NoveLight ™
Jun Yunseong. The first-year representative, child of a traitor, and America’s pride.
As soon as he unexpectedly challenged Yeomyeong to a duel, every pair of eyes in the training ground turned toward Yeomyeong.
In a way, it was inevitable.
Since the day Yeomyeong took down Wesley in the dormitory room battle, the same question had lingered in everyone’s mind.
Who was stronger—Yeomyeong or Jun Yunseong?
A simple, even frivolous question, yet one that was deeply superhuman.
For superhumans, unlike mages or priests, strength was proof of martial skill and an affirmation of their beliefs.
The question of “Who’s stronger?” carried an inherent examination of whose convictions ran deeper, who was more faithful to their principles.
…Of course, this was all theory. For most of the students gathered in the training ground, their attention was driven by curiosity and excitement.
Jun Yunseong seemed tense, pressing his lips tightly and struggling to control his shaking body. In contrast, Yeomyeong, the one he had challenged, frowned in bewilderment.
‘What’s this all of a sudden?’
The stares, the attention from his classmates—none of it mattered to him.
But a sudden duel? Why now?
If he thought about it, there were reasons, albeit vague ones: a poor first impression, youthful rivalry, and Yunseong’s blatant interest in Soemiri…
But none of these explained the embarrassment Yunseong was desperately trying to hide.
‘…Does it matter why?’
Sooner or later, he’d have to take down Yunseong anyway if he wanted to catch Korea’s attention. He hadn’t expected that time to be today, though.
Yeomyeong took a moment to glance at Yunseong before stepping forward.
He began to draw mana slowly, and as the students eagerly moved to clear the area in anticipation of a fight, someone caught Yeomyeong’s sleeve.
It was Seti, who had somehow slipped through the crowd to stand beside him.
She leaned close and whispered in his ear.
“Don’t fight him… no, don’t fight him.”
“…Why?”
Yeomyeong asked curiously. After all, it was her who once said he’d have to defeat Yunseong eventually.
“…Who sacrifices a lamb in the street?”
“Seti, calling someone a ‘sacrificial lamb’ is a bit…”
“Don’t mind the metaphor! Taking Yunseong down is supposed to be the climax of the plan. You need to fight him in an arena full of cameras, not a training ground with just students.”
With that, Seti released his sleeve.
The students cast curious looks at the two of them as Seti raised her hand.
“Teacher. May I share my opinion?”
Margan, who had been observing the situation, nodded as if intrigued.
“I believe Jun Yunseong’s suggestion for a duel goes against school regulations and isn’t necessary for a temporary class.”
Margan’s face lit up at Seti’s words.
In contrast, disappointment crept onto the students’ faces, with a few even booing.
Seti ignored the jeers easily.
Yeomyeong, however, couldn’t.
Hearing the booing aimed at Seti, he placed his weight on his heel, channeling mana.
Thud!
A light stomp shook the ground, scattering a bit of dust.
Ignoring the surprised stares, Yeomyeong crossed his arms, his expression neutral.
What’s the problem?
The jeers quieted, as he’d intended, but now their gaze held a new curiosity toward the two of them.
After a brief pause, Seti stifled a laugh and cleared her throat before continuing.
“…Teacher, I do believe Jun Yunseong had a point. Rather than just reviewing basics in a temporary class, why not approach it differently?”
“A different approach?”
“How about a martial demonstration? After you and some of the other students demonstrate their techniques, everyone could discuss and offer critiques.”
As soon as Seti mentioned a martial demonstration, some students voiced their dissatisfaction.
But Margan’s opinion differed. He nodded, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
“Hong Seti, thank you for the suggestion. I’ll go with the student’s idea.”
This time, genuine boos echoed, but Margan paid them no mind. Even by a generous measure, martial demonstrations were better than dueling.
“Alright, alright. Everyone, please take your seats. We’ll proceed with the demonstration… in order.”
At his clapping, the students begrudgingly took their places, though Jun Yunseong’s face turned bright red.
Embarrassed for having his suggestion denied? No, that wasn’t it.
Yeomyeong could see a hint of relief in Yunseong’s expression.
‘So, he didn’t actually want to duel… or maybe…’
His thoughts didn’t last long, as Seti, who had taken a seat next to him, struck up a conversation.
“Yeomyeong, can you still pick up techniques just by watching?”
“…Picking up? I just observe and learn.”
“Oh, yes, of course.”
Seti ignored his joking tone and spoke more seriously.
“Steal as many techniques as you can. Most of them will likely demonstrate basic skills, but some may show techniques worth learning.”
“…That’s why you suggested the demonstration?”
“Good idea, isn’t it?”
Seti looked at him, waiting for praise.
