Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: 06. The Children's Guardian
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In the end, lunch ended up being just the five of us: Senior Je-hyeon as the guardian, me, Inha, Minhee, and Siha. We parted ways midway with the senior Minhee called "Cheonho Brother," who was fourth in the school rankings. He said he had other business.
The guy called "Cheonho Brother" turned out to be Minhee's brother's childhood friend. No wonder he was so close to our school's fourth-ranked senior. Apparently, he'd been playing with Minhee since they were little. To her, he was like a second brother. I nodded, thinking, yeah, that makes sense.
We walked toward the park, debating what to eat. Then I suddenly remembered the school lunch. Um, it might kill the excited mood of figuring out where to buy food, and um, we have free vouchers but we'll use those later when we're all together. I hesitated before asking.
"By the way, what was today's lunch?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Um, it's free."
"True, but."
Senior Je-hyeon glanced at me and shook his head at my words.
"You have to buy meal tickets starting from high school."
Huh? Really? My eyes widened at the fact I hadn't known.
"You can earn money at my age."
"Heh."
I didn't know. High school works like that. But it's definitely cheaper than other places. We all just nodded at his words.
"Still, it's sports day, so let's eat something other than lunch! What do you want?"
Fair enough. I nodded at Minhee and we started chattering about what to eat again when Senior Je-hyeon suddenly asked.
"By the way, do you kids have money?"
Well...
"Yeah."
"We get allowance."
"Ah, I don't. I don't carry allowance."
Me, Inha, and Siha answered in turn, but our answers differed.
Inha and I were only children from wealthy families. Our maturity helped, so we got more allowance than we needed. I'm in first grade elementary and get 30,000 won a month. Parents buy most supplies anyway, so lots left over. I save it all. Oh, Inha gets 50,000 a month, for reference.
But Siha's different. About 2,000 won a week?
"Oppa! Oppa has to buy it for us! What do you expect from us!"
"...You're right. What was I expecting from first-year elementary kids? Ah, Dutch pay's a habit. Fine. I'll buy, so say what you want."
"Yay! Siha! Eunha, Inha! Say whatever you want! My oppa's got money!"
Huh? I looked flustered at her words.
Uh, um, imposing? More like a lot? Yeah, it felt burdensome. Having an adult mind made it worse. I suggested eating with Minhee, but I planned to pay for mine. I looked up at him awkwardly and said.
"Um, then... it feels like imposing..."
"Huh..."
Senior Je-hyeon looked down at me with an exasperated expression. Wh-what? As I gazed up curiously, he bent down, knelt to meet my eyes, and spoke. His always cold eyes softened toward me for the first time.
"I thought so earlier, but you're so mature. Imposing? Do normal eight-year-olds know that word? Anyway, it's fine. Consider it a gift for getting along with Minhee from now on."
"Oppa. What's 'imposing'? Ah, that? Like this, around the chest?"
"No, you dummy."
He gently smiled and patted Minhee's head. Uh, but still... Fine, come on. I hesitated but followed him as he turned. Still sorry, still burdensome.
But unlike me, the kids took Senior Je-hyeon buying things for granted.
"What's wrong?"
I sighed at Siha and Inha staring confused. Well, kids gonna kid... Then I remembered something and hardened my face.
"Inha, Siha."
"Yeah?"
"It's fine 'cause he's Minhee's brother, but if a stranger offers to buy you stuff and you follow? Never do that. Absolutely not."
Inha nodded silently—she'd heard this from parents and me. Siha looked confused. Minhee turned back from ahead.
"Huh, I hear that from oppa a lot too. What does it mean?"
"Strangers who do that have ulterior motives."
"Ulterior motives...? What's that?"
"Uh, like..."
How to explain? I thought then said: bad intentions. Then Minhee said,
"But getting stuff is good! Why would they give with bad intentions?"
Siha nodded too, and I was speechless. As I spaced out, Inha spoke.
"Mom and Eunha say that a lot. Those people are all perverts."
"Perverts?"
"Yeah. They lure innocent little girls and do weird stuff. Good men don't. Anyway, perverts. Scream 'pervert' at them."
"......"
I shut my mouth. No, Inha... not all are... Argh! How to explain!
As I clutched my head with a complicated expression, Senior Je-hyeon, watching us oddly, sighed.
"You, listen to her from now on. Stick by her if you're alone."
"Huh? Why?"
"Your friend's so mature. Lucky."
...And I forgot the ridiculous thing from days ago, thinking.
I really need to look after these kids...
The topic derailed, so we couldn't decide. We followed Senior Je-hyeon's recommendation to a family restaurant deeper in the shopping district. It has most foods.
Feeling sorry, I asked for the cheapest decent thing from him: udon. Cheaper than sets. Not settling—I love udon.
Minhee ordered hamburger steak set. Siha eyed menu familiarly and got omurice. Inha picked spaghetti after thinking. Yeah, kids don't refuse well. Senior Je-hyeon watched us order then said casually.
"Minhee, you."
"......?"
"Including Siha, you made really good friends."
"Ehehe. Right?"
"Yeah."
