The Reincarnated Mage Is Obsessed with Modern Science!
For some reason, news reports about incidents involving Awakened individuals keep popping up every single day.
Gate Escort - Behavior almost bordering on blackmail! No extra pay and you're out.
Gate Tourism - Missing families.
D-Class Kang Jiho - Why does he do that?
The detectives worked so hard on our case that it even made the special news broadcast.
Good morning. I'm Jeong Il-young from the 9 a.m. news. Today, I'm here to talk about the reality of Awakened crimes that have been causing so much controversy. I'd like to introduce Senior Superintendent Kang-jik from Gangnam Police Station, who is helping us.
Nice to meet you. Team leader of the newly established Awakened Crime Investigation Unit at Gangnam Police Station.
"Whoa? Why is that uncle on screen?"
"Ian? Do you know anyone at the police?"
"Huh? No way. Why police? I just mistook him for someone I know because he looks similar."
That was the officer who saw us off when we left the police station after escaping the gate and getting questioned a while ago.
He was the kind of uncle who always patted his hands when meeting criminals and then slapped them across the face.
"Right. Where else would our daughter go to the police station? Are you going to school today?"
"I have a lot of stuff to do. Thanks to Mom, I can leave early. Thank you."
"You were yelling about how it hurts?"
"It really does hurt."
"But your body is really loose now, isn't it?"
"It's amazing. I thought it was like some martial arts expert's acupressure."
The pain I never wanted to experience again was intense, but the effect was amazing.
I thought I'd have to lie in bed for a whole week, but I felt better in just two days.
"But how did the fingers dig so deep into the flesh and push it away?"
"If you exercise like Mom, your finger strength will increase."
"Oh? Grip strength?"
"Yeah. You need strong hands."
It felt a little grotesque, like the fingers were burrowing through the muscle and pushing along the fiber.
It actually hurt like something was bursting, but in the end it felt refreshing.
It felt like I was turning into a mad scientist, though....
"Then I'll head out."
"And you're going to come back, right?"
"Why not? Is it that bad?"
"It's pretty, but lately you're wearing workout clothes around like daily wear?"
"These are so comfortable!"
Only pants? But even if they're pants, I'm confused because there's a mini skirt on top of the leggings.
"Maybe you're just comfortable with pants?"
"Yeah, that too. When I'm in the lab, skirts are a bit uncomfortable. Last time it was windy and the skirt flipped up... ahh."
I gave a pitiful expression to add some justification for wearing pants.
Please, no more skirts....
"Hmm. Thinking about it, your dad's lab is probably pretty messy, huh?"
"Then I'll go like this?"
"I'll get you other clothes."
"What? This is really comfortable! I love it!"
Huh? Mom? What are you buying this time?
It feels like you're buying pants.... I'm getting a bad feeling....
"You can't wear workout clothes every day, right?"
"Okay. But..."
"What's uncomfortable?"
"The top is too long, isn't there a shorter one?"
"It's pretty though?"
It is pretty. It's just that the belly button keeps peeking out...
Wearing an outfit that shows the navel while exercising is seriously embarrassing.
"My belly button itches."
"That's not enough reason for a longer one?"
"... ... "
"... ... "
My tiny resistance had zero power, as always. Can I really become independent?
Should I just close my eyes and do a fake marriage with a guy and hold his hand....
Ding. Ding-ding~ Ding-ding-ding~
Uweh-eek-
Even I think marriage is too much of a stretch. Do I really have to keep sneaking into gates like a stray cat?
"I'll be back.... "
"Be careful with the taxi and don't follow anyone."
"Yes!"
I stepped out wearing a crop top that showed a little of my waist, blue jacket, and light gray leggings skirt.
Mom's designated outfit.
If I wear it, Mom says it turns into a mess or something. Even at this age, Mom is still picking out my clothes. It's a secret no one can know.
Today I took a taxi to school.
- Awakeneds are causing more and more crimes! Is this okay?
- The government should make new laws!
- Where did the safe South Korea go?
'There are protests here too.... '
Only 1% of people commit crimes, yet everyone is in an uproar.
