Deep in the early hours of the morning, the vast sky above the training ground was densely shrouded with clouds.
The moonlight seeped through the gaps in the clouds, barely driving away the darkness.
Below,
a rhythmic sound echoed across the floor of the training ground.
-Whoosh
-Fwoosh
Crack!
The spear tip tore through the air, then its motion smoothed out after a momentary acceleration.
“…”
With labored breaths, I retracted the spear and slammed it forcefully into the ground.
Scattered around me were numerous weapons.
Before the Exchange Ceremony, I needed time to introspect about myself.
I realized something definite after obtaining the Celestial Scale and wielding the Harpē.
My combat style needed to change.
The Celestial Scale
was an element that had never been part of me to begin with.
After my transformation, I devised a method to condense mana into a sharp point, piercing through vital areas.
Whether it be a demon or a high-ranking Demon Entity, if mana is forcibly condensed and thrust with precision into a vital spot, it can be countered.
Perhaps in the future, when I achieve a new realm, there may be other methods, but not now.
Currently, this is the optimal technique for me to face High Demons or Demons like Realm. It’s also an art necessary for my survival.
However, the Celestial Scale has altered the very essence of my mana.
Hummm~
The mana drawn forth from my hand trembled. The dense ash-colored mana swirled with emerald undertones, pulsating faintly.
Now, my mana carries the attribute of Demon Annihilation. The former method of piercing a single point to deal fatal damage is no longer the best choice.
To them, this attribute is akin to ultra-high heat.
From the moment of contact, it starts to sear and dissolve.
Thus, leaving broader scars is far more effective than aiming for vital spots.
Compressing mana into a single point is now the least efficient choice.
Clang!
Another weapon fell to the ground.
I’ve tested countless weapons, analyzing each one to find the most appropriate one for my new method.
First, the Sword.
Broad-bladed and specialized in cutting, it’s not a bad choice. However, as I mentioned earlier, swords are challenging in this world. They have short reach.
Of course, mastering the sword is possible due to my “Omni” trait, but it requires time.
Second, the Spear.
A weapon centered on thrusting, though it’s capable of cutting. However, the structure of the spear I use is specifically designed for thrusting.
Thus, it doesn’t fit my new method.
Third, the Halberd.
A type of spear, combining the blade of a sword with the shaft of a spear. It can both cut and thrust.
So, it can be used similarly to a spear, has a longer reach than a sword, and doesn’t demand a long adaptation period.
It allows me to maintain my existing spear techniques while adapting to a new combat style.
I held the spear with a crescent moon attachment on the tip.
Within my mind, this weapon stands out as the most reasonable choice. The “Omni” trait naturally guides me toward the best options.
With that, I swung the spear forcefully.
Pabaak!
A wave-like motion spread through the air as if shredding it. The released energy tore through the mannequins.
“Not bad…”
I gently traced the blade of the halberd with my fingertips.
The previous incident caused my spear to corrode due to demon energy, so I’ve needed a new weapon anyway.
“I’ll go with this.”
With those quiet mutterings, I firmly gripped the spear once again.
And again,
-Pang!
I swung it powerfully.
*
The Exchange Ceremony commenced.
Despite the recent major incident, the academy proceeded as if nothing had happened, carrying on with the event held annually on a rotating basis. This year, Gawn was the host.
A vast plaza.
‘There are so many people.’
To the left stood the first-year students of Karlos, and to the right, the first-years of Gawn lined up in formation. Gawn’s plaza was spacious enough to accommodate the large numbers.
On the high podium sat the presidents and principals of the academies. As the academy representatives stood up from their chairs, the murmuring among the students gathered in the plaza quieted down momentarily.
“Now, I shall commence the Exchange Ceremony.”
Soon, a composed and authoritative voice resonated through the plaza. The students responded with appropriate applause to mark the beginning of the exchange.
It started then.
With awkward smiles and glances, the students began to gradually move toward the opposing camp.
“I’m going!”
“See you later!”
Thus, the exchange commenced.
Students parting ways with their friends waved goodbye.
Some grinned cheerfully, while others appeared somewhat downcast.
And at that moment, the crowd of Karlos students split apart like the parting of the Red Sea, revealing a single figure.
Hair like golden sunlight, reflecting and shimmering faintly under the brilliance of the sun, stood out strikingly.
She moved across the crowd with an expressionless face, her movements unwavering.
Beside her stood another figure.
Like a good-natured handsome man exuding warmth, he greeted friends around him briefly as he moved forward.
“Yoon Chae-ha and Joo Seo-joon.”
The two were advancing toward Gawn.
And I observed them from the podium.
Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana sat to either side, with the principals and presidents of the academies seated further beside them.
