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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 62: Sebancia Duke (2)

Chapter 62: Sebancia Duke (2)

The⁠​​ spear stormed forth‍‍​ in a straight‌‍ line.

The⁠⁠⁠ sharp stab of⁠​ the spear was​ that of Shura‍⁠ which had allowed‍‍ its user to‍⁠ defeat several enemies‌‌‍ until now.

– Kang!

“Kuhk…!”‍‍⁠

But‌ this time, it​ was Korin Lork⁠‌‍ who had to‍‍‌ retreat after the​⁠ attack. Despite clashing‍ their weapons dozens‌​ of times, there‍‌ was no change​‍‍ on who had⁠⁠‍ the advantage.

Carrying⁠‌ his enormous cross-shaped‍ sword, Sebancia Duke‍ remained firm like​ a fortress and‍​‍ Korin Lork’s arduous⁠‌⁠ attempt at breaking⁠‌ through his defense‍ was all in‌ vain.

“…”⁠

This​ was already his⁠ 10th attempt to​⁠ close the distance‍ but Sebancia Duke‌ held off against⁠⁠‌ it with ease.⁠‌

Originally,​⁠ a spear was‍‍ supposed to have‌⁠ the upper hand‍ over a sword​⁠⁠ in terms of‌⁠ reach. Even though⁠​ it would usually‍⁠‍ be the sword⁠ that tries to​⁠‍ close the distance,‍⁠ this time it‌‌ was the other​​‍ way around because‌ of the 2-meter-long⁠​⁠ greatsword in Sebancia’s‌ hands.

‘A​⁠‌ sword that big​ should be slow‍‌‍ but…’

They‌‌ should either be⁠‍​ slow or there‍​‌ should be gaps‌ between the swings‌‍ – even though‍‍‌ that was the‍ common belief for‍⁠ those enormous swords,‌ Sebancia Duke had‍‍​ none of it.‍‌

Whenever⁠⁠ Korin stabbed with‍⁠⁠ the long spear,⁠ Sebancia Duke swung⁠‍‍ his greatsword in‌‍ a heavy curve.‌ It was obvious⁠⁠ that the stab‌​‌ should be faster⁠‌​ and in fact,‍ it indeed was‌​‍ faster but…

‘This⁠‌ is strange. Why‌​‌ is he always​‍ making it in‍‍ time?’

His‍ sword always found‍‌‌ the spear and​​⁠ flung it away​ with sheer power.‌‍

“Are​‍ you puzzled, brat?”⁠​⁠

When⁠‌‌ Korin stopped his​ feet and stayed‍ on the spot,‍‌ Sebancia opened his⁠ mouth.

“You⁠⁠ are over-confident on​ the strategic element⁠⁠ of your weapon.​​ Do you think⁠‍​ you will win‌​‌ even if you​‍⁠ do close the​⁠‍ distance? It won’t​‌ work no matter​​⁠ how many times⁠ you try.”

“Are​ you saying it’s​‍‌ because of a difference of experience?”​

“Hmph.‍‌ That’s not the​​​ main reason but‌‌ that is also​⁠​ true.”

“…Then‍​ what is the⁠​ main reason?”

“You​ have no principle.”‌

“…”⁠

“The‍ momentary physical enhancement​​ by relying on​‍‍ the Aura Core‍⁠ is definitely interesting.⁠⁠⁠ It’s the way‌⁠⁠ of the shadow‌ warriors. However, is​⁠‌ your ‘spearmanship’ supposed​⁠​ to be used‍ for subduing enemies‍‌⁠ through force?”

“…!!”‌⁠

After⁠ hearing that, Korin⁠ halted his feet⁠​‌ in enlightenment and⁠ canceled the Shura‌​ mode.

“Okay.‌ Let’s go again.”⁠⁠

His​‌ body was warmed‍ up already.

It​​ was possible to‍⁠ enter the Domain‌‍ as long as‍​ he wasn’t in⁠‌⁠ the Shura mode.‍

————————‍

In‌ a suspended world;​ inside the Domain,‍‍‌ Korin Lork’s spear‍ was the only​ one moving.

A step in this‍⁠⁠ suspended world could‌ exceed the physical‌ limitations and differences‌ to lead to​‍​ a devastating attack.‌​⁠

Ominous‌ Snake: Extreme Arts‍‌

Soaring⁠ Snake, Rearing Head‌ of the Venomous‌⁠ Dragon

The⁠‌‍ silver spear was‍‌​ in the middle⁠ of racing towards​ the heart of​ Sebancia Duke but—‌

“???”⁠

It‌ suddenly stopped moving.⁠⁠ As if it⁠ was being sealed‌ by something… it‍‌ got locked up​⁠‌ in the dimension‌ and refused to​ move.

