Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: School's Star
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After school, I told my friends about the magic I’d experimented with in my dream yesterday. Minhee immediately clapped her hands with a fascinated look, pressing her palms together.
“Magic in a dream? That’s so cool! It’s fantastical!”
Hyunho looked amazed too, following Minhee’s lead. Hansu, on the other hand, nodded as if it made perfect sense.
“Well, a dream is still your mental world, right? So it’s probably mental-type magic. But the fact that a mental world exists directly and you can use unique magic there is pretty intriguing.”
Ooh... Even at his young age, Hansu occasionally showed glimpses of genius like this. Minhee was smart but scatterbrained, while Hansu and Inha actually put their brains to good use. Yeah, only me and Hyunho were the losers. Tch...
“Oh. Speaking of which, Eunha, you’ve been lumping all illusion or mental magic under the term ‘illusion magic,’ right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Well, but magic in the dream world doesn’t quite feel like ‘illusion.’ So, um, how about giving it a new name?”
Everyone turned to Hyunho with interest at his words. I crossed my arms, looking at Hyunho, who was grinning happily. Heh heh... A name for magic...
“Of course, the magic name is still illusion magic, but I’m talking about giving technique names to distinguish dream magic from real-world magic. Eunha doesn’t really think about technique names, but I think they make it feel cooler! So whenever I come up with a magic technique, I always think of a name...”
“That’s why you name them stuff like ‘Puppy, bite!’ or whatever that was!”
“Huh? Isn’t it cute?”
“Sigh... You and Hyunho are really...”
“What! It is cute!”
I watched Minhee and Hansu bicker, my eyes sparkling. A name, yeah, a name. Not a bad idea. ‘Illusion magic’ works fine as the overall name, but real-world magic and mental magic operate differently, so distinguishing them is smart. And it’s weird to call real-world magic ‘illusion magic’ while keeping mental magic as ‘mental magic’ or ‘mental world magic.’ It’d be odd not to name techniques for real-world illusions while naming them for mental ones. Yeah, better to think of names for both.
So, first... let’s think about mental magic. It’s often called ‘fantasy magic’ or ‘mental magic,’ but that doesn’t clearly define the form. Isn’t there a perfect name that screams ‘that’s it!’?
Illusion means dominating the five senses with fantasy. It’s closer to real-world magic, but dream illusions also dominate the senses. If you treat dreams as reality, they affect the body.
But a fitting name... Naming isn’t bad, but since I’ve never done it, nothing comes to mind right away. Inha didn’t seem to have any ideas either and was muttering to herself while watching the bickering kids.
“A name, a name...”
Ah! Then Minhee, who had been deftly firing back at Hansu’s snarky comments, suddenly perked up.
“That’s it! How about this: Fantasy of the dream, dream of the fantasy—Illudream Magic!”
Inha and I forgot our pondering and looked up. Hansu and Hyunho stared at Minhee with wide eyes.
“And Eunha said it, right? Turning ‘dreams’ into ‘reality.’ So, Dreamreal Magic!”
Wow. I widened my eyes. Just converting the meaning into hanja made it feel cool somehow. But more than that, it perfectly captured my magic.
Yeah, exactly. Fantasy of the dream, dream of the fantasy—Illudream Magic. Dream to reality—Dreamreal Magic.
I pointed at Minhee with a beaming smile.
“Wow! Perfect! It’s spot on!”
“Right? Right?”
Minhee lit up at my praise. The others nodded too.
“Illudream, Dreamreal. So cool~. Wow~ Minhee, you’re amazing.”
“Heh, not bad for you.”
“I approve too.”
It was a great name. No need for fancy explanations—the meaning was clear the moment you said it. A name I might never have come up with myself. I said to Minhee, unusually excited and flushed.
“Minhee, thanks! It’s an awesome name!”
Minhee grinned happily.
“Hehe. Glad you like it.”
The friends even clapped to celebrate the new name for my magic. Inha praised Minhee for once too. Thanks to that, not just me, but Minhee was buzzing with excitement.
“Hey, then! Tell your master about it quick! She’s your advisor, so she should know! I’m super curious what Teacher Mina thinks!”
Ah... I made a slightly troubled face at that and shook my head.
“Well, see, I can’t. Master’s busy with something important right now. It’ll take a while, and she told me not to contact her...”
“Huh... You too?”
Minhee looked at me in surprise. But I was the really shocked one.
“‘Too’? Minhee, you too???”
“Yeah.”
