Prologue Story

There was no particular incident for a while after that.

The one who was treated like the leader of the class, that… Kang Ye-seul, was it?

That girl’s domineering attitude was still present.

Actually, had it gotten a bit worse…?

However, it wasn’t to the point where I cared much.

More than that, I focused on magic.

Even while school life wasn’t exactly smooth, my magic continued to grow.

The chance of illusions affecting the brain had now exceeded 20%.

The range at which I could use Written Magic had expanded, and Barrier Magic had also grown significantly since last year.

Not only had the duration for maintaining barriers increased, but I could now create one large enough to barely fill an entire room.

Recently, I had been practicing infusing attributes.

At first, the passage was barely a pinhole, but now it was wide enough for an orb to pass through.

It turned out that extending the distance of the passage was much harder than increasing its size.

The distance was still only around 10 cm at most.

The teacher said that was impressive as it was.

I wasn’t the only one who had grown.

Han-soo, who had previously used magic by creating wooden sculptures, could now grow a living tree on his own.

Min-hee infused magic into bullets.

Hyun-ho and In-ha had also significantly improved.

However, since I wasn’t the person in question, it was hard to pinpoint exactly how much they had grown, except for In-ha, who was always with me.

In-ha had improved a lot.

Her light could now easily pierce through thick wooden boards.

Judging by the scorched appearance around the pierced boards, it seemed that it released considerable heat.

Her secondary magic, Lightning Magic, still had many shortcomings, but when combined with her light, it produced a truly fearsome effect.

At that point, Teacher Joon-hwi and Teacher Min informed us that our magic combat training would begin.

“You’ve developed the necessary stamina faster than expected and have become proficient in the new meditation techniques. Furthermore, your magic already possesses the aggression needed for combat. It would be good for you to learn magic combat sooner than others.”

“Yes!”

As if they’d been waiting for this, Min-hee and Hyun-ho responded in loud voices.

In-ha, Han-soo, and I responded more casually on the spot.

However, although our voices were softer, the excitement in their eyes sparkled just as brightly as Min-hee and Hyun-ho’s.

I raised my hand and cautiously asked a question.

“Um… Teacher, even if that’s true for the others… my magic isn’t particularly aggressive, is it? I feel like I’m not really suited for combat training…”

“You’ve already managed to make illusions that can affect the brain. And noticeably so, at that. That’s sufficient.”

“Hmm…”

“It’s true that not all of your magic is offensive. Your main magic, Illusion Magic, doesn’t seem to be crafted with attack in mind.”

I nodded quietly at his words.

“But there will inevitably come a time when any non-combat magician has to engage in battle. It’s an unavoidable reality in the world of magicians. You should start learning offensive magic, bit by bit. Whether it’s a Unique Magic, Attribute Magic, Spell Magic, or True Magic, find the offensive magic that suits you. You haven’t really studied offensive magic, have you?”

I nodded.

Though I had studied Attribute and Spell Magic with offensive applications in mind, my interest level had remained minor.

To be honest, I had no real interest in offensive magic.

I didn’t like the idea of hurting others, and just the thought of using magic for attack made me uncomfortable and uneasy.

The magic I had diligently studied up to this point mostly pertained to attribute-related magic or supportive magic that seemed useful for daily life.

My enthusiasm for Attribute Magic wasn’t to use it for offense but simply because I was interested in magic itself.

For Spell and True Magic, I mainly focused on Space Magic and Illusion Magic.

As for True Magic, I particularly studied Written Magic.

Since I only began studying True Magic and Spell Magic in earnest this year, I had only just covered the basics.

“Your Barrier Magic for defense using the barriers is impressive. But from now on, start learning magic that can be used to attack someone during combat. This is for your survival as a magician.”

I was born into this world and chose to become a magician.

Then, I needed to brace myself for the moment when I would inevitably have to fight.

With a firm expression, I nodded obediently.

“And anyway, the first thing you’ll learn won’t be how to attack. It’s how to dodge.”

“What…?”

“Virtual mode, on.”

That was the activation word.

At Teacher Joon-hwi’s words, the surroundings instantly transformed.

A round machine floated in front of me.

It looked like a surveillance camera.

As the light from the machine illuminated the surroundings, the scenery distorted and changed.

Before I knew it, we were standing in a clearing in the middle of a forest.

I tensed up at the sudden shift, clenching my fists.

It was a virtual reality, a space simulation.

I looked around in surprise, while In-ha and Han-soo remained indifferent, and Min-hee and Hyun-ho looked around with wonder.

Teacher Joon-hwi began to speak to us with a serious expression.

“To engage in combat, the first thing you need to learn is how to dodge. Dodging means you can protect yourself. In that sense, Eun-ha’s magic is highly effective.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. No matter how well you attack, if you don’t dodge, it’s meaningless. And conversely, if you can’t dodge an attack, you won’t survive. Unless you enjoy getting hurt, what’s the point?”

And that would be what’s called masochism.

