The Rise of the Magic Tower to Archmage – Chapter 21
New Year (3)
Yoo Jiho squeezed his eyes shut as he watched four ballpoint pens float freely in the air.
What would a frog think when it finally crawls out of the well?
Would it feel joy at escaping? Or ambition toward the vast new world?
No. It would feel fear.
Because it couldn’t comprehend the enormity of the world that extended far beyond the little space it once knew.
All it could do was shut its eyes tight in fear.
“Hhh…”
In the midst of all this, Yoo Jiho found himself absurdly relieved when he glanced around.
Those who had been busy trying to curry favor with the professor through subtle mind games…
Even Shin Woo-hyung, whom they had dismissed as easy prey since he didn’t ask a single question, had been left alone.
And now, everyone else just sat there, mouths opening and closing like fish out of water.
Ridiculous. Everyone here must have prepared for multi-manifestation.
After all, they wouldn’t even be sitting here if they couldn’t manifest at least two spells simultaneously.
But now they all looked like frogs bickering about size while a whale loomed before them.
Even Professor Kim Cheolsu’s reaction confirmed it.
“Four simultaneous manifestations… You said you studied using the videos I posted?”
“Yes, I watched every single one. But even with practice, going beyond five is really difficult.”
“Haha, that’s natural. And I wouldn’t recommend simply increasing the number of manifestations recklessly, but…”
On the desk, the pens hopped and spun like they were dancing.
Their movements were so precise that even Professor Kim couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
“Well, that doesn’t seem to apply to you, Mr. Sung Shinwoo. Hm. But since advanced techniques aren’t something I should discuss here, I’ll set aside some time to teach you later, if that’s alright?”
“Oh, of course.”
Everyone understood: this was essentially the professor’s seal of approval.
Seeing this, Yoo Jiho strangely felt at ease.
One recommendation letter left.
And the remaining candidates? All children of famous hunters, or backed by large academies.
If skill was equal, then background would inevitably decide.
There’s no way I’m getting that recommendation.
With that thought, Yoo Jiho leaned back in his chair for the first time since arriving.
If he was going to be rejected anyway, he might as well enjoy a lecture from a famous professor.
So when Professor Kim suggested a telekinesis exercise later—
“Urgh!”
“Please, just work!”
Others desperately tried to achieve three or more manifestations.
Jiho just lifted two books and thought:
Ah, whatever. It’d be nice if everything just flew away.
But what he overlooked was this—
A magician’s will itself is magic.
Whoosh!
“Huh…?”
“Though the third was unstable, that’s impressive. No wonder the other professors spoke so highly of you.”
“Uh…”
“Well, I think we can all agree who deserves the second recommendation letter, don’t you?”
“……”
Several others made one last attempt, but all failed.
And so, the two recommendation letters were decided.
“……”
“Phew…”
The air grew heavy for those who failed to receive a letter.
But Professor Kim’s next words quickly lifted the mood.
“Still, it would be a shame to end like this, since you all came from far away. So, I decided to borrow a bit of my student’s popularity.”
“Huh? If it’s your student, Professor Kim…?”
“I’m sure you’ve seen her in programs or advertisements. Please give a warm welcome—Association Hunter Oh Hana.”
Clatter! The door opened, and a young woman entered.
Her jet-black hair swayed like black pearls in the breeze, carrying a subtle floral scent.
She stood beside her teacher and beamed.
“Hello~ I’m Oh Hana, here as a special guest!”
“Waaaah!”
“Oh, it’s Hunter Oh Hana!”
“Holy—she’s even prettier in person.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
“Kyaa!”
The lecture hall instantly heated up with excitement.
Oh Hana, the genius hunter said to be one step away from rank A.
Beautiful, talented, kindhearted—the “Idol Hunter.”
Ah, I’m so glad I lived to see this.
Yoo Jiho, a longtime fan, forgot his earlier gloom and sparkled with joy.
But that joy didn’t last long.
“Huh?”
“Haha, hello.”
Shin Woo-hyung was the first to greet her.
Jiho’s eyes widened.
“Mr. Shinwoo? Why are you here?”
“I’ve always enjoyed the professor’s YouTube channel.”
“Wow, really? I didn’t expect to see you here!”
“Same here. Oh, and how’s Cheongpung doing?”
“Pfft, of course he’s fine~”
As the two chatted warmly, Jiho felt like coughing up blood.
Cheongpung? What the hell is that… a dog? A cat?
Wait—they even know each other’s pets?!
Others seemed to think the same, all staring at Shinwoo with suspicion.
At that moment, they were united in thought:
Who the hell IS this guy?!
“Haha…”
Meanwhile, Shinwoo himself was just surprised at the unexpected reunion.
When the “lecture” ended as a fan meet for Oh Hana, everyone headed to a nearby restaurant under Professor Kim’s lead.
“Who would’ve thought you two knew each other.”
