Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: [-- 20. The Seed in My Heart --]
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I stopped reading the round, cute handwriting midway and buried my face in the letter. It was cringey, embarrassing, and downright mortifying.
"What's wrong?"
"No, can't we do something about these straightforward expressions? It's driving me crazy. So embarrassing."
It was an indescribable level of cringe. I felt like I could die, seriously. I wanted to scream into the void somewhere. Barely suppressing those feelings, I finished reading the letter and sealed it away in my subspace like an incantation.
Inha looked at me impassively and said,
"Just don't read it."
"No, even so, I can't just ignore a letter someone put their heart into writing."
Saying that, I let out a small sigh. I'd gotten quite a few fan letters in my previous life too. I was a fairly popular novelist back then. But lately, receiving them made me feel incredibly weird. First off, the fact that I'm a kid is a problem, and second, most of the people sending them are people I know. At least the ones from underclassmen feel better. Since I don't know their faces, at least.
"Speaking of which, what about you, Inha? The love letters."
"...They're starting to pile up to the point of being a hassle, so I threw them out."
Ugh, um... Hearing that, I made a helpless expression. Of course, throwing away letters containing someone's feelings isn't a good thing. But given the circumstances, it was understandable—Inha had received over 200 love letters so far. From classmates, underclassmen, upperclassmen, even students from other schools. The total amount was staggering. And she'd probably get more in the future... but with no intention of reciprocating, keeping them might feel like leading them on.
I wouldn't have the heart to throw them away, but Inha was cool about it. I'd heard she'd started returning the letters and gifts from kids who signed their names, muttering about how annoying it was.
"What about Hansu?"
It wasn't just Inha getting that volume of love letters. Hansu was in the same boat. Tilting my head curiously at Inha, she gave me a puzzled look.
"What about him?"
"What'd he do with his love letters?"
"Hmm... Why ask me? You know him better, Eunha."
"No, I don't really know about that part..."
More than anything, it felt awkward to ask Hansu directly. After all, a few years ago, he was... um... I twisted my head in distress. But the real reason I was asking Inha was something else.
"Besides, Hansu is in a similar position to you, Inha. So, just?"
To be honest, Inha and Hansu were much closer than me and Hansu. Plus, there was something special about their relationship. How should I put it? Being around them created this strange atmosphere?
Anyway, it was a fact that the two were very close. Inha pondered for a moment before answering.
"...He seems to be keeping most of them."
"I see."
Well, Hansu didn't have the type of personality to throw them away like I would. I nodded in understanding. Inha added,
"But he returns most of them to the senders."
"I see."
I repeated the same response. Yeah, that sounded just like Hansu.
Inha and I sat on the bench chatting for a while before standing up. We went to the library together to borrow books. Most of the books I borrowed and the ones Inha borrowed were for magic studies. Lately, Inha had been looking for books related to light. The more you know about magic-related traits, the better. The deeper your understanding, the better you can apply your magic.
In that sense, I made a habit of searching for various examples of magic. I looked up news or books on barrier magic, and for rune magic, I wrote a lot. Writing scenarios or novels. I was serializing on a site, and recently, I'd gotten a few offers for print contracts. But revealing my age was tricky, so I turned them all down. I figured it wouldn't be bad to publish when I was in high school.
'Come to think of it, my magic is perfect for espionage. Seduction, coaxing, acting...'
Hallucination magic for suggestions, whisper magic with words of power—both great for drawing people in. They'd be super effective for intentionally approaching someone to extract information. Well... seduction might be a stretch with my face. My looks were above average, but not quite beauty-queen level.
And to use magic that effectively, I'd need to fix my timid personality first. Or develop acting skills that could override it. ...Acting. That sounds fun. I stopped reading and pressed my lips together.
But that required steady study. Once I hit middle school, I could choose subjects—maybe something acting-related then.
We borrowed our books and headed back to the classroom. Lunchtime was almost over. When we got back, Hansu, Hyunho, and Minhee were there. I flinched slightly and eyed the three suspiciously. What was going on? Inha looked at them and spoke.
"What's up? Elementary student council president, vice president, and secretary."
"Don't tease."
