Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Everyday Life and Change
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Kang Inha paused in her studying and gazed out the window. It was spell magic class, but that hardly mattered to her anymore. Most of the magic they were learning now was already within her grasp anyway. Plus, it was practice time, so the room was noisy enough that one more person spacing out wouldn't draw much attention.
Kang Inha stared quietly out the window. Down on the playground below, she could see kids in gym clothes playing dodgeball. Yoo Eunha was among them. Like the others, Eunha had her hair tied back simply in a single ponytail, her gym clothes on.
As Kang Inha kept staring out the window, Kim Hyunho poked her arm with his finger from the side.
"What're you looking at?"
"Down there, it's Eunha."
"Whoa, it really is."
The two of them had more mana than their peers, which meant their physical abilities were superior too. Following Kang Inha's lead, Kim Hyunho spotted Yoo Eunha easily. She had just gotten hit by the dodgeball.
"Ah... Eunha's not great at sports."
"That's not true. She's average. With practice, she picks up sports quick."
"Then why'd she get hit by such an easy ball?"
"Probably just doesn't wanna play dodgeball."
Kang Inha knew Yoo Eunha well. When it came to magic, she was diligent and enthusiastic to a fault, but anything uninteresting was too bothersome to even attempt. Outside of magic studies, she found regular studying annoying, and sometimes even moving around was too much effort. On the flip side, she poured endless effort into things that caught her interest. Extreme personality.
"She's got such a weird personality."
"Eunha, throw it! I said throw!"
As they watched out the window, Park Hansu and Joo Minhee soon noticed and joined in. The four whispered to each other while watching the lazy Eunha play dodgeball. The only one ignoring the window and diligently practicing magic was Siha.
One person might've gone unnoticed, but with four of them—and all such standout kids—they inevitably got caught whispering and spacing out by the teacher.
"How can you space out during class? Talking's for break time. Kang Inha, cast the spell you were practicing."
Kang Inha cast it without hesitation. A spell of flawless perfection unfolded over her hand—impossible to believe it came from a child. The kids were different from Eunha. They didn't think skill gaps showed in basic spells like this.
The teacher looked surprised but lectured once more.
"Still, no spacing out in class. Magic isn't everything."
The kids nodded for now. They were definitely at fault for spacing out. But if asked if they'd do it again? Probably.
After that, the playground kids sat resting too, so the four could focus on class without much distraction.
This period ended lunch time. Right after class, the kids bolted excitedly to the next class over. Lunch was their favorite time. The food was great, and classes ended after, but mainly because even after classes split, they still ate with Yoo Eunha. Even Hansu, with his prickly expression, looked forward to it every time.
The kids waited by the door of the next class for Eunha to return. Soon, she climbed the stairs back to her classroom.
"Eunha!"
"Hey, guys."
Yoo Eunha, walking the hall stoically, softened into a smile at the sight of them. Joo Minhee and Kang Inha latched onto her sides like clingy kids.
"Hurry up! Come on!"
Unable to resist Joo Minhee's whining, Eunha followed the group. They ate lunch happily, chatted a bit, then headed back to class. As they parted from Eunha and approached their door, they suddenly noticed someone glaring at her. Kang Inha spotted the girl's face first.
"...That's the girl who picked a fight with Eunha last time."
Park Hansu scowled. Joo Minhee said flatly,
"She's the leader type among the girls in the next class. Kang Yesl. Best at magic besides us."
"Oh yeah, she was friends with you, right Minhee?"
At Yoon Siha's question, Joo Minhee shook her head with a smile.
"Not really friends. Just acquaintances?"
"Hmm."
Kang Inha opened the classroom door with a cold expression. The noisy kids turned to look, then shrank back upon meeting her gaze.
Kang Inha strode to her seat, ignoring the stares. The clamor died instantly, then picked up again once they were seated.
Yoon Siha glanced around cautiously to confirm, then sat and spoke softly to the others.
"But... you know? Eunha kinda... gets badmouthed by the other kids."
"...What?"
The others frowned. Yoon Siha sighed and continued.
"I overheard some kids from her class last time. Calling her gloomy, ignoring people, can't do magic..."
The four kids' faces soured instantly. Joo Minhee propped her chin on her desk, muttering irritably.
"Yeah, some kids say that. 'Cause Eunha looks kinda fierce when she's just sitting there. Some call it glaring, or say she's quiet and gloomy and annoying... But Eunha's so kind, it pisses me off. I tell 'em she's not like that at all..."
Joo Minhee grumbled. Park Hansu didn't outright deny it, slouching delinquently.
