The main purpose of the welcoming party is ultimately to build connections.
In this industry, luck and skill are important, but the presence or absence of connections is equally crucial.
The realm of superhumans encompasses various fields, but if we were to pick a representative one, it would definitely be ‘monster hunting.’
Fighting monsters with your life on the line is inherently dangerous, no need to say more.
While individual activities may yield lesser profits, forming a small party, even if it diminishes returns, is overwhelmingly safer. Surprisingly, it might even be more profitable than solo endeavors.
However, there’s a saying out there.
Wherever five people gather, there’s bound to be at least one fool.
How can I know if the guy right behind me doesn’t have a trashy soul and wouldn’t stab me in the back?
Even though the association has established a credit system and checks personal information before forming parties, who can predict how things will pan out in this world?
‘That’s why connections are important.’
Connections built over the four years to graduation will shine when we reunite in the field later.
It’s much more effective and stable to work with those with whom you’ve built a long-term friendship rather than someone you’ve just met.
That’s why Shio-ram encourages building connections. Plus, getting into Shio-ram suggests one’s potential is already somewhat guaranteed.
In truth, I should have been gradually building my network with my classmates here.
Even if I decided to go solo, there’s no harm in increasing my likability and then receiving help.
‘…I’m so tired.’
In a game, you just need a few options to click, but now I have to physically walk around and engage in real-time, face-to-face conversations!
Moreover, most of them come from well-to-do families, so their true intentions seep through in conversations, making it even more uncomfortable.
The special admission label is a guarantee. Though I have my doubts, I tried to cheerfully send away those who approached me to build connections, then escaped to the restroom.
‘…Should I leave soon?’
While attendance at the banquet is mandatory, there’s no rule that says I have to stay until the end. Some people likely just showed up to watch the beginning and then left.
With this poor spatial perception, I couldn’t check everyone out. However, I could identify some of the main characters based on their gender, physique, and particularly the nature of their magic.
I was merely staying to observe where most of the main characters congregated, and I had no reason to linger further. To be honest, I just wanted to go in since I was tired.
After ensuring no one was in the restroom, I took off my gloves.
I carefully inspected the faucet, distinguishing between hot and cold water, then washed my hands with warm water.
Since the last incident with the sunflower showerhead scalding me, I’ve been careful every time I use a faucet.
-Thud
Just as I left the restroom, someone bumped into my shoulder. Thankfully, it wasn’t a hard hit, but I almost found myself on the floor twice in one day.
“Tsk.”
The person who bumped into me clicked their tongue as if they were signaling me to hear and disappeared into the opposite hallway without so much as an apology.
Was it an accident or intentional?
If it were the first time I experienced something like this, I’d think it’s a mistake, but after several occurrences of similar incidents, my perception has leaned towards a weird form of harassment.
‘Sigh.’
I was left feeling airheaded since they vanished before I could say anything. For a moment, the absurdity hit me, and I let out a deep sigh as I changed direction.
‘…But at least it wasn’t too forceful.’
In the morning, I had been thrown to the ground.
Comparing the two shoulder bumps, it made me realize how kind Hong Yeon-hwa’s response had been.
One was a weak bump, while Hong Yeon-hwa delivered a full-body tackle.
But considering Hong Yeon-hwa has a fiery temperament, her inclinations are on the good side.
On further reflection, that person from earlier may not be too bad after all.
They didn’t spit at me, nor did they throw punches or kicks. They didn’t grab my hair and swing me around either.
Above all, considering their level of magic, if they had really intended to hurt me, my shoulder would have been torn apart.
Compared to those jerks from before, this person might even be nicer.
– Aaaaah…!
– Hey, hey, …you know!
– …I can’t see…
“?”
I heard a ruckus in my ear.
The direction was toward the center of the banquet hall. Has something happened? I hurriedly sped away to the bustling banquet.
– Boom…!
“Ugh…!”
“Haha! What’s wrong? Your sword’s getting sluggish!”
Expanding my spatial perception, I could see Hong Yeon-hwa fiercely swinging her sword on stage.
– Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
In the blink of an eye, their swords intertwined, repeatedly clashing. With the clear sound of impact echoing in my ears, the male cadet competing against Hong Yeon-hwa furrowed his brow and stepped back.
As if he couldn’t afford to lose, he increased his mana response. But it was clear it wouldn’t be enough as Hong Yeon-hwa’s sword moved first.
– Bang!
– Clash, clash, clash…!
An ornate sword dance. Excited cheers flowed even from below the stage.
‘Ah, I remember this sort of event now.’
As I stood there dazed, a memory lodged in a corner of my mind surfaced.
I had completely forgotten about it as my mind was preoccupied with other matters. Around the time the welcome party was just about to pick up steam, a few main characters were engaging in friendly sparring as a social event.
With Hong Yeon-hwa having a combat-loving inclination, her participation was almost guaranteed, and… most of her opponents were either Baek Ahrin or Katsuki Yusei from the Three-Shape Sword.
Katsuki Yusei is a major character with unique abilities related to swords, belonging to the Three-Shape Sword.
‘What a surprise.’
At first, I thought it was just a random sword fight, but upon closer observation, I realized their magic was entirely contained within their bodies, merely enhancing their physical abilities. The weapons themselves were wooden training swords.
Most importantly, neither side was using their unique abilities at all.
I calmed my racing heart and focused intently on the audiovisual display.
‘…Wow, how are they moving like that?’
I couldn’t help but be in awe.
The swords clashed rapidly, multiple times in less than a blink. Each retrieval transitioned smoothly to the next maneuver, drawing an involuntary admiration.
