Magic with Professor Im Sol!
Victoria Academy held staff meetings every Monday. Even as a guest professor, Im Sol was technically faculty, so she was forced to attend.
"So, the chairman this time…."
To Im Sol, it was a complete waste of time. What they called a staff meeting was little more than a social gathering. Actual business took about thirty minutes. The rest was just idle chit-chat.
"Hahaha, the grade director is hilarious."
"Professor Park's got killer comic timing too, huh? Heh heh heh."
Hahaha. Laughter echoed through the conference room.
While some professors played along with the vibe, others like Dr. Kang Hyolyn were blatantly doing their own thing. But no one dared storm out. After all, these were the people signing their paychecks.
"Haa…."
Im Sol sighed at the sight. All these professors and doctors, fawning over "seniors" just because they'd been teaching a few years longer. She despised this culture.
And honestly, she didn't even need to play nice. She was a guest professor personally invited by the chairman and president.
She'd planned to stick it out until the end since she had something to propose about the field trip, but this dragged on with no sign of wrapping up.
"Grade director."
In the end, Im Sol cut into their ha-ha-ho-ho laughter.
"Oh, yes, yes. Professor Im Sol. Something to say?"
"I'd appreciate a quick review of the materials I submitted for tomorrow's field trip."
"Ah… in a rush, huh? Just a moment."
The grade director flashed a friendly smile despite the interruption. He rummaged through the stack, pulled out Im Sol's file, nodded, and scanned it.
"Looks great. Cadet Lee Ho-yeon is the pride of Victoria Academy. Having you mentor him personally is perfect."
"So that's approved?"
"Of course."
Phew. Two hours of sitting through this just for that.
"Then I'll head out. Lots to prepare for tomorrow's magic expo visit."
Im Sol informed the grade director, who was leading the meeting.
"Mm, mm. Sure. Rest up, Professor Im Sol."
The director, who had been chuckling heartily, widened his eyes briefly before nodding.
"Thank you."
Im Sol bowed politely. The grade director wasn't a bad guy—just oblivious to flattery. So she showed basic courtesy.
She slipped out without meeting any other professors' eyes.
After she left, the room fell quiet for a moment before whispers started.
"What's her deal? Going to the magic expo? She usually ignores anything below her level."
"Right? The professor who never mingles?"
"Hiring someone with zero social skills as faculty… tsk tsk."
"Exactly. If you wanna be called a mage, at least respect your seniors…."
The complainers were mostly magic professors. They still grumbled about Im Sol hogging the entire second floor of the Magic Tower.
They hated her "rude" behavior. In truth, it was pathetic inferiority complex—they couldn't admit a young woman outdid them in skill. But most lashed out at her to avoid facing it.
"…."
Im Sol, listening from outside the door, walked away slowly.
She hadn't always shut out conversation. It wasn't hard. Just… different. Like how she was born with talent for magic.
Others seemed born to chat effortlessly.
The mage world was tiny. Im Sol had tried fitting in at first. But somehow, people always frowned during talks.
Then they'd turn and mutter she was annoying, thought the world revolved around her—things she'd never said or even thought.
Eventually, she gave up on most people. Only oddballs like Baek Ayoung, Min Ye-ji, and Lee Ho-yeon remained. Better than forcing it.
It was survival wisdom from countless failures and years of experience.
She wasn't disinterested in others. They'd excluded her first.
Of course, there was a way to connect: abandon everything. Ditch her pride, bow to seniors, honor elders.
In a world where you couldn't tell the untalented, "You lack gift—try another path," survival meant that.
Hide sincerity, wear a fake mask.
But Im Sol wasn't built that way.
She hadn't always loved magic. Excluded by them, magic was what let her hit back—and luckily, her best skill.
In the end, magic was all she had left.
So she loved it fiercely.
"Haa."
Im Sol sighed and headed to her lab. Unfinished magic research awaited.
*
"We're off!"
"Da-hee, no yelling."
Tuesday morning. At the entrance, Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee were putting on shoes.
"Thanks, Scarlett."
"No problem. It's my job."
