Chapter 110
Chapter 110
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: The Seed in My Heart
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The sports day came to a close as the sunset painted the sky in gentle hues. Since my friends on the student council were busy with cleanup, Inha and I pitched in to help. Auntie Seona, who was swamped, and Hansu’s mom had already left the field midway through. Hyunho’s mom and my own mom exchanged friendly greetings with us before heading home as well.
We wandered the field, sweeping up scattered flower petals and bits of paper with magic. Watching us, Hansu spoke up in his usual sullen tone.
“That was you, right?”
“What was?”
“Widening the gap like that. We lost because of you.”
“Oh. You noticed?”
Of course. I kept the last part to myself. It had been years with these guys—there was no way they wouldn’t pick up on it. Minhee, Hyunho, and Inha all nodded as if it were obvious.
“No kidding. No one else has magic like that but you, Eunha.”
“Yeah, yeah. We fired off our spells too, but we could barely hold it for a second!”
“Right? Not fair, Eunha!”
Minhee and Hyunho grumbled indignantly as they spoke. Oh yeah—now that I thought about it, I’d been so focused on my own magic that I hadn’t watched my friends’ spells. I hadn’t even seen Yujeong Sister’s or Inho Brother’s... I scratched my head, feeling a pang of regret.
Minhee fumed for a moment before resuming cleanup and asking,
“But that first spell—I couldn’t figure out how you pulled it off. I wasn’t even sure it was yours at first.”
Huh? Why’s that? As I wondered, the others nodded in agreement or sympathy. Hansu chimed in.
“Yeah. Spatial distortion, right? You can do that too?”
“Hmm... Of course.”
For a split second, I didn’t get why they were so surprised I’d used spatial distortion... but then it hit me. Come to think of it, whenever I’d introduced my sub-magic before, I’d called it barrier magic. Sure, it was evolving into proper space-time magic now, but two years ago, it had been way too underdeveloped to qualify. Yeah, that was the disconnect—they didn’t know my magic was space-time magic.
‘Guess it’s time to set the record straight.’
Inha had heard it a few times, but she’d probably forgotten since I’d stuck to barriers for so long.
I was about to open my mouth when I froze. I felt eyes on me—intense, persistent ones watching me closely. I turned, and there was long blonde hair tied in a ponytail and green eyes. It was Ardell. The girl who’d been staring at me earlier smiled the moment our gazes met.
“As expected of Eunha—you’re amazing.”
Yep, her attitude toward Inha and me was worlds apart. I turned away, feeling a bit off. Partly because the straightforward praise made me squirm.
We finished cleanup and headed home. And with that, sports day was over. My mind, though, was already filled with thoughts of the next event to come.
That night, what occupied my head wasn’t anything else—it was Teacher’s Day.
Not the school trip in a week, nothing else. Just Teacher’s Day.
Thinking about it, I had several teachers. The ones I’d known longest were Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Min from the leveled classes. Seonghu Brother... well, the class had given group gifts last year, so let’s skip him for now. Then there was the teacher who’d personally guided me since third grade. Oh, right—not an official teacher, but Auntie Seona had often advised me on my magic too. She qualified as another mentor.
Actually, despite spending so much time with them, I hadn’t properly shown my gratitude. Last Teacher’s Day, I’d given flowers, but it felt half-hearted, brushed off casually.
“...Hmm.”
Late at night, too restless to sleep, I rolled around pondering Teacher’s Day prep instead. Carnations always came to mind first. I’d given them to Mom and Dad on Parents’ Day too, so maybe it was repetitive, but they were still top of the list.
‘I want to give bouquets at graduation, not just receive them. Oh, and... carnations... in a bouquet? For Teacher Junhwi, Teacher Min, my mentor... and Auntie Seona too?’
I crossed my arms. It might be my last chance ever for this. In a way...
I suddenly realized I was in the highest grade of elementary.
It was tough deciding. Bouquets or potted plants? Should I sing the Teacher’s Day song?
If I didn’t do it right this time, would my friends regret it later? Should I suggest we prepare together?
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind.
They persisted the next day and beyond. In class, whenever I had a moment, I fretted over the approaching day. Potted plants were nice, but I wanted bouquets. Pots limited the number of flowers, but bouquets could fill your arms.
