[Translator - Prøks]
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Chapter 21
Of all times, why did she have to appear when there were people around?
‘I guess I can't answer her.’
Helena tilted her head.
-Why can't you answer? You can answer just by thinking.
'Oh? Really?'
-Of course, we already share memories and experiences."
'Ah.'
Right.
‘To think we could converse just through thoughts.’
He had never tried communicating telepathically with ghosts before, so it was natural for him to have preconceptions.
If they shared memories and experiences, then mental conversations were indeed possible.
That was certainly reassuring.
-By the way, are you learning the basics of black magic?n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
'Yes, they say the basic skills are taught here.'
-Hmm~
Helena let out a hum, seemingly excited by Seonghyun's answer.
She seemed quite pleased that he was learning the basics of black magic.
As Seonghyun was conversing with Helena, Professor Urden looked at him and said,
"Ah! My apologies. We have a new student, so we should all greet each other. Let's have some self-introductions. Yeon, as the senior, you go first."
"...."
Although clearly dissatisfied with being asked to introduce herself, Yeon reluctantly opened her mouth.
"Yeon, Level 15."
A curt and blunt introduction, to say the least.
But what else was there to introduce?
It was obvious that they were all black mages since they were in this classroom.
Urden tilted his head, observing Yeon's curt response.
His expression seemed to say, 'What's gotten into her?'
But without giving it much thought, Urden turned to Seonghyun and said,
"Hmm, then it's your turn..."
"Ah, my name is Seonghyun. I just reached Level 10. Pleased to meet you."
"...."
Unable to completely ignore him in front of Urden, Yeon simply nodded.
It was clearly a breach of etiquette.
However, Seonghyun didn't react much.
He was used to such treatment.
Instead, it was Urden who tilted his head at Yeon's attitude.
'She's acting strange today.'
Even for her, this was unusual.
Could it be that Yeon disliked other outsiders?
There was no need for Urden to delve into that.
He cleared his throat and changed the subject.
"Alright, alright. Let's begin the class."
Class, huh?
Unlike the academy where skills were learned from books, this place offered actual classes.
If you understand the professor's lecture, you can learn the skill quickly.
Even if you don't, you'll still acquire it after an hour of listening.
Why bother with a lecture when they could just give us skill books or generate the skills for us?
One might think that, but the class actually teaches numerous ways to utilize the skills.
This was especially true for basic skills, which form the foundation of one's profession.
This type of education aims to deepen one's understanding of those skills.
'This is really important, isn't it?'
Countless strategy guides and discussions among high-ranking players emphasized the importance of basic skills.
The guides Seonghyun had read all agreed: skipping class out of laziness would lead to regret.
That's why everyone diligently attended the lectures.
Even if he didn't fully grasp the concepts, the skill was automatically learned after an hour of listening. It was a loss not to attend.
"Ahem, normally we would start by learning 『Poison: Pain Numbing』 a basic skill, but today we will first learn 『Bone Arrow』 which Yeon has already been studying."
"Oh."
"..."
Seonghyun had already encountered this skill.
The Bone Arrows that Bejiron had relentlessly fired.
So it was a rare skill.
'I thought he was just high-level, but I guess there's more to it.'
Since there were rare skills among the basic ones, it meant one had to complete at least an advanced black mage academy.
As Seonghyun was lost in thought, Yeon frowned at him.
Whatever else happened, she was determined to learn faster than him.
Yeon, too, was undoubtedly skilled.
'I learned other skills within 30 minutes... this time, I'll learn it even faster.'
Unlike Seonghyun, Yeon had already learned five basic skills at the normal rank in the intermediate black mage academy.
Since this was an upgrade from a normal skill, Yeon did have an advantage over Seonghyun, who hadn't learned any basic skills yet.
At least, formally speaking.
She was determined to show him that she was on a different level from Seonghyun, who had luckily passed the special academy’s requirements.
With that mindset, Yeon focused on the class.
Observing Yeon and Seonghyun, Urden began the lesson.
"Bone Arrow does not simply use bones from corpses lying around."
"Oh."
"..."
"Then where do you think the bones used to create the arrows come from?"
Urden's sudden question could have been disconcerting, but both Yeon, who was already familiar with it, and Seonghyun remained calm.
