Chapter 13: Secret Magic Tutoring (1)

It was just past ten in the evening. Jaehyun was on his way home in the deluxe taxi that Yoo Seong-eun had arranged for him despite his insistence that the bus would have been fine and there was no need for such a fuss. Yoo had been adamant, insisting that it was only right now that Jaehyun had become a member of the Yeonhwa Guild. ‘Well, thanks to her, I’m heading home in comfort,’ Jaehyun mused, chin propped on his hand as he gazed out the window.

He recalled the things that Park Seongjae had animatedly explained earlier. According to him, the fact that Jaehyun had broken the Mana Cube in just 10 minutes was a new world record—even though it was unofficial. It was a staggering 20 minutes faster than Camilla from the USA, who held the previous record at 36 minutes. However, Jaehyun could only feel bewildered by the whole thing.

“Huh… I really can’t figure out how this came to be…”

Didn’t he just use a shortcut to break the crystal? And now here he was, embarrassed by the esteemed treatment he was receiving. ‘Well, at least it’s good that they don’t see me as useless.’ This had been a major concern for him when he ventured into the Mana Cube. Proving his worth. If he couldn’t do that, he would not be able to increase his standing in the Yeonhwa Guild, ultimately becoming powerless and pushed aside by external forces.

In a world where the strong prey on the weak, the weak must grovel to survive—an unpleasant truth Jaehyun knew all too well in his past life. He had endured a tragic existence, clinging desperately to life despite the misery.

‘I won’t live like that again, even if I die.’

Jaehyun resolved himself with determination. The shape of his future life now depended on how much effort he was willing to put in. And for Jaehyun, who had experienced failure once already, effort was anything but a daunting task.

“But first…”

Jaehyun’s gaze shifted out the window again, lips pressed tightly together. ‘Nightshade… I have to defeat that creature within two months. If I manage that, I might find out what the Nornir System and the Antagonist are all about.’

He took a deep breath and focused his thoughts.

[Main Quest]

Trial of Hell

The ruler of Helheim, Hel, has given you a trial. Defeat Nightshade within the time limit and earn Hel’s recognition.

Difficulty: C

Reward: Hel’s Gift (You can inquire about the details upon completing the quest.)

Remaining Time: 58 days 18:54

Failure Penalty: Death

Tomorrow marked a new beginning.

* * *

“Jaehyun still isn’t back yet…”

“That’s odd. He’s late today. And he’s not answering his texts either.”

Lee Sunhwa and Kim Yoojung were chatting as they waited for Jaehyun in the alley in front of his house. Jaehyun, usually a homebody, was inexplicably late today, still not back despite the late hour.

Squeak!

Just then, a car turned into the alley, catching the girls’ attention. A black van that looked expensive by any standards. Soon after, the car stopped, and a familiar face emerged—it was Jaehyun.

“Isn’t that an expensive car? Why is Jaehyun getting out of there?”

Kim Yoojung asked with a dumbstruck expression. Lee Sunhwa, equally perplexed, watched Jaehyun approach.

“I wonder… Did Jaehyun get into some kind of trouble?”

Unaware of their wild speculations, Jaehyun cheerfully waved at the two waiting for him.

* * *

About 10 minutes after returning home, Jaehyun and Yoojung were in his room. Despite sitting side by side, there was no romantic tension—only the grimace on Kim Yoojung’s face, who was glaring at Jaehyun as she questioned him.

“So, to put it simply, you’re saying martial arts don’t suit you, so you’re switching to magic?”

“Yeah. All preparations are done. The paperwork is all filled out. I’m done with martial arts for good.”

“The other day, you claimed there was no future in magic. What did you eat to change your mind so drastically? Are you out of your mind?”

Kim Yoojung looked displeased as she spoke, to which Jaehyun nonchalantly replied, “Hey, people’s hearts are like reeds, easily swayed this way and that.”

“I never expected to hear that from you.”

Following Kim Yoojung’s sarcastic comment, Jaehyun yawned ostentatiously before asking, “By the way, why are you here? Your parents? Are they on a business trip again?”

“Yeah. So I came over to hang out, and your mom said I could stay over.”

“Why do you prefer this place over your home? I don’t get it. Why come to this cramped space instead of staying in your spacious house?”

Indeed, Kim Yoojung was the only child of a wealthy family, her parents involved in the business of disposing of demonic beast carcasses, selling them to different countries. Since the carcasses had no waste and the monsters varied by country, it was a profitable venture.

Kim Yoojung often found herself alone at home. She would only spend roughly two months a year with her parents, with the rest of her time frequently spent visiting Jaehyun’s house. Their parents were close friends, and although Jaehyun and Yoojung bickered a lot, they were good friends who always looked out for each other.

Turning to Kim Yoojung, who was sat next to him, Jaehyun bluntly stated, “Anyway, since that’s settled, help me with some magic theory, will you? Please.”

“You’re asking me barefaced?”

At Kim Yoojung’s teasing tone, Jaehyun pretended outrage and stretched out his hand to tap her on the head, “Then fork over the lodging fees for staying at my place. You’ve already crashed here for a few nights in the past.”

