Royal lineage and descendants.

Humans.

The biggest difference between the two is the existence of true names.

And for people of royal lineage and their descendants, their souls tend to be very unstable.

Hwang Jiho mentioned it before when he explained what deep sleep was.

— The soul of royal lineages and descendants is every unstably. Descendants are relatively more stable, but their souls can leave their bodies at any time. The wedge between our soul and our body is our true name.

Like Baekho-gun, there were people of royal lineage who lost their true names.

However, such cases are very few.

In a situation where one loses their true name, either they fall into a deep sleep, or in the worst case scenario, they lose their life.

Therefore, if someone wants to target people of royal lineage, it would be best to take advantage of their true name, just as Principal Hwangbo Yoon said.

This was common sense, but there was something that caught my mind.

“How does it discriminate against those who have true names?”

“Royal lineage and descendants recognize each other. Having that same mechanism, humans can recognize them too. That man’s grandson must have the same ability.”

Royal lineage and descendants recognize each other.

Just like when Yeom Junyeol saw Hwang Jiho and knew that he was of a royal lineage.

Meanwhile, Sung Gukeon has the ability to distinguish royal lineage and descendants.

Sung Gukeon’s eyes were granted an order from a superior being.

Using his power, he can determine whether someone is human or not.

‘The reason why royal lineage and descendants recognize each other is because they sense the existence of real names. So does Sung Gukeon’s ability work on the same principle?’

“I investigated with that in mind, but it wasn’t easy. The subject of the investigation itself was tricky, and if I was found to be doing this research, the royal lineage and their descendants wouldn’t stay put. I had to keep myself secure while working on such a big project.”

There are more people of royal lineage who hide their identities than those who show themselves bare.

Those who are hostile to humans tend to be more prominent.

Even then, Principal Hwangbo Yoon found a way to distinguish and attack them.

She smiled deeply and began to explain what she achieved with her research.

“People of royal lineage and descendants sealed their true names deep in their hearts. In order to penetrate their hearts and to determine which people are of royal lineage, there are several methods.”

…Several methods?

As expected, Principal Hwangbo Yoon was on a different level.

“The first method needs someone who has a true name too. That doesn’t apply to humans. It seems that people with true names recognize each other instinctively.”

The first method was mentioned earlier.

It’s not what was applied in the secret passage.

Hwangbo Yoon’s explanation continued.

“Second, make the subject unconscious and then use an ability that can penetrate their dreams.”

I also know of that second method.

Hwang Jiho explained it while we were inside the garden.

— Nightmares invade our consciousness through dreams. It can swallow the true name that we sealed in our hearts.

Does Principal Hwangbo Yoon know about nightmares?

“Do you happen to know about the god of nightmares? …From your expression, it seems like you do. I see there’s a high school student who knows about Insomnium.”

The principal looked at me with an intrigued face.

Somehow I can see her similarity with Hwang Jiho, and perhaps that’s the reason why she appointed her as principal.

“When otherworld conflict first began, Insomnium swept this land and left ‘nightmare dust’ behind. I saw a royal lineage that was eaten away by that speck, and guess what? They were afraid that their true name would get swallowed up. That’s how I got the hang of it. But it seems the dust alone can’t swallow their true names.”

So Insomnium was active in this land during the last century.

During the 12-point alliance talks, Seodol said that the nightmares seemed to have subsided starting 15 to 20 years ago.

Perhaps that’s when Yong Jegun acquired the nightmare dust that he gave to Kim Shinrok.

“Infiltrating dreams is possible for succubus and people with dream-related abilities. But it’s not easy to sneak deep enough to get into their hearts. It’s also difficult to put every single subject to sleep one by one.”

I nodded at the principal’s words.

I know it well, having witnessed personally how the dust was used to torture someone.

Before being eaten by the dust, the bear had to be asleep first.

But thanks to the mechanics inside the Tiger Clan’s garden and Jukho’s abilities, Kim Shinrok was able to easily use the dust.

If the bear had been in a normal condition, it wouldn’t have been that easy to put him to sleep.

‘That mechanism wouldn’t work in the secret passage.’

Judging so, I asked the principal a question.

“The third method. Is it what you used for the secret passage?”

“Yes. It’s the way to observe and analyze the process of spotting consciousness.”

The principal had her reasons why she didn’t reveal the third method right away.

“People of royal lineage and descendants recognize each other’s existence without having to penetrate their consciousness. The same goes for superior beings. I wanted to have that ability too.”

