Chapter 113 – Truth (2)

I returned home late at night. Evandel and Hayang ran up to me as I opened the door. I was used to Evandel’s Hajin Hajin and Hayang’s meowing by now. I hugged the two of them and sat on the couch. I had bought an animated movie that Evandel wanted and played it on the TV. They grew silent as the movie began. Hayang’s intelligence seemed to match humans. She refused to eat normal cat food and recognized me as the head of the household.

“Wait a minute.”

I looked at the ring on my finger and Hayang’s wagging tail. Then I came up with a strange idea. Who said only humans could wear rings?

[Homer’s Ring] [Artifact] [Awakened] A ring Homer wore in the past. It resonates with nature and will endow its wearer with energy. [Intelligence Boost – Will increase the wearer’s intelligence by 0.001 points every 24 hours up to a maximum of 0.365 points.] [High rank Magic Power Amplification]

I modified the ring’s setting out of curiosity.

[Intelligence Boost – Will increase the wearer’s intelligence by 0.001 points every 24 hours up to a maximum of 0.365 points.] [For a selected non-human target, the increase will become 0.01 points per 12 hours.]

[40 SP will be used.]

“Huh? This works?”

I calculated in my head. With 0.02 points per day, 18 days would be enough to maximize the stat. It also didn’t require much SP. What if I erased the non-human part?

[The rate of increase will double for the first person who wears it.] [250 SP will be used.]

The gap between a human and animal was huge.

“Hmm.”

I pondered for a moment. It would cost 40 SP and 18 days. Would Hayang be able to help me if she grew smarter? I looked at Hayang in Evandel’s arms. She might not be able to help me, but she could help Evandel. It wouldn’t hurt to try.

I slipped the ring onto Hayang’s tail. She turned to look at me and spotted the ring. She stared at it for 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds… then wagged her tail, satisfied by the sparkle.

“Let’s see how smarter you become in two weeks.”

I stroked Hayang’s back and thought of the wolf Evandel gave me. I turned on my laptop and checked its stats.

[Ghost Wolf] [Servant] [Intermediate rank] — The first servant created by Evandel the witch.

Basic Stats: [Strength: 5.350] [Bite: 6.150] [Speed: 7.550] [Perception: 7.605] [Vitality: 2.750] [Magic Power: 3.850]

Special Skills: [Intuition (Advanced)] Can sense danger. [Absorption (Low)] Can strengthen itself through absorption. [Tattoo Form (Low)] Can merge with its master in the form of a tattoo to recharge its magic power and strengthen its master’s stats.

First Servant: Its growth potential and hierarchical rank are superior to other servants.

Unity of Soul: Will grow stronger along with Evandel the witch.

“Wow.”

Its stats surprised me, especially its incredible speed and perception. I could even ride it instead of my bike if its vitality and stamina were higher. The word servant also caught my attention.

“So that’s why.”

Now I understood why it was so strong. One of a witch’s authorities was the ability to create servants. In doing so, a witch separated a part of her soul. As a result, servants were much stronger than normal creations, and a witch could only create 3-5 servants throughout her life. In the original story, Evandel’s most notorious servant was the three-headed dog, Cerberus. I remember describing its huge body with black flames.

“I’ll have to give the under armor to him.”

This wolf had the potential to grow into the real Fenrir. Why did Evandel choose a wolf? Did I resemble one like Boss said?

“Haha, look at that, Hayang.”

I could hear Evandel giggling as she watched her movie. She laughed, stared in shock, teared up, and swayed from side to side at various scenes.

Woong— I received a message.

[The Traveling Club will be going to a festival in Busan this Saturday. Please RSVP whether or not you will be attending.]

I furrowed my brows. Honestly, the traveling club would encounter some sort of trouble every time they went out.

“Vroom.”

Evandel tilted her head to the right along with the car on TV. I carefully placed my hand on her head.

“Evandel?”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s go out to play on Friday.”

The traveling club would visit the Busan festival on Saturday and Sunday. I could grab a hotel and spend some time with Evandel on Friday.

“Play?”

Evandel’s eyes sparkled.

