Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: 03. The Name of a Friend
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It's summer. I strolled through the alley, glancing up at the blazing sun for a moment. With kindergarten on a short break, I could enjoy my freedom to the fullest.
I wandered the winding alleys on a walk, unbothered by the heat. Not a drop of sweat formed on my body.
There was a reason I didn't mind the heat like this. Sure, cooling spells were cast here and there to combat the swelter, but that wasn't why I didn't feel it. It was because I wrapped mana around my body.
Recently, I'd noticed that infusing will into the mana itself made a real difference. So, I tried adding a touch of coolness to the mana enveloping me like a barrier. I hated the cold—air conditioning made me cringe—so I circulated just enough chill to take the edge off the summer heat. It let me ignore the warmth almost entirely.
Best of all, it only took thinking "get colder" as the mana flowed around me—no extra effort required. These days, I was practicing circulating mana even while walking, so this discovery was perfect timing.
But it was only like this around home. This world was full of mages everywhere; if I slipped up, it'd be trouble. Besides, compared to how much I hated the cold, I didn't mind heat all that much anyway.
I opened the front gate and stepped inside. The garden burst with summer greenery. I headed to the veranda nearby and plopped down. Ah... but on days like this, I crave ice cream.
With that thought, I cast a spell. A melon-flavored popsicle appeared in my hand, but even touching it, I could clearly feel it was just an illusion. I'd finally gotten it to appear without fading, but sigh... still a long way to go.
In the end, my goal with illusions wasn't just fooling the brain—it was manifesting and materializing them for real. At this rate, who knows when I'd get there. I dispelled the illusory ice cream and rested my chin on my palm.
"...Huh."
Letting out a sigh, I happened to glance sideways and startled. There was a pale leg in a white dress. I looked up to see its owner—Inha. I waved silently, and she nodded silently before sitting on the veranda, a bit away from me.
No words were exchanged, but it was like an unspoken agreement. Our moms were super close. Close enough that they'd dive into their own world, leaving us out. No room for me, Inha, Dad, or Uncle to butt in. On those occasions, I'd usually study magic in my room or—except in winter—sit on the veranda gazing at the garden, reading, or killing time. Inha did the same.
She had no interest in squeezing between Mom and Auntie, so she'd often come sit quietly where I was on the veranda. Sometimes she'd even bring a book like me.
Lately, Inha had been sleeping over now and then. Not just Auntie Seona—Auntie Seona's husband was pretty talented too, so he got called away often, leaving Inha home alone. Auntie would bring her to our house then. Inha always slept in the room with me, Dad, and Mom, right next to me. At first, I couldn't sleep at all, but I got used to it soon enough.
We even had a blanket just for Inha now, but for some reason, she still slept right beside me. And yet, despite all that, our relationship stayed so distant—it was starting to feel weird. We'd seen each other at least once a week for a whole year, even slept side by side, and we were still awkward as ever.
How far does my introverted, antisocial personality stretch? At this point, Inha and I might be setting some kind of record. My shyness really is hopeless. Propping myself up on my arms, I leaned back to gaze at the sky. A brilliant blue stretched overhead.
But times like this weren't so bad. Forcing conversation felt more awkward to me. Lately, with Yumi in a different class, we talked less, but I'd never felt lonely. Mom, Dad, and Teacher were the ones who'd worry.
I wanted to get close to Inha. Still do. Her cool demeanor and looks only grew more appealing over time—I'd always liked her. Her quiet personality was nice too. It matched mine. Well, I get chattier the closer I get to people, so maybe I don't suit her?
Plus, it hit me that we probably wouldn't sleep together anymore. A few days ago, I moved rooms. More precisely, I got my own room. Naturally, that meant sleeping apart from Mom and Dad. I'd asked for the room first.
They'd asked if I was sure, but they let me. Probably because I seemed mature.
They even bought me a new bed, decorated the room, got me a desk. Oh, and a bookshelf. They knew I read a lot and jotted notes in my notebook often. Man, I love Mom and Dad so much!!
──And now I can stay up as late as I want!
Okay, that was part of the goal. I could experiment with magic alone for as long as I liked. Sure, staying up late stunts growth, so I'd aim for bed before midnight, but no more 9 PM bedtime. Yeah, that's the real plan.
"Kindergarten?"
"Huh?"
I turned to look at Inha. Honestly, her sudden words startled me. Tense for a second, I soon answered calmly.
"Started vacation yesterday."
"......"
For reference, Inha didn't go to kindergarten. She'd refused, apparently.
Makes sense. Early education there was basically learning social skills, basics, and mana sensing. With parents like hers—both amazing mages—Inha didn't need kindergarten; she'd learn everything fine on her own. She already knew how to move mana. Maybe she could even cast spells. From what I saw, she had plenty built up inside for it.
'Is sensing mana at kindergarten age really rare? Sure, for me it's reincarnation + subspace buff, but...'
