SWNOVELXO Chapter 19: 19. Colour
Boring.
That word had become more than just a complaint for Yuna—it was a curse.
A dull mantra echoing through every corner of her life.
For her, Everything felt so damn tiring.
It wasn't because she lacked ability. If anything, Yuna was gifted. Incredibly so.
Things that took others years, she mastered in days and because of that, learning was once exhilarating.
Every new skill brought fresh colours and sensations to her world.
But then, something changed.
She couldn't say exactly when. But at some point, progress stopped feeling like progress.
As she improved, each skill began to lose its lustre as if the very joy hidden inside had been completely drained away.
At first she thought it was just a simple lack of motivation, some sort of twisted procrastination maybe.
But eventually it revealed itself as something deeper—something darker.
It was like hitting a level cap, one set just for her. Beyond it, everything turned gray. Lifeless.
Not just the skills. Everything.
Food lost its taste. People lost their spark. Even the sky didn't look as blue anymore.
Eventually, she stopped trying.
What was the point of living in a world that felt like an old, faded painting?
If life has no colour, you should end it no?
But her grandfather… he was the only one. The only splash of colour that kept trying to fight the grey . He cried for her, begged her not to give up. Told her that her life was too precious to throw away.
So she found another way to escape.
She slept.
Sleep became her refuge.
A dark, blank dreamscape where time passed faster, where she didn't have to witness the dull decay of the world around her.
At the start of the year, her grandfather suggested attending the academy he ran. He said it was filled with geniuses that could add colour to her life. Maybe even bring back the spark.
So she agreed Halfheartedly.
But after wandering the halls, meeting the students and sitting in classrooms, she realised it was all the same
Colorless.
She ignored the message about the entrance ceremony. The idea of standing in a room full of dull faces and empty smiles exhausted her more than any activity ever could.
Instead, she searched for a new place to sleep.
That had become her only real hobby.
Waking up in new places—hidden corners of the campus, quiet offices, rooftops—was the closest thing she felt to excitement anymore.
So when she found the office labelled "Year 1 - Rank 1 cadet ", she paused. That was her, technically.
Maybe… just maybe… her grandfather's school wasn't a total waste of time.
She had taken a nap.
But when she woke, she was surprised to find someone else was in her room and now lying down on her couch.
As a fellow sleeper, she didn't want to bother him too much and decided to take it up with him after he woke.
But when the person opened his eyes, everything changed.
His eyes — they were so… colourful.
Like hers, they were purple, but that's where the similarity ended.
His weren't dull and tired like hers.
They were different — They were alive.
It was as if they were a living nexus, greedily drawing all colour toward themselves.
In that moment, she knew.
She didn't care about the man's face.
She didn't care about his body.
But those eyes…
She had to have them.
…..
Walking out of his office,Licht was still relieved that he managed to get out of his earlier situation with Yuna.
Although they had met for just a moment, Licht could tell that there was still something deeply unsettling within that girl.
Sighing, Licht checked his watch and was shocked to find out that it was already 11:00 pm
The entrance ceremony hadn't started until noon, and touring the academy wouldn't have taken more than a few hours, so the fact that it was already eleven when he woke up was quite concerning.
He had really passed out for over half a day.
The only real reason Licht had to have been out for so long was because of his fight with Charlotte and the skills he had used
Licht had known that using an SSS-rank skill with his weak body would have severe consequences, but he hadn't expected them to be this bad.
Hopefully, the effects were only so intense because it was the first time he had activated the skill.
After such a long and eventful first day, Licht wanted nothing more than to return to his dorm room and get a moment to himself, to process and assess his situation.
It had been less than 24 hours since he entered this world, and so much had already happened that it would have left any normal person shocked.
But I can't rest just yet.
From browsing the forums and watching the occasional informative short video online, Licht had learned of several secrets and hidden prizes scattered throughout the game. And there was one in particular—only available to collect on the first night at the academy.
This event was time-limited, triggered only on a full moon. A secret path would open, leading to a hidden dungeon.
Miss it, and he'd have to wait an entire month for the next opportunity.
And with the chaotic schedule of the academy…
One month was too long.
The rest could always be made up for later.
But before he left, there was one thing he needed to do.
Bringing up his smartwatch, Licht scrolled to his quick contacts and made a call.
It was picked up almost instantly.
"Young master…"
"Ashford, I'm sending you a list of items. I need them delivered to me within the hour. Can you do it?"
Hearing Licht's request, the old butler Ashford didn't quickly respond but instead paused for a moment before finally replying
"Young master Licht. I don't know what's currently going on, but your actions during the entrance ceremony have greatly displeased the patriarch. I suggest you—"
"Ashford," Licht cut him off.
"I didn't ask for the patriarch's opinion."