I Became the Academy's Disabled Student

‘So this is how it’s supposed to work. It’s a bit different from mana,’ I thought, sharpening my perception and focusing intently on Lee Jiyeon’s manipulation of vitality.

I meticulously observed every detail, recording each nuance without missing a single moment.

The way Lee Jiyeon handled vitality was incredibly smooth.

She drew vitality from the earth, circulated it within her body, and, in the process, naturally enhanced her physical abilities and recovery.

Lee Jiyeon, whose body was already absurdly durable and regenerative due to Taesan, became even more formidable when infused with vitality.

When she activated Taesan’s armor and martial aura, charging into the fray, she embodied the title of an impenetrable vanguard.

It was no wonder she had survived and stalled against the Two-Headed Venom Dragon in the original story.

In the original, there was no tank as exceptional as Lee Jiyeon.

‘Good thing I asked for her help. If I had gone in alone, I wouldn’t have made it in time to climb the tower.’

I marveled inwardly.

Vitality manipulation was said to be the most challenging aspect of Taesan, but Lee Jiyeon wielded it with remarkable proficiency.

Even to my eyes, her level of skill was far beyond what ordinary talent or training could achieve.

Her earlier demonstration of Taesan’s basic functions had also been extraordinary.

She manipulated the ground as if it were an extension of her body, summoning multiple earth constructs that moved swiftly and precisely under her command.

Despite the complexity of these processes, Lee Jiyeon herself could still fight effectively.

Her combination of raw talent and relentless effort had honed her abilities to a level unattainable without both elements.

It was a stark contrast to her usual self-deprecating demeanor.

‘Then again, considering her circumstances, it makes sense...’

In the original story, the reasons behind Lee Jiyeon’s low self-esteem were clear.

The two younger siblings she was close to were hailed as prodigies, revered as the reincarnation of the founder.

While Lee Jiyeon possessed significant talent, it wasn’t enough to match her siblings.

To be precise, the title of “reincarnation of the founder” wasn’t bestowed on Lee Jiyeon but rather on her mother, Lee Jia, the 11th head of the Taesan Clan.

Surrounded by emotionally distant parents and prodigious siblings, it was no surprise Lee Jiyeon undervalued herself.

Such judgments are always relative. No matter how much others praised her, she likely couldn’t feel it herself.

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‘Regardless, this will work out before the tower climb.’

As I accumulated knowledge of vitality manipulation, it felt like lightbulbs were flickering in my mind.

The pieces of information began connecting, forming a clearer picture.

My earlier vague guesses solidified into certainty.

‘I can restore my body to normal.’

The thought filled me with conviction. It wouldn’t be easy, but this was the right path.

‘Finally...’

I could free myself from this awkward, childlike body.

My short limbs and small frame had been a constant inconvenience.

And the way people treated me because of my appearance—it was bizarre, to say the least!

While Elia claimed my mind had regressed along with my body, I found such assumptions unsettling... not that I disliked it entirely. If anything, it was oddly comforting. Still, it felt strange.

Either way, I could now reclaim my body.

I was basking in this realization when—

[?]

My hand was yanked forward. A forceful pull jerked my entire body.

The culprit was none other than Lee Jiyeon, who had been holding my hand.

I was helplessly dragged forward.

Without warning, she pulled me into her embrace, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

The soft texture of her clothes brushed against my cheek, and beneath that, I felt the warmth and tenderness of her skin.

My body instinctively relaxed...

No, it couldn’t relax!

I snapped out of it and struggled against her hold.

[Confusion]

[Surprise]

[Shock]

[What is this?]

[What’s going on?]

I voiced my bewilderment, initially planning to resist immediately, but Lee Jiyeon’s expression gave me pause.

Her complexion was pale one moment and ashen the next. Her face seemed to cycle through shades of yellow and blue, like someone on the brink of collapse.

“W-Wait... Please, just hold on...”

Her voice was unsteady, her words fragmented as she pleaded, but her actions didn’t wait for my response.

She tightened her grip, one arm around my waist and the other pressing my head into her chest.

The warmth between us intensified. Without air conditioning and pressed so close together, our body temperatures rose significantly.

‘What is this?’

The situation was abrupt and bewildering.

While I debated whether to force my way out, I sensed the vitality of the ground around us surging violently.

Lee Jiyeon was the cause.

The vitality of the earth was drawn upward, funneled into her legs, and surged through her body.

The ground beneath her feet cracked like drought-stricken soil, and the grass withered, turning yellow.

Yet, Lee Jiyeon seemed oblivious to her surroundings, focused solely on gathering vitality and channeling it into me.

