Magic Academy’s Genius Blinker

Chapter 68

Items (2)

First Main Tower, 79th floor.

Vice Principal’s Office.

Vice Principal Aki Haydn tapped his fingers on the desk and spoke.

“We failed.”

Then, Laydin, the professor of the New Moon Studies standing opposite, adjusted his monocle and nodded.

“Yes.”

“Damn, the principal is going to throw a fit again.”

“I’m more worried that the headmaster will be furious than the principal.”

“You’re too rigid. It’s unfortunate that we failed, but there are other ways.”

“…You intend to let Professor Maizen run amok.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Though there were other methods, Aki Haydn couldn’t help but take off his glasses and rub his forehead due to the sting of failure.

The reason for opening a real Persona Gate this time was quite simple: to eliminate a student who was likely to attend the ‘Aslan Seminar.’

The Aslan Seminar could only be attended by the progeny of the world’s top magical families or those selected as one of the ‘Twelve Rising Stars’ each year.

The mages of Moonshadow Church didn’t want Aiselle Morf to attend the Aslan Seminar.

If Aiselle Morf, blessed by winter, attended there…

‘We’ll lose another fixed slot.’

That would be troublesome. Moreover, the Morf family itself was a significant burden, so eliminating her quickly was desirable.

“It’s a pity we couldn’t eliminate three other troublesome students as well.”

“…Indeed.”

The boy and girl who seemed to have fallen from the sky, and even the princess of Adolevit.

All of them were students likely to attend the Aslan Seminar.

“Oh, right. We don’t need to worry about Baek Yu-seol.”
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“…Is that so?”

“He’s an idiot who declared he wouldn’t use magic. The academic community doesn’t view him favorably. It’s a piece of cake to make sure he’s excluded from the list. On another note, recently, Princess Adolevit came to the board regarding the seminar.”

“Not Hong Bi-yeon…”
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“Yes, it was that psycho. What’s her scheme now? At her age, does she intend to attend the seminar? Ridiculous.”

This year’s events were like bombs. The simultaneous enrollment of the world’s top geniuses, and the headmaster’s plan starting at this time…

“Even the principal seems to have caught the scent, which is quite bothersome. This is the worst. Is there anything else to report?”

“No.”

“Then you may leave.”

“Yes.”

Laydin bowed his head and exited the vice principal’s office.

Walking down the hallway, he paused to look at the wall. There was a mirror.

He adjusted his monocle and tidied his slicked-back hair. As a professor, he had to pay particular attention to his appearance.

Just then.

A voice from behind made him stop his busy hands.

“Professor, it’s been a while. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Laydin slowly turned around.

A polite smile greeted him from a student.

It was Ma Yuseong.

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“…Young Master.”

“Wow, based on my childhood memories, you looked like a complete savage, but now you’re almost a different person?”

“Yes. That’s how it is. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”

Laydin turned to leave, but Ma Yuseong called out.

“Professor. My friends were almost injured this time. Was this… also planned by that heavy-bottomed old man?”

Laydin looked back at Ma Yuseong with a cold expression.

“No matter how much of a young master you are, I cannot forgive any disrespectful words towards the headmaster.”

“Is that so?”

“And, did you say ‘friends’? Have you become too immersed in the life with mages?”

Ma Yuseong laughed cynically at that.

“Immersed, huh. Well, I genuinely enjoy this life.”

For a moment, Laydin felt an overwhelming shadow loom over Ma Yuseong’s face.

It wasn’t magic.

It wasn’t the power of the new moon.

It was just an illusion born from sheer intimidation.

With a tranquil smile, Ma Yuseong approached Laydin and whispered quietly in his ear.

“…Professor, the world has really improved, hasn’t it? You can spout such arrogant remarks in front of me.”

Laydin felt cold sweat running down his cheeks. His palms were damp.

The ‘Aura of a King.’

A trait that exists only in those naturally born to be kings.

Laydin managed to hide his discomfort. Ma Yuseong hadn’t fully acquired the qualifications of a king, and Laydin’s experience surviving in the wild helped him maintain his composure.

Then.

As if nothing had happened, Ma Yuseong took three steps back.

“You should be careful. I’m quiet now… but honestly, you guys are really annoying.”

After saying that, Ma Yuseong walked slowly to the opposite end of the hallway.

Clack, clack-

Even the sound of his footsteps echoed in Laydin’s ears like a wet whisper.

Though Ma Yuseong was just walking away in this short corridor, it felt like an eternity.

Finally, when Ma Yuseong disappeared from sight.

Laydin took a deep breath and looked back at the mirror.

Intelligent monocle, slicked-back hair, a sarcastic smile, and a sharp yet calm expression.

It didn’t suit him at all, but it seemed so natural as if he had been born this way.

But it’s okay.

‘…For the Moonshadow Church.’

He could endure anything.

