Unexpectedly Becoming the Student Council President

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A few hours before experiencing the penalty.

We rented the training room again.

"Alright, let's continue from yesterday!"

Geumyang placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, shouting confidently. She was still wearing the oversized coat she borrowed from me, which hung loosely down to her elbows.

Crack!

Geumyang created a crack in the air.

The gentle breeze from the crack softly ruffled her golden hair.

"This crack only allows inanimate objects to pass through. Only those with the Golden Sheep's authority can pass through it if they are living beings. If you were thinking of trapping enemies in isolated spaces, it won't work."

"I see. That's unfortunate…"

So, the reason Goliath's fist passed through the crack was because he had the Golden Sheep's authority.

It wouldn't be possible to use this ability for a cheap win against other enemies.

"And as you might have guessed, you're currently a makeshift 'Tier 6'."

Geumyang pointed at me.

"You have the skills to reach Tier 6, but because of your unique ability, it took quite a while."

I had already realized this during my battle with Han Seo-jin.

At that time, I used both my unique ability and elemental power in synergy.

That was a Tier 6 technique.

"I can feel it."

Since yesterday, I've felt it.

My body now overflowed with more magic than ever before.

It was as if the blockage had been cleared as soon as my unique ability blossomed.

A torrent of magic began to surge through my magic circuits.

At this rate, I could expect faster growth compared to others. Like a cheetah entering a race and overtaking all the other competitors despite a late start.

However,

"I'm still not sure about Tier 6. Shouldn't I be able to spew elemental power like a fountain at that level?"

By Tier 6, one should be able to release elemental power at will without the need for a magic tool.

But I could only release a small amount of elemental power. It seemed too trivial for a Tier 6.

"That's why I said you're a makeshift Tier 6, kid."

Geumyang folded her arms and smirked arrogantly.

"From 'kiddo' to 'kid' now, huh…"

"'Kiddo' seemed too dismissive. If you put in the effort, your titles might evolve too, so keep striving."

Obviously, I didn't have much desire for those titles.

"Anyway, you're already at the threshold. It means you can use elemental power alongside your spatial ability!"

"I have a question. I once used 'Spatial Leap' to amplify my lightning power."

It was when I blocked Han Seo-jin's necromancy, Requiem.

At that time, I created a crack in the air and unleashed a powerful lightning bolt.

"I managed to do it instinctively in the heat of the moment… How can I do that again?"

"There's no need for an explanation. You'll figure it out when you try it yourself today."

Geumyang answered nonchalantly.

"Really?"

Well, if she says so.

Let's try it.

"Alright, let's get started! Go ahead."

After a full night's sleep, the sensation from my battle with Han Seo-jin began to wrap around my magic circuits again.

It was different from simply feeling in good condition. It felt like I had acquired a new body.

'I feel light.'

To use a common metaphor, it felt like I could fly.

More clearly than yesterday, I realized I had ascended to a higher level.

"Phew."

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and focused on the mystical sensation flowing within me.

My lower abdomen roared fiercely, and my magic circuits carried magic more vigorously than usual.

I channeled the magic according to my will and released it forward, not as lightning magic.

Crack!

A crack appeared before me, forming a mysterious gate.

"Oh."

An involuntary exclamation escaped my lips.

Unique Ability: Space Domination.

Magic Formula Form 1: Spatial Leap.

Uniquely, Space Domination varied in its usage conditions depending on the magic formula, and Magic Formula Form 1 had no particular trigger.

I could simply create a crack whenever I wanted.

As I stepped into the gate, nothing solid met my foot. I threw myself forward.

My body floated weightlessly, and my vision was filled with an endless corridor of an otherworldly hue.

The surroundings were entirely the color of a dark blue night sky.

I could also see black streams flowing like currents along the strange walls.

─ 'The space between cracks created by Spatial Leap is a wormhole.'

I recalled what Geumyang said yesterday.

This was the wormhole created by my ability.

─ 'Never stay there longer than necessary. You will lose your senses first, and then you will lose yourself.'

Geumyang had warned me sternly. This wormhole was quite dangerous.

However,

'Something feels different from yesterday.'

Perhaps because I was now using my ability entirely on my own.

It felt completely different from the countless times I passed through the wormhole yesterday.

'I can sense the magic. I couldn't feel it yesterday.'

