Chapter 22 – The Falling Flowers of Rhododendron (5)

Afternoon. A one-on-one combat class.

As I sat down, I looked around the arena where swords and magic were clashing violently.

Thanks to Lee Se-Young’s quick response, I was able to skip training under the pretext of a physical injury.

*Clang! Clang!*

The arena was bustling with ongoing duels.

The cadets’ swords were targeting each other, their feet moving rapidly to maintain distance.

I etched the images of these cadets in my mind like a painting, capturing the vivid intensity of the scene.

The pungent smell of iron wafting through the air, the exhilarating cries fueling the excitement, the heat of the rising flames, the graceful flow of water, and the biting gust of wind.

Manipulating my body’s mana, I practiced swordsmanship dozens of times within my head.

An involuntary smile spread across my face.

“My choice wasn’t wrong.”

Up until now, my expertise hadn’t been deep enough to attempt stealing all the sword techniques and magic.

However, with my current level of skill, it was now possible.

My talent, immense potential.
I capture all the swordsmanship and magic of the students standing here within my gaze.

The prodigious ability surpasses the heavens with Mount Taesan under its control, and like a blank canvas, it gradually absorbs their essence merely by holding their traits in view.

Red, blue, yellow,
Distinctive talents entwine, creating a free-spirited canvas that takes on the form of an inkstone, dyed black with the mingling colors of each individual’s personality.

Above it, black ink gradually rises. Even the vessel struggles to contain the power properly.
The inspiration that flickers through my mind knows no end.
As my skills improve, my nerves burn red-hot.

– Swish.

A burning sensation in my fingertips. Instinctively, my right index finger twitches.
Following the pain, mana flows, naturally expanding the receptacle.
Even the agony of injury is transmuted into strength.

Before I knew it, I had grasped the techniques of everyone in this place.

‘Even to my own thinking.’

It is indeed a ferocious talent.

– Oof! Ugh!

A violent tremor courses through my entire body.
Gradually, I lift my previously closed eyelids.

-Fluttering.

Black magic flickers above my fingers.

My first ability, one I believed to be complete.
Yet even this is utterly destroyed by me just one second later.
Gazing at the dark flames encircling my heart, I can’t help but murmur.

“Not enough.”

I still have a long way to go.

* * * * * *

Observing the bent shoulder, I read the sword’s trajectory and swing the blade I hold in reverse.

– Whiik!

Sansuyu deflects the predictable attack.
Moments before our swords clash, I twist the wrist gripping my sword and let it flow past.
The redirected blade strikes the back of Sansuyu’s sword, causing it to fall from her wrist.

“…!”

The vibrant yellow magic of Sansuyu can be felt on the surface of her skin.

Sansuyu, having lost her sword, gathers magical energy throughout her body and quickly lunges toward me.
Unable to surpass her speed, I instantly abandon my sword and block Sansuyu’s fist with my elbow.

– Paang!

The two surges of magic intertwine and explode.

Each of us stepped back and picked up our swords, checking each other’s countenance as we gasped for breath.

“Shall we continue?”
“Continue.”

Breathing heavily with her mouth agape, Sansuyu urged her opponent on. Though she was physically superior, she likely tired first due to the immense pressure of my swordplay.

I changed my sword grip to match Sansuyu’s style, eliciting a flicker of emotion on her face. Jealousy, perhaps? It was difficult to discern, given her pure and expressionless demeanor.

We closed the distance between us.

“Narrow your stance a bit,” I advised.

I parried her sword.

“It’s good to exert force, but your balance is slightly off.”

Following her sword strike, I extended my leg, aiming for her shin. Sansuyu quickly retreated.

“You went too far back this time.”

With my free hand, I reached out and tapped Sansuyu’s abdomen.

*Paang!*

Sansuyu, who had swiftly gathered her energy around her midsection, was pushed back by my power.

Today marked the first time our swords crossed, yet there was an undeniable sense of excitement and elation.

“You’ve improved quite a bit.”
“…What are you talking about?”

Sansuyu’s face displayed genuine surprise. It was a rare sight to see a crack in her usually stoic expression.

“It’s quite different compared to last time.”
“I suppose so.”

There’s always a steep price to pay for abandoning one’s appearance.

“But you’re still no match for me.”

I sheathed my sword and sighed.
It wasn’t a joke; even when I poured all my magical power into the fight, I was genuinely weaker than Sansuyu.

My base abilities were much lower. The difference in magical power was also significant. My slumped shoulders and lingering fatigue were clear evidence of my drained magical energy.

On the other hand, Sansuyu, though tired, still had glistening skin. She maintained her captivating beauty.
It was as if her mana reserves were overflowing with energy.

“You. Your growth seems too rapid.”
“Huh?”
“I’m talking about your progress.”

Sansuyu, however, still found it hard to believe.
Wiping away a bead of sweat, she regarded me with skeptical eyes.

“Is there… some deception at play?”
“No, not at all.”

“Magic is a lie, and so is skill.”

Is that how others perceive it? My growth has been extraordinarily rapid lately.
But a deceiver? Is that something Cornus should say?

Who is this woman, after all?
Isn’t she a noble Cornelian tree, partaking in all sorts of elixirs and potions?
Cornus’ talent was not to be underestimated, as she flawlessly incorporated my feedback into her own swordsmanship.

Given that I, who was technically far superior, was gradually being pushed back, it was safe to say that Cornus’ prowess was unparalleled.

“But isn’t a good thing still good?”

So, I brought it up.
Whether it was Cornus or me, this duel provided an opportunity for us to surpass our current level.