‘Plus, here even stem-only flowers can be replanted and grow back. Mentor’s house has a yard, so no need for pots.’
Magic existed for a reason. Just look at Hansu. Or use magic potions if needed.
My worries continued. Maybe pair the bouquet with something else? How had friends celebrated before? We’d once pooled for a cake. But this was a personal gift. Not that cake was off-limits.
Oh, Teacher Min was our homeroom teacher now. The class would probably do something. Still...
After deep thought, I decided.
“Alright. How about homemade cupcakes?”
The best I could offer was carnation bouquets, handmade cupcakes, and heartfelt letters...
Three days before Teacher’s Day, I finalized the gifts. Then I casually floated the idea to my friends, who hadn’t even considered it might be a farewell.
“What’re you guys doing for Teacher’s Day?”
“Huh? Teacher’s Day?”
Oops, forgot. Hyunho looked puzzled, but Hansu was thoughtful.
“Yeah. Figured we should give at least a small gift. A plant or snacks or something.”
Impressive, Hansu. Unlike me and Inha, who ignored such details, he was meticulous about events. Minhee loved them and always rallied everyone—probably organizing a class gift for homeroom right now. She asked curiously, munching snacks.
“Why bring it up out of nowhere? You’re not into that stuff.”
“Yeah, but... this year I wanna do it right.”
“Why?”
I smiled faintly at Minhee’s question. A touch of loneliness crept in.
“‘Cause we’re sixth graders.”
But my friends didn’t get it. I rested my clasped hands on the table, propped my chin, and smiled. Hoping they wouldn’t regret it later.
“You guys should do it properly this year too.”
The day before last, I started writing heartfelt letters meticulously. I set aside training and studying. I bought preservation-spelled carnation bouquets and wrapped them with handmade bead decorations. My accessory skills had improved. Ribbons and corsages were still tricky, but this looked decent, right?
What I’d always been best at—past and present—was expressing myself in writing. If only words could convey everything. But they couldn’t, not fully. Only the heart could.
So I poured my heart into it, picking the prettiest words. I even cracked open a dictionary. Chose the loveliest stationery.
Sky blue for Teacher Min, yellow for Teacher Junhwi, pink for my mentor. For Auntie Seona, a card instead, with my usual thanks.
Writing letters, I recalled memories from our first meetings to now. Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Min handled upper elementary; my mentor was my personal tutor until graduation. First seeing Teacher Junhwi, I thought he seemed prickly. But he was actually so kind. Teacher Min struck me as sly, a bit of a flirt—playful, hiding his true feelings. Now those impressions had flipped.
My mentor... looked like a lofty noble lady. But during games, she’d get childlike excitement, eyes sparkling as she asked what happened next in my scenarios. Damn, getting sentimental. I covered my stinging eyes with my palms.
The day before Teacher’s Day, I baked cupcakes. They turned out fine. With my past-life solo living experience, basic cooking was no sweat! Though time sinks were a hard pass...
Teacher’s Day was the day before the school trip—and a weekend, conveniently.
No clue what other friends did. Maybe they’d handled it yesterday like at school.
I woke early that morning, dressed neatly, hugged my armful of bouquets, and headed next door first. Inha answered the bell.
“Eunha? Oh, those bouquets...”
“Yeah! Off to give them to the teachers. But first—your mom’s taught me tons too. Got one for her. Auntie Seona home?”
“Mom? Yeah, she’s in.”
Inha beamed at my words, eyeing the bouquets cradled in my arms. I could’ve stored them in sub-space, but I wanted to hold them like this. Turns out I’m a bit of a mood person.
I strode forward. Inside, Auntie Seona sat on the sofa. She blinked wide-eyed at me.
“Oh my, oh my my.”
Grinning, I approached. Before I reached her, she held up a hand dramatically, halting me.
“Wait. Stay right there.”
“...?”
Puzzled, I froze. She whipped out her phone and snapped photos. Click click. I stood there, bemused.
“Oh my god, girls are just the best! Surrounded by flowers—you look so cute~.”
Caught off guard, my cheeks flushed. W-what? I’m a girl too, and I like flowers... and I’m not ugly...? I think I’m decent-looking, at least...?
Glad praise. Being called cute thrilled me as a girl. Even if it was childish-cute.
I stepped up and offered her a bouquet. Our eye levels nearly matched now.
