TRPM 446

chapter 446

We didn’t order expensive snacks just because Ryu Amin came in last.

Even so, Ryu Amin finished paying with tears in his eyes.

“Ugh… my sneakers…”
“…Why is he like that?”
“He was saving money to buy new sneakers.”
“Sneakers?”
“Yeah. Lately, he’s been obsessively saving up to buy the ones advertised by movie actors.”

Ah, that.

I don’t really know the ads, but before I reincarnated, I remember him doing a part-time job to buy sneakers.

‘But I think that was at the academy.’

No, the first time I met the Ryu Amin–Ryu Ayoung twins wasn’t in high school but at the academy, so it must have been back then.

‘Well, it wouldn’t be strange if something similar happened before meeting me.’

Still, since we bought relatively cheap snacks, the money Ryu Amin paid was at most around ten thousand won. For someone like us, ten thousand won is…

‘Ah, is Ryu Amin not doing a part-time job these days?’

If he’s just living off pocket money, that could be a lot to him.

“Conversion-type psychics should have an easy time finding a part-time job. Isn’t the Association always hiring?”
“They probably also hire at energy-related companies. But he doesn’t like part-time jobs that require at least a month once you start.”

What’s that even about?

“He’s just too lazy to go out during vacation.”
“……”
“……”

Everyone fell silent at Ryu Ayoung’s words.

“By the way, there aren’t many people here.”

Ryu Ayoung, munching on the snacks she just bought, muttered while looking around. The store we were in, as well as the nearby rest areas, were practically empty.

“Most people here today probably came because of Director Shin Hanji’s invitation. Some came with family, but most must have gone to meet Director Shin Hanji.”
“Speaking of which, where is Director Shin Hanji? I haven’t seen him today.”
“I’m not sure. He wasn’t on the slope where we were skiing…”

I had a guess.

“He’s probably on the slope that’s unnaturally crowded, right?”
“Oh, that makes sense. Unlike the slope we were on, there was one with an extremely long lift line.”

Thanks to everyone flocking there, we could ski leisurely.

“Wait. So to meet Director Shin Hanji, we have to stand in that long line?”
“…Seems like it.”

Director Shin Hanji would ski since he’s at the resort anyway, so technically, we could meet him by waiting at the bottom, but…

“I don’t like that… But since he invited us, we should go meet him, right?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s polite.”

Our classmates seemed to think that no matter how complicated, it was proper to go greet him.

“Polite kids.”

Fortunately, Director Shin Hanji appeared right in front of us, so there was no need to wait in line.

“Director Shin Hanji?”
“Hello, Ha Eun. I heard about you passing by.”

Passing by? More like he secretly listened through magic and flew over immediately.

‘No, he didn’t just fly here.’

I felt the subtle shaking of space—he didn’t just fly; he manipulated space. Not by creating a rift like me, though…

‘He manipulated space to shorten the distance between where he was and here.’

This is commonly called the “Shukuchi Method.”

‘So he’s still growing in strength.’

Thinking that, I looked at Director Shin Hanji. Judging by the situation, he probably found it admirable that young students wanted to greet him, so he came personally…

“Director, weren’t there other people around? Coming alone like this might confuse people.”

Then what about those who were with Director Shin Hanji just a moment ago?

“I understand what you’re worried about, Geonwoo. Don’t worry about that. Count Sergei and the Grand Mage, who were beside me earlier, probably grasped the situation and informed those around.”
“……”

He left it to the two of them.

“Since Jimin, Chloe, and Instructor Ayano were also present, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Hmm… with those three, I guess not.”

Woo Ji-min, Chloe Greenwood, and the shrine maiden—none of them have major personality issues, so there’s no need to worry. Feeling reassured, Director Shin Hanji asked our classmates:

“So, are our prospective cadets enjoying themselves?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“We’re having fun.”

Ha Eun, Kang Garam, and Lee Doomin affirmed positively, but…

“Prospective cadets… I’m not sure I want to go to the Seoul Awakener Academy, even if it’s another academy…”
“Hmm… with your grades…”
“……”

Ryu Ayoung, Jin Cheonha, and Ryu Amin seemed a little uneasy about being called prospective cadets. With their grades, entering Seoul Awakener Academy would be difficult.

