When did Felix Frost come into your life?"
"Felix arrived at the school just as Park was preparing to become headmaster. He appeared as a close friend of Jeong-won, charming everyone with his intelligence and wit. At first, no one suspected he was a powerful and dangerous wizard."
"It was Jeong-won who first noticed strange signs—the way Felix seemed to know too much, his unsettling interest in forbidden magic, and his probing questions about the school's secrets. When Jeong-won finally uncovered Felix's true intentions, he realized he had to act quickly. From that moment, he began studying every possible way to counter Felix's dark magic, determined to protect the school and its students from this hidden threat."
""Why did the sorcerer want that school in particular?"Ji-yeon asked, her gaze steady as she looked into the distance.
Alexa gave her a thoughtful look and replied, "This is a question with depth, one we all need to understand to protect the world. But I'm glad you're curious about it—it'll help you once you get to the school."
After a pause, she continued, "Dear, our world is such that some people are gifted with rare powers, while others are not. Those who have these powers often don't know how to use them wisely, and those who lack them tend to chase after them. Greed, you see, blinds people."
Ji-yeon listened intently, hanging on every word.
"The Ethereal Lotus Shrine School," "is one of the most extraordinary places in our world. It has its own protective magic—dark forces cannot enter it, and anyone who steps within its grounds is safe. This protection is overseen by the headmaster. After five years of training, students must return to the world. They learn to master their powers, and those who have no magic are taught certain skills that give them a bit of magical knowledge."
Ji-yeon's eyes widened. "So, that's why the school is special—it gives students a strong foundation."
Alexa nodded. "Yes. This school shapes its students, making them capable of handling the world. For a dark sorcerer, there is no place more valuable. At this school, those who are trained in goodness could be corrupted by darkness, and that is very dangerous. Imagine a world where everyone is blinded by their own power, without thought for the consequences."
Ji-yeon took a deep breath. "If a dark sorcerer gained control of this school, they could easily spread chaos."
"Exactly," the woman said gravely. "The peace of our world depends on keeping places like this safe."
Ji-yeon drifted into deep thought. My mother is in trouble, and she needs my help. But if the school's protective barrier is so strong, what kind of danger could she be in there? Is she really in trouble? Does she know everything? Is the sorcerer still alive?
As always, Ji-yeon's mind was flooded with questions, each one stirring her curiosity and worry even more….
—------------
"Don't you think we should go out for a bit?" Woo-jin said, sitting down on the sofa. They had finished cleaning the apartment, and now it sparkled with freshness.
"Outside?" Kang-ha, who was also sitting on the sofa, asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes, outside!" Woo-jin replied calmly.
"Alright, let's go," Kang-ha said, standing up and motioning for Woo-jin to follow.
The two of them left the apartment, which was on the 10th floor of their building. Stepping outside, they found that night was just beginning. They strolled down the streets and soon reached the city's beautiful center, a place that was always lively and brightly decorated.
They walk through the part of the city that everyone seems to love. A long, beautifully lit road stretches ahead, adorned with glimmering lights. Shops line the street, each one filled with its own kind of magical charm, as if inviting everyone who passes by. Children, the elderly, and countless other people are out and about, captivated by the city's unique wonders.
In this world, the people look human, but each person possesses a power that makes them distinctly different from the others.
"Our city truly is beautiful," Kanga says, taking a deep breath and gazing around with wide eyes.
"Yes, but I bet you never had the chance to see it like this before. Have you ever seen anything like it?" Wojin asks, curiosity in his tone.
Kanga shakes her head. "No, I didn't. I've seen parts of the city before, but only when I was goes out with my grandfatherl. I've never experienced it like this."
They continue walking forward, their faces marked with a bittersweet smile. It feels as if they're experiencing this joy for the first time, or perhaps never even imagined that such a feeling could exist.
They keep walking but stop briefly when they notice a magician performing inside a shop. There are other people present, watching as well. The magician is breathing fire and shaping it into delicate forms, handing pieces of it to people nearby.
"Wow, this is so delicious! It feels so real!" someone exclaims, savoring the fiery treat.
The magician continues his show, smiling mysteriously as the crowd watches in awe.
"Do you think this is natural?" one of the onlookers, Wujin, asks, still captivated by the performance.
"No, it's not natural. It's chemical trickery," replies Kanga, calmly watching the magician.
"But how can you say that? I don't see him using any chemicals. He hasn't done anything suspicious," Wujin challenges.
"Look closely at his face," Kang-ha says, pointing subtly. "There's a thin tube, like a nerve, near his neck that goes to his mouth. You wouldn't notice it, though; he's hidden it well with makeup. After coloring his face, he's able to conceal it skillfully, fooling people into thinking it's all natural."
Kanga continues, "From what I've read, no one in our world has gained powers that advanced yet. People can only manage simple, natural tricks, like using gravity to make stones levitate or harnessing minor elements. But nothing beyond that."
"Since when did you start noticing people's hidden intentions?" Wojin asks in surprise. "You saw through his trick so effortlessly. How did you do that?"
The person smirks, a spark of knowing in their eyes. "In our world, everything has a touch of magic. Many people are born with powers, but even among them, not everyone possesses true abilities. Those without natural powers often create ways to mimic them, using tools or techniques that seem natural but are, in fact, carefully crafted."
Wojin listens intently, his curiosity piqued. They had attended the same school, but he never imagined that his friend would possess such insight into the mystical side of their world.
"Take flight, for example," they continue. "People can soar through the air, seemingly without effort, but it's only possible with the help of stones embedded with specific energy. It's not a natural ability, though it looks like one. Then there are demons, those who traded their very souls for dark power, and wizards who manipulate magic with skill, and others who harness technology."
Wo-jin, feeling excited. "So, there are all these types of powers around us, but how can we know what's real and what's just an illusion?"
Kangha smiles. "To understand, you just have knowlage, if it could really be natural—or if someone might have crafted it that way."
"But we studied the same books in school. So how do you know all this?" Wojin asks, clearly surprised, with a hint of unanswered questions lingering in his mind.
The friend shakes his head, a small smile forming. "No, I didn't just study those books. My grandfather taught me a lot more—things that go beyond any usual type of knowledge."