Chapter 19 – The Falling Blossoms of the Rhododendron (2)

Was this some sort of divine trust or something? All these mystical things are like that.

“Thank you.”
“Yes, and I have a message.”
“What is it?”
“In three days, they plan to raid the academy. They say the time has come, as Azalea, the prospective apostle, has grown sufficiently.”

So soon?
I was going to respond, but I calmly closed my mouth and thought.
The Azalea I saw then wasn’t that strong.

‘Of course, the spirits she used were only at a beginner level. If she managed to subdue a wolf monster with a beginner spirit, her ability to wield them must be sufficient.’

I nodded my head, conveying my understanding. Those wearing hoods bowed to me and disappeared like the wind.

‘Not being told the exact time and place means they still don’t trust me. That’s to be expected.’

Perhaps they’re testing me with this situation.

‘Are they planning to kidnap Azalea?’

With that thought in mind, I hoisted the bag containing the sword and snickered.

‘Not a chance.’

Though it was an opportunity to screw the World Tree, I intended to betray them, taking only the sweet rewards for myself. The reason for this was simple.

I detest NTR with a passion.

* * * * *

– Clang!

Betrayal aside, there was a more pressing matter at hand: how far could I go against that sham of an armed faction?

Naturally, my top priority was my own strength – my personal combat prowess. Time was short, so I skipped my morning classes and sequestered myself in the training grounds, swinging my sword tirelessly.

– Kaang!

As I struck the back of the wooden training dummy’s head, I calmly assessed my own abilities.

‘At best, I’m only at the level of a beginner hunter.’

It’s disheartening. Of course, I had still grown considerably stronger compared to right before my enrollment.

【 Abilities 】
– Strength 5.1

– Endurance 4.2
– Agility 3.9
– Stamina 4.5
– Magical Power 4.1

These stats had improved considerably, and they were not inferior when compared to the other students at the academy. The rapid growth in abilities was likely due to their latent potential. Perhaps, with a few more months of training, they would be able to rival Sansuyu or Jung Si-woo?

– Gikigigik!

Reaching out towards the wooden doll that was forced to stand, they invoked their magical power. In the confined, oppressive space, a surge of azure magic emerged, forming a translucent blade.

Intermediate magic: three Wind Cutters.

The three blades, launched like arrows in different directions, tore the doll to shreds. Yet, it still wasn’t enough. Sitting on the bench and checking their phone, they saw it was filled with missed calls—presumably from skipping class.

– Lee Se-Young (27 missed calls)

‘Why did they call so many times?’

Glancing at the time, it was precisely break time. They contacted Se-Young.

Ddururu- [Why didn’t you answer?!]

The ringtone hadn’t even sounded once when Se-Young answered the phone and asked in a challenging tone.

“Uh… I’m in the training room right now.”
[You lunatic. Shouldn’t you at least come out during the designated time? Do you think the teacher is a joke?]
“That’s not it, but why are you making such a fuss?”
[You met Lee Seong-Han yesterday, didn’t you?… Shouldn’t you have at least contacted me?]

So, she was worried because I didn’t leave school overnight after meeting Lee Seong-Han.
I guess I was a bit thoughtless. But was her personality always like this?

“Are you lonely?”
[Don’t give me that ‘lonely’ crap. I’m your homeroom teacher. Do you know how hard it is to look after a troubled student?]
“I was worried, really worried. You’re a kind teacher.”
[Quit the nonsense. I’m hanging up.]

-Click.

I shoved the phone, which had been abruptly hung up by the other party, into my pocket and continued with my training.

The battle with the wooden dummy was as real as actual combat, so I quickly became accustomed to the fight.

The surge of magical power. A burning sensation throughout the body. The shifting positions of muscles.

The wooden doll’s abilities had already reached their peak.

“Next.”

-Creak-creek!

The newly appeared wooden doll burrowed into my embrace even faster than I did. I gripped the bastard sword in a reverse grip, allowing the blade to flow freely.

Just as I attempted to trip and flip the doll, it took a step back, widening the distance between us. I too closed in on it, using footwork to my advantage.

Upon seeing me quickly give chase, the doll’s expression seemed contemplative, and it swung its sword belatedly.

Not missing the movement, I extended my fist.

Wooden Fist Technique.

As my fist imbued with magical power tapped the doll’s chest, its entire body exploded violently.

‘As expected.’

Flawless manipulation of magical power.

The second ability of Hyperion’s mask shone brilliantly.

-Effect 2: Upon equipping, instantly increases Charisma by 3 and grants a significant bonus to mana manipulation.

A considerable bonus to mana manipulation. I wasn’t fond of the vague description, but it undeniably provided substantial assistance.

As it had demonstrated its worth in practice, who could argue against it? Techniques like the one I just employed to cause an internal explosion were now feasible.

“Alright, moving on.”

-Thump! Thump!

At that moment, as I was sharpening my weapon,
someone knocked on the door.

I turned my head, glancing at the glass wall near the entrance, and saw an irritated Lee Se-Young holding a large basket.

“Eh? Why is the teacher here-“
“Open up.”

-Creak.

“Do you have anything to say?”
“No, but…”
“At least say something before you leave!”
“Ah, sorry! My apologies.”

I opened the door, and Lee Se-Young clung to me, putting me in a headlock. With her arms around my neck, she repeatedly struck the top of my head.

-Whack! Whack!

“Enough talking. Why are you here? Did you really not want to see me that much?”
“No, why would I not want to meet you, Teacher?”
“Tell me why!”
“Well? Ugh!”

– Thwack! Thwack!

It was excruciatingly painful.

Only after a small bump formed on my head did she finally let me go. I rubbed the top of my head and whimpered, while Se-Young gazed at me with a slightly less angry expression and slyly extended the basket she had brought.

“What’s this?”
“Never mind, just open it.”

The picnic basket was filled with sandwiches.

“Eat. I’ll give you an extra rice cake, you ungrateful one. I bought it thinking you probably hadn’t eaten.”
“But I already ate.”
“Quiet and eat. You need to eat well to grow.”
“But I’m on a diet.”
“…So you’re not eating?”

Seeing Se-Young looking a little teary-eyed, I put a sandwich in my mouth, fearing that if I teased her further, I might get hit like before. It was a rather tasty homemade crabmeat sandwich.

“And you can gain a little weight.”
“What?”
“I think you’d still look unattractive even if you lost weight.”
“Damn. That’s really hurtful. So why are you here?”

Se-Young took an apple juice from her basket, inserted a straw, and placed it in my mouth.

“Can’t do it?”

The slightly raised corners of her mouth were rather endearing. Well, there’s nothing impossible about it. But, no matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t seem like something a woman who tried to take advantage of me would do.

‘What does it matter?’

I sipped the beverage. She had even prepared an ice pack on her way here, so the slightly chilled apple juice was incredibly sweet.

It felt as if my stifled insides were easing a bit.