Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: 07. Fight
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On the day of the end-of-term ceremony, just like at every school, our grades came out. The results were sent directly to our student IDs in data form. Before heading home, we checked each other's report cards one last time. And I was shocked.
To be precise, I was the only one shocked. The others nodded as if they had expected it, murmuring things like "Ooh, as expected."
Magic practical exams are graded alphabetically, and I got a perfect A+. I even received bonus points. The silver lining was that I wasn't the only one with an A+ in the practicals. Everyone except Siha got perfect scores plus bonuses.
But even that consolation shattered when I saw the written exam results. They were at a first-grade elementary level. Naturally, most kids scored full marks or close to it. So where did I rank on the written exam? First place. Combining written and practical scores... first in the whole school! It was my first time ever getting top rank!
"Uwaa..."
In a way, it made sense. This world prioritizes real combat magic over desk studies. Still, it left me with mixed feelings. Top of the school... number one...
The kids' reactions didn't help.
"I thought you were just good at magic, but you're smart too."
"What are you talking about? You can tell Eunha's mature and smart just by looking."
No, that's not it. But Hansu and Minhee weren't the only ones; everyone concluded I was smart and banded together, so I missed my chance to protest. For the record, the one who agreed most enthusiastically was Inha, who came in second despite not studying. Hey, you guys. Is this what you call smart?
Explaining one by one would be pointless—they wouldn't get it—so I gave up. Fine, they'll figure it out as they grow up. That my top rank had nothing to do with brains. Right now, my slightly adult-like behavior just seems impressive because they're kids.
Summer vacation arrived. With it finally here, I dove into magic training. I'd held back during school, so I planned to practice freely now.
I learned necessary spells from Auntie Seona and swapped houses with Inha to discuss magic. I visited the library, picking books on my magic. They were thick and dry, but readable. I also ramped up testing ideas from my magic notebook. It had filled up with concepts from school lessons, which sparked tons of settings. I always carry a notebook.
Anyway, I worked hard. It might sound routine, but I practiced way more than usual.
Honestly, I think I had pretty busy days. Sure, someone might say a first-grader isn't busy, but for me, they were fulfilling. Trying this, that, researching, studying—it flew by. Time felt too short.
Near vacation's end, while Inha's family traveled with relatives, I kept training. With school looming, I pushed harder.
Then, the day before school, during full-power mana cannon practice, I dislocated my shoulder.
"Ugh... ow, it hurts..."
It hurt like hell. Sitting there, I whimpered for Mom. Her freak-out was expected.
She called an ambulance and gave first aid. Her healing magic helped little—her level's not high.
At the hospital, even after magic treatment, they said three weeks recovery. Geez...
Exhausted, I went home, arm cast from shoulder to wrist. Dad came home early, pale-faced.
"What happened...?"
"Not just dislocation—elbow cracked, wrist sprained, shoulder vessels and skin damaged too..."
"How did you get hurt like that?"
I hadn't explained to the doctor either. Shrugging hurt, so I admitted honestly.
"I don't know. Using magic, my arm suddenly hurt..."
"While using magic?"
"Yeah."
I nodded.
"Normally, when casting attack magic, um, how to explain? I focus mana on the target and expand it. Easier way: make it surge from below the target..."
"Yeah."
"But pure mana attacks usually shoot from the hand. I gathered a mana cannon right in front, smashed the barrier, and fired skyward full power..."
Recalling it, I pondered, then realized.
"Ah... the recoil from the mana blast...?"
Only then did I grasp my child's body was weak. Staring at my bandaged shoulder, pain brought insight. To wield mana properly, the body must support it. Obvious, really—I felt embarrassed. A cannon shatters without a sturdy mount.
So I resolved to train my body once the cast came off. Not full muscle-building yet, but basic fitness was essential.
'I used to hate exercise.'
But magic demanded it.
"Anyway... Auntie Seona should be back at dawn. I'll ask Uncle Jihan right after..."
"Huh? It's fine. Doctor said even immediate treatment wouldn't fully heal today. She'll be tired from dawn travel—tomorrow's okay. The cast dulls pain with magic anyway."
"But school starts tomorrow..."
"It's fine. Plus, I doubt I'll wake at dawn."
"Alright, then."
Mom and Dad nodded. I'd had one magic treatment already—not critical. Pain eased, thanks to painkillers...
A mere dislocation would heal fast. Sitting on the floor, I cast with my good hand. My dislocated shoulder creaked painfully.
'Ugh...?'
Suppressing a groan, I looked puzzled. From the injury?
Sighing, I stopped magic. No training today.
Then I rummaged my phone one-handed. Dawn return...? What was Inha doing? Hope she's having fun traveling.
Staring at her name, I set it down. I'd blurt about the dislocation. She'd find out tomorrow—no need to worry her.
But contrary to dawn, Inha didn't return till usual school time.
"Got held by their grandma. Coming late."
