Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Wizard Next Door
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“But where are you headed? I’ll press the button for you.”
“......Second floor.”
“Second floor? I’m headed there too. Ah, you’re a wizard as well?”
The woman laughed heartily.
“Haha. Nice to meet you~ I’m a wizard too. What’s your main specialty?”
“......Manifestation system.”
“Hmm. Manifestation system. What main attribute and form do you use? Ah, not trying to pry. Wizards often ask each other stuff like this.”
“That’s...... a secret.”
“A secret, huh. Well, I get it.”
Ding!
The doors opened.
The woman and I stepped out of the elevator.
The moment we arrived on the second floor, a massive magic training hall came into view.
It featured everything from strength training areas to mana training facilities—top-tier equipment across the board.
This was on par with the facilities at the Wizard Academy.
As I paused to take it all in, the woman looked my way.
“Hey, bro. First day moving in must feel amazing. I know the feeling—I was blown away too when I first got here. Haha!”
The woman let out a big laugh and stepped right up to me.
“Ah, but you’re my neighbor—let’s see your face. Why keep hiding it?”
“......Not confident about my looks.”
“Cut the crap. Neighbors should at least introduce ourselves. We’re in the same line of work too. What’s your name?”
The woman leaned in close.
“......Kim Jinwoo.”
“Kim Jinwoo? Haven’t heard that one before. What’s your rank?”
“B-Rank.”
The woman nodded and stared intently at my face.
“......That face looks kinda familiar.”
“I just have one of those common faces.”
“Is that so? Maybe.”
She studied my face for a good while before speaking up.
“Ah, forgot to introduce myself. I’m Jeong Yun-seul. Heard of me?”
“Wow.”
After parting ways with Jeong Yun-seul.
Back home, I sat on the sofa, steadying my racing heart.
“The neighbor was Jeong Yun-seul?”
Jeong Yun-seul.
Guild master of the support wizard guild, Rune of Enlightenment.
One of the world’s top five support wizards.
A heavyweight like that living next door.
What kind of coincidence is this?
If it were just some celebrity neighbor, I wouldn’t be this worried.
The problem was that Jeong Yun-seul had shown interest in me—Kim Sunwoo—in the past.
She suspected that I was the one who dispelled the barrier during the first midterm terror incident.
“......Gotta be careful not to slip up.”
Jeong Yun-seul was famous for her sharp instincts.
She might already be suspicious.
And if......
If she found out I was Kim Sunwoo.
I couldn’t even imagine the headache.
Jeong Yun-seul was known as an absolute eccentric even among wizards.
“Whew.”
Things were already going sideways on my first day.
Shouldn’t have jinxed it by saying I was in a good mood.
This is why picking good neighbors matters.
Time passed, and Monday rolled around again.
Only two days left until vacation.
The school atmosphere was even more chaotic than last week.
Everyone was buzzing with excitement for the break.
“Sunwoo! You decided what you’re doing over vacation yet?”
Yoon Hayoung came up to me.
“Hmm. Probably training or some part-time work.”
It wasn’t a lie—magic training would continue steadily through the break.
“Yeah? So our secret training takes a break during vacation?”
The secret training Yoon Hayoung meant was the demon-slaying power drills we did in the dungeon.
“Yeah, a short break.”
“Hmm. Feels kinda lacking.”
Yoon Hayoung muttered in a disappointed tone.
Just then, the door flew open as a student shouted.
“They posted the final exam results!”
“For real?”
“Hey! Let’s check right now!”
At the news, students rushed to pull out their smart student handbooks.
Yoon Hayoung heard it and immediately took out hers to check her scores.
“Whoa! Sunwoo! I climbed to 11th in practical!”
Yoon Hayoung flashed a beaming smile and yelled over to me.
“Really? Congrats. All that hard work paid off.”
“Yeah. I ended the semester at 26th overall. It’s all thanks to you.”
Seeing Yoon Hayoung so happy lifted my spirits too.
“You said you’d buy me a meal last time. When’s that happening?”
I teased, and Yoon Hayoung’s face lit up like she’d forgotten.
“Ah, right! How about today?”
“Nah, I’m good. Just messing with you.”
“No way. I really wanna treat you.”
“Hmm, then go ahead and treat me today.”
“Hehe. Deal—my treat today!”
As she said that, Yoon Hayoung suddenly remembered something and turned to me.
“Right. Sunwoo, you should check your scores too.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
I pulled my smart student handbook from my pocket and accessed the comprehensive info system. Yoon Hayoung sidled right up next to me.
［2nd Semester Final Evaluation Grades］
［Kim Sunwoo］［2-A］
［Practical - 3rd Place］
［Theory - 1st Place］
［Final Total - 28th Place］
“Whoa, insane! Sunwoo!”
Yoon Hayoung, checking my report card, yelled in shock.
“Practical 3rd? Congrats!”
[‘Top 30 Final Grades’ achievement unlocked.]
[Acquired 5,000 points as reward.]
[‘Practical 3rd Place’ achievement unlocked.]
[Acquired 3,000 points as reward.]
I stared blankly at my report card.
Practical: 3rd place.
Theory: 1st place.
Final total: 28th place.
I’d finally achieved scores worthy of the top ranks.
Wednesday.
The long first semester wrapped up, and summer vacation arrived.
Nearly 150 students filled the auditorium seats, all wearing thrilled expressions.
Being here like this brought back memories of the entrance ceremony. The whole school had gathered just like this back then.