Noticing their reaction, Director Shin Hanji smiled:

“Don’t be disappointed if you can’t attend my academy. Other academies are excellent too.”

Seoul Awakener Academy is world-renowned thanks to Director Shin Hanji’s aggressive recruitment, but that doesn’t mean other academies are inferior. Honestly, Seoul Awakener Academy being the best is abnormal—it’s Director Shin Hanji’s influence. So there’s no need to be disappointed.

Then he added…

“Oh, but Jin Cheonha, I think you need to reflect a bit.”
“Ugh?! Why only me…!”

Jin Cheonha was singled out.

“No matter what, using magic in that improvised way isn’t acceptable for a magician.”

Apparently, even Director Shin Hanji, who has lived long as a magician, saw that Jin Cheonha’s technique—what he called “sorcery”—needed improvement.

“Still, it has some innovative aspects… Let’s have Jin Cheonha learn proper magic first, then modify it.”
“…?”

I looked at Jin Cheonha at Director Shin Hanji’s words.

‘Innovative?’

Innovative in Jin Cheonha’s sorcery? Well, it’s certainly… unique to ruin magic like that.

‘…Maybe just lip service?’

While I thought that, Director Shin Hanji also gave advice to Ryu Amin and Ryu Ayoung:

“Conversion and manifestation abilities are categorized as dungeon-destruction powers, but psychic abilities still hold limitless potential. Sometimes a person’s powers strengthen as they develop. So don’t give up and train your abilities.”

Power enhancement… I hadn’t seen it firsthand, but I knew it was possible. However, there was no clear standard before my reincarnation. Some didn’t see growth despite overcoming limits; others strengthened soon after awakening. Even for the same ability, enhancement varies per person.

“Abilities can be strengthened…?”
“Abilities can be strengthened?”

Our classmates asked Director Shin Hanji, since this wasn’t common knowledge.

‘Decades ago, more people knew, but it became a secret because of the superstitions about absorbing brains to enhance abilities.’

“Ha ha. This is a secret only a few know. If you train your abilities, at some point, they strengthen.”
“Oh…”

Hearing that, Lee Doomin’s eyes lit up and he began practicing his powers immediately. He probably planned to train them every hour from now on.

“Director Shin Hanji, can Aura, magic, or spirit arts be strengthened too?”
“Ha ha… no, they cannot. Because…”

Non-psychic kids asked about their own abilities being enhanced, prompting Director Shin Hanji to give an impromptu lecture. Normally, low-performing students—Ryu Amin, Ryu Ayoung, Jin Cheonha—would dislike such lessons, but they listened attentively this time, likely impressed by his name and his previous advice.

“That’s why ability enhancement is only for psychics.”
“Only psychics can strengthen their abilities to the point of transformation…”
“True, psychics can only use their own abilities.”

Just as Director Shin Hanji was about to continue his lecture,

“Director… what are you doing here?”
“Oh, Instructor Chloe? Since you’re here, let’s go together. There are many waiting for me.”

Suddenly, Chloe Greenwood grabbed Director Shin Hanji by the neck and started dragging him away.

“Ugh…! I still have much to teach…! And Chloe, isn’t your treatment of me lately a bit odd?”
“You’re my superior who gives me unnecessary tasks because I haven’t been assigned to lectures yet.”

…Chloe seems to have quite a grudge against Director Shin Hanji. Of course, an ordinary instructor wouldn’t dare drag him like this, but Chloe, having crossed walls as an Awakener, can endure some repercussions. Director Shin Hanji probably knows he’s at fault, so he lets himself be dragged.

“…Ah!”

As Chloe dragged Director Shin Hanji away, Lee Doomin muttered as if remembering something:

“I was going to get their autographs today…!”
“Oh, right… me too!”

The kids rushed to get autographs from Director Shin Hanji and Chloe, famous from movies. I stayed behind, not particularly interested in their autographs. Plus, I still had luggage left behind. Most importantly…

“Don’t be shy. Come out.”

I planned to meet those nearby who were trying to get my attention from the blind spot.