Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: 18. Hard Worker
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Ardell returned to her room and just sat there blankly, hugging her knees. She stared at the door, then lowered her head, then collapsed onto the bed. She let time pass like that. No proper thoughts came to her mind.
How much time had passed when Yoo Eunha came back? It was around 10 p.m., lights-out time, just like the day before. Ardell checked the time and gazed at Yoo Eunha's back. Joo Minhee was scolding her again. "You really! Staying out this late!" Ardell thought absently upon hearing that. Had she been training like this yesterday too? Did Joo Minhee know about it?
...She must have been training so hard that everyone just assumed it.
She had thought she'd badmouth her once her true nature was exposed, but instead, her impressive qualities only stood out more clearly. Ardell closed her eyes, feeling depressed.
Starting the next day, Ardell began observing Yoo Eunha closely. She woke up early in the morning—wondering where she was going, it turned out she was jogging. After jogging, she meditated earlier than anyone else. Then, when it was time for the others to wake up, she returned to the room and followed the training schedule. Yoo Eunha always stuck to the training schedule more diligently than anyone, and squeezed in extra training during breaks. How did she have the stamina for that? No one knew exactly how she'd trained until now, but she endured without issue.
After lunch, during free time, she headed to the training room again. So that's what she'd always been disappearing to do. Ardell wondered when Yoo Eunha had first learned about this training room.
That evening, Ardell spoke to Yoo Eunha. Seeing her training in the training room just like the day before, Ardell stepped inside.
"...Huh?"
Yoo Eunha looked flustered. Ardell asked quietly.
"What are you doing here?"
"Uh, um... Training...."
Yoo Eunha mumbled awkwardly. Then she asked Ardell.
"You too, are you here to... train...?"
"Yeah. But I saw you were already doing it."
It was true that watching Yoo Eunha train nonstop made Ardell want to train too. Ardell slowly approached her.
"You're working hard. Aren't you tired?"
"Uh, yeah? Is that so?"
Yoo Eunha seemed to take it as a compliment and grinned widely. Ardell flinched. She'd thought it before, but the gap between Yoo Eunha's blank expression and her smile was huge.
"You know, do you usually train like this?"
"Yeah? Usually...?"
"No, just... You don't seem to get tired easily. You trained today too, and now you're doing extra training."
"Hmm... Probably more than others."
"Yeah? How do you train?"
At that, Yoo Eunha pondered, looking up at the ceiling and counting on her fingers.
"Uh, um... First, when I wake up, I do basic meditation... Then physical training, jogging for 30 minutes? Or an hour every day... Sometimes in the morning, sometimes evening... Go to school... During leveled classes... After classes, uh, um, just... At home, about 3 or 4 hours? And meditation before bed... This time focusing on physical enhancement... Something like that?"
It felt like she was glossing over it a lot, but Ardell didn't press. Instead, she roughly calculated Yoo Eunha's training time. School required at least one or two hours of magic practice. Plus three or four hours at home.
It didn't seem like much at first glance. But every day, three or four hours. Excluding jogging and meditation, still three or four. So Yoo Eunha invested at least five hours a day in training. Twenty-four hours in a day—that wasn't much. But repeating it every single day? How many could keep that up?
"What kind of training?"
"Huh? Nothing special...."
"Just curious. I'm thinking of doing extra training too, so I want to reference it."
"Hmm... Then... When bored, I doodle with magic, circulate or release mana to increase capacity when I have time, try using magic in imagined ways... Mostly using magic. With the virtual system, cast as much as I want, over and over...."
'Yeah, she does seem to cast the most magic.'
Ardell muttered inwardly, then paused. Yoo Eunha's face was brightening as she spoke. She ended up listing her training with a joyful smile.
"I do sparring too. Sparring shows my magic's weaknesses clearly. I ask Mom and adults I know for advice, read magic books when tired... Above all, using magic is fun...."
It was dazzling. Ardell unconsciously widened her eyes. It was nothing. Nothing at all, yet Yoo Eunha shone brilliantly.
Ardell rubbed her eyes without realizing. Yoo Eunha looked at her curiously. The dazzling light was already gone. Ardell flinched at Yoo Eunha's clear eyes looking at her, then asked after a moment.
"Doesn't all that training tire you out...?"
Listing it out, there was a lot. Was five hours enough? Plus reading books? It was overwhelming. But Yoo Eunha smiled brightly.
"It's fun!"
