9 p.m.
I stopped my idle thoughts on the bed and stepped out of the private room.
I couldn’t afford to waste the time left after boarding such a luxurious ship.
Besides, there was no training tonight because it was already late. In other words, it was free time.
I was still anxious about how the flow of events had changed, but since I was here, I figured I might as well enjoy it.
There were still thirty minutes left until the scheduled dinner with my team. As I wondered how to spend the remaining time, I opened the guidebook.
Atlantis was so vast that without the guide, it was impossible to know where anything was.
“Hmmm.”
There’s so much.
From various magic training centers to all kinds of entertainment and performances, it was packed full.
There were so many options that it was actually hard to choose.
And what’s with all the pubs?
Tsk.
‘…I kind of want to go.’
But I couldn’t. I was still a student.
If I had come here under the identity of Kim Jinwoo, it would’ve been much easier and more fun. It was a bit of a shame.
“…Well, it’s not like I’m here to party. I should just forget about it.”
Thinking about alcohol suddenly made me think of Han Se-yeon. She seemed super busy these days with developing new medicine. For some reason, it made me feel sorry for her.
I leaned on the railing and looked down at the scenery of the first floor. Brilliant lights. Live performances starting under them, with the audience watching.
Everyone looked so relaxed.
Then, using the “Outsider’s Privilege,” I sent a message to Han Se-yeon.
[What are you doing?]
Less than ten seconds later, a reply came back.
[I’m working…]
Even through the message, I could feel how exhausted she was. Still, her tone somehow felt funny and cute, making me chuckle.
[You seem to be overworking lately. Please take it easy.]
[What about you, Jinwoo? What are you doing right now?]
After a short hesitation, I took a picture of the sea by the window. I made sure it wouldn’t reveal that I was on Atlantis.
[Picture of the sea] [I’m on vacation.]
[?? Who are you with?]
[My girlfriend.]
I threw out a joke, but suddenly the messages stopped.
[Character ‘Han Se-yeon’ feels flustered by your words.]
[You have earned 500 points as a reward.]
“Huh?”
Just then, another message arrived.
[You had a girlfriend…]
I quickly replied in a panic.
[I don’t. It was a joke. I came alone.]
[What the heck. I really thought you were serious–]
Then another message followed right after.
[Did you message a busy person just to tease them? I didn’t think you were like that, Jinwoo…]
[No, I just suddenly thought of you and decided to send a message.]
After I replied, there was a pause again. Then about 20 seconds later, she replied.
[Haha, Let’s meet up soon then.]
[Okay.]
I smiled and sent the last message, then closed the “Outsider’s Privilege.”
After getting up and leaning over the railing again, I spotted familiar faces among the crowd on the first floor.
One was Lee Seo-jun.
And the others were two blond-haired students.
Luke Fallon and Lily Rose.
The top second-year students from Korea, America, and England’s magic academies were all gathered together.
They seemed to be having a serious conversation, but they were too far away for me to hear.
“……”
Well, they’re probably just exchanging pointless lines like “I won’t lose to you this time!” — typical shounen manga stuff.
I stepped away from the railing and opened the guidebook again.
[Schedule]
[9:10 p.m.]
[2nd floor, Green Light Theater, Mystic Magic Show]
I guess I’ll go watch the magic show.
About twenty minutes later, the magic show ended.
The audience gave enthusiastic applause to the magicians who had performed so splendidly, and I too clapped in amazement at what I had just seen.
At first, I watched out of simple curiosity, but by the end, I felt a deep respect for the magicians.
I realized magic could be used in such incredible ways.
I only came for entertainment, but I ended up gaining new insight.
Leaving the theater, I walked alone again. It was fun, but now a sudden loneliness washed over me.
Maybe I should have gone around with the others.
Checking the time, I quickly moved to another location.
There wasn’t much time left until the dinner appointment with my team members.
I headed toward the first floor where the dining area was.
The first-floor hall was packed with people. There were lots of magicians and many ordinary people here on vacation as well.
As I tried to pass through the crowd, I spotted a familiar face.
