Eve Of The Storm

Before the outside filled with students, Joo Hee-jun, wearing sparring equipment, hesitated before asking.

“Lee Ro-un. Will this really work?”
“Yeah.”
“But, uh, if I go by what you said, I’m,”
“I told you to move as your trait leads you.”

When Ro-un replied as if he found it bothersome, Joo Hee-jun shut his mouth tight.
He’s still acting like that.
Why does that guy keep losing his nerve when he’s even wearing sparring equipment made by a master craftsman?

“Hey. Cheon Su-ho.”
“What is it?”

Ro-un whispered into Cheon Su-ho’s ear.
Cheon Su-ho nodded.

“Got it, Lee Ro-un.”

After giving the instruction, Ro-un turned back to Joo Hee-jun with a meaningful look.

“Joo Hee-jun. You should be careful.”
“Huh? Uh? Of what?”

A chill ran down his spine.
What did those guys just talk about?
Joo Hee-jun reflexively moved his mana.
The mana circling his body began to move according to the mage’s will.
“Cheon Su-ho only has the basic equipment issued by the academy, so that wouldn’t be fair. Cheon Su-ho, bring a sword.”
“Got it.”

When he brought over a training sword kept in the training grounds, Ro-un cast [Blessing] on the sword.

“Lee Ro-un. You could cast [Blessing] on weapons too?”
“Yeah. My skill level went up recently.”

After his regression, [Blessing] had already been the skill with the highest level after [Healing].
On top of that, Ro-un had raised his skill levels far faster than before his regression.
It was probably because of events that had not happened before his regression.
Ro-un’s Blessing level was,

level 5.
A skill’s experience rose faster the more it was used according to its purpose.

‘Since I used it often in passages with higher difficulty than before my regression, it’s only natural it rose. Its skill level rose much faster than I planned.’

The training sword granted the now level 5 [Blessing] was enveloped in a faint light.

“Oh! It looks like something I saw in a movie. When an Awakener in the movie coated a sword with mana, it glowed like this.”
“It only looks similar. I simply increased its durability and sharpness.”
“Isn’t that amazing, Lee Ro-un?”
“You’ll probably be able to do it soon too.”

Considering that a guy who had only recently overcome <Mana Disability> could handle mana to that degree, he would probably be able to strengthen a sword with mana soon too.
Cheon Su-ho swung the skill-imbued sword and adjusted to the feel of using it.

“Mm! I understand now.”

What a ridiculous guy, saying he understood after only a few swings.
At any rate, he really was born with talent when it came to using his body.
Joo Hee-jun seemed to realize that his advantage had disappeared, and only opened and closed his mouth.
Ro-un smiled.

“Survive on your own.”
“Huh? U-uhhh?”
“You know skills accumulate the most proficiency when they’re used according to their purpose, right? And that the greater the difference in strength between you and your opponent, the more proficiency you accumulate too.”
“Gulp.”

At the ominous atmosphere, Joo Hee-jun swallowed without realizing it.
The Russian Awakener whose trait had evolved during a rampage was said to have newly awakened his trait while wildly wielding his rampaging energy, so if Hee-jun was pushed into a similar situation, he would figure it out on his own.
In the end, Joo Hee-jun had to learn the sensation of handling mana for himself.
Since he couldn’t properly handle mana through the methods of ordinary people, Joo Hee-jun had to learn how to handle mana instinctively in the middle of danger.

“Just do as your trait leads you. Then you’ll realize the rest on your own.”
“…Realize it on my own?”

An ominous feeling swept over him.
Before Joo Hee-jun could say anything, Ro-un used a skill.
Gentle, warm, pure-white Holy Power wrapped around Cheon Su-ho and Joo Hee-jun.
Joo Hee-jun felt exhilarated by the mana filling him.

‘So this is that guy’s [Blessing].’

It was an overwhelming power that could not be compared to most doping items.
They said one overwhelmingly skilled person could change the tide of battle, and after experiencing Lee Ro-un’s power, those words felt real.
Ro-un said.

“You looked away.”
“!!!!”

A shadow appeared before Joo Hee-jun while he was marveling at Ro-un’s skill.
It was Cheon Su-ho.

“Ghk!”

Fwoosh!

Joo Hee-jun reflexively raised [Wall of Flame], covered his face with his arms, and stepped back.
However, Cheon Su-ho arrived even faster than that and kicked Joo Hee-jun.

Whump!

“Aaagh!”

Joo Hee-jun screamed as he rolled across the ground.
Ro-un watched him coldly and opened his mouth.

“You shouldn’t let your attention wander.”
“Youu, how can you, even say that.”
“You’ll bite your tongue.”

At Lee Ro-un’s words, Joo Hee-jun reflexively shut his mouth, and Cheon Su-ho’s fist slammed into his left jaw.

“Kgh!”

If he had not shut his mouth just then, he would have bitten his tongue.
As Joo Hee-jun rolled across the ground, he moved his mana and raised [Wall of Flame] around his body.
Through the wavering flames, he saw Lee Ro-un’s cold face.

