Chapter 46
Chapter 46
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: 10. World
-----------------------------------------------------------------
They say everything is hardest at the beginning. Training was toughest when starting something new. But once the evasion motions became familiar and I added detection skills on top... one, two, three. From some point on, I caught up to the other kids' evasion stats in an instant. I'd been way behind, but I closed the gap in less than a week. It was what they call "getting the knack."
"But you were terrible at dodging at first. Kinda sluggish."
"I'm a bit... slow, yeah."
Just so you know, regardless of talent, I love sitting still and playing more than exercising—love it, even. I especially like stacking blocks, board games, Jenga. Why? Because I'm bad at them... haha. But my absolute favorites are reading books and writing novels. In my past life, I'd have spent 365 days × ∞ on writing. But now there's magic, so it's different. I sit and meditate, meditate some more, jot down ideas that pop up mid-meditation, then test them. That's my busy daily routine. Before I know it, a month flies by.
"Speaking of which, Jenga or assembly games are great for developing synesthesia. Block stacking too."
...That's why I've gotten back into blocks and Jenga lately. Playing with friends makes time fly—next thing you know, it's dark outside. Screaming, bursting into laughter, clapping hands. And if I can boost my synesthesia too, it's a steal. Synesthesia helps in every way, after all.
Anyway, a few months after starting evasion training, we cleared the basics. Next up: basic attack training. This one used the virtual system too.
"This is... a doll?"
I was first up for attack training. After the teacher's explanation, I stepped into the virtual area, and a human-shaped doll appeared before me. It had a target drawn on its stomach. Out of curiosity, I poked it with my finger. Soft and squishy, like it was stuffed with cotton.
"Right. Your goal is to hit that doll precisely. When the start signal sounds, time starts—based on one-second intervals. You get one minute at first. Land a 'hit' within that. But if it doesn't do real damage, it doesn't count. So within five minutes, land an effective strike on one doll and take it down for sure. Keep that up to clear a level. Of course, higher levels get more varied."
"Hmm, got it."
"Ready?"
I stepped back a few paces and glared at the doll ahead. My magic isn't offensive. So what should I use for an effective hit?
It's just a doll anyway... Maybe try "that" thing I've only thought about?
"Start!"
Beep. The signal sounded. I immediately focused on the doll. Horizontal, vertical—visualize the space, pick the spot. Then "manifest" there.
A sharp, elongated spike-like barrier pierced right through the doll's body as it manifested. Less than ten seconds so far. Right after casting, I caught my breath from the sudden mana drain.
"Ugh... Creating a barrier through something eats way more mana."
"Wow! Awesome! How'd you do that?"
"Huh? I just made it manifest passing through the doll's body..."
I looked up. The doll in place faded slowly away. Square blocks formed letters in front of me. Then, everything froze. I turned to the teachers. They stared back with serious expressions.
"...Eunha, you gonna use that in real combat?"
"No way."
"...Good. Practice it on your own time if you want, but here, only use attacks you'd use on real people."
"Yes."
Makes sense for attack training. I nodded. The paused system resumed. I tensed up, facing forward again. But the teachers kept watching me with stiff faces. It bugged me, but I focused ahead.
Next doll. Two this time. Still one-minute limit. Okay, easiest option: my most-used attribute magic? Hallucinations aren't strong enough to affect reality yet. Dolls have no mind anyway. My go-tos: darkness, light, lightning, ice—those four. I naturally cast the one most familiar. Darkness has best compatibility, but maybe because Inha uses light, light came to mind first for attacking.
I didn't move. Gathered light attribute in front of me and pierced the dolls straight through. Both charred and ignited instantly. Hitting stationary dolls wasn't hard. My light mana was silvery-white, unlike Inha's.
『Clear!』
『3 more to next level.』
After that, I kept using attribute magic on the dolls. Attribute magic... perfect for me. I clenched and unclenched my fist.
This world has many magic types. Broadly, unique magic and established magic. More precisely: unique, established, and "attribute magic."
Attribute magic differs completely from spell magic or true magic, both established types. It's more fundamental. "Attribute magic" means imbuing mana with attributes and controlling it—that's it. Spell and true magic refine attribute magic into techniques for nearly half their spells, hence "fundamental."
True and spell magic include more than just basic attributes. But they're unified by spells and truths into a "system." Basic magic theory covers this.
