Lee Ji-ah, the 11th head of Taesan, is something special.
Being the head of a three-generation family can’t be anything but special, but Ji-ah shines particularly bright amidst that uniqueness.
With a remarkable talent for self-learning after grasping a single thing, an immense magical capacity, and an unprecedented level of unique ability—she has stood out since childhood.
Even at a young age, she skyrocketed to the position of head without a worry, showing astonishing growth that was just the tip of the iceberg.
Despite the understandably absent experience for her age, Ji-ah performed her duties as head without issues, consistently delivering beyond expectations.
Among her peers in the three great families, Ji-ah was treated as the best. Even the heads of Chang-hae and Gop-hwa couldn’t deny her.
– Did you hear? The head who went on an expedition is returning.
– Already? Didn’t they say there was a massive chain reaction? It’s only been a few days…
– She must have already put everything down. Everyone knows the head’s necromancy is quite well-regarded.
Lee Ji-yeon has been hearing about her mother’s achievements—the head’s accomplishments—since she was born, to the point her ears bled.
She had no choice but to listen, no matter how much she didn’t want to.
The family members and attendants around her always whispered about the head’s greatness, and through history lessons, she naturally learned the path Ji-ah had walked.
And she inevitably compared herself to her.
Not just Ji-yeon herself, but those around her too.
It didn’t help that her mother, who was Ji-ah, was the direct predecessor, making it inevitable for her to be compared side by side.
The child of an extraordinary person often inherits certain abilities. The unique powers passed down through bloodlines are a prime example.
True to expectation, Ji-yeon was born with excellent qualities.
But she couldn’t match Ji-ah.
‘How can I become like my mother?’
Ji-yeon had given up long ago. It was simply a matter of innate difference.
Some might criticize her as having a rotten mindset, but Ji-yeon, having been compared to Ji-ah throughout her life, felt that way.
She was a genius far from average herself, but like the saying goes, one cannot become someone outstanding.
It couldn’t be helped. She couldn’t become like her mother due to a difference in their very being. There are things that sheer effort cannot change.
– Don’t try to become like me.
Even her mother used to say that.
Always with an emotionless gaze, a face devoid of affection, she calmly told her she couldn’t.
Eyes that didn’t seem to look at her as a child.
Rather, they were just dull eyes, as if preferences didn’t even exist.
Ji-yeon had never seen a trace of emotion in Ji-ah’s eyes, not even when she looked at her two husbands.
Those eyes terrified her more than the dead eyes of a corpse raised by necromancy.
Whenever facing Ji-ah, Ji-yeon would always lower her head. Her body would stiffen when standing before her.
Ji-ah could pierce through the façade of Ji-yeon’s modest qualities.
A difference so stark it left one speechless.
Ji-ah’s Taesan soared to pierce the skies, while Ji-yeon’s Taesan was nothing more than a small hill in the neighborhood.
Taesan didn’t have the severe side effects like Gop-hwa and Chang-hae do.
But side effects do exist.
If one firmly establishes self-confidence and self-esteem, they would build a sturdy mind and body, unshaken by any crisis.
If one doubts themselves and lowers their self-worth, they’ll end up with a fragile mind and body that crumbles easily.
Every moment Ji-yeon compared herself to Ji-ah, she fit into the latter category.
Even after leaving her family and entering Ipchun Class, it was the same. Physically separated, but Ji-ah’s shadow clung to her, refusing to part.
‘…What did I just do?’
In the place where Lee Ha-yul had left, Ji-yeon gazed down at her coffee cup, her eyes trembling.
The coffee cup, which had been filled with quite a bit, was now empty. She had gulped it down to cool her dry mouth and hot insides.
Why was her insides hot? Why was her mouth dry?
Because she was furious and had been talking too much.
With a dizzying head, Ji-yeon recalled the memory.
She had gotten angry at the head… her mother, and spoke back calmly.