'He must have heard about it from someone... Or maybe he heard the answer to the question beforehand.'
It was a pathetic thought, but Yeon clung to it as a way to preserve her ego.
If it wasn't a trick, she'd have to acknowledge the gap between them.
But seeing Seonghyun's nonchalant attitude made her blood boil.
Yeon was not only talented but also incredibly hardworking, which made this even more frustrating.
Her attitude could be seen as a distorted passion.
‘Surely, he can't learn other skills this quickly.’
It was impossible.
Just like Yeon, Urden had similar thoughts.
It could happen once, but he couldn't possibly learn other skills this fast.
That's what he believed.
But who knows what might happen in this world?
What would happen next?
Urden's curiosity as a mage was piqued.
Normally, there was only one class per day.
But since they had finished so quickly...
"S-Seonghyun, since you learn so fast, would Yeon mind waiting a bit? I'd like to try teaching you other skills as well."
He asked Yeon for her understanding.
Naturally, Yeon, who was already riled up, nodded.
"Yes, I don't mind."
She glared at Seonghyun as if to say, "Go ahead, try it."
Seonghyun scratched his cheek, observing Yeon's reaction.
Not even five minutes passed before...
Fwhoooosh!!!
[Due to an 'unknown power,' you have gained complete understanding of the rare skill, 『Poison: Pain Numbing』]
[You have acquired the rare skill, 『Poison: Pain Numbing』]
"N-Noooo waaaay!!!"
"T-This is impossible..."
Both of them jumped up in shock.
Yeon, in particular, felt dizzy, almost on the verge of fainting.
‘No, this time it'll be different.’
‘Surely it won't happen a third time?’
About five minutes passed again.
Fwhoooosh!!!
[Due to an 'unknown power,' you have gained complete understanding of the rare skill, 『Blood Curtain』]
[You have acquired the rare skill, 『Blood Curtain』]
"Huhhh!? T-Then try mastering this one too, this one too!!!"
"Ehhh???"
This time, it wasn't even five minutes.
Maybe three minutes?
Utilizing Helena's memories had made the process even faster.
Fwhooooosh!!!
[Due to an 'unknown power,' you have gained complete understanding of the rare skill, 『Curse of Pain』]
[You have acquired the rare skill, 『Curse of Pain』]
"Wait, the time is getting shorter!?"
"..."
Yeon had forgotten all about her pride and inferiority complex.
She was now staring at Seonghyun as if he were a monster.
Coincidence? Connections?
She knew now that it was neither of those.
‘Just who is this guy?’
Not only Yeon, but even Urden, who was known as a genius, was astonished.
His eyes were bloodshot with excitement, his veins bulging as he stared with wide eyes.
He was the very image of a mage consumed by the spirit of experimentation.
‘Just what kind of person is he?’
Yeon couldn't comprehend it, and tears welled up in her eyes out of frustration.
But no one paid her any attention.
Instead, Urden shouted at Seonghyun with excitement,
"This is unbelievable! T-This time, it's the most difficult basic skill! You won't be able to master this one easily!!"
This time, it wasn't even a matter of minutes.
The moment Urden finished his question and Seonghyun was about to answer...
Fwhoooooooooosh!!!
[Due to an 'unknown power,' you have gained complete understanding of the rare skill, 『Create Lesser Undead.』]
[You have acquired the rare skill, 『Create Lesser Undead.』]
[The rare skill, 『Create Lesser Undead』 has been absorbed into the higher-level skill 『Death Legion』]
[The proficiency of the Almighty skill, 『Death Legion』 has increased.]
At this point, even Seonghyun felt a little embarrassed.
He had mastered the skill instantly, without even taking a minute.
"Ahaha..."
As Seonghyun let out an awkward laugh, Urden's face turned red, as if he was about to explode.
He shouted,
"Aaaagh! A genius of our time! A genius!!! Seonghyun, you're a genius!! That person didn't write you a recommendation letter for nothing!!"
"Waaaaah."
Unlike Urden, Yeon burst into tears.
It was complete chaos.
In the midst of all this...
-They're finally realizing it, huh? Hmm.
Helena proudly put her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, basking in the glory instead of the embarrassed Seonghyun.
Seonghyun, on the other hand, just wished everyone would stop making a fuss.
[Translator - Prøks]
[Proofreader - Prøks]