I'd mastered attribute magic up to advanced changes. Just imbue and control—most non-mages master it before adulthood, except non-mages. Few master all attributes. Most stick to compatible ones. Normally...
But I sync with every attribute... so I'd mastered them all.
Non-mages can use some spell/true magic because they're systematized. Unique and attribute magic need pure talent and capacity. So non-mages handle spells/truths but not attributes. Basic spells/truths are easier than attributes, honestly.
Key point: I'd succeeded with all attribute magic two years ago. Just never bothered using them. Fire, plant, earth took extra effort, but I could before enrolling.
Attribute magic has advanced forms: changing attributes further. Darkness to shadow, water to ice, earth to rock/sand... Practicing that. Water to ice or snow... tough.
So yeah, besides unique magic, I already had attack options. Just never thought to use them offensively. Evasion needs body movement, fine. But for stationary targets, plenty.
I cleared levels fast. 1, 2, 3... By 10, attack time was 30 seconds. Mana cost rose too.
I hit level 30. Mastered basic attacks in one day. Stationary dolls—no challenge. Teachers and friends were shocked.
"That without unique magic... at nine."
"Stationary target, sure... but that attribute mastery... Hmm. Eunha, your magic and body are too imbalanced."
Friends praised me—amazing, not bad. I blushed. Then Junhwi Teacher said:
"Eunha, skip ahead in evasion."
"Huh?"
"You need higher intensity. Basics banned magic for evasion, but next uses magic to block attacks. Defense to block, offense to counter. Doesn't matter. Just endure. You’re better at defense than evasion anyway, right?"
"Yes..."
One unique magic is barriers. To me, they're world-creating, but basically shields.
"Focus on evasion for now. From next level, dodge and block with magic, or counter. But only magic on unavoidable stuff. Otherwise, move your body. Build physical ability first. Evasion > attack for you now."
His urgent tone puzzled me, but I nodded. My magic shines in evasion/defense over attack. Even in combat, I'm into defense. Hallucinations too—mostly defensive ideas. Fights are about "mood." Hallucinations control that. Boost defense, weaken offense...
"Next, Minhee. You."
"Yes!"
While I pondered, next turn started.
Minhee was no slouch. Her magic's built for hits. Cleared basics faster than me. Lagged later, but still quicker overall.
Teachers just nodded, unlike with me. Same for Hansu, Inha. Hansu wobbled but mastered. Hyunho attacked gleefully.
"Next class: intermediate evasion and attack together. Beginner intermediates, anyway."
"Ugh, really?"
"Yeah. Beginner version. Virtual system's level-based. Yours is F-rank. You know what that means."
Ranks. We're doing non-mage level. Fits nine-year-olds.
I nodded, but Junhwi Teacher added, eyeing me:
"But Eunha focuses on evasion, starts intermediate 3. Like I said."
"Just Eunha?"
"Yeah. Just her. You focus attack."
Friends grumbled briefly, then nodded. I nodded seriously too.
We did more attack training, then class ended. We bowed to teachers and headed to classroom. School done—light mood.
"Oh yeah, we learned mana crystal making today, right?"
Huh? I turned to Minhee, intrigued.
"Yeah? Not our class yet."
"Eunha can already make them, so whatever?"
"Still, homemade vs. proper lesson's different."
"Is it?"
Minhee tilted her head, confused, then continued.
"So today, our class made mana crystals—only ours! We hid ours quick. Good, right?"
"Yeah...?"
I froze, unsure what to say. Kids hiding skills, asking if good—awkward. Unlike me, they succeed somewhat at magic, but kids gonna kid—less cautious. Over-talented normals suppressing themselves? Felt off.
I hesitated, then patted Minhee's head: good job. Inha and Hyunho begged too—aww, kids. I petted all. Hansu pretended not to want, but I teased his head anyway. He took it meekly.
Then I asked:
"So? How'd they turn out?"
"Here! Ta-da! Mine's big, right?"
Minhee pulled hers out. Big as claimed—500-won coin. Gold-green like her mana.
"Yeah, big."
"Pretty, right? Pretty!"
"Pretty. Can I touch?"
"Sure!"
She held it out. I slid my finger over. Big crystal felt different.
"Hey, mine's big too! Look!"
Hyunho showed his—same size.
