Chapter 54
Chapter 54
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Teacher and Child
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Attribute magic was interesting too, but we were actually looking forward to the next period even more. Today was finally our first club activity session. As soon as second period ended, the other kids grabbed their supplies and headed off somewhere. Their chattering voices were louder and more excited than usual. Hyunho waved to us, holding the swimsuit and goggles he'd brought.
"See ya, I'm off. Awesome, swimming time!"
"Have fun."
We didn't have any supplies. The materials for making accessories weren't something kids could easily bring from home anyway. So we just brought the material fee. The club advisor teacher provides the materials and hands them out.
Inha and I headed to the classroom we'd heard about in advance, material fee in hand. It was usually an empty room, but a few years ago it became the club room for the accessory-making group.
When we entered the classroom at the far end of the third floor, we saw several other students already seated. There were two or three from third grade up to sixth. Not too many in total. With us, probably not even twenty. And except for one or two, they were all girls.
The moment we walked in, all eyes turned to us. The reason was simple. Inha. Kids of both genders gaped at her. Man, she's only ten and already like this—what's she gonna be like grown up? Her future was seriously imaginable....
We sat down somewhere. Eyes stayed on us for a while. It was awkward, but as time passed, we got used to it... It really hit me how much Inha's outward beauty had grown.
"You know, thinking about it, you've always liked this stuff. Bracelets, rings. Whenever we go out with Auntie Seona, you always buy some hair accessory. But come to think of it, you never collected necklaces, huh?"
Her words made me flash a wry smile for a second. Well, necklaces... I already had a fixed one.... I swallowed my words and smiled brightly at Inha instead.
"Actually, I wanna get my ears pierced soon."
"Earrings?"
"Yeah."
I nodded and touched my earlobe briefly. Come to think of it, I had a metal allergy in my past life. Not severe, but wearing metal anywhere made that spot itch after a while. Worse cases turned the skin red and inflamed. So even though my ears were pierced, I couldn't wear earrings for long.
"So the other day, when Mom and I were looking at accessories, I asked her to pierce them? But she said I'm not ready yet."
"Hmm...."
I was just grumbling, but Inha put on a serious face.
"I'm against it too. Why hurt yourself?"
"Because I wanna wear earrings. Don't they look pretty? Bracelets and hairpins are nice, but earrings are my favorite. If the first piercing goes well, I'd love to get a couple more up here later."
Every time I saw someone with piercings up top, I wanted them. But in my past life, the metal allergy stopped me. Seems like I don't have it now, so I really wanna try.
But Inha frowned and shook her head at my words.
"No way."
"Why? Whyyy?"
"Doesn't it hurt?"
"It's just a little sting. I wouldn't do navel or tongue, but ears are fine. And people with earrings look kinda elegant, right?"
"Really...."
"Well, Mom said no, so no for now. But I'll ask again on my birthday."
"...."
Inha shut her mouth at my follow-up. Then she spoke hesitantly, cautiously.
"Then... should I get mine pierced too?"
I blinked at that. Inha with earrings... it'd suit her perfectly. If she doesn't like it, she just doesn't wear any, and the hole closes in days. Anyway, if she wants to, I'm all for it.
"You wanna? Earrings would look great on you. Oh, but it does sting a bit, and you gotta take good care of it so it doesn't get infected."
"What? So it does hurt."
"Nah, depends on the person. But pretty earrings... When I see cute ones, I wanna collect them and wear the ones that suit me."
Believe it or not, I'm pretty girly. I like most girly things. Cute and pretty stuff. Animals, nice clothes, accessories—all good. I prefer subdued colors in clothes, but lace or ribbons draw me in. Same with hair ties—nothing too flashy, but dainty and pretty. Right now, I've got a lace ribbon in my hair.
I love collecting accessories. Except necklaces, I grab hair ties, bracelets, rings, earrings, anklets—you name it. Cross-stitch, knitting, anything handmade is fun.
And using them to doll myself up is super enjoyable.
"Yeah? Then... on your birthday, should we do it together?"
Inha hesitated after hearing me. I clapped excitedly.
"Yeah! And after, we pick out earrings together."
"Sure. Let's do that."
Inha nodded and smiled at me. I got all hyped, lost in imagination. Wow, earrings with Inha... What kind would suit her? Ah, my birthday's gonna be awesome. Hope Mom says yes this time.
The bell rang before we knew it, signaling the start of club time. First session: making bracelets. Simple ones—stringing big beads in a row.
We picked our colors and threaded beads in the order the teacher wrote on the electronic board. Hmm~ Makes sense for elementary kids, super simple. I like these slow, straightforward crafts. I happily strung beads one by one. Inha, threading big ones, tilted her head.
"Easier than I thought."
"Yeah."
Inha's handiwork was neat, unlike my sloppy stuff. She's a real all-rounder. "Jack of all trades" was made for her. Stunning looks anyone would turn for, soft straight hair, deep black eyes that sometimes flickered blue like cold flames, a voice like rolling jade beads, flawless pale skin. Every finger joint, every body line was beautifully refined—unbelievable for a kid. Even I, used to it, zoned out sometimes.