"Grandma—from Inha's view? Or Auntie Seona's?"
"Seona's mom's mom. Looking back, Inha's personality and looks come from her. But their family's ice magic line ends with Inha..."
Huh. Interesting. Inha's lookalike grandma...
"She's a Transcendent too. Eunha might meet her someday."
"......!"
Whoa... Transcendent? Talent's hereditary after all. Transcendent begets Transcendent. Can't deny it. Though Inha uses light magic. I marveled.
I went to school alone. Walking empty halls felt novel. First solo commute in ages. I arrived first, sat. Missed Inha, but excited for friends.
Unusual for me. In my old school life, no friends, no motivation—dreaded it. Just wanted to write novels at home. I felt oddly happy.
Naturally, friends freaked seeing me. Even passing kids asked if I was okay. Hansu, next in class, really panicked.
"You... what the hell is that!?"
He rushed over, too scared to touch, fidgeting cutely. Grateful, I smiled it's fine. He yelled, demanding details. Magic training mishap, I said vaguely.
Minhee and Hyunho, arriving next, gawked at my bandaged arm. Minhee looked teary.
And Inha...
She made it ten minutes before first period, freaking like others.
"Y-your arm... why...!"
"Oh, yeah. Hurt it yesterday training magic."
Her worried face turned angry glare.
"Why didn't you tell me! You got hurt, why not say?!"
"You were traveling. Didn't want to ruin it... Plus, you'd be back next day..."
She clenched fists, looking wronged and mad. Panicking, I tried soothing but stopped. For me, gentle coaxing when holding tears back makes it worse—especially publicly.
I hesitated, just tilting my head. She calmed slowly, then plopped beside me pouting.
"How'd it happen? Bad?"
"Yeah... training, somehow... Not severe. Fine."
She didn't soften at my smile.
"So, what exactly?"
"Just... testing my mana power output, full blast mana cannon with this hand... dislocated."
"What...?"
I thought it was full power then, but now? Not even close. Pain hid it, but no mana depletion symptoms—just shoulder ache. No 'empty' feeling.
I realized my mana reserves were higher than thought. But my body couldn't handle full output yet. And I hadn't even gauged my limit properly. Frustrating. Fists clenched, I thought.
'Yesterday hurt from injury, but today light magic won't hurt? Focus on meditation. Haven't deeply sensed inner mana—too busy with ambient. Check mana flow during other spells, and...'
Till ceremony's end, I planned today's training. Even I thought I was tireless despite dislocation. But then, from Jeong Junhwi Teacher I visited for guidance, thunderbolt news.
"Don't use magic till that shoulder heals."
Shocked, I blinked. Normally I'd nod, but rarely, I protested.
"Why...? Dislocation and magic have nothing..."
"Related."
He eyed me sharply, then explained.
"Mana burdens the body, varying by amount. You're a kid. Adults maybe fine, but kids—using mana when injured backfires. Special constitution aside... yours unknown. Want to learn fast? No mana till healed. Meditation helps healing, fine—but don't emit outward. Got it? Tsk, how'd you dislocate?"
Pale, I looked down. I'd learned mana stresses body—especially exceeding physical limits. But still...
"Tried full-power mana shot..."
"Sheesh... your mana already that strong? Usually follows body... you're ahead. Once healed, time for other training."
Mana-reinforced physical training... basic combat, body-tempering meditation. Normally mid-school, but necessary.
He muttered sighing. I lifted my wilted head, eyes sparkling at him. Body training needed beyond mana. Junior high stuff, but start early. Jog for stamina, martial arts for self-defense. I nodded brightly. Essential now. He eyed me, sighed.
"So, how long till arm heals?"
"Uh... hospital said two weeks with ongoing D-rank healer."
"How much force? Two weeks? Lucky not broken."
"But it'll heal in days. Starting Uncle Jeongmin today. He's B-rank healer mage."
Mage ranks are certifications, exam from age 15. S A B C D E F—S (Transcendent) top, F (non-mage) bottom.
Sub-ranks from D up: D- D D+ DD- DD DD+ DDD- DDD DDD+—nine for D (average mages, most common).
Gaps small in D, huge from C (strong). D's just "D-rank," but C+ brag sub-ranks.
B vs D? Worlds apart. D average, C "strong." C healers often exclusive to organizations over hospitals.
Uncle Jeongmin: B-rank healer. Amazing. Minor injuries heal instantly. Almost healed even dawn treatment. Wait, he came morning—after I left for school.
"Yeah? Hope it heals quick. Kid like you... pitiful."
He eyed me narrowly. Maybe. I glanced at cast, nodded.
Gotta heal fast. Home, Uncle Jeongmin treated. Commotion ensued—unavoidable.
Hours of checks, bandage off same day. True master healer. Inha complex-faced at my arm; I flexed it amazed.
"Okay? No pain?"
"Yeah. Just numb-ish. Fine."
