"So what kinds of magic can that Mage use?"
"Pretty much anything related to fire. The spells she uses most often are Fireball, Fire Blast, and Explosion. Throwing compressed fireballs, releasing flames in every direction, and creating massive explosions at designated locations."
"Hmm..."
Haran's eyebrow twitched.
He didn't look particularly impressed.
Noticing the reaction, Seo Munhyeok looked puzzled.
"What's wrong?"
"I only saw her for a moment, so I can't be certain."
"Did you notice something?"
"It's the mana inside her body. I'd have to examine her more closely, but... it looked like her mana circuits were somewhat tangled."
"...?"
What was that supposed to mean?
Mana circuits?
Tangled?
Haran continued speaking in terms Seo Munhyeok couldn't understand.
Something about the nature of mana.
Something about inertia.
Something about what happened when mana circuits became twisted.
"I take it she mainly specializes in large-scale spells. Her Fireballs are stronger than most people's too, aren't they?"
"That's right. She likes flashy attacks, and since our guild is a small elite group, she's trained mostly in magic suited for dealing with large numbers of enemies."
"That's not how magic should be used."
There it was again.
It was exactly the same tone Haran had used when criticizing the dragon fight.
He had officially begun backseat teaching.
"She should've started by mastering precision. If she keeps throwing mana around like that just because she has plenty of it, she'll collapse from mana exhaustion in the middle of a battlefield."
"..."
"First I'll have to see what's wrong with those mana circuits. Then she needs to learn how to distribute her mana properly. Once she does, she'll be far stronger than she is now."
"...What? Stronger? Are you saying she can still grow?"
"Exactly. Grow. She could easily become twice as capable as she is now. Of course, it'll take time to undo years of bad habits."
Seo Munhyeok's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
In this world, Hunters rarely experienced significant growth after awakening.
Physical combatants could at least improve through training.
But Mages, Healers, Buffers, and other classes that relied on the mysterious force known as mana had no way to become stronger except by increasing their mana through items.
Yet Haran was saying that even a Mage could grow through training alone.
Without relying on any items.
"...You really do know an incredible amount."
The sincere admiration made Haran straighten his shoulders.
He immediately began boasting.
"Naturally. I was once both the headmaster and a professor at the Academy. I personally trained and taught countless Mages. Do you have any idea how many wanted to study under me?"
"That's... truly incredible. In our world, improving as a Mage is practically impossible. Mana has only existed here for a few years. Even in the future, I never once heard of a Mage becoming stronger through training."
"Hmph. I am rather extraordinary."
"Yes. This really is revolutionary. I'm finally starting to believe you really were the great Archmage."
"What was that? You insolent—!"
Their conversation, which had begun in calm voices, gradually became louder and louder.
Each had become so absorbed in his own excitement that both completely forgot about their surroundings.
They only realized it after Sua, who had been sleeping peacefully in her child seat, rubbed her eyes and woke up.
"Mmm..."
"...!"
"...!"
The sleepy little voice instantly silenced them.
Both men nervously glanced toward Sua.
Surely...
She hadn't overheard their conversation, had she?
They held their breath.
Fortunately, she apparently hadn't heard anything.
Still half asleep, Sua simply looked out the window before mumbling,
"...Bathroom..."
Relief washed over Seo Munhyeok's face.
Thank goodness. She didn't hear.
Happy to have something else to focus on, he immediately changed the subject.
"Ah, Sua. Did you wake up because you need the bathroom?"
"Yeah... When are we getting home? Are we almost there?"
Now fully awake, her eyes had become much clearer.
She shifted restlessly in her seat.
"Is it urgent?"
"Yeah. Is it going to take long? How much longer do I have to hold it?"
"Uh..."
This time Seo Munhyeok was troubled for an entirely different reason.
His car was trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
"...It's going to take a little while."
"Eee..."
Sua looked like she was about to cry as she anxiously stared out the window.
I shouldn't have drunk that juice...
That was what she was thinking when—
"Huh?"
Something outside caught her attention as the scenery slowly drifted past.
"It's the lady from earlier."
"Hm?"
"The lady we saw at Eclipse! Hunter Ma Geumyi!"
Both Haran and Seo Munhyeok turned toward the window.
Where Sua was pointing stood a woman in front of a convenience store, drinking canned beer.