Hansu rubbed his forehead with a headache expression. I let out a small laugh. It was warranted. Who would've thought Minhee and Hansu would become student council president and vice president? I'd never even imagined it. Well... I had fantasized that if they ran, they'd win in a landslide.
The two had tried to rope me into a student council position once or twice (disguised as begging), but I'd shot it down flat. Which led to Inha refusing too.
Suddenly, memories of the election surfaced. Minhee had run for president at the kids' urging (and her own volition), picking Hansu and Hyunho as her vice president candidates. We'd caught on to her scheme beforehand and nipped it in the bud, but Hansu and Hyunho ended up running without knowing, becoming vice president and secretary respectively.
Well... Hyunho as secretary was unexpected. But at least Hansu was there with Minhee and Hyunho. Leaving those two alone felt like an accident waiting to happen.
The remaining treasurer spot went to an unexpected person: a foreign girl named Ardel. She'd registered straightforwardly. She seemed to enjoy being in front of people.
"So, why are you here? Waiting until lunchtime is almost over, no less."
"Wahhh, Eunha, you're so cold. Playtime's already reduced lately—cut me some slack."
"..."
"Ahem, actually, we came to ask a favor."
Sensing my sharp glare, Minhee dropped the joking and got to the point. I looked at her with an "as expected" expression. With sports day and the school trip coming up soon, there was no way she'd wait around without reason.
Minhee looked carefree and impulsive, but she was proactive, responsible, smart, and handled president duties well—thanks to her brother being the previous high school student council president. And Hansu and Hyunho covered her weaknesses.
But that was that, and this was this. Feeling a bit uneasy, I asked,
"So? What is it?"
"Yeah. Actually... for the elementary-middle-high joint escape game at sports day, I wanted to ask you guys to be the elementary rep."
I turned to meet Inha's eyes, then firmly refused.
"You guys do it. Who do you think wrote the scenario?"
"Aw~ That's not enough, that's why I'm asking. One person's fine. If not, I have someone for the other spot."
I pondered. If I joined, the kids would go wild, Teacher Min might cheer loudly, combat would reveal more of my skills, and... those overzealous fan letters from the kids...
Ugh, ugh. I bowed my head. No matter what, I didn't want to show my skills in front of the whole school. Yeah, not doing that again.
"...I wrote the game scenario to begin with. Asking someone who knows all the solutions is cheating."
And making the original author play it in front of everyone? They knew I hated that stuff.
"Ah, Eunha, come on~. You'll hold back anyway since you don't want to reveal anything either way. So, please? What are friends for? Huh? Huh?"
I kept my head down with a troubled expression. Ah, what to do. Minhee's request—I couldn't just flat-out refuse.
As I agonized, Inha stepped forward.
"Sure. I'll do it."
I snapped my head up. Minhee and Hansu stared at Inha's casual acceptance in surprise. In contrast, Inha was perfectly calm, her usual cool blank expression.
"What's gotten into you? You?"
Hansu's shocked words made Inha blink once before replying simply.
"Eunha hates doing it anyway, and I don't mind. It's your request, and it's Eunha's scenario."
Classic Inha. She said what could be ticklish words without a hint of fluster. Hansu, meeting her gaze, scratched his cheek a bit embarrassed. By now, half the class was watching. Moments later, Minhee beamed and grabbed Inha's hand.
"Yay! Thank you so much, Inha!"
Seeing Minhee's bright smile, Inha gave a faint, almost invisible smile.
"So? Who's my partner?"
"Yeah! You know our student council treasurer, right? Ardel. It's her!"
"Ah..."
Ho, that girl. Ardel had pretty strong skills for our grade. Probably on par with us. Teachers didn't say, but I knew she'd started private lessons this year. Starting later than us, her lessons would end later too?
'Come to think of it.'
Gazing at Inha's prim expression, I sank into thought.
'The one-on-one lessons assigned by the school... end this year, right...?'
I felt a subtle mood shift. I hadn't thought it through, but yeah. The school-set period was through elementary's final year. My master was busy. She could only dedicate regular time to me until this year.
I pondered briefly, then looked up. Whatever, I'd think about it later... For now, Inha and that Ardel girl.
