Chapter 51: I Must Win (3)

The spirit vein is already working.

However, this is not something that can be used right away.

'At least, it requires the kids' level to be up to par to use it.'

In this space where mana is infinitely condensed, overcoming the trials I give will allow one to accumulate an enormous amount of mana.

But currently, no one meets that condition.

Perhaps Abel, with his unique bloodline, and Wi Gunak, with his Mysterious power, might be capable.

'But for Wi Gunak, it's meaningless.'

The power he… or she possesses is Mysterious.

It's a power that doesn't resonate well with mana.

The intangible power that moves like telekinesis

It might be worth a shot for Seon Woohyeon to try this.

'It's more complete than I thought.'

Thinking of Seon Woohyeon.

In some ways, he is similar to me.

Feeling like I've lost everything at the peak of my prime and returned.

'That's the problem.'

A high tower was built without laying the foundation.

Initially, the tower should have collapsed a long time ago, but it was forcibly built up with the power called traits.

'It feels like I've made bricks fly while building the tower.'

And if it's Seon Woohyeon, instead of starting from the foundation, he would probably go out to find another flying brick.

'Well, that's also right.'

In this world, that made the most sense

But I'm a bit hesitant.

'…Because that power is too comfortable.'

Not as much as me, but traits created by those on a similar level.

They are offering the most perfect supernatural power without any cost.

Is there really no cost at all?

'That can't be.'

There's no way one can have such power without any cost.

'Well, all these worries are a luxury.'

Preparing for the future that has not yet arrived is necessary, but already trembling with worry is an utterly unproductive task.

I headed straight to the training room.

[Agility increases by +1.]

[Mental strength increases by +1.]

[Skill increases by +1.]

'I roughly get the physical part.'

But I still can't quite grasp mental strength or skill.

According to Yoo Eunchae, skill allows one to handle the arts well, and mental strength can reduce or break the power of anti-magic, curses, illusion magic, etc.

'I want to learn other traits as well.'

But I can't.

The moment I tried to learn Subspace, it was as if the vessel was full and blocked it.

[Trait, Subspace (B) has been learned.]

[Unique Trait, Eternity fills the vessel, deactivating Subspace (B).]

Originally, Han Seojin was said to possess the Unique Trait, Eternity.

As I possessed his body, Eternity became even more complex.

I thought that the vessel had expanded just as much.

'But the original Han Seojin became the Demon King without such things.'

Demon King.

By honing a Unique Trait, Han Seojin was called the Demon King of Eternity and trampled the world.

'Comparable to that guy.'

Insect Dragon King, Beelzebub.

The one who gave me the final enlightenment in my second life.

Just the aftermath of our fight made three neighboring countries disappear.

Moreover, all the empire's capabilities were focused on me at that time.

Those capabilities could be considered similar to the very end of my third life.

'If I'm at least comparable to that guy…'

It makes sense to focus on the Unique Trait.

However, time is short now.

'It's almost time for class.'

It's time to teach the students.

I'm somewhat looking forward to it.

'Teaching is more efficient than I thought.'

Wasn't there such a saying?

That there you could learn by teaching?

Initially, that saying didn't quite apply to me.

It was apparent why.

Magic and martial arts.

In those areas, I have seen the end.

Unless one is a transcendent being or a talent of considerable caliber, they cannot even inspire me.

However, Unique Traits are different.

The Unique Traits used here, akin to powers, are giving me tremendous inspiration.

'Each one is interesting.'

And among the traits, some intriguingly interlock.

Regardless of the rank, if the interlocking traits create synergy,

'It's not just addition or multiplication…'

They possess powers that can reach exponentiation.

That is exactly what traits are.

Moreover, traits can also evolve through magic or martial arts.

'Of course, the mediocre ones will devolve there.'

But they will surely emerge.

Those who will evolve there.

And I am confident that among them, a few will be from the students I am teaching.

'Maybe it's time to start teaching.'

This time, I gathered all the kids.

"What are you trying to do by gathering us all again?"

Yoo Eunchae raised her hand and spoke.

