Chapter 21: Will You Really Be Different From Them?

Before entering the class, I checked the list.

Starting with Yoo Eunchae to Nam Hyerin, whom I briefly taught Namgoong's swordsmanship before, and,

'Professor Alves and Abel.'

Why are these two here?

"It could be a privilege."

"Well, you could say it's a privilege."

This is a lecture I specialize in.

Just by attending it, one could reach a considerable level.

"Oh, is it that significant?"

"Yes."

Of course, that's if they all follow along.

But still, they won't lose to those ordinary ones.

'Their realm is the intermediate level.'

Intermediate level.

In the realm of martial arts, it's the stage of reaching the pinnacle.

In the realm of magic, it's reaching the 5th circle.

Even they could easily win.

"Hmm."

"Why?"

"If the level of the class is that high, should I have been more selective in accepting students?"

"It's fine."

The standard here is lagging behind anyway.

No, it wasn't just behind. It was much worse than I thought.

'Damn them.'

The Seven Colored Towers.

In my second life, I should have realized when they coveted my research results.

I never expected my research alone to be the criterion for 'passing.'

'Well, it must be shocking.'

Because calling my actions radical would be an understatement.

An orphan taken in by the empire's greatest magician, known as the Duke of Extermination.

He soon surpassed all the masters of the Seven Colored Towers , known as the Empire's Tower.

When he finally killed the Demon King, he clearly surpassed even the realm of the Duke of Extermination.

Well, that's not what's important right now.

"So, what will we do about the lessons?"

"The basics."

"Basics, you say. But aren't these people who have already mastered the basics?"

"At that level?"

I laughed at Abel.

He couldn't even master the basics himself, but he thought they did?

"If you had really mastered the basics, you wouldn't have lost to me before."

"I'm looking forward to what this 'basics' is."

Despite the mockery, he smiled brightly as if there's no reason for him to be upset.

'Annoying guy.'

He chuckled and moved forward.

"I was told not to bring teaching materials, so I didn't."

"You don't need to bring such trash."

"Trash…?"

Abel pretended to be sullen.

"But do you really not need our help? Professor Alves has volunteered a slave."

"Graduate students aren't slaves."

"Why suddenly make such a righteous statement…"

"It's okay. It's not like I've only taught one or two guys."

Like Yoo Eunchae, I didn't teach seriously, but I've taught quite a few other magicians.

When I was a warrior, I even created a military force to protect the Heavenly Demon.

Ding.

 [Your magical power has increased by 1.]

'Oh, it finally increased.'

With this as a turning point, my magical power reached 20.

Reaching 20 means that I can finally use it,

Brilliant Blazing Fire—I can engrave that power into my heart. If a fully engraved Brilliant Blazing Fire comes into existence.

'I could become three times stronger than I am now, roughly.'

That means I could wipe out everything that meets a certain standard.

"Abel, go ahead."

"I'll go ahead and quiet the kids down."

"Do that."

After sending Abel off, the staff room became quiet.

I took out the bead from the inside of the drawer.

The bead that the principal gave me before, saying it was interesting.

'Was it called a Dokkaebi's spirit pill?'

Its qi was infinitely close to pure.

A pure spirit pill has immense value in itself.

Spiritual medicine enhances the properties of one's natural constitution.

That's why it's very hard to find a spiritual medicine that suits oneself.

But such pure spiritual medicine enhances strength regardless of compatibility.

Yum.

I put it in my mouth.

As soon as I did, it melted smoothly. An incredible umami and the concentrated taste of vegetables swirled in my mouth.

Kwaaaa!

An enormous amount of mana poured into my dantian.

A river of mana—No, like a tidal wave, seas of mana surged!

However, I calmly guided them into my dantian.

And then made a round through the dantian to the heart.

During this process, I raised my will.

'Rise.'

The sleeping deity of the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra quietly awakened.

Usually, it remained still, tuning the body.

But as soon as I poured in the spiritual medicine, it opened its eyes and absorbed all the mana of the spiritual medicine.

 [Your magical power has increased by 10.]

In a brief moment you could call an instant, the elixir has fully settled in my body.

'Enough so I won't need an elixir for a while.'

It would be perfect if I also engrave the Brilliant Blazing Fire in my heart.

'It's about time.'

Time to teach the students.

After realizing the level of this world, I began to wonder.

'I need to raise the level.'

To a point that satisfies me.

And to satisfy me, that level had to be very high.

Even those who have reached the minimum level now must increase their abilities threefold.

But I still have some doubts.

I used everything at the disposal of the Purple Magic Tower to defeat the Demon King, the Insect Dragon King, but risking my life was not enough.

Considering a different perspective, only the Purple Magic Tower was fully mobilized.

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Navy.

Excluding the Purple, there were still six magic towers.

I may have bashed their heads a bit too much, but even so, the Earth started with nothing.

It's strange that the six magic towers are being pushed back by Earthlings.