Yeomyeong, almost instinctively, raised his hand to pat her head but stopped, feeling the stares of other students.
“It’s a good idea… but let’s see how much I can actually pick up.”
“Even if you don’t manage to steal any techniques, it’s still a chance to broaden your perspective.”
While they exchanged private words, Margan finished preparing for the demonstration.
Meaning, he’d dragged a large platform to the center of the training ground.
“Alright, when your name is called, please step forward.”
Standing on the platform, Margan began calling students. Yeomyeong, suddenly remembering something, turned to Seti.
“Seti.”
“Yes? What?”
“Stop using honorifics and speak casually with me. Honestly, with just our looks, I could easily pass for your little… oof!”
Seti jabbed her finger into Yeomyeong’s side.
“Chapter 11, verse 1 of the Green Scripture… Those who seek fruit will discard it for the next fruit. Those who seek the tree…”
“Loving life is akin to harvesting fruit…”
“Cycles and growth, these are the core teachings of Isaginok…”
The priest’s reverent voice filled the classroom.
The Saintess was barely listening, her eyes fixed on the clock.
Was she already tired of these basic scripture lessons? No, it was because martial arts class was about to end soon.
After impatiently waiting for what felt like an eternity,
Class finally ended.
“…That concludes today’s lesson. Thank you, everyone.”
As soon as the priest dismissed them, the Saintess sprang from her seat.
Before the other aspiring priests could speak to her, she quickly exited the classroom and made her way toward the outdoor training grounds.
Several students in the hallway greeted her, but she only responded with a nod.
It might have seemed impolite, but for the Saintess, this was the best she could manage.
Her mind was completely occupied with someone else.
‘Seti…’
With each step, the image of Seti and Yeomyeong on the rooftop replayed in her mind.
She hadn’t heard their conversation, as they had been whispering, but their expressions and body language were enough to tell her something.
Seti’s expression, the embarrassed way she stomped her feet… it was an unfamiliar sight.
‘What’s going on between them?’
‘When and where did they meet?’
‘Have they known each other longer than I’ve known him?’
‘Why did they pretend not to know each other?’
‘Were they making fun of me?’
Questions she had been holding onto for days, questions she’d never had the chance to ask.
Today, she would get her answers.
With a determined resolve she hadn’t mustered last time, the Saintess arrived at the training grounds.
But by then, class had already ended, leaving only an empty platform.
She bit her lip, considering using foresight to track them down. If she could just locate them, it wouldn’t take long…
‘…No.’
She shook her head.
Though recent success had made her forget, foresight wasn’t a power to be used recklessly.
She couldn’t predict how observing a fixed future would alter events.
Resigning herself, she decided to search for Seti on foot, visiting likely places.
The cafeteria, the library, the garden, the lounge…
After wandering for a while, she found herself looking at the academy’s rooftop.
…Could they be?
The decision was quick, and she moved even faster.
With mana boosting her speed, she rushed up the stairs and arrived at the rooftop.
But to her disappointment, it was empty.
Oddly enough, though, she could see the entire academy grounds from there.
Leaning over the railing and taking in the view, she adjusted her eyepatch slightly and infused mana into her vision.
It wasn’t a divine blessing or spell.
It was martial arts—a Cold War-era Soviet technique her mother had taught her as a child when she’d cried over her own reflection.
Her vision expanded, covering an area far beyond what ordinary mana enhancement allowed.
She could see the creases on running students’ uniforms, droplets of sweat, even a squirrel’s eyes glistening on a distant bench.
With this expanded vision, she quickly located Yeomyeong and Seti.
‘…So they were right under my nose!’
To her surprise, they weren’t hiding at all.
They were just sitting on a bench in a secluded alley behind the main building, talking quietly.
‘There’s still… 15 minutes of break left. Perfect.’
The Saintess was about to head down when she spotted something with her expanded vision—someone spying on Yeomyeong and Seti.
‘…What the heck?’
And it wasn’t just one person.
The first spy was an elderly lady, pretending to collect trash while sneaking glances at the two.
And another was…
‘Who is that?’
A boy hidden among the trees, zooming in on them with his phone.
Judging by his uniform, he seemed to be a first-year classmate, though she didn’t recognize him.
His unusual eye color suggested he wasn’t from Earth… but who was he?
Whoever they were, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was that they were secretly watching her friend… no, stalking her friend.
‘These… creeps.’
Returning her vision to normal, she headed down the stairs, her mind now devoid of any questions she had wanted to ask.
“Saintess? Where are you rushing…?”
A student noticed her and tried to greet her, but she disappeared mid-stairwell.
As the surprised student blinked, the sound of her furious footsteps echoed down the staircase.
THANK YOU FOR THE CHAPTER