[You have completed Stage 7: 'Giant's Kick'.]

[Your 'Agility' stat has increased.]

[Your 'Strength' stat has increased.]

Zing!

Along with the feeling of sparks flying before his eyes, Baek Yu-Seol’s body was jolted back into reality.

He opened his eyes on the dormitory bed and hastily checked his limbs.

The Giant’s Kick caused the rocks to bounce and fall on him. However, the terrible wounds and pain inflicted by the rocks was now completely gone.

However, if he had failed that stage... All those wounds and pain might have transferred into reality as well.

“Phew… I thought I was going to die.”

The 500-year-old Witch’s Crystal Orb.

It could rapidly increase stats in a short period but it was extremely difficult and dangerous, so it always required caution.

Baek Yu-Seol nearly got into serious trouble due to a small mistake at the end.

Still, the stats had significantly increased, resulting in a satisfying outcome.

[Baek Yu-Seol]

[Stats]

[Strength: 4-star 01%]

[Sensory: 4-star 12%]

[Agility: 3-star 66%]

[Stamina: 3-star 08%]

[Endurance: 0-star 99%]

[Mental Strength: 4-star 03%]

[Magic: ~]

[Skills]

[Flash Lv.3]

[Tae-Ryung Breathing Technique Lv.2]

[Traits]

[Mana Accumulation Retardation Lv.3]

[Blessing of Yeonhong Chunsamweol Lv.3]

[Blessing of New Moon Bronze Lv.1]

[Blessing of New Moon Silver Lv.1]

[Contractor of Celestia]

Most of the stats had grown by one level. Or they were on the verge of upgrade.

‘The growth rate is truly astounding…’

To think the stats that had been stagnant for months would increase so explosively over a short period. Even Baek Yu-Seol didn’t expect this level of effect.

But Baek Yu-Seol’s endurance really doesn’t improve no matter what. He remembered increasing his endurance while playing Aether World Online… But he couldn’t recall how he did it.

‘Was there a special condition?’

‘Or did I boost it with items?’

It was not an urgently important stat, but he was tired of collapsing with a single hit.

‘Still. Having more blessings is reassuring.’

Since the day he returned to the present with Jeliel’s help, his status window revealed a new blessing of New Moon Silver. Though he didn’t even know when he received it.

It appeared New Moon Silver had already bestowed his blessing on him from the day he traversed time backward.

… Though its effect was somewhat unique compared to other blessings, making it difficult to use properly.

Even in Aether World Online, he never received the blessing of New Moon Silver, so he must research this skill from scratch.

‘I don’t have time now so I’ll study it later.’

Baek Yu-Seol stared intently at the Witch’s Crystal Orb. The more he trained, the more his stats rose significantly. It gave him an addictive thrill and a desire to dive back into the minigame.

But he mustn’t.

The reason the witch died at 498 years of age was that she was training her body in this crystal orb to escape witch hunters and failed to adjust the difficulty, leading to her demise.

It was an absurd story.

To die while training to survive. What a meaningless death.

Or maybe not so meaningless.

Since he was properly using the item now.

‘I’ll wait a bit... And be fully prepared for the next stage.’

Baek Yu-Seol carefully placed the witch’s crystal orb back into his backpack and suddenly remembered.

‘Speaking of which… It’s about time…’

It had already been nearly half a year since Delta Augmentation Formula was developed.

Back then, he could only make shoddy items, but now Alchemy Engineer Alterisha was about to fully showcase her abilities.

Compared to the Alterisha when she was developing crude technology to the Alterisha when all technologies were perfected, the difference was significant.

If the technology had advanced as he predicted, it should be possible to create a ‘subspace backpack’.

Even if it was not for that reason, he had been neglecting to visit too often lately.

Though he’d been listed as a co-developer and reaping financial benefits.

There were no classes this afternoon, and the short ones were just quick orientation, so he’d visit after a long time.

———

The International Alchemist Organization, Alchemy City.

This city was founded by alchemists who shed their national affiliations. It was bustling with alchemists of various races on the streets. It had grown even more populated than when he first visited six months ago.

The reason was obvious.

Alchemy, which was previously considered a minor discipline, had now become the core technology supporting modern advancements under the name of alchemical engineering.

