Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: 08. Seniors' Love Affairs
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It was the last night of the festival.
After the campfire, fireworks were launched into the sky. Colorful bursts scattered in various shapes against the black sky. They were less like fireworks and more like spells being shot upward. Lee Eunhee watched from the rooftop with gentle eyes. Suddenly, she spoke.
"Our junior is amazing, you know. I could tell from just the little I heard."
'Of course, it's probably not perfect yet, but who would've thought she'd already be measuring someone else's mana capacity.'
Lee Eunhee recalled how her young junior, Yoo Eunha, had awkwardly tried to comfort her. Thinking back on it now, she realized that small comment was actually incredibly impressive. A first-year elementary student measuring someone else's mana amount? Impossible under normal circumstances.
Creating the mana crystal was the same. It was something no ordinary person could do. Lee Eunhee smiled warmly.
"...Senior."
Joo Je-hyeon was watching her from behind. His eyes flickered with the fireworks. Lee Eunhee turned to him.
"Why?"
The spells shot up this time fell like rain. Blue flames scattered around, shining brightly. Joo Je-hyeon hesitated before speaking.
"I like you, Senior."
Lee Eunhee wasn't surprised. She just looked at him calmly, then moved her lips.
"...Sorry."
In early November, the student council, led by Eunhee Sister, retired, and voting began for the new one headed by Joo Je-hyeon. For the high school division's president, voting was between the candidate recommended by the current president and any self-nominated ones. As always, the recommended candidate had the advantage. More precisely, the high school president's pick usually became the next president. Even more accurately, the position typically went to someone among the top few strongest and most trusted in the high school division.
Thus, by mid-November, the student councils across the elementary, middle, and high school divisions were all replaced.
The new high school president was, naturally, Joo Je-hyeon, with Yoo Cheonho as vice president. The other top-20 ranked students handled secretary, treasurer, and general affairs. Except for the president and vice president, they were people Minhee knew only by name, but she said she'd seen all their faces at least once. Well, since they all came and went seeing her brother.
After the student council changeover, we didn't see Eunhee Sister's face for a while. Not just her—the entire former council seemed frozen out. It wasn't just them. Passing adult mages looked busy or anxious every time we saw them, and the third-year middle school seniors turning adult this year had excited or tense, stiff expressions. Teacher Jeong Junhwi and Teacher Min halted classes too. Self-study time increased even during class hours.
Parents looked busy too. Dad barely went to work, holing up in Inha's basement every day.
Yes, this was a crucial time for adult mages. In just a few weeks, December 1st was the global mage rank exam day.
The day when every mage's current skill level became clear.
This exam, using a virtual system created by a mage 100 years ago, was now the most common and standard measure of a mage's ability.
It used virtual systems, AI, all sorts of tech and advanced technology to quantify mana capacity and all skills for fair rankings. The only requirement was being an adult mage of 15 or older.
Even those without ID could take it by applying. Applications ran from March to October via internet or mail.
Of course, you could skip it, but most adult mages took the rank exam yearly.
Rankings were based on these results. To enter the rankings, you either scored high on the exam or challenged and defeated the holder of your target rank in a mage duel. Most claimed spots via the exam.
Incidentally, the admin mages here were all C-rank or higher minimum, with the current chief administrator an S-rank mage. Rayleigh Ricart, rank 178 worldwide, age 35, S-rank since 30—a genius among the few in the world. And she was second generation.
The founder and creator of the system was still alive after nearly 300 years, also an S-rank mage, but on a level far beyond other S-ranks. Second-gen Rayleigh was her daughter.
The creator was Salena Ricart, rank 11 worldwide—a myth among mages. Well, anyone in the top 50 was like that. S-rank and up earned the title of "Transcendent."
Anyway, the ranking company itself was an unassailable official organization. That might be why the rank exam held such social weight.
Among people I knew: Dad was F-rank, Mom C (CC+), Inha's uncle B (B+), Inha's aunt S (S+). Me, Inha, and the others had no ranks, Teacher Jeong B (B+)... Oh, Teacher Min? I asked this time, but she just smiled and wouldn't tell. She's always been sneaky like that. Yeah, totally sneaky.
