The Novel's Extra: Scrapped

In a dark room, where the curtains were tightly drawn, Minori sat, observing a coin. Engraved in it were characters from a language, long lost.

In Minori's hand was a ball of pure light, white and elegant.

It's become easier to understand.

Ever since seeing the tattoo on Hajins hand during the duels, he's had this nagging feeling in the back of his mind. As if reminding him of something he's never known.

So this morning, while doing his usual checks, his intuition guided him here, to look at the coin.

It's like I can understand it without knowing what it means… En…Kir?

He looked at the runes that magically came into his mind. They were pure… and Minori's seen them before.

The clock hand on Hajin's wrist was written in a similar manner, it was complex yet made of a single stroke.

The moment Minori understood that, it felt as though a weight lifted off his chest. His body felt lighter and his eyesight became sharper… no, it didn't become sharper, he was simply understanding everything he saw on a deeper level.

A single rune became understandable.

"Enkir… it mean's realize." He whispered under his breath and looked back at the coin, the runes had become less twisting and confusing, as though he could properly read them without understanding them.

A proper analogy would be… it's like reading Arabic with good pronunciation yet not being able to understand a single word of it.

He let out a breath and locked the coin and the pendant in a box.

I can see it. I can see the lines.

Wisps of magic swirled around him as if excited by his presence. He lifted his hand and clicked his fingers, igniting a flame and burning a string of magic.

The flame was steady and hot… The amount of mana coming from it was miniscule in comparison to the effect.

His lips curled up into a sinister smile, his face unable to hide his joy anymore. Crushing his fist he snuffed the flame and let the wisps fall into his hand.

"Now let's take a look at the screen before we go outside."

=======================

[Minori Nii] 

⊳Variable Stats

[Strength 7.9]

[Stamina 5.5]

[Speed 9.2]

[Perception 9 (+10)]

[Vitality 7 (+5)]

[Magic Power 14 (Affinity: Flame, Lightning)]

⊳Invariable Stats

[Intelligence – 6.118]

[Perseverance – 2.63]

[Luck – Null]

[Charm – 6.118]

⊳Special Stats

[Magic Power control – 80%]

[Mental Power – 39%]

[Dread – 13%]

⊳Gift

 「The Prophet and The Beast」[Spirit Attribute]

—The Prophet: 

The ability to feel, defile and defy the future. All Dreams have meaning, especially yours.

–Starlight Seer: 

Cover the world with shadow and stars, see the truth of past, present and future.

—The Beast

Generate fear in all that view your stride, have the will of a lord and the body of steel. Do not falter, trust in your senses, your instinct and your strength. Do not worry, you are still human. 

-Wild Blood:

The law of the jungle, might makes right is engraved in your very body! Stride with the lust for Blood and the confidence of the very Wild around you!

⊳Arts

[Arcana Interpretation Genius]

—The ability to understand all things magical to an immense level. 

—Mania may increase the more you know.

⊳Physique

[Blood Poison]

—Poison can only make you stronger. The stronger the poison the stronger your body becomes.

—Your blood contains and maintains the properties of poison.

—You can burn the poison in your body to increase your vitality.

—Overburning leads to sudden illness and iron deficiency.

—You become intoxicated when you drink blood.

=======================

"Haha, that's an amazing ability!" He ignored the second half and laughed lightly at the contents of the art.

His joy was cut short though, as a message popped up from someone.

"Huu, I got caught up in something interesting again." 

Breathing out a sigh, Minori looked at the message on his watch.

[Yoo Yeonha: I saw your fight with Shin Jonghak. I thought you were trying to hide your abilities?]

Is she still caught up with Hajin and I rescuing her?

[Me: No? Where did you get that idea from?]

[Yoo Yeonha: Didn't you tell me that it was good to keep my report about the Djinn incident vague? I thought it was because you wanted to hide your strength.]

[Me: Yeah. I just didn't want Djinns knocking on my door because I did a favour for someone else.]

[Yoo Yeonha: Oh, I see. Anyway, do you have any hints about what you told me last time?]

Minori paused for a moment, wondering how to respond.

Hints… Well, I don't have anything to say that wont give me away or incur suspicion.

[Me: Not really. We still have another day of duels so they haven't informed me of anything.]

[Yoo Yeonha: Then let's meet up before today's duels. I have a gift for you.]

"A gift?" Minori blurted out before thinking.

[Me: Sure, let's meet up near the park before Nayun and Rachel's duel.]

[Yoo Yeonha: Alright.]

…Yoo Yeonha POV…

I sat patiently on the park bench, a suitcase in hand.

I had found an opportunity to call Minori here and clear things up, both for him and for me.

That time in the infirmary…I embarrassed myself. Back then I just wanted to thank him…b-but that came out of my mouth.

Which is why I'll use this meet up as a chance to clear the air, offer him a gift and secure a promising talent for the guild!

Tak, Tak—

Footsteps tapped on the ground as a figure walked slowly towards me.

He was dressed in casual clothes, as if he were on a trip to the library instead of an arena.

"Hello, Yeonha." His expression was unreadable as per usual as he took the seat next to me.

"Good morning." I put on a smile, as is natural for me.

It felt a little strange to be called my first name alone but I looked over it since it wasn't uncomfortable.

Judging by his relaxed posture, he seems to be in a good mood. I would've asked him but decided not to cross any boundaries, no matter how blurry.

"I never got the chance to properly thank you for saving my life that night. So I thought it might be a good chance for it during the midterms when all eyes are directed to the stars."