To leave the male dorm, the Nam sisters needed Scarlett's escort. I'd done it when she was busy, but not today—I had plans with Im Sol at the magic expo.
"Scarlett, come back quick. I'm bored."
"Got it. Don't worry."
"Guard the house well, Liliana." I stroked Liliana's head.
"Don't worry. I've been on it super hard."
"Not bored?"
"Nah. It's fine. Scarlett's here."
"You can go out if it's stuffy—hanging with Scarlett's cool."
Unlike the Nam sisters, Liliana rarely went out. I worried she'd feel cooped up.
"Eh… not really? Outside sucks."
"Got it. Buy whatever you want."
"Don't even think about taking my card."
Good thing the dorm was lively. Liliana didn't seem bored or down.
"Have a good day, Da-eun, Da-hee."
"Yeah, oppa!"
"Not coming to the academy this afternoon?"
Nam Da-eun asked as she greeted me.
"Probably, but who knows."
Quick goodbyes, a wave to tracksuit-clad Liliana, and I left first. Had to hit Im Sol's lab.
First time skipping class so legally.
I'd told Lucy and Lumi yesterday, so no worries.
Ellis… probably won't mind?
I strolled past commuting cadets toward the Magic Tower.
At the entrance, a familiar silhouette. Flowing silver hair. Sky-blue robe.
Her usual look, hands behind back, gazing at the sky.
Sensing me, she turned slowly with a slight smile.
"Oh, disciple's here?"
Of course—Professor Im Sol.
*
Magic Expo. Sounds stuffy, like shut-in mages emerging from basements. But surprisingly lively.
A regular event where mages shared new spell arrays and research. Quality networking.
A bit distant for civilians, but hey—it's a magic expo.
Im Sol and I arrived at the bustling venue.
"That outfit again?"
"Again? I change almost daily."
"…Almost?"
Im Sol's lab style: oversized pink tee, black leggings. Peak comfort. Sky-blue robe draped like a convenience store run.
Not my place to judge in uniform, but… afternoon classes meant I was innocent.
"Yeah. Unless research is crazy."
"…Right. Got it."
Fair enough. Pretty matters more than daily changes.
"Where first? Magic tools? Spell arrays?"
"Disciple picks. I'm good either way."
"Okay. Magic tools it is."
Im Sol's expression was mixed—happy-ish, annoyed-ish, somewhere in between.
Current Status: Haa… Good coming with disciple. But too crowded. Old folks piss me off.
I nodded at the status window.
"…Yeah. Let's head this way."
"Sure. Lead on."
Some bad mood from earlier, probably. Glad she followed anyway.
Soon, we reached the magic tools display.
"This… even accounting for useless formulas, efficiency's solid. Especially this explanation…."
Im Sol's eyes sparkled.
Acts bored but loving it.
I smirked secretly. Mages go nuts for this stuff.
I stared at a tool labeled [3RJQH-JI5FU4].
No clue, but looks cool.
Mine are more efficient anyway.
"But this falls short. Calculation dips in array engraving. If it were me, core formula… oh, haven't announced that. Resonance between them…."
Mage eyes spot lessons. I wield magic well, don't know it deeply. Academically, Im Sol laps me.
"Professor. Let's check elsewhere."
I grabbed her arm, dragging her from muttering improvements.
The submitting mage's eyes widened at her words. Can't give away gems for free.
My mentor, after all.
"Still lacking…."
Her gaze stuck to the tool.
She's dead serious about magic-related stuff. Like a ghost who died mid-research in a past life.
"Plenty of time. Hot out—cafe break?"
Perfect, had stuff to discuss. I tugged her arm firmly.
Srrrrk—
Huh?
Glancing aside, sinister mana caught my eye. Dark, evil vibe.
This… nah? Kinda fuzzy.
Too many mana signatures—evil trace vanished fast.
"Professor. Feel anything weird…."
"This uses a new technique? Array's restructured but drive's…."
"Argh, seriously. Come here first."
Prioritize calming Im Sol. She wasn't reacting, so probably my imagination.
I led her to a cafe sign reading "Cool Coffee."