The S-Classes That I Raised - Chapter 460: The Disciples (3)
“What did you discuss at the Dungeon Hotel back then? And why bring him? Are you going to train Seong Hyunjae too?”
Why include him now? He’s already more than competent. I mean, it wouldn’t hurt for Seong Hyunjae to get stronger, but it’s too early to fully trust him. I’ve heard the filial-drake cult is targeting him, and there’s still the Crescent Moon issue.
I’ve begged you to train my kids countless times! This is discrimination—special treatment!
“You tried to whack me with a lobster, yet suddenly you like him? Or did he give you something? What did he give you? Huh? You got something?”
“Gave me what?”
“So you just plan to teach him for free? How unfair—ack!”
My forehead stung. Young Chaos snapped a finger against it, clicking his tongue.
“Why would I train the Chain Master?”
Chain Master? Technically true, but calling him that makes Seong Hyunjae sound like some country blacksmith. Like a Living National Treasure of chain-smithing.
“He’s accumulated too much already. Better to roll him around than teach.”
“…Roll?”
“Push him to the brink of death.”
“…He’s not that bad.”
How much do you plan to beat him? First impressions aside, that wasn’t really Seong Hyunjae. He’s been polite enough recently.
“At our age, distinguishing good and evil—third, you try to pull Second in.”
“Pardon?”
I looked toward the lake but saw little. I scooped up Peace and used the Teacher skill—then saw Yerim floundering in the water.
“…She fell in.”
“Second evaded it.”
Yerim flapped her arms wildly, shouting something I couldn’t hear. Yuhyun had already dashed to the shore. Yerim seemed set to climb out, then changed course and started swimming across.
“That’s fine. Third controls water. Minimizing her mana in the water will help her learn movement.”
I see. Maybe I should buy the pool built temporarily for Mar’s quarters. Replace the rooftop hot spring with a pool.
Yerim’s swim was slower than running, of course, but she cut across the lake’s center, so her time nearly matched Yuhyun’s. Not a race, but still.
“If you keep him nearby, bring him periodically. I’ll check on him.”
“Check on what? His accumulation? Checking’s fine, but only checking, right?”
He won’t wipe him out if his condition’s poor, right?
“Sure. He’ll decide what to do.”
By then Yuhyun had returned—no sign of weariness despite the distance. Soon, soaking wet, Yerim arrived. She glowered at Yuhyun and flicked wet hair from her face.
“Run again.”
Young Chaos said. What?
“Again? You intend to make them run all day?”
“Running alone takes too long. Rabbit.”
[Yes!]
“Create a hill by the lake.”
Rumbl—space shivered, and a small hill rose at the lake’s edge. Two shovels materialized in Yuhyun’s and Yerim’s hands. No way.
“Fill the lake.”
“Elder!”
We’ve made a big problem! Kids, I’m sorry!
“And no mana again.”
…Training. It’s necessary, I know, yet it still hurts. What a grueling ordeal. Seeing my grimace, Yuhyun and Yerim comforted me.
“We’re fine, don’t worry, Mister.”
“Yeah, hyung. We’re okay—just rest.”
“…Don’t overdo it.”
“We have to.”
Young Chaos cut in.
“You must exhaust yourselves until you can’t move.”
“That much?”
“Then you begin to support yourselves with pure mana. This is the best way to rapidly hone mana control and sensitivity.”
I had no reply. I watched them trudge up the hill, hearts heavy. Basic training is brutal. I sighed.
[Honey, want a snack?]
The rookie bobbed. No snacks, thanks.
“I want to ask about this.”
I pulled the King of Harmless’s 71st Drawer cube from inventory. The volleyball’s painted face wobbled.
“The King of Harmless gave me this—safe?”
[One moment!]
Tentacles slid from the volleyball. Ugh. They probed the cube in my hand.
[Hmm, you are recognized as owner. The interior isn’t very large.]
“You said we could enter multiple times. Right? I won’t get trapped inside?”
[Correct. But your mana is limited. Without replenishment, about thirty entries per person. It’s a simple storage, unlike the blacksmith’s forge.]
A pocket dimension built on the cheap, apparently.
[I can’t map it fully. So initially, only you should enter.]
“Just me?”
[Yes. You have damage-nullification items and being the drawer’s owner you can exit anytime.]
Even if monsters lurk, I can always pop out. Maybe I should use my L-rank gratitude there.
[Drawer grade is SSS? That means only sub-SSS items can be stored—no issues!]
SSS safety, indeed. I have poison and curse resistance ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) too.
[But avoid using it inside dungeons—dungeons are system-made storage too, so it can glitch, like when the blacksmith contacted me through the forge.]
“Understood. Thanks.”
[You’re welcome! Any time.]