Even if you call someone a sword master, if they struck a regular person with such force, wouldn’t something break?
‘When did I get this far…?’
The admiration I initially felt turned into a shock, and soon I was left feeling overwhelmed at the thought that I had to reach this level someday.
‘…No, I mustn’t get defeated by my feelings. I can do this.’
I shook my head to dispel those sinking emotions.
On reflection, aren’t I at a far better position than they are? Even if this is a game, I possess future knowledge and have three inherent abilities when others typically have one.
Though I ended up with three curses attached, solving them means there are effectively no minus elements for me.
‘I can do this.’
I will succeed. I will definitely break these curses and enjoy a happy homebody life.
I made that promise to myself once again and meticulously watched the sparring.
As swords met with a dull thud, the sounds echoed, and then moments passed as they collided rapidly with brief, quick noises.
Watching the changing exchanges in the duel, I began to feel something strange.
Would a complete outsider, someone with no combat experience, feel anything by watching that? However, focusing by employing spatial perception revealed many insights.
‘What is this?’
I had never properly engaged in training. Over the past few days, I’d only memorized basic texts, mostly related to magic, so I knew nothing about martial arts.
With my spatial perception, allowing me to gather extensive spatial information, I dissected the whole combat process.
The momentum was discernible.
Grip technique. Why does he hold the sword like that? Why is he purposely leaving gaps to attack? Why is he choosing not to dive in there?
At first, I couldn’t find the answers. I was left with a pile of unanswered questions.
But then, gradually, I started arriving at my own answers.
He swings lightly to create openings. It’s light but not weak. Instead of a single powerful strike, he intersperses lighter blows.
‘Why does this make sense?’
I began to question it.
Of course, I do possess the Jack of All Trades ability.
I may not have reached the extreme of one particular field, but I can achieve above-average levels in nearly all domains.
That versatility must also include ‘swordsmanship’. So it’s not odd that I can read and analyze that.
But it seems too easy to read.
The information I perceive through spatial perception and visual observation has discrepancies.
Eyes cannot comprehend speeds that surpass common sight. The same goes for spatial perception, but the information absorbed through spatial perception gets stored deep within me.
Thus, the information accumulates. I gradually gather more reference material.
On top of that, the clear deep blue and fiery red magic emanating from their bodies become perceptible. I can feel how their magic solidifies into a strong body.
Magic affinity.
‘Ah.’
It was at this point that I realized.
These three abilities are intricately connected.
Through the process of perceiving the world with spatial perception, the enhancement from the Jack of All Trades ability digs deeper into understanding.
Moreover, thanks to my magic affinity, I can sense the currents of magic even where only spatial information would normally apply.
The same goes for other aspects. The abilities interlink and create a synergy effect.
The combination of these three powers… It was an epiphany.
‘Did I think wrong?’
Honestly, I began to wonder if I made a poor choice with Jack of All Trades. Is it really effective if it’s just mediocre?
If a sparrow tries to catch up with a stork, its legs will be torn apart. Even if I only focus on one area, it’s barely enough, so how could I ever succeed by putting my attention elsewhere? I thought.
But now, seeing the current situation, I might not have been wrong.
‘If I use this well…’
Suddenly, a thrilling sensation surged into my head.
At the same time, my spatial perception began to shift roughly, flickering as if it were glitching.
Information closed in and reopened repeatedly. It was as if the world was lighting up and then disappearing like a switch being flipped.
Something was changing in my spatial perception.
Amid it all, the friendly sparring was heading toward its climax.
With a smile of satisfaction from continuously pressuring her opponent throughout the duel, Hong Yeon-hwa landed a hit that sent Katsuki Yusei’s body flying.
“Gah…!”
The moment he shifted into a defensive stance, he was struck in a gap exposed by his recklessness. He managed to plant his feet before he was flung off the stage.
But Hong Yeon-hwa wouldn’t let that opportunity slip. She quickly pushed off the ground, drawing her arms back, tightly gripping her sword.
It was the start of a powerful strike. Normally, with a move that large, avoiding it shouldn’t be too hard, but for Katsuki Yusei, whose stance had already broken, it was impossible.
The pulled-back sword swung through a wide arc like a heavy weapon.
“Final─!”
The cheer erupted loudly. Yusei gritted his teeth and extended his sword.
– Bang!
In an instant, the sound of an explosive impact echoed, sending Yusei’s body soaring like a baseball not fully absorbing the shock.
‘Whoa.’
How hard did she hit for him to fly like that? While I was reveling in a high surge, my mouth dropped open in admiration as Yusei shot toward the wall.
?
‘Huh?’
What’s that? As Yusei came crashing toward the center of my spatial perception, my brain froze.
“Whoa! This… W-wait, what the hell?!”
Hong Yeon-hwa’s panicked shout echoed, mixing with the noises from below the stage. The sheer chaos was quickly closing in on my spatial perception… it was coming straight toward me.
Ah, I see now.
That’s coming directly toward me?
Caught up in the thrill, my awareness was sluggish to catch on.
I moved instinctively to dodge. However, this frail body wasn’t moving as I envisioned.
Strangely, there was no one around me. In other words, there was no one to help.
‘Damn it─’
Collision. My consciousness faded. It was as if stars were twinkling far away, invisible ahead.
Yet strangely enough.
Beyond the darkening consciousness, I saw the vision of Hong Yeon-hwa rushing toward me, teary-eyed.
Her fiery red hair fluttered as if it were burning.
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.
