After spending some time with Seo Yul, I gathered my clothes and underwear and headed to the bathroom.
The luxurious interior, which now felt somewhat familiar, resembled the bathrooms of high-end hotels. Smooth white tiles were laid out neatly, accented by a soft brown rug. One wall featured a large mirror, and beneath it stood a meticulously maintained sink alongside neatly arranged shelves holding bathrobes, toiletries, and other essentials.
I placed my change of clothes on the shelf and began undressing.
Having regained my body, I had resumed physical training under my mentor’s guidance. Today’s session had been relatively light, more of a rehabilitation exercise, but after so long without strenuous activity, my body felt stiff and achy.
The exercise outfit I had worn was beyond salvageable, having been rolled across the floor during training. While the fabric had self-repair and cleansing functions, and I could have used a purification spell, I opted to toss it into the laundry bin without hesitation. There were plenty more.
Stepping into the glass-enclosed shower, I carefully adjusted the controls.
Warm water cascaded from the overhead rain shower.
[Concern]
[Worry]
[Trauma]
I reached out cautiously, letting the water trickle over my fingers to confirm the temperature. It was pleasantly warm. Only then did I step under the stream, letting it drench my hair and flow down my body.
Water soaked through my hair, cascading over my skin, while the glass enclosure quickly filled with steam.
Standing under the stream, the tension built up throughout the day began to melt away.
Well, not completely—somewhere in the recesses of my fragmented consciousness, fatigue continued to accumulate.
Still, I couldn’t stay under the water forever. I reached for the shampoo, squeezing a generous amount onto my palm.
Working the shampoo into my hair, I lathered up my body with body wash, creating a thick foam.
Just as I was about to rinse off, a blue shimmer popped into view beside me.
It was a water spirit. Its form blinked briefly before the water from the shower began moving on its own, thoroughly rinsing away the foam covering my body.
‘Oh...’
Convenient.
I didn’t even need to ask why it appeared. The effortless assistance spoke for itself, so I simply let it do its job.
Rinsing was over in no time.
Although the bathroom included a large bathtub and various bath additives, I wasn’t in the mood for a soak. Perhaps I’d save it for later and enjoy it with Seo Yul—she might like floating toy ducks while bathing.
Leaving the bath for another day, I stepped out of the enclosure.
The water spirit, clearly seeking praise for its effort, nudged against me. I patted it lightly before grabbing a towel.
Almost immediately, two more glimmers appeared: green and red. A wind spirit and a fire spirit.
I paused, intrigued.
The spirits didn’t disappoint. A gentle breeze and warm air enveloped me, drying my body and hair with precision.
[Comfort...]
The towel I had picked up was quickly set aside.
No wonder Professor Liana had warned against relying too much on spirits for daily tasks. With them around, there was little need to lift a finger.
‘Is this how she feels?’
Suddenly, the messy state of her office made sense.
It felt dangerously easy to slip into bad habits.
Appeasing the other spirits that couldn’t contribute as directly, I picked up the towel again and resumed drying myself manually.
“Young master, I’ll handle dinner preparations.”
After finishing my shower, I had begun rummaging through the kitchen when Ariel swiftly approached, her tone confident and formal.
[Ah, thank you, Ariel,]
[but I’d like to try making something myself this time.]
“You wish to cook, young master...?”
[Yes.]
[I know a little about cooking,] I replied, eliciting a slight blink of surprise from Ariel.
Her reaction wasn’t distrustful, but there was a hint of skepticism.
[Would you mind pointing out any mistakes I might make?]
[I’m preparing ahead since Yeonhwa and Miss Elia will be joining us soon.]
“Understood.”
Her expression shifted, her eyes lighting up as she nodded, seemingly eager to assist.
With over a decade of experience managing Hong Yeonhwa’s needs, Ariel was more than capable of stepping in if I messed up.
I trusted her expertise, which is why I asked for her help.
With her agreement, I began laying out the ingredients and tools.
The menu was simple: bacon fried rice, cream pasta, a light soup, and bagels.
It might sound like a lot, but considering our group included Seo Yul, myself, and three supers—each with significantly higher calorie needs—it was a reasonable amount. Even Elia, despite her support role, could easily finish a bowl of rice on her own.
I had limited time, so I washed my hands thoroughly and got to work.
“...?”
Ariel, standing nearby, tilted her head in confusion. Her gaze was fixed on my Sky Wings, which had split into multiple strands and extended behind me.
From her perspective, it must have been a peculiar sight.
