49 – The Eve (2)

-Scratch.

-Scratch, scratch, scratch.

“…What are you doing?”

Ju Seo-jun found it utterly impossible to concentrate on the lesson. It was the first class he was attending since arriving at Gaon, and the person sitting next to him was simply too noisy.

The students from Kalos followed a different curriculum than those at Gaon. Therefore, to strike a balance, for the time being, the classes were combined in order to allow for adjustment.

“Don’t talk to me.”

Yun Chae-ha, head bowed and intensely scribbling, snapped back irritably.

Forgoing the lesson entirely, not even taking notes, she was busily occupied with something on her desk.

Yesterday was the same. She’d vanished somewhere as soon as the mentoring activities began.

‘What on earth is she doing?’

Ju Seo-jun leaned slightly to the side, trying to get a look at the desk top.

But the instant his gaze landed──

A flash.

Like a cat, fur bristling, hissing a warning, she swiftly shielded the book.

Her arm shot out, blocking it from view, her body subtly hunching over it, a clear display of guardedness.

Seemed like a book of some sort. Joo Seo-joon gave up. He was nearing the point where the professor’s gaze would sting.

“Ah.”

But just then, he remembered something he’d failed to mention yesterday.

He spoke softly.

“Keep this Saturday free.”

Yoon Chae-ha, still looking down at the book, replied.

“Why.”

“The Magic Tower is offering us a lesson.”

Originally, when leaving Carlos to come to Gaon, he’d thought his connection with the Magic Tower would be severed. But thankfully, the Magic Tower seemed to view him and her favorably, promising additional instruction. A fortunate turn of events, even for him.

In truth, the Magic Tower had already taken notice of their potential. From their perspective, holding onto talent like this was simply good business.

Joo Seo-joon naturally assumed she would be pleased.

“Hmm….”

But Yoon Chae-ha rested her chin on her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face.

“We don’t *have* to go, do we?”

She lightly tapped the desk with her fingers, replying slowly.

“Well… no, we don’t *have* to go…”

For Yoon Chae-ha, who rarely found things interesting, the Magic Tower was one of the few ‘fun places’. Therefore, he’d assumed she’d be delighted.

If nothing else, she always reacted to the lessons and research opportunities the Magic Tower provided.

“I won’t go.”

But this time, she spoke differently.

And, as if it were nothing, turned the page.

“It doesn’t sound fun.”

Joo Seo-joon wore a bewildered expression.

*

The reward for subduing Morass some time ago.

The award ceremony had concluded days before, but the actual prize remained elusive. He wondered when they’d finally receive it, and now, at last, they were being summoned.

It was this, and only this, I had been waiting for, neck craned.

Me, Cheon Yeoul, and Yoo Hana.

We stood before the armory operated by the Association.

This was the place where Gaon officially stored its spiritual medicines, artifacts, and armaments.

Just then, the Chairman, who had been waiting for us, greeted us with a beaming face.

“Alright, choose to your hearts’ content! Students.”

He gestured with both hands, a familiar, avuncular smile plastered across his face.

“Thanks to you all, Gaon was able to weather the storm without further damage. Hahaha!”

Not a lie.

If the three of us hadn’t been there at the time, the school would have been turned upside down.

“You may each select one item that you desire.”

The Chairman approached me, winking and patting my shoulder twice.

‘Disgusting…’

All showmanship, of course.

He was the one who had most vehemently opposed ‘non-military academy’ graduates during the entrance ceremony, claiming they would muddy the waters, but now he was making a fuss, calling us the pride of the school.

“Then, we shall open it.”

With his words, an Association employee brought their hand to a terminal.

The Chairman placed his palm on a scanner beside the massive door—

-Kugugugung.

The door to the enormous warehouse slowly creaked open.

And, the incredible sight contained within flooded our vision.

The interior of the warehouse was even larger than I had imagined.

‘Better than I expected.’

Spiritual medicines, artifacts, various weapons. Gaon’s warehouse was outstanding in both quality and quantity. These were all collected by Gaon’s founder. He was famous as a collector in his lifetime.

Probably, whatever you picked would be above average….

‘First, let’s see what those two choose.’

I already had a plan for what I would take. I had been hesitating, but yesterday I made up my mind completely.

First, I’ll see what Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana pick, and if

they aren’t great, it would be good to persuade them, or give recommendations.

I’m going to strip this place bare.

So, I stood back and quietly observed.

“Feel free to choose whatever you like!”

The Chairman said.

But, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘Look at this?’

At a quick glance, you wouldn’t notice, but looking closely, it becomes clear.

On the surface, everything seems quite alright. Looks good.

But upon closer inspection, the ‘truly’ alright and ‘truly’ good things were cleverly hidden within the mountain of goods.

