The Government of the Republic of Korea had declared that they would not appear on official broadcasts until they punished those involved in concealing the incident and uncovered the purpose of Valpurgis.
However, a catalyst that changed their mind emerged, stemming from an event that occurred soon after arriving in Korea.
After a light dinner and studying papers with Professor Cheon, the doorbell rang, and when I opened the door, a delivery box was just sitting there.
Checking the sender, I immediately called Master Baek.
[Yeah, Na-me! Did you get the package?]
“Yes, Grandpa. I got it, yes. But what’s the other thing that came with it?”
[One won’t be enough, so I added another. Do whatever you want, throw it away or use it. Just don’t blame me later.]
“Huh?”
Clunk
The call was harshly cut off.
Eager to check the Light Transmutation Circle Inscriber he made for me, I ripped open the packaging.
‘A charm?’
It was a decorative piece typically worn on a traditional Korean hanbok.
It was a three-in-one charm, with three pieces tied together with a single string.
Compared to regular charms, it was surprisingly heavy.
Upon closer inspection, the center had a magical stone embedded, forming the core of a wand, and the knots and structural parts of each charm had gyroscope sensors.
The threads used to create the charm were made entirely of mana fiber from start to finish, indicating that it was designed to serve as the wand’s circuitry.
I just hung it on my pants pocket and came out to the living room to try casting some random magic using the charm.
[Light Spell]
Then I took three steps forward.
“Oh.”
Even without modifying the coordinate system separately, bright light continued to pour out from the magic circle at the same intensity.
Although there was no mana amplification function and no space to store the structure of the magic circle, it seemed to work just as I intended.
The most crucial coordinate modification function was excellent, and on top of that, the optimal injection function was raised to about 95%. Considering it’s a compact product, it’s worth several million won.
At this level, it wouldn’t violate the rules of the Academy Competition, and it would also be suitable for Ji-hye to use.
Reining in my magic, I shifted my gaze to another piece of packaging.
‘This is a pearl, isn’t it?’
The dazzling purple gem was about the size of a human eyeball.
Seeing that the weak mana flowing out during its manufacturing process felt similar to the previous charm, this seemed to be a type of magic stone as well.
Looking at the pointed golden decoration symbolizing the sun embracing the pearl, I found myself puzzled.
No matter how I looked at it, it didn’t resemble a ring or a bracelet at all.
Eventually, I called Master Baek again and got a precise answer.
[It’s not a bracelet, Na-me. It’s a hair tie for you.]
“A hair tie?”
[Right. When you use your aura, have you ever felt your chest tightening?]
“Uh… come to think of it, I might have…”
[That’s because your heart is small.]
“Not Aura Heart, just the heart?”
[The blood around the Aura Heart needs proper circulation to function. Right now, you’re using about twice, three times, or five times what an adult should, but your heart is still baby-sized, so your body can’t handle it.]
“Will this help a bit?”
[It’s designed to regulate the output so your heart doesn’t overexert itself.]
“Hmm, it’s not exactly a special function, but it looks way more expensive than a standard magic item.”
They stuffed such a large magic stone into something just to regulate aura output. Is that a fair trade?
[Hey, it’s even more expensive! The magic item I’m giving your friend has my 60 years of cultivation in it—that’s way pricier.]
“I see. But what about this animal keychain? Does this have any function?”
[That’s something I got from an insurance salesperson at the community center ages ago. I thought you’d like something cute, so I stuck it on. If you don’t like it, just take it off.]
“No, I like it. Thank you.”
[Alright, I’m busy, so don’t call me!]
I immediately tried changing the hair tie.
He even sent me a pin!
The more I see this Master Baek, the more I feel like he’s got that tsundere vibe going on.
He insists on giving generously, only to snatch it back later out of stubbornness.
Now that I had the wand, I planned to summon Ma Ji-hye and Han Seori in front of my house for some impromptu training.
[NoName: Han Seori, are you busy?]