“Yeah, it looks like I’m free on Friday. Since we went to Disneyland last week, this week we’ll…”

Evandel’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

“Go to a festival.”

***

Friday at 2 P.M.

“Combat magic is very important, yet simple.”

I was currently in the middle of our [Combat Magic and High Rank Magic Application] class. I glanced at Tomer sitting next to me. She jotted down notes like usual.

Recently, I spoke a lot with her. She stealthily asked me questions about Agus Benjamin like what kind of relationship we had and what type of person he was. I planned on bringing her to our side as I answered her questions. Her father’s cremation urn should be surrounded by the flowers I brought.

“Most spells require you to refine magic power inside your body. However, certain spells are an exception. The most well-known example is the barrier spell…”

The class continued without end. Tomer tapped my shoulder as I dozed off. She handed me a piece of paper as I wiped my drool.

[How did you get close to that person?]

I looked at the paper, then at Tomer’s face. She had a serious expression. I cleared my throat and jotted a reply.

[It wasn’t easy.]

[So how? The nurses said even they couldn’t get close.]

[Well, he didn’t have a family. Our situations were similar.]

I passed the paper back. Tomer seemed like she didn’t understand.

[What do you mean by similar?]

“Oh right.”

However, she stopped writing mid-sentence. She had already investigated my background and recalled I was an orphan. Tomer glanced at me sympathetically, then scratched out the sentence and wrote a new one.

[Got it.]

I took the lead next.

[You’ve been asking about him since last week. Why?]

[That person is my biological father.]

“Eh?”

I wanted to poke her a bit, but I never expected her to drop the bomb. She seriously surprised me.

[I know what you’re thinking. I feel the same. I never thought I’d find someone who knew him either.]

Tomer quickly jotted down.

[That person abandoned me and ran away. That’s why I’ve been looking for him.]

I remained silent. Unlike Tomer, I knew the truth. Her father didn’t abandon her. It was the opposite. He had protected her by leaving. He killed his wife because she became a djinn and tried to sell off their daughter.

[So I’m wondering. Did that bas… person leave a will or keepsake behind?]

The South American culture back then was to kill off all relatives related to djinns. Tomer’s father chose to become a criminal because of this witch hunt culture. He ran away to protect his daughter, but had always missed her. He left behind a letter for that purpose.

[Yeah, he left behind a letter.]

Tomer’s eyes coldly flickered.

[Where?]

[In a memorial, along with his cremation urn.]

[Where’s the memorial?]

[Let’s go together. I’ll take you there.]

[Shut up and just give me the address.]

The theatrical effect wouldn’t be as strong if she went alone, but it didn’t matter too much.

[Here.]

I gave her the address. Tomer typed it into her smartwatch.

[By the way, today will be my last day at Cube. I’m not trying to run off with your money, so don’t misunderstand.]

“Excuse me.”

Kim Hyojun, the chief magician from Seoul magic tower, pointed at us.

“Are you two in a relationship?”

Only then did I realize our arms practically touched as we secretly passed notes back and forth. Tomer scurried to the side, but everyone’s attention already fell on us.

“I don’t think you two suit each other. Also, dating so openly is prohibited in Cube.”

“It’s not like that.”

I felt an intense stare as I answered. It came from Chae Nayun. Yoo Yeonha, who sat next to her, continued taking notes without a care. However, Chae Nayun glared at me with puffy cheeks.

“Cadet Kim Hajin? Come here for a minute.”

“Ah.”

“Ah?”

“Ah, yes.”

I knew this would happen. Kim Hyojun wouldn’t just let it slide. He liked to embarrass students to feel superior. I scratched my neck and went up in front of the class.

“Cadet Kim Hajin, you passed the first semester with average scores all around.”

Kim Hyojun projected my scores from last semester. I scored between a C and B+ on the light sphere, magic power emission, magic power harmonization, etc.

“Then what was today’s lesson about?”

“Uh…”

I didn’t know since I wasn’t paying attention. I remained silent until someone whispered.

— Barrier, barrier.

Kim Suho came to my rescue.

“It's barrier.”

“... That’s right. Can you demonstrate it for the class?”

