Chapter 13

The sensation was more intense than expected, making my head spin for a moment, but I immediately settled into a posture and entered meditation.

“Hoo.”

Originally, Spiritual Elixirs weren’t something that simply became yours just by consuming them.

But I knew all too well how to efficiently absorb the energy of a Spiritual Elixir.

‘Since I was always consuming them in the game…’

All preparations were complete. The rest depended solely on my mind and concentration.

‘Slowly control and govern the energy.’

Of course, reality and the game were different, but with the help of my Intracranial Spell Repository Trait, I had already deployed all related Cursed Techniques, so I thought it was worth a try.

A few minutes passed like that, and I soon became acutely aware of the peculiarity of my body.

‘Most of the energy is being sucked into the shadows.’

However, as I had roughly anticipated, the fact that a certain amount remained and was being absorbed by my body was sufficiently hopeful.

“…Hoo.”

And so, a full two hours passed.

I knew that originally, this process could take up to half a day in severe cases, but in my situation, since almost all of the energy flowed into the shadows, it ended much faster.

“Let’s wash up first.”

It wasn’t like impurities were expelled from my body as mentioned in martial arts novels, but the sticky feeling was unavoidable.

Tap-tap.

Thud.

“Hoo. Hah.”

After consuming the Spiritual Elixir, I spent the next few days actively increasing my metabolic rate by combining exercise with a balanced diet.

‘Just blindly consuming Spiritual Elixirs would be inefficient.’

Originally, it took time for a Spiritual Elixir to fully permeate the body, and during that period, doing these obvious things helped reduce the loss rate.

Therefore, today as well, right after finishing classes, I was holed up in the training room next to the second-year male dormitory when an unexpected visitor arrived.

“…Do you have a moment?”

It was none other than the original protagonist, Yoo Haon.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s something I wanted to ask you, just for a moment.”

Glancing outside, Baek Eunseo, who was in the same class as Yoo Haon and one of the supporting characters in the original work, had also come along. Even though the gender had changed, it seemed interpersonal relationships hadn’t particularly altered.

“I’ll be out soon.”

I wiped the dripping sweat with a towel and tidied up my spot.

Somehow feeling Yoo Haon’s intense gaze on me, I turned my head, and she flinched, avoiding eye contact and changing the subject.

“I-I’ll wait outside first.”

After gathering my belongings, I went outside and moved to a different spot with the two of them.

It was in front of the lakeside, a place people rarely visited at night and where I often met Seo Jian.

Upon reaching the destination, Yoo Haon spoke to Baek Eunseo with an apologetic expression.

“Um, Eunseo, could you give us a moment alone?”

“…Alright. But if anything happens, at least shout.”

Seemingly just there for company, Baek Eunseo readily stepped back and warned me.

“Don’t get any funny ideas. I’ll be right nearby.”

“I have no such intentions.”

After Baek Eunseo left, only the sound of wind and insects remained at the lakeside.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding.

【Yoo Haon】

▶Level 23

‘Her Level went up by two in the meantime.’

Truly a growth speed worthy of being called the protagonist.

I waited admiringly for Yoo Haon to speak, but she seemed to be struggling with something and couldn’t easily open her mouth.

Eventually, unable to bear it, I had no choice but to speak to Yoo Haon first.

“So, what’s the matter?”

“…It’s about that time.”

At those words, a scene I had momentarily forgotten came to mind. The incident during the School Opening ceremony when I impulsively grabbed Yoo Haon. With so much to think about, I had forgotten about it.

“If it made you uncomfortable, I apologize.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Waving her hands dismissively, Yoo Haon finally seemed to have made a decision and asked with a resolute expression.

“By any chance… do you know me?”

“I do. You’re one of the most promising first-years receiving attention.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Yoo Haon’s expression was firm.

Seeing that, I finally realized what she was trying to ask.

‘Is she searching for her own past?’

Perhaps due to the incident on the School Opening day, she thought I knew something about her. Of course, that wasn’t exactly wrong.

‘Of course I know.’

No matter what anyone says, Yoo Haon was the protagonist and playable character of Exorcism Academy Part 1.

But regarding this part, I was cautious.

Even if I clearly revealed Yoo Haon’s past, it was unknown whether it would have a good influence, and with even her gender changed, I couldn’t blindly believe that what I knew was the truth.

Therefore, I decided to play dumb.

“If you’re expecting something more than that, I have no answer I can give.”

“…Is that so.”

Yoo Haon looked disappointed. Glancing at her sideways, I sighed and spoke to her, who had hung her head low.

“I’m similar to you.”

“…Huh?”

“But is that really important now?”

With that encouragement-that-wasn’t-quite-encouragement as my final words, I left Yoo Haon’s side. She probably needed time alone to sort out her feelings.

‘She’ll figure it out on her own eventually anyway.’

Leaving the lakeside like that, I saw Baek Eunseo, who had separated and was intensely training.

Noticing me, she asked with a displeased expression.

“Where’s Haon?”

