Chapter 55

### Chapter 55: Conscience

“Sigh….”

Those damn academy brats.

Lim Sol muttered to himself, sinking into the VIP seat.

It was fine that he had secured a good award for Lee Hyeon.

It eased his conscience, and it was good to give a proper reward to his hardworking student as a teacher and an adult. However, things had gotten too big.

The commendation ceremony had grown to a scale where Lim Sol, a professor at the academy, had to participate.

And with so many important people gathered, annoying things started to happen.

“It’s been a while, Professor Lim Sol.”

An old man approached and started talking. Although he didn’t want to respond, he couldn’t be rude because the man was a wealthy benefactor of the academy.

After all, he was the one funding Lim Sol’s research.

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

“It’s been since the last magic society presentation. Your presentation was really impressive. How’s your recent research…?”

Although Lim Sol didn’t like the tedious conversation, he knew it was necessary and endured it.

After exchanging meaningless pleasantries with several people and receiving a few dirty looks from the old men, he started to feel tired.

“Ah, these damn old men… There’s not much time left.”

The day to shock the incompetent magicians who valued connections over achievements was drawing near.

The new method of magic operation that Lee Hyeon had shown.

Once the process of organizing it was complete, he would present the research results at the magic society.

When that day comes… he thought he would reach a level where he wouldn’t have to care about the opinions of other magicians.

Thud.

At that moment, someone took the seat next to him.

“Sol~. It’s been a while~?”

“Huh?”

At the familiar voice, Lim Sol turned his head and saw a familiar face.

Min Yeji.

She looked delicate at first glance, but her narrow, slanted eyes exuded a strange aura.

She was always dangerous, and although they often interacted, she was also a burdensome presence.

“Why didn’t you answer my calls? I sent you the business idea materials.”

“Are you saying you sent me that trash as a business idea?”

“Why? Just thinking about you casting magic in a bikini has an advertising effect….”

“Shut up. I’ll kill you.”

This crazy tension. This was why Min Yeji was so burdensome.

“Hey, why are you like that? Why are you saying such scary things?”

“Sigh….”

Lim Sol, watching Min Yeji link her arm with his and grin, started to wonder how to deal with this crazy woman.

Fortunately, Min Yeji quieted down when the ceremony began.

Phew. After a sigh of relief, Lim Sol participated in the ceremony.

It started with the awarding of outstanding students.

The highlight was the Gate Suppression Hunter commendation and the Mind Elimination Student commendation.

Most people knew that the outstanding students were just there to fill the event.

“The kids are not bad. Especially the student council president, I could believe she’s a current active member.”

“Well, that’s Moon Soo-rin.”

Lim Sol had heard a lot about Moon Soo-rin’s talent, but he wasn’t particularly interested since their fields were different.

Whoosh—

Min Yeji’s eyes briefly glowed gold.

“Hmm, but there’s no one who could make money.”

“…Are you trying to make money even from kids?”

“There’s nothing left in this world except money, Sol.”

While saying this, Min Yeji’s face was smiling, but her aura was sharp.

After the outstanding student awards, they had to endure some unnecessary formalities before the commendation ceremony began.

“Ayoung is receiving an award….”

“Do you know the Saint?”

Unlike Lim Sol, Min Yeji, who was active as a current member, had a wide network.

“She often comes to our guild as a helper. She was there during the last strategy.”

“Hmm. Well, it’s the Iron Blood Guild.”

—Next, we will present the commendation to the Mind Elimination Student.

‘Finally, they’re here.’

Lim Sol focused on the entrance where the presenter was coming.

A moment later, Lee Hyeon and Lucy hesitantly walked onto the stage.

Lim Sol’s face involuntarily broke into a smile out of joy.

“Ah… So this is the student you’ve been favoring lately?”

“W-What? How did you know?!”

“How could I not know when you’re staring at them like that?”

Min Yeji chuckled at the surprised Lim Sol and looked at the stage.

—… For this, we commend Student Lee Hyeon.

“Hyeon, huh? Let’s see how great the student Sol likes is~?”

“Sigh… Stop doing weird things….”

Whoosh—

Before Lim Sol could finish his sentence, Min Yeji’s eyes glowed gold.

Then, her face, which had been grinning, turned serious.

