Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: World
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It was Minhee who shouted. We were all startled, of course. It was the first time any of us had heard such a story. But even her little sister hadn’t known about it, which shocked me even more.
“Why?! How come? How did that happen?!”
Minhee’s face scrunched up in an instant. She looked somehow indignant. Eunhee Sister replied with a flustered expression.
“Huh? Well, it’s just something I heard, um, you know… I don’t know much about it. Apparently, it happened when they were still in elementary school, maybe third or fourth grade? I heard that a friend of Je-hyeon’s spread rumors about his skills. The kid got suspended for it, but by then, everyone already knew about Je-hyeon’s abilities. Then the kid’s mom stormed in, demanding why her child got suspended over something like that, but she didn’t even get her way and ended up transferring schools entirely. Pretty much expelled, you could say. I’m not sure why exactly—it happened before I got here, so I don’t know who it was. I heard it from Juyeon anyway. There are stories that it was out of jealousy, but anyway, it’s all just rumors, so I don’t really…”
Minhee listened to Eunhee Sister and fell silent with a bewildered look on her face. Then, with her brows furrowed deeply, she muttered.
“…I’m hearing this for the first time.”
“Huh? He didn’t say anything to you?”
“He just… told me to be really careful about talking about his skills. I had no idea something like that happened.”
Minhee fidgeted with her fingers, looking hesitant. She fell quiet for a moment. I was a bit taken aback, but somehow it made sense. Eunhee Sister seemed to think so too, as she patted Minhee’s shoulder.
“Well, it’s not a great story, so he probably didn’t want to bring it up on purpose. Yeah, I wouldn’t know what to say either.”
“Yeah… is that it…?”
“Yeah.”
Eunhee Sister nodded slowly. I accepted it inwardly but let my expression darken.
In any case, one thing was clear: Je-hyeon Brother had gone through something like that, and the one who spread the rumors was his friend. The suspension part meant Je-hyeon Brother had told him not to say anything. Even with his carefree personality, he must have at least said, “Don’t go blabbing to just anyone.” Or maybe the friend spread it without permission.
But for a friend to publicly expose Je-hyeon Brother’s skills like that—it was basically a betrayal. It definitely wasn’t the kind of thing you could casually share with a sibling or anyone else. It might still be a wound for him.
I held back a sigh that threatened to escape. Anyway, Je-hyeon Brother… he must have had it rough, from before his parents passed away even….
“Well, if you want to know, just ask him directly. It’s a bit bittersweet, but since you’re his sister, he might tell you…. Wait, no. Would that be awkward to ask? Did I mess up…? Hmm, okay! Minhee, don’t tell him I said anything! Got it? Promise!”
Eunhee Sister panicked and stuck out her pinky toward Minhee. Minhee stared blankly at her, tilting her head, then smiled and nodded.
“Yeah! Promise.”
As she turned away saying she had something urgent, that was definitely her running off. I watched her retreating figure with a troubled expression. I wasn’t sure if learning this was good or bad. From Je-hyeon Brother’s perspective, probably bad; from Minhee’s, maybe a relief….
Hmm…. As I turned to look at Minhee with those thoughts, she had a pensive expression. She stood there with her arms crossed, lost in thought, then turned to us after a moment.
“Hey… want to go check out the high school division?”
“Huh?”
“Is it because of what we just heard…?”
Sihwa asked cautiously, and Minhee nodded. Her friends looked fine with it.
“Sure, why not. We finished early anyway.”
Hansu agreed too. But amid the others, I crossed my arms with a slight frown. I hesitated a bit. It was Je-hyeon Brother’s personal history, which was one issue….
“But the other high schoolers are probably all studying right now. Only our grade finished early. Plus, high school has mobile classes, so we won’t know where they are, and they might even be out for practical training.”
It was true. The kids looked flustered, agreeing. But Minhee, unfazed, grabbed my arm and tugged, urging me on.
“It’s fine. We can just go in and look around. Come on? Just a quick peek. Please, Eunha~.”
I gave Minhee a headache-worthy look. Then everyone else looked at me with sparkling eyes. It felt weird, like looking at puppies waiting to be fed. …Would it be okay? I hesitated, then nodded. They’re siblings; they’ll handle it fine.