Inha finished her bracelet faster than me. I calmly followed, completing mine.
Despite the simple pattern, the bracelets turned out pretty. Mine blue-toned, Inha's white. The teacher added metal charms: crown for Inha, bird for me—probably a dove.
We tried them on.
"Nice. Making and wearing your own."
"Right? Making something pretty is exciting."
"Ah... You said you liked this, Eunha."
I beamed shyly at Inha's nod.
Back in class after club, Hyunho greeted us. He gushed happily about his session. Inha and I showed off our bracelets proudly.
Class ended soon. Walking home with Inha after parting with friends, my phone rang. I was shocked checking the screen. Super unexpected caller.
『Jeongmin-ah』
Whoa, seriously, Teacher? My guidance teacher? I fumbled and answered. Not video, just voice. That intimidating voice poured straight into my ear.
[Yoo Eunha?]
"Y-Yes."
Inha eyed me curiously.
[Figured class was over. Got some things to check. Come by today?]
"T-Today?"
[Yeah. Soon as possible.]
I hesitated, glancing at Inha. She met my eyes, puzzled.
"Um, hold on.... Inha, something came up. Wanna go home first?"
"No. I'll wait. Can I come too?"
I lowered the phone. Inha looked a bit down but said it anyway. I raised it back.
"Teacher, I'm with a friend... Can she come?"
[Fine by me.]
"Thanks."
Call ended after that. I turned to Inha.
"She said it's okay. Hold my hand."
"The old-fashioned teacher you mentioned?"
"Yeah."
Inha took my hand, asking. I nodded; she hummed, her usual deadpan face.
"Alright, let's go."
I gripped her hand and thought *teleport*. Mana light enveloped us. Opening my eyes, there was the sunlit house from before. Floor-to-ceiling glass wall, bright brown wooden desk and chair bathed in light. And there, like last time, sat the elegant woman with long brown hair in an updo.
Only her outfit changed. Purple dress this time, still very feminine with frilly lace. I greeted her right away.
"Hi."
"You're here."
She rose from her chair, acknowledging me. She glanced at Inha. Inha stared back silently. Weird tension hung. Watching them lock eyes, I whispered in Inha's ear.
"Inha. Say hi."
Ah. Inha bowed then. Kid habits, greetings not ingrained yet.
"Hello."
"So you're Kang Inha."
The stiff air eased. And she knew Inha somehow. As Inha looked up, she brought her fan to her mouth.
"No need to be surprised. I know all five of your faces. We picked the ones who match us, with your old teachers Junhwi and Min."
Oh, got it. We nodded. Silence fell again as she paused. Still awkward. She led us to the table.
"Sit. Let's chat over tea."
She summoned a tea set with magic. Amber tea poured from white porcelain pot into white cups with elegant gold patterns. *Ah, this is black tea.* First time seeing it up close. Never cared for tea in my past life.
"Don't like black tea?"
I'd stared wonderingly, shook my head. First time, so neither like nor dislike.
My first sip: bitter-sweet. She brought cookies next. We munched crisply. She watched, then spoke.
"What I wanted to confirm... two things. First, your mana sensing. Heard you have special talent there. True?"
Ah, that. Everyone in Class I knew. I nodded quietly.
"Hoo... How's it work?"
She probably knew most of my magic already. But wanted to hear it from me. I spoke.
"Well... At first, I just sensed mana faster than others."
Inha, beside me, stopped sipping and focused.
"Then one day, I started seeing mana's 'color'."
"Mana's 'color'...."
She hummed thoughtfully. Urged more details; I nodded. Pondered where to start.
"Um, so... Started with colors of mana people actively use... Soon saw free-floating mana in the air, passive mana around people even when not using... Rarely, very rarely, the core mana deep inside."
The core is where mana gathers in everyone. Like a dragon heart in fantasy. The source mana originates from and returns to.
Usually around the belly, below the heart. Varies sometimes. I only recently saw it; only told Inha vaguely.
Her eyes grew serious.
"And I can choose not to see colors. Usually do that. Staring too long hurts eyes or head...."
"I see. Anything else?"
"Um... Recently started seeing... emotional flows? Feel or see them. Intensity from mana fluctuations. If I *want* to feel the emotion in the mana, it flows to me a bit. Not exact, but rough sense. Even 'emotional colors' shimmer around mana now."
I first *wanted* to sense others' emotions. Junhwi Teacher said grasping feelings/thoughts helps illusion magic via mental world. Once I wanted it, emotions trickled in. Started with detecting via mana shakes; now colors too. Amazing.
"...."
She went silent, just noting on paper. After a bit, she looked up.
"Your magic combat training."
"Ah, yes."
"Not just dodge and attack—real combat style. Heard you learned mana flow in battle and basic martial forms. Right?"
"Yeah...."
"You'll train magic while sparring me in martial arts and close combat. Then virtual training for real practice. You lack physical talent but seem combat-oriented."
Agreed. I improve faster sparring than solo. Contrary to usual self, I shine in real fights.
"Saw you got hurt by mana backlash two years ago."
Oof, sore memory. Shoulder dislocated.... Still cringe-worthy. And it sparked our big fight with Inha later. Ugh....
