Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: 06. The Children's Guardian
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After the sports day ended, ordinary days returned once more. Days of attending classes, getting bored, or just taking it easy. Except... for one thing.
The day before the exam, as I was studying by reading the textbook, I looked at everyone else playing and chatting with a strange gaze. Then I made a realization. Oh, right. These kids are elementary schoolers. I let out a deep sigh. First graders, at that...
No wonder they weren't studying much for the exam. There were a few seriously working through problem books, but probably because their moms made them. On this day, with the exam right around the corner tomorrow, I was the only one calmly reading the textbook under the pretense of studying. Even Inha was just looking at her book or quietly chatting with friends—she showed no interest in actual studying.
Of course, in this world, practical magic skills were the most important, but shouldn't theory be at least decent? Above all, if I didn't get good scores on regular subjects—in first-grade elementary exams, no less—it would definitely scratch at my pride. I seriously read through the textbook. Korean, which was just about reading text, and math, which only had addition and subtraction so far, were no problem. The tricky parts were magic theory and social studies, though. Social studies here was quite different from my original world. For that reason, I focused most on magic theory and social studies.
"What are you doing?"
"......"
"Why are you reading the textbook?"
Without taking my eyes off the textbook, I answered Hansu's question.
"There's an exam tomorrow. You have to study, right?"
I was the type who could do it if I put my mind to it, and if I focused, I always succeeded. Everyone looked at me with puzzled expressions.
"Aiming for first place or something?"
"What? I'm just reading the textbook the day before the exam like usual—why does that mean I'm aiming for first?"
I looked around at everyone in bewilderment. Thinking about it, these kids definitely didn't know the basics of studying. They just crammed info into their good heads by listening and watching, without previewing or reviewing. Man, moments like this really drove home how much they were kids. And by extension, how much I was a kid too, as their friend.
Anyway, I was in the middle of focusing hard on studying, so I couldn't pay much attention to my friends. A little later, I gave them a rough reply and turned back to the textbook. I could feel Inha and Hansu staring at me sullenly, but I just ignored them.
"Wow, what's up with Eunha all of a sudden? She usually listens to everything we say unless she's reading......"
But the chattering voices from beside me kept going. Ignoring them, I read the textbook, then finally plugged in earphones and played the music files on my student ID. The kids' voices faded away, and song lyrics filled my ears. Now I could finally study comfortably. I was being a little desperate.
A week had passed since sports day ended. Tomorrow was the exam—the first semester midterm.
One good—or bad—thing here was that, probably to focus on magic skill growth for exams, most schools in this world's Korea only had two exams a year. One in the first semester, one in the second. Mage rank exams were exceptions, but school midterms and finals were usually just twice a year.
Well, honestly, school exams were far less important than mage rank exams. So first-semester exams were at the end of the term, while many schools scheduled second-semester ones mid-term to avoid rank exam season. For reference, our school did finals at the end of the second semester all the way up to third-year middle school, when you could take rank exams.
The mage rank exam was the only qualification test that assigned grades to mages worldwide based on skill. Nowadays, it was the most crucial proof of a mage's status. In other words, the mage rank exam was like the college entrance exam in this world. Except anyone could take it from adulthood onward, any age. Either way, it was a life-changing test for mages.
Hm, but there was something similar to the college entrance exam from my previous world—for those aiming to be teachers. Only they took the university entrance exam. That was also nationwide at once: the University Aptitude Test, or Dais.
...Even so, school exams were still important. Especially for elementary kids with no direct connection to rank exams yet. Seeing them not even think about studying gave me a headache.
Of course, classes weren't brutally hard—you still had to study like crazy. It was just first-grade level. Even without studying, they wouldn't get super low scores. But I was studying so seriously out of pride, and because my past life's knowledge dominated my memories, making new stuff confusing.
But exam or not, the schedule didn't change. Today was leveled classes.
Seeing me break from exam studying to train magic as usual, the kids seized the chance to chatter at me.
"But anyway, isn't Eunha a lock for first in our grade's practical exam?"
Second grade would be Inho Brother or Yujeong Sister. I widened my eyes and turned to Minhee, but everyone nodded like it was obvious. Even the teachers.
"If she really tries to hide it, maybe not, but otherwise, yeah. Honestly, is there any first-grader as skilled in magic as her? She's top in the whole elementary division."
I glanced awkwardly at Teacher Junhwi at his confident declaration.
"Yeah, makes sense. Among us, Eunha has the strongest mana, best magic use, and best mana control."
Hansu's follow-up had Minhee clapping and beaming.
"Yeah, yeah, right?"
