Magic Academy’s Genius Blinker

Chapter 53

Starcloud Trading Company (1)

“So, it was a bust after all.”

Kaen nodded at Hyeijin’s comment. With emotions running that high, there should have been some ‘sign,’ but the sensor for Dark Mage Erosion remained silent.

“Well, the psychometry from the Tower of the Full Moon isn’t perfect, is it? We’ve had several false positives before! I was dying of boredom! Though it seemed like you were enjoying it, Captain?”

Kaen silently nodded in agreement.

It was interesting. With his deep knowledge in alchemy, having studied it up to the master’s level, he could grasp just how remarkable that woman, Alterisha, was.

Though the mission ended in vain, the lingering curiosity made Kaen watch Alterisha from a distance for a long time.

“By the way, is that kid who claimed to be a co-author that high schooler? He looks quite cute, doesn’t he?”

Kaen turned his gaze to the boy named Baek Yu-seol. It was impressive that a high school student had helped solve a three-hundred-year-old unsolved problem, and as someone interested in alchemy, Kaen was slightly intrigued, but not enough to warrant close attention.

However, the boy’s subsequent actions were suspicious.

‘Please leave my name out of the articles.’

Immediately after the chaotic presentation, Baek Yu-seol declined the fame, ensuring that the articles would refer to him only as ‘an anonymous alchemist along with Alterisha.’
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Of course, while his name wouldn’t appear in the articles, those in the know would eventually find out. Still, all the attention would fall on Alterisha, and she would receive all the sponsorships from magic towers and corporations.

Why?

Kaen was curious about his reasons.

“Did you investigate?”

When asked by Hyeijin, she looked at her palm and replied.

“Yes. I just got the message; there’s nothing special about him. Apart from his hometown being destroyed by Dark Mages right before his admission, there’s nothing notable. He’s a commoner with the lowest grades. But strangely, he’s in the S class? I didn’t attend the academy, so I don’t know, but isn’t it really hard to get into that class?”

“…Indeed.”

“Moreover, he doesn’t use magic despite attending the world’s top magic school. Quite peculiar.”

Peculiar. That word seemed insufficient to describe the boy.

“Other than that, there’s really nothing. ‘Metler’ is never wrong, you know?”

“Yes. Understood.”

Regardless of his intentions, the Dark Mage Extermination Squad of the Tower of the Full Moon had no leisure to concern themselves with a mere high school student.

Kaen was staring at Baek Yu-seol with such thoughts when the boy suddenly turned his head and looked their way.

…

A moment, less than a second.

Their eyes met.

But as if it were an illusion, Baek Yu-seol turned his head away. Kaen frowned momentarily, but his ‘Cognitive Dulling’ magic and Hyeijin’s ‘Shadow Veil’ barrier were indeed functional.

No mere high school student could see through them.

‘Must be my imagination.’

Turning his head away, Kaen spoke.

“Let’s go. We’re done here.”

“Yeah! I’m tired of this boring place too!”

They left like the wind, leaving no trace behind.

* * *

Meanwhile, as Alterisha was besieged by journalists and businesspeople, Professor Maizen slipped out through the back door.

It was truly a heartless affair.

When entering, Professor Maizen came through the front door, and Alterisha through the back.

But upon leaving, Alterisha exited through the front door, and Maizen through the back.

‘Damn it, damn it…’

Riding in her automatic carriage, Maizen bit her nails. Her neatly arranged hair was now a mess.

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“…”

Thump! Thump! As she banged her head against the window in silent fury, a low voice spoke beside her.

“Calm down, Maizen.”

“…You, you’re!”

A man with goggles sat there. With his slicked-back green hair, he appeared as if he had been there all along, reading a notebook with one leg crossed.

Professor Laydin from the New Moon Department at Stella Academy. He spoke sharply to Maizen.

“You’ve caused an incident.”

“This, this isn’t an incident…”

Maizen stammered, sweating. Could he have seen all that?

“You almost went berserk. It was fortunate that ‘suppression’ was in place. If your emotions had surged a bit more, you could have ruined all our plans.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Ha, sorry?”

Laydin chuckled derisively.

“Do you think an apology is enough? The leader is deeply disappointed. You’ve lost both of your values.”

The first value, being a professor at Stella Academy.
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The second value, having the potential to solve the Random Aeration Cross Formula as an alchemist.

But the first value was soon to be lost by plagiarizing her assistant’s paper, and the second value had become irrelevant because someone else had completed the formula.

“No, it’s not over yet. I have many connections in the plagiarism committee. This incident can be covered up. I won’t be expelled yet!”

Then, Laydin snapped his notebook shut and turned to face her. His cold gaze, like looking at a bug rather than a person, made Maizen gulp.

“Shut up and stay quiet. Keeping your head down is the most helpful thing you can do. Got it?”

Despite the humiliating words, she had nothing to retort.

“Stay low until the leader gives further instructions.”
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Leaving those words, Laydin vanished like mist.

Left alone, Maizen clawed at her hair with her nails.

‘Baek Yu-seol, Baek Yu-seol…!’