"True, when she's around kids she doesn't know, her blank face does make her look like a doll."
Kang Inha shot him a glare right after.
"You trash-talking Eunha?"
"Just stating facts. She smiles fine with us. If she did with everyone, she'd be popular..."
"Don't want that."
Park Hansu grimaced at Kang Inha's firm reply. She got possessive only about Eunha.
"Her smiles are too precious for just anyone. You know how long it took me to see one?"
She couldn't recall exactly now. Kang Inha interlaced her fingers and rested her chin. The kids' eyes turned to her with interest—their old story drawing curiosity.
"Oh right, when we first met Eunha, she was cold and quiet with us too? Even with you?"
"Yeah. Don't remember well, but... yeah, at first I thought she was just shy, didn't wanna get close. But she's mature despite seeming shy. That quietness... kinda liked it. Better than other kids."
Kang Inha met Yoo Eunha around age six. Fragmented memories surfaced: Eunha sitting on the floor, quietly watching her. And that first smile. She didn't remember why, but it flipped her view completely.
"She's my mom's friend's daughter, so shouldn't ignore her. That was it? Then one day, she smiled. Big. Really big. So pretty. That's when I really wanted to be friends."
Kang Inha still couldn't describe that moment. Like a bud bursting into full bloom. Park Hansu gave her a serious look.
"Bragging?"
"Yeah, bragging."
Ugh, whatever. Park Hansu scowled. Kang Inha stayed composed. The others ignored their bickering—it was routine.
"But like Hansu said... one smile to others would change her image big time."
Kim Hyunho and Yoon Siha nodded at Joo Minhee's mutter. Eunha's gap between smiling and not was huge. Joo Minhee pondered, then stood abruptly, frustrated.
"Ugh... so annoying, wanna eat something! Guys, lunch break's not over—let's hit the snack shop!"
"Huh?"
"Yeah, good idea."
They all agreed and stood, following Joo Minhee out. Then, they overheard:
"Hey, isn't Eunha super gloomy?"
"Yeah. Yesl says she's got a bad personality. Acts friendly with the guy she likes."
"What? But Yesl liked him first? So sneaky."
"Right?"
What nonsense? Kang Inha's already cold expression chilled further. Joo Minhee gritted her teeth. But Park Hansu stepped up.
"Hey."
Park Hansu was popular with girls, but his fierce scowl scared most. He glared at them, face twisted. The girls startled, looking at him.
"Huh? Wh-what...?"
"Yoo Eunha's not like that. Don't badmouth my friend. Or else!"
"Don't scare us!"
Joo Minhee crossed her arms in an X.
"Eunha's my friend. She's not like that. Super nice."
"Uh, r-really?"
"Yeah. Nice. Got it?"
"Uh... got it."
The girls fled into their classroom—Class 2-2, Eunha's. Joo Minhee's smile hardened coldly.
"Hate that. Feels off."
"Yeah."
Kim Hyunho nodded, scowling. The others glared at the "2-2" sign too.
Gave a bad feeling.
Nothing much happened for a while after. The class leader-ish girl—Yesl?—still had her clique attitude. Maybe worse? But not enough to worry much.
Meanwhile, my magic kept growing. Illusions now affected the brain about 20% of the time. Spell magic's range expanded; barriers... barrier magic had grown a lot since last year. I could maintain them longer and expand to fill a room. Now practicing infusing attributes into barriers.
The passage, once pinprick-sized, was now bead-sized. Honestly, extending distance was harder than size. Still maxed at about 10cm. Teacher said that's impressive.
Not just me. Hansu went from plant traces/seeds to full trees, now grew living trees with magic. Minhee started infusing bullets with magic. Hyunho and Inha grew too, obviously. Can't say exactly except Inha, who's always around.
Inha grew tons. Her light pierced boards easily, scorching around the hole—hot stuff. Lightning sub-magic still weak, but synced with light, it looked powerhouse.
Then Jeong Junhwi Teacher and Yoo Min Teacher announced magic combat training start.
"You've built basic stamina faster than expected, mastered new meditation. Your magic's gaining offensive edge. Learning combat early won't hurt."
"Yes!"
Minhee and Hyunho replied loud and eager. Me, Inha, Hansu gave suitable replies. I raised my hand cautiously.
"Um, Teacher. Others aside... doesn't my magic lack offense? Martial training fine, but combat seems unfit..."
"You're influencing brains with illusions. Noticeably. Sufficient."
"Hmm..."
"But true, none of yours are offensive. Illusions don't seem attack-made."
I nodded meekly. Fact.