The magic circulating in the wormhole felt strangely like my own.

Sizzle!

For an experiment, I extended my finger and conjured lightning magic.

It was a simple technique made possible after reaching Tier 6.

At that moment.

Crack!

"!"

A streak of green-blue current extended and ran along the circular wall of the wormhole, absorbing the black currents like small fish caught in a whirlpool.

However, it gradually grew larger, absorbing the black currents—no, the magic.

Eventually, the green-blue lightning, now containing the black light, grew to the size of my body.

It reached its limit and ceased expanding.

The enlarged lightning magic shot around wildly, imprinting flashes in my vision, and finally condensed into a point, stabilizing.

The lightning magic eventually became a sphere, floating around.

'So that's how it was.'

I understood why my lightning magic had amplified during my fight with Han Seo-jin.

Whoooom!

'Ah.'

Suddenly, a chilling sensation ran down my spine, pulling me into fear.

My survival instinct screamed that I needed to get out of here immediately.

'Let's get out.'

I set a coordinate at the desired point (though it wasn't exactly where I intended), creating another crack.

Crack!

Whirr.

A crack formed somewhere in the wormhole.

Instantly, the lightning magic floating in the air was sucked into the new crack, like air moving from high pressure to low pressure.

Boom!!

A deafening roar echoed as the lightning magic surged through the new crack.

'Wait…!'

My heart sank. I might have created a crack in the wrong place and caused unintended harm.

I swam swiftly through the air and passed through the new crack.

I arrived at a point in the training room.

However, it was quite high up.

"Whoa!"

Whirr!

My body fell straight to the ground.

Thud!

I had hastily reinforced my body with magic to minimize the impact, but I still felt like my insides had been shaken up.

"Phew…"

I wiped the cold sweat from my brow and raised my upper body.

I looked down.

Right in front of me was a scorch mark on the ground, roughly the size of a person, with smoke rising from it. Luckily, no one was there.

Soon, the crack I had created closed.

So, this is how it feels…

"Kid."

Geumyang approached and crouched down in front of me, meeting my gaze. Her sharp eyes and haughty expression focused on me.

Given Geumyang's height, I wasn't sure who the real "kid" was here…

'Careless.'

Her smooth legs and surprisingly large chest, pressed against her thighs, made their presence known.

She wore the oversized coat loosely and had no pants on.

My eyes, maintaining gentlemanly manners, shifted to the side to avoid staring directly at her.

"Now you understand how to apply elemental magic?"

"Yeah… I can use the magic within the wormhole."

"Yes, that's the application of the wormhole. Magic amplification. The lightning strike you performed using the crack is your own technique, so it's best to name it."

Huh?

My eyes turned to Geumyang's golden eyes.

"Is there no established magic formula for this?"

"Well, attaching names is just part of defining the concept systematically. Magic formulas are something humans invented to establish a systematic understanding, aren't they?"

"That's true."

Even Baek-seo attached her own techniques to magic formulas.

In this world, many people share similar unique abilities.

In such cases, they mostly follow already established magic formulas.

But if there's no such concept, I could create my own magic formula.

'…This is exciting.'

The idea of naming my new technique myself.

As a man, my heart pulsed with excitement.

"Heh, are you excited over something like this? You really are a kid."

"What?"

Geumyang glared at me with an odd smile.

Did I fail to keep my expression neutral?

I thought I was being careful.

"Was it obvious on my face?"

I shrugged and asked honestly. There was nothing to hide from Geumyang, who had been watching me all along.

Geumyang shook her head.

"Not really. I've just watched you for so long that I can tell. Can you distinguish the expressions of a lizard you see for the first time?"

Geumyang shrugged and answered calmly.

"..."

Now it was my turn to glare at Geumyang.

Why compare herself to a lizard when she had a human body?

Her arrogance was palpable.

"Let's continue. We'll review what we did yesterday."

As Geumyang stood up and extended her hand, I took it and stood up. She then distanced herself from me.

Unlike yesterday, now that I was using my unique ability directly, the sensation of Spatial Leap felt much clearer.

Recalling the lightning strike I had performed earlier fueled my enthusiasm.

'Alright, let's do this.'

With an uncontrollable smile at the corners of my mouth, I channeled my bubbling enthusiasm into practice.

A few hours later.

It was evening.

"Uh…?"

Suddenly, I felt screwed.

