What mattered most at this juncture was uncovering what Jung Hayan had taken from me, rather than what she had used the catalyst for.
I knew that sooner or later, I'd need to establish some boundaries between us, but for the time being, my hands were tied.
After all, Jung Hayan was still maturing.
If Kim Hyunsung's predictions held true and Jung Hayan became a magician capable of reshaping entire continents, then the unthinkable might occur.
This small window into her world could expand into an impenetrable wall, and even this humble bed could be enchanted to bring harm to anyone it touched.
And that wasn't all. She could be the mastermind behind the creation of recording magic, among other things.
"Mental control?" I wondered aloud.
It wasn't inconceivable that she could develop a mind-manipulation spell to slowly sway my thoughts or craft a potent enchantment tailored just for me.
Perhaps she could even find a way to turn invisible to remain constantly by my side.
Of course, I clung to the belief that Jung Hayan wouldn't resort to such measures, given her standing as the Pure Advocate.
But then again, this was the same girl who had severed Park Hye-young's limbs.
"One misstep," I mused, "and I must tread carefully when Jung Hayan is both near and far."
Thankfully, Hwang Jeong-yeon's unique abilities had provided me with insight into these early stages. I knew I needed to draft an insurance plan, but my immediate focus had to be elsewhere.
"This is incredible," Hwang Jeong-yeon remarked.
"Do you think so?" I responded.
"I didn't expect you to utilize the entire second floor as a workshop," she commented.
"Ah," I replied, realizing her point. As a magician, she was easily impressed.
By connecting my room to the alchemy workshop via the empty guild room, I had significantly expanded my workspace. What had truly caught her eye, though, were the objects within.
"After all, I've received quite a bit from the Black Swan," I admitted.
Even for an experienced adventurer like Hwang Jeong-yeon, amassing such rewards would prove challenging.
"To be precise, I connected my workshop and room for convenience. It was a bit cumbersome going back and forth. Plus, all the essential study materials are here, so it saves my time."
Hwang Jeong-yeon assured me, "No, everything looks fantastic."
"Most of these were gifts. Oh, do you have a side job as well?"
"This is my break time now. Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, your presence is greatly appreciated."
"Well, there's not much else for me to do. Surprisingly, as a magician, I'm not all that curious. And, of course, I have no intention of appropriating your or Miss Hayan's research."
"Don't worry, I understand," I replied.
I took the opportunity to evaluate her using my abilities, seeking to memorize her statistics.
[Check player Hwang Jeong-yeon's Show Details and talent level]
[Name- Jeong-yeon Hwang]
[Title- Daily Drama Lover]
[Age- 34]
[Propensity - an optimist who is noisy]
[Job-Magician-Heroic Grade]
[Job Effect-Acquisition of Basic Magic Knowledge]
[Job Effect-Acquisition of Basic Magical Knowledge]
[Job Effect-Intermediate Magic Knowledge Acquisition]
[Job Effect-Intermediate Magical Knowledge Acquisition]
[Capacity]
[Strength -30/Growth Limit: Rare or higher]
[Agility -40/Growth Limit: Rare or higher]
[Health-32/Growth Limit: Rare or less]
[Intellect-90/Growth Limit: Heroic or higher]
[Durability-32/Growth Limit: Rare or less]
[Luck -54/Growth Limit: Rare or higher]
[Holy -80 /Growth Limit: Heroic or less]
[Talent- Sensitive Body- Rare-grade]
[Talent- Super Memory- Rare-grade]
[Overall Review -The growth of her magic power is almost reaching its limit. It is not an exaggeration to say that the path to the top magician is almost closed for her, but it seems that she is hiding her shortcomings with high intelligence stats. It would be right to think that it is a case where one can rise to the upper level because of the good compatibility with the characteristics and the job. If the magical talent was not less than a heroic-grade, but more than a heroic-grade, the situation would have changed a little. It can be said that this player is similar to Kee Miyoung, but please don't think of her as a comrade. The player Kee Miyougn has no magical talent compared to this person.]
I couldn't help but think: "Damn." I might not have liked the overall review, but I couldn't deny her abilities and growth potential.
Although comparing myself to her was a stretch, we both relied on our intelligence to compensate for other deficiencies.
It wasn't just Jung Hayan's magic that had enlightened me today; her statistics had also provided valuable insights.
"Her attributes are impressive." The Sensitive Body attribute piqued my interest, not in a sexual sense, but because it was heavily influenced by the surrounding magical environment. Yet, what intrigued me most was her talent - Super Memory.
[Talent-Super Memory- Rare-grade]
[Provides near-perfect memory.]
