Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Did You Wait Long?
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"Did you wait long?"
‘This crazy mascot bastard...’
Elementary school enrollment? Hanwol Elementary School, 1st grade Class 3? Me?
My vision blurred.
I'd heard of dreams about reenlisting in the military, but never about reenrolling in elementary school.
According to Article 31 of the Korean Constitution, all citizens are obligated to receive education. Elementary education is compulsory in particular.
But what if a child over six years old doesn't go to school?
It gets reported as child neglect right away, a truancy officer from the Board of Education shows up, and a police investigation begins.
Then my faked identity would naturally be exposed, and after that?
The Magical Girls from Magic Castle would stuff me into a drum barrel for violating the Magical Identity Secrecy Rule.
‘Cunning little shit.’
Did this mascot have no heart at all? Stuffing a healthy college guy into elementary school just to fake an identity?
I was the fool for expecting human empathy from a beast. If it had any to begin with, I wouldn't have become a Magical Girl in the first place.
‘Do I really have to go?’
I slammed my head against the bus window.
“Ahh!”
My head throbbed. People murmured, but I didn't care.
Right now, the crushing reality of my entire life being upended without warning hurt more than the pain.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I dove straight into bed the moment I got home.
‘So cozy...’
The ancient sages were right: the world outside the covers is dangerous.
I'd submitted my leave of absence today to chase freedom, only to be dragged into an even harsher prison. Might as well have stayed in college.
But escaping reality didn't solve anything. Next week, I was doomed to become an elementary schooler.
I bolted upright.
I couldn't just sit here waiting.
I desperately needed a mentor to turn this shitty situation around—or at least give some advice.
And who could that be?
“Perfect timing. I was about to reach out anyway.”
There was Frost, trapped in a child's body with an adult mind, just like me.
Please! Help!
I searched for Frost in my chat contacts.
[Status: No inquiries before deposit]
‘Whoa.’
Her blatantly capitalist status message gave me a slight chill, but I wasn't in a position to be picky about hot or cold rice right now.
💬 Private Chat
— Neph
Hello! It's Neph, the newbie.
— Frost
I was wondering when you'd reply. Thought you'd ghosted me and blocked me ㅠ (Crying emoji)
Thankfully, an instant reply. She must've been glued to her phone all day despite claiming to be reflecting.
— Frost
Got something you want to ask?
One downside of texting: you can't read emotions from messages alone.
Still, she seemed friendly, so I cut to the chase.
I had tons of questions, but the most urgent was this.
— Neph
How do you get to Magic Castle?
First, I needed to smash that mascot's smug face.
The beast read my message but ghosted it. No doubt holed up in a corner of Magic Castle, watching my misery.
I'd die of rage if I didn't sew that white fur hide with my sewing machine.
— Frost
? Didn't your mascot take you?
— Neph
Ran off right after the contract.
— Frost
lololololololol They're all rude like that.
Whether misfortune or blessing, the mascot's asshole personality seemed species-wide. Beasts gonna beast.
— Frost
Getting to Magic Castle is easier than you think. Say your ID number in front of a mirror while thinking of Magic Castle, and a gate opens. Then use your unique magic on it. Done. Easy, right?
So helpful. Veterans really pour their hearts into noob care.
But...
‘Use magic?’
This rang a bell.
[Pick a weapon first (magic can wait)]
“Right, Sword's memo.”
I pondered.
Sword said pick magic later. But Frost said use unique magic to enter Magic Castle.
Which rhythm do I follow?
— Neph
Sword senpai said to pick magic later?
— Frost
Oh. Sword unnie already made her move. Makes sense from her perspective. It's complicated to explain in text...
Her typing indicator flickered on and off for a while, like it was too annoying to type.
— Frost
You free right now? (Location shared) I'm home. Close by? Let's meet up. I'll explain in person!
The map showed it was surprisingly close.
Three bus stops. Walkable distance.
The pin was in H Apartments, Seoul's ritzy celebrity neighborhood. Fitting for famous idol Frost.
Clock was nearing 9 PM.
I hesitated a bit. I'd just transformed, and I was tired.
Plus, I learned yesterday this kid body shuts down by 10 PM.
