chapter 19
19 – First Half of Training (1)
Ding-dong!
[1043… 1044… 1045…]
The student cafeteria. My order number appeared on the central screen.
It was the signal to pick up the food since it was ready.
Buwoong─
I was still seated. It wasn’t me who went to collect the food; it was a spoon that took my place.
The spoon flew to the food court, carrying a tray, and returned to my table.
Thanks to the artifact, serving with the tray was now easier. Before, it was just about wearing clothes.
Perhaps due to the artifact’s effects, or maybe it was the magic recovery effect, the strain on my body was less than before.
Indeed, it seemed like a legendary-grade artifact.
“Oh, the spoon. I haven’t seen that bracelet before.”
Just before picking up the first spoonful, the tattooed guy passing by commented. He recognized the bracelet I was wearing.
I extended my wrist.
“Does it suit me a bit?”
“Suits? Not at all. It doesn’t suit you at all. Isn’t that a bracelet for women?”
“As expected.”
I knew it, but hearing those words from someone else hurt a bit.
I hid the bracelet within my sleeve.
“Did you choose the bracelet yourself?”
The tattooed guy stepped back in surprise, showing signs of caution. He seemed wary of me.
Explanation was needed.
“How do you see me? Do you seriously think I bought this bracelet myself?”
“I almost misunderstood again.”
The tattooed guy sighed in relief and placed a tray in front of me.
“If you didn’t buy it… then is it a gift?”
“Something like that.”
“Oh, from a girl?”
The tattooed guy raised his eyebrows like a gambler who pulled off a winning move.
I almost threw kimchi at his creepy face. It was that unsettling.
“Why so silent? Did a girl give it to you?”
“I’ll refrain from commenting.”
“hehehehe. You’re a woman, indeed. So, who are you? Give me a little hint.”
Now, a tattooed guy was leaning towards me, almost invading my personal space. Seriously considering giving him a punch.
“It’s not something given in that sense. This bracelet is an artifact.”
“Artifact?”
The tattooed guy tilted his head. Afterward, he pulled back his body, returning it to its original position.
“What, it was just an artifact? Ah, what a letdown.”
“I told you before. It’s not something given in that sense.”
I decided to finish my meal. Today’s menu was Sundubu Jjambbong, a dish where you could enjoy spicy Jjambbong and soft Sundubu at the same time.
As side dishes, there were Jachae and Kimchi.
“Well, maybe I should change my artifact too. It’s been used for too long.”
The tattooed guy murmured to himself, stroking his neck.
“Do you have an artifact too?”
“Yeah, I do. This is my artifact.”
He pointed to his neck, precisely where the tattoo was engraved.
“That tattoo is an artifact?”
“How is it? Isn’t it fascinating? If it’s like this, no one will steal it.”
The forms of artifacts were endless.
Things like the pattern on the tattooed guy’s body could be artifacts, and there were artifacts that were ingested orally like pills.
It didn’t mean that accessories were everything.
I knew that, but seeing it like this, it was quite fascinating.
“Even if it’s an artifact, still. Forcing a tattoo that doesn’t match on your body. I’d rather wear this bracelet and talk.”
“My mother engraved this, you know?”
“Your mother has incredible skills. Can I make a reservation too? I’d like to have a consultation sometime. When can I schedule one?”
This crazy guy. To ask for a consultation about a tattoo here.
I almost became the only strange person here.
***
After finishing lunch, I decided to take a short break on an outdoor bench.
People need a certain amount of sunlight each day. That’s how bones become stronger, and immunity increases.
From now on, I should pay more attention to my health. And also, be careful not to collapse suddenly.
“….”
─── Andvari ───
Rank: Unique
▶ Active Skill [Open]
▶ Passive Skill [Locked]
▶ Function [Open] – There are acquirable skills!
Available SP Points: 1
*This item is exclusive to this character!
───
Meanwhile, there was someone who received SP points as a reward for defeating monsters in the previous shop.
There’s still some time until the next lecture, so I should fiddle with the skill window or something.
I immediately opened the Function tab.
─── Andvari ───
▶ Function
[Giantification]
[NEW! Blind Side: Skill acquirable, requires 1 SP point]
[???]
