SWNOVELS Chapter 29: Sword Fairy
TL/Editor: looloo
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Why did it happen?
The mood among the kids shifted dramatically.
Hong Yuhwa was studying right beside me.
Ersil and Kim Seohyun were busily jotting down something in front of me.
‘Everyone's making notes so diligently.’
……I commented in a cool manner, but I was the most nervous one.
In my past life, I had attended a fairly well-known, prestigious university.
But the level of note-taking here far exceeds that.
You could see the difference between a somewhat recognized university in a place called Korea and the finest school in the world.
The subjects being taught were also distinct.
In Korea, English, and Math were foundational, but here, we learned Statistics for Mana, Monster Capture Studies, and Dungeon Statistics.
‘I can't grasp any of this.’
Yet, I wasn’t too concerned.
I considered cheating with the Black Heavenly Demon Sword...
But I had something better at my disposal.
Talent Reading (-).
It turned out to be a far more useful talent than anticipated.
“This problem is somewhat challenging, but it's an approach you must master to become a hero. Let’s have Lee Seoha solve it.”
“Yes.”
I rose from my seat and walked forward.
I stood before the blackboard, examined the problem, and activated my talent.
View.
The solution process and answer began to form in my mind.
All I needed to do was jot them down.
As I wrote on the blackboard with the electronic chalk handed to me by the professor, my writings appeared on the floating hologram.
“Excellent. The solution is perfect.”
The professor beamed at me, visibly impressed.
He looked as though he was appreciating a promising future pupil.
“Do you have any future career concerns?”
“None. I've always wanted to be a hero.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
I immediately responded to the professor's unsettling question.
The professor sent me back to my seat, his face marked with disappointment.
“You're incredible. I don’t get any of this.”
“It's no big deal.”
Ersil asked, her eyes glowing with curiosity. It seemed as though the stars in her eyes were moving in sync with Ersil's emotions.
"Can you tutor me later?"
"Sure."
After answering Ersil's question, I sensed someone looking at me again from the side.
Hong Yuhwa was giving me a stern look as though she never tires of it.
Ding.
A message came in.
Seo Gayeon
-Lee Seoha, you're really good at studying!
-Can I come to you with questions if I don't understand something later??
-Hamster emoticon looking attentively.
Lee Seoha
-Sure.
-Feel free to ask anything.
After replying, I pretended to study while doodling on a piece of paper.
---
Raei Translations
---
Day after day, I attended classes and pushed through rigorous training sessions.
With my schedule packed to the brim, time seemed to race by.
'A day feels lengthy, yet a week breezes past. Interesting.'
Saturday.
Finally, the written exam was just around the corner.
The Korea Hero Academy administers a written exam during the midterm evaluation, followed by a practical exam in the subsequent week.
To prepare for this practical exam, I was busy concocting potions in the alchemy lab.
While bringing in potions, weapons, or artifacts from outside was forbidden, anything crafted by students within the school was fair game.
'It's a pretty sensible rule.'
I also appreciated the status window that filled my vision.
──────────────
Potion of Visionary Strength(A)
This red, stat-boosting potion elevates your strength the moment you consume it.
: Boosts strength by 5 for 30 minutes.
: If the strength is 20 or less, it amplifies by an extra 5.
──────────────
──────────────
Potion of Visionary Agility(A)
This green, stat-boosting potion enhances your agility the instant you drink it.
: Boosts agility by 5 for 30 minutes.
: If the agility is 20 or less, it amplifies by an extra 5.
──────────────
──────────────
Potion of Visionary Stamina(A)
This yellow, stat-boosting potion boosts your stamina the moment you consume it.
: Enhances stamina by 5 for 30 minutes.
: If the stamina is 20 or less, it amplifies by an extra 5.
──────────────
──────────────
Potion of Visionary Magic(A)
This blue, stat-boosting potion augments your magic power the second you drink it.
: Boosts magic by 5 for 30 minutes.
: If the magic power is 20 or less, it amplifies by an extra 5.
──────────────
[You've crafted the world's finest Strength Potion! Extraordinary achievement! You are awarded 3,000P!]
[You've concocted the world's top Agility Potion! Remarkable achievement! You are awarded 3,000P!]
[You've brewed the world's best Stamina Potion! Unbelievable achievement! You are awarded 3,000P!]
[You've created the world's supreme Magic Potion! Astounding achievement! You are awarded 3,000P!]
'With this, I've earned 12,000P.'
I placed all the potions into my pocket space.
The Magic Potion may not serve me, but it might be handy for someone else in a pinch.
However, there's one issue.
'I'm almost out of the supplied materials.'
I should start producing potions for the school's stockpile.
There are supplies that I've ordered from outside, but they're for personal use.
'No other choice.'
I'm left with no option but to take on an emergency errand.
I readied myself to step out.
After cleaning up the alchemy room and preparing to depart,
I bumped into Seo Gayeon.
"...."
She seemed different than usual. Unlike her typical subdued presence due to her petite, frail frame.
Now, she was radiating an enigmatic aura.
Her black hair was tinged with starlight.
Her pupils were slowly turning a subtle shade of purple.
These were signs that the character known as Seo Gayeon was beginning to awaken her starlight magic.
Magic was brimming from her surroundings.
In the dim light, the starlight she emitted was gradually dispelling the darkness.
As though it was a beacon of hope.
Seo Gayeon was evolving.
Her ranking would start to skyrocket, unlike anything she had experienced before.