[Han Seori: I was just about to ask you!]
[Han Seori: Have you seen Ji-hye?]
[NoName: ?]
[Han Seori: Ji-hye ran away!]
*
Unless you’re an unregistered ghost infant, all citizens of the Republic of Korea are assigned biometric chips.
[NoName: Ji-hye, I know you’re looking at your phone. If you don’t respond now, your mother said she would call the police.]
While Ji-hye’s mother was pacing around, worried about whether to file a missing person report, she thankfully answered my call, preventing the situation from escalating.
In any case, an eight-year-old child running away wouldn’t have many places to go.
At most, she’d be wandering around the neighborhood or hiding at school.
“Hello, Security Guard, have you seen my friend? She has a bob haircut and wears glasses like this.”
Han Seori asked the academy’s security guard, who quietly pointed towards the Elementary Division.
We found Ji-hye alone, forlornly swinging on a swing in the elementary playground.
I quickly texted Ji-hye’s mother that we found her and would safely return her home soon.
“Ji-hye! What are you doing there?”
Han Seori rushed over and hugged her around the neck.
“Hey, don’t!”
Usually such a sweet girl, Ji-hye pushed her away, annoyed.
“Uh-oh… she’s mad. What do we do?”
“Ji-hye, what’s wrong?”
As soon as she saw me, she jumped off the swing and asked.
“Did you say anything to my dad? Please…”
“Your dad doesn’t know you ran away?”
“Uh-huh! He can’t know!”
“Maybe he doesn’t? Anyway, I didn’t say anything.”
“Phew, thank goodness…”
Now that I think about it, her father was a detective.
Her fear was somewhat understandable.
Seeing her eyes red and puffy, it was clear she had cried a lot.
I figured it was best to first cheer her up, so I handed her a peach-flavored Eclipse candy, her favorite.
“…?”
Then I stuck a Pokémon sticker on the back of her hand.
“Wow… this is super rare!”
Lastly, I showed her the wand that just arrived today.
“Here, it’s your wand, Ji-hye.”
“A wand? Is this really a wand?”
“It’s a bit oddly shaped, but the usage is the same. How is it? Feeling a bit better now?”
“Yeah… thank you… but…”
Ji-hye didn’t quite get how valuable the wand was and seemed more enchanted by the sticker, but whatever.
“Your mother was really worried.”
“…”
“I originally planned to train together with you and Seori today, but I guess we should just head home now, right?”
“I don’t think we need to train.”
“Hey, what do you mean by that! How often did Na-me and I come to school just to help you out? And now you’re saying—”
“I might transfer far away. Ah… Dad told me to stop going to the academy.”
By now, the tears streaming down her face sparkled red in the sunset light.
*
“I’m back.”
The lives of academy students are generally tough.
Since they can’t keep up with the class pace without attending private academies from elementary school, their vacations are almost non-existent.
While they might not be the brightest among their peers, those like Ma Ji-hye, who only have average intelligence, must compensate with effort.
Still, Ji-hye genuinely liked her academy friends, and she silently attended the academy, hoping to be in the same class as them one day.
After coming home drenched in sweat from the academy, Ji-hye was welcomed by her mother.
Her father, with a serious face that looked even more severe than usual, was surprisingly home early today.
“Ji-hye, wash your hands in the bathroom and sit here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
“You should wash your face too.”
Being a member of the Violent Crime Investigation Unit, working late was part of the job.
It was common to see Ma Beom-il coming home at 4 PM on a weekday after having left for work that morning.
After washing her face, she stepped out to find her parents already raising their voices in disagreement.
If only their topics were similar, but they always managed to fight over something new.
While her mother was quite a bit smaller in stature compared to her father, she didn’t budge an inch in their ongoing argument.
Ji-hye awkwardly sat in her seat.
“Ma Ji-hye, where have you been wandering during the break?”
The detective, Ma Beom-il, asked, clearly displeased with Ji-hye attending an academy.
