I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 31

It took about three hours to reach Marthevis Cemetery. Thankfully, the Arcanium airship and warp hole systems were well-established; otherwise, the journey would have been outrageously long.

It took about three hours to reach Marthevis Cemetery. Thankfully, the Arcanium airship and warp hole systems were well-established; otherwise, the journey would have been outrageously long.

“You’re lucky, cadet. There were originally only a few buses to this place. You almost had to ride a horse.”

Baek Yu-Seol chuckled. If the timing had been off, he really would have had to ride a horse.

Like Earth, not all lands were safe, so roads were not everywhere. Horses were still one of the main sources of transportation in the Aether World.

When he arrived at Marthevis Cemetery, it was far more crowded than he had expected.

Half of the people were mercenaries, while the other half were rookie mages from Classes 2 and 3. The rest were merchants trading combat supplies and monster corpses with the mercenaries.

‘Why are there so many people?’

It was strange that there were so many people in the cemetery. In the game, there was no one except for NPCs.

During the Third Great War against the dark mages, most cemeteries were legally required to undergo purification due to the recurring presence of necromancers.

“Oh, that? This place hasn’t been purified.”

"Why?"

Baek Yu-Seol had no choice but to ask an adventurer on the road, and the answer was finally revealed.

“If we purify it, there won’t be any ghouls, right? Then there won’t be any vampbats, which eat ghouls, and then there won’t be any predator fish that eat vampbats, right?”

"Uh... I see?"

“Our main prey as mercenaries is predator fish. But if the ghouls disappear due to purification, the vampbats disappear, and the predator fish disappear. What happens then? The factory sites in the neighboring village and those merchant brothers over there who feed off our prey, what happens to them?”

To sum it up:

Purification of the area → Ghoul extinction → Vampbat extinction → Predator fish extinction → Mercenary job loss → Merchant job loss → Small businessmen starve to death → End of the world

It would be like this.

“Do you understand now?”

“Ah, yes…”

In the end, the story revolved around the locals in this area causing a ruckus, shouting, “Oh, we're all starving to death!'”

This prevented the Holy Empire’s priests from approaching.

‘Come to think of it, there really are a lot of cemeteries in the Aether World, despite the legal restrictions.’

Baek Yu-Seol didn't notice it because he didn't care about it in the game, but he now realized how realistic it was.

He hadn’t known there was such a reason behind it, and it all made a strange kind of sense.

'Even so, aren’t necromancers supposed to be scary…?'

‘Anyway, with so many people, it’s quite hard to find anyone.’

'Maybe it’s for the better?'

With this crowd, stopping any attacks might actually be easier.

He stopped another passer-by and asked, “Hey, have you seen any mages wearing coats just like mine?”

“Stella cadets, right? There have been a lot of them these days, and of course, I saw them today too. A bunch of them are going into the cemetery.”

It seemed that Hong Bi-Yeon, Eisel, and Flame's group had already gone hunting. They were likely deep in the northern forest, tracking predator fish. Baek Yu-Seol decided to look for them himself.

[Marthevis Cemetery]

[※Caution※ Do not enter alone]

‘This is creepy…’

Ignoring the creaking, swaying old signs, he pushed through the rusty iron gate and stepped inside, where the damp mountain air filled his lungs.

As he ventured further from the base camp, the crowd thinned rapidly, and the only sounds were the cries of beasts and birds.

The wind rustling through the trees might have sounded like a ghost's wail, but in the Aether World, it could actually be one. Caution was necessary.

Rustle!

There was the sound of something wriggling in the forest. Baek Yu-Seol hardened his expression and quickly ran toward the sea of trees.

'It's a predator fish.'

This unique monster, which looked like a fish, floated in the air due to its levitation trait.

Without a ranged attack skill, fighting in the air was challenging. However, the forest's tall trees provided some advantage.

Crisp!

Kiaag!

A two-meter-long fish with dark scales lunged at Baek Yu-Seol, baring sharp teeth. Its tongue was unusually long and needle-like.

Whoosh!

The tongue shot toward his neck, but he had already used Flash to leap upward.

Positioned above it, he aimed the Teripon Sword and used Flash again, driving the blade into the creature’s neck.

Thud!

Screeeeech!!!

The predator fish writhed violently. It wasn’t an instant kill. To avoid damaging his sword, Baek Yu-Seol stabbed repeatedly, but the creature managed to throw him off.

"Ahh?!"

Thud! 

A tremendous jolt came from his back and instantly made him nauseous, but he quickly rolled to the side.

Schick! 

The predator fish's sharp tongue struck where he had been moments earlier.

Baek Yu-Seol quickly swung his sword and cut off its tongue.

