Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Something Feels Off
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Something feels off.
The classroom where the Mana and Magic Fundamentals class was held.
Since the lecture hadn't started yet, the students were chattering away energetically.
I rested my chin on one hand, staring blankly out the window at the scenery, replaying the events from just moments ago in my mind.
'...Hmm. Should I think of this as me experiencing the game's event in the protagonist's place?'
Judging by the situation alone, it seemed like one of the events from the original game, but I'd never encountered anything like this before.
No, to begin with, nothing like this had ever happened to the protagonist.
In the original story, incidents or fights involving the heroines were supposed to happen only to the protagonist, but why... isn't there something like that?
Like how delinquent kids might bully ordinary students but avoid touching the top students favored by the teachers.
The protagonist was the academy's first-year runner-up, and everyone—regardless of age or gender—liked him, so third-rate thugs wouldn't even approach him.
So I hadn't anticipated getting tangled in heroine-related trouble... let alone fighting over it myself...
'Well... since this isn't the game world but reality, things can change at any time, I guess.'
"Hoo..."
Tension finally easing made a sigh slip out involuntarily.
If Wol Ha-yeon hadn't shown up at just the right timing, I might have ended up in the academy infirmary by now.
Of course, getting hit by an Awakener's attack usually means instant death on the spot rather than just a trip to the infirmary.
But ever since choosing the Archmage class and reaching 1st Circle, I'd made a habit of wrapping my body in a mana field—a type of protective barrier.
In that situation, the 1st Circle mana field I'd prepared would have provided at least minimal defense, so it was more likely I'd end up severely injured rather than dead.
'Even so... that really scared the hell out of me.'
I rubbed my forehead, wiping away the cold sweat starting to bead again.
At the same time, the classroom door opened, and a familiar voice called out.
"...Hyun-sol."
"Sophia?"
Sophia, here for the Mana and Magic Fundamentals class, ignored the stares from the other students and came straight to my desk, looking down at me.
Her violet-tinged eyes seemed to shine with more seriousness than usual.
"...I heard what happened. Some guys picked a fight with you? All because of me, for no reason..."
Sophia's voice carried a tone of self-blame, stripped of her usual playfulness.
I shrugged it off like it was nothing.
"Why would it be because of you? It was just a light scuffle between some hot-blooded guys."
"...A light scuffle?"
Sophia's brows furrowed at my words.
"From what I heard, one of them even used a skill. With the intent to kill you."
"...Thanks to you teaching me so well, I formed my 1st Circle, so I had a way to protect myself. With the mana field up, I could've taken one hit just fine... probably?"
As I tried to brush it off casually, Sophia stared straight at me for a moment before biting her lower lip.
"...You could've taken it?"
She muttered lowly, shaking her head.
"You know better than anyone, Hyun-sol. Skills aren't child's play. Especially when swung with killing intent... even a simple E-Rank skill can kill."
"......"
"Forming a 1st Circle in a single day is impressive, but that's not enough to deploy a proper mana field perfectly yet. If you'd taken that flame spear head-on in that state, can you really swear your body would've come out unscathed?"
Every student in the classroom turned to look at us, murmuring, but Sophia didn't pay them any mind.
I faltered for a moment, avoiding her burdensome gaze.
Honestly, she had a point. I wasn't confident I could've perfectly blocked the Flame Spear.
My 1st Circle mana field was still unstable, so if it had hit, I might've ended up half-crippled or bedridden for months at least.
If my luck was really bad, I could've died right there...
"...Sorry. I'll be more careful from now on."
"...No need to apologize. I should be the one saying sorry, not you. Just ignore those kinds of guys in the future. Or come find me."
"Got it."
"You answer well... Anyway, please be careful for real. I... I don't want to see people around me get hurt because of me. Okay?"
Sophia's sincere worry cut clearly through the classroom's noisy atmosphere.
"... "
Hearing that, I momentarily lost my words.
'Hmm? This situation feels kinda weird...'
Something felt off.
The sense that if this continued, I might end up entangled even deeper with Sophia?
I felt like letting the conversation deepen any further would spell real trouble, so I quickly decided to change the subject.
But at that moment, the classroom door grew noisy again.
The academy's hot topic—the runner-up freshman, Kim Do-yoon—had entered with his usual relaxed smile.
The students' gazes snapped toward him in unison, but Sophia's eyes never once turned that way.
They remained fixed on me.
Of course, whether that held curiosity, a sense of responsibility, or something entirely different, I had no idea.
'Hmm, what is it? Why does this make me so uneasy...?'
I could feel the students' gazes, briefly drawn to Do-yoon, shifting subtly back toward us.
"Why is Sophia staring only at that guy like that?"
"Maybe the rumor about her having a boyfriend is true? They ate lunch together too..."
"Nah, no way..."
As more students spread rumors right in front of us without a care, sweat poured down my back like a waterfall.
If I added even one more word here, it felt like I'd be forcibly shoved into Sophia's heroine route.
"Hmm..."
Sophia, who had been staring at me silently, took a short breath and spoke in a softer tone.
"Anyway, I'm glad you're okay."