‘What‌ is going on?⁠​ Did I fail​⁠ to enter the‌‌ Domain?’

In‌​‍ a fluster, Korin‌ unconsciously turned to​​ Sebancia Duke’s face​⁠‍ and noticed that⁠‌⁠ he was staring‌⁠ into his eyes.​

“…!!”​​‍

That‌ gave him goosebumps.‍‌ Seeing him carefully‍ raise the cross-shaped‌⁠​ sword, Korin belatedly​⁠‌ realized that his⁠​ enemy was also⁠‍ inside the Domain⁠⁠ just like him.‍

The‌ sword came crashing‍⁠ down, carrying within‌‍‍ a dark aura.⁠⁠ When that was‍​​ pouncing at him…‍⁠ Korin saw his‍‍ impending death.

“Uht…!”‍‌‌

As‌‌ soon as the‌‌‍ Domain cracked, Korin⁠‍ instinctively retreated back.​ His spear was‍ no longer in‌⁠ his hands and​ was still stuck‌ in place in⁠ the middle of​⁠‌ the air as‌​‍ if it was⁠⁠⁠ sealed on the⁠⁠ spot.

“…Did⁠⁠ you place a trap beforehand?” Korin‍​ asked.

“Similar,⁠ but do you​ know why I could do that?”⁠

“You‍ have an intuition…⁠‌⁠ that’s at the​ level of foresight.”⁠

“There’s​⁠ more.”

A jet-black aura emerged⁠​ out of Sebancia‍​ Duke’s body. That​​ huge torrent of‍‍ power was an‍⁠‌ appalling sight for​​ its contenders – even a cracked​⁠ dam would be‍⁠ a better thing⁠ to turn to‌ in comparison.

“Aura…‍‌ no, wait. It’s‌‍⁠ something more…”

It​‌​ was something of‍⁠ a higher caliber…⁠‍‌ Right; it was‌​ at the level‌ of Erin Danua‌‍​ and Tates Valtazar,⁠‍ which Korin could‍ not reach until⁠ the very end‍‍​ of the last​ iteration…

“Look.⁠‍ This is the​​ heaven-defying power – the one I used in my⁠​ youth to kill‍‌ a dragon.”

❰ Final Demonic Sword​‍ Strike – Dragon⁠‌‍ Killer❱

A dark flash was‍‌‍ formed by dragging​‌​ out all the‍​ aura accumulated inside​​ the core. When​ he carried through​⁠​ with that overwhelming‍ slash— the world‍‌‍ immediately got divided‌ into two.

****‍‍

“…”‌

I turned around. The‌‍ imaginary world created‌⁠ by Sebancia had‌ been clearly divided⁠⁠ into two by‌‍⁠ that attack.

‘What​‌⁠ a monster.’

It‍​⁠ seemed that one​​ had to be‌ at this level‌ to reach the​‌ peak of a generation. This was‍⁠ the might of⁠‍ the strongest man‌⁠​ from 800 years‌ ago.

‘The‌ only ones that‌ can do this‍​​ are probably the​‍ Sword Emperor, Master‍ during the peak​ of her power⁠⁠​ and… Tates Valtazar.’⁠

“No​⁠​ matter how you​​ struggle through building‌​ technique and reflex⁠⁠ skills, you cannot​ retaliate in front‍​ of overwhelming power,‍ brat. You need​ more fundamental strength‍‌ to be able​ to fight against⁠‍ that. You don’t​​​ even reach the‌ bare minimum right‍‌‍ now.”

“…And‍⁠⁠ that’s why I’m​‍‌ trying hard like‌​ I am.”

The‍‍ only things I could rely on⁠ were my body‌‍ and the spear⁠​ techniques that I learned, but my​ body wasn’t the‌⁠​ best one out‍‍‍ there. If it⁠ was possible for⁠ me to get‌ physically strong enough‌ to stand off​ against the great⁠‍ evil, I would​‍ have done it‍ long ago.

In​⁠​ the first place,⁠‍ I was learning‌ spearmanship and carving⁠⁠‌ all sorts of‍ Precepts into my‍ body to make⁠ up for that⁠⁠ deficit.

“I‍ do like your​ idea of momentarily​‌ enhancing your body‌ to reach that​‌ minimum threshold. However,‌ how does it‍​ make sense for‌ you to give⁠ up on your‍‍ strongest move just‌‌ to match yourself‍⁠ with the enemy’s‌‌ power level?”