An urgent sensation like a cramp shot up my spine.

"Urgh!"

The magic I was wielding abruptly subsided, and intense pain erupted in my magic circuits.

It wasn't a fleeting pain.

It didn't stop.

"Grrr…!"

I curled up and clenched my teeth.

Instinctively, I knew.

This was the penalty.

Having repeatedly used Spatial Leap, the penalty had finally hit.

The sensation of my insides burning and an unbearable scream escaped me. It felt like I might die from the pain.

Powerful unique abilities come with equally powerful penalties.

If the usage conditions of a unique ability are stringent, the penalties are mitigated, but since my ability had no specific conditions…

"Arghhhh!"

I couldn't maintain my sanity.

But my consciousness remained sharp, fully registering the pain, as if cheering me on, saying, "You can endure this!" It was infuriating.

As I writhed in agony, unable to speak, Geumyang suddenly approached and hugged me.

Wrapping her arms around my waist, she closed her eyes and held me tight.

"What…?"

The pain subsided dramatically.

As if the hellish torment moments ago had been a lie, the pain vanished completely.

"Are you feeling better?"

Geumyang's elegant voice echoed from my embrace.

"Yeah… I suddenly feel okay."

"Remember, that pain is the cost of using your ability."

With her chin resting on my chest, Geumyang looked up at me and spoke softly. Her squished cheeks made her look like a hamster.

A different kind of cuteness contrasted with her usual arrogant and sharp-eyed demeanor.

"When the magic circuits fail to handle the overload, they rebel. When magic flows through them, it causes excruciating pain, like being stabbed at a cellular level or set on fire. As long as you're human, you can't escape this price."

I finally understood the part of her explanation from yesterday that I hadn't comprehended.

The favor I owed Geumyang.

It seemed to be her taking on my penalty when my magic circuits recovered.

"When you hug me, the penalty transfers to you?"

I asked, looking down at her to confirm.

"That's right. Specifically, as long as we're in close contact, the pain disappears. For minor penalties, simple physical contact is enough to alleviate the pain. So, don't worry."

Eventually, Geumyang moved away from me.

The pain had completely disappeared.

'So, without her, I'd have to endure hellish pain.'

Sweat trickled down my cheek.

The pain earlier wasn't something I could endure with sheer willpower.

Of course, if I somehow endured it, the penalty might pass safely, but the thought of enduring such pain was unthinkable.

It would undoubtedly take a mental toll.

"Phew…"

Thud.

Although the pain was gone, I felt drained and collapsed onto the floor, lying down to catch my breath.

Geumyang sat on my abdomen. Since she wasn't heavy, I ignored her and stared at the ceiling.

"You did well, kid. It's best to rest now. The penalty means you overdid it."

"Not just eager for dinner?"

"You dare think I value dinner over your training?"

Her response was like reading a textbook.

She was transparent.

I had already informed Baek-seo via messenger that I'd be having dinner out tonight. Time to eat comfortably.

"Fine. I'm hungry too. Let's go."

"Well, if you insist, let's go!"

I took the begrudgingly following Geumyang to a kimchi stew restaurant.

"This is what happiness feels like…"

Predictably, Geumyang reacted as expected.

  *

In the darkened house of Ahn Woo-jin.

His neighbor, Oh Baek-seo, unlocked the door and entered.

Turning on the lights, she found the house empty and quiet.

Baek-seo placed the pancakes she had made on the kitchen table, covering them with another dish.

[ I made extra, so I brought some. Eat when you're hungry ^_^ ]

Leaving a note on the table, she put various fruits and milk in the fridge, thinking of Woo-jin's nutrition.

Woo-jin had mentioned he would be busy this weekend, saying he needed to test his unique ability now that his magic circuits had recovered.

"Hmm."

Imagining Woo-jin excited about testing his unique ability made Baek-seo smile.

At school this week, Woo-jin had tried to hide his excitement about his unique ability, and seeing that had made Baek-seo smile warmly.

To her, Woo-jin was already an adorable man who had surpassed her limits of cuteness.

"Hmm?"

Just as Baek-seo was about to leave Woo-jin's house.

She noticed a long hair on the floor and picked it up.

A strand of light golden hair.

It was a woman's.

"..."

The smile lingering on Baek-seo's lips slowly faded.

To read until the final chapter. p atreon.com/casca02