Chapter 462. The Star Among Stars (3)

There were two main reasons why Chi-Woo brought Flora to Seven Stars. It was to promote individual growth and complete the Seven Stars at the same time. In that sense, the current Flora was like a seed. It was entirely in Chi-Woo’s hands what fruit it would grow and bear. As such, Chi-Woo intended to spare no effort and resources so that the fruit would be as appetizing as possible; then it would be that much sweeter when he picked it and took a bite.

To that end, Chi-Woo delegated full authority over Flora’s growth to Byeok Ran-Eum. If she met Byeok’s criteria for potential and talent, there was no better person to train a newbie. Byeok, who directly witnessed and experienced Flora’s true value, immediately submitted Flora’s training plan that day. For Flora’s rapid growth, the first thing she asked for was a god to sponsor her. Since this wasn’t a difficult request, Chi-Woo took Flora to visit La Bella. As expected, La Bella welcomed Flora with open arms and immediately accepted Flora as her follower. As a result, Flora awakened her mana and gained access to the growth system at the same time.

When Chi-Woo returned with Flora, Byeok took her to the Image Representation space that Chi-Hyun had activated for them. Although he had entrusted Byeok with full authority, Chi-Woo did not just sit idly by. He periodically visited the Image Representation space and exchanged opinions with Byeok.

“It’s so unfortunate.” Although they finally began official training, Byeok couldn’t hide her regret as she taught Flora. “Perhaps due to her living too long with a weakened body, her constitution has also been tailored to it. If she had led a normal life, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad…”

Byeok emphasized the basics, and the basics was essentially the foundation a building was built upon. The wider and stronger the foundation, the higher the building could be built, and the more stable it would be. However, the problem was that Flora didn’t have any foundation at all. She was trying to stack bricks one by one, but since Flora didn’t even have a frame, let alone a foundation, they couldn’t stack anything.

Of course, Byeok could create a quickly improvised frame and raise a foundation, and she was confident that she could lift Flora to a certain height despite the constraints. However, it would be too great of a shame. Doing that was tantamount to cutting down her potential while she could soar so much higher. On the other hand, it would take too long to cultivate the soil step by step. It may have been fine after the great war, but there was no guarantee that Byeok could cultivate her properly in time for the next big event.

“In other words, Master, you’re saying—” Thus, Chi-Woo stepped up. He needed to solve the problem that was out of Byeok’s power for her training plan to gain momentum. “If we balance Flora’s body properly, we can speed up her growth?”

“If only we could…it would more than speed up her growth.” Byeok looked at him with a hopeful expression. If Chi-Woo could lay a perfect and ideal foundation for Flora to grow upon, it would be no different from giving wings to a tiger and allowing a serpent to ascend as a dragon.

Chi-Woo decided to solve this problem by accepting Flora as his star and sharing one of his abilities. Originally, he had planned to get her abilities instead, but that was something to consider later on. Even if he wanted to get an ability from her right now, she had no abilities to share with him. After Flora achieved sufficient growth and bloomed her ability in the future, he could just cancel the sharing and receive her ability through Asha’s Deterrence. Anyway, it wasn’t even worth pondering whether he should accept Flora as his star. He had this in mind from the very beginning since he invested Blessed Luck amounting to 150 million merits on her. However, he was concerned about whether her trust level was sufficient for him to make her his star. He needn’t worry, though, and what he saw when he activated his special privilege made him doubt his eyes.

[‘7 Ways to Become a Great and Respected Parent’ has been opened.]

[The amount of trust that user Flora has towards user Choi Chi-Woo will be measured.]

[Measuring… Measurement is complete.]

[Trust 100%: Parents are like a child’s mirror. Like father, like son. Like mother, like daughter. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. There’s a reason it’s said that a parent can be known by looking at their child. Currently, Flora is a complete blank sheet of paper like a newborn baby. It goes without saying who Flora will use as reference to draw her very own picture on the blank sheet. Just as the front wheels of a cart have to go right so that the rear wheels can also make a turn, please keep that in mind and be careful of your actions. Before Flora could experience a proper environment, she experienced the world called ‘you’. She already considers user Chi-Woo as a god-like being and is following you. Every word you say and every action you take will have a profound effect on Flora.]

[Flora’s trust in you has exceeded the necessary requirements.]

[You have chosen Flora, ‘The Nameless Girl’ as your third star.]

