Chapter 50: I Must Win (2)

The green light.

Something that had a significant impact on creating the Spirit Veins.

'Whether it's a holy relic or a divine artifact.'

For a brief moment, Han Seojin saw its structure.

It forcibly holds onto the power known as mana and circulates it within the school.

Continuously circulating the power to amplify the mana and then materializing it to hold onto.

That created the Spirit Veins.

'Interesting.'

This made me smile.

Its structure is similar to the Emperor Sword Form's internal art Azure Heaven Cosmic Godly Technique.

Yet, it's different.

The process of circulating and amplifying is the same, but it doesn't hold onto it.

Its efficacy is similar to that of the World Tree.

Yet, it's slightly inferior.

'That object, in its original form, couldn't exhibit such performance.'

Someone probably amplified the power, or the principal took measures.

Circulating and amplifying is simple.

I slowly activated the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra.

The qi closest to the Great Sky.

Woong!

It circulates and amplifies.

Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra.

It is a martial art that can become anything, and it is also a martial art that cannot become anything.

In his third life, Han Seojin had a body known as the Heavenly Martial Body.

A body that can adapt to any form of qi, accepting the qi of nature.

And now, he has acquired a body known as the Celestial Body.

Though it's called the Celestial Body, perhaps it will eventually become the Heavenly Martial Body.

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

A physique that can learn any property of energy.

Heavenly Martial Body.

With it, Han Seojin can imitate and master most martial arts.

This is also why Han Seojin does not learn the Azure Heaven Cosmic Godly Technique but uses the Emperor's Sword Form.

So.

He embodies it with the Great Sky Dancing Divine Mantra.

'It circulates and amplifies. And then it grabs that and circulates once more.'

This is the basic foundation for creating a spirit vein.

There are other things, but one roughly hits the mark with intuition and feeling.

Wooong!!

The realm of mana, where blue water rises.

In the space where the spirit vein was forcibly manifested, the spirit vein began to resonate with Han Seojin's mana.

A bond was formed.

He reigned as a transcendent of the era through magic, a being that ruled the world.

Therefore, he formed a bond and did not need a spirit chant.

However, the concept of space and time belonged to an even higher dimension, so it was inevitable.

It reduces unnecessary mana consumption.

Everything that is perceived is compensated for with intuition.

The mana around him began to stir. The sea of blue mana, the spirit vein, resonates with him, emitting a blue light.

'What's this.'

A gap in space.

The principal, watching Han Seojin from that place, had no choice but to say such words.

She knew that he had imitated a Unique Trait that she had never been able to replicate before.

When she realized that he knew forgotten knowledge, she immediately placed him as the head professor.

When he said he would take the budget, she lost for that reason, too.

She knew that his abilities dealt with time.

And that he knew how to enhance traits.

That's why she wanted to embrace him.

Fortunately, although he grew up in Iron-Blood Sword Clan, he was hostile to Iron-Blood Sword Clan.

But.

'The more I know, the more I think of him like an onion.'

Something keeps appearing no matter how much it's peeled.

Just like an onion.

She looked at Han Seojin.

In Han Seojin's hand, a blue sphere was in harmony with the spirit vein.

Time.

He was fully handling a power that was the opposite concept to her abilities.

While spreading it through the spirit vein.

'This….'

The principal had not expected much.

She had manifested the Spirit Veins here, but at most, they might last a week.

She thought he would strengthen the students in that time, but not by much compared to the effort put in.

But she had complied simply because it was Han Seojin's request.

The principal looked ahead.

The waters forming the Spirit Veins were shimmering in blue.

The sphere placed on Han Seojin's hand resonated with them.

A scene like a painting.

Yet, from the perspective of a transcendent, it was also a chilling scene.

'He understands its Unique Traits.'

She had only come to understand them upon reaching a higher rank.

But Han Seojin was already beginning to understand and apply them.

Even though he was still at the middle rank or perhaps even lower.

Han Seojin reached out his hand.

The sea of spirit veins flashed with a blue light, resonating with his traits.

Unique Trait activation.

Eternity.

[The Unique Trait, Eternity, is activated.]

Woooooong!!

A piercingly blue light begins to merge with the sea.

Han Seojin quietly opened his eyes, which he had been keeping shut.

'This should be enough.'

He used Eternity to bind with the Spirit Veins.

It took 'less' time than expected.

It should be worry-free for a while.

However, the ability of Eternity… might be a bit more exceptional than he had anticipated.

'Maybe.'

It might last semi-permanently.

Since it was cast in synchronization with the Spirit Veins, Eternity seems like it will continue to be maintained.

He just needs to come here from time to time to check on the progress.

Han Seojin moved his feet.

'Would this be enough?'

If he really wanted to, he could make it more perfect.

It would also be possible to maintain the Spirit Veins permanently.

'This is better.'

There's no need to show anything more to the principal.

She is, after all, a transcendent being.

'According to my experience of transcending twice, all transcendents are dangerous.'

None of them are normal.

Those who ascended in pursuit of the ultimate realm are all twisted.

Selling families, dissecting people, overflowing with human sacrifices.

But there are exceptions.

"Just a handful."

Only three of the nine Dukes of the Empire were normal, and in the martial arts world, only about two out of fifteen transcendental masters were sane.

'Though they were twisted to the extreme.'

Thus, Han Seojin was wary of the principal.

It was a natural reaction for Han Seojin.

'Ah, what should I do.'

The principal touched her lips.

The corners of her mouth smiled brightly.

But they seemed somewhat twisted.

She had thought so from the beginning.

'I really want him.'

The desire for possession was growing too large.