“…That kid could be profitable, huh?”

Min Yeji’s eyes turned predatory, and Lim Sol waved his hand in front of her to block her view.

“Hey, don’t get any ideas. She’s my student.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll try.”

“No, don’t try and don’t touch her!”

“Aww, Sol~! Why are you like that with me~”

“Aah!”

*

“This is here….”

‘The Clan of Runes’

A clan that appeared in the original game.

Their specialty is ‘barriers.’

A clan with a mana form specialized in barriers, they receive training from birth to fix their mana form to suit barriers.

Thus, their barriers are the strongest and the worst. They were so dangerous that they disappeared from history.

The reason I want to learn this barrier magic is simple.

As the story progresses, I will encounter the ‘Clan of Runes’ barrier magic a lot. This is because one of the important villains is a survivor of the ‘Clan of Runes.’

When I faced Felix last time, it took me about a minute to break through the intermediate-level barrier he cast.

If this were a game, that time might not be significant. The game would progress accordingly.

But this is reality.

A few minutes spent breaking a high-level barrier could mean the difference between life and death for the heroines. Reducing that time, even a little, is definitely meaningful.

Moreover, I’m not just saving one person.

If the academy is attacked as in the story, I might have to save all the heroines.

To quickly break barriers, learning the ‘Clan of Runes’ barrier magic is important. Weapons and artifacts can be obtained whenever I have money.

And another important point: barriers are excellent for soundproofing.

It’s necessary for maintaining a good relationship (?) with the heroines.

Anyway, I came out of the treasure room holding the ‘Clan of Runes’ secretary, which looked like a tattered piece of trash.

Unfortunately, there was no second chance to get more trash.

The dean just asked why I brought it, and when I said it was for magic research, he only said, “That professor and his student.”

How disappointing.

Soon, Lucy went in and came out about ten minutes later.

She was holding a bead. It was definitely something that helped with mana circulation.

Although it was something I needed, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to get the ‘Clan of Runes’ secretary anywhere else, so I had to give up.

“I hope it was a good choice. I wish you luck in your academy life.”

“Thank you.”

Since I had everything I needed, I said my goodbyes and left the dean’s office.

“Ah, I’m hungry. Should I eat something and go back? I’ll call Rumi too.”

It was already lunchtime. Although we had the award ceremony all morning, I had afternoon classes, so time was a bit tight.

“Lucy?”

When she didn’t respond, I turned around and saw Lucy with her head bowed deeply.

“…Hyeon.”

“Huh?”

Why is she like this? Her expression is so stiff.

“Take this.”

Lucy rummaged through her pocket and handed me the mana bead she had gotten from the warehouse.

“Hey, why are you like this? You should use it.”

“Umm, it’s okay. I didn’t do anything, so….”

“But… you received it….”

That’s when I noticed.

Lucy’s arm, as she handed me the bead, was trembling.

“Lu, Lucy? Why are you like this?”

I immediately grabbed her and checked her face.

Tears were welling up in Lucy’s eyes. The trembling started from her arm and spread to her whole body, and the mana bead fell from her hand.

“Hyeon… I’m so tired. When I think about that day, about Felix, I get scared… everything goes dark. Every time I see this bead, I’ll think of Felix. I… I don’t want to be involved in this anymore….”

Lucy looked at the mana bead on the ground with a worried expression, then covered her tear-streaked face with both hands and started to cry.

“…”

I thought she was fine because she was quiet, but I didn’t expect her to be this troubled.

Her status in the heroine’s window didn’t show this state.

Perhaps her guilt towards me was greater than her dislike of Felix.

“It’s okay, Lucy. It’s okay. Felix is already dead. It’s okay….”

“Sob… Why did I have to go through such a thing? Why… why…?”

“…”

I held Lucy’s hand as she cried and looked up at the sky.

She had a fragile build for an adult. She was so small that I could almost wrap my arm around her shoulder.

This woman wasn’t a game heroine. She was a student who should have had a bright academy life.

I ruined it.

I deeply regretted leaving an indelible trauma in this pure woman’s life.

Just to raise her affection a bit faster and make her more dependent on me, I made a terrible judgment and wanted to go back in time.

However, my [Clear Mind] was advising me to say the best thing in this situation.

