I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

Faith.

It signified a special system of religious belief. Through it, religions were formed, and nowhere was it utilized better than in the Vaccine War in the USA.

I quickly checked my special stats.

Special Stats

Faith: 1

[Faith is the primordial manifestation of someone's belief. Being primordial, it holds infinite potential for development.]

I calmly observed the system window, my mind working intensely.

Perhaps this was a clue to becoming divine.

The power used by the gods of the Vaccine War.

Like the starlight magic possessed by Seo Ga-yeon, it’s a power that enforced laws in phenomena through mere imagination.

‘Being a god is no small feat, after all.’

For instance, the god of the sky, who vied for supremacy in the Vaccine War, could conjure thousands of lightning bolts at will to obliterate half a city in an instant.

Of course, they also succumb to the endgame imbalance and perish at the hands of beings from outer space.

I thought calmly about which divinity would suit me best.

‘What would be the best option?’

My Heaven Defying Body was a power acquired postnatally.

Though it lacked the total amount of Defying Heaven energy compared to one acquired congenitally, it had one advantage.

Since gaining complete control over Defying Heaven energy with the Conceptual Stat Energy of Defying Heaven, it now had the power to be imbued with other ‘mysteries’.

Divinity was similar to the special stat Nyeom. Its structure became more robust when combined with other powers, rather than relying on its inherent strength.

‘No, first things first.’

I looked ahead. Perhaps it was because I had acquired a special stat.

The emotions of those in front of me started to feel vividly clear.

They were hopeful.

Ready to offer anything, even a fortune, just to hear a word from me.

Perhaps if I asked for their souls as payment, they would even offer them. Not that I would do such a thing.

I hesitated for a moment.

The chants of those who prayed to me just a while ago echoed in my ears.

Ver-Men.

The moment I accepted them, I would have to hear that sound from everywhere.

Stats or shame.

The answer was already decided. As a gamer, a bit of shame was…

“O Veritas! Please bestow upon us a word!”

A bit of shame was…

“O Veritas descended from heaven. Please take my soul and grant me a ray of truth…”

A bit of shame was…

‘Can I really endure this?’

I quickly used the Talent, True Heart. I felt my emotions forcibly calming down, allowing me to think clearly.

Then, I stepped forward and spoke.

“It feels like you are finally ready to hear the truth.”

This would later become,

I believe the biggest reason why I kicked the blankets in frustration when I got into bed.

[Your special stat Faith has increased by 3.]

[Many people are focused on your lecture. Lecture(D) has been added to your skills.]

[Your words have touched the hearts of 10,000 alchemists. Your talent for enchanting women has evolved, adding Enchanter Genius (B+) to your talents.]

[Leading the crowd is called charisma. You have enchanted tens of thousands of alchemists. Your charm is devilish. Devilish Charisma (C+) has been created in your talents.]

[While conducting the lecture, you discovered a habit you had unconsciously overlooked. This may be a small but great development. Alturn's Arcane Alchemy (B+) has evolved into Lee Seo-ha Arcane Alchemy (A+) after meeting your talent.] contemporary romance

Was it because I had cast aside shame?

With a cool head from True Heart, I began the lecture.

Objectively, the content was substantial. Whether they could understand it was another matter, but if this lecture spread, others would teach it.

‘The beginning is crucial.’

It was okay to keep my own Arcane Alchemy hidden. However, I should impart some teachings to others. That’s how the guild would start functioning properly.

The vanguard was led by the cult leader Lab Escape and Cardinal Lee. The clarity from the upper echelons ensured that those below followed suit.

“Do not fear failure. We are alchemists. We learn from failures, and what we consider failures can become great inventions.”

I pulled a potion from the void, a bottle containing a green liquid.

[Garte's Elixir (C+)]

An elixir created by Garte using his own Arcane Alchemy.

: Increases magic for 10 minutes by 5.

: Decreases stamina for 3 days by 5.

“Here is Garte’s Elixir. If you drink this elixir, your magic increases by 5 for 10 minutes, but your stamina decreases by 5 for three days.”

I manipulated magic as if drawing out Defying Heaven energy. I could do this here in this virtual world.

“What if you tune Ruby Flower with magic and add the Sun attribute related to stamina?”

“The penalty for decreased stamina reduces, and the increase in magic reduces too.”

