—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
‘I should be able to train for about two hours.’
Each class was typically two hours long, so considering the break time, he had about two hours to spare.
His top priority was securing a safe and undisturbed environment for training. Ideally, he would have searched for a cave in the mountains or built a makeshift shelter, but…
‘Meiri tagging along is actually helpful in this situation.’
With her by his side, most potential threats were already eliminated, making things easier.
“Train comfortably. I’ll help you.”
“Are you sure?”
“I feel like I should do this much since I’m following you around.”
Despite her unfamiliarity with human society and culture, she was surprisingly perceptive and understood her position well.
Even though all she was doing was following him, she accurately grasped how her presence affected him.
“Well, thanks.”
“I’m actually quite helpful.”
“Uh…yeah.”
I involuntarily nodded at Meiri’s sudden self-promotion.
It was fascinating how she could express her emotions and communicate perfectly despite her clipped speech.
It seemed that being unable to communicate effectively and conveying emotions were separate issues. She was proving to be quite helpful in various ways.
‘Stop getting distracted and focus on what you need to do.’
I couldn’t waste time thinking about other things when she was even acting as my bodyguard so I could concentrate.
‘Only Natural Mana can generate and absorb mana from external sources.’
The reason why he had to manipulate Natural Mana was its unique characteristic. Unlike other Special Mana types, which required internal production for usage, Natural Mana could convert external mana into its own.
In other words, Natural Mana broke the paradox of being unable to use mana while enabling its use.
‘It’s the only hope for those who can’t use mana.’
Of course, since Lee Seok-hyun was the only one in “Final Destiny” who couldn’t use mana, it was more accurate to say it was his only hope.
A wave of tension washed over him as he attempted this for the first time.
“Alright, I’m going to start.”
“Okay, if I sense any danger, stop immediately.”
“Yes.”
With the 2nd ranked first-year student acting as his bodyguard, the risk of encountering danger during training was significantly reduced.
Trusting Meiri, I closed my eyes and focused on moving the minuscule Natural Mana within my body.
‘Oh…it’s working.’
The Natural Mana, which had initially refused to budge, was finally stirring.
It was definitely slow, to the point where it might take 24 hours of continuous practice to complete a full circulation, but the fact that it was moving was what mattered.
The purpose of circulation was to ensure that mana could be used naturally in any situation.
Ultimately, the storage capacity for mana was limited, and the pathways had to be well-maintained for efficient mana retrieval. This process of continuously repairing, reinforcing, and developing those pathways was mana circulation.
‘It’s the most basic of basics, but it’s something you have to do for the rest of your life.’
The power to clear blocked channels, increase mana output, and cast spells faster. That was why those who used mana dedicated their lives to efficient mana circulation.
‘First, let’s move the mana storage location to my heart.’
Since he couldn’t use ordinary mana, it was more efficient to change the mana storage location.
Normally, mana was cultivated in the center of the body, making it accessible from anywhere, but in Lee Seok-hyun’s case, it was more advantageous to move the storage to his heart and benefit from its power.
Natural Mana was as stable as Water Mana, so there was no risk in placing it near his heart. Moreover, this process was easier to accomplish when the amount of mana was small, making it a top priority.
‘Hoo…’
I focused all my senses on my Natural Mana, breathing naturally.
Thanks to the new effect from reaching 60% proficiency in Mind and Body Training, I gradually slipped into an unconscious state.
Calm and focused, I devoted all my energy to moving the mana.
From the dantian to the navel.
From the navel to the solar plexus.
And just as I was about to move it to my heart…
Tap.
“Ah.”
The flow broke.
As if to emphasize that my skills were still lacking, the Natural Mana refused to budge any further.
Still, it was a significant achievement to have moved it to the solar plexus with my current proficiency. I decided to be content with that for now.
“Are you done?”
“I think I’ll continue later. How much time has passed?”
“We’ll be right on time if we head to the Other Studies building now.”
“…? Are you going too?”
Meiri looked at me as if I had asked the most obvious question.
‘She doesn’t normally take Other Studies classes, does she?’
Meiri was supposed to be one of Lee Hwa-ryeong’s most cherished disciples, filling her schedule with magic classes from start to finish.
But now she was going to Other Studies?
‘Did she ask for my schedule and copy it?’
So that’s why she asked. She wanted to change her schedule.
To confirm, I asked Meiri directly.
“Did you match your schedule to mine?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Just because. And I’ll change it if it doesn’t suit me after observing the class.”
Oh, okay.
Her expression, which seemed to say, “Why are you asking so many questions?” made me shut up.
It was as if she was saying, ‘I copied your schedule, but it’s none of your business.’
There was no harm in having matching schedules, so I decided to let it go.
‘Now, let’s go to the next class.’
The next class was the main reason why he had enrolled in Mirinae Academy.
