NoveLight ™
As the closing ceremony, which had been quite an overwhelming experience for me, concluded, cadets began flooding out en masse.
The crowd stretched out in a single direction, their steps light.
They were headed toward the gate terminal.
The only way out of Shioram is through the gate.
Most are returning home to heal their tired bodies and minds after a demanding academic period, while some, blessed with protections that persist outside of Shioram, are likely planning personal training sessions.
The Blessing of Growth still applies outside Shioram. Without it, external training sessions would be impossible.
I swept my gaze over the long line of cadets using my Observation Power.
I wasn’t part of that line.
After the ceremony, I sought out my mentor to say farewell. After all, we wouldn’t meet during the break.
“─Don’t skip meals just because it’s a hassle, make sure to always eat properly, and take some sleeping pills just in case. Also…”
As soon as we met, I received a barrage of affectionate advice, complete with plenty of pats and strokes.
When I subtly shifted my body, the hand that had been patting my head moved down to tap my back, which naturally made me feel relaxed.
I had notified her of my plans to travel outside Shioram shortly after emerging from the Tower of Growth. At that time, my mentor had only nodded, saying “I see.”
“.......”
But now, my mentor held back a sigh that was about to escape.
Though she kept her composure, she seemed uneasy about me leaving Shioram.
I understood her concern.
After all, the last time I went out, I returned in such a state that anyone would be worried from a teacher's perspective.
And in truth, I was about to head somewhere rather dangerous…
But if I admitted that, my mentor might drag me back to my dorm with that deadpan look again.
[Yes] [I’ll keep your advice in mind, mentor] [There’s no need to worry]
Although I enjoyed the affectionate pats, I couldn’t stay in that spot forever.
Regardless of my own feelings, I used the necklace to display words that would reassure my mentor.
She took a step back, sighing as she looked at the necklace with lingering reluctance in her eyes.
“…Very well, I shouldn’t keep you any longer. But remember this: if you find yourself in danger… always put yourself first.”
“What a fuss. Nothing’s going to happen to me within my own family’s domain.”
That was when Hong Yeonhwa, who had been standing behind with her arms crossed, muttered in discontent.
When I mentioned I’d say goodbye to my mentor, she’d insisted on coming along, as if we’d meet again soon.
“Incidents can happen anytime, anywhere,” my mentor replied, glancing at Hong Yeonhwa with a shake of her head.
“People who let their guard down can suffer dire consequences.”
“If there ever comes a time when I have to fear trouble in the main family of Guhwa, wouldn’t that mean the world has already ended?”
‘That’s true.’
In the brief exchange, I found myself with a strange expression in response to Hong Yeonhwa’s comment.
If something ever got so bad that the main estates of the three great families were in danger, it would mean the world was already in an apocalyptic state.
[Then, I’ll be off now]
“Take care and come back safely.”
My mentor, who had been exchanging small banter with Hong Yeonhwa, stopped, and with a complex look, stroked my head.
“Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of him.”
At that moment.
Hong Yeonhwa, wearing an odd expression, stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder.
My mentor’s face creased in displeasure.
Although some time had passed since the ceremony, the gate terminal was still bustling with people.
The gate terminal serves as the equivalent of an airport in this world. Instead of runways, there are gate drives and space facilities, complete with duty-free shops.
However, Shioram’s gate terminal is smaller in scale compared to others.
There’s no need for a huge facility since few people can enter Shioram.
And, naturally, proper identification is required to use the gate.
That’s why I had asked Maxwell to handle Seoryul’s identification a few days ago.
Without an identity, Seoryul wouldn’t have been able to leave Shioram.
Creating a standard identity for him posed numerous problems.
For one, designating a guardian would be an issue, and even if we managed that, his different species would undoubtedly cause complications later.
Fortunately, Maxwell said he would handle those issues.
Thanks to him, Seoryul now had an identity, and we wouldn’t face any issues using the gate, thanks to Maxwell’s arrangements.
‘…I hope he’ll be okay.’
