Episode 6. Building the Foundation (2)

*Thud!*

*Roll, roll, roll.*

*Groan…*

It’s been three days since I’ve been locked in my dorm room, dying and resurrecting repeatedly.

Through various experiments, I’ve learned a few things.

One, repeatedly dying and resurrecting doesn’t infinitely increase my magic power.

Two, after resurrecting once and increasing my magic power, it won’t increase again for about six hours.

Three, when I repeat dying and resurrecting up to four times a day, the amount of magic power gained is far greater than what can be accumulated through normal “breathing techniques.”

“Kyaa! This is insane, absolutely insane.”

I smiled proudly as I looked down at the notebook where I recorded my trials and errors over the past three days.

The magic power issue that had been holding me back since my past life.

I never imagined I could solve it in such a ridiculous way.

‘Though the method of accumulating magic power is a bit… unconventional.’

Four times a day.

Every six hours, I have to end my own life to increase my magic power. No matter how you spin it, it’s hard to call this a normal method.

“So… I just have to die as soon as I wake up, die after lunch, die after dinner, and then die one last time before going to sleep?”

Ugh, damn it.

Even I can’t believe how crazy this sounds.

“Sigh. Well, what can I do?”

If I can’t accumulate magic power through normal means, I have no choice.

In my past life, if Iris had caught me, she would’ve beaten me to a pulp, but now there’s no one to scold me for recklessly risking my life.

“…Tsk.”

Suppressing the thought that I actually miss her scolding, I continued my train of thought.

‘I was a bit worried that continuing this method might wear out or erase my Holy Mark.’

Originally, the power of the Primordial Flame was supposed to consume and destroy Holy Marks.

For some reason, even after absorbing the Primordial Flame, my Holy Mark remained intact, but I couldn’t help but worry that if I kept using the Primordial Flame’s power, the Holy Mark or the Blessing of Resurrection within it might disappear.

‘So far, there’s been no change.’

The Holy Mark engraved on my left chest was still intact, with no signs of wear or disappearance.

And the Blessing of Resurrection within it continued to bring me back to life as usual.

“Ha.”

Thinking about it, the current situation is quite ironic.

‘After enduring so long just for death.’

Now I’m worried that the Blessing of Resurrection might disappear.

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

But still, the fact that the Primordial Flame couldn’t destroy the Blessing of Resurrection within my Holy Mark was good news.

‘If I can keep increasing my magic power like this… I can reach a much higher place than in my past life.’

If that happens.

I can protect those I couldn’t protect before.

I can save those I couldn’t save.

I won’t lose anything anymore.

“……”

Before the memories of my past life that I’ve been suppressing started to resurface, I opened my eyes.

“Now, let’s see…”

With a solid foundation for growth in place, it’s time to prepare a powerful weapon.

‘Weapon…’

Recalling my past life memories, I sorted through things that might be helpful.

‘It can’t be something too hard to obtain or too difficult to handle.’

Ancient relics, divine weapons…

A few artifacts I searched for while wandering the continent in my past life came to mind, but they were all things that would be difficult to obtain right now.

‘Even if I get them, I might not be able to use them properly.’

The more powerful the artifact, the higher the user’s skill level needs to be, and right now, most of my abilities have been reset except for the memories in my head.

Even if I went through hell to get an artifact, there’s a high chance I wouldn’t be able to use it properly.

‘A weapon that can be obtained quickly and provide immediate combat power.’

One thing immediately came to mind.

‘Holy Mark Amplifier.’

A potion that forcibly drives the Holy Mark into overdrive, granting temporary immense power.

For someone like me who lacked magic power, it was like rain in a drought.

‘Though I’m not sure if this counts as a weapon.’

In terms of effect, it’s powerful enough to chew up most artifacts, so calling it a weapon wouldn’t be too far off.

Of course.

With great power comes great side effects.

A single dose could twist the body’s energy, and repeated use could melt internal organs, potentially leading to death.

“But, that doesn’t matter to me.”

I looked down at the Holy Mark engraved on my left chest and smirked.

“Now that the plan’s set, let’s get going.”

The place where the creator of the Holy Mark Amplifier resides, a hero who would later achieve great feats in the war against the Mains.

That place is…

‘Reynaldo Hero School.’

Yes.

It’s right here in this very school.

* * *

Warrior Department Professor’s Office.

Professor Lucas was glaring at me with a look that said, “What is this brat planning now?”

“You want to meet Professor Jade?”

“Yes.”

Jade Bastian.

A professor recognized as the continent’s best in Holy Mark research.

“Why Professor Jade all of a sudden? He’s a researcher, so there’s no reason for a candidate to seek him out.”