And I followed that advice.

“…It’s okay, Lucy. I’ll protect you from now on. I’ll protect you forever.”

While giving her a cliché but warm comfort, I hugged her tighter.

This was the best way to raise her affection.

“Sob… Sob. Hyeon… Sob….”

Lucy buried her face in my chest and cried, her tears soaking my shirt.

“…”

I felt dirty, and the sky was unusually clear and cloudless.

How long did I hold Lucy? She soon stopped crying and pulled away with red, swollen eyes.

“Ah, ah. Sorry. I suddenly felt sad. Yes, I’m fine, don’t worry. I’ll go first today.”

Lucy fanned her face with her hand and forced a smile.

“Lucy, wait a moment.”

“Don’t come.”

I had to stop reaching out to Lucy.

“Don’t come… tomorrow, let’s meet as if nothing happened. Okay? Got it?”

“…Okay. See you tomorrow.”

To her pleading voice, I quietly nodded.

*

I didn’t feel like eating, so I headed to the private room in the training ground.

Today’s afternoon class was Magic Analysis. It covers magic reverse engineering and barrier breaking.

Although it’s questionable whether Lucy, who wanted to show her proof, will attend the class… I wanted to finish learning the ‘Clan of Runes’ secret techniques before the class.

“Sigh, okay. The mana form that makes up the barrier is a series of hexagons… Ah, damn.”

I can’t concentrate at all.

“Again, connect the hexagonal mana forms to distribute the force evenly… Okay.”

Actually, I’m just saying this to get in the mood; I’ve already figured out the structure.

The magic circle and the method of mana manipulation are all written down, and with my talent, there’s no way I can’t do it.

“Still, I made a good choice. It’s practical, huh.”

I also had a mana manipulation bead in my left hand.

────[ Mermaid’s Tears ]────

▶ Grade: High (A)

▶ An artifact made by adding a large amount of mermaid’s tears to a mana stone and applying magical treatment.

▶ Increases the speed of mana manipulation and accelerates mana circulation.

-────────────

“Mermaid’s Tears….”

The name sounds a bit unpleasant.

Ding—

At that moment, an alert arrived on my smartwatch.

“What is it? It’s not a message notification sound.”

“…What is this?”

To be honest, I needed money at the time, but now I have a reliable money-making machine, so it’s fine… but I might as well reply just in case.

I’ll think about it carefully and send a reply after the class ends.

After roughly finishing the training, I left the training ground and returned to the classroom building.

There was still over 30 minutes before the class, so there weren’t many people in the lecture hall.

“Mr. Hyeon?”

“Rumi. You’re early?”

Rumi, the model student, had been waiting for 30 minutes.

“Yes. By the way, Lucy suddenly isn’t feeling well and can’t attend the class. Hm.”

“…I see. I hope she’s okay. I’ll contact her later.”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

I looked at Rumi’s face, which was looking at me.

She looked incredibly similar to Lucy. Actually, they were almost identical. I could only tell them apart by their hair color, clothing style, and expressions. They were essentially the same.

That’s the ‘setting.’

“Is there something on my face?”

Hmm.

Rumi touched her face and looked at me.

Swallow.

Suddenly, my libido rose.

I wanted to take Rumi, who looked exactly like Lucy, and make a mess of her. I wanted to pour this unfulfilled desire into her frail body.

“Rumi….”

“Yes?”

Rumi, being 30 minutes early, didn’t seem to be thinking anything inappropriate.

“Follow me.”

“Yes, yes? Yes?”

I grabbed Rumi’s hand and left the lecture hall.

“Mr. Hyeon? Why are you doing this suddenly? You don’t look well… Mr. Hyeon?”

Tap, tap, tap.

Ignoring Rumi’s words, I quickly led her to the most remote toilet in the 1st-year classroom building.

I pulled Rumi into the last stall in the men’s room and cast the rune barrier.

A quiet, small, colorless barrier was formed.

The perfect and solid barrier, completed instantly, would not let our sounds escape.

If you learn it, you should use it, right?

“Mr. Hyeon? Wait a moment. S-Surely you’re not…?”

“Rumi. We’re secret friends, right?”

“Yes, we are, but… N-No!”

I inserted my tongue into Rumi’s mouth, silencing her.