Instructor Seraphine glared at me before letting out a sigh.
"Well, fine. I'll concede this time. Judging by your condition, it seems it'll take quite a while for you to master my skills. Your Magical Power is woefully inadequate to begin with."
"Is that so?"
"…You'd better learn how to properly assess your own condition first. Here, grab on. I'll take you to the exit."
Wait, the exit?
Regaining my senses and returning to reality, I was still faced with nothing but the endless primeval forest.
How am I supposed to escape from the middle of this forest?
It couldn't mean going back the way we came.
"Is there an exit in the middle of this forest? It's just trees everywhere."
In the game, all I had to do was press the EXIT button.
But things are different here.
As I looked around, Instructor Seraphine clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Honestly, your observational skills are still abysmal, Leo. In a 'route-finding' Rift like this, the exit doesn't appear as a conveniently flashing door."
She pointed with her slender finger towards a massive, strangely twisted ancient tree in the distance. The tree was distinctly different from the surrounding trees, appearing to writhe like a living creature.
"Look over there."
"Huh? That tree? It just looks like a strangely shaped tree."
"That tree is a 'Rift Point.' It's a kind of weak spot in space."
"Ah, so do we break it to get out?"
"…The term 'break' is a bit violent, but it's not entirely wrong. The point is to inject Magical Power into the Rift Points scattered around, and find the real passage leading to the outside."
I understood.
There are Rift Points scattered throughout Eleven-Dash-One, and the exit is among them.
"Then hold on tight so you don't fall."
As soon as she finished speaking, Instructor Seraphine's body lightly floated into the air.
Before I could even prepare myself, I instinctively wrapped my arms tightly around her waist. My face flushed from the earlier memory, but now wasn't the time to worry about that.
"Eek! W-wait a minute, Instructor!"
"Hold on tight, Leo. It's your responsibility if you let go."
Instructor Seraphine tossed out a single sentence and immediately took action.
Bang!
As she gestured, a blue flash erupted from the twisted ancient tree she had pointed to earlier.
Then, the space around the tree began to ripple and distort like the surface of water.
"Wrong one."
Following that, she moved through the air to another point with a butterfly-like grace, yet at an unbelievable speed. I could only desperately cling to her waist, being tossed around this way and that.
The scenery flashed before my eyes, and beneath my feet was a dizzying void.
I wasn't afraid of heights, but this was too much! I was starting to feel nauseous.
"Keh, kehk! Instructor, please take it easy!"
"Be quiet! You'll disrupt my Magical Power control."
"I'm the master here! Is a summon supposed to treat their master like this? What if I fall and die here!"
"Don't worry. I have the situation under control."
I don't think so!
"Ugh, I'm gonna, gonna throw up…"
"Endure it. If you don't, I'll freeze your mouth shut."
"Ugh…"
Despite my pleas, she paid no heed and accurately shot Magical Power towards the other Rift Points scattered throughout the forest.
Whether she had already identified all the locations or was finding them on the spot with her exceptional senses, her accuracy was astonishing.
Each time a blue flash erupted, the space distorted, and black Rifts that seemed to lead somewhere briefly appeared in the air before disappearing.
Most of them seemed to be duds, closing immediately, but after several attempts, she finally found it.
[You have discovered the exit of Rift 'Eleven-Dash-One'!]
Before my eyes, a black vortex that was distinctly different from the other Rifts, stably open, appeared.
"Found it."
Instructor Seraphine said briefly, seemingly satisfied, and flew towards the vortex without hesitation.
I, too, squeezed her waist even tighter and squeezed my eyes shut.
Then, the pressure that had been enveloping my body disappeared, and I felt the sensation of solid ground beneath my feet.
I barely managed to steady my swaying body and opened my eyes.
Before me, the black vortex that had swallowed us just moments ago was slowly closing and disappearing, and beyond it, the familiar scenery around the tower entrance was unfolding.
"…We're out."
Ugh, I thought I was really going to die.
I forced strength into my wobbly legs and barely managed to stand up straight.
Looking around, I was relieved to see that there was still some time left before dawn, as the surroundings were still dim.
Instructor Seraphine, or rather, the clone Instructor, was tidying her clothes as if nothing had happened.
'Ugh, elites really are something else.'
I was honestly surprised.
What reason would there be to drag a high-level character into a low-level dungeon in a game?
I barely regained my senses and squeezed out a dying voice.
"F-first, let's quickly return to the dorm. It'll be troublesome if someone sees us."
