Chapter 30

〈 Chapter 30 〉 Chapter 30. Preparation

After meeting Felix, I returned to the dormitory.

Only now, in my own space, did I feel at ease.

I took out the magical tool I had hidden in my pocket and checked the information.

────[ Reception Orb ]────

▶ Grade: Lower Middle

▶ A magic orb imbued with a reception spell. (One-time use)

▶ Can receive coordinates transmitted from a transmission orb. (One-time use)

────────────

I see, that's why he gave it to me so easily; it's a one-time use item.

If I take this to the professors, it will be over right away. I guess I was letting my guard down, thinking I was still a mine.

Of course, I have no intention of taking it.

I must be the one to resolve this matter.

I put the transmission orb back into the pocket of the student uniform hanging on the coat hanger.

"Hmm…."

But how should I deal with Felix?

To face the now stronger Felix, I need a lot of preparation.

There are no convenient settings like being weak to light because I'm a mine.

"...Ah, I'd like to win in a cool way if possible."

Even if I can't find a way to win, it's okay.

Though it's a shame, I can alert others to the danger and be the first to rush in, taking a beating to buy time.

Of course, it feels more like a sacrifice for Lucy, but I'd rather do it all myself.

To properly set the mood after the situation is resolved, I need to take care of everything.

"Maybe I should go to the training ground... No, that's not it. I need to do that first."

I have no money.

My only income is the 3 million won monthly allowance for maintaining my dignity, but I need to buy too many things.

I thought about where I could earn some money, and one place came to mind.

Victoria Academy student profiles.

In simple terms, it's like a social media profile.

Everyday is basically an anonymous community, but you can register a profile if you want.

There are two types of people who register profiles.

The first is to elevate their guild or family. Students like Ellis, who have a set guild and are confident in their ranking.

The second is to receive guild membership proposals or sponsorships.

While test rankings and practical class videos are provided to scouts, scouts can't check every student, so desperate students have to make an effort.

———————

Name: Lee Hoyeon

Grade: 1st Year

Class: A Class

Age: 20

Affiliation: Student Council

Introduction: I am a magician in the 1st Year A Class. I am active in the student council and have achieved good grades in various classes. I will attach videos below.

———————

What's there to write?

I haven't done much, so there's nothing to write.

Feeling guilty towards Lucy, I uploaded a one-on-one sparring video. I also uploaded a dungeon training video. Although Namdaen did more of the work, this might catch the attention of active hunters.

After completing the input, I registered the profile.

"It might seem a bit mercenary... but it's okay."

There's not much to boast about yet, as the results haven't come out.

Still, this is insurance. There's no reason not to have risk-free insurance.

Knowing the original story, I could invest in a good guild, but I don't have the capital.

"Phew, let's go to the training ground."

If I really need money, maybe Professor Im Sol would lend me some?

I should try asking when we get closer.

*

The training building was mostly empty on Friday.

It doesn't matter much since I'm going to a private room anyway.

After meeting Felix and seeing him stronger than I expected, many thoughts came to mind.

I realized the insufficiency of my combat power and the situation I'm in.

Focusing on courting the heroines, I still have a sense that I'm playing a game.

'If Felix had gone berserk and tried to kill me just now, I would have died.'

While the possibility is very low, it's true that I've become less cautious.

I've been serious so far, but from now on, I need to be even more serious and careful.

So today, I'm going to establish my combat style.

My main issue is the small amount of mana.

Due to the short period of using magic, I haven't been able to increase the size of my mana capacity and circuits.

The problem with having a small amount of mana is obvious. Just like a car without fuel can't move, I can't use much magic without mana.

A narrow mana circuit causes problems when casting spells.

With a narrow channel for mana flow, it's hard to quickly manifest mana into spells, and it's also difficult to use a large amount of mana at once.

So far, I've been forcing it using the mana manipulation ability of [Mana Sensitivity], but I can't keep doing this.

The best combat style I can think of is a quick and decisive battle.

That's why I'm particularly envious of Namdaen's spatial acceleration ability.

I remember that moment.

The scene where Namdaen used the acceleration ability to catch the cave rat.

Since I had my third eye open at the time, I can clearly remember every movement of the mana.

Moreover, a video of Namdaen using the acceleration ability was prominently posted on the official Victoria Academy SNS.

The more data I have to analyze, the better.

I spent hours watching the video, recalling the memory, and organizing Namdaen's mana manipulation.

"Wow, my head really hurts."

Namdaen's acceleration ability is not about accelerating the body.

It involves creating a spherical mana boundary centered on the body and accelerating the space within the boundary.

This is a much more efficient method than simply accelerating the human body.

It's like it's easier to move a round soccer ball quickly than to move a finely crafted jointed doll.

The basic framework is to rapidly circulate mana through the body's circuits to generate force from acceleration.

However, this would cause too much strain on the body, leading to self-destruction.

Therefore, the space is also accelerated.

The mana around the body must be accelerated at the same speed and path, and the mana must be controlled so that the reaction force comes from outside the body.

It's a skill meticulously and intricately designed.

Accelerating the mana in the air to give it mass and redirecting the reaction force from the body into empty space.

Most people couldn't do this even if explained.

But I was a talent recognized by the world's strongest magician.

Even though I look like this, I'm on a different level from other squids.

"Whoosh—"

I took a deep breath and exhaled.

