Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: 20. The Seed in the Heart
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I finally got released from my master after enduring a few more minutes of her scolding. On top of that, she said she had business at school today and would wait for Inha with me before heading there together. When Inha stepped out of the house and spotted my master's face, she froze for a moment.
"Why is Teacher Mina here...?"
"She's coming to school with us."
"For what...?"
Who knows. I turned to look at my master. Meeting our puzzled gazes, she casually brushed her plainly tied-up hair over her shoulder—nothing fancy about it today. And not just her hair; for some reason, her outfit was casual too, no flashy dresses or skirts.
"I'm headed the same way as you two."
"What...?"
"It's the school trip, right? Talented kids heading out of school for a few days, and not even in their own country. Naturally, Daehyeon mages will be assigned as escorts. This time, it's me and Yoo Min—two A-rank mages—plus five B-ranks and about ten C-ranks, excluding the teachers."
"O-oh..."
"Daehyeon is pretty famous worldwide, so it attracts a lot of attention. That's why they have us wear plain clothes from the start. But that makes it harder to keep track of the kids. Anyway, us teachers have a ton to handle. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you..."
I gave a slightly cutesy reply. With all these close friends around lately, my bubbly side seemed to be coming back out. Especially in chats or texts—I'm pretty playful there. People who only know me online often have trouble matching that to the real me at first.
My master gazed at me softly and patted my head. And so, we headed to school together.
We teleported in using badges and ended up lounging around the elementary division's playground for a while. It was noisy with seniors heading home. We chatted away on the field.
"Inha, what clothes did you pack?"
"Me? Well... mostly dresses..."
"Ooh, nice. I didn't bring a single one. Better to be comfy if we're messing around. Pierced earrings only."
"Hmm. Come to think of it, Teacher Mina's dressed casual today too?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
My master, who usually wore flowing dresses, looked totally normal like this. Long brown hair in a simple ponytail, shirt, jeans, cardigan—simple combo. Objectively, she's a beauty, but not drop-dead gorgeous. In plain clothes, she just turns a few heads now and then. But despite her looks, she was famous in all sorts of ways. A renowned game developer and one of Korea's roughly sixty A-rank mages.
I glanced at her quietly and smiled brightly.
We sat there waiting for the others. Park Hansu arrived next, quickest after us. He headed our way but halted upon seeing my master.
"Uh... so, like, you're our chaperone or something?"
"Something like that."
"Ah, gotcha."
Hansu accepted it way easier than us. Kinda surprising. I'd thought Inha was the least fazed of our group, but apparently not.
Soon, kids started trickling in around us. "Sleep well?" "Like a rock!" By the time about half had gathered, Teacher Jeong Junhwi and Teacher Yoo Min arrived. The kids squealed the second they showed up.
"It's Teacher Yoo Min!"
"With Teacher Junhwi again today."
"Hi, teachers!"
"Hey, hey."
There were a few other adults who didn't look like students milling about—some familiar faces too.
I sat there fidgeting, stealing glances at Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Yoo Min. Twirling my hair, ducking my head... Then my master, sitting beside me, poked my side. I looked up to find her watching me intently. My face twisted in horror.
'Eek, here?!'
But she just eyed me steadily, no expression. I couldn't shake my head, so I stood up. Inha, Minhee, Hyunho, and Hansu all gave me weird looks.
Man, why do teachers always show up at normal times? What's wrong with early? My face flushed thinking of the embarrassment ahead. Felt like a punishment game.
But I didn't hesitate—I bolted straight to Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Yoo Min. Yeah, bolted. Better rip the band-aid off fast! Teacher Yoo Min spotted me charging and waved with a beaming smile.
"Hey! Eunha!!"
I sprinted full-tilt, embarrassment fueling me, and leaped into their arms. Arms outstretched, hugging them both tight. I felt them stiffen at my sudden move, but I lifted my head anyway, grinning through the mortification.
"Teachers! I love you!"
Okay, so yeah—this was totally my fault.
My abrupt love confession shut Teacher Junhwi and Teacher Yoo Min up for a second. The other kids, and even the adult mages here as guards, all froze staring at us. I ducked my head shyly, hiding my face. Then Teacher Yoo Min crushed me in a bear hug.
"Me too! Love you, Eunha!"
Urk...! A-rank strength... she's strong...!
Nearly suffocating. Amid it, I heard Teacher Junhwi protesting, "Hey, hey, ease up." Even with his girlfriend right there, replying "love you" to a little girl? Come on.
"You see that? So cute, Junhwi! Adorbs!"
"Y-yeah... saw it."
Teacher Junhwi muttered blankly and patted my head. Laughter tickled my ear. See? Cute! Teacher Yoo Min got even more excited, directing it at him. Boos erupted around us.