If she just chooses the correct path, she could become a beacon for humanity.
"Oh, Seoha?"
The starlight waned.
Her hair, once saturated with starlight, returned to its normal black shade.
Her pupils, once a radiant purple, were now their usual dark color.
"Are you already trying to awaken?"
"Yes, thanks to your help, Seoha."
She spoke, her face glowing with a bright smile.
But I felt an odd sense of foreboding.
"I think I finally understand why you suggested magic to me, Seoha."
Seo Gayeon extended her hands forward.
Whoosh.
A sphere of starlight floated in the air.
The magic of stars could burn away Mara.
However, the magic of stars wasn't solely destructive.
It merely envisioned and induced magic, and then manifested it.
"But aren't you training again today? I didn't see you on the training grounds."
"Huh? No, I was in the alchemy lab making potions for a while."
"Potions? What kind?"
While conversing with Seo Gayeon,
I understood what had been troubling me.
Seo Gayeon was talking more freely than ever before.
Well, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"I made a few potions for the upcoming practical exam. Oh, I have an extra Magic Potion, would you like it?"
"Yes, please."
I handed her a Magic Potion.
"But, I should give you something in return."
"It's fine, really."
"No, it's not. I have my own pride. I've only been taking from you, Seoha. You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Would you like to join me? My treat."
Seo Gayeon suggested, her face beaming.
I had to decline.
I needed to rush off for emergency resource gathering.
"I'm sorry, I already have plans for tonight. How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? Sounds good."
Seo Gayeon agreed, still smiling brightly.
With a strange feeling stirring within me, I bid Seo Gayeon goodbye and stepped outside.
[Master, it might be wise to exercise caution. A sudden change in such a timid girl could be potentially dangerous. The previous master used to say so.]
'She's fine. Seo Gayeon is a good kid.'
[The previous master also said that. Despite being known as the Tianma, she was dismembered into 25 pieces.]
The Black Heavenly Demon Sword chimed in with a somewhat nostalgic tone.
Once out of the school, I made my way towards Seoul.
Despite the convenience and speed of the warp gate, I chose to take the subway instead.
It's free for students of the Korean Hero Academy and convenient, but it reveals your specific location.
Maintaining discretion during emergency runs was important.
[The next station is Seoul Station. We are arriving at Seoul Station.]
I reached my destination swiftly. The place was abuzz due to the hour.
Using my abilities, I slipped into a nearby restroom to change my attire.
[Master, I must say, you have a rather admirable physique when viewed from this angle.]
'......'contemporary romance
Even though the Black Heavenly Demon Sword's comment felt more like an insult, I changed my clothes nonetheless.
I changed thrice and pulled a hat low over my eyes.
A black hooded sweatshirt, black jeans, and a black hat.
Completing my disguise, I added a black mask to my ensemble.
The Black Heavenly Demon Sword glanced at me with what appeared to be bored eyes, but there was nothing I could do about it.
The color white simply stood out too much.
Following that, I enveloped my body in a black cloak.
The whole body was covered in a cloak of Black Spirit.
This world was a fusion of magic and technology, or magitek.
So, where there was science, there was also magic.
In other words… if I wore the black cloak, I could avoid surveillance devices like CCTV cameras.
Most likely, I wouldn't appear on any footage.
‘Choosing the black cloak was truly a masterstroke.’
With that thought in mind, I ascended the tallest building in my vicinity.
I avoided people as much as possible, for fear of coming across as suspicious.
[The master already looks suspicious enough...?]
Ignoring the comment from the Black Heavenly Demon Sword, I made my way to the rooftop of the building.
The view from the rooftop was quite impressive.
Neon signs lit the streets, and I could see people either indulging in alcohol or passed out in the back alleys.
‘Today is a good day for a secret run.’
A secret run is straightforward.
It's a method employed by veteran players in 《Epic World》 to swiftly gather materials during combat.
In other games, you would typically hunt monsters for materials.
However, Epic World has a harsh reflection of reality.
Korea is termed 'unified Korea' because it has annexed North Korea.
Furthermore, Korea is where the majority of the ley lines converge, leading to a large population of extraordinary heroes.
Thanks to these heroes, monsters were on the verge of extinction.
To hunt monsters, you'd have to travel far overseas.
So, what is a secret run?
I remembered a question posed by a rookie player.
-Guys, I have a question. I followed the 《Epic World》 notification to gather materials and tried to raid a monster nest, but there were only people there. Did I misunderstand something?
[A picture with a location marked roughly.]
-You went to the right place. There are mobs to farm there, right?
-?
- They are all Mines.
Yes.
In 《Epic World》, Mines are far worse than monsters.
No, it's an insult to even compare these detestable beings with monsters.
They are the scum of the earth who deserve to be slaughtered, just like the Orcs inhabiting the Five Middle Kingdoms (五中國).
I fetched a mask I had purchased from the inter-dimensional store.
──────────────
【Mask of Enthrallment (A-)】
The mask used by the legendary thief, Lupin. It conceals all of the user's information.
: Blurs the user's impression.
: When another person looks at the user, it changes to the most ideal atmosphere according to the viewer.
: Invalidates 'observation' skills of A rank or lower.
──────────────
I put on the mask, folded my hands together, and prayed.
"Please make me a righteous thief."
Tonight, I planned to raid the Mines' warehouse.
enjoy! :)
part 2 of a triple drop today, sorry for the delays i just got back from vacation and am very tired .·´¯`(>▂<)´¯`·.
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