Screeeeech!!!

Its scream was even more grotesque this time. While it wasn’t dead, it had lost its main means of attack.

Flashing between the trees, he maneuvered above it and drove his sword into its eye with all his strength.

Thud!

[Skill EXP increased.]

[Stat EXP increased.]

Breathing heavily, Baek Yu-Seol looked at the predator fish’s corpse on the ground.

“Hooh, this is ridiculously hard…”

The predator fish was a level 2 risk monster. It was the same level as the fire-attribute lizard, but it was harder to deal with.

Its tough scales, long-range attacks, and ability to fly made it a formidable opponent.

‘Aerial control is still a bit challenging for me.’

The forest terrain wasn’t ideal either. A slight mistake with Flash could have been fatal, so he had to stay on high alert.

“Haah, I wish I could use magic too.”

Dusting himself off, he dismantled the predator fish and retrieved its mana core. Ideally, he would have stored the valuable parts in a frozen container, but there wasn’t enough time.

As he moved forward, half-buried tombstones came into view. Soon, he spotted what he had been searching for all along.

One tombstone stood out, significantly larger than the others. According to legend, it marked the resting place of a ‘General.’ However, all the inscriptions on it had been erased.

That didn’t matter much to Baek Yu-Seol, as he could read the information using his Sentient Specs.

'I don't have the power to wipe out the skeleton army overwhelmingly like Ma Yu-Seong.'

If he attempted to fight like Ma Yu-Seong, it would only lead to his own tombstone being erected here.

However, it was not as if there was no way.

After all, players always had their own methods.

***

Eisel was absentmindedly listening to Kashif Derek, the club's leader.

“Did you notice the region marked on the map? We received this intel from a mercenary who’s been stationed at the graveyard for seven years. We plan to secure at least three predator fish each by moving along the northern hillcrest. You…”

He continued droning on.

The club president was particularly long-winded, but Eisel didn’t ignore him.

It wasn’t just because interrupting was rude. In Stella Academy, the leader of a ‘specialized club’ had the authority to guide students on real monster hunts like this one.

After thoroughly outlining the plan, Kashif Derek looked at Eisel.

"Eisel? Just trust us. We’ll take care of everything."

She wasn’t currently a member of any club. This hunting trip was part of a temporary arrangement to fill a vacancy left by a second-year senior, with the condition that she would officially join the club after the hunt.

Even without her, many freshmen joined this club. Clubs granted ‘special external permissions’ were extremely rare, making them highly popular.

Being offered a temporary spot in such a club and the chance to hunt with seniors was undeniably fortunate, but…

"Do you understand? Trust us. There’s nothing to be afraid of."

“…Yes.”

This club’s president was rather insufferable.

Kashif Derek.

He was the eldest son of the Dereks, a viscount family, reputed for their success in business ventures.

Derek was also attempting to seduce Eisel by drawing on his family background. 

She was notoriously poor.

Despite being tormented at school, her dazzling appearance often drew attention from boys, who had grown accustomed to blatantly flirting with her.

‘Without me, you’re nothing.’

That kind of arrogance was laughable, but Eisel kept her feelings hidden. She needed hunting opportunities to build her credentials for a scholarship, and few clubs were willing to accept her.

First-year students could not form clubs on their own. 

Clubs that permit special expeditions for activities such as hunting outside were considerably more difficult.

If she was kicked out of here, there may be no next time.

'Just endure for three years.'

Eisel forced a smile while thinking about this.

"Yawn~ When are we leaving?"  

"Shut up, fool. Haven't you realized how crucial each of these briefings is?"

"I know, but how many times are we going to repeat the same thing? It's not like I'm pretending to know."

Hearing the chatter nearby, Eisel internally welcomed the distraction.

'Seniors Dok Cheol-Gwang and Ban Di-Yeon...’

They were the only members of the group who saw her as just a first-year junior and not ‘the child of a traitor.’ Eisel felt at ease around them.

"What? Dok Cheol-Gwang! Do you think you'll be able to last long in real combat with that attitude?" 

Club president Kashif roared in fury at Dok Cheol-Gwang's sarcasm, but he disregarded it and flexed his enormous muscles instead.  

“Whatever. I’m tired of listening to this, so let’s just get going.”

With that, he abruptly strode off in the opposite direction of Kashif’s meticulously planned route.

“You… you! Hey! Wait! That’s an order from your president!"  

"Sigh. That fool. Let’s just follow him. We're all bishops, so losing our only knight will be difficult."  

"Ugh…"

Knights were rare, with only about one in ten magic warriors taking on such a role. Few mages aspired to lead battles from the front.

With just four members, including Eisel, the club was lucky to have even one knight.