"Teacher! No fair!"
"So unfair!"
"Jealous!!"
"Eek! Did you hear...? Eunha said...!"
"Waaah! How is this allowed!"
Now my face burned crimson. Forgot—most of my grade idolizes me. Ugh, seriously, let go now... Can't breathe...
Luckily, Teacher Junhwi stepped in to mediate. I escaped Teacher Yoo Min's grip and caught my breath. Still better than that ex of mine, at least...
I looked up, panting. Teacher Yoo Min beamed flushed at me; Teacher Junhwi smiled unusually pleased. Seeing that embarrassed me more.
So after my over-the-top affection, I huffed back to my friends full-speed—primly... shyly... mortifyingly. Hid my face in Inha's back. She's a fist taller, so it covered me completely.
"S-so embarrassing..."
"...Why'd you go all out-of-character like that?"
"Well, I owed the teachers. Big time."
"Hmm..."
Then I caught the weirdness in Inha's tone and looked up. That hum... somehow... I peered at her face. Yep. Awkward smile.
'She's... pouting! Totally pouting!'
Blank doll-face as ever, but I knew. Inha was sulking for sure!
Reason? Obvious—I'd only said "I love you" to the teachers. I gazed up giggling.
"...What?"
"Nah, nothing. You're cute~."
I reached up and patted her head. She's taller, but not too much—no tippy-toes needed. Her cheeks pinked. So cute.
Hansu snorted at her. He looked a bit sulky too, eyeing me. But I skipped patting him. Nah, I'm sulking at him too. Why? Dense as a rock. Guys don't catch girls' subtle wars easily, sure... but still! Sulking's sulking! He's the cause!
I huffed inwardly. Then some familiar kids approached—Yoon Siha, Kang Yesl, and Ardel. Those three hanging out a lot lately? Siha and Yesl were already close...
Siha met my eyes, blushed, and shyly looked away, face drooping. I acted casual, glancing at them.
"Hey, Eunha."
The blonde grinned brightly as usual. I hesitated, then replied.
"Hi."
"Teachers are gathering soon. So, Hansu—mind if we take him?"
Me, Inha, Hyunho, and Minhee are same class; Hansu's in another. Same with Ardel, Siha, Yesl. I glanced at Hansu. Inha did too, then shrugged.
"Whatever."
Hansu scowled.
"Hey! Why do you decide?"
"What's it to you?"
"Ugh...!"
As he ground his teeth, Inha primly asked,
"What, don't wanna go?"
Seemed casual. Hansu paused, scratched his head.
"Fine. I'm going."
"Hmm~."
Ardel eyed him meaningfully, smiled brightly at us, then stuck by his side. Looked affectionate.
Sigh, what's that kid's deal... My master plopped a hand on my head as I sighed inwardly.
"What're you stressing over?"
"Eh... nothing..."
Felt like wasting emotions on annoyances before even leaving. I scanned around. Yeah, lots of kids already here, like she said.
Soon we lined up following them. Said bye to teachers. Assembly time neared. Heart pounding from the start. Knew the transport already, so I grinned excitedly, grabbing Inha's hand, eyeing Teacher Yoo Min up front.
"Alright, everyone here?"
After checking, Teacher Yoo Min pulled something from his pocket and dangled it. A cross pendant on a metal chain, sapphire-like mana stones embedded in silver.
Mana rippled over it. He chanted softly—activation word probably.
"「Approve.」"
Whumm—
Surroundings warped instantly, swallowed by pitch black. But we stayed vividly lit. Kids gawked around in awe.
"「Teleport.」"
The scene shifted again. Distorted world, then a membrane-like barrier.
Chahonmak Gate. Unlike subspace or hyperspace, this was for big groups—a "warehouse" for launching planes or ships.
Huge shapes emerged from the dark. Planes, spaceships... But we were inside a massive airship deck.
"Whoa! Instant!"
"Cool! So high!"
Excitement flipped to fear, but I grinned through trembling lips. Shook me more than a plane.
Yeah, we'd sail this Daehyeon airship to the sky city of Yupelruthia.
"Pilot here yet?"
"Probably."
"Go check."
Not just teachers and students—my master and other school adult mages as guards came too. As others checked inside, Teacher Junhwi wrangled us kids.
"Stay up here till takeoff—no going down. Bags all in subspace, right?"
""Yes!!""
Kids shouted. He read some notices: Keep student ID on you. Modest clothes. Not too much cash? Valuables in subspace, don't flash 'em.
So I brought moderate cash and an overseas debit card. Yupelruthia's mana stones are famous—and pricey. Yeah, saved for days like this. Parents don't know. Got the card limit lifted for future trips.
'Good thing.'
I grinned inwardly, listening to Teacher Junhwi.
