Chapter 6 : Academy Admission Operation

I fell silent for a moment at Sayulcheon question.
Not because I was trying to probe, but because I was contemplating how to answer.

“Is that your sword?”

Yes, it is.

The sword that had caught Sayulcheon attention was the one Albedo had recklessly stabbed into the ground before leaving.

However, since she had told me to bring the sword when I headed to Arka, it could be interpreted as a declaration of transferring ownership.

So, in short, yes, it is my sword!

“Yes, it’s my sword.”

“Why was it stuck in the ground?”

“I didn’t do it. A friend I got close to in Myeolguk left it like that before leaving.”

To Sayulcheon, who asked with a serious expression, I truthfully conveyed the facts without a hint of deception. She sighed as if recognizing that I wasn’t lying.

Honestly, I was just as confused and wanted to sigh heavily, but the atmosphere didn’t allow for that.

“Haah, it seems you’ve made a wise and powerful friend. Because of the aura emanating from that sword, monsters haven’t approached this area.”

“I-is that so?”

At Sayulcheon words, my gaze naturally followed hers to the sword left by Albedo… no, the sword that was now mine.

I had suspected, but to think that a single sword could keep Myeolguk’s monsters at bay…

There was no reason to think it was an empty statement.

Considering Sayulcheon skill and influence, there was no way the words of someone so deeply lost in thought would be fabricated in such a situation.

My target was Arka’s Origin Academy, where I hoped to enroll.

Among the instructors, she was considered the strongest and was the first instructor to appear in the story—a walking, asymmetrical force of destruction. That was Sayulcheon.

“The sword holds an immense aura. Even I find it unnervingly intense.”

“Really?”

What? Why don’t I feel anything?

As soon as that question crossed my mind, it seemed Sayulcheon had the same thought.

After staring at me briefly, she must have realized that I had no explanation either, as she sighed and turned her head.

But she didn’t just stop at turning her head.

She strode toward the sword and boldly grabbed its hilt.

Crackling!

At that moment, crimson and white energy erupted like lightning.

It was as if the sword itself rejected being held by her, creating gusts of wind that fiercely pushed her away.

Sayulcheon seemed to attempt to subdue the aura with sheer force, summoning golden magic, but suddenly stopped and let it dissipate.

Then, releasing the sword, she looked at me with a thoughtful expression.

“Why don’t you try pulling it out?”

“Me?”

“I have a feeling there’s a reason it was left like this. You might be able to draw it out without any issues.”

After hesitating for a moment, I cautiously reached for the sword and pulled it.

Unlike when Sayulcheon touched it, it came out effortlessly, like pulling a chopstick out of tofu.

Honestly, I had been worried that I’d have to reshape the ground, given how deeply it was embedded, but it came out astonishingly smoothly.

“Just as I thought.”

As I effortlessly drew the sword, SaYulcheon, who had been watching me, smiled faintly.

“That sword is attuned to your energy.”

“Attuned to my energy?”

“Yes. The energy that surged when I touched it seemed to aid you when you held it.”

Really? Honestly, I wouldn’t know. Alchemy is the only thing I’m good at. If I’d at least learned a basic aether cultivation method, I might have sensed something, but right now, all I can tell is that the sword feels remarkably light.

Despite its material and appearance being that of a real blade, wielding it feels like swinging a toy sword made of styrofoam.

“But it’s strange.”

“Pardon?”

“The energy of Antares, who was surely eradicated, was suddenly detected. I came to investigate, and here I find only the sword imbued with Antares’ energy—and you.”

A cold sweat ran down my back.

Listening to his words, even I had to admit that I seemed incredibly suspicious in this situation.

Thankfully, SaYulcheon didn’t seem intent on doing anything drastic to me just yet.

“Let’s start with introductions. My name is SaYulcheon. What’s yours?”

“Ryu Seojun.”

“…I don’t recall that name.”

Well, of course he wouldn’t. If you strip away the “possession” aspect of this, I’m essentially a lifeform that just spontaneously appeared in the middle of this ruined nation.

“So, why were you just standing here?”

I’d love to know that myself.

But I couldn’t just counter a question with another question, so I decided to make up a plausible story.

A child born to a wandering couple in the Ruined Nation.

Sadly, the couple was killed in a monster attack, but the child survived and grew up strong.

Eventually, the child matured and set out to leave the Ruined Nation and explore the wider world, arriving at the border with a friend they met along the way.

That’s the story.

The fact that this friend left the sword behind like some sort of totem and disappeared might be a minor flaw, but given the harsh environment of the Ruined Nation, it’s a story that could happen—or perhaps even a common one.

“I see. I’d like to meet that friend of yours. Is there any way to find them?”