The⁠‌⁠ strongest move Sebancia⁠⁠​ was talking about​ was the Domain.​​‌

It⁠ indeed was a miraculous move that‍ could flip the‌ outcome of the⁠⁠ battle on its​⁠​ toe regardless of⁠ the strength of‌‌‍ the opponent. Over‌ time, my understanding‌‍‌ of the Domain‌ and chances of‌ entering it were​ increasingly going up⁠‌⁠ but there was‍⁠‍ a downside.

Like‍‍⁠ what I experienced​​‍ during the fight‍ against Fermack, I couldn’t enter the​‍​ Domain during physically‍ enhanced states like​​‍ when I had​​‌ the back-up support‌ of Shura and⁠​ the Precepts.

The⁠​ abnormal strength filling​ my body in‍‍⁠ fact caused me​‍⁠ to lose focus‌ and made it‌‌‍ impossible for me‍ to enter the⁠ Domain, which required‌ utmost concentration.

“It’s​‍ like an equivalent⁠‌ exchange. If you⁠‌ get one, you‍​​ have to give⁠‌‌ up on… huh?”‍

In‌‌‌ the middle of​​ my own speech,‌​ I noticed a paradox. Didn’t Sebancia‌‌ Duke…

Sebancia⁠⁠ Duke was able‍⁠ to use a restricting spell that​ was great enough⁠⁠ to block a spear inside the‍‍ Domain, while also⁠⁠ moving his own⁠ sword inside it.​‌‌ He was able⁠‌​ to do two​ things that both​‌​ required a great‌⁠‌ amount of concentration‍⁠ at the same⁠ time.

“Have​⁠‍ a broader perspective⁠‍ of the world,‍ kid. Don’t whinge‍ and think others⁠ won’t be able‍​⁠ to do something⁠​ just because you‌‍ can’t do it.”‍

“…”​​⁠

In​‍ the end, he‍ was saying that⁠⁠‌ I needed both‌ strength and technique,‍⁠​ but I wouldn’t⁠⁠ be suffering like‌ this if that⁠‌‍ was so easy.​​‍

“I’ll⁠​ give you mine.”‍​⁠

“Huh?”⁠

“I’m⁠ saying I will⁠​ give you the‍​ Aura Core of​‍ mine, Sebancia Duke.‌ That is the⁠​ only thing I can give from⁠⁠ my accursed body.”⁠⁠

“Uhh.‌ Why are you‌​‍ so helpful all‌⁠ of a sudden?”‌

“I‍⁠⁠ thought you were⁠​‍ an incredibly mediocre‌⁠‌ one but seeing⁠⁠⁠ your fight… Well,​‍‌ it seems that‍‍ you have some‍‍​ prospects. And besides…‍ I can see‍‌ why my soul‌‌ has made you‌‌ come to this⁠‍​ place.”

He‍ said while looking⁠ at my Precepts‌ that were now‌‌ visible due to‍‌‌ the aftermath of‍‍ the fight.

“You‌‍‍ have the qualification‍ to be a hero and I can see that.⁠⁠‍ Korin Lork. You​‍ have not the​ usual greed of‌‍‍ those who seek​‌‍ power, but conviction‍‍ and pride.”

“Hoh~.⁠‌⁠ Do you feel‍‌ like respecting me​‍ now?”

“You?‍ As if.”

“But‌​ you… said you⁠ respected me back‌⁠ in the library‍ though?”

“My⁠‍‌ soul must have‍‍ become emotional after‌‍⁠ being buried in⁠⁠ books the whole‍⁠ time.”

Sebancia‌ Duke said while‍⁠ disagreeing with the⁠‌ words of his​‌⁠ own soul. That’s‌ not a very‍⁠ respectful thing to⁠‌ do, old man!​‍

“However,‌‍​ I will bless‍⁠‍ you and hope​​ you have a better path waiting‌⁠ for you.”

“Is‌ that so.”

Saying​⁠ that, I immediately‍ laid down on​‌ the ground because‍‌ using both Shura⁠​⁠ and the Domain​ took a toll⁠‌⁠ on my body.⁠ Seeing me nonchalantly‌‍ lie on the⁠⁠ ground, Sebancia looked‌ at me with‌⁠ a dumbfounded look⁠ on his face.‌⁠⁠

“How‍ carefree.”

“I‍⁠ know you are‌⁠‌ not the type⁠​‌ of person to‍‌ kill people for​‍⁠ no reason. So‌ hurry up and‌‍ just give me​⁠‌ the thing. I’m​ busy trying to‌ save the world.”⁠‍‌

“Seriously,⁠⁠ what an annoying‌ little brat.”

He​‌‌ came up to⁠‍​ me and raised‍‌‌ his cross-shaped sword.‌

…Wait,​‍‌ what? But why?‌

“Hold‌ up! Wait…!”

“Be‌ quiet.”

– Stab!

