Chapter 151

The next day.

It was magic practical class time, so instead of our usual classroom, we gathered in an open space a bit away from the building.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t entirely an open space.

There’s a wide sandy area surrounded by something like a wall.

I thought I didn’t remember what this structure was for, but then the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign’s memories lit up.

A device that makes qi flow stagnate.

In short, it gathers magical power. I guessed it probably also stops attacks from flying too far, but apparently not.

Meanwhile, the teacher came with some bulky machinery and set it up at the center.

As we waited silently, the teacher called each person one by one to cast some kind of spell.

“Hmph, this place is just the same.”

When Victoria muttered that, I checked my memories again.

At the Clockwork Knight School, magic is used when operating machines or tuning devices corresponding to universal knowledge. There’s nothing similar here though.

Looking further back into old memories, I found they used to make a small light orb in front of a tiny machine for measurement.

Thinking it might be the same thing, I observed, and indeed it was.

Here too, they made a light orb and placed it on a rather large machine. Then there was a tapping sound from below, and the machine spat out a perforated paper.

“Wow, they’re still using such outdated stuff…”

Judging from Victoria’s comment, it seems like really old equipment. Since this is the Royal Academy, they should have good support, so why aren’t they using better gear?

One by one, people who’ve used their magic move farther away and start casting spells around.

Most don’t use powerful spells that send massive fireballs flying or split the ground apart. No, they can’t even do that.

Small sparks fly, thin streams of water trickle, or the ground barely rises a little.

Of course, there are those who can use spells dangerous enough to harm others.

Some shoot electricity from their hands, create whirlwinds, or conjure spears of fire. The kids around them look on with admiration or jealousy.

It’s more like the kind of stares people give to good athletes.

In another world, it’d be like looking at someone with high martial arts skills.

It was Victoria’s turn next, and finally mine.

So I went up to the teacher and said:

“I can’t use magical power.”

Instantly, everyone went quiet. The teacher looked shocked as they stared at me. While I technically could produce effects similar to magic, doing so risks breaking the world, so saying “no” is correct.

“But… so, that healing ability isn’t magic?”

By now, everyone knows I can heal people, along with its side effects.

I nodded at the teacher’s question.

According to Daegon and the Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, I exist at the opposite pole of magical power. So, not wrong.

“It’s a contract. Not magic.”

The teacher pondered for a moment before coming closer.

“Just in case, let me check. People who can’t use magic are extremely rare.”

From the looks of the other students, it seemed like admitting you couldn’t use magic was akin to declaring a disability. But since I had no qualms, I extended my arm to the teacher.

The teacher held my arm and stayed silent.

I felt absolutely nothing. But suddenly, the teacher’s face turned pale, and they quickly let go as if electrocuted.

Even Tianma felt something strange when they infused my body with qi once. Though that was after the Harvester system was created, so I’m not sure if Tianma experienced exactly the same coldness I did.

But I remember this person reacted physiologically the same way.

The teacher too.

Even though it wasn’t cold weather, the teacher’s capillaries contracted, their hair stood on end, and their body shivered trying to generate warmth.

“I can’t use magical power.”

Just like how a deep-sea fish can’t breathe air, what can’t be done simply can’t be done.

The teacher was drenched in sweat.

Well, it’s early autumn now. Their body tried to preserve heat thinking it was cold, so naturally, they’re hot.

“Maybe you should go somewhere where you can get treated? You seem unwell.”

At my question, the teacher slowly nodded with a dazed expression. Weirdly, some of the kids nearby flinched when I said that.

Looking at their faces filled with fear, they must think I did something, right?

They’re just reacting because the teacher touched me and got startled. Clearly, I did nothing wrong.

Shaking uncontrollably, the teacher declared the lesson over, picked up the equipment and the perforated papers, and left the practical session area.

“What did you do?”

Victoria casually approached me and asked. I could see others perking up their ears nearby.

I shook my head.

“Nothing. Have I ever used anything besides what you call psychic abilities in this world?”

After thinking for a moment, Victoria raised both hands, placing one above and one below, then brought them together.

“When you transformed?”

“Oh, right. That happened.”

Strange memories stirred within me.

There weren’t many words—just “Soo-oh’s Divine Art: Choseol.”