“Sunbae-nim!”
It was Choi Seo-yoon. Somehow, she had changed clothes again, now wearing a beige dress that gave off a strong autumn vibe.
She looked like she was here purely for a vacation.
“What’s with the outfit? Did you bring that with you?”
“Oh, this?”
Choi Seo-yoon laughed and did a little spin like a model.
“I just bought it. How does it look?”
“The dress is pretty.”
“No, not the dress itself — does it suit me?”
She narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice to ask.
“No matter what you wear, it suits you.”
I said it casually, almost tossing the words. But it was true — her looks were good enough that anything would suit her.
At that moment, I felt her energy jolt in surprise. Looking at her again, she was staring at me with wide eyes.
Maybe it was because of the lighting, but her face looked a little red too.
Damn, I shouldn’t have said that. I knew how she felt about me.
“…Hey… forget what I just said.”
“Huh?”
“Looking again, it doesn’t suit you.”
“What the heck. It’s too late now.”
“No, listen. The clothes are nice, but the person isn’t.”
“Ugh, seriously!”
Choi Seo-yoon hit my forearm with a thud-thud.
“Drawing the line so dirty!”
“…….”
At that moment, fireworks suddenly shot up with a piuung— sound and then burst with a bang.
Choi Seo-yoon looked up at it, and her expression hardened for a moment.
“What’s wrong?”
“A dark past came to mind.”
“Dark past?”
“……It’s nothing. Let’s hurry.”
Choi Seo-yoon grabbed my forearm tightly and pulled me forward.
That’s how Choi Seo-yoon and I arrived at the restaurant where our teammates were gathered. As soon as he saw us, Shin Young-joon shouted.
“Hey! Why are you guys so late!”
“We’re only two minutes late.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever, just sit down quickly.”
We entered the restaurant and sat at our seats.
Pleasant melodies flowed, and musicians played their instruments.
It was a restaurant that naturally gave off a high-class vibe.
With a ticket, you could use all the facilities on the ship freely, without any extra charge.
When the food was served on the table, everyone’s eyes sparkled.
Perfectly cooked grilled lobster. And all sorts of seafood dishes imbued with the sea’s magic.
Choi Seo-yoon’s eyes shone brightly as she took photos of the food.
“Mmm~ It’s so delicious.”
“If only we could eat like this every day.”
While focusing on my meal for a while, I noticed someone’s face.
And at the same time, my hand holding the food stopped moving.
A woman with long, red hair tied back was walking while sipping a drink alongside what seemed to be a companion.
In the past, I would have simply overlooked it, but because of the social event with Han Se-yeon, I recognized that face.
Elin, of the Rune Clan.
‘……Why is she here?’
Under the brightly shining lights, a man and a woman were walking.
Their faces were hidden, making it impossible for others to recognize them, but they were none other than Baek Eun-seong and Natasha, members of Jaun — the terrorist group that once plunged the world into fear.
“Baek Eun-seong. Look over there. It’s the Mage Academy kids.”
Natasha gestured toward a group dining in the distance — the famous students from the Magic Academy, including Lee Seo-jun and Kim Sunwoo.
“You’re right? What the heck? Why are they here?”
Baek Eun-seong muttered absentmindedly as he stared at Lee Seo-jun’s group.
“Again, our paths cross with Lee Seo-jun.”
“Forget it. Don’t mind them. They almost won’t interfere with our plan.”
At Natasha’s words, Baek Eun-seong nodded.
Even if the Mage Academy students got involved, there wouldn’t be any major issues with their plan.
And even if obstacles appeared, they were just teenage students.
To those who once struck terror across the globe, dealing with a few teenagers would be no different from dealing with children.
“Ah, now I get why they’re here. There was news about the Korea-U.S.-U.K. joint training. Must be here for that.”
“Is that so? I saw a few kids earlier who looked like they were from America or Britain.”
“Man. They’re doing all kinds of things now.”
Muttering that, Baek Eun-seong bit into the chicken skewer he was holding.