The mana began to accelerate through my body's circuits.

At first, I circulated the mana slowly, allowing the circuits to adapt. When I got used to it, I increased the speed, and when I got used to that, I increased it again.

Hum—

I synchronized the space around me with this flow.

It was my first time using this method, but I could do it naturally, like water flowing.

I brought the mana outside my body to the same speed.

Building on this momentum, when I completely dominated the spherical space, I pushed it to my maximum output.

Whoosh—

The wind swirled around the boundary surrounding my body, and my body's mana circuits screamed.

A physical problem beyond control. No matter how good the engine, a small car has a speed limit.

I felt I would suffer internal injuries if I went any faster.

I transferred the accumulated acceleration and reaction force to the mana circulating behind my body and shot forward.

Bang!—

In an instant, my body reached several dozen meters ahead.

"Phew…"

『Skill: [Acceleration] acquired.』

———『 Acceleration 』———————–

▶ Skill

▶ Accelerates the space around the body and uses the reaction force to grant explosive speed in an instant.

——————————————–

"It feels a bit wrong to create a skill so easily."

Skills in this world aren't learned with a simple click.

You must fully understand the usage, master it, and repeat it to a point where you can use it stably.

I achieved this with just one use.

I feel a bit guilty, but what can I do?

"Let's see... Accelerates the space around the body and uses the reaction force to grant explosive speed in an instant... Huh?"

What? This is different from what I imagined.

I was clearly thinking about casting spells faster than the opponent and attacking from a distance, but this is clearly a close-range skill.

"Ah."

Thinking about it, the videos and memories I analyzed in detail were when Namdaen was approaching the enemy.

"Damn, it was a different skill from the start."

So, after hours of hard work, I ended up with a skill for running fast.

*

After finishing the training, I came out of the private room.

"Well, it's not bad. I can run away quickly."

I walked towards the dormitory, comforting myself.

"Or, I can run quickly if I oversleep. Hmm, not bad, right?"

Is this really not bad?

Ding—

My smartwatch sent an alarm, as if telling me to stop thinking nonsense.

Checking it, the sender was Moon Sulin.

Sulin: Hoyeon, do you have time on Saturday?

It's Saturday tomorrow. Is she talking about the dinner we agreed to last time? I don't have any plans, but I have a lot to do.

Me: Yes, I don't have any plans for tomorrow.

But I can't lie. I only have training to do, and it would be a hassle if I got caught later. Even if I can't eat, it's GO.

Sulin: Phew, that's a relief. I'm sorry for the sudden request, but I have a Publicity Department schedule tomorrow.

Me: Ah, yes.

She's daydreaming again. But it's normal to be misunderstood. Why didn't she mention the important matter first? This sister.

Sulin: Yes, please come to the Publicity Department office by 9 AM tomorrow. I'll explain the details then.

Me: Understood.

Sulin: Don't forget to wear your student uniform properly. Did you think it was a dinner date? I'm sorry. Let's definitely have dinner later?

Me: Haha, yes. Let's go to a good place next time!

Sister has good intuition. Did I show a bit of disappointment in my reply?

Publicity Department, finally living the life of a handsome person, it feels good.

Who would have thought I'd be a model in my life.

"Wait a minute."

Is this using my and Ellis's right to publicity for free under the guise of the Publicity Department?

With our level, how many balloons would burst if we did an internet broadcast? These guys are complete bandits...

Ding—

Sulin: Oh, right, I prepaid the fee to the account for the dignity allowance. It's a small amount, but it's a token of appreciation.

Indeed, the best prestigious Victoria Academy. They don't disappoint.

"The door is open~. The money is in~."

I happily checked my account.

With the original balance of 120,000 won, 5 million won was deposited.

"Small amount, huh? This is on a different scale from me."

To a commoner, 5 million won is a large amount.

Still, I'm grateful for what's given, so I should go shopping this weekend.

*

Saturday.

I came to do my first influencer activity in my life.

Thump thump.

My heart was pounding as I went to the Publicity Department.

A room gamer becoming a model, it's really a touching moment.

"Hello~."

"Hello, hello~ It's been a while, junior?"

"Hey, it's so hard to see the face of our Publicity Department junior!"

The female student council members greeted me enthusiastically.

No matter how much you flatter, there's no place for you next to me. Sorry.

I entered the Publicity Department while casually accepting their greetings.

This is my second visit, but it was surprising to see it full of people.

Not just Ellis and Sulin, but many other women were gathered.

I looked at Ellis and Sulin and greeted them.

"President, hello. Who are these people?"

I cautiously pointed to the women I hadn't seen before.

"Hello, junior? These are makeup artists. You're representing Victoria Academy, so we need to make you look as good as possible."

As soon as Sulin introduced me, the makeup artists started chattering.

"Wow, is that the male model? He's insane, really."

"Exactly. But it seems there's nothing for us to do here? He's already perfectly set up."

"...?"

I looked at Sulin with a confused expression, and she gave a wry smile.

"Um, that's his no-makeup state."

"Really? No, really? What do you mean?"

"..."

"Really?"

"..."

"..."

The makeup artists' enthusiasm suddenly died.

Well, even I have to admit he looks really good.

I hope they don't mess it up with unnecessary powder.

'Hmm, I should just stay quiet.'

Seeing the makeup artists' unhappy expressions, I didn't say anything.