Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: 17. Teacher
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We were strolling through a place like the village square. The kids occasionally made impressed faces as they watched people wandering around in old-fashioned clothes. Most of them had hardly ever used virtual reality systems before. VR games were pretty expensive, after all.
Meanwhile, I was lost in my own thoughts. Unlike the other NPCs dressed in ancient Chinese-style clothing, we were still in our school uniforms. I glanced down at my outfit and paused for a moment.
"I kinda want to try wearing those clothes."
"Just try them on, then."
Hansu replied indifferently. I pouted at him.
With such a small number of students per grade, the elementary division often had joint classes for magic practice. This year, it was even more common, probably because our teachers were a bit special. C-rank was impressive enough, but all of them were B-rank or higher.
And starting with this practice session, they'd introduced a virtual reality system. That was why all the fifth graders, including us, were walking through this quaint old city with the teachers.
"But this is class time right now."
I shook my head as I said it. Sure, it was an educational game, so of course you could change clothes if you wanted. But it was class time—no acting out.
Still, the regret lingered. All the VR games I'd played so far had been set in modern times or Western fantasies. Man, if I'd known, I would've bought some Eastern expansion packs.
"We can come back next time."
"Yeah. I'm definitely gonna play some Eastern games."
"Yeah, yeah, go for it."
I'd never been much of a gamer originally, but after doing VR training and making games with Master a few times, I'd gotten a bit hooked. I nodded at shyly smiling Inha and stone-faced Hansu. That's when the teacher's voice came from up ahead.
"Alright, class starts now."
The kids had already stopped. I halted my steps too and looked toward the teachers. Seonghu oppa, Mr. Min, and Mr. Junhwi stood out even among the children. Well, they were the only ones towering over the little kids. Even the shortest of them, Mr. Junhwi, was 175 cm tall, I knew.
"From now on, form teams of five. We've lowered your ranks, so don't worry—just complete one quest within class time. Anyone who doesn't finishes it as homework."
"Aw~."
"That's not fair!"
"It's only one day in game time. We've lowered your levels too. Plenty of time."
Mr. Min added from beside Seonghu oppa. The kids murmured, then answered with a "Yes."
"First ones done can log out early. But whisper your homeroom teacher that you've completed the quest. Got it?"
"Yes~!"
The kids raised their hands in reply. Despite their earlier complaints, they seemed to be having fun, chattering and laughing.
We formed our team right away. Actually, there was no need to decide—we'd been a set of five from the start. We reported to the teachers. The other kids and even the teachers looked like they'd expected it. It was that obvious.
"Be careful, just in case."
"Well, with mature Eunha here, no need to worry."
I gave Mr. Min a shy smile. We headed off somewhere right away. As we walked the streets casually, we chatted.
"For quests, don't you have to bump into someone to even get one?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Oh yeah, Eunha, decided on your demo yet? Weekend's over—only two days left."
I nodded slowly. I'd consulted Master, and anyway, I'd decided.
"Oh? You have?"
"Yeah. Finally yesterday."
"What're you doing?"
"With text magic..."
I explained bashfully how I'd demo the spell. My friends nodded with "Heeey"s.
"That's good."
"Yeah."
"You were overthinking it, Eunha~. You could've just done any text magic and been fine."
"Or that time you linked four barriers into one big one with lightning attribute. That'd stand out too."
At Hyunho and Minhee's words, I nodded like, "Maybe?" I probably had been overcomplicating it. But still... performing for others made me kinda self-conscious.
As we talked about the demo a few days from now, Hansu reminded us of the task at hand.
"Hey, enough chit-chat about that. Think quests. Where to?"
"Uh? Dunno?"
This village was more like a city than a small town. Probably a bustling hub in this game's world. So there should be plenty to do...
"Tutorial."
As I muttered, a translucent window popped up. Educational game, so lots of guides and tabs. I checked the quest section.
"Let's see, to get quests, interact with NPCs somehow. If you can't just talk to them, go to the quest broker... Oh, map here too. What do you think? Wanna go?"
Everyone nodded when I turned and asked.
"Yeah. Might get something on the way, or grab one there."
"Yeah, yeah."
We followed the map, scanning around carefully. Suddenly, someone yanked my hand. Caught off guard, I jumped. Turning, I saw a kid much younger than us gripping my hand with a desperate look.
"Sis! You're a mage, right?!"
"Uh? Yeah... but..."
"Please help my mom! Please?!"
A ding rang as the quest window appeared.
『Normal Quest: Save the Girl's Mother
The girl's mother has been bitten by a snake with deadly venom and is at death's door. Use magic to save her, or fetch herbs that neutralize the snake's venom. Note: The herbs grow deep in a forest full of beasts.