"Hmph. Of course, since it's Eunha."
Inha puffed out her chest proudly, flashing a smug smile. Hansu looked annoyed for some reason.
"Kang Inha. That's nothing for you to brag about."
"...Hmph."
Hansu and Inha started glaring at each other again. I scratched my cheek watching them.
Well... if we're being precise, yeah. In here, I had the best—magic skills. Strength aside.
'Hmm......'
I felt a bit burdened. To change the mood, I demonstrated my newly usable barrier magic.
First, I floated several fist-sized square barriers in the air. I spread them out over a few meters.
I infused attributes into the barriers. Good at sensing and handling mana sensitively, I was pretty skilled at altering attributes. Soon, silver lightning crackled around the barriers.
I guided the lightning to connect the small square barriers line by line. Six points formed a cube like the small ones, membranes filling the lines. A large barrier formed—one I'd never made before. Nearly a fifth of the classroom.
Lightning flashed threateningly along its membrane. Everyone looked amazed. Hyunho hung off my shoulder from behind.
"Wow! Awesome! Hey, hey, did you develop this too?"
Hyunho's eyes sparkled as he said it. I grinned and nodded.
For reference, "new development" didn't mean a new unique magic. It meant another possibility from my unique magic's endless options was now usable. I nodded.
"Yeah. Connecting them like this makes barriers with way less effort. Oh, and before, I handled magic inside barriers. This time, on the outside. What do you think?"
"What do we think..."
"Hmm......"
Everyone murmured and looked to the teacher. Teacher Junhwi stared at my magic, then said,
"Not just good—it's amazing. Especially that idea; tough for your age."
He ruffled my hair as he spoke. I beamed. Well, it came from reading novels and watching anime. That was experience too.
"Plus, the strength keeps improving... Tsk, she might really be number one in the whole elementary division."
Teacher Junhwi's words had Min Teacher nodding.
"For real. Barriers are supposed to be the hardest, but she's improving daily. Illusions—she succeeded in brain-affecting domain types, right?"
"Yeah. Dream-world-like ones are working. Still fifty-fifty success rate."
"That's impressive enough."
"True."
Overhearing that, Inha hesitated, looking at me. Our eyes met; she looked down briefly, lips pressed tight. But soon she faced me normally. I smiled at her. She smiled back. But her smile felt off somehow.
The unease faded fast, though. The kids chattered at us, and it vanished. We laughed and fooled around like usual, training magic hard until class ended.
After school, exam eve meant more studying. I read the unread textbook parts, underlining unknowns.
Exam day. I faced the test paper tensely. It was my first test in this world.
Written tests first, practical last. I checked the clock seriously, then looked down. The written test—Korean, math, social studies, science, magic—began.
Not too hard overall. The level made it too easy for me. Self-scoring after: all high. Korean and math felt perfect. Phew, math had been my enemy since middle school, but even I wouldn't mess up first-grade addition/subtraction. The paper was full of it; no way I'd miss those.
So the real tension was practical.
Unlike written, kids facing practical were dead silent, tense.
Practical setup: Teacher made a door by the blackboard to an unknown room. One by one inside for the test, contents revealed then. Only limit: 10 minutes. Graded by homeroom teacher and two assistants—three total.
Order: by number. Inha had the lowest, so first. She was called in. Tests began.
"Ugh... kinda nervous?"
"Yeah..."
Others' tension infected Hyunho and Minhee; they fidgeted unusually by me. But honestly, no worry for them. The one really tense was Siha, rigid beside me.
I glanced at Siha, mentally checking order. School numbers alphabetical, so after Inha: Hyunho. Minhee last. Siha before Hansu, Hansu before me.
Hyunho's turn came quick—early number. I half-pushed the reluctant Hyunho in.
Classroom dead silent during tests. No sounds from inside. Kids tried ear to door—nothing.
After Hyunho: Siha, then Hansu vanished inside. Watching classmates disappear one by one, Minhee and I gripped hands tight, sweating coldly. Minhee stuck to me, trembling dramatically.
So by my turn, I was calm. Minhee clung reluctant to let go. I walked steadily, opened the door.
Click. Door shut softly behind me. Odd mana flow hit; I looked up. It sealed and protected the whole room. Just one door over, but felt worlds away.
'This mana... a barrier?'
Room felt alien. Vast empty space, one big desk. Three people sat before it. One: our homeroom. Two: strangers, probably assistants.
I approached. At a not-too-far/close spot, homeroom spoke.
"Very simple. Transfer mana from blue orb to white orb."
That was it. She placed different-colored orbs in my hands.
"10 minutes, as said. Ready."
