One of the most famous things a man might say right before he dies is, ‘I won’t die from this.’

That was exactly what Baek Yu-Seol had casually said just before having the dimensional pocket, or inventory, engraved into his soul.

In the end, he didn’t die as he had said.

But... It hurt like hell.

"Ugh...”

[The 'Dimensional Pocket' has been successfully engraved into your soul.]

As Eltman removed his hand from Baek Yu-Seol’s back, a swirling gray magic circle disappeared, leaving a strange sensation in his chest.

[Dimensional Pocket Lv.1]

[Grade: Transcendent]

[Description: Allows access to the fourth dimension.]

[▼Special Effects]

[Summon Dimensional Pocket]

[ᄂCan store items up to a maximum weight of 120g and a volume of 12m³.]

[Register Keyword: Register specific actions or words for easier and faster summon of the Dimensional Pocket.]

Finally, Baek Yu-Seol obtained the inventory.

Thinking about how much more convenient and comfortable his life would be from now on brought tears to his eyes.

… Or it could have been the pain in his chest, as if an elephant was sitting on it, that brought the tears.

"Ugh..."

"It hurts a lot now, but it will ease soon. I’ll excuse you from classes tomorrow. However, if you fall behind in the early part of the semester, it will only harm you. Are you okay with that?"

Baek Yu-Seol nodded vigorously.

Even while lying on the bed in pain, no student would refuse a day off from classes offered by the principal himself.

As he struggled to get up, Eltman reached out to help.

However, he didn’t want to burden the principal, who was probably exhausted from engraving the dimensional pocket. He politely declined his assistance.

“Baek Yu-Seol.”

"... Yes?”

As he managed to sit on the edge of the bed, Eltman wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and spoke.

“If you were an ordinary student, you would have died.”

He knew that.

This wasn’t physical pain but pain that directly affected the soul.

No matter how tough your body was or how many mana shields you had, a normal mage might have died or developed a mental disorder.

“Even a seasoned Class 7 mage would struggle with such pain. I also engraved it when I had just reached Class 8 in my youth, so I understand the pain well. But you...”

Eltman narrowed his eyes.

“Despite severe aftereffects, you have the mental strength to stand up on your own.”

“Well yes.”

Baek Yu-Seol was pondering how to explain this when he spoke first.

“I know. You are no ordinary student. You might be more special than any of us.”

“Huh? No. That’s not true.”

There was no way he was more exceptional than a Class 9 mage. Even if he spent his whole life or lived for a thousand years, he could never reach the level of a Class 9 mage.

That realm belonged to true geniuses; a territory that even immortals couldn’t attain.

“That’s not what I mean. In this world, even a Class 9 mage, an enlightened sage, an alchemist who has mastered immortality, or even the Twelve New Moons are not special. They all just mesh within the 'gears of fate.’”

Gears of fate?

Baek Yu-Seol had never heard that term before. It wasn’t even in his thorough records, so he deduced that Eltman Eltwin must have coined it on the spot...

But something felt different about it.

The strange sense of alienation from that term kept making his chest feel heavy.

“You are different. You can walk a different path from us.”

What did it mean by a ‘different path’ from a Class 9 mage?

Eltman Eltwin was a very special person in Baek Yu-Seol’s records.

In an episode of the original game, he was strong enough to face off against the Dark Mage King, who was arguably the top powerhouse in the world.

‘Given that he called me 'special'... should I take that as a compliment?’

“Baek Yu-Seol. I want to ask you one thing.”

"Please go ahead.”

With his usual lighthearted demeanor replaced by a serious gaze, he carefully met Baek Yu-Seol’s eyes and spoke.

“If, by any chance, the world were to end...”

But then he stopped, shook his head, and fell silent.

"Ah! Never mind. I’ll ask you later. Right now, you're not in the best condition, are you?"

He said with a bitter smile.

His expression was so awkward that even Baek Yu-Seol, who was usually adept at maintaining a composed demeanor thanks to Yeonhong Chunsamweol’s blessing, found himself smiling awkwardly in return.

"I’ll listen to you later."

"You must be tired. Take care on your way back. Don’t worry about your classes; I’ll make sure to notify your teachers so you can rest."

"Yes, thank you..."

Under Eltman’s concerned gaze, he struggled to get up and left the principal’s office.

Click!

As soon as the door closed behind him, Baek Yu-Seol’s tension released, and his stiff muscles started screaming in pain.

"Ouch."

It hurt. So much that he thought he might die.

Clutching his chest, he slowly made his way back to the dormitory.

Since he could legally skip class tomorrow, he intended to go back and have a deep sleep.

It was not uncommon for students to leave early due to illness at a magic academy.

Given that Magic Warrior cadets gained practical experience through various training, it was quite common for them to get injured or fall ill.

Therefore, it was normal to just assume that someone missed class due to injury.

However, the news that Baek Yu-Seol, a notable student, had missed three whole days of classes from the start of the semester sparked curiosity among the other students.

After all, less than a week had passed since the start of the second semester, and proper practical training hadn’t even begun yet.

“What’s up with that?”

“I heard he got food poisoning from eating sashimi at the beach in summer.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t eat sashimi in summer.”

“What’re you talking about? I heard he just caught a cold.”

Since no one really knew what happened, exaggerated rumors spread, leading to various stories.

