EP 5: The Demon Mage of the In-Seoul Retake Academy Class
Mages at the In-Seoul class of the retake academy divide their magic training into two categories: training magic and combat magic. Since cramming both functions into a single spell results in mediocrity, most mages specialize in one field to maximize efficiency. The standard sequence is training magic first, then combat magic. You raise your baseline specs with training magic before slowly learning combat spells. That is the common, accepted method in the magical world.
However, the Myriad Destruction Fist-Kick Technique breaks that common sense. Though classified as combat magic, its effects are not increased destructive power or speed but rather enhanced stamina and strength. It is neither purely training magic nor combat magic—just a hybrid. The reason is simple: the technique was never created for training or fighting in the first place. This Eastern magic was born for survival. The more you fight, the more your stamina recovers and the stronger you become. That is why its user can battle for three days straight, recover cleanly, and still escape. Modern mages cannot comprehend such a development philosophy, nor would they ever consider it. Yet its overwhelming performance alone earned it a place among the ultimate magics, which ironically proves its true value.
“Hah, hah, hah, hah!”
The sparring that began at eight in the morning ended with Lee Ah-rang’s complete physical exhaustion. Seven straight hours with no breaks. Her stamina had plummeted below 0.3.
‘I didn’t expect this.’
In contrast, Yoo Ji-tae still had over 2 stamina remaining, thanks to his originally higher stamina and the stamina-boosting effect of the Myriad Destruction Fist-Kick Technique.
“...Hah, hah, hah....”
Noticing Lee Ah-rang’s gaze, Ji-tae deliberately acted far more exhausted than he actually was. He did not want her to realize the gap in their abilities. Doing so would only pour fuel on her training motivation.
After the sparring, a tired Lee Ah-rang began receiving massages from the maids. Apparently, it was to quickly heal the muscles that had tightened or been damaged during training.
“She should be ready to resume in about thirty minutes. Please rest freely until then.”
The maid bowed politely after speaking.
“Understood. Then, would it be all right if I looked around?”
“Of course.”
Ji-tae stood up and began examining the machines arranged throughout the training room. Among them, the high-pressure mana capsule caught his eye. According to the instruction manual, entering it would rapidly improve one’s mental technique and raise mana capacity.
‘What’s the difference from taking elixirs?’
Upon closer inspection, he noticed the term “mental technique.” A quick search revealed it referred to techniques for mana manipulation. After all, no matter how much mana you possessed, it was useless without proper control or finesse. Naturally, there would be training magic designed to hone those aspects.
Wondering if Comet Academy had similar capsules, he searched and found that while they existed, they required reservations with dedicated staff. The usage fee was around twenty million won per hour.
“Hmm.”
‘Well, my strength and stamina are rising incredibly fast, so I should hit 10 soon enough....’
“Huh?”
Suddenly, he realized Lee Ah-rang’s stamina and strength had also skyrocketed over the past few days. She did not seem to have been training consistently either. Yet her growth rate was this rapid.
‘...Something feels off.’
‘Both she and I are growing far too quickly. Am I missing something?’
“If you would like to use it, you are more than welcome. The young lady would be delighted as well.”
While he was lost in thought, a maid approached.
“Ah, it’s not that. I was just surprised by how fast Ah-rang’s growth has been. I was wondering if she might end up as the top student at Korea University at this rate.”
He deliberately left himself out of the story. No need to give anyone unnecessary ammunition.
“It is not unusual.”
The maid’s unexpected reply caught him off guard.
“Is that so...?”
“Do you know that the upper limit for stamina and strength in the Refined Realm is 10?”
“Ah, yes.”
“There are training methods provided to regular students, but even with those, raising stamina and strength by 0.01 per day is difficult. However, using ultimate magic designed for training can close that gap very quickly. It becomes even more pronounced when using medicines. Raising them by 0.5 per day is entirely possible.”
‘This is insane.’
He could no longer rely solely on the enhancement effects of the Myriad Destruction Fist-Kick Technique. At this rate, he might be overtaken.
“Currently, Ah-rang’s stamina and strength are around 2. That leaves 8. In about 27 days, she will reach 10 across the board.”
If things continued this way, Lee Ah-rang would max out all her stats at 10 within 27 days and then begin layering ultimate magics one after another. Then he would have no chance of winning. His fists clenched unconsciously.
Seeing his expression, the maid smiled softly.
“Hehe. How adorable.”
Goosebumps rose along his arms.
“......Excuse me?”
The maid raised a finger.
“Mages experience a period of stagnation during their growth.”
“Stagnation?”
“The growth effect from ultimate magic is excellent, but once stamina, strength, and mana reach the 5–6 range, efficiency drops dramatically. The same stagnation exists in the Condensing Realm and the Sacred Lotus Realm.”
It was the first time he had heard this. He understood the reason. He had not learned the ultimate magic through official channels. He had merely copied Heo Shin-ah’s movements. Moreover, the academy had no instructors capable of teaching ultimate magic.
‘So of course I wouldn’t know.’
“...Ah. I see.”
“Even if the young lady receives private lessons and raises her training ultimate magic to Level 6 or 7, progressing past the 6 range by even 0.01 per day will be difficult. Medicines and enhancers could change that, but it would require an astronomical amount of money.”
“...The 108 Forms seem to only raise stats by 0.05 per day no matter how high the level....”
