– Wow… those mana surges are honestly so beautiful.
– Right? I get why everyone rushes in from day one.
– Especially that special entrance student, isn’t he dope? His mana sparkles so much I thought shooting stars were going backwards!
The opening ceremony ended successfully. There were no major mishaps or incidents, and the audience seemed satisfied as they exited according to the guides’ instructions.
– Finally starting… Hey, didn’t you say you’re selling snacks? Where?
– Three of us are doing takoyaki… So don’t come and ruin our sales.
– Ruining sales? Look at you, acting all high-and-mighty against customers trying to give you a boost.
The students are on standby until the audience has fully exited.
Eavesdropping on their chitchat here and there, they all seemed excited to enjoy the festival.
‘Since there’s no special schedule until the third day of the entrance exam, everyone’s probably just looking to have fun… By the way, I wonder how much mana everyone’s drained…’
After scanning the surroundings, I rubbed my tingling right arm.
Maybe it’s because I lost a lot of mana, but I felt empty inside. It’s rapidly refilling in real-time, yet my stomach felt hollow.
I knew I would be absorbing a lot of mana in advance, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.
Besides, the mana was directed towards the Tower of Growth. With the entrance exam coming up soon, I was curious what was going to happen.
‘What was it again about what I’d be doing with my mana… What the hell is everyone pulling so much mana for?’
Would the mana drain so heavily that I would have to pull from my surroundings?
In fact, at the end of the opening ceremony, one student almost collapsed from mana exhaustion, but I managed to pull in mana from the surroundings to cover it up.
It sounds cocky, but if it weren’t for me, another student would have passed out from mana drain already.
Normally, drawing mana from the surroundings to compensate like that would be considered impossible.
It’s like cramming raw energy into a car haphazardly. If this were normal, the circuits and core would be totally wrecked.
But for someone with mana affinity like me, it’s doable. I can lump together natural, unrefined mana as much as I want and make it my own.
– …Hey, didn’t all the mana from around here just flow over there?
– You felt it too? I thought it was just my imagination. But over there…
– To be precise, it seems to all have gone into that guy…?
Quite a few people had noticed that change.
As I looked at those sneaking glances at me, I noticed there were many mages sensitive to the fluctuations in mana.
‘Hmm…’
Listening to the whispers, I pondered for a moment.
The ability to pull in mana from the surroundings is a huge advantage.
I didn’t want to reveal this info unnecessarily, so I kept it under wraps, but enough students seemed to have caught onto it.
You know what they say? A word without feet flies a thousand miles? There are no perfect secrets, and now there’s a chance one of my abilities could be disclosed.
‘Actually, it wouldn’t be a big deal to share it now.’
I didn’t take it too seriously. In fact, I wiggled my right hand with an indifferent expression.
The reason I avoid revealing my secrets is that I don’t know what kind of schemes might come from outside.
Especially after realizing the equalization back in Siphnaha, I became more cautious.
Equalization is a bizarre ability that blatantly stirs the conventional wisdom of the world.
Even a slight glimpse of subtle changes could create waves in the world if the exact function was revealed, comparable to equalization.
I was afraid that the schemes and threats I experienced in the seventh round would be replicated in reality.
I was also worried if I opened my mouth too much and got my weaknesses exploited.
‘I’m okay now, though.’
But I didn’t fret as much anymore.
I’m no longer in a position to get pushed around. Just in terms of sheer strength, I now stand at a level where I can tear apart any of the schemes thrown at me.
After all, my abilities have fewer weaknesses to exploit. I can keep altering my abilities, so how could anyone hit all my weak points?
If they try to poke at my weaknesses, I have fewer things to be afraid of in the first place.
Moreover, in terms of power, I’ve got a solid stake.
Right now, I still have the authority given to me by Maxwell from the association, right? Since the leaders of the association are in hiding, my level of authority is higher than that of an ordinary council member.
I also have the staff I received from Lady Ariel, the founder of the Magic Association, so if I expose my powers, both the association and the observatory would naturally be on my side.
Shio-ram is already on my side… hopefully…
Anyway, exposure of equalization isn’t that big of a deal anymore.
I’m hiding my true strength out of fear it might get revealed, but it wouldn’t cause any trouble if it were discovered.
I’ve become stronger. It’s not like I’m fully confident about being able to fend off an invasion, but I’m definitely not weak enough to be buried without a fight.
Even if some faction decides to bury me, I could easily turn the tables on them.
So, I have no reason whatsoever to fear anyone I meet.
“Ha-yul, do you have some time right now? Grandpa wants to meet you.”
[Huh…]
[Concern]
[Fear]
But that person kind of scares me for a different reason.
Just as I was trying to puff up my shoulders, they hunched back down…
“Hey, don’t be intimidated.”
Noticing the anxious look on my face, Yeon-hwa smirked and hugged me tightly, disregarding the gazes around us.
“If Grandpa tries to do something weird, I’ll stop him, it’s okay…”
[Happiness]
[Warmth]
[Smell of milk]
[Worry…]
I found myself losing my mind in that embrace, but my concerns didn’t fully dissipate…
.
