As you wander around the Shio-ram site, there are buildings of all kinds.
Some buildings are constructed for a single subject, while others cram in various facilities.
Since money isn’t an issue, they build just about any facility. Maintenance can be handled with magic, so no problems there.
The study room we’re currently visiting… is in a building that simply houses study rooms.
A modern building with two basement floors and five above-ground floors. Entering through the main gate, I was enveloped by the cool air.
Shio-ram is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but due to the need for adaptation, the seasons were implemented.
Today is one of those summer days.
Thanks to that, the weather has been heating up lately.
It’s not at the peak of heat, but definitely warm enough to feel it.
“Ugh… so refreshing~”
Elia, who entered the building with me, shuddered.
We were supposed to meet Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek Ahrin, Elia, and me, but for now, Elia and I decided to reserve the study room.
“Finally, I can breathe a little. Wow… look at how cool it is.”
Elia stretched her arms up, relishing the coolness.
Her chest pushed out as her student uniform tightened around her, emphasizing her ample bosom.
[Gasaaeeebepp]
[Does Elia have a hard time with heat?]
“Huh? What was that? Gasaaaaebb?”
Elia tilted her head in confusion. I shook my head, dismissing it as nothing.
[Nothing at all]
[Really]
[Please don’t tease me…]
As she continued to poke my cheeks, I hurried inside to avoid her.
I could hear giggles from behind.
[Which room should we reserve?]
“How about the second floor for convenience? Although, whatever we need will be in the room anyway.”
In the large lobby instead of people, a kiosk stood proudly in place.
You operate it to reserve a room and download a virtual key onto a smartwatch to open it.
“There aren’t many people here, huh? I thought there would be more.”
[Everyone’s spread out because there are so many identical buildings]
[Plus, a lot of students are gathered in the café]
[There are even students just lounging in any park instead of using these facilities]
I replied after analyzing the info observed from Elia’s question.
Honestly, public facilities like parks are so high quality that you could sit at a table with a roof and chat for hours without a hitch.
If you want a bit of privacy, you can cast soundproofing spells or enter facilities with private rooms.
“Aha… that makes sense, doesn’t it…?”
Nodding in agreement, Elia suddenly drew in closer, scrutinizing me with a strange gaze.
“But, did you just check that with your detection ability?”
[Yep]
[I confirmed it with my detection ability]
[The range is really wide now]
“Elia’s detection ability is amazing.”
I nodded at Elia’s question, albeit feeling perplexed by her keen gaze.
“The amount of information you take in is so diverse that it can almost replace sight, and the range is ridiculously wide… But what about obstacles? Do you bounce back unexpectedly?”
[The range can be adjusted]
[And when I’m asleep, it automatically turns off]
[I’ve never tried seeing through things… but it seems to work just fine]
Originally, detection abilities are incredibly tricky to use.
There are various types of detection abilities. Some just enhance sight, while those me handling the detection net, like me, are considered a better class.
In short, they’re types that detect a certain range based on magic, similar to me.
Of course, there are many differences.
It doesn’t have the variety or accuracy of mine.
Most are just similar to the extended range of magic detection, enabling only the location of entities with a large amount of magic and a weak interpretation.
The environmental magical waves also change various values… making it a tricky ability to operate.
That’s why it took so long for the students in the Tower of Growth to find me.
Amidst the chaotic waves of magical concentration, the target was huddled in the crevices of rocks, making it exceedingly difficult to locate.
Sometimes in detection classes, I’d hear the students emitting groans nonstop.
That’s something I can’t relate to, being a power and not a unique ability.
‘Hmm…’
The power of observation. I need to start applying it too…
At first, I handled observation much better than space, but it seems like space has caught up with me in the application department.
The power of space offers applications like pocket dimensions, spatial control, space wall implementation, long-distance space jumps… and there are several.
Meanwhile, the power of observation has yet to achieve much in terms of application.
The power of protection? I’m still practicing replicating the original, let alone application.
“Hmm…”
Just when I sank into my thoughts, Elia’s gaze became even more peculiar.
Soon, Elia’s expression changed, taking on a mischievous and playful look.
That filled me with a sense of dread.
“Translucence… that’s pretty impressive. They say developing translucence in detection abilities is incredibly difficult.”
[Yeah…]
“Can you, like, see through walls or ceilings? Can you bypass security spells as well?”
[Yep, most things can be seen through]
In fact, I should say almost everything can be seen through.
Only a handful of things my observing power couldn’t penetrate.
First off, the insides of the Tower.
I could view the insides of the Tower of Growth from Shio-ram and the spatial tower from the headquarters, but neither could be seen through.
The same goes for dungeon interiors which are tough due to various spatial influences. But it’s not impossible. Maybe it’s because I also possess spatial powers.
“Wow… that’s amazing!”
Elia clapped her hands enthusiastically. Her eyes widened in genuine astonishment, softening the anxiety building in my mind.
Looks like she was just curious about my detection ability.
Just as I came to that conclusion, Elia’s question pierced my ears.
“So, have you ever seen through my clothes?”
[Yes]
[I had a hard time controlling it a while ago… …]
[Huh?]
?
A question mark floated above my head.
“Hmph.”
The corners of Elia’s mouth turned up in a smirk. The earlier playfulness and mischief resumed.
‘Ah.’