'Originally, there shouldn't have been a need to step into the martial world.'

The population here is enormous.

Whether it's the magic world or the martial arts world, both boast populations exceeding 100 million.

On the magic side, mana was abundant, and basic physical conditions were good.

In the world of martial arts, mana was scarce, but the 'method of handling' mana was highly developed.

So, it was questionable.

Although, I did wreck a lot…

No, quite a lot, indeed.

But it was incomprehensible why the magic world and martial arts world were helplessly pushed back.

Even now, after having learned about the Unique Traits and what they entail to some extent, it remains the same.

'I don't know.'

Someday.

I'll have to find out what they did to fall so far.

But now is the time to hide my power.

That's why I accepted the position as an academy professor.

First, under the protection of a transcendent, I will grow stronger.

And then, when I'm ready, I'll reveal myself to the world.

Click-clack.

I stopped walking.

Because I had just entered the classroom.

'Though I've seen most of them.'

There are many I don't know.

Among them, there are a few that pique my curiosity.

Creak.

As I open the door, gazes gather.

They weren't noisy like the other kids.

However, I didn't quite like the looks they were giving me.

Those looks seemed to say, 'Try me,' while sending provocative glances.

'Or perhaps indifferent.'

Like the boy with a white sash tied around him, like a hero's belt, he was like that.

And the man looking at me with provocative eyes, Seon Woohyeon.

Or like someone who has encountered something special, the silver-haired girl whose eyes sparkle.

'Interesting.'

I believe these guys have just turned 20.

Their level is quite decent.

In my second and third life, there were only 2 or 3 people like them.

'The Earth is indeed large.'

Since the primary population is so large, there are plenty of outstanding ones.

But from a different mindset, it's only about 10 people.

Despite being 35 times more than the combined population of two continents.

That number of people is just about 10.

'Well, there are countries that implement isolation policies, and there's said to be one more place like this.'

It's not incomprehensible.

Standing at the podium, I examined their faces.

A vampire, Abel, squinting and snickering, creates a light atmosphere.

And the professor who tried to teach me before. Was it Albestro, or Alvesro?

And I saw the others.

A girl with blonde hair. And a guy who wraps a cloth straight around his head as if it's a hero's weapon.

And there was also a guy who looked utterly hopeless.

'Was his name Seon Woohyeon?'

I remember him as the guy who pretends not to care about Yoo Eunchae.

'We're quite far apart.'

Seon Woohyeon was sitting at the end near the window.

Yoo Eunchae was at the very front, close to the door I entered from.

Hmm, but.

'That guy seems unusual, doesn't he?'

Seon Woohyeon or Yoo Eunchae.

The light-hearted Abel, who giggles, or the professor.

Rather than the silver-haired magician.

The boy wrapped in a cloak like a hero caught my attention.

My senses tell me that there's something about him.

Yoo Eunchae pouted and said.

Well, we still have to do what we have to do.

"Now, try to follow along."

I'm called a blockhead.

Of course, there wasn't actually anyone like that.

Everyone here is quite capable.

So, it's only those with inflated egos or pride.

That's why I chose such a word.

"Idiots, seriously…"

"Thinking of this as a basic textbook, and just accepting it as is."

Abel, tapping on what seemed to be a textbook titled "Basic Mana Application" left it just in case.

"It means you're blockheads."

Whoosh.

I burned the textbook. To think they wasted paper on something like this.

"So, I've discarded everything I was going to teach you, and I'm quite upset about it."

"That's because the teacher…"

"Quiet."

"…Then what will you teach us?"

"Basic Mana Manipulation."

"Basic Mana Manipulation?"

"Yes. You, Yoo Eunchae. What does this look like?"

I extended my index finger.

Yoo Eunchae's pupils seemed to capture flames.

Then, as if she had read the characters I wrote with mana, she began to speak.

"Idiot Yoo Eunchae? Damn it!"

"What about this?"

"A sphere?"

"And this?"

"…I can only see something pale."

"That's good eyesight. Nurture it well."

If it appeared pale, it was evidence that she could follow half of my talent in my second life.

"Earthlings have been chosen by the system. I have no intention of denying the usefulness of the system."

Though it teaches nonsense abilities, grants powers at will, and overlays a body.

Yet, its usefulness made it too comfortable and quick to become stronger.

And because it is more addictive than any drug, I have no intention of denying it.

"But relying too much on the system isn't good either. As a result, you've all become too inferior."

A provocative statement made one person bristle.

Seon Woohyeon.

His title was the Chosen One.

He was also considered the most outstanding among the first years.

'But why aren't the others bristling?'

Usually, having the source of one's power dismissed is enough to make anyone upset.

…Could it be that only the weird ones came?

Well, that could be the case.

After all, those who think drawing a single magic formula and seeking to learn from me are normal.

"So what happens if you master Basic Mana Manipulation?"

"At least, you won't lose to those mediocre ones."

"…And the standard for those mediocre ones?"