Despite her urgency, her movements were meticulous, ensuring the process was as safe as possible.

For a while, this process repeated—Lee Jiyeon drawing vitality and transferring it to me.

Realizing there was no immediate danger, I decided to wait patiently.

“Hah... Hahh...”

Eventually, the flow of vitality stopped. Lee Jiyeon exhaled deeply, as if releasing a long-held breath.

She collapsed to the ground, visibly drained, her chest rising and falling as she panted heavily.

Sweat dripped from the ends of her hair, and her labored breathing filled the air.

[What... just happened?]

“Huh?!”

Still pressed against her chest, I asked tentatively. The breath tickling the top of my head was beginning to irritate me.

When I finally spoke, Lee Jiyeon jolted in surprise, her body stiffening.

Her arms tightened around me instinctively.

I tapped her side lightly, prompting her to glance down at me.

Her green eyes blinked, their focus shifting back to normal.

“Oh...”

Lee Jiyeon stared at me blankly for a moment before scanning my body thoroughly, checking for any issues.

After what felt like a long time, she let out a sigh of relief.

[What was that all about?]

“Hyaaa!”

When she didn’t answer, I poked her waist with my finger. She yelped, startled.

Honestly, I felt like screaming myself, but that would likely earn me a silent curse.

The poke seemed effective. Lee Jiyeon, who had been distracted, finally looked at me properly.

[Explain.]

At my brief demand, her eyes trembled slightly.

“Ah, uh... That was... vitality infusion!”

[What?]

“Y-Yes! Like I explained, transferring vitality requires physical contact between the giver and receiver. And the more contact, the better!”

[But you said just holding hands would suffice earlier.]

“Well, um... I realized it might not be enough...”

[And why the sudden grab?]

“T-That’s because...”

Lee Jiyeon fumbled, her eyes darting as she struggled to respond.

‘What is going on?’

She seemed to be hiding something, but it didn’t feel malicious. Her actions seemed intended to help me.

For now, I decided to let it go.

[Fine.]

[Just warn me next time.]

[That was startling.]

“Y-Yes... I’m sorry for surprising you...”

Like a scolded puppy, she lowered her eyes apologetically and sighed with relief, though she couldn’t escape my scrutiny.

[Now, can you let me go?]

“Oh! Sorry!”

Finally, she released me, carefully setting me back on the ground.

As my feet touched the earth, I discreetly dispelled the half-drawn synchronization with Baekya and the dozens of offensive spells I had been preparing.

‘My body feels lighter.’

After parting ways with Lee Jiyeon, I rented another secure outdoor training facility.

I tapped the ground lightly with the tip of my foot.

Perhaps it was due to the extra vitality Lee Jiyeon had infused into me, but I felt at ease.

‘So “stimulating with vitality” meant forcing a large amount into someone to make them recognize it? That’s a bit crude.’

I rubbed my arm with a bemused expression.

It felt as though I had overeaten; my stomach was uncomfortably full. Maybe I had absorbed too much vitality.

‘And... what was that about earlier?’

Questions lingered in my mind.

Was it, as Lee Jiyeon claimed, that she had been so focused she lost track of herself? Her actions had seemed too urgent, too desperate for that explanation to hold water.

I tilted my head, deep in thought.

To avoid arousing suspicion, I had made sure to leave with a good store of vitality, just in case the curse of my shortened lifespan was discovered.

While Lee Jiyeon wasn’t the type to spread secrets, there was no reason to burden her with knowledge of my curse.

I was always mindful of the possibility of a sudden death and constantly replenished my vitality. It was like pouring water into a bottomless jar—ultimately futile, but necessary to stave off my demise.

‘For now...’

Shaking my head to dispel the thoughts, I sat down on the ground.

This time, I would truly attempt it.

Taking a deep breath, I focused and activated Taesan.

I had studied the instructional material thoroughly and had an idea that had just popped into my mind.

I decided to put it to the test.

Synchronization: Taesan.

First, I manifested Taesan, drawing vitality from the ground into my body.

Through the contact between my body and the earth, I supplied myself with vitality.

This was where it got crucial.

Instead of merely filling the bottomless jar, I worked on reinforcing the walls—strengthening and expanding the vessel itself.

Within me, an eerie noise echoed. Bones shifted, muscles stretched, and my limbs lengthened. I could feel my body pulling outward, as if it were being reshaped.

Hissss...

Steam rose from my body as heat radiated outward.

Meanwhile, Lee Jiyeon sat blankly on the ground, her mind slowly piecing together fragments of Hayul’s words and actions.