“Fine…. Let’s go, then.”
There was no rule saying elementary kids couldn’t enter the high school area. High schoolers visited the elementary side sometimes too. With my okay, Minhee and Hyunho cheered.
“Yesss!”
“Let’s go right now! Hurry!”
Inha, Sihwa, and Hansu followed them laughing. I sighed lightly and trailed behind.
Truth be told, I had other worries—like having to enter classrooms to search, and whether anyone would complain about us wandering. But Minhee visited the high school often, so if she said it was fine, it probably was.
We passed through the warp gate to the high school grounds. The gate to high school led to a park-like area at the entrance. We saw some upperclassmen wandering the park, not in class. They eyed us curiously—elementary kids strolling the high school park during class time. I felt embarrassed under their gazes.
“What are you kids doing here? Isn’t it class time?”
“Oh, no. We had something come up today, so we finished early. We just want to see my brother and head back.”
“Your brother?”
“You sure you can find your way?”
“Yeah! I’ve been here a few times, so it’s okay!”
“Good. Then you’re all set.”
Minhee spoke confidently to the upperclassmen. Well, yeah. She said we were going to high school, but really, she wanted to hear more from Je-hyeon Brother.
We followed Minhee through the park toward the school buildings. Several large structures connected together. Not many people near the buildings. Glancing through windows, most classrooms were empty.
“Where to first?”
“His classroom, maybe?”
I sighed faintly at that.
“That’s why I said it’d be hard to find him.”
“Heehee. It’s fine. I know the likely spots. And since we’re here, we can sightsee a bit.”
I sighed again at Minhee’s cheeky grin. The other friends seemed thrilled, sneaking quietly through the silent school.
We wandered the high school classrooms for a while. We checked Je-hyeon Brother’s homeroom, the rooms he used for mobile classes, even the gym. Even Minhee didn’t have his schedule memorized.
“High school schedules change a lot. Practical training takes priority when it’s on.”
─Hearing that, I pinched Minhee’s cheek hard.
We searched for a while but couldn’t find Je-hyeon Brother. Minhee plopped down by a flower bed, pouting sadly. Our legs ached from all the walking. I tapped the ground with my toe. I tried writing Je-hyeon Brother’s name on the map, but the spell fizzled. My mana still wasn’t enough to locate him.
“Ugh… It’s rare not to run into him like this.”
Hearing Minhee whine, I checked the time.
“Third period’s about to end soon. Let’s just head back today.”
“Aw…. But…”
Minhee looked reluctant but nodded after hesitating. The others did too.
“Well, we couldn’t find him, so no choice…”
“Huh? Minhee? And the others too. What are you all doing in high school?”
That’s when it happened. A familiar voice called out.
“……!”
The voice came from above. We all looked up at once.
At the same time, someone leaped down from above. Black hair with white tips fluttered. It was Inho Brother.
“And this early too… Oh, wait, I heard there was a commotion in elementary today… Is that why? Even so, why here?”
Oh, perfect. I smiled slightly at Inho Brother. Yeah, better than finding Je-hyeon Brother first. I should’ve looked for Inho Brother from the start. Thinking that, I whispered in Minhee’s ear as she stared blankly at him.
“Good timing. It’d be awkward to ask Je-hyeon Brother directly, so let’s ask Inho Brother instead. He’s been friends with Je-hyeon Brother since elementary, right?”
“Oh! OK!”
Minhee grinned triumphantly and approached Inho Brother. I watched her warmly from behind. Somehow, I felt like the mastermind. Heh, being the villain feels kinda nice~?
“Hey, Brother. We came because I have something to ask~.”
“Oh, yeah? What is it?”
“Today, our grade got called to the auditorium for breaking school rules and almost got suspended—it was no joke. So, I wanted to ask a bit about stuff like that.”
Minhee spoke indirectly, unlike herself. Simple reason: she didn’t want to upset him. That was enough.
Truthfully… it wasn’t a good story. I never could’ve asked. Minhee could because it’s her brother. And I was curious too, since even she didn’t know. After this incident, I truly felt the dangers of this world.