“Correct. That’s why there’s a penalty – to maximize the advantage. If you add a Burning Ruby Flower.”

[Garte's Elixir (B-)]

An elixir created by Garte using his own Arcane Alchemy.

: Increases magic for 10 minutes by 2.

: Decreases stamina for 30 minutes by 3.

“The magic increase is merely 2. That’s why Garte maximized it by incorporating a penalty of reducing stamina for three days. It’s not a big burden for a wizard.”

“Yes, exactly. Wizards who visit my workshop come to buy that potion. Since wizards earn and spend a lot, they often buy other potions as well.”

“Smart business strategy. But there’s something missing.”

I pulled another item from the void. It was a Moon Lady’s Flower with white leaves and blue stems.

“What if you add the Moon attribute to the Moon Lady’s Flower?”

Whoosh!

A burst of white light appeared, and the liquid transformed into a faintly glowing vermilion color.

【Elixir of Sun and Moon (A)】

An elixir created by Garte using his own Arcane Alchemy.

In the study of Alchemy, a pivotal figure in human history created a completely different elixir by incorporating materials with the attributes of the Sun and Moon.

: Adjusts magic recovery for 30 minutes.

: Adjusts stamina recovery for 30 minutes.

“In this way, by balancing the ingredients, a completely different elixir can be created.”

“Good heavens… my elixir has transformed into such a beautiful form.”

“This too is a teaching of Truth… Ver─Men.”

“Ver─Men.”

‘…Enough.’

Feeling embarrassed, I could only look on with a blank expression.

“As expected from Veritas, the alchemy we know is different… Veritas is truly…”

Lab Escape looked at me with a blank expression.

[You have left a strong impression on Im Hana (Lab Escape). A relationship has been added.]

[Fanaticism. Humans seek what they lack within themselves. Some find it in others, but some rely on faith to fill their deficiencies. And Im Hana has found what she lacked in you. She will now revere your words as truth and dedicate everything to you, even her life if you wish. If you desire, she would willingly offer her heart.]

[Your special stat Faith has increased by 2.]

‘…….’

I couldn’t laugh or cry.

“Haha! Disinfect all the filth!”

Seolhwa Ryeon slashed through the Mines with her twin swords.

The bodies of the Mines were being sliced and frozen by her swords, a result of her talent that would eventually freeze time and space.

“Elder! I’ve taken care of them all!”

Seolhwa Ryeon approached me like a puppy. If she had a tail, it surely would have wagged, asking for praise.

“Well done.”

“Hehe, I got praised.”

Seolhwa Ryeon was noticeably pleased. I remembered the methods to praise a child from my past life and looked at my cellphone.

-There are no more Mines nearby. There might be some remnants further away, but they’re far.

This message was sent by the Electronic Witch via text, along with a map. It was a 30-minute drive away. Considering the traffic, it might take longer. It looked like I should call it a day here.

I opened the status window to check my Defying Heaven energy. Compared to the effort of catching Mines, the rate of increase was incredibly slow.

It had increased by only 1 despite defeating 30.

It seemed like a hint to start hunting stronger beings.

I checked the surroundings for anything left and descended with Seolhwa Ryeon.

Once down, I felt hungry.

‘Maybe eat something nearby.’

There was plenty to eat in the heart of Seoul.

The problem was that it was Friday night in Seoul. The nearby places would be packed.

“Seolhwa, are you hungry?”

“Ah, are we going to eat?”

“Yes.”

Seolhwa Ryeon looked unusually flustered. What was wrong?

“We’ve worked hard today, so let’s eat something nice. I’ll treat you.”

“No, it’s okay! I, I’m just happy to be with Elder.”

Despite her words, her actions seemed eager to follow me.

Then I realized something. Seolhwa Ryeon was quite poor.

The reason was simple.

I hadn’t been attentive to monetary rewards. In the original work, Seolhwa Ryeon lived off the money from the Mines she killed.

“I haven’t been paying much attention. Is there any food you dislike?”

“I’m not particularly picky. Ah, but I’m not fond of eggplants…”

“Then let’s go for meat.”

Feeling sorry for having made her work so much, I thought of treating her to beef.

‘Now that I think about it, there was a place with delicious omakase around here.’

A place I had been treated to by an ex-girlfriend in my past life. It was really good. I wondered if it existed here and found it on the map app.

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Seolhwa Ryeon gave a light salute and followed me.

done.co