I Became the Only Non-mage in the Academy

TL/Editor: looloo

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A flash of light burst forth.

A blade shimmering in a deep hue sliced through the side of the plant monster's neck.

Witnessing this, Kim Seohyun thought,

'…He's improved again.'

Lee Seoha's skills had definitely gotten better.

During the last mid-term assessment, he had only fought using hand-to-hand combat against Saint.

'He was so bad at it back then.'

His rate of growth was nothing short of astonishing.

Among the students, some had already resigned themselves to Lee Seoha's rise in power.

To be honest, Kim Seohyun found it a bit intimidating.

Once beneath him, Lee Seoha had now closely caught up.

'I thought I'd be fine for at least this year.'

Lee Seo-ha’s talent in martial arts wasn’t just at the genius level, it was more of a master level.

Many had such mastery.

Just in the academy alone, 1 or 2 out of every 10 students were at that level.

However, Lee Seoha had something else.

He used his body extremely well.

Something Kim Seohyun had realized while at the academy was that most people surprisingly didn't know how to efficiently use their own bodies.

Seeing how Lee Seoha moved, it was inspiring in many ways.

'He has full control over his entire physique.'

Kim Seohyun drew his sword.

It was to support Lee Seoha.

'I don’t need to buff him.'

For some unknown reason, magic didn't work on Lee Seoha.

So all Kim Seohyun could do was assist with the minor tasks.

Kim Seohyun started a spell, chanting,

"Swift Wind Command."

The spell unfolded. Kim Seo-hyun’s robes fluttered in the wind, revealing talismans.

The talismans absorbed the darkness and took on the shapes of animals.

Spiritual Familiars.

These spiritual beings attacked the plant monster's stems.

In the meantime, a black flash surged.

Slash!

The plant stems split in an instant, revealing the main body of the creature.

As Kim Seohyun moved, Lee Seoha quickly leapt forward.

Swoosh.

Lee Seoha's arm turned black. A power that seemed to negate everything enveloped his arm, and it pierced the center of the plant.

"Gasp!"

With a shout, the negating force expanded rapidly, turning every part of the plant to dust.

And in the spot where the plant had been, there was a root that looked like ginseng.

"Whoa, wild ginseng?!"

Kim Seohyun rushed over in astonishment.

Wild ginseng, especially the kind that grows in Korea, is a rare and invaluable herb.

Lee Seoha staggered over and said,

"It's ginseng. About 15 years old, too."

"Whoa, 15 years?"

"Yeah."

Information confirmed by the Talent, Talent Reading(-).

A 15-year-old one typically sells for about a billion won and if you find the right buyer, up to three billion.

However, looking at Kim Seohyun, he seemed eager to consume it.

"You want to eat it?"

"Huh?"

"If you want it, I’ll let you have it. But in exchange, the next one we find is mine."

"What? Which one?"

Lee Seoha smirked.

Moving further in, he casually raised his hand.

Thud.

The ground beneath began to rise.

With a gesture, he lifted the soil, revealing something within.

A luminescent green orb.

Instinctively, Lee Seoha knew that this was the reason he was brought to this dungeon.

"Is it some sort of essence?"

"Yes. It's an essence that can either enhance weapons or break a single seal."

"I still think ginseng might be more valuable."

"I don't need that."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"If I think of something, I'll let you know."

Lee Seoha replied nonchalantly.

"Should I give you some money?"

"I have enough, so I'm good."

"Shall we head back then?"

"Let's."

On the way back, we chatted about various things.

"Are you sure it's okay for me to take this just like that? Ginseng seems much more expensive."

"It's fine. What I really wanted was this."

I said, tapping the essence lightly.

An essence that can unseal one of the Heavenly Demon's powers.

──────────────────

【Essence of High Heaven (B+)】

An item crafted by a blacksmith who wished to break the seal of a divine weapon.

: Unseals one artifact of S-rank or below.

──────────────────

The description was straightforward.

However, its effects were nothing short of remarkable. After all, it can unseal one of Heavenly Demon's powers.

[Hmmm…]

Heavenly Demon gazed at the essence with a curious look.

‘What is it?’

[I'm just wondering if you'll become too reliant on me.]

‘What's next then?’

Before Heavenly Demon could reply, she quickly turned his head.

[…Master, prepare to run. Now.]

‘Got it.’

Sensing the impending danger, I signaled Kim Seohyun to stop.

I didn't ask why.

Kim Seohyun seemed to have sensed something too, as he attentively watched our surroundings.

Ding.

──────────────────

Main Quest Chapter 3.5: Flee from the Sword Demon.

Evade the heroes' pursuit. The Sword Demon came here to rest.

Defend against him and escape.

◈Reward: 5,000P with additional rewards based on performance.

◈Failure: Death.

──────────────────

"..."

I stared at the quest window with a sense of dread.

The Sword Demon, Na Bakcheon.

