Chapter 109
Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: 20. The Seed in the Heart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
We all gathered together to eat lunch. After parting ways with the teachers, we met up with our parents and friends.
“Does Minhee feel a bit disappointed not eating with her big brother?”
“No way. Big brother’s got his own stuff to do. With Eunhee Sister and Cheonho Brother.”
Minhee shrugged with an expression that showed she wasn’t disappointed at all. Today’s lunch was a packed bento box prepared jointly by my mom and Auntie Seona. It seemed like they were showing off their skills after a long time. I smacked my lips. They must have remembered me saying last time, ‘For sports day, bentos are a must, right?’
On the other hand, Hyunho’s parents and Hansu’s parents hadn’t packed any, planning to buy food instead, but thanks to Auntie Seona and Mom bringing more than enough, we could all share. In return, Hansu’s mom had brought a ton of snacks, which we also shared.
In the middle of it, Auntie Seona stroked Inha’s head while mentioning the game from just before lunch.
“Our Inha was so cool~.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah, yeah. That girl who was with her seemed pretty good too? Who is she?”
“Hmm….”
As Inha made a thoughtful face, Minhee jumped in.
“If it’s Ardel, I know more about her. I heard she’s from Ufellシア, the Nation of the Skies?”
“Ufellシア? Really? That’s an impressive place.”
“Yeah, yeah. Not sure about her circumstances, but somehow she transferred into Daehyeon School. Anyway, she’s pretty strong. Among her grade…?”
“She looks it.”
The parents nodded in agreement.
While listening to the conversation, I glanced at Hyunho’s mom, whom I’d only seen a few times. Hyunho had come with just his mom this time, and she was a B-rank mage. Influenced by her mana, her hair was a deep blue and wavy like the sea. And like Hyunho, she was a water-element mage. More precisely, a ‘sea’ mage….
She had the same smiling face as Hyunho, but apparently a pretty sharp personality. That’s what Hyunho, Minhee, and Hansu had told me.
After lunch, I suddenly craved ice cream and headed to the stand. That’s when I ran into the teachers. There was Teacher Min, Teacher Yi, so naturally Teacher Junhwi was there too, along with my senior sister Minah’s master, and Teacher Lee Baekhan, who was usually close to Minah’s master and also Minhee’s teacher.
I hesitated for a moment upon seeing my master. Then, hiding the awkwardness rising inside me, I gave a short greeting.
“Uh, hello.”
Except for my master, who showed little change in expression, the other teachers all lit up upon seeing me.
“Hey, isn’t that Eunha?”
“Hey, long time no see. How’ve you been?”
Minhee’s teacher said that while ruffling my hair. This guy too—another hair-rub lover, huh.
Then Teacher Min started rubbing my hair too, like it was a competition. I smacked their hands away. Geez, what the heck. Luckily, my master noticed my mood and pulled the two away from me with an annoyed look. I let out a sigh of relief.
My master looked at me like that and asked in her usual tone. It was about the game we’d seen earlier.
“Did you see the game?”
Ah, at those words, I paused while fixing my messed-up hair and nodded with an awkward smile.
“Yeah. They ended up splitting and getting the ending.”
“The happy ending was super touching, though.”
“But Inha and Ardel read the story with all their might, so it’s fine.”
“That turned out well.”
As my master said that, she suddenly grinned.
“They’re thinking of turning it into an online game. What do you think?”
“……Please stop. It’s a short story, and we compressed the plot, so honestly it’s pretty crude…….”
“It’s not that bad.”
I shook my head and pouted. Come to think of it, am I going to keep doing game scenario writing? Sure, I’m making good money from it……
Will I keep doing it? I mulled over those words inwardly. Lately, the serialization site had been getting tons of offers for print and ebooks…… I chewed my lip and closed my mouth.
“By the way, you didn’t end up in any events. It’s the last sports day of elementary school.”
I responded with a slight smile. Well, even so, entering flashy events wouldn’t suit me, so my master seemed to accept it.
“Anyway, where were you headed alone?”
“Oh right, to buy ice cream. The kind with the cone and magic on it.”
“Hmm.”
In the end, the teachers bought ice cream for me and my friends too. I returned to the friends loaded with ice cream. They were thrilled.
Lunchtime ended quickly. We spent the remaining time wandering around aimlessly. Then, when lunch was almost over, Hansu suddenly yelled, ‘Uwak!’ I turned, wondering what happened, and saw someone hanging on his arm. It looked like they’d run up from behind and tackled him. That blonde hair looked familiar. It was Ardel, the girl who’d done the escape game with Inha today.
Ardel clung to Hansu’s arm with a big smile. Whoa, I flinched at her boldness.
“There you are. Hansu, and Minhee and Hyunho too! The high school president and vice president are calling you now.”