****⁠⁠⁠

The​​ cross-shaped sword pierced⁠ through Korin’s heart⁠‍‍ and his blood‍‍ immediately started flowing‍‌⁠ the other way.⁠‌‍

“Y,‌‌‍ you actually stabbed…!”‌

“Why⁠⁠⁠ would I not?”​⁠​

Korin’s⁠ heart that had‍‌​ been pulsing rapidly​​ after the arduous​ battle started slowing⁠ down before eventually‌​ coming to a stop. What next​‍ entered his eyes‍ was Sebancia taking‌ out a small⁠⁠ core from his⁠⁠ own chest.

“Kuhk…‍⁠ Can’t you, just…‍‍ give it to‌⁠ me normally…!?”

“This⁠‍ will mark the⁠ end of my⁠ long life. Inherit⁠⁠⁠ me, o hero‍ of this generation.”​‌

Sebancia’s⁠⁠ words echoed in⁠​ his ears but‌​‌ Korin couldn’t help⁠ but close his‌‍⁠ eyes.

“You⁠ have the right​⁠ to inherit everything‍⁠​ I once had.”‌​

His⁠‌‍ heart was no‌⁠ longer beating.

****‌

“Korin?”⁠‌‍

Inside⁠ the Blood Realm‌​ opened by Sebancia​ Duke; when the‌​ barrier separating Korin⁠ and Marie disappeared​ and merged their⁠‍‍ dimensions back into‌ one, the girl‌‍ with water-colored hair‍​⁠ called the boy⁠ with a trembling‌ voice.

She⁠ saw Sebancia Duke‌⁠⁠ wearing the heroic​‍ crimson armor stabbing⁠ his sword through‍ Korin’s chest.

“N,⁠‍‌ no… This can’t⁠ be…”

Her⁠‌ bright and energetic‌ voice started being⁠‌ soaked in melancholy.⁠‍⁠ Her clear and​​​ dazzling golden eyes‌ wavered while turning⁠‍⁠ crimson red.

Slowly,‌‍ while shivering from‍‌ disbelief, the girl⁠‍ headed to the‌​ boy who was​‌⁠ bleeding tremendously with​‍ his eyes closed.‌

“You’re​ here,” said Sebancia‍ from the side‍​ but Marie’s eyes‌ weren’t on him.‍

The‍ blood flowing out​ of the wound⁠⁠​ that Sebancia opened‌‍⁠ by himself on⁠​ his chest couldn’t‌‍ even garner a bit of her​⁠ attention.

The‌‌​ mere sight of‍‌ him was simply‌‍ irritating.

– Crunch!

“?!!”‌​‌

Marie​​​ grabbed Sebancia’s arm‌‌ that was being⁠⁠ protected by the⁠ crimson armor. The​ gauntlet was crushed‌ by her superhuman‍‌ strength which was‌⁠ a surprising sight​‍ even for Sebancia.⁠‍​

– Kung!

With‌‌ her tiny hand,​​‌ she picked Sebancia‌ up and threw‌⁠ him away like‍​⁠ trash. Inside his‍ own Blood Realm,​​⁠ Sebancia was thrown⁠‌ away along with​⁠ an aftershock that​⁠ trembled the entire‍ dimension.

– Kwagagang!

His​‍‌ body crashed into‌‍ the barriers of‌‌ the Blood Realm.​ Who would ever‌ believe that that⁠‍‍ had resulted from‍ a simple show⁠‌⁠ of sheer force?‌‌​

“Hoh.‌⁠ A mage being‌‍​ this physically strong​⁠ huh.”

Sebancia⁠ Duke was fine‌⁠​ with not a single extra wound​‌​ on his body,⁠​ but even that​‌⁠ failed to enter‍ her sight.

“Korin…”‌‌

With⁠⁠⁠ her eyes fixed‌ on Korin’s chest⁠ that was still‌⁠‍ bleeding heavily, Marie​⁠⁠ tried to move‍‍ her shivering hands‍⁠⁠ to push the‌‍⁠ blood back into⁠‌ his body. She⁠‌‌ knew how meaningless​⁠‍ of an act‌ it was and​ couldn’t help but​ tear up.

She⁠‌ knew very well‍ how animals tended​ to look upon‍​‌ death. With a pale countenance, their‌‌ body would go‌ cold with life⁠ leaving their eyes.‍ She had seen​ it time after‌ time.

Because‍‍​ she knew how‍ animals looked when⁠‍⁠ dying, she despaired‌‌ at the sight⁠​ of the boy‌ going through that‍ exact same process.‌⁠⁠

“Korin…‍‍ Korin, Korin…!”

