THE WEEKLY CHAP IS HERE.
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Somewhere.
3rd P.o.v
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—Ding
"Ah, god damn it!"
The sudden smartwatch message clogged up the game screen at a crucial moment. Yoo Jinhyuk roared and shot up like a spring.
"What, you lost again?"
His secretary asked apathetically.
"No, but hey! Did you link my smartwatch to the computer?"
"No."
"You did! I lost because of the alert!"
"It wasn't me."
Yoo Jinhyuk grabbed the back of his neck, feeling his blood pressure rising. He had just lost 50 million won from that loss.
"My life... What?"
But his sullen mood disappeared in an instant when he saw the name of the messenger – Yoo Yeonha.
It was the name of his adorable niece.
"Did the sun rise from the west today? My niece just messaged me!"
If he remembered correctly, the last time they had talked was five years ago. Yoo Jinhyuk quickly checked the message's content.
[Uncle, I need you to look into two people's past, especially the first one. Said he has family matter.]
Yoo Jinhyuk tilted his head.
"Mm? Well, that's surprising."
"Is it work?"
His secretary's eyes lit up.
"No, I told you it's from my niece."
"So is it work?"
"...I guess it is. Huaaam."
Yoo Jinhyuk yawned and slumped down on his couch. Yoo Yeonha sent a follow-up message.
[Cube's cadet, Kim Hajin.]
[Cube's cadet, Tatsuya Shiki.]
"Kim Hajin, Tatsuya Shiki... Who's that?"
"Why are you asking me?"
"Look into them. They're apparently Cube cadets."
"Are they?"
The number of Cube cadets was at most 6000 in any given year. Given such a small pool, finding someone was a piece of cake for someone in their line of business. The secretary's hands moved like lightning on her computer keyboard.
Soon, a general overview of the cadets in question popped up.
"The first one, Kim Hajin, is an orphan. He has a 300 million won debt."
"Oh, so that's why she said family affair. She must want to know who his parents are. Also, he has that much debt?"
"Yes. He also has a brokerage account. I don't know how much he has in it though."
Yoo Jinhyuk murmured as he picked his earwax.
"Well if it's only that, I guess I can do him for free."
"...Ehew, there goes my paycheck."
"You're going to get your pay. Honestly, don't you think you're taking too much? 20 million won per month for god's sake."
"That's because I'm worth that much."
"Tsk. Then what about the second? Anything interesting?"
"This one is a headache. No record, no relative. All that is known is his birthplace and travel record. Also, his name is on the list of many guilds' priority recruit along with Kim Hajin."
"More than Kim Suho?"
"Yes. Apparently, they made it big after the practical exam."
"Damn. Who are these kids that my niece is trying to dig into?"
Then, he suddenly shot up from his seat.
"Get ready."
"Are you really going to do it for free?"
"Yeah, I have a favour I want from Hyung anyway
"Aha."
The usually uptight secretary was immediately convinced.
There was one reason why Yoo Jinhyuk was the best in this field.
"Let's start with the first one. He is her priority after all.
Is it 16, 17 years ago? Let's start from the day he was born."
He could experience people's past.
————[King Crimson]————
Back to Yeonha.
————[King Crimson]————
On her way back to the dorm from classes, Yoo Yeonha pouted as she stared at her smartwatch. Three hours had passed since she messaged her uncle but there was no reply. It wasn't that he didn't read it since her message was clearly marked with "read". In other words, he had ignored her.
"...Why isn't he answering?"
"Who's he? Don't, don't tell me, you got a b-boyfriend?"
Chae Nayun who was next to her asked, looking shocked. Yoo Yeonha glanced at her. For some reason, Chae Nayun recently began to act oddly friendly. Yoo Yeonha didn't know how to feel about it. Chae Nayun used to be aloof and uncaring in the past, so she couldn't figure out why she was acting this way.
"I'm going out with Jonghak."
"The whole world knows that's a lie."
"...Ehew. Fine, it's my uncle."
"Uncle?"
Yoo Yeonha sighed, and Chae Nayun turned to the side as she snickered.
"You go ahead. I have to go practice archery."
"Archery? ...Oh right, your bet with Kim Hajin is coming up."
"Yeah, I even rented an archery range for the bet. Do you want to come spectate?"
Over the past weekend, Chae Nayun thought about Kim Hajin by herself and came to her own conclusion. If Kim Hajin had romantic feelings for her, she told herself that she'd chastise him after winning the bet. That the way he expressed his affection was wrong and that she was better suited to a bow.
