The air in the room felt different. It wasn't just the smell of Araya's expensive perfume or the faint hum of the midnight air—it was a new weight in Seongjii's mind.
"So... that's it? I'm officially a master of observation?" Seongjii asked, looking at his hands as if expecting them to glow.
Araya crossed her arms, floating slightly above the floor with a smug grin. "Yes, Mortal. Wish granted. Any doubts? Or do you need me to sign a warranty card?"
Seongjii frowned, flexing his fingers. "I don't feel anything. No sparks, no sudden surge of energy. How do I know it actually worked?"
Araya sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "It's a passive skill, you idiot. You only see it when you use it. Do you want to test it now?"
"Yeah, I do. But on what?" Seongjii looked around the room.
"Well," Araya's eyes twinkled mischievously. "How about this? I'll go to sleep, you observe me sleeping, and then you copy me and go to sleep too. How's that for an idea?"
"Stop joking! I'm serious here," Seongjii snapped.
"Fine, fine! Grumpy Mortal," Araya chuckled. "Let's use that glowing rectangle you call a phone. Find a dance video, observe it, and let's see if those stiff legs of yours can actually move."
Seongjii nodded. "Good idea. Any suggestions?"
Araya tapped her chin, a devilish smirk forming on her lips. "How about... Belly Dancing? It would suit you."
Seongjii gave her a flat look. "To do a belly dance, you actually need a belly. Have you seen me lately? I've got six-pack abs now, thanks to your previous 'gifts' ."
"Tsk. Fine. Try some breakdancing then. Backflips, power moves—the flashy stuff," she suggested.
Seongjii found a high-energy breakdance tutorial on social media. As the video played, something strange happened. His vision seemed to sharpen. He wasn't just watching the dancer; he was seeing the exact angle of the ankles, the shift in weight, and the precise moment the muscles contracted for a flip. It was like his brain was downloading a blueprint.
"Ready, Mortal?" Araya asked, snapping her fingers. Music suddenly blasted through the room.
Seongjii didn't hesitate. He moved.
His body, which usually felt a bit uncoordinated during intense sports, flowed like liquid. He executed a perfect windmill, transitioned into a freeze, and finished with a crisp backflip that landed silently on the carpet.
Araya's jaw practically hit the floor. Her eyes were wide, blinking in disbelief. "Damn... that was actually awesome, Mortal. You didn't even stumble."
Seongjii grinned, his heart racing. It works. It really works.
The next morning, Seongjii was up before the sun. He needed one more test—something practical. He headed straight for the kitchen where his mother was already starting the morning chores.
"Mom, move aside. I'm making breakfast today," Seongjii announced.
His mother paused, a spatula in her hand, and looked at him like he had grown a second head. She reached out and felt his forehead. "Son, go back to sleep. Having such vivid dreams so early in the morning isn't good for your health."
Seongjii laughed. "I'm not dreaming, Mom. I'm dead serious."
"O-okay..." she said hesitantly. "But you don't even know how to crack an egg properly."
"That's why you're going to show me. Just make the breakfast once, and I'll copy you exactly. I'll even match the taste," Seongjii challenged.
His mother shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "Alright, watch closely then."
She began her routine—chopping vegetables with a rhythmic thud-thud, tempering the spices at the exact temperature, and flipping the parathas with effortless grace. Seongjii stood there, his eyes locked on her every move. To anyone else, he looked like he was daydreaming, but in his mind, he was recording every gram of salt and every second of cooking time.
After she finished half the batch, she stepped aside. "Your turn, Beta."
(In her mind, she chuckled: 'I don't think he can do it. That's why I secretly made enough for everyone already just in case he ruins it! ')
Seongjii took his position. He picked up the knife. Thud-thud-thud. The rhythm was identical. He tossed the spices, adjusted the flame, and moved with the same domestic grace his mother had perfected over twenty years.
Soon, the aroma filled the house. Seongjii's father and Araya appeared at the dining table, lured by the smell.
"I helped with half, and Seongjii made the other half," his mother announced. "Let's see whose is better."
His father's eyes lit up. "Wait, Seongjii cooked? Wah! Finally, I might get something better to eat today!" he teased, winking at his wife to imply her cooking was getting 'average.'
Araya leaned in, sniffing the air. "Damn, the Mortal actually cooked? Let's see if it's edible or toxic."
"Just eat, I have to get to school," Seongjii said, serving the plates.
Araya looked at the mountain of food. "Isn't this... a bit much? It's double the usual amount."
Seongjii looked confused. "No, Mom told me this is the usual amount."
His mother coughed nervously. "Hehe... ye-yeah, Araya. Seongjii is right."
The tasting began. First, they tried the mother's side—delicious as always. Then, they tried Seongjii's side.
Silence followed. His father's eyes widened. Araya stopped mid-chew. It was... perfect. In fact, because Seongjii had 'optimized' the movements he observed, the texture was even better.
"Damn, Araya! The wish is a total success!" Seongjii cheered. He grabbed his bag, waved to his stunned parents, and headed out. "Bye Mom, Bye Dad! I'm off to school!"
As the door slammed shut, his parents exchanged looks. "Looks like he used his next wish," his father whispered.
"Mastery by Observation," Araya confirmed, popping another piece of Seongjii's breakfast into her mouth. "Basically, a human copy-paste machine."
His parents praised his choice, but Araya pointed at the leftover food. "Excuse me, but look at how much is left. I told you it was too much!"
Seongjii's mother rubbed the back of her neck, laughing sheepishly. "Hehe... I honestly thought he would mess it up and we'd have to throw his food away. So I cooked a full meal for everyone just in case! Guess we're having this for lunch too."
At School - Dance Practice Room
Seongjii pushed the door open. Zoe was already there, stretching.
"Hey Zoe, I'm here," he said.
Zoe smiled, looking relieved. "I was waiting for you. Glad you showed up."
"Let's skip the small talk. Tell me what kind of dance we're doing," Seongjii said, getting into the zone.
"Okay, I'll teach you the moves step-by-step—"
"Wait," Seongjii interrupted. "Do you have a video of your rehearsal? If you show me that, I'll learn it just by watching."
Zoe paused, her eyebrows shooting up. "A video? Are you sure? It's a complex routine, Seongjii. You can't just... watch it once and do it."
"Just trust me, Zoe," he said with a confident smirk.
Zoe shrugged and pulled out her phone, playing a video of her performing a sharp, intricate hip-hop routine.
Seongjii watched. One time for the moves. Second time for the timing. Third time to be sure. He didn't want to look too supernatural, so he watched it thrice.
"Okay," Seongjii said, handing the phone back. "I've analyzed the moves. They're locked in."
Zoe looked skeptical. "Wait, really? Already?"
"Start the music, Zoe," Seongjii said, taking his position in the center of the room. "And just watch."
To be continued...…