—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Mana circuit methods were similar to the cultivation techniques described in martial arts novels. Cultivating inner energy, circulating it through the body, achieving enlightenment…
‘I don’t understand any of that!’
The important thing was that mana, like inner energy, flowed through everything, connecting swordsmanship, magic, and all other skills.
“Hmm…”
Cecilia was essentially creating a new cultivation technique, integrating Spenny’s mana circuit method with her existing one.
‘It already exists, though.’
Five months from now, Spenny would publish a paper on integrating her method with existing techniques, using low-ranking mages from the Magic Towers as test subjects. Even the Tower Masters and high-ranking mages would adopt the new method.
He didn’t feel sorry for the mages who’d be sacrificed for the research, but…
‘Think of it as a good deed.’
He was saving their lives and making a lot of money in the process.
‘About 10%?’
Based on the research paper, Cecilia’s integration progress was at 10%. It might seem low, but it was a dangerous, untested method. Cecilia was either brave or reckless to have progressed this far.
“No problems so far.”
Cecilia’s assessment. She’d circulated her mana, scanning her body for any signs of strain or overload.
“No noticeable changes yet at 10%, but…the mana flow around my shoulders feels more stable.”
The Blazing Magic Tower, eager to capitalize on Spenny’s method, had immediately begun their own research.
They were the first to publish a paper on integrating the Spenny Mana Circuit Method. It offered a solution to fire magic’s inherent instability, promising greater control and power output.
Convinced of its potential, they’d conducted extensive (and unethical) experiments, paving the way for other Magic Towers and individual mages to adopt the new method.
‘Spenny should be the one to publish it.’
He’d make sure Spenny published the integration methods for all magic types, not just fire.
Cecilia continued to monitor her mana flow.
‘Of course it’s stable.’
They’d used human guinea pigs to perfect the integration method.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to discuss the experiment over lunch. Are you free?”
The experiment had taken longer than expected. It was almost lunchtime.
‘I need to raise Spenny’s affinity to at least 50.’
He had a bad feeling about it remaining stuck at 49.
“I’m coming too!”
Cecilia, who’d been eavesdropping, interjected.
“It’s my body you’re experimenting on. I have a right to participate. My feedback on my condition, my emotions, my mana flow…it’ll be helpful for the research paper.”
‘I already know everything, damn it…’
He knew the results, but Spenny didn’t. He couldn’t just tell her to go without him.
‘She’s such a nuisance…’
Cecilia was becoming a real problem.
He was grateful for the Salamander trait, but her constant interruptions were hindering his progress with Spenny.
‘Seriously…’
Wasn’t it enough that she’d stabbed him in a previous turn? Couldn’t she just leave him alone?
‘I haven’t even touched her in this turn…’
In his first regression, before he’d discovered his ability to regress, he’d pursued Cecilia relentlessly, and…well, things had gotten… ‘intimate’. He’d been partly to blame for her obsessive behavior, but now…
‘She’s throwing herself at me, and I even saved her life, and she’s still like this…’
“Sure, let’s all eat together.”
Spenny, excited about her new student, smiled cheerfully, oblivious to his frustration. She was a good person, but…
‘Too good for her own good.’
She opened her lunchbox, revealing a meal for two. Cecilia stared at it, her eyes narrowed.
“Do you always eat with Teacher Spenny?”
Her tone was accusatory.
“Teacher Spenny usually eats a lot.”
“W-Well, research requires a lot of energy…”
Cecilia looked unconvinced.
‘So what?’
He didn’t care if she believed him. In fact, he hoped her suspicions would lower her affinity. He was tired of her clinginess.
“Egenir, what’s your favorite food?”
Cecilia’s question, an attempt to one-up Spenny, made Spenny look at him expectantly.
‘Favorite food…’
He’d been eating Spenny’s packed lunches and the pathetic potato salad from the low-ranking dormitory, and he’d realized something. He missed the food from his original world.
‘Kimchi stew…rice, seaweed, kimchi…’
A spoonful of spicy stew, rice wrapped in seaweed…that was true bliss.
“Nothing in particular.”
He couldn’t get any of that here.
The “spicy soup” they served was a pale imitation of kimchi stew, bland and watery. It was sweet and spicy, perhaps delicious to Westerners, but it couldn’t compare to the complex flavors he craved. He longed for a steaming bowl of rice, the spicy kick of kimchi, the salty crunch of seaweed.
He wanted to devour it all, to gulp down the hot stew until his tongue burned.
‘Damn it…’
Before him was a homemade burger with bacon, ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, with a side of fries. Crispy, salty, and delicious. And a glass of low-alcohol wine, part of Spenny’s attempt to teach him about responsible drinking.
‘I want a bottle of soju, a glass filled with soju and beer, mixed perfectly…’
He imagined himself chugging down kimchi stew, then washing it down with a cold mix of soju and beer.
The industrial alcohol flavor, the comforting warmth…then another spoonful of rice, soaked in the spicy stew.
‘That’s the good life…’
He’d learned something in this academy, life was simple. Perhaps the only reason he hadn’t committed any serious crimes, despite his miserable existence, was the comforting thought of kimchi stew and soju.
If he’d been forced to eat potato salad every day, he’d probably be roaming the streets with a lead pipe, looking for trouble. And when he was tired and broke, a few dollars for a bowl of soup and a shot of soju was heaven.
He hadn’t realized how much he appreciated those simple pleasures.
“It’s not here…”
He stared at the food with a melancholic expression. Cecilia and Spenny, sensing his unspoken longing, remained silent.
‘…Kimchi stew…or just rice and soju…’
The worst part of a miserable life was being deprived of even the simplest pleasures. Why was he always the one suffering?
He finished his lunch and headed to the training grounds.
“What the…?”
The five Great Weight Style swordsmen, who should have been in the infirmary, were cleaning the training equipment.
“G-Good afternoon!”
“Good afternoon!”
“Why are you bothering me when I’m in a bad mood?”
He was annoyed. Not only were they addressing him respectfully, but they were calling him “hyungnim,” a term of respect usually reserved for older brothers or superiors.
Even Cecilia, who’d followed him, looked puzzled.
“You…”
Egenir, using his academy experience, deduced their situation.
“Did Horse dump you?”
They lowered their heads, confirming his suspicions.
“We…offended you, Hyungnim…and we were…dismissed.”
“So…wait a minute…”
He processed the information.
“You’re planning to latch onto me? Because Horse is interested in me, and you think you can get back in his good graces by becoming my subordinates?”
“N-No, Hyungnim!”
“No!”
He sat down on a weight bench, gesturing for them to speak. They all knelt before him.
“We saw your strength that day, Hyungnim!”
“Your courage!”
“Your rage!”
“One at a time, please.”
He sighed, looking at them.
“We’ve been living in ignorance. We never considered the real threat, the demon war…We were complacent.”
Hmm…not bad.
“And?”
“We also aspire to be knights! We’re here to ask for your guidance, Hyungnim! Please accept us as your disciples!”
“Ah…”
Smart.
Acknowledging their enemy and seeking his guidance. But…
‘Of all times…’
He was already dealing with Ella, who was practicing her swordsmanship, and Cecilia, who was clinging to him like glue. And Harfon, the enthusiastic instructor, was approaching.
Why? He’d told them all to leave him alone. Why were they all clinging to him, now including these five idiots? He could feel the Salamander trait flaring up.
Then…
“Get lost, you idiots!”
“Hyungnim!”
“Please accept us, Hyungnim!”
“We’ll do anything!”
“Aaaaaah! Please!”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Your Text Here]
Note to self: Dating mechanics are mostly suited to extroverts