The awakened Taesan connected the ground and senses.
The soil, stones, ores, trees, and grass rooted in the earth felt like they were in my grasp, flooding my senses.
I also recognized the vitality contained within them.
‘Hmm…’
The recognition and interference of vitality through Taesan were limited to ‘me’ and ‘the land.’
Other elements were difficult to perceive and manipulate.
Could the vitality manipulation that Lee Ji-yeon mentioned mean the subcategory of earth manipulation?
Other than the land, perception of vitality was weak, and manipulation was only possible once control over the land was established.
‘The original Lee Ji-yeon and Taesan’s master could interfere with external factors. That’s a disadvantage that can be overcome with skill.’
I gradually controlled and drew in vitality. I brought the vitality from the surrounding land into my body.
My body heated up.
It felt like I had plunged into bubbling water, heat coursing through me, to the point steam was rising from my body.
‘Not yet…’
Vitality, life force, energy, spirit… it didn’t matter what I called it.
The energy that life should possess slowly seeped into my body.
My body was already filled with vitality. It was packed after Lee Ji-yeon suddenly infused me with it.
My body trembled as if pleading for limits. I felt nauseated as if I would reject the excess intake.
I held on. I grasped at the escaping vitality and forced it back in. I accepted the incoming vitality without refusal.
– Sluuuurp…
At some point, the overwhelming vitality that had been about to burst was quickly consumed.
At the same time, pain shot through me. An odd distortion echoed within my body.
My skeleton creaked. My bones twisted as they grew. Muscles repeatedly tore and mended over them.
‘Uh… this hurts more than I expected?’
I winced. I had thought there might be pain, but feeling it hit was unpleasant.
I had no choice but to sharpen my focus and endure the pain.
My body was changing. The vitality that had nowhere to go stuck onto the container it was filling.
The container, reduced due to material shortages, slowly began expanding. The skeletal and muscular structures that had been lacking rapidly grew.
The pain intensified.
I kept my eyes shut, allowing time to pass.
How long had it been?
“Phew…”
Suddenly, it became easier to breathe. I consciously exhaled and inhaled. There was no pain.
Instead of pain, a refreshing sensation filled me. The air in my lungs felt almost sweet.
‘It’s done.’
[Joy]
[Ecstasy]
A broad smile spread across my face.
The reflection I observed was different from before.
Overall impression… my white hair and facial features were the same, but I looked like I had aged, growing taller.
I rubbed and tapped my arms. My limbs were longer, and I had grown taller.
I scrutinized carefully for anything odd. Nothing was amiss. No strange growths anywhere.
I had undergone something like a transformation.
Even though I’d gotten younger, I couldn’t measure my physical abilities, but I confirmed that the quality of my mana, circuit, and core had vastly improved.
Now that my body had returned to normal, I could measure my physical abilities through training.
And, during the process of optimizing my body, I must have grown taller. I wondered just how much.
With a grin on my face, I interpreted the information.
…
[Shit]
I was just glad to be back to normal.
Let’s think positively.
I punched the ground with a frown.
…
Vitality drained from the desolate land, and I buried it, mixing in fresh soil to restore the area.
I exited the external training area and entered the Commercial District.
I checked the time. It was too late for lunch. I wouldn’t have time to eat before my training with my master.
I reached into my clothing, pulling out a handful of calorie bars stored in the spatial pocket.
‘It’s been a while since I ate these.’
They were the product I had relied on at the beginning of the semester.
I used to fill my belly with this stuff back in China, but since my return, I’ve mostly consumed unremarkable meals and porridge.
With time tight, I hastily unwrapped one and shoved it into my mouth as I walked towards the training ground.
Standing tall on my two legs, I walked. Letting the spirit carry me was convenient, but I wanted to feel my regained body.
People’s gazes were drawn toward me.
It was natural.
Just a few days ago… or even a few hours ago, I had looked like a small child, and suddenly here I was, having grown like a storm.
Look at those stares. They were no longer looking at a child. It wasn’t a gaze of concern for a lost kid!
They just looked at me with wonder, as if I was an oddity.