“We met by chance and traveled together, but they suddenly planted the sword and vanished, so I have no idea.”

It seemed SaYulcheon was growing curious about the identity of Albedo.

Unfortunately, I didn’t know much about Albedo either, so I couldn’t give him any meaningful answers.

The only thing I really knew was his peculiar preference for roasted lamb sprinkled with salt.

Still, I saw this as an opportunity.

Most of all, I’d already figured out that the “certain woman” Albedo mentioned was Sa Yulcheon.

I had no idea what kind of relationship they had, but it was clear that Albedo had anticipated everything and left my side accordingly.

“With the stage set so perfectly, I’d be a fool not to take advantage of it.”

I had been racking my brain over how to solve the issue of my identity, but now that I’ve met Sayulcheon,

I don’t need to worry anymore. If I can persuade her well enough, she might help me fabricate a plausible identity and become a citizen of Arka.

“Sayulcheon-nim.”

“What is it?”

“Could you possibly take me to Arka?”

I exuded a nervous atmosphere, hardening my expression as if making a serious resolution.

・Though I packaged it with words, I was genuinely nervous.

My gift guarantees my alchemy, not a miraculous change to my personality.

At my request, Sayulcheon’s eyebrow twitched.

After a moment of silence, she asked me softly,

“And why is that?”

“Well, the reason for someone my age going to Arca is obvious.”

“Is it for Origin Academy enrollment?”

Without a word, I nodded to convey my agreement.

Sayulcheon stared at me intently, locking eyes with mine.

It was uncomfortable, but I forced myself to meet her gaze to avoid seeming intimidated.

From what I remember, Sayulcheon prefers bold and resolute individuals. Acting timid wouldn’t do me any favors, so I figured looking brazen, even if slightly arrogant, was the better choice.

“You’ve got some spirit.”

“Of course!”

“But, unfortunately…”

Unfortunately.

A word often used when rejecting or denying something.

However, her expression didn’t resemble someone turning down a request.

Sayulcheon smirked faintly, delivering the word “unfortunately” with a slight smile.

Before I could ask why, she explained without prompting.

“The academy entrance ceremony ended over a month ago. The academic schedule is already well underway.”

I froze.

What? The entrance ceremony is already over?

And if it ended over a month ago, that means my chances of enrolling at the academy had already evaporated from the moment I woke up in Myulguk.

I wanted to curse the heavens.

This level of trope subversion was ridiculous. This wasn’t just twisting the usual flow of an academy novel—it was completely disregarding it.

…Just great.

“What’s the matter?”

However, it seemed there might still be an opportunity.

Sayulcheon suddenly received a call, and her expression hardened.

“Today was the first field training session, but apparently, some reckless bastards have attacked the cadets.”

A classic academy novel trope.

An event where villains attack the cadets, happening right on cue.

“I can’t just leave you stranded in Myulguk, so I’ll take you to Arka for now. Wait at the Security Bureau until I resolve the academy issue and return.”

Sayulcheon picked me up without hesitation and, deploying her signature spatial thread technique, moved forward with bold confidence.

Though this was yet another instance of me being carried around like luggage, I couldn’t help but smile inwardly, recognizing this as the perfect opportunity.

Sayulcheon, who carried me into Wonkuk, quickly passed through a device often seen in the game—a warp point called a “transference gate”—and arrived at the plaza of Arka.

Just as SaYulcheon, having arrived at the plaza, was about to head to the Security Bureau, I grabbed her arm and said,

“You don’t have much time, do you?”

“That’s right.”

“Don’t worry about me. Please head to the place where the Academy cadets were attacked first.”

SaYulcheon hesitated briefly. Her inner conflict was short-lived.
She turned away from her initial path toward the Security Bureau and immediately dashed toward

Arka’s Third Research Lab, where the attack had occurred.

Having seen this city countless times on the game map, I could easily tell where everything was.

“I trust that you’ll manage, given you even survived Myeolguk.”

Was this a subtle warning that I might find myself in danger? Or perhaps an attempt to justify her decision to take me to the scene?

Maybe it was just her way of telling me not to get involved and to stay hidden in safety until things calmed down.

Whatever her intentions, it didn’t really matter. I responded with a faint smile.

“Don’t worry.”

Apologies to Sah Yulcheon, but I intend to resolve this Third Research Lab attack myself. After all, she said she trusted my capabilities; she didn’t tell me to just sit quietly.

‘I can’t give up on Origin Academy.’

For prospective students, transferring is an excellent alternative to direct admission.
In the game, no one has ever successfully transferred into Origin Academy before…

Well, if there’s no precedent, I’ll just have to create one.

After all, I have alchemy.

If no one has succeeded in transferring before, then I’ll simply become the first.