Chapter 91: Each person’s circumstances

Director of the Magical Studies Research Institute, Chae Jeonghun, headed toward the Academy with his five staff members.

-Step, step-

The sound of footsteps echoed. No one spoke as they walked toward the Academy. The silence was broken by the deputy director, Lee Seocheol, who started the conversation.

“Director, let’s suppose for a moment… If, by any chance, there’s no disqualifying factor for Lee Hyun-seung, what do we do then?”

For everyone, the most important thing is their life. Yet, people often fail to grasp this truth until the knife is at their throat. Chae Jeonghun was no exception.

“We’ll have to come up with some excuse… Something convincing enough for Baek Soyoon.”

As someone who ran the Magical Studies Research Institute, Chae Jeonghun had experienced firsthand just how

miserable one could become without money. He could never forget those times when they couldn’t afford even basic

experimental materials, let alone magical textbooks. His team members went days without proper meals, using their

own money to buy what they needed. It was a memory etched deeply into his heart, a time he never wanted to revisit.

For him, Kim Heera was a lifeline.

Hearing this, Lee Seocheol murmured anxiously.

“Even if there’s a valid reason… Baek Soyoon won’t just sit back and let it slide. You know how she is, don’t you? The concept of ‘law’ doesn’t exist in her world.”

Chae Jeonghun fell silent for a moment. He was well aware of how unrelenting Baek Soyoon could be. After all, he had faced her once before. The mere memory of that encounter made his hands tremble.

“Even so, I trust Kim Heera will shield us.”

Over the years, Chae Jeonghun had observed Kim Heera and had not interacted with Baek Soyoon in a long time. This led him to misjudge who required more caution. While others feared the mere mention of Baek Soyoon’s name, they also held onto a faint hope that Kim Heera’s insistence on rejecting any requests for mana database usage would protect them.

“Well… Let’s go and see,” said one of the researchers.

The rest silently followed the path to Broad Academy, fully aware that no conclusion would come from debating further.

Upon reaching Broad Academy, Chae Jeonghun marveled at the sight.

“It’s far larger than I imagined.”

Broad Academy, being one of the top institutions in the country, was designed to leave an overwhelming impression. For someone like Chae Jeonghun, who spent most of his days cooped up in a small research facility, the massive structure seemed almost unreal.

One of his team members, Seo Hyunji, asked, “Director, do you think we’ll ever work in a place like this?”

Chae Jeonghun chuckled. “If we keep working hard, we might one day.”

Seo Hyunji smiled bashfully at his response. Watching her, Chae Jeonghun thought to himself:

‘Researching in a building like this… That’s a dream that might never come true… Realistically speaking.’

He knew better than anyone how ambiguous and intricate magical studies could be. To make money from it required groundbreaking artifacts or revolutionary magical techniques. But no matter how he looked at it, it seemed impossible. After all, magic was something naturally mastered by those with greater strength.

The world was already home to monsters like Yoo Han-beom and Baek Soyoon—powerful magicians who likely had more instinctive knowledge of magic than any research could provide. Of course, such individuals would never lock themselves in a room to conduct experiments.

This created a dilemma. The stronger someone was, the more deeply they could perceive and understand magic. Their practical experience made comprehension easier. Yet, these individuals were unlikely to pursue the underpaid life of a researcher when entering a dungeon could yield far greater rewards. This endless cycle seemed unbreakable.

With a sigh, Chae Jeonghun quietly entered the Academy building. After a straightforward external visitor verification process, they were allowed inside.

-Swish-

Chae Jeonghun and his researchers made their way toward where Lee Hyun-seung was located. From a distance, they observed him.

Researcher Seo Hyunji spoke in surprise.

“Director, do you see that book Lee Hyun-seung is reading? That’s the one we published!”

The book in question was Principles of Magical Studies, a publication they had painstakingly put together. Over a

year of sleepless nights compiling research and survey results had culminated in this work. It was, without a doubt,

one of the most in-depth books ever written on magical studies. Yet, it had sold fewer than a thousand copies. The

authors weren’t famous, nor were any of them Unique or Epic-class magicians.

People had no interest in magical research conducted by the weak. If someone like Yoo Han-beom were to publish a book on magical studies, it would sell like wildfire.

“He can comprehend that book at just a trainee level…?”

Chae Jeonghun muttered in astonishment.

