Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Snow Family (2)
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3 hours later.
"Huff... huff. S-Sis, I really can't do any more..."
I had been trying to form the ring of a third circle, recalling the sensations and circumstances from when I'd created the second circle right in the center of the Snow Blossom Evolution Formation for a full three hours.
In the end, I couldn't even manage the slightest hint of a ring before exhausting every last drop of my mana and stamina, collapsing flat onto the floor.
"Haa..."
I truly felt like I couldn't take a single step further.
The mana training room floor, cold as a sheet of ice, enveloped my body and chilled it straight through.
And right there in the middle, Seol Yu-bin stood with her arms crossed, looking down at me.
"Hmm."
A short sigh.
Followed immediately by her analysis.
"You've definitely learned well from that girl Sophia. I have to give you credit for that."
"Huff... huff... Really?"
"Yeah. The way you control your mana flow and open your senses—it's clear someone taught you properly, step by step."
Seol Yu-bin squatted down on the floor and lightly tapped the top of my head with her fingertip.
It was just a light touch, but a cool energy spread deep into my skull.
"But the problem is—"
"The problem...?"
I strained to lift my gaze.
Seol Yu-bin took a brief moment to catch her breath, then delivered her conclusion.
"It's your stats after all. You still haven't fully recovered from the injuries you took from that lord-class demon, Kaltaran."
Her expression was deadly serious.
"Especially your mana power stat, which is the most crucial for a mage. From the third circle onward, you can't force it with just talent or intuition alone.
You need a total mana capacity that exceeds the baseline threshold for a human body to endure it... but you're forcibly pulling it up while trying to maintain the sensation, and that's where you hit your limit."
"...I see."
"Yeah. Your mana circuits themselves aren't even fully recovered yet in the first place.
Trying to form a third circle in that state is honestly borderline reckless."
Reckless.
That word strangely stabbed at my chest.
The desperate effort I'd poured into enduring and focusing up until moments ago felt like it might flicker out with that single word, leaving me a bit dazed—
But as if reading my mind, Seol Yu-bin continued right away.
"That doesn't mean it's impossible, though."
"...Huh?"
"I can see the potential."
Seol Yu-bin pressed her fingers firmly into my head as she went on.
"By the end of break, you should be able to stabilize the third circle ring and even prepare to challenge the fourth."
"......For real?"
"Yeah. Your stats are a bit lacking, but your talent, intuition, and growth speed are definitely above average.
Normally, it'd take two months just to maintain the third circle ring, but you've already gotten to the point where the end is in sight?
You only failed this time because your mana fell short."
"..."
Her words felt like an immense comfort for some reason.
At the same time, my ragged breathing gradually settled.
"So don't get discouraged. It's not that you can't—it's just that your mana can't hold up right now yet.
Time will fix that."
"...Okay."
The moment she gently wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of her hand, a lump inside my chest seemed to melt away warmly.
The training room fell silent for a moment.
Seol Yu-bin paused briefly, fiddling with an ice crystal as she looked me up and down.
"Hyun-sol, let's skip afternoon training today..."
"Huh?"
"Hee-hee."
She poked my cheek with a strangely meaningful expression.
"Wanna go on a date with sis for once? To the city?"
"W-Wait... a d-date...?"
"Yeah. A date."
She said it so boldly.
"After working me this hard, you owe me some compensation, right? And you need a break too."
"That's true..."
My words trailed off.
Honestly... after running nonstop for ten days just like Seol Yu-bin said, I did want to rest a bit.
And I'd only been receiving from her, who'd spent the whole day teaching and guiding me.
After agonizing over it for a while—
"...Let's go."
"Really!?"
Seol Yu-bin beamed brightly.
"Then get ready. We leave in an hour."
Her voice was bright and refreshing enough to pierce right through the cold Snow Family training room.
Watching her like that, I pushed aside thoughts of the third circle, the training room, and the weight of the ice crystals for the moment.
For the first time in so long—really so long—I felt like it was okay to take a little break.
'Yeah... There's almost three months left until the next episode anyway.'
An hour later.
After showering, changing into comfortable clothes, and roughly drying my hair, I stepped out of the training room—
Someone was waving from the end of the hallway.
"Hyun-sol~ Over here!"
The near-expressionless instructor mode Seol Yu-bin from earlier was nowhere to be seen.
Now, she was grinning ear to ear, excited for the date.
A crisp white short-sleeved shirt paired with a light summer outer layer that shimmered with a subtle blue hue.
It was cool and eye-catching in its own right.
"Whoa, you look... brighter than usual."
"Sis is always like this. You just didn't know."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. Enough chit-chat—let's head out quick."
Seol Yu-bin lightly grabbed my wrist and led me to the main gate.
The moment we got in the car, she punched in the navigation.
Destination: Jeonju Hanok Village.
"Jeonju...?"
"Yeah. The Snow Family village is on the outskirts of Jeonju, right? It's close, not too crowded, great for walking... and you—"
She glanced back at me with just a slight turn of her head.
"—don't really know what makes for a nice date atmosphere anyway."
"I can't deny that..."
"So sis is taking the lead—just follow without complaining!"
