Ch.64Chapter 3. Riders Aren’t the Only Ones Who Transform! (1)

After Ymir visited my room.

I had various discussions with her about transformation gimmicks.

It wasn’t just Ymir.

I also talked with Baek Seol-hee.

[I’ve created something like this this time. What do you think?]

[Teacher, how about this outfit?]

Both sent me photos of themselves taken in full-length mirrors.

While Baek Seol-hee layered magical power as an external coating over her clothes,

Ymir completely transformed her clothes with magical power from the start.

…Though I was taken aback whenever I saw photo compositions typically found on Bluebird, I diligently responded to the pictures they sent.

[The clothes don’t seem to do you justice, Seol-hee.]

[I can’t tell just from the photo, but it looks really pretty. You wouldn’t need designer brands.]

I spent my weekdays responding to their photos in my own way.

[I’d like to meet soon, but it’s a bit difficult inside Sejong Island, isn’t it?]

[I could go to Ulleungdo every week, but wouldn’t you have to dive into the East Sea each time? Fishing boats are probably already gathering in the East Sea to film Seol-hee’s ability development.]

[That’s unfortunate. If I’d known, I would have brought the Taegeuk Watch for transportation.]

Baek Seol-hee had her own set of difficulties.

[People have named my transformed form “Baekeun (White Silver).”]

[That’s quite a cool name. It feels more relatable than the English name Snow White?]

[Better than Snow White Princess, right?]

[Aren’t you more of a queen than a princess?]

[I wonder whose queen I am…haha?]

Exchanging silly jokes like this, Baek Seol-hee gradually opened up to me.

[I’m referring to the Snow Queen.]

[The fairy tale you recommended last time? Are you thinking of me as some queen who creates an ice castle?]

[I thought ice high heels would suit you better than sock-shaped loafers? You’re more like Seol-hee Antoinette than a traditional Korean queen.]

[What are you saying? Are you crazy? Don’t say things like that in public. People will call you anti-national.]

[Do you want to wear a wig on your head?]

[Do you want to die?]

I also recommended classic fairy tales that inspired my thoughts about Baek Seol-hee’s ability, her “ice magic.”

[By the way, did you watch the movie I mentioned last time?]

[I watched it that same evening, but what was that? Isn’t the female protagonist a complete psychopath? She keeps a man locked up in a basement like a pet.]

[How did you feel about it?]

[I understand loving someone that much, but keeping him in a place without sunlight seemed a bit excessive. People should at least see sunlight.]

[Is sunlight all that’s needed?]

[Ideally, there should also be a tablet with access to libraries worldwide, the latest Blu-ray player, and a beam projector covering the entire wall. Blackout curtains would be nice too.]

[You don’t seem bothered by the confinement aspect?]

[I’m an indoor person.]

We also exchanged thoughts about movies from this world that Baek Seol-hee recommended.

[Anyway, thanks to you, I’m having fun developing my ability in various ways. The technique of covering clothes with magical power to create an external coating is currently being patented by the country.]

[Congratulations. So you’ll become rich from license fees now?]

[Unfortunately not. When I tried to do that, men in suits came right away. Want to guess what they said?]

[This technology should be used for all ability users in our country, so please don’t register a license but register the technology and make it free?]

[How did you know? Did you plant listening devices?]

[It’s obvious what the higher-ups in this country would say.]

We also talked about the technology Baek Seol-hee created.

[Be careful. Since transformation takes some time, you might be in trouble if you’re attacked during that period.]

[You worry too much. This might sound strange, but I can block attacks even during transformation.]

[How?]

[I borrowed a bit from the Doji Rider transformation gimmick. That’s a surprise for later! I’ll show you when I transform. Hehe.]

[Looking forward to it.]

Somewhat regrettably, her technology became a public skill for everyone in this country, but probably only S-class users would be able to use it easily.

[Have you decided on a name for the technique?]

[We decided to call it “Geumganghwa (Diamond Hardening).”]

[Is it the “Geumgang” from diamond, or from Mount Geumgang?]

[Diamond. It’s also an ambiguous expression. I named it to mean becoming as hard as a diamond. Oh, did you imagine something else?]

