Prologue Story

The car flew quickly through the sky.

Aside from stopping once at a floating rest stop, we didn’t stop at all.

We arrived at Waterland about an hour and a half after our departure.

As soon as we parked in the lot on the outskirts of the island, we squeezed most of our luggage into the pocket dimension and exited the car one by one.

We admired the massive island that stood before us.

“Wow! It’s so big!”

“Since there’s a chance you might get lost, don’t ever take off the bracelet Auntie gave you, okay? I’ve placed a tracking spell on it so I can locate you.”

“Yes!”

We followed behind Auntie Suna, shuffling toward the entrance of the island.

As a side note, the ticket clerk was startled upon recognizing Auntie Suna when we presented our tickets.

Afterwards, we got magical stamps on the back of our hands and entered Waterland, where we were greeted by a spacious park filled with fountains.

We looked around as we walked further in.

We came to a row of buildings, which seemed to include lodgings, stores, and restaurants.

A little further inside, we found a signpost displaying a map of the island and our current location.

Not far away, we spotted a swimming pool.

I studied the map carefully, trying to memorize the island’s general layout.

The island seemed to be divided into distinct zones: lodging, shopping, beach, pool, and attraction zones.

Some areas were a mix of these zones.

Other leisure facilities besides the pool were mostly located in the air.

“Let’s see… It looks like we need to go up for the lodging.”

Blocking the blinding sunlight with one hand, I looked up at the sky.

I could see people flying through the air.

For a moment, I marveled at the barrier that stretched across the sky.

Its translucent, hazy appearance confirmed the presence of structures in the air, but nothing more could be seen.

I found myself curious about what type of barrier it was.

“Shall we take the elevator? The kids aren’t entirely comfortable flying yet.”

“True, that’s probably for the best.”

“What? I can fly just fine! Both In-ha and Eun-ha are good at flying too.”

“But you haven’t flown that high before, have you? The wind can make it a bit unsettling up there.”

“And Eun-ha has a fear of heights. It’s safer to take the elevator.”

“Eun-ha does?”

Min-hee and the others turned to me in surprise at my mom’s words.

Embarrassed, I lowered my head.

“Wow, I had no idea.”

“…I can fly, but it’s still scary.”

“Is that so? Then there’s no helping it.”

“To think that such a mature-seeming kid would have this kind of side…”

Chunho oppa muttered in surprise before ruffling my hair with his hand.

Ugh, my hair’s all messy now.

Frowning, I fixed my disheveled short hair and sent a glare at Chunho oppa, who chuckled.

We checked the guideboard and made our way to the elevator.

The elevators seemed to be installed in every zone.

“Wow, there are so many people here.”

Among the visitors were a lot of young children.

While the adults could have cast levitation magic to fly with their kids, the elevator was still safer.

As a result, many people opted to use the elevators.

Squeezing through the crowd, we stepped into the elevator.

The elevator was shaped like a large glass cylinder, with transparent walls offering a full view of the surrounding scenery.

[Ascending.]

A mechanical voice announced as the disc-shaped floor began to lift us into the air.

The ground quickly grew distant.

Feeling a strange floating sensation, I bit my lip and held tightly to Dad’s and In-ha’s hands.

The sight of the ground becoming smaller and smaller below was terrifying, something only those with a fear of heights could understand.

My legs trembled as I stepped onto the Sky Island.

This small city floating in the sky was often referred to as a Sky Island or Sky City.

Sky Islands came in various designs, but this one had edges decorated with clouds.

The design made me feel uneasy, as if I might fall off at any moment.

Despite appearances, falling accidents were rare on Sky Islands due to the safety barriers installed around them.

Thus, it was uncommon for people to fall to their deaths here.

“Wait, hold on, let’s stick together…”

The view of the ground from above was breathtakingly beautiful, but it sent shivers down my spine.

I reached out with trembling arms and clung to In-ha’s arm.

I thought I might get used to it eventually, but adjusting immediately was impossible.

I closed and opened my eyes tightly.

Seeing my state, everyone expressed concern for me.

“Huh? Eun-ha, are you really that scared?”

“Oh dear. Well, it is high… Can’t walk anymore?”

At Chunho oppa’s and Mom’s concerned voices, I shook my head despite trembling.

No, it wasn’t that bad.

I was just uneasy, that’s all.

As long as there was solid ground beneath my feet, I could manage.

As long as I didn’t think about falling, I could bear it.

I took a deep breath and walked steadily.

“I’m okay, Mom.”

“Really? That’s a relief. If you can’t handle it, I can carry you.”

“…Geez, I’m not a little kid anymore, you know.”

At my words, several people chuckled.