A big digital timer appeared before them.
I quickly scanned blue orb's mana—plenty. Focused.
"Ready..."
Start!
Instantly, I moved mana from blue to white.
Huge dissonance hit. I kept transferring, frowning at orbs.
Yeah, weird. Moving mana was hand-simple now. But slow, heavy—resisting my will midway.
'Tch.'
My fault? Bad orb? Test element? No words; focused. Slower than usual, but manageable. Drained blue fully into white. 30 seconds.
Checked blue empty, looked up. Three teachers stared blankly. I flinched.
'Ah... did I mess up?'
Recalled myself: full throttle, per my policy. 10-min limit, 30-sec finish. This was...
"Hm......"
Teachers stared shocked, then calmed, scribbling on paper. Only pen scratches filled silence. I stood huddled, hands clasped.
Timer ticked below stopwatch. Exactly 10 min since entry, teacher pointed to opposite door.
"Good job. Test over. Wait with others that way."
I bolted like lifeline. Out: familiar faces. Classmates, Inha, Hyunho, Siha, Hansu.
I smiled at friends. Inha smiled approaching; Hyunho waved big.
"So? How was it?"
Hansu scolded Hyunho's immediate question. Save for later, alone. Siha agreed softly.
Kids emerged every 10 min. Soon Minhee too.
"Guys~!"
Minhee rushed dramatically, spilling tension, weird test, everything. Giggling ehehe, I patted her head.
Soon tests fully done. All back in classroom. Closing quick.
Then somehow, we ended up at Minhee's house.
"So? How was the exam?"
Private spot needed for exam talk. Cafe passes used; no money. Thus Minhee's.
First time Inha and I at Minhee's. Never Hansu/Hyunho's either. Those three visited often; we/Inha rarely.
Felt novel.
Minhee's house perfect. House size for her and brother. Layout unique.
Door to hall; long sliding doors aside. One: kitchen; one: living room. Hall end: Minhee's room opposite kitchen wall. Stairs by her room; attic up Je-hyeon Senior's.
Door opened to maid robot—shocked. Paused now; activates if messy.
We talked in living room, one sliding door side. Topic: exams.
"Doable."
Answered Hyunho. Recalling teachers' shock felt iffy, but...
"Me too. Not super hard... but harder than usual. Took over a minute to move it."
"Me too. Felt sticky; tried water-flow feel, took about 2 min."
Seeing Hyunho agree with Minhee, I thought yep. Felt that too. That was part of test.
"Yeah, felt that. About a minute for me?"
"Me too, around a minute."
Hansu and Inha nodded. Among us, my mana control best; then Inha, Hansu, Minhee, Hyunho, Siha. Minhee's shooting magic needed fine control often, rivaling Inha/Hansu there. Hansu/Inha's control near equal; mana amount/skill too.
Inha turned to me.
"You, Eunha?"
"Me... just over 30 seconds."
"......Hmph."
Figures, Hansu grumbled. Minhee/Hyunho nodded obviously. Eunha's best at mana control!
Finally Siha muttered softly, 'Barely finished in 10... 9:51......' I froze. Huh? Am I in trouble? Scores... opposite reason.
Complex thoughts swirled, but past is past. True; nothing to do.
Instead, I brought up orb mana: homeroom's. Everyone amazed. I joked she struggled filling it.
Clunk.
"Huh?"
Mid-chat, opposite door opened. Minhee checked wall clock: 4:10. Beamed, jumped up. Oppa! Pushed sliding door.
"Oppa! Welcome back?"
But not just Je-hyeon Senior.
"Hi, Minhee! Oh? Eunha and Inha too? All hanging at home? Looks fun from here."
Eunhee Sister smiled warmly. VP and Cheonho Senior too. Wow, I marveled. Je-hyeon Senior, Eunhee Sister, VP, Cheonho Senior. Wow, school ranks 1-4 all here. Nodded at Minhee. Her connections insane, as thought.
Paused seeing Inha. Know not my story. Yeah, Auntie Seona blows all that backing away.
Minhee startled briefly at Eunhee Sister, then beamed.
"Oh, Eunhee Sister! Long time!"
"Yeah. Je-hyeon, your sister's still so cute. Lucky."
"Of course. My sister."
"Wow...... Siblingless people live in sorrow?"
Je-hyeon Senior smiled proudly-ish; Eunhee Sister pouted at him. He smiled at us too.
"You guys too?"
"Why are high school pres and VP here?"
"Ah...... I'm next pres, so stuff."
Hansu's prickly question got cute-kid look reply. Meanwhile Eunhee Sister approached us happily, hugging tight. I awkward; Inha hated it.
