Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss-Chapter 356 - 354: Like a tangled threads

Nayoung and Minseok followed Seojun back into the classroom, taking their seats. Nayoung leaned over her desk, glancing at the empty spot where Hannah usually sat. "Oh, by the way, Professor," she began, "Hannah won't be able to attend today. She's catching up on the classes she missed."

Seojun nodded. "That's fine."

Nayoung grinned, clasping her hands together. "So, it's just me and Minseok today! Hehe."

Minseok chuckled a bit, then his smile faded. "Yoora still doesn't want to attend this class," he said with a sigh, his eyes glancing over at Yoora's usual spot, which remained untouched.

Seojun didn't respond immediately, but the system's voice echoed in his mind.

[This is a good timing, Host! Let Minseok train with his familiar and focus on Nayoung.]

Seojun thought for a moment, then stood up, his chair scraping lightly against the floor. "Both of you, stand up."

Minseok and Nayoung exchanged glances before getting up from their seats. "Professor?" Nayoung asked, a little curious.

Seojun crossed his arms. "I want you both to show me your mana. Focus it. Let me see your control."

[Great! Host is ignoring me -_-]

Minseok nodded seriously, taking a deep breath. He stretched out his hand, and a faint glow of blue mana began swirling around his fingertips, growing brighter with each second. It shimmered steadily, a sign of his solid connection with his mana.

Nayoung, on the other hand, closed her eyes tightly, her hands clenched together as if she was summoning something grand. Her face scrunched up in concentration, and she stood there... waiting.

Seconds passed.

Minseok glanced over at her, his mana still swirling. He blinked. "Uh... Nayoung?" he called out.

But she didn't respond. Her eyes were still shut, a tiny smile forming as if she was imagining herself glowing with power.

Minseok scratched his head and leaned in a bit. "Nayoung," he whispered louder, "What are you doing?"

Nayoung finally opened her eyes, looking around with a bit of confusion. "Huh?" she asked, blinking.

Minseok chuckled. "You weren't releasing any mana," he said, still amused.

Nayoung's eyes went wide. "Aww, I can't even release a mana!" she groaned, slumping her shoulders dramatically. "I was imagining it too! I thought I was glowing!"

Seojun raised an eyebrow, barely holding back a smirk. "Imagining isn't going to make it happen," he said plainly. "But at least you have enthusiasm."

Nayoung laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head. "I guess I got a little carried away..."

Minseok shook his head, still smiling. "A little?"

Nayoung pouted, crossing her arms. "Hey! I'll get it next time!"

Seojun nodded thoughtfully. "Alright. Let's fix that," he said. "Try holding it as long as you can and time it. It's important to know your limits."

Minseok straightened up, "Got it, Professor," he replied, focusing even harder, his mana pulsing steadily.

Seojun raised his hand slightly. "Sui," he called out calmly.

From Seojun's shadow, a dark slime bubbled up. "Kyuuu~! You called, Master?" Sui squeaked,

Seojun gestured toward Minseok "Guide him and time him, Sui. Make sure Minseok understands his limits," he instructed.

"Kyuuu~! Leave it to me, Master!" Sui replied energetically, bouncing over to Minseok with little hops, leaving faint ripples of shadow where he touched the ground. He stretched part of his slime body, and a tiny shadowy stopwatch appeared inside him, ticking away.

"Okay, okay! Let's see how long you can hold that mana, kyuuu~!" he giggled, his eyes blinking happily.

Minseok blinked, surprised at Sui's form and cheerful attitude, but then nodded. "Got it... I think," he said, steadying his breath.

Seojun then turned to Nayoung, who looked both curious and confused. He gestured for her to step aside. "And Nayoung. Go over there," he instructed.

Nayoung blinked, pointing at herself. "Me? Over there?" she asked, still confused.

"Yes. And turn around," Seojun added, making a circling gesture with his hand.

