Chapter 135

Laura had finally officially gone through the procedures and fully joined Cheonghwa Academy.

It was quite rare for a third-year student, typically in the graduating class, to transfer in like that—a truly peculiar occurrence.

When I casually asked for the reason, her response was as follows:

“Partly because of what you mentioned last time, and partly because I somehow felt I had to. Also, there were some circumstances at the national level.”

It might have been mere intuition, but to me, who knew various behind-the-scenes details, it sounded a bit different.

‘Did her body move instinctively to unlock her Unidentified Trait?’

Indeed, I knew a method to awaken one of the two Unidentified Traits she possessed.

If I provided just a little assistance, she would undoubtedly achieve greater growth here than she would have in Spain.

“Since we’re in the same class now, we’ll be able to meet often. I’ll learn a lot by watching you.”

“If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll lend my strength anytime.”

Perhaps due to the influence of the previous incident, Laura seemed to view me not as a simple classmate but as an object of admiration.

Of course, I had shown enough remarkable feats to warrant that, but receiving such noticeable reactions in that manner felt somewhat embarrassing.

‘In terms of talent alone, Laura is actually on par with Yoo Haon and his group.’

Her stats weren’t significantly lacking, and her Traits were arguably a step above even the so-called prodigies who excel in everything.

My player mindset had already begun calculating the variables her joining would bring and how to utilize her abilities, one by one.

It could be seen as calculating, but it was more like a habit. And reaching a conclusion was simple.

‘From my perspective, there’s no downside.’

She is an excellent raw gem and talent. If nurtured well, she will undoubtedly become a useful card and a source of strength for me someday.

Especially since her abilities will be of great help in the important phase approaching soon.

Envisioning that scene in advance, I pondered how to foster Laura’s growth.

And so, another day passed.

The next day, I went to find Han Seoa at the Academy, partly because I hadn’t seen her much during the vacation.

I heard that Han Seoa spent almost the entire day at the training ground, except for briefly visiting the orphanage.

And the results were something I could soon witness with my own eyes.

“…Is this the Witch’s Art Formula?”

“Yeah. There are other kinds too, but I still can’t use them at all.”

What Han Seoa showed me were two Cursed Techniques.

One was the Witch’s unique Flight Art.

It allows for extremely precise movements in the air, significantly boosting mobility—a truly valuable Art Formula.

‘I’ve seen this a few times in the sequel too.’

However, at this point, Han Seoa is probably the only one capable of using this technique.

There might be other users, but I won’t encounter them, at least.

And the other was a technique I was seeing for the first time as well.

Boing.

Boing.

“It’s fascinating.”

“…But I have no idea where to use it.”

A towel that was in the training ground had transformed into a green frog and was hopping around on the floor.

A kind of transformation technique, but it was quite unique in that it turned an inanimate object into a living creature.

‘No, is it just mimicking a living creature?’

Since unused techniques can’t be identified even with the Intracranial Spell Repository Trait, there’s no way to know.

However, it seemed impossible to use on living creatures, so, as Han Seoa said, it was tricky to utilize.

‘…Still, there’ll probably be a use for it someday.’

I nodded and praised Han Seoa.

Frankly, I had been too busy to pay much attention, so the fact that she had researched this much on her own was simply impressive.

“How have you been, Oppa?”

“Similar. I’ve been training hard while visiting various places.”

No need to bring up past events and cause worry.

Moreover, it wasn’t exactly untrue. I had raised my stats by taking the Nine Dragons Pill and Hwangryong Seonokcho, and my Level had progressed through frequent battles.

Meeting Han Seoa’s gaze, I discreetly called up my Status Window.

Ding!

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 42

▶Stats

【Stamina: B-】

【Spiritual Power: B】

【Art Formula: B-】

【Mental Strength: A-】

▶Traits (6/10)

【Phantom Body (S)】

【Witch’s Resonance (A+)】

【Soul Combustion (A)】

【Challenger (B+)】

【Intracranial Spell Repository (B)】

【Life Returner (B-)】

Truly satisfying numbers.

First, my Level had risen by a full two ranks, and with this latest Stamina increase, all my stats had finally surpassed B- rank.

‘Now I can’t even raise my ranks through ordinary methods.’

From here on, stat increases are only possible by continuously consuming high-grade Spiritual Elixirs or obtaining special opportunities.

Of course, even in my current state, I can output sufficiently formidable power, but considering the out-of-spec enemies I’ll face in the future, there are many shortcomings.

I must not rush and calmly seek out opportunities one by one.

‘Still, this should be sufficient for the time being.’

At the very least, these numbers are more than enough to take the Exorcist qualification exam early, as planned.

Satisfied that my growth is proceeding according to the planned pace, I nodded.

“…Oppa will be graduating soon.”

