Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: 11. Teacher and Child
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We rushed to the next class right after our lesson ended. Even if it hadn't been about Teacher Min, it was already a given that we'd all gather once classes were over. After all, we'd each gotten new personal teachers this time around. Naturally, we had plenty to talk about and sought each other out.
For the record, "rushed" just meant we headed out quickly. Class 2 hadn't finished their end-of-day homeroom yet. We stood quietly in front of their door, waiting for Hansu and Minhee to wrap up, when Class 1 finished first. Kids poured out from the side, Siha among them. She glanced back at us and said,
"You're talking about the leveled classes today, right? I'll head out first."
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
"See you tomorrow!"
Personal teacher talk was a bit awkward around Siha. She gave a faint smile as she passed us. Soon after, Class 2 ended too. Kids streamed out of the room.
"...! Ah...!"
"Oh! You were waiting!"
The two emerged with urgent expressions, then froze. Minhee beamed and hurried over to us.
"Let's go somewhere quick—anywhere! I have so much I want to talk about!"
"Yeah... We've got good news too."
"Good news?"
We exchanged meaningful smirks with Hyunho toward Minhee's curious face. Inha gave a slight nod, her cool expression unchanging.
──And a moment later.
"What?!!!"
As expected, our friends' faces filled with shock as they grilled Hyunho.
"Hyunho's teacher is Teacher Yoo Min?!!"
"Is that for real?!"
Hansu and Minhee's eyes went wide. Hyunho grinned broadly and nodded.
"Yep, totally real! Teacher Yoo Min's my assigned one, right?"
"...So that means she's A-rank. No wonder......"
Hansu nodded in realization, and I nodded too. Teacher Min had an air about her that set her apart from the start. Beyond that, I'd been convinced she was at least B-rank. The way Teacher Jeong Junhwi treated her... In their conversations, it subtly came through that Teacher Min outranked him. Now that her strength was confirmed, it felt like "of course."
"Anyway, how were everyone's teachers? Inha and I already talked."
"Oh, I was so shocked about Teacher Min that I didn't hear about Inha's or Eunha's."
Hyunho looked like he'd just realized. Oh, right—we'd been so focused on Teacher Min that we hadn't told Hyunho about ours either. Then Minhee shot her hand up.
"I'll go first then! And who's next to me?"
She pointed to her right. That order would be Minhee, Inha, me, Hyunho, Hansu. We nodded.
"Sure, let's do that."
The speaking order was set in a flash. Minhee paused briefly before speaking.
"The teacher I met is Lee Baekhan. He kinda looked like a scientist."
"A scientist?"
"Yeah. He had these super annoyed-looking eyes, wore glasses, and had on a white coat like scientists or doctors wear. But from his questions, he seemed really smart."
"Any idea what kind of magic he uses?"
"Nope──. Time ran out during the survey."
"I see."
First day, so that makes sense. Survey, huh? Sounds like a personality test. Those can be fun. But the survey itself isn't that novel. More like a standard way to gauge traits? A lazy scientist and Minhee... Doesn't seem like an obvious match at first.
Next was Inha's turn. She spoke in her usual curt tone.
"My teacher was a cold-looking, stoic guy. Male. He used fire magic... but the flame color was dark."
"Dark?"
Oh, Inha saw some magic. Hansu smiled at her with rare interest. Inha flinched slightly but nodded.
"Yeah. Not pitch black, but like dark red with something black flickering around it...? Felt really dangerous."
"Hmm......"
Then it was my turn. I recalled the woman I'd met just hours ago. Long brown hair, feminine pink dress, an oddly archaic and elegant way of speaking.
"My assigned teacher was incredibly graceful. Long brown hair, wearing a beautiful pink dress loaded with lace like something for a party. Her movements and gestures were so refined, her gaze haughty. Her speech was archaic, noble-like, ladylike? But... despite that vibe, she uses 'game magic.'"
"Game magic?"
Hyunho and Hansu perked up at that. Minhee too. Kids this age all light up at "game," huh~. Hansu asked, puzzled.
"Game magic... You mean like leveling up and stuff...?"
"No. Her game magic is about 'managing' games."
"Managing games? So it only works on games?"
"Nope. Like this: She creates a game domain in the real world. That area becomes a game world she rules. She's the admin and god. Anything goes her way."
"Hmm......"
"That's super unique?"
"Never heard of magic like that."