“Hmm. Where to sit......”
“Sunwoo!”
As I scanned for an empty seat, a familiar voice called out.
I turned to see Yoon Hayoung waving from the front row. Yoo Ahra sat beside her.
“Saved you a seat here.”
I chuckled and walked over to Yoon Hayoung.
The vibe was similar to the entrance ceremony, but one big difference was moments like this.
Back then, no one had called out to me.
“Sunwoo, sit here.”
Yoon Hayoung patted the empty seat beside her.
I sat down, and Yoo Ahra, on Yoon Hayoung’s other side, greeted me.
“Hi.”
“Hey, hi.”
With greetings done, Yoon Hayoung wiggled her fingers as she spoke to me.
“Ah~ Vacation’s finally here. Still doesn’t feel real.”
“Yeah. Feels like the entrance ceremony was just the other day.”
“Really? Time dragged for me.”
Yoon Hayoung grinned back. I smiled faintly and asked her.
“What’re your vacation plans?”
“Gonna hang at home with family. Come visit if you get bored. It’s Gangwon-do, so kinda far.”
Yoon Hayoung lived with her grandparents, not her parents.
Despite the messy family situation, one reason she wanted to become a wizard was to make her grandparents—who raised her—proud.
“Might be too busy.”
“Busy during vacation? With what?”
“Training and stuff. Various reasons.”
“Yeah?”
Yoon Hayoung nodded at my answer.
“Bummer. I could’ve made you some seriously tasty food. Way better than that meal I bought two days ago.”
The tasty food she meant was probably her grandma’s cooking.
I recalled the setting: Yoon Hayoung’s grandma was an amazing cook, even if it wasn’t described in detail.
As she spoke, Yoon Hayoung turned to Yoo Ahra.
“Ahra’s coming over to visit.”
Yoo Ahra?
I glanced at Yoo Ahra. Her visiting Yoon Hayoung’s place was an unexpected development. They’d grown closer than I’d thought.
As I gave Yoo Ahra a subtle look, she seemed uncomfortable.
“......Why the weird face?”
“Nothing.”
Time passed, and the vacation ceremony was about to start.
Far off below the stage, I spotted Lee Seojun and Choi Seoyun chatting. Nearby stood a lanky guy—3rd year #1, Kim Chang-hyun—quietly by himself.
They were waiting to give their grade rep speeches, just like at the entrance ceremony.
“Hmm.”
Choi Seoyun’s face was positively glowing today.
With so many people watching, she’d clearly put extra effort into her appearance.
Her nonstop smiling probably aimed to project a bright image to everyone around.
......Talk about a tiring way to live.
I glanced over at Yoo Ahra.
She wore her signature uncomfortable ‘that face’ while staring at Lee Seojun. Right on cue—I couldn’t help but chuckle.
The brief vacation ceremony ended.
Jang Ancheol gathered Class A for a short notice and farewell.
It wrapped up with Jang Ancheol’s “Have a good vacation.”
“Take care, everyone.”
“Yeah, let’s keep in touch!”
“Bye!”
Students exchanged goodbyes and started heading off one by one.
“Finally over.”
“Yeah. Can’t wait to get home and crash.”
“You guys grabbing food?”
“Yeah, let’s eat together.”
Some students headed out in a group for a celebratory party.
“Sunwoo! Take care! Hit me up!”
“Yeah, you too.”
“Take care.”
“You too.”
“Kim Sunwoo! See you in two weeks!”
I exchanged quick farewells with Yoon Hayoung, Yoo Ahra, and Shin Youngjun. I looked around for Lee Seojun, but he was nowhere—probably tied up with grade rep stuff.
“Hmm.”
We’d see each other soon enough anyway. No need for a goodbye.
‘Guess I’ll head out.’
I slowly made my way out of the auditorium.
Outside, I spotted Lee Seojun chatting with a few students.
So that’s where he’d gone—gotten roped into goodbyes.
‘Busy guy.’
I’d find that exhausting.
I shot him a pitying glance and turned toward the school gate.
“Kim Sunwoo!”
Lee Seojun’s voice called out.
“Heading out without even saying goodbye? Feeling snubbed here.”
He walked up to me. I glanced around him before replying.
“You looked busy.”
Lee Seojun chuckled at that.
Then, a guy in his forties or fifties with keen eyes—one of the male students—approached me eagerly from behind Lee Seojun.
I knew him well.
1st year #2, Jeon Mingi.
Choi Seoyun’s rival and one of Lee Seojun’s biggest fans.
“Hi, senior! I’m 1st year Jeon Mingi! You’re Kim Sunwoo senior, right?”
“......Yeah, that’s me.”
“Honored to meet you! Huge fan of Kim Sunwoo senior. I’ve watched every documentary!”
Jeon Mingi said it with gusto.
I was a little taken aback.
He’s my fan?
I stood there awkwardly, and Lee Seojun snickered.
“Looks like Kim Sunwoo’s got a fan now.”
“Quiet.”
“Senior! Every word you said in the documentary hit me right in the heart.
The fight against yourself. The loneliness of the journey. I get it all! We wizards on the pro path are always so alone!”
Is this how viewers saw me while watching the doc?
It left a bad taste—made me uneasy.
Come to think of it, Jeon Mingi was the type who loved cringey stuff like this.
[‘Fan Meeting’ achievement unlocked.]
[Acquired 2,000 points as reward.]
......What’s this?
Talk about random achievements.
An odd feeling washed over me at the sudden unlock.