Chapter 14

EP.14 Two Masters (2)

Kang Juyeon inspected her artifact.

A ring that fit perfectly on her finger, shimmering with an emerald hue.

It was a rare artifact that boosted her mana and significantly increased the speed of spell casting.

While combat-oriented holders wore weapons and armor, mages primarily used such artifacts and robes.

There were various types of combat artifacts for mages, such as staffs, spellbooks, and bracelets, but Kang Juyeon preferred this ring with the green gemstone.

<Item Information>

◎Name: Wisdom Ring

◎Type: Ring

◎Grade: Rare (R)

◎Crafted by: -

◎Special Effects:

: +3 Mana

: More efficient use of mana, significantly reducing spell casting time.

◎Detailed Information:

: An emerald ring that holds the light of wisdom, possessing a clear light that does not easily fade.

A rare ring that is hard to obtain.

Kang Juyeon, a B-class holder, easily obtained it due to her family's wealth...

...but it was an artifact that ordinary holders could only dream of, priced in the tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won.

"...It seems fine."

Fortunately, there were no signs of damage or wear.

Even if she had poured all her mana into it, she had only used one fire spell, so it would be strange if it were damaged.

Kang Juyeon recalled the monster incident from yesterday.

The monster that broke through the [Mana Barrier] and appeared at the academy.

However, such an issue was not a major concern for her.

It had a mere E-class ability.

A student holder who recklessly charged at a B-class monster.

His back, which showed no hesitation despite the recklessness...

...left a deeper impression on her.

"Jae-hyun."

She now knew his name.

Jae-hyun.

A first-year student holder in the intermediate class.

An assassin-type holder.

But he possessed the talent of a multi-holder, and during the battle with the monster yesterday, he fought with a sword.

A unique holder.

From the first impression, he had approached her with that image, showing a steady and tireless presence.

He appeared much more grown compared to the first day of practical training and faced an opponent several times stronger than himself without fear.

It was a freshness she had never seen in any holder.

A hidden gem, as her father Kang Woo-hyun had mentioned.

If such a gem truly existed...

...it might be him.

"Thank you."

As she was lost in thought, a woman's voice made her turn her head.

A strikingly beautiful appearance and trendy style.

One of the top three most beautiful students in the first year...

...her classmate, Kim Chae-eun.

The lecture Kang Juyeon was about to attend was <History and Information of Monsters>.

It was an intermediate class.

Kang Juyeon and Kim Chae-eun were preparing for the same class.

"I couldn't greet you properly yesterday... I wanted to express my gratitude for your help. Thank you. I owe you my life."

"..."

The bloody battle with the monster yesterday.

The fight that ended easily with Kang Juyeon and Moon Ga-eun's intervention.

It was a significant event where many students were injured or killed, and Kim Chae-eun might have been in danger if left alone.

Though unintentional, they had become her saviors.

Kang Juyeon nodded slightly in response.

She hadn't really paid much attention.

Holders were people who took responsibility for their own strength, and she hadn't helped to hear a thank you.

It was something that needed to be done.

There was no reason for her classmate to bow.

But she didn't stop there.

Kim Chae-eun continued.

"Before you arrived, the situation was really dangerous... If it had continued, our Jae-hyun might have been in trouble... Really, thank you."

"..."

Our Jae-hyun?

At the sudden, somewhat annoying term, Kang Juyeon's eyebrows twitched.

She knew that Kim Chae-eun and Do Jae-hyun were close friends, and there was no particular reason to be bothered by it.

But for some reason...

...it was annoying.

"..."

And a question bloomed in her heart.

This woman.

What exactly did she want to talk about?

In Kang Juyeon's expressionless eyes...

...a hint of irritation began to show.

* * *

"..."

I was summoned to a professor's office.

As expected.

The monster that Kang Juyeon and Park Jin-woo were supposed to deal with...

...had a slightly different subject.

Park Jin-woo and I took turns, with Kim Chae-eun and I buying as much time as possible, and Kang Juyeon and Moon Ga-eun finishing the job.

Park Jin-woo was not present at the scene.

Since I had taken his place...

...I had become the key figure in the unfolding events.

"Nice to meet you. I am Professor Tak Won-ho, a warrior-type professor."

"Hello. I am Do Jae-hyun, a first-year intermediate class holder."

I shook hands lightly with Professor Tak Won-ho.

But his eyes, as he shook my hand, had a subtle gleam.

"You played a significant role in the recent monster disposal."

"No, it was the combined attack of the B-class holders, Kang Juyeon and Moon Ga-eun, that was decisive. I merely bought some time until they arrived."

"I wonder how many first-year B-class holders can buy that much time."

...Is that a compliment?

Professor Tak Won-ho's way of speaking is always like this.