“Huh? Really? Aw……it’s break time.”
“Come on, hurry!”
“Hey, get off! You’re annoying!”
“Aw, what’s the big deal~.”
Ardel clung to Hansu’s arm, flashing a playful eye smile. Hyunho and Minhee looked a bit fed up watching. I turned my head and quietly watched Hansu and Ardel bickering. Was it always like this? It felt unfamiliar to me. Seeing it stirred a memory from some day, brushing my heart with an indescribable emotion.
‘…….’
It resembled a very quiet……warm and special atmosphere itself.
I snapped out of my daze and looked at Inha, who had linked arms with me. Inha stared at Hansu and Ardel with a neutral expression, then turned to me with a puzzled look. Why? her face asked.
I waved it off with a smile, saying it was nothing, and looked ahead again. Hansu strode forward with Ardel hanging on his side, followed by Minhee and Hyunho. The friends’ figures quickly receded. Then Ardel, walking ahead clinging to Hansu, suddenly turned back and smirked at us.
……Huh? I widened my eyes. What was that just now?
As I looked dumbfounded, Hansu’s mom, who’d been watching, murmured.
“Hoo.”
Then his dad grinned mischievously.
“My son, but he sure is popular.”
“Definitely, Hansu’s kinda cool. Even though he’s still young.”
“Plus, according to Eunha, he’s considerate despite his personality.”
“Really?”
I schooled my expression while listening to the adults. Hmm? Is that really it? From my view……
I narrowed my eyes, staring at Ardel’s back as she clung to Hansu. Right before turning, the strange smile Ardel had given wasn’t aimed at me—it was at Inha.
Realizing that, I frowned slightly. So, I hadn’t noticed till now, but this Ardel girl seems to have a bad personality.
What was that just now anyway? A warning? A jab? Or should I take it as teasing?
‘Or am I misunderstanding…….’
If it wasn’t a misunderstanding, I couldn’t explain why Ardel was acting like that toward Inha. But even so, what’s with that attitude? Or did she want to test it because she was suspicious?
I felt a bit annoyed. But I kind of got the feeling.
Inha and Hansu definitely got along really well. They were young, but such a handsome boy and pretty girl— it wasn’t weird to think that. Plus, their relationship often seemed subtly ambiguous. How should I put it……
Their bond had changed as they grew. At first, just fighting friends, then they got close. Bickering friends turned, at some point, into very close friends who only bickered.
And by then, they already shared some inexplicable emotional current unique to each other, a ‘special something.’
So I’d watched Hansu and Inha closely for a while too. But their vibe was special, yet that was it. It resembled camaraderie more than romance.
I bit my lip. Anyway, it annoyed me.
I grabbed Inha’s hand and headed to the field. We parted from the parents along the way. Even though it was sports day, our school’s event didn’t have much mixing of parents and kids.
Instead of going straight back, I wandered a bit. Having just witnessed someone picking on Inha right in front of me didn’t sit well.
But I couldn’t join Inha’s red team either. Ardel, the source of the issue, would be there.
I strolled aimlessly around the campus. Park, flower beds—anywhere was fine. I texted homeroom Teacher Min without asking Inha: 『Stomach’s upset, so I’ll head back late with Inha.』 Totally on my own. As I walked wherever, I suddenly smirked. Technically, this is skipping out. Number one high school dream: try skipping once. Teacher Min’s past really shouldn’t be known to kids. It makes you wanna do stuff like this.
‘Lying is bad.’
But thinking it over, I’d skipped school a ton on my own. No, but those weren’t my intentions. I’m originally super diligent. In my past life, unless seriously ill, I never missed for perfect attendance awards.
This time’s different. Especially fourth grade! Mana depletion was unavoidable, then special ability control kept me out a month……Fifth grade, I skipped weekdays on my own worrying about Minhee. Well, I got hurt too.
“What’s wrong? Not going back right away?”
“Yeah. Stomach’s a bit off.”
Inha’s face changed to worry at my words.
“Are you hurting a lot?”
“Nah, not that bad.”
I felt a pang of conscience but smiled casually. No, actually Inha’s the one who should feel hurt. Was this the first time that girl picked on her? Is it? Inha probably didn’t even notice.
Thinking that on one hand, I chatted idly with Inha while getting some air. Inha smiled faintly at my words. Only then did I relax and return to the field with her.
The friends had no events except one or two in the morning. Afternoon was mostly the seniors’ stage.
Upon reaching the field, Inha and I had to part. Before separating, I escorted Inha to the red team where Hansu was. He was still with Ardel.
“Huh? Why’re you so late?”
Inha made an unnecessarily serious face at that.
“Eunha’s stomach’s upset.”