"From first-rate to peak. Or a 3rd circle to 5th circle magician. In your terms, mid-tier heroes."

"That's ridiculous."

There was someone who sneered.

It was Seon Woohyeon.

An overt hostility.

No, closer to malice.

I chuckled and played along with his tune.

"Well, it might be fine for now… but if you rush ahead without laying the foundations, you'll end up dying pathetically against someone slightly stronger. Completely powerless."

"…!"

Seon Woohyeon seemed to bristle.

His reaction was odd.

Really, had he been defeated by someone slightly stronger without being able to do anything?

Yoo Eunchae was desperately trying to hold back her laughter at my words.

"So what happens then, Professor?"

"Try using magic once."

I looked around.

Something that could be used as teaching material…

"The one who harbors the most animosity towards me… Hmm, it's only you."

The others are mostly strangers.

Yoo Eunchae is the only one left.

"Come at me."

"I won't give you the satisfaction."

"Do you even have the skills to judge?"

"Ugh!"

Mana near Yoo Eunchae stirred.

Its speed was fast.

Whoosh!

Brilliant Blazing Fire, Crimson Flame Sphere.

She used them.

"But."

"Why? You're not going to change your mind now, are you?"

"I've been thinking since last time. Why do you say you're going to attack, and then attack?"

"Ah, that's because the magic circle…"

"That's why you guys need Basic Mana Manipulation."

I said, looking at the others.

"'Basic Mana Application.' To put it more simply… it could also be called Basic Mana Manipulation Technique. Throw it."

"Argh!"

Yoo Eunchae threw the Crimson Flame Sphere at me.

"If you can apply yourself a bit more, this is also possible."

"Ah, be, be careful…!"

Snap.

Swoosh!

"…!"

"…This is unbelievable!!"

Everyone spat out astonishment as if they couldn't believe it.

Yoo Eunchae and Seon Woohyeon.

Their reactions were the most intense.

As if they had seen something impossible.

Because the Crimson Flame Sphere had disappeared without a trace.

"Basic Mana Manipulation. This is a fundamental skill that must be developed to reach a certain level."

Their gaze was different from before.

Everyone was watching me with a gaze full of astonishment.

Indeed, seeing is believing.

It's interesting to see those who were uninterested or didn't know anything now paying such close attention.

"What, just now?"

"It's Basic Mana Manipulation. If you were to use magic, it would be called Dispel."

"But, but the mana didn't move…"

"What do you think a dispel is?"

"It's breaking down and releasing magic, right?"

"You're wrong."

I slowly approached Yoo Eunchae.

"Dispel focuses on scattering the mana of magic."

A genius named Lee invented the magic known as Dispel.

And in less than 10 years, Dispel became common in the market.

Another genius created the basic operating method.

That genius is me.

The magic known as Dispel is magic created by an ordinary person who never met a genius like me.

"Because Dispel is a primitive magic created in an era that did not greatly enhance Mana Control ability."

"…Dispel?"

"Basic Mana Manipulation. This unnecessarily complicated magic is Dispel. That's why it's primitive."

At my words, Yoo Eunchae's eyes wavered.

So did Seon Woohyeon's.

Even if Yoo Eunchae is one thing.

Seon Woohyeon is hiding something big.

'I'll find out what it is soon enough.'

But not right now.

"If we learn from you, can we do at least that much?"

Seon Woohyeon spoke in a cold voice.

I lifted the corners of my mouth.

"If you can learn."

If there's a problem, it's that this is a bit difficult to master.

It was a new theory I presented, and I wanted to teach it to many in my second life.

However, most of them couldn't learn it.

"Then what happens when you get past the basics?"

"Get past the basics?"

Eyes filled with expectation.

I know—that at times like this, I need to show something.

"If you're a warrior, with the minimum amount of mana, you can reach the realm of a sword qi Master… And if you're a mage."

I reached out my hand.

Crackle!

Blue light wrapped around my hand.

It's basic magic, not the Glacial Heavenly Moon.

But the manifestation of that magic is too fast and secretive.

"To the extent that you can hide the shadow spear and magic circle and use magic."

"It seems more remarkable than I thought, yet the effect is smaller than expected."

"Well, it's the basics. What do you expect from the most fundamental step to move on to the next level?"

Trying to take shortcuts in life will lead to trouble.

That was also my philosophy.

"Then, I will teach you the Basic Mana Manipulation method."

I smiled broadly.

The children also smiled in response to my laughter.

Some with the anticipation of becoming stronger, some with curiosity as if they've discovered something fascinating.

And some are wary, but.

"It doesn't matter."

I will conduct the lessons fairly.

It's up to them to engrave it in their bodies, so I hope they all follow well.

However, there was one regret.

During my days as the Purple Tower Master or as the Demon Army's Vice Commander, before I trained my subordinates, they looked at me with respect.

And after the training, everyone wanted to kill me.

'It's not even that hard.'

I'll try to believe you guys are a bit different.