We went outside the Magic Tower. Just as Bora had said, the weather was fantastic. A clear blue sky, a cool breeze, and every time the wind blew, the leaves and bushes rustled with a soft 'shwaaa' sound. We found a suitable patch of grass, laid down a mat, and secured it. Bora then set up two three-tiered lunch boxes with a flourish.

"Whoa, when did you make all this?"

"This much is a piece of cake!"

When she opened the lunch boxes, everyone's eyes widened. It was a colorful spread: 'tuna kimbap, yubuchobap', sausages, Spam musubi, bacon-wrapped rice rolls, and more—all the side dishes I had craved as a child were gathered in one place.

"Thank you, Bora!" Eunsol chirped.

"Thanks for the food," I said.

I picked up a piece of 'yubuchobap' first. How long had it been since I'd had the homemade kind, not the instant stuff? The rice inside the fried tofu pouch was vibrant, filled with finely chopped scrambled eggs, tuna, carrots, and burdock root. I didn't admire it any longer and popped it into my mouth.

"How is it, Yusin? How is it?"

"It's the best 'yubuchobap' I've had in five years!"

"Yay!"

"It's also the first time I've had it in five years."

"Ah, seriously!"

Seojin opened the icebox and handed me a can of beer. It was surprisingly cold to the touch. I immediately popped the top and brought it to my lips, the immense carbonation rushing down my throat. I shivered once from the refreshing taste. After getting utensils for Eunsol, Seojin also opened a can and took a sip, nodding as he took in the surrounding scenery.

"How is it, Seojin? This isn't so bad once in a while, right?" Bora asked.

"It is not bad."

"Gosh, why are the men in our family so boring with their reactions!"

I chuckled and speared a Spam musubi with a toothpick, taking a bite. It was delicious. Spam, egg, seaweed, and rice—the formidable power of such a classic, foolproof combination. We devoured the lunch boxes in a frenzy.

"Hah, now I feel human again."

I patted my full stomach and lay down on the mat. The beer had put me in a slightly better mood as I enjoyed the cool breeze. Eunsol immediately copied me, lying down and snuggling into my side. I brushed her bangs aside and gazed at the cloudless sky. Having been to Tanzania, I felt it even more keenly.

"How precious peace is!"

Bora giggled. "You came back from the African front a total old man."

She said this as she touched my skin.

"Ugh, you got a tan! I told you to apply sunscreen regularly."

"I am."

"Don't just slap it on, apply it thoroughly all over! The one I gave you as a gift is expensive."

"Alright, alright."

Seojin, who had been sitting and sipping his beer while watching the swaying forest, turned to me.

"How was the Tanzanian front?"

"Well. The conditions were harsh and it was a lot of hard work, but… it's worth going at least once." I said, then added, "Absolutely not twice."

"Hahahaha!" Seojin laughed.

"Sounds like the army," Bora commented.

It was at that moment that a group of people emerged from the forest. It was obvious who could pass through the fog barrier to get here.

"Master!"

"You've returned!"

The Fourth Floor Team ran over, smiling brightly. Bora looked at them in surprise.

"You're already done with the dungeon? If you'd told me you were coming, I would have made more!"

"Just the thought is enough! But… could we have some of that leftover kimbap?"

As the Fourth Floor Team joined the picnic, the relaxed atmosphere became much livelier. I sat up and asked, "Your first instance dungeon as certified hunters. How was it?"

They hesitated, unable to answer right away. I saw them exchange uneasy glances before the team leader, Na Daeyong, stepped forward to answer for them.

"I-It was good! Hahaha!"

"Be honest with me. You all look like something went wrong."

At my words, the five of them recounted what had happened in the dungeon. It was a competitive raid where three certified rank-5 teams entered simultaneously, but the Fourth Floor Team had recorded the lowest performance. From what I heard, the issue was twofold. Their lack of experience with party play was a big factor, but so was the fact that all five of them had the same skills. Na Daeyong and Cha Doyeon would fight up close with Gauntlets while the rest fired Mana Arrows, but their roles were too monotonous, which created limitations.

