Prior Appointment
“Ughhh...”
“Feeling better now?”
The girl woke up right on cue. It felt a bit contrived that she stirred just after I'd fended off the wolf, but hey, that's how the program was scripted. Was she my guide from here on out?
“Wh-who are you?!”
“Why ask me? Hurry up and teach me magic already.”
“...?”
This wasn't it? Our interaction wasn't clicking. Maybe I was doing something wrong. Time to consult the chat for help.
One thing was clear: things weren't proceeding smoothly.
“Did you save me from the wolf, sis?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you going to take the laurel from me too?”
“What's a laurel?”
Her expression plunged deeper into confusion at my counter-question.
Why pile on so much lore for a magic tutorial? What a hassle.
“I just need to be able to use magic.”
“So the laurel is what you want!”
“I don't need some leaf.”
“This isn't just some leaf!”
Before Repi could snap back, footsteps echoed from afar.
“Traces over here. Search everywhere!”
Repi's face drained of color, her hands trembling. The laurel trackers had caught up.
I proposed to her, “You've been running from them, right? Want my help?”
“Sis... even calling you that is embarrassing, but how exactly are you gonna help?”
Her gaze flicked to the top of my head for a moment. Was she looking down on me because I was shorter? That killed any motivation I had to help.
I could just hunt down ten more wolves for a full magic circle anyway. No point bickering.
“Hand over the laurel.”
“No way!”
“Suit yourself.”
“Ahh, don't go! Please help me!”
Repi handed over the item—the laurel that enabled magic.
The pursuers were closing in.
Time to show 'em, then. The enemies were closer than expected, but I could still draw a magic circle.
“1st Circle Advanced Casting: Extreme Coordinate Endowment.”
Using the method they'd explained, I generated a guided missile from the start. Guided missiles count as 3rd Circle magic because they're 3D spatial spells lacking a time dimension. But I could borrow that authority with a 1st Circle circle just fine.
Since it was purely a physical guided missile, it had zero explosive power. The metal slug, fueled by the laurel's mana, slammed into the first pursuer, dropping him instantly before rocketing toward the next.
Shwooooom!
Kaboom!!
“Easy.”
Beep beep beep.
Amid the chaotic chat, an alarm blared. Already time to head out?
“Sorry, folks. I've got a prior appointment today, so the stream ends here. I'll cancel today's overdue dono questions, so send them again tomorrow and I'll answer.”
* * *
Child passenger detected.
I tapped my disposable card, and the familiar voice chimed. Officially, it reminded drivers to be cautious with child passengers, but really, it was a clever trap to publicly shame adults misusing it illicitly. Not that I felt guilty hearing the child alert at my age.
Next stop: Korea University Administrative Building Entrance.
The weekend campus was quiet. Even more so in mid-January winter. I'd never been close to educational institutions like this. In my first life, I couldn't last a semester; in my past life's academy, I dropped out before two years. After Arin transferred, I'd been attending elementary alone anyway. My name was still on Merlin Orphanage rolls, so teachers didn't know the details.
Nothing to learn, no point in going. Cheon Kyujin's lectures were far more engaging. I'd skip school—sometimes skipping lunch—for makeup sessions, and no one noticed. Even in this over-tech era, they didn't GPS-tag elementary kids.
A few college students I'd befriended in lectures. They were sharp, envious not of Cheon Kyujin's favoritism but eager to milk knowledge from me for their grades. I happily served as their GPA fodder.
After a long walk from the bus, I reached the building for grade checks and claims. Not being an undergrad, I couldn't check online, so here for that—and Cheon Kyujin's personal request. I explained to the info desk, skipping the first part.
“Professor Cheon Kyujin... Yep! Third floor, room 306. It's a small auditorium, easy to find.”
Good, no weird looks. Elevator to the door, and boisterous voices spilled out. Familiar tones from class mixed in, voices raised in heated debate over exam questions.
“But Professor, doesn't this equation deserve partial credit? It might not be what you intended, but my process got to the right answer.”
“I understand your point, Hoyeon. But look closely. Dimensional binomial method needs three equations, not two. With just these two, the system becomes indeterminate—no unique solution. You got lucky. I won't dock full points, but partial credit's tough.”
It looked constructive, but the professor's veiled threat to slash full points loomed. The student slunk out, shoulders slumped.
I sat front row, blankly watching until all queries ended. Not zoning out—I savored the victors' glee and the losers' despair.
“Hey hey. Waiting for someone? Prof's daughter? Niece?”
“Dude, don't scare the kid! Just wait quietly.”
“We're friends with that guy over there. He's taking forever, so we got bored and said hi. Cool?”
“Sorry, kid's still immature.”
The guy and girl plopped behind me. I stopped her mid-head-smack.
“It's fine. I'm waiting for the professor too. Not family.”
“Aha. Super cute. What's your name? Age?”
“Seven. First time seeing you two up close, Baek Jeong-ho, Song Ga-yeon.”
“Huh? How'd you know our names? Name tags?”
As they puzzled, the last student stepped down.
“You all worked hard these two months. And I'm NoName.”
Leaving their shocked faces behind, I arranged the meeting the professor awaited.
“Hello.”
I greeted him casually.
“What brings you here?”
“What else? Grade check.”
I teased a bit, gauging his reaction: mild surprise, curiosity. Unlike others, he didn't pry or judge—patiently waiting for more.
This guy's a keeper. Testing people was rude, a habit from the palace I couldn't shake. Here, it'd be fine with dukes or staff chiefs—might cost heads otherwise.
“Sorry for the late intro. I'm NoName. Here to check my Transmutation Circle Interpretations grade.”