Episode 286: Assault on the principal
The place we soon arrived was the faculty training room.
The structure is similar to a training center.
The difference is that it was built more sturdily, taking into account the users’ much greater power.
Soon, the principal took a seat across from me and began unlocking the skills one by one.
These were various strengthening magics that were usually carried around as if they were one body.
Next, store all the equipment you were wearing without letting it show in your inventory.
Bracelets, watches, tie pins, pens in the front pocket… … .
And he looks at me and says:
“I just left the characteristics. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
The reason I set the ‘cannot use skills/items’ condition is, of course, to focus on his characteristics.
‘Because the traits don’t show up very well.’
It’s not easy to determine whether it’s activated or not, and it’s even harder to estimate the exact rank.
It would be more confusing if skill and item ability activation were mixed there, so those two were excluded for now.
After understanding the characteristics and rank of the principal,
‘I have to copy it.’
▷Copy-Characteristics[1/2]
1. (None)
2. The Crown of the King
Originally, [Poison Resistance] was registered in slot 1, but by fixing it with a fixed pin and completing the poison resistance, one more slot was created.
My goal is to register a new trait here.
I said I wanted defensive characteristics so I was going to hit unilaterally.
While we were facing each other like that, the homeroom teacher stood against one wall, maintaining his position as a bystander.
‘You don’t plan on just looking around, do you?’
There may be an intention to test my skills, and there may also be an intention to intervene in an emergency.
The condition of not using skills and items only applies to the principal, so vice principals can use them as much as they want.
It was a pun, but from my perspective, it didn’t seem like a bad thing.
‘We should leave at least one safety device behind.’
Then I can hit you without any worries.
[Use ‘amplify’.]
[‘Inferno Fist’ rank increases. (B→S)]
I also needed to level up to deal meaningful damage.
If you are a former warrior, your resistance traits will also be at a considerable level.
Just elemental resistance is at least B, maybe even A or higher.
At least that’s what it was like for the warriors I raised.
“Let’s get started.”
“Come anytime.”
The principal nodded nonchalantly in response.
Soon I clenched my fists, and a blood-red flame blazed from within.
Let’s push it forward with all our might,
– Kwakwakwakwa—!
The firestorm rushed forward with great force and swallowed the principal whole.
One corner of the training room is engulfed in flames, and a black silhouette can be seen here and there within.
Looking at that, I thought.
‘It didn’t go in.’
As expected, the principal’s appearance that was revealed a while later was completely normal.
There isn’t even a single burn mark, let alone a burning one.
‘As expected, you are strong.’
If you look closely, you can see that his entire body is covered in a faint light like armor, which is his defensive trait.
That alone was enough to withstand an S-class Inferno Fist.
The principal looked at me and smiled.
“I heard you learned it, but it’s true. Inferno Fist.”
Since this fact was also reported by Lee Soo-dok and Seo Cheong-yong, I did not bother to mention it.
“Since the opponents are formidable, strong skills are needed.”
“But you have to manage the penalty and use it wisely. You’ve already done everything.”
“This much is okay.”
As he said, one of my hands was blackened like charcoal.
Since the penalty is S-class, it cannot be fully offset even with S-class elemental resistance.
Of course, I expected this to happen from the moment I cast Amplification, and I prepared countermeasures.
‘There’s some elixir left.’
This is the standard elixir I received from Kim Gap-du, or in short, the Bo-gap-type elixir.
I used a little bit of it when dealing with the Witch of Corruption and had about 1.5 left.
I took a sip and sprinkled some on my hands. The burn gradually disappeared and soon became clean.
The principal nodded at that.
“As expected, you know how to take care of yourself. I don’t have to worry.”
“I won’t take any risks.”
“Okay, okay, then first question.”
The principal’s eyes flashed sharply for a moment.
A serious attitude, different from his usual neighborhood idiot appearance.
“Are you a monarch?”
“That’s right, Your Majesty.”
“… … You admit it so readily.”
“Didn’t you already know that?”
You probably figured out that I was a monarch from our first meeting.
When you reach S rank, your field of vision becomes much wider, so you can see things that others cannot see.
This question is asked to be sure.
The principal’s attitude became somewhat deflated.
“I feel like I wasted a question… … . Hey, there’s still a lot left.”
“Yes, I will go right next time.”
I cast a second Inferno Fist as soon as the Headmaster returned to his original position.
The firestorm engulfed him for the second time.
– Kwakwakwakwa—!
‘This time it went in.’
The principal, who was revealed soon after, was in the same condition as before, with not a single hair on his head burned.
But I noticed.
The fact that the light surrounding him had disappeared.
‘Armor of Courage.’
This is an S-rank trait exclusive to warriors.
It has strong defenses that can withstand Inferno Fist twice, and it recharges quickly.
If I could copy it, I would have grabbed it right away, but unfortunately, it is a unique trait like the Crow Tailor’s [Weaving].
‘Still, the first line of defense was broken through.’
The next attack would reveal different defensive characteristics.
As I was treating burns with the armored durixer, the principal asked me a question.
“Next question, why did the monarch enter here?”
