Chapter 5
Mando’s expression twisted, then he burst into a laugh just like Shina had.
A deep wrinkle formed between Shina’s brows.
“Ha ha ha ha ha! Still in a daze? You should dream in moderation.”
Mando poked the wrinkle on Shina’s forehead. The small girl was pushed back again.
“Get your act together, Soshina. What are you even doing? So weak you can’t even undergo Pavilion training.”
Shina’s eyes widened.
Thanks to Mando, she remembered what needed to be done.
To be recognized as the heir of the Pavilion, she had to accumulate performance in Pavilion duties. But first, she had to become a warrior. And to become a warrior, she needed training.
“Of all people, Mando is actually helping me in my life…”
Shina, who had been ready to punish him with magic, took a step back.
This wasn’t the time to squabble with Mando. First, she had to confirm that she could use magic and then meet her grandfather.
The training that had been stopped because of her frail health required the approval of her grandfather, Sohyeokho.
“I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Step aside.”
“Step aside?”
Shina waved her hand dismissively.
“Are you insane? Who do you think you’re telling to come or go?”
“I never told you to come.”
“Are you going to keep spouting nonsense? Do you need a hit to wake you up?”
Mando raised his hand high.
A hit!
Shina’s body instinctively flinched. Years of learning to fear Mando had left her with reflexive terror. Cold sweat ran down her forehead.
But the learned fear and helplessness only made her determination stronger.
I… now have circles! I have no reason to hold back!
All the suppressed rage from her previous life erupted.
Instinctively, a spell leapt from her lips.
“Fireball!”
The pronunciation was small but precise, and her circles spun wildly.
Just as Mando’s hand was about to descend, a fist-sized ball of fire erupted from Shina’s hand.
It flew straight toward Mando’s face.
“Wha—what is this!”
He flailed to avoid the flames and fell backward.
“Ahhh!”
Mando screamed in terror.
Shina wanted to shout in joy. Though the fireball was small, it was enough.
Magic works. And it’s a two-circle spell!
A thrill ran from her head to her toes.
It felt better than reuniting with a long-lost first love. Not that she had one.
“Hey! What did you just do? What did you do?”
I can use magic! It works!
Mando raged, but Shina barely heard him.
“You… you made fire, from your hand… your hand…”
Mando’s eyes were wide with fear.
What have I done? Shina instinctively realized she had used magic to protect herself. But she had to be careful—if word got out, it would be trouble.
I need to gauge how far I can use magic… and it’s not good if others notice.
In the martial world, those who stand out always gain enemies. Survival often requires hiding three parts of one’s skill.
I need to become a hidden dragon.
That was the only way to stop Sobakrim.
For now, she would feign ignorance.
Shina tilted her head innocently.
“Oh? Me? Do you think I did anything?”
“Y-you fired… fire from your hand!”
“Me? Fire from my hand? You mean I used Sammae Jin-hwa?”
“Yes! Sammae Jin-hwa!”
Mando stared at her, pale as a ghost.
“Big brother…”
Shina approached him with a solemn expression.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Big brother… are you dreaming while standing? Or are you so weak that you hallucinated?”
Shina looked him straight in the eyes.
Sammae Jin-hwa? That’s a technique only the top masters use! How could I possibly cast it?
Her calm, soft tone emanated an inexplicable pressure that overwhelmed Mando.
He nodded involuntarily.
“Y-yeah… Sammae Jin-hwa? Ha ha, impossible. You’ve barely started learning mental cultivation!”
It defied all common sense.
Shina smirked inwardly.
Ignore me all you want. Soon, just seeing me will make you wet your pants.
She stepped back, and the pressure restraining Mando vanished.
He clenched his fists, considering hitting her, then released them.
The fire she had cast earlier lingered vividly in his mind—too real to dismiss.
Mando glanced at her, slowly backing away.
If you’re leaving, why so slow?
Shina, tired of waiting, raised her hand like she had for the fireball. Mando panicked and rushed forward.
Seeing him flee gave her an amusing idea.
Her lips parted.
The second spell she used in this world:
“Grid.”
“AAAHHH!”
Mando flailed in the air, then toppled backward as if slipping on ice.
Shina pressed her hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Mando scrambled up with a dazed expression and ran out of the yard.
“Stay confused all day, idiot.”
Shina laughed at him, then suddenly felt dizzy. Her vision blurred.
I just woke up… am I going to die again?
The terrifying thought came just as darkness overtook her.
When Shina opened her eyes again, she was lying in a familiar yet strange bed.
The furniture and blankets from when she was ten. Her bedroom.
“Miss! Are you alright? That Mando boy went way too far this time! Hitting you until you faint!”
Danmi huffed in anger upon seeing her awake.
Shina realized what had happened. After using Grid on Mando, she must have collapsed.
Danmi probably assumed she fainted because of Mando.
It’s unfair for this one incident, but it’s her own fault too.
“Miss, I’ll definitely tell the Biwon Pavilion Master this time. Let me see where you were hit. Don’t cry, okay?”
Danmi, only four years older, acted like a parent.
Even now, though Shina was the one hit, Danmi looked more distressed.
“You don’t have to tell Father. I wasn’t hit.”
“Don’t try to hide it from me! If you passed out from a single hit, did Mando hit your neck? Or strike a pressure point?”
Now that Shina considered it, she understood why she had fainted.
She had lost consciousness from overusing magic.
Still, using Fireball and Grid back-to-back shouldn’t have made me pass out… maybe it’s the world’s fault. The efficiency is awful.
Shina clicked her tongue and added a new item to her to-do list:
Increase mana or improve mana efficiency enough to offset the terrible efficiency. I was a Grand Mage—surely I can overcome this problem.
Danmi, unaware of Shina’s thoughts, offered comfort.
“Miss, you must be upset.”
Yes. Very upset.
“Because of Mando?”
Not really.
“I’ll put my fingers in Mando’s food. Maybe even my toes…”
No need.
After a long discussion, Shina managed to stop Danmi’s plan.
Revenge was hers alone. She would make sure Mando couldn’t say a word.
And, whether she wanted it or not, that plan was already halfway accomplished.
