Chapter 4

I stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter my mother had given me. I wrote characters repeatedly. I kept writing short words like dark sphere, fire, water droplets, and so on. Although they didn't all materialize, small shapes occasionally appeared. I was so delighted that I could control them at will, and I moved my pen again.

This time, I decided to write a sentence. Yes, I would create an illusion. Perhaps it would help me master illusion magic more quickly. If I could see the illusion directly, if I could unfold a world of dreams—.

So, I was a fool. Using the first magic I created so recklessly was predictable. In the end, I used magic until my mana was depleted, and I fell asleep almost unconscious. I only opened my eyes the next morning and got scolded by my mother for sleeping in such a place.

However, I repeated this behavior without getting tired of it. I was so engrossed in the first magic I created that I used it repeatedly every night. I did try to control it to avoid mana depletion.

As a result, a few days later, I succeeded in creating illusion magic. The first illusion I used was a small and weak hallucination, but it was still a smooth start.

Wouldn't it be easier to create the second one? No, it was difficult. Compared to word magic and illusion magic, boundary magic, which is based on space-time, took a considerable amount of time to create. When I tried to use mana to create space-time magic, I couldn't even move the mana properly. So, I focused on the motif and form of the boundary and spent almost a month before I could finally create it.

However, the boundary magic I barely created was more pitiful than I expected. At best, I could only create a shield that covered my palm. If I tried to make it a proper boundary shape, it was even worse. Even the 'body-encircling boundary,' which I thought would be the easiest, could only cover the tip of a finger when I actually created it. Honestly, it was a bit of a shock.

After that, I pushed myself even harder in magic training. As soon as I woke up, I meditated, continued to breathe mana, accumulated mana sequentially, and often locked myself in a small room to cast magic repeatedly. It was very difficult, but fortunately, my magic skills improved little by little, including the most difficult boundary magic.

However, because I was so engrossed in magic, reducing my sleep and using magic every day, I started dozing off at kindergarten... and eventually got caught. Specifically, I was caught because I could sense mana.

...Actually, 'only' that.

☆

While I was making progress in my magic skills, a few of the kindergarten children also began to sense mana. This was thanks to the kindergarten's efforts to create an environment where children could sense mana, such as through objects and the surrounding environment.

Of course, just sensing mana doesn't mean you can use it. After sensing mana, you need to be able to see the surrounding mana and then move it. Only after that can you start to accumulate mana in your body, and it takes quite a while to grow to the point where you can use magic, especially in such a young body.

Anyway, the fact that I could sense mana was revealed because my mind was so full of magic that I spoke without thinking. Accidentally, I ended up telling the teacher that I could sense mana. And now, this is the situation.

"Today, Yeha and Sui can sense mana. Everyone, let's clap!"

"Wow!"

Clap, clap, clap! As I heard the applause, I bowed my head cautiously. This situation was extremely uncomfortable.

The more the children laughed and congratulated me, the more my discomfort grew. I really, really hate being in the spotlight. Especially being called out by the teacher to be congratulated, I really didn't like it. I was so embarrassed.

I tried to hide my embarrassment and returned to my seat. As soon as I got back, Yumi congratulated me with a bright face.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

But this wasn't bad. Having a friend laugh and congratulate me. I smiled at Yumi. This time, it was a good kind of embarrassment.

"I'm so happy that another friend in our group can sense mana."

"“Yes!!”"

"Then, this news must be exciting too. Actually, we're all going on a field trip next Tuesday!"

'Gee...'

I stopped my shy joy and inwardly groaned. A field trip? A field trip?

'Ugh... I don't like it.'

A field trip, while not the worst, is not great. It's just troublesome (most important). There's a lot to prepare. Snacks, lunch, water, and more! And you have to move around a lot. In conclusion, it's troublesome.

"“Wow!”"

But unlike my feelings, the children cheered. It seemed that I was the only one who didn't look forward to this field trip. As I sighed and bowed my head, the teacher continued.

"The place we're going is called the Glass Botanical Garden. It's a famous place. Does anyone know about it?"

"Glass Botanical Garden?"

"I know! It's a place with magical plants!"

At that, I suddenly looked up. The teacher clapped her hands together.

"Oh, you know well. Yes, that's right. The Glass Botanical Garden is a place full of magical plants affected by magic. It's also known for its beautiful scenery. Everyone, are you excited to go?"

"“Yes!”"

My dull eyes sparkled with renewed interest. Magical plants, huh? Magical plants.