"Takes about three hours to Yupelruthia. Stick to common rooms below. And listen—absolutely no solo wandering on the trip. Student IDs stay on, even sleeping! You're sixth-graders—you get why, right?"
"Yes!"
"Teacher's so worried~."
"—Sigh, clueless."
I smiled fondly at Teacher Junhwi warning us worriedly, then turned. That sassy line? Ardel. No idea when, but she'd sidled up with Hansu. He was sulking over Inha "handing" him off, fighting her again right away.
"You think so too?"
Ardel smiled at me. I awkward-smiled back. Tricky to reply.
Then a jolt vibrated underfoot.
"Huh?"
"Takeoff!"
Kids buzzed. Yep.
The gate's top split into squares, opening. Light poured in, blue sky beyond. Airship lifted. I gaped, feeling it.
Kids are young. Few have traveled much. Me too—planes yes, airships no.
It soared sky-high fast. Ground shrank. Dizzy, but I clung to the rail peering down. Safety nets and barriers for falls—I trusted that.
Too far for realness. I never fly this high with float magic—just safe drop height for my body.
Sky villages drifted near the capital. I smiled at them.
"Weird. Not scared?"
"Feels just like a plane."
I grinned; Hansu relaxed into a warm smile. Rare honest one. Glancing opposite, Inha smiled warmly too. Awkward. They looked alike suddenly.
I eyed Ardel's side, shrugged. Yeah, she's off-base.
We enjoyed the orange-tinged sky at the rail a bit, then lounged nearby. Some kids went inside; we didn't. Under evening lights, friends napped or snacked; I read. Romantic—book on a flying ship. Three hours per Teacher Junhwi—perfect for a couple books sans speed glasses.
Exactly three hours later, we hit Yupelruthia. Even with space-folding, three hours. Sky changed often.
Airships vary; ours was slow battleship-type. Not fast, but great for scenic trips.
'Arrived' announcement as I finished two books ignoring whines, pulling the next. Teacher Junhwi's voice over fresh sky.
"Rise and line up! It's in sight."
"Where where?"
"Whoa! That? Right??"
Amid excited chatter, I stowed my book, looked. Not far—a massive island amid clouds. Over ocean, vast sky, high air—floating isle. Far off, waterfall-like cascade from sky. Awesome, pretty. Rainbow over it. Kids gasped.
"Wow, rainbow! Pretty!"
"So pretty!"
"The sky kingdom of Yupelruthia..."
I murmured, eyeing the skyfall. Not waterfall—river. Squeezed from clouds.
Airship docked near magic clouds. Can't dock on clouds normally, but these were solidified. We filed down orderly. Yupelruthia culture: magic-taming high nature.
"Whoa! Cloud path!"
"Fluffy-looking but hard."
Heard of it, but first time. Few steps to solid dirt. Huge country, multiple isles—unimaginable from afar.
Six isles by class: Central Shekrill (royals, nobles, knights, most citizens). Water isle Shuman under skyfalls. Cloud isle Kamen, second water/cloud. Wind isle Azbill at nature's heart. Lightning isle Trucel. Highest sun-mana isle Rizen. Smallest greatest holy isle Ark.
Everyone knows.
But up close, isles seemed far, outlines faint in sky.
Wind died entering isle. Docks bustled with airships besides ours. Magic, ships, airships only—no planes.
Green grass square was immigration. Passports and proofs let us breeze into central Shekrill.
"Now flying buses. Student IDs? Call if trouble—stick together. Got it?"
""Yes!!""
Bold replies. Foreign land—stray and trouble brews.
Blue sky felt close. Foreign tongues everywhere. Translation magic helps, but still alien. I trailed teachers quietly amid awkward kids.
Flying bus: literal, but small saucer-ship like. Rounded, flat, public floater.
Boarded metal one. Sky roads unique here. Buses follow mana-line paths. Transparent rail visible—bus threaded it.
Window down: scenery alien. Giant unbelievable trees everywhere. People flew mostly. Few cars/bikes—narrow alleys, stepped buildings/paths. Trees galore. Homes vine-wrapped. Ivory-white stone paths/houses.
Pure fantasy scene—I lost myself. Heart raced. Yupelruthia: heard of, true magic land. Old-school vibe.
People mid-flight: some robed with crests. Good eyes saw all.
"Palace mages..."
Yupelruthia ranks mages differently. Traditional classes.
Nature mages via nature. Guardian mages protect. Daily life mages craft goods. More types.
Top: Palace Mages—strength badge.
Five sub-ranks by power: robes exclusive—5th brown, 4th green, 3rd purple, 2nd blue, 1st red, special white.
Min C-rank entry—coveted job. National security, palace guard, crime probes. Corruption maybe, but system thrilled me. Pure fantasy.