Her mother jumped in, telling him not to meddle in something he didn’t know about regarding her schooling.
“Competing in the competition gives her extra points. She’s merely trying to practice beforehand, so what’s your problem?”
“If it were me, I would’ve studied harder instead of preparing for that.”
“Exactly, that’s why we’re sending her to three different academies. Can’t you see Ji-hye’s trying hard? You used to threaten us not to send her to an academy.”
“Ji-hye, look at your dad. Are you really studying hard? The academy teacher said you’ve been daydreaming and sleeping in class lately.”
“Yes… I’m doing my best…”
“Then can you come in first the next semester?”
Ji-hye’s eyes went wide.
First place? That’s beyond her wildest dreams.
In the Sephiron Academy, NoName, who is revered almost like a god, was sitting there.
When she shook her head, lacking confidence, her dad changed strategies.
“Then can you come in second?”
Second place was also impossible.
She had to reach the same level as Yoon Si-hoo and Seo Yu-na, kids from wealthy families, but currently placed 56th, it was a long shot.
“Is third place even possible?”
“Uh… third place might be a stretch too…”
Not even reaching the minimum requirement for a half-fee scholarship, her father crossed his arms, determined.
“Then we should transfer schools. I’m skeptical about Ji-hye continuing at the academy.”
“You’re serious! How could Ji-hye go to the academy she got into!”
“Counting middle and high school, that’s ten years until she applies for college! Besides, with grades dropping, she might not even make it to middle school—are you really saying we should keep living apart? No way, we’re all going to Incheon.”
Now, being able to say where someone graduated high school has become more critical than even getting into college, but in Ma Beom-il’s mind, college still reigned supreme.
“Incheon? Why are we suddenly moving there?”
“Ji-hye, for now, stay in your room. Your mom and I need to discuss this.”
“What’s there to discuss? It’s all been said! And Ji-hye, stop all that training and just focus on your academy. No more training sessions, got it?”
“But I really excel at that! I can defeat all the seniors…!”
“Ma Ji-hye, just listen to what your dad says. You can’t live doing something so dangerous all your life. Dear, educate Ji-hye properly on the academy she’s currently attending. We already know that three academies are too much; it’s obvious you’re just wasting money—what more do you want?”
“Ji-hye, quickly go inside.”
Finally, thanks to her mother pushing Ji-hye into her room, the kitchen table was left empty except for the couple with their only daughter.
Ma Beom-il clutched his aching head and sighed.
“So when are we transferring to Incheon?”
“As early as September. The main responsibilities have already been handed off, and now everyone’s just goofing off. They said to keep out of any interruption even if there’s a gap in the work.”
“What kind of nonsense is this? For someone who lived in Gangnam to suddenly be chased off to Incheon? Policemen aren’t some military soldiers.”
“How can I know? It’s just how they feel—someone up high is changing the law…”
The Seoul Violent Crime Investigation Unit was expected to face a storm of organizational reshuffling and personnel movements.
Not only were detectives with more than eight years of service being transferred to other regions under the pretense of stopping collusion and corruption, but the personnel decisions also lacked consideration of job similarities or entry paths, leaving everyone internally furious.
Yet, government officials will do what they’re told.
Their pent-up dissatisfaction eventually morphed into negatively spotlighting specific individuals.
Especially the primary suspect in this case, Detective Ma Beom-il, became a target for his colleagues.
If we were to look at any wrongdoing, it was regarding the private communications he had with Prosecutor Cheon Jeong-ho, which he had failed to report, giving political circles a chance to exploit the situation.
Allegations of bribery were even more ludicrous.
“Ah, I can’t believe these ungrateful fools. I just want to throw it all away… I’ll just smoke a cigarette in front and then come back.”
“Then while you’re at it, take out the food waste, will you?”
“… Take care of Ji-hye. I can hear her crying from the room.”
The sound of a young girl sobbing made Detective Ma Beom-il’s heart tangle like a complicated thread.