But at Minhee’s words, Inho Brother’s eyes narrowed.
“You heard? From who? Eunhee Senior? Juyeon Sister?”
“…We promised not to say!”
“Fine. Good. You’re at that curious age, so I’ll let it slide specially.”
Inho Brother patted Minhee’s head like he was being generous. I cautiously watched his expression. But Hansu bluntly said.
“So? Can you tell us? Or not?”
“Yeah. It’s fine. It’s not a bad story—has a lesson too.”
Inho Brother glanced around.
“But not great to talk here. Want to go somewhere quiet?”
We nodded. Inho Brother pondered briefly, then teleported us. I looked around curiously.
“Where’s…?”
It was unfamiliar. Floor cluttered with stuff, simple furniture, bed, desk—it looked like someone’s room. His, probably?
While I hesitated, the kids looked amazed. Minhee and Sihwa acted at ease. Minhee flopped onto the messy bed.
“Been a while since I came to Inho Brother’s room.”
I nodded, thinking “yep.” Hyunho looked around anew.
“So this is Inho Brother’s room.”
“I’ve been a few times.”
“Hmm. So this is the high school dorm…”
Hansu and Inha peered around excitedly. We’d live in dorms once we hit middle school—natural to be curious.
We looked around briefly, then sat politely—on the bed or floor. Minhee, Sihwa, Hyunho, and Hansu on the bed; Inha and I leaning against it on the floor. Inho Brother sat opposite, back against the wardrobe.
We watched him quietly. Inho Brother slowly spoke.
“So, that was around when we were in third grade elementary? Something like that.”
Third grade—one year ahead of us. Just one year difference…. I bit my lip. Unlike our tense faces, Inho Brother smiled relaxedly.
“Truth is, Je-hyeon didn’t really hide his skills. He’d answer friends casually if asked, succeeded in magic practice easily. But laziness, plus his blunt personality—only a few knew his real level.”
The story started smoothly.
“Now he’s surrounded by people, but back then, just me and Seojun? Oh, still friends with Seojun.”
“I’ve seen Seojun Brother too!”
Same age, name Seojun—probably the senior ranked 6th now. Minhee urged him on.
“So? What happened?”
“No, it’s really nothing big…. Don’t expect too much….”
Inho Brother smiled wryly, cleared his throat, then continued.
“And one more. A guy named Kim Hoon.”
“First time hearing that name…”
“Well, that incident ended the friendship. He transferred.”
I knew instantly. Anyone would. He was the cause of Je-hyeon Brother’s ‘commotion.’
“We’d been friends since first grade…. Kids that age are clueless. No tact, no deep thoughts… just chasing fun….”
Inho Brother looked down as he spoke.
“Truth is, me, Je-hyeon, Seojun—we’re all more talented than most. Elementary’s when talents start blooming one by one, or average kids awaken theirs.”
“…….”
“We showed talent sprouts early. He just entered the magic world young but was average. You know? People flock to similars. Opposites can bond too. But either way, equals who click become friends or lovers. We had something in common: ‘superior magic talent.’”
I pressed my lips tight. I knew that well.
Friendless me knows isolation well. Timid, insecure—I stopped caring when others mocked my worth laughing. My only pride: novels, writing.
I know the feeling of being sidelined. Nothingness. Clung to novels, my sole skill. It saved me. I still love them, forever. Just prioritizing magic now.
Outshone by like-minded, equally talented friends. I vaguely get his feelings. Inferiority anyone could guess.
Kids especially. Saw us as superior, resented devaluing himself. I schooled my expression.
I know I’m not that great—best myself. Writing talent honed from gift, my rare boast. But knowing I’m average… I’ve long sensed a gap widening someday.
My first friends. Don’t want to lose them. Walk together forever. But someday, positions differ. Me, maybe Sihwa too.
What then? Stay equals as friends? Maybe. Or admire from behind. Alienation, deprivation, loneliness… I’ve felt them often.
My heart sank. Avoided thinking till now. But kids grow, change. No eternal bonds. Fast starts, mature, smart, knowledgeable—useless someday.
Listening to Inho Brother felt like a verdict. I looked down.