“A gift! For Teacher’s Day—thanks for always advising me on magic!”
“Oh, so pretty... Thank you, Eunha.”
Auntie Seona blushed, delighted. My chest warmed. Phew, good.
Hugging her bouquet with a joyful smile, she pointed at the rest.
“For the other teachers?”
“Yeah. Teacher Junhwi, Teacher Min, and Mentor Minah.”
“I see.”
She patted my head fondly, looking impressed.
“Have a good trip.”
“Yes!”
I waved to Inha and Auntie Seona, turned, and teleported away.
Next, my mentor’s house. With luck, I might catch Teacher Min and Teacher Junhwi too—I didn’t know where those two lived together. So, plan was to ask her.
No call, early morning—8:30, not insanely early—I stood before her door, took a deep breath, and rang.
Ding-dong.
The wooden house looked even prettier in the sunlight. Moments later, the door opened silently. My mentor peeked out, startled at the sight of me.
She looked freshly woken, hair tousled. Defenseless unlike usual, I thrust the bouquet at her—cupcake, beads, letter tucked in.
Petals fluttered down. One carnation petal landed on her dazed head. Nice shot.
“Teacher’s Day gift!”
Shyly smiling, I plucked a carnation and tucked it by her ear. Her eyes went wide, blinking rapidly. Adorably shocked.
...What? She flustered soon after, nearly dropping the bouquet but catching it quick. Uncharacteristically clumsy, she stared at me.
“Uh, so... Teacher’s Day?”
I nodded, grinning.
“Yes!”
“Uh, so... thank...”
Clunk.
Before she finished, the front door flew open. Energetic Teacher Junhwi and yawning, languid Teacher Min appeared.
“What, sis? Why’re you...”
“Minah Sis, hurry with breakf...”
Spotting me, they froze mid-sentence and gaze. I beamed, holding the remaining two bouquets.
“Whew, perfect. You’re all here—Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Min too!”
Heart pounding, but glad to wrap it quick. One for homeroom Teacher Min, the other for Teacher Junhwi who’d guided us since first grade.
Handing them over as I spoke. Seeing the three teachers holding bouquets blankly filled me with pride.
I owed Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Min so much over six years. My mentor, four years of lessons. Felt like a real graduation, even with half a year left. Gotta give proper bouquets then.
Satisfied, I smiled. Felt like I’d done everything for this Teacher’s Day.
“These... carnations...?”
Blushing at Teacher Min’s words, I nodded. It’d been ages since I’d done this—or ever, personally. Embarrassed but beaming.
“It’s Teacher’s Day! Thanks for teaching me so much always.”
A formality, but key thanks. Doing these little things bit by bit meant less regrets at real graduation.
“No, it’s not that mu...”
“...Whoa, surprised me. Thanks, Eunha.”
Thanks returned my thanks. I twirled my hair, sheepish. Worth prepping flowers—they suited all three perfectly. Teacher Min ruffled my hair gratefully. Teacher Junhwi examined his bouquet, pulling out the cupcake and letter curiously. Oh no! I flushed in panic.
“Read that later! Anyway, gifts delivered! Letters are for after the person leaves! And that cupcake’s homemade—enjoy!”
Backing away flustered, I bowed lightly and bolted.
“Bye!”
“Huh, wait! You’re just leaving...!”
Whoosh—teleport, voice fading. Clutching my pounding chest, I flopped onto the bed before even reaching it.
Whoa, the letters... Knowing they’d read them was mortifying. But that’s why I gave them. Covering my cheeks, I shook my head wildly.
Truly, my most rewarding Teacher’s Day ever.
But the flutter passed quick. Sending off the memories, I resumed normal training and trip prep. Only the teachers’ shocked faces lingered; the letters faded a bit.
Then school trip day dawned.
One big event done, I packed sub-space lightly and prepped for school carefree.
The destination? Ufellersia, the Sky Kingdom I’d always wanted to visit.
Ufellersia, Sky Kingdom, was a magic powerhouse known worldwide. The magic nation from magic’s origins. And stunningly beautiful, they said. I’d longed to go someday—this trip was perfect.
Hmm... ‘Sky’ made me uneasy. I’d practiced float magic a lot lately and was decent now, but acrophobia lingered. Still... islands, right.
‘Oh yeah, that Ardell kid’s from Ufellersia?’
