.>

Normally, student council was easy thanks to her. She'd handle 2nd-year issues smoothly.

Today? Every agenda, they polled Lee Sea, sparking fiery debates. Lee Sea, initially dodging, eventually fired back with her own views as irritation built.

Laid-back council vibe turned icy.

But to Yoo Hae-bin... they weren't outright enemies.

Used to be one-sided jabs ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from glass-mental... now Lee Sea's aware of her too?>

Less rivalry jabs, more mutual awareness. Rivals acknowledging each other.

Not wanting to meddle, Yoo Hae-bin stashed her bag, clicked her tongue, and left.

Can't follow them anyway.>

They were off to train with Charlotte Tate, one of the 36 Heroes. Lee Dojin hadn't asked to tag along today, so she could skip.

A hunch hit.

Bet they end up closer after this?>

Like soil hardening after rain—this conflict might bond them tighter.

Won't cheer glass-mental as the evil heckling sister-in-law from the stands, though...>

She'd thought she was Lee Sea's closest friend. Lately, feeling sidelined stung a bit.

Tonight, tasty food to soothe the emptiness, she thought, inwardly chanting,

Whatever. I'm secret-dating our Dojin oppa.>

Casual banmal behind others' backs counted as pre-secret-relationship stage, right? And when she'd teased "secret dating" earlier, Lee Dojin hadn't denied it—not a green light, but no red either.

Half-baked delusions in tow, Yoo Hae-bin strode cheerfully out of the school.

Same time. Walking the hall side-by-side, Jin Yu-ri spoke.

"Our spar today."

"What about it?"

Thump, thump. Feeling her heartbeat, Jin Yu-ri continued.

"Bet with me. If I win... grant me one request."