Rank: D
Time Limit: 2 hours 00 minutes
Failure Penalty: Mother dies. Girl is devastated.』
No success reward, of course. Educational game. I looked around at everyone.
"Do this one, or nah?"
"Anyone got antidote magic?"
"Eunha?"
"Uh? Nah, antidote magic doesn't suit me..."
I shook my head. Then Minhee and Hansu raised hands.
"I can do antidote magic. Specifically, antidote fruit or flower..."
"I can too. Mine's spell magic, though."
Ooh. I looked at them impressed. Antidote magic was a special attribute. Some could, some couldn't. Low-level spell magic, anyone could, but real "detoxify" spells? Rare. I could do low-level spells, but not full detox.
I could do it with text magic, sure. But it breaks down poison components—super academic and tough. Plus, bad affinity for me. I'd practiced a bit, no success. So Minhee and Hansu were impressive.
"Then... accept? Poor kid..."
Everyone nodded. I confirmed and told the girl.
"Okay. Can you show us to your mom?"
She beamed with relief that seemed too real for a game and nodded.
"Yes...!"
The quest ended anticlimactically. Minhee did the detox. I was impressed watching her use standard spell magic on the viper venom.
We finished easily and stood around, unsure what next.
"...Now what?"
"Hmm..."
I glanced around and muttered blankly. Hansu scratched his head.
"Just wander a bit more."
We agreed and roamed the game world a while. Picked up a few more quests. Saved a lady caught in a fight, rescued a kid chased by a beast after sneaking to the forest without parents, helped an old lady move luggage.
"They lowered levels, huh? This much."
Probably because it was our grade's first official VR class. Barely any combat scenarios. Today was just a taste: "This is how classes will go."
"Let's log out."
My guess was right—when I took off the device, lots of kids were already out, quests done. As I removed mine, Yesl beamed at me.
"Eunha, what quest did you do? Kids say they were too easy."
Yesl was a bit overwhelming but honest and nice. I answered casually. My first VR magic practice class ended easy and uneventful.
Back home after class, I first marked in my notebook the magic Minhee mentioned—good for demo. I'd stick to my original plan this time, but demos weren't one-off, so prep for next. Then I hunted books for this demo. Literature with Korean, numbers, English mixed—best. Chinese characters even better.
But finding one book with numbers, English, Chinese? Tough. I switched: self-help, novels, magazines heavy on English/numbers/Korean.
Luckily found one soon. Pre-cast magic on it. Gave the book settings via text magic. This spell showed exactly what my text magic was.
"Hmm, should be fine? No rule against pre-casting. Yeah, just show the magic..."
Moment of worry, but I nodded it'd be okay. Demos are about showing magic. Most spells show instantly, but mine could have delay—like trap arrays.
"Hmm... Kinda worried... but it'll be fine?"
Anxiety or nerves melted into my chest.
Demo day—with under two days left—came fast. I was fidgety from nerves before school. As kids trickled in and first period neared, tension built. Good it was first period—no all-day stress.
I repeated calming words inwardly, mentally reviewing the spell. Minhee poked my stiff shoulders.
"Eunha, nervous?"
"Yeah... a bit."
"No need to stress that much~ Just show a little."
Minhee encouraged, petting my head. Aww, so stiff. Our Eunha's so cute, so cute. I blushed at the tone, but thought: Not long ago, I was the one petting friends' heads like kids... roles reversed now.
"I'll be with you, no worries~."
"You've grown a lot, Minhee?"
I teased, pinching her cheek. She pinched my nose back. Inha and Hansu would be so jealous. Tension vanished for a sec. I grinned.
With Inha, all cutesy; with Minhee, playful. We chattered till class started—mostly non-demo daily stuff.
One topic:
"You know? Siha and Hyunho are in the same class."
"Uh? Yeah."
"Lately, Siha's changed. Talking to Hyunho."
My eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yeah... Before, she'd ignore him like she had no choice. Super awkward and sorry-looking."
"Yeah."
"But now, maybe calmed down or... dunno, stopped feeling inferior to us? Anyway."
Minhee mumbled, head down.
"Seeing that feels weird, right? Time heals, anger fades... but kinda glad too... Eh, past stuff, whatever."
I watched her somberly. Siha's inferiority exploded partly my fault. If she'd overcome it now, probably my fault too. She admired me somehow. Good or bad? Dunno...
"Not like she's chatting casually. Used to ignore completely—awkwardly. Now, avoids hesitantly but talks when needed... that vibe."
Huh. I blinked. But past stuff—no feelings. Guess I'm colder than I thought. Just a twinge of pity. I changed topic.
"Oh yeah, Inha and Hansu gotten super close lately?"
"Uh? Oh yeah! Totally!"
Sudden shift, but Minhee jumped in, clapping happily. I laughed, focusing on her.