"...Spectate?"
Yoo Yeonha asked in interest. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn't see Chae Nayun winning. From her experience, Kim Hajin's confidence was always well-founded.
"Yeah, I invited a bunch of people over."
"Is Jonghak also going?"
"Yep."
"...He's going to bring more people."
Shin Jonghak would likely do things no one asked him to. To save face, he would bring ten or so cadets with him. If Kim Hajin won, Chae Nayun would be embarrassing herself in front of a large crowd.
"I'll use this opportunity to put him in place."
"..."
Yoo Yeonha stared at Chae Nayun's confident face.
Imagining her overconfident face becoming distorted with embarrassment and despair, Yoo Yeonha thought to herself not miss the bet.
"I'll come watch."
Happy just thinking about it, Yoo Yeonha smiled brightly.
At that moment, her smartwatch rang.
Yun Seung-Ah: [Let's grab lunch this weekend. I want to apologise for what happened before.]
She quickly checked her smartwatch, but seeing that it wasn't Yoo Jinhyuk, she furrowed her brows in disappointment.
"Who is it now?"
Chae Nayun stopped and asked again.
"Why are you suddenly so curious?"
"I'm just wondering. Who is it? Kim Suho?"
"...Vice-leader Yun Seung-Ah."
"Eh? Seung-Ah unni? What about her?"
Yun Seung-Ah and Chae Nayun had a connection in that they were both disciples of the Master rank Hero, Yoo Sihyuk. Of course, that was in the past. When Chae Nayun was being taught, she was only 8 years old, while Yun Seung-Ah was 21.
"She wants to apologise for what happened at the masquerade party."
"...Ah, I should have gone to that party. If only I didn't get lost..."
"You should have swapped with me. I wanted to go to that restaurant."
"The place Kim Hajin took me to?"
Yoo Yeonha nodded with a bitter smile. Although she loved fast food, the Hero Cook's cooking was something people would kill to eat.
"Now that I think about it, Kim Hajin must not be so simple if he can make a reservation for a place like that."
"..."
But this woman was only realising this now. Yoo Yeonha let out a deep sigh in disappointment.
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At a private training room.
Shiki P.o.v
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It was another practical session with Hajin. Since Rachel wasn't here, I held off on any theory or magecraft lesson and focused on refining Hajin's movements and experiences.
Hajin is getting better at getting out of danger. His offence is also becoming more cunning and precise. He barely stands still now and is on the move all the time.
Then, someone approached us from the door.
When we turned to the person, a familiar face entered my eyes.
"It's been a while, Teacher, Mr Hajin."
It was Rachel. She greeted us with a slight smile. She was holding a bag as she walked toward us.
"Ah, yes, did something happen?" Hajin replied.
"Here. Thank you again for before."
She handed Hahin a small box that could just barely fit a car key. He looked back and forth between the box and Rachel, then took the box.
"Can I open it now?"
"Yes."
As soon as Rachel nodded, Hajin opened the box. Inside was a key to Cube's laundry house.
"Ah, clothes?"
With this key, Hajin should be able to pick up a Clothing of some clothing.
"Yes, defensive equipment is England's pride."
"Ohhh. Thank you, Miss Rachel."
"You're welcome. Also, you can call me Rachel. We are studying under the same teacher after all."
"Okay. I'll call you that then."
With that, she then turned to me and pulled out another box a little bigger than Hajin's. She held it in both her hands and presented it to me.
"Is this for me?"
"Yes. It is a thank you for all that you have taught me."
"May I?"
"Yes."
I open the box to find a wooden container with a glass panel on top. Inside was a gold cylinder-shaped object. At a glance, I knew what they were for.
"Hair accessories?"
"Yes. I didn't know what you liked to wear so I got you this instead."
"Thanks, I'll try it on sometime."
"You're welcome."
"Now, go get some rest. You just came back from England, right?"
"Yes, please excuse me."
With that, she bowed and began walking to the girls' dorms. She just returned to Cube, she may have some jet lag. We'll resume our magecraft lesson another time.
We watched her leave. There was some tiredness from her pace but Rachel still maintained her elegance and grace.
"Let's stop here. I want to go see your amour, Hajin."
"Yes, Teach. I'm also curious about its specs."
————[King Crimson]————
After picking up Rachel's gift from the laundry house, we returned to Hajin's dorm.
When Hajin took off the plastic wrap, a stylish coat emerged.
