Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: 06. Children's Guardian
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I tilted my head as I pondered the question. What a tricky one right from the start. Amplification, amplification magic... If it's the kind that boosts mana, then it should be support-type magic, right? And that usually falls under holy magic, doesn't it? Well, that's mostly in fantasy novels, but this world is fantasy-ish in its own way. I swung at a magic I didn't even know based on a hunch. Honestly, even if I got it wrong, it wouldn't be a big deal. ...Well, maybe a little disappointing.
Either way, getting it right would be great, and wrong would just be a minor bummer. With that in mind, I started heading toward O, when I suddenly realized Joo Je-hyeon sunbae was looking the same way. Our eyes met by chance, and I flinched for a second.
“Time is 60 seconds, 1 minute! Please move!”
“Hmm, you think it's light magic?”
“Ah, yeah.”
“That's the right answer.”
“Wow, Eunha, you're amazing!”
He said it like it was obvious, grabbed Minhee's hand, and headed to O. Minhee and Sihwa looked amazed. I had just gone with a vague fantasy association... haha.
“Magic that increases someone's power is light attribute. Conversely, magic that decreases power is dark attribute. Usually, anyway.”
Just as he said. Amplification magic was light magic, and we survived safely. Most who didn't were from the elementary division. Ah, so this is common knowledge for mages above a certain level.
[Question 42: Magic circle 'Kongyeok' is defensive magic. True or false.]
Next one. Huh, not sure about this common knowledge? 42nd magic circle, 'Kongyeok'. Kongyeok means... domain of air, wind? Controlling air? Defense? Attack?
'Hmm, I think I've seen a Kongyeok spell before... It was attack magic, right?'
I couldn't remember if it was from this world or a novel/manga from my past life, but the Kongyeok magic I knew compressed sharp air to create a vacuum, then unleashed it everywhere in an instant—an terrifying attack spell.
Plus, if it takes empty space as its domain, it's probably attack magic anyway. I hesitated toward X, but luckily Joo Je-hyeon sunbae went there first. We survived again. Ah, even if I overthink and get it wrong, with this sunbae around, it'll be fine. I looked up at him with that thought.
But suddenly, his expressionless face softened warmly. I was startled.
'Eh, what's this?'
I turned my head curiously, following his gaze. There stood a familiar face. Eunhee unnie was standing far away. She met my eyes and smiled brightly, giving a small wave. I looked around briefly before waving back small.
“Eunha, what's up? Oh, Eunhee unnie.”
Minhee spotted her and waved happily, then looked at me curiously.
“You know Eunhee unnie?”
“Yeah. Kind of happened that way.”
“Wow, impressive. Minhee and Sihwa know the high school division president.”
Yujeong unnie looked at me amazed. I blushed embarrassedly. Then Inha glanced at Eunhee unnie and waved lightly. Eunhee unnie turned away satisfied.
“...Ah.”
A mutter-like small voice made me look up. Joo Je-hyeon sunbae stared at me mechanically, nodding like he'd figured something out.
“Where I'd seen you...”
“...???”
I looked puzzled. Minhee asked him.
“But oppa, why aren't you with Eunhee unnie?”
“Ah, different teams, so she said handle it separately. That's why I'm apart from Cheonho too.”
“Got it~! Wait, does that mean Cheonho oppa's here too?!”
“Probably. That guy's obsessed with this stuff.”
'Cheonho oppa'... Ah, the name Minhee mentioned before. Yeah, Hansu and Hyunho know him too. As they chatted, the next question came.
[Mage rank A minimum requirement is mana value 500,000. True or false.]
I reflexively looked at Junhwi teacher. Ah, I've heard that. Answer is true.
I forgot the earlier mystery and turned happily. He led us stoically.
“Let's go.”
Right answer, O. I grinned inwardly that my guess was spot on. From then on, I solved quizzes in my head while my body followed Minhee chasing Joo Je-hyeon sunbae.
Surprisingly, as quizzes went on, numbers dwindled until under 20 remained, including us. When it hit 20, Junhwi teacher approached with the final quiz, saw us, and looked surprised.
Before Minhee and Hyunho could wave again, the announcer spoke.
“Now teams! Discuss within teams from now on!”
“Eek?!”