"Ah, I think I know! Didn't you create a spirit vein recently? Are you going to do something with that?"

I ignored Yoo Eunchae's words and said,

"It's time to start advanced training."

"Advanced training?"

"Yes."

The one who reacted to my words was Nam Hyerin.

"It won't hurt, will it?"

This was Yoo Eunchae.

She was shivering while wrapping her arms around herself.

"It won't hurt, though? Instead, you might lose consciousness, and your mana circuit or dantian could get slightly damaged…"

"That's abuse!"

"It's okay, it's okay. Would I really leave you hanging like that?"

"But still…"

"Anyway, before entering the advanced class, I'm thinking of testing you guys once. This will also be included in the evaluation."

Yoo Eunchae looked away and surveyed the surroundings.

Ten people.

Unlike in the beginning, their eyes were alive. Those who were bored, those with dull eyes, were now filled with venom.

Respect from Professor Alves deepened even more.

Yet, the eyes of the other nine were fierce.

'Someone's going to get killed.'

I'm a bit displeased that this murderous intent is directed at me, but…

'Well, good.'

It was time to let them off the leash anyway.

I pondered a lot on my way here today.

Really, a lot.

Whether to increase the weight of the iron rings and release a monster-like thing.

Or to push the kids off a cliff and cast magic from below.

'That would really be fun.'

But growth is slow.

Lately, I wonder if I've lost my motivation.

So, after much thought, I decided to choose the most exciting thing.

"I have taught you with a compassionate heart."

"…"

"…"

"Why has everyone suddenly gone quiet?"

"… We're not, so what's next?"

"It seems inevitable to make enemies while teaching. It's the Spartan way, after all."

"Right. Like being pushed off a cliff for coming in last after climbing it for physical training, or being thrown into a swimming pool with something weighing twice your body weight."

It seemed there was quite a bit of resentment.

This is even better.

"So, this time, I've especially pondered on how to motivate you all."

"What have you been pondering about?"

"To move on to advanced training, you need to get the basics down. But with the current classes, even if we increase the intensity, I doubt there will be a significant improvement in skills."

The left hand was placed behind the back, and the right hand was extended forward.

The basic stance before a fight.

"Well, it's funny to talk about this and that. The important thing is actual combat, right?"

"You, you don't mean…"

"Usually, it's the 'what ifs' that get people. You guys, individually, are excellent but have never tried to coordinate or combine your strengths, have you?"

The students picked up their weapons.

I looked around.

I roughly know their level.

'The sneaky ones are hiding their strength.'

There are three of them.

My eyes narrowed.

However, that doesn't mean they pose a threat to me.

"I will not use my left hand."

The right hand, which could be used as a primary attack, was enough.

'It's about time to warm up, too.'

My body is almost complete. To the point where using Wind God's Steps wouldn't be a problem.

It led to one result.

"Come at me, all of you."

"Are you really not going to use your left hand?"

"You'll regret those words."

Yoo Eunchae and Wi Gunak stood in front of me and said.

With a series of cracks, Wi Gunak was loosening her hands.

Seon Woohyeon quietly stepped forward.

Seon Woohyeon.

The Chosen One.

He has this nickname, but his true nature is closer to that of a psychopath.

He doesn't hesitate to use any means for his benefit.

He doesn't offer human sacrifices, but conversely, that means he does almost everything else.

A villain.

It's fine to call him that.

Because he is utterly broken.

'No, isn't that obvious?'

This world is divided into superhumans and those who are not.

Just like the old class system that divided nobles and commoners.

Without power, you get trampled. Without power, you get robbed. It was such a world.

In such a world, what Seon Woohyeon chose was to rob.

To take everything, monopolize it, and save the world.

That was the attitude Seon Woohyeon, the human, had towards the world.

"I will kill you!!"

"Oh, to say you'll kill your master."

"Die, Die!!"

That Seon Woohyeon was running at the peak of ugliness.

His teeth were broken, causing his pronunciation to leak.

As soon as Seon Woohyeon stepped forward, he was knocked down at once, and that's when his teeth fell out.

Could that be why?

