LIGHTNOVELONLINE Even though telephones were rare in the Aether World, most high-ranking individuals had personal means of communication.
However, Elf King Florin did not.
The reason was that there was a risk of curse if one heard her voice for an extended period even from afar.
- Is that really true?
"Yes."
Not anymore.
Her curse had significantly weakened, and there was no longer any risk of falling victim to infatuation just from hearing her voice.
Thanks to this, Florin could use the phone freely, and although her workload increased as she took on more tasks, all the frustration vanished.
- It's really a relief to be able to get a new item right away... I was so worried because I couldn't come in person...
But how could someone be so beautiful on the outside and yet so stubborn?
From what Baek Yu-Seol had witnessed, even if the curse disappeared, there was no shortage of people who would still be tormented by infatuation.
He might be included in that.
It was abnormal not to be swayed by someone so charming.
'... I still don't have any thoughts of dating yet.'
Perhaps that's why, despite the presence of so many attractive women around, he hardly felt any romantic emotions.
It was mostly because of his young age, but also because there were so many immediate tasks that needed to be addressed.
He didn’t have an absurd sense of duty to save the world.
He wasn’t a saint.
He just struggled to survive.
"I'd like to bring the sacred item right away and further alleviate the curse, but my schedule is currently conflicting..."
- It's okay. I've been waiting until now, so I can wait as long as... you need.
Listening to her words made him feel like he should bring it to her sooner.
"Yes. I'll come to see you soon."
- You have to take care of your health in the meantime.
After ending the call with Florin, Baek Yu-Seol rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a broken gourd.
"Hmm... It's completely smashed."
This gourd's name was the Dead Spirit’s Vengeful Talisman.
It was an easily obtained artifact, but in fact, it was a rare top-grade magical tool even within Aether.
It wasn't an artifact or a legendary item, but it provided a complete immunity to ghost-type attacks to the user.
But now it was destroyed.
‘Wasn't there any risk when I entered the mirror world to save Edna?’
Absolutely not.
In the very rare case, the Constellation Project took the initiative to modify and enhance the artifact possessed by him, and gave a blessing to the Dead Spirit’s Vengeful Talisman.
Thanks to this, Baek Yu-Seol could freely roam the world of Edna, but in exchange, he had to consume the talisman.
Artifacts were relics from the era of ancient Progenitor Mage, so repairing them with modern technology was impossible.
‘Still... Should I give it to Alterisha?’
When playing the original game, you could only request the creation and repair of certain items, but since this was reality, even such unreasonable requests might not be accommodated to some extent.
Whether it could be repaired or not was a problem for later.
"It's a shame, but... I made good use of it."
Given that he could save Edna’s life with such a minor artifact, the Talisman had more than proved its worth.
Baek Yu-Seol could accept that.
Still, just in case it might be repairable, he put it in a special storage box.
Next, he checked his abilities, which he hadn't done in a long time.
[Baek Yu-Seol]
[Abilities]
[Strength: 3 stars (47%)]
[Sensory: 3 stars (69%)]
[Agility: 3 stars (03%)]
[Stamina: 2 stars (78%)]
[Willpower: 0 stars (99%)]
[Mental Strength: 3 stars (76%)]
[Magic: ~ ]
[Skills]
[Flash Lv.2]
[Tae-Ryung Breathing Technique Lv.2]
[Traits]
[Mana Accumulation Retardation Lv.3]
[Blessings of the Yeonhong Chunsamweol Lv.3]
[Contractor of the Celestia]
Although his growth had been significantly slower so far, thanks to the buffs from [Blessings of the Yeonhong Chunsamweol] and [Tae-Ryung Breathing Technique], his growth had accelerated.
In addition, by successfully completing the significant episode of ‘Dark Magic Corruption’ and even fulfilling the mission directly requested by the Constellation Project, he gained an immense amount of growth EXP.
[By completing the mission presented by the Constellation Project, you will be offered two very special rewards.]