Probably because they're afraid of the power they don't have themselves?
'It's a bit unnatural, though. Like someone is inciting it.'
But how do you even arrest an Awakened criminal? I need to find out.
Ordinary steel jails would get rusted or broken and escapees would multiply.
My first item is going to be mana cuffs.
Ah! First I have to fix Dolmaeng-i.
I headed to the lab with a happy heart. My steps were so light it felt like good things were coming~
"Clank!"
"Dad~ I'm homeee~ "
The moment I opened the door, my voice shrank by itself from the terrible atmosphere.
The instant I entered the lab, I saw Dad in a sports cut, invisible sunglasses, and earphones plugged in.
These days even thugs have good gear....
"Ah... Dad! What's wrong!"
Behind the kimchi pile, Dad was on his knees with his head bowed.
No way? Did Dad borrow money because of research funds???
"You guys came at the wrong time! It's our Dolmaeng-i! Ugh.... It's broken.... "
If only Dolmaeng-i had been fine, I wouldn't have had to suffer this humiliation.... It's so embarrassing.
"Huh? What's up, little one?"
"Grandpa?"
Why is Grandfather here? Then are these black-suited men not thugs but bodyguards?
"Ian, are you really hurt anywhere?"
"Of course! What could I get hurt doing?"
"Pat pat pat"
Grandpa used the chance to wave his hands back and forth while looking at me.
No matter how close we are, I can't understand telepathy?
Not even a crab....
"You went to the gate, right?"
"Th-that..."
"Don't think of lying. I already know everything."
"Oh no...."
His lips were pressed tight, jaw bulging.
This is the moment before a tactical nuke explodes.
How did Grandpa know?
For now, my only job is one thing.
"Thud-"
My knees, feather-soft, had already touched the floor before I realized it.
"P-please save me. Please, for Mom only."
"I'm not scared?"
"Compared to Mom, a little?"
Honestly, Grandpa or Dad could win.
If I endure goosebumps and play up a little, I can somehow get through it.
But the real fear is if this news reaches Mom's ears.
"You'll really be in trouble. Kim, call Hisu for me."
"Yes, Chairman."
I thought it was just an act. But the atmosphere felt so real.
If I let it go like this, it seemed like an irreversible disaster would happen.
"Gwaaah! Save Uncle the manager!"
"Young lady, you can't do that."
"Aaaah! I'm going to die!"
I clung desperately. I clung like my life depended on it.
I even rolled around on the floor, so I had said everything.
"Hoo.... Let's hear the story first."
"Please ask me anything!"
I told Grandfather everything about going to the gate for the robot we made and the experiment, without missing a single detail.
"Huh? Fusion of magic and engineering?"
"It's a technology fusion that will bring a revolution!"
"Amazing!"
He even looked happy with my enormous discovery named "magic engineering."
"So that's what happened."
"That's right! The escort guy just ran away leaving us!"
"If I catch him, I'll make sure he never sees the sun again."
I bit the damn hunter to pieces.
Grandpa really is on my side.
He understood us!
"Whip! Whip!"
Dad's head shake became more intense. What? What did I miss?
"But Ian?"
"Yes!"
My answer was bright and energetic!
Grandpa would somehow get through it.
"You know you did something wrong, right?"
"Of course! I won't do anything like that again!"
"I see."
Huh? Why is Grandpa's gaze behind me?
"Somehow lately you've been wearing workout clothes. Haa.... What should I do with this kid.... "
"Eh... wh-what..."
I was so flustered my words wouldn't come out.
This is too embarrassing?
Grandpa? Our atmosphere was good?
Why are you doing this to me?
Because when I looked where Grandpa was staring, it was Miss Mun Hisu.
My mother.
I was dead.
"Who said it wasn't your daughter. What are you doing? I told you before, right? Watch her closely."
It was like he was secretly gloating, as if saying 'If you have a daughter like you, you'll understand my heart.'
"I was keeping her close just in case this would happen. I'll handle it myself!"
Of course, Mom, who had already figured it out, glared at me with even more anger. Her eyes were so intense it felt like I was being grilled.