Manipulating the ethereal wings, I used them to handle ingredients and utensils.
The wings moved deftly, rinsing and prepping the ingredients.
Some strands placed a pot of water on the stove, while another waited to toss in the pasta once it boiled. A third coated a heated pan with oil before sautéing prepped vegetables.
Fried rice components, mushrooms, and onions for the soup were cooked to perfection.
One strand sliced bagels, stuffed them with hearty fillings, and topped them with their lids.
The spirits joined in, adding a vibrant, playful touch to the cooking process.
The spectacle drew Seo Yul closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
[Seo Yul, it’s dangerous to stand too close.]
[Why don’t you watch from a little farther away?]
“Yes!”
[Good girl.]
With Seo Yul safely distanced, I resumed cooking.
Every step was meticulously measured and calculated.
Thanks to my observational ability, I had mentally reviewed cooking guides and techniques during my library visits. Coupled with my versatile aptitude, the process felt smooth and efficient.
Cooking, in my opinion, was straightforward—follow a recipe, and you’d end up with something edible.
Believing in that logic, I carefully gauged flame intensity, ingredient portions, and cooking times.
“...Do you need assistance?”
Ariel, now clearly intrigued, asked hesitantly.
Her tone carried an unusual level of openness, and I chuckled awkwardly at the rare sight of her showing genuine emotion.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively and filled with warmth. The TV in the background played an old variety show, providing a light-hearted soundtrack to the meal. Around the table, the clinking of cutlery and murmurs of satisfaction painted a cozy picture.
Hong Yeonhwa was clearly enjoying herself, showing a marked preference for the fried rice. The simple mix of vegetables, bacon, and spices seemed to suit her taste perfectly, making her eat with surprising enthusiasm. Perhaps the fire spirit’s control over the cooking process had imparted a subtle, unique flavor.
"Wow, this fried rice is amazing," she said between bites, her voice filled with genuine admiration.
On the other side of the table, Elia was engrossed in the bagels. I had prepared two variations: one filled with cream cheese, fresh salmon, and tomato slices, and another with salted beef and a drizzle of mustard. Elia alternated between the two, her expressions of delight making it clear both were hits.
"This tastes even better than what I used to have in London!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight. Hearing her praise was oddly satisfying, and I couldn’t help but grin in response.
Meanwhile, Baek Arin and Ariel gravitated towards the creamy pasta, its rich sauce generously complemented with bacon. Ariel had initially declined the offer to eat with us, claiming she’d eat later, but had eventually joined the table at my insistence.
The feedback from everyone was overwhelmingly positive, and any lingering anxiety about the quality of my cooking melted away. Even with the support of my observational abilities and the inherent enhancements from Palbangmijin, there had been no guarantee everyone would like the dishes. Their approval was enough to make me feel like the effort was worth it.
"So, Haryul, are you preparing for the tower entrance now?"
Baek Arin broke the light-hearted mood, her gaze curious as she posed the question.
[Yes, I’ve already been briefed about the details,]
[but first, I need to adjust to my body being back to normal.]
The necklace delivered my response as I continued chewing a mouthful of food.
"Already? It’s starting next week, right?"
"Yeah, same as last semester: Monday to Friday, five days in total," Elia added.
The conversation shifted toward the approaching challenge of the tower entrance trial. It was a significant event, requiring rigorous preparation. For some, like my mentors, it was even busier than the usual academic grind. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for pulling them away from their duties for this meal.
As I glanced toward the fridge, I noted that we still had plenty of ingredients left.
‘Good, I’ll make some extra dishes later and deliver them as a token of appreciation.’
I recalled how Professor Liana had once given me sandwiches early in the semester, and this seemed like a fitting way to repay that kindness.
"The theme this time is ‘Observation,’ right? So, no more being hunted by other students like last time," Baek Arin remarked with a wry smile.
"Instead, there’ll be new challenges to deal with, so thorough preparation is key," Elia replied, her voice firm yet excited.
Their discussion underlined the importance of preparation. Even I was deep into my own training regimen. It was exhausting, yes, but the ability to train even while eating or sleeping thanks to segmented consciousness was a considerable advantage.
While the others talked, I turned my attention to Seo Yul. As usual, she was seated close to me, her tiny hands occasionally reaching out for bits of food I offered her.
[Seo Yul, ahhh—]
"Nom..."
She opened her mouth obediently, earning a small chuckle from me. Across the table, however, Hong Yeonhwa hesitated, watching the interaction with a mix of determination and uncertainty. Finally, she dipped her spoon into her soup and offered it to Seo Yul.
