Foundation League: Let the Games Begin!
"Yes, I came alone because it seemed like you were here."
The silhouette bathed in moonlight revealed mysterious navy-blue hair. The voice belonged to Isara.
"Hey, nice night, huh."
"How didst thou enter...?"
"It's been open to the public for free since the opening."
"Ah."
As I tensed up, Isara smiled faintly.
"No need to be so on edge. I just wanted to talk."
"...Why? There were plenty of chances at the prelude event."
Isara merely shrugged.
"If we were seen together at the prelude, all eyes would be on us. Didn't want to hassle you."
"......"
With that, she drew closer to me.
"And~ those two ladies who like you kept glaring at me the whole time."
"Ah."
Indeed, Eunbyeol and Hong Jiyeon had stuck to me constantly, so no opening had arisen.
"So, what dost thou wish to say?"
"Just~ wanted to make one last check if you match the Yu Eunha I imagined. And..."
Isara's black eyes scanned me up and down.
"It's the same reason you came here, right?"
"......"
"Not enough? That sentiment."
Isara, hands clasped behind her head, looked around the stadium and clapped.
"Was I not supposed to come in here? Free entry or not, it's a bother at this hour, huh?"
"...Thou asketh early indeed. 'Tis fine."
At my words, Isara hopped lightly and grinned.
"Y'know~ I thought a 4-level 5-star spell might fluster you, but nope~"
"I was flustered."
"Liar~"
A twinkling star appeared in her hand.
"So, I came here to prepare right up to the last minute, just like you."
"......?"
I asked in disbelief.
"So, thou asketh me to spar right now?"
"Yeah, so I can think up counters."
I let out a hollow laugh at Isara's beaming words.
"Heh, canst thou devise counters in a few hours?"
Her bright eyes sparkled at that.
"Of course."
"...Then nay."
"Huh."
Isara's face puffed up like a sulking child.
"Why? Tell me. That's cheating."
"Nay. We be rivals."
As we bantered with smiles, Isara closed in. Her large, round eyes brimmed with clear killing intent.
"You took everything from my brother. The least you could do is this."
My body stiffened slightly at the sharp killing intent. It was the kind I'd felt only in my Mage Hunter days, stirring old memories.
"...What dost thou mean?"
Isara backed away, looking like a glass of water on the verge of spilling. The murderous aura vanished, replaced by a child's anxious tremble.
"Sorry... Didn't know you were unaware."
Her voice shook, so I held back further questions.
"Aye, thou seemest weary."
"...Yeah. Guess so. Sorry for the weird talk."
Isara waved her hands in panic.
"Ah, I really didn't mean to bother you. That... Never mind, sorry."
I sighed as she turned to leave.
"Sit."
"Huh?"
"I wish to hear thy tale. Thou art not the only one curious about that man."
Isara blinked at me.
"I know not for certain who thy brother be... but if thou sayest I took from him."
I fetched a staff from the safe in the training ground corner.
"Was it Lee Han?"
Isara flinched at my words.
"Aye, now I recall. This staff, its form be somewhat different, but Lee Han bore it."
I subtly tested if Mage Hunter details had leaked.
"A famed mage even Mage Hunters struggled against, nay?"
Isara's expression remained an inscrutable enigma.
'A child skilled in poker face, unlike her age.'
I sat in the spectator seats and patted the spot beside me.
"That man was one I respected as well. Come, let us speak."
Isara's face lit up.
"Really? You'll tell me about my brother? Doesn't that seem weird?"
I tilted my head at her defensive reaction.
"What be weird?"
"Well... I'm only ten."
I furrowed my brow, then realized the oddity. Missing Lee Han was from my generation as a Mage Hunter—mid-40s at least. That meant a 30+ year age gap with Isara.
'A late child or affair's fruit...'
I chuckled.
"Among my friends was a concubine's child. The third one's, even. Life was harsh."
"What...?"
Isara wore a strange look. Then I remembered our eras differed.
Not the '80s anymore—2020s, no such tales.
"Nay, saw it in a drama..."
As my face reddened, Isara burst out laughing.
"You're a weird kid, huh?"
"Nay, well... Hah. Enough."
Isara giggled and sat beside me.
"My brother was an amazing mage."
"So, thou dreamest of becoming one as great?"
"Yeah."
"Aye, ye seemed close."