Ardell stared at her, at a loss for words. Yoo Eunha continued.
"Magic is so fun. The more I practice, the better I get, so I look forward to what I can do next."
Ardell asked in a trembling voice.
"But still... Isn't it tiring? Aren't you overdoing it...?"
"But I enjoy it. Isn't that enough? This isn't excessive at all. If it was obligation, maybe, but I'm doing it because it's fun. Because it makes me happy."
"Happy...? From the effort...."
"I learned magic because I wanted to, and I do it because I want to, so I think I have to put in that much effort. Besides, effort isn't something you do grudgingly. You do it because you want to."
Ardell shut her mouth. It wasn't an illusion—she really shone dazzlingly. Ardell lowered her head.
Training magic had always been torture for Ardell. It made sense. She'd learned magic to kill people. Grown strong to kill. It was torment, hell.
But Yoo Eunha was different. She trained magic purely for enjoyment. This... this kind of...
'It's ruthless.'
Ardell covered her mouth, swallowing dry heaves.
'It pisses me off.'
Born with the same talent—one enjoys magic in a peaceful environment, strives happily; the other builds skill in hellish life, suffering to avoid death.
No story could be crueler. Honestly, Ardell wanted to punch Yoo Eunha and run away right now.
No... she didn't want to hit her.
It nauseated her this much, but she didn't want that smile to vanish.
Ardell shot to her feet.
"Adelman...?"
"...Sorry, suddenly feel sick. I'm going."
"Okay...."
Yoo Eunha saw her off with puzzled eyes. Ardell left Yoo Eunha behind and fled the training room. Then she ran. Ran with all her might, collapsed face-down, and sobbed into her hands.
"Who wants to live like this...! I wish I'd been born like you...! I wanted to... like magic too...."
The anger and desire she'd suppressed burst forth. Yet what annoyed her most was how dazzlingly Yoo Eunha looked in her eyes. So unlike her ugly self.
It was hateful, loathsome... and blindingly bright.
I watched the girl running away with a puzzled expression. Her long blonde hair, unique among our grade, fluttered as she vanished.
"Is she in a lot of pain...?"
Come to think of it, she left without training. But whatever, I thought, caught my breath, and resumed my position.
Her words made me reflect on my training routine. Actually, three or four hours a day was quite understated.
My weekday schedule went like this: Wake early for 30 minutes meditation, go to school for studies and magic practice, circulate and release mana in spare moments, jot magic setups. School ends a bit after 3 p.m. After-school, I meet my mentor three times a week. Otherwise, yeah. Two or three times a week, I hang out with friends, read, or relax. Until... 6 p.m.
After 6 p.m.... First, an hour of running or martial arts for stamina, then magic training until exhausted. In my room, I always use a barrier to alter perceived time. A barrier stretches 1 minute to max 15. My room's already treated like another world by parents and friends.
Before bed, mandatory meditation, then sleep.
So yeah, at least five hours a day on training.
Five hours isn't much to me. Days are just too short. Lucky for virtual devices and barriers.
'Aren't you tired? Isn't it excessive?'
My reason for training? Simple. Magic is good, fun. That's it.
It's not effortless. But the joy of 'magic is fun' outweighs 'I want to get strong,' letting me do it. If it was mere duty, I'd have quit from boredom.
I don't think it's excessive. With my high magic goals, I must effort accordingly. And this routine is familiar now.
Same in my past life. Wrote until sick of it. Novel writing eats time. Only possible because I loved it.
Magic's the same. For a lifetime pursuit, it must be loved. Because I love it, I resolved to become a strong mage.
Plus, magic... grows ever new. Magic-wise, I'll never tire.
"Hoo...."
Catching my breath, I resumed training. Water and lightning fusion was somewhat achievable. Haven't nailed the amplification ratio, but the form's taking shape. Still needs practice without the perfect ratio.
Grinning, I summoned wind again. Add lightning to the wind...!
A fierce storm raged before my eyes.
After that, Ardell decided to stop stalking Yoo Eunha. No need to care anymore. Her purpose had changed, but she didn't even want to deal with her now. It irritated her how shabby she felt by comparison.
But things don't go as planned. As the saying goes, the more you avoid, the closer they get. Just as Ardell tried dodging Yoo Eunha, coincidence struck again. Sparring pairs were drawn by lots—and Yoo Eunha was hers.
'Damn it, what the hell?'