They had expressions that seemed to say I was cute.

Dad, however, let out a small sigh.

“You know, Eun-ha’s maturity has always made me feel grateful during moments like this…”

“She really was calm even as a baby, but I never imagined she’d grow up to be such a composed and kind child. Eun-ha doesn’t feel like a kid at all.”

Uncle Jungmin patted Dad on the shoulder.

I blinked.

Not a kid.

That was something I had been told over and over again since I was little.

‘But there’s nothing I can do about that.’

In my head were memories of a life spanning nearly a hundred years.

My first life ended in old age.

In my second life, I met a goddess and died of an incurable disease.

Now, I was living as a magician.

There was no way I could help it.

After crossing a stretch of cloud-like ground, we finally reached a proper floor made of concrete and stone.

As we stepped into a building, I felt relief as the space closed in around us.

Ignorance really is bliss, as they say.

“Alright… Now that I’ve memorized it, I can teleport up next time.”

As we entered the hotel, Auntie Suna muttered softly.

“Eun-ha, you don’t have to use the elevator anymore.”

Her words made me feel a bit embarrassed.

With relief washing over me, I began to take in my surroundings.

I gasped quietly in admiration.

The lodging Auntie Suna had brought us to was a luxurious hotel straight out of a movie.

Given Auntie Suna’s significant status, I had suspected as much, but seeing it with my own eyes was still surprising.

All the staff around us bowed at a 90-degree angle to Auntie Suna as she walked by.

My jaw dropped at the sight.

“In-ha, your mom is seriously amazing.”

Auntie Suna walked gracefully through the crowd, looking effortlessly cool.

It was such an impressive sight that I wholeheartedly agreed with Min-hee’s remark.

We were assigned three adjacent rooms on the same floor.

I was roomed with my mom and dad, while Auntie Suna stayed with Uncle Jungmin and In-ha.

Chunho oppa, Ji-hyun oppa, and Min-hee shared the last room.

“Alright, get changed and let’s meet outside the room!”

“Okay!”

Entering the room with my parents, I rummaged through my luggage for light clothing to change into.

I was relieved we didn’t have to wear swimsuits.

I wasn’t fond of swimsuits—they clung too tightly, and I didn’t like showing so much skin.

When Hyunho had suggested going to the pool, I hadn’t even bought a swimsuit for that very reason.

I slipped on shorts and a sleeveless shirt, throwing a thin summer cardigan over it.

After hanging goggles around my neck, I dug through my bag once more to pull out sandals.

I also pulled out an inflatable tube, inflating it with magic before slinging it over my shoulder.

“Alright, Mom, Dad! I’m heading out first!”

I called out as I opened the door.

Having quickly finished getting ready, I was about to dash outside when Mom followed me in surprise.

“Wait a minute! You can’t go alone! This place is too big!”

“Ugh!”

Making a troubled face, I looked across the hallway and locked eyes with Min-hee, who was waiting with In-ha.

Standing next to Min-hee and Chunho oppa, Ji-hyun oppa walked over to us.

“It’s fine. We’ll take care of her.”

“Well… If that’s the case.”

Mom thought for a moment before nodding.

“Then, I’ll leave her in your care.”

At that moment, In-ha opened her door and stepped out.

Unlike Min-hee and I, who had changed into light clothing, In-ha was dressed in a pure white swimsuit.

It was a one-piece swimsuit with frills at the bottom.

It was so cute and suited her perfectly.

As expected, Auntie Suna has excellent taste!

Auntie Suna followed her out right after.

“Eun-ha, you’re already ready? Mirae, what about you? I think I’ll need a bit more time.”

“No, not yet. But since they said they’ll go together…”

“Oh? Really? That’s a relief. The kids are always in such a rush…”

Auntie Suna murmured in relief as she glanced at Senior Ji-hyun and Chunho oppa.

Chunho oppa grinned confidently.

“Don’t worry! Whenever we’ve gone on trips, we’ve always looked after the kids.”

“Really? That’s reassuring. Then, I’ll leave them in your care.”

“Yes!”

In-ha approached me in the meantime.

With her long, silky black hair fluttering and dressed in that white swimsuit, In-ha was absolutely stunning.

She was incredibly adorable!

This was what true loveliness meant.

Phew…

If it were anyone else, they would have been completely entranced by In-ha’s appearance.

But having been around her for years, I had developed some resistance to it.

Even so, I pointed out something practical.

“But, In-ha, if you swim like that, your hair will stick everywhere and get messy. It’d be better to tie it up.”

“Oh, you’re right. In-ha, here’s a hair tie.”

At my comment, Mom handed a hairband to In-ha.