I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anticipation. Before hearing that, I wasn't interested and found it troublesome, but now I was excited.

Plants affected by magic, how beautiful and mysterious they must be, and what colors they might glow...

I smiled brightly among the children who were cheering. Yumi, beside me, also looked excited with curiosity.

"I'm so happy that another friend in our group can sense mana."

"“Yes!!”"

"Then, this news must be exciting too. Actually, we're all going on a field trip next Tuesday!"

'Gee...'

I stopped my shy joy and inwardly groaned. A field trip? A field trip?

'Ugh... I don't like it.'

A field trip, while not the worst, is not great. It's just troublesome (most important). There's a lot to prepare. Snacks, lunch, water, and more! And you have to move around a lot. In conclusion, it's troublesome.

"“Wow!”"

But unlike my feelings, the children cheered. It seemed that I was the only one who didn't look forward to this field trip. As I sighed and bowed my head, the teacher continued.

"The place we're going is called the Glass Botanical Garden. It's a famous place. Does anyone know about it?"

"Glass Botanical Garden?"

"I know! It's a place with magical plants!"

At that, I suddenly looked up. The teacher clapped her hands together.

"Oh, you know well. Yes, that's right. The Glass Botanical Garden is a place full of magical plants affected by magic. It's also known for its beautiful scenery. Everyone, are you excited to go?"

"“Yes!”"

My dull eyes sparkled with renewed interest. Magical plants, huh? Magical plants.

I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anticipation. Before hearing that, I wasn't interested and found it troublesome, but now I was excited.

Plants affected by magic, how beautiful and mysterious they must be, and what colors they might glow...

I smiled brightly among the children who were cheering. Yumi, beside me, also looked excited with curiosity.

I counted the days until the field trip. If we were going next Tuesday, there were 5 days left.

I looked at the teacher with eyes full of anticipation. The teacher was already holding a stack of papers.

"From now on, I'll distribute papers with information about the field trip. You must give these to your parents, okay?"

"“Yes!”"

As the papers were distributed, exclamations of "Wow!" echoed throughout the classroom. I tried hard to contain my excitement.

It's going to be so much fun!

A place full of magical plants? It's going to be so amazing!

That day, I returned home with excitement. When I got home, I was surprised. For some reason, Inha, Aunt Seon-a, and Uncle Jeong-min, Aunt Seon-a's husband and Inha's father, were all at my house. I thought they wouldn't be back for a few more weeks?

Most importantly, Uncle Jeong-min was the one who picked me up, so I was surprised as soon as I got off the bus. Uncle said that the endless chatter between my mother and Aunt Seon-a made him come instead. Well, Aunties' chatter is indeed endless. I understand that feeling.

Feeling a bit new, I followed Uncle Jeong-min back home and greeted everyone, then immediately took out the printout and handed it to my mother.

"Oh, you're going on a field trip."

"Yep!"

"Moreover, you're going to the Glass Botanical Garden..."

"Hmm, it's a famous place. They say there are many unique plants you can't see anywhere else."

"Yep. No wonder Yeha is so excited."

"Really. Your face is beaming."

Aunt Seon-a, finding me cute, patted my head. I made a slightly embarrassed expression for a moment, then asked my mother.

"Have you been there, Mom?"

"Hmm? Yes, I have."

"Was it beautiful?"

"I went there 6 years ago, and I had a lot of fun."

"Really—."

Hearing that, my anticipation grew even more. I smiled and let my curiosity grow along with my excitement.

Magical plants, huh?

What kind of plants will be there?

What colors will they glow? How beautiful will they be?

I got lost in pleasant imagination, picturing various possibilities in my mind. I thought it would be nice if I could use illusion magic more skillfully. Then I could simulate it with magic.

But with my current ability, I could only create small illusions, and even those were clearly illusions. I could now write sentences with word magic, but the difference in proficiency between word magic and illusion magic wasn't that big. In fact, creating illusions with words was faster. Sometimes it felt like the main and secondary roles were reversed.

However, I knew that illusion magic was a more perfect magic for expressing what I wanted to create, compared to word magic.

Of course, my magic skills were still far from sufficient. Should I practice more today? Then I should practice boundary magic. My boundary magic is still far from adequate.

Lost in thought, I smiled and turned my head, only to meet Inha's gaze. Inha, who usually had a cold, expressionless face, had been staring at me for a while, as if he had something to say.

I unconsciously checked Inha's mana and was impressed. Hmm, Inha can already move mana. He clearly showed a puzzled look beneath his expressionless face. Usually, I would hesitate to approach him, even though I wanted to be friends, but I smiled at Inha and asked,

"Why? Inha?"

