Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

There were a total of three mana circuits engraved by Ray. The first, as mentioned, was the circuit connecting the mana stones and artifacts. The second was the circuit extracting mana from the mana stones. And lastly, the circuit delivering that extracted mana to the artifact’s wearer.

While simple in explanation, engraving the intricate mana circuits with my meager mana was truly a battle of time and stamina.

Even borrowing Ray’s mental energy, my body became so exhausted it felt unbearable.

I took breaks, lying down in between.

Just dividing the mana circuits across the two bracelets took two full days. If Professor Geum hadn’t nagged me intermittently to eat, I might have lost track of time completely.

With the mana circuit engraving complete, all that remained was creating the space for the mana stones, and it would be finished.

Originally, I had planned to make holes for the mana stones to be inserted.

However, mana stones varied in size. Especially if they were meant as consumable charges, making holes tailored to each stone was impossible.

Which was why I thought it better to use powdered mana stones instead, despite some mana loss.

I needed to create a space for the mana stone powder. I planned to treat most of that area with iron, while finishing the middle to the end with reinforced glass so the remaining mana stone amount could be visually checked.

This process also took quite some time.

But once the shimmering reinforced glass was fitted, it gave off a rather decent appearance.

While my lacking metalworking skills resulted in slightly excessive thickness, the meticulous finishing lent an aura of quality.

I had briefly considered engraving decorative patterns, but Ray vehemently objected, so I canceled that idea.

The final bracelet product could be described in a positive light as simple. In a negative light, however…

—It looks crude.

Yes, it was crude.

“But for a first attempt, isn’t this pretty good?”

While the design was lacking, fortunately the bracelets fit my arms smoothly.

I called out to the window that had appeared before me:

“Got it!”

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Mana Assist Bracelet / C-Grade

—–

Accessory · Auxiliary

A mana assist bracelet crafted by an amateur’s clumsy hands.

Transmits the mana within charged mana stones in the charging chamber to the wearer.

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‘Clumsy hands,’ it said. I had put in quite an effort, you know?

But the very fact that this notification window appeared meant the item was being recognized as an artifact.

The artifact’s description was excessively concise. Wouldn’t it have been better if it explained the output level or remaining mana amount?

This was why personal artifact workshops were always built adjacent to training grounds. To truly grasp an artifact’s full capabilities, one had to put it through its paces.

Countless mana circuits had been engraved upon my body. According to Ray’s explanation, this allowed me to utilize my own body as an artifact without needing additional mana circuits.

“Though I’m not sure if that will actually work.”

After completing the bracelets, a whole day had already passed. Only then did I hear the growling of my famished stomach.

I supposed I would have to test it out later.

That evening’s meal was pig’s trotters and Korean-style wrapped ssam.

It had been so long since I had ordered delivery food that I practically drooled as I ravenously devoured it.

“Couldn’t even eat a proper meal, could you?”

Clicking his tongue at my appearance, Professor Geum nonetheless slid the meat plate closer to me.

“So what did you end up making in there?”

“Even if I tell you, this is for my personal use, so others can’t utilize it.”

“I’m just curious.”

As promised, I explained to Professor Geum about the artifact I had created.

“It allows me to harness the mana contained within mana stones.”

“Is that possible?”

“For me, yes. I did say it was for my personal use.”

I explained what exactly the artifact I had made was. Despite my amateurish explanation, Professor Geum, grasping the core concept, spoke with an astonished expression:

“Huh, that’s insane. For awakeners, your mana circuits are determined by your talents, right? To activate a mana stone’s mana, you need specific mana circuits.”

I nodded. I deliberately remained silent, as providing further details would require explaining about my own body as well.

“Though I suppose you didn’t go through such arduous efforts just to commit suicide.”

Having witnessed my process, Professor Geum seemed to understand.

“I had considered copying it if possible, but I definitely can’t now.”

Curious my ass. He had intended to steal the idea!

Well, I had been suspicious ever since he so readily offered the use of his workshop.

“Just kidding, just kidding.”

Professor Geum quickly added that, but I didn’t fully trust him.

“Since you’re here, should I give you something else you need?”

At those words, my eyes lit up. There was no need to refuse what was being offered.

“Actually, there was something I needed.”

I had considered stopping by the black market on the way, but if it was being given for free, why refuse?

“You should learn to decline sometimes.”

Professor Geum said that as if he was truly fed up, but only those without need would decline such an offer.

From Professor Geum, I was able to obtain a couple of artifacts that would be immediately useful for Han Seo-hyeon.

As I headed home with a light step, a toy store caught my eye.

“Hmm.”

Still, Kim Jae-ho was part of our team too. If I only bought gifts for Han Seo-hyeon, would he feel left out? Not that I knew if he even had the cognitive capacity for that, but it still felt improper somehow.

—You’re really thinking of going in there?

Although Ray was appalled, I strode right in.

“I’ll take one of your large teddy bears here.”

No, since he liked mice, should I get a mouse instead? But while small mice were cute, wouldn’t large ones be a bit unsettling? Or maybe that rabbit in the corner?

—Why are you even agonizing over such things!

