Chapter 7
Viewed from above, the layout of Manhyang Pavilion resembled a large rectangle with a smaller rectangle stacked on top. The front was wide, narrowing gradually toward the interior.
The front area was the pavilion’s common space, while the protruding rectangular sections housed the descendants of the Pavilion Master, the So family.
Residences were arranged so that the higher one’s status within the Pavilion, the deeper inside they lived. Shina’s quarters, the Biwon Pavilion, which also served as the living space for So Cheonlim, the So family’s young master, was located at the outermost edge.
Next came the Hyun Pavilion, once home to Shina’s aunt So Yeonhwa, who now lived elsewhere. And the largest pavilion, Wolhwa Hall, where the Pavilion Master resided, had the Yu Pavilion in front, home to the First Young Master, So Baeklim.
Paths were carefully maintained to avoid encroaching on private spaces, but for Shina—the outermost resident—to reach Wolhwa Hall, she had to pass near Yu Pavilion.
As she walked briskly, Shina paused briefly in the Hyun Pavilion’s backyard. Beyond the wall dividing Hyun and Yu Pavilions, there was noise, mixed with So Mando’s voice.
What? He really is training…
The clashing of swords echoed across the yard.
Shina frowned, not wanting to encounter Mando.
Please, don’t look this way. I’m very busy right now.
Shina tiptoed along the wall of Yu Pavilion—but then:
“What’s that? Isn’t that Biwon Pavilion’s corpse?”
Her hope for secrecy was shattered.
Mando, who seemed to find Shina instantly, dashed forward and blocked her path. Ilbi stood beside him, arms crossed.
“Hey, you gotta pay the toll.”
A memory surfaced, and Shina froze.
That’s why I stayed holed up in Biwon Pavilion before.
Whenever she passed Yu Pavilion, Mando had always caused trouble. She sighed.
“If you’re part of the Pavilion, you should know to pay the toll.”
Mando held out his hand.
Looking at his chubby palm and the sweat-slicked mess of a body, Shina lost her appetite entirely. She recalled how he had run away comically from a fireball she’d cast.
No, I have to meet Grandfather first… so hold back.
Shina responded calmly.
“Why should I pay a toll?”
“Why? Because this is Yu Pavilion.”
“But you didn’t pay a toll when you came to Biwon Pavilion.”
Mando flinched, and Ilbi spoke up.
“Your loss. Past events don’t matter. The present and future are what count.”
This was the most ridiculous logic, but Shina didn’t want to waste time arguing.
“Put it on credit.”
“Credit? Ha! You talk as if you can actually pay it back, you beggar.”
Ilbi laughed at Shina. The cold clarity in Shina’s mind sharpened.
What if you glare at me? Will I just take a hit and cry?
Mando struck the ground near Shina’s feet with his sword.
In the past, Shina would have been scared and returned to Biwon Pavilion with an apology.
How ridiculous I must have looked…
Thinking of the past made her blood boil and her head feel hot.
She wanted to punish him immediately but held back, instead giving a sharp warning.
“Watch your tongue.”
“What?”
“I won’t tell Father about today. But if you bother me once more, I will—and then…”
Ilbi tried to stifle her laugh but couldn’t help covering her mouth, her face flushed red.
“Why are you laughing?”
Shina snapped.
“Ah, sorry. You’re just so naive, it makes me laugh.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Shina’s sharp question made Mando step closer, looming over her threateningly.
“What if you told your father? Then if your uncle complained to ours, what do you think would happen?”
“What would happen?”
“This! Like this!”
Mando raised a hand high.
A faint memory surfaced. The night Shina had been bullied, her father had rushed to Yu Pavilion in a fluster, cheeks puffed out…
Did So Baeklim hit Father?
Shina finally remembered why she hadn’t reported their bullying before.
Father was the only one I could tell about Mando and Ilbi’s antics.
Yet, regardless of martial skill, Cheonlim had ended up getting punished instead.
I saw that happen. Father… what were you thinking?
Shina’s eyes filled with tears, her heart with resentment, her mind with anger.
She had to hold back but couldn’t.
Even in her past life—and the one before that—Shina had lacked patience as a mage. She often got into trouble and then cleaned it up afterward.
Yet she had been loved by the Mage Tower Master, so perhaps she had a talent for damage control.
Let’s hope that talent hasn’t disappeared.
Shina prepared to cast a spell to teach Mando a lesson.
Mando suddenly grabbed her by the hair.
“Ugh!”
Shina staggered, unable to defend herself.
“I’ll teach you one thing: if you don’t pay the toll, you’ll get hit.”
Mando pushed her forcefully. Shina tumbled across the ground.
Her neatly tied hair was disheveled, her silk clothes dusted, palms scraped and stinging.
“Miss!”
Danmi rushed over, but Ilbi blocked her.
“Shut up and stay still. If you interfere, your mistress will get hit more.”
Danmi turned pale at Ilbi’s threat. Seeing Danmi unable to move, Shina clenched her fists.
They used me as a hostage and even harassed Danmi?
In just a few days since waking, Shina realized far more than she had expected.
Was I blind back then?
“If you don’t pay the toll, don’t even think of walking this path.”
Mando crouched before her, flicking her forehead with his finger.
“You people without mothers are ignorant and shameless.”
Shina bit her lower lip, her anger sparking lightning behind her eyes.
“Brother, do you believe in divine punishment?”
“What?”
Shina grabbed Mando’s finger on her forehead firmly, pulling him closer. Their faces were almost touching.
In that moment, Shina whispered:
“Lightning Bolt.”
A bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky, hitting the ground beside Mando.
“Ahhhhhh!”
Mando screamed, leaping up.
“What did you—do this time?!”
His face drained of color, he shouted, flustered.
Shina stepped forward, rising on her toes to thrust her face close to his.
“I didn’t do it. If the lightning from the clear sky isn’t divine punishment, what is? The heavens struck because you keep talking nonsense.”
Mando’s cheeks trembled.
“You… you said Lightning… Bolt…”
Mando wasn’t even sure what he had heard.
Shina had cast Lightning Bolt, a basic two-circle mage spell. She spoke as if it were nothing.
“Does what I said matter? What matters is that the heavens struck because of your nonsense… hngh.”
A sudden dizziness swept over Shina. She instinctively pressed her hand to her navel.
I’m done for.
Her mana deficiency was kicking in. Her head spun violently; her legs trembled, and her chest heaved. Yet she held on with sheer willpower.
“If you don’t want to get struck by lightning, back off.”
Shina’s voice trembled slightly. Mando’s eyes narrowed, sensing the subtle vibration. He studied her carefully, then twisted his mouth into a smile.
Instinctively, he realized she had weakened.
Having been hit by both fire and lightning, Mando was losing his mind. He forgot the previous strike and swung his fist at Shina.
Bam!
The punch landed solidly, enough to make bones ache. Even Ilbi and Danmi turned their heads at the sound.
“You crazy brat!”
Shina shouted furiously.
Mando blinked, unable to comprehend the situation.
So Shina actually took a hit and is fine? My punch…
He stared dumbfounded at the figure sprawled before him.
“What the hell is this kid?”
