I am exhilarated at the thought of Aether being separable from Evandel. I initially thought it had become an essential part of her as a monster. Aether is a kind of weapon that registers its user to a biological degree. It is a bound weapon, thus it is explainable that it cannot be easily removed from Evandel.
But the sight of Yoenha possibly wearing Aether suggests otherwise that there is a different method of acquiring Aether. I realign my thinking realizing that Hajin himself told me he doesn’t really need Aether anymore.
In TNE, Kim Hajin has no proper ally at the beginning of the story. He lacks comrades and friends he can truly rely on. But in this timeline, it is different, he has me and Nayun. Hajin is no longer alone, and that thought serves as an impetus for his growth as an individual.
Yoenha explains to me the reason why her clothes look different. “Is Aether what is it called? That magic blob Evandel is playing with? It attached to my clothes all too suddenly. At first, there are no changes, but after some training, I am able to influence its shape somehow.”
Yoenha’s clothes are not really a dress but something in between indoor clothes, and a dress. I detect the frills on her shorts and shirt. The clothes’ color is black sticking to Aether’s natural color characteristics.
To demonstrate her control over Aether, Yoenha shapes her clothes into various shapes. Since the fabric being used is thin and easily malleable, Yoenha can arrange it as much as she wants using Aether. In the blink of an eye, the once homely clothes transform into a one-piece dress exuding a charm that makes my heart beat incredibly fast
“I can control it to this degree, but there is still room for practice. It consumes a lot of magic power though.” Yoenha briefly explains while her arm remains clutching onto Evandel’s waist.
“Awa!” Evandel protests, her eyebrows nearly meeting in her forehead with anger. I detect her tantrum with my cluing me.
I am about to ask Yoenha to help Hajin with the necessary paperwork when something incredible abruptly occurs.
My eyes are wide open when Aether explodes like raindrops on an umbrella. Even the fabric is not spared as they are shredded to pieces as forcibly changing their shape has actually destroyed their weavings.
Yoenha is without any clothes, and I cannot even close my eyes… as Yoenha speedily resorts to violence. The last thing I remember is waking up outside Yoenha’s room with the Death Knight watching over me.
“Hey…”
“…”
The Death Knight’s silence only worsens my self-esteem. I want Yoenha’s help on how to set up a company, but it looks like I will have to ask her electronically instead of physically just talking it out.
I tap on my smartwatch to send her an email.
Before I can even stand up, I notice something clinging to my hands. It is a Witch Hat. It is Evandel’s Witch Hat. “What is this? Why is this here?”
This Witch Hat did not appear in TNE, but I remember them briefly appearing in the Manhwa version. I want to return this back to Evandel as this seems to be important to her. However, before I make one more step, the Death Knight takes hold of my shoulder.
“Please accept the gift… The Witch King is yours to command…”
I gulp at the Death Knight’s select words. I take a careful look at the [Witch King], what I presume its name to be. The [Witch King] looks like the stereotypical hats that witches wear except mine has a zipper for a mouth reminiscent of the one from Harry Potter. I dread wearing the thing.
“Sure… Thanks…”
***
Yoenha calms herself by taking a nib on her chocolate. Evandel receives her fair share as Yoenha feels the little girl deserves it for at least finishing her homework as soon as Hyon is gone.
“Unbelievable…”
To maintain decency, Yoenha now wears another set of comfortable shirts and shorts.
Yoenha blushes in shame after the debacle. She did not expect Aether to explode like that because of the lack of magic power. As a result, bringing clothes into smithereens with Aether reduces them into little droplets.
“It is unexpected though.”
Yoenha grabs Aether in the form of a baseball bat. Apparently, Aether is what it is called, and only recently does she realize this thing responds strongly to emotions. In her shame of Hyon seeing her naked, Aether suddenly transforms into a baseball bat, and using it, she clobbers the distracted Hyon in a single strike.
It is a very weird experience for Yoenha as she is one to prides herself on self-control. Of course, the impulse to eat junk food is not within consideration.
“I wonder though… I thought Evandel is incapable of speaking, but clearly, she is able to talk evident to her calling Hyon Hyung as dada…”
Yoenha cringes at being reminded of the dramatic reunion of Evandel and Hyon. An old memory flashes in Yoenha’s mind when she is but a little girl. The way Evandel jumps to Hyon’s arms is like how the young little Yoenha jumps to her father’s arms.
“Is it possible that Hyon will end up as someone who is a fool for his daughter?” She entertains the thought, feeling pity for whoever Hyon might end up with.
No matter how trivial, these funny thoughts about the future make Yoenha smile. It is as if the potential end of the world doesn’t bother her anymore. As Suho once told her during one of his visits, to truly live is to live in the moment.