"Who's going to see us at this hour."
"Still. Ugh, you never know."
I grabbed Instructor Seraphine's arm and urged her on.
"What a wretched disciple."
Instructor Seraphine wore a displeased expression but obediently matched my pace.
The path to the academy dorm, cutting through the cold morning air, was short but felt strangely long. Was it because I had just barely escaped death, or was it because of Instructor Seraphine?
Thump.
The memory from just now resurfaced, and a corner of my chest felt hot.
Before long, we arrived at the dorm.
It was just the right time, as the curfew had just ended.
"Then, I'll send Instructor back now."
"Hmm."
"Ah, Instructor Seraphine."
"What is it."
"When you go back, will, uh, will the real Instructor also remember what happened today?"
Instructor Seraphine immediately shook her head.
"Most likely not, the memories will remain only here. At best, only your paltry experience points will be transferred."
Ah, that's right.
Apart from what I absorbed, about half of the experience points the clone gained from her activities would be transferred directly to the main body, Instructor Seraphine.
'Although, with her high level, she probably won't even fill up 5%.'
Still, the thought that Instructor Seraphine would also gain something made the guilt that had been lingering in a corner of my heart feel a little lighter.
"Then, I look forward to working with you in the future."
"Yes. Do not cease your efforts in training."
"Return."
At my command, particles of blue light began to rise from her body. Her eyes, which had been lively and full of life, slowly lost focus, and the color drained from her entire body, turning into a cold, gray hue.
The same appearance I had seen when I first used the command, in the form of an emotionless wooden doll.
"…It really feels like a dream."
I plopped down on the bed and stared at the doll.
It's so amazing.
A skill that allows you to create and summon a clone.
To fight for me, and even do… that kind of thing…
"Ahem, honestly, I couldn't help it. What else is there besides direct absorption?"
All that came to mind were lewd things.
Today it was Instructor Seraphine, but next time I could summon someone else, my comrades from the game. It was a situation where I might have to repeat similar things anyway.
"Let's exclude men for now…"
What. It's not a weird thought.
Originally, in games, especially Korean games, female characters are strong, aren't they?
Anyway, it was an incredibly busy night.
"Koo…"
.
.
.
[Ding!]
[Updating changes!]
[Clone – Seraphine transfers a portion of proficiency experience to the main body.]
[Target: Seraphine (Main Body)]
[Total +4178xp transfer complete.]
[Details]
Ice Barrier Magic +1541xp
Cold Control +1544xp
Magical Power Detection +652xp
Magical Power Expansion +211xp
Instruction +230xp
Saliva Magical Power Conversion +Lv.1 (New!)
Oral Sensitivity +Lv.1 (New!)
Master Rapport +Lv.1 (New!)
Charm Imprint +Lv.1 (New!)
***
I woke up after sleeping.
"Haaam…"
Sunlight streamed in through the window blinds.
Looking at the time, it was already early evening, 5 PM.
Had I turned into a hopeless human timetable because I was so active in the early morning?
Well, nothing could be done about it.
I had gone through so much trouble in the early morning.
After lightly changing into training clothes, I left the dorm.
'Still, it's a bit cooler since it's evening.'
I walked along the shadows, avoiding the sunlight.
It wasn't Earth, but there was a sun.
That's how game settings are. They're usually conveniently designed.
'The infrastructure is all there too. Convenience stores and PC cafes.'
Looking at it from this perspective, Tartaros could be considered a second Earth.
It was all thanks to tearing off parts of Earth's cities and bringing them into the Rift. The infrastructure was maintained by magic stones instead of electricity, but modern civilization was preserved nonetheless.
There was criticism that it was an extremely convenient setting, but what could I do?
That's just how their world was.
What's more important is what will happen in the future.
No matter how convenient the world is, Dominant Evil is ultimately a malicious game that drives players into crisis.
Every time a new Rift occurs, hunter manpower is pushed in, and the manpower of the heroes of the front lines, the elite hunters, is eaten away.
The order is brought forward, and eventually, it becomes the protagonist's turn.
I had only just stepped onto the starting line in such a cruel game.
[You have acquired a new skill!]
[Growth Phase]
-Classification/Rank: Passive/Rare Lv.1
-Description: Accelerates growth. Affects skills, mind, and body.
"So, I definitely didn't get this skill from having lewd thoughts…?"
Yeah, to be honest, I woke up with a new skill.
A skill with a strange name called Growth Phase.
