Genius!!

Genius!!

 

For spirits, it’s more appropriate to say they are “generated” rather than “born.”

Literally, they don’t come into existence through an act like childbirth.

It’s correct to say they are generated because they appear out of thin air with a “poof.”

 

Of course, they weren’t suddenly generated without reason.

Under special conditions, such as the will of a spirit king, a decrease in the spirit population, or when there’s an excess of mana in the spirit realm, spirits would come into being.

 

Because spirits appear with a “poof” like this,

occasionally, mutant-like individuals would be born.

 

“Chae-a is probably one of those cases.”

 

Seo-rin nodded as she listened to the Spirit User Uncle’s story.

Consulting with the Spirit User Uncle, who knew about Chae-a’s problem and had unparalleled expert knowledge about spirits,

turned out to be more useful than expected.

 

“Of course, being born as a mutant doesn’t mean they’ll be persecuted or ostracized in the spirit realm. Unlike humans, spirits don’t hate or despise each other.”

 

Certainly, Chae-a was pure and cute.

Assuming other spirits had similar personalities, they would have played together rather than ostracizing her.

 

‘But Chae-a came out of the spirit realm alone, as if she was driven out.’

 

It was strange that she wandered around looking for a contractor.

While pondering what problem could have caused this situation,

the Spirit User Uncle offered one speculation.

 

“Then there’s only one conclusion we can draw. For spirits who don’t ostracize their own kind to ignore the newly born Chae-a, they must have been in a situation where they had no choice but to ignore her.”

“Is, is that so?” 

“Yes. Then, in other words, the spirits in the spirit realm can’t pay any attention to newly born spirits… It probably means something we don’t know about is happening in the spirit realm.” 

 

Upon hearing these words, I fell into deep thought for a moment, crossing my arms. 

I wondered what on earth could be happening in the spirit realm to cause such a commotion. 

Therefore, I wanted to confirm this as quickly as possible, but… the problem was that there was no way to confirm it. 

 

“I tried to find out too. But it’s like the spirits made a pact or something, they all refuse to talk about it.” 

“Ah.” 

 

Then how should we solve this? 

I sighed, thinking that solving the problems of the spirit realm would take some time. 

 

* * * * * 

 

Thanks to Somteol’s sacrifice (or not), we were able to survive. 

I grinned while looking at the panting little ones sprawled out, and then lay down on the floor. 

 

‘This is fun.’ 

 

While thinking that it’s enjoyable just being like this, I was fiddling with my tail that was trying to cling to me. 

Chae-a excitedly recalled what had happened earlier. 

 

“Wasn’t that really fun earlier?” 

“Yeah, it was.” 

“I was so happy when you petted my tail like that. I was as happy as when Chae-a’s ant brother gave me snacks!” 

 

It seems that Seong Na-yeon petting her tail made her quite happy. 

Chae-a kept talking about how amazing it was to have her tail petted. 

Then, as if her energy had run out again, she collapsed while giggling.

 

As we were chatting in a friendly atmosphere… 

From far away, I noticed the world’s strongest cotton ball, which I had supposedly banished, bouncing and approaching us. 

 

‘…?!’ 

 

The cotton ball seemed extremely angry about being abandoned. 

It was approaching us with a furious expression, making strange “pigeu” sounds. 

Seeing the cotton ball like that, I thought it would be best to comfort it, so I quickly stood up. 

 

“Pii!” (Bad!) 

 

The cotton ball started protesting, making a “piik” sound. 

 

“Piii! Pi!” (I trusted you! I was trusting you!) 

 

Hearing that, I was flustered and didn’t know what to do. 

Chae-a, who was sitting next to me, stood up and approached the cotton ball, saying: 

 

“Woah. Cotton ball came. Cotton ball, I was waiting for you.” 

“Pi…?” (Huh…?) 

“Chae-a will carry you.” 

 

Chae-a then shared her leftover snacks (her favorite snacks) with the cotton ball. 

While patting the cotton ball’s head, she said: 

 

“Chae-a believed you would come back…!” 

“Pii!?” (Really!?) 

“Yes. So be good!” 

 

The cotton ball seemed to fall for Chae-a’s sweet talk immediately. 

Its anger dissipated at once, and it smiled with a “pii” sound.

I was relieved that I didn’t end up like a character who dies before the main protagonist defeats the final boss, and I turned my gaze away. 

 

* 

 

After reconciling with Somteol, we headed to the maze-like playground that Han A-rin had made for us long ago. 

There wasn’t any particular reason… We were just naturally drawn there like fish to water, and were riding the slide. 

 

As we were playing there for a while. 

Han A-rin came in and asked us a question. 