Though she tried to dress it up in various tones, it could simply be boiled down to this:
– Why are you so rude and talking back to others? Have you forgotten what you taught?
‘This madwoman…’
Her thoughts went distant automatically. Considering it with a clear mind, it was indeed a completely insane statement.
‘Daring to raise my voice against that mother? The mother who can defeat a level 3 monster…?’
She couldn’t believe it. Ji-yeon clenched her fist. She didn’t want to die just yet…
“Have you confirmed the manifestation of Taesan?”
It was at that moment Ji-ah spoke. Unlike before, Ji-yeon’s shoulders twitched at the voice coming from across the table.
“…I didn’t witness the direct manifestation, but I confirmed she was managing vitality. And from her attempts to sense the manifestation of Taesan, it seems her handling of it is still somewhat clumsy.”
Confirming whether Lee Ha-yul possessed Taesan was an order Ji-ah had given after the incident in China.
“I figured as much.”
Ji-ah nodded calmly, as if this was expected. Ji-yeon felt a sudden doubt but kept her mouth shut.
“…It’s not absolute, so you can avoid it, and depending on your effort, you can manage to overcome it.”
Ji-ah murmured as she looked out at the crowded street below the terrace.
“Right, I taught you that.”
The manifestor of Taesan deals with life and death. They can sense the changes in vitality and perceive impending deaths.
This was also a phrase passed down from the previous heads for those confused by the manifestation of Taesan.
“What you said is true. No matter how grim it may seem, there’s always a tiny possibility, which is the way of the world. But…”
Ji-ah turned her gaze. Ji-yeon could feel her eyes on her.
“It’s never an easy task. Based on you, or us, it could be an overwhelming ordeal that may not just be avoided but could feel insurmountable—like the sky collapsing, an unimaginable threat.”
The surroundings had grown dark. The stars twinkled in the night sky, but they still lacked the brilliance to illuminate the world completely.
For some reason, the light didn’t reach here, and Ji-ah’s face was hard to see.
“Even so, can you face it, stand your ground instead of fleeing, and fight to overcome it?”
Ji-ah’s darkened eyes, even more shaded than the surroundings, bore into Ji-yeon.
“Can you?”
A tone absent of emotion. Yet to Ji-yeon, it felt like “Who do you think you are?”
“Yes.”
Nevertheless, Ji-yeon lifted her chin proudly and met the gaze of fear directly.
“I don’t want to be a fool who crumbles before trying. I want to at least give it a shot.”
The bond Ji-yeon formed with Lee Ha-yul was indeed a recent one.
The first time she saw him in person was during the first semester’s tournament.
She was astonished that a child who had hardly been a superhuman for a year had already grown so strong, with a hint of jealousy stirring within her.
The Lee Ha-yul she saw then sparkled like a star she could barely touch. Perhaps she thought he was flawless, like Ji-ah.
But meeting him in person, things were different.
He shone even brighter than Ji-ah and, like Ji-yeon, he was also timid.
Yet he didn’t back down. With innocent souls in mind, he charged first at the two-headed dragon, ultimately capturing it.
She didn’t feel a strong conviction that he would definitely win.
Although he also doubted himself like Ji-yeon, he still fought back. He didn’t compromise, accepting things as inevitable and didn’t avoid the situation.
…Of course, in their daily encounters, Lee Ha-yul could sometimes be foolish, pure, and then suddenly act childishly, like sucking on someone’s finger or messing around awkwardly, which was quite strange…
But he was undeniably a good person. Not someone who could just die off easily.
Ji-yeon realized she couldn’t save everyone in this world, yet she didn’t want to turn a blind eye to the child whose crisis was worsened by her own actions.
“…”
With a calm tone, Ji-yeon confidently replied.
Gone were the days of being suppressed, hunched over, and unable to meet anyone’s gaze.
“…Right, you’re better than me.”
– Don’t try to become like me.
Feeling the command of her heart, which had recently gone silent, Ji-ah slightly lifted the corners of her mouth.