‘To think I’d actually be hammering metal…’
It was the blacksmithing class.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Baktor was a skilled blacksmith and a professor at Mirinae Academy, a figure with considerable influence in society.
He had crafted weapons for kings, forged swords for heroes, and even contributed greatly to magical engineering.
But even someone like him couldn’t escape…
‘I even abolished the rank restriction and removed the limit on the number of students…’
…the fate of an unpopular subject: cancellation.
The reason Baktor was popular was because of the quality of his weapons, not because people wanted to learn his blacksmithing skills.
Students wanted to hone their magic and martial arts, becoming heroes, not blacksmiths who supported them.
The combination of these two factors resulted in no one choosing Baktor’s class.
“At least I’m safe this year.”
As if to save Baktor from his annual cancellation woes, three students had signed up for the blacksmithing course this year.
And all three were from Class S.
Although he didn’t know their personal information since he was always cooped up in his forge, he knew this was his last chance.
‘I should greet them casually and then immediately teach them Mana Forging.’
Baktor had realized that the reason his classes were unpopular was because they were too traditional.
In other courses, students could use mana to cast magic or train with swords, giving them a sense of progress, but blacksmithing started with learning to handle fire and hammer metal, which offered relatively less immediate gratification.
That’s why he decided to speed up the curriculum.
‘Having them create weapons with mana… wouldn’t that be the best way to give them a sense of accomplishment?’
Baktor could already picture his students smiling happily as they learned Mana Forging. They would be so eager to learn that they would eventually develop a genuine interest in blacksmithing and diligently overcome any challenges.
The thought filled him with pride, so he opened all the doors to his classroom and waited for his students.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
“Welcome!”
He immediately stood up and welcomed them as enthusiastically as possible as soon as they entered.
Overwhelmed with joy after years of cancellations, Baktor hastily explained what they would be doing.
“What we’ll be doing today is Mana Forging. I’ll demonstrate using this specially crafted hammer to imbue mana and shape metal, creating artifacts.”
Contrary to Baktor’s expectations, which were filled with anticipatory gasps and excited expressions…
“Um, I’m just here to observe. Would it be alright if I just watched?”
…he was met with a cold rejection.
“I’m still not very good at mana manipulation, so I don’t think I’m ready for Mana Forging.”
…and a valid reason. Baktor’s expectations were crushed.
‘…’
A prospective student who wouldn’t participate because he was only observing, and a student who couldn’t participate in his meticulously prepared lesson due to lack of skill.
Baktor slumped his shoulders and nodded at the combination.
‘This class is going to be cancelled too.’
One student hadn’t arrived yet, but he could already foresee the inevitable cancellation. Baktor despaired.
In his despair, he failed to notice the glint in Lee Seok-hyun’s eyes.
The future was always unpredictable.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“What? He went to the Other Studies building?”
“Yes…that’s right.”
“Damn it!”
Benras found himself in a perplexing situation.
He had been rushing back to his dormitory for a quick review session after class when…
He was surrounded by a group of upperclassmen, who then proceeded to inquire about Lee Seok-hyun’s whereabouts.
‘Does the class president really have something going on?’
Benras, who had naturally started referring to Lee Seok-hyun as “the class president,” wondered what kind of trouble he had caused during the first class.
What had he done to become the target of the notoriously reclusive upperclassmen, the research students, no less?
‘He’s even more extraordinary than the rumors suggest.’
Benras was creeped out by Lee Seok-hyun’s seemingly lacking appearance, to the point where he questioned whether they were even the same species.
He imagined that if vampires existed, they would look exactly like that.
Their pale skin and bloodless lips were terrifying.
“He went to the Other Studies building?”
“That’s over 200 meters away, Senior!”
“That’s impossible! How could he travel from the Magic building to the Other Studies building? We don’t have that kind of stamina!”
“So we can’t sleep? We can’t sleep? We can’t sleep?”
“We’ve already used up more than half our stamina just getting here from the lab. Most of us will probably collapse if we take more than five steps. What should we do, Senior?”
“Rest! We’ll rest here for two hours and regain our strength!”
What kind of conversation was this?
Benras was beginning to understand why everyone had strongly advised him against becoming a research student.
They were more like zombies than humans.
“Two hours of rest! Incredible!”
“Senior Bermu is a god! Senior Bermu is a god! Senior Bermu is a god!”
“I’ll take responsibility! Two hours of rest!”
As soon as he finished speaking, they all collapsed to the floor, lifeless as if they were actually dead.
Benras was shocked, but what truly terrified him was Lee Hwa-ryeong’s reaction as she calmly observed the scene.
“Hmm… So Gi Joo-seon is letting them out…”
She’s too kind for her own good.
With those words, she gathered her lecture materials and left.
‘Is…that considered kind?’
It was a moment that made him deeply contemplate the true meaning of pursuing academic excellence.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[and anotha one]
Truly the life of a researcher