Prologue Story

The spring passed quickly while we worried, thought, and clashed with each other.

Soon, my long-awaited birthday arrived.

It was the birthday I had promised to pierce my ears with In-ha.

However, sadly, our promise could not be fulfilled.

“Eh? Why~?”

“Seriously. A child who never throws tantrums suddenly acts up like this. Even trying to convince In-ha? Either way, no. Piercing your ears is too early for you kids.”

“What’s too early about it? It’s just piercing ears.”

“I’m telling you, it’s too early! You’re still in third grade, you know.”

“There are people in our class besides us who have pierced ears!”

“But not many, right?”

“Ah, Mom~.”

“I said no! At least until you’re in middle school, you won’t be piercing your ears.”

“You’re telling me to wait three more years?”

The moment I heard those words, I felt a weight on my chest.

In the end, we couldn’t pierce our ears this year.

Instead, my mom, who gave in to my pestering, promised to let me pierce them next year.

She sighed even after making the promise.

Anyway, it was much better than having to wait until I graduated from elementary school to pierce my ears, so In-ha and I, though disappointed, were still happy.

As spring passed, as I worried and attended classes, various events took place, and even In-ha’s birthday passed.

Then, the exam period for the semester approached.

For the first semester of third grade, the practical exam consisted of three parts.

First, use one or more E-rank spell magic, or use ten F-rank spell magic spells.

Second, use one basic true magic.

There are different types of true magic: one is drawing a circle to use magic, and the other is spreading the circle using magic itself.

The first method relies on memory or academic thinking, but the second depends purely on the magician’s abilities.

Therefore, the test we had to take was the latter.

Lastly, succeed in materializing something using only magic power.

By the second grade, the students of this school could already start doing things using only magic power.

So the third task was to create a clearly identifiable form using magic power with enough strength to exert physical force.

“How are you going to handle this exam?”

By the time we were in third grade, everyone here had matured a bit.

Rather than that, studying became a natural part of our routine.

For the written exam, Min-hee sometimes made small mistakes, but since she was very smart, she didn’t have any major issues.

She memorized all the class material during lessons.

The only subject Min-hee struggled with was Korean.

Min-hee didn’t like books and had little emotional sensitivity.

Even so, she memorized everything and scored perfect marks.

Neither Han-soo nor In-ha had any issues either.

Both of them were far smarter than me.

While not on Min-hee’s level, they remembered most of the lesson material.

If they read the textbook just once more, they were fully prepared for the test.

What a bunch of overpowered geniuses.

But there was something unusual—one of us was strong in Korean.

Of course, it made sense for me, since I used to be a novelist.

But Han-soo was also good at Korean.

In fact, Han-soo loved books the most after me and had a rich emotional sensitivity.

When watching sad movies, Min-hee and In-ha were indifferent—they would even laugh during the tragic climax and ask, “Why are they like that?”

Meanwhile, Han-soo, Hyun-ho, and I were the crying types.

I quietly shed tears, Hyun-ho cried out loud, and Han-soo pretended he wasn’t crying.

In any case, the written exam wasn’t a problem for me, as a former adult, or for In-ha, Han-soo, or Min-hee.

But there was one exception—Hyun-ho was in a slightly dangerous position.

Among us, Hyun-ho was the most average, aside from me and Shia.

If we exclude magical talent, his personality and intelligence were both average.

Not that it mattered much—he was still one of the geniuses.

Moreover, he preferred playing over studying.

While he followed us and studied, it was always a struggle for him.

If he tried asking his friends for help, Min-hee and In-ha couldn’t explain anything because they were so smart that the answers just came naturally to them.

What an unfair world this is…

Anyway, during every exam period, helping the whining Hyun-ho study became mine and Han-soo’s responsibility.

At least Han-soo and I were able to teach him in a way that allowed him to solve things on his own.

To be honest, my intelligence was average too, but since this was third-grade elementary school-level material, I could teach it well enough—except for memorization subjects.

Elementary school subjects, aside from those involving memorization, were surprisingly easier.

That reverses once you move on to middle and high school.