The presidents and principals of Gawn and Karlos engaged in constant back-and-forth exchanges, positioning us in the middle.
Gawn emphasized the fact that Yoon Chae-ha and Joo Seo-joon had chosen Gawn, rubbing it in Karlos’s face.
Meanwhile, Karlos brought up the Demon attack incident to jab at Gawn.
And we were stuck in between.
‘This is tiring.’
The reason I was here was simple. Among the students, only two individuals, Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana, had single-handedly dealt with Moras. And I had eliminated Medusa.
Today, this event was to honor them.
I sat between Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana.
Given that the awards were being presented during an exchange ceremony,
‘It exists to showcase students like us at Gawn.’
It probably serves as a form of boasting.
Of course, I hope they get things organized properly before they start boasting.
“Haaam.”
Next to me, Cheon Yeoul quietly yawned, her hand covering her mouth. She kept talking earlier, but now she seems sleepy.
Yoo Hana too, appeared restless, constantly shifting positions.
I pulled out a small candy wrapped neatly in paper from my pocket. As I began to unwrap it, I opened my mouth.
“Wanna try?”
Instantly, both their gazes focused on my hand. The small brown candy made their eyes widen slightly.
In truth, this wasn’t candy but one of the herbs I had obtained during the exploration of the dungeon during the school break.
It’s nothing grand.
Helps with bodily circulation. They say it has a few beneficial effects on women’s beauty and health…
But I don’t know much about it, being a guy.
I’ve already eaten one myself. As for Kang Ah-rin… she probably gets her hands on better herbs, so there’s no need to give her this random one.
“I’ll have it.”
-Swoosh
Without hesitation, Yoo Hana reached out and took the candy.
“Crush it with your teeth and-…”
-Clink, Clink
Without even finishing my sentence, she carefully placed it in her mouth. Then she began to slowly dissolve it as if it were some kind of medicinal supplement.
It’ll take a while to dissolve.
Sure enough, she looked somewhat bitter as she slightly nibbled on her lip. Still, she didn’t stop sucking on it.
I turned my head towards Cheon Yeoul. She looked interested but didn’t reach out to take it.
Very slowly, almost naturally,
Her lips parted slightly, and her breath seemed to gently flow outward.
Her gaze briefly dropped, then rose again. She pointed to her mouth with her finger.
‘Feed it to me.’
Without saying a word,
She simply sat there, her mouth slightly open, looking at me.
“…”
I simply stayed still. Then, Cheon Yeoul lightly smiled, extending her tongue ever so slowly. As if meeting me halfway…
I placed the herb into her mouth and closed her lips.
Her eyelids lowered. The sensation of the herb moving around in her mouth caused her lips to occasionally stick slightly and then pull away.
Then,
-Clink
A soft sucking sound followed. Her lips gently opened and closed.
I turned my head away, unable to bear watching.
The moment we’d become a bit closer, she was at it again. That’s her original character. Even in the original story, after overcoming her initial misogyny and increasing intimacy, she would act this way.
At that moment, the moderator at the front of the podium spoke into the microphone.
“Alright, we shall proceed with the award presentations.”
Someone brought the certificates from behind. I looked at the stage.
We walked to the front of the podium.
Words of encouragement followed,
-Tok.
The principal handed over the certificate. I accepted it and made a slight nod.
Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana received theirs in turn. The actual prizes would be given later separately.
At that moment, the quiet instructions from the guide reached my ears.
“Please return to below the podium.”
Finally, it’s over.
I tucked the certificate into my pocket carelessly and descended from the podium. Cheon Yeoul and Yoo Hana followed beside me.
At that moment, the principal of Gawn took the microphone. His voice echoed across the plaza, delivering a few words of caution and encouraging harmony among students.
Then, he declared,
“Let this mark the end of the Exchange Ceremony.”
The students cheered.
“Until the upcoming Exchange Tournament, I hope you all learn and grow in this new environment, showing us a new side of yourselves.”
-Clap Clap Clap Clap!
The applause echoed.
One by one, the figures on the podium began to rise from their seats. The students started to leave in an orderly manner.
At that moment, I felt a gaze.
I turned my head.
Golden hair, shimmering subtly in the sunlight, swayed gently in the breeze.
Yoon Chae-ha.
She quietly looked at me. Under her long lashes, her orange eyes sparkled in a calm intensity. For a brief moment, our gazes intertwined.
Then,
Swoosh.
As if nothing had happened, she naturally turned her head away. The movement was smooth and fluid, completely unruffled.
But even in that moment of fleeting exchange, I was certain.
‘Got it.’
Yoon Chae-ha had stepped into the current I had created.
Where this current leads will be determined by me.