‘But nothing pressing tomorrow.’
Still a week till the dreaded entrance ceremony.
Better to network than waste time zoning out.
Plus, Frost was the poster child for legal lolis. She could advise on adapting as an elementary kid.
— Neph
Yes! On my way! About 20 mins.
— Frost
(Dancing penguin emoji)
Appointment set, but a fatal problem arose.
“......No clothes.”
The hoodie drew way too much aggro.
Meant to blend in, but my looks made it stand out. Probably same for any men's clothes.
Hell, Magic Gallery had a pic of Bella carrying me mid-flight, snapped by someone.
Title: [Bella Kidnaps Prima's Grandkid.jpg]
Couldn't transform either.
‘What now.’
Then—
Kuuuung!
Familiar boom hit the ceiling.
Not even startled anymore after this morning.
Kwang!
Hole punched through again, delivery box plummeting straight down.
This one pink-wrapped.
[Sender: KR-235 / Recipient: KR-814 / Item: Clothing]
Box different from morning's, but same messy marker handwriting.
Corner had tiny Magic Castle logo.
Thought Sword sent it personally, but apparently remote purchases via Magic Castle were possible.
“But who sent this one...”
— Frost
Did you get it?
Culprit found.
— Neph
Ah, was this from you, senpai?
— Frost
Saw your pics lol. You'll stand out in that. No other cute clothes?
— Neph
Yeah... none.
— Frost
?
Frost paused at my reply.
The silence stretched.
— Frost
No parents or family?
— Neph
Living alone due to circumstances.
Circumstances called "independent living," that is.
Her typing flickered again, long and hesitant.
She seemed to misunderstand something. Lots to say, but holding back.
— Frost
Ah... Hm. Got it. Bought this with points from Magic Castle. Guessed the size, so try it on? Gift! No pressure!
Classic veteran generosity.
Vets really spend differently. Though even I'd cringe seeing a newbie run around naked.
Perfect timing too. I tore open the wrapping gratefully and opened the box.
“......”
Brain freeze.
Inside: a pristine white lace dress, neatly folded.
“......You want me to wear this?”
Less kid clothes, more doll outfit. I held it up to the mirror, comparing.
Seol Ha-yoon's ego screamed in rejection... but I had to admit.
It suited me perfectly.
Did anything not suit me right now?
— Frost
Hurry! Waiting for you!
Gift meant I should wear it out of courtesy, but my hand hesitated.
I'd worn Magical Girl outfit before, but that was different.
That was third-person detachment: "dressing a Prima lookalike."
This was bona fide girl clothes.
Even underwear neatly laid out. Wearing this might bury Seol Ha-yoon's ego six feet under.
‘Gulp.’
B-but no point hesitating now.
Bella already sis-conned me, and next week I'm a girl elementary kid anyway.
Yeah. Humans adapt, and I'm human. Adapt. Adapt.
Resigned, I slipped into the dress and stood before the mirror.
Flouncy skirt, loose fabric. Emptiest lower-body sensation ever.
‘Women walk around in this...?’
I spun once.
Twirl twirl! Whoosh!
Prima's signature pose slipped out unconsciously. Skirt bloomed like petals, fluttering.
“......”
Why? No one's watching, but my face burns like hell...!!
I cleared my throat, smoothed wrinkles, faced the bitter truth in the mirror.
“......P-pretty, yeah.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Night breeze was chillier than expected.
Just my fragile heart, though. The dress had insulation magic, keeping me toasty.
‘Magic Castle brand quality.’
Skeptical of Bella's perks before, but these details made welfare seem solid.
First women's clothes: effective.
No more shady stares from my hoodie outing.
“Wow, kids these days dress so well.”
“So cute! Like a doll!”
“Feels familiar...”
Replaced by awe, curiosity, melting cuteness overload.
‘Still burdensome.’
But upgraded from runaway teen to rich heiress? Not bad.
Though now a crowd trailed me. Pied Piper vibes.
I ignored them, popped in Bluetooth earbuds.
Noise canceled, my world opened.
Heading to Frost: playlist on Frost theme song, courtesy.
High notes blasting, habitual Magic Gallery scroll began.