"..."

Inha, without answering, took a step back, looking a bit surprised. Aunt Seon-a, finding my sudden question odd, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Huh? Why? What about Inha?"

"Well, it seemed like Inha wanted to ask something..."

"Oh, you could sense that?"

"Just, somehow..."

At my words, Aunt Seon-a and Uncle Jeong-min looked quite surprised. Why? When I asked, they looked at me for a moment, then Uncle Jeong-min and Aunt Seon-a said in unison,

"Well, maybe it's because we make mistakes in our daily lives, but he's been mature since he was little."

"He never talks to strangers and has no social skills."

"Plus, he doesn't show much expression on his face. We were worried... he doesn't seem to be getting close to Yeha either."

"But you're the first person who can read Inha's expressions."

I opened my eyes wide in surprise at their words. But I soon nodded inwardly.

After all, Inha is just a normal child, unlike me, a reincarnated soul. He is indeed very quiet and cold. He seems so mature that it's hard to believe he's just a child.

Well, maybe he's not normal.

From his personality to the fact that he can already move mana, his future is somewhat clear. It's a rare talent.

Ah, me? I just happen to be sensitive to the flow of mana because I have a subspace buff...

As I thought this, I rubbed my cheek, and Aunt Seon-a patted my head. When I looked up, I saw Aunt Seon-a smiling affectionately between her outstretched hands.

"Auntie really hopes Yeha and Inha will become friends, like me and Mirae."

I looked at Aunt Seon-a and swallowed a bitter smile. To be honest, I also want to become friends with Inha. But, making friends isn't as easy as I think.

The more I want to be friends with someone, the more I shrink back. I'm afraid to even talk to them. I'm just a shy person. Yes, I have a troublesome personality that makes it hard for me to talk to others first. I don't really like this about myself.

And most importantly, if Inha doesn't want to be friends with me, all these worries are for nothing. Plus, Inha has a cold demeanor that makes it hard for anyone to talk to him, not just me...

I looked at Inha's back, which was already turned away, for a moment.

For now, I'm satisfied just sitting quietly together.

☆

Today is the long-awaited field trip day. I was so excited about the field trip that I even reduced my magic practice and went to bed early yesterday. I packed snacks, drinks, a notebook, and writing tools in my bag. I couldn't bring a camera because my mother was against it. Well, I don't have a phone at this age either! I grumbled inwardly and thought I should learn telepathy magic next. Then I could leave any scene I want with magic!

...To be honest, I was quite upset that I couldn't take pictures.

After packing my lunch, I got on the kindergarten bus. I forgot my grumbling and waved to my mother outside the window. I kept smiling while my mother waved goodbye, wishing me a good trip. I felt so good today.

The bus first headed to the kindergarten. After picking up more children, we split into buses by class and set off for the field trip destination.

When we arrived at the kindergarten, I saw Yumi, who was already there. Yumi lives in a nearby neighborhood, so she doesn't need to take the bus and walks to kindergarten.

After getting off the bus, I first greeted Yumi with a smile. Then, until the next bus picked up the children and returned, Yumi and I chatted excitedly about the field trip. The other children were also buzzing with excitement.

When the teacher signaled us to get back on the bus, we naturally sat next to each other. Yumi took the window seat, and I took the aisle seat. We waited quietly for the bus to start.

Yumi and I were comfortable with each other. We didn't need to force conversation when a natural silence fell, as we both liked reading and were quiet.

That doesn't mean we never talked. We talked quite a bit.

"Yeha, what snacks did you bring?"

"Um... chocolate, candy, potato chips, and corn chips. I brought barley tea for drinks."

"I brought an orange as a snack. Do you want to try it later?"

"Sure, I'll try it."

Like that. Sometimes we only talk when necessary.

As the bus started, I leaned back in my seat and kept looking out the window, eager to see something.

The Glass Botanical Garden was quite far. If I were to go by the normal transportation of the world I used to live in, it would take about 3 hours just to get there. But this was not just Earth; it was an Earth where magic was widespread.

In the 21st century, there were highways to quickly travel long distances by car. And there is something similar here. It's a path that allows you to reach your destination much faster than just a road. It's a path made of magic itself.

It's commonly called a "Gate."

While eagerly looking out the window, I secretly moved my mana and used a clairvoyance spell. As soon as I activated the spell, the surroundings became completely transparent. It felt like floating in the air, a bit dizzying.