Until now, he had viewed Lee Hyun-seung through a biased lens, influenced by the latter’s reputation. Stories of his clashes with berserkers and confrontations with Yoo Hee-yeon painted him as a hot-headed individual who used brute strength to overpower others. But now…

“That’s completely different from what I imagined…”

In the bustling lecture hall filled with people, one person sat quietly reading a book, presenting a starkly contrasting sight.

‘That guy… accused of being a stalker? Just from a glance, he doesn’t seem to care about anything except magical studies…’

But soon, Chae Jeong-hun shook his head.

‘I can’t let strange thoughts creep in. If I soften up here and approve his request to access the Mana Database, Kim Hee-ra won’t let this slide. We’ll be back to starving like in the old days.’

Though he convinced himself with these thoughts, he couldn’t stop his curiosity from resurfacing time and time again.

Why was this man studying magic? What goals did he have that drove such unwavering dedication to his studies?

For someone so powerful to devote this much focus to a field written by others rather than their own experiences was unusual, and that peculiarity piqued Chae Jeong-hun’s interest.

-Step.

-Step.

He approached Lee Hyun-seung.

“Could I have a moment to talk?”

At the question, Lee Hyun-seung, who had been engrossed in his book, glanced up at him briefly before responding.

“Sure, where should we talk?”

His response, given without hesitation or any questions like “Who are you?” or “Why did you seek me out?” made Chae Jeong-hun ask further.

“Do you know who I am? You agreed without a shred of doubt.”

“Yes, I know. Aren’t you the one who authored this book? I saw your face on the first page alongside the director and researchers.”

“Ahem…”

Chae Jeong-hun cleared his throat awkwardly, then thought to himself.

‘Come to think of it, those prideful folks insisted on having their faces included in the book.’

Amused by the memory of writing the book, he let out a faint chuckle before addressing Lee Hyun-seung.

“Well, if you already know, that makes things easier. Let’s move somewhere else to talk. I’d like to discuss the matter of granting you access to the Mana Database. Though I’ll say upfront, it’s unlikely I’ll give you a positive answer. Still, I want to hear you out.”

In response, Lee Hyun-seung replied, “Alright, let’s go.”

Rising from his seat, Lee Hyun-seung followed Chae Jeong-hun.

“Your Majesty, all other institutions have granted permission to access the Mana Database. The only one left is the Institute of Magical Studies.”

At this, Seo Dae-hyeok’s expression turned to one of surprise as he asked,

“Huh… Those who were so adamantly opposed suddenly changed their stance? Why the sudden shift?”

“I’m not entirely sure. However, considering how some of them were practically begging us to expedite the process, it seems there may be other underlying reasons… but we’re still investigating.”

“Hm…”

Although Seo Dae-hyeok found their abrupt change in attitude curious, he decided not to dwell on it. After all, with

just one remaining institution’s agreement, they would finally gain full access to the Mana Database, and there would

be no reason to strain relations with the Mage Tower.

“Just one more to go. Let’s hope the Institute of Magical Studies gives their approval soon.”

Near Broad Academy, a tall building stood in the distance.

-Whoosh

The wind howled, and Baek So-yoon stood at the edge of the rooftop.

-Ding

Her phone chimed with a notification.

-Swipe

She picked it up and checked the message.

[Senior Elder, all the institutions you visited recently have granted permission to access the Mana Database. The only remaining opposition is from the Institute of Magical Studies.]

Baek So-yoon quickly typed her reply.

[You cleaned up neatly, right?]

[Yes, ma’am. The bodies of those you dealt with have been incinerated without a trace. The causes of death have been staged as illnesses or accidents. Survivors at each institution have been thoroughly silenced, and we’ve assigned watchers just in case.]

Baek So-yoon smirked as she twirled her dagger between her fingers and muttered to herself.

“People are so stupid. In the end, when you put a knife to their throats, they shake in fear and do as they’re told. Yet they insist on being stubborn… Makes me want to tear them apart.”

Suddenly, something caught her eye.

-Slide

She crouched, gazing through the windows of Broad Academy with interest.

Beyond the glass, Lee Hyun-seung and Chae Jeong-hun were deep in conversation.

Baek So-yoon raised her dagger, aligning its tip with Chae Jeong-hun’s neck from her perspective, and muttered,

“I hope they don’t make this more annoying than it needs to be…”

Inside Broad Academy, Chae Jeong-hun spoke to Lee Hyun-seung.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can grant permission to use the Mana Database.”