"Whoa."
It didn't seem heavy nor light, having a perfect weight. It wasn't too long either as if it was tailored for his height.
However, this wasn't a fashion item.
Although it came with a certificate of quality, Hajin checked its functionality with his laptop.
While he was busy with that, I scanned the coat with 'Tracing'.
The coat got some enchantments, which are increased defense, Temperature control, camouflague and a form change between coat and jacket.
"It's a good piece of clothing. Hand-woven as well. You should send her a picture of it and thank her again."
"Yes. I'll do that now."
"Put it on. I'll take the picture."
Hajin put it on. Just as we expected, it was a perfect fit.
I took the picture and sent it to Rachel.
[*Picture Sent* He said thanks for the coat. He loves it.]
Rachel replied immediately.
[No problem ㅎㅎ. Please tell him to use it well ^^]
"...She's surprisingly good at texting, huh." Hajin commented as he looked at my screen.
"She was usually expressionless and quiet, but..." He continued.
[(~.~)]
"She even sent emoticons. You don't see Rachel doing that anywhere else."
"I saw it just fine, Hajin."
"Really? You sound old sometimes, Teach. Just making sure."
"You're messing with me now? Don't you have a little contest coming up?"
"I'll be fine."
"Really? Cause you sound like a dead man sometimes. Just making sure."
"Damn... Really?"
Well... If he is sure of himself then who am I to stop him?
"What time will it be? I'll come by and watch."
"Next week. I'll sent the specific time to your smartwatch."
"Good..."
We then went on with our day.
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Friday. After class.
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"The finals are coming up in 4 weeks."
At the end of the class on Friday, Kim Soohyuk made a solemn announcement. Just like he said, another exam period was coming up. The final exam period would be the final hurdle of this half of the year.
"Written exams will be the same, but combat exams will be completely different."
"Everything you've learned until now will be tested in a single exam."
"You don't have to worry about safety. High-intermediate rank and high-rank Heroes will be closely watching you from the shadows."
Kim Soohyuk dismissed the class after intimidating everyone.
"Now, go back and have fun. I'll see you on Monday."
Well... The weekend is here and I probably won't be seeing Hajin until Monday. The reason is that he will be participating in the Hunting Club activity in Norway tomorrow.
And since I'm not in that club, there is no reason for me to tag along. That means there's only Rachel who would attend the lecture, if I ever hold one.
"Maybe I should find more people to teach. A few more wouldn't hurt me anyway."
"Hoh...? And what are you going to teach?"
"Nothing much... Mostly fighting technique and spar since the gunner will be gone for Norway anyway."
"I see...."
"Anyway, what do you want, Yoo Yeonha?"
"Oh? How can you tell? You didn't even take a peek."
"Not something I would publicly say but since it's just us two, I'll tell you.
It's your mana."
"My.... mana?"
"Yes. Everyone has a unique flow of mana no matter how small it may be. And I... can sense and tell the differences between them.
Wait... I can use this in the next session. Thanks."
"You're.... Welcome?"
"Anyway, answer the question. What do you want?"
"Well... You did say I can ask a few questions... So I was hoping you could enlighten me on some topics?"
"I see... Well, I got time for one question. Ask away."
"Thank you for your time. Now, there are a lot of questions I'd like to ask so I'll ask this instead.
.
.
.
WHO ARE YOU?"
'About time someone asked that. Hajin didn't even ask who I was back then. His mind was focused on the Runes note.'
I took a deep breath, though for a few seconds before opening my mouth.
"I was going to say that 'I am me, nothing more, nothing less' but I don't think you'll take that as an answer, right?"
Yoo Yeonha nodded. If I did say that, she probably would throw a tantrum at me.
"Fine. I won't tell you where I come from but anything else is okay. Listen closely."
Yoo Yeonha tensed up. She knew what she was about to hear would change everything. Her plan, her action, her attitude toward the man before her. Everything will be different.
"I am a Magician." I said.
I don't know if its just me or Magus sound a lot cooler that Magician despite the clear different, at least to me.
' *???* That's it? That's all?'
A confused look sprouted on Yoo Yeonha's face. She was about to protest when Shiki continued to talk.
"But don't mistake me for the one you knew, like the trash that has been teaching you guys. I personally don't even consider him a full-pledged magus?
A true Magician is capable of TRUE MAGIC, feats that are beyond what that trash and other so-called 'magicians' can do. Feats that are IMPOSSIBLE to be explained no matter how much you study and research.