Cornus, who was looking at me with her plump face, pursed her lips and then softly spoke.

“…I concede.”
“Right?”

In any case, the duel ends here.
At this point, I believe I’ve grown enough not to be easily defeated and left behind.

To progress further, I need to raise my abilities, but there’s simply no time for that.

Ultimately, all I could do now was to rally my allies.

‘A person capable of protecting Azalea.’

Jung Si-woo. Cornus.
These two are irregulars, so they would most likely easily dispose of any enemy that appears before them.

This was also vouched for by Lee Se-Young.

– First-year top and second-ranking students? They don’t falter even when compared to active heroes.

Since their basic abilities are inherently different, they need to be positioned near Azalea.

In my case, I can temporarily increase my power, but it quickly leads to overheating.
It’s uncertain how long I can maintain that state using the technique nearing completion.
It’s like attaching a cheap cooler to a state-of-the-art CPU.

To execute an attack with maximum power, I must repeatedly hit and retreat.
Thus, it’s too much for me to protect Azalea by myself.

‘Complicated.’

“Si-heon, what are you thinking about?”
“It’s not ‘Sean,’ it’s ‘Si-heon.'”
“…Si-heon.”

I turned my head to look at Cornus. Her bright yellow eyes blinked.

“Do you know Azalea?”
“Who?”

“Azalea, uh… Pink hair?”
“Pink… Pink Chaeng? I think I’ve seen that before.”

*Flinch*

“Where did you hear that?”
“On the internet.”
“Where?”
“Tree Side? Tree Inside?”
“Uh… How did you end up on that site?”
“…Jihoo showed me a comic. It was in the comments. Pink hair is called Pink Chaeng.”

Secretary…
I’ve just reevaluated the secretary inside me.

“Let’s not visit that site.”
“Why?”
“Listen to a friend’s advice.”
“Friend…”

Sansuyu seemed to be conflicted internally, then looked up at me and tilted her head.

“…So, what should I do for a cultural experience?”
“What?”
“Si-hoo said that young people’s culture these days is something we should learn, and he told me to watch it occasionally. If I don’t watch, what should I do?”
“Uh…”

I rested my chin in my hand and contemplated, pointing with my thumb to the outside of the training ground.

“Shall we go eat first?”
“They told me not to eat outside.”
“Breaking parents’ rules is part of it.”
“Is that so?”

In times like this, it’s fried chicken and beer (chimaek).

I left the training ground two hours early and found a nearby pub. Even though the sun was still high in the sky, there was something about daytime drinking that felt more authentic.

When the draft beer and chicken arrived, a questioning look filled Sansuyu’s eyes.

“Beer.”
“Hm?”
“It’s my first time trying it.”

As I tore off a chicken leg from the dish I ordered, I encouraged Sansuyu to do the same.

“Should I eat this?”
“Don’t use chopsticks. Use your hands.”
“With my hands?”

Sansuyu cautiously picked up a chicken leg and took a bite. A satisfying crunch accompanied her chewing.

“It tastes different from the chicken at home.”
“Food always tastes better when eaten outside. That’s an unwritten rule. Try some beer too.”

Sansuyu gulped down the beer and set the glass back down before letting out a short, cute burp.

– Pffft.

It was an endearing sound, like the air being let out of a balloon. Sansuyu didn’t seem embarrassed, her face remaining unfazed. I, too, savored my beer along with the chicken. The bubbly carbonation and pleasant bitterness lingered in my mouth.

“Happiness doesn’t have to be complicated. Chicken and beer, that’s happiness.”
“Happiness?”
“Do you feel it?”
“Maybe.”

Sansuyu lowered her head and looked at the glass she was holding.
Droplets of water gathered at the rim and trickled down onto her wrist.

No matter how many times I’ve seen her, I can’t figure out what she’s thinking.
Does she truly feel emotions, or did she genuinely grow up this way? It was evident that she, too, belonged to the Azalea family.

If Azalea was overly sensitive, then Sansuyu would be excessively unresponsive.

“Anyway, drink up. Keep sipping until you understand. Okay?”
“Oka…y.”
“Now, let me teach you how to eat green onion chicken. Stuff a lot of green onions in like this and open your mouth wide.”
“Ah-“

Sansuyu, who had placed the chicken in her mouth, diligently moved her jaws, then slightly furrowed her brow.
She might not be aware of much else, but it seemed she could feel the spicy sensation.

“…My nose hurts. And my tongue hurts too.”
“Aha, that’s the spiciness. It’s part of Korean culture.”

Sansuyu, diligently working her cheeks, stealthily wiped away tears with her index finger.

“It doesn’t seem too bad, actually. Is this what culture is?”
“Yes, that’s right. This is culture.”

Entering the Tree Inside is forbidden. I’ve been to that place briefly in this world, and it corrupts people. Innocent women like Sansuyu can become tainted if they veer off course even slightly.

Those born a shade of gray can blend in some black without it being noticeable, but the essence of white is lost with even the slightest impurity.

– Munch, munch.

“It hurts.”

– Munch.

“…It hurts.”

Sansuyu, who had been eating green onion chicken continuously, let out a series of moans. It seemed she was addicted to the stimulation.

“Are you okay?”

After finishing the meal, I cautiously asked Sansuyu.

“Yes.”

Sansuyu still nodded her head, her face expressionless. There was a small tear at the corner of her eye. Seeing her like this, I felt a stroke of luck.

“So, I have a favor to ask of you—”

When I explained the situation with an apt metaphor, Sansuyu readily agreed. It was a friend’s request, after all. She had learned this from her secretary.

It was in that moment that my opinion of the secretary rose again within me.