Although her face was hidden beneath a deeply pulled-down cap, she was instantly recognizable.
Her platinum-blond hair and outfit that looked worthy of an airport fashion shoot made her impossible to mistake.
"Hunter Ma Geumyi is crying. Does she have to pee too?"
"...I don't think that's it. Hmm... let's pull over. There's a hospital over there anyway, so we'll stop and use the restroom before heading home."
Behind the convenience store where Geumyi stood was a university hospital on top of a low hill.
The very same hospital where Haran had caused such a commotion before.
"Let me out here."
It was Haran who unexpectedly spoke.
"...What?"
"I'd like to have a conversation with that Mage."
Seo Munhyeok's eyes shook.
Whatever had happened, Geumyi was clearly crying.
And Haran wanted to send himself—a walking disaster—to talk to her?
Absolutely not.
Unfortunately, Sua was whining from the back seat about needing the bathroom, making it impossible for him to think straight.
"You were worried about that Mage yourself, weren't you? I don't know my way around here. If I take the child to the restroom, we could easily get lost. It's far more sensible for you to take her while I speak with the Mage."
Haran's proposal was, annoyingly enough, perfectly reasonable.
The real problem was that Seo Munhyeok was starting to agree.
"...Don't go saying anything strange. Especially about being the great Archmage..."
"Do you think I'm an idiot? I know how to exercise basic judgment."
It really doesn't seem that way.
Seo Munhyeok had countless objections.
Nevertheless, he pulled the car onto the shoulder.
As Haran prepared to get out, Seo Munhyeok repeatedly warned him to watch what he said, promised he'd return as quickly as possible, and begged him not to cause any trouble until then.
"Enough already. Get lost."
Naturally, Haran merely snorted, shut the door, and walked away.
In the side mirror, Seo Munhyeok watched him head directly toward Geumyi.
"Mister! Sua needs the bathroom!"
"R-Right. Okay."
There was no time to keep watching.
Filled with anxiety, Seo Munhyeok hurriedly drove toward the hospital.
* * *
"I bet you're thrilled to have such an incredible Mage joining the guild."
Several hours earlier.
After unfairly taking out her frustration on the completely innocent Jihan, Geumyi had fled the guild building.
Damn it. Damn it!
Her footsteps were heavy as she strode down the street.
Her eyes began to sting.
Before she knew it, her vision had blurred.
Taking it out on someone who didn't even know anything... what an idiot.
Stupid.
Moron.
After silently cursing herself over and over, she sniffled and pressed her hand firmly against her eyes.
Then she simply walked.
And walked.
Without any destination.
Trying to calm the overwhelming anxiety inside her.
...A multi-type Mage unaffected by elemental affinity.
When she'd first heard Eclipse was recruiting a new Hunter, Geumyi had honestly been excited.
She had wondered who Seo Munhyeok had found after two whole years.
If it were an offensive Hunter, someone who could support from the rear would be nice.
A Buffer would be even better, since Eclipse still didn't have one.
Like Jihan had said, a sub-healer would've been great.
Or perhaps another Defense Hunter capable of protecting Jihan.
Instead...
The newcomer was another Mage.
The exact same position as hers.
And one who was almost certainly far more capable.
What if... they don't need me anymore?
Ever since awakening as an A-class Fire Mage, Geumyi had made quite a name for herself.
The Hunter Association wanted her.
Guilds owned by major corporations had all competed to recruit her.
Enormous signing bonuses.
Contract terms well above the industry average.
Prestige that was practically guaranteed.
She had rejected every single offer.
Instead...
She had chosen Eclipse.
Seo Munhyeok's small elite guild.
"...Ah."
She had walked farther than she'd realized.
Looking up, Geumyi found herself standing before a familiar hospital.
"Huh? Mom, look! That's the person from TV!"
"Hey, isn't that Hunter Ma Geumyi?"
"Think she'd take a picture with us?"
People had begun recognizing her.
Only then did Geumyi realize she had run out of the guild without bringing anything—not even something to hide herself.
Damn...
Normally, she would've greeted everyone with a bright smile.
After all, she wasn't just a Hunter.
She was an influencer.
But today...
She didn't want to.
Especially not in front of this hospital.
Giving up her hesitation, Geumyi pulled her hair down as far as she could to cover her face—
and ran into the hospital.