episode_0001

As a reader who loves novels, I dare say that the best part of a novel is the growth of the main character.

The fun of going through the process of development step by step.

How fun it is to see the main character overcome any difficulties and become stronger in the end.

It could be seen as a vicarious satisfaction.

That is understandable, because in reality, such steady growth is impossible.

A really trivial trigger, my mistake, someone else’s mistake, someone’s malice, the limits of my talent.

While so many elements frustrate us in the name of the wall of reality, the protagonist in the novel somehow overcomes it and moves forward.

The anticipation was so good.

In my case, someone made the ‘mistake’ of driving while drunk and ended up with life-long disability in both legs.

That’s why it became routine for me to stay in the corner of my room and read novels on my cell phone.

After reading a certain number of novels, I developed a taste and even developed a favorite author.

The novel I’m following this time is the third work by an author I really like.

“Kiya… … .”

This author is so good at writing growth stories.

I couldn’t help but let out a gasp in the scene where the final boss was defeated just before the end.

While savoring the feeling of satisfaction, I opened the comment window, but contrary to my expectations, long, dissatisfied comments were at the top with an overwhelming number of likes.

“Ah… … .”

Actually, it’s been like this for a few days now.

As we approach the final chapter, an enemy appears who is depicted as being very strong, and from this point on, comments criticizing power inflation began to appear one by one.

The characteristic of growth stories is that they have to continuously develop the main character, so they cannot prevent the power inflation that comes in the latter half.

I tend to think that this can’t be helped, but I guess other people don’t.

I wrote the comment because I felt like the author might get hurt.

—————————————————

[Growth Sunae]

: I really enjoyed it. I was satisfied with this episode because the main character’s growth process was done so well. I always cheer for you, author. I will definitely follow your next work!

———————————————————————-

I had no intention of refuting the critical comments in detail.

Then the comment section would just become messy.

I was satisfied with this and was about to turn off the novel app when a comment notification rang.

A reply was posted under my comment.

That too, from the author himself.

——————————————–

[Return of the Hwe-Bing-Hwan (Author)]

: Thank you^^ The main character of the next work is you.

——————————————–

????

When my head was filled with only question marks.

My vision went dark.

When I opened my eyes, it was a new world.

I left a comment of support?

******

As soon as I opened my eyes, what I saw was a translucent window floating in the air.

———————————————————————

[Growth Helper]

-information

▶ Name: Leon

▶ Grade: –

▶ Magic: –

▶ Attribute constitution: Single attribute body (earth)

-General Quests

▶ Please select a reward before receiving the quest.

———————————————————————

Growth helper…?

No, more than that, was I possessed…?

Leon blinked blankly.

From the moment I opened my eyes until I had thoroughly examined the translucent windows, I did not move an inch of my body.

This was his habit.

After he was unable to move his legs, his movements became very passive.

As he was lying down to collect his thoughts as was his habit, he soon realized something new as if someone had hit him in the back of the head.

‘Can you move?’

Leon immediately put strength into his legs.

“ and Mr… !”

Moved.

He raised his body using both legs.

Both legs stood tall on the blanket spread on the floor.

He immediately fell to his knees again.

“Thank you, author…!”

The fact that it was iced didn’t matter.

The fact that he could walk normally on both legs was the only thing that moved him.

After he prayed and opened his eyes, there was a thick book in front of him that said, ‘Basic Mana Introduction’ and another book that said, ‘Basic Earth Attribute Magic Book’. And a black orb was placed next to him.

Leon was suddenly placed in a new environment and all the questions that came to his mind were swallowed up.

‘You can figure it out slowly.’

From the moment his two legs moved, Leon’s mind became clear.

He walked over to the book and the jewel.

The thick book had the title Mana Introduction written clearly on it, so I knew what it was, but what piqued my curiosity even more was the black jewel.

On the pitch-black surface was written the number ‘0’ in white letters.

‘What could it be…?’

Leon, who had been holding the jewel and turning it around, put it down again.

There was nothing I could find out by looking into it.

He picked up the book.

First, a basic introduction to mana.

‘Is this a worldview that uses magic?’

Leon looked around.

A wooden floor with an old blanket spread over it.

Simple furniture placed in a corner of the wall.

A ceiling without any lights.

‘Is this a medieval worldview?’

The author commented that he would be the main character of the next novel, so even if it wasn’t a novel that Leon knew, it was still a worldview in the novel.

A worldview where magic is used in the Middle Ages.

There is nothing but fantasy.

He called out to the growth assistant again and looked at the quest window.

-General Quests

▶ Please select a reward before receiving the quest.

When I clicked on the part that asked me to select a reward, a new window popped up.

-Please select a reward.

▶ Attribute constitution

▶ Artifact

▶ elixir

▶ Magic Book

I was convinced when I saw the list of rewards.

It is a fantasy world where magic is used.

Leon didn’t choose the reward rashly and closed the helper window.

Judging from the fact that they gave you the Basic Mana Introduction and Basic Earth Magic Book at the start, it seems like they want you to learn magic, but it’s not too late to read the books carefully to figure out which ones will help you learn magic the most, and then choose the reward.

A week has passed.