THAT IS WHO I AM, THE IMPOSSIBLE. That is what a Magician is and is capable of."
"Do you understand?" I asked Yeonha.
"Y-yes...."
A weak response came out. Yoo Yeonha was still trying to process the infomation i just dumped onto her. Then she mumbled to herself.
"Then... When I said you were teaching, you were...."
"Yes and no." I cut in.
I simply cannot allow to have any misunderstanding about my craft. It will have unpredictable effects on its Mystery no matter how small it is.
"Huh?" Yeonha exclaimed, realising that I had heard her inner thought.
"Thats another question but I'll explain.
While I am indeed a Magician. What I teach is a similar but different thing."
I stopped for a moment before I resume.
"Like I said, a Magician can perform totally absurd phenomena, but explaining them fully isn't possible. It wouldn't be magic if it was.
For example, The perpetual motion machine, you know of it?"
"Yes. I do." Yoo Yeonha replied.
"Good. As you know, the hardest part of the machine is..." I paused.
"... To figure out where to hide the battery." To let Yoo Yeonha finished the sentence.
"Right. It proved that you cannot create something out of nothing with science, currently. However, with True Magic, it is possible to do so. Proving it might be difficult so I'll do this instead."
*Snap* *Rumble*
Within a second, the classroom, with only me and Yoo Yeonha, expanded. The podium and the seats remained the same but the area surrounding them had widened.
Yoo Yeonha widen her eyes. Her mouth gaped, unable to say anything as she watch the magic unfold.
"If you look out the window, you'll see there nothing outside." I said.
Following my gaze, Yoo Yeonha looked at the window to see the sea of stars and space before her eyes.
"What in the world just happened?" Yeonha gasped.
"What I had just shown you is a different True Magic, Fourth Magic. Its power is called Omniscient and Omnipotent of Atomic structure. In short, I can manipulate atoms which in this case I used it to seperate the room into another space and expand it. I can even move this room to another dimension by combining with a different Magic. It is unreasonably ridiculous, don't you think?"
"Yes. From its name alone, I can already see numerous ways to utilise it. But as you had said, explaining it would be impossible."
"Good that you understand, I can't use this one too often anyway. Back to the story. With True Magic being nearly unlearnable to everyone, what had I been teaching? The answer is simple.
If I can't teach True Magic because I can hardly explain it with logic. Then I'll teach Magecraft, which is magic that can be replicated through science."
"Magecraft? Like..."
"Stop!!! That's another question. I have already answered two questions. Can I leave now?"
"Yes. Once again, thank you for your time. It has been mind-opening for me."
"Glad I can help... Oh yeah, before I forget."
*Snap*
The classroom once again rumbled, this time it shrank down to its original scale. The vass empty space blurred out, replaced by the usual hallway.
Yoo Yeonha, once again, shocked by the displayment of law-bending power.
"I'll see you next Monday. Bye."
I left, leaving the girl alone in the class.
"Magician... True magic... Omniscient and Omnipotent..." Yoo Yeonha muttered to herself.
Yoo Yeonha has a lot to think about tonight, notes to write down and plans to change.
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The next day. 2 a.m. Cube dorm.
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I am currently in my room with Scáthach at the early morning.
Today is an important day, for Hajin, me and Scáthach.
What made it so important? Well... A certain witch is going to be born today. I haven't slept just in case she was born in the middle of the night.
Hajin once said that her birth would depend on whose blood she drank. And considering the premium diet that she had, her arrival might be accelerated.
Cracks had already formed on the surface of the seed, leaking a soft golden radiance. At first, I thought that I had messed up somehow but the aura kept radiating nonstop, which reassured me.
The Evandel seed seemed to take the word 'sprouting' quite literally.
Scáthach is standing by the wardrobe watching the seed. Her face showed no emotion but I knew, she was getting impatient and anxious. Being a mother before, though I doubt she was a good one, Scáthach had already prepared to change her clothes.
** CRACK CRACK**
Two more cracks sounded out and Evandel began to glow brightly. I quickly took her out of the makeshift bed and gently placed her on mine. The light filled the room as we covered and closed our eyes.
Evandel slowly took her form.
Our visions are starting to get clearer after the expected flash bang slowly fades away.
Opening my eyes, I was greeted with a pair of golden irises staring at me. The little girl also looked at me with a blank face. She was fully clothed in a simple dress and ribbon.