Oh. I blinked. Didn't expect praise to my face. I shyly ducked my head. Inha seemed unfazed, making me a bit embarrassed.
We ate enjoyably and returned to the main field. Before parting, Senior Je-hyeon said.
"Anyway, let's get along. You're white team too."
He affectionately patted Minhee's head and walked away. I thought it unexpected. We first-graders barely participate anyway. Senior Je-hyeon adjusts to kids better than he looks.
Soon we parted from Minhee and returned to our spots. Afternoon events started. First: obstacle race. Watching, I thought sports day has lots of races.
In a blink, stage changed. Ground split, water-filled canal rose, rope sets hung, tubes floated. Ooh, magic world indeed. As I admired, players appeared. Middle/high school seniors.
"Magic obstacle race! Skill over speed! Can interfere! Famous event starts now! Middle school rep, high school rep enter!"
As expected, familiar faces: Senior Je-hyeon, VP, and Minhee's second bro Senior Yu Cheonho.
"Je-hyeon oppa, fight!"
Siha cheered loudly. I partially opened my long-closed sight. Now I can control to see only desired mana. Like seeing one person's mana in a crowd.
I focused on Senior Yu Cheonho's mana. Should've peeked closer earlier.
Narrowing eyes, I observed closely. That's... wind? Wind-like mana swirled around him. Like me, two colors: ash-silver base with green mana scattered. If silver's wind, green's lightning. Zigzagging over wind, crackling, vanishing, reappearing. Amazing.
'Mana often reflects magic...'
Truly wondrous. I admired, eyes shining.
Then middle schoolers. Less familiar than high schoolers, but strong mana owners. Differed from spectator middle school seniors.
Not high school level though. Can't fully grasp higher mana yet, but compare aura colors/feelings.
"Our school's number one... what mage rank?"
"Huh?"
Siha turned at my mutter. Want to know that calm mana's true power. She answered lightly.
"Je-hyeon oppa's B-rank mage. Exactly B+."
"That's B-rank."
Eyes widened. Auntie Seona's S+. Two years ago? Wow, B-rank... Gaps huge from C up... B-rank before adult?
"Amazing..."
"Right? B-rank before 20 is huge. Cheonho oppa's CC+. Vows B next time!"
"Student ID has ranks?"
"Dunno. High school data, maybe. Not for me."
Siha grinned awkwardly. Yeah, high school info needs certain mana.
I opened student ID, checked high school data. Yes. Mage rank listed. VP B-, Eunhee sister CCC. Hmm. Few reach C before 20. True elites.
I looked away to field. Race started while checking. Middle/high reps paired, grabbed aerial rope, leaped. Close contact since shared rope. Je-hyeon senior's partner blushed whole time. Likes him probably. Even I would. He's super handsome.
VP handsome too. Je-hyeon manlier sharp, VP softer lines? Cheonho senior decent, not standout. But VP paired with Eunhee sister, Cheonho with guy—no pink vibes.
Then I gaped at next sight.
Je-hyeon senior reached into air, shadow-like darkness stretched. Summoned? Weapon formed from darkness turned blade-mana at VP. I gasped, hand to mouth.
'Wow...'
Incredible. Unbelievably pure black. First time seeing such transparent pretty black. That's... B-rank darkness magic...
Pure感動. Watched like tearing up. VP dodged twisting, cast magic. I puzzled.
Couldn't tell what. Just darkness solidified, shattered on ground.
VP swung at Cheonho senior. He fell mid-fast wind flight. Motion/speed barely visible. Wow wow. I fully opened sight.
Nothing but awe. Their mana control... envy. How free. So cool. How long to reach that?
Vacation: full magic training. Want that. Bigger barriers, more mana, realistic illusions, text-magic traps, and...
They leaped tubes, smashed/broke/flew iron paths, crossed goal. Near end, guessed VP's magic: ice? Always hurled ice in attacks. Confirm later.
Obstacle race ended. Strong win: white 1st, blue 2nd, red 3rd.
"Argh!! Why can't we beat them!"
Senior Yu Cheonho yelled frustrated. Totally Minhee-like. Matches her well. I thought watching him clutch head.
Events continued. Next: throwing—evolved ring toss. Far targets, spear-long rods. Magic allowed. Elementary upper grades.
Cheers started. Seniors hyped with magic, Hyunho beamed doing cheers.
Finally, Hansu's item fetch race.
"Fight! White team!"
"Blue team fight!!"
"Red! Don't lose!!"
Cheers everywhere. Youngest, first runner Hansu at start line scowled hugely. Super annoyed.
"Bet he's thinking 'just you wait' at Minhee..."
"Yeah."
Face so obvious, cute. I smiled. Hansu no magic but tried hard. Item: glasses. Easy for elementary.
Je-hyeon senior etc. in it too. White team 1st again.
Sports day progressed, nearing 4pm. Last event, hour-long, announced.
"Finally, aerial race! Scatter, follow routes, interfere freely with runners! Top rankers suffer! Reps everywhere! Yes! White rep: unbeaten rank 1, Joo Je-hyeon! Blue: high school pres Lee Eunhee!! Wow, spirit magic?! Red: Yu Cheonho! Wind/lightning advantages in race! No mutual attacks!!"
