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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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‘Huh? What’s this?’
The moment Lee Hwa-ryeong grasped Lee Seok-hyun’s hand and infused mana into him, she was taken aback. There was no trace of mana, which should have been present even in the smallest amount in any ordinary person.
Well, there was a trace, but it was so minuscule that she doubted whether it could even be called mana.
‘He solved those problems with this little mana? He can’t even sense mana, so he wouldn’t even know what it feels like.’
It was practically impossible. It was like saying someone had read and summarized a text without being able to see and without any assistance.
He had solved artifact circuit problems and mana formula problems without any context.
‘There’s no cheating on the exam.’
Lee Hwa-ryeong hadn’t even considered the possibility of Lee Seok-hyun manipulating his score through cheating. Mirinae Academy wasn’t that lax.
‘Then he really did the impossible.’
He was like an onion; the more layers she peeled back, the more she discovered. And at the same time, she realized that his inability to properly manipulate mana wasn’t a lie.
It was natural for him to struggle with this little mana.
‘It’s understandable that he asked for help.’
A professor’s duty was to guide students towards the right path, especially in times like this. So, she infused mana into him.
‘Huh?’
And immediately, the mana manipulation, which she thought would be over in an instant, hit a snag.
‘It’s not working?’
Normally, when connecting mana, unless it was Special Mana, it should flow through the body like a flash flood once it found its path. And with her, a leading figure in mana research, guiding the process, it should have been over even faster.
Lee Hwa-ryeong couldn’t fathom why Lee Seok-hyun’s mana wouldn’t budge no matter how much she infused.
Who would believe such a nonsensical situation, where someone had Special Mana but no basic mana?
‘…This can’t be happening.’
Normally, she would have sensed something was wrong and investigated Lee Seok-hyun, but…
Currently, the atmosphere in the classroom was focused on helping the class president. She felt that if she backed out now, saying she couldn’t do it, or that there was a problem, it could shatter their trust.
‘It’s because it’s been a while. It’s my first time circulating such a small amount…I just need to infuse more.’
Lee Hwa-ryeong, who had once reached the Dragon’s Nest, was confident in her abilities. This was her chance to showcase her true prowess as the representative magic professor and impress Lee Seok-hyun, convincing him to choose magic as his sole major.
Having decided on this perfect plan, she continued to infuse mana to circulate his seemingly immobile mana.
“…Ugh…!”
And she realized something was terribly wrong.
‘It’s too fast.’
At first, she was simply infusing mana, but now Lee Seok-hyun’s minuscule mana was reacting to it, pulling it in.
The problem was that the pulling force was stronger than the rate at which she was infusing mana.
Had she been too complacent?
If it were a real battle, she would have activated her full mana manipulation capabilities and continuously generated mana, but…
Her desire to focus Lee Seok-hyun on magic and her underestimation of a mere first-year student had driven her to the edge of a cliff.
‘If I suddenly change my mana manipulation now, we could both get hurt.’
Having no choice but to do her best under the current circumstances, Lee Hwa-ryeong poured all her remaining mana into him.
Thud.
And then she collapsed.
‘I need to find an excuse…’
As she slowly closed her eyes, she frantically searched for a way to salvage the situation when she woke up.
She would never admit it was due to her lack of ability.
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‘Mana exhaustion, huh?’
It wasn’t anything serious. It was probably a side effect of Natural Mana consuming a large amount of basic mana.
Since he couldn’t generate mana on his own, it was only natural that his Natural Mana wouldn’t let go of the first mana source it encountered.
It was a minor ailment; she would regain consciousness in about a minute. I calmly helped her up and sat her down on a chair.
‘What should I do now?’
I hadn’t anticipated the situation unfolding this way, so I spent that empty minute contemplating what to say.
‘Right, I’ll just stay quiet.’
After a few seconds of contemplation, I decided the best course of action was to ‘do nothing.’
It would be awkward to pretend I hadn’t noticed anything and then suddenly start making excuses.
There was no need to tarnish my image by explaining how the mana exhaustion happened, that it was my fault, and all those other details.
Since I was already seen as the class president, it would be more beneficial to maintain that perfect image and make it seem like I always had a hidden motive.
Besides, I firmly believed that Lee Hwa-ryeong would handle the situation herself if I just stayed quiet for a minute.
“Ugh… It seems I collapsed from exhaustion due to yesterday’s research. I apologize for showing such a sight during our first class.”
I knew that because she had a strong sense of pride. Who would honestly admit that a professor collapsed during the first class while infusing mana into a student?
“Thank you for perfectly completing my mana manipulation despite being in such a difficult situation.”
And at that moment, to protect her pride, I bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle and expressed my gratitude.
It was a gesture meant to ease her worries about not being able to finish the mana manipulation and prevent her from calling me aside to try again.
It would be problematic if the fact that I had no basic mana and only Special Mana was revealed this early.
‘There would be at least a hundred research papers written about me, and I can’t let that happen.’
The only person who should know about the existence of Natural Mana in my body was Acasa, who would eventually confirm it for the sake of the single-lineage inheritance. My physical condition should never be revealed to anyone else.
