Chapter 163: Festival (1)


    “I guess 300 thousand a month would be fine.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon’s abilities were worth more than that, but receiving too much money at once could impair her financial sensibility.


    It was wise to set up a separate ount for Seolhwa Ryeon and allocate funds ording to her capabilities.


    “I have nothing else to offer but money, I’m sorry.”


    When I conveyed this to Seolhwa Ryeon, she reacted with surprising shock.


    “No, I’m truly grateful. Just being with you and receiving your help is more than enough, even without the money…”


    Seolhwa Ryeon’s voice was filled with emotion.


    She was likely reflecting on the hardships of living without money until now.


    “But is it okay to just leave them as they are?”Seolhwa Ryeon’s gaze shifted towards the Witch Maiden and the elder.


    “Each of them may not be a match for you, but they possess a level of threat. It seems their subordinates have been trained for stealth rather than professionalbat.”


    “…Right.”


    I had some awareness of the situation, but not to the extent that Seolhwa Ryeon did.


    It’s remarkable how quickly Seolhwa Ryeon grasped things. She appeared to have a knack for training soldiers.


    “I won’t let her potential go to waste.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon’s talents must be nurtured.


    If her talents, her control over the frozen world, and her potential to be a shadow king were to fully emerge, she would be a formidable figure.


    “Ryeon, you might not be aware, but they are somewhat under control. More urately, I’ve ced them under reliable constraints.”


    “Indeed. As expected of you. Typically, viins might conspire with Mines. They’re often lumped together.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon and I conversed as we made our way to a secluded area.


    The space I had created using the special stat shadow (影) I had umted.


    Shadow Space.


    This was where I nned to train Seolhwa Ryeon.


    “What is this ce?”


    “It’s a space I created for you, Ryeon. Starting today, you’ll train here to master the shadows.”


    Crack. Crack.


    A sound of something breaking was heard, and a soldier rose from the shadows. The force was weak. This soldier had just been created, having devoured a Mine.


    I was about to show her how it’s done but stopped. Seolhwa Ryeon was looking at me with a nk expression.


    “Ryeon?”


    “Yes? No, no, it’s nothing.”


    I realized I had never called Seolhwa Ryeon “Ryeon” before. Hmm, maybe she didn’t like that nickname.


    “I apologize. I spoke too hastily. I’ll be more careful in the future.”


    “Huh?”


    “Did it upset you when I called you Ryeon?”


    “No, not at all! Oh, it actually made me feel closer to you, and I liked it.”


    “Is that so?”


    That’s how it is…


    “Then I will call you Ryeon from now on.”


    “Yes, elder.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon smiled brightly at my words.


    I stared at Seolhwa Ryeon nkly for a moment. She usually acted indifferently in most situations. Not because shecked emotions, but because of her postnatal training.


    Assassin.


    The ultimate weapon created with all the effort of the assassin family. That was Seolhwa Ryeon. Thus, she was trained not to show emotions. Seolhwa Ryeon was the treasure of her n, so she didn’t undergo the emotional deletion process that other assassins did, yet she rarely showed her emotions.


    ‘Did she smile?’


    It felt like something inside was tickling me.


    I closed my eyes briefly and calmed my emotions.


    Then, I exined the training method that was toe.


    “Starting today, Ryeon, I’ll exin the training you will undergo. For a week, you’ll train regarding shadows, and the following week will focus on training based on the talents you possess.”


    “Training different talents every week.”


    “That’s right. I’ll teach you about the training you’ll do this week. First, try to take control of this shadow soldier.”


    “Understood.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon eyed the shadow soldier.


    There was a movement, but control over the shadow soldier was entirely in my hands.


    -Master, is that okay?


    “Yes. This is the usual training method. It involves snatching the opponent’s control of shadows to increase dominance.”


    -Seo-ha, but doesn’t it seem unsuitable for you?


    “What do you mean?”


    -Seo-ha, you might not know this about yourself, but your control over elements is exceptionally great.


    “That’s true.”


    -Very, very great. Because you’ve only fought beings of a higher caliber, your own caliber is also extraordinarily high. And on top of that, you possess the skill to gain talents through various supports.


    “…”


    -That would be fine, but the vessel made to rece your heart, called the ck me Celestial Body, is a strange vessel that epasses everything and holds its own caliber just by existing. Of course, you might seed in gaining control eventually, but for an ordinary person, it would take a lifetime to snatch away that control.


    “That much?”


    -Yes. She might even face despair upon suddenly encountering such a huge barrier.


    At Eternal Heaven’s words, I looked serious.


    Unaware of my feelings, ck Heaven boasted proudly, puffing up its chest.