However,⁠⁠ she bellowed without​‌ accepting the reality.‌

“I,‌⁠​ I can heal​​ you. I will​⁠‍ bring you back⁠⁠‍ to life…”

Marie‍​ remembered one of⁠ the mighty abilities​ of a vampire‍‌ that she read⁠‍‌ in one of​ the old books‌ – it was⁠‍ the curse of‌‌⁠ blood that could​​⁠ forever seal someone.‌‍‍ It was the‍ contract of a familiar that could‍ let them survive⁠⁠ forever until the‌‍‍ death of their‌​‍ master.

“Stop.​‌‍ That is a curse. That is⁠‌ definitely not a way to save‍‍ him.”

“Shut‍​​ up…!”

Her​‍​ body fumed with⁠‌ mana in her‌⁠⁠ distress as she‌ glared daggers at​​‌ Sebancia, who was‌⁠​ most certainly the‍‍⁠ one who caused​ this.

“Mhmm…!”‍

That‍‍‌ abundance of mana‍ was easily able‌⁠‍ to suppress Sebancia‌‍‍ Duke who no⁠ longer had his⁠⁠​ heart. It was​⁠‌ way too much​ to retaliate against‍‍ for a heartless​⁠⁠ vampire who had‌ been sleeping the​​​ whole time without​‌​ drinking any blood.‌⁠

“I‌ will bring him‌ back to life.​⁠ I can… Korin‍ can’t die here.‌​⁠ He won’t die.”‍

Marie‍ bit on her​‌ tongue to help​‍‍ the dying body​⁠⁠ of Korin regain​​ a little bit‌‍ of warmth. The​ blood from her‌⁠‍ ripped tongue filled⁠​⁠ her mouth which‍⁠⁠ she transferred over‍ by aligning her⁠ lips with his.‌

From‍⁠​ mouth to mouth​⁠​ – the blood⁠‍ of a Vampire‍⁠‍ Elder which was​​ at the level‍​ of an elixir⁠⁠​ traveled down Korin’s‍ throat without reserve.​

Worried​‍‌ that he might⁠ choke on it,‍‍⁠ Marie lifted his‌​‍ head and straightened‌⁠ his throat while‌⁠‍ constantly supplying him‌​ with her blood.​

“…”‌​

Sebancia⁠ watched that happen‌‍‍ with an awkward​⁠ look on his‌ face. At the⁠​‍ same time, he‍‌ couldn’t hide his‌​ surprise.

‘She’s​​ not feeling the‌‍‍ urge to drink​​ blood even when‌​​ in front of​ such a large⁠‌‍ pool of blood,‌‍​ huh.’

A vampire’s urge to⁠‍ drink blood was‌​⁠ stimulated the most‌ at the sight⁠ of fresh blood.​⁠‌ The blood being​ pumped out of​ Korin’s chest was⁠‌ enough to create⁠‌‍ a puddle beneath​ him, and yet​ Marie did not​​‌ spare that puddle⁠‍ a single glance​⁠ and was immersed​‌ in instead sharing‌‍​ her own blood‍ with him.

Was‍​ that how important‍‍ of an existence‌ he was to‍​‌ her? Was he‍ that important for‌ this vampire girl?​‍‍

“These⁠ young romanticists.”

Sebancia​⁠⁠ murmured to himself​ but he didn’t‌ necessarily hate it.​​​ Even he was​‌‍ a soul who⁠⁠ remained for 800‍​​ years just to​ hear news about​‍‌ his wife and⁠​⁠ his daughter.

Heroes‌ were actually romanticists‌‌‌ and were very‌​ sentimental.

“M,​ mhmm…”

“K,‌​‌ Korin?!”

With⁠ the forced injection‍⁠ of the blood‍​ of a Vampire⁠ Elder, his vitality​‌ took a massive‌⁠​ leap and his‍‌‍ pierced chest regenerated​⁠‌ in an instant.‍‌‍

Even‍‍⁠ though the earnest‌ wish of a vampire to regenerate⁠​​ the boy made​ her blood act‍ like an elixir‍ of life, even​ Marie wasn’t expecting‍⁠ him to be‌​⁠ healed so quickly.​​‌

On⁠⁠⁠ the other hand,​ Sebancia Duke made​ the guess that‍ her blood must‌​ have acted in‍⁠ conjunction with the‌‍ regeneration ability that​‍ his soul gave⁠ him.

“W,​‌​ what’s going on?”‍

“Ahh,⁠‍ thank you god.‌ Thank you. Thank‌‍‍ you…!”

Marie⁠‍ prayed to god‌ with a pale⁠‌ look on her​⁠‌ face. She had⁠‌ never thanked god⁠⁠ this much ever‌​‍ in her entire​⁠ life.

“Haa…​​ Both of you,​​ calm down.” Sebancia​‍⁠ said as Korin‍⁠‍ Lork grumbled in‌⁠ response.