Given Baek Yu-Seol’s numerous achievements as a first-year student, it wasn’t surprising that most students believed the baseless rumor that he was injured while secretly hunting dark mages.

“He’s sick?”

Thud! Thud!

The sound of a basketball bouncing echoed.

Squeak!

Followed by the sound of sneakers on the gym floor.

Playing a basketball game in casual sportswear in the indoor gym, Edna heard the news from her male friends.

“Something happened?”

“Isn’t he your ex? Aren’t you curious?”

“Whatever.”

Edna scoffed, lightly tossing the basketball.

Clang!

A clean shot, and it went in.

“Wow! As expected of Edna!”

“Shut up. Don’t make a fuss.”

“If you’re jealous, do better than me.”

“I’m better than you at soccer, billiards, baseball, tennis, and table tennis, so I can let you have basketball.”

“Damn.”

Teasing her friend, Edna returned to the bench and wiped her sweat with a towel.

Not wanting to put it back, she draped it over her neck and gulped down an electrolyte drink when she sensed someone approaching.

"... Hello."

“Huh? Oh, it’s Eisel. Don’t you dislike sports?”

With her blue hair tied back tightly, Eisel was wearing sportswear like Edna.

Though she regularly did basic physical training, she wasn’t fond of sports, making her outfit seem quite unusual.

“Just... thought I’d try playing for a change.”

“Sure. I’m sure you’ll do well.”

With Eisel’s special trait [All-Rounder], she would become proficient with just a bit of practice.

Although she wouldn’t reach the level of Mayuseong, who had the [Legendary Whirwind Shot] trait, she’d still be impressive.

"You seem worried. I think I know why."

Baek Yu-Seol being ill would trouble many people.

… And honestly, it bothered Edna so much that she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even though she tried hard not to.

She felt like she would lose if she worried at first.

"I heard that he still manages to drag himself out to eat during mealtime. It’s not a life-threatening illness."

Reports from various places mentioned witnessing Baek Yu-Seol appearing like a shut-in with his hat pulled low when he came out for meals. It could just be a minor ailment.

"Yeah. But still..."

Eisel’s concern wasn’t just about Baek Yu-Seol being ill.

"Why’s he sick...?"

"Huh?"

It wasn’t something she had thought about, so the question was unexpected.

"Well. Is it necessary to know?"

"... I suppose not."

On second thought, it did seem odd.

Baek Yu-Seol, who seemed as sturdy as steel and as if he’d never caught a cold in his life, suddenly looked like a wreck for three days.

Moreover, Eltman Eltwin had personally excused his absence, which implied there must be a significant reason...

"He’s not going to die from this."

Edna confidently declared.

The Baek Yu-Seol she knew had a cockroach-like resilience. He survived even the reversal of time and dimensions. The idea of him dying from an illness was unimaginable.

"If you’re really worried, why don’t you visit him?"

"I did but he said he was fine."

"Then he’s fine."

Having rested enough, Edna stood up and said, "In my opinion, he’ll bounce back soon and be walking around like normal."

"... Yeah, I guess."

Reassured by Edna’s words, Eisel smiled and agreed.

"Right. So don’t worry and focus on your own tasks."

And later that night...

"... Sigh."

Unable to shake her concern, Edna got up in the middle of the night and sneaked into the boys' dormitory.

The academy didn’t strictly forbid inter-gender dorm visits, but if a female student was caught in the male dormitory at this hour, it wouldn’t end with just a demerit.

It was a daring venture that could be considered life-threatening.

"Oh my luck..."

Fortunately, Baek Yu-Seol stayed in the Class S dormitory, which had very few residents.

This late at night, the chances of running into other students were slim. She just needed to quietly meet Baek Yu-Seol and leave.

That was her plan.

"... Edna?"

"Eek."

But she ended up bumping into Poong Ha-rang, a first-year Class S student who had decided to go for a walk.

"You scared me! Why’re you wandering around at this hour?"

"... Shouldn’t I be asking you that? This is the boys' dormitory. Do you have a reason for being here?"

"Uh yeah. I do."

Trying to hide the fact that she came to see Baek Yu-Seol felt embarrassing, so she decided to come clean.

"I came to see Baek Yu-Seol."

"... Really?"

"Yeah. I heard he’s been unwell. He didn’t even come out for dinner today. I thought I’d bring him some porridge."

"That seems unnecessary."

Poong Ha-rang pointed to Baek Yu-Seol’s dormitory entrance, where small boxes and packages were piled up. Other students had also brought food for him.

"That’s different. The important thing is sincerity. I personally prepared this, so he won’t refuse."

After speaking confidently, Edna headed towards Baek Yu-Seol’s dormitory and knocked quietly.

"Hey! Open up. It’s your sister."

The door didn’t open.

Poong Ha-rang hesitated and said, "It won’t open. He hasn’t opened it for anyone so far..."

But before he could finish, the door creaked open, and a weary-looking Baek Yu-Seol peeked out.

Seizing the opportunity, Edna pushed the door open wider and slipped inside.

Click!

With Edna gone, the Class S dormitory hallway fell silent.

Poong Ha-rang appeared confused as he looked at Baek Yu-Seol’s dormitory for a long time.

Then, he put on his athletic jacket and walked down the hallway.

He decided to enjoy a refreshing stroll under the moonlight.