Other adults we knew: Seniors—Eunhee Sister C (CCC+), Je-hyeon Senior B (B+), Seonghu Brother B (B-), Cheonho Brother C (CC+), Yoon Senior C (CC).
Usually, rankings started from A-rank up. Oh, and Hansu's mom was top 500 worldwide, A-rank.
Auntie Seona was rank 92. S-rank mages were guaranteed top 200. Humanity totaled about 10 billion, 70% mages—7 billion mages, and top 200 were S-ranks.
Anyway, everyone around us adults was busy prepping for the rank exam. Seniors too. Training grounds, gyms, anywhere in school for magic practice were taken by seniors or teachers. Even elementary training rooms got borrowed sometimes, cutting high-year elementary practicals sharply. Our year didn't matter—we couldn't use spells needing those rooms anyway.
"Eunhee Sister was determined to hit B-rank this time."
Recalling what she'd said, I smiled faintly, and Minhee nodded with a grin.
"My brother too—he was training hard, saying he couldn't let Eunhee Sister or Seonghu Brother catch him."
"Je-hyeon doing that? That's rare."
"Nah~ Not really. He gets fired up about Eunhee Sister or Seonghu Brother stuff more than you'd think."
"I see."
I nodded with Siha, lost in odd thoughts. Hmm... When it came to Eunhee Sister or Seonghu Brother...
'Is this a love triangle?'
Classic girl thinking. Like, maybe Je-hyeon likes Eunhee Sister! And if he's rivals with Seonghu Brother, it'd make sense he'd get heated over them. Or...
'The opposite?'
Je-hyeon got along great with Eunhee Sister, and Seonghu Brother too. Plus, Eunhee Sister seemed to have a rivalry vibe with Je-hyeon (skill-wise), and Je-hyeon and Seonghu Brother were real close senior-junior.
So, actually—isn't it that Je-hyeon likes Seonghu Brother! Yeah, and Eunhee Sister likes Seonghu Brother too! They know it and are rivals!
I giggled inwardly. Why do most girls link relationships to romance? I did too. Especially with manga, novels, anime—I'd ship any cute pairings regardless of gender. Prime otaku. Yeah, rotten, totally rotten.
But maybe I wasn't entirely wrong. Well, the first idea. Just... Je-hyeon seemed to adore Eunhee Sister. He always smiled so kindly around her.
I chuckled. Silly thoughts.
"But with teachers prepping ranks too, class is boring. Hate that, right?"
"Yeah."
I agreed easily. We had second-semester finals end of November anyway, and I was still the only one studying textbooks in our group... I sighed.
Winter arrived post-festival, cold despite early. School was heated, but I wore my coat—heating magic enchanted.
Still cold, so I bundled up tight. I hate going out more in cold, but lately I wandered a lot for things to see. Today too—studied a bit, then shopped at the shopping district during lunch.
Bought a landscape photo book. Clutching it, I walked. Lately collecting internet photos, 3D videos, virtual ones too. Virtuals on CD. This world's VR machines took CD or MD in the main unit. Put on headphones, press button—done. Magic made it super convenient.
"Hoo..."
I habitually breathed out. Not quite breath-visible yet, but cold makes me do it. Walking school grounds, a familiar voice stopped me.
"...never even confessed?"
I glanced over. Who’s spilling juicy stuff? Across the path, familiar faces on a bench: Eunhee Sister and...
'Ah! Eunhee Sister's bestie... Kim Juyeon Senior!'
Yeah, the time-related rare magic senior. Proud I remembered her name.
"Couldn't help it. Confessing... isn't easy."
I startled at the follow-up. Wait, why talk romance here? Do it in a private room...
I looked around, then plopped on a nearby bench. Bushes behind it, then curved path, more bushes, then their bench. Just wind and whispers—no one else, quiet.
Moving might make noise. They'd freak. Better stay still. Kid height—sitting hid me.
Plus... the talk was... intriguing...?
"What if you miss him? You know Seonghu's popular!"
I froze mid-listen, eyes wide. Whoa...
'Eunhee Sister really likes Seonghu Brother!'
Not shocked—just confirmed. Makes sense~ Suspicious closeness. Friends of opposite genders always are. I'd suspected.