[Are you crazy?]

[Just kidding. Hehe.]

And so Baek Seol-hee’s technique of layering mana shields over clothing was officially termed “Geumganghwa.”

[Seol-hee. Just in case, how about applying Geumganghwa not just to your outer clothes but to the inside as well?]

[Pervert.]

[What did I say to suddenly be called a pervert?]

[You’re worried I might have another “big explosion,” right? Fine… how about this?]

[Excuse me? Why are you sending me this kind of selfie?]

[I tried layering ice crystals on my skin like underwear. If I wear clothes over this and apply Geumganghwa, wouldn’t it protect my body doubly?]

[Again, why are you sending that picture to me?]

[For your visual pleasure?]

And pleasure it was.

[I think I need to go teach now. I’ll talk to you again when the government officially distributes materials about Geumganghwa.]

[Take care, Seol-hee. Looking forward to more movie recommendations.]

[Would you like photos or videos instead of movies?]

[…….]

Since Baek Seol-hee came as an academy instructor, there was virtually no time to talk with her directly.

So we mainly exchanged messages during her breaks or after work.

The problem was…

[Teacher, are you doing something else while talking to me?]

“No, of course not.”

[You seem distracted. Should I come over and make pasta for you again?]

It was fine during the day, but in the evening, the time overlapped with Ymir, so I had to text or talk with her at the same time.

“Ymir, have you decided who you’re going to transform into?”

[I haven’t decided yet. I’ve determined my post-transformation appearance and pose, but I can’t decide on the pre-transformation… sigh.]

“Isn’t it someone else who transforms, not you? You said it was someone you know.”

[Anyway, it’s someone I know. Teacher, this is all for your benefit, you know?]

“Good grief.”

Ymir had no intention of hiding that she was Solar Platina.

[Just wait a little. I’ll show you something really big properly.]

“Something big is coming?”

[It’s already big, but something even bigger might come!]

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

[It should be big enough for you to enter, right?]

“What are you talking about now?”

[A big event! Hehe, just wait for it. I’ll show you something very special. Oh, that’s not me. Anyway. Got it?]

“Sigh. I really don’t understand.”

The only reason she doesn’t outright say “I am Solar Platina” is probably out of consideration for me, as she said.

-You know Solar Platina’s identity! Tell me now!

-I don’t know.

-Tell me right now!

-I don’t know who Solar Platina is, or who the magical girl “Platinum Sun” she transforms into is.

-You! We know you’re that woman’s collaborator! If you don’t speak, it’s treason!

-I don’t know anything!!

…That’s probably what she imagined.

She’s worried that if she gets involved with me, I might suffer harm, so she talks like that.

Yet she still asks for my help with her Solar Platina transformation—probably later appearing to the public as a magical girl with a completely different appearance and name—because my advice is that crucial to her.

[I’m so glad. I’ve really survived thanks to you, Teacher. The foreigners around here all stick with people from their own countries, and Koreans don’t include me.]

Or perhaps it’s because she became a loner after coming here.

[Without you, I might have remained alone. Thank you so much, Teacher.]

“I’m the one who should be thankful. Whenever you need help, just contact me. I’ll make time whenever I can.”

[Is there anything more important than making time for a beautiful girl?]

“I need to work to make a living.”

[Oh.]

“You’re a student, and I’m a working adult.”

[…What if you quit your job?]

“Then I’d be kicked out of Sejong Island and have to go back to Seoul.”

[Teacher, do you live in Seoul? In that dangerous place?]

“Hey, Seoul isn’t some demonic realm. More importantly, what are you going to do about next week’s field training?”

[Oh.]

Ymir was very flustered.

[W-well.]

“It’s a group project where you work in pairs, right?”

[A-about that!]

“Do you have a friend to team up with?”

Ymir couldn’t say anything.

Mid-March.

The “group project,” which could be considered the first big event in the original work, was approaching.

-This time, the concept is “treasure hunting.”

A group assignment covering the entire Sejong Island, and the beginning of the protagonist’s romantic development with the “first heroine.”

The attack of the Archdemon of Holidays, “Jokadiel.”