"So you especially need martial focus. Want to correct your combat directly, but level gap's too big between us and you. So seniors will spar when ready."
"Seniors...?"
She said "you all." Inha and I widened eyes.
"Yes. In Daeyeon, combat training's virtual or with school seniors. Not just you—everyone eventually. Usually leveled classes, but you're exceptions... Extra after school. Less playtime soon."
I tapped chin thoughtfully. Seniors sparring us? Unsettling. Students, not teachers. Too young for maturity. Not elementary seniors... I bit lip. Rules or not, weird? Anxiety rose.
But Inha just curious. Asked her.
"Which seniors?"
"Elementary/middle too young... Usually high school division. Don't worry—reliable ones selected."
"Okay...."
Despite assurance, anxious me vs. excited Inha. Watching her, *yep, typical*—I smiled.
Inha's always opposite me. Prefers attack over defense magic, martial arts over my disinterest—she loves it. In combat, I focus protection; she on winning.
True genius maybe. She'll excel anywhere. As mage, how far? Fearless strides ahead—what can I do for her?
I smiled dazzlingly.
"Excited?"
"Yeah. You? High school seniors."
"Hmm, dunno...."
Scratched cheek.
"Kinda anxious...? They're all super strong. I'd be no match...."
"Think so?"
Inha tilted head.
"Well, not necessarily. But imagine if guidance seniors are Je-hyeon Brother or Cheonho Brother—super awkward, right?"
Inha pondered, nodded.
"Yeah."
See? I laughed. Timid me, it bugs me.
"And what if I mess up? You too?"
"Hmm... Not sure. We're elementary, but losing to high schoolers that bad feels frustrating. You not?"
She threw it back. Frustrating? I frowned. When'd I last felt that toward others....
That's me. Low self-esteem except core beliefs. Utterly ordinary.
"I'm... meh. Wouldn't faze me."
"Yeah, you're not into combat. I hate losing, so gotta train hard."
I smiled at her.
"You'll do great."
Truth. Inha excels at everything. Way beyond me: magic, combat, brains.
Friend like her? Proud. I grinned.
"You'll nail anything."
──Unlike me.
Swallowed that.
Suddenly, she spoke, watching us.
"Anyway... That's settled.... Eunha, anything magic-related to ask while here?"
"Uh... Yeah."
Perfect timing. Hesitated, then asked.
Lately bugging me: converting formation magic to text magic.
Interpreting formation patterns/letters into sentences. Formations mix art and text—seemed perfect sans academics.
But failing. Draw/use formation or chant name works; interpreting to sentences always flops. That's true text magic essence.
She looked exasperated.
"What nonsense...."
"...Huh?"
I blinked confused; Inha frowned. She muttered, sighed softly.
"Right... Forgot you're a kid. You don't act it...."
Bewildered. Why...?
"Simply put, it's obvious."
Dropped hand from forehead, firm gaze.
"Formations systematized logically over ages by mages, matching world laws and mana flow. You think a ten-year-old deciphers that easily? Takes vast study and experience to understand and transcribe to text."
...Ah.
Got why she called it dumb. Felt silly myself. Understood her completely. Blushed, bowed head.
Duh, obvious.... Why didn't I see?
Adult mind or not, serious magic study: five years. Mages spent ages systematizing formations—me converting? Impossible.
That's decades of discovered laws.
I clamped lips. Maybe arrogant. Me, who knew my averageness best.
Normal to not know. Felt faster mana, quicker spells—so superior...? Effort conquers all...?
Face burned. So dumb. Auntie Seona and Uncle Jeongmin studied formations deeply....
Grateful she pointed it early. Would've been black history. Over embarrassment, lifted red face, bowed thanks.
"Thanks for telling me."
Gotta study harder. Formations: steady study, text conversion on hold. Next priorities....
Scheduling mentally, thud from below. Door opening? She turned from watching me.
"...What's that?"
Stood, eyed us.
"Stay here."
Went downstairs. Inha and I glanced, munched cookies/tea.
"That teacher matches your description."
Inha said suddenly. Blinked—what?—then got it, nodded.
"What'd I say? Noble, old-fashioned, pretty. Noble/old-fashioned, not sure... but yeah? Elegant, princess-like?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah."
"Definitely gives off pressure.... But doesn't she look like someone?"
"Totally. Like who?"
Strong agree. Vaguely familiar. Aura bit like Inha, but not—something... Indescribable.
"But can't recall."
"Me neither."
Nodded seriously. Pondered earnestly. Really like someone....
Footsteps below. Thud thud. Turned. Her coming? But multiple steps.
Then we gawked at faces. Inha dropped cup, jumped up.
"J-Junhwi Teacher...?"
I muttered.
From hall end: my purple-dress teacher, then glasses-wearing cold-eyed Junhwi Teacher.
We freaked. Why him here?
Inha first.
"Why... Junhwi Teacher here?"
"What? Didn't know?"
Junhwi Teacher deadpanned. No welcome smile despite reunion.
"She's my sister. We're siblings."
Then she smacked his head.
"Hey now... Calling your sister 'that person'? Where'd you learn that?"
"....Ah."
We froze.