Prologue Story

I went into the room with my mom and searched through the drawers.

I still sleep with both my mom and dad.

I picked out a neat and comfortable outfit from the neatly folded clothes.

Anyway, since I would feel self-conscious no matter what I wore when I was with Inha, I didn’t feel the need to dress up.

So, I simply put on short jeans and a short-sleeved hoodie.

While I was at it, I brushed my slightly frizzy hair once more.

Since I was still young and didn’t receive an allowance, and there wasn’t much else to prepare, just changing clothes was enough.

Afterward, my mom tied my hair for me.

Though I could comb my hair, my short arms made it hard to tie it myself.

Once I was ready, I went to the front door and put on my shoes.

My mom, who came out a little later than me, put on her heels and held my hand.

Then, she activated the artifact.

She turned the needle on the artifact, aligning it with certain characters, and spoke.

“Two people, International Warp Array, teleport, activate.”

As soon as my mom finished speaking, a blue light emanated from the item, covering both of our bodies.

When I opened my eyes, we were standing in the middle of a noisy square.

A large building stood before us.

I gazed at the huge building with awe and asked,

“Is that the building with the International Warp Array?”

“Yes, that’s right. Let’s see… we have about 30 minutes left until the scheduled time. Let’s wait for Inha.”

“Okay.”

I tightly held my mom’s hand and walked inside.

The International Warp Array is capable of transporting 100 people at once.

Due to its unique ability to take you anywhere in an instant, only individuals with clear identification and significant status, like very wealthy people, famous political figures, and A-rank magicians or above, can use it.

Because of that, the interior of the building was incredibly luxurious and elegant.

I looked around in wonder as my mom spoke to the lady at the information desk.

“What brings you here?”

“Oh, yes. My friend’s daughter is arriving today, but due to certain circumstances, she had to return alone earlier than expected. I’ve come to meet her.”

“Please tell me your name and the name of the person arriving.”

“My name is Han Mirae, and the girl arriving is Kang Inha.”

As my mom spoke, the lady typed something into the computer, confirmed the list, and nodded.

“This way, please.”

Holding my mom’s hand, I followed behind the guide.

The room we were led to was too luxurious to be called a mere lounge.

Several large and small potted plants were arranged, luxurious sofas were placed, and the shelves were filled with many books.

There was even a computer set up on the desk.

There was also a TV.

It had everything one could imagine.

Oh, I also saw a showcase displaying cakes and cookies.

The lady bowed after guiding us to the room.

“Ms. Han Mirae, I will guide you again when Ms. Kang Inha arrives. Please make yourselves comfortable here.”

“Thank you.”

My mom smiled and saw her off.

As the door closed, I plopped down on the sofa.

“Auntie Suna must be really strong to receive such treatment.”

“Well, I’m used to it. Thanks to Suna, I’ve been treated in all sorts of ways.”

My mom shrugged and playfully flicked my forehead.

“And our mature daughter will end up receiving the same treatment at this rate.”

“Me…?”

“Normally, five-year-olds can’t sense magic! They can’t gather it! They can’t use it! They can’t create it! There are plenty of kids who only create their own magic by the time they’re in high school!”

When I tilted my head, my mom, with a frustrated expression, raised her voice and sighed again.

“From what I’ve heard, Suna could sense magic since kindergarten, but she didn’t create her main spell until about the third grade… I can’t take this anymore. It’s a relief that all the magic you’ve made isn’t solely attack magic.”

That’s true.

After all, I didn’t create my magic with combat in mind.

When I first encountered magic, what I wanted to do was simply bring to life whatever I imagined in my head.

That was it.

It was just that the magic I made was so fascinating and fun that now I’ve decided to try everything I can.

Like a child playing with toys, I created only the magic I wanted to use the most.

That’s how I ended up making metal-shaping magic, which was quite unexpected.

Because I grew to love magic, I started wanting to test how freely I could use it.

How far can I go with magic?

I’m sure I’ll never stop loving magic and will continue to push forward with it until the day I die.

But one thing is for sure—my desire to learn magic comes purely from my own curiosity and enjoyment, not because I want to become stronger.

“But honestly… no, never mind. At this rate, you might really end up as a magician ranked within the world’s top 500. At the very least, you’ll probably be within the top 1000.”

“Isn’t that usually based on combat skills?”

“Well… that’s part of it, but it’s not everything. They assess various factors like magical power, utility, level, and the speed of magic before giving an overall rating.”

Oh, I see.

Nodding as if I was hearing this for the first time, my mom sighed deeply as she looked at me.

“You’re going to be an incredibly skilled magician. I can already tell. That’s why I’m worried to death these days.”

“…Hehe.”

After that, we passed the time by picking up various things to amuse ourselves.

My mom brought over some snacks to eat.

As for me, I became interested in the computer.

I was amazed as I browsed various websites, discovering unfamiliar features that my home computer didn’t have since this one was of much better quality.

Besides that, I read some books and, out of curiosity, tried a bit of the cake with a fork, but I regretted it.

It was disgustingly sweet.

I’m not good with sweet foods.

The cookies, on the other hand, were mildly sweet and more to my taste.

I drank green tea.

When my mom saw me, she gave me a strange look.

What did she say again?

Something like her daughter is too mature and boring?

Well, that can’t be helped.

In my previous life, I was already an adult.

While my still-developing brain might have made my behavior a little more childish, I was certainly an adult right before I died.

Crunch.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

I quietly chewed on a cookie.

Thinking about it now was pointless, even though it was clear that I would never be able to forget that person.

The sound of that person crying, begging me not to leave, haunts me from time to time.

That agonized face I could never forget.

We had loved each other so deeply.

…No.

To be honest, I’m still in love.