He was glaring, targeting Han Seojin.

Hwak!

A sword qi bursts from Seon Woohyeon's sword.

A technique that only those who have reached the upper ranks, or the absolute pinnacle, can use!

However, it's not to say that Seon Woohyeon has reached the upper ranks.

He simply found a capability to substitute for the sword qi, like Han Seojin.

Red light surged, surrounding Han Seojin from all sides. Each sharp aura of sword qi targeted Han Seojin.

However.

"Try to distribute your power better. Isn't there too much waste?"

Han Seojin dodges like an eel, slipping away.

What can't be blocked is lightly flicked away with his one hand.

'What kind of trick is that?'

It's a skill unheard and unseen.

"This is going to hurt a bit!"

The blood spear flying from Abel, the magic from Shin Yura, and the arrows from Yoo Seolrang, along with Jo Gaeun's hidden weapons

They all targeted every direction of Han Seojin.

"Ridiculous."

In an instant, Han Seojin seemed to disappear.

'What kind of step technique is that?'

Fundamentally, it's incredibly fast. And yet, he disappears like teleporting at dangerous moments.

While dodging the students' attacks, he focuses his attacks solely on Seon Woohyeon.

Seon Woohyeon grips the swords in both hands and attacks with his special move.

"Shallow."

Han Seojin lightly laughs while grabbing Seon Woohyeon's head.

Kwang!

And slams him into the ground just like that.

"Die, you damned master!"

Seo Boram, holding a sword larger than herself, charges at Han Seojin.

And at the same time, from behind, Nam Hyerin appears.

Koong!

The Emperor's form appears. It was the Namgoong clan's secret technique, the Emperor's Sword Form.

"It might hurt a bit."

"We'll pay back at least half of what we suffered!"

Two people brimming with murderous intent.

"The attempt is good, but!"

However, Han Seojin, as if amused, smiles and clenches his fist.

He takes a stance and thrusts his fist towards Seo Boram's sword.

Jjeoeeoong!

"Boram has weak lower body strength."

He sends Seo Boram flying with a single punch. And then, pivoting on one leg, he rotates and lifts one leg.

"Hyerin has a big opening."

Leg.

That is, a kick was launched.

Yoo Eunchae chanted a spell while watching the scene.

"No, I knew it!"

Truly monstrous.

The more they face him, the more they feel it. He dodges all kinds of magic.

If one of them tries to use dangerous magic, he eerily interferes. If that doesn't work, he either swats it away with a hand or uses a disappearing footwork technique.

What's scary is that even when other students tried to stop it, he immediately knocked down Shin Yura.

'I didn't know he would punch in the face.'

Honestly, it was a bit satisfying.

However, if there's a problem, it's this.

Most of the students were already sprawled out on the ground.

And then.

The fist that sent Shin Yura flying.

"Eunchae, you seem confident."

"Ha, haha… Can't you let it slide just once?"

"Should I let it slide?"

"Shit."

It was coming towards her.

The Wind God's Steps was more buoyant in water than I thought.

'I got excited without realizing it.'

With the movement technique, Wind God's Steps, I moved quickly and accelerated in the dangerous moments.

I looked ahead.

Crack.

As I loosened my hands, Wi Gunak and Yoo Eunchae were watching me.

'Already made it?'

Mysterious.

I could feel the power being intensely emitted from Wi Gunak.

Should I call it a more intimidating presence than before?

My body felt a bit tingly.

'But, is that person really a woman?'

Is it the consequence of storing Mysterious inside her body?

It seems like something really changed.

"Did you succeed already?"

"That's correct."

"Wow, that's some impressive talent."

"If it's 'impressive talent', how much would it be?"

"A talent that can reach my toes?"

"…I've been feeling this since before, but Master is really unlucky."

"Is that so?"

This is actually a compliment.

The talent that can reach the tips of my toes is.

'Reserved for only those who transcend the ordinary.'

In other words, those who achieve Ascension.

Only they can stand on equal footing with the principal.

"Then I will go."

"Come on."

At the flick of my finger, Wi Gunak charged at me.