After the addition of the future genius magitech engineer Lakan, the technology of the Alchemy Castle advanced at a dazzling pace.

… However, such an unrealistic, novel-like story didn't unfold immediately.

Lakan was just taking his first steps into magitech. Although his intelligence would certainly make his presence felt within six months to a year, he was still at the beginning stage of his studies.

"Here. You said you needed this, right?"

Alterisha was delighted to have found an outstanding magitech engineer. She handed Baek Yu-Seol a large, pristine white orb with a beaming smile.

Its original name was 'Mana Vessel.'

Only a mage who cultivated mental strength could craft it, making it impossible to produce with modern magical technology.

It was a trophy acquired at the beginning of the semester after piercing the heart of a necromancer.

At that time, due to insufficient technological prowess, they couldn't utilize this valuable item properly, but now it was different.

[(Temporary) Dimensional Pocket]

Thanks to the sufficient development of alchemical magitech, they could now use it to create a 'Dimensional Pocket,' commonly known as an 'Inventory.’

It was an extraordinarily useful item.

Although Baek Yu-Seol still used the spatial backpack, even with its reduced weight, it was still a burden for someone whose agility was crucial. In close combat, any extra weight was a hindrance.

However, using the inventory would make everything much more convenient. He could even use the pocket in places where backpacks were not allowed.

"You're making a dimensional pocket with this?"

Alterisha’s bright pink eyes sparkled with curiosity. She always had this innocent, childlike expression whenever she discovered something new.

"Yes. For now."

"That's amazing... A dimensional pocket is the exclusive domain of high-level space mages."

"Honestly, it’s not as impressive as those of such mages."

"Still, the fact that you can use a dimensional pocket without being a space mage is impressive."

That was true.

However, to use a dimensional pocket, one had to acquire a 'Mana Vessel' from a psychic mage and then get a 'Dimension Enchant' from a space magitech engineer, which was a very troublesome process.

The two processes were extremely difficult, and on top of that, an alchemical magitech engineer with advanced technology was also needed, making it quite challenging for an ordinary mage to obtain.

"By the way, are you going to start working at Stella from the second semester?"

"Hmm...."

Originally, Alterisha worked as an assistant professor in the alchemy department at Stella Academy, specifically Professor Maizen’s assistant.

However, after Professor Maizen disappeared and Alterisha began working at the Alchemy Castle, she naturally distanced herself from Stella.

This development was also part of the original game, so he had anticipated it, but Alterisha looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry. I would like to continue at the academy, but it seems I will be working at the Alchemy Castle from now on."

"That's great. You can achieve your dreams here."

"... Actually, I feel like I've already achieved them."

Alterisha said this with a smile and then quickly brought a box from the corner of the office as if she had just remembered it.

She had a habit of piling important items in a box and placing it within her reach, and it seemed she was about to give a gift.

As expected, Alterisha proudly pulled out bracelets, piercings, daggers, and pieces of cloth.

"These are gifts!"

After examining them briefly with Sentient Spec, he could see they had impressive performance.

While not powerful enough to completely turn the tide of battle, they were certainly good enough to make a tough fight more manageable.

Typically, items served that purpose.

They rarely contained overwhelming magic that allowed one to defeat enemies with a single swing.

It was the strong and knowledgeable user that brought out the full potential of these items.

"The items I gave you last time were so incomplete it was embarrassing to call them finished... But these will definitely help."

"Thank you."

As Baek Yu-Seol gathered them up, Alterisha hesitated and then quietly spoke.

"Lately... I've been very busy, but... I've been reading a lot of newspapers and such."

"Yes?"

"I’ve also made a lot of connections, so I sometimes hear news and stories that ordinary people don't."

"Oh..."

She seemed hesitant, but then she smiled cautiously, her expression full of concern.

"Stories about you are coming from everywhere. I don’t know what you’re up to, but be careful. And… If you have some free time, come visit the Alchemy Castle often. I might not be able to return to Stella anymore."

“You are the person with whom I shared my most precious time.”

He didn’t expect her to bring that up.

Indeed, from the beginning of the semester, Alterisha and Baek Yu-Seol had spent a lot of time together, writing papers, studying, and presenting at academic conferences.

She was the first person he became close to.

Additionally… He felt a special kinship with Alterisha since she was the same age as him in reality.

Because of this, he felt very comfortable with her and opened up his heart.

But now, with his time being extremely limited, it was understandable she felt hurt that he couldn’t visit as often.

“… Oh my. What am I saying?”

Alterisha blushed and hurriedly put on her coat.

"I have a meeting to attend! See you next time!"

Bang!

As she noisily closed the door and left, he couldn’t help but laugh helplessly.

Baek Yu-Seol hadn’t thought of her as such an honest person; it felt like he’d discovered a new side of her.

