Magic Academy’s Genius Blinker

Chapter 268

Memory (1)

***

Flowerseorin dragged her heavy body toward Leafanel’s garden.

Although she hadn’t sustained serious injuries in the battle with Cheollibeun, she had consumed an excessive amount of mental strength and mana, resulting in a significant headache.

However, confirming Leafanel’s condition was her top priority right now.

‘What is this scent…?’

Upon arriving at the garden, Leafanel realized that the atmosphere had changed from before and tilted her head in confusion.

She hurriedly ran toward the garden’s interior, but strangely, it didn’t feel bad.

Rather, it was quite… a pleasant fragrance wafting through the air.

Of course, how good could it smell in a garden filled with impurities, but Flowerseorin, sensitive to the aura of divine beasts, felt assured.

“Ah…!”

Leafanel.

Her figure, with eyes closed and hands clasped in prayer, was still stained with impurities, but it was distinctly different from what she had seen last.

“My heart…”

It was a space filled with a purplish hue, but from Leafanel’s chest, a mysterious aura of mixed green and yellow sprang forth like a small flame.

Though that power was still weak, it undeniably bore the essence of divinity.

That was… the divine aura of Leafanel, capable of perfectly purifying the impurities tainting the World Tree.

“You’ve returned…”

Flowerseorin carefully approached Leafanel and caressed her cheek.

The unknown shroud that had enveloped her body had long since disappeared.

Though Leafanel still did not respond with her eyes closed, the fact that she showed no signs of wariness toward Flowerseorin approaching her was enough to indicate that Leafanel welcomed her.

For a while, Flowerseorin gently stroked Leafanel’s cheek and gazed at her face.

Since childhood, due to her condition of Lovesickness, she had been unable to properly face anyone and engage in conversation.

The only person who had become her true conversational partner was Leafanel.

Though she had a childlike mental age, her long life had granted her the wisdom and pure eyes to listen to Flowerseorin’s stories.

In truth, they needed each other.

Leafanel could not move from this place, and Flowerseorin could not meet anyone due to her curse.

“I’m so glad… really.”

Because of this, the happiest person about Leafanel’s return was none other than Flowerseorin.

Although the curse had weakened and she could now meet various people and even find someone with whom she could exchange heartfelt words, the return of the most precious bond that had supported her during lonely days was the happiest thing of all.

And…

Thinking of the boy who had helped her regain her most precious connection, Flowerseorin smiled softly.

Stroking Leafanel’s cheek felt good with its soft texture.

Even though they could not have a conversation at the moment, it would be alright.

Now that her heart had returned, she would surely recover soon and be able to return to the past.

“I will tell you stories like before. This time, please share your story as well, Leafanel.”

Flowerseorin pressed her lips against Leafanel’s forehead, which was still in prayer with closed eyes.

She didn’t know when it would be, but she was waiting for that day when they would meet again.

***

When she opened her eyes, it was the weekend.

The last date she remembered before losing consciousness had also been a weekend.

This could be considered a complete windfall, but Baek Yu-seol despaired briefly, rubbing his forehead.

From the second semester onward, all practical course scores would be reflected in grades, making absences particularly fatal.

Since Baek Yu-seol aimed to graduate without studying, practical courses were essential subjects he could not skip.

“Uh…”

Looking around, he found himself in a familiar place.

The hospital room of Stella Academy.

Stella’s hospital gown.

As always, after fainting from a fierce battle, he found himself here.

By the way, it’s quite remarkable that even after causing so much trouble outside, the school hasn’t reprimanded him.

He had recently begun to think that the treatment afforded to a common student felt somewhat special.

‘I survived again…’

Baek Yu-seol raised his head and looked at the system message hovering in the air.

It was basically a message promising some special rewards for overcoming an episode in a very unique way.

But that wasn’t what was important right now.

Recalling the sensations just before he fainted sent chills through his body.

‘I struck a hit on Cheollibeun.’

Not just anyone, but that feeble Baek Yu-seol.

Though his absolute invincibility had been completely revoked… he had been a martial artist honing his skills in close combat to survive with just one characteristic before receiving his aura.

While players might have assessed his magical attack power at a mere 10, his physical attack power was surprisingly excellent.

As a level 9 dark mage, how could his skills possibly falter?

He had plunged a sword into Cheollibeun’s chest.

That moment…

He still remembered that sensation.

As if…

The world had slowed down.

It felt as if the fluttering leaves had stopped, and he could precisely capture the trembling shape of a falling raindrop.

The swirling sandstorm, the trembling gaze of Cheollibeun, the contorted muscles and joints.

He could perceive it all.

In that frozen world, Baek Yu-seol focused solely on Cheollibeun.

Cheollibeun’s attack appeared flawless, meticulously calculated to ensnare Baek Yu-seol’s blink from all sides, yet it was precisely captured in his eyes.

A fleeting moment felt like eternity as Baek Yu-seol instantaneously controlled his blink to exploit Cheollibeun’s opening.

‘I won.’

It was a perfect timing attack, so flawless that he unconsciously thought that.

However, in the end…

‘I couldn’t hit the heart.’

At the exact moment, Cheollibeun released dark magic to disrupt Baek Yu-seol’s sword strike.

It was an utterly absurd counter-speed.

No one had ever reacted to the speed of his blink until now.

‘I could have won.’

If only he had a bit more experience.

If he had properly honed the Blessing of Red Spring March and could freely control the ability of “Extreme Concentration.”