Ardell kept a blank face but glared daggers inside, fuming. Yoo Eunha stood there with a slightly uncomfortable look. Seeing it recalled yesterday's smile. Ardell pressed her lips tight.
'...Fine.'
Muttering inwardly, Ardell gathered mana in her hand. Looking at Yoo Eunha before her, she resolved.
'Fine then. I'll let you win.'
No—I'll crush her.
Ardell prepared to attack. But somehow, Yoo Eunha struck first.
Faster than her match with that senior Han Yujeong. In an instant, she summoned a notebook-like thing above her hand and invoked text.
『Watercolor Soap Bubbles』
What the hell? she thought briefly—but experiencing it, it was damn effective.
Several water-filled soap bubbles burst—pffft—and paint-like contents melted into surroundings. Not just splattering the floor; like bursting on invisible glass walls, they oozed midair. Melting nearby colors, distorting vision like an illusion. The paint blocked Ardell's view and dissolved her prepared magic. Even water magic, fire's counter. Ardell stepped back to dodge, feeling odd. It seemed targeted.
'...Well, duh. Everyone knows my magic's fire.'
Ardell moved swiftly. Crackle—lightning flashed around her. Opponent was Yoo Eunha. No holding back. All power except 'seal.' Ardell dashed through the paint-wall blockade.
But...
'Ugh....'
Stepping in floor goo—her leg stung sharply. Then remaining bubbles burst—pop! Pop! Splashing multicolored water paints. Surroundings became a paint-maze instantly. Water paths impassable; sticky on feet, hindering movement. Water meant fire or lightning couldn't be used lightly—especially lightning risked self-shock. Ardell dispelled her lightning. That instant...
Thwack!
Ardell dodged fast. An attack pierced the paint barrier—plain mana bolt. Ardell clicked her tongue seeing the hole seal instantly. Annoying magic.
Then Ardell leaped sideways. Instinct screamed dodge—nothing visible. Landing, she flinched. Dirt erupted where she'd been.
'Invisible attack...?!'
Chilling. Ardell swallowed, gritting teeth.
Petty? More infuriating. Colors swirled, disorienting. Ardell cast another spell.
Silver powder slowly spread around.
"Mist magic."
Ardell murmured.
"But no guarantee magic mist has moisture, right? Now..."
Ardell spread flames from her hand. Fire caught the mist. ...Boom, BOOM!! Moments later, flaming mist exploded loudly.
Blast winds raged. Ardell at center unaffected. But explosion mixed colors, warping them.
"Wh-what?!'
Ardell poured more magic. Then, she whipped her head up.
It was 'sense.' Clear. Something threatening descended from above.
'What? What's there...?!'
Invisible. But sensing it pierced the 'nothing's there' illusion.
"Swords...?!"
Dozens of mana-only swords. Ardell cloaked in flames. Swords rained on her. Flames-wrapped, she charged Yoo Eunha's direction.
Presence easy to read. Not Yoo Eunha's level, but Ardell mastered presence detection long ago. Charging, she thrust a mist-shrouded flame spear.
'She dodged?!'
But Yoo Eunha evaded naturally. Hidden in mist, yet like she saw the magic clear.
'Detection ability...?'
Switching to next attack, Ardell startled. Not magic—not anything. Yoo Eunha's expression.
Ardell swallowed. Yoo Eunha wore the cold, calm face from facing senior Han Yujeong. Serious eyes on Ardell.
Ardell knew Yoo Eunha never took kids seriously. Felt it in her Han Yujeong fight. Serious meant 'strong one's' aura. Not against peers.
Seeing it, Ardell pressed lips. Felt acknowledged.
...Glad.
Shocked at her own thought. Glad? Unbelievable.
Ardell ground teeth, unleashing full mana. Massive flame wave arced hugely at Yoo Eunha. Spreading fire burned even water balloon traces. Yoo Eunha erected barrier around her. Transparent, but detectable. Ardell sneered inwardly, misting atop it.
Mist slowly eroded the barrier.
"...! Huh...?"
First barrier broken? Yoo Eunha looked flustered. Seeing her panic, Ardell amplified flames. Barrier melted; Yoo Eunha's face grew more distraught. Flames dug deeper inside. Yoo Eunha at loss. Ardell mocked her.
'Talent without fight smarts...'
But then, Ardell widened eyes.
First, floor seemed waterlogged. But surging from below—blue filled vision, vortex engulfing her.
'Ah...!'