“No way!”
Minhee and Hyunho panicked. We checked teams. Minhee and Hansu red team, Hyunho blue... As I counted on fingers, Joo Je-hyeon sunbae tapped shoulders of Inha, me, and Sihwa.
“You three, white team?”
“Huh? Yeah.”
“Ah, yes.”
“...”
“Blue team over here.”
“Red team this way!”
Seniors quickly gathered dazed kids. Of the 20, naturally Eunhee unnie and vice-president sunbae too. Hyunho and Yujeong unnie with them. Minhee...
“Hey, hey, hey! Minhee! Come here quick!”
Even as rank 4 high school sunbae yelled, she ignored stubbornly, clinging to our and Joo Je-hyeon sunbae's hands excitedly, until Hansu grabbed her nape and dragged her.
“Wah, oppa, Sihwa, Eunha, Inha, Hyunho, Yujeong unnie bye~.”
Minhee left us noisily. Hansu dragged her to his team but looked unexpectedly reluctant.
Teams formed.
White: Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, me, Inha, Sihwa, one high school unnie—5. Blue: Hyunho, Yujeong unnie, vice-president, Eunhee unnie, two unknowns—6. Red: Hansu, Minhee, Inho oppa, rank 4 sunbae, one more—5. Whew.
Minhee was close to her team's rank 4 sunbae too, laughing hand-in-hand. Turns out that's the 'Cheonho oppa' she knew.
'Yeah, Yoo Cheonho, right?'
Wow, Minhee's connections in school are insane. Knows all famous seniors...
No, not the point now. I whispered inwardly, subtly hiding behind Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, hands up covering mouth. Habit, and to hide expression. Felt eyes on us, blinked tightly.
“Teams formed at last! Huh~? Surprising! Why so many elementary left?!”
'I didn't plan to last this far~!'
Anxious, I stomped lightly, glancing at the one slightly ahead. Because of this oppa. Without him, we wouldn't have made it. Feeling cheeks pale, fingers twitched tensely.
“Final quiz showdown starts! Junhwi teacher gives 3 questions! Objective: guess school mages' attributes! 1 min to write! Most remaining wins! But can't tell same team your own attribute if it's a competitor's! Here we go! Teacher!”
[First.]
We grabbed pens on papers quickly. Pale with tension, but gripping pen eased it a bit. Do my best. Once started, see it through earnestly—my motto!
[My attribute.]
“...”
Too short. We puzzled briefly. But I scribbled fast.
“...? You knew?”
“Teacher and us know each other.”
“I see...”
Answering surprised Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, I wrote 『Wind』 firmly. Junhwi teacher's detection reads via wind. Color transparent silver-brown. But I wasn't only one. Inha and Class I knew, and Joo Je-hyeon sunbae wrote before looking. Other sunbae beside him too.
Weird vibe. Like, how to describe this atmosphere?
Shook off thought, raised paper.
“...All correct!!”
[Of course.]
“Of course! Junhwi teacher's famous! Make it trickier!”
[Next, Chairman's mana attribute.]
“Ignoring me!!!'
“Eek...”
That's the vibe! Everyone already knew! No wonder no talk, barely looked, just wrote! Junhwi teacher too...
'Anyway, Chairman's attribute...'
I looked troubled. See Chairman sometimes. Appeared briefly in speech. But little known besides main magic...
“...Chairman's mana attribute is famously a riddle...?”
[For guessing. If you know, whatever.]
“Knew it! Only you, Junhwi teacher! First too easy, now impossible...”
Heard announcer sigh tiredly, I eyed Junhwi teacher oddly. Not detection mage, but sensitive to mana. Did he target me? Looked puzzled.
“No choice. You know?”
“No, sunbae. Elementary definitely not... They're new 1st years.”
“Then guess.”
Hearing Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, I scribbled on my paper. Known Chairman magic: word magic. Like my text magic somewhat. Mine: darkness + light, light stronger. Chairman's mana I saw: platinum brighter than Inha's. So...
『Light』
Decided after thought. Not all light is bright. But word magic's commanding nature feels mental light. Word magic isn't just mind control—known here—but commands to all things, creation. Like in fantasy, only gods/dragons use.
Of course, no deep study, just my take.