She suppressed her emotions that threatened to explode right away. Biting her nails, pulling her hair, tearing her skin, she suppressed it with all her might.

‘Not yet, not yet!’

She couldn’t release her anger now. She had to wait for an opportunity to corner him and then explode.

For that, she endured and endured.

‘Just wait, Baek Yu-seol…!’

* * *

[Dark Mage Erosion Progress: 49%]

Throughout the presentation, Baek Yu-seol monitored Professor Maizen’s progress through his glasses. The moment it surpassed 50%, it would be magically provable, but it halted at that precarious moment.

‘…So, she’s destined to stay calm until the originally planned berserk episode.’

No matter how hard I tried, predetermined episodes didn’t change. I thought that by forcibly pushing Maizen’s erosion to 50%, I might somehow prevent the terrible catastrophe of the eighth episode.
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‘Still, preparations are going well.’

The situation ended positively, and I succeeded in activating the Resentful Branch.

This cheat-like item would help me clear the eighth episode very easily.

Moreover, the future of Alchemy Castle would now revolve around Alterisha. I had no need to worry about her safety.

Given the magnitude of this incident, she had become a precious asset to Stella Academy. Guards would silently protect her.

Feeling relieved, Baek Yu-seol exhaled deeply.

Originally, mages would have obtained the concept of ‘items’ a year from now.

But thanks to Alterisha awakening much earlier than in the game, Baek Yu-seol now had wide-open possibilities for growth.

Of course, Dark Mages would also get the information on the Random Aeration Cross Formula.

However, their technology couldn’t keep up with Alterisha’s. In the original game, she had effortlessly caught up with the Dark Mages’ technology, which had already been advanced by a year.

Besides, the achievements didn’t end there.

[The branch of the main episode has significantly changed.]

[Your narrative power is filled.]

[You can either regain the functions of downgraded items or inherit some of the abilities and skills that the character Baek Yu-seol initially possessed.]

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I hadn’t even progressed the episode, but I received rewards equivalent to completing one.

Although I didn’t receive experience points, I was satisfied with just this. The reward was still pending, but I had already decided what to choose in my heart.

“Haa…”

Alterisha lay down on the train seat, groaning. They were in the VIP seats of the train, a first-class experience they never expected to get for free.

“It feels like a dream…”

“More dreamy things will happen in the future. Or, perhaps what was only possible in dreams might come true.”

She had only presented the theory, so the sponsorship and attention weren’t as overwhelming as expected. Ordinary people knew solving the problem was remarkable but didn’t grasp its significance.

Soon, when the first invention was announced, countless love calls would pour in for Alterisha. She might wield power comparable to a nation.

Smiling bashfully, Alterisha imagined happy scenarios, lightly stamping her feet.

Watching her, Baek Yu-seol leaned his head against the window, thinking about someone he had just met.

‘That was definitely Kaen.’

There are two top magic towers in the world.

In the light, the Tower of the Full Moon.

In the shadows, the Tower of the New Moon.

The Tower of the Full Moon is known as the world’s tallest and most famous magic tower, the only one bestowed with the title ‘Tower.’

And the existence that balances the overwhelming power of the Tower of the Full Moon and the Mage Council is the Tower of the New Moon.

An elite magic squad formed of a few top mages, the greatest anti-Dark Mage unit, the Tower of the New Moon.

Kaen was the captain of the 13th Extermination Squad, the elite among the elite in hunting Dark Mages and mages.

They were so skilled in stealth that, had it not been for the ‘communication’ magic sensed by my intuition, I wouldn’t have noticed them until the end.

Why are those dangerous guys here?

Could they have somehow noticed Maizen Tiren’s Dark Mage Erosion? But as far as I know, they never interfered in any branch of the story.

‘…It would be nice if I could get involved with them positively.’

They possessed all the world’s information and intelligence, and having them as allies would be reassuring beyond measure. But if they turned hostile, they would become the most terrifying enemies.

Of course, the likelihood of making them allies or enemies was extremely low.

To reach that point, I would have to go through numerous favorability quests and various derived sub-quests, and only a few players managed to contact the Extermination Squad.

‘Anyway, I need to be cautious.’

Knock, knock!

As Baek Yu-seol was organizing his thoughts, someone knocked on the door. Since the VIP section was partitioned, one couldn’t enter without being let in from the inside.

“Who…”

Before he could ask who it was.

Baek Yu-seol turned his head and looked out the window, his eyes widening in surprise.

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Click-clack, click-clack!

Even among the shaking train, recognizing that person wasn’t difficult.

‘That person is…’

A brown-haired man with a bowler hat, pointed elf ears, a refined suit, and golden eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses.

He stood at a slight distance from the window, wearing a gentle smile that concealed his true intentions.

‘…The president of Starcloud Trading Company, Melian.’

As the game’s episodes progressed and the world expanded beyond the school, with the protagonist Flame maturing into adulthood, more characters naturally became part of the storyline.

At that point, one could pursue any character within the world, young or old, based on the storyline. However, there were four particularly charming characters that players were notably obsessed with.