Leon had been looking through the basic mana introduction book while also focusing on understanding the situation.

When Leon opened his eyes, he was in an orphanage.

Six children, including Leon, live in a small daycare center run by a kind-hearted director.

Leon was younger than I thought.

I realized he was 12 years old when I saw a 12-year-old child at the orphanage consider him a friend.

“… ?”

A girl with a puzzled expression on her face as Leon stares at her.

She was Leon’s friend.

I couldn’t believe it every time I saw it.

He was originally twenty-six years old.

But this too will require adaptation… … .

“Sigh… .”

“… ?”

The woman sitting next to Leon became more suspicious.

As she tilted her head, her short gray hair swayed.

“Ria.”

“Huh?”

“Shall I go in?”

“… Yeah.”

Leon turned around as he saw her nod.

Although he felt a little skeptical, Leon felt more comfortable with Leah.

The other kids were too noisy and had such high mood swings that it was hard to adapt.

I felt like my energy was going up just by exchanging a few words.

On the other hand, Leah was quiet and had a reserved personality, so she was relatively easy to deal with.

It was easy to ask questions like I didn’t know.

Perhaps because Leon was her only friend, Leah didn’t push him away.

So these days, I sometimes go for a short walk right before I go to sleep.

Leon returned to his room and waited until all the other roommates were asleep before calling the helper.

-Please select a reward.

▶ Attribute constitution

▶ Artifact

▶ elixir

▶ Magic Book

Over the past week, Leon has made up his mind.

While reading the basic mana introduction book, I got a general idea of the magic of this world.

The most important thing in learning magic, if I had to sum it up in one word, is ‘talent’.

Magic quality and attribute constitution.

These two were the most important to becoming a wizard, and among them, the attribute constitution was the most important.

The attribute constitution was a very important talent for awakening mana and quickly raising the level.

The single attribute that Leon is holding now is the talent of an ordinary person.

It is said that everyone has an affinity for one attribute.

Leon was a talent that suited everyone.

It was repeatedly emphasized in the introduction that it is nearly impossible to awaken Mana through self-study with such ordinary talent.

After much thought, I decided to reward the attribute constitution first.

I don’t know what kind of quest will come out though.

Leon clicked on the attribute constitution.

Then the quest window changed.

-General Quests

▶ Learning the basic mana introduction book (0/10)

-compensation

▶ Attribute constitution (change)

You want me to learn the basic mana introduction book?

Can the rewards be changed whenever you want?

I had many questions.

I also care about the numbers that appear next to learning.

Leon couldn’t contain his curiosity, so he secretly lit a candle and read the basic mana introduction book.

To be honest, I did skim through it once, but I didn’t have all the content in my head.

The quantity was too huge for that.

It’s difficult and vast.

But it was also true that it was interesting.

Did Leon ever think that he would have the opportunity to learn this magic seriously?

He read the book for an hour without losing concentration even though he had already seen the material once.

When the grass was all burnt down, Leon put down the book and opened the quest window.

-General Quests

▶ Learning the basic mana introduction book (1/10)

It was time, after all.

“Umm… Leon, what are you doing instead of sleeping?”

First, the sleeping boy rubbed his eyes and asked Leon.

Leon was startled and turned off the light.

“Nothing.”

Leon hid the book under his pillow and closed his eyes.

His heart was pounding with anticipation.

***

Leon thought back to when he was twenty-six years old, living as Park Hyun-soo before his transformation.

At that time, he was a rascal who would eat everything, even his rice bowl, if it was something to grow, but there was one obstacle.

When the main character of a coming-of-age story doesn’t grow up and instead does useless things, I frown internally.

‘Isn’t this the time for this? You’re at a point where you can become stronger just by breathing, so why are you wasting your time like this? Isn’t it enough to just tear up a wall of books and lock yourself in your room and focus on growing?’

Although I didn’t comment on it, I felt dissatisfied inside.

What this means is that Leon is not given the time to focus on his growth right now.

It was hard to find time for pure learning when group activities took up the majority of the day, while keeping the fact that I was learning magic a secret from the orphanage.

I’ve only managed to fill 5 hours in two days.

I only studied for two hours a day.

Moreover, just reading books and reading random letters to fill up time did not fill up the quest’s time.

‘Let’s escape.’

That was Leon’s conclusion.

It wasn’t a place where they were treated unfairly, and although it wasn’t plentiful, it was a good enough daycare center where they provided food on time.

But it didn’t fit his purpose.

‘Let’s go to a quiet place and live a secluded life.’

To be honest, Leon was shocked after seeing the quest window.

All I could think about was filling up the quest time.

He put it into action that very night.

Leon waited until all the children were asleep before he packed some clothes.

I very carefully left the room, walking very quietly so as not to be noticed by the few light sleepers.

He made his way down the hallway, relying on the moonlight streaming in through the window, and only let out a deep sigh when he got out the door.

“Goodbye everyone. Thank you.”

It was when Leon turned around after finishing his personal greetings.

“Where are you going?”

“Ugh.”

Leon’s heart sank at the voice he heard from beside him.

When Hwang-geup turned his head, the person who caught his eye was Leah.

Her yellow eyes were shining quietly under the moonlight.