The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Here

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After my chat with Anna, I headed back to my room.

I was a little uneasy, but a promise from a British princess held some weight. No matter how she saw herself, she wouldn’t interfere anymore.

"More importantly... the status window."

Name: Kim Hajoon

Level: 3

Title: None

Fame: 300

HP: 13

MP: 0

Strength: 7 (+1)

Agility: 7 (+1)

Stamina: 12 (+1)

Defense: 0

Magic Resistance: 999 (Max)

Spirit: 999 (Max)

Skills: [Time Stop] (SSS) [Indomitable Will] (SS) {Always Active}

I noticed some changes when I opened the status window.

My unimportant Fame had increased a bit, and other stats had also gone up slightly.

Despite that, the fact remained that a slap from a new superhuman or a freshman would kill me instantly.

I let out a sigh because of such low numbers. But thanks to the Time Stop skill, I should avoid getting hit. I didn’t want to die for some silly reason.

I quickly looked over the status window and then checked the state of Maharazu.

"Wow... is this really a Legendary?"

I didn’t know who Dwarf King Horton was, but in Rokia Academy’s world, equipment named after a different species was considered a ’relic’—a rank beyond the norm.

Even relics had specific ranks, but they were often treated differently from regular equipment because many had features above or below their rank.

However, the equipment I received seemed to be more than that.

[Destroyer’s Hammer Maharazu]

Rank: Legendary

Features: {Evolution} {Unbreakable Hard Bones} {Size Adjustment} {Weight Adjustment} {Ego Philaten’s Curse}

Description: The mighty hammer of Dwarf King Horton.

"Wow~"

I couldn’t help but marvel.

Despite one of the features being a curse, it had five features, which made it superior to a Legendary.

In order, there were 1 Rare, 2 Uniques, and starting from Legendary, each was classified by its rank due to the effects of the features it had, which were more than two.

From my viewpoint, this artifact was at least of Epic grade.

’I thought the recoil phenomenon was oddly strong.’

At least, it wasn’t at the level of Legendary recoil.

Obviously, the cause seemed to be in the features.

"Hey."

I started to shake Maharazu, which I held in one hand.

I had a hunch because of its unusually light weight.

"Speak up."

Whether it responded to my words or not, right after, a dazzling golden light radiated from Maharazu, filling the entire room.

When the light gradually faded, I found myself standing in a vast prairie under a blue sky with a cool mountain breeze.

’A mental world.’

The spectral realm tied to Maharazu.

No, I’m not certain if it’s appropriate to call it a specter or Maharazu itself, but I think I know who guided me here.

I began to walk, glancing around the wide field for a moment.

The cool wind felt real, and the grass that tickled my feet provided a strange yet pleasant sensation.

Everything felt genuine, yet it was an artificial mental world.

I kept walking in such a space, and soon, a woman dressed in white appeared.

She sat on a large rock in the center of the field, gazing at the blue sky with a comfortable smile.

Without hesitation, I approached her and spoke.

"Please leave when I ask politely."

The woman turned to look at Hajoon as if amused by his words. She was the Cursed Philaten.

One of the features, the Cursed Philaten.

She’s either a specter tied to the artifact or a specter guarding this Maharazu.

However, no matter how positively described, it’s nothing short of a curse.

Hajoon, who doesn’t know what type of curse it is, is sure she is bothersome.

"This is my home and my space. Why should I leave?"

Philaten began to look at Hajoon with an unreadable expression.

There was no sense of annoyance or anger.

After studying the Philaten’s face for a moment, Hajoon soon came to a realization.

’She’s gentler than I expected?’

Her aura differed from when she tried to kill him as soon as he touched Maharazu.

There was no anger, just a tranquil sigh.

Then she spoke.

"Don’t worry. You won’t have anything to fret about... I will recognize you as my master."

She began to smile as she looked at me.

Of course, I didn’t understand the situation.

"...Why?"

At first, she intended to kill me.

Did getting hit cause her to have a change of heart?

Instead, I looked at Philaten with a puzzled face.

Philaten’s words continued.

"A curse to the powerless commoners, a blessing to those who possess the king’s qualities I seek. And I recognize you, my powerless master."

"Me? Why?"

"When I saw your skill, I thought of my former master, Horton. You possess a power similar to his. No further reason is needed."

Ah... I see?

Anyway, it wasn’t a bad scenario for me.

Rather, it was a good one if anything.

"But, I don’t know you well. So, my master, I will give you a trial."

"A trial? What kind of trial?"

"It’s a condition set by Horton, once known as the ’Crusher of Skulls’. The first trial is to earn my acknowledgment. The second is what former master Horton requested."

"...So what’s the second trial?"

"It began the moment you earned my acknowledgment. You’ve killed 50 magical beasts."

Huh? Could this possibly be...?

[Job Change Quest]

Available character for the quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Slay the magical beasts. (50/100)

Reward: The title of Horton, the former master of Maharazu and the king of the Dwarfs, will be granted.

Title: The Destroyer

"Kill 50 more."

"··········."

I thought it was some unexpected advancement quest, but this woman was the cause.

Still, the conditions aren’t too severe.

Rather, it’s a relatively easy task for me.

It just requires a bit more time.

And from Philaten’s words, there was one fact I could glean.

’She doesn’t seem to be aware of the stopped world.’

Anything that Hajoon is holding or touching can move in the stopped world. Of course, it freezes the moment it falls from the body, and it doesn’t reactivate even if touched again.

However, Philaten, who entered the frozen world with me, appears to have not noticed.

’Is it that the body moves but the mind freezes?’

It wasn’t crucial information, but it wasn’t bad to know either.

"What do you think, will you accept the trial? You can also choose to forfeit."

"··········."

Suddenly, I felt as if something brushed against my mind.