Alchemists no longer needed to bow to mages.

Even minor alchemy or alchemic engineering seminars were as large as major magic seminars, making the officially held alchemy conference next year highly anticipated.

[Alterisha Institute]

“Oh, wow…”

In the heart of Alchemy City.

The grand citadel established by international alchemist scholars had never allowed any institute to name itself within.

Yet, there stood the name of the Alterisha Institute.

Did this mean her influence could break even the traditions of alchemists?

Inside the building, the design was quite modern and earthly.

Baek Yu-Seol didn’t give such instructions; it naturally resembled Earth’s atmosphere. Perhaps because this city was one of the fastest-developing.

“Oh my, Student Baek Yu-Seol. This way, please. I’ll guide you.”

“Yes.”

Even without mentioning his name, the receptionist at the main desk recognised and escorted him.

The dedicated elevator he boarded ascended to the top floor of the building.

As the door opened, the receptionist stepped back and wished him a pleasant day. He nodded in response and stepped inside.

When you think of an alchemist's laboratory, you might imagine a dingy, dark atmosphere with mysterious residues crawling all over.

But that was far from the truth.

Alchemists wore pristine white coats and preferred white background, and they were more meticulous about cleanliness than anyone else.

‘Amazing.’

As he watched so many alchemists busily moving around in spotless white coats, Baek Yu-Seol felt somewhat awkward.

He hurriedly put on the coat handed to him by the receptionist and wandered inside until he saw Alterisha’s office.

The word 'office' instead of 'laboratory' felt oddly out of place.

Knock! Knock!

“Yes. Come in!”

As he knocked, the door swung open, revealing Alterisha.

“Oh my!”

She looked at Baek Yu-Seol with wide eyes, and her pink hair tied to a ponytail shook in surprise.

“Student Yu-Seol! It’s been so long!”

“Yes… I haven’t been around much, have I?”

“Indeed. Come in quickly. Would you like some coffee?”

“No, no. I’m fine.”

As he entered, he saw a few familiar alchemists and the golden alchemist Beaurock Stoneforge. He looked at him with tired eyes and waved.

“It’s been a while! Kid, it’s so hard to see your face.”

“Yes. I’ve been a bit busy.”

“Well. Everyone has their reasons.”

By the way, what’s going on here?

He came to check on the progress of the technology, but seeing the alchemists gathered and seriously discussing something made him hesitant to ask.

“… What’s happening?”

When Baek Yu-Seol subtly asked, Alterisha awkwardly smiled with a slightly troubled expression and sighed.

“Let’s just tell him.”

“Okay… Come over here. You’ll understand right away, Student Yu-Seol.”

What on earth is it?

She led him through the alchemists, sat him down, and pointed to a paper on the experimental table.

“This is the 'Varicta Prototype Magic Array’ that we’ve been experimenting with for the past week. It’s designed to maintain its original form while being enchanted… Oh, no need to explain. You’ll understand immediately.”

No. What’s this?

This new technology wasn’t even recorded in the Sentient Spec. Although he could quickly interpret it with a bit of mental effort, he never expected them to develop such new technology.

“So. What’s the issue with this?”

“Actually… We didn’t develop this.”

“Pardon?”

“Despite holding the title of alchemic engineers, we haven’t mastered magitech yet. It’s embarrassing, but that’s the reality.”

“I see.”

That made sense.

Although the combination of alchemy and magitech was a tremendous achievement, it was hard to expect exceptional magitech from alchemists in Alchemy City. Hence, the technology hadn’t advanced explosively yet.

Within a year, Alterisha was expected to become the greatest genius in magitech, but that was still in the future.

Currently, the lack of magitech knowledge meant that alchemists in Alchemy City must catch up on magitech studies, and they were also recruiting excellent magitech experts from outside...

But it was not an easy task.

Even so, they had been researching for three months with a fairly competent magitech expert.

An alchemist accidentally left the 'Varicta Prototype Magic Array' in the laboratory and went home.

When they returned the next morning… Surprise! The magic array was completed.

“... This is eerie.”

“Isn’t it?”

"Hoo. Right now, we're more curious about who completed the 'Varicta Prototype Magic Array' than the fact that it's finished."

The completion of the 'Varicta Prototype Magic Array' was a cheerful event.