He hadn’t expected it, but her trust in him was 100%. Chi-Woo was completely flabbergasted, but what was clear was that Aida’s analysis of Flora had been on point. He fully realized the weight of her words only after reading the messages.

‘I…’ Chi-Woo’s expression darkened. He now felt like he could identify the uncomfortable emotion that had been weighing on him. In the past, he probably would have given Flora a choice, for her to receive her tribe’s care and live as a normal girl. However, Chi-Woo didn’t do that this time. He one-sidedly decided the girl’s fate by giving her a name to use her as a means to achieve his goal. This was a fact that could not be denied. It wasn’t too late for him to undo his decision now, but Chi-Woo clenched his teeth and dismissed the thought.

A master was not a caring person, but someone who drew obedience from all. He had been prepared since the general meeting when he turned the entire Shalyh, including his brother, into his enemy. Thus, he couldn’t go back to his past ordinary self. Chi-Woo accepted Flora’s obedience and was going to take full responsibility over her growth. He would turn the nameless girl who was treated like a wild street dog into a brilliantly shining star in Liber's night sky, brighter than any other star.

Chi-Woo shook off his inner thoughts and shared his Golden Ratio without hesitation. Flora’s already empty eyes moved to gaze at him blankly, and she soon closed her eyes and collapsed. Not long after, Flora’s skin began to crack, and her flesh began splitting. A dark, red liquid, which looked dirty and old, flowed constantly through the cracked skin. It was the bad energy piled up in Flora’s body, and there was such an unbelievable amount that it was hard to believe it could come out from one person’s body. It was to the extent that Chi-Woo could instantly understand why Byeok had lamented the lost opportunity so much.

After a few days, Flora’s physical transformation came to an end, and she opened her eyes. Byeok revealed a rare, bright smile; the training could finally begin properly now.

* * *

Time flew by. After Byeok took Flora into the Image Representation Space, she never came out even once. She lived inside as if leaving the space for even one second was a waste and focused all her attention on training Flora. Although not as much as her, Chi-Woo also visited often. There were times when he stopped by even though he didn’t have anything to do. Each time, Chi-Woo checked Flora’s user information from afar and watched her train. Today was another day like that.

1. Name & Rank: Flora (★☆☆☆☆)

2. Sex & Age: Female & 16

3. Height & Weight: 160.5 cm & 47.5kg

4. Denomination: ‘The Goddess of Scales’ and ‘Guardian of Balance’, La Bella

5. Tier: Iron IV

6. Class: Swordfighter

5. Heavenly Title: The Late Blooming God of War

6. Disposition: -

[Strength D]

[Durability D]

[Agility D]

[Stamina D]

[Mental Fortitude F]

[Mana D]

Her average physical ability excluding mental fortitude was now D. For reference, rank C was a rank that an average person could only reach by putting in extreme effort all their life. Flora had already almost reached that point. Moreover, she had acquired all the necessary basic skills thanks to Byeok’s dedicated guidance. Of course, Flora was not an ordinary human being, but a half-demon with the blood of a demon, a species known as a race of fighters, flowing in her veins. Moreover, while she was in the Image Representation Space, where time moved slower than reality, the Golden Ratio also exerted a positive influence on the efficiency of everything she did.

However, it was undeniable that she showed remarkable growth even considering all these factors. Flora grew and became stronger day by day, accepting Byeok’s teachings like a dry desert absorbing water. It was now no exaggeration to say that she was above the Celestial Realm heroes who just entered Liber. Again, Chi-Woo stared at Flora while she was completely immersed in her training like usual.

—Don’t compare yourself to her.

Philip suddenly spoke to Chi-Woo.

—That’s how life is. You go through situations you can’t do anything about, whether it’s related to a person or a job.

Flora’s growth was shocking to Philip as well. Her potential was astounding, and she had amazing talent to support that potential. If potential was the limit, talent equaled speed. Though in Philip’s perspective, Flora didn’t necessarily have higher potential than Chi-Woo, her talent far surpassed his.

Of course, he was basing that on where Chi-Woo had been before the great war. After the war, Chi-Woo seemed to have reached some kind of awakening, and it was now difficult to easily gauge his talent. But what was clear was that Flora was an existence that would make people lament the unfairness of life. Philip was already jealous as a dead spirit, so how would a living person feel? Since Chi-Woo had been envious of Ru Amuh and Apoline at one point in time and called their abilities cheat-like, Philip thought Chi-Woo would feel bitter again.

