TRPM 227

chapter 227

“Chloe Greenwood…”

A movie actress known in the public as an elf.
And a spirit practitioner who has some connection with me.

The news that she had additionally awakened psychic magic…

“…That’s because of me.”

In Egypt, I had summoned the spirit of Merlin, famous as both a sorcerer and archmage, for her.
Of course, I didn’t summon the real spirit; it was just a ritual in the form of a summoning.
Because of that influence, she became capable of handling not only elemental magic but also mana.

But suddenly, talk of psychic magic appearing…

“…Looks like she got caught using the power of a dream demon.”

Merlin was a half-demon, half-human born between a dream demon and a nun.
Perhaps because I used the ritual to invoke such a spirit, Chloe had acquired the power of a dream demon.
That power even allowed her to enter my dreams.
It seems Chloe got caught while using that dream demon power.

“It was only a matter of time before it was revealed that she was a mage anyway.”

In the case of Lee Ha-eun, she awakened both aura and mana, and since both are generated from the heart, she could hide the fact that she was a “revenge user.”
But the elemental power Chloe had previously used is generated in the brain. So if an awakened person with keen perception observes her carefully, it’s not surprising that they would notice her additionally awakened mana.

“The combination of dream demon power and mana from the heart… people probably mistook that for her awakening psychic abilities.”

After reaching that conclusion, I looked at Lee Ha-eun.

“…Did she get motivated by seeing Chloe’s article?”

Even if she didn’t know Chloe personally, Lee Ha-eun was aware that Chloe had some connection to me.
And considering Lee Ha-eun’s feelings toward me, it wouldn’t be strange for her to feel a sense of rivalry toward women connected to me.

“…Though those feelings are one-sided.”

I felt sorry for Lee Ha-eun, but I couldn’t see her in that way.

[I lived decades before my regression—do you really think I’d see them as anything other than a daughter or granddaughter?]

I knew this wasn’t normal, and I tried to think according to my physical age, but it wasn’t easy.

…No matter how hard I tried to adjust my thinking, Yeon Mi-rae, Lee Ha-eun, and Chloe only felt like girls or granddaughters.
Of course, other women felt the same.
But that’s not the point…

“…What am I supposed to do about this…”

If Lee Ha-eun was motivated by seeing Chloe, she probably wouldn’t give up on learning psychic magic easily.
The pre-regression Lee Ha-eun, Serenity, was basically timid and kind, but that was before regression.
The current Lee Ha-eun is still kind, but it’s hard to call her timid.
Well, she might struggle with offensive magic, which shows a hint of timidity, but she’s not so timid that she can’t express her opinions.

“And there’s one thing Lee Ha-eun absolutely won’t compromise on.”

Magic.
Perhaps because she earned the title of youngest archmage, she refuses to lose to anyone when it comes to magic.
She might make exceptions for someone close to a mentor like me, Yeon Mi-rae, or the Academy director, Shin Han-ji, but otherwise, she won’t tolerate anyone being better at magic than her.

“And now that someone she likes—Chloe, who’s connected to me—is using psychic magic, she absolutely doesn’t want to lose to Chloe.”

That’s probably why she’s trying to learn psychic magic.

“…Unbelievable…”

When I looked at Lee Ha-eun in disbelief, she avoided my gaze.
It didn’t matter.

“The reason is a bit… odd, but I can’t stop her from wanting to learn.”
“Really?!”
“You’ve already started learning anyway.”

Regardless of motivation, psychic magic is useful once learned.
It can shake the mind of an enemy in battle, protect allies in panic, or even treat PTSD sufferers.
Lee Ha-eun may not have a clear purpose for it, but learning it wouldn’t cause problems.

“Also… it’s rare for someone to suddenly gain new abilities like that.”

Yeon Mi-rae mumbled while looking at the smartphone showing Chloe’s article.
Though revenge users are rare, there are quite a few, so many know of them, but it’s never been observed that an already awakened person gains additional powers.

“…Even I didn’t know anyone like that before my regression.”

Chloe’s new ability was practically created by me, so it wouldn’t happen naturally.
I could tell Yeon Mi-rae the truth, but Sophia was present, so I stayed quiet.
At least with Sophia, I couldn’t fully trust her yet.
She’s not mine; she’s Richard Association President’s person.

“Even if my relationship with President Richard has improved, it’s still one that could turn anytime if necessary.”

Even if I wanted to whisper secretly, Sophia, a skilled spy, might be able to eavesdrop on minor transmissions, so I didn’t try.
Anyway…

“Why—do you want new abilities too? Is it really necessary?”

