I Became the Academy’s Kibitz Villain

To ability users, a concept was equivalent to personality and could be considered synonymous with ‘self’ or ‘ego.’

Regardless of the total amount of mana, it was ultimately the mental strength that utilized this mana.

If the power of thought and imagination was strong, and the self was well-established, one could maximize their power.

In adopting a concept, there was nothing better than myths and legends.

For example:

If I were Greek and had the ability to control lightning.

-I am Zeus!!

Visualizing oneself throwing lightning bolts like Zeus, the absolute god from Greek mythology, and adopting that as one’s ability.

What if born with lightning powers but in Northern Europe?

Just create a hammer, surround it with lightning, and swing it at the enemy.

Emulating figures from myths, legends, or history—those hailed as ‘heroes’—is also a way for ability users to establish their ego.

-I am the reincarnation of a German hero!

-Oh, which hero? Perhaps, Siegfried…?

-Stärke liegt nicht in der Verteidigung, sondern im Angriff!!

-……Wait, translate that. Uh, national power is not in defense but in aggression…? Adolf…this crazy neo-Nazi ability user!!

Well, there were some issues in 2025, but in modern times, many ability users have adopted their country’s heroes as concepts.

So.

It’s the same with Korea; what if Korean ability users adopted concepts of being reincarnations of past heroes, messiahs, or actual descendants continuing the legacy?

-Listen well. Your ancestor was a Hwarang from the Silla Dynasty.

-Hwarang? So, do I have to put on makeup and dress up with flowers?

-Yes. Isn’t Hwarang cool?

-Wow! So, who was this ancestor?

-Gwanchang.

-…….

There were meaningful research results and some effects were achieved.

Then there was a problem.

-What if we lose?

In the era of abilities, what if an ability user, having adopted the concept of a national hero, was defeated by someone?

So far, there hadn’t been major battles, but in the unseen parts of the world, conflicts among ability users occurred frequently.

Especially when an outspoken villain turned out to be stronger than expected. What if a hero, adopting a legendary hero’s concept, was defeated?

Extremely.

-Call the main house Chungmugun. On the left, Samcheok Mountain Sword, on the right, Ilhwi Cleanse Sword. The main house’s ability rank is A-grade, capable of slashing any enemy in a single blow.

Let’s assume there was a fictional ability user called Wonakma (20 years old).

-Wow! Chungmugun! Super strong.

-Kuh, the spirit of Korea! Patriotism is surging!

National prestige would rise.

The people would be ecstatic.

But.

Really just in case.

It shouldn’t happen, but.

Just in case of just in case.

-Tomo. Chungmukun. Iga Ninja Desu.

-Kuhuk…!! I, defeated by a Japanese…!

-Watashi wa S-grade desu. Soshite anata wa risou jyanai. Uuensang desu.

-Kaaak!!

If an A-grade national hero was defeated by an S-grade from another country.

-Lost…?

-It can’t be. Chungmugun…lost?

-Losing is okay! Yeah, you can lose! But to a Japanese?

The fall of the hero would lead many to despair.

-Uuuuuu! What is Chungmugun!

-Don’t go around saying you’re a Korean hero!

-Next news. The Association of Chungmugimbap Lovers is accusing the A-grade hero Chungmugun of trampling on national honor and ethnic pride….

Immediate criticism and censure would pour down on that hero.

The entire nation would verbally abuse and criticize him, and the hero might just turn into a devil.

So, ability users didn’t casually adopt concepts.

They added their own originality simply.

Or they might think of someone else’s image but name it differently.

Or they didn’t establish a hero’s concept until they reached S-grade to ensure they didn’t lose to anyone.

Yes.

If one could truly reach at least the genuine ‘S-grade’, then.

-Wow! Lightning Breath! Wow! Qi Explosion Cannon!

-Kuhuh, that’s the real Admiral Yi!

-Admiral Yi’s award, Ikeeaaaaa!

-No, you’re Japanese.

-Admiral Yi’s award, Kakkoiieeee!

-Ah, I don’t care. Win!

If one had the skills to avoid losing easily, then they earned the right to bear that name and concept.

“He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight. Adopting someone’s stature as one’s own means proving oneself through skills and actions.”

If one decided to bear the history of another, there came a corresponding responsibility.

“So, such weapons are conceivable and usable in reality, but one must not use them carelessly.”

“Really… If you use this and lose to someone from another country, especially a Japanese, you’ll be scolded tremendously.”