“What? For real? You okay?”
Hansu turned to me with an unnecessarily serious expression too. Ardel stuck beside him did the same.
“Really? You okay?”
“……Stomachache’s normal sometimes. I’m fine. More importantly.”
For a moment, I shot a sharp glare unlike me. Anyway, shouldn’t I return the jab a little? If it’d been at me, I’d ignore, but Inha’s different. I looked straight down at Hansu and said.
“You, look after Inha.”
Inha and Hansu both looked puzzled for a second. Only Ardel quickly hardened her face and surprisingly let go of Hansu’s arm obediently.
“What? Why?”
“……?”
I glanced at Hansu. Geez, if it’s half because of you, figure it out! With that thought, I said firmly.
“Anyway. Just try not looking after her properly.”
I turned primly and headed to my spot. As I arrived, Teacher Min looked at me worriedly.
“Stomach okay?”
Minhee and Hyunho chimed in.
“Yeah, you good?”
“If it hurts, rest more…….”
“Nah. I’m fine.”
I smiled slightly. ……Yeah, conscience stings.
After that, while watching events, I kept glancing at Inha and Hansu’s side. Couldn’t help it, I was worried. Also, through the color of Ardel’s emotions, I could somewhat read her feelings, making it hard for me to be sure why she acted that way. If it were clear romantic feelings, I could understand……
I opened snacks on my lap. Didn’t participate at all, just watched, but wasn’t bored. Watched what interested me, snacked when bored. Good thing I brought lots. Occasionally glanced at Inha’s side. Saw Ardel peeking at Hansu and Inha from the opposite side with an amused face. The two were bickering again. I paused at the sight.
‘Maybe that’s the goal…….’
Sports day raced toward its end. Around 4 PM, the final event ongoing since enrollment, Daehyeon School’s famous Sky Relay, began. I stood up.
“What, what? Gonna do it this time?”
I grinned at excited Minhee and Hyunho.
“Promised Yujeong Sister’s group.”
“Really? Then I will too!”
“First, I’m going!”
I said that and ‘opened’ a gap in space. My unique magic. Gate, a spell creating spatial passages. As I tried moving alone, Minhee wailed.
“Eek! We’re teammates!”
“Still!”
I grinned playfully and slipped into the passage. Pitch black at first, it shifted with a wave of my hand. Surroundings mirrored around.
I entered a suitable building among them. Passage opened, closed.
Landing by a window, I looked up. Amid falling flower and paper petals, lines were visible. Mid-to-late aerial relay line. This race was over 10km circling the school at full speed. Magic allowed, interference allowed, spatial movement banned, time 30 min to 1 hour. Tough for normals, possible for mages. I now thought mages and non-mages were different species.
I took a deep breath.
[Alright, race starts! Students to positions!]
[Ready….]
[Bang!]
Start sound echoed from nowhere. Feeling the race begin, I quickly scanned around. Okay, what magic this time?
Lately, biggest growth in space-time magic. Since succeeding dream-to-reality casting, detection and growth leaped daily. Lots of ideas to use, but still many lacked mana support.
‘Twist……space?’
But isn’t that too cheap?
Then not continuously. One moment for interference. Infuse illusions into flying petals above.
Like this illusion. As if isolated in another dimension, yeah, like time stopped. That moment when you blank out, losing track of running……express that hallucination.
Interference has rules. Grabbing blocks max 10 sec per spell. Loop space for 10 sec detour. Then illusion hold 10 sec. Meanwhile, barrier invisible obstacles.
My plan was odd.
As I organized thoughts, time ticked. Confirmed racers approaching, gauged inner success odds. Friends or Yujeong Sister’s group probably interfering with magic now, but didn’t check broadcast.
Will my plan succeed or fail? Last proper aerial interference was third grade. All magic then shattered instantly.
Gap with high school reps was time difference. Magic learning/using time.
Now much reduced. I’m sixth grade elementary, high school seniors min 4 years ahead. But 4 years huge for growing mages.
……How much closed?
Not sure if genius mage, but at least talented. Probably caught 1-2 years. Last year, mana rivaled adults, maybe ahead 3. Eh, feels like overrating myself……
But magic isn’t just mana. Middle schoolers mostly battle-tested. High schoolers more. 1 year precious. So, gap with high school seniors?
Curious how much closed. I licked dry lips. Tension rose, different from Yujeong Sister promise.
Then, distant racers on line appeared.
Instantly tensing, I focused on mana. Far seniors expanded largely in view.
Closed eyes, deep breath. Opened again, world seemed changed. Yes, I’d ‘summoned’ that sensation.
Other worlds receded, only magic-linked world before eyes. Used magic to connect spaces. Excluding blue team, twisted four racers’ spaces.