‘Be quiet! You’re distracting me!’

Ah, my inner monologue was being disturbed. If we’re comrades, then be quiet like comrades!

* * *

“What is that stuffed animal?”

At Han Seo-hyeon’s words, I looked at the massive teddy bear tucked under my arm.

“It’s for Jae-ho.”

“You think he’ll like something like that?”

Han Seo-hyeon clicked his tongue as he looked at me. But despite his cold reaction, Kim Jae-ho seemed to really like that teddy bear. Immensely so.

Kim Jae-ho clung to the teddy bear, showing no signs of letting go.

‘Kill me.’

It felt like I heard a voice from the painfully stuffed toy.

“Well, I’m glad if you like it.”

Whether it was effective plush therapy or not, Kim Jae-ho’s condition had been quite good lately. One could even say he had become rather cooperative. Whenever I spoke to him, he would subtly react, and at times he would even move his body in accordance with our requests, behaving more obediently.

Still, it wasn’t to the point of being able to release him from the iron cage yet, but if time passed like this, it might be worth trying at least once.

“Ah, and this is for you.”

I handed Han Seo-hyeon a shopping bag.

“What’s this?”

“Your clothes.”

While I had lent him my clothes, the difference in our builds made him look rather unsightly, like a kid wearing his older brother’s hand-me-downs (come to think of it, that wasn’t entirely inaccurate).

I couldn’t have a growing teenager dressed like that.

So while I was out, I bought Han Seo-hyeon a whole new wardrobe.

“But they’re all black.”

“We’re a criminal organization, aren’t we? Bright colors would be a bit much.”

At my words, Ray grumbled inside.

—Didn’t you just call him a growing teenager?

‘What of it?’

Moreover, for the sake of Han Seo-hyeon’s growing stage, I had also stocked up on various supplements.

“These are all good for awakeners. This one is supposed to improve brain function, this is for concentration, and this enhances physical stamina.”

I had bought these after overhearing discussions among mothers of exam students at the department store. While he would never attend the academy or take the college entrance exam, I still wanted to provide supplements that those students consumed.

Seeing this, Han Seo-hyeon lowered his head.

“Why that reaction?”

“It just reminded me of my time at the academy. Back then, I never received things like this.”

The academy Han Seo-hyeon had attended seemed quite discriminatory. Well, considering they had demanded tuition fees for practice materials, it was hardly surprising. This resulted in a significant divide between the well-off students and the underprivileged.

Those from poorer backgrounds couldn’t even lay eyes on such items.

Truth be told, I had been in the same boat, though I never showed it. At the academy, I was always the outcast. Jeong Ho-san had tried sharing his belongings, but for some reason, my pride was hurt, so I had always declined, feigning disinterest.

But perhaps I too had secretly wished for someone to look out for me like this.

As if overwhelmed by melancholy, the corners of Han Seo-hyeon’s eyes reddened.

“From now on, don’t worry. This boss can buy as many of these as needed.”

“Are you really that wealthy?”

Well, I had essentially pilfered it all from Professor Geum, but still. I gave a vague nod. Children shouldn’t grow up worrying about money.

“Thank you.”

It was a rare childlike moment.

“Ah, and this too.”

In fact, this had been the main intention.

I handed Han Seo-hyeon two bracelets. Unlike the medieval shackle-like bracelets I had made, these were quite prettily designed. Because I hadn’t made them.

“What are these?”

“Artifacts. Read the descriptions yourself.”

The two bracelets I gave Han Seo-hyeon served different purposes – one functioned as a communicator to contact me from anywhere, while the other was a protective artifact that could deploy a shield around the vicinity by inputting mana.

Once again, Han Seo-hyeon lowered his head with a touched expression.

Patting his shoulder a few times to indicate no thanks were necessary, I noticed Han Seo-hyeon’s eyes widen as he spotted something glinting on my wrist.

“What’s that shiny thing? Did you get an artifact too, Boss?”

“Ah, this is something I made this time. I mentioned using the workshop, right?”

I raised the bracelet closer for Han Seo-hyeon to see. Pointing to the shimmering powder within the reinforced glass, I explained:

“This is mana stone powder.”

“Mana stone powder?”

“Yeah, it draws the mana contained in these mana stones into my body.”

Han Seo-hyeon’s mouth fell open.

“Is that possible?”

“Yeah, let me show you. They say seeing is believing, and I need some practice too before utilizing it in actual combat.”

Having been unable to properly test it, I was quite curious about the output as well. As I channeled mana into the artifact, the mana stone powder within the bracelets immediately began resonating with my mana.

The amount of mana I could wield instantly increased tremendously.

To an extent I could barely handle.

Huh? This is…

“Wa-wait!”

Simultaneous to my shout, my body was thrust backwards like a rocket.

“B-Boss!”

Only after tumbling several revolutions across the dirt ground could I finally halt my momentum.

Ughh, spinning. Spinning.

“Are, are you okay?”

From that distance, Han Seo-hyeon came running towards me. Waving my hand to indicate I was fine, I said:

“This output is good, b-but yeah, I need some practice.”

Quite a lot of practice, in fact.