Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: 04. Scout
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I don't like winter. It's cold. I shivered, my hands stuffed in my pockets. But I don't hate it. If it snows just the right amount, winter isn't so bad. Still, the cold is something I absolutely despise.
It was already getting this chilly. I made a slightly disgusted face as I opened the classroom door and stepped inside. I could see kids in bright yellow uniforms chattering away in clusters. Most of them were talking about school.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm thinking of just going to the one nearby. I still can't feel mana yet."
"I'm going to a magic academy! And I'm gonna become a powerful mage!"
"Me too, me too!"
The kids saying that were fired up about getting into famous schools around the area. Seeing them like that felt strangely like a miniature version of entrance exam season or college prep, leaving me with a weird mix of emotions.
Normally, elementary schools don't give you choices. You'd just automatically enroll in the closest one.
That is, if this were Korea from my original world.
But this world is different. Here, magic is everything. Kids' talents often bloom later as they grow, but usually, they start to flower in early childhood, right when growth kicks off.
That's why this world has prestigious "magic academies" starting from elementary school level, designed to nurture those kids.
Magic academies teach magic exclusively. They're for giving genius education to kids whose talents bloom early. Naturally, you need a certain level of talent just to get in.
The required talent varies by school and by division—elementary, middle, high—but for top elementary academies, the bare minimum is this: you have to be able to "feel" mana, even if it's just barely.
Of course, not many kids just starting elementary can sense mana. So that "bare minimum" has some leeway. It doesn't have to be ambient mana—you just need to sense mana stored in special items. That's the typical entrance exam for academies.
'Yeah, typically.'
I sat at my desk, lost in thought for a moment. But everything has levels. What I described is just the baseline for most academies. Truly elite ones won't let you in if you can't sense mana properly.
My dilemma was that Inha and I far exceeded that condition. Of course we did. We'd already created magic. We could get into anywhere. Our talents had bloomed enough that we could attend any school—even the most famous ones, even overseas in other countries... or even just some ordinary school with nothing special.
And I preferred ordinary. I didn't like standing out too much or being completely invisible. Sure, there were exceptions sometimes... but an ordinary life like that appealed to me. I didn't want to be dragged around everywhere like Mom had mentioned. Enrolling in an academy would mean showing some skill whether I liked it or not.
But I also wanted to learn magic. The thrill when I first felt mana, when I first created a spell—no one knows how overwhelming that was. I still love my magic so much. Wanting to grow it feels natural, right?
To be honest, I hadn't decided on a school yet. It was already November, and I had to choose by the end of December. Otherwise, I'd automatically go to the local one.
No matter where I ended up, once I chose, it'd be six years there. Of course I'd be cautious. It was only natural to agonize over it.
I sighed softly after mulling it over. As I looked up, I spotted Yumi entering the classroom with quick steps. She met my eyes and grinned brightly.
"Hey, Eunha!"
"Yeah, hey, Yumi."
"Oh yeah, have you picked a school you wanna go to, Eunha?"
"Nope, not yet. You?"
"Nah, me neither. There is one I like, but... it's pretty famous."
"Where?"
"It's a secret. It's too high up there. What if I don't get in? I'd be embarrassed."
Yumi blushed as she said that. I could tell the school she had in mind was a big deal. But I just nodded.
"I see."
I didn't press her for details. We chatted and laughed like usual, then I read my book. Glancing at the clock, I realized class was almost over when the teacher called me.
"Eunha. Come here a sec?"
I nodded and stood up. The teacher led me to the staff room and handed me a paper bag from her desk. It was pretty heavy, stuffed full of thin paper booklets.
"Um, Teacher, what's this...?"
"School pamphlets. You haven't decided yet, right? Makes sense—you could get into pretty much anywhere, so it'd be tough to choose."
The teacher smiled, touching her cheek. I gave a half-hearted expression.
"There's pamphlets, and oh, posters inside too. There are info sessions, so go with your parents. Got it? And once you decide, you can let me know~."
Come to think of it, this world gives kids a lot of say in school choice. Or maybe because kindergarten isn't mandatory. Pre-elementary kids don't have to report their choice to their kindergarten teacher. Notices go directly to individuals. I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
"Yeah, I will."
No harm in checking them out anyway. I hugged the paper bag gratefully. Such consideration was nice.
Kindergarten soon ended for the day, and I took the bus home.
When I got off at my usual stop, Inha was there waiting for me.
I took Inha's hand, and we walked home side by side.
"So this is what you got?"
"Yeah. There's one nearby this Saturday. Wanna go?"
Inha nodded as if it were obvious.
"Yeah. Let's."
Her face looked pretty bright, so I realized she was really into this. Well, yeah, a normal kid would be.
'Hmm, so Inha wants to go to a prestigious academy after all.'