[???]
───
The new skill that appeared this time, Blind Side.
Just by looking at the name, I can’t figure out what kind of skill it is. Maybe it’s related to vision?
Instead of just guessing while sitting still, it would be better to try it out for myself to know for sure.
I decided to learn the skill.
[Function: Acquired Blind Side skill!]
How do I use this skill? Should I start by taking out a spoon?
I took out the spoon that I had put in my pocket.
“…!”
I was startled and almost fell backwards with the bench.
As soon as I held the spoon, two landscapes started unfolding before my eyes.
One was the front view I was looking at with my eyes.
One was the grassy field just behind the bench where my eyes couldn’t reach.
The grassy field I was currently looking at wasn’t a scene that entered my brain through my eyes, passing through the retinas.
It was a vision perceived distinctly from somewhere else.
Where on earth was it originating from?
Could it be this spoon?
I slightly turned the head of the spoon.
Then, from the grassy field that was prominently displayed, the scenery changed to people passing by on the roadside.
“Oh…”
I could tell from this. The blind side was a skill provided by my new eye.
The medium for this was the spoon.
With just this spoon, I could check behind me without turning my back, like thinking about a car’s rearview mirror.
“Perhaps…”
With telekinesis, observing narrow gaps might also be possible.
For example, under the bed or behind the refrigerator.
Later, I should go back to the room and look for the lost coins or something.
***
“Ahh… I ate well again today.”
Arna patted her stomach as she exited the student cafeteria.
She unintentionally overate from lunch onwards.
Originally, she had planned to finish with just a bowl of cold noodles, but as she ate, the desire for beef bulgogi arose, so she ended up ordering that too.
It couldn’t be helped. They do say cold noodles’ eternal companion is bulgogi. Passing up bulgogi is not a matter of courtesy towards cold noodles.
Moreover, eating just noodles leaves the stomach unsatisfied. You need to eat meat along with it for a hearty meal.
“Now, what would be good for dessert? Let’s go to a cafe and think about it.”
Even though her stomach was full, there’s always room for dessert.
Arna’s steps were headed towards the cafe.
Since she had sweet potato mousse cake yesterday, today, let’s try something other than cake varieties.
“Huh…?”
Humming a tune, cheerfully heading to the cafe, Arna suddenly stopped for a moment.
She had spotted the mischievous villain Shin Yoonsung sitting on a bench in the distance.
“What are you doing over there…?”
Shin Yoon-seong just sat there quietly. It wasn’t like he was using his phone. He just held a spoon and stared blankly.
With no movement at all, it seemed as if he was admiring a statue.
“Is he having a staring contest with the spoon…?”
The scene was quite unusual. He was just standing on the street, staring at the spoon.
Even passing students found it intriguing, glancing at Shin Yoon-seong from time to time.
That’s how peculiar his behavior was.
“Just a moment….”
Right now, Shin Yoon-seong was more focused than ever. He had no time to look around; he poured all his attention onto the spoon.
In other words, he was vulnerable.
In that moment, Arna came up with a mischievous idea.
“hehehehe….”
With a smile, she slowly approached Shin Yoon-seong. Without making any noise with her footsteps, very slowly, she targeted the back of Shin Yoon-seong.
Since she had always been the one getting pranked, this time, she was going to give a big surprise from her side.
She had to shock him enough that he couldn’t even scream.
Quietly.
Quietly.
“….”
Before she knew it, she was right in front of him.
She was so close that she could hear Shin Yoon-seong’s breathing.
Arna cautiously raised her hands.
She was about to push his shoulders firmly.
Let’s see what kind of reaction he’ll show. It’s already getting fun.
Crack!
But ironically, it was Arna who got hit.
Just as she reached out her hand, the spoon struck Arna’s forehead first.
“How, how did…?”
Arna grabbed her swollen forehead and mumbled.
This can’t be. He was clearly looking at the spoon, right? How did he notice it was coming from behind? Moreover, without even turning around, he just moved his hand and swung the spoon.
As long as there’s no eye on the back of the head, that seems impossible….
“I’ve told you every time.”
Only then did Shin Yoon-sung begin to turn his head, accompanied by a smile.
“I know more about you than anyone else.”