Chapter 20: Reward (2)
TL/Editor: looloo
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Seo Yebin looked at me curiously.
She glanced at the black sword on my waist and gave a small smile.
"You're the most fascinating person I've ever met."
As Seo Yebin spoke, I felt the stares of Kim Ara and Ersil on me.
"Do you need something?"
"I did, but I have it already.""I get it. So you were after the vice principal's item."
Seo Yebin closed her eyes and went silent for a moment.
"Odd eyes."
"Do you mean my eyes?"
"Yes, you don't feel anything towards me like others do. No curiosity, awe, fear...you have none of these feelings. Not even normal curiosity."
Seo Yebin smirked.
"As if you've figured me out completely."
After that, Seo Yebin fell quiet.
She looked at me as if she was wondering where a kid like me came from.
"Do you have more questions?"
"Many."
"If you give me a suitable reward for each answer, I'll tell you everything."
"You're bold. But unfortunately, that can't happen."
Seo Yebin smiled slightly.
"Only a limited number of students can get something from the vice principal's warehouse. That's why the academy selects top-performing students. The selection is completely based on accomplishments. I made that rule. If I break my own rule, it would be absurd."
Seo Yebin stopped to look at me, then continued.
"To get what you want, show your accomplishments. I hope to see you again soon."
"Will it be soon?"
"Yes, look forward to that day...The vice principal is already here. Follow the vice principal to the warehouse and pick the item you want."
After saying that, Seo Yebin looked at me.
"I'll be watching you."
She smiled teasingly.
I walked outside with Ersil and Kim Ara.
Click, clack.
As we stepped into the hallway, I saw Instructor Seo Woojoo and a petite girl who seemed to be around middle school age.
She had dark circles under her eyes and was casually dressed in a white gown. Her height was barely 152cm.
"Say hello. She's the vice principal."
"Hello!"
"...Don't yell. It hurts my ears."
The vice principal frowned.
I stepped back a bit. I knew that the vice principal didn't like tall people standing too close to her.
But if someone stands too far, she dislikes it because it makes her short stature more noticeable.
"...Don't stand behind me."
"Me? Alright..."
The vice principal sent Kim Ara behind her because Kim Ara is tall.
'It's only natural.'
But it's just her height.
If Kim Ara is from the giant tribe, then the vice principal must be from the dwarven tribe.
Even her roughly made weapons sell for hundreds of millions outside.
"What did you talk about with the principal?" The vice principal asked me.
"She gave us some advice."
"Is that so? It seems like it wasn't just simple advice."
Haaahm- The vice principal yawned.
"Be cautious. If the principal likes someone, she becomes reckless."
I'm aware.
The principal has a knack for talent. And there's only one reason the vice principal would mention that.
'She doesn't want to get involved.'
The principal's methods to lure talented people often involve various items made by the vice principal.
"Wow, really! Did the principal say she'll keep an eye on Lee Seoha?"
Ersil asked, looking surprised.
At that comment, both the vice principal and Instructor Seo Woojoo stopped.
"…Did the principal say something like that?"
Instructor Seo Woojoo looked taken aback. His gaze stayed on me for a bit.
"Well, it would be understandable if it were you. Any regular student would have shown something by now, but you…"
He looked puzzled.
On the other hand, the vice principal seemed annoyed.
"Vice principal, do you know how to process shadow serpents? I caught one this time, but I'm having difficulty with it."
"Of course, I do."
"Even when it's a shadow serpent that's about to become a weapon."
"…What's left?"
"Scales, meat, and blood are left."
"Just the scales… no, I'll need the blood too."
The vice principal thought for a moment.
"But I've used up my research budget and can't pay you now... How about getting one more item from the warehouse?"
"Hmm, one more…"
I pondered.
The Shadow Serpent's corpse I have now is worth about 100 million in total.
But we're heading to a warehouse filled with well-crafted tools by the vice principal.
When considering value, it would be profitable to agree.
However.
The vice principal is an easy touch.
She's so gullible that she impulsively purchases overpriced materials once she's set her sights on them, and she doesn't care about how the tools she's made are used, as long as villains aren't using them.
I looked at the vice principal.
She looked at me with hopeful eyes.
The Shadow Serpent is a rare material.
'Let's do a small favor.'
After pondering for a moment, I nodded.
"Smart decision."
The vice principal grinned with satisfaction.
We continued down the hallway.
A huge door appeared. It had a lock so large, it wouldn't be odd if four of my faces fit into it.
As the instructor raised his hand, dozens of magic circles appeared, and soon, it opened with a clank.
