Chapter 15 - I want to go back
The study group ended rather quickly.
Initially, we gathered to tackle the most challenging subject—magic. However, Kang Ji Hyuk couldn’t use magic at all, and I was only just learning the basics, so the group lost its purpose. To put it bluntly, the group was composed entirely of hopeless cases, making any meaningful progress impossible.
To be fair, first-year students are primarily given time to explore paths that suit them. While grades are important, there’s no need to worry too much about the future.
After all, none of it will count toward their final resumes yet.
That said, I find it odd how they assign inheritance-based points… but that’s another matter.
In any case, if first-year grades did affect future prospects, things would be unbearably tough. Thankfully, even this academy—renowned as the best in the world—has some compassion. While it’s more rigorous than most, it’s still a place for people to learn.
“How is it? Manageable?” Reina asked if her teaching pace was okay.
I smiled in response, too embarrassed to answer outright. Despite my vague reaction, the elf teacher seemed relieved, saying she was glad to hear it.
Honestly, how many people would agree to teach magic to someone they just met?
If it were me, I’d tell them they were out of their mind and send them away.
But here she is.
“Looks like you’ve gotten through the basics of magic,” Reina said.
By the end of the day, I had learned all the basic spells.
The thought of being able to use magic with my own power made me feel strangely proud.
Sure, my gacha ability is unique, but it’s not something I can use whenever I want. On the other hand, magic feels far more reliable and appealing because it’s a skill I can control myself.
Still, gacha remains unmatched.
There’s no replacing the thrill of pulling something amazing. The sheer joy I felt when I pulled that 5-star weapon last time… it’s unforgettable.
Of course, I couldn’t jump for joy back then because I was outside, but it was pure bliss.
Unfortunately, that was the last good thing I pulled.
It feels like I used up all my luck on that one pull.
Otherwise, how could I explain my recent streak of bad luck?
I swear these game companies monitor their players. When someone starts pulling good items, they probably adjust the drop rates to make it harder. And when a frustrated player is about to quit, they suddenly dangle something nice to keep them hooked.
Truly villainous.
“Well, your request ends here. You’ve learned the basics of magic and theory, so you should be fine now.”
“Thank you so much, teacher,” I said, bowing deeply in gratitude.
“You don’t have to thank me. This is nothing,” she replied.
No, this is far from nothing, teacher!
Do you know how hard it is to teach a clueless student like me from scratch?
…Then again, maybe it wasn’t so hard.
Given how absurdly capable this body is, I’ve found that I can memorize things after seeing them just once.
That’s probably why I managed to get through the basics so quickly.
There’s a huge difference between learning by repetition and grasping things instantly.
It saves so much time.
“If you have any more questions, just ask me,” Reina said.
“Yes!”
“By the way, why are you speaking so formally? We’re the same age.”
“Because you’re my teacher!”
It’s only natural to be respectful to your teacher.
Even though I’ve only learned basic magic, without her, I would’ve spent my entire life unable to use any magic at all. Dying without ever casting magic would’ve been such a waste. After all, this is my first time experiencing a fantasy world.
“Haha… Teacher, huh? I wouldn’t go that far… No, never mind. Forget it.”
“??”
What was that about?
Still, if Reina brought it up, it must be important. Perhaps she felt it wasn’t worth sharing with someone like me.
“Anyway, it seems like… oh, they’re still at it over there.”
Kang Ji Hyuk was off in the distance, enduring Hyeon-ah’s brutal teaching methods.
When I first met her, she seemed so kind. Who would’ve thought she’d be this merciless when teaching? If I’d ended up learning from her instead of Reina, who knows what would’ve happened to me.
It looked like Hyeon-ah didn’t believe Ji Hyuk’s claim that he couldn’t use magic and was relentlessly cramming magic theory into his head. Even if he memorized it all, it wouldn’t change the fact that he can’t use magic.
Poor guy.
In the story, the protagonist’s inability to use magic often became a recurring obstacle. Although, calling them “obstacles” might be a stretch—they were trivial challenges unbefitting of someone who wasn’t the protagonist.
Still, there’s nothing more pitiful than having useless knowledge forcibly crammed into you.
All I could do was wish him well.
“What about you? What will you do now?” Reina asked.
“…I’m going back.”
I’m hungry.
Even though I only need a single scoop of food to feel full, I still experience hunger. I don’t understand why. Then again, if I were never hungry, I’d lose one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling parts of life—eating. That would be even worse. Eating just the side dishes at home isn’t the most exciting thing, but I should still be thankful. Many people have it worse, especially in a world like this, where attacks happen all the time.
In some places, monsters have completely taken over. Maybe “poor” isn’t the right word—this world is strange. Some countries survived, while others didn’t.
The stronger countries have managed to stay safe. If one of them ever fell, it could mean the end of the world.
People work hard to protect those nations and take back land from monsters. Leading this fight is Kang Ji Hyuk, the protagonist standing in front of me.
If I stayed in South Korea, I’d probably be safe. But my gacha ability seems to work only when I’m near the protagonist. Without him, I can’t collect the charges I need to use it.
I don’t know why I was given this power, but as long as I have it, I’ll use it to survive.
The story has just begun.
There are still many challenges ahead.
I’ve wondered if I’ve already changed this world by being here. If that’s true, it means the story is no longer on its original path.
Staying close to the protagonist might be the safest thing for me.
With his strong powers, he saves people in danger and helps others survive. In the end, he even saves the whole world.
I don’t have to fight alongside him. Just staying close while he saves the world is enough.
Or maybe I’ll just focus on staying alive. This world isn’t completely cruel, but it’s not kind either. If you let your guard down, terrible things can happen.
That’s why I need to get stronger.
It’s good to have someone who can protect you, but if you can’t protect yourself, there’s no guarantee someone will always be there to save you.
I looked at the book I had just closed.
I’m still only at the basics.
The body I have now is incredibly skilled—better than I deserve. Not working hard would be a waste.
I need to try harder.
“Um… Reina… Teacher?”
I didn’t know what to call her, so I said it hesitantly. She turned to look at me, confused.
I didn’t need to say much. Right now, I don’t know anything, and I need a teacher.
Even though Reina isn’t the best magician in the world, she’s very strong for her age and knows a lot about magic.
“T-Teacher…?”
She scratched her head and looked away, embarrassed.
It was cute, but I needed to make sure she understood. Gathering my courage, I took her hand, bowed my head, and said:
“Please teach me from now on!”
I couldn’t see her face clearly as I bowed, but I felt her hand gently pat my head.
Her touch made me feel calm and safe—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Since I came to this world, I haven’t had anyone I could really trust. Meeting someone I could rely on made me feel emotional.
My voice shook as I spoke.
“…Thank you…”
She didn’t say anything.
Instead, she hugged me.
I didn’t plan to cry.
I didn’t expect her to hug me either.
But as soon as her arms wrapped around me, I couldn’t stop the tears. They just kept coming.
Even though she’s smaller than me, her hug felt so big and warm. It wrapped around me completely.
I didn’t even know why I was crying.
But in that moment, I stayed in her arms and let the tears flow.