“Ugh…⁠‍ Sebancia Duke. Couldn’t‍‍‍ you have given​‍‌ it to me‌⁠ in a more‍⁠ normal method?”

“That‍​ was the fastest‌ method by far.‍​ I don’t have‍ much time on‌ me.”

“Well,‍⁠‌ that’s true but…”‌​

“Nnn??”‌​ Noticing that something‌‍⁠ was off while‍‌ listening to their​‍⁠ conversation, Marie tilted‍‌ her head.

Sebancia⁠ answered her doubt.‍

“I‍‍‍ opened his heart‍​⁠ to transplant my⁠⁠‍ core. A short‌‍ stoppage of the⁠⁠ heart is a cheap price to‌ pay in return.”‍‌

“A,‌ ahht…”

Only‍ then did Marie⁠​ realize what Sebancia⁠ Duke had done⁠​ to Korin.

A giveaway of life​⁠ and an inheritance⁠​ of power. All⁠⁠ of that started⁠​ from the heart,​⁠‌ which was the⁠ source of all‌ life. It was⁠⁠ an advanced magic⁠‌ ritual which was⁠‍ only possible because‌⁠ both of them⁠ had incredible vitality​​ and tenacity.

“T,​‌ thank goodness… Really.‍​‌ Thank goodness.”

After‍‌⁠ heaving out a deep sigh of⁠​ relief, Marie hugged⁠‌​ Korin who was⁠‌ still lying down⁠‍‌ on the ground⁠​ and wailed.

“Umm…​ Senior?”

Not​​ knowing what was​‌ going on, Korin⁠​ bewilderedly returned her​​ a hug.

“I‍​‌ was worried…! Sniff.⁠ Korin, don’t ever‍​‌ die on me…!​ You need my‌​ permission to die…!”⁠‌

“How​‍ is that even‌‍ possible?”

“Promise​‍ me! That you⁠⁠‌ won’t die without⁠ my permission!”

– Grit!!

The⁠​ power behind her‌‍ embrace made Korin⁠‌ realize just how​​ serious this girl⁠‌ was. However, the​‍‌ only thing he‍ could do in‌​‍ return was tap‍‍ her on her‍‍ shivering back.

****‍​​

Opening‍​‍ my eyes, I found Marie in​​‍ a deep sleep.‌⁠‌ We were back⁠⁠ in Sebancia Duke’s⁠⁠ office and Marie⁠⁠‌ was sleeping with⁠‌​ her arms wrapped​⁠ around me.

“That…‍‍​ probably wasn’t a dream.”

A new system message‌ cleared the doubt‌ for me.

『You‌​ have acquired the‍⁠‍ Aura Core of‌⁠ Sebancia Duke.』

『Your‍​ Aura Rank will⁠ increase due to⁠‍ acquiring a Dual​‌​ Core』

『You‌⁠ have now gained‍‍‍ the Core Attribute:‍‍‌ Demon Nature of‌⁠ Duke』

Aura​ – { Upper‍‌ Medium (6,730) }
Mana – { Low (5,370) }

[Specialty​‌ ]
– { Regeneration⁠ of the Tenacious​ Warrior, Pain Tolerance,⁠⁠‌ Domain Comprehension, Dual‍ Core }

Strength:>‍ 83
Agility:> 79
Vitality:> 86
Aura:> 76
Mana:> 76

“…A‌​ second core.”

Not⁠ only did my‍⁠⁠ Aura Rank go​​​ up but I also acquired another‌‌‍ Aura Core. It​​ even had a special attribute to​ it…

Maybe…‍⁠ I would be‌ able to do​​ something similar to⁠ what Sebancia Duke‌‌‌ did with his​ sword?

“That’d⁠⁠‌ be crazy…”

The‍ grimoire paled greatly​‍‌ in comparison to⁠⁠ everything I gained​ here.

But‍‍ that raised a different question. Both‌​ in the game⁠​‍ and the last‌‍ iteration, why did‌‌⁠ Sebancia Duke refrain‍ from giving this‍​ power over to‍ the player?

What‌⁠‍ was the difference⁠​‌ between me and‍​ the player?

『You⁠ have my respect.』⁠⁠​

Those⁠ were the last‍ words left behind‌‌ by Sebancia Duke.‍⁠ Did I have⁠⁠ something with me‍⁠ that the player‍⁠ did not have,⁠ that made Sebancia‍⁠⁠ change his mind?⁠⁠​

“How‍ much better would‌‍ it have been⁠​ if he just​ nicely gave this​⁠ to me though?‍ That… was a really close call‌⁠‍ there.”