I nodded awkwardly.
"...Yeah. Thanks for worrying."
Just as the mood was turning awkward, the classroom door burst open again, and the sound of salvation echoed inside.
"Hello, freshmen! I'm Choi Soo-yeon, and I'll be teaching you Mana and Magic Fundamentals! Nice to meet you all!"
She greeted cheerfully, placed her textbook on the podium, scanned the students, and called out.
"Today, we'll briefly cover the 'Structure of Mana'! Put away the chit-chat, open your books!"
The students, who had been chatting in groups, returned to their seats one by one, opened their textbooks, and prepared for class.
Sophia finally averted her gaze from me and opened her book.
I let out a sigh of relief and focused on the lecture.
"Great! First, a basic concept all you aspiring mages must understand: the structure of mana."
Professor Choi Soo-yeon picked up a pen that drew magic circles and sketched a circle on the blackboard, dividing it into three parts with lines, labeling each one.
"Mana is broadly divided into three concepts. First, external mana—the universal energy flowing through this world. Like air, it's always around us, and any Awakener can sense it. But 'utilizing' it is a whole different story."
The students nodded at the professor's explanation and began taking notes.
"Second, internal mana. This varies greatly based on innate talent, training level, even mental state. That's why the same incantation can have different power depending on the person."
Professor Choi paused, smiling as she surveyed the room.
"I'm sure you freshmen can already sense the mana inside you to some extent. Right?"
Some nodded confidently at her question, while others fidgeted, trying to hide their shortcomings.
"Good. Finally, the mana core—commonly called a circle. It's the central organ that stably circulates internal mana and connects it to external mana. The size and stability of the circle determine a mage's grade."
"Today, we'll just go over the basic structure and theory. Next time, we'll cover circle growth methods and 1st Circle basics, so please preview it."
Continuing the lecture, the professor lightly snapped her fingers, floating a small orb of light in the air.
"This is a simple example. Absorbing external mana, combining it with internal mana to form a basic light-attribute spell. Commonly called Light magic, right?"
"Pretty..."
"First time seeing a perfectly spherical Light like that."
"And it's so bright."
As the light orb softly illuminated the classroom ceiling, small exclamations rose from the students.
"You'll all be able to do this soon. But never forget: mana is useful, but also dangerous."
"Mishandle it even slightly, and it can severely harm your body or mind. Now, everyone close your eyes and start by sensing the external mana!"
1 hour and 40 minutes later.
"Since it's the first class, we'll stop here! Good work, everyone!"
Professor Choi Soo-yeon ended the class energetically and immediately began answering some students' questions.
The remaining students, looking tired, stretched, finished organizing their notes, closed their books, and headed out.
"Whew... tougher than I thought."
"Mana really isn't for just anyone."
"But the professor's demo was cool."
"Being a mage is hard."
Amid the chattering students, I quietly packed my textbook into my bag and stood.
It was the first theory class, but having formed my own 1st Circle that morning, the explanations surprisingly resonated.
'...Still, skipping through in the game and listening to only the key parts is worlds apart from full lectures. Thought I'd die of boredom.'
As I finished packing and headed for the door, Sophia, who had been sitting next to me, quietly followed behind me out of the classroom.
"Hyun-sol."
"Huh? What?"
"...No, just... if you're free, could we have lunch together again today?"
"... "
Caught off guard by the unexpected phrasing, my brain froze, and I just blinked blankly without responding.
Seeing Sophia fidgeting slightly as she awaited my answer, she still seemed to blame herself for the morning incident.
'Sigh... I told her not to worry about it.'
With the constraint on me, I had to avoid getting involved with the heroines as much as possible... but I'm a guy too.
Seeing such a stunningly beautiful girl fidgeting like that just to eat with me, I couldn't resist.
"Ahem... lunch?"
"Yeah. If it's a burden, you can eat alone, no problem. But..."
Sophia trailed off, lowering her gaze slightly.
"I feel bad, so I want to at least buy you a meal..."
"... "
'Kuhk! As expected of Sophia, the woman desired by all! Heroine power is insane... No, snap out of it, Hyun-sol!! Don't fall for it!! Hold on!'
Regaining my senses late, I cleared my throat and avoided Sophia's dazzling gaze.
"Ahem, you don't have to go that far."
As I tried to brush it off, Sophia tilted her head, meeting my averted eyes again.
"I think I do. Do you know how uneasy I felt today?"
"What do you mean by—"
"So. Let's go together."
Without waiting for my response any longer, she naturally grabbed my hand and led me out of the classroom.
The students who saw it erupted in waves far bigger than yesterday's cafeteria scene.
'Why does it keep getting tangled like this? Now even staying still gets me screwed?'
Faint murmurs still echoed from the classroom.
"See? Sophia's going with that guy again."
"There has to be something going on."
"At this point, isn't he really her boyfriend?"
I sensed the situation growing more problematic, but I had no choice but to be pulled along by her hand.
If I slipped up somehow, it could derail all the main storylines involving Sophia.
'...No, before that, with this constraint, can I even safely progress through the first main story...?'