"Waaah! Siblingless sorrow real! Eunha, Inha! Comfort sister! Our cute juniors~."
"Ah, wait......"
"Stuffy."
"Inha cooold!"
Drunk-like. Knew she loved kids. So, uh, let go please. Even Mom hugs embarrass me. Peers/sibs okay...
Inha awkward for similar-yet-different reason. But outmatched strength; hugged immobile awhile.
"......"
Suddenly noticed Je-hyeon Senior watching me and Eunhee Sister complexly. I puzzled. Something... deja vu...
'Right, first saw him on monitor too. Felt met before.'
But where? Mistake?
'No way forget such handsome face usually. But I could. Pass by, forget.'
True; forget if pass. Not all, mostly. Sighed. Heard Cheonho Senior/friends joking beside.
"BTW, Cheonho Oppa next VP?"
"Whoa. Judge not just skill, brains too."
"This brat~?"
Cheonho Senior playfully noogied sassy Hyunho. Felt novel. Friends built ties with them unknown to me.
"But oppas took exams too? How'd it go?"
"Eh...... Probably good. Practical focus."
"Yeah, our school's tops!"
"Yours? Did well?"
Minhee maybe? to Eunhee Sister's question. Spilled her results freely. But no prying ours—'rule': never reveal others' skills, per code.
Eunhee Sister murmured amazed at Minhee's tale.
"Wow, elementary first-graders do that test..."
"Oh, that! Remember. We did first grade too."
"Yeah."
"Right."
Other three looked knowing. Their reactions showed unlike mid-school entrant Eunhee Sister, they started elementary here. She tilted head.
"Really?"
They nodded variously.
"Yes. Still do it, huh."
"Fits first-graders perfect! Recall, mana about 100? Right, Je-hyeon?"
"Yeah. Orbs have mana-magnet inside. Remember resisting first time, felt weird."
VP continued.
"Move in 1 min? Top for first-grader. Record prob 54 sec."
"Really?"
Je-hyeon Senior looked new info. Cheonho Senior shocked.
"Whoa...... Hey, that's your record, Je-hyeon!"
"Huh? Was it?"
"Yeah!"
So that's Je-hyeon Senior's record...... Listened, felt deflated. Eunhee Sister yelled 'Hate him!' Je-hyeon panicked 'What'd I do!' Kids' eyes on me.
Ha, covered face, sighed.
'Record 54 sec?'
I set new one today. Damn. Teachers' looks bugged me.
Swallowed inner curse, sighed. Admitted: even if buried later, I got real talent.
"Anyway, our Minhee takes exam first?"
Post-kid-argument Je-hyeon Senior petted Minhee, saying that. Minhee ambiguous at bro's affection.
"Hm, dunno......"
My another sigh natural.
Left Minhee's near sunset. Played til dinner—stuffed. Saw red sunset carpet, felt happy, eyes down.
"Hope good scores."
"Yeah."
"Next, invite kids home? Hm, Je-hyeon Senior cooks better expected. Makes sense, just two. Minhee does simple stuff too~."
Je-hyeon Senior, un-househusband face, served homey dishes. Prime groom material. Minus my crush, propose no regrets—perfect man traits.
'Seems stoic, but kind to friends, good to sis. Cooks, mages well. Women won't leave alone.'
Nodded thinking, then to quiet-headed Inha:
"Ah! Hey, Inha!"
"......Yeah?"
"Y'know Minhee's bro, Je-hyeon Senior—feels like met before. Why?"
Many lives mean more deja vu. But faces rare. Don't remember well; all different.
Inha puzzled.
"Saw him, last time."
"No, not through Minhee or video...... Like... before...? Yeah, before......"
"So you met?"
Inha looked at me like obvious. I panicked.
"Eh?"
"Last time, with Eunhee Sister to school. Before enrollment, winter, to Daehyeon high with Eunhee Sister. Je-hyeon Senior—guy who talked to her en route, she called quick-witted?"
"......Eh?"
Eyes wide. Last winter, yeah, dragged by Eunhee Sister previewing school......
"──Aaaah!!"
Finally recalled. Right! That guy! Cold eyes on us, soft smile to Eunhee Sister! Remembering late, felt pathetic.
Idiot me. Remembered event clear, face blank. VP too, cuz Eunhee Sister's benefactor, remembered face. Thought handsome first sight, yet forgot til now......
Soon shrugged it off. Normal for me. Even others could. Remembering one-meet guy's face half-year later weird. Ah, Inha not weird—smart.
Okay then. Nodded, took Inha's hand, walked side-by-side under red dusk sky.