"Here, try some..." she said, her voice slightly awkward.
Seo Yul, however, scrunched up her face and pressed her lips together firmly, refusing to take a bite. Despite Yeonhwa’s efforts to bond with her, there was still a mysterious barrier between them. Seo Yul remained distant, seemingly unconvinced of Yeonhwa’s intentions.
‘Sigh...’
I held back a sigh, watching Yeonhwa’s valiant but futile attempt. As much as I wanted them to grow closer, Seo Yul’s hesitance toward her future “mother” remained a persistent challenge. It didn’t help that Seo Yul seemed to have no such reservations around Elia or even Professor Liana.
The dynamic added another layer of complexity to my ever-growing list of concerns. Pushing my thoughts aside, I carefully blew on a spoonful of soup and fed it to Seo Yul myself, eliciting a happy smile from her as she accepted it eagerly.
For now, I decided to focus on the meal and the laughter surrounding the table. Tomorrow’s challenges could wait.
The devastating defeat Aiden suffered at the hands of Lee Hayul during the tournament.
Not only was he utterly overwhelmed without being able to land even a scratch on him, but the shocking experience of having his painstakingly honed extended abilities instantly seen through and copied.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t disheartened.
The very peers who mocked his loss at the start of the semester now showed genuine concern. Even the prickly Attila’s attempt to act considerate hinted at how worried everyone around him must have been about Aiden’s mental state.
However, Aiden quickly moved on.
Hadn’t he already acknowledged that the special admission student possessed a potential entirely beyond his own?
To despair over it now felt pointless.
Yes, he had been shocked and discouraged, but upon reflection, they were never truly comparable in the first place.
In fact, the sparring match at the start of the semester had been the only moment where Aiden might have stood a chance at victory.
Now, Hayul was spoken of in jest as some sort of sage, and the gap between them had grown insurmountable.
Thanks to this mindset, Aiden didn’t waste time lamenting the difference in talent. The day after his tournament defeat, he quietly resumed his visits to the training hall.
It was around the end of the vacation that Aiden noticed something unusual.
— BOOM!
— KRA-KABOOM!
The training facility he frequented.
As he passed through the first floor after wrapping up his own training, a sudden explosion echoed, making Aiden tilt his head in curiosity.
“What the hell is that?”
He approached the door from which the noise had come. Raising his gaze to the window positioned just above eye level, he peeked inside.
But thanks to the security measures, the interior was completely obscured.
All he could hear were faint bursts of sound.
It wasn’t unusual. Being a training facility, occasional noise leakage during training sessions wasn’t uncommon.
Especially with offensive magic, which tended to be loud—it wasn’t odd for faint noises to carry through.
— KRA-KA-BOOM!
“...How long is this going to go on?”
But there was something strange.
Since the end of the vacation, the lights in that particular training room had remained on.
Aiden, who arrived early in the morning, initially thought nothing of it, figuring someone was using the room.
Then, late at night, as he left exhausted, he noticed the lights still on and muttered his amazement before walking past.
The next morning, the lights were still on.
Even when the sun had set that night, the lights continued to blaze.
...Even on a predawn visit, the lights were still on.
Curious, Aiden kept an eye on the room for a while. Nobody ever entered or left.
It was as if someone had rented the room exclusively and was holed up inside. The lights never went out.
Even so, Aiden brushed it off.
It was vacation, after all. Someone might be locking themselves away for a rigorous, isolated training regimen.
Admiring their dedication, Aiden resolved to work harder himself.
— BOOM!
Another faint explosion echoed.
This time, it didn’t come from the front.
Aiden turned his head hesitantly.
The training room opposite was also lit, and faint explosions were coming from there, too.
— KRAA-BOOM!
And the one beside it.
— CRACKLE-BOOM!
And the one further down...
Rooms that nobody entered or exited, yet were always lit with faint noises emanating, had multiplied to six before he realized it.
He couldn’t make sense of it.
Lately, strange sightings had been cropping up on the academy’s community boards as well.
Books falling off shelves on their own in the library. Weapons rattling without being touched...
Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.
When asked about it, the Siyoram administration dismissed it as normal operation.
“...I give up.”
Aiden decided not to think about it anymore.
Maybe six students were crammed together, training in isolation.
It wasn’t like ghosts or some kind of incorporeal monsters were holed up in there for their own training...
Dragging his fatigued body, Aiden headed back to the dormitory.