 

“Kids, it’s been a while since you’ve been here, right?” 

“Yeah. That’s why it’s so exciting.” 

“Myam-mya.” 

 

Han A-rin nodded with a proud smile, seemingly pleased that the playground she made was popular again. 

Then, picking up Yuna, she said. 

 

“By the way, Yuna, how’s your mana circulation going?” 

 

At this question, Yuna shook her head and drooped her ears halfway, looking gloomy. 

Seeing this, Han A-rin thought for a moment, then came up with an idea. 

 

“If it’s not going well, how about getting help from Ha-eun and Somteol?” 

 

My help? I was puzzled, wondering what I could do, even if Somteol could help. Then Han A-rin explained the method. 

 

“When practicing mana circulation, it tends to work better if someone else is circulating mana nearby. So how about trying it with Ha-eun?” 

“I like that.” 

“And for Somteol, you could ask him to enhance items related to mana circulation.” 

 

Come to think of it, mana circulation did seem to work better when Somteol was around. 

Thinking that I’d do anything to help Yuna, I nodded, signaling that she could ask me anytime.

Yuna gently held my hand and wagged her tail softly. 

 

“Then I’ll get some items related to mana circulation. In the meantime, practice with Ha-eun, okay?” 

“Yes.” 

“Good girl, good.” 

 

Yuna’s tail and ears perk up, seemingly happy that Han A-rin is patting her head. 

I watched Yuna, thinking how cute she was, then calmly turned my gaze to look at the picture on the wall. 

 

[Learning Korean through Pictures] 

 

It’s a picture that helps babies learn letters. 

Looking at this, I thought it would be good to start teaching letters to Chae-a, Yuna, and Seo-a. 

 

‘The most urgent would be Seo-a and Chae-a.’ 

 

I thought it would be good for Seo-a to learn quickly since she still can’t speak well. 

And I thought it would be good for Chae-a to start learning now since she still can’t read letters properly. 

So, thinking it would be good to study letters quickly, I pointed to the picture and said. 

 

“Let’s read this…!” 

 

At my words, everyone’s attention turns to the picture. 

I looked at their gazes and pointed to the apple at the top, saying. 

 

“Chae-a, what’s this?” 

 

To that question, Chae-a’s eyes sparkled as she answered. 

 

“Apple…! It’s what Chae-a likes the most!” 

“Really? Then what’s this?”

 

I pointed to the banana next to me and asked. 

This time too, Chae-a answered with sparkling eyes. 

 

“Banana…! It’s Chae-a’s favorite!” 

“…?” 

 

It doesn’t seem any different from her previous answer, or am I mistaken? 

Hiding my puzzled expression, I pointed to the kiwi picture below and asked. 

 

“Then what about this?” 

“It’s delicious! Chae-a’s favorite!” 

 

I wasn’t mistaken after all. 

It seemed Chae-a would say everything edible was her favorite, so I smiled awkwardly and said. 

 

“It’s called a kiwi.” 

“Kiwi? Chae-a likes kiwi.” 

 

Chae-a smiled proudly as she spoke. 

Then she pointed to the rest of the fruit pictures and repeated that she liked them. 

Watching this, I discreetly pointed to the words next to the pictures, showing her that those letters represented the images beside them. 

 

“Wow, that’s amazing. So this one that looks like a house means apple!?” 

“Yes, that’s right.” 

“Awesome…!” 

 

Chae-a seemed to have developed an interest in the letters and started to pay close attention to them. 

After concluding that Chae-a would learn well on her own if left like this, I turned to look at Seo-a, who was blankly watching from the side. 

 

“Seo-a?”

 

Seo-a looked at me with a tilted head, seemingly not understanding the situation well. 

I thought it would be good to teach Seo-a some words, so I patted her head and said. 

 

“Try to repeat after me, okay?” 

“Myam!” 

“Apple.” 

“Sha-gya…! Myam-ya.” 

 

She’s repeating better than I expected. 

I patted Seo-a’s head to show she did well, and Seo-a looked very proud as she pointed at the apple again and said. 

 

“Sa-gya!” 

“Well done.” 

“Myam!” 

 

Seo-a giggled and then pointed to the banana picture next to it and said. 

 

“Bya!” 

 

Could she possibly be saying banana? 

I thought that maybe Seo-a might be a genius and my eyes sparkled. 

Seo-a proudly pointed to the picture below. 

 

“Kkeek!” 

 

Oh my, she even got kiwi right. 

I thought Seo-a must surely be a genius, and my eyes sparkled again. 

Then, to show this off, I took out my phone.

‘I have to show this to the viewers…!’ 

 

I decided to turn on the broadcast after a long time to widely boast about how smart our Seo-a is.