Spatial perception is one of my unique abilities, classifiable as somewhat active amidst those I possess.

Unlike the versatile Eight-Directions Charm and Mana Affinity, which imparts affinity to mana, the other two are passive unique abilities, constantly in effect.

Although spatial perception has more of a passive nature, the fact that I can control it aligns it somewhat with active abilities.

On the first day, my inability to control it nearly killed me.

My broadly unfurled spatial perception was feeding in more information than my brain could handle, and I almost blew a fuse.

I didn’t know how to filter the incoming information or lessen the load of what was being dragged in.

Even stranger was that day’s spatial perception weirdly high performance, so the volume of incoming information was grotesquely overwhelming.

Even now, recalling that day makes me break out in cold sweat. If I had failed to control it then, I would have died right there.

– ……

Thoughts slowed down. It’s too much information to handle. All manner of things flooded my mind.

Processing slowed down. Consequently, thoughts slowed down. It felt as though the world was slowing down with me.

It was dangerous. Instinctively, I reined in my spatial perception.

‘Reduce.’

I reeled in the space perception that was expanding out of control. I narrowed the km-spanning range back down.

‘Filter.’

I set criteria for the observed information. I prevented unnecessary details from seeping in. Space, the body, mana, spells, internal mechanisms of facilities… I blocked out in-depth data that was unnecessary for the moment.

I adjusted the observed space.

I folded space and filtered the influx of information.

It was challenging. The spatial perception that had been suppressed was now rampaging out of control. That made it difficult to adjust.

But gradually, I managed to tame it. I was no longer the me from the first day.

Since then, how many times had I handled spatial perception? My proficiency was on a different level now.

I prevented further expansion and sorted the collection of information.

My head spun. Even as I adjusted the perception, information kept coming in – overwhelmingly superfluous.

At that moment, a ‘pop’ sound echoed from within me.

Suddenly, my nose tingled. It became cumbersome to breathe. As I touched my nose, bright red blood smeared my hand.

‘Nosebleed.’

I hadn’t really bled on the first day… or had I?

My mind went blank for a moment as I tried to recall that day. The first day, the moment when spatial perception unfolded…

…What happened? The memory was hazy, as if shrouded in fog.

“Finally over… Naahh! Hayul?!”

While absent-mindedly managing spatial perception, a scream erupted nearby.

When I drew in the information from that direction, there was Hong Yeon-hwa with her face pale as a sheet, her attractive red hair rippling.

It’s been only five days, but it feels like an eternity since I’ve properly observed a face.

“Why?! What happened?!”

Hong Yeon-hwa rushed over, inspecting me. Her overly dramatic reaction drew the attention of those around.

Murmurs filled the air. The bewildered responses were essentially, ‘What’s with that kid?’ I quickly wiped my nose.

This is too much of an overreaction for just a nosebleed.

I felt a certain emotion, but brushed it off and shook my head as if it was nothing.

Then, an itch caught my eye. Even closed, I felt a trickling sensation inside.

And then, steadily…

Blood dripped from my eye. A line of blood trailed down my cheek.

‘Ah?’

“Ah.”

Hong Yeon-hwa’s movements, as she reached for a tissue to wipe my nose, froze.

It didn’t stop there. The other eye began to itch, and blood followed. Two red lines were drawn.

Hong Yeon-hwa’s mouth gaped open.

Her expression was as if the world was collapsing.

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There was a bit of commotion.

It was just Elia and Baek Ahrin, cadets with healing abilities, rushing over after hearing the noise, and Hong Yeon-hwa’s world coming crashing down.

Before long, the first-year professors came to check on my condition.

The Chunbun class professor, renowned for his mastery of compound magic, Theonil Arban, examined my face and gave his diagnosis.

“It appears the cause is the excessive use of abilities. Did you experience abnormalities with your abilities during the trials?”

– Nod

“A sudden change in abilities… It’s curious that The Tower of Growth did not detect it. Regardless, I advise you to rest. Refrain from using your abilities for a while, if possible.”

I nodded in agreement with Professor Theonil’s diagnosis.

The other students had long dispersed.

Just coming out of The Tower of Growth, while physical injuries and fatigue had vanished, mental exhaustion remained.

Those who wandered around me restlessly were sent back by Professor Liana’s well-worded guidance.

“Then it would be best to take a complete rest this week. Wouldn’t it, Cadet Lee Hayul?”

Professor Liana, who had been listening to the diagnosis alongside me, let out a deep sigh.

I nodded as if to show I was listening. Professor Liana continued with a complicated expression.

“Let’s talk about the trial later. Rest assured, nothing from it has been spoken about.”

It was the conversation I wanted to hear. I nodded in relief.