“Exams? What exams? Of course, you have to study.”

I turned to Min-hee with a puzzled expression.

To my response, Min-hee shook her head and clarified.

“I’m talking about the spell magic exam. They said to choose between using ten F-rank spells or one E-rank spell. Which one are you going with?”

Min-hee still seemed intent on hiding her magical abilities.

Then Hyun-ho quickly responded.

“Ten F-rank spells? Too troublesome. Using one E-rank spell is easier.”

“Of course, right?”

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

Han-soo and In-ha also found it more convenient.

I felt the same way.

“Using ten F-rank spells… The score might differ depending on the chosen spell, and I want to hide my abilities, but it’s still simpler to use one E-rank spell and be done with it, right?”

“Exactly.”

“And now, there are even a few others around us who can use E-rank magic.”

E-rank magic was far too advanced for ten-year-olds to use.

However, in this school, filled with talented students, there were peers who could already use E-rank magic.

While only one or two per class openly displayed it, that was enough for us to feel reassured about using E-rank magic.

“Come to think of it, where’s Shia? I don’t see him.”

Hyun-ho suddenly looked around and asked.

True, I found it strange too.

We had all decided to study together for once.

Well… except for the two or three people who didn’t seem to need to study at all…

“Him? He said he had plans with a friend today. He’ll start studying tomorrow.”

“I see… Alright then, let’s study!”

For once, Hyun-ho, the one who struggled the most academically, enthusiastically opened his textbook.

I also opened the subject I was weakest in.

Korean was my strongest subject, and I was decent at science.

And elementary school math, unlike middle or high school math, wasn’t so difficult that it required a full day to study.

By elimination, I picked up my social studies textbook.

The social studies here were quite different from the ones I knew.

Especially the modern history—it was distinct.

Even though it seemed similar, this world was ultimately a magical one, different from the one I knew in my past life.

We focused on studying for a while.

Han-soo and I took turns helping Hyun-ho with the parts he didn’t understand.

I typically read the textbook thoroughly first, then memorized the rest by solving problems.

The more problems I solved, the better I memorized.

Especially with memorization subjects, this method worked well.

Wrong answers stuck in my memory the most.

Min-hee skimmed through the textbook and then breezed through the workbook.

The slim, elongated workbook was completed in no time.

Han-soo and In-ha followed a similar process.

It became clear—among us, the only average minds were me and Hyun-ho.

I felt slightly despairing.

Meanwhile, Hyun-ho blinked his eyes sluggishly, looking drowsy.

“Ugh… I’m so bored… I hate studying…”

“Yeah, yeah.”

I sighed and patted Hyun-ho’s back a few times as he whined.

Then Min-hee suggested taking a short break.

“I’m tired of sitting at my desk too! Let’s take a break, okay?”

“Should we?”

“I want to rest too.”

We agreed lightly.

Anyway, Min-hee had already finished her studies and was secretly snacking when she brought it up.

Thus, as we were cooling our heads by watching TV for a bit, we naturally ended up talking about this.

“Right! Should we try sparring with each other?”

It was Min-hee who brought it up.

The others quickly agreed enthusiastically.

“That sounds fun! I’ve never sparred with a real person before!”

“Me neither!”

“True.”

“The teacher didn’t explicitly say ‘Don’t spar,’ after all…”

I hesitated a little but soon agreed.

Fortunately, Min-hee’s house had a virtual training system.

“Then let’s turn on the virtual training system. That way, even if we get hurt, it’ll just disappear.”

“Sounds good. Let’s do that.”

The plan quickly came together.

We all walked into the room equipped with the virtual system.

To be honest, I wasn’t very fond of real sparring.

But this time, I was interested.

Even I knew I wasn’t particularly skilled in combat.

In contrast, these kids were very talented.

Teacher Joon-hwi and Teacher Min, who occasionally visited Master’s house, had repeatedly praised them with delight.

Maybe that’s why.

I wanted to see these kids spar with my own eyes.

Even if the difference in talent was inevitable, my friends and I had similar levels of magical skill.