This weekend, the members of the Gourmet Club were supposed to gather. Well, as expected, it fell through.

Aiselle locked herself in her dormitory to relieve her mental stress, and Ma Yuseong had other plans.

Probably… meeting with those guys to gossip.

Aiselle’s stress didn’t seem to be a problem. She received a huge reward for conquering the gate this time and distributed the rewards appropriately.

As a money-hungry Aiselle, she would soon regain her spirits.

I went out to Arcaneum’s Rodeo Street after a long time and enjoyed coffee alone at a street café. It wasn’t bad. Although the street was packed with couples, making my solitude a bit annoying.

‘This time, the harvest wasn’t too bad.’

As a reward for clearing the episode, I was promised a ‘special reward’ again.

The only question is, what’s special about this episode.

By chance, I managed to defeat the Major Blade Spider and deal a fatal blow to the Duchess of Aiharen, but is that really something worthy of a special reward? I don’t think so at all.

Still, it would be foolish not to accept what’s offered, so I agreed to take it.

But what should I choose?

There were still limited narrative points, and there were many skills and items I wanted.

Then I remembered the message that popped up almost simultaneously with the episode’s completion.

[Resentment has been fully accumulated in the artifact ‘Resentful Branch.’]

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This artifact, which could deal tremendous damage by implanting resentment in the opponent and activating it once more, was finally fully charged.

It was unfortunate that it was a one-time-use item.

‘Wait, there are consumables that add usage to single-use items, right?’

But it felt a bit wasteful to use my special reward on a consumable that couldn’t be obtained just anytime. It would be much more useful to invest the reward in my growth.

‘Hmm, a one-time-use…’

Then a thought struck me.

Among the appropriate level of rewards I could receive, there was an item that could act as an insurance for my life.

“Marekan’s Pendant… Is it possible?”

[It is possible.]

“Hmm…”

— 로, 로 ・

If it weren’t possible, it would be one thing, but since it is, it’s even more troubling.

My growth is certainly important. If I get a growth item now, I could become much stronger in the future.

However, the main episodes are fraught with dangers. Even in the upcoming eighth episode, I have to face the awakened Maizen Tiren.

While getting stronger is important.

I felt I should have at least one insurance to help me survive immediately.

“…Okay. I’ll go with that.”

It couldn’t be helped.

Even Flame, the protagonist, would die if she chose the wrong option, and Aiselle and Hong Bi-yeon, blessed with fire and ice, never escaped the fate of death, and even the strong Ma Yuseong kept getting death flags.

In this wretched world, an extra like me doesn’t know when I might die, so I need at least one insurance.

[Item has been provided]

Thud! A stylish pendant fell into my palm. I immediately checked its details.

[Marekan’s Pendant]

* Grade: High

* Description: A pendant made by future alchemy magical engineer Marekan. The barrier was processed to the extreme to protect his life.

* Special Function

Marekan Shield

[Unconditionally blocks attacks below class 6.]

Two uses available

This is really not bad. For now, I won’t have to fight monster-level beings above class 7.

Though it was painful that it was a one-time-use item, if I were to choose a non-restricted item, only shoddy ones would be available.

Moreover, this was an item that modern technology couldn’t create, raising its value.

After carefully putting the pendant around my neck, I checked my overall stats.

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[Absorbing the Petal of the Enchanting Tree increases ‘Mental Strength’ by 65%.]

[Permanently slightly increases resistance against ‘Charm’ magic.]

* Stats

[Strength: 2 stars 73%] [Senses: 2 stars 57%]

[Agility: 2 stars 42%] [Stamina: 2 stars 19%]

[Durability: 0 stars 99%] [Mental Strength: 2 stars 24%]

[Magic: -]

The rise in mental strength was really the best gain. I would soon meet Red Summer June of the Twelve Divine Moons, where the mental strength value would be quite important.

Of course, the 2-star value was still absurdly low, but it was much better than 1-star.

Moreover, my overall stats were gradually approaching 3 stars.

When strength, agility, stamina, and other stats surpass 3 stars, it’s considered the ‘realm of superhumans,’ a level ordinary humans can never reach.

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Even now, excluding special races, there wouldn’t be anyone with a stronger physique than me among ordinary humans.

Of course, compared to the protagonists who probably have two 4-star stats by now, it’s still lacking, but I was growing fast enough to be highly satisfied.

With the subspace creation reserved, I’d like to rest for a bit, but unfortunately, the next [Episode] is coming soon.
T h i s w as c op ie d f ro m k i n gm tl . o r g

‘Familiar Contract Ceremony.’

Under the guise of a field trip, it was an episode held in the capital of the Elf Kingdom, ‘Cradle of the Heavenly Spirit Tree,’ the root of the Heavenly Spirit Tree.

On that day, the freshmen of Stella would participate in the festival of the elves, ‘World Tree Blessing Day.’

