Chapter 14

Ever since she was young, Cheong Haram enjoyed grasping and manipulating others’ emotions.

“Ha, Haram. I’m sorry.”

“If you’re sorry, then bow your head to the floor and beg. Maybe then I’ll consider letting it go.”

Because she realized that the energy from such emotional fluctuations became, intact, her own power.

So, from some point on, it became her nature, something taken for granted.

‘Huh.’

When she discovered Cheong Joohwa, who had been expelled from the family, at the entrance ceremony, Cheong Haram intended to make her a new toy.

Cheong Joohwa must harbor deep-rooted hatred toward the family. The thought of poking at that and seeing what reaction would come was unbearably exciting.

But just as she was about to seriously begin her actions, an interference cut in. It was Han Kangyoon.

‘A bug who fell behind in the competition.’

He showed considerable promise early in the entrance period, but Kangyoon was ultimately just a discarded piece of trash who lagged in growth.

The despair Kangyoon felt back then, she remembers, clearly became quite satisfying nourishment.

But.

‘…It’s unsettling.’

Kangyoon, who returned after the semester began, was different.

Even when she threatened him regarding money—the most important and sensitive matter for Kangyoon—she felt no particular emotional disturbance.

That meant he had that much leeway.

‘Moreover, that Cheong Soha took in Cheong Joohwa, the family’s stain?’

News that came from the main house. It was quite unexpected.

Cheong Soha is absolutely not someone who listens to anyone’s orders.

She is the one who, upon returning to the Cheong Family, immediately cut down the two Elders who had expelled her faction during the Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis.

Cheong Soha was a dangerous existence that even the Elders representing each faction in the current Cheong Family avoided getting involved with.

‘For what reason…’

The timing was too perfect to be just a coincidence. It felt like she was being played on someone’s chessboard from some point on.

But Cheong Haram deliberately ignored it.

‘……’

And so, the day of the midterm evaluation for the Comprehensive Combat Training finally arrived.

Over the remaining roughly two weeks, I finished consuming the three Azure Mystic Pills one after another.

And I finally achieved it.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 26

▶Stats

【Stamina : C+】

【Spiritual Power : C】

【Art Formula : C】

【Mental Strength : C】

Both Stamina and Spiritual Power rose by two tiers each.

It was frustrating that even after consuming four high-grade Spiritual Elixirs, there were no B-Rank stats, but even this was a significant leap forward for me.

‘Now I won’t be particularly outmatched in stats by C or D-Rank students.’

But what I have to face today is an A-Rank student.

Even if they aren’t top-tier like Sophia or Hwang Jihak, they are a talent roughly within the top ten of the second year.

That’s why I.

‘Please take care of it.’

Whoosh.

I had already created a Shikigami that would be Cheong Haram’s hard counter.

As if telling me not to worry, the very edge of the shadow rippled slightly.

Murmur.

Murmur.

The place I am currently at is the 2nd Open Training Ground. A place created for various practices or evaluations related to one-on-one combat.

“Wow, are we going to have matches here now?”

“I heard we can watch the second years take their exams too. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Why are you so happy? We have to fight the second years later too.”

The duel arena prepared in the center of the training ground, and the spectator seats surrounding it in a circle.

On one side of it were the first-year advanced class and the second-year advanced class, gathered for today’s midterm evaluation, each in their own groups.

And, only I was left alone, isolated.

It couldn’t be helped. I had only just joined the advanced class last week. I still hadn’t even had much conversation with the advanced class students.

From afar, Cheong Joohwa, who had been standing there, approached me.

“Don’t you have any friends?”

“……”

“Hey, no need to be shy. I don’t have any either.”

“…Just not here.”

Thinking about it now, there were only two second years I had properly become acquainted with at the Academy. And even then, one of them was an enemy.

Looking at Cheong Joohwa, who seemed bored, I spoke up.

“Maybe not in B-Rank, but you must at least know people in A-Rank, right?”

The B-Rank students under Cheong Haram’s influence treated Cheong Joohwa as if she were invisible, but she must have had connections with Yoo Haon and the original work’s supporting cast.

But Cheong Joohwa answered as if I were asking the obvious.

“We’re not really close.”

It seemed that because I intervened too quickly, Yoo Haon’s turn had disappeared.

Cheong Joohwa, acting uninterested, leaned close to me and whispered.

“By the way, is it definitely resolved?”

“You saw the gift that came last time. No problem.”

“Then I can really beat the crap out of her later, right?”

Cheong Joohwa asked with shining eyes. Even if she pretended otherwise, she must have accumulated quite a bit of resentment.

But I grinned and answered.

“I don’t mind, but she’ll probably pick me first.”

“Ah, that’s true. Damn it.”

Even if it was something that never happened here, I too had accumulated much against Cheong Haram.

Now it was time to return it.

“Everyone, take your seats. We will now begin the midterm evaluation for Comprehensive Combat Training.”

The professor in charge, Choi Dowon, and two other professors who would assist with the evaluation entered the training ground.

“As announced, first there will be intra-grade matches, followed by each first-year choosing an opponent from among the second years for a one-on-one match. The final score will be the sum of the two matches. That is all.”

The explanation was simple and clear.

But the most important explanation hadn’t come yet.

“Then we will begin the intra-grade matches immediately. Second-year top ranker, Sophia. Come down.”

“Yes~”

As she, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and bright smile, stepped up onto the duel arena, Professor Choi Dowon glanced once in my direction and continued.

“Opponents for the intra-grade matches are assigned by academic rank. Sophia. Choose a duel opponent you like.”