First stop: famous seasonal flower field. Vast, blooms change: spring flowers spring, etc. Worth seeing.
All unique Yupelruthia magic flowers. Some toxic—no touch/export. Most restorative, glowing, calming. Center: ancient seasonal tree, famed. Fruits hold time mana, call seasons.
Normal flowers/leaves okay one each. Hansu buzzed. I whispered grinning to Inha.
"Heaven for Hansu, huh?"
"Yeah."
Makes sense. Chance to boost plant magic affinity. Like my books/videos, he needs flower/tree contact. Plus he just loves plants.
Ardel beside him again. I eyed suspiciously. Wait... she into him? Thought no, but maybe. Don't match though. Sorry thought. Can't unsee perfect matches already.
Turned to endless flowers under blue sky. Hansu loves 'em; me too. Not as knowledgeable.
Thrilled at paths through beds—natural from walkers. No fences. Immersive. Lie in them? No regrets!
Cheeks flushed excited. Can't lie, but strolling romantic. Beauty hummed a song—past life hit, unknown here. Sneak USB from subspace often.
Passed field, pics, next: sky canals. Boat ride along. Yupelruthia: bustling yet nature-preserved, old charm intact. Capital high-tech; outskirts scenic.
Stepped houses traditional. Fly everywhere, sword/archery basics.
Cool. Warm sun, rural vastness. Sheep farm past fence—cute fluffballs.
'Love animals.'
Past life: tons. Hamsters to dogs/cats—all tried. Loved dogs/cats most. Cried buckets each death. Ugh, memories. Rubbed cheek.
Gawked at sheep forever. Crossed canal—water-lift atop. Rode falls down. Scary but eyes closed: thrill ride fun.
"Lunchtime!"
"Yay!!"
Kids adapted fast despite time diff. Or anti-drowsy meds.
Lunch: treetop restaurant, pretty view. Yupelruthia style—outdoor terrace mid-giant tree, building nestled like ornament. Branches/leaves cradled it. Dream for Hansu.
Somehow different classes ate together. Our table: me/Inha, Minhee/Hyunho/Hansu/Ardel/Siha/Yesl. Odd "coincidence"?
Hyunho/Minhee chattered loudest. Great voices.
"Trees everywhere—even houses."
"Yupelruthia: harmony with nature. Prized for trees/flowers/animals. Tons of ancestral magic using 'em."
Ardel answered—then flinched. Minhee/Hyunho stared. Her face neutral but troubled aura. Slipped?
Publicly: Yupelruthia exchange student. Probably true.
"You know a lot? Local?"
"...Yeah."
"Makes sense—home turf. Where'd you live, Ardel?"
My fork halted mid-fish transfer. Veggie/fish cuisine. Excited bite paused.
Mood shattered. Head down, face stiff.
Heard vaguely from master: rough past. "Rescued from danger zone" vibe. Born here, what hell led to that?
Unknowable. But resentment clear.
Blame parents? Leaving homeland hurts. That emotion from it? Maybe forgotten/unremembered.
I switched to grin, cutting in.
"Minhee! Pass the salt?"
"Huh? Sure..."
"Food's amazing. Fish best for me—what's yours?"
"Huh?"
Shh. I wiped mouth, finger-to-lips whisper. Sensitive-eared Minhee stiffened, got it from my eyes, beamed.
"Yeah. This bamboo-shoot thing's good."
"Cool, try some."
"Thanks."
Flowed natural. Inha/Hansu noticed deflection. Hyunho oblivious, shrugged.
But subtle signals? Not my forte. Ardel stared blankly. She got it though.
She ducked, eyes reddening. Looked up smiling. Voice in head.
「Thanks. You're...」
Cut off. I puzzled, then saw her chat with Yesl—ah.
After: smooth. Spotted Daehyeon mages guarding our free-time routes. Stuck close to friends despite class diffs—just in case. Or...
"Eunha. Not there—here."
"Oh, right?"
"Hey, watch it."
"Uh, yeah."
Distracted by sights, got babysat. Embarrassing...
Dinner: sunset-view high inn on huge tree. Top-ish floor. Me/Inha/two casual classmates.
But invasions: master, Teacher Yoo Min, Minhee/Hansu/Hyunho etc. Tireless? Mage stamina?
"Eunha~! Whatcha doing?"
"Reading."
"Tsk. Books on school trip!"
She snatched—my illusion. Trump card burst on floor, vanished.
Minhee pouted.
"Cheater."
"Yep."
"Magic dodge is cheating!"
"Yep."
"Pillow fight!!"
"Lazyyy."
Puffed lips, she hurled manifested pillow. Why waste magic? Why store pillows?
Dispelled it.
"..."
"..."
Night deepened.
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