I felt the words roll off my tongue naturally as the birds chirped. Everyone was inside the arena, watching Chae Nayun and Rachel fight. So it was quite peaceful in the park.

"Yeah… I said before that I was only doing it because I was in debt to Hajin. You do know that right?"

He spoke calmly as if he wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing.

"Of course. But you still saved my life, and for that…"

I turned to him and bowed.

"Thank you."

I saw him stiffen in the corner of my eye and smirked before sitting up straight.

"And here's your reward. I hope you like it." With a smile, I opened the case.

This will surely be the start of a wonderful partnership. Please support Essence of the Strait to your fullest capabilities!

My thoughts chirped happily as he took the object out of the suitcase. 

"A ring? Are you…?"

"W-What?! No, don't misunderstand! It's a high grade ring of flame resistance!- A-Ahem, It's a gift. We aren't totally even just because of this so if you need something just ask." I smiled.

Just make sure you repay the favour down the line.

He slipped the ring onto his index finger, the golden bangle fitting snuggly.

"It's a perfect fit."

Minori admired the work with an intense gaze. He then faced me, his lips curling into a wide smirk that sent shivers down my spine.

"Alright then. I'll come to you when I need to sell monster corpses."

His light gray eyes pierced through me, as if he could guess my every move.

…Light gray? Weren't they a different colour-?

"I'll see you around then, Yeonha. Make sure not to get into any trouble anymore."

He got up and dusted himself off, leaving me with the suitcase before pausing to look down on me.

"One more thing, Chase Nayun is bound to lose. I feel like she's the type to throw a hissy fit so go comfort her." He spoke in an almost amused tone of voice.

Just as I was beginning to process his words, he walked away.

"Did he… always have those colored eyes?" I questioned myself.

…Minori Nii POV…

Something was off, her expression definitely showed confusion when I looked her in the eyes.

I didn't speak out of place, I don't think my disposition changed… did my body alter without my knowledge?

I looked into a nearby window to check my reflection.

Nothing seemed off about me…no my eyes were a lighter colour. It's hard to notice unless someone looks closely.

Then how hard was she looking at me to notice this?

"Hey, young man. Here." An oldman walked out of the shop and handed me a bag.

Huh? Wha-

"You were staring so intensely at the cake I thought you were going to rob me! Haha!"

It was only then that I noticed I was staring into a coffee shop with what could probably be described as an incredible fixation.

"Ah, sorry. But you didn't have to give me this for free." I raised my hands only to grab onto the bag as he shoved it into my hands.

"Call it a thanks for keeping the country safe, young cadet!" The old man let out another spirited laugh.

Well… I can't exactly say no to a gift now can I?

"Alright, I'll make sure to recommend this place to my friends since you're so generous."

The old man patted me on the shoulder before walking back into his shop.

I turned away without another word.

"..."

I don't even like cake.

…

Rachel and Nayun's duel was shorter than I expected, Rachel overwhelmed Nayun with overwhelming aggressiveness completely unlike her personality and won the match swiftly.

Now, since I am Rachel's only current friend, she invited me to come and watch her duels.

Unfortunately, Rachel seemed to have noticed my absence from the crowd.

Which is why I had to deal with this.

"...meanie." Rachel spoke with a pout, elbowing me softly.

Is meanie the best insult you could come up with?

It wasn't totally undeserved since I did tell her I'd be there… but I couldn't exactly say no to Yeonha's gift. And then I got side tracked by my reflection and offered cake.

"Sorry sorry. I'll definitely come watch you in monster wars."

"Hmph."

"I'll even write you an unbiased report for the monster wars."

Ahh she's sulking… wait, I have something for this.

"Alright, as an apology, I'll give this to you." I pulled a strawberry cake out of a paper bag.

"...cake?"

"Yeah, I got it from the bakery. And I really like cake so make sure not to waste it."

I wonder how persuasive I am… probably enough to fool this princess into forgiving me though.

I produced a fork and set it on the cake lid.

Rachel dug in slowly, prying a slice of strawberry cake, covered in icing and topped with succulent red fruit.

She lifted the cake to her lips and took a bite, and then another, and another.

Before long her pout had melted into a sweet smile.

So she's a sweet tooth huh?

If the evil society decided to kill her I probably won't be able to follow through.

I watched her eat while hiding the horrible thought away.

Before long she set her fork down and wiped her lips.

"Apology accepted."

I nodded and remained silent, enjoying the fact that no one was around. The setting sun slowly dipping beneath the skyline.

She remained silent in the moment as well before hurriedly getting up.

"W-Well then, I'll see you tomorrow." She spoke with a slightly pink hue on her cheeks before speeding off towards the dorms.

"Yep, see you tomorrow."

"...haa."

I let out a sigh and leaned back on the bench.

Alright, now I have a plausible reason to go and see Rachel's monster wars. She won't suspect me for following her around and she'll even welcome it with open arms.

All according to plan. 

The reason I missed Rachel's fight was because of Yeonha's gift, the time and meeting place was picked out by me. I knew Yeonha would try and meet me before monster wars because I planted the idea of something being wrong back in the infirmary. Being gifted a ring was only an unexpected add-on.

The bakery I went to offered me a free gift not because I was staring into my reflection but because I used [Starlight Seer] to perfect my facial expression and elicit a reaction from the nice old man.

 I also knew that Rachel was a sweet tooth because when I offered snacks during the study session she enthusiastically agreed.

It's just too easy.