[The observer’s perspective is now active.]
[Adjusting to the optimal point for observation.]
Naturally, I had no choice but to realize that this world was a world from a novel.
It wasn’t like that when I was younger.
After all, I wasn’t born in this world.
Yeah, that’s it.
A reincarnator.
It seems like I possessed this body about 2 or 3 years ago.
During that time, I was able to learn the common sense of this world, things like magic and so on.
It wasn’t difficult to adapt because system windows kept popping up, as if they were training me.
Thanks to that, I didn’t feel awkward about the system windows.
This world was the setting of a novel I used to enjoy reading.
The genre was romance, and the title was ‘Love is Like Magic.’
As you can tell from the title, it wasn’t a very popular novel.
I guess I should be glad it wasn’t a dark fantasy genre?
If it had been, my body wouldn’t have survived.
There were indeed some fantasy elements in it.
It was a world where magic naturally blended in. It wasn’t anything grand enough to cause miracles, though.
At most, magic would be used to boil water in a kettle or move light objects with telekinesis.
It made life more convenient, but it didn’t bring about dramatic changes.
I quietly turned my head and surveyed my surroundings.
The colorful hair colors were a clear indication that this wasn’t a normal world.
I didn’t expect to feel this way right from the entrance ceremony, but the conversations were all strange.
I guess I can’t really say anything either.
With my ash-colored hair, what could I say?
‘How did I end up in this world?’
There was one thing that stood out.
“You wanted to write a novel where you reincarnated into someone else.”
“Why me?”
“I just thought it’d be fun
What would you do if you were inside the romance novel you enjoyed reading?”
“I’d probably just stay quietly without disturbing the original work.”
“Like an observer from a first-person perspective?”
“Yeah, like a simple observer.”
I don’t think this would have happened just from that one conversation.
But then again, isn’t the situation I’m in now just as ridiculous?
Now that I think about it, I can’t even remember the name, voice, or even the face of the person I had that conversation with.
That conversation with someone I don’t even know if it was a ‘he’ or a ‘she’ now just exists as text in my mind.
No matter how much I think about it, the only reason I could have ended up reincarnating was because of that conversation.
At first, I was angry and tried to protest, but I quickly realized it was pointless, and now I’m more or less resigned to it.
They even said that once all the episodes are over, I’d be able to return to my original world.
[Perspective adjustment complete.]
My head turned on its own, and it focused on a particular scene.
A girl with light blonde hair, her hair tied up high in a single ponytail. Her flowing side bangs gave her a pure and innocent aura.
Lee Jian, the protagonist’s childhood friend in the original story, but… the failed heroine.
Her large and vivid pink eyes were staring at something.
Sure enough, what she was looking at was none other than the protagonist of the original story.
Yoon Jihoo, with dark brown hair and a lean, sharp figure.
The academy where the original story took place was a place for learning magic, an art involving sorcery.
Lee Jian was looking at Yoon Jihoo, but he was gazing in another direction.
Following his gaze, I could easily spot someone who stood out.
Park Nayul.
A senior, one grade above, and the main heroine of the original story.
With long black hair, red eyes, and an elegant, poised atmosphere.
Despite her cold exterior, her eyes were warmer than I expected.
That contrasting harmony made her even more special.
I could feel the whispers around me.
It wasn’t the kind of whispering that felt unpleasant, but rather the excited murmurs you hear from fans seeing a celebrity.
She was someone immensely popular, after all.
With overwhelming talent, never missing first place in various contests, plus outstanding beauty and a kind personality, it would have been harder for her to not be popular.
In the original story, she was even described as the academy’s Madonna.
The lights in the auditorium dimmed softly.
In the moment of silence, a figure slowly revealed itself at the center of the stage.
She was wearing a black dance costume.
Her long limbs, neatly tied black hair, and graceful movements that flowed down to her toes immediately captured everyone’s attention.
The freshmen held their breath.
And then Park Nayul took her first step.
As her toes brushed the floor, a faint light spread across the stage.
Every time she lifted her fingertips, traces of magic remained in the air.
Transparent silhouettes seemed to follow her movements, dancing in the air.
Behind her movements, afterimages lingered, and the air felt heavy with lingering emotion.
It wasn’t just a dance; it was a narrative.
As she spread her arms, golden melodies seemed to flow along the path she created, and every turn she made sent ripples spreading from beneath her feet.
With a single gesture, the space seemed to expand, creating an illusion that she was dancing in a much larger world.
“Wow…”
Someone’s exclamation crossed the quiet auditorium.
The freshmen were speechless, watching the scene.
Her movements weren’t intense or passionate; they were simple and neat. But the restrained emotion contained in them filled the stage.
Park Nayul made a final spin and came to a stop.