Minhee nodded, looking a bit down.
“Yesterday, after splitting from you guys, she called... Said she had important business for a while, don’t contact her, and hung up. Until she reaches out. Might be a month or so...”
“Huh? Same here.”
“Are they on the same job?”
“Maybe. They’re both in Daeyeon.”
“Yeah... What could it be...”
The friends looked confused or puzzled hearing us.
“I tried contacting her in a panic, but texts... they bounced back, saying I can’t receive them even though it wasn’t a call.”
I stared at Minhee with wide eyes.
“Texts bounced? Why?”
“Dunno.”
I furrowed my brow slightly. After thinking a moment, I pulled out my phone and stared at Master’s name. Not answering calls I get, but texts bouncing? What’s going on? Does Master’s too?
I hesitated. Sending a text would tell me. But she asked me not to contact her...
‘And if it bounces, maybe there’s a reason she absolutely can’t be contacted...?’
I was curious, but decided against it. It’ll end eventually, and then she’ll tell me or not as she pleases.
I put my phone away. Minhee looked disappointed for a second but didn’t pull hers out again. She sighed.
“Ugh... Teacher’s too much! Just says that and hangs up... What’s so urgent...”
Minhee grumbled about her advisor. Then she muttered, “Come to think of it,” and looked up.
“Speaking of, Oppa’s been busy lately too. Is something really going on...?”
We had to make puzzled faces again at Minhee’s odd mutter.
“Je-hyeon Oppa too?”
“Yeah. Coming home pretty late these days.”
“Hmm...”
I rested my chin on my hand, tilting my head. Inha pondered briefly before speaking.
“Since it’s Daeyeon stuff, maybe related.”
“True...”
We nodded. But suspicion lingered.
‘What’s going on?’
But that worry didn’t last long.
Anyway, that day I was thrilled. I’d gained another way to use magic and even a new name for it—one I loved.
After school, since it was Inha’s private lesson day, I headed home alone. But first, I had something to buy, so I went toward the shopping district.
Heading there, I was happy about the new practice material.
‘Gonna play in the dream world today too. Maybe visit the others’ dreams?’
If my dream was the Milky Way and dawn, Inha’s was a fantastical world full of lemon light, Minhee’s a girly room packed with cute dolls, Hyunho’s a fun island with a vast blue sea and fluffy clouds floating over it, and Hansu’s a dense green forest. Each so full of personality—I loved all my friends’ dream worlds. The owners themselves didn’t even remember their mental worlds, though. But that’s normal.
‘Gotta practice step by step.’
I’d build up what I can do, one by one. Just like before.
On the way to the shopping district, I ran into Je-hyeon Oppa. Actually, it was Eunhee Unnie, Cheonho Oppa, Je-hyeon Oppa—the Guard Trio.
“Hey, Eunha.”
Je-hyeon Oppa spotted me first and greeted me with a smile. I gave a slight bow to the three.
“Hey, hi.”
Then Eunhee Unnie approached, looking puzzled.
“Huh? Eunha alone today? That’s rare.”
“Minhee, Hansu, and Hyunho usually split at the dorms, and Inha has private lessons today. So yeah, just me.”
“Hmm~. Where you headed?”
“Yeah, shopping district to buy something.”
“Oh?”
Eunhee Unnie ruffled my hair out of habit. Why do all my senpais love petting heads? Not that I mind.
But while she did, I noticed something odd. Turning, I saw Je-hyeon Oppa subtly frowning. He and Cheonho Oppa were whispering seriously. Murky emotions hovered around them.
“Oppa?”
I looked at them puzzled.
“Something wrong? Oh, Minhee said you’ve been busy lately—is it that?”
Je-hyeon Oppa’s face fell for a second, then he sighed and shook his head.
“No, not that...”
As he approached me, Eunhee Unnie suddenly blocked him, arms outstretched.
“No way! Je-hyeon, you’re banned from approaching Eunha for a while!”
Huh? I looked up at them in confusion. Je-hyeon Oppa shook his head at Eunhee Unnie. And then Cheonho Oppa joined in...
“Hey now. I said don’t approach. Why do you think I was holding your arm?”
“Yu Cheonho, hold him properly!”
“Yes, Senpai!”
I stared oddly at the two, dead serious with duty-bound faces. Je-hyeon Oppa sighed again.
“That’s why...”
His emotions sank bitterly as he said it. The fluffy colors blooming around mixed with affection, love, regret. I reached to touch them but flinched. It felt familiar. I lowered my hand. Was it something with Eunhee Unnie...? No, obvious from the situation, but why those emotions...?