He is a very realistic and cynical person, and even when praising someone, it feels like he is mocking them.

Professor Kim Myung-hyun, who always used respectful language and praised me.

He was the complete opposite of me in both personality and swordsmanship.

"I called you here to ask you a few questions about the monster."

"Please go ahead."

Professor Tak Won-ho stroked his chin and continued.

"Can you tell me about the unique features of the B-class monster, Sizzling Salamander, that appeared yesterday? I'm more interested in what you learned from your direct encounter rather than general information."

"Physical appearance or abilities?"

"Abilities."

"Hmm..."

The Sizzling Salamander, though rare, is a well-known B-class monster.

As the [Flickering Flame] rune indicates, it is a fire-type monster capable of handling flames. Considering the other two runes, it possesses all the characteristics of a typical lizard monster.

The general impression of the Sizzling Salamander known to holders.

But there was one difference.

A point I knew from the original story and had experienced firsthand.

"Strength. Its strength was abnormally high."

"...Strength?"

"Yes. Lizard-type monsters, including the Sizzling Salamander, are generally fast, and some, like the Toxic Iguana, even have related runes."

"Ah."

"But the Sizzling Salamander had much higher strength. During the fight, I realized the strength difference was too great to handle."

Professor Tak Won-ho stroked his chin again.

His expression suggested deep thought and contemplation.

I knew what he was thinking.

'The academy's underground dungeon.'

Discovered during a night patrol.

A dungeon known only to Professor Tak Won-ho.

The entrance to the dungeon is a C-class lizard-type monster lair.

Professor Tak Won-ho was likely pondering the connection between this dungeon and the 'Sizzling Salamander' that appeared.

Lizardmen, being lizard-type monsters, have abnormally high strength...

...and my story was connecting the dots.

"Was there anything else unique about it?"

"Yes, that was all I experienced."

"I see..."

So, should we just raid the dungeon?

It could be said, but it wasn't that simple.

The Tak family, which runs the academy, has other successors and numerous children.

Each has their own faction, and they monitor each other to gain a better position within the family.

If the existence of the academy's underground dungeon were revealed and a raid announced, other factions within the Tak family might move to claim the credit.

Professor Tak Won-ho was being cautious to avoid such a messy conflict.

Moreover, the collapse of the academy's [Mana Barrier] was the work of another force...

...making this a complex situation.

"Ah, by the way. I heard you used a sword, not a dagger, when you faced the monster."

It seemed he had organized his thoughts.

Professor Tak Won-ho asked, as if to change the mood.

"Yes, I am an assassin-type holder but also have the sword rune. I thought a sword would be more convenient for dealing with the monster, so I used it."

A multi-holder who uses both [sword] and [dagger].

In the holder world, multi-holders who can use more than one weapon are not uncommon.

Professor Tak Won-ho's brow furrowed slightly.

"Why didn't you sign up for my class, even though you have the sword rune?"

The swordsmanship class of Professor Tak Won-ho, who prides himself on being the strongest in swordsmanship and is recognized by all.

He seemed a bit hurt that I, who can wield a sword, did not attend his class.

But I felt wronged.

"Because... Professor, you restricted the class to warrior-type holders only."

How can I sign up if I can't attend...?

I wanted to attend too.

Professor Tak Won-ho's destructive and aggressive swordsmanship.

Elegant yet overwhelming swordsmanship.

But as an assassin-type holder, I couldn't sign up.

Professor Tak Won-ho chuckled awkwardly.

"Ha, ha. I see. I didn't consider multi-holders. I'm sorry. I'll tell my assistant to open a spot for you. You can sign up for my class as a correction. Is that okay?"

At his offer, I was quite surprised and opened my eyes wide.

Professor Tak Won-ho's class is always full.

As a well-taught and popular professor, there were no available spots for correction sign-ups in his current classes.

Even warrior-type holders couldn't get a spot.

To offer it to me, an assassin-type holder, was special.

Perhaps my ability to face a B-class monster, despite my shortcomings, left a strong impression.

It was a similar flow to Professor Kim Myung-hyun's positive view of my swordsmanship.

'I want to.'

It was a rare opportunity.

A chance to further develop my [sword] skills, which were gradually improving, and a shortcut to advance as a holder.

I wanted to say yes immediately.

But one thing troubled me.

'I agreed to be Professor Kim Myung-hyun's exclusive disciple...'

Before coming here.

I accepted Professor Kim Myung-hyun's offer to be his exclusive disciple.

It wasn't just a few months.

I had accepted it just a few hours ago.

If I became his exclusive disciple, I would start learning his swordsmanship in earnest, and attending Professor Tak Won-ho's class, which is the opposite, would be a disgrace to Professor Kim Myung-hyun.

After a brief moment of thought, I made my decision.