Academy Preparations (3)
Wednesday. Two days before crossing over to that world, Kim Jihye checked my abilities and Kim Charyeok's.
Unlike before, now that I could transform Jin Gang Ri Ling, I demonstrated a "new transformation." Kim Jihye watched me impassively, then nodded.
"That should be enough so you won't get looked down on over there."
Kim Charyeok chimed in, as if asking how he measured up. Kim Jihye stared at him blankly before replying.
"You're a natural-born type from the start, so you're not someone I can meddle with. Once you're over there, learn from teachers or youkai specializing in constitutions. There are plenty who are obsessed with that stuff."
"Hm...! New workouts waiting in that world...!"
Kim Charyeok, whose brain was packed with muscle, interpreted it his own way and flashed a toothy grin. In the old days, Kim Jihye would have sighed and glared at him like he was some lunatic. But now, she seemed used to it, casually lighting a cigarette without batting an eye.
As Kim Jihye took a drag, I asked her,
"But... will just this one thing keep me from getting ignored over there?"
Jin Gang Ri Ling. According to Kim Jihye, it was the most basic of basic sorceries. Other sorcerers and youkai were taught sorcery and their own energy from birth. Yet she claimed I wouldn't get ignored in that world just for expelling yang energy with a simple "perform" command, minus any subject. It seemed more unbelievable that guys like that wouldn't look down on someone like me who could only use Jin Gang Ri Ling.
"Isn't what I do just basic addition?"
This felt like the gap between a college undergrad and a grad student. A sorcerer who could only handle the fundamentals of fundamentals entering the academy.
When I voiced my doubts to Kim Jihye, she smirked.
"Yeah, you're right—it's just addition. But your addition is something no one else can do."
"Huh?"
"Sorcery has no limits. Even the most despised low-grade spell can transform endlessly if the user refines it and introduces new formulas."
Kim Jihye walked over with heavy steps and pointed at the rock in front of me.
"Look at what you did."
"......"
Shattered rocks everywhere. Pointing at the aftermath of my Jin Gang Ri Ling from moments ago, Kim Jihye snapped her fingers. Golden light shot from her fingertip—same Jin Gang Ri Ling. But when it hit the rock, it only nibbled at a crack before scattering everywhere.
"See? You did something even I can't."
Kim Jihye flicked her finger sharply again, levitating a chunk of the rock I'd smashed. She toyed with the fragment, clearly intrigued, then said,
"You think they'll ignore a guy who didn't even know sorcery basics but mastered control and transformation enough to pulverize rock in days?"
She tossed the fragment behind her back and declared,
"Nah. They'll swarm you with interest. You're not some born sorcerer—you're a regular human who crossed over into this."
"...I guess so."
I wasn't thrilled about getting ignored, but unwanted attention didn't sit right either.
Sorcery Youkai Academy. Hard to picture a place mixing sorcerers and youkai.
As I spaced out, wiping sweat and slumping to the ground, Kim Charyeok paused his push-ups and said to Kim Jihye,
"Then I won't get ignored either, right?"
Kim Jihye eyed his flexing muscles and clicked her tongue.
"Mark my words—one look at you, and most youkai will run."
"Hm...?"
Kim Charyeok twitched his pecs in confusion. At the grotesque sight, Kim Jihye and I both grimaced in unison.
I knew nothing about that world, but one thing was certain. A bald, musclebound giant would inspire the exact same thoughts in anyone.
Thursday. One day before heading to the Sorcery Youkai Academy.
Today's date with Miho meant I rushed home, changed into my neatest, cleanest clothes, and headed to our meetup spot at the lakeside park.
A striking girl caught my eye. Long black hair down to her waist, clutching a small bag with both hands, eyes sparkling—she was the kind of beauty anyone would double-take at. Make that triple-take.
Miho's looks went beyond pretty; they had a bewitching allure.
As I hurried toward her, I spotted guys lurking nearby closing in. Eyes wide, I bolted over. The two dudes were awkwardly chatting her up.
"Uh... hey, can we get your number...?"
They didn't seem like bad guys. Overwhelmed by Miho's stunning presence, they could barely spit out words.
I sighed in relief, gently wrapping an arm around Miho's shoulders.
"Hanjuun?"
Miho glanced up at me. Arm still around her, I stared silently at the guy. I wasn't Kim Charyeok-level built, but I had some confidence in my frame. Under my blank gaze, he shuffled off awkwardly.
"Sorry, I was a bit late."
If I'd come sooner, this wouldn't have happened. As I apologized, Miho grinned and shook her head.
"Nah~ I got here early!"
Glancing at the time, yeah—thirty minutes early. As I scratched my head, Miho suddenly laced her fingers with mine.
"Hehe, tomorrow you're off to that world again. So you gotta hang with me all day today, okay?"
Miho was always the flirty, touchy type. She'd rub cheeks, press close. But this was the first time in her human form, fingers intertwined like this. The prim beauty smiling sweetly at me had my heart racing.
Her aegyo and skinship had set my pulse pounding plenty before. But knowing today's purpose was a date, feeling her soft fingers twined with mine... I tensed up without realizing.
"Hmm~?"
Sensing my stiff fingers, Miho toyed with them. After fiddling a bit, she flashed a sly smile.
"Hanjuun likes this form, huh?"
"Not... really..."
I mumbled an evasion, but Miho hummed carefree and tugged me along.
Following her quick steps, she turned back with a wink.
"It's fine. Whatever form, I can switch to what you like."
Playfully, she turned her bangs white. I freaked, trying to cover her hair. She swiftly switched back to black and gripped my fingers tight.
"C'mon, Hanjuun. Lots I wanna do today."
Toying with my fingers like she wouldn't let go, Miho skipped ahead, hips swaying excitedly. It reminded me of her tail-wagging self. Form changed or not, Miho was Miho. I quietly followed.
Our date with Miho.
I'd braced for being dragged everywhere, but surprisingly, her first stop was the movie theater. Seemed like she wanted a normal couple's date.
Smiling at her obvious intent, Miho's brown eyes sparkled as she looked around.
"Ooh~ So this is a movie theater."
Sniffing curiously like a puppy, she froze on one spot: the popcorn machine. She stared mesmerized as caramel-mixed kernels poured out.
"Wanna get some?"
"...Yeah! I'll grab the tickets then."
Spotting the ticket kiosk, she dashed off excitedly. I bought the caramel popcorn she'd eyed, grabbing cola too. Returning, she proudly flashed two horror movie tickets.
"Ta-da~ Horror flick."
The hot new horror movie. I eyed her, wondering if she'd be okay. She blinked innocently.
"Everyone watches horror on dates, right?"
Fair enough—she was a youkai. She'd faced down demons without flinching last time, so a movie should be nothing.
That was what I thought... until the movie started and a ghost jumped on screen. Miho let out a shrill shriek.
"Eek!"
Hiccuping wildly. Glancing over in worry, I froze. Hands clamped over her mouth in shock was one thing.
Triangular fox ears had popped out on her head.
I yanked her close, gently pressing the ears down. Realizing, she hiccuped again and tucked them away.
"Ugh... uuu... Hanjuun."
Shivering, she buried her face in my chest. Worried the ears might pop again, I stroked her head while watching. Anxious, she gnawed my side with her fangs, burrowing deeper. My shirt soaked with saliva, but her cuteness kept me silent, offering my body as her pillow.