“It’s all right.” However, Chi-Woo’s response was surprisingly calm. “No, it’s rather good. I hope Flora can surprise me even more than now.”

Philip’s eyes widened like he was questioning Chi-Woo what had gotten into him. However, Chi-Woo was being sincere rather than spouting empty words. The faster Flora got stronger and the more beautiful and colorful ability she bloomed, the better it would be for him.

—Wow, that’s bold of you to say.

Philip showed a bit of admiration.

—Well, that’s not bad. Being generous is the privilege of the strong. I thought you were envious because you often visit and watch her.

“Rather than jealousy…I’m trying to get some motivation.”

—Motivation?

“Yes, I’m almost done with everything I planned, so I’m thinking about my own training.”

—Training? That’s good. Yeah, you haven’t done it for a while. I mean, you were busy one way or another.

Philip nodded and agreed with Chi-Woo’s words.

—So how are you going to train?

“Everything.”

—What?

“As long as it doesn’t harm my balance, I’m planning to do everything by any means possible as long as it’ll make me stronger.” Chi-Woo really intended to do this, and he wasn’t just talking about training. There were many other ways to get stronger. One example was raising his tier to Grand Master. Or utilizing his merits to use the growth system. His plan to share Flora’s ability was one of them.

He needed to get stronger. It wouldn’t do for him to fall behind. He must be ahead of everyone else as a master. The moment Flora caught up to him, her admiration for him would vanish. A person shouldn’t look back at a line they crossed. In order for him to keep pushing ahead, he had to be truly willing to do anything and everything. Chi-Woo blinked and looked up at Philip. Then he asked, “Will you help me?”

Philip’s eyes widened. He turned left and right once and pointed at himself with his index finger.

—Uh…me?

Chi-Woo nodded.

—Why? There’s Ms. Byeok too. Of course, she’s currently training Flora, but she’ll oversee your training if you ask her.

“Of course I’ll become stronger than I am now if I learn from Master Byeok. But…” One Choi Yoo-Joo had said that Byeok was a great master, but so was Philip—it was Philina in her worldline, but the point still stood.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever learned properly from you, Mr. Philip.”

Philip’s expression turned serious at Chi-Woo’s words.

—…Do you really mean it?

He asked with a puzzled look. It wasn’t that Philip hadn’t helped Chi-Woo at all. However, all he had done was give him a few words of advice every now and then, and it was difficult to say that he had taught him officially. It was because Philip had been afraid. Philip couldn’t move more than a certain distance away from Chi-Woo under contract, so in a way, it could be said that he had observed Chi-Woo closer than anyone else on Liber. As such, he had witnessed several times when Chi-Woo almost went berserk. And it was terrifying. It was a power that Byeok and even a great being like Chi-Hyun did not dare to touch. However, if he taught Chi-Woo and influenced that mysterious power, and as a result, something wrong happened…

Philip smacked his lips.

—Will you be okay? If I touch the wrong thing and…

Chi-Woo was also aware of Philip’s concern, so he said, “That won’t happen.”

Philip looked taken aback, and he stared at Chi-Woo with confused eyes. Chi-Woo had said that he would use any means and methods possible. He hadn’t said that because he had given up and was letting himself be swept by the flow. Moreover, he didn’t even look determined to take dangerous risks. Chi-Woo literally just said it as it was and was reassuring Philip that what he was concerned about wouldn’t happen, and it was all right now.

Philip’s eyes glinted; he could now guess what had changed in Chi-Woo right after the great war.

—…Okay.

‘I see. Did you decide to accept it without fearing it anymore?’ Staring blankly at Chi-Woo, Philip muttered to himself and smirked. He suddenly recalled his first meeting with Chi-Woo. At that time, Chi-Woo was like a reckless simpleton. Even though he didn’t know anything, he stubbornly asked Philip to teach him, and Philip had teased him by saying that he was far from ready. However, a guy like that had grown up before he knew it into an existence like the sky, whom everyone who wanted Liber’s salvation looked up to. The important thing was that the Chi-Woo in front of him now was not the Chi-Woo back then. Therefore, Philip’s answer was bound to be different.

—It’ll be fun to teach you now.

Yeah. Let them do this.