Stroking her head fondly, she smiled relieved. Adorable.
Inha's unbelievably pretty for first grade. Best genes from parents. Porcelain skin like mixed-race.
Her hair so soft—I love stroking it, and she loves it too. Lets me anytime.
'So pretty...'
Where else such a girl? Recalling her 'grandma'...
'Looks like Inha...'
Curious, I asked.
"By the way, your grandma's amazing, right?"
"...Huh?"
"Transcendent, looks like you—Mom said. Who's she?"
"......"
Awkward, hesitant, she explained. Long silver hair; parents Labyrinth and Polyzen mages—eloped due to feuds; settled Korea 100 years ago for Korean love; first rank exam for marriage—straight S-rank. Looks mid-20s, actually ~400...
"400?! Awesome! Great-grandpa?"
"Died before I born."
"Oh, yeah. Normal side..."
Name: Richella K. Pontina. Korean: Kim Miyoung. Took husband's surname. World rank 56 Transcendent—top-tier, recently updated.
Famous. Phone search: photo. Stunning icy beauty, overwhelming. Inha prettier overall. Similar? Hard to tell—Inha young.
Phoning on bed, rolling. Arm healed, wanted training, but Inha whined play. Couldn't resist her kid pout. Missed me bad.
Chatting occasionally while browsing, text from Jeong Junhwi Teacher.
『From: Jeong Junhwi Teacher
So... how's treatment? When heals?』
First text from him. Tense, formal reply.
『To: Jeong Junhwi Teacher
All healed. Why?』
『From: Jeong Junhwi Teacher
Already? Fast.
Come staff room tomorrow. Need body training ASAP—teach meditation first. Stamina from then.』
Eyes wide.
『To: Jeong Junhwi Teacher
Ah! Yes!』
Grinning, clutching phone. No proper training yesterday-today, but tomorrow new stuff—excited. Stamina daunting though. Hated moving exercise—weak stomach, winded meant nausea, hated that. Rest worsened it. But for magic, must.
Planned mentally. Jog mornings/evenings near park for stamina. Jogging basics!
Then... I'll grow stronger.
Excited face turned serious at phone. Realized body backs strong magic, asked Auntie Seona: stamina-magic correlation?
Vital, she said. Weak stamina can't wield strong mana. Mana boosts stamina usually, but strong mages train body mandatory.
So, must build mine.
Not aiming ultra-strong. My illusion, text, barrier magics distant from attack. Defensive?
E.g., illusion makes thoughts reality. Dream-trickery. Make foe think magic "misses"?
Illusions fake sans materialization—perfect defense over attack. Disorient protects self.
Not craving ultimate power. Just do much with magic as kid-dream. As far talent allows. Imagining-to-reality: lifelong dream. Fun, wondrous—want more.
Maybe ends strong anyway. Staring notebooks—'magic ideas,' 'current spells'—lost in thought.
Inha puzzled.
"What're you thinking?"
Turned. Her black eyes, faint blue glint deep. Smiled.
"Inha, what's your goal?"
"Goal?"
"Yeah. How far with magic?"
"Hmm..."
Tilted head, thought, puzzled pure eyes.
"Never thought that way. Um, just A-rank+ light mage? That much."
"...Never imagined? Future me casting this, that."
"Using light magic?"
"Yeah..."
Smiled wistfully. We're close, but different.
Inha's just mature-kid; I'm true adult. I plan concrete: use illusion/text/barrier thus! Note everything.
Like novel synopsis: title (name), plot outline (direction), flesh (settings). Key themes, lines, chapter arcs, finale (goal)!
Inha? Absorbs advice, ponders, trials grow her. Advances, beams. Pure magic love. Similar, different.
I imagine deeply, plan specifics. Future self? Enjoy pondering. Adult-ish vs pure kids—self-aware.
My goal, from start: illusion materialization.
But knowledge raises bar. New: 'Blur reality-illusion boundary.'
World via barrier/text—maybe blur lines. Make illusion real-feel; reverse in barrier: real as illusion.
Magic's 'imagination' power. Deeper knowledge makes magic my reality. Started cartoon/novel tropes.
Scary height—unreachable. But imagined it.
'Difference with Inha.'
Believe it propelled me ahead. Not bad, even forcing talent early. Deeper thought, insights—joyful, proud. Bit burdensome.
Everyone's pace. I'm step ahead of Inha now, faster growth. She admires, resents her 'slowness.'
But she'll surge later—adults often do. 'Thought gap.' Kids think shallow.
Sure, my imagination broad/deep from fantasy comics/novels. Past-life fantasy author—experience counts. Chuckled.
But knew my limits too.
"Why laugh?"
"Yeah, just. Love using magic?"
"...Hmm."
"Time to sleep."
"Yeah."
Beamed at her. She nodded, lights out.
That night, dreamed lying sea-gazing endless starry sky.