Seonghu Brother's handsome, caring. No heart flutters around him? Weirder. Unless iron walls like me or some reason.
Also, was I even allowed this eavesdrop? Swallowed a sigh. Wanted barrier to hide presence, but too late.
"Juyeon, hey, Kim Juyeon! Voice too loud...!"
"So frustrating! Seriously, me... Seonghu's an idiot too! Eunhee's so popular! Why doesn't he notice first! Wanna just tell him!"
"What? I'd die of shame!"
Back-to-back, no faces visible—bummer. Held back turning, listened hard.
"When will you confess?"
"When I properly hit B-rank this time."
Sigh followed.
"Better Je-hyeon. Knows rejection but confesses every time. How many now? You. Since third-year middle... fourth?"
I was truly shocked. Four confessions?! All rejected?!
'Whoa, that stoic guy's, knowing rejection?!'
Whoa... really. Je-hyeon Senior's top-tier guy—handsome, popular, strong. Suddenly pitiful. Blank expression.
Then Eunhee Sister groaned.
"Don't say that. Really sorry to him. Annoying, arrogant—still close junior."
"I know, I know."
"Rejecting a guy like that four times..."
"Yeah..."
"..."
I sat stunned. Then they stood—footsteps. I closed eyes just in case. Pretend asleep if spotted.
Luckily, they went opposite way.
"Nothing for it. Rejected already—hope it works out."
"Yeah..."
Voices faded with steps. I opened eyes, stared ground. Speechless.
First thought: My old fantasy wasn't totally off. Then: Shouldn't have heard.
Better learn naturally. Sat head down, swinging feet. Wondered:
'...Does Minhee know?'
Whatever... none of my business. Hope Eunhee Sister fares best of the three. Triangles mean someone cries.
Not my place, rolls fine without me. Looked up, leaned on bushes, sky-gazed. Blue sky beautiful. Closed eyes. Wind brushed ears.
Love this. Staring sky, eyes shut—favorite pointless thing.
Shadow under eyelids—vivid colors approached silently. One transparent-beautiful black, other chain-like cold gray silence.
"Yoo Eunha...?"
Slowly blinked open. Huh...? Je-hyeon Senior and Seonghu Brother...? Why here suddenly? Stared blankly at them looking down, puzzled.
"Um... what are you doing?"
Je-hyeon Senior gave odd look.
"That's our line..."
"Thought you were asleep."
Seonghu Brother said, turning my sky-gazing head forward from bushes, pushing shoulder to straighten back. Huh? Turned to look—he patted hair, removed something.
"See, dry leaf stuck."
"Oh, fine. Just brush."
Ponytail anyway. Brushed hair for leaves/twigs.
Stood, stared at them. Weird meeting here. Especially post-Eunhee Sister pass-by. Not super odd—path from shopping district to high school. Shortcut for us elementary to back mountain/shopping.
Rarely used though.
But rivals walking chummy? Felt off. Stared hard. Especially Je-hyeon—after hearing his fervent confessions... thrilling. Scanned for emotions—nothing. Where's that passion in his face? Brushed hair again, stepped back.
"Cold out—what're you doing here?"
"Um... bored, sat."
Asked what I normally wouldn't. Curiosity piqued.
"And you?"
"Me...? Meeting friends for training. Rank exam."
Ah, realized not pure coincidence. Meeting them yes, but together? Planned same spot.
Right, rank exam trumps romance now. Theirs unrelated to me, but worried. Eunhee Sister was down about it last time.
"Got it... I'll go then."
Didn't want to hold—waved, turned opposite.
"Where?"
"Back to elementary."
"Oh... shortcut?"
Je-hyeon eyed surprised. I eyed him back same.
'Yeah... both elementary alums.'
"Yeah."
Obvious shortcut crossing grounds. Time to study. Acted oblivious, headed elementary.
Studied more than trained lately. Focused potions—new this year. All perfect scores so far though.
Scribble scribble, paused pencil, looked up. Concentration broke. Friends played Jenga while I studied.
Watched them focus, idly recalled Eunhee Sister's words.
Four confessions... Never confessed myself? Or have? Kinda, but not true love confession... lacking.
'Romance.'
Love...
Bittersweet now. Bad start, middle, end. Only sweet memories when together—whole of romance? Not sharing-worthy.