However, the fact that someone completed it in a single night; something they struggled with for three months was quite shocking.

"We need that person's help."

Although tampering with an alchemist's experimental formula deserved punishment, this wasn't the time to argue about right and wrong.

A brilliant magitechnician— even if they were a ghost, the scholars would readily extend a hand.

"Can't we investigate everyone who accessed the laboratory?"

"That's true, but there were so many people. There were nearly hundreds, and we interviewed them one by one, but if someone is determined to hide, we won't find out. This magitechnician was thorough enough not to leave any fingerprints."

"I see."

Probably.

After this incident, they wouldn't find that magitechnician.

In fact, Baek Yu-Seol had a hunch from the moment he heard this story that this was one of the ‘Alterisha Hidden Episodes.'

Surely... This was the episode that unleashed the potential of technology.

Whether or not they find that magitechnician here would make a significant difference in the growth rate of technology.

Even if they didn’t find them, there was no reason to be anxious since Alterisha had already developed Delta Augmentation ahead of the Dark Mages.

But if they could find them and further promote technological advancement, that would be great, wouldn't it?"

"I'll go find them."

"Hmm? Really? You don't even know the faces inside the Alchemy Institute. We couldn't find out either."

"That's right, kid. No matter how much of a genius you are, this is a different story."

"No. Even if I don't know the faces, I can do it. Leave it to me."

"... Well, in that case, there's nothing to lose, and we've half given up anyway."

When Beaurock Stoneforge agreed, the alchemists under him automatically nodded as well.

"Yes, I'll make sure to find them."

Stella Academy, first-year student division.

"Here it is, Princess."

When the assistant laid out several large timetables on the table, Hong Bi-Yeon closely examined them.

They recorded the personal timetables of the first-year students, which were not particularly secretive, so it wasn't a privilege of the princess to access them.

It was just that it was somewhat unusual for a Stella student to bother looking for such trivial things, which raised a bit of curiosity.

Most Stella students had a self-centered mindset, and Class S students were even more so, making it extremely rare for anyone to be curious about someone else's timetable.

So, it was quite surprising that Hong Bi-Yeon sought such information.

"I've confirmed it."

"Already? We went through the trouble to bring them out..."

"Yes."

She seemed to have confirmed only one person's timetable as she quickly left the room.

The assistant, who had prepared the timetables for the princess, was disheartened. However, that was none of Hong Bi-Yeon’s concern.

As she left the student division and closed the door, she unexpectedly met someone’s gaze.

Eisel.

She looked at Hong Bi-Yeon with a slightly displeased expression.

"What brings you here?"

"None of your business."

"Well. As expected."

Hong Bi-Yeon flinched. She felt a surge of anger at Eisel’s knowing tone but suppressed it.

Losing her temper here would be unsightly.

Instead, she glared at Eisel with a cold gaze and asked, "What do you want?"

"I came to the student division for my own business. I just happened to run into you."

"If that's the case, don't bother talking to me. It's a waste of time."

As Hong Bi-Yeon tried to leave quickly, Eisel grabbed her arm.

"What’s this?"

Genuinely baffled, Hong Bi-Yeon looked down and asked. After a moment of hesitation, Eisel sighed and reluctantly spoke.

"The Morfran Forest."

"You know? The place currently managed by the Adolveit Royal Family and the Magic Society."

"I know."

Why and how she knew; she didn't bother to explain.

It would only hurt Eisel.

She wasn’t particularly considerate but mentioning it was pointless. So, Hong Bi-Yeon kept her words brief.

"In that case, is it possible for you to grant access to that place with your authority?"

After a brief consideration, Hong Bi-Yeon denied it.

"No."

That was the end of the conversation.

Eisel watched Hong Bi-Yeon’s departing figure with a crestfallen expression. She hadn't expected her request to be granted just because she asked, but still...

As expected.

"Hoo. I’ll have to find another way..."

As Eisel turned and disappeared down the corridor, Hong Bi-Yeon glanced back and frowned.

"The Morfran Forest?"

She had denied Eisel’s request, but as a member of the Adolveit Royal Family, she could enter the forest whenever she wanted.

It was just that she found it bothersome and had no desire to fulfill Eisel’s request.