“Been a while since I saw Lee Seo-jun. Bet he’s gotten a lot stronger these past few months?”
“Probably.”
“Hehe. Kinda want to have a match with him.”
Baek Eun-seong chuckled alone.
“……Don’t even think about doing anything unnecessary.”
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
“Anyway, we have to finish the job as quietly as possible. And you heard about the recent demon incident, right? The Association is super on edge right now. Absolutely do not touch the students. If things get messy, it’ll be a pain.”
The next morning.
Finally, the Korea-U.S.-U.K. joint training began.
A total of 180 students, 60 from each country, gathered at the 16th-floor training center.
And from early morning, intense physical and magical training ensued.
Normally, such high-intensity training would leave people exhausted quickly, but thanks to the sacred relic, “Poseidon,” the sea’s magic rapidly restored the students’ stamina, allowing the training to proceed smoothly.
After about four hours of basic training, the scheduled anti-terror training began.
“As I mentioned before, today’s training will be anti-terrorism training.”
Park Jungwan said to the Korean students. The students stood there, faces tense.
“This counter-terrorism exercise will be conducted at the ‘Terror Simulation’ facility located here.”
Terror Simulation.
A special magical training facility where participants tackle problems in a simulated situation.
This facility fused illusion magic, summoning magic, and a virtual world — an advanced magical training ground.
To explain simply, it’s based on a similar concept as the “Nightmare” experience, where we fought our nightmares.
“Although it’s a simulation, the situations will proceed almost as if they are real. The terrorists appearing will be adjusted to match your power levels, and you must use all means necessary to stop them.”
The students’ faces were filled with both nervousness and excitement.
“Also, the training system is imbued with Poseidon’s blessing, and upon successful clearance, you’ll receive a small blessing. So do your best to succeed and earn the blessing. Now, gather in your teams.”
As Park Jungwan instructed, we gathered in our teams.
Though we grouped among ourselves for now, once we entered the training field, we’d be grouped again with teams from other countries.
Since the “Will of the System” would probably match us with teams of similar skill levels, we’d have to adapt accordingly.
And so we entered the training field.
Ssssshh……
Upon entering, an interior space resembling an office building appeared before us.
“Wow. Where are we?”
“Is this some kind of virtual space? I can’t even understand how this was made.”
Responding to Shin Young-joon’s murmuring, I explained.
“It’s a virtual space, yes. But not completely. Only objects and locations are virtual. Meanwhile, the virtual world and mystical world overlap, and reality and magic are stacked together after a lot of trial and error…….”
My long-winded explanation made Shin Young-joon frown.
“Ugh. What are you even saying?”
Then Lee Seo-jun stepped in, chuckling.
“Forget it. Don’t you know the ancient mystics saying? ‘Don’t try to understand mysteries.’ It’s beyond human common sense.”
That’s when a voice echoed in our ears.
[The anti-terror simulation will start in 30 minutes.]
“Since we have 30 minutes, should we look around?”
Choi Seo-yoon suggested to everyone.
“Yeah. It’s not a bad idea to check things out beforehand.”
The anti-terror training basically followed a “defense” format.
Though I hadn’t experienced it personally, the original story covered it, so I had a rough idea of what needed to be done.
Thus, we descended to the first floor of the building. Opening the door and stepping outside, a massive cityscape unfolded before us.
It felt similar to downtown Seoul.
But it wasn’t exactly Seoul — it also mixed vibes from London, Washington, and New York.
And the surprising thing was, ordinary citizens were walking along the sidewalks.
“Wow. NPCs, right?”
“Yeah. They told us earlier to protect the NPCs from getting hurt when the terror event starts.”
“Feels like we’re inside a game.”
While wandering around outside, we ran into a familiar group.
Six students of various races.
At the front stood a blond man, who stared at Lee Seo-jun with a hard expression. Then he shifted his gaze to me.
He looked at me with a very strange expression, then turned back to Lee Seo-jun and spoke.
“Lee Seo-jun. As expected, we’re on the same group.”
It was Luke Fallon, from the American Mage Academy, joining our group.
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