Ji-Yeong's Pov

I woke up to the dazzling sunshine coming from my open window. 

In my daze, I briefly wondered why it was open before getting up and stretching my whole body until I shook myself awake.

This would be a lovely morning to have a nice cup of joe.

Ah. Right.

As I leaned on the open window, I realized it was my second morning in this world, and I felt a pang in my chest at the thought of my home.

Sigh.

I decided to get over it for now and learn more. If magic brought me here, magic should be able to bring me back.

Looking around my room, I found a fridge in the kitchen. A fridge! That didn't yet exist in the game I played. They even have computers now...

I was disappointed to find that the fridge was empty. Then I looked at the closet...only to find it also empty.

Man, I have nothing. 

Aren't Isekai protagonists blessed with everything from the start? Well...I might not be a protagonist, but still! 

No money. No food. No overpowered skill....wait, I might have one of those...I have a lot of those!

I suddenly had an epiphany...if I still am the Ji-Yeong from when I last played...

"Inventory!" I shouted with all my might with the hope of activating the skill I use the key "E" to open.

To my surprise, my dagger flew out of my robe and slashed in the air, opening a slit in space.

Woah.

I don't remember it doing that in the game.

I peeked through the slit, bam! There it was! My whole game inventory is accessible with the skill [Inventory].

Both food and money were inside, along with all the treasures and artifacts I had gathered while adventuring. The one that particularly caught my attention was the tunic I wore while adventuring in the Arkwoods. 

It was a quest reward for completing a quest that involved the Skrevna Empire, a treasure of vampires!

Man, I'm stoked!

Oh yeah, I looked out the window, sunlight seeping through the fluttering curtains. 

Sashi and her master should have left by now.

...

Sashi's POV

As my master has stated, we departed promptly once the sunlight permeated the mountains of Throamines. I drew my robe closer to myself in an effort to shield against the morning cold.

Including my master and myself, we assembled three additional pillar mages, each representing various factions. 

I, an alchemist and the healer of our group.

My master, from Tempest Pillar, known for their sharp and precise offensive magic. 

Javier Hundo, representing the Earth pillar, will serve as our tank during the expedition. 

Furlow Ou, representing the Whispering Pillar, will serve as our vanguard. 

Finally, Hedalgo Sereyoso, not a pillar mage but a seventh-ring adventurer whom my master employed from Gilderade—a highly skilled swordsman and bowmaster.

A team comprising five members, though smaller in number than our previous expedition party, is nonetheless formidable. 

The Forhenges lies between the Arkwood and the deserts of Aldwrath.

We ultimately decided to sail across the Lake of Loch Ness since it proved to be easier than crossing the manaless land of Aldwrath. At least in the lake, we could fish for food.

I made my way towards the group in the distance, and as soon as we got together, no word was spoken. 

My master nodded and flew. We followed. 

As soon as my feet left the ground, I was reminded of that guy. I knew quite a lot of fifth-adventurers who could fly. In fact, I don't remember any adventurer with the same rank who cannot.

I clad myself in mana to shield my body from the cold even further, only to find it unnecessary a while later as the sun finally revealed itself out of the mountains, basking me with its warmth.

The land beneath us slowly opens up to a plain.

An hour passed with us barely communicating aside from the occasional pointing of directions.

In the distance, I saw the gleaming surface of Loch Ness and the ship that would carry us to its other side. 

Only someone from a pillar or a fifth-ring adventurer is qualified to cross it.

I wonder if he has?

...

Ji-Yeong's POV

Huam. I really am in need of some caffeine. 

I stopped by the cafeteria, but they don't offer coffee. I recall having encountered a similar drink in Skrevna, so I wonder why we don't have some here. 

Is it a rare delicacy, perhaps?

I'm in my new class, Practical Magic Applications. I'm never a fan of morning classes, but eh, the chilly morning air was quite nice today.

"Before we start our class today, I would like to introduce a new student of this institution," our professor said, looking towards the door and nodding, almost a bow. "Prince Ennahon Hugo Skrevna."

Hugo Skrevna! My previously drowsy mind perked. 

A royal blood vampire! Never in the game had I encountered a royal vampire outside Skrevna.

The vampires are quite strict about mingling with other races, preferring to have their community to themselves.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Ennahon Hugo Skrevna. I look forward to learning with you all." He gave a slight bow.

His name is not familiar. I wonder if he's a new character as well?

The professor urged him to look for a seat. Glancing around, his eyes settled on Nace's and my area. 

Ah, crap, what now? 

Though there have been a lot of new things in this world that I haven't encountered in-game, I should still be cautious. Vampires are cunning.

Vampires are strong. And since they use a different form of magic from other races, they can be quite unpredictable. 

Mana is the usual fuel we use to power magic. Same for dwarves and elves. 

Vampires, however, use their endless life force, which they call Prana.

This gives them an edge in combat since they practically do not run out of it. 

"May I sit here?" he politely asked.

"Sure thing!" Nace cheerfully agreed, not a tone of hesitance in his voice.

I, however, became more cautious, recalling the words of Aaron Leyser. 

Though still, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and greeted him. "Hey, my name's Ji-Yeong, this is Nace, our class president."

"Ennahon. Pleased to meet you." He sat.

And just like that, our class resumed.

Practical Mana Applications. From what I see on the board, it seems closely related to Mathematics. 

"Times before and during the Great War a hundred years ago, we only thought of mana as fuel for war and violence. To defend and to attack."

He paused.

"Now! We see it everywhere! Like this device right here!" he enthusiastically presented a...stove.

"That's right, a cooking top," he looked proud, "The humble cooking top can be used by even someone without mana. That is because of the engraved spell [Heat] powered by a magic core." 

He proceeded to present more inventions, driving home the point of using mana to power something other than our attacking power. 

"Why do I need to explain this again? Well, that's because of you! You need to craft—make, or whatever it is—just use mana to power something other than what you're taught in your combat classes. That's all! Class dismissed!"

As soon as I heard what we needed to do, I looked to my right, where Ennahon was...the only one who could not use mana. 

Although he could still use a mana core, as demonstrated, an engraved spell required manifesting a spell using mana and then transcribing it into a medium like the cooktop. 

Through this, many smiths were able to inscribe a spell on a weapon—like my dagger, which has an enchantment of [Malleability]. With that spell, I can choose to shift my weapons' shape by will. Or by a key-bind.

Though he was smiling, I knew from his eyes that he was annoyed.

A part of me wondered whether the professor was on a power trip and wanted to incite a reaction from the vampire prince. 

As far as I know, Vampires are militant creatures born for battle. All the Prana magic I've encountered is attack magic. Well, the fact that being an adventurer could be a reason why. 

But still, it won't make sense to apply their literal life force to something as mundane as cooking.

Before I worry about him, though. How am I going to make one?

Other than shouting passionately, I have no clue how to apply magic in anything. 

"Well, that's that," Ennahon sighed as he got up.

"You should be fine using a mana core," Nace suggested. 

"You are right," he said, "I guess I'll have to rely on books for now. Though I wish I could use some original spells of mine."

Nace's ears perked, "Original spells?"

We talked as we walked towards our next class.

"Yes, I wish I could transcribe a spell I use to make myself fall asleep quicker into a pillow." 

Speaking of which...shouldn't this vampire be sleeping during the day?

I kept that to myself.