Returning to Stella, he headed straight to the principal's office.

In Aether World Online, Stella Academy was sometimes portrayed as a small country or a vast magic tower, making it incredibly difficult for an ordinary student to meet the principal.

However, he had already made an appointment in advance, so there was no issue.

The First Main Tower.

At the top of this huge tower, which housed all of Stella Academy's core strengths, was a space reserved exclusively for the principal.

Even in terms of ordinary floor space, it easily exceeded 100 pyeong (approximately 330 square meters), but thanks to Eltman Eltwin’s unique space-expansion magic, the internal scale of the main tower seemed almost as large as a sports field.

The size could decrease or increase depending on Eltman’s mood, and he had heard jokes that only the cleaners suffered daily because of this.

"It's been a while since we had a meeting like this. Did you have a good summer break?"

Eltman asked with a smile, offering him a cup of 'Riltea.'

Baek Yu-Seol didn’t understand how he could enjoy that unique tea with its terrible smell, but he accepted it since it was offered by the principal.

"Yes. It was a productive break."

"Seems like it. I see two more stars in your eyes than before."

… What?

‘Did I put glow-in-the-dark star stickers on my eyes?’

"So you requested this meeting... Does that mean you’re finally ready with it?"

Eltman looked curious, his youthful appearance making him seem like a child eagerly waiting for a Christmas present.

Despite his cheerful demeanor, his inner thoughts were probably very dark.

"This is it."

When Baek Yu-Seol handed over the [Temporary] Dimensional Pocket, Alterisha’s masterpiece, Eltman examined it with a face flushed with excitement.

"Wow... This is amazing. Is this the way to engrave space into the soul, huh? Yeah. This should definitely be possible."

Even a Class 9 mage, who stood at the pinnacle of magic, hadn't reached the ultimate end.

It was said that upon reaching Class 9, one realized their limited knowledge rather than the other way around.

After mastering about 7 to 8 out of a limited 10 realms of magic, other mages confidently claimed to understand most of the world’s principles.

However, upon reaching the Class 9, they perceived a realm of 100 or 1,000 magic and felt their existence was insignificant.

Thus, historically, great mages who reached the Class 9 experienced a profound 'enlightenment,' leading them to abandon worldly matters and live in seclusion. They dedicated themselves to studying all day long.

It was actually quite rare for people like the principal of Stella, or the tower lords of Manwol Tower, to be socially active.

"Great. We can start right away."

"Really?"

"Yes. But as you know, this will be... very painful."

Baek Yu-Seol was aware.

In Aether World Online, the character would scream and lose a significant amount of health when engraving a dimensional pocket.

Even the mentally strong protagonists would scream in agony. He couldn't imagine how painful it would be, but he decided to firmly trust in the blessing of Yeonhong Chunsamweol and his mental strength.

"It’s fine. Please start right away."

"Good choice. I’m itching to get started too. Take off your shirt and lie down over here."

Gulping hard, Baek Yu-Seol lay down on the bed as instructed by Eltman.

It would undoubtedly be excruciatingly painful... But surely, he wouldn't die from it?

——-

In the evening twilight, the streets of Arcanium were filled with blossoming youth.

While it was mandatory for the 'Magic Warrior Cadets' of the five prestigious magic academies in Arcanium to live in dormitories on campus, it was not mandatory for students from other departments.

Most of them found cheap accommodations in Arcanium or nearby satellite cities and commuted to and from the academy. Those students were probably such ordinary students.

They gathered in groups, chatting happily, and walked toward their destinations.

And...

In the middle of the road where these students were traveling, someone stood still, watching them.

Dressed in a completely black robe that hid their face, they exuded a creepy aura... Yet none of the students seemed to notice their presence.

Thud!

"Huh?"

Someone bumped into the figure's shoulder.

"What’s wrong?"

A friend asked.

"Uh... I don’t know. Let’s go!"

However, the student who bumped into the figure soon forgot the incident and continued on with their friend.

The figure in the black robe narrowed their glowing red eyes, observed the students one by one, then let out a breath.

"... She's not here either. The witch."

Despite having received information that the witch was definitely in this place, the figure couldn't sense any trace of the witch's aura anywhere.

"Another wasted effort..."

The black robe turned into mist and dispersed into the air, leaving nothing behind.

Even then, the students continued to roam the street, laughing, oblivious to everything.

"Hmm..."

And, from an alleyway.

Mayuseong peeked out. He had been secretly observing the figure in the black robe.

"An interesting guy..."

He stood there, stroking his chin with a smile. He stared at the spot where the black-robed figure had stood not long ago.

But his actions couldn’t last long.

Unlike the black-robed figure, Mayuseong was far too conspicuous.

"Hey. Isn’t that Mayuseong?"