Lokdil Ventric.
A collateral member of the Great Ventric Family.
Yes, collateral.
In most families, collateral lines held little sway compared to the direct bloodline. But for Lokdil, and indeed, for any Ventric, the power difference was negligible.
The reason lay in the anomalous hierarchy of their Guardian Constellation.
Typically, S-Rank Guardian Constellations are picky. They select their Contractors based on strict, personal criteria, bestowing blessings only upon those who meet their standards.
The Ventric Family was different.
The Constellation didn't choose the Contractor; the Family did.
And their Guardian Constellation, 'Beak Mask,' accepted these choices without complaint, granting contracts and blessings to whomever the family designated.
Because of this unique structure, the Ventric Family wielded immense power across the UK and Europe.
For ordinary people, receiving an S-Rank Constellation's contract, even without being a direct descendant, was a tremendous advantage. It was infinitely superior to begging for scraps from C-Rank or D-Rank entities.
This system fueled Lokdil Ventric's sky-high arrogance. He believed there was nothing in the world he couldn't possess.
True, he had recently been expelled from the UK Academy for causing a scene to get what he wanted, falling out of favor with the direct line. But it didn't matter.
If I fell out of favor, I simply need to prove my worth again.
Lokdil recalled the personality of the woman who had exiled him.
She had kicked him out because he damaged the family name. Conversely, if he brought something valuable to the table, something she desired, she would welcome him back.
That was the kind of person she was.
Moreover—
I got what I wanted.
Lokdil smiled deeply, glancing at the blonde woman standing behind him.
Yuria de Palace. A beauty who remained perfectly expressionless, like a doll.
Looking at her, Lokdil felt the trouble was worth it. Her lack of emotion was irksome, but a little 'education' would fix that in time.
He turned his gaze back to the paper in his hand, his smile twisting into a sneer.
"Kim Joohyuk...."
Kim Joohyuk.
The genius orphan who had crushed the heirs of Korea's Five Great Families to take the top spot at Valhalla.
Lokdil didn't know how a mere orphan had beaten children wrapped in S-Rank blessings, nor did he care.
He is perfect prey to boost my track record.
To Lokdil, Kim Joohyuk was not a person. He was a resume builder.
A trophy to present to the family to regain his status. Scouting him would be a strong start.
Lokdil marched to the next classroom and threw the door open. He spotted Kim Joohyuk immediately.
"Nice to meet you, Kim Joohyuk."
"What are you again?"
Kim Joohyuk frowned.
Lokdil flinched but quickly regained his composure.
As expected of an uneducated orphan. He doesn't even recognize the name Ventric.
Everyone else in the room was staring at him. They recognized the name. They knew what the Ventric Family meant.
"I am Lokdil, of the Ventric Family."
"So?"
"...."
...Rude bastard.
Lokdil felt a surge of irritation. Since the day he took the name Ventric, no one had dared to speak to him like this.
But he endured.
Kim Joohyuk would eventually bow his head to the proposal. The education could happen then.
There is no way a mere orphan would refuse me.
It was an offer too good to refuse.
In Valhalla, most students without family backing were lucky to contract with B-Rank or D-Rank Constellations. Even then, they were at the mercy of the Constellation's choice.
But the Ventric Family?
If Kim Joohyuk accepted, his uncertain future would vanish. He would be guaranteed an S-Rank blessing.
From Lokdil's perspective, it was charity. He spoke with absolute confidence.
"Kim Joohyuk, do you not desire power? If you swear fealty to me, I may deign to bestow a blessing upon you—"
"What is this dipshit barking about now?"
"...What?"
Lokdil froze.
He wasn't the only one.
The entire class, and even Yuria standing silently behind him, widened their eyes in shock.
Kim Joohyuk, oblivious to the atmosphere, continued.
"Are you a dipshit? Can't you tell from my tone?"
"What is that...."
"I said I don't need it. I've been giving off vibes that I'm not interested since you walked in, so why do you keep yapping? Are you an attention seeker?"