I hesitated. Then Eunhee Unnie leaned down, hand on my shoulder, serious.
“Eunha. I have something to tell you.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“Be careful.”
“...Yeah?”
It was out of nowhere but grave, so I stiffened, confused. Eunhee Unnie continued right away.
“Lolicon’s the trend these days. Watch out.”
Je-hyeon Oppa sighed again. I glanced between serious Eunhee Unnie, Cheonho Oppa locking arms with Je-hyeon Oppa to hold him, and sighing Je-hyeon Oppa. Realizing the situation, I burst out laughing in disbelief.
“So... you’re saying...?”
No way, but accused of being a lolicon just for being friendly to me? I’d teasingly asked if he was once, but to take it seriously like this...
Pfft, I laughed out loud.
“Come on, Je-hyeon Oppa, why’d you...”
“Not me. I didn’t do anything.”
“Pfft... hehe...”
I laughed with my head down for a while. But realizing the bitterness he felt, my eyes darkened mid-laugh.
Yeah... If the person you like misunderstands you like someone else, even if it’s mostly a joke, how could you brush it off lightly? It’d hurt... of course it would.
I lifted my head, brushing back my hair, thinking the same as last time. I’m creepy, but Je-hyeon Oppa’s creepy too. So persistent, so steadfast.
Eunhee Unnie and Cheonho Oppa, bantering playfully, looked puzzled. Anyway, Eunhee Unnie hardened slightly and emphasized again.
“Anyway, be careful out there. The world’s rough these days.”
“Yeah.”
I nodded playfully. Eunhee Unnie looked a bit relieved.
“Don’t wander alone too much. School’s mostly fine, but still, after last time. Get home safe.”
“Yeah. I’ll be careful. You senpais take care too.”
Something irked her, and she frowned briefly. But she nodded.
“Then I’ll be off.”
I bowed to the three. They passed by. Je-hyeon Oppa gave a subtle eye-smile. I curved my lips back.
After that, I focused on using magic in dreams. Even without being sleepy, I’d dive into the dream world whenever I could, swimming through it. Only a week left of break—I thought it might be trouble. At this rate, I’d be sleeping through vacation too.
‘Wonder if Master’s okay...’
Whatever Master was involved in seemed bigger than thought. Yesterday, Teacher Yumin contacted Hyunho too—same message, no contact for a while.
What’s going on that they’re cutting contact one by one? Worried Inha’s and Hansu’s teachers might too.
‘Hmm...’
That day, I ended up going home alone again. Well, homeroom teacher called me to help, so I was late. Told Inha to go ahead.
Lately, going home alone wasn’t rare. Probably since private lessons started.
And that day, I was starving. Teleported home via badge, then pondered.
But not for long. Decided to head downtown. Checking bus routes on my phone, I thought: First time going alone since the terror incident.
‘Oops, still in uniform? Hmm...’
I glanced at my school uniform. Standard style, no big school mark. Wearing it here, few would peg it as Daeyeon.
But I hesitated a bit. That ‘incident’ was recent.
After a moment, I put on my cardigan from my waist, buttoning it tight.
‘Now only the skirt shows—who’d know it’s Daeyeon uniform!’
Yeah, confident. Indeed. Removed the ribbon necklace, pocketed it. With cardigan buttoned and no ribbon, just shirt collar and skirt visible. No one’d instantly think ‘Daeyeon student!’ from that common combo.
Bus arrived perfectly as I pocketed the ribbon. Hurried on, paid. Sat by window, got off when food stalls appeared. Walked the street lined with vendors.
‘Wonder what’s tasty?’
Summer, so... ice cream not appealing... Hot food then? Sundae good, tteokbokki too sweet, chicken skewers...
Mulling favorites, a delicious smell hit. Turned—fresh-frying sweet-and-spicy chicken!
Love chicken best. Headed right over.
“Oh, little customer. What’ll it be?”
Fourth grade and still little... I’m pretty grown. Almost 140cm. Scratched head, eyed the menu.
“Fried, spicy, soy sauce flavors.”
Prices: Cup 3000 won, box 7000. Ah, pricier than my past life spot.
Said:
“Fried and soy sauce, one box each.”
“14000 won.”
Pulled cash from wallet.
“Here.”