Whenever I think of that person, my heart overflows with emotion—sorrow and happiness, all at once.

We loved each other so intensely, as if we couldn’t live without this love.

And before we could marry, I died of illness.

It happened when I was 30 years old in my past life.

Crunch.

Well, it can’t be helped.

I quietly bit into another cookie.

There’s no use regretting it now or reflecting on it too much, even though I know I will never forget that person.

[Ms. Han Mirae, Ms. Kang Inha has arrived.]

Hearing the announcement, I got up, feeling relieved that the time had finally come.

She’s here earlier than expected.

My mom smiled and held out her hand to me.

“Come on, Eunha. Let’s go greet Inha.”

“Okay.”

With my usual smile, I took my mom’s hand and left the lounge.

[This way.]

This time, a small remote-controlled robot guided us.

It had a round shape, and its body had square outlines, making it look like a television.

We followed behind it.

Out of curiosity, I extended my senses and realized that the robot was powered by magic.

The voice being transmitted was probably a mechanical function, though.

We walked down the marble corridor, following the robot, until I saw a small figure leaning against the wall.

Despite the small figure, I couldn’t help but be in awe.

That alone was enough to show how stunningly beautiful she was.

Her long, straight black hair reached just below her chest.

Soon, the girl cast a glance in our direction.

Her eyes, reminiscent of black onyx or black pearls, held a noble glow.

Deep within her clear, emotionless black eyes, a cold blue light flickered like ice.

It was hauntingly beautiful.

I stared at Inha, mesmerized.

Inha slowly walked towards us, her posture straight and elegant.

Each step made the hem of her white dress swish lightly.

I couldn’t help but be captivated by the picturesque scene.

“Hello, it’s been a while, Inha.”

“…I’ll be in your care for the next two days.”

“Oh, you don’t have to speak so formally.”

Inha, who had approached us, gave my mom a polite bow.

Then, her gaze shifted towards me.

I had been lost in thought, but her gaze startled me, making me tense up.

My goodness, I’m not usually this shy, but now I was nervous just from one person’s gaze.

And she was just a young child who didn’t even fully understand the world yet.

But despite my thoughts, I couldn’t help feeling like this was inevitable.

Inha was just that beautiful and had an overwhelming presence.

Her gaze lingered on me.

I wondered if I should say something.

After hesitating for a moment, I moved my right foot behind my left, crossed my hands behind my back, and awkwardly said,

“…Uh, hi.”

“Nice to meet you.”

With that, Inha turned her gaze away.

Her attitude was rather cold.

Seeing that, I quietly sighed in relief.

Apparently, Inha hadn’t been through anything particular while growing up, but before anyone realized it, she had become like this.

Auntie Suna once said that Inha might have become more withdrawn because they were so busy with work.

What can I say, Inha’s actions were extremely cool.

Her behavior could easily be perceived as rude, but it was so natural that it didn’t even occur to me to think of it that way.

She was incredibly beautiful, had an amazing aura, and even her personality was cool?

Oh boy, she’s bound to attract a lot of guys with her looks alone, but even girls would fall for her too.

She’s definitely destined to be admired by everyone.

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Shall we go? Ah, but with this item, we need to be touching to teleport together. Eunha, hold my hand. Inha, hold onto Eunha’s hand.”

As my mom extended her hand to me with the item, I turned towards Inha.

I hesitantly reached out my hand to her.

Though I avoided her gaze and looked slightly down, Inha grabbed my hand without hesitation.

I tightened my grip on her hand.

Her hand was surprisingly warm.

“Three people, ‘home’.”

My mom recited the activation command.

The light from the item engulfed all three of us.

The unfamiliar sensation of teleportation made me shrink slightly, but I felt the grip on my left hand tighten.

A small hand, not much bigger than mine, gripped my hand even more firmly.

‘…Is she nervous?’

I squeezed Inha’s hand back.

Firmly, I held onto her hand.

As soon as I blinked through the light, the scenery changed.

We were already standing at the entrance of our house.

“See, isn’t that amazing?”

Inha blinked and looked around the entrance.

Inha had visited our house several times over the past few months with Auntie Suna, so the surroundings weren’t entirely unfamiliar to her.

I let go of my mom’s hand and naturally released Inha’s hand as well.

Inha also let go of my hand.

“It might be a bit inconvenient, but you’ll have to stay at our house for a while. Of course, your house is right next door, but it’s a bit too early for you to be staying alone. So, let’s stay together until Suna and Mr. Jungmin return.”

Inha slowly turned to my mom and bowed.

“Yes. I’ll be in your care.”

That’s why, despite her atmosphere, you couldn’t think of her as rude.

Inha was very polite, despite her aloof demeanor.

My mom smiled warmly at Inha.

“Oh, there’s no need to be so formal. But now that I think about it, what about sleeping arrangements? We’re short on blankets… you’re the same age as Eunha, so how about you sleep together? Honestly, this was a bit sudden for me too. Suna should’ve told me earlier.”

“…Yes.”

Hearing that, Inha glanced at me and then slowly nodded.

Ugh, I was the one who ended up flustered.

‘What? We’re sleeping together? What should I do? I can’t sleep well when someone’s right next to me…’

That’s why I’ve been using a separate blanket even when sleeping with my mom and dad.

But… it’d be awkward to refuse.

While I stayed silent, my mom pulled Inha along, saying she’d show her around the house.

Though the house wasn’t particularly complex and she wouldn’t be staying long, my mom said Inha would be visiting frequently, so she might as well get familiar.

Inha glanced at me before turning to follow my mom.

I let out a small sigh as I watched them.

Well, one thing was certain—I would have to hold off on my magic training for a while.

After hesitating for a moment, I soon followed behind my mom and Inha.