Suho, Hajin, Nayun, Rachel, and even Hyon. They make a great effort to make her know that she is loved. Yoenha is flattered, but then, her mind runs to Jonghak. According to the others, he is also here within [Under Cube]. “Does Jonghak also think about me?”
Of course, Yoenha knows better.
Yoenha receives an email from Hyon. She reads it from her laptop, and it seems he is asking for her help on how to set up a company. “They are finally planning to walk on the bigger stage... and early too... This is a great feat as they are still cadets, and so young.” She reads over the requirements and the core technology of the company’s product.
There are laws to watch out for, and the necessary paperwork. When it comes to this kind of thing, there are people who do it for the Essence of the Strait. Yoenha is simply a dabbler when it comes to this specific work as Yoenha specializes in management and it is expected from her that she will lead Essence of the Strait someday... and not do grunt work.
Now, Yoenha is actually doing grunt work. “Perish the thought, I can do better…” She motivates herself, thinking that setting up a company from scratch, while might prove to be challenging is not entirely beneath her.
She grins at the thought of a challenge. With the Cube AI being the greatest assistant she can ask for, this should be manageable.
***
I plop onto my chair from where I do my responsibilities. I should continue on rumormongering as intended, and help Hajin from the sidelines, but my mind unconsciously gravitates to [Witch King].
I already consulted Hajin. In fact, that is where I came from before returning here to the big LCD screen to do my portion of deskwork. Alone in the Control Room, I ponder on the meaning of possessing this ridiculous hat. I retrieve the information I receive from Hajin’s appraisal from my AI System.
[Witch King] [Intermediate Rank] [Undead Type Monster] [A Gift from Evandel. A sentient weapon (But is actually a monster) that can be worn on the head. It is composed of pure spiritual power.]
This Witch Hat is not an item at all! It is a freaking undead! However, the surprise doesn’t end there. If Aether is a blob of magic power, then this hat is a block of spiritual power.
Spiritual Power is a branch of a power system divergent from magic power. Hajin from TNE is the first to walk this path on the whole of humanity. As a reader, that is at least what I know. Who knows? Maybe there are actually different existences out there who are also walking the path of spiritual power.
I really don’t know the theory as spiritual power is an unexplored path. If I am to make an educated guess, then magic power is more connected with nature than spiritual power is, and spiritual power is more connected with the soul than magic power is.
I scan the ability options of [Witch King.]
[Ability Options:
(1) Sentient (Symbiotic): The requirement is to talk with it five minutes a day. It is bound to the host, and can never be removed.
(2) Growth (Feed): Feed it with anything organic, and it will grow. Recommended feed is monsters, artifacts, and any intelligent life. Please don’t feed it Djinns or any Devil or any extraterrestrial lifeforms… It hates the taste of it.
(3) Wisdom: Allows the host to appraise anything perceivable.
(4) Automation (Defense/Attack): Automatically protects the host from all kinds of danger.
(5) Storage (0/100 slots): Store all kinds of items not exceeding what a hand can carry per slot.]
To be honest, the ability options are very strong. The Sentient Ability option though is sending me the willies. Hajin tells me that this thing should not be able to usurp my will as he tested it with his [Book of Truth], so I should be safe.
I just hope there is a secret option that I can hide this thing when I don’t need it. I fear the thought of having to wear it for my entire life. I cannot imagine living from this day forward being unable to relax under a shower.
“The lengths that I have to go through for the pursuit of strength…” I sigh.
I head for a dressing room. The room was only recently created at Nayn’s request, and now I am using it. I face the large mirror, and gazing back at me is my reflection with the same apprehensive expression on his face.
Finally, I wear [Witch King] atop my head. I feel it embedding into my scalp in a creepy manner. I shudder and resist throwing the damn thing away. After a few more seconds of waiting, the [Witch King] is finally attached to my head.
I face the mirror and gallantly pose. The [Witch King] is stylish, and not to hoot my horn is actually to my taste. My dark brown hair whose color resembles the bark of wood now has a streak of black decorating my bangs. It is uncannily prominent as if asking for attention.
“You are looking mighty handsome there, master!”
Uck… I hear a loli voice from my hat. I see from the mirror the zipper part which I suspect to be the mouth is actually moving. “Are you the Witch King? Cube, can you hear this?” I ask the empty air, panicking at the thought of a loli hat.
“Yeah, right! Tis is I! The bitchy one and only, Witch King!”
[Yes, Host. I can hear her too. As I am connected to your nervous system, I can also perceive this Witch King. The Cube AI has to recalibrate the AI System to suit the new existence’s presence.]
“Who that?”
Ugh… It will be very noisy in my head in the future. I can see it already.
