Foundation League Eve

Korea's year-end. Come this season, internet communities overflowed with self-proclaimed "magic experts" and "decades-long fans" of the Korean Mage League.

Today's Magic Board had firmly claimed the top spot, utterly dominating the rankings.

Foundation League Eve. Just a decade ago, it was participants revealing their build concepts and two spells in advance.

Now, with time's passage, it had devolved into a massive national spectacle show.

And for this show, broadcast pros had crafted characters slapped onto each junior mage.

Outfits and speech patterns corrected to fit these characters. It instantly clicked why this was a show—and why Korean mages were called the flower of pop culture, experienced firsthand.

But for me, with my complete "Black Snow Demon King" character, no extra tweaks.

I fiddled with the pitch-black suit tailored to my character. Complex patterns subtly gleamed under the lights, exuding luxury and elegance.

'Suit's nice, maybe snap a pic—'

I felt my body lurch left and right, unsteady.

The women clinging to my arms on both sides. They glared at each other, tugging me their way.

"So! Eunha's doing the eve with me."

"Yours? Why the hell? Eunha's obviously with me, right?"

'Were they ever this close?'

As I pondered, Hong Jiyeon in her red dress swept back her hair.

"Gasna, this year's stars are me, Yu Eunha, Isara, Seong Jiho—the Four Heavenly Kings. We gotta group up for the spotlight. Why drag in a 2-level mage?"

Hong Jiyeon's words flushed Eunbyeol's face beet red.

"I-I earned my spot with league points fair and square?! I'm a Foundation League participant too!"

"Sure~ We call that 'additional admission.' Ya underachiever."

"……."

Hong Jiyeon smirked triumphantly; Eunbyeol teared up and stormed off.

Seeing tears well in Eunbyeol's eyes, I released Hong Jiyeon's grip.

"Wh-what. Really gonna hang with her?"

"…That's why ya got no friends—always thorns in yer words."

"Ugh…."

"I'll fetch Eunbyeol. Apologize when she returns."

"No need to fetch her…."

I ignored Hong Jiyeon and chased Eunbyeol to the venue's corner.

Amid drinks and food, kids under 15 chatted opinions or sized up rivals everywhere.

I found Eunbyeol forehead-planted in a corner and grabbed her arm.

"Eek?! E-Eunha. Y-you wanna walk with m-me?"

"Need yer input on much, so."

"Y-yeah!"

I brought Eunbyeol back to Hong Jiyeon.

"Ah."

"Tch."

For some reason, both puffed their cheeks.

"What, not just us two?"

"Told ya not to fetch."

I shrugged at their reactions.

"Just get along, no?"

"…N-no."

"Me neither? What's with Gasna who can't talk straight."

"No apology? Then we split. I'll find Seong Jiho."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

I eyed their panic.

"Obviously got other friends, right?"

They paled, grabbed each other's hands.

"Sorry."

"Y-yeah, me too."

I shook my head at the humming duo as an MC-looking guy took the corner stage.

"Everyone! The Foundation League Eve you've awaited! We declare the start of this grand journey here!"

I tilted my head at the ensuing speeches, games, and massive cameras recording it all.

"Just a junior mage tourney, ain't it? Way different from J1 even."

Eunbyeol nodded.

"Foundation League scouts next-gen stars. Expectations for future leaders of the nation, so big show."

"Pro mages earn over 300 mil even at third-rate. Upper class guaranteed. Everyone lines up for a shot."

"Harsh words?"

"Reality, kiddo."

I ignored the bickering pair again, spotting a participant afar.

Venue center, drawing all eyes: Isara stood there.

"Lordy, sparkly dress—total protagonist."

Spotlights bathed her openly as the star. Navy hair and glittering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dress shone like a star.

'Not like that matters.'

As I watched Isara, speeches ended; proper interviews began.

Participant numbers 1 to 32: total 32 junior mages for this Foundation League.

"About 20 are last year's, year-before repeaters."

"Like you?"

Hong Jiyeon pouted.

"Bad luck last year—out early! Met winner five minutes in."

She scanned the venue.

"Watch out—last year brutal, even strong like me dropped. Avoid repeaters."

I smiled faintly.

"Got it."

Eunbyeol giggled at our chat.

"What're you laughing at?"

"N-nothing."

As we bantered, prior participants' intros wrapped. Two MCs summarized interviews so far.

Ding-dong—

At "Isara," all eyes snapped to the stage. Players, staff, reporter cams—everyone fixed on one person.

She ascended, navy hair swaying, smiling.

The noisy venue plunged into silence. So quiet, clinking dishes and footsteps echoed.

Isara's interview focused on recent activities, unlike others.

Hong Jiyeon tsked.

"Ugh, look at that Buddha act."

"Confidence, no?"

Hong Jiyeon grumbled.

"That's all pandering. Sucking up for extra votes."

"Votes?"

Eunbyeol and Hong Jiyeon stared.

"Don't know winner prediction votes?"

"It's floating right there."

Now I saw it: something hovering stage-side.

Tiny text showed 6th to 32nd—hard to read percentages.

"Only top 5 promote to pro out of 32. No need for the rest."

I shrugged.

"Seems minor, but pre-event they flash predicted pros, winner odds, cams only on them. Sneaky mind games."

"Hm, makes sense."

As I blankly eyed the rankings, MC boomed.

Per MC cue, massive screen displayed Isara's deck.

Silence blanketed the venue instantly at the reveal. MCs, clueless too, gawked blankly.

As shocked murmurs rose, my eyes met Isara's on stage—or felt like it.