Taesan activated, forging a connection between me and the ground.


    Through this link, the soil, rocks, ores, and even the trees and grass rooted in the earth became an extension of my senses.


    Within thatwork, the vitality stored in the earth was also palpable.


    <em>‘Hmm...’</em>


    Vitality perception and maniption through Taesan were limited to “me” and “the ground.”


    It was challenging to sense or manipte vitality beyond these boundaries.


    Was this what Lee Jiyeon had meant when she described vitality maniption as a subset of earth maniption?


    Any element outside the domain of earth was difficult to sense, let alone manipte. Manipting such elements seemed possible only after establishing dominion over the earth.


    <em>‘The Lee Jiyeon in the original story and Taesan’s n leader could influence external elements. This is a limitation that can be ovee with mastery.’</em>


    I began drawing vitality bit by bit. Pulling vitality from the surrounding ground, I directed it into my body.


    Heat surged through me.


    It was as if my entire body had been submerged in boiling water, my skin radiating heat until steam rose visibly.


    <em>‘Not yet...’</em>


    Vitality, life energy, essence—whatever you wanted to call it, the energy inherent to all living things flowed steadily into me.


    My body, already brimming with vitality, was now overcharged thanks to Lee Jiyeon’s earlier infusion.


    My body trembled, protesting its limits. It felt like nausea, a violent urge to expel the excess energy.


    But I held on.


    I mped down on the escaping vitality, forcing it back into myself, epting more of it against the resistance.


    <em>Crack...</em>


    Suddenly, the vitality that had reached the brink of overflow was rapidly consumed.


    Simultaneously, pain coursed through my body. A disturbing sound of distortion echoed within me.


    Bones creaked as they twisted and grew. Muscle fibers tore and reconnected repeatedly.


    <em>‘This... hurts more than I expected.’</em>


    I grimaced, steeling my resolve. I had anticipated pain, but facing it was an entirely different matter.


    I had no choice but to sharpen my focus and endure.


    My body began to change. The overflowing vitality adhered to the metaphorical vessel within me.


    The vessel, once shrunken and insufficient, expanded. Bones, muscles, and my entire physique grew rapidly, filling in what had been missing.


    The pain intensified.


    I closed my eyes tightly and let time pass.


    How much time had gone by?


    “Hah...”


    Suddenly, breathing felt effortless. I exhaled deliberately, then drew in a deep breath. No pain.


    In fact, there wasn’t just an absence of pain—there was an overwhelming sense of refreshment. The air in my lungs felt almost sweet.


    <em>‘It worked.’</em>


    [Joy]


    [Euphoria]


    I smiled faintly.


    The figure I observed through my perception had changed significantly.


    My white hair and facial features remained the same, but I had grown noticeably older.


    I touched and prodded my arms. My limbs were longer, and my height had increased.


    Thoroughly inspecting myself, I confirmed there were no abnormalities. Every part of me had developed correctly.


    This wasn’t the first time my body had undergone such a transformation.


    Previously, when my physique regressed, I couldn’t measure my physical capabilities. But I had confirmed that the quality of my mana, along with the state of my circuits and core, had improved dramatically.


    Now that my body had returned to normal, I could measure my physical strength through training.


    Moreover, the optimization process likely included an increase in height. How much taller had I grown?


    Grinning, I began interpreting the gathered information.


    ...


    [What the hell.]


    Still, I was back to normal, and that was all that mattered.


    I chose to think positively.


    Suppressing a grimace, I tapped the ground lightly.


    I restored the vitality-depleted ground by mixing fresh soil into the barren patches. Satisfied with the restoration, I left the training facility and entered themercial district.


    Checking the time, I realized it was toote for lunch. Training with my mentor was scheduled soon, so I wouldn’t have time to eat properly.


    Reaching into my clothes, I retrieved a handful of calorie bars from my spatial storage.


    <em>‘It’s been a while.’</em>


    These bars had been my go-to during the semester’s early days.


    Even in China, I had relied on them for sustenance. Since returning, I had been surviving on nd porridge and unappealing meals.


    With time running short, I unwrapped one and stuffed it into my mouth, heading toward the training grounds.


    I walked purposefully, feeling the solid ground beneath my feet.


    While letting a spirit carry me through the air had been convenient, I wanted to experience the sensation of moving in my restored body.