Almost as if they were intentionally concealing the better items.

Yoo Hana made a beeline for the melee weapon section first.

And from deep within that pile, she pulled out a lightweight-looking bracer. A sort of wrist guard, it seemed.

A commonplace-looking cloth brace.

‘Not bad?’

However, I knew the true nature of that brace.

Not bad at all. No, if I were to be precise, she chose well. I glanced sideways at the Chairman.

She was pretending to maintain her composure, but I didn’t miss the slight flinch the moment she picked up the brace.

Yoo Hana came over, pulled the brace out, and immediately fastened it onto her wrist.

Then, she twisted her wrist this way and that, and asked me.

“How does it look?”

Good.

What she picked was an artifact crafted from the sinew of a Titan, one of the Greek deities. Not Earth technology, it must be something from a dungeon.

It would assist with strength development, and help with her overall training. Just in time, it’ll be a great aid to the Butterfly Sword technique she’s practicing.

“It’s alright.”

A good choice.

I nodded.

Then, she smiled and turned to face the Chairman.

“I’ll take this one.”

She said to the Chairman.

“…Ah, yes….”

The Chairman seemed momentarily flustered.

But he quickly composed himself, and promptly began recommending other magical items.

“How about that armor over there, Miss Hana? It boasts excellent magical resistance, and its protective capabilities are….”

He gestured toward a rather dashing suit of armor, adorned with elaborate decorations. Appeared fantastic on the surface. But in truth, it was all shine and no substance.

“….”

She glanced at the armor once, then turned her gaze to me. As if asking, ‘What do you think?’

I quietly shook my head. That one’s not good.

“It’s alright, I’ll take this.”

“…Very well.”

The Chairman had no choice but to reluctantly agree, his face a picture of displeasure.

Next up was Chun Yeoul.

She stifled a small yawn, covering her mouth with her palm as she moved toward the pile of artifacts.

And headed straight for the section brimming with sacred relics.

She reached out, plunging her hand into the artifact heap. After a few quick stirs, as if searching, she pulled her hand back out.

“!!”

The Chairman standing beside her nearly had a fit. The item she had picked out was a ring, a silver band crowned with a ruby gem.

‘No way.’

The Heart of Aurora.

I didn’t expect to find it here. That thing is truly exceptional.

Given the Saints must use both mana and divine power it is easy for an imbalance to form.

That ring perfectly manages such equilibrium. Preventing either from overpowering the other.

However, she proceeded to pick up another vial.

‘No.’

That one is, well, not great. Awful actually. Perhaps useful to a mage, but it’s a single-use elixir that temporarily inflates mana reserves. Utterly useless to Chun Yeoul.

Clutching the elixir and the ring, she walked directly towards us.

And asked me, “Which looks better?”

It was like asking me which I preferred, gold or rocks.

“Oh, that elixir looks exceptionally potent!”

The Chairman desperately pleaded the elixir’s virtues.

I quietly pointed to the ring on her left.

Cheon Yeoul regarded me steadily.

And, without much hesitation, tossed the elixir in her right hand behind her.

-Thud.

The elixir rolled uselessly across the floor.

In contrast, the ring on the palm of her hand emitted a soft, crimson glow.

“Haein-ah, then wear this…”

The moment she attempted to subtly offer her palm.

“Perfect timing, Director? Why don’t you slip this ring on her finger?”

Yu Hana interjected.

That instant.

Cheon Yeoul’s hand froze.

Then, she picked up the ring and thrust it onto her middle finger, pushing it firmly into place. She immediately stretched that middle finger, adorned with the ring, towards Yu Hana.

Yu Hana, gazing at Cheon Yeoul, tilted her head and admired it.

“Pretty~”

Cheon Yeoul responded with a smile.

“Thanks~”

Yet, she showed no sign of lowering her middle finger.

I turned my back on the frosty atmosphere and stepped forward.

Both Yu Hana and Cheon Yeoul possessed the perfect artifact for themselves.

Now, it was my turn.

I walked towards a more secluded, humble area.

There, a steel halberd leaned against the wall.

The sharp crescent blade, and the straight, reaching spearpoint.

I crouched down, examining it closely.

The surrounding weapons and treasures bore the marks of time. However, this particular steel halberd seemed to retain its original form.

Slowly, I approached, lightly placing my hand upon it.

“!”

Instantly, the surrounding temperature plummeted. Yet, no frost formed on the halberd.

Just now, the confirmation was complete.

“I’ll take this one.”

20 years prior. That which had descended upon this earth, a Doomsday Beast.

The fang of the Monstrous Dragon, Aldebaran.

‘Catastrophe.’

The weapon I sought.