Daily routine, but yesterday's chaos skipped today's deep dive.
📰 Magical Girl Gallery #143
[Analysis] The reason Bella went all-out and got desperate today.txt Writer: Magical Girl Appraiser Everyone thinks Bella berserked on trash mob during cleanup, but I disagree. Compiling eyewitnesses: Bella went to white-haired kid behind her after monster. Who? = Prima's grandkid (speculated). Thus, Bella didn't go crazy—full power to flex before 'industry senior's grandkid.' 5-year vet not wasted. Disagree? You're right.
💬 Comments
— Cutie
LOL this is it lolol
— BrutalAnalysis
Logical. Prima grandkid? Accepted.
— BlazeLord
Damn, Bella that sly fox. Already schmoozing the lineage.
— IgnisXAqua
Social game strong like Bella.
What matched? Everything wrong from one to ten.
Problem: post's 150+ recs. In MagGal, that's canon.
Rest filled with Bella's rare signature move and my bait. Frost bait persistent too.
Overwhelming; maybe I should brake it myself.
— StripMG
Just a normie? Maybe foreigner lol
— Cutie
↳ Reply
Magic Castle spins the narrative right away?
— Boomerscope
Magic Castle Media Control busts in
— Murasaki
Shill busted lolol
“......Tch.”
PR op failed spectacularly.
Labeled troll, 12-hour post ban.
Good or bad? Headache either way.
Songs looped thrice amid scrolling; H Apartments loomed.
‘Where's Frost?’
Then—
“Hey? Isn't that her?”
“Oi! This way! Don't let her escape!”
A mob surged.
Cannon cameras. Logo: ABS, one of big 3 broadcasters.
Rumor had paparazzi staking out celeb apts. 10 PM and still lurking? Zealous.
Lenses swarmed instantly.
“Kid! Hold up! Look here!”
“Prima's grandkid, right? Nod if yes!”
“Magical Girl related? Trainee?”
Click! Flash!
Blinding flashes soured my mood.
Compared to these hacks, tailing crowds or sneak shots were saints. This was real.
‘Chase 'em off.’
Daring invade privacy? Smash cams or call cops.
“......Ugh.”
Why? Vision hazy, tongue numb, words stuck.
Weird. Old Seol Ha-yoon would've cursed first.
“P-please don't...”
Only scared kid whimper escaped.
“Got her voice!”
“Closer! Mom dad around? Grandma healthy?”
“Heh~ poke more, something juicy drops?”
Adults thrilled at my terror, charging.
Meeting their greedy eyes, I grasped the true change in this body.
Magical Girl garb mirror thrill: design, student, fanboy instinct.
Feet frozen vs. monster: natural fear.
Sis-ing Bella: networking.
Rationalized.
Wrong.
‘Your flesh has fully assimilated Prima's mana at cellular level.’
Thought "flesh" meant body only.
But if assimilation included brain, psyche...
All my emotions, reactions: this body's instincts.
Else why choke on mere lenses, tears welling?
Still, question lingers. Prima symbolized strength.
Hero who faced monsters with iron will, helped behead Demon King.
Inheriting her body, why glass mentality? Doesn't fit.
‘Not important now. Escape first.’
Hu. Hu. Deep breaths.
Whatever stance later, tangling with press was doom.
Run.
But... feet glued?
“Wanna chat in the car with sis?”
“Other close sis? Family...?”
Female reporter reached to scoop me.
Unlike Bella's, rough grip. Eyes squeezed shut—
Ching! Chaeng! Pzzt!
Lenses exploded.
“What?!”
“M-my lens! Do you know the cost?!”
“What happened?!”
Shards rained; frosty mist rose over debris.
‘Ice... shards?’
“Misters.”
Soprano tone, utterly bored voice mismatch.
Reporters turned; streetlit silhouette: petite girl approaching.
Blue short bob, indigo cold eyes. Overalls, not Magical Girl dress.
“Told you once more sightings of Frost and you're done. Want a beating?”
Frost.
Each step spread chilling frost, icing air.
Summer night, yet breaths fogged.
Except mine.
She stepped before me, back to reporters.
Glanced back, soft smile at shivering me.
"Did you wait long?"
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