"But every non-combat mage faces combat someday. Inevitable in mage world. Start learning offensive magic gradually. Unique, attribute, spell, true—whatever, master offensive fitting you. You've skipped offensive studies?"
I nodded. I'd eyed attributes/spells more for offense, but just interest. Honestly, no thrill in attack magic. Hurting others repelled me; using magic to attack felt horrific.
Magic I'd studied: attributes or practical support. Attributes for interest, not attack. Spells/trues focused on barriers/space/illusions. Trues mostly characters. Started proper spell/true this year—basics only.
"Your barrier defense is excellent. But learn attack magic for combat. For surviving as mage."
I'd chosen mage life. So must prepare for real fights. I nodded firmly to Jeong Junhwi Teacher.
"And first isn't attacking. It's dodging."
"Yes...?"
"Virtual mode, on."
Scenery shifted instantly.
A round machine floated ahead, like a surveillance camera. Light beamed, distorting surroundings into a forest clearing. I clenched my fist, oddly tense.
Virtual reality, simulated space. I panicked; Inha and Hansu blasé; Minhee and Hyunho amazed, looking around. Jeong Junhwi Teacher faced us seriously.
"Got it? Combat starts with dodging. Protect self before attacking. Eunha's magic efficient there."
"Heh, cool."
"Exactly. Attacks miss anyway; fail to dodge, you don't survive. Unless you enjoy pain."
Masochist. I thought idly at Min Teacher's words, scanning tensely. Jeong Junhwi spoke again.
"So, train dodging magic. One at a time; others watch. Study friends' dodges. Block with magic ok, but don't just shield overall. Start easiest Level 1. Take seriously."
"Yes!!"
Even Inha and Hansu replied earnestly. First real combat training—parents withheld for danger.
"Order... rock-paper-scissors? Or draw?"
"Draw? How?"
"System shuffles."
He tapped the glowing projector-camera. Connected to a laptop by wire. Ah.
"That!"
"Sure."
Better than RPS. All agreed; he typed on laptop. Balls with names shuffled in virtual jar. First out: Inha.
"Whoa! Inha!"
"Do your best!!"
We cheered, stepping back at his gesture. Inha walked forward per instructions, glancing at me. I mouthed 'good luck' smiling. She smiled happily, getting it.
"First dodge for newbie: few tips. Figure dodging yourself. Attacks start frontal. Don't close eyes scared. 'Watch' till end. See, dodge. Dodge basics."
Before proper start, Jeong Junhwi gave basic dodge tips. Few, very basic.
"Side/back attacks... sense with 'feel'. See if visible; else sense danger. Takes practice. Key: 'watch' till end. Remember."
I frowned slightly. Watch and dodge... not confident.
Dodging ok. But 'watch' till end. Humans blink shut eyes instinctively near danger. Me too. Habit near instinct. Holding eyes open tough from start. Rather...
I blinked, recalling high schoolers' spar: devouring dark/wind mana. I'd sensed it bodily.
Yeah, sensing to dodge suits me better. Though untested.
'Magic Dodge Training' was pure dodging. Focus. Slow speed, long intervals. Dodge first solid, Level 1 starts. Initial: plain light mana bolt. Higher levels: faster, stronger, attributes, angles vary.
Inha had good reflexes, eyesight, physique. Adapted quick. Dodged frontal bolts easily.
"Heh, talented."
Level 2, 3. Min Teacher said lowest beginner system. Felt manageable.
"Awesome, Inha!"
Inha out at 12. Next: Hyunho.
"Yes!"
Hyunho solid physically. Wait... Minhee, Hansu all superior to peers; only I lag. Mine average.
'Well, I'm average naturally.'
Among all-non-average friends, inferiority creeps. Here, feel like early start, but talent average... True geniuses: them. Me: average.
Mind unsettled. Siha probably feels this. With us always, but magic lags ours. Good vs peers/school 1st-years. But lifelong with Minhee, surely sensed exclusion in skill/talent...
I quieted my gaze.
Hyunho finished: Level 8.
"Eunha. Your turn!"
"...Yes!"
I snapped from thoughts, entering training area.
Third: me. Tense for first dodge, faced front. Dodge initial bolt first. But sensed before visible. Came straight, dodged easy.
"......!"
Whoa, scary. Seeing vs facing different. Dodged head—bolt whizzed by. Bit lip.
Text appeared:
『Magic Dodge Training─Beginner
LEVEL01』
Bolt shot front. Wait—this way? Hit= sound. Five= out. First failed—brushed, sounded. No pain.
"Ah—."
"She sucks at this."
"Eunha, you got this!"