    My stride attracted attention.


    It was only natural.


    Just hours—or perhaps even minutes—ago, I had been a diminutive child. Now, I had grown dramatically in size.


    The gazes I drew were no longer ones of pity for a lost child.


    They were filled with curiosity, as if marveling at something extraordinary.


    <em>‘Heh.’</em>


    I shrugged my shoulders confidently. No longer would I be treated like a child.


    Standing tall, I walked with purpose, exuding pride.


    Above me, the shimmering <em>Sky Wings</em> fluttered, reflecting the sunlight as if sharing my joy.


    +++++


    Atra blinked slowly, her gaze fixed on Lee Hayul standing before her.


    <strong>[Ta-da!]</strong>


    Hayul, who had just arrived, smiled brightly and stretched both arms upward.


    It was as if a small, white bird had spread its wings wide.


    The shimmering light from his <em>Sky Wings</em> added to the ethereal image, making him resemble a character from a fairy tale.


    The contrast between the Hayul she had seen this morning and the one standing here now was striking.


    While he was still as endearing and lovable as before, he had grown significantly, his childlike frame now closer to an adolescent’s.


    Though his snowy-white hair and the aura of his mana remained unchanged, his physical appearance was unmistakably older.


    Perhaps his earlier apology for possibly beingte had been rted to this transformation.


    Atra, still processing the scene, remained momentarily stunned.


    Dissatisfied with herck of reaction, Hayul puffed his cheeks and pped his arms—or wings, rather—dramatically.


    <strong>[Fully restored!]</strong>


    <strong>[Not a kid anymore!]</strong>


    His ne clicked as it emitted his words, carrying an air of bluntness mixed with subtle pride and excitement.


    <strong>[I told you.]</strong>


    <strong>[I’d be back in no time.]</strong>


    Ah…


    Atra had spent enough time with Hayul to understand his little quirks. The more time they shared, the easier it became to read his feelings.


    This outburst? It was Hayul throwing a yful tantrum.


    She recalled how she’d doubted his earlier deration—how could someone whose body had regressed sopletely return to normal so quickly?


    “Well, I guess I was wrong.”


    Atra let out a soft chuckle.


    It was adorable how he’d held onto this minor slight, only toe running back to unt his recovery the moment it wasplete.


    Letting her affection show, Atra pulled Hayul into a hug.


    He might be iming that he’d grown, but his small frame still fit perfectly into her arms.


    “I’m sorry I didn’t believe my pupil’s words.”


    <strong>[Heehee.]</strong>


    Hayul wriggled his face into her embrace, a smile twitching at the corners of his lips.


    As Atra gently stroked his hair and back, any lingering resentment in him seemed to melt away.


    “......”


    Atra watched him carefully.


    It was already summer, the sun zing fiercely and the air heavy with heat. Even superhumans felt the difort of such weather.@@novelbin@@


    Although invulnerable to burns or physical harm, even the strongest heroes like Atra weren’t immune to the sensation of warmth under the scorching sun.


    Sweat gathered where her body retained excess heat, particrly in areas she had debated reducing forfort’s sake.


    She cast a worried nce at Hayul.


    …But he seemed entirely unbothered.


    Even as his face nestled between her chest, there was no hint of difort. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it, burrowing deeper.


    <strong>“Sniff sniff...”</strong>


    As she sighed in relief, a sweet scent wafted upward.


    It wasing from Hayul. The increasingly fragrant aroma momentarily clouded her thoughts, making her head spin faintly.


    “...Ahem.”


    Atra shook off the haze and cleared her throat, dispelling the intrusive thoughts.


    Composing herself, she tenderly tidied Hayul’s slightly disheveled hair.


    <strong>[Hehe.]</strong>


    Hayul grinned, his sunny smile making his expression all the more endearing.


    For someone who had just dered he was no longer a child, his behavior was still that of a pampered kid.


    Then again, only days ago, he had literally been a horned child in every sense of the word.


    <ul>


    <li><strong>[Cerberus?]</strong></li>


    <li><strong>Huh? What kind of dog?</strong></li>


    </ul>


    Atra chuckled at the memory. She could still picture Riana’s shocked face, the shrill sound of her disbelief.


    That image alone would be a delightful anecdote for years toe.