As expected, it seemed Professor Choi Dowon had already decided to side with Cheong Haram.

At the changed rule, the students whispered and expressed doubts.

[Last year, didn’t they proceed by random draw?]

[You know, that thing. Last time with Cheong Haram.]

[Ah. That.]

Those who roughly grasped the situation all said in unison.

[She’s dead.]

That was the natural assessment.

The previous Han Kangyoon had shown nothing over the course of a year, and Cheong Haram was the opposite.

As I simply listened to that in silence, someone suddenly stood up and approached me.

It was the second-year second ranker, Hwang Jihak.

“After Sophia, it’s my turn.”

At his abrupt words, I tilted my head. Seeing that, Hwang Jihak spoke again.

“I will choose Cheong Haram.”

“Why?”

It was a natural question. Hwang Jihak and I had no connection whatsoever. But Hwang Jihak spoke as if asking what I was talking about.

“Didn’t I say I’d repay the favor? Even if it’s not a fundamental solution, it should buy some time for now.”

It seemed Hwang Jihak had some connection with the previous Han Kangyoon, not me.

‘Come to think of it, I think there was a scene after the Yeongwoldo Incident where he seemed bitter about Han Kangyoon’s sacrifice.’

But it was unnecessary help for now. I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and answered.

“I’ll ask for that a little later.”

“Is that so.”

Hwang Jihak nodded slightly and headed to the duel arena at the call of his name.

Then he turned his head and added one more word to me.

“…Something has changed. I’ll cheer for you.”

As in the original work, he was truly a person with his own firm standards.

Hwang Jihak chose a suitable mid-tier opponent and finished the match in an instant.

After that, Baek Hansol, the 3rd rank by grades, chose Shin Sora, the 4th rank, and they fought a nearly even match. The 5th and 6th rankers weren’t taking the Comprehensive Combat Training course, so finally, it was the turn of Cheong Haram, the 7th ranker.

Cheong Haram stepped onto the duel arena, wearing a nasty smile, and designated me.

“Aren’t you going to come down from there?”

At that, I let out a sigh, stood up, and headed to the duel arena.

The converging gazes and the air tinged with tension.

It felt like déjà vu of the situation during the exchange class a few weeks ago.

Finally facing Cheong Haram on the duel arena, the professor who came with Choi Dowon covered the entire arena with a Barrier Technique.

“Since it would be boring if it ended too simply, shall I make one promise?”

“Not interested.”

“For what it’s worth, Cheong Joohwa was a toy I cherished. But circumstances arose, and it became awkward to touch her anymore. It has nothing to do with you.”

No, it’s not unrelated.

Somehow feeling like I might laugh, I desperately managed my expression as Cheong Haram spoke to me.

“So, if you lose, I’ll make you my new toy instead. Weren’t you from the same orphanage? That first-year kid.”

As I, understanding Cheong Haram’s meaning, turned serious, the delighted girl continued to wag her tongue.

“Originally abandoned by different parents, yet calling yourselves family, isn’t that a bit ridiculous? I guess kids like that really think differently from others?”

This was exactly the kind of behavior I disliked. Cheong Haram in the original work, who pointlessly made enemies and mass-produced bad endings as if stamping them out.

Remembering that, as I felt irritation, she, with her Emotion Devouring Trait, seemed to think she had hit a sore spot and smiled contentedly.

Right then, the signal to start the match sounded.

Cheong Haram immediately began deploying the Art Formula she had prepared, and I scattered the Talismans Cheong Joohwa had made for me all around.

Whoosh!

Given the difference in stats, it was Cheong Haram who completed her Art Formula first.

“Illusory Dream”

Whoooosh,

An Intermediate-Rank Barrier Technique that makes the trapped opponent fall under an illusion. Centered on the caster, Cheong Haram, more than half of the duel arena was being engulfed by a hazy mist.

A fairly powerful Art Formula to use as a check. It seemed she intended to completely subdue me from the very beginning, play with me, and then finish it.

But from the moment Cheong Haram began constructing her Art Formula, I had already noticed it.

‘As expected, she comes out with this.’

Well, of course, because Cheong Haram was a character who appeared as an enemy of the protagonist Yoo Haon in Part 1. Naturally, they had fought several times.

What I prepared against him was a counter-fire.

Snap.

“Illusory Dream.”

Whoooosh.

The mist that began to emanate anew, centered on me, who had formed a Hand Seal. Seeing that, Cheong Haram broke her characteristic poker face and cried out in disbelief.

“How, the family’s Secret Art…!”

Even as she said that, her hands were steadily moving to deploy a Defensive Art. In such a case, it was obvious that the Cursed Techniques of both sides would mix and become uncontrollable.

But that action was too textbook.

That’s why it was boring and pathetic.

‘As I thought, the PVP rankers were much stronger.’

As mentioned before, I have a record of achieving world ranking 7th place with Shikigami Sorcerer play in the latest virtual reality game.

When considering equal specs, it meant there were only six people in the world who could beat me.

“Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost.”

Whoosh!*

From my shadow, something exuding a sinister aura surged upward.

A hideous appearance reminiscent of an anglerfish living in the deep sea. And the sticky black mist flowing from it began to erode the barriers of Cheong Haram and myself.

“Ugh! Wha, what on earth.”

Cheong Haram showed panic at the bizarre and grotesque Shikigami she was seeing for the first time.

I grinned and began to approach Cheong Haram.

“…Your useless personality. I’ll fix that for sure today.”

From now on, Cheong Haram will fall into a nightmare she cannot escape.