“Stop it, will you? My mom told me to stay, not you. What do you have anything to do with it?”

Kim Yoojung retorted with irritation, and Jaehyun sighed, sitting up straighter, “So, what do you want in return? Tell me so I can decide.”

“Hmm… I actually haven’t thought about it.”

Kim Yoojung hummed thoughtfully before suggesting with a grin, “Grant me a wish. Anything I want. Take it or leave it.”

It was a ridiculous offer. What could she possibly wish for that was so serious? Nevertheless, Jaehyun didn’t have much of a choice. Finding someone else to teach him magic at this point was almost impossible, and despite appearances, Yoojung was a genius who had never been second in anything magic-related.

Feeling pressured but reasoning that it wouldn’t be too difficult, Jaehyun nodded in agreement, “Alright. But there’s a one-year expiration on that wish. If you don’t use it within that time, the offer’s void. Got it?”

“Cheapskate! Fine, I agree.”

Upon hearing her response, Jaehyun smirked to himself, confident that the forgetful Yoojung would not act on this within a year.

Jaehyun masked his cunning thoughts and tried to keep his expression neutral, “But really, what’s the deal with the wish that it made you look so serious? You’ve gotten even uglier.”

“What?! Oh… you’re asking to die, aren’t you?! That’s it, you left me out to dry that day, didn’t you? Alright, let’s finish this today!”

Kim Yoojung clenched her fist and punched Jaehyun’s side with a thump. Jaehyun’s face reddened with the pain and anger.

“Hey! That’s too much, even for you!”

“Shut it!”

Soon after, the squabbling continued until Lee Sunhwa called them out for dinner, marking a temporary end to their bickering. It wasn’t a bad way to kill time.

* * *

The next day was Monday, the beginning of the formal magic classes. Jaehyun waited for the others as he received his ID card in the lobby. To his surprise, it already had him listed as a member of the Yeonhwa Guild.

‘Well, this card won’t have any legal force since I’m still a minor.’

It was a symbolic gesture from Yoo Seong-eun. As a member of Yeonhua, it was a warning not to contact other guilds or engage in actions that violate their code. Jaehyun actually felt the weight of the contract he had entered with Yeonhwa and smiled wryly.

‘Before my regression, I wasn’t skilled enough to join a guild, so I struggled at the bottom. Even with an agency’s support, finding work was tough.’

But in this life, he had secured a lavish contract even before reaching adulthood, so perhaps it was natural for him to feel this way. Introspective thoughts occupied Jaehyun’s mind when a man’s loud voice suddenly echoed through the guild’s lobby.

“So! Just spare a moment, yeah? What’s the big issue?”

A man was rudely grabbing the wrist of a female receptionist at the information desk, his annoyance escalating. Jaehyun narrowed his eyes.

‘That person is… Yoo Seonjae?’

He had the same unusual hair color as Yoo Seong-eun—dark purple—and an imposing look.

‘Yoo Seonjae, the younger brother of Yoo Seong-eun, the only blood relative and the one who takes control of the Yeonhwa Guild after her vegetative state in my previous life.’

Jaehyun frowned slightly as he observed Yoo Seonjae’s boorish behavior.

“It’s just… come out for a bit? No one would know, right? Don’t you know this guild belongs to my sister? If I talk to her…”

“No, sir. Protocol strictly prohibits unauthorized departures during working hours. If you’ve said your piece, please leave now. I need to get back to work.”

The woman’s calm retort couldn’t hide her infuriation. Jaehyun shook his head at such unsightly antics.

“He’s a habitual troublemaker, it seems. And true to form, an absolute nuisance.”

Such character rarely changes. Once Yoo Seong-eun fell comatose, Yoo Seonjae would take control of Yeonhwa, which would descend into ruin in only five years, eventually being completely disbanded and forgotten by all within a decade.

‘However, Yeonhwa will not crumble in this life.’

Jaehyun smirked internally. According to the original course of events, Yoo Seonjae would hold the guild’s reins after Yoo Seong-eun’s downfall. Following that, Yeonhwa would plummet to its end, and Yoo Seonjae would be behind bars.

‘But Yoo Seong-eun won’t die this time. And why? Because I’ve made sure of it.’

Yoo Seonjae’s chance of seizing control of Yeonhwa would never come in this life. As Jaehyun looked on at the conflict between Yoo Seonjae and the receptionist, he stepped forward.

Arriving at the desk, he addressed the receptionist, “Excuse me. I’m here for some assistance, could you help me?”

“Uh? And who the hell are you? Can’t you see I’m talking here?” Yoo Seonjae snapped, high-handed and irate.

Ignoring him, Jaehyun smiled faintly at the receptionist, “I’m sorry, but is this gentleman here for some business?”

“No, he is not.”

Her cut-and-dried reply indicated she was more than fed up with Yoo Seonjae. With a sardonic grin, Jaehyun turned towards Yoo Seonjae and said, “If you’re not here on any business, then please leave. I’m quite busy, you see.”