Chapter 65: Mysteries and Expired Points

After his dramatic departure from the cafeteria, Cheol Su sought solace in the Academy's picturesque courtyard, the warm sun and gentle breeze providing a moment's respite from his churning thoughts. Cheol Su paced back and forth, his mind swirling with questions. Why had Cyprus granted him these new powers? He had always make good use of situations. What did it mean for his place in the Academy, and the wider world of the Evolvers? Lost in his thoughts, he was oblivious to the world around him.

He turned to the familiar glow of his visual interface, Cyprus.

"Show me a review of my experience points," Cheol Su commanded, his voice still tinged with suspicion.

"I cannot comply with that request," Cyprus replied.

Cheol Su's jaw tightened. "And why not?"

"You currently have no valid experience points," the system stated.

"What?" Cheol Su exclaimed. "That's impossible! I've points in my storage !"

"Your previous points expired," Cyprus explained, its tone matter-of-fact. "Experience points earned but not used within a set time frame will expire."

Cheol Su stared at his visual interface, aghast. "But—but that's not fair! Why didn't you warn me?"

Cyprus was silent for a moment, as if choosing its words carefully. "That is something you should have reviewed yourself. The system is only as effective as the user." Cheol Su bristled. "Shitty system!" he repeated, his voice dripping with contempt. "You're the one who withheld vital information, and now I've wasted weeks of effort!"

"As I've stated, I provide guidance, but you must take responsibility for your own actions," Cyprus said. "And I would refrain from hurling insults at your most crucial ally, if I were you."

Cheol Su scowled. "That's rich, coming from you."

The tension between them was palpable, a clashing of wills in the idyllic tranquility of the garden. At last, Cheol Su sighed, his shoulders slumping as he shook his head.

"So what now?" he asked, the fight draining out of him. "I've lost all my points. Where does that leave me?"

"Every Evolver must learn from their setbacks," Cyprus said, its voice softer now. "Remember, you've gained new skills in your trials. That knowledge is invaluable." And as Cheol Su pondered these words, in another part of the Academy, Yuer Mo found herself in the unfamiliar territory of regret.

"You really let him get under your skin," she muttered to herself, the reprimand carrying no real bite. The events of the cafeteria played over in her mind's eye, each memory leaving a bitter taste on her tongue.

"Where is he anyway?" she mused, her gaze sweeping across the grounds as she strolled, uncertain of her goal. Yuer Mo's search took her through the cloistered halls, past the training arenas, and finally to the secluded gardens, her gaze sharp as a hunting falcon's. And there, she found her quarry: Cheol Su, deep in conversation with himself.

She froze, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. What was he doing? Who—or what—was he talking to?

Yuer Mo's curiosity burned, but her pride kept her rooted to the spot, refusing to announce her presence. She would simply…observe. But her curiosity had just surpassed her pride, "Some Evolver you are," Yuer Mo sneered, her voice a whip crack in the silence of the garden. "Having an argument with thin air."

Cheol Su started, his eyes darting to Yuer Mo, surprise written across his features. "What are you doing here?"

Yuer Mo arched an eyebrow. "you just left like that without a trace, some show off you are,'full of pride!" Her gaze flicked to the empty space beside him, and a smirk twisted her lips. Cheol Su stiffened, his hackles rising once more at her taunting. "That was before I discovered my experience points had expired." He stabbed a finger toward the space where the holographic interface had once stood. "Thanks to that shitty system."

"Expired?" YuerYuer Mo's retort died on her lips as Cheol Su's expression morphed from frustration to horror, his eyes wide with the realization of his slip. "What? What did you just say?"

Yuer Mo leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "A system? You mean like those old legends?"

"No, no, I meant—" Cheol Su's words cut off as he shook his head, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to let the secret of Cyprus slip. Without another word, Cheol Su vanished, the shadow step swallowing him up in an instant.

Yuer Mo's lips pursed, a frown creasing her brow. "Truly bizarre," she murmured. But even as she stood there, an idea began to take shape, a glint of mischief in her eye.

"Well, if it is true…" she whispered to herself. "What a useful little secret that would be."

As Yuer Mo stood in the Academy's courtyard, her fingers closed around a rare+ level rune of teleportation, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"A bit of insurance," she muttered, crushing the rune in her palm. "As the last embers of teleportation magic faded, Yuer Mo materialized in an empty training room where Cheol Su , a smug smile playing across her features. "Well, well, if it isn't my little Evolver friend," she purred, her voice low and teasing.

Cheol Su started, whirling around to face her, his expression a mix of shock and irritation. "What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, glancing warily at the surrounding shadows.