"Wow."
"More than you expected?"
"Absolutely. These are donations from heroes and the works of our finest students."
The warehouse was enormous.
There were innumerable weapons, a plethora of gauntlets, armor, and accessories.
However, there were more armor and accessories than weapons.
That's because the Korea Hero Academy primarily provides weapons.
"So, Lee Seoha, choose two items from here. The rest of you, choose one."
I strutted into the warehouse.
I had already decided what I wanted to pick.
"Lee Seoha?"
I selected one earring. An earring that looked like wings made from silver threads.
And a bracelet.
Appraisal.
──────────────────
【Whisper of the Spirit(B)】
Power remnants of a wind spirit reside within.
:Adds 3 Agility.
"Moreover, I can generate a wind barrier three times a day."
──────────────────
──────────────────
【Void Space Bracelet】
A bracelet infused with the attributes of a void space.
: Can hold up to 300kg of weapons.
: Has 30 slots for storage.
──────────────────
I clipped the Whisper of the Spirit onto my left ear.
The earring clung tightly to my earlobe.
'I feel lighter.'
The change was immediate.
Adding 3 to agility had a greater effect than I anticipated.
"You made your choice quickly."
"Yes, well, I had some intel. Ah, Ara, not that one, try choosing that."
"That one?"
I pointed her to a belt.
It was an old, worn-out belt, but it was perfect for Kim Ara.
"That's related to the Giant Tribe."
"...Really? Alright."
After my quick suggestion, Kim Ara selected the belt.
I then walked over to Ersil.
"Hmm."
Ersil was furrowing her brows, indecisive between earrings and a ring.
"How about that one instead?"
"That one?"
Where I pointed, several gems lay scattered.
"Oh, I think it would suit you?"
"Yes? I'm a woman who suits gems well, but just...huh?"
Ersil stammered, clearly confused.
Probably because Melanie was suggesting various things to Ersil.
Soon, Ersil selected one of the gems as I had suggested.
"Do you have a spy in school? You seem to know more than you should."
The vice principal looked bewildered.
I just offered a noncommittal smile.
---
Raei Translations
---
"Huff."
I exhaled deeply, feeling as though my lungs were about to burst.
"You did well."
Kim Seohyun handed me a beverage. I didn't refuse and downed it in big gulps.
Training ground.
I was there, having just finished my workout, and now resting. Kim Seohyun had started his own workout. He was bench pressing over 500 kg.
I watched him with glazed eyes.
How can he lift and drop that so quickly?
'Stats window.'
Chime.
▼
[Name: Lee Seoha]
Strength: 4, Agility: 8(+3), Stamina: 6, Spirit: 5, Talent: 6, Conceptual Stat (Spirit Against Heaven): 2
◈Talents
-「Reading(-)」「Unfathomable Talent(A-)」「Nimble Hands(B+)」
◈Skills
-「Black Divine Martial Arts(?)」「Alten's Vision Alchemy(B)」「Icarus's Advanced Spirit Control(C)」「Black Flash Swordsmanship(D)」
◈Physique
-「Body Against Heaven(S-)」
Looking at my steadily increasing stats, I couldn't help but feel proud.
I originally wasn't a fan of working out, but witnessing my growth motivates me to push myself, despite the lack of enjoyment.
At that moment, I felt someone approaching.
Hong Yuhwa.
Dressed in her red tracksuit, she came towards me.
"Here, what you asked for."
Hong Yuhwa handed me an emblem emblazoned with a red flame.
"Thanks."
This was a prize I'd won from a wager during today's alchemy class.
My request to Hong Yuhwa had been simple. I wanted to visit the 'Tower of Illusion' this weekend, and I asked her to procure a permit for me.
"Need anything else?"
"Anything else?"
"Yeah. It feels too cheap a reward for defeating me."
I had to suppress a laugh.
This is why I appreciate Hong Yuhwa. She has high self-esteem but never skimps on her efforts.
"If I need anything else, I'll ask later."
"Okay."
Having said that, Hong Yuhwa left the training ground.
I stared at the emblem.
A significant event is approaching this week.
The Mines, a group of villains, are planning to wreak havoc in the city center, led by a formidable villain.
Their target is Kim Seohyun.
I must prevent it.
'Can I prevent it...'
I wouldn't normally harbor such doubts.
But the difficulty of this world has now risen to a hellish level.
So far, things have been relatively easy within the confines of the school, but once the main story kicks in, I may face foes beyond my capabilities.
Nevertheless.
'I must give it my all.'
I will survive.
enjoy! :)
nooo not the crossdresser-
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