Partner (3)
Chapter 03Partner (3)
After the friendly match.
"…See you next year."
Jang Su-won, showing determination to challenge me again next year, returned to his class.
…He's a decent guy.
He looks good, has decent abilities, talent, and even a strong background. He'll likely become a good hunter in the future. But he’s not enough to be my daughter's partner.
Amidst the cheers of my classmates, I returned to fill out the partner application with Min So-yeon.
…Ability? Magic… name… Yoo Ji-hwan…
While writing the application, I felt a sharp gaze on me. I turned slightly to find Min So-yeon staring at me.
"…What?"
She said nothing and instead glanced at my application.
…What’s with her today?
Since the friendly match ended, Min So-yeon had been acting strangely. Just as I resigned myself to finish the application, she spoke up.
"…You"
She called out to me.
"…Your ability is 'Magic'?"
…Huh?
It seemed she had seen my application.
"…Yes."
"Why?"
"…What?"
Caught off guard by her question, I blurted out a confused sound.
…How am I supposed to answer that? The truth is, I was Min Seong-jae, died, came back to life as Yoo Ji-hwan, and luckily, I have the same ability. How could I explain that to her? Even explaining it would be difficult since it's a phenomenon even I don't fully understand...
At that moment, Min So-yeon asked another question.
"…What was that technique you used earlier?"
"…What?"
"You set your hand on fire and threw it."
"Oh… I just wrapped my hand with mana and ignited it…"
Before I could finish, she interrupted.
"…Did you come up with it?"
"…What?"
…Oh.
I realized why she kept asking. The "Fire Punch" I used was a technique that Min So-yeon and I created together. We based it on a technique from a comic.
When she was young, she loved a show where the hero finished off villains with a fiery punch. Seeing that, I mimicked it, and it became a useful trick.
It seems to have caught her attention.
"…No."
"Then?"
She seemed quite curious, continuing to press me for answers.
"…I saw someone use it once and thought it was cool, so I copied it."
Her gaze wavered slightly, seemingly affected by my words.
"…"
She hesitated several times as if wanting to say something, but in the end, she closed her mouth and continued filling out the application.
…
Seeing her showing interest, contrary to her usual indifference, made my heart feel heavy, as if a stone was placed on it.
I thought she had forgotten about me since she had been so different after three years. But… perhaps I was mistaken.
*
Becoming partners with Min So-yeon didn't change much. We just spent more time together and talked more often. Considering how it was at the beginning, this was a significant improvement.
After the boring morning classes, it was time for combat training again.
"…Alright, gather back here in an hour!"
At Lee Dae-san's words, the students scattered.
The first hour is for free training, and the remaining time is for practicing with partners under the instructors' guidance.
It's free training time, so students can either relax or train.
Of course, most students choose to train…
I started looking around for Min So-yeon.
"…."
Among the students preparing their weapons in groups, I spotted Min So-yeon heading alone to a corner.
…Is she planning to slack off again?
I’ve never seen her train, and it seemed today was no exception. But I couldn’t just leave her like that. I quietly approached her.
"…."
She glanced at me before turning her attention back to her phone. I'm used to the blatant disregard by now. Pretending nothing was wrong, I casually took a seat beside her and spoke.
"…Not going to train today either?"
She flinched slightly at my question. She must feel guilty. Most students who awaken their abilities come to the Academy to become hunters. Some come because it's mandatory. So what about Min So-yeon?
When she was young, she dreamed of becoming a great hunter like her mom and dad. At least until I died, that was the case. But something happened in the last three years, and she became a completely different person. She showed no interest in any classes and responded indifferently to everything.
She even smokes. Smoking… at her age!!!
According to what I learned on the internet, she's going through a transitional phase. Namely, adolescence.
Adolescents in this phase are like very soft clay; they imprint easily, whether you poke or gently caress them. So, how people around them behave can turn them into either angels or demons.
