Results-wise, today was a bust.
I struggled for hours, but there was no clear progress.
“Wanting to fill up on the first try… must be greedy.”
I reflected on my failures while flying with the help of the wind spirit.
“Life energy… really hard to handle. Is everyone else like this? Or is it easier for me because of my affinity for magic?”
Magic affinity seems to allow me to handle not just regular magic but also other elemental powers easily, so maybe life energy should be possible too.
Life energy is an ambiguous and downright tricky force to deal with.
It’s exceedingly rare to find someone who can recognize and manipulate life energy. Even necromancers seldom manage to perceive and control it.
It’s Taesan that’s the odd one out, providing support in understanding and manipulating such a difficult energy, along with self-healing and necromancy.
“But I feel like if I keep at it, something good might happen…”
Manipulation is tough, but not impossible. When I squished life energy into myself, there seemed to be some change.
The energy entering felt like little grains, and no sooner would they enter than they’d gushingly spill out.
But amidst that, I felt a strange sensation.
It was like that feeling of stretching out my limbs when I was growing taller in the past.
Thinking about it, this method might actually be correct.
Originally, I was supposed to create a two-story building with life energy, but since I’m short on raw materials, isn’t it the same logic that my results are shrunk?
Life energy seems tied directly to my lifespan issues too.
Anyway, if I can keep pouring life energy into this body, I could solve various problems.
Of course, it’s just a band-aid solution, like pouring water into a bottomless bucket, but I should give it a try.
“Let’s figure it out before reaching the Tower of Growth.”
Entering the tower is right around the corner.
The theme for the first entry into the tower is survival. They’re tossing students on the first level to let them go at it against each other.
If it goes as it did in the original story, the theme for the second entry will be introspection.
Introspection.
In essence, it means to look at the nature of the subject, and the moment students enter the Tower of Growth, they will face “me.”
So, just like in a cliché from a comic or game, we’ll end up dueling the reflection of ourselves.
Winning against this reflection is the challenge of this entry.
“If I enter looking like this… will I reflect the same way?”
My face scrunched up automatically.
Imagining it, my appearance looked just dreadful.
No matter the skills employed, it’s fundamentally two puny kids flailing their limbs in combat…
I’d rather avoid that.
There’s a lot to do, but I should focus on getting this body back to its original state first.
I flew with the wind spirit guiding me.
Not flying too high, just floating a few meters up to move swiftly.
– …What the heck is that?
– That’s an ugly sight. Is there something over there… what on earth is that?
Eyes were glued to my bizarre form, pouring in like a waterfall.
Honestly, someone flying isn’t that strange of a sight.
Once you master magic to a decent degree, you can fly. Sometimes, you’ll see people zooming past in a hurry.
But my case was slightly different. Not to be conceited, but I did have a rather unique appearance that drew all eyes.
Hair as white as snow.
A green wing-like garment flapping behind me like a flag.
Here I am, dressed as a student, yet a tiny, tiny figure…
Put it all together, and I was practically begging for attention.
At least I’ve covered my prosthetic arm with a sleeve, so I’m thankful less attention was drawn there while I surrendered to the wind.
My destination is the old training ground.
My master and Liana are likely waiting there.
Even though I haven’t registered for classes yet, it’s still the same since I can get lessons from my master and Professor Liana.
Plus, since they promised to give advice regarding course registration, I plan on discussing that today too.
“……”
“……”
‘?’
Upon arriving at the old training ground, a strange atmosphere was in the air.
My master and Professor Liana were staring at each other in a somewhat awkward position.
The emotions in their eyes were incredibly complicated.
Their gazes clashed in the middle as if an intangible force was pushing them apart.
[Master?]
[Liana?]
My necklace clicked. The cold voices of the two halted their strange standoff.
Soon both their gazes shifted toward me.
“Ah… you came quickly.”
It was my master who spoke first.
Clearing his throat, he spoke in a kind tone.
The stiff expressions melted away, and their upturned eye corners softened.
The anxiety that had been creeping in the corner of my heart dozed off once more.
The spirit taxi that had been stopped in that strange atmosphere began to move.
“But you don’t look so good. What kind of trouble did you bring back… no.”
My master suddenly shut his mouth. Furrowing his brow as if troubled, he swallowed back a sigh that was about to slip out.
“Worried I might blow up or something, huh?”
[Sorry…]
[Just experimented with my abilities for a bit…]
I shrank back at the exasperated gaze aimed at me, like seeing a troublesome child.
While I felt a bit defensive, the pinch of conscience stopped me from arguing.
“Don’t hunch over like that.”
Seeing me like this softened my master’s expression as he extended his hand.
I knew exactly what that gesture meant.
The feathers of my heavenly wings fluttered.
Surrendering to the wind, he wrapped me in a warm embrace…
“Why are you scolding the kid?”
The sudden voice that interrupted made my body jolt.
My master scrunched up his face, casting a sidelong glance.
The owner of the voice, Professor Liana, shot a glance at my master as if he were making a needless fuss and then focused back on me.
Her green eyes curved beautifully, brimming with kindness.
Then, it happened.
Suddenly, the area around Professor Liana became bright.
She opened her arms wide, revealing a generous figure.
