He had to extract maximum efficiency from minimal mana. In a situation where the battle's duration and his total mana were unknown variables, it was the best choice.
To achieve this, he refrained from constantly creating barriers around his entire body unless absolutely necessary. It wasn't feasible to maintain a protective shield extending beyond personal boundaries; just enough to cover himself was manageable.
So, he deliberated for the most efficient mana usage. The conclusion wasn't a barrier encompassing his body but thin, momentary shields, even if they were smaller and less potent, to counter instantaneous attacks.
He hadn't thought it would work, but Sihyun swallowed the technique he'd absorbed. He attempted to use a skill for immediate healing if necessary, which luckily prevented a situation where Seowoo might need healing.
"I'm not bleeding out as much as before."
The energy seeping from his body had significantly decreased compared to earlier. It was a split-second decision but the right one. Sihyun tightened his grip on the staff, focusing intently.
While effective, this method was challenging to execute without adequate concentration. It required precise timing to manifest the right-sized shield—neither too large nor too small, neither too strong nor too weak.
Breathing deeply, Sihyun gathered his scattered thoughts, having succeeded in this meticulous maneuver. The Irregulars began to move in response.
Bang! Bang!
"Kiiyik!"
As they attempted an attack, transparent barriers intercepted each assault. An irritable Irregular, realizing who nullified their attacks with barriers, turned toward Sihyun.
Shifting his attention from Seowoo, Sihyun pushed back against the Irregular. His thick barrier, created earlier, was still in place. Typically, it could withstand two, sometimes three strikes, directly facing the charging Irregular like an enraged bull.
Or at least trying to charge. However...
*Swoosh!*
Disregarding Sihyun, the Irregular aiming for him found Seowoo's knife thrust into their body.
"I don't like being ignored much."
Contrary to the smiling facade, Seowoo's actions were chilling. Folding her arm once and then forcefully extending it, her knife pierced through the Irregular's throat, a far more gruesome sight than a mere blade piercing flesh.
Pulling out the knife, blood spurted upward.
As the blood showered the barrier, blackened blood obscured Sihyun's vision. A nauseating sensation enveloped him. Shuddering, Sihyun released the barrier, then fixed his gaze back on Seowoo.
"Behave and die quietly."
"I wish you'd cover my eyes at least."
The warning not to kill was contradictory; Seowoo's response was smoothly devoid of any intention to comply.
Only one remained. What were four Irregulars had dwindled to one.
Not as swift as Haru or Hamin, but Seowoo was adept at dispatching Irregulars. Sihyun's eyes followed her, acknowledging she had support, but her speed was terrifying regardless.
"Kiiik...."
The lone remaining Irregular, unable to attack or be attacked while floating in the air, seemed agitated. Seowoo, cleaning her blade tainted with blood from the immobilized Irregular, locked eyes with it.
*Rustle-rustle,* the red lips of the airborne Irregular, only guarding and not attacking, curled discontentedly.
"Not coming down?"
"Kiiik!"
Despite communication being futile, it cried out as though responding. Seowoo, interpreting that cry as a refusal to obey, swirled her sword in her hand.
"If you won't come, I'll have to go."
What?
Haewoon, lacking the ability to fly, had no means to go anywhere. Staring at Seowoo incredulously, Sihyun suddenly thought, "Well, being young, he might want to try such a thing," and Seowoo's gaze turned toward Sihyun.
It seemed utterly foolish to consider doing something like that with an Irregular floating in mid-air.
Feeling foolish for almost being taken in by Seowoo's exaggerated display, Sihyun exhaled sharply. He acknowledged Seowoo's confidence, wondering where it stemmed from.
The barrier specialized in blocking physical attacks, and Seowoo seemed skilled at adjusting its size and position. Thus, creating a staircase-like shield path leading to the airborne Irregular should be possible.
Observing Seowoo with newfound respect for her ingenuity, Sihyun briefly reflected on how he had misjudged her.
"It's doable."
"Then I'll ask for your help."
The emerald eyes rolled, narrowing the gap between Seowoo and Irregular. At first glance, five shields seemed uneasy for three. So, Sihyun conjured five shields in a staggered formation. Seowoo, eyeing the steps Sihyun created, chuckled briefly.
"You worry too much."
Sihyun's eyebrows twitched at her teasing tone. Doubting the stability with just five, he added two more, now a chaotic five.
Just as he contemplated erasing them altogether, Seowoo kicked the ground and soared into the air.
Thud. Landing smoothly on the first step, she leaped to the second. Maybe three were enough, as her speed increased, propelling her from the second to the fifth step in an instant.
Her flawless, clean movements resembled a form of artistry. Watching Seowoo's acrobatics unintentionally, Sihyun swiftly created more steps in a staircase, allowing her to descend.
Unlike before, Seowoo touched down after stepping on all five, meeting Sihyun's gaze. Unlike his tensed expression, she appeared remarkably composed and casual.
"You're getting skilled at this."
"Reckless stunts need some moderation."
Defeating a few Irregulars didn't make one a hero. Although Seowoo seemed capable of surviving the fall from that height, Sihyun couldn't predict everything.
Approaching cautiously, examining Se
owoo, he noticed a shallow cut beneath her eye. Despite her superhuman abilities, she was still human, it seemed.
Disliking the gesture but obligated after their fight, Sihyun extended his hand towards Seowoo.
"…?"
Usually wary, Seowoo showed her surprise as Sihyun unexpectedly reached out. Curious but calm, she let him, and he applied a simple healing touch to her injury.
A faint glow emanated from his fingertips, healing Seowoo's wound. Blinking, she touched the now-smooth skin beneath her eye, a lazy smile forming.
"Looks better now. All healed."
"You asked for it."
Sihyun smirked confidently at his feeble comment, almost rivaling Haewoon's bravado, causing his hand to tremble slightly. Hastily retracting it, he hid his hand behind him.
He'd sensed it vaguely before, but this healing reaffirmed it: expending a significant amount of mana felt akin to draining vigor, a facet of mana resembling energy.
Flexing his trembling hand, he inadvertently triggered spontaneous combustion in the Irregular's vicinity.
Fwoosh.
Watching the body ablaze without warning, Sihyun stumbled backward, observing the natural combustion phenomenon. Recalling a pyrokinetic awakened individual, he glanced behind to see someone seemingly incinerating all the Irregular corpses. Their efforts at containment and psychological impact reduction seemed inadequate.
Was it over?
Observing the cleanup, Sihyun scanned the vicinity, spotting Hamin and Haru amidst the sight of over ten incinerated Irregular corpses. Approaching, he healed Haru's discomfort caused by mana depletion due to their exposure to the fire.
This skill felt unnecessary with healing abilities, yet it proved helpful. Hamin, adjusting his glasses, marveled at his now-clean attire.
Phew—!
At that moment, a resounding horn echoed across the field, signaling the end of the protracted placement test.
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