Prologue Story

The daily routine passed quickly.

By mid-July, I had cleared the most basic evasion training linked to my sensing ability up to level 30.

Similarly, in the first semester’s practical exam, I naturally took first place.

However, Min-hee, who gave her all once again, took first place in the written exam.

Shia, whose skills were fairly decent, ranked sixth.

The class was briefly abuzz with talk about grades.

The reason was that the best magician among them, as they knew, was Kang Ye-sul, but her practical exam rank was seventh.

This led to a commotion as they questioned who ranked from first to sixth.

Fortunately, since many students besides us did not want their grades revealed, they couldn’t confirm our identities.

Hearing the buzz around this topic made me feel both shy and proud.

Soon, summer vacation arrived.

“Hey, what are you guys planning to do this summer vacation?”

After the closing ceremony, we didn’t head straight home but wandered around the park, chatting.

We were sad that we wouldn’t see each other daily for a while.

Naturally, the topic turned to our vacation plans.

When Min-hee, licking her ice cream, asked the question, In-ha replied in her usual blunt tone.

“Probably do my vacation homework while having some fun.”

“Vacation homework? I forgot to do any of it last year and got scolded so badly.”

“Of course you did, you idiot.”

Han-soo scolded Hyun-ho.

Watching the two, we burst into giggles.

Min-hee called Hyun-ho an idiot and then continued discussing her vacation plans.

“I’m planning to go to the beach or the pool with my brothers! What about you, Eun-ha?”

“Hmm… I think I’ll just relax at home.”

I hesitated for a moment before answering Min-hee’s question.

Last summer wasn’t much different; I didn’t go out much and mostly stayed at home.

“Or maybe I’ll go camping with In-ha and my parents. It’s summer, after all.”

“True, it is summer.”

In-ha nodded in agreement.

Min-hee, looking at us with envy, pouted.

“Lucky you! All my close friends or companions are boys, so whenever we go somewhere, I’m the only girl! It feels like something’s missing! It’s not that it’s not fun, but…”

Shia, who was beside her, made an awkward face.

Hearing Min-hee’s words, I nodded in understanding even as I laughed.

Her best childhood friend, Shia, was a boy, her brother was a boy, and naturally, her brother’s friends were boys too…

“Ugh, I want to travel with Eun-ha and In-ha! I want to join you two on your trips! Traveling with my brother is fun, but I’d rather travel with my girl friends!”

Watching Min-hee whine, I made a troubled face.

Even if she said that…

Just then, In-ha, tilting her head, made a suggestion.

“Really? Then, if we end up going somewhere during the vacation, should I ask Mom if you can come with us?”

Huh?

Startled by the unexpected offer, I widened my eyes, while Min-hee beamed and shouted.

“Really? Really?!”

“Yeah, it’s no problem.”

Watching Min-hee clasp her hands together with sparkling eyes, I smiled in agreement.

“Yeah, that works. I’ll ask my mom about it too.”

“Yes!”

Min-hee jumped in excitement and hugged us, rubbing her cheek against ours.

Her actions resembled a playful puppy or kitten, making me feel happy.

At that, Han-soo and Hyun-ho voiced their complaints.

“That’s so unfair! Then this summer vacation, we’re taking Shia!”

Han-soo slung his arm over Shia’s shoulder.

What?

Shia looked back at them, surprised.

Hyun-ho raised his arm enthusiastically and declared.

“Yes! Agreed! Now we’re a group of three!”

“Great. Three against three. Perfect.”

A pact was formed.

However, since the trip itself couldn’t be decided immediately, we agreed to notify each other if any travel or camp plans came up.

“Then finally~, let’s go eat something delicious at Granche!”

“Sure!”

“Let’s do it!”

At Min-hee’s excited call, we followed her in unison.

And so, summer vacation began.

In-ha and I faithfully lived up to the term “indoor enthusiasts,” spending most of our time at home.

Of course, that didn’t mean we were just lazing around.

We spent our days productively.

While we did relax, we also read necessary books, studied, and trained diligently, shuttling between my house and In-ha’s.

Since the second semester would likely involve more advanced combat training, we sought help from our parents.

Excluding my dad, the other three parents were all magicians, though each belonged to a different field.

Mom was a support magician, Uncle Jungmin was a healing magician, and Auntie Suna was a combat magician.

Naturally, we mostly sought Auntie Suna’s guidance.

Auntie Suna taught me useful defensive and offensive spells suited to my affinities and offered a lot of advice about magic.

For example, defensive magic often involves various types of barriers.

Barriers share some similarities with magical formations.

Watching me practice barrier magic, Auntie Suna explained that similar existing spells could be connected to my unique magic, making them as effective as my own.

This method was much more efficient.

I immediately adjusted all my practiced barrier magic to align with magical formations.

This approach was indeed more convenient and consumed less magic power.

My barrier magic, though exceptionally challenging even for me, had a high proficiency level as it was my own unique magic.

Afterward, I steadily learned various defensive spells, integrating the most useful ones into my unique magic.

I also practiced offensive magic extensively.

Since I didn’t have specific offensive magic, I experimented with elemental magic for attacks and tried learning offensive spells to find what suited me.

But whenever I conjured a spell powerful enough to harm someone, it sent chills down my spine.

“This really shows how vast the skill difference is.”

Having just started evasion training, we hadn’t yet reached the level for direct sparring.

Even using the simulation system, proper combat training wasn’t an option at this stage.

We only received a few combat tips.

Practicing offensive magic involved simply casting spells at walls or the ground.