Main magic attribute isn't always personal attribute. Mage's determined by best match, specialty—even if not made into magic. Usually natural attributes.
Mine: illusion main, but I think light + darkness.
Worried post-write, but nodded acceptance. Inha copied mine. Knows my mana color detection talent, so trusted. Sihwa guessed alone.
“Chairman. Most fitting answer...?”
For reference, Sihwa wrote mental, high school unnie special, Joo Je-hyeon sunbae darkness. So answer?
Chairman announced from field side.
“My attributes 'light' and 'mental'. Both count.”
“Ooh!!”
“Gasp...”
I swallowed groan despite correct. We got it? Me and Sihwa too. But two sunbaes wrong. Our team left: just us elementary three...
“H-how. Inha, Eunha. Only us left...!”
Sihwa clung anxiously to my arm. Wrong sunbaes left us. Minhee, Hansu, Inho oppa waved leaving too. I just bowed head.
“Wow! What lineup! White's last three all elementary 1st years! Lucky! Blue... all remain! Ah, high school Yeon Yoyun—main magic so flashy forgot, but detection! Wow~. Red all out... pity. But white vs blue... haha, poor 1st years.”
Fine! Cheer up! Good job! Cute! That girl's super pretty!
Hearing that made heart pound tensely. I muttered quietly.
“I'm going crazy from nerves...”
“Me too...”
“...It's fine, last one.”
“Mhm.”
Agreed with Sihwa, half-hearted to Inha.
“To give cute kids a chance! Junhwi teacher! How about one's attribute from them? Let everyone guess!”
“What?! No fair!”
“Fine? Against kids.”
Jeers from blue mostly, cheers from red/white. Eunhee unnie met my eyes, smiled warmly.
“Then, do your best last, Eunha, Inha.”
“Ah! Junhwi teacher agrees! No team discussion! Problem please!”
[There, from remaining blue, Kim Hyunho.]
“Huh? Me?”
Hyunho answered surprised. Teacher simply said 'that kid's attribute,' shut mouth. Wow, cool... Wait, unfair? More than advantage? I tilted head.
We hadn't revealed all attributes, but as comrades knew top compatibles roughly. Ah, Sihwa not same class level, didn't know Hyunho's. Hmm, two each side knowing? Fair? Inha and I eyed, wrote fast. Hyunho's 'water' obviously.
Wrote, glanced blue. Us two easy, Yujeong unnie/Hyunho except, others pondered. Makes sense. Guess unrevealed 1st year's attribute.
No...
'Ah, they have one detection mage.'
One didn't ponder. Glanced Hyunho, wrote easy. Thought we'd lose. They have three who can get it, us maybe two.
“Correct: water! Ooh, white! Two knew, stayed! But blue has detection, himself, friend—three correct! Quiz winner: blue team!!”
Ugh. Sighed there. Ah, exhausting. Inha stone-faced, but Sihwa and I not that bold. Worriedly patted sighing Sihwa's back.
“Okay?”
“Yeah.”
Saw Hyunho's group to stage, paled. Ack, stage mortifying! My courage can't. Sighed relieved. Ah, good we lost.
“Blue bonus 50 points! White's young juniors fought well, 20 points! Prize: three free passes to school popular cafe 'Gran'che'!”
Wooow! Nice!! Jealous voices everywhere. Yeah, love their coffee. Lots tasty stuff. Good prize.
“Now... morning events end. Lunchtime! Enjoy!”
I stared blankly at sky from field corner. Ah... finally...? Whew, turbulent quiz over...
Meant light fun, why so tense? Shook head, watched field empty fast. Magic world: mostly fly/teleport, not orderly lines.
Glanced Junhwi teacher's spot. He walked opposite exit with Min teacher.
We three waited for Hyunho/Yujeong unnie, planned exit together. Final survivors descending stage.
“Phew, tense. Eunha okay?”
Yujeong unnie approached smiling brightly.
“Mm... spotlights tiring...”
“Huh? Really? I was fine.”
“You are, I'm not.”
Pointed at Hyunho teasingly.
“Eunha, Inha!”
Chatting, heading for Minhee/Hansu, Eunhee unnie and Seonghu sunbae approached. Lunch-bound too. Stopped, talked. Beside: time magic girl sunbae, unknown guy sunbae. Their friends.