    “Now that your body’s back to normal, you’ll have no trouble entering the tower.”


    <strong>[Yes!]</strong>


    <strong>[I just need to finish my adjustment training!]</strong>


    “We have about two weeks before entry. Let’s make sure you’re fully prepared by then.”


    <strong>[Got it!]</strong>


    At the mention of the tower, Hayul’s expression turned resolute.


    His experiences in China had shown him the limits of his power. The uing climb was an opportunity to grow as much as possible.


    <em>‘Observation is key… At least I won’t have to deal with short, stubby limbs anymore.’</em>


    The mentor and pupil stayed that way for a while, sharing warmth and familiarity. Despite his restored form, their interactions hadn’t changed.


    The day’s trainingpleted, I returned to the dormitory.


    The sun was setting, casting a warm glow across the pavement.


    Most of the others were still attending lectures, but I had nned to train in my dorm.


    Taking the elevator, I arrived at my floor and let my presence be known as I walked deliberately toward my room.


    <ul>


    <li><strong>...! ...!</strong></li>


    </ul>


    Familiar presences stirred behind the door, shifting with excitement and anticipation.


    Suppressing a smile, I tapped my smartwatch against the door’s ess panel.


    <strong>[Student Lee Hayul, verified.]</strong>


    With a soft chime, the door slid open.


    <strong>“Dad!”</strong>


    Something white darted out from behind the door.


    Prepared for the sudden attack, I caught the figure mid-leap with ease. Colorful wings fluttered furiously as Seo Yul buried her face into my chest.


    Momentster, she lifted her head, her wide, white eyes brimming with curiosity.


    <strong>“Dad, you’ve gotten bigger!”</strong>


    <strong>[I’ve just returned to normal.]</strong>


    The enthusiastic assant was Seo Yul.


    Her gaze overflowed with joy, relief, and a hint of confusion as she pressed her face back into my chest.


    Her warm wee brought an involuntary smile to my lips.


    “Wee back, young master.”


    Ariel, dressed in her immacte modern maid uniform, approached gracefully from inside the room.


    “...You’ve truly grown quickly.”


    <strong>[Thank you again, Ariel.]</strong>


    “I simply did my duty.”


    Ariel, usuallyposed, couldn’t hide her surprise as her eyes widened briefly before her calm demeanor returned. She gave me a respectful nod, her professionalism unwavering.


    Turning my attention back to Seo Yul, I patted her on the back gently.


    <strong>[Seo Yul, were you listening to Ariel?]</strong>


    “Yes! I ate well, brushed my teeth, and studied hard!”


    <strong>[Well done!]</strong>


    <strong>[You’re amazing!]</strong>


    Her mood visibly brightened as she chattered on, reporting her day.


    While I could’ve easily essed all these details through observation, I valued the act of listening and engaging in conversation with her.


    “And...!”


    <strong>[Wow...]</strong>


    <strong>[That must’ve been tough! But Seo Yul managed it so well!]</strong>


    Praising her enthusiastically, I carried her further into the dormitory, listening closely to her every word and responding with genuine encouragement.


    <em>‘Hmm...’</em>


    Meanwhile, I observed her status internally, a bead of sweat forming on my temple.


    Her legs showed no signs of fatigue despite all her running and jumping.


    Her speech was wless, with a growing vocabry that expanded exponentially.


    <em>‘She’s developing so quickly...’</em>


    Seo Yul’s rapid growth was startling.


    Despite having barely done anything to help her so far, her progress was astounding.


    <em>‘Fairies grow up too fast...’</em>


    Her short childhood left little time for the unique joys and emotions that only children could experience.


    <em>“Heehee.”</em>


    Seo Yul, unaware of my concerns, simply smiled brightly, her colorful wings intertwined with my <em>Sky Wings</em> in a gentle, harmonious glow.


    <strong>[“The Curse of Beauty and Tragic Fate” restores the body.]</strong>


    <strong>[Consumes vitality.]</strong>


    <strong>[yer Adjustment System: Affection Levels]</strong>


    <strong>Lee Hayul → Atra Clyde</strong>


    <strong>●●●●●●●●○○ (87?88 /100)</strong>


    <em>?Mentor? ?Expectation? ?Stability? ?Yearning for affection?</em>