I am exhilarated at the thought of Aether being separable from Evandel. I initially thought it had become an essential part of her as a monster. Aether is a kind of weapon that registers its user to a biological degree. It is a bound weapon, thus it is explainable that it cannot be easily removed from Evandel.
But the sight of Yoenha possibly wearing Aether suggests otherwise that there is a different method of acquiring Aether. I realign my thinking realizing that Hajin himself told me he doesn’t really need Aether anymore.
In TNE, Kim Hajin has no proper ally at the beginning of the story. He lacks comrades and friends he can truly rely on. But in this timeline, it is different, he has me and Nayun. Hajin is no longer alone, and that thought serves as an impetus for his growth as an individual.
Yoenha explains to me the reason why her clothes look different. “Is Aether what is it called? That magic blob Evandel is playing with? It attached to my clothes all too suddenly. At first, there are no changes, but after some training, I am able to influence its shape somehow.”
Yoenha’s clothes are not really a dress but something in between indoor clothes, and a dress. I detect the frills on her shorts and shirt. The clothes’ color is black sticking to Aether’s natural color characteristics.
To demonstrate her control over Aether, Yoenha shapes her clothes into various shapes. Since the fabric being used is thin and easily malleable, Yoenha can arrange it as much as she wants using Aether. In the blink of an eye, the once homely clothes transform into a one-piece dress exuding a charm that makes my heart beat incredibly fast
“I can control it to this degree, but there is still room for practice. It consumes a lot of magic power though.” Yoenha briefly explains while her arm remains clutching onto Evandel’s waist.
“Awa!” Evandel protests, her eyebrows nearly meeting in her forehead with anger. I detect her tantrum with my cluing me.
I am about to ask Yoenha to help Hajin with the necessary paperwork when something incredible abruptly occurs.
My eyes are wide open when Aether explodes like raindrops on an umbrella. Even the fabric is not spared as they are shredded to pieces as forcibly changing their shape has actually destroyed their weavings.
Yoenha is without any clothes, and I cannot even close my eyes… as Yoenha speedily resorts to violence. The last thing I remember is waking up outside Yoenha’s room with the Death Knight watching over me.
“Hey…”
“…”
The Death Knight’s silence only worsens my self-esteem. I want Yoenha’s help on how to set up a company, but it looks like I will have to ask her electronically instead of physically just talking it out.
I tap on my smartwatch to send her an email.
Before I can even stand up, I notice something clinging to my hands. It is a Witch Hat. It is Evandel’s Witch Hat. “What is this? Why is this here?”
This Witch Hat did not appear in TNE, but I remember them briefly appearing in the Manhwa version. I want to return this back to Evandel as this seems to be important to her. However, before I make one more step, the Death Knight takes hold of my shoulder.
“Please accept the gift… The Witch King is yours to command…”
I gulp at the Death Knight’s select words. I take a careful look at the [Witch King], what I presume its name to be. The [Witch King] looks like the stereotypical hats that witches wear except mine has a zipper for a mouth reminiscent of the one from Harry Potter. I dread wearing the thing.
“Sure… Thanks…”
***
Yoenha calms herself by taking a nib on her chocolate. Evandel receives her fair share as Yoenha feels the little girl deserves it for at least finishing her homework as soon as Hyon is gone.
“Unbelievable…”
To maintain decency, Yoenha now wears another set of comfortable shirts and shorts.
Yoenha blushes in shame after the debacle. She did not expect Aether to explode like that because of the lack of magic power. As a result, bringing clothes into smithereens with Aether reduces them into little droplets.
“It is unexpected though.”
Yoenha grabs Aether in the form of a baseball bat. Apparently, Aether is what it is called, and only recently does she realize this thing responds strongly to emotions. In her shame of Hyon seeing her naked, Aether suddenly transforms into a baseball bat, and using it, she clobbers the distracted Hyon in a single strike.
It is a very weird experience for Yoenha as she is one to prides herself on self-control. Of course, the impulse to eat junk food is not within consideration.
“I wonder though… I thought Evandel is incapable of speaking, but clearly, she is able to talk evident to her calling Hyon Hyung as dada…”
Yoenha cringes at being reminded of the dramatic reunion of Evandel and Hyon. An old memory flashes in Yoenha’s mind when she is but a little girl. The way Evandel jumps to Hyon’s arms is like how the young little Yoenha jumps to her father’s arms.
“Is it possible that Hyon will end up as someone who is a fool for his daughter?” She entertains the thought, feeling pity for whoever Hyon might end up with.
No matter how trivial, these funny thoughts about the future make Yoenha smile. It is as if the potential end of the world doesn’t bother her anymore. As Suho once told her during one of his visits, to truly live is to live in the moment.