Teacher Min’s words made me think of such trivial thoughts.

Meanwhile, I looked around tensely.

Teacher Joon-hwi continued speaking.

“So, what you’ll be doing from now on is training to dodge attacks. Each of you will go individually, while the others watch. Observe how your friends dodge. We’ll start with the easiest level, so take it seriously.”

“Yes!”

This time, even In-ha and Han-soo responded earnestly.

This was the first real combat training.

Our parents hadn’t taught us because they thought it was still too dangerous.

“So… shall we decide the order with rock-paper-scissors? Or a random draw?”

“A random draw? Do we have sticks here?”

“We’ll do it by computer. The program will mix it up randomly.”

Min-hee looked around in surprise.

Teacher Joon-hwi tapped the camera-shaped projector, which was connected to a laptop by a cord.

Ah, I see.

“Then let’s do that!”

“Let’s.”

I also thought that would be better than rock-paper-scissors.

Once everyone agreed, Teacher Joon-hwi accessed the laptop next to the projector.

Soon, on the computer screen, balls with our names on them were being shuffled inside a glass container.

After a moment, one of the balls popped out of the container.

The first one up was In-ha.

“Wow! It’s In-ha!”

“Do your best!”

We cheered for In-ha and quickly stepped back at the teacher’s gesture.

In-ha looked back at me as she walked forward according to the teacher’s instructions.

I smiled and silently mouthed, ‘Do well.’

Recognizing this, In-ha flashed a faint smile.
“Most things, you’ll learn by dodging on your own, but I’ll give you a few tips. Think of the specific methods yourself. In the first stage, the attacks will only come from the front. Don’t close your eyes because you’re scared. Keep ‘watching’ until the end. Watch properly and dodge. This is the basic and most important principle of evasion.”

Before the evasion training began in earnest, Teacher Joon-hwi taught us the essentials of dodging. We listened carefully.

“If an attack comes from behind or the side… if you can see it, dodge by sight; if you can’t see it, sense it and evade. You need to practice until you can do that. The most important thing is to keep ‘watching’ until the end. Don’t forget.”

I squinted slightly. Watching until the end and then dodging… Honestly, I wasn’t confident about that. When danger comes right up close, anyone would reflexively shut their eyes. So would I. That was a basic human instinct, a reflex. Forcing myself to watch until the very end—it wouldn’t be easy. If anything, I…

What I unintentionally recalled was from a recent time when I watched a sparring match between the high school seniors. Darkness and wind fiercely clashing, each trying to overpower the other’s magic. I remembered sensing that power with my whole body. Right, if anything, sensing and dodging would be better for me. I wouldn’t know until I tried it a few times, though.

“Then let’s begin. Get ready.”

Teacher Joon-hwi gave a warning. In-ha, who had been listening to the explanation, fixed her gaze straight ahead and took her stance. She spread her legs and bent her waist.

With a click, the sound of machinery, the evasion training began.

At first, the attack came at In-ha from the front. In-ha easily dodged it, and the text 『Level 1』 appeared.

The ‘Magic Evasion Training’ that began was literally ‘evasion training.’ Slow-moving spells flew toward us at intervals. The attacks at Level 1 were mostly light, attribute-free magic projectiles. They said that as the level increases, the speed and destructive power of the spells rise, and the angles of attack become more varied and complex.

In-ha had good athletic instincts. Her eyesight was sharp, and her physical abilities were outstanding. So In-ha quickly adapted to dodging. Even though the attacks were only coming from the front, she was evading them effortlessly, with ease.

“Heh. She’s got talent.”

We moved on to Level 2, then Level 3. The trajectory of the attacks changed, and the speed seemed to increase a bit. According to Teacher Min, the current evasion training system was set to the lowest level, beginner mode.

“Wow, great job, In-ha!”

In-ha got knocked out at Level 12. The next turn was Hyun-ho’s.

“Alright!”

Hyun-ho also had decent physical ability. Actually… all my friends had physical abilities far above average for our age. Only I was ordinary.

‘Well, it’s natural for me to be ordinary.’

But being among friends where everything from beginning to end wasn’t ordinary, I guess I was feeling a bit insecure. I realized every time. It was only that I started early. My talent was average. True geniuses were those beside me.

‘I am ordinary.’

I felt a bit restless. Maybe Shia felt the same way too. Shia always hung out with us, but his magic skills lagged behind ours. Of course, compared to other kids his age, he was exceptional. But he must have felt a sense of alienation about his skills or talent from a very young age, especially since he was childhood friends with Min-hee.

I quietly calmed my gaze.

In the meantime, Hyun-ho’s training ended. He made it up to Level 8.

“Yoo Eun-ha, it’s your turn!”

“…Yes!”

I was third. I snapped out of my thoughts and jumped up from my seat, stepping into the training area.

Since this was my first time doing the training, I was tense as I looked forward. First, I had to dodge the initial magic projectile. I focused my mind and stared ahead.