“If you want to live, you’ll have to move your mana with the resolve to die.”

Cheon Su-ho, who had received Lee Ro-un’s [Blessing], appeared above the [Wall of Flame].
The sword in his hand gave off a threatening light as it swung down wide.

“Crazy bastard!”

I’m going to die!

Booom!

“The president is fixing Joo Hee-jun. Wasn’t the president never going to look at us again?”
“You too? Me too.”
“Honestly, everyone who heard what the president said at the entrance ceremony probably thought that.”
“When I heard the president skipped class and went to submit his withdrawal form, I thought we’d never see him again.”

The students who remembered that time suddenly grew depressed.

Saint Lee Ro-un.
Although the modifier ‘future’ was attached before it, Lee Ro-un, who was implicitly treated as certain to become a Saint, had been a prodigy who drew everyone’s attention from the moment he entered the academy.
At first, they had envied and resented that Lee Ro-un.

‘That guy just got lucky.’
‘Why me?’
‘He’s not someone who should be here.’
‘If my trait had come out SSS-rank like Lee Ro-un’s, I wouldn’t be stuck in a place like this either.’
‘The president? He’s going to guide us? Does he think any of us want to live like this?’
‘Who does he think he is? Damn it!’

Envy, resentment, hatred, blame.
Jiri Academy was a place where students who ate away at themselves and hated and blamed the world had gathered.
Lee Ro-un had taken on the role of controlling them there, shouldering all their resentment as they threatened to go off in any direction.
Just as those who had sent Lee Ro-un to Jiri Academy had intended.

But after the entrance ceremony, Lee Ro-un changed.
When Lee Ro-un declared that he would drop out, the students felt as if their hearts had dropped with a thud deep inside.

‘Even Lee Ro-un gave up on us!’

Faced with the truth they had tried so hard to ignore, the students felt an enormous sense of loss.
When he clung to their sides and nagged them, they had wanted to avoid him, but the moment that nagging disappeared, they felt as if they had been abandoned by the world.
Even so, the students couldn’t even try to hold Ro-un back.

‘What if the president refuses?’
‘After all the trouble we caused, there’s no way the president would listen to us.’
‘When you think about it, the president was the only one who nagged us to study and train.’
‘During exam periods, he used to go from room to room and hand out snacks.’
‘When those teacher bastards called us stragglers and failures and whatever else, the president was the one who stopped them too.’

They were afraid.
Only after losing him did they realize how sincere Lee Ro-un had been toward them.
It felt as if they would never have anyone on their side again.
Then one hopeful piece of news reached them.

‘Lee Ro-un isn’t dropping out!’
‘They say he’s being president again too?’
‘Lee Ro-un went to field training with Cheon Su-ho!’
‘They say Cheon Su-ho overcame <Mana Disability>?’

Maybe.
Perhaps.
What if.
When those thoughts filled their minds, they heard the news that Lee Ro-un had brought back the students taken by the Bukhan bastards.
And the news that he was training to teach those impudent Bukhan bastards a lesson.
They couldn’t put it off any longer.
This time, they would listen properly to Lee Ro-un!

“But is he really fighting the Bukhan Academy bastards for us?”
“I don’t know. Whatever the reason, those guys did pick a fight.”
“Honestly, is there anyone skilled enough to go out as our academy’s representative besides Lee Ro-un?”
“No.”
“None.”

The Jiri Academy students realized the cold, hard reality.

“Hey, you know. I know this is shameless, but if Joo Hee-jun’s trait gets fixed, then maybe. We could also,”
“Hey. Pick up your conscience.”
“Even so, considering what we’ve done, that’s a bit much.”
“Your conscience fell over here.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”

The student who had spoken up became dejected.
Still, a ray of hope bloomed in their eyes.

‘Traits can be fixed.’

Without knowing what kind of hope he had given the students, Lee Ro-un diligently used Cheon Su-ho to roll Joo Hee-jun around.

Now that everyone’s attention was focused on Jiri Academy, the white tiger sitting in the chairman’s seat was busy moving as well.

-I’m going to do it!!!!!!

The AI quickly adjusted the call volume, but Baek Ho-yeon’s ears were already ringing from the shout that had burst out.
That one really only had a good set of lungs.
Baek Ho-yeon repeatedly pressed his palm against his ear and pulled it away as he looked at Gu So-ye, who was shoving her face toward the screen and shouting.

“Lower your voice.”
-You’re going to let me do it, right?

There was one reason Gu So-ye was throwing such a tantrum.

“I’m asking why you’re saying you’ll be the one broadcasting the spar between our students and the Bukhan students.”
-Of course I should be the one doing it! Don’t you know I also run content production and a personal broadcasting agency?
“Who said I didn’t?”
-That’s why I’m the right person for this! Anyway, White Tiger, you don’t even know any broadcasting stations. You were a hikikomori.
“A hiki, what?”

