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[Light Attribute Control] [Rank: 0 (1%)]
Description: When specific conditions are met, you can manipulate light-attribute mana.
[Passive Effect]
▶ Attribute Proficiency
Proficiency increases when using light-attribute mana.
- When the rank level rises to 1, you will permanently acquire light-attribute magic.
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Back at the dormitory, I was checking the newly obtained trait.
“…So if I just raise the rank, I’ll be able to use it without the ring?”
Judging by the trait’s description, that seemed to be the case. The “specific condition” likely referred to equipping the Legacy of the Formless Spirit.
“Heh. This is crazy.”
At first, I thought its performance was underwhelming for a relic-tier item. But that wasn’t the case. Given enough time, it could allow me to freely manipulate multiple attributes.
“A relic is still a relic, after all.”
If I used this item well, I might be able to handle three… No, four or even five attributes. That would undoubtedly give me an advantage in combat when it came to attribute matchups.
“Heh… Hehehe.”
I couldn’t help but laugh in excitement. With a joyful shout, I threw myself onto the bed.
After Monday’s homeroom session, I headed to the physical training room.
As the door opened, I saw countless students diligently working out. I recognized a few familiar faces. As always, Lee Seo-jun and Shin Young-joon were there, along with Jang Ye, who was sticking close to Lee Seo-jun’s side.
I observed them for a moment. For some reason, Jang Ye’s expression seemed even more affectionate today.
‘Jang Ye…’
Jang Ye was a direct subordinate of Cheonhae, a Demon and one of the Ten Demons’ field commanders. Cheonhae frequently carried out missions on behalf of the organization.
Judging by Jang Ye’s demeanor, I suspected she had received some kind of order from Cheonhae.
It made sense—recently, Lee Seo-jun had drawn the Ten Demon Councils attention due to his connection to the power of Demon Slayer.
“Hmm…”
I felt an increasing urge to deal with Jang Ye as soon as possible.
In the original story, Jang Ye had attacked Lee Seo-jun solely out of personal revenge for her father, Jang Han. But now, the Ten Demons were involved.
With a new faction in the mix, I had no way of predicting how events would unfold.
“Ah, there you are!”
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind me. When I turned around, I saw Choi Seo-yoon standing there.
“What? Were you looking for me?”
“Yeah, I kept messaging you, but you didn’t check.”
I glanced at my smart student notebook. Sure enough, about six messages asking where I was had arrived.
What’s this about?
“Wow. But seriously, you were really focused, weren’t you?”
Out of nowhere, she made a comment about my “focus.”
I looked her straight in the eyes, wondering what she meant.
“Focused on what?”
“Senior Park Minye. You’ve been watching her this whole time. Your gaze was intense.”
“Aren’t you tired of saying that?”
“Hehe. You’re just pretending.”
But why was she looking for me? This girl used to follow Lee Seo-jun around like a shadow.
Don’t tell me…
“Wait, do you… have a thing for me—?”
“Here! Take this!”
Choi Seo-yoon suddenly thrust something into my hands.
“…Huh? Oh. What’s this?”
It was a small box.
“My father asked me to give it to you. As a token of appreciation.”
“Oh.”
So it was nothing.
I had momentarily entertained an unnecessary (?) thought.
Fortunately, there was no bizarre scenario where Choi Seo-yoon suddenly developed feelings for me instead of Lee Seo-jun.
Well, with someone as perfect as Lee Seo-jun—looks, personality, skills—it made no sense for her to do that.
“Tell him I appreciate it.”
“Open it and check.”
I lifted the lid of the box. Inside was a small music box.
“It’s a music box, but it has a special effect.”
…A music box?
At that moment, a small event from the original story surfaced in my mind.
It was around this time that Choi Seo-yoon had given Lee Seo-jun a music box as a token of gratitude after he had helped her with a few things.
And now, that same event was unfolding before me.
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[Magic-Infused Music Box (D)]
Description: A music box imbued with a special magical effect.