Then I sensed something in front of me. A faint… what is that? At that moment, a magic projectile gathered and shot toward me.

“…!”

Watching and experiencing were definitely different. I tilted my head to the side, and the magic projectile brushed right past me. Cold sweat formed on my hand. I pressed my lips tightly together. I was flustered, but because I had focused my gaze, I managed to dodge the first attack relatively smoothly.

Shortly after, text appeared before my eyes.

『Magic Evasion Training─Beginner Mode

Copy code LEVEL 01』

The text disappeared, and a magic projectile immediately fired from the front. Uh, so, here? I moved my feet, startled. If the magic hits my body, a ‘beep──’ sound goes off. If it beeps five times, you’re out. I think I already messed up from the start. Beep──! A loud sound rang out, and I blankly held the spot where I’d been hit. It didn’t hurt.

“Ahh─.”

“That kid’s not very good at things like this.”

“Eun-ha, hang in there!”

Ugh, Han-soo’s comment hit a sore spot, and I clicked my tongue inwardly. It’s not like I’m that bad. It’s just that you guys are really good, okay? But before I could even protest, another magic projectile flew at me. I instinctively shut my eyes tight. However, I could clearly sense the magic, so I ducked down without opening my eyes.

“I told you not to close your eyes.”

“But I dodged it.”

Right. He told me not to close my eyes. I opened them with a pout and straightened up. Another magic projectile came flying from the front. I took a few generous steps to the side to avoid it. Huh, but then, for a while, three more projectiles kept flying toward that direction.

“Haa….”

Honestly, I was relieved they were only coming from the front for a while. I took a deep breath. My dynamic vision was actually pretty good. Probably thanks to my talent for seeing and sensing magic. But my physical abilities were low. My reflexes were mediocre. Unlike my friends, I had to think before I moved. Pushing my fear aside, I focused straight ahead once more.

I dodged and dodged again. Since the speed wasn’t too fast, and because I could sense the point where the magic was forming, I managed to dodge a bit more. I repeatedly heightened my sixth sense. Just as I thought, it was better for me to sense and dodge.

But as I focused solely on my sixth sense, I lost sight of my surroundings and ended up tripping sideways.

“Wah!”

“Eun-ha! Are you okay?”

“Yeah… I’m okay.”

I replied to In-ha, saying I was fine, but my face flushed. Ah, how embarrassing.

As I hung my head, practically burying my face in the ground, I heard a voice tinged with laughter from above.

“It’s alright. Everyone struggles at first. The weird ones are those who never mess up.”

“R-Really?”

R-Really? It’s true, right? They’re the strange ones, right?

I felt a bit encouraged by Teacher Min’s words.

Just as I started to rise, feeling slightly relieved, I sensed something flying at me from right beside me and instinctively ducked my head.

Because of that, I lost my balance and fell forward again.

“Huh…? Oh! That was Level 4 just now. How did you see it?”

Teacher Min looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.

Darn, so now it’s coming from the side too.

I stood up, feeling a bit defeated, and answered.

“No, I just… sensed it….”

“Ah, right. I forgot. You’re sensitive to magic.”

“This really is a defensive type.”

“You have magic that’s advantageous for defense and a talent suited for evasion. You’re truly a defense type.”

I stood up with a puzzled expression. Teacher Min smiled and offered me some advice.

“Your sensing ability is a valuable asset. Make sure to use it in your evasion training as well. But you still need to keep watching magic with your eyes until the end. Your sensing ability is like ‘seeing’ with your eyes, right? Once your body gets used to the evasive movements, you’ll master evasion training in no time. Got it?”

This was exactly what I’d been thinking about.

I nodded slightly, answering, “Yes.”

So far, I’d been hit three times. And by Level 4, I’d taken all five hits, getting knocked out faster than anyone else in the first evasion training.

I passed the baton to Min-hee, who was next. As I returned to my seat, I rolled my shoulders around.

“Trying to move suddenly really wears me out. My shoulders are sore.”

“Are you an old man or something?”

Han-soo looked at me with a dumbfounded expression, and then In-ha scolded him.

“What’s wrong with our Eun-ha!”

“In your eyes, everything she does looks cute, doesn’t it? And hey, don’t worry too much about your training results. Today’s just the start, and you can keep practicing from here on, right? The teacher even said you have talent.”

“That’s true… I’ll have to work hard.”

“Exactly! Eun-ha, you’re the strongest in magic out of all of us!”

I smiled, feeling grateful for Han-soo and Hyun-ho’s encouragement.

Soon, we focused our attention on Min-hee’s evasion training. This time, I watched closely, focusing properly.

Since my athletic ability is average, I have to observe a lot, think a lot, and practice a lot to improve.

I should practice at home too. I’ll have to borrow In-ha’s basement training room.

I’ll train with In-ha as well. I’m sure In-ha will agree.

Right, this time, I’ll make sure to let the others know I’ll be training at home, so they don’t get mad.