What did that mean now?
From the pronunciation, it sounded like a Japanese word, something like ‘shutting yourself away alone’?
Did she just insult me in Japanese?
Baek Ho-yeon’s posture turned crooked.

“Well, I’m not sure. Even if it’s not you, I think plenty of places would come running for broadcast rights if I called them. We have none other than Student Lee Ro-un on our side, don’t we?”
-Oh my. Look at you?
“Even without the Saintess of Europe stepping forward, Student Lee Ro-un can sufficiently handle juvenile Awakeners. Awakeners can fight without worry, so who wouldn’t be interested? Since ancient times, spectators have always gathered around fights.”
-Even so, our Saint still can’t show as much healing power as the Saintess yet, can he?
“That’s only a matter of time.”

If Ro-un wanted, I could bring over my guys and tell him to use them as skill-training devices.
If they were sturdy kin, a few of them taking turns brawling would be enough.
Those guys would move without complaint too if I said it was for our benefactor.

-Youu. I found out what you asked me for as fast as I could even though I was busy, and you’re still going to act like this?
“Did I just ask for free? I paid you.”
-I have money too, you know?

The long-lived real estate tycoons bickered childishly.

“Just tell me what you found.”
-Look at that attitude! Why did the Saint go to a gray-haired tiger? If he had come to my territory, I would have become the Saint’s guardian!
“If you’re upset, you should’ve met him first. Hahahaha! Even so, the one the Saint chose was us!”
-Eeeeeek!

Baek Ho-yeon took pride in having met Ro-un first.
Gu So-ye fumed and clung even more persistently, as if she would not miss this chance no matter what.
Even so, Baek Ho-yeon was the one who eventually gave in.

‘Deciding his relationship with Gu So-ye is up to Lee Ro-un. That’s not something for me to stop.’

Had Baek Ho-yeon not already allowed Gu So-ye’s approach?
Still, she was a fox whose defining trait was bewitching people, so he could not let his guard down.
He could not give up the positions of guardian and number one Divine Beast!

-…That’s everything I found. Those guys decided it would be better to transfer the Saint to another academy than lose him to the World Awakener Association. It looks like a few of them are trying to use their children to draw the Saint in.

Gu So-ye kindly even compiled and recited a list of those ‘few people.’

“The way they think.”
-What are you going to do? If I were the Saint, I think simply dropping out would be better.
“And then you’re planning to snatch Student Lee Ro-un away while you’re at it?”
-Tch.

Gu So-ye clicked her tongue with a regretful face, as if she had been caught.

-Our Saint is this popular! I really should have discovered him first!
“Hahahahahaha. Even so, Student Lee Ro-un came to us first!”
-That’s the part I don’t understand! Why on earth do the Bukhan Academy guys and everyone else keep looking for you?

Baek Ho-yeon had learned this thanks to Gu So-ye’s investigation too.
Those people knew that the Tiger Clan was sheltering Lee Ro-un, and apparently, they were even thinking of receiving the Tiger Clan’s protection at the same time as Lee Ro-un’s transfer.
Since he had taken the chairman’s seat from the Association Director through threats in the first place, he had expected the word to spread.
But to think they would rush in aiming for that protection too. The greed of those humans was still disgusting, no matter how much time passed.

-First of all! You could have just protected Bukhan Academy yourself!
“I’m not sure. Then why didn’t you do it? If I wasn’t there, couldn’t anyone have done it?”
-Why would I do something so bothersome?

Then why are you telling me to do it?
Baek Ho-yeon was left speechless by Gu So-ye’s shameless attitude.

“So why doesn’t Bukhan Academy have anyone protecting it?”
-Would you do it!? That place is full of human power-holders! Who would like that?

Well, that was true.
Most of those around his age were sick and tired of human conflicts, so it was obvious they didn’t go near the place because they didn’t want to see that mess.
Tsk. If not for the site, we wouldn’t have settled there either.
We should have claimed Baekdu Mountain before that bastard Yong Chang-jin settled there. What a shame, seriously.

“You like watching human lives, so why did you set up your territory near Geumgang Mountain?”
-Liking it and spending power and money to manage it are different things, you know?
“You and that bastard Yong Chang-jin both. That wriggler is really unexpected. No, seriously, why is he pretending to be human and teaching kids?”
-I don’t know either! He won’t tell me even when I ask! Right, did you know? That dragon still seems to think the humans haven’t discovered his identity.”
“…Seriously?”
-Yeah.

Did he go crazy from living too long?
Why are there only people like this around me?
Among humans, there was a saying that people should die when they got old. Was this why that saying existed?

-Anyway, I’m going down there tomorrow! I’m bringing equipment, so give me lodging!
“Did you leave it with me or something?”
-I said give me one! I’m going to see our Saint too! I’m entering the academy, so know that.
“Hey, you!”

Click.

She hung up after saying only what she wanted?
Baek Ho-yeon gritted his teeth at the sly fox’s behavior.

Three days later, when the four-on-four friendly sparring match was to be held.
The typhoon made landfall on the southern coast earlier than scheduled.