The Beginning of a New Daily Life

The next morning, Minwoo woke up feeling refreshed for the first time in a long while. He had returned to the dormitory last night and slept deeply, and surprisingly, he didn't have any nightmares. The Mugeukja consciousness was also quiet.

[Status Analysis]

Mental Stability: 87% (Greatly improved)

Mugeukja Consciousness Activity: 1% (Nearly dormant state)

Stress Index: 23% (Normal range)

Overall Condition: Very good

'Ah, I haven't felt this way in a long time.'

Minwoo stretched and opened the window. Outside, the usual campus scenery unfolded. But now everything looked different.

The sharp gaze of the security guard standing next to the security office, the relaxed yet vigilant atmosphere of some faculty members strolling around the campus, and the subtle energies hidden between the buildings...

'All of this was to protect us.'

For the first time, Minwoo felt a genuine sense of security. Inside the protective barrier built over 300 years, he was safe.

After finishing his shower and getting dressed, his phone rang. It was a message from Jieun.

"Want to have breakfast together? I heard the cafeteria food is good today~"

Minwoo smiled and replied.

"Sure! What time?"

"8 o'clock! Let's meet in the lobby on the first floor^^"

For the first time in a while, it was a normal college student appointment. Minwoo packed his bag happily and left the dormitory.

When he met Jieun in the lobby, she looked brighter than usual. Perhaps thanks to last night's honest conversation, the awkwardness between them had almost completely disappeared.

"Did you sleep well?" Jieun asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I slept deeply for the first time in a while. How about you?"

"Me too! I think it's because my mind feels relieved."

The two walked side by side toward the student cafeteria. The morning campus was peaceful. Students going to class, faculty members jogging, maintenance staff tending to flower beds... everything was ordinary and normal.

But Minwoo now knew how precious this ordinary daily life was, and how many people's efforts were protecting it.

"Um, Minwoo," Jieun suddenly stopped and said.

"Yeah?"

"Don't you regret it?"

"What?"

"Starting defective martial arts research. You could have lived as an ordinary college student..."

Minwoo thought for a moment. What if he hadn't discovered the Phantom Step technique in the waste storage that day? What if there had been no system? He would probably still be sitting in the back row, just staring at Jaesung's back.

"Not at all," Minwoo answered with conviction. "I'm actually grateful."

"Grateful?"

"Yeah. Thanks to that, I was able to find the real me." Minwoo looked at Jieun. "And I met real companions too."

Jieun's face turned slightly red.

"Especially meeting you is what I'm most grateful for."

"Hey, why are you suddenly saying that?" Jieun hit Minwoo's arm lightly, embarrassed.

The two laughed and entered the cafeteria.

9:30 AM, Basic Internal Energy Practice Room

"Today, we'll learn about emotional control when using martial arts."

Professor Kim Sejin started the class with his usual voice, but Minwoo felt something was different. The professor's gaze often lingered on him, and the class content seemed designed specifically for him.

[Personalized Education Program Detected]

Target: Curriculum exclusive to Kang Minwoo

Adjustment Level: 75% (Significant personalization)

Purpose: Mugeukja consciousness control training

Instructor: Kim Sejin (True identity: Mental-type martial arts specialist)

'Could Professor Kim also be...'

Minwoo looked at the professor with new eyes. He had always seemed like just a strict basic internal energy professor, but now his martial arts level appeared quite substantial.

"Student Kang Minwoo," the professor suddenly called on Minwoo.

"Yes!"

"Please come forward and demonstrate the basic meditation technique."

Minwoo went forward and assumed the meditation posture as the professor instructed. But the breathing technique the professor taught was different from the ordinary one. It felt somehow deeper and more stable.

"This breathing technique has the effect of calming the mind when emotions become intense," the professor explained. "It's especially useful in situations of anger or extreme stress."

[New Skill Acquired]

True Heart Meditation (眞心冥想法)

Effects: Emotional stabilization, mental strength enhancement, external consciousness interference prevention

Proficiency: Beginner (1%)

Special Effect: Specialized for Mugeukja consciousness suppression

'This... is a technique for suppressing Mugeukja consciousness!'

Minwoo was surprised. On the surface, it looked like a regular class, but it was actually special training designed for him.

After class ended, Professor Kim called Minwoo over.

"Student Kang Minwoo, please stay for a moment."