[1. Downgraded versions of the items used in the game]
[2. Downgraded versions of the skills acquired in the game]
[3. EXP]
It wasn't just any reward; they called it very special rewards.
Since this was a first, Baek Yu-Seol couldn't help but feel a slight sense of anticipation.
While the reward list itself didn't seem much different from before, there might still be some merit to it.
Here, he actually pondered quite a bit.
Should he choose an item, or should he increase his abilities?
Simply raising strength or agility could yield tremendous synergy effects with the Tae-Ryung Breathing Technique.
But…
"Choosing Flash would be better."
Mana Accumulation Retardation?
Tae-Ryung Breathing Technique?
In the end, one reason he could soar as the character Baek Yu-Seol was because of Flash.
No matter how skillfully he wields a sword, what good would it be if he couldn’t teleport?
He’d just end up being swept away by a few spells without Flash.
"Um... I'll go with option 2."
[EXP are awarded to 'Flash.’]
[The level of Flash increases!]
[Flash]
[Class: 3]
[Maximum Range: 15m]
[Maximum activation Count: 3]
[Cooldown: 3 seconds]
Finally, the rank had increased, but unfortunately, the maximum activation count for Flash hadn’t increased.
It was unavoidable.
It was one of the fundamental issues with the character Baek Yu-Seol.
Compared to other characters, his growth was significantly slower.
"Because of this, I almost quit a few times."
When playing characters like Mayuseong or Haewonryang, they experienced explosive growth tailored to their respective characteristics.
In terms of mastering different elements or learning explosive magic with each level increase, the growth of those two characters was quite noticeable.
But not Baek Yu-Seol.
Since Flash magic was deemed so remarkable, they merely teased players with slight increases in range or occasionally adding to the activation count.
Still... When he reached the next level, the maximum activation count for Flash would become 4, so he’d just endure a little longer.
While he might not be able to use Flash as recklessly as in the original game, having four Flash would completely change his mobility.
"I'll hold off on the second reward."
[The reward is on hold.]
Since the Dark Magic Corruption event, the main episodes had undergone significant changes, depending on the choices made.
Some players smoothly transitioned to the second semester's story, while others experienced events like the ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ horror special or progressed their relationship with the protagonist through events like ‘Sunny Days at the Beach in Summer.’
With hundreds, even thousands of possible events, it was impossible to predict what would happen next.
But Baek Yu-Seol didn't plan to idly wait around, so after neatly organizing the rewards, he got up straight away.
It was time to visit Edna.
———
Edna used a single room.
It was originally reserved for wealthy nobles; the professors went out of their way to accommodate her due to her significant contribution to resolving the recent incident.
"Ah... Yes. I'm fine."
"Yeah. Fortunately, I'm not in any pain. Let's have a meal together next time."
Not only professors from Stella Academy but also mages from the Magic Tower occasionally visited Edna for check-ups.
Their interest stemmed from her significant role in leading and resolving the Seventh Main Tower Incident.
Ironically, Edna found such attention burdensome.
… It seemed nice in her dreams.
In that world, she thrived on popularity like a plant growing from attention.
It was a personality completely opposite to the real Edna.
'So annoying~~~'
How could she relax comfortably with professors crowding around and expressing their concern?
After they left fruit and flower bouquets, Edna immediately lay down on the bed.
Knock! Knock!
Frowning with irritation at the immediate knock, she quickly forced a smile suitable for receiving guests.
"Yes~ Who's there?"
Creak! The door opened, revealing not a professor or a mage, but Baek Yu-Seol.
"Um. Uh...?"
It had been two days since she woke up.
It was the first time Baek Yu-Seol visited Edna, so her expression management system melted away.
What expression should she make?
Should she smile?
Should she show annoyance?
Should she play around?
No. Why should she care about managing her expression when meeting Baek Yu-Seol?
Edna’s brain circuits overloaded.
"Why’s your reaction so lukewarm? Are you okay? It's not life-threatening, right?"
"What... are you an idiot? I'm just exhausted."
"Uh. I know actually."
"... Then why ask if you know? It's annoying."