‘Hehe…’
I shrugged my shoulders. I was no longer treated like a child. I walked confidently with my chest out.
My wings bathed in the sun fluttered with my mood.
*
Atra blinked in astonishment, staring at Lee Ha-yul, who stood right in front of her.
[Tada!]
The freshly arrived Lee Ha-yul smiled brightly, stretching both arms up.
Her pose looked like a small, white bird spreading its wings.
Behind her, her winged attire shimmered gently, creating a scene that could easily belong in a fairy tale.
Lee Ha-yul looked drastically different from how she had that morning.
Cuteness and charm were still present, but the childish look had made way for a noticeably grown version.
Her white hair and magical aura remained the same, but her age seemed to have changed.
Was her earlier promise that she’d be a bit late related to this?
Atra dazedly processed the situation.
Perhaps dissatisfied with her reaction, Lee Ha-yul puffed up her cheeks and fluttered her arms.
[Completely revived!]
[Not a child anymore!]
The necklace clicked, producing a voice. Perhaps it was my imagination, but there seemed to be a mixture of joy and expectation in Atra’s ears amid the monotone.
[I told you]
[I’d be back soon.]
Ah…
I had spent quite a bit of time with Lee Ha-yul. As time passed, it became easier to read between the lines of her childishness and cuteness.
I deduced that she was whining about why I hadn’t trusted her when she said she’d be back soon.
Indeed, Atra had been skeptical of that statement at the time. Just because she had grown younger, what did “coming back” mean…?
“Right. I guess I was wrong.”
Atra chuckled softly.
Until now, she had bottled up her annoyance, but the moment her body returned, Lee Ha-yul dashed over, expressing her sulkiness—which was irresistibly cute.
With that feeling intact, Atra hugged Lee Ha-yul tightly.
Despite her claim of having grown, her petite frame easily fit in Atra’s embrace.
“I can’t believe I didn’t trust my disciple.”
[Hehe.]
Lee Ha-yul twitched her lips, burying her face into Atra’s embrace.
As Atra gently stroked her head and back, some of the previous tension melted away.
“……”
Atra cautiously observed Lee Ha-yul’s expression.
It’s true that the season had changed to summer. The sunlight was stronger, and the air was so hot that sweat would bead up even when standing still.
Naturally, even superhumans felt the heat.
Even a top-tier hero like Atra felt hot and was sweating.
Particularly, she found herself thinking how unnecessary her excess flesh had become at times, now causing her body temperature to rise and perspiration to accumulate.
That inevitably brought about concerns.
In the past, it was something I didn’t have to worry about, but since getting involved with Lee Ha-yul, I had to manage it constantly.
I glanced at Lee Ha-yul with worry.
…She seemed unfazed.
Even with her face buried between my breasts, there was no sign of discomfort—on the contrary, she looked rather pleased.
“Sniff sniff…”
Atra, swallowing a sigh of relief, suddenly noticed a sweet scent rising from below.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
It was emanating from Lee Ha-yul, nestled in her arms. For some reason, the fragrant aura made her head spin.
“…Hmph.”
I pulled myself together, slowly calming my muddled thoughts.
Atra cleared her throat, dismissing any inappropriate desires that had slipped into her mind.
Immediately afterward, she gently patted Lee Ha-yul’s head, fixing some tousled hair.
[Hehe.]
Lee Ha-yul displayed her brighter-than-ever sunshine smile, leaning into Atra’s touch.
For someone boldly declaring she was no longer a child, she still acted quite spoiled, causing Atra to chuckle.
More than anything, several days prior, when she had appeared with horns on her forehead, she had looked like a pure little child incarnate.
– [Triple-headed dog?]
– Huh, what kind of dog is that?
“Cough.”
I swallowed a laugh at that memory. The image of Liana, still screaming in horror, remained vivid.
This memory could certainly serve as leverage against that drunken rebel suffocating her way through the years.
“Now that my body has returned to normal, I shouldn’t have any issues with the entrance tower.”
[Yes!]
[Just finish the adaptation training beforehand, and there won’t be any problems!]