“Ah, so you learned it at the academy. The 108 Forms at Comet are famous. Naturally, the 108 Forms are also affected by stagnation, so growth becomes extremely slow. However, the drop in efficiency is not as severe. I believe it approaches half the growth value provided by ultimate magic of the same level.”
The maid gazed at Lee Ah-rang with a fond expression. Following her line of sight, Ji-tae saw the exhausted girl waving her hand while receiving a massage.
“The young lady has not gone far ahead yet. You will still have plenty of time together.”
“.......”
From their conversation, he could guess what the maid was thinking. She believed he was deeply in love with Lee Ah-rang. Therefore, she assumed his reaction to Ah-rang’s growth was one of loneliness.
“...Not really.”
“Pardon?”
“I have never really felt lonely.”
“........”
The maid’s lips parted slightly before she let out a sweet breath between them.
“Puh... heh....”
Ji-tae instinctively stepped back to create distance.
“Ah. Th-that is, I am sorry. I-if you need anything or have any requests, please tell me right away! Understood?”
“...Yes.”
He kept his distance and observed the other training machines. Yet his mind was filled with thoughts of how to overcome the stagnation he had just learned about.
If his own stagnation began at 5, he would need to raise his stats by a total of 5 to reach 10. At a rate of 0.01 per day, that would take 500 days. He only had 70 days left.
He reached a conclusion.
‘I have to give up on growing through ultimate magic alone.’
He needed to consume medicines, enhancers, or supplements with effects equal to or greater than the Green Deer Pill Lee Seon-hee had given him. Magic cuisine would work too. But the ingredients alone cost a fortune. He currently had around 8 billion won. The last 2-billion-won elixir had only raised his mana to 1.6. At 20 billion for 0.6, spending 80 billion would raise it by 2.4. In other words, even if he poured all his money into elixirs, 4.0 was the limit.
‘And considering stagnation, reaching 5 and beyond will require even more money.’
Magic cuisine restaurants were nowhere near enough. ‘I need at least 50 billion won, comfortably. And I have to get it within two months.’
“Ji-tae-ya! I’m ready!”
Lee Ah-rang earned roughly 7.2 billion a month. That would be 14.4 billion—enough to keep the fire going for now, but only barely. Besides, she was his rival. He could not expect her to lend him money freely.
“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“...No.”
For now, he had to focus on training. He stepped into the circular arena and resumed sparring.
*****
After finishing the sparring session, he heard that the Lee Seon-hee residence had a hot spring. He had been skeptical, but it turned out not to be a real hot spring. It was an outdoor medicinal bath designed to resemble one. The explanation added that it was mainly used by Lee Seon-hee and Lee Ah-rang.
“Is it all right if I use it?”
“Our residence’s medicinal hot spring improves not only strength and stamina but also has a significant effect on mental technique. You should enter. Ah, and training your mental technique inside this medicinal hot spring yields even better results.”
The maid clapped her hands together.
Ji-tae closed his mouth.
‘I don’t have a mental technique.’
When the maids heard he was preparing for university, they naturally assumed he possessed a mental technique. That was how fundamental it was considered.
‘I need to obtain one soon.’
The results of his previous mana test had been disastrous. Despite having sufficient mana, he had failed to control it properly and dropped the iron beads. Ideally, he wanted a first-grade mental technique—one classified as ultimate magic—but obtaining something like that would not be easy.
In front of the changing room hung a cloth curtain, like those found at Japanese hot springs.
“...Ah-rang isn’t inside, is she?”
“...Now that you mention it, that is possible. I will check right away.”
The maid who entered returned after about ten seconds.
“She is not there. You may go in.”
“Thank you.”
He had no intention of reenacting the kind of developments seen in old anime or dramas. He simply wanted to enjoy the hot spring in peace.
Inside, there were around forty lockers for storing clothes. The maids probably used them occasionally as well. After neatly folding his clothes and wrapping a towel around his waist, he stepped into the hot spring area. Not wanting to dirty the bath, he first rinsed his body with the shower.
Shhhhh.
Hot water sprayed from the showerhead, soaking him. He washed his hair, cleansed his face, and let the warm energy envelop his entire body.
‘Maybe it’s because I trained all day. Even this is making me sleepy.’
Still, it was a medicinal hot spring. It would be a waste not to enter.
That was when it happened.
A woman rose from the hot spring, wearing not a single thread. Water streamed down the gentle curves of her chest and back. For a moment, his mind went blank at the sight.
The woman with silver hair swept it back and let out a deep breath of hot air. Then she stretched both arms upward as if yawning. Her bare white skin—from her stomach to her sides and shoulders—was completely exposed. It was foolish, but with the moonlight reflecting off her wet, pale skin, he thought she looked like a fairy. If only for that single instant.
His eyes met Lee Ah-rang’s.
‘I’m screwed.’
He had no idea what to say. Should he apologize first? Someone like him had dared to sneak into the hot spring and lay eyes on the body of a chaebol heiress. No matter how much society favored men over women, there was no way this would be overlooked.
Should he say the maid told him no one was inside? In the end, it would just be an excuse, and she would scold him anyway.
While he stood there dazed, Lee Ah-rang’s face turned pale blue.
‘She’s going to scream.’
Just as he was about to drop to his knees, Lee Ah-rang leapt out of the hot spring, fell to her knees, and covered her body.
“...I’m sorry!!! I-I didn’t know you were coming in!!! Really!!! I really, really didn’t know!!! I-I definitely wasn’t hiding to look on purpose.... Please believe me.... Okay?! I-I was wrong....”
Lee Ah-rang began begging desperately.