Baek Yu-Seol knew better than anyone else that she collapsed and was hospitalized simply due to severe mental fatigue.
After casually pushing aside the gifts piled on the table, he placed the fruit basket he brought on Edna’s bed and sat down heavily.
… She subtly shifted her hips inward to avoid Baek Yu-Seol.
It was not very noticeable.
"I was planning to meet you anyway, but since so many people are visiting, you must be busy with all the visits. Do you remember what happened then?"
"Uh, yeah... It was a bit embarrassing, but I remember."
With her gaze lowered, she played with her fingers and said subtly, "That's my hometown."
Perhaps Baek Yu-Seol already knew that her hometown was another world.
She had never directly said it... But in countless timelines, another me who loved him must have said it.
"I see."
As expected, Baek Yu-Seol showed an indifferent reaction and started peeling an apple.
He was so clumsy and messy that you wouldn't believe he usually wielded a sword.
Well. It was not like he was eating the apple based on its shape.
"You didn't peel it cleanly."
But even so, this was too much; this was truly the worst.
"Just eat it. They say there are more nutrients in the peel."
Baek Yu-Seol chewed on the apple roughly.
Crunch!
For a while, the sound of him chewing the apple echoed in the room.
Baek Yu-Seol found a newspaper on the table, and was absorbed in reading it.
While Edna was preoccupied with choosing her next words.
"Um..."
Finally, when she opened her mouth, Baek Yu-Seol folded the newspaper and met her gaze.
‘Oh. Why’s he listening so attentively…’
She was going to say something trivial, but she couldn’t do it with such a strong reaction.
"Um. You know about the world I dreamed of, right?"
"Yeah."
"That place… It was not a real world, was it?"
Upon hearing this, Baek Yu-Seol raised an eyebrow and remained silent for a moment before responding.
"I don't know."
"Huh?"
"It could have been a real world or not. But what's important is that with your return, that world is now safe."
"I see..."
"If that world was real, they would remember you as a hero. When you sacrificed yourself, all the demons in the world disappeared."
“...”
Baek Yu-Seol's words were simple.
'You saved that world so don't blame yourself.'
Edna understood exactly what Baek Yu-Seol was concerned about.
Although he said it indirectly, the meaning of his words was incredibly warm.
Nevertheless, now that the conversation had started, the awkward atmosphere gradually dissipated.
They could exchange trivial jokes as usual and could even meet each other's eyes as before.
As they passed the time with trivial chatter, a commotion of people passing by outside the corridor could be heard.
"What's going on?"
Although he tried not to pay attention, sensing something unusual, Baek Yu-Seol got up straight away and looked out into the corridor.
"Those are... the 'Phoenix Knights' of Adolveit."
Upon hearing Edna’s follow-up, Baek Yu-Seol’s expression turned serious.
The entry of military personnel into Stella was not usually prohibited unless under special circumstances.
Moreover, the direct visit of the Phoenix Knights, who were under the direct command of the royal family, could lead to significant diplomatic friction.
"What on earth...?"
While Edna appeared puzzled as this was an unprecedented event in the original novel, Baek Yu-Seol quickly grasped the situation and his expression darkened gradually.
The future of Princess Hong Bi-Yeon was predetermined.
'On the day she graduates from Stella, she will face death.’
The reason remained unknown, plunging countless players into despair over the past ten years.
Why must she die?
If death were merely the end of an ending, it might even be a blessing.
Depending on the player's choices, Hong Bi-Yeon had faced even worse endings.
And now was such a case.
'Hong Bi-Yeon’s Exile Ending.'
Isolating her from society, confining her, letting her wither away slowly until she dies.
While it might be better than the prison ending, the social death ending, or the decapitation ending, it was still not right.
Baek Yu-Seol followed the departing Phoenix Knights.
The brightly shining carriage at the forefront caught his eye.
He watched the Adolveit royal family's carriage leaving through the main gate of Stella Academy for a while.
Perhaps it was just because of his mood, but... through the darkened window, it felt like someone was looking back at him.