As expected, news of yesterday’s attack involving Jaun and the demons did not spread to the outside world.
It seemed that the Mage Association had taken measures to prevent it from leaking.
I could guess why they wanted to suppress the rumors about the incident. The association’s president, Kim Jin-cheol, was likely concerned about suspicions regarding Lee Seo-jun’s connection to Jaun.
This was also following the original storyline.
“Hmm…”
With the plot rapidly shifting, I decided to purchase a new trait.
I had accumulated a fair amount of points over the past few weeks, and eliminating as many variables as possible was crucial to ensuring Lee Seo-jun’s safety.
━━
[Outsider’s Blessing: Character Insight (???)]
Category: Special
Description: Adds the ability to discern individuals to the Outsider’s Blessing.
[Effect]
▶ Character Insight
Allows the user to view basic information about a target.
Cost: 30,000
━━
“Thirty thousand points…”
It was expensive, but it was an essential trait for me.
There was no telling when villains might disguise themselves and approach Lee Seo-jun again.
Especially now, after Seong jin’s death, there was a high chance that new demons would be placed around Lee Seo-jun.
[You have purchased the trait ‘Outsider’s Blessing: Character Insight (???)’]
With so few means to distinguish villains, I was sure this trait would be useful.
“Alright, time to test it out.”
I needed breakfast anyway, so I might as well try it on the way to the cafeteria.
I pulled my cap down and stepped outside.
Looking around, I noticed that there were barely any people around.
At this hour, at least one or two people heading to the cafeteria should be visible.
“…Oh, right.”
Today was Friday.
Unlike me and Lee Seo-jun, who had returned early due to an unfortunate incident, the other students were still away on the mercenary experience program.
Since they were in a three-day course, they wouldn’t be back at school yet.
If I wanted to see people, I’d have to go outside.
“Hmm…”
Just as I was feeling disappointed, someone called my name.
“Kim Sunwoo?”
It was Lee Seo-jun.
Judging by his outfit, he wasn’t just heading to the cafeteria like I was—he seemed to be going out.
“Where are you headed?”
“I got summoned home for a bit.”
“Oh.”
By ‘home,’ he meant the residence of Kim Jin-cheol, the Mage Association president.
Lee Seo-jun had been raised by him since childhood, so they lived together.
It seemed that Kim Jin-cheol had called him over because of yesterday’s incident.
I nodded.
“I see.”
“You going to the cafeteria?”
“Yeah. Guess I’m starving after all that last night.”
Hearing that, Lee Seo-jun chuckled quietly.
Watching him smile, I decided to test my newly acquired ‘Character Insight’ ability.
[Activating the unique trait ‘Outsider’s Blessing.’]
[Scanning the target’s information.]
━━
Name: Lee Seo-jun
Age: 18
Race: Human
Status: Calm
Magic Rank: A-
Interest Level: 2
━━
Only simple information appeared.
Name, age, race, status, magic rank, and interest level.
The magic rank was probably based on the Mage Association’s classification system, while the interest level likely indicated how much he cared about me.
I had no complaints.
Knowing a person’s name, race, and magic rank was enough to expose most villains in disguise.
Still, A- rank at eighteen…
That was insane.
Even historically renowned prodigies typically reached A rank around twenty-one.
“Kim Sunwoo?”
I had been staring at the status window absentmindedly when Lee Seo-jun called me.
“Huh? Oh, what?”
“You spaced out for a moment.”
“Oh, I was just lost in thought.”
Lee Seo-jun glanced at me briefly but didn’t seem to think much of it.
“Right, about the Monster Biology assignment—when do you want to do it?”
I had nearly forgotten.
It was due in two weeks.
“How about Sunday?”
Lee Seo-jun wasn’t available today, and I was busy with Yoon Hayoung and Demon Slayer training on Saturday.
He pondered for a moment before nodding.
“Alright, Sunday works. I’ll text you what we should research later.”
“Got it.”
“…Oh, yeah. There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
“What is it?”
Lee Seo-jun hesitated, staring at me as if deep in thought.
Then, he shook his head.
“…Never mind. Let’s talk later.”
With that puzzling remark, he started walking toward the front gate.
“…What was that about?”
As I absentmindedly watched him leave, I ran into another familiar face.
“Sunbae?”
It was Choi Seo-yoon.
“Where are you headed?”
“To the cafeteria.”
“Ah.”
She nodded in understanding.
I looked her up and down.
She was dressed rather nicely—probably had something important planned.
“You?”
“I’m heading to my family’s house.”
“Oh.”
Now that I thought about it, Choi Seo-yoon spent almost all her weekends at home.
Most likely, she would be subjected to relentless training and education.
“…Good luck.”
As always, that was all I could say.
She responded with an awkward smile.
Then, something crossed my mind.
“Wait, you should run to the front gate.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Lee Seo-jun just left.”
Choi Seo-yoon frowned.
“…And?”
“What do you mean ‘and’? It’s a rare chance to be alone with him.”
“Sunbae, you’ve been way too pushy lately. You know that makes it worse, right?”
…Was I being too obvious?
I had been so anxious about Lee Seo-jun’s safety lately.
“Ahem.”
She eyed me suspiciously, then sighed and looked up at me.
“Sunbae, you’re really desperate, huh?”
“For what?”
“…Never mind.”
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