We had also started learning to fight around the same time.

By experiencing a sparring session with friends who were slightly ahead of me, I felt like I might find a chance to grow.

Even if not, perhaps I could pick up some useful tricks.

“Alright, who wants to go first?”

We decided the sparring order by drawing lots.

The first match was between In-ha and Han-soo.

In-ha and Han-soo, huh…

I felt a little nervous sweat as I watched the two stare at each other with serious expressions before the match even started.

You two… don’t take it too seriously, okay?

The virtual system activated, centering around In-ha and Han-soo.

From behind the glass wall, we rang the start bell.

“3! 2! 1! Start!”

As soon as Min-hee shouted, In-ha immediately launched an attack.

No matter how you looked at it, In-ha was a battle-oriented magician.

A classic, offensive-type magician.

“Wow! Right from the start!”

“Tree of Shelter!”

However, the light was swallowed up by the tree vines that sprouted in front of Han-soo.

The tree absorbed the light, growing even larger.

Well… light is the primary nourishment for plants.

Although it can differ depending on its nature.

The branches of the tree that covered Han-soo lashed out like whips, shooting toward In-ha.

In-ha used the light to move swiftly, dodging the vines.

Those she couldn’t avoid, she burned with the heat of the light.

But at some point, the form of the tree began to change.

The leaves turned black and scattered dark light around.

In-ha’s expression hardened.

The light In-ha had scattered was gradually diminishing.

I could see why.

Darkness was encroaching on the domain of light.

Unbelievable!

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

Han-soo was originally a magician with the light attribute.

For him to dominate a domain with the darkness attribute…

Well, he couldn’t have used light against her.

If it were light against light, In-ha, with her attribute magic, would have the advantage.

Han-soo grabbed a tree trunk and pulled it out.

The pulled-out trunk transformed into a wooden sword.

Perhaps because it was wood, the blade looked dull.

Han-soo enveloped the sword in magic power and swung it.

“Ha!”

I watched the sparring session with a gaze that felt like it might be entranced.

Goodness, is this really a duel between ten-year-old kids…?

Meanwhile, In-ha, who had her light attribute magic partially suppressed by Han-soo, was still unrestrained in her movements.

She reached out her hand toward the blade flying at her.

A brilliant flash of lightning extended with a crackling sound.

Crackle-crackle-crackle!

“Ugh…!”

Han-soo covered his sword with magical energy to block the lightning attack.

At that moment, the magical properties surrounding the tree shifted again.

Han-soo’s strongest affinities were with plant, light, and fire attributes.

Flames swirled around Han-soo’s sword.

The lightning extending from In-ha’s hand moved and took the form of a sword.

In-ha overlaid light attribute magic onto her lightning sword.

The two forces collided with a loud crash.

Boom!

After clashing head-on, the two were repelled from each other and fell to the ground.

“Ouch, that hurts!” Han-soo shouted.

I yelled at them in a panic.

“Are you both okay?!”

“That was super flashy…”

“Didn’t you two go too hard on each other?”

Hearing my concern and Min-hee’s scolding, In-ha silently dusted herself off and got up.

Han-soo, grimacing, stood as well.

The two of them were in better condition than I expected.

It was because they had no hostility toward each other.

Magic is guided by the magician’s intent.

If used with the intent to harm, it leaves wounds, but if not, it only delivers magical impact.

That’s what a magician’s ‘battle’ is.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re scorched, are you really okay?”

“Yeah, no problem.”

Despite the intensity of their battle, they finished the sparring match with no animosity or anger and exited the glass chamber.

However, their eyes, filled with competitive spirit, glared at each other.

It felt as if sparks were flying between their gazes.

“Hmm… so next up is me and Eun-ha?”

“Yeah, looking forward to it.”

“Han-soo, can you fight me after this?”

“Of course, it’s no problem. Plus, we did it in the virtual system, so I’m fine.”

“Oh, right.”

As I listened to Han-soo and Hyun-ho’s chatter, Min-hee and I stepped inside together.

Standing a reasonable distance apart, I gazed at Min-hee nervously.