Tch, heard Hansu, clicked tongue. Not hopeless—just y'all good?
No time protest—bolt incoming. Instinctively shut eyes. But sensed clear, ducked blind.
"Don't close eyes."
"But dodged."
True. I pouted, opened eyes, straightened. Next bolt sensed—stepped side generously. Huh. Three more frontal.
"Haa..."
Front-only awhile: relief. Deep breath. My dynamic vision good—mana sense gift probably. Physique weak. Despite early training, matched late-starters. Reflexes meh. Unlike others, must think to move. Stared front.
Dodged, dodged. Not fast; sensed nearby mana clear—easy. Eyes wide, senses sharp. As thought: sense to dodge best.
But over-focused sense, missed sight—sidestepped, tripped.
"Wah!"
"Eunha!? Ok!?"
"Yeah... fine."
Answered Inha fine, blushed. Embarrassing. Head down like burying face, laughing voice above.
"Ah, fine. Everyone trips first time. Untripped ones weird."
"R-really?"
Right? They weird?
Min Teacher's words encouraged. Relieved, I stood from grass. Then sensed side—reflex ducked.
"Hm...? Oh, that's Level 4. How'd you see?"
Min Teacher mildly surprised. Damn, now sides? Lamented.
"No, just... felt..."
"Oh right, forgot. You're mana-sensitive."
"Total defense type."
"Yeah. Strong defense, dodge talent. Perfect defender."
I stood puzzled. Min Teacher smiled, advised.
"You sense mana well—use with watching. Always watch mana visually. Your sense is 'sight'? Read flow. Master dodge moves, you'll ace quick. Got it?"
Exactly my thought. Nodded small. Yes.
Hit three times so far. Level 4: ate last two. Out fastest, passed baton to next—Minhee.
"Ah, sudden moves hurt. Shoulders ache."
"You grandpa?"
Laughed at Hansu's deadpan. Inha snapped.
"What's wrong with our Eunha!"
"To you, she shines whatever! Training just started—practice ahead. Teacher said you talented."
"True... gotta work hard."
"Yeah! Eunha strongest magic among us anyway."
Smiled thanks at Hyunho's cheer. Watched Minhee's turn.
Focused hard. Average reflexes: watch, think, practice more. Home too. Borrow Inha's basement. Train together—she'll agree. Ah, tell others training home— no anger.
Minhee's dodge stunned. Felt pro from start? Sustained: cleared Level 22 first try. Top record. Even casual watchers glued. Hansu praised, shocked.
"Whoa, Minhee, not bad?"
"Heh heh. Kinda."
"Always like this on praise."
"Good job, Minhee."
"Thanks!"
Inha and I petted her. Girls bond.
"Now me?"
Last: Hansu. Me, Minhee, Hyunho watched expectantly. Inha blasé but eyes fixed.
Hmm, Hansu... average? Cleared 1-2 easy like others. Dodged steadily—balanced, stable unlike bouncy Minhee.
"Good..."
"Yeah."
Inha nodded grudgingly. Hansu hit 15—second highest. Inha pouted.
"Next time, I'll win."
"Hmph. Try."
Sparks crackled. About to date. Haha.
"Dodge training awhile. Unique magic: self-schedule. Level classes: dodge first, then combat. Don't slack unique. Got it?"
Raised hands, sincere.
"Yes!!"
We dove into new training hot. Sports day passed; midterms neared.
Post-1st semester exams, week to summer break. Read textbook happily. Good—study hard, not 1st like last year but good grades. Secret scores let confidence. Normally Minhee tops written—but slips oddly, no study interest...
"Hey, look. Studying hard 'cause exams."
"Duh, idiot. Practical'll tank—gotta cram theory."
"Oh, right?"
Ignored sneers naturally. Summer scores thrilled. Blossomed early, catching geniuses briefly; others not yet. Practical whatever—I'd hit top 10 schoolwide. Only us five bloomed properly in year.
Sneers? Whatever. Alone maybe different. But friends—no fear.
Ignore, I thought. Lasted to next day.
========== Author's Note ==========
Thanks for comments: Selunielnim, Beautifulreasonim, Shyexnim, lRarallalaI, Baekwolheukrangnim, Napershanim, Bulebirdnim, Mintgreennim, Undeadimnida, EOEWnim, Yamiyo nim, Why1013nim, Ardentina nim, Elskai nim, eDestnim, Ryusu(流水)nim, Haneultongnim!!
+Name pun:...........................(silence)(distant mountain)
+Please refrain from pun-related comments! I'll be careful too ㅠㅠㅠㅠ