However, this revealed an intriguing fact.

The magic I cast was significantly different from In-ha’s.

Using the same spell magic, we each directed our magic power and chanted the spell’s name.

At first glance, the process seemed identical.

Yet, the magic I manifested was more than twice as fast and powerful as In-ha’s.

“…Why is there such a difference?”

In-ha frowned, puzzled.

I was a little surprised too.

Auntie Suna, touching her chin thoughtfully, answered.

“I’ve been watching, and Eun-ha isn’t just more skilled with magic power than In-ha; her control is also exceptional.

She’s precisely following the techniques I mentioned, applying them accurately to her magic.

In-ha is slightly lacking in that aspect.

That’s why it takes In-ha longer to complete spells, and her magic is less efficient and less powerful.

Eun-ha’s control is truly flawless for someone so young…”

I see.

In-ha and I exchanged glances.

In-ha indeed struggled with magic power control compared to me.

So, the more precise the control, the more efficient the completed magic?

“But Eun-ha, have you decided which spell to use for offensive magic?

Usually, it’s better to focus on one specialty attribute rather than using multiple.”

“Hmm… I want to try combining attributes.

Of course, I can’t do it now, but…”

Hearing my answer, Auntie Suna fell into deep thought.

Combining attributes is exceptionally difficult and risky.

Without excellent control over magic power, one’s life could be in danger.

“Still, it might suit Eun-ha.

She possesses all attributes, has strong affinities for many, and even high compatibility with opposites.

She might even manage opposing combinations.”

“Yes. I really want to try it someday.”

Auntie Suna briefly looked startled before turning to me with a serious expression.

“You know what attribute fusion entails, right?”

“Yes.”

Of course, I knew, which is why I brought it up.

Auntie Suna sighed softly and raised her finger.

“Attribute fusion involves combining two or more attributes.

Similar attributes are relatively easier to fuse, but it’s still challenging.

Combining attributes that aren’t unique spells is especially tough.

The four natural elements—water, fire, wind, and earth—are easier to handle, but even they’re risky.

Let me warn you: don’t attempt it yet.”

I nodded.

Auntie Suna extended another finger and continued.

“Combining three or four attributes is hard, but the most challenging is fusing opposites.

Eun-ha, opposites are called opposites for a reason, understand?”

“…”

“Opposing attributes clash violently when they collide, which is why it’s dangerous.

Controlling them is extremely difficult.

Most magicians can’t do it—neither can I.

Very few magicians can handle opposing attribute fusion.

In fact, I know of no one who can.”

Even for an S-rank magician like Auntie Suna, it was impossible.

This was partly because her talents lay in a different direction.

“However, if you master it, the resulting power would be immense.

With that alone, you could defeat most opponents.

I’m telling you this because I believe Eun-ha has the potential.

Her control is truly outstanding.”

Hearing her words, I felt a strange excitement.

Possessing all attributes and exceptional control, I had the talents necessary for attribute fusion.

This realization thrilled me.

But… I was still too young to indulge in this excitement.

“Even so, it’s not something you can practice yet.

It’s far too difficult and dangerous to attempt now.

Forget opposing fusion; even attribute fusion should wait at least three years, or until you’re in middle school.”

“…”

“Understood? You’re still a child.

Don’t even think about it.

Countless people have died attempting opposing fusion during training.”

I gulped.

In-ha, listening with interest, grabbed my arm with a fearful expression.

“…Yes.”

Though hesitant, I nodded, already aware of the dangers of attribute fusion magic.

Darkness and light magic are difficult to use even individually.

For In-ha, they’re her inherent magic, but not for me.

Combining the two magic powers was currently unthinkable.

I wasn’t the type to take reckless risks.

Auntie Suna then asked me.

“So, which attribute do you want to focus on?”

“Darkness and… light?”

She gave me a knowing look, as if she’d expected that answer.

Just as Auntie Suna mentioned, I wasn’t planning to use them in fusion yet.

I did, however, have plans to use them as individual attributes.

Hearing this, she cautioned me not to attempt high-level spells with dark magic just yet, as many of them are highly dangerous.

I didn’t neglect practicing unique magic or other spells.

Especially teleportation!

I kept practicing to increase the teleportation distance.

For now, I only practiced teleportation in front of Auntie Suna.

Teleportation, if misused, is incredibly dangerous.

A mishap could result in one’s body disintegrating at the molecular level.

“Stand there and try teleporting to where I am.

Visualize the exact space in your mind.”

The distance between Auntie Suna and me was about 15 meters.

While practicing short-range teleportation, I made full use of my talent for sensing magic power.

‘Focus on the space, the magic power over there…’

I closed and reopened my eyes.

Teleportation wasn’t too difficult since one of my sub-magic skills was space-time magic.

Feeling more accustomed to it, I teleported to Auntie Suna and was delighted to see her smiling face.

“Well done. That was great.”

Watching us, In-ha let out a sigh.

“Haa… When will I be able to use teleportation…”

“Teleporting living beings is difficult without the right affinity.

Don’t worry.

You’ll master it within three years.”

“Okay…”

Occasionally, I updated my friends about my training progress.

This motivated them as well, leading them to start training during their summer vacation, a time meant for rest and relaxation.

My friends also became engrossed in teleportation magic.

Though In-ha couldn’t move herself yet, she was able to teleport objects.

It seemed other friends had also succeeded at this level.

Among them, Hyun-ho showed significant talent for teleportation magic.

It seemed spatial magic aligned well with him.