.
.
Following Yeon-hwa, we arrived at a teahouse.
A building resembling a hanok made of dark wood. A staff member was waiting to greet us right from the entrance.
Guided by the staff, we moved into a room inside the building.
– Click!
The staff opened the door and stepped back. Yeon-hwa walked in first, and I followed her.
Inside was a long table laid out, and instead of chairs, cushions were arranged for sitting on the floor.
“Welcome.”
Moreover, there was already a guest seated facing the door. An elderly man, sitting on a cushion across from the door, sipped his tea.
“Yeah, Grandpa knows how to hurry up, right? Good job!”
“Of course, you’re my only granddaughter. Don’t just stand around, sit down.”
The old man and Yeon-hwa exchanged casual banter.
Nodding at the hand that patted my back, I sat down softly on the cushion after Yeon-hwa.
‘So this is Yeon-hwa’s grandfather…’
Sitting next to Yeon-hwa, I felt my throat go dry.
I quietly observed the elderly man calmly drinking tea while sitting cross-legged.
His hair was white but not limp, and he had surprisingly few wrinkles for his age.
Additionally, the physique hidden under his clothing wasn’t weak at all. I could sense he had the kind of strength that could effortlessly bring down a building with just a flick of his wrist.
‘Gop-hwa.’
As I heightened my mana detection level, I could feel the dormant flames within him.
They were submerged like a tranquil ember, but if the wielder wished, they could ignite the world in an instant—Gop-hwa.
Hong Sung-jin, Yeon-hwa’s grandfather, was a former head of the Gop-hwa Clan.
He was also a rare individual who had retired from the head position while still alive.
Typically, those who rise to the position of clan leader, being supreme beings, lead long lives, but many leave this world without enjoying a full lifespan.
That’s due to the fact that in this line of work, few live to see a ripe old age.
However, it’s rare for someone like Hong Sung-jin, who retired without a scratch, to become a senior council member of the Gop-hwa Clan.
‘But I haven’t met him before…’
During the last break, I visited the Gop-hwa Clan. I had already met several members of the council who were residing at the clan, but I hadn’t met Hong Sung-jin.
I heard he went to a magic realm at that time.
It seemed a bit weird that someone retired would go on such a trip, but I heard he was still quite vigorous.
For that very reason, he had participated in the previous magic realm expedition and made quite an impact.
The former head of Gop-hwa. He may have stepped down from active duty, but his skills are still top-notch. Any typical individual wouldn’t dare look him in the eye.
‘I’m nervous…’
To me, that dazzling title pales in comparison to the weight of just being “Yeon-hwa’s grandfather…”
“So, you must be the one named Lee Ha-yul?”
The old man placed his teacup on the table. At the same time, his gaze, which had been fixed on the tea, turned toward me.
Although the light had dimmed slightly, his distinctly fiery red eyes reflected my figure.
[Yes, I am Lee Ha-yul.]
In response to his sudden question, I answered as if I’d been expecting it.
As his voice rang out monotonously, the old man’s gaze shifted down to the necklace bearing my confession.
“Hm, I heard you’re having trouble with your eyes and throat, but it seems you’re managing with artifacts.”
[That’s correct.]
“I heard you’re using detection ability to compensate for your eyes, but I also heard you’ve been able to open them recently.”
[Yes, there’s been some improvements.]
“Good to hear. You’ve been through quite a lot at a young age, haven’t you?”
What should I say to that? Should I say there was no issue? Or should I admit it was really tough even with the detection ability?
While I pondered for a moment, the old man nodded to himself and took another sip of tea before continuing.
“I’m sorry for calling you out when the kids are having fun. I missed the chance to meet you last time, so I thought I should at least see your face this time.”
[No, there’s no need to apologize. I was actually thinking of visiting to meet you, Grandpa.]
This time as I shook my head to show my sincerity, the old man smiled brightly.
“Unlike others, you’re a well-mannered kid.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“Would I just lump everyone together and insult them?”
“Unbelievable.”
Yeon-hwa grumbled while the old man shrugged his shoulders.
“Yeon-hwa, you’re old enough now to handle your own affairs. It might be annoying if I interfere too much, right?”
“Exactly! I can manage on my own now.”
“I figured as much. I could handle my own affairs quite well at your age and wanted the same.”
The old man’s gaze returned to me.
“That’s all it is. I just wanted to see your face; it’s not like I called you here to judge you arbitrarily.”
“Well, still… you had to have formed an impression of me.”
[?]
Yeon-hwa, who shrugged her shoulders, suddenly pulled me in, wrapping her arms around me.
As I sat quietly, I was pulled helplessly into Yeon-hwa’s embrace. My eyes went wide in surprise.
“Aren’t I pretty?”
“Hmm, for your personality, you’ve certainly captured a very decent kid.”
The old man nodded more vigorously than he had in our entire meeting.
[??]
My head was filled with question marks as things took an unexpected turn.
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