Han Seojin has already been firmly marked.

Wi Gunak quietly turned on the donor and closed his eyes.

'You said to store the power in the dantian.'

Mysterious.

His master had called this power unseen, unknown, unsolvable.

A power that cannot be seen, known, or understood.

And the more the power was accumulated, the more its definition became understandable.

'This is…'

He had always tried to understand this power.

Unable to accumulate mana.

Yet, it followed his will like telekinesis.

A power that had not manifested in any superhumans.

Everyone tried to know the source of this power, but the master suggested a different direction.

「Do not try to know that power.」

「Excuse me? What do you mean?」

「That power is just that kind of power. It's a simple story.」

Msyterious.

The most important thing is to properly use it while,

'Don't try to understand.'

Accepting that power as it is.

Then, the power began to respond to one's will.

Unlike before, when he tried not to understand, it began to move on its own.

This power is invisible.

Unknown.

It's just that kind of power.

The change that occurred upon acknowledging it.

Following the master's words, creating a dantian with the power of the mysterious led to tremendous change.

Compared to before creating the dantian.

He felt at least twice as strong.

'I think I understand why he told me to be a martial artist.'

External forces influence a magician.

However, this power does not blend with nature.

It feels like a power that is above all laws.

This power does not mix with other forces.

It outright rejects all other forces.

Therefore, creating an inner dantian and using it like a warrior is the most ideal.

Wi Gunak opened his eyes.

If it were a flaw, then a flaw it would be.

The mysterious power that was being circulated outside is slowly being released.

'…Back to its original form.'

It is returning.

He looked in the mirror.

His jawline is becoming finer, both eyes reveal double eyelids, and his chest and buttock areas become more and more prominent.

It's an entirely unfamiliar appearance.

Wi Gunak felt uncomfortable with those appearances.

But there was something gained.

This power grants him tremendous strength.

'With this much…'

Wi Gunak closed his eyes.

He ran a simulation in his head.

Destroying the Wi Clan's stronghold.

Something he couldn't do, so he asked his master.

Maybe he would be able to do it soon.

'It's a pity.'

Wi Gunak wrapped himself in the mysterious power again.

Then, he began to change back into a man.

"Un…Oppa! Hurry up!"

"Just wait."

"What, who are you!? My brother doesn't speak so politely to…Eek!"

Wi Gunak, who stopped his sister from causing a fuss, went outside.

Once outside, a cool breeze blew.

A serene garden was also in view.

He didn't like it.

Deep inside, an urge to destroy this place surged.

But Wi Gunak held back.

'Just a little longer.'

He would grow stronger.

When he asked his master to destroy the Wi Clan, the master was troubled but did not say it was impossible.

Wi Gunak closed his eyes.

The Wi Clan is very different from the Namgoong Clan.

Because there is still a current clan head, he couldn't make his move.

'Not much longer.'

The time for him to become the head of the family.

If his father becomes the head, he will start acting in earnest.

He will force him to become the successor.

And turn his siblings into weapons for the family.

'I must protect them.'

In this Wi Clan, he had to protect his siblings.

The rest didn't see them as people.

They are only interested in making the family greater.

What's so important about being from the six great families?

"Gunak."

Wi Gunak flinched and stared at where the voice came from.

He saw a man smiling brightly.

A middle-aged man. And the very existence he most opposes in this house.

His biological father.

But Wi Gunak felt as if bugs were crawling all over his body.

He dislikes that man.

No, he finds him repulsive.

That man is the cause of all troubles.

The very cause he wishes his master would destroy the family for.

To begin with, his name wasn't even Wi Gunak.

It was a name that man arbitrarily gave.

'Just a little more…'

Endure it.

"I heard it not long ago. That you're taking classes from the famous Professor Han Seojin?"

"That's right."

"Good for you. You definitely seem different. More 'reliable'. Suitable enough to be the next head of the Wi Clan."

"…"

"I'm glad I had you. And I'm glad you gained that power. We almost had the disgrace of a 'woman' becoming the head of the family."

"So…"

"Yes, I'll put off the talk about turning your siblings into swords for a bit."

Father said that and turned his back.

"Ah, but Seohee is an exception."

"Why is that?"

"The family needed a son."

Father smiled with his eyes.

But his eyes were endlessly cold. A man who staked his life on raising the Wi Clan to be one of the six great families.

Yet, he lives in the past.

Raised solely with the belief that a man must sit at the head of the family, Wi Gunak was abused and raised as a man.

The awkward manner of speaking was evidence of the abuse suffered.

"Seohee must bear a son for our Wi Clan—instead of you. How about your friend Seon Woohyeon? Oh, is Han Seojin, the chief professor, still without a partner?"

Something surged within his chest.

He felt like he was going to vomit.

Wi Gunak walked away, ignoring his father.

"The young master."

"The one who will elevate our family to one of the six great families!"

He walked.

"But haven't the non-heroes been causing too much trouble lately? Interfering with our affairs under the guise of civic groups and whatnot."

"Exactly. I wish we could sweep them away like Tiananmen Square in China. But stop using that strange term 'non-heroes.' A commoner will always be a commoner."

They disdain humans who are not of noble lineage and cannot awaken mana.

So they walked.

"Ah, did you hear? This time, the Chinese Wudokmun Clan released poison in North Korea to test its toxicity."

"Wow, they really go too far."

"Why? Do you pity the commoners?"

"No~ What about the awakened ones born in poor countries?"

"Ah, it's a pity."

They do not see them as fellow humans but as slaves.

The remnants of an apocalypse that almost destroyed everything.

Wi Gunak,

really hated this family.