The pieces of light that had descended to the floor slowly faded away.
Silence. Then, a thunderous round of applause.
“Wow…”
“She’s unbelievable.”
It’s a scene from a fantasy novel with elements of magic and romance, where the protagonist seems to be observing and reflecting on their circumstances in a world they’ve reincarnated into.
There’s an emphasis on the contrasts and dynamics between characters, especially in terms of their personalities and magical abilities.
The atmosphere is immersive, particularly with the performance by Park Nayul.
“Is that really just the entrance ceremony performance?”
The freshmen were buzzing, and excited whispers erupted from all directions.
Some were overwhelmed by the beauty of the dance, while others seemed unable to forget the moment where magic and art blended seamlessly.
This performance perfectly defined the word ‘talent.’
At that moment, he was certain of one thing. The brightest presence in this place was undoubtedly Park Nayul.
No wonder she was the main heroine.
He took in the different gazes of the three people.
Lee Jian, who kept glancing at Yoon Jihoo; Yoon Jihoo, who sent a longing look towards Park Nayul; and Park Nayul, who still didn’t realize the existence of the other two.
Since the story had only just begun, there were no significant intersections between them yet.
The entrance ceremony ended without any incidents.
There was no chance of a sudden attack or anything like that.
“Ah, sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
A student bumped into my shoulder and apologized as they passed by.
This was the fifth time already.
In the short period of walking from the gym to the classroom.
I guess it’s a result of trying to stay in my role as an ‘observer,’ so my presence has become less noticeable.
This wasn’t the only odd thing, though.
There was a time when I pressed the bus bell, but the driver didn’t see me and passed my stop.
On the flip side, I’ve also stood at a bus stop and watched as the bus just zoomed past me.
I guess these things are inevitable if I’m trying to observe them up close.
[Observer mode activated. Adjustment to the optimal point complete.]
Once again, my gaze fixed itself without warning. I turned my head, and as expected, the main characters were there.
“OF!”
With a small sound of fireworks, Lee Jian wrapped her arm around Yoon Jihoo’s shoulder.
Yoon Jihoo casually turned his head and remained still, as if this was a normal occurrence.
Lee Jian, being small, must have been uncomfortable in that position, but Yoon Jihoo bent his knees slightly to accommodate her.
“Wasn’t Nayul-sunbae amazing?”
Yoon Jihoo nodded.
“Yeah. Honestly, I expected it, but seeing it in person is even more impressive.”
“Like, when she moves her hand, the magic just spreads out, and when she spins, the light bursts out like that!”
Lee Jian waved her hands around excitedly as she explained.
“Your vocabulary’s like an elementary schooler’s.”
“That’s not true! I’m a high school student now! You must be wrong!”
“Ugh, never mind.”
Lee Jian elbowed Yoon Jihoo in the side.
“What’s with that sly smile?”
“You seemed to be smitten.”
At that, Yoon Jihoo visibly flustered. He hurriedly covered Lee Jian’s mouth.
“Hey!”
“Mm!
Mmmph!”
Yoon Jihoo looked horrified and pulled his hand away.
“Yikes!
Spit!”
“Almost suffocated to death there.
Make sure you keep that spit safe; it’s a holy relic.”
Lee Jian puffed out her chest proudly.
Yoon Jihoo wiped the spit off her school uniform.
“Take it back.”
“That person is too high up for you to reach.”
“I know.”
“But I’ll still cheer you on! Fighting!”
Lee Jian made a small fist and shouted words of encouragement, then immediately bumped her body into mine.
That’s the sixth time.
That was the extent of my thoughts.
“Ah, sorry!”
Lee Jian quickly stepped back and apologized.
I adjusted my glasses nonchalantly.
“It’s fine.”
I thought that would be the end of it, but she kept staring at me, puzzled.
“By the way…”
“What?”
“You… were you here from the start?”
“…?”
For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant.
“What do you mean?”
“No, I’ve been thinking it’s weird.
It doesn’t feel like you were standing there the whole time.”
Lee Jian flailed her arms as she tried to explain.
“It’s like you just appeared out of nowhere, like poof you were suddenly there.”
“It’s because I’ve always been invisible.”
“Really?
Well, sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.”
Lee Jian then returned to playfully bickering with Yoon Jihoo as she walked away.
At that moment, I didn’t know.
I never imagined that I would get so tangled up with Lee Jian like this.
“Kim Dohyun?!
Kim Dohyun?!
Where is he?
Skipping on the first day?”
“I’m here.”
I stood up and answered.
“Ah, you’re here.
I should’ve answered.”
“Sorry.”
Honestly, I feel wronged.
I’ve been raising my hand the whole time.
As I sat down, my eyes met Lee Jian’s.
She tilted her head as if something was off.