He​ could have just​‌ handed it over⁠​ without me going‌‌ through all that‍​‍ stuff. Making people​‍​ work for nothing…⁠⁠ Well, it was‌ probably to test​ me though.

– Creak!

It⁠​‌ was then. Someone‍⁠ came into the‌‌‌ office after opening​⁠‌ the door.

“Who…”​​​

“Hikk?!”‌⁠​

As‍‌ if she wasn’t‌⁠ expecting anyone to‍ be inside, the⁠​ visitor was greatly​‌ surprised after seeing​‍ me. Looking at⁠ her maid clothes,​⁠​ it seemed that‌​ she was here​‌‍ to clean up‌ the dust.

“M,‍ my apologies! I was not expecting⁠​ a guest to‍‍‍ be…?!!!”

“Ah,⁠‌ sorry. We will⁠‌⁠ be going out‌​‍ very… soon.”

What‍ was going on?‌ The maid had​ a very unusual‍​‌ look in her​‍⁠ eyes. With a shiver, she looked​​‌ back and forth‌ between me and‌​⁠ Marie… wait, Marie?‍​

– Hnn hnn.

“Ah…”‍‍

Right.‍ This was definitely​⁠‌ open for misunderstanding.​⁠⁠ Yes.

“Wait.‍ This is not‍ what you think‌‍ it is. Seriously.‍‍ I know what⁠⁠ you’re thinking, and‍‍⁠ whatever you are‌⁠‌ thinking is wrong.”⁠

“K,‌ kiss mark…”

“A⁠‌ kiss mark? Where…”⁠

I unconsciously touched my​‌‌ neck; at the‍ place where Marie⁠ inserted her fangs​ to drink blood.‍‍ Now that the​‌‍ flesh had grown​​⁠ back up, it​‌​ was no longer‌ like a wound‍ but it still⁠‌⁠ had red blood‌‌‍ clots which probably‍⁠​ made it look​‍​ like flushed skin‌‍ at a distance.⁠

“Ahhh.​⁠ That’s wrong. You‍‍ are seriously misunderstanding‍‌ something. For real.‌⁠ I get what​‍‌ you are thinking⁠⁠ but…”

“Apologies⁠ for my intrusion!​⁠ Please have a great time!!”

“W,​ where are you⁠ going?! Hello? Just‍‍ wait one second!”​‌

…………That‌⁠​ would definitely create‌‌​ rumors right?

Again,‌‍‍ the upper-class society‍⁠‌ and banquets were‍ places where tongues​​ danced like swords.‍‍⁠ In other words,⁠​‌ rumors tended to‌ spread across at‍‍⁠ an extremely rapid​ pace.

“YOUUUU‍ BASSTARDDDD! HOW DARE‌‌​ YOU TOUCH MY‌​​ DAUGHTTERRRRR!! I WILL‍‌ KILL YOU! I WILL KILL YOUUUUUU!!”⁠‍

It‌⁠ took about 20⁠ days for the​‌ misunderstanding to be​ resolved.

****‍

Even​⁠ though there was‌⁠​ a small incident…‌ the holiday in⁠ the south was‍⁠ overall quite decent.​⁠​

“Korin…‌⁠ Are you okay?”⁠⁠⁠

“Haha.⁠⁠ Well, I do​⁠ understand. It’s normal​‍​ for fathers with⁠​⁠ daughters to act‍ like that.”

“Hing…‍ Sorry. It’s my‍‍ fault.”

After‌ the visit to​‌ Sebancia Duke’s castle,‍‌ I had to‌‌​ hide inside the‍‌ mountain for 20‌‌ straight days. I hid in one⁠‍⁠ of Marie’s villas‌‌‌ and spent time‍‌ training there.

Avoiding⁠‌ the eyes of⁠ wyvern squads patrolling⁠‍‌ through the skies‌​ was definitely not‍​​ easy, but who​​ am I? I’m⁠⁠ a former soldier‌ of the Korean⁠‌ military forces, am‍‌‌ I not?

This​​​ was probably what​ all that mountainside⁠ training and operations⁠‍ were for.

“But‍ it’s great that​ we resolved the‍​‍ issue towards the​ end. You came⁠​‍ and gave me⁠ potatoes here and‍ there as well,‌⁠ so it was‍⁠ quite good.”

“Hing…⁠⁠ I wanted to‍⁠ give you a better time though.”‍‌

“I​ think it was⁠ already great.”

The​ last week of​​ holiday was quite‌ literally amazing. Even‍ though I didn’t​ get to visit​ the famous places‍ of the southern‌⁠‍ region, I still⁠ got to receive⁠‍ all sorts of‌‍‍ services in Marie’s⁠‌ house.

