“Of course, no injuries.”
I examined my condition in detail with the power of observation. Just in case there were any permanent wounds or aftereffects.
As a result, I couldn’t find even a tiny scratch. Only then did I release the observation that had been focused on my external and internal state.
Thanks to the Tower of Growth. It had whisked away all the damage I received on stage as if it were just an illusion.
Without such measures, there would have been countless casualties.
And I would have been left with aftereffects.
The advantage of the “Sea of Creation” lies in its versatility through water and ice.
It’s true that its attack power is weaker compared to Gop-hwa.
But that doesn’t mean anyone would dare underestimate the ice of the “Sea of Creation.”
Once a part of you is hit and frozen by it, it’s tough to come back to life.
With ordinary methods, you can’t melt the ice of the “Sea of Creation.”
The ice used for restraining is so strong that breaking it is incredibly difficult, and even if you do break it, that frozen part gets shattered entirely.
That’s why facing the “Sea of Creation” is tricky.
Even if the ice attacks, it’s hard to break. Once hit, it freezes around that spot, and if you break it, the frozen area shatters with it.
If water magic gets mixed in, it’s even worse.
Imagine fluid water magic swarming around you, all converting into chilling attacks – it’s downright terrifying.
Especially Baek Ahrin’s ice magic is dangerous.
Just like how Hong Yeon-hwa’s Gop-hwa has unprecedented power, Baek Ahrin receives the same level of evaluation.
Two members of the three great families, born with unparalleled unique abilities in the same generation.
It’s a reason to celebrate for Gop-hwa and the “Sea of Creation” but must feel complicated for Taesan…
Especially for Taesan’s heirs, who are of the same generation as Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin.
Anyway.
For this reason, I was cautious about ice magic throughout the training, but… for some reason, Baek Ahrin primarily used water magic during the spar.
She did use ice in the latter half, but I still felt something was off.
And then…
“Can you clear your schedule for tomorrow?”
“What’s that about?”
I wondered why she made that bet. I didn’t understand why she wanted to take my day away.
…And why she suddenly hugged me so tightly…
That earlier sensation still lingered on my face.
I shook my head roughly at the outrageous thoughts that kept popping up and started rubbing my cheeks hard.
Just enough to make my cheeks feel a little sore, and it felt like the lingering sensation was fading away.
I sighed deeply at that moment.
“Ha-yul, what’s wrong all of a sudden?”
Elia, sitting next to me, reached out with a confused look.
As she softly touched my cheeks that had turned red from my rough rubbing, a warm light began to emanate from her hand.
It was the faint manifestation of her unique ability, “Healing Melody.”
[Just got lost in thought for a moment]
[I’m fine now]
As her hand gently caressed my cheek, I finally snapped back to reality.
I shook my head, insisting it was nothing. Naturally, her hand fell away.
My cheek, healed by the “Healing Melody,” still remained red.
Feeling a strange sense of loss, I glanced around to see if anyone was watching.
There were multiple pairs of eyes fixed on me.
Not just Elia beside me, but there were people across from me looking over.
A middle-aged man and woman. And three little kids…
Among them, the middle-aged man was smiling brightly. It was similar to the energetic smile often seen on Elia.
“Hahaha. I worried my daughter might have been rude, but seeing you two getting along puts my mind at ease.”
[No]
[I’m the one being rude to Lady Elia]
After getting utterly crushed by Baek Ahrin, I ended up meeting Elia’s family, which had come with a bit of fear to see their master.
When I asked when we’d meet, despite it being during a tournament, they responded they could meet right away.
Thus, having set up a room, I met Elia’s parents… and they gave off a distinct impression of being Western parents.
Her father is Brian Slade.
A middle-aged man with golden hair and eyes, who didn’t give off vibes of a balding eagle or a pot-bellied uncle.
He simply had a tall build. His face was remarkably youthful, lacking wrinkles for his age.
Next to him was her mother, Ayla Slade.
She had the same golden hair and clear sky-blue eyes as Elia. She appeared much younger than her actual age.
It became clear who Elia got her looks from.
“Do you really think I come off as that reckless? I’m always being careful when I go out!”
As I awkwardly smiled, Elia, for once, wore a sulky expression.
And then, her mother replied incredulously.
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this from the one who knocked over the Millennium Tree, the pride of our hometown…”
“Ah! Bringing up childhood mistakes is so unfair!”
“Asking us to forget childhood mistakes is a stretch, don’t you think? Didn’t you demolish the fence of Billion’s ranch just last year?”
“Ha-yul, Ha-yul! That’s all ancient history! Cover your ears, don’t listen to them…”
Initially quite awkward, it seemed Elia inherited her innate charm from her parents, both having great sociability.
Noticing I felt pressured during the introductions, they refrained from overly focusing on thanking me.
Thanks to that, we could share a soft atmosphere while conversing.
During that time, I also heard some of Elia’s embarrassing stories.