In contrast, Min-hee’s face lit up with excitement.

I rotated my wrist subtly.

‘Sparring, huh.’

If I sparred, especially against someone I knew, my biggest problem would be…

I took a deep breath.

Could I attack?

Would I accidentally… botch my attack?

Well, this is a virtual space, after all.

I repeated deep breaths.

I knew myself best.

I wasn’t suited for fighting.

Before a battle even started, I would be scared like an ordinary little girl.

I feared both getting hurt and hurting others.

But training was necessary.

And for training, sparring was essential.

I accepted that much.

“Alright, Eun-ha, let’s have a good match.”

“…Okay.”

Unlike me, Min-hee was said to have exceptional talent as a battle magician.

It wasn’t just Min-hee—In-ha, Han-soo, Hyun-ho, and everyone else had extraordinary talent for survival in this world.

Except for me.

I had no outstanding intellect, combat skills, or physical talents.

What I did have were my thought processes shaped by my life as an adult and a heightened sensitivity to magic.

Those were the qualities that brought me to where I stood now.

“Three!” someone began counting from outside.

I layered a thin barrier around myself.

Visually, there would be no difference.

“Two!”

I gathered magic around me.

I took a combat stance.

I spread my senses.

The colors of the magic in my surroundings vividly appeared in my vision.

“──One!”

Start! Sparring begins!

The moment the count ended, Min-hee charged at me.

I jumped backward once.

Min-hee threw a punch.

From it, a red bullet shot out.

The red bullet exploded into a fiery whirlwind in front of me.

I used elemental magic.

Cold water extinguished the flames instantly.

However, the water I created temporarily blocked my field of vision.

Min-hee took advantage of that brief moment and launched a kick at me.

Her attack was infused with magic.

Panicking, I teleported away.

Before Min-hee could locate my new position and charge again, I deployed illusion magic.

Mist resembling ice shards scattered around me.

Darkness overlaid the mist.

Min-hee, a rare non-attribute magician, could wield all attributes equally.

But that also meant she had no specialty.

Min-hee couldn’t defeat me in the realm of the darkness attribute.

I compressed the darkness further.

Yet Min-hee passed through it as if it were nothing.

“…!”

Only then did I notice Min-hee’s eyes glowing strangely.

“I can see everything.”

Min-hee’s magic was sensory magic.

My magic was illusion magic.

My illusions had a 50% chance of affecting the brain.

But Min-hee’s sensory magic allowed her to perceive all surrounding information.

My illusions didn’t work on her.

Yeah… at least not until they were “materialized.”

To be honest, I should have used actual darkness magic in my earlier attack.

That would have been the right choice.

But I hesitated because darkness magic was one of the most aggressive attributes.

The “what if” scared me, and I held back a judgment that would have favored me.

Min-hee quickly closed the distance between us.

Her punch seemed to move in slow motion.

Bullets scattered around Min-hee.

With my barrier still intact, I watched her closely.

A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.

With no other option left, I locked eyes with Min-hee.

Our gazes met.

I felt my vision blur, as if my consciousness were being drawn inward.

Min-hee’s eyes momentarily lost focus and dulled.

I didn’t miss that moment.

The barrier curved around Min-hee, restraining her body.

I extended my hand and released raw magical energy without any attributes.

“Whoa!”

Min-hee’s body flew through the air.

I hastily cast barrier magic.

A soft barrier cushioned her landing.

“Ah, what the heck~.”

Min-hee grumbled.

I placed my hand over my pounding heart, trying to catch my breath.

──It was only for a moment.

I watched the grumbling Min-hee return to her cheerful self.

I was awestruck.

How could this be the skill level of a child?

Min-hee had seized an opening in an instant and attacked.

Just now, I had witnessed overwhelming combat instincts and talent firsthand.

“Of course, I lost. Haha.”

I stared blankly at Min-hee’s retreating back as she left the sparring chamber and then followed her.

If I hadn’t used mind-related magic just now, I would’ve lost for sure.

I clenched my fists tightly.

The pounding in my chest refused to settle.