It was a trap, wasn’t it?
My complexion turned ghostly pale.
.
.
.
I crossed a corridor lined with multiple doors.
The building was large, and the corridor was quite lengthy.
The floor was clean, likely not from someone cleaning it but from an automatic cleaner or magic taking care of it.
[Eliaaa…]
The confession necklace clicked. It was filled with seriousness and a sense of desperation amid my straight-faced demeanor.
I followed behind Elia with a sad face.
“Hmph~♪”
Elia showed no reaction. With her arms crossed, she hummed a tune, appearing outwardly cheerful.
Her face beamed with a grin, causing a sharp spike of doubt as I recalled her previous words.
‘Ugh…’
I felt wronged.
Back in the days when I didn’t have the newfound awareness of my powers, my perception of space was incredibly unstable.
At first, due to errors, I only received spatial information through observation frames, and even later on, it wasn’t a particularly obedient ability.
Sometimes it would randomly shut off or expand unnecessarily, receiving information I didn’t want to accept.
Sure, I had my share of control mistakes.
Through all that, I also accepted some messy information.
[Nooo… I really didn’t do that]
[Really, it’s not like that]
[Trust me…]
But I swore to the sky that I erased those memories without hesitation.
I quickly turned the timeline back, buried the information down low, and tried my best not to recall it…
“Hmph…!”
Elia’s shoulders shook as she suppressed a laughing breath.
Before I knew it, we had arrived at the rented room. Elia pressed her smartwatch against the certifier.
[Student Elia, certified]
[Renting Room 2-12]
The door slid open smoothly, and Elia stepped inside.
“Ooh, great facilities. Just as I thought, Shio-ram.”
As Elia pointed out, the facilities were indeed exceptional.
The air inside was pleasant and cool.
On one side was a tea set and snacks like sweets or candies, and a fridge stocked as well.
On the other side, a large sofa encircled a table and in the center of the room, there was a round table with chairs.
Elia plopped down on the sofa and buried herself into its softness, marveling at its plushness.
[Eliaaaaa…]
“Yes, yes, what is it?”
Elia smiled brightly as she turned to face me.
I timidly floated around nearby, and she stared at me silently.
“Oh dear… why do you look so sad? Huh? Come here.”
As I hesitated, Elia, with a face that expressed resignation, spread her arms wide.
Offering her embrace.
Finding relief from that, I quickly dove into her arms, feeling a little reluctant to withdraw.
With my body snugly nestled against her soft warmth, the wings of the sky fluttered gently.
“Ugh, oh… so cute.”
A giggle erupted from above my head. Elia smiled radiantly, pulling me close.
“Hayul, did you really detect through my clothes?”
[It was an accident, I’m sorry]
[I erased it right away]
[Since then, I haven’t observed anything… I swear…]
“Oh come on, Hayul, there’s no need to apologize. You’re fine.”
Soon, her arms wrapped around me, engulfing me in warmth. My face became nestled against her warm body.
Her gentle hands stroked my head and back alternately.
[This feels good]
[I’m happy being petted…]
[So soft and plush…]
My face melted into a blissful smile, and I sank deeper into comfort.
My mind drifted into blissful relaxation, as the last bits of fatigue melted away.
Once again, I felt sleep creeping in. Though I was certain I had napped enough earlier, it seemed I might slip back into slumber…
In the past, I hated sleeping.
Though drowsiness would wash over me, it was hard to fall asleep.
Because in moments when consciousness faded, it was challenging to deal with sudden occurrences and anxiety.
When I finally managed to sleep while taking medication, I would dream of nightmares every single time.
Recently, though, it’s been different.
More precisely, it’s been fine whenever I sleep by the side of someone I can trust.
The warmth of their body, the softness of their touch, the reassuring heartbeat right next to me.
The unease gently unraveled, and I soaked into warmth and comfort.
Whereas I used to sleep only briefly every few days, nowadays, I comfortably sleep every single day.
[I’m sleepy…]
[You shouldn’t sleep…]
[But I’m so sleepy…]
“They say Yeon-hwa and Ahrin will take a bit longer, so you can sleep for a bit. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
[But I just slept…]
[I can’t sleep again…]
“It’s okay. Kids naturally need to sleep more. Since Hayul’s body has gotten younger, it’s perfectly normal to sleep a lot.”
It’s okay. Elia softly whispered into my ear, and my once-dominant consciousness gradually loosened.
Thinking about it, a quick nap seems alright…
Even the separated consciousness is still studying by analyzing magic books… and another is checking Seo-yul’s condition… Yeon-hwa and Ahrin are… over there… still occupied with something… just as Elia said, it may take a bit longer…
As for my primary consciousness, it might be fine to sleep…
My consciousness began to settle lower.
“Oh, by the way, can I ask one more thing?”
Just as I teetered on the edge of slumber, I caught Elia’s voice.
[Yeah… what is it…?]
“What did you think when you sensed my body?”
Impression…? When was that again?
When the perception of space regained color… around that time, right?
I rummaged through my muddled memories.
Soon enough, I found it.
It was a memory stuck deep down.
Above the memories I stowed away in the basement, even above the childhood memories buried even deeper.
What was that again? I opened my memory.
The confession necklace clicked.
[Your chest was enormous…]
“Pfft…”
With that thought, my consciousness fully submerged.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
