Chapter 118

Before I knew it, the second semester at the Academy was nearing its end.

With time running short before the full-blown clash among the Cheong Family Elders would erupt, I poured my efforts into training Yoo Haon and Cheong Joohwa.

I wasn’t sure if the current Yoo Haon would get entangled in the Cheong Family affair, but the future Cursed Techniques I had efficiently selected for him would at least serve as a minimum line of defense.

“But seriously, aren’t you a genius at Art Formula development? How do you come up with ideas like this all by yourself? And it’s not like you’ve only created one or two Cursed Techniques.”

Even though I had explained to Cheong Joohwa that I had been able to grasp the structure and improvement methods of Art Formulas quite well since childhood, it seemed the difference felt even stranger to her, who possessed an EX-Rank in Art Formulas.

Well, come to think of it, it was like bringing a car to an era where people drove horse-drawn carriages. No wonder it felt odd.

At her words, Yoo Haon, who was beside her, also nodded in agreement.

I quickly racked my brain and spat out a suitable answer.

“While making all of these practical is recent, I conceived them quite a while ago. Studying Art Formulas was my hobby.”

“That’s the exact repertoire of people who appear in textbooks.”

“……”

Well, to be honest, it didn’t really matter. Whether those around me thought I was a genius or not, nothing would change.

I let out a sigh and used the Appraisal function on the two of them.

Ding!

【Cheong Joohwa】

▶Level 38

【Yoo Haon】

▶Level 37

▶Stats

【Stamina : B-】

【Spiritual Power : B】

【Art Formula : B-】

【Mental Power : B-】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Limit Breakthrough (S)】

【Blue Lighthouse (A)】

【Growth Amplification (B+)】

【Seasoned Hunter (B-)】

【Demon Exorcism Art (Demon Exorcism Art) (B-)】

‘That’s seriously broken.’

While Cheong Joohwa, who had a high Level from the start, was one thing, it was baffling how Yoo Haon had already reached the late 30s in Level.

Perhaps pushing hard in recent training was a reason, but it seemed Yoo Haon’s unique Trait evolution ability had once again made itself prominent this time.

‘Growth Amplification, huh…’

A growth-type Trait at B+-Rank, one tier higher than the original B-Rank Growth Acceleration Trait.

That was clearly the cause of the rapid Level increase.

‘…Am I really going to be overtaken next year?’

But there was nothing to be done. That was simply the fate of an Extra. I just focused on achieving the growth I had planned without paying it any mind.

‘Level alone doesn’t determine victory anyway.’

And, in fact, the most important thing wasn’t that.

【Demon Exorcism Art (Demon Exorcism Art) (B-)】

▶Gains additional advantage when dealing with things tainted by all manner of corruption.

The C+-Rank Spirit Dismissal Art I had deliberately made him acquire last time—a Trait that had grown from it.

Looking at it, I pondered deeply.

‘It seems quite related to the Demon-Suppressing Trait as well, doesn’t it?’

If that were truly the case, it would mean I had hit the jackpot on the first try.

However, as evolving a Trait to a higher grade would take considerable time, I couldn’t be certain yet.

For now, it seemed best to support Yoo Haon so he could also acquire the Forbidden Art resistance and Divine Power Traits as planned.

Finishing my thoughts, I called over the two, who were practicing Art Formulas, and opened my mouth.

“Let’s stop here for today. It’s getting late.”

“Yes. Thank you for your help.”

After sending the two back, I sat down on the Training Ground floor, fiddling with the Eternal Spring Talisman Myeongyool had sent, and looked up at the ceiling.

‘The true beginning of Story Chapter 3, huh.’

In the original work, this was the point where the story’s difficulty truly ramped up and the conflict between the protagonist’s party and the Cheong Family factions began.

And so, a vacation filled with all sorts of crises was steadily drawing closer.

Like most other educational institutions, Cheonghwa Academy also had no exams or assignments at the end of the semester.

As I finally had some free time, I decided to finish all the tasks I could do first.

The first among them, without a doubt, was taking the supreme-rank Spirit Medicine, the Nine Dragons Pill.

‘For a Spirit Medicine of this caliber, taking it just anywhere feels a bit off.’

Using the spiritual spots in this area would at least allow me to absorb the pill’s power much more efficiently.

However, just as I was repeatedly pondering over finding a suitable location, a perfectly timed proposal came from my classmate Hwang Jihak.

“Once vacation starts, why not visit the main family house?”

“Me, to the Hwang Family?”

“No need to be so surprised. It’s just a simple invitation.”

Sneaking in a bit of conversation, it seemed I had visited there before after all.

An experience Han Kangyoon, not me, had gone through. Perhaps Hwang Jihak having received help from the former me was also related to that.

“Elder Jincheol also said he wanted to meet you once.”

‘Elder Jincheol’ likely referred to Hwang Jincheol.

The big shot of the Hwang Family who had handed over the Death Black Stone in exchange for the Simple Barrier Stone at the last Presentation. He too seemed to have business with me.

‘Certainly, if it’s there, they’d have spiritually potent lands owned by the family.’

If I could take the Nine Dragons Pill there, it would be the optimal condition.

Seeing no major reason to refuse, I accepted the invitation after conveying a prior request to Hwang Jihak.