Whatever. Didn't matter. I wasn't out to be the best at magic. I focused my mind on the mana around my body, keeping the cool energy circulating. It was a super thin layer, just a few centimeters under and over my skin, so it took real concentration.
Inha was next to me, but I didn't mind much. Magic aside, unless you're sensitive, you won't notice someone manipulating mana inside them. Sure, I was running it a bit over my skin now, but I doubted a kid like Inha had the detection skills for that.
Of course, I held back from moving mana outside normally. Even around Auntie Seona or Uncle Jeongmin.
I'd only realized how impressive it was to sense mana in objects when I first heard about it. The crystal orbs that helped feel mana were "made" that way on purpose... seriously.
One thing was clear: I was sensitive to mana. Fine by me—now that I could even see colors, I'd hone this talent!!
As I circulated my mana, Mom and Auntie Seona, who'd been chatting, called us.
"Eunha, Inha."
We turned at the voice. Auntie Seona was beckoning us over. Inha and I stood and toddled up to her.
Auntie Seona smiled happily at us side by side. Now I noticed she held something like a notepad in one hand.
"I just found out Eunha can sense mana too. So, how about you two try a magic affinity test?"
"...Pardon?"
"Inha's never done it."
Mom said that, shooting me a subtle apologetic glance. Her eyes were full of sorry. But I just scratched my head awkwardly. Sensing mana wasn't a big deal to tell Auntie Seona.
"So—ta-da."
Auntie Seona dramatically held out the notepad-like paper.
"Affinity paper. Got it last time! Just touch it, and it'll show your affinities and levels."
"......"
"What do you say? Wanna try?"
I hesitated, face uncertain. I had affinities for every magic type. Most at high levels too. Mom said it was... super rare.
I shook my head after a moment.
"Um... can we do it later?"
"Why? You don't need to move mana..."
"I-I'm... kinda scared..."
"Oh?"
Auntie looked puzzled but nodded. As I glanced away, my eyes met Mom's. Seeing my hesitation, she just smiled faintly and patted my head. I felt sheepish.
Inha, meanwhile, nodded indifferently, like our presence didn't faze her.
"Yeah. I'll try."
Inha held out her hand to Auntie. I watched quietly. Auntie gleefully tore off a sheet for her. It was gray.
"If there's affinity, it turns a deep color. Gray becomes black. Oh, and think about the affinity after touching—it reacts to your will."
They started with darkness. Inha stared at the paper. No change.
"Hmm, no darkness? Well, affinities don't always inherit."
Come to think of it, Auntie had a pretty high 8 in darkness. Next, light. White paper. As soon as Inha grabbed it, color spread from her fingertips. Soon, it was a full golden yellow—more pale lemon.
"Heh."
Auntie flipped it to check the level. A clear '10' was etched in the corner.
"High light affinity, Inha."
"......"
I nodded to myself—makes sense. I'd suspected it. The mana around Inha was that bright, serene lemon—like starlight. At night, her body seemed to glow. So yeah, I'd figured light mage all along.
Next, turquoise water.
"No reaction."
"Totally different from me."
"Then fire."
Inha gripped it. It flushed crimson instantly. Fire: '8'. Then lightning.
"'10.'"
"Two 10s...? Inha's got some real talent..."
Auntie handed the next sheet reluctantly. Earth: '2'. Pretty low. Plant: no reaction.
"Really no overlap with me."
"Yeah."
Wind: '5'. Metal: zero. Mental: solid 7.
"Makes sense—strong mind."
"Yeah."
Last: 'special'. Broadest category... Inha grabbed it. '4'.
"I thought Inha would score high on special."
"Me too."
Yeah, she didn't give off that vibe.
That was all. I tallied mentally: top 10s in light and lightning (two), then fire 8, mental 7. Four highs out of eleven—not bad for talented, but average-ish?
"Seems Inha's strong in light and heat types."
"Yeah. Eunha, what do you think? What magic suits Inha best?"
"Me...?"
Why ask me? Flustered, I looked at Inha anyway. She stared back blankly, waiting.
First thing I noticed: the golden mana around her like starlight. Prettiest thing about her to me.
So, without hesitation:
"Light magic... would suit her best. Matching her affinity..."
"Really? I thought ice for Inha—it's low though."
Auntie looked subtly disappointed. Inha's cool expression and blue-tinged black eyes screamed dark or ice at first glance.
But that glowing gold erased those thoughts. The pale shine fit her perfectly. Inha buried in that color was the prettiest. I'd always seen her mana shining like that. So naturally:
Light magic suits Inha.
Inha looked at me with a flicker of emotion in her usual cool eyes, then turned away. I smiled at her back.
I could hardly wait for that day.
Inha was gathering mana already—maybe her first spell wasn't far off.
Well, normal's best maybe, but pushing your talents is fun too. Just hide it well while young, right?
I smiled at the thought.