I'd seen all of Ardel's magic during our last spar—copied everything but one. Unlike Inha, specialized in attributes, she used piercing attack magic only. Main was fire magic, sub lightning like Inha.
I smiled faintly. Their attributes matched perfectly.
"That girl is pretty strong, right?"
"Yeah. Found out doing student council together, but Ardel's seriously strong! Attack-type mage too—definitely pairs well with Inha."
"Well, you two do well and show the middle schoolers the elementary kids won't lose."
Inha snorted at Hansu.
"Hmph, not going out to show you."
Then she spun around and grabbed my hand. Inha asked with sparkling eyes.
"You'll cheer for me, right?"
I blinked in daze, then smiled back at her face.
"Of course!"
The bell rang shortly after. The three said "thanks" and left. Soon the front door opened, and Teacher Min entered. She was our homeroom teacher this year. Spotting me, she grinned brightly and waved. I jolted from resting my chin on my hand.
The girls squealed at the sight, sneaking glances at me. I ducked my head embarrassed, then shot Teacher Min a glare. She took my reaction in stride and started class.
I sighed. Honestly, Teacher Min was a favoritist. My theory: her becoming our homeroom was some deal. Junhwi Teacher had hinted once, and Teacher Min panicked to shut him up—probably true?
Anyway, she chatted me up whenever free, beaming. Maybe she saw me as a daughter or little sister. Worried Junhwi Teacher might get jealous. I was pretty grown now.
Regular classes ended at 5th period. After closing, Teacher Min always patted me and Inha's heads before leaving. As we packed to stand, the back door slid open, and a girl strode toward us: sun-like curly golden hair at the ends—Ardel.
She met my eyes and smiled softly. Standing confidently before Inha, she said,
"Hi. Heard from President Minhee. We're teamed up, right?"
"Yeah."
"So, wanna head to the training room now and sync up? Sports day's in less than a week, and if I'm doing it, I wanna win—even against upperclassmen."
"Sure. I wanna win too if I'm in."
The two agreed enthusiastically, then turned to me with apologetic faces.
"...Eunha, sorry. With things like this, what'll you do?"
Ardel hesitated after Inha.
"Um, if you have stuff to do, go ahead... or... watch... I mean..."
I grabbed my bag from the desk watching them.
"Then I'll head out first. I have somewhere to be."
"Yeah? See ya. Catch you at home later."
"Okay."
"...See ya."
Ardel bowed her head slightly after Inha, waving. I waved back.
Walking across the grounds, various thoughts surfaced. Should've asked earlier if it bothered me. Could've asked Teacher Min today.
I hesitated sending a text but gave up. Yeah, I was really hesitating to ask.
So I shelved the thought and did what I planned: training.
I was still focusing on special attribute magic development. The more I practiced, the more minefield-like it felt—extremely hard, but rewarding. The thrill of succeeding once was electric.
Attribute fusion was cleared except light and darkness. I could use a few compatible special attributes via simple conversion.
Lately, I'd started trying to move attributes to use them "like magic."
More precisely, move special attribute mana like other spells to create magic-like attacks. Like true magic or spell magic "techniques"...
I'd searched related spells, true magic, items—but special attributes had few materials, mostly secret arts.
For novice me, near impossible. Ultimate goal. For now, it was training to handle special mana more freely. Pondering deepened study naturally. This idea stemmed from sensitively feeling mana flow.
Note: Attribute fusion practice was on clashing pairs. I could fuse three+ now, so starting safest excluding light/dark. Not ignoring them—fusing with others when not clashing.
Sometimes fusing other attributes to specials—progress was solid.
I walked briskly. But many trainings Auntie Seona and master blocked as dangerous, so half secretly. Thanks to my evolved eyes finding the "place."
School had hidden spots unknown/unseen. E.g., from high school C building to main, unique hall: two steps forward, three back, one side, forward again—gate opens anywhere.
Mid long hall with stairs: count steps up, down from second skipping one—nonexistent classroom full of odd items.
Teachers' lounge 2F end hall: walk straight, turn side, tap window thrice with knuckles, keep going—impossible building hall.