[Usage Effect]
▶ Musical Healing
If you fall asleep within 30 minutes of listening to the music, the effect activates.
- Stamina recovery rate increases by 200%.
- Fatigue recovery rate increases by 200%.
- Likelihood of deep sleep greatly improves.
Durability: D
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“…”
Its performance was exactly the same as in the original story.
An item that enhanced sleep quality.
For a moment, I stared at it in a daze, wondering if it was really okay for me to accept this.
“If you listen to it before sleeping, it helps with fatigue recovery. I have one just like it, too. Oh, and by the way, I picked out the gift myself.”
“…Oh. Thanks. I’ll make good use of it.”
Perhaps my response sounded lackluster, as Choi Seo-yoon looked slightly concerned.
“Do you not like it?”
I shook my head.
“No, I like it.”
“Hmm. Well, that’s a relief… Anyway, it’s a good item, so it’s not a loss for you. Just don’t go selling it or anything.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
She eyed me suspiciously before sighing.
“Sheesh. Doesn’t feel like you appreciate it at all.”
Then, after checking the time, she turned to me.
“Oh, I’m late! I need to go study, so I’ll get going now!”
“Uh, yeah. See you.”
Choi Seo-yoon gave me a small nod before disappearing somewhere.
“Everyone, wake up!”
Thursday morning homeroom.
Jang Ancheol strode into the classroom, waking the students who were dozing off.
“Alright! You all know the second midterm isn’t far off, right?”
“Ugh…”
“Already…?”
The second midterm.
As the name suggests, it was the second of the two midterm exams.
At the Academy, students took two midterms—one early in the semester and another later—before sitting for the final exam in July, marking the end of the term.
“As you all know, there was an unfortunate incident during the first midterm. Because of that, the second midterm will proceed without external observers.”
“Sir! Does that mean the final exam will also be held without observers?”
A student raised their hand to ask.
“That hasn’t been decided yet. I’ll inform you once a decision is made.”
Hearing Jang Ancheol’s response, the student nodded.
“The second midterm will take place in two weeks. Make sure to prepare in advance. That’s all for now.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, morning homeroom ended.
I sat there, lost in thought.
The second midterm.
Since my grades depended on it, I needed to take it seriously. And I already had a rough idea of what the exam would entail.
Among the tests was a special one involving all grade levels.
A hunting exam held over two days and one night in the Academy’s designated monster field.
“Hmm…”
Now that I think about it, in the original story, Jang Ye attempted to assassinate Lee Seo-jun at this time.
Perhaps the same incident would unfold again.
The monster field was not only vulnerable in terms of safety but also a place where anything could happen.
That made it the perfect setting to commit a crime quietly.
However, before such an incident could occur, I intended to use that day to eliminate Jang Ye instead.
Especially since the monster hunting test took place on an uninhabited island, it would be easier to avoid surveillance from other factions like Jaun or the Blade of Dawn.
Of course, there was a chance I could still be suspected, so I would need to plan meticulously.
Late at night.
Jang Ye stood in a dark alleyway devoid of any signs of life, waiting for someone.
As time passed, a man emerged from the darkness.
“Lord Cheonhae.”
“It’s been a while, Jang Ye.”
Jang Ye bowed her head.
Cheonhae looked at her, then pulled something out from his coat and handed it over.
“This is a gift from the king.”
Jang Ye received the item—a glowing red gemstone.
“A bloodstone?”
“Yes, and it’s made from the blood of an A-rank mage.”
Jang Ye stared blankly at the bloodstone in her hand.
Just as Cheonhae had said, she could feel the immense condensed magical power within it.
“Absorb it slowly, bit by bit. At your current level, trying to take it all in at once would be overwhelming.”
Bloodstones were made from human blood and were used by high-ranking demons to strengthen their power.
However, a bloodstone created from an A-rank mage’s blood was extremely rare.
Simply consuming it would grant a significant boost in magical power.