"Calling me an attention seeker right now-"
"Not an attention seeker? Then a dipshit?"
"Do you know who you are speaking to-"
"Whatever you are, you're either desperate for attention or an idiot. No?"
Lokdil gaped, his mouth opening and closing like a landed fish.
Realization dawned, followed by a flush of rage. He was about to scream, but—
"Lokdil Ventric. Class is starting. Return to your room."
"Ordering me right now-"
"This is not the UK Academy. I don't care if you are from the Great Ventric Family; this is Valhalla. As an exchange student, you will follow the Instructor's orders unconditionally."
Combat Instructor Lee Sang-cheol had entered. At his sharp intervention, Lokdil and Yuria had no choice but to retreat.
❋ ❋ ❋
Valhalla. Day 2.
The first class after lunch.
"Back in my day... when an S-Rank Dungeon called Nest appeared-"
Kim Joohyuk watched the students nodding off in a food coma. He clicked his tongue and scratched his head.
Annoying.
Kim Joohyuk's mood was foul.
There were three reasons. First, the martial arts training he had attempted in the dorms last night.
This body is a tattered rag, really....
To put it bluntly, he failed.
He couldn't even circulate his mana properly, let alone train.
Why?
Because the amount of mana in this body was pitifully low.
If it was just low, I could work with it.
But the flow was obstructed.
The mana wasn't just low; it was stagnant, as if the energy had calcified within his pathways.
I managed a quick fix so I can use mana today, but still.
He hated this weak vessel.
I can fix it once I find 'that' thing.
But the second reason for his bad mood was more external.
These bastards are really fucking persistent.
He hadn't intended to become a celebrity. He had cursed at the reporters to drive them away.
He had made it clear: I am not joining anyone.
Yet, despite his insults being immortalized on Namuwiki, the offers kept coming. Texts, calls, Instructors passing notes, seniors delivering messages, it was endless annoyance for a man trying to unclog his mana circuits.
And the third reason.
"Teach me."
"No."
"Teach me."
"No."
"Teach me."
"I said no?"
"Teach me."
"...."
"Teach me."
"Are you actually a psychopath?"
"Teach me."
Choi Ah-rin.
She had been following him like a haunting spirit since yesterday, repeating the same phrase like a broken machine.
If it were anyone else, they would have gladly taught her everything they knew. She was beautiful, and her family background was top-tier.
But to Kim Joohyuk, she was just noise.
"Teach me."
"Is that the only phrase you know?"
Kim Joohyuk looked at her with genuine disgust. Choi Ah-rin tilted her head, her black hair cascading over her shoulder.
"...Please teach me?"
"...."
Kim Joohyuk began to seriously question her intelligence.
...Did I not curse hard enough yesterday?
He recalled the memory. He had refused her three times, then unleashed a torrent of profanity.
...It definitely wasn't weak.
Normally, people leave when you insult them.
But Choi Ah-rin?
"Please teach me."
"No."
"Please teach me."
"No."
"Please teach me."
"...."
She sat in the empty seat next to him, undeterred by the insults, buzzing like a radio.
"Please teach me."
"...."
"Please teach me."
"...."
"Please teach me...."
Kim Joohyuk laughed in disbelief.
"10 million won."
Tilt?
"I said 10 million won. For one lesson."
Choi Ah-rin stared at him blankly for a moment.
Then—
"!"
—Her eyes widened in realization.
Finally, she'll shut up.
10 million won was a ridiculous sum for a single lesson, even for a noble family member. She wouldn't just—
[Ding]
[100,000,000 won has been deposited.]
[Remaining Balance: 100,301,300 won]
Kim Joohyuk froze. She hadn't just paid. She had paid ten times the amount.
"Will you teach me now...?"
Kim Joohyuk checked his phone, let out a hollow laugh, and tapped the screen.
[100,000,000 won has been refunded.]
[Remaining Balance: 301,300 won]
"Nope. Not teaching~"
He said so.
(End of Chapter 6)
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