"Don't worry, Eisel. Whatever that idiot does, your seniors will handle it."  

"Yes, I understand."

Regardless of what the senior did, she simply wanted to hunt quickly. She took her staff and pursued Dok Cheol-Gwang, who was already making loud noises and fiercely striking things.

Dok Cheol-Gwang had an uncommon preference for the ‘magic fistfight’ approach, an ancient technique. Although he did not pursue chivalry like Baek Yu-Seol,  he was a man with a unique and unyielding conviction.

Even though fighting with a magic circle around one's fists was less effective than other magic, his grades in practical training were consistently high among second-year students due to his exceptional reflexes and physical ability.

Crunch! Thud!!!

“Hey, you brute! What are you doing smashing everything?!”

"Uh? Oh? Sorry! Haha!"

Dok Cheol-Gwang’s brute strength caused considerable environmental damage as he leaped to intercept flying predator fish.

While Eisel found the chaotic terrain frustrating, she recognized the value of having a knight in the party. With a knight’s protection, bishops had enough casting time to unleash devastating spells.

Boom!

Six lightning streaks fell from the sky, striking six predator fish. All six were slain instantly.

Sizzle...

"Oh, oh...?"  

"Hey, the freshman is pretty good?"  

Even Kashif, who had been casting magic rapidly, was stunned. Dok Cheol-Gwang broke into a broad grin.

Eisel’s magic wasn’t something a first-year could ordinarily produce. The speed, power, and precision of her magic were flawless.

"Wow, have we got a really good freshman? This ought to be easy!"  

Ban Di-Yeon joked and patted Eisel on the back, and Eisel smiled faintly.

'Hunting at this level is easy.'

She was a Class 3 mage. Given enough time, she could easily accomplish success in this level 2 risk hunting zone. They continued to search leisurely, with Dok Cheol-Gwang's physical determination leading the way.

Boom! Rumble!!!

A tremendous noise occurred nearby. It was obviously not the work of mercenaries. Eisel could detect based on mana waves and noise that they were mages of the same caliber as her.

"It sounds like a battle filled with intense passion."  

“Looks like another group is close by. Let’s approach and avoid overlapping hunting grounds. President, do you agree?”

"Oh, yes. Let’s do that."

In actuality, Dok Cheol-Gwang led the party in fighting, while Ban Di-Yeon made the decisions. Kashif was only the face of the group.

As they walked towards the source of the fighting along a trail between the trees, they came across a group of eight people gathered in one spot.  

Five mages faced off against three others.

Some of the faces were familiar.  

'Hong Bi-yeon and Flame...?'

On one side were Flame, Hae Won-Ryang, and an unfamiliar girl, and on the other were Hong Bi-Yeon and her group members.

"What nonsense! I shot the magic first, and it came down!"  

"Nonsense. It was in our hunting territory. It’s ours."

At the center of their quarrel was the carcass of a rare level 3 predator fish. Its rarity and value made neither side willing to back down.

'Hong Bi-Yeon...'

Eisel bit her lip lightly.  

Hong Bi-Yeon's sister led the magical knights that killed her father.

She did not, however, do something foolish, such as express her emotions. Now was the time to hide her fangs and remain silent.

'I hope we can pass by easily.'

Flame and Hong Bi-Yeon were in the same Class S, yet they felt awkward with each other.  

But, of course, there was someone who couldn’t just leave this situation alone.

"Hold on, juniors! Let's calm down and talk about this. Haha." 

It was Kashif, the club's president.

“Ugh, that idiot.”

"Hmm? What’s wrong with him now?"

Ban Di-Yeon looked irritated, and Dok Cheol-Gwang looked perplexed, but Kashif couldn't read the mood.  

It seemed he just wanted to insert himself into the situation because the juniors from Stella, and particularly attractive ones at that, were fighting.

"Is there a problem? If you have any concerns, let me know—"  

"Senior? Just shut up and keep walking."

"What…?"

Even in Stella’s rigid hierarchy, there were exceptions. Princess Hong Bi-Yeon of Adolevit wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, and Flame didn’t seem particularly welcoming either.

"You guys, how can you speak to a senior like—"

Something happened just as Eisel was about to let out a loud sigh, fearing Kashif would begin to flaunt his seniority.

A strange, spooky sensation overtook her body.  

She noticed a difference while attempting to warn the fairly trustworthy Ban Di-Yeon of the weird feeling.

Creak! Crack! 

Dozens of skeletal hands emerged from the ground, reaching out!  

Everyone present soon grasped the issue.

"S-Skeletons…"

Necromancy, the most potent and terrifying magic, had brought the remains of the dead back to life.