“You two did great. Proud smart juniors. Right, Seonghu?”
Eunhee unnie asked, vice-president surprisingly nodded. Thought he'd ignore, unexpected.
Time girl sunbae tapped Eunhee unnie's shoulder. Know each other? Yeah, bit. Eunhee unnie nodded, met my eyes, smiled wide, offered something.
“So this for hardworking Eunha/Inha! I'm fine, use for Gran'che treats later. Super tasty!”
Gave two free passes. I looked flustered.
“Uh, but...”
“Fine, fine. Basically free.”
“Still... you like sweets, unnie?”
Gran'che famous for sweets. Cakes so good even sweet-haters love. Balanced sweet, clean finish with aftertaste—I can eat pieces.
Eunhee unnie winced.
“Ugh, yeah but...”
“What're you doing?”
We turned. Joo Je-hyeon sunbae stood beside, watching. With Minhee, Hansu, Inho oppa, rank 4 sunbae. We'd dawdled at exit, they returned from mid-elim break. He eyed close-faced me/Eunhee unnie puzzled.
“What?”
Turned to me. In my fluster, Eunhee unnie placed pass in my hand, backed away.
“Ah...!”
“Kids accept adult kindness! Hmm, not suspicious ones! Now, lunch.”
She quickly led her group. I reluctantly pocketed pass. Burdensome/guilty, but inwardly thrilled/grateful. Then vice-president sunbae approached silently.
“Huh?”
Flustered, he dropped identical envelope of passes on my hand. I looked up confused, he said calmly.
“For your friends. Eat with them.”
Turned, walked beside Eunhee unnie. She stared shocked, then grinned, slapped his back hard. Good job! Watched noisy four leave blankly.
“...Seonghu sunbae acting up?”
“Seriously! Not his style!”
Joo Je-hyeon sunbae/other knowing him surprised. I blankly folded passes neatly into coin pouch.
Anyway, lunch time. Gathered but not all eating together. Yujeong unnie/Inho oppa left first for parents.
Waved goodbye, Hyunho asked curiously.
“By the way, everyone's parents?”
“Our parents busy.”
Inha/Hansu synced, glared annoyed. I ignored, to Hyunho.
“You? Parents working?”
“No! Mom's here, brought Hansu. But eating with you fine. Join us?”
“Nah, bit...”
Hesitated, declined. Friend's parents awkward. Even with Minhee's oppa felt odd...
Then eyed Minhee. She smiled quietly at parent talk. Mouth closed...
“...”
Speechless. Understandable, bit pitiful... Hesitated, spoke to her. Planned Inha duo, but together fine.
“Minhee eat with oppa?”
“Huh? No. With Sihwa too.”
Eyes wide. I smiled warmly.
“Then with me and Inha?”
No ask Inha, but she'd agree. Awkward, but better with guardian than duo. Glanced Joo Je-hyeon sunbae, nodded. Outsiders around today.
Minhee eyes widened, beamed, grabbed hand.
“Yeah!”
Saw her grip tight, face like lost child finding mom. Pitiful, swallowed wry smile.
Minhee giggled. Inha eyed us, frowned slightly. Noticed, turning—Hyunho whined dissatisfied.
“No fair! Won't with us!”
Kids oblivious. Understand. Can't grasp parentless Minhee's feelings at sports day.
Minhee still kid. Too young to shrug off exclusion.
“Right. Eunha subtly discriminates. Sexist?”
Oof... Hansu too. Forehead tap, Inha waved dismissively at Hansu gruffly.
“Yeah. Go. Eat alone.”
“You...!”
“Wah, mean!”
Hansu glared, Hyunho whined at Inha. She hooked my arm. Freed before round one, sighed, patted both heads fondly. They startled.
Pushed backs differing from usual me.
“Now, lunch later!”
They retreated obediently. Cute walking, hand on heads.
“Wow! Lucky. Eunha, me too. Pet me!”
Minhee nuzzled shoulder cutely. Geez, cat? Muttered, petted her, thought: close enough for jokes now...
“...”
Petted sulky floor-kicking Inha too. She blushed faintly.
Two sunbaes watched me oddly.