During that time, the elf queen ‘Flowerseorin’ would appear for the first time.

She had the beauty of a benevolent goddess… but since she would be fully covered, I didn’t expect much. I might never get to see her properly.

During this episode, I planned to act individually without getting involved in the main story.
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To do so, I needed some preparation… I should ask Alterisha for a few of the ‘items’ that are almost complete.

* * *

After the Persona Gate incident was settled, the atmosphere in the school became slightly more tense.

Upperclassmen in the second and third years frequently witnessed deaths during practice, and many transferred to the auxiliary department midway, but it was a first for the freshmen.

Moreover, having a death occur at the beginning of the semester.

However, the atmosphere quickly recovered as if nothing had happened. These were geniuses who had been prepared to live on the battlefield when they entered. Those who would sink into gloom and despair over such things would have dropped out long before entering.

“Princess, I’m so glad you’re safe!”

“I heard the Persona Gate was wrongly created due to a school error…

The fact that the Persona Gate was real was kept under wraps. The professors had strongly emphasized it, but more importantly, it was the principal’s order.

A quiet upscale café on Arcaneum Rodeo Street.

The members of the Red Hawk Club gathered and expressed their worries to Hong Bi-yeon. She mostly ignored their words since they contained little sincerity.

“Princess Hong Bi-yeon.”

However, this voice couldn’t be ignored.

She turned her head to confirm the person calling her.

Edmund Atalek. A third-year senior and the head of the Red Hawk Club.

“Yes, Senior.”

“Haha. You don’t have to be so formal. It feels a bit awkward for me to speak informally too.”

“On campus, maintaining hierarchy is crucial.”

“That’s true.”

As Edmund sat in front of Hong Bi-yeon, the members dispersed.

Strictly speaking, Edmund was part of Hong Bi-yeon’s faction, but his value was vastly different from the other students.

A genius who reached class 4 at the age of nineteen and the sole heir of the Atalek family, who served as the ‘brains’ of the Adolevit Kingdom.

One of the two pillars of the Adolevit Kingdom.

The only family that could rival the Orkan family, the Atalek family.

Without their help, Hong Bi-yeon wouldn’t dare to oppose Princess Hong Si-hwa.

So, she couldn’t treat him carelessly. Rather, it was more accurate to say they were equals.

Without the support of Edmund and his followers, Hong Bi-yeon was powerless.

But… that relationship was slightly precarious.

Technically, the Atalek family could be considered part of Hong Bi-yeon’s maternal family, but that notion had almost dissipated.

The Atalek family’s connection had weakened to the point that if they wanted, they could align with Hong Si-hwa’s faction.

Though that was highly unlikely… the reality was that she had to cater to Edmund’s whims.

“You’re not hurt, are you? I was worried about what might happen to you.”

Seeing Edmund speak kindly, the girls blushed. He was quite handsome, intelligent, and came from a good family, so he naturally had many admirers.

However, Hong Bi-yeon didn’t particularly like him.

‘He’s like a scheming snake…’

He was an excellent strategist and politician, already doing whatever it took to secure his own future.

Such an Edmund was especially obsessed with Hong Bi-yeon, likely intending to make her queen and then marry her.

She didn’t want to marry such a man even if it killed her, but reality was bleak.

If she didn’t become queen soon, she would inevitably face persecution and live a life walking a tightrope of death. Without Edmund’s help, she couldn’t become queen.

Unless she gained enough power to no longer need the Atalek family’s help or someone with power equivalent to the Atalek family came to her side, her future of marrying him was inevitable.

“…I’m in good health, so you needn’t worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

Edmund then tried hard to win Hong Bi-yeon’s favor with trivial stories. But she only answered perfunctorily, and when Edmund thought this method wasn’t working, he changed the topic.

“Oh, right. Would you like to play Soul Chess? It’s a mental sport for mages. There’s a school tournament coming up.”

He was particularly fond of Soul Chess. He had easily defeated the head of the school’s Soul Chess Club and achieved significant results in tournaments.

Hong Bi-yeon was terrible at Soul Chess, but if she didn’t entertain him now, he might be offended, so she reluctantly nodded.

“Alright. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson, so watch and learn.”

She didn’t understand why she had to play this boring and uninspiring mind sport, but she had no choice if she wanted to appease him.

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As she rolled a chess piece between her fingers, she suddenly looked out the window.

Baek Yu-seol?

At that moment, she saw Baek Yu-seol passing by on the street.

He was yawning with half-closed eyes.

Her gaze kept drifting to him, but Baek Yu-seol soon disappeared from her sight.

Suddenly, she recalled the precarious moments in the Persona Gate.

For some reason, she felt that the time spent in that dangerous space was more thrilling and enjoyable than now.

‘…Why?’

She thought about it slowly.

But in the end, she couldn’t figure out why.

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End of Chapter