Hidden school spots. Freaked me out first, thought haunted. I used third method to underground hall—perfect training room. I'd been using it lately: hidden, no prying eyes, full secret training.
Discovery not coincidence: eyes evolved again.
Last year, after using magic in dreams on reality, I sensed/saw dimensional boundaries sensitively. Maybe cause my barriers act as them. Anyway, detected unfolded subspaces. Pierced veiled spots.
Higher than sensing hidden magic via mana. Indescribable, but true. Learned multiple dimensions in same reality. One misstep crosses boundary. More practice: step into dream world from reality? No guarantee body goes.
Evolved detection and space-time magic.
Entered training room, practiced attribute magic. How much time passed? I startled. Door opened outside.
Footsteps neared. I thought casually,
'Someone else knows this place besides me. Makes sense, someone made it.'
Never seen anyone, thought mine alone. Then panicked, stamping. Alone with stranger here? Super awkward...
Clunk.
"...Huh?"
Wha...t?
Stunned, I stared at newcomer. Very familiar face.
"Je-hyeon oppa?"
Tension eased, I scurried to Je-hyeon oppa. He looked surprised at me.
"Why are you here?"
"Why are you?"
"I heard about this place..."
Saying so, he stroked side of head shocked. I blushed unwittingly. Quite sexy. Plus, earring dangling only right ear opposite hair side—made him sexier than usual.
Je-hyeon oppa: certified hot guy. Snapped out of daze. He eyed me oddly. Eek, caught spacing?
"How'd you find this?"
Ah, realized I hadn't answered.
"Well, training room, so training..."
"No, how'd you discover it?"
Scratched head.
"Just... saw it?"
"...Saw it?"
"Yeah. Saw some boundary, followed mana reactions, tinkered—got here."
Je-hyeon oppa silenced. Seemed mildly surprised, but seeing sprayed emotion colors around, no—extremely shocked.
Stared down seriously.
"No, but... normally invisible... plus..."
Mumbles faint. Doubted expression.
"You know mana limit to enter here?"
"Eh, that exists?"
Narrowed eyes, placed hand on head. Felt mana, stayed put. Checking something. Darkness mana enveloped briefly. Controlled reflexive mana surge.
Hand off, stared own hand disbelieving. Then usual soft smile.
"Anyway, long time no see."
I smiled too.
"Yeah, first since congratulating A-rank promotion."
Shocked then. Muttered inwardly.
Post-C-rank: real wall. No talent? Stuck D+. Mediocre? Stops C. B-rank: proven talent. But A? No guarantee.
World's A-ranks: ~2500. In 10B+ population. Over half over 100. Excluding rare deaths: only 2500 in 200 years. 1/5 from magic origins: Yuphrelcia, Ravient, Polygen, Traveria. Traveria closed, numbers fuzzy.
A-ranks: that rare. Specialists could erase a star.
Oppa broke wall in ~6 years. Not youngest. Near. Youngest A: 20, S at 25—Auntie Seona. Fastest A-to-S too.
Oppa fast too. Faster than Teacher Min (A at 24).
"But first time seeing your earring, oppa. What's that?"
"Ah... As A-rank darkness mage, slight restriction. Your master easy-control magic, no issue. But hyper-attack me, Teacher Kang Jeong-hyun wear. Ah, Senior Yoo Min too?"
"Huh? Really?"
Pondered. Restriction. Inha's teacher aside, Teacher Min: piercings, thought fashion—actually restriction.
Face clouded. Something recalled. Oppa's master: Inha's Teacher Kang Jeong-hyun. Asked.
"Speaking of, you did private lessons? When from-to?"
"Huh? Oh, private for early main-magic kids. Me: 3rd to 6th grade. Made mine just before 3rd. Top among non-makers before. Usually 3-4 years custom. New in my batch..."
"I see..."
Nodded blankly, checked time. Eek, 6 already?
"Then I'll head out."
"Not training?"
"Finished."
Smiled, waved.
"Bye!"
Bounced out. Heard oppa mutter,
"No way... but... already..."
Ignored, ran. Few steps as before—back to real building. Scenery shifted, ran hall. Slowed to walk, stopped, sky-gazed.
"..."
So, not much time left. Thought so, bowed head, kicked pebble.