'Have I not been paying enough attention to them?'

I had been busy with the overseas dispatch, but it was true that I hadn't really done anything for these people since they achieved their certified grade-five status.

"You've all completed the second circle, right?"

"Yes!" Na Daeyong answered.

After he was the first to open his second circle, I had received a report that the other four had also created theirs.

"Then, has anyone succeeded in fully activating a second-circle magic?"

Silence. They had created the second circle but failed at second-circle magic. Their magical talent was the best in the country. There was a high probability that there was a reason for this.

"Alright."

I stood up from my seat.

"The care I couldn't provide because I was busy, I'll provide it now."

* * *

We returned to the Magic Tower. Ea and I spread out various magical documents, including 'The Fundamentals of Magic', and had the Fourth Floor Team stand before us.

"Actually, I brought back various types of magic from the fifth-floor trial."

According to the ancient texts of Erendel, not many mages could wield all four elemental magics like me. Most were specialists who went all-in on one school. Even the incredibly talented previous Tower Master, Anton, was a specialist. Each mage has an element they are suited for. In Erendel, when mages reached second-order magic, they would perform a ritual to discover that aptitude. I planned to recreate this fundamental Erendel ritual on Earth, adapted for circle magic.

I unfolded ten magic circles in the air. In addition to the four basic elemental magic circles, I had also prepared second-circle magic from other schools.

"Alright, let's start with our Bureau Chief."

"Yes, sir!"

Na Daeyong possesses the Over-immersion trait, which allows him to focus on mana as much as I can. His Unique Ability is Overload, which lets him pour out an enormous amount of mana in a short time. Of course, after using it, he temporarily can't use mana properly.

"Alright, I've laid out the magic circles. Place your hand on each one, and try to create magic by channeling mana into the rune in the center."

"Huh? But it's not my magic circle."

"I made it so you can still do it. Just give it a try."

Na Daeyong nodded and placed his hand on the first magic circle. A small spark flew. The subsequent ice, wind, and earth magic circles showed no significant reaction. This was as expected. What if the reason the talented Na Daeyong couldn't properly use second-circle magic was that he simply had no aptitude for any of the four primary elements? If so, it would all make sense.

"Alright, alright, don't be nervous. Touch the rest of the magic circles too."

"Yes, sir!"

The fifth magic circle, no reaction. The sixth and seventh, no reaction. As he approached the final magic circles, Na Daeyong's expression grew darker. He was visibly anxious.

"Bureau Chief," Ea said.

Na Daeyong looked at her, startled.

"If you cower like that, even magic that could work won't."

"Ah, my apologies!"

As if to snap himself out of it, Na Daeyong slapped his own cheeks a couple of times. Then he placed his hand on the eighth magic circle. 'Crackle!'

"Whoaaaaa!"

An electric current sparked from the magic circle. Na Daeyong fell to the ground, and the watching Fourth Floor Team members cried out in alarm. Ea closed her eyes to calculate the values.

"Ea. How is it?"

"Sensitivity 88%, response rate 97%. Instantaneous coefficient 150,311,790 PPP."

She opened her eyes and looked at Na Daeyong.

"A total of 96% compatibility with lightning magic."

Looking at the bewildered Na Daeyong, I said with a smile, "Congratulations, Daeyong. You have the talent to become a lightning mage."

"Ah…!"

His body trembled. He once again shed what he claimed were manly tears, clenched his fists, and roared. The other Fourth Floor Team members applauded enthusiastically, their faces full of envy.

"A lightning mage! A lightning mage! Hahaha! That's exactly my style, Master!"

"Calm down."

Of all things, his Unique Ability was also Overload. Whether his aptitude for lightning was a coincidence or not, it was an interesting phenomenon.

"Then let's move on to the next person."