So, traveling with Elia through the gate should go smoothly. Elia’s family had promised to take good care of him, so he should be fine during the break.
…Still, it weighed heavily on my mind. I couldn’t help feeling like a terrible person.
I couldn’t hide Seoryul’s existence forever. At the very least, I’d have to inform the people close to me, like Hong Yeonhwa and my mentor.
These past few days had been too hectic to share the news. I planned to tell them after returning from the break, once everything was settled.
“Master Hayul, please allow me to carry your luggage. I’ll handle the check-in process.”
[Thank you] [Ariel]
“Ariel, could you take care of my… Hey! Mine too!”
Ariel was accompanying us on the journey to the Guhwa family’s domain. As Hong Yeonhwa’s aide, it was only natural.
After a brief wait, the check-in process was complete, and it was our group’s turn. The luggage had already been sent to the destination, so we only needed to bring ourselves.
“Let’s go, Hayul.”
[Yes]
I stepped forward toward the gate.
As I neared the swirling blue portal, I felt the resonance of space. Familiar information filled my mind as I observed it through the power of Observation.
It’s a technique that uses spatial power to create and link artificial fractures in two different spaces.
After studying it for a moment, I followed Hong Yeonhwa’s lead and stepped into the gate.
My body plunged into the whirlpool, and soon, my feet touched solid ground.
The information I was observing refreshed.
A massive gate terminal. Gates opened and closed endlessly, while crowds of people moved like swarms of ants.
Vehicles of all designs and colors lined up outside, surrounded by towering walls.
We had arrived at our destination… the Seoul Gate Terminal.
“Ugh, my head…”
Hong Yeonhwa grimaced, rubbing her upper lip to relieve the characteristic dizziness of gate travel.
Upon our arrival, Ariel guided us to the car she had arranged beforehand.
The vehicle was a futuristic-looking limousine by my standards.
The driver stepped out, bowing respectfully.
“It’s an honor to escort the young lady and young master. I’ll ensure a safe and comfortable journey to your destination.”
“Thank you for your efforts.”
[Young master…] [Thank you for the assistance]
Despite the formal and… slightly overwhelming greeting, Hong Yeonhwa took it in stride and boarded the limousine. Feeling a bit awkward, I followed her inside.
The interior of the limousine resembled something straight out of a movie, with a circular red sofa surrounding a table.
Underneath the table were storage compartments and a refrigerator, stocked with snacks… as well as various drinks and alcoholic beverages.
Using Observation, I noted not only the exterior and interior but also the materials used.
The limousine was built with a robust alloy of high-grade ore and magical stone, outfitted with advanced defensive enchantments—practically a tank on wheels.
“Hayul, you can sit here.”
While I hesitated, glancing around for a seat, Hong Yeonhwa patted the seat beside her.
“If you’re uncomfortable with anything, let me know. Snacks are here, so help yourself.”
[Thank you]
As soon as I sat down, she began pulling out snacks from the storage and placing them in front of me.
“Hmm?”
Just then.
While handing me snacks, Hong Yeonhwa glanced over at Ariel, who was sitting across from us.
Ariel had a rather surprising and touched expression on her face.
“…Why the face?”
“I’m moved.”
“Moved? Care to elaborate?”
“Lady Ariel, though I have served the young lady for many years, I never expected to witness her showing such sincere care for another.”
“What are you implying? That I’m some jerk who doesn’t know how to care for others?”
“It’s not an insult, but rather an expression of admiration. At any rate, I’d like to go over the schedule for the young master.”
Clicking her tongue, Hong Yeonhwa leaned back against the sofa as Ariel turned her attention to me.
“The schedule is the same as previously discussed. The Guhwa family will treat you as an esteemed guest. After you’ve had time to rest and settle in, you may proceed with the examination whenever you wish.”
[Thank you for your consideration]
“Please direct your thanks to the young lady and the lady of the house. As I mentioned earlier, there’s also a banquet in a few days.”
‘A banquet.’
The word made me react with a peculiar expression.