“Seems so. Quite some time has passed.”

However, since there’s still a year left, it’s not like I’m leaving immediately.

Rather, considering the hardships to come, time might flow slower than expected.

‘Roughly two years from now.’

At least within that time, almost everything will be decided.

There are no second chances.

This is a world within a game, yet it is not a game.

To lead that one chance to a proper conclusion, everyone, including Yoo Haon and his group, must fulfill their roles.

Making that situation happen is precisely my role.

‘…Shall I start gearing up again?’

The rest was brief compared to the hardships, but a few days of rest were enough to restore my physical condition.

After parting with Han Seoa, I headed towards Seo Jian’s residence, where I had arranged an appointment in advance.

【Eve’s Remnants】

▶Driven has stopped due to loss of power source.

First, it was time to revive the ancient guardian that protected the final gate of the Trial Hall in the modern era.

“I heard a little news. Seems you got caught up in another bloody incident.”

“…But it was resolved more moderately than expected.”

As expected of the heir to Daejin Industries, Seo Jian seemed to have already grasped the gist of what happened to me during the vacation.

Since her gaze held considerable curiosity, I briefly explained the circumstances of the incident to satisfy her curiosity.

“Must have been tough. Elders of a prestigious family—I often hear about how monstrous they are.”

“Well, I didn’t actually fight those people myself.”

Even Hectail, who nearly took both Seo Jian’s and my lives last time, couldn’t confidently claim victory against the top Elders.

That was clear from how Bihyeong was defeated by Cheong Soha, even if he was exhausted.

“Is she doing alright?”

“She’s the type who handles things well on her own, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

Cheong Joohwa must have been quite drained from this incident too, but she’s already embarked on high-intensity training again since yesterday.

When she herself is that fired up, worrying about her would only be a loss for me.

“By the way, I heard there was some progress?”

Recalling what I’d heard through previous contact, I posed a question to Seo Jian.

Truth be told, I was quite curious about her growth.

“…It’s nothing to boast about.”

As Seo Jian replied, she naturally flicked her finger.

Immediately, multiple overlapping rings of water formed and began spinning fiercely.

Just seeing this showed that her control over Natural-Type Sorcery had grown significantly.

And then.

“I’ve also gotten quite accustomed to transforming the shape in this state.”

Seo Jian shot out water as if flicking it from the fiercely spinning rings, hitting a chair far away.

Swoosh!

Squeak—!

Instantly, the chair split perfectly in half, as if cut by a high-pressure water jet.

She had created a blade of water using rotational force.

“…That’s impressive.”

“Thanks for the compliment. I just practiced as you suggested.”

Seo Jian didn’t show it, but I had only given hints about training methods and applications, not taught anything in such detail.

In other words, her current achievements are entirely the result of her own efforts.

Impressed by Seo Jian’s growth, I nodded, then followed her guidance to the space where the materials I had requested were prepared.

“I gathered most of them, but as mentioned last time, some were impossible to obtain in a short period.”

“That’s fine. I’ll figure out how to cover that part myself.”

Since all the important materials seemed to be there, I thought it might be possible with some trial and error.

I placed all the materials into the Formless Pouch I obtained from the Eternal Labyrinth and exited the warehouse.

Although we had discussed it beforehand, seeing it for the first time, Seo Jian looked quite surprised.

“An impressive Cursed Tool. What’s its maximum capacity?”

“Roughly thirty times the volume of the items just now.”

“If mass production were possible, it would be an incredible item. Of course, it’s impossible.”

As Seo Jian said, producing additional Formless Pouches is difficult no matter how much money and time are invested. It’s practically impossible with modern Cursed Techniques.

‘In the game, it was an item everyone had…’

But this is reality, so such differences are inevitable.

Unless they exist in other areas of the Eternal Labyrinth, obtaining more is probably out of the question.

I chuckled softly and continued engaging in various conversations with Seo Jian.

I heard that her younger sister, Seo Jiha, has fully recovered and is aiming to enter the Academy this year.

“Official recruitment ended a while ago, but special admissions are still open.”

Of course, waiting another year wouldn’t matter, but it’s better to grow alongside peers of her own age if possible.

After exchanging all our recent updates in that manner, I borrowed the private training room set up in Seo Jian’s residence and laid out all the materials from the Formless Pouch.

‘No need to attempt this inside the Academy, since I don’t know how it’ll turn out.’

If I failed spectacularly, the aftermath could cause quite a stir.

‘…It’d be nice to succeed on the first try, since I’m doing it anyway.’

It probably won’t be an easy task.

However, if I can revive Eve this time, she can be utilized as a significant asset.

Slowly reviewing the method in my mind, I took out Eve’s Remnants and placed them in the center of the training room.

And then, I gradually drew up my Spiritual Power.