I stared blankly at the sky for a moment, then frowned in deep thought, but soon relaxed and looked at Philaten.

So, about 10 minutes passed, and I finally spoke to Philaten.

"What comes after the second one?"

"What do you mean?"

"How many trials are there in total?"

At that, Philaten showed a faint smile.

Looking at Philaten’s smile, Hajoon figured as much.

Somehow, the advancement quest with the King’s decree seemed too simple.

At least when I played as other characters, it was clear that I would have to start killing at least 1,000 of these kinds of beasts.

"The second one is indeed the last. However..."

"However?"

"You must kill the 50 beasts that I have chosen. I won’t count any other lesser ones you kill."

"··········."

I thought the difficulty level was unusually low.

"What’s the reward?"

"I will unlock all of your attributes."

"That’s it?"

"You can wield magic without incantations."

"Wow~"

That was an unexpectedly generous reward, almost blinding.

I soon nodded my head.

Not only was it a great reward, but it was also the one I needed most right now.

---

Raei Translations

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The next morning.

In the expansive training square, the special class students had gathered, full of anticipation for the upcoming lesson.

Before the lesson began, Instructor Han Eeseul started taking attendance.

After a quick headcount of the students gathered in the training square, he succinctly explained the day’s lesson.

"We will have a practical combat lesson this morning."

At Instructor Lee’s words, the students’ eyes lit up, not bothering to hide their excitement.

Practical combat lesson.

It was a classic trope frequently found in academy-based novels or games.

One of the most commonly held lessons at Rokia Academy to prepare students for combat encounters with adversaries.

’Finally, it’s come.........’

However, Hajoon already appeared weary.

Because by this point, he had an idea of what the quest would entail.

[Main Quest]

Available Characters for the Quest: Kim Hajoon (Bound to Phil Ehrman)

Description: Secure a victory in the duel.

Reward: 300P, 40 Experience Points

"The students whose names I call should step forward and enter the circle."

The circle referred to a circular line drawn in yellow on the ground.

While the principle was unclear, the moment two students stepped into the circle, a semi-transparent barrier activated, and a mid-level healing magic was cast that instantly healed any injuries.

In other words, there was no problem if they fought with all their might during training.

For context, the capability of mid-level healing magic in this world was such that it could instantly mend broken bones and regenerate severed limbs. It implied that it could manage injuries threatening a person’s life to some degree. In other words, no matter how brutally someone was beaten within that circle, they couldn’t die.

"Kim Hajoon, step forward."

Without expressing a word, Hajoon sighed and stepped into the circle.

He waited with a vacant look in his eyes for his opponent, but the opponent’s name was not announced.

Feeling that something was off, Hajoon looked at Instructor Lee, who began to slowly approach the circle.

Hajoon regarded Han Eeseul with a skeptical expression, and Han Eeseul assumed a nonchalant posture.

"What’s the matter?"

"Before we begin, let’s give a demonstration. The moment you step into this circle, treat your opponent not as a classmate but as a foe, and give it your all."

Ignoring Hajoon’s question, Han Eeseul addressed the students watching from outside the circle.

The observing students started to show a high level of interest in the scenario.

After all, many students were curious about the abilities of Kim Hajoon, who had risen to the top of the student ranks at Rokia Academy, even surpassing Han Siyoung.

The students were stunned by Han Eeseul’s subsequent words.

"It seems like there’s no one in this class who can match you, so I’ll be your opponent instead."

Huh, what? What does he mean?

So, he’s saying he’s stronger than Han Siyoung and Anna?

Wow...is that even possible?

"Sigh..."

For a moment, Han Eeseul’s words caused Hajoon’s irritation to surge.

He wanted to chastise Han Eeseul for saying such things to the students, but he held back.

"Am I not allowed to forfeit?"

"Stop with the nonsense, and get into position."

Indeed, since this was a main quest, if he forfeited, a penalty would be applied.

Left with no other option, Hajoon gripped his weapon tightly.

Just as he did, he heard Philaten’s voice in his mind.

Hehehe~ An interesting human being. Let’s add him to the trial as well.

’Don’t be ridiculous.’

Don’t turn me into a criminal.

"Alright, let’s get this started."

With those words, a semi-transparent barrier enveloped them, and the duel commenced.

As soon as the duel began, Han Eeseul drew out four daggers with almost imperceptible speed and hurled them at Hajoon.

Initially, he thought of intercepting them, but his instincts, which had saved his life more times than he could count, suggested otherwise.

Treat your adversary sincerely.

’What a beast...’

He knew he was extraordinary, but to this extent...

The fact that his instincts had kicked in signified a life-threatening crisis.

Han Eeseul planned to end it swiftly.

Thud-

Surprisingly, the first to fall was him.

’What is this...’

For a fleeting moment, Hajoon’s figure vanished, and something went wrong with his ankle.

Looking down at his wrenched ankle while kneeling on one knee, he discovered it was twisted in an unnatural direction.

"Uh, hahaha! Well done."

The usually stoic Han Eeseul burst out laughing at the unexpected turn of events.

-What? What the hell just happened?

-I couldn’t see anything at all.

-Oh, but the instructor fell first, right?

The students, who had witnessed the incredibly fast-paced duel, started to alternate their glances between Kim Hajoon and Han Eeseul, their faces filled with awe.

Hajoon blankly stared at the two notifications that popped up before him.

[Main Quest]

Additional reward: 40 Experience Points

[Success!]

[Rewards will be given.]

[Main Quest]

Available Characters for the Quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Gain recognition from Instructor Han Eeseul.

(1. Test of Courage: 1/1)

(2. Practical Lesson: 1/1)

Reward: 200P

[Success!]

[Rewards will be given.]

’Ah... I forgot about this.’

---