After a few questions, Hansu nodded like he got it. Minhee and Hyunho looked amazed. Inha nodded with interest. I smiled softly at my friends.
My magic's ultimate goal is something like that, but they don't know yet. It's beyond what I can do now, so aside from Inha, I haven't told them.
We moved to Hyunho next. We already knew his teacher, but we were dying to hear his side. Minhee leaned in with sparkling eyes.
"So, Hyunho, what exactly happened?"
"Just... I teleported, and there she was. I ran over like 'it's been ages!' and she said she's my assigned teacher, smiling. I was so shocked I don't even remember what I said. She stroked my hair while I was tearing up......"
Hyunho ran a hand through his short hair as he spoke. It's a buzz cut, fun to touch 'cause it's prickly. But I stopped smiling mid-laugh at what came next, eyes widening again.
"That's when I first learned Teacher Min's magic."
That was new to us too. What? What?! Minhee clung to him, super eager. The teachers had only taught us magic, no demos of their own. So we'd been clueless about both. Kinda embarrassing.
"It's iron sand magic. Controls iron filings or whatever. Usually coats it in ice."
I flinched. Instinctively, it felt insanely dangerous. I scratched my head.
"I jumped straight into training with her. Continued from before a bit, then talked tons about sub-magic. Haven't decided yet, though."
"Got it."
We nodded. That wrapped Hyunho's story.
Next up was Hansu. He spoke last.
"Mine's a woman like yours, Eunha. Gave off total 'teacher' vibes? Wore a suit. And... carried one of those teacher sticks. Used magic with it."
A wand? Whoa, classic Western style. I widened my eyes. Hansu didn't know the name, just gestured its length and shape. But a stick teachers carry...
"You mean a 'pointer'?"
"Dunno the name. Something like that."
"Mages using tools... Plenty of those."
Inha muttered flatly. Yeah, true. Hansu nodded the same. These two really match sometimes. I glanced between their opposite-facing faces and chuckled.
"Short hair... That's about it?"
"What'd you learn today?"
"Nah. Just grilled me on magic stuff."
"Same here."
We nodded at Minhee and Hansu's words. Seems everyone but Hyunho just did that today. Hyunho grinned smugly, proud to be ahead.
"Heh heh. I trained today. Was agonizing over sub-magic."
Ugh, show-off! Minhee playfully smacked his head, then crossed her arms.
"But yeah. Sub-magic. Ugh, I gotta decide mine too."
"Inha and Eunha already made theirs."
I laughed at Minhee and Hyunho, then Hansu muttered quietly.
"...I decided mine."
We whipped around in shock at the news.
"What?!"
"You did?!!"
Inha's eyes widened from her seat. Minhee and I lunged right up to him. Hansu flushed, flustered, and nodded.
"Y-yeah...... Decided. Kinda roughly, details not set... Been thinking with Mom and Dad. Still mulling it over before making it. Haven't fully committed long. That's why the club activity."
Whoa...... Didn't expect him to be that far without us knowing. I covered my mouth in awe and asked,
"Related to club? So, plants again? Like wanting to make your own plant?"
Nailed it. Hansu averted his eyes, blushing, and nodded. So cute when caught. Wow, his main is wood. Sub plant-related too...... Sounds worth seeing. I crossed my arms and nodded.
"Magic plants. Cool idea."
"Gotta grow something myself first...... Right?"
"Club choice seems perfect then."
I clapped, hands together, grinning at him. Friends looked impressed.
"Well...... We've grown some magic plants at home...... Wood was gonna be that too...... Not just attacking with trees, but grow magic plants to attack—stronger, right? Plants useful for more than that."
"Yeah. Totally."
Magic plants lean toward unique traits over aggression. Some even heal people. Fits Hansu's prickly exterior but deep kindness. I blushed a bit, excited.
"Good luck with sub-magic."
I cheered him sincerely. Hansu looked shy again. Really wanna see it. Inha hesitated, then said,
"...Curious, so show it when done."
Hansu smirked.
"Thanks. Will do."
Minhee leaned back on the sofa, sighing at him.
"Sigh, what about me? Stuck on growing my main magic."
Minhee sighed. Fellow worrier Hyunho comforted her.
"It's fine. That's what teachers are for. Something amazing'll hit soon!"
"Right? Yeah? Ugh, magic—didn't worry at first, but using it nonstop, now it's tough."