In-ha thanked her and accepted the hairband.

“Alright, we’ll head out first~.”

“Okay. We’ll finish getting ready and come down quickly. Have fun!”

We said goodbye to the parents and walked down the hallway.

As we descended to the ground floor via the elevator, In-ha glanced at the band on her wrist and murmured.

“…I’m not good at tying my hair. Mom always does it for me.”

“Want me to do it for you?”

“Yes, can you?”

In-ha smiled shyly and nodded at my offer, looking overjoyed.

Her smile made me freeze in place for a moment.

Wow, a young goddess… She’s a goddess…

Even I, who had actually seen a goddess in my past life, could acknowledge how beautiful In-ha was.

Wow…

The elevator chimed as it reached the first floor, so I decided to tie her hair after we arrived at the pool.

As we walked, I kept glancing at In-ha.

Seriously, how can she be so pretty?

It’s hard not to keep looking at her.

There’s a reason Auntie Suna is so dedicated to making her look perfect.

But she’s so pretty, too pretty…

It makes me worry that strange people might approach her, even though I hate thinking about such things.

As those thoughts crossed my mind, I stepped out of the hotel and into the elevator, momentarily forgetting my fear of heights.

I spoke with a serious expression.

“In-ha, Min-hee, I’ll take this chance to remind you. Remember the self-defense items Auntie Suna gave us? Never forget to keep them on you.”

“…? I won’t forget.”

“Okay. And if a stranger—especially a man—approaches you, be cautious if they try to get too close.

Never let anyone you don’t know come near.

If someone tries to drag you away even when you say no, scream or activate the item.

Oh, but don’t use Thunder since we’re near water. Use Shock or Fire… Shock would be best. Got it?”

“Yes, I got it.”

“Okay.”

In-ha, used to hearing these things from me or our parents, nodded as if it was only natural.

Min-hee, though confused, nodded as well.

Not just these two, but all of my friends generally listened to me well.

I sighed in relief at their confirmation.

But then, the two oppas, who had been listening from the side, suddenly burst into laughter.

Chunho oppa chuckled as he pulled me into a hug and partially lifted me up.

“Wow! Our little Eun-ha speaks so sweetly. That’s right, all those words will be useful someday.”

“Ha… Being overly mature like that can be ridiculously cute,” Senior Ji-hyun agreed as he pinched my cheek.

What is with these oppas treating me like a toy?

I frowned slightly.

To kids my age, this expression might have seemed fierce, but to these oppas, it only looked cute.

“Hey! Oppaaa!”

“…Put Eun-ha down. She has a fear of heights, remember?”

“Then she just has to close her eyes. Alright, the elevator’s here. Eun-ha, close your eyes.”

Whir. The sound of the elevator door opening came right in front of me.

Chunho oppa covered my eyes and carried me into the elevator.

Closing my eyes did make it a little less scary, but…

The floating sensation felt even clearer this way.

That was frightening in its own way.

Still, I didn’t say no.

Either way, it was scary.

Ding.

The elevator reached the ground floor.

Only then did Chunho oppa set me down on the floor.

“Eun-ha, here’s your inflatable tube.”

“Geez, oppa~, stop treating us like babies! It’s annoying.”

“That’s exactly what makes you seem young. When you’re older, you’ll regret not hugging more often.”

“No way.”

I made a subtle face as I listened to the siblings’ banter.

Well, it wasn’t wrong.

You can only hug freely when you’re young.

When you’re older, it’s rare for even a boyfriend to carry or hug you.

And it’s not easy to find a boyfriend who will do that for you.

In my past life, I was the eldest sister, so I was usually the one doing the hugging rather than being hugged.

My younger siblings were full of affection, so they hugged me easily when I called them over.

Even though I’m an only child in this life, it’s not bad…

Ah, I miss them.

I wonder how they felt when their sister, who had an incurable disease, died…

I didn’t exactly wish to be held by Mom and Dad when I was older.

But sometimes, when I saw kids being held or riding on someone’s shoulders, I’d think back to my childhood with a hint of longing.

In my past life, my boyfriend was actually pretty clingy and hugged me often.

He even gave me princess carries.

Thinking about it now, he was quite sweet.

This time, being hugged didn’t feel bad either.

Everything Chunho oppa said was true.

Once you grow up, it really is impossible to be hugged.

If you don’t meet a good boyfriend, you might go your whole life without it…

‘Ugh…’

Wait, now that I’m thinking about my boyfriend, my eyes…

I think I’m about to cry…

Thinking this far, memories of the time I spent with him started to resurface.

I shook my head and held hands with In-ha and Min-hee as we walked.

I forced myself to focus on enjoying the moment instead.