Ardell's sight blurred.
Gasp...! Yoo Eunha, despite doing it herself, stared flustered at Ardell's spot. Near-instinct. Danger—unleashed strongest possible attack. Mana now out of control, growing wildly.
Massive water vortex. From before her, ballooned instantly, sucking area into storm via upward surge. Wind-water fusion! Wind-powered giant water storm. Kids barely held against it. Even caster Yoo Eunha blown back.
"My god...!"
Watching teachers gaped at water storm. Near-disaster scale.
"Insane...! Attribute fusion! Even easy water-wind...!"
"No way a kid makes it that huge?!"
Yoo Eunha, sitting meters away flustered, then charged the storm. Han Seonghu and Yoo Min tried blocking, but before— all three, including Jeong Junhwi, froze wide-eyed.
The intense vortex split at her gesture, dispersing like droplets.
Under dazzling blue sky and sun, droplets fountained up, raining sparkle.
Yoo Min muttered at the sight.
"...Wow. Scary, so scary...."
Brief silence, then three rushed to check Ardell amid falling water streams. Through split paths soaring skyward, Yoo Eunha reached for her.
"You okay?!"
Ardell blankly looked up at Yoo Eunha. Under azure sky, sparkling droplets rained around her. Ardell stared dazed. Blindingly scary bright. Like the sun under heaven....
Ardell reached for the extended hand. But sudden head pain gripped her skull.
"Aaaahhh—!!"
Teachers panicked, rushing. Yoo Eunha looked shocked too. Ardell struck with mana-charged hand. Yoo Eunha flung back meters, collapsing.
"Eunha!"
"Adelman...?"
War-ingrained 'instinct' in Ardell's mind. Kill, the one trying to kill you.
'...Kill or be killed.'
Body agony maddening. Ardell screamed, using sealed power. Hatred-burning flames flew at Yoo Eunha. 'Heart'-fueled, snatching even stronger adult mages' lives instantly—cursed flames.
Ardell realized post-launch.
"Ah, no...!"
Three teachers knew Ardell's nature. All four horrified, turning to Yoo Eunha. Touch rots flesh from contact. Touch ends it. But...
"Huh, huh?"
What followed was anticlimactically absurd. Incoming cursed flames—frozen before touch. Roaring blaze iced front-to-back midair, crashing down. Unreal. Yoo Eunha froze death念 flames.
"You, that...."
"Uh, somehow felt like I shouldn't let it touch...."
Nearby teachers muttered blankly. Yoo Eunha glanced at ice lump, approached Ardell again.
"Hey, Adelman. You okay...?"
Now Yoo Eunha reached truly. Ardell tremblingly placed hand atop. Blinding. Ardell narrowed eyes tearfully, looking up.
"How...."
Hand on hand, Ardell bowed head. Yoo Eunha's panicked voice.
"Y-you okay? Sorry, I panicked and...."
Ha, Ardell dry-laughed, biting lip. Yeah, understood. Inevitably... this girl was blinding.
This girl annoyed her. Talented like her, yet ordinary, fragile, yeah ordinary. But talent overflowing.
'And a hard worker... even kind.'
How? Ardell muttered bitterly, head down.
'What is that? No rough edges. Timid, weak-hearted, that's her only flaw.'
Yet... kindly to tears, enviable.
Tears dropped. Her magic, dooming countless—even that sealed instantly. Made nothing of it.
Now she got it.
Why others liked this girl. Talented yet humble, overwhelmingly strong, magic dazzling.
Timid weakling but... honing purely for joy, effort on effort— that magic blindingly so....
That's why lovable. Irresistibly. Clumsy, frustrating with people, but as mage, can't help admiring.
Ardell too. Ardell sobbed rising. Teachers and Yoo Eunha thought fear of huge magic—but no.
Same special talent: Ardell crushed brutally; Yoo Eunha bloomed pure, strong, selfless. Ardell used magic as tool; Yoo Eunha loved it.
Jealous yet, watching endless enjoyment—infuriating, unfair, annoying, hateful—still blinding. Her ideal self there, so hate yet envy blinds.
Her desired self—that's aspiration, no?
========== Author's Note ==========
Paper book vol. 3 preorders available now.
*
Yup! Daily update, so lots of recommendations plz lololol
And changed Hwang Seona to Kim Seona on Namu Wiki. So frustrating... lololol But first time on Namu Wiki, hesitated forever on hitting confirm? Will it work?