Next up was Kim Sarang. She got a reaction on her sixth try, with water pouring out of the magic circle. Ea read the values and spoke.

"A total of 92% compatibility with water magic."

"Congratulations, Sarang, on your aptitude for water magic!"

Kim Sarang first let out a huge sigh of relief, then looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"It's nice, but I don't really get it! Is water magic good?"

"Hmm." I said with a wry smile. "Let's just say my own master—the previous Master of this Tower—was a wielder of water."

"Wow!"

No further explanation seemed necessary. Kim Sarang returned to her spot with a face full of happiness.

"Next is Ms. Cha Doyeon."

Cha Doyeon skipped the four elemental magics and succeeded on her fifth try. Light flowed from the magic circle.

-A total of 88%. Compatibility with light attribute magic.

"A light mage, Doyeon! Congratulations."

She also seemed pleased with her aptitude. She quickly returned to her spot and high-fived Na Daeyong and Kim Sarang.

"Next is Mr. Jo Yonghee."

"Yes!"

"Mr. Jo, would you like to try this one first?"

I floated a new magic circle and presented it to him. Jo Yonghee had a curious expression but touched the circle without a word. 'Vwoom!'

The magic circle activated, and a green liquid dripped from below it.

-A total of 99% compatibility with poison magic.

"99%…!" everyone gasped.

They all stared at him with their mouths open. For some reason, I found it hard to hold back my laughter. Just as I thought. For some reason, I had a feeling Jo Yonghee would be this type.

"A poison mage, Yonghee! Congratulations."

"Y-Yes!"

He returned to his spot, sweating profusely as always. I opened the notes app on my smartphone and checked everyone's attributes. Na Daeyong – Lightning. Kim Sarang – Water. Cha Doyeon – Light. Jo Yonghee – Poison.

'This is funny. How can not a single one of them be one of the four main elements?'

It was no wonder they couldn't use second-circle magic. Then I raised my head and looked at the prospect with the highest growth potential.

"Last is Ms. Seo Shimhee."

"Ah, yes!"

She came forward, trembling. Everyone clapped, cheering on the last person.

"Alright, let's begin."

"Yes!"

From the very first magic circle she touched, a scorching heat rose up. It wasn't quite a flame, but there was an aptitude.

-A total of 21% compatibility with fire magic.

"That's a bit low. Let's move on to the next one."

"Yes!"

She recorded magic compatibility in the 20% range for the other two elemental magics, including Ice Javelin. But compared to her peers, who were mostly in the 90% range, it couldn't be considered a proper aptitude. The situation got worse. The magic circles after the four elemental ones were mostly unresponsive. There were reactions to water and light, but both were in the 10% range.

"Alright, this is the last one. You can do it!"

"Yes."

Her face now crumpled and on the verge of tears, she placed her palm on the final magic circle with a look of desperation. A single drop of liquid fell.

-A total of 22% compatibility with poison magic.

Sighs rippled through the onlookers. None of the magic circles here matched her.

"Don't be too disheartened, Shimhee. I'm sure we can find the perfect aptitude for you."

I unfolded four more minor magic circles, but all were unresponsive. In the end, Seo Shimhee buried her face in her hands, and Cha Doyeon and Kim Sarang rushed over to comfort her.

'Could she be an 'aptitude-less' type?'

A type that doesn't have a single compatible attribute. It's not impossible that she could become an elemental master who handles all four elements well like me, but it's still ambiguous.

"Does this mean I can't become a great mage…?" Seo Shimhee said in a trembling voice.

I could understand how she felt. To come this far only to fall behind her colleagues must be a considerable shock. She must be very disappointed in herself.

"It's okay, Shimhee," I said, stepping forward to console her. "It's possible your aptitude just wasn't among the second-circle magics I have. We only did the major ones."

"That's right! Cheer up!" her colleagues added.

Watching Seo Shimhee being comforted by her colleagues, I crossed my arms and fell into thought. Was there something I had missed about her?

* * *

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