Is an S-Rank Supporter a Noble?
Without a doubt, today's performance stage was her farewell as a mage. It was the final moment when Eunbyeol the mage would cease to exist, transforming into an ordinary Eunbyeol.
Well, even as an ordinary person... she was the only daughter of Silver Kowhoon, chairman of Startech, the world's top ether capture device company, so she was closer to a princess.
Even so, the lineup was so intimidating that it left even a young lady like her stunned. Eunbyeol sat there with her mouth agape.
A short woman sitting cross-legged on a chair and a massive, muscular man. The two glared at each other, clearly hating one another's guts.
"Hey, you're still kicking, huh, Park Seonggil?"
"Oh, the pint-sized mage auntie Lee Haryeong showed up too?"
At Park Seonggil's words, Lee Haryeong kicked out like she'd been hit with a combo.
"Who's a pint-sized auntie, you bastard! I'm still a virgin, asshole!"
"Ow! Watch your mouth in front of the kids! Your temper's as fiery as ever!"
Eunbyeol froze up, then tightly gripped the hand of Eunha sitting beside her.
"Y-Yeah, I'm glad Eunha's here."
"Aye, worry not. If those uncles and aunties say anything, I shall protect thee."
Her usual odd speech pattern felt strangely comforting today.
"You put on a performance stage to quit being a mage, and now you're embarrassed to be called a treasure of the mage world?"
"...Ugh, Eunha, even so, they're the president of the Magic Tower Alliance and the president of the Mage Association..."
Unlike the clueless 8-year-old Yu Eunha, the smart 11-year-old Eunbyeol was gauging the mood. She knew all too well how much power these people wielded.
But Eunha spoke bluntly, as if it were nothing.
"Hmph, it irks me that they're reaching out now. I've been grooming Star for a year! Where do they get off trying to grab a share at this late hour?"
"Grooming?!"
Eunbyeol stared at her in shock, and Eunha furrowed her brow.
"What didst thou think I was doing, going to that no-name Nubis Academy for classes?!"
At Eunha's words, Eunbyeol blinked her big eyes.
"Th-That was on purpose?"
"Of course! In interviews, didn't I keep calling only thee instead of Hong Jiyeon or Isara? I called thee for Ranking War practice instead of Isara too!"
Thinking back, it was true. She'd assumed Eunha's constant appearances over the past year were coincidences, but if there was intent behind it, it made sense.
"......"
Finally realizing the full extent of Eunha's care over that year, Eunbyeol felt her cheeks flush red. She'd been oblivious to the protection from her little sister, who was three years younger.
Eunha growled at the two, glaring daggers.
"Whether she's an S-Rank Supporter, a national treasure, or a pillar of the nation—'tis none of my concern. She's my mage, marked as such."
The two let out hollow laughs at Eunha's declaration.
"Heh."
"Ha!"
Especially Lee Haryeong, in her tight dress adorned with mage flowers, wagged her finger.
"Hey, kiddo, this ain't something you can butt into, whether you're a 7-level mage candidate or the youngest tower lord candidate."
Eunbyeol's eyes went wide.
"7-level candidate, y-youngest t-t-tower l-l-lord?!"
She wasn't the only shocked one—Mage Association President Park Seonggil calmly addressed Eunha as well.
"That's right. Even if you're recognized by the tower lords as a holy artifact owner, an S-Rank Supporter is a different matter."
"H-Holy artifact? W-Wait a sec!"
As Eunbyeol freaked out, Eunha responded coolly.
"Hmm, is that all an S-Rank Supporter amounts to?"
While Eunbyeol's mind reeled from Eunha's bombshell titles, the other three carried on nonchalantly.
"Indeed. Regular supporters are seen as what you do if you can't cut it as a mage, but S-Rank changes everything."
"It's not a title handed out lightly, kid."
"It's just ether generation anyway. Not that impressive, right?"
Lee Haryeong clicked her tongue at that.
"Idiot! There are ether-less zones in the upper Abyss levels. How do you raid those?"
"Bring ether containers...?"
Eunha's suggestion earned a scoff from Lee Haryeong.
"Ah-ha! So you're saying set up supply lines inside the Abyss mid-raid! Why didn't we think of that? Just drive trucks down those dozens of kilometers! Crush the grade-4 and 5 abyssal entities under the tires! Ahaha! Nah, just lay down train tracks! Then we can ship in tons at a time!"
Eunha narrowed her eyes and shut her mouth, lips pursed in wounded pride.
"...I see. 'Twas a foolish thought on my part."
Lee Haryeong, now in a good mood, grinned and continued.
"But what if our dear Eunbyeol helps out? Ta-da~ No more supply issues~ No need for high-level mages to risk their lives hauling containers by hand anymore?"
"Hm..."