*
“Ugh…”
In Riana’s private laboratory.
While going through some paperwork, Riana stretched and groaned.
Her shirt was tight and restrictive, but what bothered her more were the hours of strain her mind and eyes had been through…
“Ugh, when will this all end…”
With a deep sigh, she scanned her desk. Papers piled high and virtual documents floating in holograms…
Of course, the detailed contents had already been handled by the staff, and all Riana needed to do was verify and approve, but even that became daunting with such volume…
On top of that, as she oversaw the Ipchun Class students’ management during the festival, she was truly at her limit.
“Ow, my shoulders…”
She rubbed her stiff shoulders, and after a brief relief, the tension returned. The heavy weight pressed down on her shoulders again.
“Ugh…”
She lost count of how many times she had sighed when Riana picked up the documents and glanced at the window.
Through the curtainless window, the dark sky and the shimmering lights of the festival could be seen below.
The birth festival.
A grand event held by Ipchun Class at year-end, which drew attention worldwide…
…Yet Riana honestly had no thoughts about the birth festival.
Having experienced it four times during her student days, she originally didn’t enjoy festivals.
Throughout the four birth festivals, she spent her time finding quiet places to play with spirits and train, except for common schedules…
‘Is it almost time for the fireworks?’
But even for someone like Riana, the grand fireworks that painted the sky became quite a spectacle.
Not just simple gunpowder or ordinary additives, but the special fireworks of Ipchun Class created with advanced technology, special materials, and the combined efforts of dozens of mages.
Along with this, it resonated harmoniously with the protective barriers surrounding Ipchun Class, truly etching fireworks into the sky in a literal sense.
The birth festival showcased fireworks on the nights of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th days, except for the 3rd day.
Each night had a seasonal theme, meaning today, the first day, would showcase a spring-themed fireworks display.
‘I hope everyone enjoys themselves…’
Riana thought of Lee Ha-yul and couldn’t help but smile.
It was adorable how he had sulked because he wouldn’t be able to join her and had lowered his head in disappointment.
‘But there are plenty of others around, so he will enjoy himself… I wonder if his sensing ability will let him perceive the fireworks?’
Riana suppressed her regret for not being able to enjoy the festival together.
Perhaps the difference in feelings from the past is due to the absence of that child who would fit snugly in her arms.
Additionally, this stillness in the lab felt unnecessarily uncomfortable for the same reason.
“It’s fine~ The festival won’t end today.”
Though they hadn’t been summoned, Riana shrugged at the worries directed her way by the spirits.
And so, she prepared to return to her work when suddenly—
– Knock, knock…
Someone knocked on the door at the same time.
“Hmm…? Come in.”
Riana blinked in surprise.
Considering that many people had already visited due to the festival, she didn’t find the visit odd. But why on earth would someone choose to knock instead of using the calling spell?
Moreover, she sensed multiple presences—perhaps a group had come with a query…
‘Huh?’
Upon further reflection, she recognized those presences as familiar.
Riana’s eyes widened in surprise as the door smoothly opened to reveal a white-haired head peeking in.
[Hello…]
“Hello…”
The awkward smile belonged to Lee Ha-yul. Behind him, the still-smaller Seo-yul peeked in as well.
[The fireworks are starting soon. Would you like to join us?]
“Let’s go watch together…”
Lee Ha-yul waved a bag in his hand. It looked like he had brought along some delicious street food since a tempting aroma wafted from it.
“Is this the right place? I’ve never been here before.”
“You’ve never been to your professor’s lab before…? Yoonhwa, you really are slacking in your school life!”
“Why is that a problem?!”
Lee Ha-yul wasn’t the only familiar presence; several others could be heard beyond the door. He had company.
“Ahaha…! Since we’re short on time, just come in!”
Riana chuckled, having been dazed for a moment.
Thank goodness it didn’t seem like it would stay quiet indefinitely.
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