A notorious figure. He relished the sensation of cutting people with his blade, slaughtering over a thousand innocent citizens. Currently, he was an enemy I stood no chance against.

[Huh.]

A chilling, eerie voice reached my ears.

Gulp.

I activated my Divine Vision and looked ahead. I felt an overwhelming power, alien and different from anything in this world.

"...A Mine."

However, the aura felt different than before.

It was sticky, indescribable, and peculiar.

-A student from Korea Hero Academy, perhaps? Currently, a high-level Mine has escaped and is being pursued.

The words the man had uttered earlier echoed in my ears.

I never imagined they would come back to haunt me like this.

-You've got good senses.

A dragging sound echoed as the figure revealed itself.

The Mine looked pitiable.

His right arm had been completely torn off, and half of one leg seemed to have been brutally ripped away.

Two fingers were missing from his remaining left arm.

One of his eyes was gone, and countless scars littered his body, evidence of past battles.

It was a marvel he had any limbs intact at all.

Crawling with one hand, the Mine eventually grabbed a sword and eyed us.

"Did kids like you do this?"

His swordsmanship was infamous, and he was known as Ghost Blade.

"This is bad."

The Mine was visibly weakened.

But, in a testament to his unique vitality, I could see fresh skin starting to grow back.

"It seems hard to escape now."

‘Yeah.’

The distance between the Mine and us was about 50 meters.

Yet, at this range, he could easily swing his blade and end us.

I slowly readied my dark blade.

Kim Seohyun did the same, his face tense but not showing any signs of fear.

A smirk formed on Ghost Blade's lips, finding our readiness amusing.

‘He finds it laughable because he’s that confident.’

These Mines, known as "Legends," had changed the very rules of the world.

A single attack from them could easily wipe out dozens.

To put it simply, if Ghost Blade was in his prime, not even the combined forces of Instructor Seo Woojoo, Kim Seohyun, and Ersil would stand a chance.

"Master, it seems his hearing is damaged too."

‘His balance is all off.’

I assessed the situation.

Even though he wasn't at full strength, our opponent was a formidable foe.

‘Be careful.’

I mentally communicated my concerns and observations to Kim Seohyun.

His demeanor shifted, although he still remained calm.

"Pests. Normally, I'd torture you before killing, but I'll grant a swift end."

Ghost Blade drew his blade.

Half of it was missing, and there were visible cracks.

However, the speed of his strike was extraordinary.

In a fraction of a second, even with my enhanced vision, I barely evaded the sword strike by rolling to the side.

A splitting sound echoed as everything caught in the sword's path—plant remains, the stone wall, air, and even magic—was severed by the blade.

‘What kind of swordsmanship is this?!’

The power he inscribed into the world was simple: the ability to cut anything.

His sword possessed a divine-like power, able to slice through any substance.

As my vision blurred, I acted quickly, drawing my dark blade and channeling energy into it.

"Hmm? A Hero candidate?"

The Mine's brow furrowed slightly.

“I'll lead the attack!”

“Understood!”

As I shouted, Kim Seohyun hesitated for a moment before preparing to back me up.

"You brat."

His sword flashed again, aiming directly for my neck even as it appeared faintly in my enhanced vision.

I gripped my dark blade tighter and poured all my energy into it, wielding it with the finesse of Black Flash Swordsmanship.

With a resounding clash, our blades met.

The clash of swords sent an immense shockwave through the air.

'What?'

The power was no joke. I was instantly pushed backward.

[Master's heart!]

Heavenly Demon shouted. Instinctively, I swung the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

Zzzzzing!

Recoil.

I surrendered to the force, retreating swiftly.

'...More than I imagined.'

[The real deal starts with the top blow. The difference between a mid-blow and a top blow is not just a trivial matter.]

Whew.

Catching my breath, I glanced at my opponent.

The opponent's complexion seemed a bit better.

They might have exhausted some strength, but the regenerative ability they acquired after becoming a Mine was outpacing that fatigue.

'Annoying.'

A drawn-out battle won't work.

I must settle this in a quick confrontation.

Though there are heroes in this place, I doubt they'll find the hidden dungeon soon.

'Terrible conditions.'

I looked over at Kim Seohyun.

Thankfully, there were no signs of him 'going berserk.'

I opened the item space and took out some elixirs, then handed Kim Seohyun a magic elixir.

'Drink this. It'll boost your magic.'

Nod.

Communicating through thought, Kim Seohyun nodded. He poured the liquid into his mouth using his mind.

I drew a black sword from the jet-black bracelet. Then, it split.

All five black swords floated, controlled by thought.

I gripped the Black Heavenly Demon Sword.

The elixir rejuvenated my body. My senses sharpened, and my stamina solidified.

"Whew."

Taking a deep breath, I focused on the enemy ahead.

By all means, this opponent is someone I shouldn't dare to face now.

Still,

I feel like giving it a shot.

enjoy! :)

hmm i wonder how this will go

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