Bigger worry: Ufellersia was ten hours ahead of Korea. Assembly at 5 PM. To shift my clock, I pulled an all-nighter and slept all day. Felt off, but ready.
Only after finishing did I realize it was too early—3:20 PM. Inha might still be asleep.
Oops, got too excited. Awkward free time hit; maybe get air? I stepped out.
Glancing around, no one—leapt from the windowsill, stepped air once, landed lightly outside the gate. Easy for me now. Couldn’t twirl like Minhee, though...
“You’re casually leaking mana outside without a care now.”
“...!”
The voice startled me; I whipped around. My mentor stood there, presence concealed.
Impressive. I admired unwittingly. Someone her level should be felt without trying—I hadn’t noticed at all.
But I soon saw her sharp gaze and shrank a bit, meeting her eyes. Uh... I knew what I’d done wrong. Yeah. Kids my age elsewhere can’t do this yet. Can’t...
She raised an eyebrow at me.
“Thanks for yesterday’s gift.”
“...?”
But her topic was unrelated. Stunned, I stared. She didn’t come here for that, right? At this hour? As I flustered, she continued.
“Read the letter too. Very grateful. But.”
As I blushed embarrassed, she suddenly pinched my cheek. I yelped.
“Eeeeeek?!”
“But you dared write that nonsense in it~?”
“Owww! Wh-what?!”
She tugged without letting go. My speech slurred. Furious, she pressed on.
“Yeah, I saw it. Starts with thanks, ends with thanks. But it read like a farewell letter?”
Not content with one cheek, she grabbed both. Highly offended expression.
“Waaah, it huuurts!”
“What was that letter? ‘Thanks for everything so far,’ ‘Learned so much in our four-year lessons. I’ll never forget.’ You insolent thing. Yes, lessons end this year, but you weren’t planning to visit after?”
I flinched. No, I hadn’t meant to cut ties forever... But my personality—after mandatory period, wouldn’t it be a bother? So probably wouldn’t impose...
“You ungrateful brat. Planning to ghost me?”
I shook my head no. No way. Finally, she released my cheeks. Rubbing the stinging red spots, I sneaked glances away from her gaze.
“N-no way. But after elementary graduation, personal lessons’ll drop, and without mandatory time, asking for more feels burdensome... Plus Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Min are elementary teachers too, so... before it’s too late... um, before graduating and seeing less...?”
As I mumbled, she barked.
“You idiot!”
I squeezed my eyes shut.
“Elementary graduation or mandatory end changes nothing! You’re still a greenhorn! Come anytime, ask anything when needed. You brat.”
She grumbled at me a bit, then covered her eyes with a hand. Muttering grumpily,
“You... writing skill’s insanely good... nearly made me cry pointlessly over that letter. You rascal.”
The vibe screamed near-tears; I panicked. Moved tears? Ideal. But hurt or lonely ones? Awful. Stammering,
“Uh, th-that...”
“Junhwi and Min too. How attached they are... Your premature maturity’s poison. Kids don’t sever bonds so neatly.”
“N-not that... Just didn’t wanna make you feel neglected...”
“Talk after graduation for that.”
She lowered her hand slowly. Her clear eyes glistened teary-bright; I was lost. Sighing deeply at me, I shrank reflexively.
“Luckily Min didn’t catch on... But a disciple making their master cry on Teacher’s Day! Junhwi was super bummed! Go to school, thank them properly, apologize you’ll visit post-graduation often! You sly vixen!”
“Ehehe... Y-yes.”
Sorry at her scolding yet overwhelmed, I bowed. Joyful. Truly, deeply.
Truth was, like she said, I’d thought graduation would distance us. They were my sole true mentors, but they’d have more disciples after. Time passes, distance grows... I’d figured no more closeness.
But yeah. If I don’t want that, just visit. They wouldn’t ditch a prized pupil post-lessons. If they seemed annoyed, I’d back off hurt... but no need to preemptively withdraw.
I knew they cherished me—especially Teacher Min. I knew why. I smiled bashfully.
“Seriously, worrying over a day I haven’t even missed yet...”
“Ehehe. If it moved you to tears, primary goal success! But...”
“Don’t make ‘moving folks to tears’ your goal outside scenarios! Don’t apply it to reality!”
She grabbed my cheeks again. Heoow... That’s all I managed.