With her tender smile and warm demeanor, she radiated a motherly presence that made it seem like she’d comfort me if I buried my face in her chest and whimpered…
‘…?’
That thought struck me with a strange feeling.
Burying my face in her chest and whining? Did I ever…
Have I ever done that to Professor Liana…?
I can’t tell. It feels surprisingly vague. Like, maybe I have… or haven’t…?
What’s going on here?
[Familiarity]
[Comfort]
[Attraction]
[Like]
A mix of emotions swirled around, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
[Soft]
In fact, it was quite nostalgic…
“My dear student…?”
[Yes?]
My master’s voice resonated in my ears.
It trembled pitifully, carrying a sense of disbelief that made me freeze.
Wondering what was up, I turned my head.
…I’ve become immobile?
‘Huh?’
That’s when I noticed something strange.
I was moving differently now.
Somehow, I was nearing Professor Liana instead of my master.
As if it was only natural, I floated toward Professor Liana, who was spreading her arms open to embrace me.
[Question]
[Familiarity]
There was no hesitation as I made my move. It felt entirely unsurprising, as though that was exactly where I belonged…
‘Huh?’
In confusion, I tilted my head.
Even now that I’m aware of it, I feel no aversion. Still cradled in warmth, it was so cozy that I felt like drifting off to sleep.
Then it struck me.
“Ah…! Spirit Magic…!”
My master suddenly widened his eyes, exclaiming in a gasp.
‘Ah…’
That single word tidied up my jumbled thoughts.
Spirit affinity. Professor Liana’s unique ability. I had indeed suspected I was being influenced by it; was a similar effect at play right now?
My master shuddered with outrage, eyebrows shooting up like he was going to explode and he pointed a finger at Professor Liana.
“You cowardly woman…!”
“What do you mean cowardly? What did I do to deserve such accusations?”
Professor Liana exclaimed, her eyes widening. The atmosphere grew even brighter. The heavenly wings fluttered gently.
Seeing that, my master shook even more.
“What other name could you call your tricks but cowardice?! Get rid of those pheromones at once!”
“Pheromones…? What do you mean by that? I haven’t done anything! Could it be that you’re mistaking my intentions…?”
A quarrel ensued.
My master shot back, while Professor Liana nonchalantly shrugged it off.
It felt like a familiar sight. Pondering on that, I remembered watching Hong Yeon-hwa and Baek Ahrin bickering playfully like that quite often.
[Wait…]
[Hold on a second…]
But that’s that, and this is this.
I hurriedly squeezed in between them.
The bickering abruptly halted.
Four pairs of eyes turned toward me.
While I did interrupt the argument, I wasn’t prepared for what to do next.
Flapping my arms awkwardly, I glanced between them before shaking my head.
[Please, don’t fight…]
My necklace clicked cautiously.
Was it just me, or did it seem like I could deduce what emotions were at play whenever my necklace clicked these days?
“……”
“……”
After a moment, my master and Professor Liana shared a strange glance.
Then, they exchanged looks as if they reached some consensus and took turns wrapping their arms around me.
[What about training?]
That was all I managed to convey.
In between, I did engage in some magical tug-of-war or magical practice with Professor Liana, but physical training was conspicuously absent.
“Do you think you can even manage a duel with that body?”
My master raised his eyebrows, finding it ridiculous, as he poked at my right hand.
[Yep]
“Please don’t go picking fights out of consideration for your partner…”
Beside me, Professor Liana squeezed my cheek with a knowing gaze. Her soft fingers pressed gently against my face.
[…?]
Though unable to practice physical training or dueling, I soaked up my mental energy by being cuddled closely.
.
.
.
After finishing a decent training session, I stopped by the study room near First-Year Grounds.
It wasn’t just my space; it was a gathering with Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek Ahrin, and Elia.
We were going to brainstorm and create our class schedules together.
Having just received advice from my master and Professor Liana, I planned to draft my schedule as well.
Since there’s no time to waste, we needed to whip something up quickly. I already had some subjects in mind, so it should be done in no time.
“Don’t you dare pull a fast one on my kid, you little… Gah! You sly fox.”
“What do you mean pull a fast one? What have I done to warrant such threats?”
The earlier scene repeated itself.
Hong Yeon-hwa growled while Baek Ahrin shrugged, desperately pleading innocence.
I sullenly retreated, sipping water like a rabbit caught in headlights.
*
[Unique Ability “Magic Affinity” is leveling up.]
…
[Life energy is recovering slightly.]
[Repels external foreign life energy.]
[Life energy is being expelled.]
[“Curse of Beauty” resonates.]
…
[Player correction system: Affection level]
Lee Ha-yul → Liana Velus
SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1VmJxZERiOVBPUXM0UmIzVzdaR1BETDhaNk1sdFdmM3dUaU9va0kzQTFhNw
●●●●●●●○○○(75▷76/100)
“Affection,” “Gratitude,” “Gentle Adult,” “Soft,” “Warmth,” “Generosity.”
…
Lee Ha-yul → Atra Clyde
●●●●●●●●○○(86▷87/100)
“Master,” “Expectations,” “Sense of Security,” “Yearning for Affection.”
…
[Artifact “Necklace of Confession” recognizes the user’s changes.]
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