Totally. They probably made theirs on kid-like instinct. Me? Planned growth direction from the start, haven't caught up yet, so no worries. Just grow. Right around now, they'd hit dilemma phase. My lead probably from that gap......
But friends? They'll blast past. Talent brings luck and smarts; they'll find their path quick.
I blinked, taking in everyone's mana colors. Won't be long. I'm barely ahead now, but they won't stay kids. They'll discover magic's possibilities. Their talents. More desperately, surely, overflowing with their gifts.
Born smarter, better than me. I'm not smart—just more adult thinking. I know that best. Kinda... regrettable.
"It's fine. It'll work out."
I stroked Minhee's head, just smiling.
Classes piled on new knowledge yearly. Especially detailed theory—I knew little. Kids call me smart, but I'm hands-on type. Not theory-focused. Intellectually, Minhee and Inha top us. Minhee near-perfect memory; Inha... superhuman in waiting.
Magic theory started with unique magic; practice with attribute magic. Spell magic touched last year; true magic too advanced for kids, so attributes first.
First proper attribute lesson. I'd mastered all but advanced ones, but Inha and Hyunho hadn't. They handle their best-match ones, sure. Just one or two.
Attribute magic relies purely on imagination and skill—most divisive. Understanding less key than feel. Some say harder than spell/unique/true; others easiest. Me? Tough at first, now easier than others.
Before full lessons, we checked affinities. Detailed gem plate vs. prior 1-2nd year four basics (water/fire/wind/earth). Like my first childhood one. Same attributes: darkness, light, water, fire, wind, earth, metal, lightning, mental, special—11 total.
"Okay, infuse mana into the gem plate now. Goal: By semester end, use your top attribute magic besides mental/special. Bonus if two+. Attribute use is semester exam."
"Eh?"
"Aw~~."
Amid groans, we infused. Expected results.
Darkness10 Light9 Water9 Fire6 Wind8 Earth5 Plant4 Metal9 Lightning8 Special10 Mental10.
Numbers I'd never show outsiders. I cut mana quick. Plate cleared. I turned to Inha over myself.
Hers showed: Light10 Fire8 Lightning10 Earth3 Wind5 Mental7. Others none.
Glanced at Hyunho last. My eyesight's freakishly sharp lately—mana focus? First real look at his.
His: Light8 Water10 Wind7 Plant5 Lightning1 Special5. Heavily water-tilted. Explains his water magic.
"Pick top 3 affinities, write on note."
We pulled student IDs. "Note" meant message. Many highs, I pondered: darkness, water, metal. Sent.
Mental/special not direct attributes. Mental mimics some; special vague. More like "compatible with these magic types." Talents for undefined misc magic.
Sent, turned to Inha.
"What'd you pick?"
"Light, lightning, fire. You?"
"Darkness, water, metal. Darkness/light both high is rare case."
"Hyunho?"
Inha asked him—closer seat. He replied casually.
"Water, light, wind."
We nodded. Objectively spot-on for him.
Attribute class proper began soon. Explanation simple: Imbue mana with attribute, shape freely. That's it.
But stages exist. Stage 1: Mana shows attribute traits. No form, but traits usable—like fire hot, plant grows near plants.
Stage 2: Much clearer. Materialize form. Fire as fire, water as water. Most visible quick (except formless light/darkness/wind). (Mental/special exceptions.)
Usually, stage 2 masters it. But...... plants as lifeforms......
Attributes talent/skill-based; low affinity hard to master. Plants vary wildly. Millions species? Broadly tree/flower. Higher talent/affinity, more forms. Mismatch? Locked to one.
My plant affinity lowish. Mastered, but tree-only. Huge effort.
'Really struggled with that one...'
Metal too. Multiple forms, usually iron; some silver/gold. More effort, maybe silver...?
'Nah, need base metal anyway.'
I tapped pen on paper, refocused. Class like this: Self-taught only. Teacher gave items with top-affinity spell magic + illusion for better sense.
"Watch magic, match your mana feel. Nail knack early, convert quick. Daily, bit by bit, work hard."
So whole class stared at magic till end. Attention waned fast. 10 min post-items, room buzzed.
I stayed locked on mine. Got water—not top darkness, but basic four. Heard darkness/light tricky; middle school+.
'I can do both already.'
Stared at rippling blue blob, then chatted with friends like others. ~10 min left. Bell rang soon after.
========== Afterword ==========
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