Wasn't it a skill that seemed more suitable for a pubescent boy?
With a doubtful feeling, I lowered my gaze. And lifted it up slightly.
Sticky underwear and a moderately sized object.
Ah, crap, wet dream.
I was hit with a wave of reality.
Just because I had my first kiss yesterday, this happened?
"Growth might be needed…"
The more, the better.
Judging by the description alone, it's definitely not an impure skill!
I quickly finished showering and headed to the academy.
The clone doll was with me.
It was originally a 1:1 scale human-sized doll, but I found a command to reduce its size.
I couldn't possibly drag around a human model every time.
'Should I go to the training grounds first?'
It was a holiday, but I couldn't just laze around.
I had obtained Ice Barrier Magic and Cold Control skills from that 'distribution' last night, but they hadn't properly settled into my body yet.
I needed to get used to them in advance.
Since it was a holiday and no one would be there, I could train without worrying about being watched.
Squeak-
When I opened the door to the training hall, a scene different from what I expected came into view.
In the middle of the wide training hall, a familiar silhouette was engrossed in training alone.
A cool chill surrounded her, and ice shards scattered in beautiful trajectories according to her movements.
It was Instructor Seraphine.
Not the clone, but the real Instructor Seraphine.
As expected, she's diligent…
The events of last night flashed through my mind, and my face flushed.
Just as I was about to unconsciously take a step back, she noticed me first and stopped moving.
"Leo?"
A voice that was cold yet mixed with some subtle emotion. She doesn't remember anything, does she?
Even though I knew she wouldn't, I felt guilty for no reason.
"Ah, good afternoon, Instructor Seraphine."
"..."
Ah, right. She's still angry about yesterday!
For a moment, I confused the clone with the main body and almost forgot. Now that I think about it, it's the day after I made such an absurd request…
I approached Instructor Seraphine and bowed deeply.
"I'm really sorry about yesterday! I made an presumptuous request!"
There was no response for a long time.
I swallowed hard and cautiously raised my head, and Instructor Seraphine was looking down at me with a gaze that was somehow different from usual.
What was that subtle look?
"…You came to train on a holiday?"
"Yes? Ah, yes, that's right!"
It was a softer tone than expected.
Normally, she would have sternly lectured me about school hours.
Is she in a good mood today?
"I have to improve my skills even a little bit. I can't keep causing trouble for Instructor!"
"It's good that you've finally come to your senses. It's a rare sight."
"W-well then, I'll go do some basic training at training ground 3 over there."
"Do as you wish."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Just as I was about to scurry away.
"Take this."
Instructor Seraphine threw a water bottle.
Ah, cold!
It was ice water that felt cold as soon as I touched it.
"Oh, um, this is…"
"Work hard in your training."
Instructor Seraphine nonchalantly returned to her own training.
Did Instructor freeze this water herself?
I was taken aback by her unusual kindness. I was sure she would be angry at me.
Thinking about it made me feel even more sorry for Instructor.
Even after receiving such a request, she has such a kind heart.
"Hoo, let's work hard!"
I forced myself to look away from Instructor and chose a training ground with no one in it.
In any case, I couldn't openly use the skills I had obtained last night in front of the real Instructor.
If I used 'Ice Barrier Magic Lv.1' or 'Cold Control Lv.1' in front of Instructor, the question "How did you get that?" would immediately come flying.
Of course, I had an excuse prepared…
It was the mittens I had made myself in the past.
The lowest-grade gloves that are easily torn even with a little rough handling.
Of course, they don't have any function, and they only get in the way of combat…
'If I use magic with these on, she'll think I finally made something decent.'
It was my own idea, but it was a plausible one.
"Hoo."
I took a deep breath and awakened my sense of Magical Power.
The method of using Magical Power is the same as when making an item. Forcibly gather faint Magical Power and send it to the palm of your hand.
I aimed to create even a small piece of ice.
Then, I faintly felt a chill.
'It's working.'
It was subtle, but I could feel it. I focused even more and tried to materialize the chill on my palm. Then, a very small, frost-like substance began to form on my palm.
It was still at a level that was embarrassing to call 'magic,' but it was the first ice phenomenon I had created with my own power.
I felt my chest swell with just that. Even though it was a humble start that didn't even reach Instructor's toes, it was definitely a step forward.
'Okay, I'll repeat this to increase my proficiency.'
Just like how I raised my crafting skill, simple repetition.
That's exactly what I needed now.