The Guardian of the Northern Arctic Ice Mountain, ‘Sulpharam’ Grand Duke.

The Heart of the Southern Haoya Plains, Starcloud President ‘Melian.’

The Commander of the Eastern Dragon Rising Wave Fleet, ‘Halisveil’ Admiral.

The Pillar of the Western Desert, the Tower of the Full Moon’s Master ‘Haeseong Wol.’

Among them, Melian, the Heart of the Southern Haoya Plains and President of Starcloud Trading Company, had the trait [Golden Rule of Fate], making him the wealthiest character in the world.

“Surely not…!”

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Alterisha recognized him too, her mouth dropping wide open as Melian smiled warmly.

“Excuse me, but could I have a moment of your time?”

“Yes! What’s the matter?”

“I have some business with you, so I took the liberty of visiting.”

Baek Yu-seol, trying to remain calm, opened the door.

“Please, come in.”

“Thank you.”

Standing over 190cm tall, he had to slightly duck to avoid hitting his head on the ceiling.

“Nice to meet you, Alchemist Alterisha, and… you must be the anonymous alchemist? You both are quite a handsome couple. It feels refreshing to see you. May I ask your name, if it’s not too much trouble?”

“I am Baek Yu-seol, a first-year S class student at Stella Academy’s Combat Department.”

“Oh, a student from Stella? Nice to meet you.”

Although he undoubtedly knew, Melian still asked for Baek Yu-seol’s name and pretended to be surprised.

“What brings you here?”

Alterisha asked, half-expectant and half-surprised. She had somewhat anticipated this.

That her discovery would turn the world upside down.

But she didn’t expect a big shot like Melian to show up so soon.

Large corporations and major magic towers seemed to be waiting to make contact with her until tangible results were produced.

But Starcloud.

Melian!

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nervous heart.

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“As you may know… Alchemist Alterisha, we at Starcloud wish to secure an ‘exclusive’ contract for your technology.”

It’s here! Alterisha tried to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across her face.

“Of course, you may have heard, but we offer very generous terms. Would you like to review the contract?”

Nodding, Alterisha accepted the contract papers Melian handed her from his coat. With trembling hands, she began reading it.

‘Oh my gosh!’

For someone who had lived in poverty, the terms were unimaginable. Truly earning the nickname ‘Cool Trader,’ the offer made any hesitation vanish instantly.

Barely able to calm her pounding heart, Alterisha read the contract thoroughly.

It included unlimited support for materials and technicians, and astronomical sums as contract fees. There were restrictions, of course, but…

‘With these terms, I can create all the inventions I’ve dreamed of!’

A room lined with gold? A waterfall of diamonds? A house adorned with jewels? No longer mere dreams.

Maybe, something even more grandiose.

‘Yu-seol will surely love this too!’
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Almost ready to stamp her seal with a broad smile, she looked at Baek Yu-seol.

‘Huh…?’

For some reason, Baek Yu-seol wasn’t smiling.

‘Is there a problem?’

Surely, an exclusive contract with Starcloud Trading Company was great news, so why did he look so serious?

‘…There must be a reason.’

It was the first time she had seen Baek Yu-seol so serious. Even solving the Random Aeration Cross Formula and facing Professor Maizen, he had smiled.

‘Let’s not get excited.’

Taking a deep breath, Alterisha carefully put down the contract and spoke to Melian.

“I’m sorry. Could you give us some time to think?”

“…Is that so?”

Melian seemed visibly surprised.

“Are the terms not satisfactory? If there’s something you want, please let us know.”

“It’s not that! The terms are more than generous. Just…”

She looked at Baek Yu-seol.

“I need time to consult with the co-author of this technology.”

“Ah, yes…”

A co-author. He thought it was just a formality, but maybe it wasn’t. Melian set aside his doubts and smiled warmly at Baek Yu-seol.

“Would you like to review the contract?”

Surely, helping solve a three-hundred-year-old unsolved problem at such a young age indicated he was no ordinary genius.

But he’s still a high school student.

Experience taught him that regardless of their magical prowess or alchemical expertise, geniuses were usually naive in negotiations.

Besides, Baek Yu-seol was a commoner. He couldn’t refuse such terms.

So he thought.

‘…Hmm?’

Facing Baek Yu-seol, Melian’s expression hardened.

The boy was thinking.

Thinking.

Anyone can do it, but it’s rare to do it freely in the face of such an offer.

To be given such a huge sum. Enough to ensure his descendants could live luxuriously.

Yet, Baek Yu-seol continued to ponder.

‘This…’

Melian reconsidered.

He had met many people, most of whom stopped thinking before his wealth.

But occasionally.

There were exceptions.

And often, they countered his proposals with their own.

Sometimes it stung, but occasionally, their proposals were eye-opening.

Finally, Baek Yu-seol opened his mouth.

“I’ll decline.”

“Ah, really?”

Hearing the word he expected, Melian smiled broadly.

“I see. Then…”

He retrieved the contract and clasped his hands together.

“Let’s start the negotiations again.”

End of Chapter