“She’s alone.”

“Alone? Did you make her cry?”

“She’s just lost in thought.”

Though I roughly knew the content, I suddenly grew curious and attempted an Appraisal on Baek Eunseo.

Ding.

【Baek Eunseo】

▶Level 27

▶Stats

【Stamina : S-】

【Spiritual Power : B-】

【Art Formula : C+】

【Mental Power : B】

▶Traits (5/10)

【■■■■(-)】

【Swift Blade Through Chaos(A-)】

【Growth Acceleration(B)】

【Grapple Combat(B-)】

【Strong Body(C-)】

As a member of the Baek Family, one of the Three Great Noble Families, and part of the original protagonist’s party, her talent truly lived up to her name.

At this point, she was far stronger than Yoo Haon. Of course, she would soon be overtaken, but until then, she would serve as an excellent shield.

‘Even without a Demon-Suppressing Trait, it would be troublesome without Yoo Haon.’

Yoo Haon is a special talent who can raise all her stats to S-Rank through the power of her Limit Breakthrough Trait.

Considering the future, she absolutely had to grow safely.

Since Baek Eunseo was currently guarding her side, I decided to offer a little help.

“There’s a student named Shin Hyeonmin in first-year A-Rank, right?”

“There is, why?”

“The one you really need to watch out for is that side.”

“What did you say?”

While Baek Eunseo looked puzzled, I moved to leave again.

Then, I paused briefly and added one last word.

“If a crisis comes that you truly cannot handle on your own, then empty all thoughts from your mind and fight.”

“…Are you calling me stupid right now?”

“No. Serious advice.”

If she does that, at least she’ll get a response before dying.

The true talent of the Martial Faction Baek Family, Baek Eunseo’s Unidentified Trait.

The lakeside within the school grounds.

The spot where Han Kangyoon had left.

‘……’

Standing in place, feeling the cold night air, Yoo Haon soon puffed out her cheeks slightly as if dissatisfied.

“Honestly.”

According to rumors spread within the school, Han Kangyoon grew up in an Orphanage without biological parents. And that he aimed to become an Exorcist for that Orphanage.

And Han Kangyoon said that someone like him was in a similar situation to Yoo Haon.

What that implied was simple.

The fact that her parents weren’t her biological parents was something she hadn’t told anyone at the Academy yet, including Baek Eunseo.

“He definitely knows.”

If you’re going to lie, at least do it without being obvious.

If the truth comes out in what’s supposed to be comforting words, it’s meaningless.

‘…Still, maybe he’s not a bad person.’

Somehow, I felt I understood what Han Kangyoon was trying to say.

Clearly, such things weren’t important for living her life right now. At the very least, there was no meaning in not being faithful to the present because she was preoccupied with the past.

Perhaps due to puberty, Yoo Haon had recently been tossed about by thoughts of the past, unable to find her bearings.

“But, someday.”

When she had made sufficient preparations, she would definitely get the answer she didn’t hear today.

Yoo Haon patted her cheeks and pumped herself up. Somehow, her complicated feelings seemed to have sorted themselves out.

‘He’s an intriguing person.’

Within the Academy, he was the subject of all sorts of rumors, but actually meeting him, he was completely different from those rumors.

He had an unfathomable dignity, and his actions exuded composure.

‘I want to know more.’

Yoo Haon was starting to become curious about the person named Han Kangyoon.

That night. Returning to the Dormitory, I composed myself with an expectant expression.

On the way back after parting with the two, I had realized that something within me had changed.

‘It definitely changed.’

The feeling of something new aligning within my body—while not intense enough to be obvious at a glance—was different from before nonetheless.

“Appraisal.”

Ding.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 26

▶Stats

【Stamina : C-】

【Spiritual Power : D+】

【Art Formula : C】

【Mental Power : C】

‘Got it.’

There was a definite change. My Spiritual Power rank had risen by one stage. I clenched my fist, a rare display of joy.

‘Only just D-plus now.’

But the fact that it rose at all held great significance. It meant that at least consuming Spiritual Elixirs was effective. Additionally, I could roughly grasp the side effect of my Phantom Body Trait.

‘If I can somehow just block the shadow’s absorptive property, I can affect my stats.’

It would work if I could infuse a massive amount of energy that the shadow couldn’t take all at once through a high-grade Spiritual Elixir like this time, or create a similar situation.

It was the moment I found a clue to growth.

‘This much from one Azure Mystic Pill.’

Then what about when I consume all three remaining Azure Mystic Pills?

‘Probably both Stamina and Spiritual Power can reach C-Rank.’

Some might say it’s just a difference of one rank.

But for me, I could confidently say the difference between D-Rank and C-Rank was like heaven and earth.

‘Cheong Haram definitely mainly used illusion-type Art Formulas in person-to-person combat.’

The upcoming mid-term evaluation for Comprehensive Combat Training.

The moment my Spiritual Power reaches C-Rank, Cheong Haram had better be firmly prepared to feel the difference in caliber.