“I’m just like other kids. I came here to learn.”
“Don’t joke around. You promised to answer honestly.”
“I’m being honest with you.”
We stared at each other for a while.
Soon the principal frowned and asked.
“… … Really?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
“No, something doesn’t add up.”
With his common sense, it would be difficult to understand how such a powerful being as a monarch could study among first-year students.
This is because I am not just a monarch, but a vassal monarch, and there was no reason for me to reveal it first unless they asked.
If you’re curious, ask me next time you hit me.
“I will go again.”
I had to keep attacking before my Valorous Armor recharged.
I clenched my fist again and thrust it forward as if I was throwing a blazing fist.
– Kwakwakwakwa—!
“Kwaaak!!”
The principal’s screams could be heard beyond the flames.
This time it looks like it’s definitely a valid hit.
We’ll soon see how much damage there is, but there was a way to check a little earlier.
‘Just look at the teacher’s reaction.’
Since they have been through thick and thin together for a long time, they probably know a lot about each other’s skills and characteristics.
If the damage is significant, I would be a little worried.
So I glanced to the side,
“… … .”
The homeroom teacher stood there, still with his cold and stern face.
However, since I had become a master of reading facial expressions through the sloth, I was able to catch the very subtle changes in facial expressions.
‘You seem very satisfied.’
It’s as refreshing as eating sweet potatoes and then downing a can of cider.
It seemed like I was vicariously satisfying myself by doing what I had always wanted to do.
However, the fact that the homeroom teacher is not intervening means that the situation is not yet that serious.
‘This trait might be a dud.’
When I turned my gaze back to the front, the principal stumbled out of the flames.
“Ugh… … . I should have accepted it as a different favor. It’s a bit spicy.”
His whole body was blackened and there were faint burn marks here and there.
But that was only for a moment, as all the damage was restored in the blink of an eye.
I was maintaining an indifferent expression on the outside, but inside I was quite surprised.
‘This is awesome.’
As an S-class hero, I expected that he would have a bunch of fraudulent traits, but I never thought he would have that.
This was something I had to pick up no matter what.
I cast copy right away.
[Use ‘copy-properties’.]
[Register the target’s characteristic ‘Retrocovery (S)’ to the slot.]
▷Copy-Characteristics[2/2]
1. Retrocovery (S)
2. The Crown of the King
[Retrocovery (S)]
▷Automatically activates when taking damage.
▷When activated, stamina becomes 100%.
▷Reuse waiting time: 3 days
The activation condition is both an advantage and a disadvantage; it activates even with minor damage such as being lightly scratched or pricked by a needle, and a 3-day cooldown is applied.
Of course, it will automatically activate and recover even if your entire body is split in two or your forehead is pierced by a sniper shot.
Retrocovery is also a ‘time’ series skill.
Since it is a ‘revert’ judgment rather than a ‘recover’ judgment, various status abnormalities that hinder recovery can be easily ignored.
There is a reason why the cooldown is 3 days.
[‘Retrocovery’ is activated.]
[Reuse Wait Time 2 days 23:59:58]
As expected, Retrocovery was activated as soon as I copied it, healing the burns inflicted by the Inferno Fist penalty.
I sprayed some armored durixer on my hands to avoid suspicion.
As I was looking down at my hand that was quickly recovering, the principal asked me a question.
“In extension of what we said earlier, are you really here to study? Do you have any other goals?”
“I have another goal. It’s to help my friends and grow together.”
“… … Friends?”
“Yes, as you know, there are so many talented students in this first year.”
“But what good does it do to you?”
“That’s my pleasure.”
The principal’s curiosity only grew.
“The more I listen to him, the more amazing he is. Anyway, let’s continue.”
But contrary to his wishes, I released the strength from his hand.
“I’ll stop here. Thank you for your hard work.”
“… … What, aren’t you going to hit me anymore?”
“Yes, I think it’s a bit excessive for teenagers.”
Just by copying the retrocovery, the desired result was achieved.
You could copy one more and place it over [The King’s Crown], but
‘It’s not cost-effective.’
A soft light began to rise again around the principal’s body.
This means that the [Armor of Courage] has been recharged.
To get through that, I need to use Inferno Fist twice more, but Retrocovery is on cooldown and I have one Armored Durixer left.
The last one needs to be left for emergencies.
‘I can’t ask too many questions.’
In the first place, I had no intention of hitting him 10 times and giving him a 10th chance.
That means I’ll have to reveal my hidden cards too.
Up until now, we’ve been focusing on the monarch and have been somewhat sidetracked, but questions that get to the heart of the matter will soon begin to arise.
In many ways, it’s better to back out at this point.
On the other hand, the principal looked quite flustered, probably expecting it to go all the way.
“No, is this the end? I should have hit you some more. You asked me to do something hard. I have a lot to ask you too.”
“I realized my lack of skill. I think it would be better to finish the Q&A next time. Thank you.”
I bowed politely and greeted them, and the two teachers, although embarrassed, did not stop me.
As I was leaving, I could hear the principal muttering uncomfortably behind me.
“I think something is missing… … .”
The supporters eat it all