I inspected it when I had time. Aside from the characters, there was nothing special about it. Just that.

But back then, things were different.

I still remember. The characters for “Soo-oh’s Divine Art: Choseol” flashed in my memory, then my form changed. For a brief moment, Soo-oh’s memories illuminated.

Even now, I’m unsure.

“It’s my vessel, so it’s different. And going back to that form is impossible anyway.”

“Yeah… It’s probably better that turning into a 25-foot Fishman is impossible.”

That image must’ve come to mind because Victoria crossed her arms, nodded, and agreed.

“That vessel was designed to hold a god. That’s why a monster like me could enter.”

Victoria nodded, though her expression suggested she only half-understood. From the faint traces of contempt and fear in her face, that incident must’ve been pretty terrifying.

No need to dwell on unpleasant memories.

“Victoria, you seem to recognize that machine well?”

I subtly steered the topic towards something Victoria knew well.

And it was the right choice.

Victoria started talking nonstop, like a waterfall.

She must’ve assumed I knew nothing, so her explanation was long-winded. Filtering out unnecessary information based on what I already knew from Victoria’s knowledge, it boiled down to this:

An ancient top-tier device.

Though schools and facilities with decent equipment have testing machines, this one surpasses them in specs. However, its UI and accessories are outdated.

It’s still functioning well despite being a bit old, and since it works fine and isn’t bad performance-wise, there’s no real need to replace it, she explained.

While enthusiastically explaining, any lingering bad feelings from earlier seemed to vanish from her expression.

Alright.

Mission accomplished.

Also, after Victoria’s torrent of words, the students who’d been eavesdropping on us disappeared.

“In order to become a Clockwork Knight in the future, Victoria needs to study hard.”

So I decided to try an interesting experiment.

At my words, Victoria stopped talking and gave me a reproachful look.

Because this Royal Academy teaches not Clockwork Knights themselves, but those who handle them. And who told me that, if not Victoria herself?

“So you know you can’t do it.”

Her tone carried a hint of nagging.

But I replied:

“Are you going to give up your dream? Just because of a few hours a day? Because you feel oppressed?”

At my words, Victoria fell silent. She wore an expression of deep contemplation.

I observed her.

How can I draw out her desires? If there’s something blocking her, I’ll teach her to break through it.

Use force if you have strength; use your mind if that’s required.

The more unshakable one’s beliefs, the easier it is to kill others. When doing the right thing, one can continue killing without guilt.

In that sense, random murderers aren’t ideal. Especially those who feel guilt—they likely won’t yield much harvest.

Serial killers are fine. They’re fast food that can easily fill your stomach in a short time.

Like clogged blood vessels, the purple hair symbolizing the Harvester has become stigmatized, making me socially ostracized. That’s a problem.

Those who follow laws and norms but twist them to their own whims are the best. Using the collective system itself to achieve personal goals while hiding behind it.

The ultimate harvester capable of obtaining vast amounts of warmth over a long period.

I’ll try shaping an ordinary, seemingly good person into that.

Childhood dreams are the easiest bait to manipulate.

“Why are you saying this?”

I glanced around. A few people were still listening to us, but most had lost interest.

Perfect.

“I believe people should do what they want.”

Yes, the words to lead desires are already set. I plan to take things a step further this time compared to before.

In the second world, I did nothing.

This time, I’ll proceed carefully but with bold strides.

“Victoria, the same goes for you. People must dream, right?”

With pure malice, I wish for every person to thoroughly trample others in pursuit of their own desires.

“What, are you cheering for my dream?”

“Yes, exactly. If you’ve lost your way, find it again. You have the strength to do so, don’t you?”

You have the psychic ability to control water. Perfect for slaughter or assassination. Water is more dangerous than it looks.

Victoria stared at me blankly for a moment, then suddenly hugged me tightly.

“Bell is the best!”

I ended up floating in the air and spinning around due to Victoria’s strength.

Thanks to that, I personally experienced the power that once shattered Sahagin’s skull.

After spinning me around a few times, Victoria gently placed me back on the ground and cupped my cheeks with both hands.

“Thank you.”

Then stepping back, Victoria stretched and smiled brighter than before.

Seeing that, I was pleased my words had truly sunk in.

Please give me plenty of warmth.

Victoria Bet.

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