I Am A Wizard Who Can Travel Between Earth And The Other World-Chapter 21 - Threads of Fate

Then, blade to blade, spell to spell, they would dance.

The city roared around them, a symphony of steel and secrets, as two destinies hurtled toward a collision—one simmering with desire, the other sharpened by blood and ancient fire.

Gin could feel his heart pounding even in a moment like this. It was undeniable—he had changed. Once, he believed himself to be a methodical man, the type to draft meticulous plans and adhere to them without fail. Rarely did he stray from those plans, and even when he did, he swiftly adjusted to achieve outcomes that aligned perfectly with his intentions.

But recently, he discovered something unsettling lurking within his own psyche: an impulsive streak, wild and unrelenting.

Had he not ventured into the Shadow Realm, he might never have unearthed this part of himself. Alongside it came the revelation that violence, too, lay dormant within him, a hidden instinct ready to surface. Even now, wasn't he considering resolving the matter at hand through brute force?

These unfamiliar impulses emerged one by one, leaving him to wonder—were they remnants of who he was before losing his memory at seventeen, or were they a byproduct of mastering the arcane arts? He didn't know, and the question lingered in his mind.

As Gin's thoughts drifted, his eyes caught the rearview mirror. He noticed the car pursuing them gaining speed. Before he could dwell on it, Gin, sitting beside him, broke the silence.

"You said you're a college student, right?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes," he replied, without taking his eyes off the mirror.

"Medical student, perhaps?"

Gin glanced at her briefly. "No. Physics major."

"Ah, physics. I only wondered because I saw you reading medical books earlier.

Some of those texts are notoriously difficult, even for med students."

Her remark widened his eyes slightly. "You're observant," he admitted. "Actually, I was in medical school. Didn't graduate, though. Not because I couldn't keep up—I did well there, if I do say so myself." She laughed, almost shyly, as if the memory embarrassed her.

Gin said nothing, his expression unreadable. Alberta tilted her head, studying him.

"What? Surprised? Do I not look the part?" she teased.

"No, that's not it," he replied. "It's just... unexpected."

"Everyone reacts that way," she said with a shrug. For a fleeting moment, Tae-soo considered enlisting her medical knowledge for his research, but he dismissed the thought. She wouldn't be at the level he required. After all, Tae-soo had absorbed vast amounts of knowledge in a short time, rapidly surpassing most experts. While her skills might suffice now, he knew it wouldn't take long before he eclipsed her, as he always did.

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"If you ever have questions, let me know," Jin-hee offered. "I can explain what I know—or even connect you with someone from med school."

Her enthusiasm made Tae-soo chuckle inwardly. "Not necessary. I find it... entertaining so far," he replied.

Her eyes widened. "Wait—are you a genius or something?"

"Something like that," Tae-soo said matter-of-factly.

Jin-hee stared at him, genuinely taken aback. It wasn't often she met someone so casually self-assured in their brilliance. Strangely, she believed him.

In truth, Tae-soo considered himself a genius in most fields. Physics, mathematics—he'd reached a level comparable to renowned professors in no time. But magic was different. There were no benchmarks for comparison. Even in the Shadow Realm, where mages were rare, he wasn't sure if his abilities marked him as a prodigy or an amateur.

Jin-hee interrupted his thoughts. "So, you're about to graduate, right?"

"That's correct."

"What's next? Will you keep running the café? It's doing well."

"Something similar, perhaps," he said cryptically.

"Similar? Oh, I see—you're planning another business, maybe something related to medicine?"

"I haven't decided on a specific venture yet," he replied. "Medicine is more of a hobby."

"A hobby?" Jin-hee's jaw dropped. The more she learned about him, the more curious he became. "Do you have other hobbies, then?"

"Studying," Gin replied. "I've delved deeply into mathematics and chemistry. Now I'm branching into biology, linguistics, and engineering."

Alberta shook her head, half in disbelief. "Do you have any active hobbies? Sports, maybe?"

"Not exactly a hobby, but I've recently taken an interest in martial arts. I'd like to try it someday."

Her eyes lit up. "I've trained a bit in martial arts. Want to practice together?"

Before Gin could answer, he noticed the car behind them accelerating rapidly. Its intent was unmistakable—it was going to ram them. Calculating the imminent collision's force, Gin acted swiftly.

From his core, threads of mana unraveled, weaving together in a flash to form a magical array. It shimmered briefly before dispersing into fine particles.

It was a durability-enhancing spell, designed not only to fortify but also to absorb and neutralize impacts. The enchantment encased the car in an invisible barrier.

The collision came with a deafening crash! The car rocked slightly, but the impact was negligible. Alberta frowned but forced a smile as she glanced at Gin.

"It seems we've had an accident," she said, her tone laced with sarcasm. She reached for the door, but Gin stopped her.

"I'll handle this. Stay inside."

"Excuse me?" Gin raised a brow. "I can take care of myself, you know. I told you—I'm good at martial arts."

Gin relented, allowing her to step out with him. They were greeted by a tall, broad-shouldered man emerging from the other car. His smirk was anything but apologetic.

"Sorry about that," the man said, his voice oozing insincerity. He glanced at Alberta's car, noting its minimal damage, and frowned. His vehicle, on the other hand, was nearly totaled.

Before Alberta could dismiss him, a van screeched to a halt behind the man's car. Its doors flew open, and several imposing figures stepped out, their presence unmistakably hostile. Gin's eyes narrowed as he assessed them.

Their mana levels were unimpressive—half of Alberta's at best. Still, their numbers posed a threat.

The tall man grinned, his gaze fixed on Alberta. "Let's not make this difficult. Just get in the van, and no one gets hurt."

Alberta's fists clenched, her expression hardening. "You were after me all along."