While it was only a rare-grade talent, her memory was undoubtedly extraordinary. I pondered the possibility of developing a similar skill for myself.
Returning my attention to Hwang Jeong-yeon, she inquired, "May I peruse it?"
I asked, "Peruse what?"
"The book you've compiled."
"Of course. I was planning to seek someone's opinion on it anyway."
"Well, I won't offer anything but my personal perspective. You're more of an expert in this than I am. This is all uncharted territory for me."
"Even with the intellect of a senior magician?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
"Ah, now that I think about it, you probably don't delve much into your intellect. You likely don't have the time to scrutinize your stats."
"That's true."
"Have you ever wondered about your intelligence stats?" she asked.
"Of course I have. Unlike strength, stamina, and magic power, it's challenging to gauge stats like luck or intellect. Even though my intelligence stats are on the rise, I find it hard to discern exactly what's changing."
"I mean, you already know a lot."
"Honestly, it's challenging to notice any significant changes."
"I'm not entirely sure either, but I think you are correct. Just because your intellect increases doesn't make you a genius. I don't believe there's a dramatic shift in an individual's fundamental cognitive skills. Knowledge doesn't come suddenly."
"So, the purpose of these stats is unclear? Does it remain the same for individuals with intellect stats in their 70s or 80s?"
"Yes, it's unclear. To provide an extreme example, someone with an intellect in the 90s might struggle with something as basic as memorizing multiplication tables."
"That's quite extreme."
"Yes, it's an exceptional case. But it essentially means that one's intellect stat doesn't necessarily correlate with their actual intelligence."
"Is it all about enhancing your understanding of magical power or alchemy?"
"If that were the case, my stats would be disappointing. However, I can't say they're entirely useless either."
"Of course, it's not just that."
"Hmm."
"I can't quite articulate it, but I believe its utility becomes clearer once your intellect surpasses 80."
Now, this topic piqued my interest. "Most individuals with intellect over 90 seem to develop something beyond their mental faculties. Many magicians around me and those with intellect stats over 90 in Lindel possessed remarkable knowledge or abilities."
"Ha."
"Some claimed their creativity or tactical understanding had improved dramatically. In my case, my memory skills skyrocketed."
"I see."
"Ever since I was young, people often said I had a great memory, but when I reached 90, it felt like my brain was improving in ways I couldn't grasp. Other aspects of me didn't change much. I think it's our own conjecture, but it also seems to maximize the efficiency of the area where our brain is already highly developed."
"That's... intriguing."
"Among the traits I have, the Super Memory trait is one I acquired after my intellect exceeded 90. You might also gain something once you reach that point. Since you excel in dating, could it lead to marriage? Ho ho ho..."
"Ah, I'm sorry," I chuckled.
Her words were oddly satisfying. I had believed my stats were a lost cause, but the prospect of gaining a new, extraordinary ability excited me.
"What could it be?" I wondered aloud.
Hwang Jeong-yeon had mentioned her ability stemmed from people's perceptions of her, so I began recalling what others had said about me.
"'That guy with the hair is pretty badass.' 'The kid is clever.' That's how people used to describe me. It feels absurd to imagine gaining an ability related to better hair management, but even that would be preferable to a skill tied to romance, as Hwang Jeong-yeon suggested. 'What would I use that for?'"
"Does that mean anyone with an intellect exceeding 90 will acquire their own unique trait?"
"It's not guaranteed for everyone, but you'll likely gain an additional trait. It's just not widely known within the system."
"Thank you for enlightening me on so many aspects."
"No need to thank me. You would've learned about it sooner or later. I'm simply pointing out that even geniuses can lack certain common knowledge. Do you feel you've made progress?"
"I'm still in the early stages. I'm just beginning to comprehend how all of this works."
"You're a novice in this. If there's anything I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to ask." She said.
"I see no reason to decline your offer." I readily agreed.
However, I knew her help wouldn't come without a price. "I don't know how I can repay you, but please let me know."
"Oh, I'm not looking for repayment..."
"You don't need to say it explicitly."
"Then..."
"Is there something specific you have in mind?"
As I observed Hwang Jeong-yeon's expression, I sensed that she indeed had an ulterior motive. She attempted to justify her assistance as a natural consequence of guild camaraderie and a chance meeting, but I could tell she had approached me with a purpose in mind. I could only hope her request wouldn't be too challenging.
"Perhaps..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Could you introduce me to Park Deokgu when they return?"
I blinked, taken aback by her request. Of all the difficult favors I had anticipated her asking for...
"Is Park Deokgu truly a love guru?"