Chapter 41 : Leona's Secret Hobby #1 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

—Swish! With a firm gaze, I closely watch the incoming blade! "Belief...!" I have faith! "The belief that Yoo Yoori won't strike me...!" "Why do you keep mumbling to yourself?" "Hey! To be honest, it's a bit scary, so I need some self-hypnosis!" —Whoosh! The swift blade comes to an abrupt stop right in front of my eyes! "Phew!" Even when I know she won't hit me, it's not easy not to be scared. The state of perfect unity with the sword. It signifies the alignment of the sword and the mind as one. It means both the mind and sword are as steel, united with the body and soul. But that's not me. Even if I understand it mentally, my body doesn't comply. Watching that blade flying at me so fiercely, it’s hard not to involuntarily close my eyes. So, like in a staring contest, I have no choice but to stare back. —Swish! —Whoosh! I continue the training, focusing intently on the flying blade to build my nerve. Wow, but really, Yoo Yoori is something else. "How can you stop it exactly 0.1 centimeters from my face? You're so good at this!" Her sword handling skills are no joke. She stops precisely at the exact point. I couldn’t do it even with a fist, but she's doing it with a sword. "Of course, I can't do something like that? I've been learning since I was little." "Ah, so you had that gifted education at home, huh?" It's been quite some time since the first-generation awakeners appeared. Naturally, there are many awakeners with grown children in this world. "You're really impressive, you know." "A..." "Hmm? What?" "Nothing. Let's take a break for a moment." "Sure." I drank the water I brought and lay down. Even just staying tense and keeping my eyes on the sword is quite exhausting. "Hey, Kim Geun Chul." "Yeah, what?" "What are you thinking about the training schedule?" "Whenever's convenient for you." "Then how about three times a week, after school? I'd like to do more, but I have my own schedule." "Three times a week? That's a huge thank you! I don't know much, but getting taught by someone like you three times a week will make me a master in no time!" "Oh, calling it mastery is an exaggeration." "An exaggeration, you say? Yoo Yoori, what do you think would happen if you taught someone three times a week?" "What? Of course, since they learned from me—" "That's right. Once I learn, I aim to become a real master. Yoo Yoori, don't you think that way?" When he said that, "Ah." Yoo Yoori paused for a moment and then nodded her head. "Kim Geun Chul, you're seriously putting in more effort than I expected." "Of course. My friend is the one teaching me." "..." After hesitating a bit, Yoo Yoori sat down next to me. "Hey, you." "What?" "You said you have a reason to get stronger, right?" "Yes, I absolutely need to become stronger." Surviving here means getting stronger. I don't want to waste any time. Whatever it takes, developing superhuman abilities is beneficial to me. "When did you awaken?" "Last year." "That's relatively late." "That's why I need to work harder. Anyway, thanks, Yoori." "What are you thanking me for... Well, let's start again." "Yes!" Exciting training resumes! "Let's approach it like this for this week. Once you build some nerve, I'll teach you how to use the sword properly. Be sure to review what I've taught you." "Yes!!!" Thus, I received swordsmanship lessons from Yoori. Such a grateful friend she is. My heart swells with affection towards her... At this rate, if not an archangel, she surely must be angel level, right? * * * So, as I made my way back to the dorm after training, —Ding. A familiar sound echoed. [Skill has increased by 1] My skill has increased! "Wow! A stat increase right here!" I guess training with Yoori has sharpened my senses! Yes, focusing my eyes on the blade repeatedly helped me get the hang of it. Even a minor realization is delightful when you visibly see a stat increase. "Status window." ―――――――――――――――――― [Status Window - Kim Geun Chul] [Rank: F] 「 Strength: 14 」 「 Skill: 14 」 「 Stamina: 12 」 「 Endurance: 10 」 「 Magic: 11 」 ―――――――――――――――――― "Wow!" The moment I open the status window, a dazzling brilliance assaults my eyes! Man, isn't my growth just too dazzling? It's so bright it's hard to even look at the status window! "But still, I'm a small fry." All right. I planned to skip the gym today, but with a stat increase, I can't pass. Seeing visible growth, how could I stand still? I'm moving forward. And so, I went straight to the gym. It feels a bit empty without Si Hoo today. Upon entering, there were quite a few peers already working out, and I immediately changed clothes and got onto the treadmill. "Relax." First, for the initial few minutes, I'll walk slowly and try to feel the magic within me. Normally it's easier to feel this while sitting or lying down, but Instructor Lee So Ra mentioned that I should train to meditate on magic even while exercising. "Hmm." —Step, step. Walking slowly, I move the magic within. I don't get cramps anymore. But, indeed, moving while doing this is tough. "It's definitely challenging." Still, even as I sense my novice status, I worked hard and conducted magic meditation while exercising, and after achieving my goal, I returned to the dorm. Upon arriving, "There, Geun Chul...!" "What?!" The hallway is bustling with people! Not only that, but all the students living in the dorm had come out into the hallway! "This is a disaster, Geun Chul!" The source of the chaos was right in front of my room! "What are all these soda boxes?!" Mountains of crazy soda boxes lined up the hallway! "Hey! What class are