“It’s not just about getting scolded; you’d have to leave Korea.”

“Well, then.”

Yun Hye-ra and Hyeon Se-rin looked at the two swords I held with a regretful expression.

“…Still might want to use them.”

“Apart from diplomatic or political issues, I honestly want to try it.”

The two executives showed interest.

As they were S-grade, they could handle the history embedded in the swords.

“So, Manager Do. Are you saying you’ll make all weapons, whether they’re fantastical, mythological, or historically significant treasures, out of this divine gold?”

“That’s right.”

I returned the two swords to their original state.

Though they turned back into 10 kg of gold, the aura emanating from them seemed more solemn and dignified.

“Mana Gold, 500 tons. I’m not sure how much we can purchase, but based on what we’ve acquired, we should first create specialized weapons for our society’s executives.”

“……”

Their ears perked up.

“Specialized weapons…”

Yun Hye-ra, not having a particular weapon of her own, salivated at the thought of possessing her own new weapon.

“I already have one that I use regularly?”

“What about a sword that can’t be broken and a pistol that can shoot magic bullets with firepower akin to artillery?”

“Oh.”

Hyeon Se-rin, who primarily used guns and swords, was dazzled by the potential efficiency of these new weapons.

“What about me, sir?”

“You can do anything. Just decide on a concept, and it can be tailored to fit. Whether it’s a golden bracelet for the Golden Priestess or a magic stick for a magical girl.”

Thinking about Yumir’s previously used techniques, an appropriate item came to mind, but it was difficult to mention right now.

“For now, most of this gold will be sent to our society. After the society studies it, it will be used as research material to explore other uses of gold.”

“Most of it?”

“Everyone should carry at least one mana potion.”

The beads that fell off the 10 kg block are now sizzling under an open-air hot spring.

While putting eggs in hot spring water doesn’t easily make boiled eggs, the Mana Gold submerged in this mana hot spring will absorb mana to its maximum capacity.

“Once the society completes its research, I won’t be transforming them with a magic wand. Instead, the society’s technology will process them into newly manufactured items, like weapons currently available in the market or those based on media.”

“For instance…”

“Like weapons from games or movies.”

Such things existed in this world.

All sorts of weapons created by human imagination before the great cataclysm.

Although they lacked the depth of a nation’s history, their recognition could arguably be an advantage since many in this world are aware of them.

These were the ideal specialized weapons for ability users.

If my experiences and knowledge from my original world are slightly added, an originality unique to this world could be created.

“King Arthur’s sword of victory. With the delicate body of a woman—”

“…Why is King Arthur a woman?”

“Arthur… Isn’t that the king of Britain? Why is Arthur a woman?”

“Ah.”

“…Imagine an ability user, a woman, wielding King Arthur’s giant sword with no issues. If we use this gold, we can create such a magic sword.”

“Aha.”

“That’s the kind of weapons I intend to create. Call them specialized weapons or epic weapons; the terminology can be thought of later. The important thing is the gold itself, imbued with mana. Economically… honestly, it’s hard to gauge.”

Wasn’t Cheonma’s annual salary 500 trillion?

“500 tons of Mana Gold might be worth at least 900 trillion, right?”

“Um, sir.”

Yumir frowned and gave me a sleepy glare.

“You didn’t tell Taejo about this, did you?”

“No.”

“…So, buying it is…”

“Just buying it at the price of gold. 500 tons… well, let’s say about 30 trillion.”

After all.

“The value of an item is only apparent to those who recognize it.”

“Isn’t that a scam?”

“It’s not a scam. It’s just that we didn’t share the information.”

I took good care of everything for Taejo, but I didn’t inform him about the efficiency of this Mana Gold.

“Taejo couldn’t possibly be unaware of the value of this Mana Gold…”

“He is.”

That’s the case because.

“Taejo can manipulate this Mana Gold at will, but precisely because of that, he’s more unaware. Whether the metal easily absorbs mana or not, Taejo can manipulate it freely.”

“Wow, sir, you really…”

“I’m a villain. An agent of the society. Our company needs to buy all this Mana Gold, and naturally, buying raw materials cheaply is only logical.”

Everything was for the society.

“And this. It’s gold, but since it’s gold imbued with mana, calling it by a different name would completely change the feel, right?”

“What would you call it?”

“The name is.”

I picked up an orb slightly filled with mana from the hot spring.

“Orichalcum.”

500 tons.

“I’m not a scammer.”