Apparently, the date of my visit coincided slightly with the Guhwa family’s annual banquet.
As an important guest visiting the Guhwa family, they felt it would be ungracious not to invite me to such an event.
When Hong Yeonhwa, looking somewhat nervous, had asked if I would attend, I accepted, sensing that refusing would put them in a difficult position.
I still remember how her face brightened at my acceptance.
‘And…’
I recalled the main purpose of my visit to the Guhwa family.
The manifestation of Guhwa within the Tower of Growth. While I’d agreed to the examination out of curiosity at the time, I now understood why it happened.
The reason I was able to manifest Guhwa was due to assimilation. I must have unconsciously invoked it, thinking of powerful flames.
So, even before the examination, I’d figured out why Guhwa had manifested.
In light of this, there was no real need to visit the Guhwa family.
However, I had other motives.
‘The burn on my right arm.’
I twitched my fingers. Wrapped in a sleeve, my arm was scarred with horrific burn marks.
According to Hong Yeonhwa, this scar was caused by Guhwa.
In other words, if she’s right, I’d encountered Guhwa before.
It’s strange.
I received this burn and scar in my original world—a mundane world without any known supernatural powers.
‘…In this world…’
According to records of Lee Hayul in this world, a child on the brink of death was found near an orphanage. That’s the earliest record of him.
That record states that, even back then, “Lee Hayul” bore identical burn marks on his right hand, was blind, and couldn’t speak.
‘Sigh…’
The information was utterly bewildering.
That’s why I needed to visit the Guhwa family to seek out some answers.
Even if I didn’t gain new information, there would still be plenty to learn from visiting the Guhwa family.
“We’ve arrived.”
“This was faster than usual.”
At Ariel’s words, Hong Yeonhwa turned her head to look out the window.
The limousine was now driving alongside a tall wall.
Technically, it was more of a stone fortress wall than just a “fence.”
Through closer observation, I sensed an invisible, colorless barrier emanating from the stone walls.
The stone barrier served as a medium to maintain and amplify the protective barrier.
This is the outermost defense of the Guhwa family’s main estate—a formidable barrier requiring multiple layers of high-level protection.
After driving along the wall for a while, the main gate finally came into view within the Observation range.
‘…?’
And inside the gate, I detected a crowd waiting.
The limousine stopped as it passed through the main gate.
Click—the locked door automatically opened.
“Please step out.”
Hong Yeonhwa exited first, and I followed her.
The moment my feet touched the meticulously kept, vibrant green lawn…
The lively sound of instruments struck my ears.
A red carpet stretched from us to the grand mansion beyond, lined on both sides by people in red uniforms.
At least a dozen held brass instruments, and behind them stood others with various musical instruments.
The music they created reverberated in all directions.
A brief, sudden fanfare.
As the music ceased, the person at the forefront stepped forward.
He promptly bowed at a ninety-degree angle and shouted,
“Welcome to the successor to Guhwa, and a heartfelt welcome to Young Master Lee Hayul who accompanies her!”
“”Welcome!””
Their powerful voices resounded, even by superhuman standards.
[Wha…]
“......”
My expression turned blank in disbelief.
Looking slightly embarrassed, Hong Yeonhwa patted my shoulder lightly.
“Ahem. I told them it wasn’t necessary to go all out like this…”
“Pardon? But young miss, you specifically told us to prepare thoroughly since the young master was accompanying─”
“Silence.”
…And thus, amidst a grand welcome, we proceeded onward.
[Power “Space” is growing.]
[Player Correction System: Exploration Level]
Quest 「Visit to the Guhwa Family」 Completed
[Player Correction System: Affection Level]
Lee Hayul → Atra Clyde
●●●●●●●●○○ (84▷85/100)
「Mentor」 「Expectation」 「Sense of Stability」 「Yearning for Affection」 「Respect」
[The conditions for lifting the “Curse of Silence” have not been met.]
[The conditions for lifting the “Curse of Solitude” have not been met.]