you in? How could you order so many sodas like this?" "Think about where to store them before ordering!" Irritated dorm students yelled at me for blocking their way. "Ah, sorry! I’m not sure what's going on... Oh?!" No way! "Is this Ryu Cheon Hwi's doing?!" "Geun Chul, hurry up! I was sorting all of this out for you! Get over here and help me clean this up!" "Right! Sorry, Si Hoo!" Did Ryu Cheon Hwi really send all these sodas just because of what happened earlier? This is gonna drive me nuts! How on earth do I clean all this up?! * * * And so passes another week. I diligently participate in classes, receiving gentle but not-so-gentle prodding from Instructor Kawar, monitoring my balance and remaining meal tickets closely to use the convenience store wisely. After classes, I trained with Yoori or Si Hoo. A repetitive routine. But isn’t this repetitive cycle exactly what proper school life should be? Compared to my high school days, things are quite different, but still, school life is school life. Anyway, today is the much-awaited Saturday. The day I have plans with Archangel Leona. "Shall we set off then?" Spoke Leona coolly, opening the rear door of the limousine. "Wow. Incredible." Are we really traveling by limousine? Frankly, this is my first time! "Kim Geun Chul? Si Hoo? Why are you just standing there dumbfounded? Come on in. I won't charge you." Leona was inside, patting the seat next to her, invitingly... Well, I have to go in. When else will I ever get to ride in a limousine? Though, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous. "Let’s go in, then." —Slide. I promptly sat next to Leona. "Hey, Geun Chul. Scoot over a bit." "Sure." And Si Hoo slipped in beside me. "Great. Everyone's aboard. Driver? Let's head out." "Yes, Miss." The driver answered heavily. "Wow. He calls you 'Miss'. So Leona, you're actually a 'Miss'?" "What did you think I was?" "An angel descended to earth." "Geez, you never get tired of that angel talk. Anyway, put on your seatbelt, will you? Don’t you know you’re supposed to buckle up first when getting in a car?" —Slide. Leona handed me the seatbelt. "Hey, hey. I can do that myself." I mean, I can handle this kind of thing on my own. And so, Si Hoo and I buckled up. "Wow. It's my first time in a limousine like this. How about you, Si Hoo?" "Uh-huh... It's my first time too." Si Hoo, slightly tense, was looking around and peeking out the window. "Well, if it's your first time riding a limousine, Kim Geun Chul, I’ve got something special to explain, so listen carefully." "What are you planning to explain?" "This limousine can fly." No way! "Are you kidding me? No matter what you say, I'm not buying that a car can fly! Just because you’re an angel, doesn't mean the limousine takes to the skies!" "Oh, you don't believe me?" "Seriously, does it make sense for a car to fly? Haven’t you ever heard what happened to Icarus?" "Please stop repeating that joke! Driver! Engage flight mode!" "Yes, Miss." And at that moment. —Bzzzz. "Holy crap!!!" An unusual buoyancy lurched as the limousine started to levitate! No way, is it really flying?! "Ahhh! Si Hoo! What’s happening!? Look out the window!" "Geun Chul! Calm down! This is someone else's car!!!" "How can I stay calm when the car is flying! Leona! Is this for real?!" Then she declared! "Would it be fake?! The pride of the Kayners family! Equipped with a special anti-gravity engine developed with state-of-the-art extradimensional technology!" Leona exclaimed excitedly! "So, Kim Geun Chul! If you don't want to fly, hold on tight!" "Wait!" "Well, we’ll be flying anyway!" This is absolutely astonishing! But if it's some kind of aircraft, I don’t really need to hold on— —Whirr. And the roof opened. "Whaaat theeee!!!" —Shoosh! The rushing wind threatened to yank my hair off! "Heeelllp! Why did you open the roof!?" "Can’t you feel the flair, the flair! When flying, popping the top is standard! Driver! Full speed ahead!" Full speed?! "Yes, Miss." —Bzzoooooooom! "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" The rapid acceleration slammed the back of my head against the seat! How is it so fast?! I never imagined in my life that I'd zip through the skies at top speed with the roof open...! This is truly an incredible experience! "My mouth—" My mouth is flappiiiiing!!! * * * After that several-minute flight, we landed. "Ughh...!" This strange sensation is making my insides churn. "Now, now, Kim Geun Chul. We don’t have time for this. Stand up already." "Ugh." —Pat pat. Leona patted my back encouragingly. "But, where exactly are we? And what are we here to do?" "I told you, didn’t I? It’s a noble hobby." "Will you finally spill it before I start guessing it’s boar hunting?" "Boar hunting, goodness. It’s got nothing to do with that. Well, a noble hobby... it's what we call noblesse oblige." Could it really be that? "This is the site of the Kayners family's charity organization. Come on! We're here to volunteer! It's time to help the impoverished and orphans!" "Wha-what? Volunteering?" Volunteer, you say? "Leona, are you seriously telling me you spend your weekends doing volunteer work?" "Of course. It's my hobby." At this point, calling her an Archangel isn't enough!!!!!! "You're a goddess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "Did you just realize that? Oh, you’re late to the epiphany, Kim Geun Chul!" —Gush! Tears began to pour from my eyes. Tears of pure admiration. "Wait, Geun Chul! What's with the waterworks? How can someone cry so intensely with tears streaming like that?" "You should be crying too!" This is something all of humanity should be weeping tears of joy over!