If I were to describe her, she was a little fluff of sunshine. Blond wavy hair, small puffy face taken from her mother and golden eyes taken from mine; we stared at each other without breaking contact or saying anything.
All of a sudden, the three-year-old raised both of her hands toward mine and said: "Papa".
"Kurk!!!" I knelt down to the sudden calling from Evandel.
I took a Critical Weakness. I may be neutral with attacks from servants of all classes but I may have found a gap in my defence.
"Papa?"
Evandel tilted her head innocently, not understanding what is happening.
"KURK!!!!!!" Another critical weakness hit.
"Papa, are you ok?"
I slightly recovered from the pitiful state and brought her into my arms.
"I'm okay, little one. Now, can you introduce yourself?" I said.
"Yes! My name is Evandel. I am mama's and papa's daughter."
"Nice to meet you, Evandel. I am your father, Shiki. I'm pretty sure you know whose your mother is then."
"Yes I do. Mama is tall, got beautiful hair like me."
"You got it right, Eva."
I don't know if girls her age would know about beauty but...
"Evandel."
"What is it, papa?"
"For a few.... reasons, I can't let you meet your mother for now. Do you understand?"
Evandel tilted her head again, asking:
"Eh...? Why can't I see mama?"
"Well... First of all she is busy. Evandel is a good girl, you don't want to interrupt your mother working, right?"
"Umn–umn. Evandel is a good girl. I will not trouble mama."
"Good girl. I can take you to see mother privately in the future, okay?"
"Okay." She smiled at me. But there some sadnees to it.
"Evandel, look. That is your godmother, Scáthach. She can take you to see mother from afar. Say hi to her."
I turned toward Scáthach so that Evandel could see her clearly. Evandel was a little sad that she couldn't meet her mother directly. But hearing that she could see Rachel, she immediately brighten up.
"Hello, mama Scáthach."
Evandel spread out her little hand and waved at Scáthach. A soft smile drawn across the Lancer cold face.
"What a polite little girl. Come, let me hold you for a bit."
I then bring Evandel down to let her go to Scáthach. With her little legs, Evandel sprinted toward the Lancer without stopping.
Having experienced motherhood once, Scáthach caught Evandel and lifted her up with ease.
Evandel spent some time in Scáthach's arms. After a while, exhaustion from her birth hit and she rested her head in Scáthach's bosom and slept.
I silently took a picture of her and sent it to Hajin.
Shiki: [*picture sent*. Hajin, look who's arrived.]
I then shut off the smartwatch and also lay down with Evandel. Watching Evandel sleep is soothing but my sleep is also important.
"Goodnight, my girl. Hope this world welcome you with warmth."
I shut my eyes and went to dreamland with Evandel.
————On the other side, Norway. ————
After receiving the news of Evandel's birth, Kim Hajin couldn't help but soften at her sleeping face.
As a consequence, the meat he was grilling for the Hunting club got burned on one side. Noticing his mistake, Hajin silently put it into his mouth, tasting the result of his distraction.
'Bitter.'
Banishing his thought, Kim Hajin returned his focus onto the grill.
————––At another location.——————
A man was running for his life. Grasping for air, he could not allow himself to stop. As stopping would mean death to him.
The man was wearing a brown trench coat, with long pants and a hat. He was Yoo Jinhyuk, Yeonha's uncle.
Panic settled on his face as he tried to find a way out.
Around Yoo Jinhyuk was a scene from hell itself. Buildings collapsing, houses burning to the ground. Everthing crumble into ashes and debris.
A scenery painted with fire and blood.
"What the hell is this place!!! This isn't a memory, this is a purgatory."
Even though Yoo Jinhyuk can intruded the memory of his target without exposing himself. He was still vulnerable to any damage. Subsequently, his mental and soul will be damage as well.
To top it off, he couldn't return to his body for some reason. As if something was forcing him to stay.
But that isn't enough for Yoo Jinhyuk to run like that. He could have just stay from a distance and watch until it is over.
NO!!!
What struck fear into the man was something that no one he knew could explain. No one had ever seen such a thing. Nor it was possible for it to see him. What worse is it was not alone, HE NEVER WAS.
...
At that moment when two eyes met countless.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
YOO JINHYUK HAD SEEN A GOD. A DEMON GOD.
.
.
.
.
AND NOW THEY KNOW OF HIS EXISTENCE, SOMEHOW.
.
.
.
.
MORE THAN THAT, THEY NOW HAD KNOWN OF THE EXISTENCE OF ANOTHER WORLD BEYOND THIS ONE.
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