Is Grandpa not on my side?
"Even this time, you didn't say anything?"
"I'm grateful you told me, but I was already suspicious. I would have found out soon."
I see. The point is, I was already doomed.
Haha. Finally I met a golem. I hope my next life is better.
"Ian, do you have anything to say?"
"Mom. I, I, I beg you. Please let me make only robots."
"No way."
"Kk...."
I couldn't give up. This was a problem that would decide my life.
I couldn't survive any longer in Mom's skirt.
"Then please be well. I'll come back successful later."
"Pitter-pat-"
I had never moved so fast in my life.
When I get home, I won't see the sun again. This is my only chance.
Do-bi is heading out to find freedom.
Ian is free now! I'm running away!
"Eh?"
"No?"
"What the...?"
Dad, Grandpa, and Kim too were stunned, and the bodyguards couldn't even raise a hand. The lab door was right in front of me.
If I can just open this door!
The light coming through the small window on the lab door felt like stairs to heaven.
"Gulp-"
"Kwaaaaa-"
But a hand of the Demon King was tightening my throat.
Mom was faster than me.
"Look at this. Were you trying to run away? Were you trying to run away?"
"Gwaaaa! Save me! I want freedom!"
Ah. I could feel the heart of the warrior who once yearned for independence.
"Who stopped you?"
"I told you not to go to the gate!"
"Haa...."
"You just said not to do dangerous things!"
"That's what I said!"
"It's not entirely wrong."
Suddenly? Is this also Dolmaeng-i?
But thinking about it, why did I have to go to the gate?
Wait.... Mana stone.... I had to go in.
I need to persuade her.
"Okay. Mom, listen carefully."
"Yeah. Let's hear some nonsense."
"Moon. Moon-moon. Moon. Moon-moon."
"Bang!"
Aaaah.... Even this kind of humor isn't accepted. It wasn't a joking atmosphere.
I had to be serious.
"The robot I made is very strong! Actually, I didn't even need an escort."
"I heard. It defeated the most dangerous one and saved its life?"
That's right. Mom also knows how wonderful Dolmaeng-i No. 1 is. Good.
"I can make many of those guys."
"I heard you need mana stones. I thought the country had exclusive contracts."
As expected.... A rich girl. I thought she never studied business because she was a ballerina....
Somehow she watched a lot of news.
"That mana stone, I'll find more of them."
"So what are you going to do?"
"Huh?"
"You're going in there again, aren't you?"
"The escort will keep increasing...."
If I keep making golems....
F-class gates....
"Right now?"
"Just one...."
This is the wrong atmosphere.
Should I really pack a bag and run away at dawn?
"Hug."
"Yes."
"You're really similar to Mom."
"Really? I can't even clean or cook."
It was serious, but Dad and Grandpa were holding back laughter. What? Kim too?
Is there some secret I'm not knowing?
"If it's my daughter, even if I stuff her hair in a room, she'll come out, right?"
"Hair? Can I even shave now? What's so important about this?"
"Haa...."
Really? If thinking like a mage, longer hair is more inconvenient.
When working, it gets caught and bitten. If a fight breaks out, I have to run but hair gets grabbed. Game over.
"Robots are that good?"
"Yeah. Really. If you don't let me, I'll die. I'm serious."
"Then let's make a promise with Mom."
"???"
No way? An atmosphere of permission?
"Never do anything dangerous."
"Of course! I won't be out there. The robot will go instead. I'll wait near the entrance and the robot will handle the activities."
"Not knowing the world."
"Yes."
That's right. If someone hits you in the back with a club while you're watching the screen, it's over.
"So three days a week will be spent exercising with Mom."
"Yes. Huh? Three days?"
Suddenly it increased from one day?
"Even if the activities are done by the robot, you have to go running, right?"
"Ah?"
That was true. Exercising with Mom this time helped a lot.
"And Mom will go too."
"Eh? Why?"
"If Ian gets into trouble, Mom goes first."
"Haa...."
If I turn it around, if Mom doesn't want to see me die, don't do dangerous things and handle it yourself?