Even Becoming a Genius Isn't Easy
Becoming a genius isn't an easy path either.
"An unfamiliar ceiling."
I'd only dozed off in a chair for a bit, but when I woke up, I was somehow in bed. Yisul must have carried me to her own bed. Did I have any bad sleeping habits, by any chance? Thinking back to my army days, every room always had at least one guy who snored like a freight train, ground his teeth, or talked in his sleep. Normally, I wouldn't worry since I had no such issues, but with this changed body, needless anxiety crept in.
Pushing aside my concerns about sleeping habits for now, I wanted to thank Yisul, but there wasn't a single sound around—no sign of life, not even breathing. I rarely even visited other people's homes, and now the owner was nowhere to be found. This was awkward. Rather than sitting around feeling stupid, I figured I'd make the bed and wash my face. That's when she came back.
"Sorry, sorry! I was a bit late, huh?"
"No, I'm the one who's grateful. You even let me sleep here."
"Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking you—no, I feel kinda bad for what I did to you, Seha."
"Pardon?"
Her completely unexpected response left me speechless for a moment. What on earth could she feel sorry about doing to me?
Yisul didn't give me time to think and kept going. "It wasn't like I wanted to, but you know how public opinion works—couldn't be helped."
Unlike her usual confident, upbeat demeanor, she trailed off, glancing at me cautiously. Of course, that didn't make me feel any better. Stop beating around the bush and just say what you mean!
I stared at her with a face full of dissatisfaction until she finally caved first.
"There was this explosion in the middle of the night, so people were pissed, right? Some jumped out of bed at the alarm, others came out with foam still in their hair, clothes thrown on haphazardly."
"Yeah...."
This was 100% my fault—no excuses possible.
"So we investigated to figure out what happened. The blast came from the third floor, where only women live, so we women did a headcount. Everyone was there... except you."
"So they all came to grill me?"
"I handled it all. Guess you could say I acted as your guardian? I said there was a strong mana residue in your room and spun it as a mistake from first awakening to magic. They all bought it and understood."
That didn't sound like a problem at all. She'd handled it brilliantly on the fly, and honestly, it was the best realistic response. But she wasn't done?
Yisul gave an awkward smile and added, "In explaining the whole story, you kinda... got famous. Pretty sure everyone in the village now thinks you're this amazing kid who awakened to magic at such a young age."
"Everyone? Not a single exception?"
"Yup, all of them. Right before heading back to the building, Jeonghyeon Yeo—the guy kinda acting as our unofficial leader—gathered everyone and went on about how incredible your feat was."
Jeonghyeon Yeo—that was the name of the guy who'd demonstrated that stone-flinging magic in the square yesterday. I was grateful he'd helped people grasp my magic since he'd shown his own, but why the sudden praise for me?
"He said normal flame magic tops out at a small fireball, no matter how hard you try—no way it'd shake the whole building."
Thanks to that, my image shifted from reckless brat to talented kid. The tense mood eased, and it all ended as a funny incident. Nice conclusion.
"Then isn't that great? No worries about a bad rep, and if people see me positively, that's a win for me."
Wouldn't people whisper as I passed, "Look at her. That's the genius who cast that flame magic"? I might need to practice keeping a straight face, pretending not to hear the praise. Becoming a genius isn't an easy path either.
Imagining the admiration made my lips twitch upward; I forced them down, realizing the need for expression control.
"Really? If you're okay with it, then it's fine, I guess."
Yisul seemed unfazed by my newfound fame too, so no issue there.
We've chatted long enough—perfect timing for lunch. I'll head to the cafeteria with her. Oblivious to just how popular I'd become, I set off for the cafeteria.
On the way to the cafeteria, I spotted people laboring hard in the distant square—hauling stones, moving supplies, erecting tents, all moving in perfect sync toward some goal. What were they up to? As curiosity bubbled up, Yisul answered.