Although he might be considered too arrogant for someone with just 3-4 star abilities, everything in this world wasn’t determined by stats.

Just as a class 3 lightning mage could defeat a class 6 lightning mage, strategy and experience mattered.

Baek Yu-seol lacked experience.

The countless PVP experiences he had amassed in Aether World Online might have worked against younger magic warriors, but they were utterly useless against the real dark mage, Cheollibeun.

In the future, Baek Yu-seol would have to face such real opponents.

‘I must completely master Extreme Concentration!’

As Baek Yu-seol pondered, he felt that this ability was far too special to simply be derived from the Blessing of Red Spring March.

In that world where everything felt like it had come to a stop, he vaguely sensed the presence of Silver Age November.

‘Combining two blessings to create a derived skill…

I’ve never heard of such a case, but it shouldn’t be completely impossible. Baek Yu-seol was confident.

If he could properly combine the blessings of Blue Winter December, Silver Age November, and Red Spring March, he would gain a special power that could stand shoulder to shoulder with protagonist-level characters.

‘This isn’t the time to dawdle.’

Baek Yu-seol abruptly stood up and hurried toward the S-class training center.

“Oh my? Patient! You need to rest a bit more!”

“I don’t have time for that.”

Just then, the nurse who had come to check on him tried to hold him back, but he unceremoniously applied for discharge and turned to leave.

“Oh my goodness…”

Even though he wasn’t fully healed yet, the nurse couldn’t believe he was insisting on leaving and heading directly to the training center.

This soon became known throughout the academy, where he earned the title of ‘the madman who trains even in a wounded state’ among the students.

“He was more than I expected.”

Feng Hwarang from Class S scoffed after hearing the news about Baek Yu-seol.

He had wondered what Baek Yu-seol had been doing for a whole week by skipping classes, and when he heard the rumor that he had suddenly been injured fighting a dark mage, he was utterly astounded.

Although the identity of the opponent had not been revealed, the students speculated that if Baek Yu-seol had been injured, it must have been quite a formidable dark mage.

“Well, he did go straight into training, but since he’s injured, there’s no way he’ll be able to participate in the League of Spirit, right?”

Feng Hwarang did not respond particularly to his friend Mac’s words.

However, Mac seemed to genuinely hope that Baek Yu-seol would not participate.

“Oh, I really hope he doesn’t participate. He cleans up everything he touches…”

“He isn’t even on the official player list. It’s impossible for Baek Yu-seol to participate in the interschool competition now.”

“Who knows? There might be a unique case like Flame. I heard he didn’t even intend to participate, but due to that Scalven prince, he had to register his name.”

“Ah, I wish he would team up with a girl like Flame. Why are all the players in our team such smelly guys? Oh, by the way, I heard Flame is looking for new team members, should I sneak in a word?”

As Mac said this with a chuckle, Feng Hwarang shot him a sharp glare.

“What’s with that scary stare? If you keep staring at me like that, it’s genuinely frightening.”

“…… Sorry.”

“That’s understandable. Oh, by the way, do you have feelings for that girl named Flame?”

At that remark, Feng Hwarang genuinely looked surprised and his eyes widened.

“It’s not like that, so mind your business.”

“Come on, don’t play coy… Ugh. Just promise me you’ll keep your eyes pretty. I don’t want to become the first Stella student who gets killed because of his own eyes.”

After saying that, Mac hurriedly got up and headed down the hallway.

“I have to go; I have the next class!”

Whether that was true or simply because Feng Hwarang’s glare was terrifying, he wasn’t sure… but knowing Mac, he thought it was quite likely he just wanted to tease him.

Feng Hwarang too got up, gathering his materials.

There were no classes on Saturdays and it was a day for self-study, yet they continued to study without rest even on weekends.

He planned to review the content learned over the week in the reading room and preview the topics for the next week.

As he headed toward the S-class exclusive building commonly referred to as ‘the realm,’ Feng Hwarang spotted someone familiar.

“Hey, just trust me and try it out, okay?”

“Um… I’m not really interested in sports.”

“Shut up. If you say you’re not interested in sports with that physique, who would believe it? Hey, Aiselle, say something.”

“I’m not interested either…”

“You have to do it.”

“Me? Why must I…?”

“You’re incredibly pretty.”

“That’s true, but does that really mean I have to participate in the League of Spirit…?”

It was Flame, Aiselle, and Ma Yuseong.

Since they always maintained a rank within the top 5 of their grade, their combination drew the attention of all other students, who glanced at them as they passed by.

‘The League of Spirit…

Could Mac’s words be true?

She seemed to be searching for various people to form a team now.

“Oh, how about this? I’ll give you an amazing offer.”

At first, Ma Yuseong and Aiselle seemed to want to refuse, but as if Flame knew how to spark their desires, they gradually looked enchanted and eventually nodded in agreement.

“Great! Be sure to fill out this application form, I have to go ahead because I’m busy!”

Flame tossed the competition registration papers to Ma Yuseong and Aiselle and dashed into the depths of the S-class training center.

Feng Hwarang tried to ignore this and head to the reading room, but the fact that she was headed to the training center concerned him quite a bit.

‘If it’s the training center, it must be Baek Yu-seol.’

What does it matter now?

Of course, Flame would be involved with him.

‘…Then.’

This was finally the right time to face Baek Yu-seol in a fair match.

He, too, was a participant in the Stella League of Spirit and even a candidate for the championship.

‘I can’t miss this good opportunity.’

End of Chapter