The third loop with Gop-hwa, Changhae, Taesan.

I was the quickest to assimilate Gop-hwa and then manipulated Taesan.

But once I was caught using Taesan, the whole network of relationships turned upside down.

Fearing a similar situation this time, Liana’s confirmation eased my mind.

Seeing the change in my expression, Professor Liana chuckled and reached out her hand. Her tender touch brushed my hair.

A familiar caress. At first, it was awkward, but now I didn’t mind. To be honest, it felt good.

“……”

As her hand continued the gentle strokes, I felt a strange gaze.

It came from Professor Atra. She was staring intently at me with a complex look on her face.

Professor Atra was not responsible for the first-years, but she had been observing the trials as my major’s professor.

Curious as to what this could be about, I tilted my head toward Professor Atra and then a thought crossed my mind.

‘Feedback?’

Professor Atra had witnessed me fighting doggedly for five days. From her perspective, there must have been a plethora of critique points ready to pour out.

I straightened up, signaling I was ready to listen.

Professor Atra remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“…Well…”

‘Well?’

Uncharacteristically, Professor Atra fumbled over her words. It seemed as though she was hesitating. That made me feel uneasy.

‘Was it that bad?’

Considering the state of my spatial perception, I thought I fought pretty well.

Certainly, compared to movements enhanced by spatial perception, there were many flaws.

Had spatial perception been fully operational, I could have doubled my score.

To Professor Atra, who had only seen me using spatial perception, did my actions during the trial look like a complete mess?

I waited nervously for the next words, sweating internally.

“…You did well.”

I was dumbfounded by the unexpected praise.

“There are issues with the sensory abilities that need to be addressed, but it was a good choice to quickly devise a plan and take action in such circumstances.”

The praise, if you could call it that, continued. It wasn’t a lengthy speech. Perhaps out of consideration for my condition, she only had a few words to say.

That was surprising enough.

I knew Professor Atra was a kind person, especially after receiving concern instead of causing a nuisance last time, but I had never heard such praise before.

Seeing my expression, Professor Atra awkwardly turned her head, meeting the peculiar gaze of Professor Liana.

A strange expression… more precisely, a smirking one.

“…Why that face?”

“No reason?”

Retorting thus, Professor Liana turned her gaze towards me and extended a hand. My smartwatch was in her palm.

Delighted, I accepted the smartwatch. For a moment, it felt like I regained my halved smile.

“You should go in now, Cadet Lee Hayul. Have a good rest over the weekend, and let’s meet next week.”

With a bright smile and a wave from Professor Liana and an indifferent nod from Professor Atra, I returned the greeting and turned away.

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I returned to the dorm.

‘It feels like it’s been a while.’

I threw the life-worn uniform into the laundry basket, and as I changed into new clothes, something felt off.

It was only about five days away, but I felt this strong response.

It was even more so because I often left the dormitory unoccupied.

In the mornings I attended general lectures, and in the afternoons, I took classes from Professor Atra, then usually headed to the library or to the individual practice rooms.

After changing clothes, I sat on the bed. The plush sensation enveloped my hips soothingly. And with that, a massive temptation knocked on the door of my senses.

Telling me to lie down, to fall asleep here…

‘…I shouldn’t sleep, though.’

Physical injuries and fatigue were gone, but the mental exhaustion was still significant.

Had that been all, I wouldn’t have minded. I was tired in many ways, but that wasn’t a reason to waste time.

But after coming out of the tower, spatial perception had backstabbed me. It had burst forth without warning, unleashing a powerful mental assault.

Particularly in front of Hong Yeon-hwa, and with every eye in the vicinity upon me, I had to feign composure, but it was actually quite dangerous.

I felt like I could pass out at any moment. The bed’s allure made it even more likely.

Compared to the brush with death on the first day, it was tremendous progress… but tiredness was inevitable.

‘…Just a little sleep.’

After a moment’s hesitation, I nodded.

I would sleep just for a moment… then wake up and check the plan.

With that self-justification, I tidied up my things. Among them, the Origin Egg, which I debated over before placing on the bedroom shelf.

After a quick wash and changing into comfortable attire, I threw myself onto the bed. The fluffy sensation swallowed my body whole.

My mind settled down. Internally reciting the sleeping technique taught to me by Professor Liana, I let go of consciousness.

* * *

Not a minute after Lee Hayul laid down on the bed, he began to breathe evenly, fast asleep.

Curled up under the thick blanket, only a part of his face was visible peeking out.

In the midst of the tranquil silence,

without any interference, the Origin Egg wobbled.

– Ding

Then, a quiet alarm sounded in the peaceful bedroom.

[The Origin Egg is reading the owner’s wish.]