Broadcast echoed. I grabbed Inha/Siha hands, stopped, grimaced. Thought used to it, but "rank" blared = ultimate cringe... Total webtoon vibes... Shivers. At least not fully cringy world.
Froze moment, then ran to target. Green glowing path in sky: runners' "route."
Biggest event, whole school stage. Shopping district now—streets empty save interferers. Shops cleared, security on for theft etc.
Opened sight, scanned. Some students hid in buildings. We found empty two-story, locked door, went up. I barriered us three. Can't expand size easily yet, but mental settings sans text-magic. Hides presence/appearance.
"Have to. Just in case."
"Eunha's magic? Wow, amazing."
Obviously target Eunhee sister/Cheonho senior. Others in class prepping too. Perfect hide/test magic chance.
『Sender: Joo Minhee
Today
Expect
My bro water field
All shoot gro down.』
Message popped. We all laughed dryly at Minhee's. Timing...
『Sender: Han Yujeong
Wherever, fight!』
Yujeong sister too... Not end. More messages, more dry laughs.
『Sender: Kim Hyunho
Yay! Magic test chance!』
『Sender: Cheong Inho
Will blast magic hard our blue dragon』
『Sender: Park Hansu
But I'm wood so might see all spots
Hide uses tons mana』
Pent-up from failed magic? Why all to me? But saw Inha/Siha—group chat. I smiled, sent 『Good luck.』 Hyunho: what's good luck... Oops, elementary kids. Resent 『Fight hard.』 Whew, tough.
Sighed lightly, looked out window. Soon race screen popped. Student ID too. I tensed.
"Ready!"
"Route once only, one magic shot. Don't miss."
Mine no attack. But obstruct path... lots options. Barrier? Fastest/simplest for path block.
"Siha, you?"
"No attack magic... throw rocks."
"Yeah?"
I focused on window. Seniors fast. Magic invisible speed, movement with magic hard to track. Blink—they're gone far.
'Huu...'
Deep breath, tense. Eye track too late. But high mana presense felt pre-visual. Focused directionally till now, but ability evolves. Stared route.
Eye + presence track sans sight!
"Coming!!"
Felt it. Pre-screen/ID/sky broadcast: huge mana rushing route here. Eyes opened. All scenery reflected. Monochrome world, mana vivid colors shining.
Reached hand. Felt but too late! Then illusion, barrier, slow their senses... no, speed my time...
Sequence instant. Barrier + that drained mana near zero, but focused.
Saw magics flying at them. Them dodging leisurely. Moment, barrier caught Eunhee/Cheonho feet. Box barrier locked feet. They stumbled, pulled fixed feet.
"......?!"
"What is this?"
Pre-set lock barrier. Once caught, stays. Till broken. Inha shot light in gap. Siha threw rock eyes closed "Ei!"
They yelled hit.
"Argh, seriously!"
"Inha, rapid fire! Rapid!"
"Got it."
Inha nodded. Shoot light, shoot, shoot. Soon barrier shattered by their mana, but time earned.
"Hey, who was that!"
"Square foot trap? Weird magic, know what?!"
Noisy voices. Seniors peeked out, chatted rowdy. I spaced replaying. That clear body/mind sense change... Looked at hand, clenched fist.
What feeling? Joy. Shy, excited... Connected.
"Pfft."
"Giggle."
We beamed at each other. Good! High-five.
Result: 1st white, 2nd blue, 3rd red.
"Eunha~! Inha~!"
Sports day ended with aerial. Teams closing, then class assembly. Minhee ran first, hugged us, whispered.
"Saw! That barrier/light. Eunha/Inha!"
Inha/I glanced, nodded.
"Yeah. Noticed?"
"Of course! Amazing! As expected, Eunha!"
Minhee thumbs-up. Casual tone, I frowned slightly but smiled.
Hansu/Hyunho back soon, same. Recalled day, awed nonstop.
"But high school's amazing."
"Yeah! Je-hyeon oppa dumb usually but cool!"
Dumb...? Flustered at Hyunho. Seemed cool to me? Recalled Minhee relay: ignored team, whole-school cheer... Awkward face. As Eunhee sister said, total sis-con.
"But sports day watching helps."
"Yeah. Especially rankers' magic."
Agreed with Hansu/Minhee, shared thoughts. Coolest/moving: Je-hyeon senior's magic.
"Yeah. Je-hyeon senior's best. Weaponized darkness, mana color super transparent black right?"
Excited rambling, but kids' faces blank.
"Was it?"
"...Mana formed black yes, but only sensitive detectors like you see that."
"Really?"
Blinked at Inha. Kinda, very disappointing.
Anyway, white win. Special prizes for participants, gifts for 1st white.
Then teacher's closing, dismissed. Homebound, thrilled at amazing magic but sighed tired. Tomorrow... exams. Ugh scores secret, total relief.
Waved bye to friends. Home, gushed to parents post-return: amazing, seniors cool, want that mana soon. Mom smiled "You'll get there unwillingly" patted head fondly.
Fulfilling day.