Sat inside briefly, got the steaming box—insulated magic keeping it hot. Stepped out, browsed downtown briefly. Checked cute clothes, shoes, accessories; bought materials at an accessory shop for hairpieces: leather, ribbons, corsage stuff...
Joined accessory club again this year. Small group, but rewarding. Also look up tutorials online lately. My handiwork’s iffy, but with time, decent results. Fashion sense isn’t bad.
Honestly, love making stuff. Accessories to novels, comics. Drawing’s hobby-level self-taught, middling. People decent-ish. Hard to call great. Past life childhood... couldn’t even... art grades... coloring sucked... heh heh...
Anyway, making’s fun. Paper stars, cranes, etc. Roses impossible though.
After shopping, bus home. Got off one stop early by mistake. Knew the way, so walked.
Our neighborhood’s sparse. Few people around.
All residential, rich folks only. Mom and Dad earn well. Auntie Seona’s super rich. Celebrity-level! Superstar. S-rank transcendent mage, duh.
Tap tap, footsteps. Mine mixed with someone’s sometimes. Person passed by. Near home, glanced back on a whim. Weird feeling.
As expected, no one. Unlocked gate, entered. Locked it properly.
“Mom! I’m home!”
“Oh, Eunha’s back!”
“Inha at our place?”
“Yeah, in your room.”
“‘Kay~.”
Nodded, headed upstairs. Or tried—Mom pointed at boxes in my hands.
“Eunha~ What’s that?”
“Huh? Snacks. Gonna eat.”
“Eunha~? You two eating two boxes? Dinner soon?”
“Nooo. Eat with us, Mom. Save some for Dad.”
“Okay, okay. Don’t wanna spoil dinner.”
“Not even 6 yet...”
Muttered, went to room, called Inha. She said I was late; smiled small, said come eat snacks. She nodded, came out.
Meanwhile, Mom set drinks on tray. Opened chicken boxes, portioned Dad’s share.
Ate tons as snack, then hearty dinner. Mom worried about gaining weight. But magic training always starved me. Big time.
Worried at first about fattening early, but surprisingly not gaining. Thanks to daily exercise, I figured.
‘Dream stuff aside, VR sparring, martial arts daily, jogging daily. Yeah, solid workout.’
Probably why always hungry. Ate so full even magic wouldn’t hunger me, then visited Inha’s. Jogged village loop together, then basement sparring. Fought virtual foes a bit, but direct with Inha too after ages. Hmm, my defense still edges out.
“See ya tomorrow.”
“Yeah, tomorrow!”
Home by 9pm, training longer since school late. Tired face, looked up at sky. Smiled.
High elevation here, great sky view. Slender crescent moon tonight, stars shining bright around. Happy mood home.
“Yoo Eunha! Late!”
“Hehe.”
“Even if Inha’s next door.”
“Yeah, sorry.”
“Really~.”
Upstairs amid nagging. Flopped on bed—mattress bounced nicely. Rolled, sat up. Wanna sleep like this, but... meditation pending... Jumped up.
Training made me hungry, but resisted night snack, grabbed new notepad by desk. Jotted dream plans. Long-overdue sleep training set? Or after into dream...?
‘Hmm, sleep training tomorrow better.’
Nodded, wrote. Hmm... 9pm and sleepy already. Bed for meditation. Daily routine: inner morning, outer night.
Minutes later, opened eyes.
“Yawn... Bedtime.”
Rubbed sleepy eyes, downstairs wash, back to room. To bed by window.
Spotted shadow outside. Huh? Focused on dark spot—nah, tree shadow. Sleepy, pulled curtains.
Happens since room on second floor as kid. Mistaking tree for person from above, occasional. Nodded familiarly, into bed, eyes shut. Good dreams tonight, thought.
Dreamed endlessly till alarm—morning. Stretched sleepily. Good results.
Meditated, prepped for school, out. Gate creaked open. Mid-open, spotted something in mailbox. Inha not out yet.
Pulled paper envelope. Plain white, blank. Fiddled—flinched. Odd emotion from fingertips.
Drop. White envelope fell. Frowned, picked up.
‘That emotion... super unpleasant.’
Should I open? Hesitated, did.
One card inside. Pulled to read: Handwritten single word.
『Found you.』
Nothing else. Back plain white. Flipped, frowned.
‘What the heck.’
Creepy vibe, tucked back in envelope, sealed in subs pace.
Cryptic, but probably prank. No need to react to every joke?
Thought so, ignored card. Smiled at Inha emerging next door soon after. By school classes, totally forgotten.
But looking back later, it started that day.