Four went backward. Ran spatial gaps.
Their inner voices reached.
‘Huh……?’
Bewildered thoughts. Exactly 10 sec. Red and white teams back meters.
“Wha, wh-what?!”
[What’s happening? Red and white suddenly pushed back! Were leading fine…… Teleport or spatial move?! Teacher, thoughts?]
‘Spatial ‘distortion,’ not move. No rule break.’
[Y-Yes.]
Meanwhile, two blue seniors dashed fiercely. I startled at familiar voice echoing but recast on pursuing red/white seniors. Illusion 10 sec. Precisely 9 with margin.
[…Illusion magic.]
Junhwi Teacher’s voice. Probably noticed me. During illusion, stacked invisible barrier obstacles under enemy feet. Seniors stumbling, nearly falling multiple times. Tried shattering with magic, I concentrated hard. Boom! Incoming spells exploded on my barriers.
But barriers held. Same repeatedly. Failing to break, four slowed, dodged obstacles. Fliers headbutted rising pillars.
My obstacles: variously sized arches. Invisible, hard to detect. Can’t dodge just flying—sizes/lengths vary. Better back off, fly over away from traps. But rules ban dropping 5m+ below sky path, so no free flight.
Must carefully dodge.
[What’s this! Situation flipped!!]
Seniors tried breaking obstacles while slowing. Surprisingly, not tiring much. Yet barriers unmoved. Vanished only after my release.
I clenched then opened fist. Definitely stronger now.
Felt it in chest, smiled. Of course. Couldn’t see magic like now before. Dimensional gaps, dream casting—unthinkable.
Magic-seeing acuity changed. Looked up, down. All thanks to teachers and master, I mused.
Fingered counted date. May, May 11th……
Teacher’s Day soon. I idly mulled date.
========== Afterword ==========
Thanks for the congrats! Previous chapter comments exploding lololol
+++
Thanks for sponsor coupons: Lupin Salaryman, Els Sky!
Bear-ching, Arinjjang, Suga-nim, Kapik, Yeonraha, Eco-friendly Black Tea, Ryumir, Ni-ju, Hwansa, Eunhasoojeong, carats, siy019254, snowberryice, Ttuduttung, sangmin, Mujis, Cheon Li-hyang, Arcaleid Kai-ran, Jeong2, Applecake, rlaalstjd, Yangmapaneul, vWindy, croyance, Ekuera, Ainak, KB Marine, Bonobos, Jeongye Oak, Eleanor, Oneira, Leriel (Reliel), Anne Myang, LinRyunelice, gksmf6040, lesua, tommorrow, cw23212, KOZ, kdun, Carmelci, Arkdel, BlancheNeige, Mir97, Kim Byungman, voyd, LapiL, Cyan Dust, Pui Pongppu, Eunhyeongmin Hyung, Lemoniga Jo-a, Lupin Salaryman, Kakao0, Kai Enelia, Jinjumon, Midnight Freedom, Ardentina, Adapting Human, Pondeokyang, Nunnung, Ferast’s Tree Leaf, MokuMoku, Iruwi, Yuuso, Min Taehyun, HIMING, JaeJae, Jakdo, applely, Novel and Chocolate Lover, Han Seokbong Tteok, sidsids, Seidan, Transcendental, Park Nangnang, Sr DuckQ, Septet, Ablest, Donggeuli23, SAINT119, Ertin, Rui Karos, Chokernori, Teichia, gjtjsal, ysy, Happiness and Solitude, Ruminos, Bitter Rose, Black Devil, Hogumah Hotcake, Pahune, Hwangbeke, Blue Peach, Respi, DiZert, I Mint Choco I, Erpia, Lenggul, Destructo, odd.antique, kuijok, Panda A Panda, Wolryeong Lion, Els Sky, Sky Above Sea, Maruheyum, ※Reality※, Lily Lililing Lililing, Meriel Illiana, QandA, terinA, Ryu Cheongwol, Innovative Maniac, Anise☆, Pongpeu, lapielcia, Chai Ren, Myoniching, Junchi fish, Dragon Knight, West Star, Binding, laijemin, Dark chocolate, Silken Whale, Needle Writer, hyeonny, Lua de Gras, Ersel L, dr15, Novel Lover1, Pianna, Jevin, TooGee, Smiling Nojjang, Kopbae, alsqja1345, Inia486, ChocoApple, BKD, Honey-dew comments! Thanks!!
+Not sure where you tried, but Kyobo, Ridibooks, Youngpoong, Bandi etc. still in stock. Yes24 temp sold out. Search novel title on Naver, click book tab for Prologue Story, see stores. Mostly online bookstores.
++Also, belatedly, for immediate replies, message, blog, Twitter etc. please..♥