Thought, asked Minhee absently.
"Oh yeah, Minhee."
"Yeah?"
"Your brother seem down lately?"
"Nah. Why?"
Love drives people mad. Hard to control. Even multiple confessions—fresh rejection? Je-hyeon hurting... but hid from Minhee.
"Nah, just... looked tired last saw."
"When?"
"Just before. Passed by. With Seonghu Brother."
"Hmm, probably rank practice. Out late."
Worried look.
"Really? You okay alone?"
"Fine. Siha's next door! Staying there lately."
"Ah, right."
Relieved, back to study.
Second-sem exams early vs first sem—month till break post-exams.
Post-school exams, rank exam week away. Mom tensed, whispering for any score bump.
Teachers busy too—post-exams, we free. Class I mostly self-study pre/post. Teacher Min skipping this year, helping Jeong.
But rank exam not our immediate future. We chatted regrets/excites unlike adults.
"We'll be second-years soon—then... won't see Yujeong Sister or Inho Brother much. They go special classes third-year?"
Minhee mumbled glumly; Yujeong Sister nodded wistful smile.
"Yeah... really. Sad different classes, but... kinda exciting."
"Why? Why?"
"Teacher Jeong said kids who developed magic early like us might get personal lessons in third-year special classes? Excited."
Eyes wide. Hyunho nodded grinning.
"Wow, awesome."
"Yeah. Teachers are top grads matching us. Teacher Jeong said expect big things?"
"Wow!"
Minhee yelled excited; Hyunho asked Inho Brother thrilled.
"Hey, us third-year too?"
"Probably."
Grinned bright. Self-study tough. Mentors change everything. My magics all special—slow growth sans guide. Limits to self.
Jeong/Min helped, but limited. Level classes few/week, rotating seven. Learned detection, mental illusions, barriers, rune fusion—but lacking.
Great news. Shy me... burdensome new people... but magic passion wins. Thrilled alone.
"Still~ super bummed if you go. Any junior coming up?"
"Doubt. School starts dev fourth-year usually. Personal tutors middle after... group mostly."
"Makes this one special—subs all set."
Hansu pointed me; all nodded. I scratched head shyly. Yujeong Sister clapped, hands clasped, amazed at me.
"Eunha's unique. One amazing enough—hers all killer. Barrier coolest—dunno how."
"Yeah."
"But combat? No way her personality."
Hansu waved; nods. I agreed casual. Could use intrinsics combat—deadly lethal. But no intent.
"If I fought, they'd hit my counters. Mine defense-only. Non-element spells or true magic fine. Or runes recreate?"
"Gotcha."
Calmly thought pre-pick attack spells. Good control, high affinity many—I best match my affinities. Alternate light/dark? Practiced elements steady. Free after intrinsics—fun.
Main still intrinsics. But attacks? Elements better. Free use, mana attribute conversion—suits control me.
Blurted.
"Hope everyone aces rank exam."
"Yeah."
"Mm."
Agreed; thought Eunhee Sister especially.
Wanted school guard. Recalled her odd gloom, bright future smile.
Hope she hits B-rank. Then—flashback.
'When confess?'
'When proper B-rank.'
Tried ignoring—inescapable loop. Poor Je-hyeon... Minhee's brother, can't ignore.
Hope Eunhee best. Her wish—dating Seonghu ideal maybe. But friend-bro rejected? Bad... No guarantee Seonghu likes her...
Of three, root Eunhee. Oldest known, helped via Inha.
'Hope it works out whatever.'
Maybe gift? Owe her favors.
Pondered deeply.
========== Author's Note ==========
Thanks for comments: jmomomnim, syeexnim, Yamiyo-nim, Cyan Dust-nim, EOEW-nim, Elsukaynim, Silunesnim, bulebirdnim, Haneultongnim, Ardentina-nim, lRalalala-lnim!!
+Hello, Yamiyo-nim. Finally here. Yeah, always baffled by comment counts! So declare: max five per chapter! Don't feel bad. Many readers annoyed, sites restrict as manner violation. Short many over—better long~~ ones. Long fine, no complaints^^ Thanks always, sincerely!!!
++Old version blank, confusing with remake—deleted draft~~