The drive to Jeonju was strangely quiet.
The engine hummed steadily, and the breeze coming through the window was refreshing.
I blinked slowly, gazing out the window.
'This real feeling of taking a break... it's been forever.'
As an extra, I'd used the Book of Restraints to fix my lacking stats and trained from early morning without a single day off.
I'd somehow overcome every variable that cropped up.
But living so frantically meant that at some point, even right before sleep, I'd end my days pondering what variables might come next or how to handle them if they did—rest had vanished from my life entirely.
So this plain, worry-free sensation of true relaxation...
I loved it.
Seol Yu-bin wordlessly reached toward the dashboard.
"AC not too cold?"
"No, it's perfect."
"Good. I'll turn it down a bit more then. You tend to run hot."
"...When did you even notice that?"
"I've been watching you all this time. I even remember your sweating patterns when you breathe hard."
"...That's kinda creepy."
"Hee-hee."
She chuckled contentedly for no reason.
30 minutes later, we arrived at Jeonju Hanok Village as the afternoon sun began to tilt.
It wasn't crowded, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of trees mixed with the distinctive woody aroma of hanok pillars.
"Whoa..."
An exclamation slipped out involuntarily.
Seol Yu-bin clasped her hands behind her back and sidled up next to me.
"First time at a hanok village?"
"Yeah. Only seen it in pictures—never in person."
"Figured as much. That's why I brought you."
Her steps were light and bouncy.
Not the charismatic instructor from the training room, but vibrant and cheerful, like a peer.
I naturally matched her pace beside her.
Traditional signs lined the rows of hanok buildings, with the faint sounds of tourists drifting from afar.
The early summer breeze brushed past, carrying its unique scent.
"There's a must-have here."
"What's that?"
"Homemade hanok bingsu."
"Figures, ice mage... Even snacks have to be ice-based. I can practically smell the sugar already."
"I'll order the least sweet one for you. Don't worry."
"You're like a witch."
"Nope, a mage. Ice mage."
She shrugged and took the lead.
Inside the small hanok cafe, bamboo lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow.
"Sit."
Seol Yu-bin naturally seated me at what felt like the best spot, placed the order, and returned.
"Hyun-sol."
"Yeah?"
"Your face looks better."
"...Does it?"
"Yeah. Way better than when you first arrived at the Snow Family."
She pushed a hanok bingsu topped with ice cream toward me as she spoke.
"During training, your expression was all tensed up, but now it's more relaxed? Like you're finally breathing."
"I see..."
I scooped up a spoonful of bingsu and popped it in my mouth.
The sweet, icy chill hit my tongue and spread a cool tingle straight to my brain.
"...Whoa. This is good."
"Told you? This place is famous."
For a moment, only the sounds of us eating bingsu filled the air.
Those few minutes felt strangely peaceful.
Truly... a time when I didn't have to think about anything.
I set down my spoon and let out a small breath.
"...This is nice."
"Yeah."
Seol Yu-bin quietly gazed at my face.
"I thought you needed time like this."
"...Did I look that worn out?"
"Not worn out exactly... more like that stubborn, enduring face you always make? I started seeing it again from when we reunited."
"......"
I couldn't find words for a moment.
Seol Yu-bin smiled very softly at me.
"I've worn that face for a long time too."
"...I bet you did."
"But I got better after taking a break, so you should too... rest a little.
Sis doesn't want to see you push too hard and get hurt again."
Her voice trembled slightly, but it felt so incredibly warm.
After finishing the bingsu, we strolled slowly through the hanok village.
Tourists in traditional clothes snapped photos, kids ran around with puppies,
and the sound of flowing water trickled from alleys here and there.
I clasped my hands behind my back, stretched, and looked up at the sky.
"Haa... this is great."
"Right?"
"Yeah. Really... had no idea just walking around doing nothing could feel this good after so long."
"Your face looked fine even during training."
"My face is always like that."
"So you only smile on a date with sis?"
"Well..."
"Hee-hee-hee."
Seol Yu-bin playfully nudged me from the side.
"It's fine. Smile when you're happy."
"...Yeah."
As we kept walking, we naturally paused at a small pond at the edge of the hanok village.
The breeze cut across the water's surface, gently rippling a few lotus leaves.
"Hyun-sol."
"Yeah."
"Today... I had a really great time. It's been forever."
She said it while gazing at the sky reflected in the pond.
"My mind's been a mess lately... but being with you helps sort it out."
"Why's it been messy?"
"Oh, just this and that. Pressures like having to achieve the Snow Family's goal of fully inheriting the power of Mother's failed Eternal Snow ice crystal?"
"I see."
I nodded.
"...Me too. Hanging out and resting like this with you is helping clear up my tangled thoughts a bit."
"Really?"
Seol Yu-bin smiled.
"Then let's come again next time. We have weekends after school starts, right? Day trip somewhere fun!"
Her words lifted my spirits for some reason.
I replied with a light smile.
"Sounds good. Let's do it."
Seol Yu-bin's eyes sparkled brightly.
"Promise."
The breeze swept between us.
It was brief, but for the first time in so long—truly so long—
I felt like a human breathing freely again.