"Plus, it solves the ether vacuum after big spells. Chain-cast high-level magic nonstop? 7-level linked spells become reality! A living backup battery! A walking cornucopia!"
Eunha's eyes narrowed further.
"...Thy true thoughts slip out more with each word."
She raised a hand to halt the rampaging Lee Haryeong.
"Very well. I fully grasp Eunbyeol's value now. Hence, she's treated as a strategic asset."
"Exactly! She's given near-nuke-level treatment!"
"N-Nuke...?"
Eunbyeol slumped back in her chair, dazed, as Park Seonggil nodded.
"In that sense, Eunbyeol is a vital asset and a precious junior mage. Moreover! She's officially 2-level, but her skills are 4-level caliber!"
Park Seonggil nodded again and handed Eunbyeol a card. The ornate metal card read:
"Uh."
Eunha froze stiff in an instant. Lee Haryeong glanced at the card, her face hardening before she exploded.
"You idiot! Handing out a 4-level card willy-nilly? And level cards are the Magic Tower Alliance's domain!"
"Jeez, shut it, auntie. We have limited issuance rights too. Lee Han got his that way back in the day."
"That was ages ago, moron! You're jumping the gun before the Supporter Association snatches her!"
"Hey now! It's talent recruitment!"
"Sure it is!"
Ignoring their bickering, Eunbyeol just stared blankly at her 4-level card.
"I'm a 4-level mage..."
"Hm... Now thou surpassest even me."
Eunbyeol's eyes widened at Eunha's words. Right—becoming 4-level meant surpassing the 3-level Eunha.
'Must be thanks to the ether generation magic...'
The thought left a bitter taste. She was becoming a supporter, not a mage anymore. Sure, it was packaged as S-Rank, national power-level, but she still wasn't a true mage.
Eunha, watching her, spoke up.
"Eunbyeol."
"Yeah?"
"Thou art still a mage. Thou simply hast excellent support magic."
"Huh...?"
"Keep at it. As a mage."
At Eunbyeol's words, Lee Haryeong and Park Seonggil shot up from their seats.
"Wh-what?! Don't talk nonsense, kid! Who wastes an S-Rank Supporter as a mage?!"
"Th-that's right, Eunbyeol. Being a supporter is a great role. The nation will provide massive support too."
Against their long explanations, Eunha just smiled faintly at the cautious Eunbyeol.
"Do as thou wishest. That way, no regrets."
"...Yeah!"
Eunbyeol beamed and hugged Eunha tight. Eunha was her guiding star, always shining bright even when she collapsed in exhaustion or lay defeated. So, she figured following her would be fine.
Of course, contrary to Eunha's "do what you want," the world wasn't so forgiving.
The next day, the entire nation erupted over Eunbyeol's news.
A 2-level jump from 2 to 4, plus pro qualification. It was so unprecedented that people called the Korean Mage Association insane, and the public buzzed.
Then Eunbyeol dropped an even bigger bombshell: her declaration to join the Ranking War.
The TV-broadcast interview lit up the nation in seconds. With eyes already on the Yu Eunha-Isara duo, adding an S-Rank Supporter made it a star-studded affair.
Dark Demon King Yu Eunha.
Supernova Isara.
Guardian of Crimson Flame Hong Jiyeon.
And S-Rank Supporter Queen of Ice Eunbyeol.
With this dazzling rookie lineup entering the Ranking War, national attention—even from non-mages—poured in.
Watching the nonstop coverage of the four girls, a woman snorted and turned off the TV.
"Brr, cold. Gotta crank the boiler."
The woman, in a tank top baring her midriff and short drawers, let her lavender hair down. She hit the boiler button and flopped onto the huge living room floor.
Feeling the warmth rise at last, she closed her eyes.
"Manager."
At her call, the man on the sofa stood.
"Yeah, yeah, training schedule's all set."
"Not that. Heh heh. This year's Ranking War looks fun, right?"
The man peering at his tablet over the sofa looked at her.
"Huh? Because of the new Four Heavenly Kings?"
"Yeah, those kids are gonna get wrecked on the pro stage. Wonder what excuses they'll make this time~"
"Hm, they seem pretty solid this year though? Isara's apparently real 5-level."
The woman cracked open an eye and smirked.
"Aaah~ Just hope they don't cry and scream like Yeoncha or Park Seongjun. Didn't they pass out at the end of last Ranking War? That Yu Eunha rubs me wrong—can I knock her out?"
The manager adjusted his glasses at her words.
"Seohee, people say you're too harsh lately."
"Hmph, the Abyss is harsher. If they can't handle this, they should retire."
Kang Seohee stood, clenching her fist.
"Alright, time to school our little kiddos. Training~"
Behind her, several purple tentacles swayed alluringly.