From what I gathered, her childhood antics were quite outrageous.
Completely mismatched with the gentle and considerate vibe I had observed until now.
“Aaaah… When will they stop digging up these old stories…”
Elia was sinking into her seat under her parents’ playful assault, mumbling to the table.
I gave an awkward smile and subtly turned my head.
Across from me, her parents were each holding one of the small children.
Both had bright blonde hair that made them look like adorable yellow chicks, and they were peacefully breathing in their sleep.
And although she couldn’t sit in their laps, the girl in the middle was staring straight at me.
With hair the color of chick feathers and half-open eyes, devoid of interest in the world.
Her name was Adela Slade.
I had met her in Shifnah. The sister of Elia that I saved.
“……”
Then the room quieted down. As her mother gently patted the girl’s back, she blinked and nodded.
[Thank you for saving me]
A hologram of gratitude popped up next to her bowed head.
I’ve heard many expressions of gratitude.
My mailbox was overflowing, and hand-written notes were stacked up neatly in the dorm.
On my way out, a few people even thanked me after recognizing me.
Just earlier, I had even bowed to Elia’s parents, expressing my gratitude.
“……”
And yet, my heart felt strangely restless.
Apparently, many people had been saved due to my actions in Shifnah. I had acted with that intent.
But at the same time, I had regrets.
From the moment I took my first step, casting spells like crazy, getting beaten up by Aeolus, and facing death at the entrance of the shelter, I had my regrets.
Receiving thanks gave me satisfaction, but feeling phantom pains brought back the regrets.
“……”
I glanced around subtly.
The people who had been talking and laughing politely just a moment ago were now looking at me with strange eyes.
Among them was Elia.
The very first person here who helped me with genuine kindness and provided assistance during our time at Shio-ram.
Someone I felt quite close to now had a smile on their face.
If… that girl in front of me had been caught in an accident and died, Elia wouldn’t be able to laugh and chat with her family like she was now.
She wouldn’t have been able to wear that happy smile.
After a moment of thought, I smiled brightly and tapped my necklace.
[I should be the one thanking you]
The regrets lessened while the satisfaction grew.
*
Even after Lee Ha-yul’s elimination, the tournament continued.
Matches were held, and after a brief break, the next group of students stepped up to battle.
A harsh schedule where the top 16 matches were conducted within a single day.
Hours passed pleasantly, and finally, the final stage of the tournament commenced.
A one-minute countdown resonated through the stage.
“Hey, you little brat!”
Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly shouted as she stepped onto the stage.
Baek Ahrin, who was coming up from the opposite side, looked perplexed.
Recently, she had been trying to hold back, considering Lee Ha-yul, but now, here she was, letting it all out.
Feeling a strange sense of nostalgia, Hong Yeon-hwa spoke again.
“Why did you do that to Ha-yul?”
Baek Ahrin responded promptly, as if she had expected that question.
“What did I do? I just accepted Ha-yul’s impending fall.”
“Really? From my perspective, he seemed perfectly fine. Not a hint of about to fall. And…”
Fwoosh! Flames erupted from her shoulder, causing the surrounding stage to shimmer like a mirage. The intensity of it was quite fierce.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes turned red with anger.
“What did you say right before the evaluation started?”
“Um… Let’s hang out together next time?”
The voices between students didn’t broadcast. Baek Ahrin averted her gaze and continued.
“I’ll take Ha-yul’s day with me?”
“Oh.”
They could probably read her lips.
This had backfired. An awkward smile appeared on Baek Ahrin’s face.
As a result, Hong Yeon-hwa’s fury intensified.
“Don’t you have any excuses?”
“…Now that I think about it, do I really need to make any excuses?”
“What?”
Baek Ahrin let out a sound of disbelief as she raised her spear.
Seeing that, Hong Yeon-hwa’s fury intensified further.
“I merely asked a friend’s friend to hang out for a day. Is that something to be insulted over?”
“…I see. Is that so?”
Thud! Hong Yeon-hwa slammed her sword down onto her shoulder, with a tremendous noise as it lodged into the ground.
3─!
[The evaluation starts─!]
The countdown reached its end, and the signal to begin sounded.
A blazing fire erupted from the ground where the sword had hit.
“This isn’t a test, Yeon-hwa…”
Tidal waves of water and cold surged forth from Baek Ahrin in response.
Thus, the final match that would go down as the fiercest in the history of Shio-ram began.
*
[Player Adjustment System: Affection Level]
Lee Ha-yul → Elia Slade
●●●●●●●○○○(73▷75/100)
‘Affection’ ‘Satisfaction’ ‘Gratitude’ ‘Chick’
…
Lee Ha-yul → Baek Ahrin
●●●●●●○○○○(56▷60/100)
‘Affection’ ‘Confusion’ ‘Chaos’
…
[Conditions for breaking the ‘Curse of Silence’ have not been met]
[Conditions for breaking the ‘Curse of Loneliness’ have not been met]
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