Chapter 116

“Yeonmaru Angshil Partyae Chodaehamnida.”

“Uri Yul-i ije geoldo jal lone?”

“Hihii.”

Lately, Yul has been learning both speech and writing. With a rapid and steady learning pace, teaching becomes enjoyable. Anne and Evangelin take turns diligently teaching something, which is proof of this.

The pronunciation is slightly off, but it’s an attribute of young children, so it’s understandable. It’s even kind of cute that way. There’s no real need to correct it perfectly.

“Angshil Party ga moyah?”

“Royal Palace party is now… Minho will explain instead.”

Then Anne looks at me with earnest eyes. I shift my gaze from her adorable look to Yul who’s staring back full of anticipation.

“Do you know what a party is?”

“Mora.”

“It’s a place where you play and have fun.”

“Nora?”

“Un.”

While hooked on the word ‘party’ rather than ‘royal,’ Yul mutters that playing is the best. A familiar melody crossed my mind, but I shake my head to clear it.

Actually, it isn’t wrong—it’s mainly about gathering, chatting, and having fun after all.

In the process, people might subtly scheme or gossip behind each other’s backs, but there’s no need for a child to understand such complexities. Simply knowing it as a place to enjoy oneself is enough.

“Me too!”

Sticking to my leg like glue, Yul repeats “me too!” Wanting to be brought along to the royal palace party?

“Do you want to come along?”

“Un!”

It’s the age when playing is most cherished. Plus, being showered with love from Anne and Evangelin makes the world seem beautiful. Hopefully, they won’t get hurt by anything else.

Still, it feels a bit excessive to avoid bringing a child due to potential wounds that may not even happen. Somewhere I heard that showing kids many things and letting them experience diverse situations helps in parenting.

If guided well, only allowing them to see good things should work fine.

With such thoughts, I pick up the invitation. Garim delivered the royal palace party invitation. When conducting regular transactions, he handed over the invitation insisting we must attend.

At the time, I saw the royal seal—a roaring lion and an eagle holding a snake, familiar from royal carriages, but seeing it on official documents gave a different impression.

To celebrate the achievements of commoners who rose to nobility, fallen nobles regaining their status, and those climbing higher within the noble ranks, the royal banquet aims to expand networks. The invitation strongly urged me to attend by a set date.

The date is Winter’s 30th day. Today is Autumn’s 56th day, so exactly 30 days remain—about a month by Earth’s calculations.

A month…

Long if you think it is, yet sometimes incredibly short.

“Are you interested in the royal palace party?”

“Eh?”

“You can bring as many companions or family members as you wish.”

“Really?”

“That’s right. How about Yul, Anne, Evangelin, Jack, and us five going together?”

“I like it!”

Anne excitedly starts explaining to Yul about the kingdom’s capital, what’s there, etc.

Since teleportation lacks romance, we need solid preparation. Let’s leisurely travel by carriage for about two weeks, arrive early to explore the capital, and make it a winter family trip.

“A family trip, huh.”

“Family… Un.”

The word feels warm, doesn’t it? Excited Anne calms down and smiles happily.

Fortunately, I haven’t seen the backside of the invitation yet.

When Garim gave me the invitation, there was one more piece of information just for me.

This is an annual event held alongside year-end ceremonies. Most nobles participate since it happens every year.

Subtle disdain and disrespect towards commoners are expected. If your abilities fall short, various tests might be thrown your way.

Reading this made me somewhat understand what ‘their exclusive league’ means—the power of the privileged class. While there’s no need to provoke them unnecessarily, if they cross the line first, I should be able to counter adequately—I believe my skills are sufficient.

There’s no real reason for us to act unless provoked first. I can easily ignore mild disrespect while maintaining a presence.

“Soo much picnic requires lots of packed lunches!”

“Waaaaaah!”

Yul cheers at the mention of packed lunches. Occasionally, we go out for lunch, and thanks to Evangelin’s delicious packing, Yul begs to go on picnics daily. Her culinary prowess at work.

“I’ll tell my younger sibling too.”

“Will the spirits feel left out for not coming along?”

“It’ll be fine. Being together is better than staying home alone. It’s a family trip, after all.”

“That’s right. Since it’s a family trip.”

Saying this, I gently hold Yul, who was about to dash outside, using magic. My control over mana has become quite natural. Instead of physically rushing over to stop him, using mana to softly halt his movement has become routine.

As evidence, a system message announces new updates.

[You have qualified to advance to the Advanced Level!]

[Your current Magic is Advanced Level 1 (Pending) and will reach Advanced Level 1 upon fulfilling the necessary conditions!]

[Conditions are as follows:

1. Achievement: Who Owns Magic? Complete.

2. Achievement: Have You Tried Everything? Complete.

3. Achievement: I Am An Expert! Complete.]

[You have qualified to advance to the Advanced Level!]

[Your current System is Advanced Level 1 (Pending) and will reach Advanced Level 1 upon fulfilling the necessary conditions!]