At such a crucial time, I don’t know what her mother is doing. Two years ago, I heard my wife, Joo Yeon-hee, retired, but there’s been no news since. She loved her daughter so much, yet she let her become like this. I can’t understand why.
She must have a lot of time to spend with her after retiring…
"…."
I sighed heavily, feeling frustrated. I shook off my thoughts and stood up. Well, it can't be helped…
I just need to do my best from my position.
"…This won't do."
Min So-yeon glanced up at me.
"So-yeon, let's train."
She looked away and muttered.
"It's still free time…"
"It's free 'training' time."
Emphasizing the word "training," I interrupted her.
She glared at me with eyes full of disdain. Her eyes were as cold as a cat bristling its fur. If I push too hard, it could backfire, so I decided to coax her gently.
"…We'll have to train later anyway, so let's do it now and relax a bit later, okay?"
She glared at me for a while before finally standing up reluctantly.
"…."
…Got her.
I smiled at her and created some distance. The best way to synchronize with your partner is through sparring. Knowing each other’s techniques and patterns is essential to avoid overlapping in combat.
In a constantly changing battlefield, there’s no time to coordinate tactics on the spot. I slowly gathered my mana and looked at Min So-yeon.
"Just once, let's try it."
She sighed and replied.
"…Just once."
She then touched one of her earrings, gathering mana. Her earring briefly flashed and transformed into a long sword.
It was a double-edged sword, a transformation weapon for convenience, with no special functions.
She had a unique talent for swords, similar to her mother, and also showed similar talent for magic, possibly thanks to my genes.
Her ability was combining the two, magic swordsmanship.
It's one of the best abilities for a hunter.
It seemed she hadn’t wielded a sword in a while, as she adjusted her stance awkwardly before finding a comfortable position and speaking.
"…Here I come."
I responded with a smile.
She glared at me, lowered her stance, and quickly closed the distance, swinging her sword. Close, but not quite hitting me.
Her talent was evident. I wrapped mana around my fingers and flicked her sword away.
"…!"
She hesitated for a moment but quickly resumed her attacks, targeting my unarmed state. Though her strikes seemed random, there was a noticeable pattern.
The only downside was the lack of mana utilization in her magic swordsmanship. But her attacks were still effective.
…She’s doing well for a novice.
I dodged her attacks, studying her techniques closely.
"…Haa!"
She grew frustrated and attacked more earnestly. With mana swirling around her, she wasn’t easily pushed back, and her speed increased.
…This should do.
Just enough to ignite her spirit.
As she thrust her sword at my chest, I wrapped my skin with a thin layer of mana and braced for impact.
…Huh?
There was no impact. I glanced up to see the sword's tip stopped just short of me.
…Oh
Impressed by her skill, I saw her pull back her sword and give me a displeased look.
"…Why are you holding back?"
Thinking I was going easy on her, she seemed offended.
Oh…
I quickly composed myself and spoke cautiously.
"Are you kidding?"
"…What?"
I grabbed her shoulder firmly.
"Am I holding back? That might be true, but that's not the point."
"Holding back…"
"Do you even realize what you did? When I deflected your attack, what did you do next?"
"…No, right now."
"You immediately switched your stance and continued attacking. Does that make sense?"
"…Oh, oh?"
She seemed genuinely confused by my barrage of questions.
"…Alright, let’s try again."
"…What?"
I released her and gathered my mana.
"Just once more. Then we'll really take a break."
She looked at me incredulously and replied bluntly.
"No. We agreed on once…"
"Here I come!"
Ignoring her protests, I assumed a stance, prompting her to quickly ready her weapon.
"You crazy…"
"Ha!"
Swearing is bad! As she adjusted her stance, I charged with my mana flaring. Her hesitation disappeared, replaced by a fierce determination.
Reading my attack, she swiftly swung her sword.
I deflected her strike and waited for her reaction.
Thump-
She seamlessly transitioned into another attack. Smooth and fluid movements. This was her true talent. Different from Joo Yeon-hee, unique to Min So-yeon.
It felt like discovering a hidden treasure.