“I didn’t expect to see Mr. Shinwoo here either. And hiding such skill too!”
“I don’t think I hid it… I just never had the chance to show it.”
“Still, I was shocked the whole time. I kept wondering who you really were.”
“I’m just an aspiring hunter. I’m helping out at Uncle Cheoljin’s shop for now.”
“I see~”
But she didn’t look convinced—her eyes seemed to say, You’re hiding something more.
Of course, the last person Shinwoo could reveal his true identity as the Suwon Santa Guy to was Oh Hana.
So he just smiled.
Her attention soon shifted to another.
“Mr. Yoo Jiho, are you currently the class president?”
“Yes, I worked in the student council last year, but decided to focus on self-development this year.”
“That’s amazing~”
“Ha, thank you.”
Jiho grinned ear to ear, especially after learning “Cheongpung” was just an item name, not a pet.
He even started treating Shinwoo more respectfully, calling him “hyung” after seeing his skills.
At the Chinese restaurant, he offered Shinwoo the window seat, handed him the menu first…
Hmph, when else will I get to have a Seoul National University junior like this?
With good food, even past grudges could be mended.
Everyone ordered either jjajangmyeon or jjamppong as a base, with tangsuyuk and eggplant in garlic sauce for sharing.
“A feast indeed.”
“If it’s not enough, order more! Professor’s paying anyway.”
“Bah, you money-grubber. Leeching off your teacher now?”
“Careful, or I’ll charge today’s appearance fee~”
“Ahem. Order as much as you want. It’s on me.”
Professor Kim shook his head at Hana’s cheekiness.
He seemed so strict in lectures and broadcasts, but with his student, he’s surprisingly warm.
No wonder—who wouldn’t soften around someone like her?
Shinwoo ate with a mix of awe and amusement.
For the record, he had jjajangmyeon, and it was worth every won.
Guess I won’t be able to eat cheap neighborhood Chinese food for a while.
Just then, Professor Kim cleared his throat and looked mischievously at Hana.
“By the way, you didn’t forget our little bet, did you?”
“W-wait! When we made that bet, it was supposed to be for one winner only!”
“I don’t recall that. Anyway, if you insist, then I’ll grant Mr. Jiho’s wish instead.”
“Urgh…”
Cornered, Hana sighed in defeat.
“Deal.”
“That’s my disciple.”
“Haa… I can’t believe I lost…”
After hearing the explanation, Shinwoo could hardly contain his grin.
“So, Hunter Oh Hana will grant me one request?”
“Yes—but only within reason. Nothing excessive or involving money.”
“Of course. But… can I keep it for later? I can’t think of anything right now.”
“Ugh, I’d rather say no, but fine. Just this once. Oh, but—here.”
She handed him her phone, dangling a cute star keychain.
When Shinwoo blinked in confusion—
“Your number! You need my number to make a request.”
“Ohh!”
“But don’t you dare spread it around, okay?”
“Goodness, how could I? This is too precious. Are you sure you’re giving me your real number?”
“Pfft, it’s not that big a deal. And this is already the second time we’ve met—let’s call it fate.”
No, counting Christmas at the mart, this is the third…
And if you add me being the Suwon Santa Guy…
Still, it was uncanny how often they bumped into each other.
He was nervous his identity might be exposed, but also thrilled.
I exchanged numbers with my favorite hunter… dream come true.
For today at least, Sung Shinwoo was the happiest kind of fan—a successful one.
After the meal, they moved to a nearby café.
“Recommendation letters aside, Mr. Shinwoo, I still owe you an explanation from earlier.”
“Ah, yes.”
Shinwoo straightened his posture as Professor Kim began.
“Once you exceed five simultaneous manifestations, the order becomes important.”
“Like when you have many tasks and need to decide what to do first?”
“Exactly. For example, I would do this—”
With a gesture, several napkins floated up, spinning in the air.
Before, Shinwoo would’ve thought they were just moving together.
But now he could see the sequence in their motion.
“Past five manifestations, you need to set an order beforehand to handle them smoothly.”
“Wow!”
“Of course, you must still practice controlling them simultaneously, so you can mix them like this.”
The napkins suddenly froze midair, then all shot toward Shinwoo at once.
Startled, he instinctively used telekinesis to stop them.
Whoosh, smack!
“Ah.”
One napkin curved around under the table and smacked against his cheek.
“See? Fun, isn’t it?”
“Yes!”
“If you get stuck while practicing, contact me anytime. I’ve been waiting for a telekinetic like you.”
Behind Professor Kim’s kind smile, it felt like there was a halo.
But he had misunderstood something.
“Uh, I’m not a telekinetic.”
“…What?”
So shocked, the napkins he was controlling all fluttered to the ground.
Scratching his head, Shinwoo clarified:
“I’m just a normal magician.”
“……”
Professor Kim’s pupils trembled violently.