Makes sense. She's talented and could get into anywhere, so now it's just about picking a good one. I quietly watched Inha flip through the pamphlets excitedly. When our eyes met, I just smiled softly.
On Saturday, we went to the info session as planned. With our parents, of course. Auntie Seona and Uncle Jeongmin were busy, so it was Mom and Dad. But Mom didn't seem too keen.
"Seongju Elementary... Hmm, not really feeling this one."
"Why?"
"Just... it has a bad reputation. They have ties to some organizations. They get support, but in return, they 'lend out' kids for talent development or whatever... Basically, getting them involved in combat from a young age."
"Ugh... no thanks."
"Well, if you wanna be a combat mage, it might not be bad. But even so, starting in elementary... If they scouted in middle school, maybe."
"Yeah. It's too risky to involve kids that young in combat."
Dad looked worried too. Mom agreed.
"Right. Usually, they start recruiting in middle school at the earliest. Even then, most hold off during elementary... Hmm... Anyway, the rumors aren't great."
Hmm. I just frowned a bit and said,
"It's fine. We're just here to check it out anyway."
"True. We wouldn't send you or Inha anywhere with a bad rep."
Mom smiled reassuringly, ruffling our hair.
"Anyway, think hard about where you wanna go. Check the school culture and all that. But that won't be an issue—Auntie Seona knows all about it."
"Oh, right. She's given us lots of good info, Mom."
"Exactly? She's great with that stuff."
I blew out a breath while listening to Mom and Inha, gazing ahead. It felt cold, but not enough for visible steam yet.
The info session wasn't bad. The hall was warm, and we got explanations via videos and PPTs. But Mom's rumors seemed true—they emphasized ties to organizations a bit. I mentally crossed out Seongju.
Still, not a bad experience. We went for jjajangmyeon after.
After eating, since Inha's parents were both out, she came over to our house. Well, even if they weren't, she always sleeps over on weekends anyway.
We practiced magic a bit... then I watched Inha from my bed as she fixated on the school pamphlets again. Suddenly, I asked,
"Inha, you still haven't picked a school you want?"
Inha, who had been staring holes through the pamphlet, snapped her head up. She looked at me and nodded.
"Yeah. You?"
"Me neither."
I looked at Inha and smiled awkwardly.
"But honestly, I'm not big on magic academies."
"Why?"
"Hmm, how to put it? I like ordinary. Plus, regular schools teach magic too."
"Hmm..."
"What about you? Wanna get stronger than everyone else?"
But elite academies specialize in magic. They're built to nurture mage talent. Going there definitely gives an edge in becoming a skilled mage later. If we went to a regular school, our growth might lag behind others. Sure, we're ahead now, but without effort, we'd fall behind—natural, right?
And elite schools don't teach magic all week anyway. That's why I'm agonizing like this.
Inha looked at me quietly for a bit, then nodded with conviction in her eyes.
"...Yeah. I wanna get stronger than others."
"I see..."
Yeah, figured. My thoughts weren't settled, so I hesitated. Inha continued, looking at me.
"But if you go to a regular school, I'll go there too."
...Huh?! What? I jerked my head up.
"What're you talking about? You just said you wanna get stronger. Then go to an academy."
"I wanna go to school with you."
"No, but... even if the schools are different, we're still next-door neighbors... When you're this old, you pick what you want. You don't hand your life to someone else."
In moments like this, Inha really shows her kid side. We're both seven—too young for this talk, but for Inha's sake, academy it is.
Well, I'm hesitating too. Our parents don't push any specific school, so it's up to us.
But I can't decide. Regular or academy first...
Ordinary is good. But I don't wanna fall behind in magic. Wanna live ordinarily. But I love magic too much.
I gave a wry smile at Inha, who had turned away with a sulky face.
"...Don't blame me if picking for me backfires."
"I won't."
"I know, but."
I'm debating academy or regular for her sake too, but this is different. Inha knows what she wants. Deadline's end of December, still time... but I just sighed.
"So, just pick what you like best."
That's the rule. If you don't choose for yourself, you'll regret it later. Inha huffed and turned away, silent.
Inha went home that night. I wasn't too worried. Leaving a kid alone is iffy, but her house is a fortress. A-rank security means even an S-rank mage couldn't break in easily.
Plus, it was just a light sulk. She'd get over it by tomorrow or the next day. I had to say it, though.
"What's this? You two haven't fought in years."
Mom and Dad worrying about Inha was natural. I shrugged and explained why she got upset.
After hearing me out, they exchanged complicated glances.
"Uh, hmm... Not sure what to say. At your age, friends come first..."
"I get Inha's feelings, but..."
"Eunha seems a bit more mature here?"
"...Wish they'd both act their age more."
Dad sighed softly. Mom turned to me.
"Don't you wanna go to the same school as Inha, Eunha?"
"Well... if I had to say, I don't particularly...? But I want her to go where she wants..."