Cheong Doyool of the Cheong Family would probably start moving in earnest soon, but he wouldn’t just attack immediately after vacation started, so I had some leeway.

Also, having already left word with Cheong Soha and Cheong Jiyeon, I could take action if any suspicious movements were detected.

“Then I’ll see you then.”

“I probably won’t be able to stay long.”

“That’s fine. I’ll prepare the necessary items on my end.”

And so Hwang Jihak left, and I finished all the preparations I needed to do, only postponing taking the Nine Dragons Pill.

However, there was one obstacle I hadn’t anticipated.

“…Junior, where are you going during vacation?”

“Yes. I’ll be going to the Hwang Family, and I’ll probably be busy continuously after that as well.”

Gulp.

Gulp.

Arietta was drinking animal blood from a paper carton with a straw, its contents unseen.

It weighed on my mind a bit that this situation had arisen not long after I told her I’d help her.

To me, Arietta continued with her characteristic expressionless face.

“…It’s okay. It’s more bearable than I thought. During vacation, I can just drink other people’s blood.”

“If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to contact me.”

“Mm. You too, Junior. Grandma told me to build up my strength so I can help you someday.”

It was a bit surprising that Woonyeon had said that.

But it certainly seemed like there wouldn’t be a problem at this level, so I set my mind at ease and finished preparing to leave for the Hwang Family.

And so, the winter vacation of the second year, second semester finally arrived.

Like most other prestigious families, the Hwang Family was also divided into main and branch lineages, with the outstanding among them supporting the family as Elders.

However, unlike the Cheong Family, which had a clear two-power structure, almost all Elders in the Hwang Family held balanced influence.

The place I was now heading towards was the territory of one of those Elders, also Hwang Jihak’s father, Hwang Jeongwook’s faction.

“No need to feel burdened. Since last year, we moved our residence to a place quite distant from where the family’s elders are. You won’t run into Hwang Sejin, with whom there was friction last time, anymore either.”

“……”

Hwang Jihak said various things along the way, but to be honest, some of it was completely beyond my guess. After all, it was Han Kangyoon, not me, who had visited here last time.

‘…I have no idea what’s what.’

Let me sort it out. Apparently, I spent a few days here with Hwang Jihak last year, and during that process, I had a clash with someone named Hwang Sejin.

I didn’t know the details, but it seemed better to avoid running into him if possible.

“I just wanted to treat you to a meal, so you don’t need to do anything. Let’s just train together or something.”

What Hwang Jihak offered nonchalantly was, as expected, a proposal fitting of the famed training fanatic.

Inviting a guest only to suggest training together was indeed delicate, but since I also had no intention of wasting time, that side seemed better.

And so, I entered the territory of Hwang Jeongwook’s faction, and after moving quite a bit further, arrived at Hwang Jihak’s residence.

At the main gate, there was a girl waiting to greet us.

“I wondered what you were talking about on the phone all of a sudden, but you really came together?”

A girl our age with light brown hair tied up in a bun with a hairpin—somehow giving an impression that was both aloof and gentle.

That girl spoke to me.

“…Long time no see.”

“Indeed.”

To be honest, I had no idea who she was, but I tried to reply as naturally as possible.

The girl puffed out her cheeks slightly and complained to me.

“Seeing you after a year, and you still don’t treat me like an older sister.”

Just as I was inwardly panicking and about to continue, Hwang Jihak, who had chuckled beside me, interjected.

“Isn’t it just that Noona’s birthday is earlier? It’s weirder to have pride in something like that.”

“Shut up. You’re the same, Jihak. Even if we’re twins, an older sister is an older sister, right?”

With that one sentence, I could roughly grasp their relationship.

Twins. Indeed, I think it was mentioned in passing in the original work as well.

While the two were talking, I quickly checked her information.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Hwang Hyeyeon】

▶Level 25

▶Stats

【Stamina : B-】

【Spiritual Power : D】

【Art Formula : C+】

【Mental Power : C+】

▶Traits (3/10)

【Painter (B-)】

【Strong Body (C+)】

【Precise Hand Movements (C+)】

‘Huh?’

To be honest, it was quite unexpected. For someone from a prestigious family, her Level and stats were too low.

It was practically no different from my previous self.

I didn’t know the details, but she probably wasn’t aiming to be an Exorcist like other family scions.

Hwang Hyeyeon silently pulled me and Hwang Jihak inside the house.

“You both haven’t eaten yet, right? I prepared in advance.”

“You can look forward to it. Her skills have improved a lot compared to last year.”

“He said it was delicious back then too, you know?”

At first, there was some awkwardness due to the disconnect in memories, but Hwang Hyeyeon’s quite warm welcome made it disappear quickly.

However, a little later, as I sat down and continued the meal, a real crisis began to approach me.

“That was really ridiculous back then. Where on earth did you say you’d seen it before? Right?”

“…Indeed.”

“That’s also not something just anyone can do. There’s always something to learn when you’re by his side.”

“You flatter me.”

Having to enthusiastically play along with conversations about things I couldn’t remember was truly like sitting on pins and needles. To the point where I wondered what kind of wealth and glory I was here to enjoy.

Just as a few minutes had passed, Hwang Hyeyeon, who had been silent for a moment, asked me a question with a serious attitude.

“So, what do you think? About my current decision.”

Under that expectant gaze, I could only swallow my saliva with a wavering gaze.