I’ll test it at home. Hope to find SSS gear. I stowed the drawer and asked the rookie,
“Any other news? About the Transcendents.”
[Their gap with you is still huge. Though it seems they’re up to something!]
That’s why they target Seong Hyunjae. Wait—then perhaps—
“Chatterboxes, they don’t know much about pre-regression me?”
[They barely know you then. You only drew attention at the end… you weren’t deemed someone requiring caution.]
The rookie apologized.
[There were two native S-ranks then too.]
“But many had similar status. At that time—oh yes! The Dragon Rider. After S-ranks, she’s the best documented in Korea.]
Right. Soyeong was close to Seong Hyunjae and, as acting guild leader, often with Yuhyun too. And Hyun-ah and Director Song. Even if they mingled with me pre-regression, their interaction frequency would trail Soyeong’s.
Also Seok Simyung and senior healers, etc. So my pre-regression intel among the filth-spawn side will be few.
“Could I propose a fair duel?”
[You could suggest it. But unlikely to be accepted.]
“Alright, rookie. How about this?”
The rookie bobbed excitedly.
[Sounds good! But isn’t it disadvantageous for you?]
“No, not at all. But present it as your idea.”
[Understood!]
It’s a safe method that seems unfavorable but actually works in my favor. Hope they bite.
“Ugh…”
Over half the hill vanished, and Yerim collapsed first. Seriously exhausted, she lay flat.
“Ugh…”
“Elder! Yerim’s truly spent.”
“I’m too tired to gripe.”
“Gripe? That?”
“He’s upset at losing to Second. He’s cursing him.”
How did you understand that? Even Yuhyun’s shoveling slowed, sweat beading his brow. S-rank or not, fire skills or not.
Young Chaos approached Yerim and tapped her shoulder with the rod’s tip.
“Try to stand, youngest.”
“…Ugh.”
“Yerim…”
“Exert yourself until you can’t even twitch a finger.”
As she twitched, Yuhyun’s shovel struck a rock—clang—knocking him to one knee. Oh no, my brother! An S-rank, unable to break a boulder!
“Yuhyun! If you’re done, you can rest too!”
“…I’m okay.”
He rose, brushed aside the rock, and resumed. He’d shed his shirt long ago, sleeves rolled up. Hands and forearms caked in earth. He carried a mound of soil to the lake and dumped it in. He wasn’t staggering, but his steps were definitely slower.
“Aren’t you moved by their plight?”
“Watching you flounder is pitiful enough.”
“Urrgh…”
Yerim mumbled agreement, drooping into stillness.
“Yerim!”
She’s still breathing, right? Young Chaos prodded her shoulder again.
“Good. Now release mana slowly. Just enough to stand.”
Her chest rose and fell deeply. With a deep breath, she began to move. Fingers twitched, then hands pressed into the ground as she sat up.
“Phew… this feels weird. It’s my body… but I move like a puppet…”
“Focus on how the flow settles in every part of your body. You’ve used your body all your life without noticing these sensations. No one lives thinking through every movement.”
True. We walk and grasp without pondering muscle angles or joint torque. Only breathing or tongue position sometimes intrudes.
Yerim rose, wavering, then took up the shovel.
“Shall I continue?”
“No more digging. Walk around the lake slowly. Keep focusing on body and mana.”
“Yes!”
She walked. After some time, Yuhyun collapsed again—this time on both knees. He exhaled deeply, tried to rise, but his legs and even arms trembled visibly. Yet he forced himself up, took a few steps, then fell completely. My heart broke.
Young Chaos checked Yuhyun’s state, repeating the same with him. Tonight I’ll feed them a health stew—maybe chicken soup.
After several laps, Young Chaos allowed them to release the mana limit. The children, who’d used barely enough mana to move, brightened instantly.
“Wow, I feel alive again!”
Yerim waved her arms. Watching them look like they’d rolled in the wild for a week, I thought maybe Seong Hyunjae could use rolling too—adults should set the example.
“May I wash my face?”
Yerim created a water droplet. But not a simple one.
“Look, Mister!”
The water formed a perfect hemisphere, handles included, like carved by a master sculptor. It wavered not at all, as if contained in an invisible bowl. Amazed, she cried,
“It used to slosh! This is so fast!”
“Don’t get cocky. It won’t last hours.”
Though their mana was still sensitive, they’d return to normal soon. Yet Yerim beamed. Yuhyun drew some flame mana and brightened.
“If we keep training, could we maintain this?”
“We could, but—”
“I look forward to working with you!”
“Likewise.”
The pair bowed, and Young Chaos shrugged.
“Well, I promised. Even if I grumble, I’ll keep an eye on you.”
His tone was offhand, not displeased. Next time, maybe I’ll bring his favorite food.
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