    -But don’t worry. After all, I, the greatest under the heavens, am attached to the master.


    “Does ck Heaven have any way?”


    -That’s exactly when something is needed. Specifically, faith in one’s disciple…


    “…”


    [Your proficiency with Midas''s Touch (A+) increases.]


    [Your bond with ck Heaven deepens.]


    -Haaaaaah?


    ck Heaven’s waist bent like a bow.


    You, quiet.


    I silenced ck Heaven and looked at Seolhwa Ryeon. Her body was already covered in sweat.


    But the will engraved in her blue eyes was steadfast.


    Twitch.


    The arm of the shadow soldier twitched suddenly.


    -The control over the shadow soldier…?


    Eternal Heaven murmured in a panicked voice.


    -…This child’s talent is also considerable. Indeed, a talent worthy of Seo-ha’s attention.


    “Isn’t it?”


    Eternal Heaven was worried.


    This training method might not be suitable. Seolhwa Ryeon could be despondent from facing such a formidable obstacle.


    Yet, she seemed to be adapting well to my training regimen…


    Drip.


    Blood trickled from Seolhwa Ryeon’s nose.


    “What?”


    I hastened towards Seolhwa Ryeon and retrieved a tissue from subspace to clean her nosebleed.


    “Don’t tilt your head back.”


    “…I’m sorry.”


    “No, Ryeon, you’ve done well.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon’s face was ashen.


    It was overwhelming for her. Eternal Heaven’s caution made sense now. Even though she hadn’t been honing the special stats for long, it was unusual for her to exhibit such a stressed demeanor.


    “This method is effective, but it seems I should employ it sparingly.”


    Seolhwa Ryeon was experiencing significant stress.


    Iforted Seolhwa Ryeon and wrapped up the training session.<hr>


    Festival.


    A celebration marked by a ritual. Essentially, a day to honor something.


    It might seem straightforward, but like any institution, the Korea Hero Academy had its own tradition of hosting a festival.


    On this day, the school would wee the externalmunity. It was a day when teachers felt more anxious than the students, akin to how practical exams during midterms or finals were held in an open setting.


    Should any mishaps ur, the school’s reputation could take a hit.


    This year, in particr, had witnessed several incidents. There had been a daring incursion by the Mines at the Korea Hero Academy, and the US had also faced invasions by the Mines.


    Thus, there were doubts about the festival taking ce.


    “Let’s go ahead with it.”


    Seo Ye-bin’s resolution propelled the festival nning forward.


    Hermand was majestic and authoritative, reminiscent of an emperor’s. The teachers sprang into action.


    “What do you think, vice-principal?”


    “About what?”


    “Will they attempt an invasion here?”


    “The barriers here are too formidable for them to breach…”


    The vice-principal’s voice faded.


    She couldn’t be certain of their exact target, but her intuition, dwarf-like in its peculiarity, hinted at an ominous oue.


    “Will they merely probe us, or will theye with full force?”


    “It seems you’re certain of their arrival.”


    “Yes, they wille.”


    Because she was here.


    The Mines had marked someone for death at any cost.


    Seo Ga-yeon.


    How her talent was discovered remained a mystery. The talent unearthed by Lee Seo-ha had flourished. A talent capable of annihting the Mines was now justifiably aimed at them.


    What Seo Ye-bin needed to do was ensure her growth was properly nurtured.


    “Tsk, tsk, you seem quite confident. Have you taken a liking to the new puppet you’ve acquired?”


    “That’s correct.”


    The Emperor responded solemnly to Celestial’s abrupt remark.


    The Vice-principal and Lee Seo-ha had mended a broken star, while Lee Seo-ha had fortified the stars.


    “It was Veritas.”


    One of Lee Seo-ha’s concealed identities.


    A figure who, from the shadows, guided alchemists in the correct direction, elevating their level by at least two notches.


    Truly, a talent that every alchemist revered.


    Beginning with the basic abilities of the stars, a wide array of powers had been significantly amplified since then. Despite the school’s finances being momentarily destabilized due to the considerable expense, there were no regrets.


    “The issue then bes the safety of other humans.”


    “Yes, their safety is at risk.”


    The conversation between the two transcendent beings gradually caused the vice-principal’s expression to stiffen.


    This was because discussions concerning life typically implied the need for expendable armor, a responsibility that fell to the vice-principal.


    “Hold on. I’ve been so swampedtely, I can’t offer assistance? I even have a meeting with Veritas…”


    “A fan club, was it? Why attend there when you have the opportunity to meet otherwise?”


    Seo Ye-bin addressed the vice-principal in aposed manner.


    The vice-principal was left in despair.


    The Emperor seemed oblivious to the nuances of the human heart.