The fact that this was being given to Jang Ye meant that her mission was of great importance.
“…Thank you.”
“Take this as well.”
Cheonhae handed her another object.
It was a rough, unfamiliar-looking blue gemstone.
“What is this?”
“A special relic that disables all machinery within a certain range. At the very least, it can paralyze all devices in the vicinity for 30 minutes.”
“A relic?”
She hadn’t expected to receive a relic as well.
Since it disabled machinery, it was likely meant to prevent the operation of all recording devices during the test.
Jang Ye nodded and tucked the item into her coat.
“Oh, right. Have you made any progress investigating the 18-year-old human from within the great barrier?”
“No. There’s no video evidence, so we’re relying on rumors, but it’s not easy. Besides, that was over a month ago now.”
“I see.”
Cheonhae nodded.
“Unfortunate, but it can’t be helped. Keep searching.”
“Yes.”
[Light Attribute Control]
[Grade: 0 (1.8%)]
“This is rising ridiculously slow…”
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday—three days of hard training in light-attribute magic.
Yet, I had only increased my proficiency by a mere 1.8%.
On Saturday, it was at 1%. That meant in two full days, I had only gained 0.8%.
At this rate, would I even reach 100% in my lifetime?
“Sigh.”
It was greedy of me to complain.
Just having the ability to wield a rare attribute was already more than enough.
“Yeah, I should be satisfied.”
Grumbling about something I obtained through questionable means was just shameless.
With that positive conclusion, I sat down on my bed.
“Maybe I should check my stocks.”
Lately, I had been diversifying my investments across multiple companies.
Since I knew which corporations and guilds had strong growth potential, my stock portfolio had been growing steadily.
Before I knew it, the total value of my holdings had surpassed 7 billion won.
With that much money, I could even afford to buy a non-mainstream S-rank item.
“Making money is too easy.”
The power of information was truly incredible.
“Hmm.”
Lately, I had been feeling more fatigued than usual.
Every night around this time, I felt like I was on the verge of passing out.
Maybe I was overworking myself.
“Right.”
I pulled out the music box I had received as a gift today.
The antique-looking music box added a nice touch to my bedside table.
The thought that I had taken something meant for Lee Seo-jun left a slight sense of unease, but in the grand scheme of things, it was just a minor event.
No need to dwell on it.
With that in mind, I opened the box.
A dreamy, ethereal melody began to play.
To be honest, it wasn’t my style.
Still, since it supposedly had healing effects, I decided to keep listening.
Bzzz.
At that moment, an alert buzzed from my smart student planner.
[Special Class Announcement]
[This week’s special class will be an indoor lecture. Please gather in Main Building, Room 503, by 7 PM on Wednesday.]
“Annoying.”
As if I wasn’t already overloaded, now I had to attend a special class.
This was exhausting.
At least it was just a lecture this time.
“Sigh.”
I let out a deep breath just as another notification came in.
[Senior, looks like we won’t be doing group work this time, lol.]
It was Choi Seo-yoon.
Not sure how to reply, I settled for something short.
[Yeah.]
[Boring. (Glaring emoji)]
“……”
[Oh, and make sure you listen to the entire music box before you sleep! Got it?]
I glanced at the music box beside my bed.
[Already listening.]
As soon as I sent that reply, the music box stopped with a soft click.
“So I just sleep now?”
I placed my student planner next to the music box.
A new message arrived, but I ignored it.
Closing the lid of the music box, I turned off the lights.
I lay down on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling before shutting my eyes.
And just like that, I fell asleep.
.
.
.
A buzzing alarm woke me up.
“Yaaawn…”
Stretching my arms, I let out a deep yawn.
For some reason, I felt like I had slept much deeper than usual.
It was as if all my fatigue had melted away.
Even though I had just woken up, my mind felt crystal clear.
I stared blankly at the wall for a moment before glancing at the music box beside my bed.
“…Wow, this thing really works.”
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