"You heard about Jeonghyeon Yeo's magic lecture and Hwanseok Jo's sword training this afternoon, right? That's prep work."
Her words jogged my memory. After yesterday's speech, those two had shown off impressive magic and sword skills, announcing they'd hold sessions.
Should I go help since they're working so hard? Heavy labor's tough, but I can handle odd jobs. Back in my active-duty days, I'd whined daily about why only men had to serve—no freeloading for me.
Approaching the square to lend a hand, people noticed and waved. At first, just a couple casually, but soon a crowd gathered, the square buzzing. Whispers reached me as they eyed me.
"Look over there. That's the kid who used magic at the inn last night."
"Where? She's so tiny, hard to spot."
"Check those chubby cheeks. Total baby. Like a walking doll."
"She cast that spell with those twiggy little hands?"
"Shh, she might hear and get embarrassed and run off."
Why do these reactions feel so weird? I'd expected "Cool beauty girl reveals hidden talent," but instead, it was all "Aw, look at the cute performing baby!" Not what I hoped for—cringe-worthy and a tad embarrassing.
Caught off-guard, my lips started twitching. No, control your expression! My dream of quiet, reclusive genius beauty was crumbling already.
In the end, embarrassment froze me, head bowed, unable to take a step.
"Seha, what's got you veering off on the way to lunch? Something fun?"
My savior, Yisul Yi, swooped in. She naturally hid me behind her back and stepped forward. "Sorry, sorry—Seha's shy about the sun. How's the work going?"
"Just need to tidy the platform a bit more."
"Great. We'll grab lunch first."
To rescue me, she casually asked after them, waved goodbye smoothly. When did she get chummy with them? I thought she had no friends like me.
No real betrayal—her bubbly vibe would win anyone over. Rationally, sure, but a corner of my heart felt a twinge of hurt. Maybe from jealousy, my replies to her came out a bit curt.
Unaware or not of my mood, she started explaining the morning.
"I joined the labor detail in the square earlier."
"Ah, so that's why you were out this morning...."
"Yeah. Felt bad leaving you alone, but poking your cheeks or tickling your feet did nothing—you slept like a rock."
She added that detail. No need to go into that much. Hearing I'd slept so deeply only amplified my sleeping habit worries.
"Anyway, outside I helped set up barriers and chairs, got friendly with those folks I met earlier. But even while working, they kept asking where you were."
She cut off at the key part, locking eyes with me.
"And?"
Unable to stand it, I prompted her.
"So I told everyone, 'Seha's mine, so hands off!' Bold as brass."
"...."
She's teasing to cheer me up, sure I was sulking. Was I that obvious? Embarrassing that my one friend making others sparked jealousy—I'd tried hiding it, but busted.
Or... did she really say that? True or exaggerated, the knot in my chest loosened. Worry gone, my stomach felt hungrier than usual. I piled my plate with apple pie and strawberry cake, devouring it in seconds.
Lunch's sweet end saw us heading home for Jeonghyeon Yeo's magic lecture—staff in hand, naturally. Not a full-option foreign luxury car of male pride, but my full-option staff felt just as premium. I hefted it up.
"Whoa~ The sheen alone is next-level."
People call beloved cars steed; what for a cherished staff? Staffy?
Arriving at the square, it looked properly set up now—chair from a tree stump on the speaker's platform, barriers, no trace of the empty schoolyard vibe.
Sitting down, gazes poured my way. Gawking at the rumored genius mage? Or the eye-catching staff from afar? They say the staff makes the wizard—holding this beauty had my shoulders rising proudly.
Basking in the attention, chest puffed, the lecture began.
"Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules. Before we start, I have one shameless request."
Ah. Eye contact with Jeonghyeon Yeo. He smiled lightly, words flowing smoothly. Unexplained unease wrapped around me.
"It's hard for me alone to assist all thirty-plus of you properly, so I'm looking for a teaching assistant. Anyone here awakened to magic?"
"Ah."
His words turned every eye straight to me.