“He… envied us with talent, felt inferior. Snapped one day. Don’t remember the fight reason…. ‘Yeah, you’re amazing! I’m not even fit to kiss your feet!’ Something like that. We talented ones’ll never grasp the talentless heart.”
Inho Brother’s eyes dropped, full of solitude, pain, bitterness. It hurt. I tightened my lips.
“Our rift grew… then soon, he spread it school-wide. In our fallout, jealousy or whatever—to erase those feelings…. Especially Je-hyeon’s skills, seen as most arrogant….”
The rest was predictable. Then suspension. Je-hyeon Brother’s skills went public.
“But what was Je-hyeon Brother’s level back then?”
“Je-hyeon being Je-hyeon… he’d already made his main magic.”
“Sub?”
“Not yet.”
“Hmm….”
Suddenly Hansu glanced at me. Hyunho and Minhee too. I flinched. Yeah, I made sub at this age. But do it when you can, or regret later. Twirling my hair, I thought that.
“But I don’t get it. Why envy a friend doing better? They’re friends. Yet get mad, expose to hurt him?”
“Hmm….”
Inho Brother smiled bitterly, patting Minhee’s head.
“You’ll understand when you’re older. Kid.”
“But I really don’t.”
My chest felt empty, but I turned away casually. Yeah, unequal bonds rarely last. Once unequal… they crumble.
Staring at the floor, I glanced at Sihwa. She tilted her head with round eyes. I smiled, nothing. She looked relieved.
“But what’s the lesson?”
Inho Brother smiled wryly at Hyunho.
“‘Choose friends wisely.’ Better with equals. Ah, not to discriminate—no. Just… hope your future friends click well.”
Best advice. I smiled warmly.
Ah! But as it wrapped nicely(?), Inho Brother added like he forgot.
“The real big deal was after. Others admired Je-hyeon… he hated the hassle. But rumors spread outside: ‘Daeyeon School elementary has an amazingly talented boy.’ Je-hyeon nearly got kidnapped!”
We gasped again.
“What?!!”
“Same as this incident…”
“Yeah? But different ending. They underestimated him as just elementary. Sent grunts; he caught them off-guard, took down an adult mage!”
“Wow!!”
“Whoa….”
We listened to the finale variously. Wow, same flow as our grade’s incident, but ending so different. Kids who barely resisted, drugged down—vs. Je-hyeon Brother downing his foe. Worlds apart.
Pitying the involved kids unconsciously, Inho Brother raised a finger.
“Final lesson: ‘School rules aren’t there for nothing.’ Got it? Don’t let your skills slip. No magic outside. You could really get kidnapped.”
We nodded seriously this time. I’d thought this special maybe. But Je-hyeon Brother’s near-identical ordeal… not just that boy special. We could face this till grown….
‘Gotta be careful.’
But attentive enough, preventable early. Less out-of-school in uniforms, only home from school, hide skills strictly—possible.
Now understood teachers’ warnings: stay in school as much as possible. Yeah, that’s why.
“Man… so much going on.”
Minhee murmured suddenly. Yeah, really. So much. I watched her mature eyes, silent.
Next day, we visited the almost-kidnapped kids in hospital. They were awake. Guardians said drug effects gone, but aftereffects possible in kids—so hospitalized till today. Fear lingered; faces dark.
I said nothing to them. Couldn’t. Never considered visits. Not close, barely knew. But seeing them cry at Minhee and Hyunho’s comfort tugged at me.
After, our grade buzzed awhile. For me, etched this world’s dangers deep. Parents worried lots too.
Deepened our bonds too.
“No matter how mad, never do that!”
“Friends forever?”
“Tch, with this guy?”
“Hmph….”
“Park Hansu!!”
“Got it, got it!”
Minhee and Hyunho pinky-swearing; Inha and Hansu glaring; Sihwa awkwardly mediating laughing. Seemed normal. I smiled wryly at their innocent backs.
We’ll change. But imagining drifting from these friends someday—unthinkable.
No eternal unchanged bonds. I know. Me, most swept by ex-friends’ whims. My sole believed eternal: one. I gripped Inha’s hand tight.
Even if talents unequal, hearts equal—I want to stand with you till the end.