“Yes, you may return to your seat.”
“Yes!”
I responded energetically and returned to my seat, immediately checking my Natural Mana proficiency.
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Natural Mana (Beginner) / Proficiency 90%
You are able to manipulate Natural Mana very slowly.
Your body is incapable of generating mana on its own.
Your proficiency is still insufficient to draw in surrounding mana.
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‘Perfect.’
It would have been better to reach the intermediate level, but this was more than enough. Now that I could at least manipulate it, my proficiency wouldn’t stagnate anymore.
I could now slowly circulate mana, connecting it to the outside world and raising my proficiency, even if it was a slow process.
‘If I occasionally ask Professor Lee Hwa-ryeong for help… I’ll reach the intermediate level in no time.’
The true value of Natural Mana was revealed at the intermediate level, so it was a crucial element to acquire before graduation. I had initially expected it to take about three years, but thanks to Ungbak’s internal organs, things were progressing smoothly.
‘Alright, then I just need to follow the class schedule.’
There was no benefit in getting ahead of the curve, so I slowly prepared to leave. Because…
“Now, try the mana manipulation we just practiced. If you have any difficulties, please let me know. And those who have finished can leave early.”
I knew Lee Hwa-ryeong’s teaching style better than anyone.
She hated inefficiency and strictly adhered to the class schedule, so she tended to let students who finished early leave first.
It was a considerate gesture, recognizing that students had different learning styles and allowing them to study independently.
We didn’t even have to ask permission to leave. We could just quietly slip out.
‘But I should at least let her know.’
I immediately stood up and approached Lee Hwa-ryeong.
“Professor, I think I’ve had an epiphany about mana manipulation. Would it be alright if I practiced on my own?”
“Of course! If you have any questions, feel free to come to me anytime.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed politely and left the classroom without looking back.
‘Now I need to find a secluded spot in the mountains.’
Slap.
As soon as I left the classroom, I felt something cling to my arm.
That familiar sensation from just 20 minutes ago.
I knew exactly what it was.
“…What are you doing?”
“I’m done too.”
For some reason, Meiri had been following me around ever since I punched her in the stomach.
‘She’s not a masochist, is she…?’
Just in case, I kept that possibility in mind as I continued speaking.
“But do you really need to be this close?”
“You said I could rely on you whenever I wanted.”
To think she remembered and was now using one of the lines I casually threw out after becoming class president.
Well, it was good that she felt comfortable relying on me, but did she really have to be so physically close?
‘Well, whatever.’
It wasn’t bothering me, so I decided to let her be for now. Shinmibi’s culture and customs were probably quite different from human society, so she would need some time to adjust.
“Where are we going?”
“The forest.”
“Oh, okay.”
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Meiri silently followed behind me, expressionless like a doll.
‘What is this?’
I felt like I was escorting a lost child from the zoo.
“I’m still growing, so don’t think of it like that.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Most people think that when they see me.”
This is why I dislike perceptive kids.
Thinking those thoughts, I set off to circulate Natural Mana on my own for the first time.
‘Acasa will be surprised.’
The future of the single-lineage inheritance looked very bright.
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Inside a dimly lit research lab…
Professor Gi Joo-seon chuckled as he examined the exam papers. His surroundings were cluttered with countless coffee cups, energy drinks, and research papers strewn about.
“To think someone solved this… A first-year, no less? That means he can fix artifact circuits?”
A talent, a true talent!
He repeated those words over and over, and then, as if he couldn’t stay seated any longer, he abruptly stood up.
“We can’t let such talent slip away from our research society!”
Rise, my research students!
At Professor Gi Joo-seon’s words, the research lab gradually brightened.
“Woooaahhh…!”
The research students, who had been sprawled on the floor, slowly rose one by one, their voices resembling the trolls from the practical exam.
Their sunken eyes, parched lips, and pale skin from lack of sunlight testified to their hard work. The lab had been dark because they were all huddled on the floor, blocking out all light.
“To the research student who brings Lee Seok-hyun to me first, I will grant a tremendous privilege: the opportunity to walk back to your dormitory on your own two feet and sleep for a full five hours, and a one-night, two-day vacation!”
At Gi Joo-seon’s booming declaration, the sunken eyes of the research students slowly came into focus, gleaming with an intense light.
“Gi Joo-seon! Gi Joo-seon! Gi Joo-seon!”
“He’s a god! He’s a god! He’s a god!”
“Let me have him! Let me have him! Let me have him!”
“Five hours of sleep? Does that mean I’ll finally get to sleep this week? Will I finally be able to experience the joy of sleeping by choice, not because I passed out from exhaustion?”
“Oh! Lee Seok-hyun, just hearing your name makes honey drip from my ears and fills me with the sweet harmony of heaven.”
“That’s just an auditory hallucination caused by psychological instability.”
“Oh, Lee Seok-hyun! Just hearing your name…!”
From the depths of their souls, those who coveted Lee Seok-hyun’s talent…
“Capture him! Make him our research student!”
…began to emerge.
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[anotha one]
poor research students
Lmao