"They've differences but lots in common too. Personalities differ, tastes match? With you out, they pair up great."
"Yeah, exactly. Hansu's prickly but sweet to girls."
"Totally~. Tons of girls fall for that, probably?"
"Inha's out on that? Not super kind. Or kindness is us-only?"
"Yeah~. Plus Inha's more cool than sweet to girls."
"Agreed."
We giggled. Self-study bell rang. Seonghu oppa entered, called me, Minhee, and the other six demo kids to prep room. Sat us at desks, explained briefly.
"Signal from inside, enter together. Greet, step up one by one, say class, name, spell, demo. So order first. Who starts?"
"Me! Me first!"
Minhee raised hand eagerly. I followed.
"Then me second."
Order set quick. Extra time, kids whispered. Perfect—I asked Seonghu oppa the thing nagging me.
"Teacher, is it okay if casting takes time, so I pre-cast, then inject mana to trigger later?"
I pulled the book from my student ID subspace. He eyed it, nodded.
"Fine."
His kind tone relieved me.
We whispered nonstop till prep bell. What spells, nervous, silly talk—eased nerves.
Prep bell: followed teacher. Classroom kids self-study during our short demo.
"Hoo..."
Exiting prep room, deep breath. Minhee smiled, grabbed my hand. Tension eased.
Elementary teacher lounge was spacious, but classes close. Just lots of facilities. First graders next building over.
Walk gave me time to calm again. Heart pounded louder. Closer, tenser, but footsteps soothed a bit.
Soon, at first grade Class 1 door. I stared at the sign, etching "1" in. Groups 1,2,3 for Classes 1,2,3. Other demo groups arrived for 2 and 3.
At Class 1 door, hands clasped tight, swallowed hard. Kids chatted softly to relax; I gripped behind Minhee, lips shut.
"Eunha. No need to stress that much?"
"Uh-huh... but it's not that easy..."
Head down mumbling, something plopped on my head. Looked up startled—Seonghu oppa's hand, gazing down.
"......!"
Before stifled gasp, low voice.
"Don't tense up so much."
He leaned, whispered face-to-face.
"You'll do great."
"......"
I blinked wide-eyed blankly. Door slid open. Homeroom teacher out. I snapped front. He continued softly, straightening.
"Step up, smile. You'll be fine. Your smile's pretty."
Light head pat. I closed eyes briefly. Opened: he was chatting with the homeroom teacher ahead.
Door opened wide. He beckoned us in. Minhee grabbed my hand. I followed, glanced back at him. Passed smiling, whispered.
"Thanks, Teacher."
Followed Minhee to podium. Kids at desks stared bright-eyed. Others stood tense beside me. Minhee stepped first confidently.
"My magic is Weapon Manifestation Magic. Please watch!"
Elegant sword formed in her hand instantly. Slashed horizontal, mana sprayed. Blade up, turned spear. Chained crescent blade, attribute mana scattered. Sparkled away. I watched, eyes squeezed shut then open.
"Great job!"
Minhee back beside me. Kids' awed voices, claps rang. Heart raced. I stepped forward. Smiled big.
"My magic is Text Magic. Please watch."
Opened book in hand. Flip flip, pages turned, letters floated. Words became images, faded, repeated. Meaningful ones drew like crayons—colored, erased. Fast. Letters swirled festively.
I watched half-dazed. Narrowed to text magic, agonized choice—but nothing showed text magic better. Added flair to original idea. First thought best.
Pages closed, letter illusion filling front faded. I scanned kids' sparkling eyes, smiling. Overflowing emotions in view—not bad. Grinned, turned back.
Demos ended in flash. We exited to genuine applause. Outside, I collapsed.
Shoulders slumped, face covered.
"Ugh... Thought I'd die from tension..."
"Eh? Looked fine from front..."
'Cause I forced smiles. Not fully okay. Face-covered, head down—hand patted back.
Expected Minhee, lifted face. Seonghu oppa there.
"Uh..."
"Good job."
Light praise, then petted Minhee and others' heads.
"All good."
Kids' stiff faces softened to grins. Except ever-calm Minhee.
Wow... I watched their happy faces, blankly looked up at Seonghu oppa. Thought anew.
'Step up, smile. You'll be fine.'
Heard he became teacher last year. Taught middle school seniors a bit, straight to elementary homeroom. But handles kids so well...
Watching, I suddenly got why Eunhee sister fell for him. Stone-faced but so kind.
Wow... Been wondering what Je-hyeon oppa lacked vs. him... Turns out Seonghu oppa's no slouch. Especially the... allure...?
I chuckled at my thought, grabbed Minhee's hand.
"Let's go."
"Yeah!"
Seonghu oppa—surprisingly, a great teacher.