From Isara's tales, Lee Han and she were tight-knit siblings.
"...Since he vanished, I haven't slept well."
"Wondrous. Close siblings inheriting such talent."
Isara pressed her head forward.
"See? My hair decolored white just like his. Hurt a lot as a kid."
She swung her feet, laughing. Moonlit strands gleamed silver.
"Dye?"
"Yeah. Dyed it navy. Cool, right?"
"Navy..."
"FYI, it's like the robe Mage Hunters wore often."
"Cough—!"
I coughed, staring wide-eyed at Isara.
"What didst thou say just now...?"
Isara just smiled sweetly.
"Mage Hunters' robes were navy, so I dyed mine navy."
My head spun at her words.
'What grudge? Nay, Lee Han and I rarely clashed—no commissions, no fights.'
A performance vowing not to forget foes? Zeal to eradicate Mage Hunters? Oath to behead one?
As my mind whirled, Isara gazed at me with honeyed eyes.
"Isn't it super cool?"
"Ah?"
"Smashing evil mages with just magic reflection."
Her unexpected words stunned me.
"......?"
"I wanna try it once. What does Reverse Flow feel like? Has even a Mage Hunter felt it? How hard to master without being a mage?"
"......"
Yuri's words flashed: 'Your dad~ had sneaky fans~ Even in towers~'
I rubbed my forehead.
'Didn't know Isara was one of those crazies...'
Is Korea okay like this? As I pondered, Isara pulled out her Mage Hunter merch.
"This phone case modeled after his dagger, this hoodie after his hood."
"Ah."
Explains the daytime heat.
"Vanishing to punish wicked mages abusing immunity. That's a true hero. Honestly, my bro was all flash."
I eyed her in bewilderment.
"Ah, sorry. Some hate this stuff."
As Isara flushed embarrassed, I shook my head.
"Glad to meet a kindred spirit who graspeth the Mage Hunter's philosophy."
"What...?"
"That man... I too respect him. Alongside Lee Han."
It felt self-praising, but I spoke gazing into her eyes.
Isara seized my hand.
"You, you! Youuu!"
Tears welling, she doffed her hoodie and draped it over me. It smelled of soft flowers.
"Take it!"
"Th-this fine?"
"Totally! Got dozens more at home!"
"......"
Thrilled for real, her eyes were hugely round.
"Alright! I'm off! Bye! See ya tomorrow!"
Having given me the hoodie, Isara dashed out in thin clothes.
"......?"
Alone in the Bundang Training Ground, I tilted my head.
"But the training... how...?"
My words echoed hollowly in the empty stadium.
The Foundation League. The gateway for junior mages to enter Korea's pro league, the KML League. And the first hurdle to build their public image.
Top 5 here meant pro status—and nationwide fame.
Eunbyeol sniffled on the player lounge sofa.
"O-on the way here, three fans cheered me!"
"Aigoo, three? Lucky duck, you slacker?"
Hong Jiyeon entered, dumping flowers and gifts on the table with a smirk.
"Junior mages are nobodies outside otaku fans or global league buffs. Three fans? Plausible."
Hong Jiyeon tossed her hair and grinned.
"Though nationally famed Hong Jiyeon here's a junior too! Hohoho!"
Chest puffed proudly, she stood tall; Eunbyeol eyed her jealously.
I rubbed my forehead watching them.
"This is clearly [Player Yu Eunha's Lounge], yet ye blind?"
Eunbyeol whined at my words.
"I-I dropped to 6th in polls, no private lounge."
Hong Jiyeon waved dismissively, as if above it.
"Me? Nah~ Got mine, but came here anyway, kay."
"Thou art worse."
Hong Jiyeon popped a chocolate and sidled up.
"So, preps done, Dark Snow King?"
"Naturally. Guardian of Crimson Flame... or what?"
Hong Jiyeon blushed.
"Guardian of Crimson Flame! Busan's Protector, Vanguard Flame!"
"Right..."
"You! Can't memorize my title once?!"
I ignored her racket and eyed the monitor declaring opening ceremonies.
Last Foundation League champ Yeon Chae-ah cast a 1-level spell.
[1-level Projection]
"Let there be light for the hero—!"
⟨ Hero's Light ⟩
At once, a clear chime rang in the player lounge space.
The long-awaited Foundation League had begun.