After all the other students had left, the professor approached Minwoo.

"I heard from the Dean yesterday," the professor's voice became gentle. "It seems I'll be helping you with mental training going forward."

"Then Professor, you..."

"Yes, I'm one of the people who knows the school's real purpose." Professor Kim smiled. "Practice the meditation technique you learned today every morning and evening. It will help you greatly."

"Thank you, Professor."

"And..." the professor said in a low voice. "If you ever feel strange during class or can't control your emotions, please raise your hand immediately. I'll help you right away."

Minwoo was moved. He couldn't believe so many people were protecting him.

2 PM, Defective Martial Arts Research Club Room

"Wow, this is amazing!" Park Sora exclaimed excitedly.

The research room had been completely renovated. State-of-the-art analytical equipment had been installed, and new experimental tables and safety facilities had been added.

"The Dean really provided us with incredible support," Kim Cheolsu said admiringly.

[Facility Upgrade Complete]

New Equipment:

Advanced martial arts analyzer (Accuracy +50%) Safe combination chamber (Failure risk -30%) Mental strength monitoring system Complete emergency medical equipment

Research Efficiency: +85%

Safety Level: +200%

Simultaneous Research Capacity: 3 people → 8 people

"Now we can really do serious research!" Yoon Seongmin said, examining the new equipment.

"By the way, Minwoo," Kim Cheolsu looked at Minwoo. "Do you have any plans for your next combination?"

Minwoo checked his system. The Split Sword technique fragment was still safely stored, but using it seemed dangerous for the time being.

"For now, I want to start with Mugeukja consciousness control training," Minwoo replied. "I'll try again after it becomes safe."

"That's a wise decision," Kim Cheolsu nodded approvingly. "Safety comes first above all."

Then Jieun sat next to Minwoo and said, "Then should I do more theoretical research? Like literature investigation on the Split Sword technique."

"That's a good idea," Minwoo replied gratefully.

"We're doing this together, after all," Jieun smiled. "We're partners."

Those words warmed Minwoo's heart.

7 PM, Dormitory Corridor

After finishing the day's activities and walking back to the dormitory, Minwoo walked slowly with Jieun. The campus was beautiful, bathed in the sunset.

"How was today?" Jieun asked.

"It was amazing. I didn't know this school was such a special place," Minwoo said, looking around. "To think I've been walking around not knowing all this time."

"Me too. But now that I know, it feels safer and more reassuring."

The two sat on a bench in front of the dormitory. Stars began to appear one by one in the sky.

"Minwoo," Jieun said carefully.

"Yeah?"

"That thing I was going to say yesterday... want to hear it?"

Minwoo's heart began to race. "Yeah."

Jieun hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth.

"Actually... I like you."

Minwoo couldn't believe his ears. "What?"

"I said I like you," Jieun's face turned red. "As a man."

Minwoo was speechless. It was a confession he hadn't expected at all.

"Since when...?"

"I think it's been since we first met in the library. When I saw you doing that amazing analysis..." Jieun said shyly. "I felt like you were someone special."

"But I'm a dangerous person. With Mugeukja's..."

"That doesn't matter," Jieun said firmly. "Whatever power you have, whatever past you have... I like you as you are now."

Minwoo felt his chest swell with emotion. He didn't know if he deserved to receive such feelings, but he was so grateful.

"I also..." Minwoo said carefully. "I like you too."

Jieun's face lit up.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You're the first person who understands me this much."

The two looked at each other for a moment. Then they carefully held hands.

[New Relationship Established]

Minwoo ↔ Jieun: Romantic Relationship

Special Effects:

Mutual mental strength complementation Research efficiency +25% Emotional stabilization buff Mugeukja consciousness suppression effect increase

"Whatever awaits us in the future..." Minwoo said.

"Let's endure it together," Jieun replied. "If we're together, we can do anything."

Minwoo squeezed Jieun's hand tightly. The Mugeukja consciousness was still within him, and many trials would await them in the future.

But he was no longer alone. There was someone who truly loved him, and there were trustworthy companions. And there was also a solid fence protecting him.

Most importantly, he had a choice. Not to become Mugeukja, but to walk his own path.

'This is really a new beginning.'

Minwoo looked up at the starry sky with Jieun and made a promise in his heart. No matter what happened in the future, he would live as Kang Minwoo, not Mugeukja.

And to protect those he loved, he would find his own way.

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