“Since we have about two weeks until the entrance tower, let’s work on adaptation and mastery before then.”
[Okay!]
At the word “entrance tower,” Lee Ha-yul nodded firmly.
Having experienced the limits of her power back in China, she was determined to grow as much as possible before the entrance tower.
‘The topic is contemplation… Thankfully, there shouldn’t be a reason to fight other stubby-legged beings.’
The master and disciple held each other close, sharing warmth for a while.
Even though Lee Ha-yul’s body had returned to normal, their procedure remained unchanged.
*
After finishing my daily work, I returned to the dormitory.
Crossing the floor that was slowly painted in sunset hues, I entered the dorm building.
Others still had classes left, while I planned to train in the dormitory.
I took the elevator down to my floor.
Immediately, I sensed a presence and started walking with a noticeable aura.
– …? …! …!
Sensing the presence felt pleasant, I suppressed a budding smile at their excited reaction.
Thus, I reached the dormitory door. The presence behind it held its breath.
Finally laughing softly, I placed my smartwatch against the authentication device.
[Student Lee Ha-yul, authentication confirmed.]
Ding—With an alarm, the door slid open smoothly into the wall.
“Daddy!”
Right away, a white blur that had been holding its breath behind the door dashed forward.
Following the preparations in my mind, I caught the child who leaped into me with gentle arms. Her rainbow wings flitted excitedly.
The face that had been tucked against my chest popped up. The bright, white eyes sparked numerous questions.
“…Daddy grew up!”
[I’m back to normal, you see.]
The surprise intruder was Seo-yul.
Her eyes sparkled with joy… and bewilderment as she buried her face deeper into my embrace.
It was such an enthusiastic welcome that a smile naturally spread across my face.
“Welcome back, young master.”
As I exchanged greetings with Seo-yul, Ariel stepped lightly into the room, dressed in a modern maid outfit.
“…You’ve really grown quickly.”
[Thank you again for today, Lady Ariel.]
“I’ve merely done what’s expected of me.”
Ariel looked at me, her eyes widened in surprise for once.
But soon she returned to her usual impassive expression and lightly bowed her head.
Should I call her a model citizen? In public matters, she was incredibly reliable. I expressed my gratitude once more before patting Seo-yul’s back.
[Seo-yul]
[Did you listen well to Lady Ariel?]
“Yes! I ate well, brushed my teeth, and studied hard!”
[You’ve done it all.]
[Well done! That’s amazing!]
As I tidied her disheveled hair from jumping in, Seo-yul suddenly perked up and began lively chattering about her day.
Certainly, I could check the logged records, but wasn’t it important to hear each other speak like this?
“And…!”
[Oh…]
[That must have been really tough! How did Seo-yul manage…?]
They say compliments can make even a whale dance. Children need abundant praise… or so I’ve learned.
I held Seo-yul close as we stepped into the innermost part of the dormitory, listening attentively and showering her with warmth.
‘…Umm…’
Meanwhile, I confirmed Seo-yul’s condition in my mind, beads of cold sweat forming.
Legs capable of running around and bouncing about without a hitch…
Now fluent speech without any pronunciation issues and a rapidly expanding vocabulary…
‘She’s growing up fast…!’
Observing Seo-yul flourishing, I felt a wave of cold sweat slide down my brow.
I hadn’t done that much for her yet, but her growth was astonishingly rapid…
‘I need to create a lot of memories from her childhood…’
Given how short the fairy’s childhood is, this was quite unfortunate. There were emotions and happiness only felt during youth, yet her rapid growth made it difficult.
“Hehe.”
Unaware of my concerns, Seo-yul simply gleefully laughed, appearing to enjoy the moment.
Her wide, rainbow-colored wings entwined themselves with my azure feathers.
*
[“The Curse of Beauty and Wisdom” restores the body.]
[Spends vitality.]
…
[Player Buff System: Favorability]
Lee Ha-yul → Atra Clyde
●●●●●●●●○○ (87▷88 / 100)
[Master] [Anticipation] [Sense of Security] [Desire for Affection]
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