“I want to consult with him about my future career.”

“Professor Jade is in charge of the Magic Department, isn’t he?”

“Research related to Holy Marks can be participated in regardless of department, right?”

“Hmm.”

Professor Lucas’s gaze deepened.

“…Career consultation, you say. With Professor Jade?”

His sharp, beast-like eyes turned toward me.

“Do you know how he’s referred to within the school?”

“Of course. How could I not?”

No matter how much time has passed.

How could I forget the infamous “Student Killer’s” notoriety?

“And you still want to meet him?”

“Aren’t those just rumors? That Professor Jade killed his students.”

“Rumors, my foot.”

Professor Lucas frowned in displeasure.

It was hard to believe that a fellow professor would react this way, as if he were gossiping behind someone’s back.

But even he couldn’t help it.

“Two years ago, it was none other than Professor Jade himself who went around boasting that he killed Candidate Oscar.”

“Didn’t the investigation conclude it was an accidental death during an experiment?”

“That’s only because he’s of the ‘Bastian’ bloodline!”

*Bang!*

Professor Lucas slammed his desk in frustration.

“Even if it was truly an accident, a professor shouldn’t act like that!”

His fist, as big as a pot lid, trembled as he spoke in an agitated voice.

“Do you know what that bastard did in front of Candidate Oscar’s grave? Huh? I clearly heard him insulting the dead student, calling him a ‘stupid brat’!”

“Did you just stand there and watch? Didn’t you punch Professor Jade in the face and get suspended?”

“Uh… well, that was… ahem. I was still young back then.”

“Haha. If someone heard you, they’d think you were talking about something that happened 20 years ago, Professor.”

“Shut up, you brat!”

Professor Lucas shouted and kicked at my shin.

*Whoosh.*

I naturally twisted my body to avoid his kick.

“You…”

Professor Lucas glared at me with his signature beast-like eyes.

“How did you change so much overnight?”

“I regressed from the future.”

“Bullshit.”

Seriously.

I really did regress, but this is so unfair.

“You… didn’t make a contract with a Devil God or something, did you?”

“You know that a hero who has awakened the Holy Marks of the Seven Gods can’t become a Main, right?”

“…Grr.”

Professor Lucas swallowed his frustration, his face contorted in confusion.

There’s one lie I told him.

‘Actually, even a hero can become a Main by contracting with a Devil God.’

Of course, that’s not now, but in the future when the Devil God’s seal weakens.

But there’s no need to stir up unnecessary misunderstandings here.

“Well… even during suspension, meeting with other professors isn’t prohibited. I’ll write you a letter of introduction. Go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

“Hmph. Go die or whatever, it’s up to you.”

Professor Lucas, clearly displeased, quickly scribbled the letter of introduction.

I took the letter from Professor Lucas and turned to leave the office.

*Click.*

As I opened the door to leave…

“…If anything happens, come running to me immediately.”

Professor Lucas’s worried voice came from behind.

I smirked and nodded.

‘Really.’

This guy’s appearance and personality are completely different.

* * *

Professor Jade’s lab was located in the most remote corner of the school.

Given the school’s vast grounds, most candidates wouldn’t even know this lab existed.

*Knock knock.*

I knocked on the firmly closed lab door.

*Knock knock, knock knock.*

No response came from inside after several knocks.

*Bang bang bang.*


“Professor Jade. I know you’re in there.”

This time, I knocked with a bit more force.

Soon, the door creaked open.

A foul stench seeped out as the door opened.

Inside, the lab was a mess, resembling a haunted house.

“Who… are you?”

An old man peeked out from the slightly opened door.

Wrinkled skin covered in age spots.

Unkempt white hair and a robe so dirty it couldn’t even be used as a rag.

He looked exactly like the Professor Jade from my memories.

“I’m Dale Han, a third-year candidate from the Warrior Department.”

“…What do you want with me?”

“I’m interested in your research. Here’s a letter of introduction from Professor Lucas.”

“……”

Professor Jade took the letter and started chuckling, his shoulders shaking.

“You’re interested in my research?”

“Yes, particularly in the creation of potions that affect Holy Marks.”

“Keh, heh, hehehehehehe!!!”

Professor Jade burst into a bizarre laugh, like a monster corrupted by a Devil God’s blessing.

“You… know who I am, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Heh, heh, hehehehe! So, knowing who I am, you still want to participate in my research?”

Professor Jade, seemingly deranged, laughed while drooling.

*Bang!*

He roughly pushed the slightly open door wide and grabbed me by the collar.

With eyes gleaming with madness, he glared at me and whispered ominously.

“You… are going to die.”

“Oh, really?”

Well, whatever.

Try killing me.