[Conditions are as follows:

1. Achievement: Hidden? What’s That? Complete.

2. Achievement: Thank You, Achievements! Complete.

3. Achievement: Let’s Go On A Journey! Complete.]

Two amazing announcements!

System and Magic have simultaneously reached conditions to advance to advanced levels, which is pretty exciting.

“EEEENNGGHH.”

Yul struggles against the magical restraint binding him, eventually slumping down, looking dejected.

“You shouldn’t rush.”

“Nee…”

“That’s right. Good boy.”

“Hehe.”

With the thought “Our Yul is adorable,” I pat his head, and he quickly returns to smiling. Emotions change rapidly in children.

“I’ll be out for a bit.”

“Take care. Yul-ah, come here. Don’t forget to say goodbye before I leave.”

“Un! Take care!”

Responding to the affectionate call, Yul lets go of my hand and dives into Evangelin’s embrace. Seeing him bury his head in her warm chest and mumble makes him look adorable. With their farewell, I step outside.

Stepping out, the cold wind hits my face. Tucking my collar is a natural human reaction.

Slowly walking aimlessly along the road, I recall the messages that just came up.

Conditions to reach the advanced level.

‘Magic’s Owner?’ achievement unlocks naturally upon meeting a dragon.

‘Tried Everything?’ involves using all types of magic at least once. Not hard since I learned magic through the system. Although dark magic like necromancy feels a bit uneasy, carefully using it in private shouldn’t be difficult.

‘I Am An Expert!’ is unlocked by repeating the same magic over ten thousand times. This naturally broke due to my consistent practice of telekinesis.

Easier than expected. Probably because I’ve been studying magic diligently. Two achievements already cleared, so completing one more condition will allow me to advance to the next stage.

The problem lies with the system.

The ‘Hidden? What’s That?’ achievement involves purchasing mods. Prices range upwards of several hundred million.

Items like bag expansion for 2 million gold or magic specialization for 8 million gold are realistically achievable environments. The prospect of improving magic usability tempts me to invest up to 8 million gold. Funds will surely grow once equipment and cocktails gain popularity again. Ideally, I’d prefer unlocking the useful magic mod over the less essential bag mod, which is expensive indeed. Encouraged by achievements like these, opening one mod seems reasonable.

Next, the oddly named ‘Thank You, Achievements!’ achievement.

Its condition is genuinely peculiar—genuinely thanking the system ten times a day for ten consecutive days.

Does the system want gratitude?

Unclear what it signifies, but it’s not particularly difficult, so I decide to start sincerely expressing gratitude ten times daily starting today. Better than spending 8 million gold.

Lastly, ‘Let’s Go On A Journey!’

This achievement unlocks after completing two explorations. Having already completed Dragon Ruins, I need to decide our next destination.

“Trickier than expected.”

Magic is fine, but the system side is surprisingly challenging. Prioritizing solving easier tasks first with time.

Above all, winter is packed with things to do.

Starting with the main event—the Royal Banquet, achieving Farming Master level, advancing magic to advanced level, reaching expert level in various skills, expanding greenhouses, constructing village buildings.

Finding time amidst all this for exploration seems tight. Thus, handling it whenever time permits, taking things slowly and steadily, seems appropriate. Especially since increasing trade items like equipment and cocktails will inevitably make things busier. Adding blacksmith training will likely make it even more hectic.

For now, I’m satisfied with qualifying for the advanced level. Reaching the end of intermediate level itself is significant since breaking barriers isn’t easy.

Deciding to swiftly resolve magic-related matters while out, I enter a secluded forest and gradually cast every type of magic in a small clearing.

Control – dispersion and concentration of energy flow.

Ritual-based water barrier, barrier, curse.

General magic involving symbols, diagrams.

Special magic including dark magic, divine magic, soul, summoning, dimension, space-time.

Following the achievement’s instructions, I sequentially unleash all types of magic in a tiny clearing. Feeling a slight thrill at the realization that I can do all this.

Is it excitement?

Possessing the special ability to handle all forms of magic sends a palpable flutter through my heart. Confidence in my abilities and fulfillment of mastering magic.

“Haa…”

White and decaying land.

Space warping and twisting, barriers erected, cursed areas.

Mysterious symbols wielding unique powers, either concentrated or dispersed.

Results of all the magic I’ve unleashed. Not a pleasant sight given most unused magic tends to be dangerous.

Washing away traces with a massive surge of mana like a tidal wave. Where that’s impossible, counter-magic removes remnants as much as possible. Leaving behind a barren clearing.

Simultaneously achieving the achievement, a storm of mana surges through my entire body. Like wildfire across a plain, heated mana rises, bringing pain.

“Ugh… Right, advancing to advanced level hurts…”

Canceling plans to endure physically, I lean against a tree and sit down briefly. My collapsing body instinctively searches for painkillers and food with defensive buffs from my bag.

Similar feelings of weakness and pain during battles occur with magic too.

Struggling to maintain consciousness amidst fading awareness, I eventually lose it completely.