Suho, Hajin, Nayun, Rachel, and even Hyon. They make a great effort to make her know that she is loved. Yoenha is flattered, but then, her mind runs to Jonghak. According to the others, he is also here within [Under Cube]. “Does Jonghak also think about me?”
Of course, Yoenha knows better.
Yoenha receives an email from Hyon. She reads it from her laptop, and it seems he is asking for her help on how to set up a company. “They are finally planning to walk on the bigger stage... and early too... This is a great feat as they are still cadets, and so young.” She reads over the requirements and the core technology of the company’s product.
There are laws to watch out for, and the necessary paperwork. When it comes to this kind of thing, there are people who do it for the Essence of the Strait. Yoenha is simply a dabbler when it comes to this specific work as Yoenha specializes in management and it is expected from her that she will lead Essence of the Strait someday... and not do grunt work.
Now, Yoenha is actually doing grunt work. “Perish the thought, I can do better…” She motivates herself, thinking that setting up a company from scratch, while might prove to be challenging is not entirely beneath her.
She grins at the thought of a challenge. With the Cube AI being the greatest assistant she can ask for, this should be manageable.
***
I plop onto my chair from where I do my responsibilities. I should continue on rumormongering as intended, and help Hajin from the sidelines, but my mind unconsciously gravitates to [Witch King].
I already consulted Hajin. In fact, that is where I came from before returning here to the big LCD screen to do my portion of deskwork. Alone in the Control Room, I ponder on the meaning of possessing this ridiculous hat. I retrieve the information I receive from Hajin’s appraisal from my AI System.
[Witch King] [Intermediate Rank] [Undead Type Monster] [A Gift from Evandel. A sentient weapon (But is actually a monster) that can be worn on the head. It is composed of pure spiritual power.]
This Witch Hat is not an item at all! It is a freaking undead! However, the surprise doesn’t end there. If Aether is a blob of magic power, then this hat is a block of spiritual power.
Spiritual Power is a branch of a power system divergent from magic power. Hajin from TNE is the first to walk this path on the whole of humanity. As a reader, that is at least what I know. Who knows? Maybe there are actually different existences out there who are also walking the path of spiritual power.
I really don’t know the theory as spiritual power is an unexplored path. If I am to make an educated guess, then magic power is more connected with nature than spiritual power is, and spiritual power is more connected with the soul than magic power is.
I scan the ability options of [Witch King.]
[Ability Options:
(1) Sentient (Symbiotic): The requirement is to talk with it five minutes a day. It is bound to the host, and can never be removed.
(2) Growth (Feed): Feed it with anything organic, and it will grow. Recommended feed is monsters, artifacts, and any intelligent life. Please don’t feed it Djinns or any Devil or any extraterrestrial lifeforms… It hates the taste of it.
(3) Wisdom: Allows the host to appraise anything perceivable.
(4) Automation (Defense/Attack): Automatically protects the host from all kinds of danger.
(5) Storage (0/100 slots): Store all kinds of items not exceeding what a hand can carry per slot.]
To be honest, the ability options are very strong. The Sentient Ability option though is sending me the willies. Hajin tells me that this thing should not be able to usurp my will as he tested it with his [Book of Truth], so I should be safe.
I just hope there is a secret option that I can hide this thing when I don’t need it. I fear the thought of having to wear it for my entire life. I cannot imagine living from this day forward being unable to relax under a shower.
“The lengths that I have to go through for the pursuit of strength…” I sigh.
I head for a dressing room. The room was only recently created at Nayn’s request, and now I am using it. I face the large mirror, and gazing back at me is my reflection with the same apprehensive expression on his face.
Finally, I wear [Witch King] atop my head. I feel it embedding into my scalp in a creepy manner. I shudder and resist throwing the damn thing away. After a few more seconds of waiting, the [Witch King] is finally attached to my head.
I face the mirror and gallantly pose. The [Witch King] is stylish, and not to hoot my horn is actually to my taste. My dark brown hair whose color resembles the bark of wood now has a streak of black decorating my bangs. It is uncannily prominent as if asking for attention.
“You are looking mighty handsome there, master!”
Uck… I hear a loli voice from my hat. I see from the mirror the zipper part which I suspect to be the mouth is actually moving. “Are you the Witch King? Cube, can you hear this?” I ask the empty air, panicking at the thought of a loli hat.
“Yeah, right! Tis is I! The bitchy one and only, Witch King!”
[Yes, Host. I can hear her too. As I am connected to your nervous system, I can also perceive this Witch King. The Cube AI has to recalibrate the AI System to suit the new existence’s presence.]
“Who that?”
Ugh… It will be very noisy in my head in the future. I can see it already.