Especially​‍ that massager… he​‌‍ indeed had some‍​ superhuman skills. I swear, meridian massages‌⁠ were the best.‍

“Anyway,‍‍ the 2nd semester‌ is about to​​ begin. And we’ll‍ have to prepare‌ for the festival‍ as well.”

“Nn!⁠ The Purple Hawk⁠⁠ Academy from the‍ eastern continent is⁠‍ going to be⁠⁠​ coming very soon,⁠ after all!”

The‍⁠‌ festival was where​ the 4 great⁠​ academies of the‌‍⁠ 4 continents each⁠​⁠ visited one another’s‌‍ academy for a friendly exchange. However,‍ because guardians had‍‍‌ an incredible status⁠ in this world,‌‍ it was as‌⁠ popular as the‌⁠⁠ Olympic games, except‍​ it was smaller‍ and occurred every‌‌⁠ year.

It‍ attracted a lot‌‍‍ of tourists and​ was one of‌​ the reasons for⁠‌ active tourism.

“Oh⁠ right. By the‍⁠ way, the inn‍​‍ is going well⁠ with our investment​⁠ right?”

“Of​ course it is.‌​​ Trust me – I will bring‍‍‍ it back to‌ you threefold.”

“I‌ trust you! You’ll‌ be able to‌‍ do a great​ job, Korin!”

On‍ the way back​ to the Academy​ on a carriage,‌‍‌ I thought about‌‌​ Hua Ran’s episode​‌⁠ which would begin‍​ with the 3rd‌ Arc. This was‌​ the one that​ would decide whether‌ we could take​‌ her in as​‍‍ an ally or‍‌​ not.

‘Whatever‌ the case, I want to make⁠‌‍ it a happy​‌ ending at least.’​​‌

It‍⁠​ would be great‌‌‍ so long as‌⁠ it didn’t lead‍ to the worst⁠‍ ending, where she​ transcends into a Yaksha. Things should⁠ go just fine⁠ as long as​⁠ I stop the‍ petty tricks of⁠ the spiritualist.

Aside‌ from that, I also had to​​ make some big⁠ money from the⁠​‍ accommodation investment to​⁠​ get rid of‌‍ any potential financial​​‌ problems in the⁠ future. There was​​ a mention in⁠‌​ the game that⁠​ there was an‍​ abnormally large number​‍⁠ of tourists this‌‌‌ year so the‌​ accommodation industry should‌​‌ return a lot‌‌‍ of money.

The‌‍​ lodging fees would‍⁠ skyrocket when tourists‌‍ are attracted to‍ the festival and‌ after going big,​‌ I’ll sell the​​ land and save​‍ all that money.‍

You​ might ask, ‘Why‍ don’t you borrow⁠​‌ from Marie?’ but​ come on! I had my pride‍‌⁠ as a man​ as well!

“I⁠‌ am unstoppable! Long‌ live the festival!”⁠⁠​

“K,‌​ Korin?”

Huhahahaha…!⁠‍ A money dupe​⁠ bug incoming!!

Unless⁠​‍ the planet suddenly​ did some random​⁠​ shit, and unless⁠‍ a hole was​​​ to suddenly appear‍ in the sky,⁠‍⁠ there was nothing‌​⁠ that could possibly​ stop my plan!‌‌‍

– Kwaaaaaaaaa…!!!!!

A storm.

All‍‍ the paved roads‌⁠ were destroyed; trees‌ of the forest⁠ were pulled out‍‌​ and were crushed​ apart by the‍‍ unstoppable torrent. An⁠​ EF5 tornado – the natural disaster‍‍ we came across‌​ right in front‍ of Merkarva City‌ was like a testament of god’s‌ wrath.

“W,⁠ wut in the​‌ world?”

T,​‌⁠ this didn’t happen‍ in the last‍‍‍ iteration though?

“Wow…‌​ what a tornado…‍‌ This might have‍‍ a huge impact⁠​‍ on the festival‍ as well.”

Marie‍ tapped me on‌‍ my shoulder with⁠‍ a pitying look‌‌ on her face.⁠⁠‌

“It’s⁠‍ okay Korin. It’s​‌​ normal for men‌ to fail once‍ or twice in‌ their lives!”

– Should we write‍⁠ an IOU[mfn]”I owe⁠‌ you,” is a document that acknowledges‍ the existence of‍⁠⁠ a debt, often⁠‌​ viewed as an‍ informal written agreement[/mfn]‌‌​ document though? I will prepare everything‌ and give you⁠ a document so‌‌ all you need​ to do is‍ sign it! You‌‍​ don’t even have​‍‌ to bother checking‌ it!

She⁠‌ added with her​‍ eyes glistening as‍‍‌ if this was​ her chance and⁠‌‍ honestly, it was‌‍ quite scary.

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