The ability to distinguish royal lineage and descendants from humans.

That’s why she conducted the study, and her face now was of a pure scholar.

A face of a scientist who achieved great feats.

The bookworm principal also seems to have a scholar-like temperament.

“As a result of my research, I found that people of royal lineage and descendants, when exposed to certain forces, have their consciousness falter and their true names react slightly.”

“What forces?”

Principal Hwangbo Yoon smiled broadly.

She was expressionless when we first started the conversation, and I don’t know from what point she started to make that expression.

She seems delighted that she can finally reveal her findings.

She spoke proudly.

“Intelligence.”

The third method to distinguish royal lineage from humans — the force of intelligence.

Pleased that I was surprised by the unexpected answer, the principal further explained excitedly.

“I installed an energy wave converter near the terrestrial strata and by controlling the level of intelligence using the algorithm that I devised, I can quickly determine whether there’s a true name that exists in a person’s heart.”

So that’s why the secret association meets in the basement of Eungwang High.

The former head of the association judged that Eungwang High was a safe place and it would avoid the eyes of others.

But the biggest reason for that is the basement is closest to the terrestrial strata, therefore intelligence levels there are high.

“In order to continue the research, I had to settle down with a place that has high intelligence… But people of royal lineage control the place. Like Eungwang High.”

Intelligence from myths, legends, and others is the reason why people of royal lineage flocked to Korea after the otherworld collisions.

People of royal lineage occupy areas in Korea where intelligence is strong.

It would be difficult for Principal Hwangbo Yoon to infiltrate such places, except…

Except here, in Eungwang High.

“I was a teacher at Eungwang High. And the royal lineage who ran this place was negligent, so it was easy to avoid their eyes.”

The old man’s negligence helped advance Principal Hwangbo Yoon’s research!

It was weird to say it, but the causal relationship was right.

The former head of the association and the principal managed to build the secret passage while the board of directors rotted and the chairman was absent.

“At first, the only goal was to distinguish them from humans but… that man’s request made me add a gimmick to attack them.”

The means of the attack seemed to be more dangerous than the method for distinguishing royal lineage.

The principal’s voice was somewhat cold.

Indeed, it seemed that her only goal was to distinguish them.

She devised something that makes people of royal lineage powerless at once, so I had to make her explain it in detail even if she doesn’t wish to.

She entertained my request and added an explanation.

“Even with high levels of intelligence, their souls would only shake a little and be put to sleep for a while. Their memories would get erased for a while.”

According to her, the means of attack could not be installed unless it was close to the terrestrial strata.

“Do you have any more questions?”

It was a teacher-like question.

She’s a book collector and an eccentric principal, but her nature as a teacher still showed.

“No, thank you for answering my questions.”

“You really are polite.”

Even her words were teacher-like.

Her expression returned to a serious face when I first showed her the rare book files.

“Then can you give me the rare book files from that man? I want to read the next page.”

She told me everything I was curious about, so I couldn’t refuse.

I handed her the files that I extracted.

She immediately bid me goodbye after we exchanged device codes, perhaps wanting to dive into the books right away.

She did say that I can ask her again anytime I have a question.

‘Alright. I should go to the next place.’

My meeting with the principal was concluded safely, but my activities for today doesn’t end there.

Looking at the clock, I still had some time left.

The next place was also inside the campus, so I thought I would arrive on time.

I left the office and the administrative building when…

“Your appointment seems to be over.”

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Hwang Jiho was waiting for me.

Isn’t it time for extracurriculars right now?

Why’s he here, ditching the newspaper club again?

Hwang Jiho looked at me.

“Don’t tell me you stayed up all night, Jo Euishin. I guess you weren’t resting in your dorm room. You didn’t drink your medicine too. What are you doing?”

…How the hell did he know that?

I didn’t skip taking medicine on purpose, I just forgot because I was busy.

I decided to give an excuse for now.

“I was thinking of eating dinner first before taking my medicine.”

“Looking at your face, it doesn’t seem like you ate anything today either.”

The excuse didn’t work.

I was just exposed further.

From his demeanor, I think he already knew where I’m headed next.

“I think you’re very busy, but you’d better stop by the cafeteria in the central area. The menu today is not bad.”

The menu has never been bad in this school though.

I wanted to refute him, but his next words made me swallow mine.

“I know you’re going to meet Jeokho at the Eunyeonggwan. Shouldn’t we eat before that? The Replay function takes up a lot of energy after all.”