Chapter 16 – Rule 9. The Leader Tests a New Power

 

Lightning Rod.

 

A magical tool that stores lightning magic and allows the user to release it whenever desired.

 

It’s rare and very expensive. Not only is the manufacturing process highly complex, but acquiring the materials is also difficult.

 

In the outside world, there is a magical beast called the ‘Thunderbird.’

 

It stores lightning magic in its horn and releases it to attack when it feels threatened. It’s a dangerous bird beast.

 

The Thunderbird’s horn is the material for the Lightning Rod.

 

In other words, the rod-like section of the Lightning Rod is crafted from the Thunderbird’s large, sturdy horn.

 

“How cool.”

 

I thought as I admired the Lightning Rod’s brilliant appearance.

 

An ordinary person isn’t affected by their own magic.

 

Even if I store a million volts in the Lightning Rod and stand right in the middle of it, I wouldn’t be harmed.

 

Because of this, the Lightning Rod is extremely useful for my combat style. It allows me to deliver a powerful strike to the enemy at critical moments.

 

“I should test it out.”

 

The weekend.

 

It was a time when spring rain was drenching the ground.

 

The heavy rain loudly battered the paving stones.

 

When I arrived at the spacious clearing, the pleasant smell of soil filled my lungs. Refreshing.

 

I put down my umbrella under a tree and headed to the center of the clearing.

 

As I planted the handle of the Lightning Rod into the dirt, the heavy rain pouring from the gray sky soaked me completely. I felt a rare sense of liberation. Although I briefly worried about catching a cold due to the drop in body temperature, my body is strong, so I would be fine.

 

The long rod part pointed towards the sky.

 

To be precise, the Thunderbird’s horn.

 

The Lightning Rod was already fully charged with lightning magic. I could release the lightning magic anytime I wanted.

 

I looked around.

 

No one was there.

 

Just in case the Lightning Rod attracted lightning, I hid behind a distant tree.

 

“Is this the feeling…?”

 

I felt a strange sensation as if the Lightning Rod and I were connected.

 

It was like an invisible thread linking us.

 

It must be the interaction caused by my magic.

 

I was sure that if I felt the sensation of pulling that thread, the Lightning Rod’s effect would activate.

 

So, I focused my mind to engrain the sensation of being connected to the Lightning Rod throughout my body.

 

“Alright, I can feel it…”

 

“What can you feel?”

 

“!?”

 

Oh, damn.

 

I was startled.

 

When I quickly turned my head back, I saw a woman with a narrow-eyed smile looking at me.

 

It was Lee Se-Ah.

 

“Lee Se-Ah…?”

 

Why is she here?
Was she tailing me?

 

Come to think of it, Se-Ah had already covered me with a red umbrella.

 

I had been so focused on the sensation from the Lightning Rod that I noticed it late.

 

“Senior, if you stay like that, you’ll catch a cold.”

 

To think she would stealthily find me and then worry about my health.

 

‘Now that I think about it, ever since she found out I was monitoring her, we’ve been crossing paths more often.’

 

Well, she is a potential villain.

 

It’s only natural to be wary of someone monitoring you.

 

This is troublesome.

 

“It’s fine. You use it.”

 

I gently pushed the umbrella back towards her.

 

“Hmm? Senior.”

 

“What?”

 

Se-Ah tilted her head and asked.

 

“You’re not as surprised as I thought you’d be. I came right up behind you, you know? You should at least pretend to be surprised.”

 

Although her tone was playful, it was clear she was curious.

 

‘I was surprised…’

 

It’s just the result of training my poker face.

 

My heart almost dropped.

 

Lee Se-Ah lightly poked my waist with her index finger.

 

“If I were an enemy, you’d already be stabbed. Many people must be targeting you, considering you’re the Disciplinary Committee Leader.”

 

“I knew you were tailing me. There’s no need to overreact to you.”

 

In truth, I didn’t know, but I judged it was likely and decided to lie accordingly.
Se-Ah paused for a moment, then gave a profound smile.

 

“Of course, that’s my senior for you.”

 

It was a meaningful smile.

 

‘She takes it for granted…’

 

Lately, I’ve been feeling something.

 

She’s a fool.

 

That’s the conclusion I’ve reached after much consideration.

 

Of course, I don’t mean a ‘fool’ in the purest sense.

 

She’s just far less wise than I expected.

 

As a future villain destined to become a titan of the black market, with great business acumen and extensive connections, I assumed she’d be very clever.

 

I thought she’d possess the cunning and insight of a snake.

 

Just look at her narrow eyes and sly smile.

 

Isn’t she the epitome of a classic villain, appearing kind on the outside but wicked on the inside?

 

However, after doing volunteer work together every week and chatting frequently on messenger, I’ve concluded…

 

Lee Se-Ah is simply someone with a lot of knowledge.

 

Knowledge and wisdom are fundamentally different.

 

‘Somehow… she seems less intimidating.’

 

I’m not particularly bright, either.

 

The only reason I could maintain top grades was because the academy evaluates not just knowledge but also combat ability.

 

Otherwise, no matter how much I studied through the night, my grades wouldn’t have reached the top tier.

 

That’s why villains with high intelligence were my primary concern….

 

But somehow, if it were Lee Se-Ah, I felt like I could easily stop her even if she became my enemy in the future.

 

Perhaps because of that, she seemed less intimidating.

 

“Are you perhaps thinking something disrespectful?”

 

“!?”

 

Se-Ah’s question, asked with her head tilted, brought tension back to my loosened guard.

 

She’s unnecessarily sharp when it comes to noticing if someone is badmouthing her.

 

It’s a keen insight, like a finely honed blade.

 

As expected of a potential villain.

 

I can’t let my guard down.

 

“I’m just kidding, senior.”

 

Se-Ah laughed slyly.

 

Smoothly handled.

 

“And I just happened to see you while walking, so I followed you. I don’t know if you would call that tailing…. Well, from your perspective, it might look like stalking.”

 

“Yeah…”

 

Se-Ah smiled bashfully.

 

I didn’t know if it was true or a lie, but it was meaningless to argue about it, so I decided to let it go.

 

‘It’s probably a lie.’

 

From the start, the whole picture didn’t look good.

 

To put it bluntly, it was like a stalker being stalked by another stalker.

 

Pointing out such details felt petty.

 

“By the way, what were you doing?”

 

“Testing a magical tool.”

 

“A magical tool? That one?”

 

Se-Ah looked at the Lightning Rod planted in the center of the clearing.

 

She was impressed.

 

“Wow~, it’s a Lightning Rod? You got something good, senior!”

 

As expected, Se-Ah, with her extensive knowledge, knew about it.

 

“It’s dangerous, so don’t get too close.”

 

“Of course, I’ll stay right behind you, senior!”

 

…Wait a minute.

 

“But there’s no reason for you to watch this, right?”

 

“I have a good reason. I’m quite bored right now.”

 

Well, whatever.

 

“…Don’t complain if you get hurt.”

 

“Yes, sir.”

 

“Cover your ears.”

 

“Okay!”

 

Se-Ah responded with a smile and covered her ears with both hands, using her arms to prop the umbrella on her shoulder.

 

‘Now, let’s do this.’

 

I closed my eyes and imagined grasping the invisible thread.

 

And as I pulled that thread, I opened my eyes again.

 

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