Kim Hyojun asked. Wait, barrier? I suddenly recalled a scene from the original story. Kim Hyojun always bothered Kim Suho like this out of jealousy.

“Barrier?”

“Yes, try it.”

My lips felt dry as I activated stigma’s magic power and created a barrier to cover my upper body. It cost one and a half streaks of stigma. The blue magic power formed a pentagon that looked quite decent. It had a vein-like circuit that efficiently transported magic power. I didn’t mean to, but stigma had created a perfect barrier. Kim Hyojun looked somewhat displeased, but soon faked a smile and praised me.

“It looks good. The magic power’s transparency is especially noteworthy.”

However, he quickly added negative remarks.

“But it’s weak, too weak. Everyone, do you know what the problem is with a cadet like him?”

He turned to the class and lectured as though I did something deplorable.

“It looks pretty on the outside. Too pretty, as if appearance is all that matters. That seems to be all there is to it.”

I glanced at the barrier. Stigma had decided on the appearance by itself.

“Cadet Kim Hajin!”

Kim Hyojun pointed his finger at me.

“You are not a celebrity! A barrier must be sturdy, even if its appearance isn’t the best!”

Kim Hyojun ignited a fireball on his palm.

“The barrier you created will be blown away by even this tiny fireball.”

“Um…”

I stared at the fireball. Honestly, I didn’t think it would penetrate my barrier.

“Cadet Kim Hajin, are you ready?”

“Yes? Ah, yes.”

“Then I will now demonstrate why a barrier shouldn’t just be pretty.”

Kim Hyojun didn’t throw the fireball. A combustion of magic power sent it flying towards me. Boom! A small explosion erupted, along with smoke. However, my barrier remained perfectly fine and the fireball had scattered. A heavy silence descended. As I thought, stigma’s magic power was on another level. Its only flaw was its quantity.

“Cough, looks like it isn’t so bad. BUT!”

Ding— The bell rang and signaled the end of class.

“Huu.”

Kim Hyojun sighed and glared at me before muttering.

“You can go back to your seat.”

Friday’s final class ended at 4 P.M.

***

[5:00 P.M.]

The family house of the famous Yoo clan was a large, 1500 square meter castle in Gangnam, Seoul worth tens of billions of won. Yoo Yeonha returned home after classes today.

“Welcome back, Young Lady.”

A butler politely greeted her as she approached the front door.

“It’s been a while. Are Father and Mother home?” Yoo Yeonha whispered.

“Master is on a business trip, and the Mistress left for a seminar.”

“Oh? How unfortunate. I dropped by to see them.”

“Should I give them a call? Mistress left not too long ago.”

“Ah, no. You don’t need to do that.”

Yoo Yeonha smiled as she handed her baggage to the butler. The situation turned out even better with her mother gone.

“I have exams coming up, so I’ll head to the library and read Father’s books.”

“Yes, Young Lady.”

She knew her parents weren’t home, but still tiptoed upstairs to look for information regarding the Kwang-Oh Incident.

“I haven’t been here in such a long time.”

Tens of thousands of books filled her father’s library. The entire collection would cost just as much as the house. She pushed aside her father’s desk and moved the carpet to reveal a secret vault.

“Huh? It requires a password now?”

It was only a simple box 10 years ago. Yoo Yeonha thought for a moment before entering four numbers: 0429. She tried both her birthday and her mother’s, but it didn’t work.

“Hmm…”

Yoo Yeonha thought harder. She had a skilled hacker among her investigators, but it would be impossible to hack since this vault wasn’t connected to the internet. Would she have to give up after coming all the way here? 04290816. She suddenly thought of combining her birthday with her mother’s. Bingo. Peebeep— The vault opened.

“Let’s see.”

She found an old and thick diary inside. Her father had kept it for 20 years. Yoo Yeonha looked for Kwang-Oh as she flipped through the pages. Kwang-Oh, Kwang-Oh, Kwang-Oh…

“Ah, here it is.”

[Today, I received a report on Kwang-Oh.]

September 9, 2008. Yoo Yeonha read through the diary entry.