"See? Eunha's so grown-up."
Mom ruffled my hair. She thought for a moment, then shared her opinion.
"But Mom thinks going to an elite academy wouldn't be bad for you."
"Oh, really?"
It was unexpected. Mom always worried about my talent. She nodded with a smile.
"Yeah. If you pick the right one. You've already developed your main spell. Better to master it quick."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Good for improving skills, but also for hiding your real level young. You wanna keep your magic hidden, and I agree—don't reveal it yet."
I looked at Mom quietly, then nodded.
"You've got tons of magic you wanna learn. Academies offer way more variety and teach development step-by-step."
That pulled me in. Mom listed pros of elite academies point by point, and some cons too. Like, way more mages—higher quality too—so higher risk of your skills slipping out. I grimaced. Yeah, I hate getting exposed. Hate standing out. Attention is the worst.
"Anyway, your spells need clever application, so seriously consider an academy. Ordinary life matters, but growing talent is huge too."
I agreed easily. Yeah, talent growth is massive. It ties right into your life.
"Yeah..."
That night, I fell asleep late for reasons other than magic training.
Next day, Inha—who'd gone home sulking—showed up at dawn. I was sleeping soundly when the door burst open, someone shaking me awake. It was Inha. Groggy at first, I rubbed my eyes, then looked puzzled.
"Uh... Inha?"
Inha was full of energy that morning. Hands on hips, face full of determination—pretty cool, actually.
"I'm here to convince you!"
"Wha... what..."
"You told me to do what I want, right? If so, I definitely wanna go to a magic academy and go with you. So if you haven't decided, come to one with me!"
Her eyes burned today, no trace of coolness. I stared at her blankly.
"Uh, yeah...? Haven't decided yet, but..."
"Or what? You don't wanna go to school with me?!"
"N-no, that's not it..."
She made a pouty face. I scratched my messy hair, troubled.
"Then explain properly first..."
"Yeah! Yeah!"
Inha's face lit up instantly. She grabbed my paper bag by the desk, dumped it out with her own stack of papers. Papers rained onto the bed. Now I saw—they were all school pamphlets.
I picked one up. Most names were unfamiliar (I'd never cared much about rankings, plus I was torn between regular and academy). But two stood out. Yuran and Daehyeon. Too famous to miss. Korea's biggest elevator-style magic academies—one in Busan, one in Seoul. They even have magic organizations named after them, vying for top spots in results.
"This Yejin Elementary—Mom went there. Pretty good school."
"Oh? Auntie Seona went to Yejin Elementary?"
Inha explained it wasn't top-ranked but still prestigious, with solid mage grads. Huh, Auntie Seona...
"But the most representative magic academies are these two full elementary-middle-high ones in Korea, right?"
Inha pointed to a school of red bricks.
"This is Daehyeon Elementary-Middle-High in Seoul."
Then to a white, castle-like one in another pamphlet. It looked like a church.
"And Yuran Elementary-Middle-High in Busan."
"...You wanna go to super elite places like these?"
"Honestly, yeah. They produce the best, strongest mages, and we're good enough, right?"
"Yeah... true."
Even kids who develop and cast magic in elementary are under 10% of elementary mages. But we did it at 5 or 6, growing fast. No school could reject us.
"We can use magic way faster than other kids. It gives us a huge edge. I wanna make the most of it. I don't wanna go through Mom's pains, but even hiding my skills, I wanna rise high as a mage. Be the strongest."
I fell silent for a moment.
...I wasn't without those feelings. That's why even I, who'd normally pick ordinary, was hesitating.
Inha might take using magic for granted since she grew into it, but not me. I lived and died in a world without magic, reincarnated here and met it. Not just any magic—stuff I develop and grow myself. The joy when I realized... who in this world could know?
Subspace and reincarnation were miracles enough. Maybe to anyone here too... Anyway, that was miracle enough, and then reincarnated me met magic.
The joy seeing it firsthand. First time using it, feeling and moving mana—that chest-bursting thrill! The wonder... How much can I do? How far? Filled with those thoughts...
"I don't think you're different, Eunha. You practice so hard every day."
I chuckled.
Yeah. I thought seriously about magic. Experimented with everything, used it daily to grow, even a little. Studied it constantly. Because it was fun. I really love magic.
"You'll go, right? With me, to a magic academy."
I smiled shyly and nodded. All that agonizing felt pointless looking at her earnest gaze.
"Yeah, sounds good!"
"...!"
Inha beamed and tackled me in a hug. I toppled onto the bed. She laughed down at my face from above.
"Let's become amazing mages together."
I never aimed for "amazing" at first. But the more I used magic, the more fun it got—might as well see how far I can go. Get better, do more. I already have goals for each spell.
Yeah. To realize everything I've thought up, I gotta become an amazing mage. So I'll work hard.
"...Yeah."
I grinned wide and nodded.