Inha and Hansu followed. Inha's lemon-gold, Hansu's maroon. I smiled at them in my palms.
"Wow, pretty."
"But honestly, Eunha's weirder. When Inha showed, yours glows pure white in light? Wanna see your big one."
"Hmm... Want it? I'll make one at home tomorrow."
"Really?! Okay?"
"Yeah. Fine."
I nodded casually. Kids beamed.
"Yay!"
"Wow!"
Inha bragged suddenly:
"I get first look at home."
"No fair~."
"Wanna brag that bad?"
"Hmph."
"Well, Inha likes Eunha tons."
Minhee poked pouty Inha; Hansu frowned at her. I smiled at bickering pair. Random thought: they bicker now, date later? You know, bickering couples. Hate turns to love.
Nah, just cute kids now. I chuckled at silly idea.
Making big crystal? Good idea. Been ages; never made big ones. Usually bored-size glass beads...
'Sounds fun.'
Might as well fun shape? Thinking that, we reached classroom. Parted with friends, pondered shapes entering. Fairness—show Inha tomorrow too.
But kids chatted at homeroom, decided to come over today. Hansu mad at Inha's brag, fight escalated—group visit to watch me make one. What? I eyed Inha and Hansu awkwardly.
"You guys..."
Hansu pointed at Inha, grimacing.
"But she started it!"
"...Hmph. Just stated facts."
"So same conditions!!"
"Don't butt in me and Eunha."
"No way?!!"
I stopped growling duo lunging. They bicker often, but this real fight.
"Both, stop. No fighting."
"What's sharing one crystal?!!"
"If you didn't say 'only you? Annoying,' I wouldn't snap."
"If you didn't gloat 'I see first. You later,' I wouldn't say that."
"You...!"
"You...!!"
Ugh... kids, total childish. And look-alikes. Like saying similar people clash. Yep. I yelled, eyes wide:
"Stop!! Enough!!"
I shouted; watching friends backed off. Fighters flinched, froze.
"I said no fighting? All together and you fight?"
"But..."
They glared. I sighed at pair.
"No crystal then."
Cause obvious: my crystal. I snapped before it worsened. Fighters—even others—whipped around, panicked.
"W-Why?"
I glared at Inha.
"You're fighting over it. So no. No need now anyway. Show tiny one in class later."
"Uh..."
"No way..."
Minhee, Hyunho, Siha looked crushed. Inha and Hansu panicked, approached. Inha wilted:
"E-Eunha..."
"...What?"
"Mad?"
I sighed again.
"Why'd I be mad? Hate seeing you fight."
"That's mad—Ow...!"
Hansu's blunt words—Inha, Minhee, Hyunho poked him silent. I glared sharply. He winced.
"Seriously... Friends fight sometimes, like me and you before. But constant petty fights? Can't handle. Joking's fine, but real fights hurt us too. Like before."
"Before"—Inha flinched, head down.
"Hey, old stuff..."
Again! No tact! I grabbed Hansu's cheek, yanking.
"You~ need more consideration for girls~ no good deeds, so behave!"
"Ow?!!"
"Supposed to hurt! And grow some tact, dummy!"
They fight often—nothing big. Reconciled quick, latest next day. Back to bickering. So I usually watch fondly. But not always.
I released cheek.
"I know fighting shows closeness."
"Close my—!"
"No way...!"
"But moderate. Okay? Especially for group fun."
Tsunderes. Happens often—advising now.
They peeked, turned away, deflated:
""Got it...""
Faces red—embarrassed. Good. I smiled lightly. Minhee and Hyunho clapped behind.
"Wow! Eunha rocks!"
"Obviously. Inha likes Eunha lots, but Hansu too..."
"Argh! Hyunho, shut up!"
"Ehh~ key part..."
"Quiet or your vase yesterday..."
"Shutting up!!"
Huh? Shady deal passed... Eyed Hyunho, ignored. He'll get caught—can't hide evidence.
"So, make crystal now?"
"Yeah. Fun shapes since doing it."
"Cool. Wish I could soon..."
Siha amazed but wistful. As I pondered reply, Minhee yanked my arm.
"To Eunha's house—go go!!"
I glanced at smiling Siha, turned. Nodded with still-pouty pair.
"Yeah, let's go!"
We teleported home with badges.