Nayoung frowned, not understanding. "Turn around? Why?" she asked.

Seojun sighed. "Just do it," he replied calmly.

Still puzzled, Nayoung shrugged and moved to the side, slowly turning around as Seojun asked, glancing back once before facing the wall completely. "This is weird..." she mumbled to herself.

Meanwhile, Sui bounced around Minseok, his dark slime body stretching and moving with each hop. "Kyuuu~! You're doing great! Keep it steady! I'm timing you, kyuuu~!" he chirped, the little stopwatch ticking visibly inside his translucent body.

Minseok focused hard, ignoring Sui's cheerful squeaking. "I-I can do this," he whispered, mana still swirling around his hand.

Seojun turned his attention to Nayoung, stepping closer and placing his palm gently on her back. The sudden touch made Nayoung freeze for a moment, her cheeks turning red. Her thoughts began to spiral. Oh my gosh! If Elshienne saw this, she'd definitely be jealous! My heart... it's beating so fast! she thought, her face heating up even more.

Seojun, noticing the rapid thumping beneath his palm, raised an eyebrow. "Calm down," he said, his voice steady. "You're too tense. Take a deep breath."

Nayoung took a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "O-Okay," she replied, forcing herself to relax—though her heart still raced.

"Good," Seojun continued. "Now, I'm going to explain what I'm feeling from your mana," he said, his hand still resting on her back. "Right now, your mana is like... tangled threads. It's all knotted up and unable to flow properly,"

"Tangled... threads?" Nayoung repeated, trying to imagine it.

Seojun nodded. "Yes. Or sometimes, it feels like a bouncing ball trapped inside a cramped space," he added. "Instead of flowing smoothly, it just bounces around, hitting barriers and getting stuck."

"That's what Professor Sera told me too"

"Exactly," Seojun confirmed. "Your mana isn't bad... it's just trapped. If we untangle those threads and give it proper space, you should be able to release it just fine."

Nayoung's eyes sparkled with hope. "Really? I can do it?" she asked eagerly.

Seojun nodded. "Of course. But it'll take time. We need to start slowly and figure out where those knots are," he replied,

Seojun kept his palm steady on Nayoung's back, his touch gentle but firm. "I'll only help you a little," he began, his voice calm and steady. "You need to feel your own mana and find where the knots are. Don't worry, I'll guide you. But it might be tiring... do you want to sit down?"

Nayoung shook her head quickly. "Professor Chulsoo said before that feeling the mana flow rhythm is best in a comfortable position, and I prefer standing, Prof," she replied confidently.

Seojun nodded with approval. "Alright then. Are you ready?"

Nayoung took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "I'm ready."

Not far from them, Minseok, who had just wiped the sweat from his forehead after his own practice, glanced over curiously. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "This is the first time I've seen Nayoung serious," he murmured, watching with interest before turning his attention back to Sui, who was still floating around him, chanting little kyuuu~ sounds as it recorded the time.

Seojun returned his focus to Nayoung. "Alright, close your eyes. Try to feel the flow. Your mana is like threads, but they're tangled. Find those knots," he instructed.

Nayoung closed her eyes tightly, her brows furrowing in concentration. Seojun began to gently guide his own mana into her back—not forcefully, but just enough for her to sense it. "Follow it," he whispered. "Feel where it gets stuck, where it's tangled. Do you sense it?"

Nayoung bit her lip, sweat beginning to form on her forehead. "I... I feel something... but it's... slipping away," she murmured, her voice strained.

Seojun's eyes narrowed. "That's alright. Focus again. Slowly. We'll try one more time," he said, keeping his voice calm and reassuring.

A few minutes passed, and Nayoung took a deep breath, trying again. Her hands were clenched, and her legs were starting to shake slightly. Finally, she gasped and opened her eyes, panting. "I-I lost it again, Professor... I'm sorry," she said, her shoulders slumping. novelbuddy.cσ๓