Yeon Mi-rae could now imitate magic or supernatural abilities since she had learned my martial and magic techniques.
I asked her with that in mind.

“That’s not it. Even if I awakened a new ability now, it would be far weaker than the aura I already have.”

The energy in her body was mana, not aura, but she called it aura.
She still couldn’t fully trust Sophia, so she hid some information.

“I know it’s better to train the abilities I already have rather than learning random powers.”
“…Hmm? Random powers?”
“Yes. People without natural abilities tend to rely on shortcuts, right?”
“……”

Her next words annoyed me a bit.
I’m a martial ability awakener, but I’ve also learned miscellaneous abilities, so…

“Um… Artist, weren’t you a revenge user too?”

She asked while glancing at Sophia.
I never told her, but the world knows I’m a revenge user who uses aura, magic, and supernatural powers.

“…Ah.”

Yeon Mi-rae seemed to realize this late and looked at me, sweating nervously.

I didn’t take it out on Yeon Mi-rae just because I felt annoyed.
We simply used a bit more strength than usual in the sparring session after our break.

‘I controlled my strength so she wouldn’t get hurt, swinging the wooden sword.’

When Yeon Mi-rae enveloped her arms and sword with her mana, I used just enough force for her to barely block it.
As expected, she barely managed.
Her arms might be sore for the rest of the day.

‘She’s probably icing her arms right now.’

Back home, I took a drink from the fridge, thinking that.
I could focus my senses on her since our houses were close, but I didn’t.
Privacy, after all.

‘By the way… Chloe…’

I suddenly remembered the protagonist of the article Sophia had shown me.
I keep in touch with Chloe regularly, though only once or twice a month.

‘Maybe I should call her now?’

I thought about it, then shook my head.
Considering the time difference between Korea and Europe, it’s probably late at night or early morning there, so Chloe would be asleep.
Calling now would be inconsiderate.
Unless she was visiting a natural site or filming a movie, she’d likely be awake.

I turned on the TV in the living room.

[Next news. Chloe Greenwood, a movie actress known as an elf, has revealed that she has been hired as a psychic magic instructor at the Seoul Awakened Academy.]

“Pffft…!”

I spat out my drink at the unexpected news.
Using cleansing magic, I quickly cleaned the spilled drink and focused on the news.

[Although Chloe Greenwood awakened psychic magic less than a month ago, her abilities have been confirmed to surpass existing psychic magicians.]
[Her psychic magic operates on a different system from existing methods but is more stable.]
[While conventional psychic magicians have a PTSD treatment success rate of about 50%, Chloe Greenwood’s rate has exceeded 70%. Considering some patients are still undergoing treatment, this number is expected to rise.]

According to the news, after Chloe’s magical abilities and dream demon powers were exposed, she’s been helping those suffering PTSD from dungeon raids or wars.
Unlike other magicians who directly interfere with the mind, her treatments have almost no side effects.

‘That’s probably because Chloe enters the patient’s dreams to treat them.’

Moreover, most awakened individuals have some resistance to mental interference.
Psychic magicians need to overcome this resistance to treat someone, but Chloe Greenwood doesn’t.

‘She even infiltrated my dream, and my psychic power is stronger than hers.’

That’s why Chloe Greenwood’s mental treatments are successful, making her a recognized authority in psychic magic.
Director Shin Han-ji of the Seoul Awakened Academy seems to attract famous instructors globally, so she probably offered Chloe the position, which Chloe accepted eagerly.

‘…What was she thinking accepting that…?’

Her power isn’t exactly psychic magic—it’s dream demon power—so she couldn’t teach the students anything.

‘…She didn’t accept it just to see me, did she?’

No, she could come see me anytime without joining the academy, so that seems unlikely.
I trust Chloe has her own reasoning. Or…

‘Did Director Shin Han-ji make her an offer she couldn’t refuse?’

Considering the current lineup of instructors and professors, Han-ji’s influence is extraordinary.
The swordsmanship department head is an aura master, and the shaman instructor is a recognized authority and even an idol in Japan.
These aren’t people who can be hired simply for money or prestige.

And last time in Chicago…

[(I should positively consider the proposal of magician Shin Han-ji.)]

Even Sir Sergey, a Russian aura master and a world’s strongest candidate before my appearance, seemed likely to come to Seoul Awakened Academy…

‘What’s Shin Han-ji planning?’

I couldn’t help but wonder.