I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 38

Regardless of the events involving the Crown Prince and Flame, Eisel needed to join a club. Although club membership was optional, for a student like her, desperate for points, it was practically essential.

‘Hmm, what should I do…?’ she thought.

She put aside those concerns and focused on the upcoming class. It was also the time for the most important performance evaluation.

“Starting today, we’ll proceed with the mock monster battle.”

Eisel had previously faced level 1-2 risk monsters during dungeon practicums. However, the goal of this mock battle was to hunt level 3 risk medium-size monsters, which were much more challenging.

Normally, such monsters couldn’t be handled alone, requiring teamwork to identify their weaknesses and devise a method to defeat them.

That was the goal of this simulation.

"You’ll have several options," the instructor continued. "Explore the area, select a medium-size monster to target, and use the provided time to practice against it."

The Stella Dome’s topography was redesigned specifically for the first-year cadets' simulation battle.

To the north was a fiery valley. A sea of ice was to the south, and in the west lay a barren desert, while a grassy swamp encompassed the east.

Cadets could choose their preferred terrain and face a monster suited to their fighting style.

Of course, success was unlikely for most teams. Not only was this Eisel’s first time fighting at this level, but level 3 risk monsters were notoriously difficult to handle.

“The performance evaluation is in four days. At that time, all you have to do is show off the battle skills you practiced. Any questions?”

“None sir!” the students shouted. 

Lee Han-Wol nodded his head. "Good. Form a team of up to six people each, and submit your lists.”

As before, the training was conducted alongside Class A. Most students began forming teams with friends or those who shared compatible attributes.

'Ugh, I really hate team play...'

This performance evaluation carried great importance. If Eisel failed to perform well, her scholarship would be revoked. Without the scholarship, she would have to work part-time on weekends and vacations to support herself.

As her study hours dwindled, her chances of securing a scholarship would shrink even further, and her progress in magic would slow, painting a bleak future.

'I have to work hard.'

That was what she promised to herself.

Thud!

"Ugh!"

Several female students walked past, one of them deliberately bumping Eisel's shoulder, eliciting laughter from the others.

"Why are you standing there blocking the way by yourself?"

"Move aside, it's annoying."

“Disgusting. It feels like there's blood from a dark mage on my shoulder.”

"Damn it..."

Incensed, Eisel wanted to lash out but quickly suppressed it. Getting into Stella was a miracle. If she got into trouble with the students for no reason and received demerit points, she would not be able to receive the scholarship.

Even a single semester without a scholarship would jeopardize her studies.

For the sake of her dreams, she had to endure the humiliation.

As she steeled herself, her gaze drifted to Hong Bi-Yeon.

As befitting an Adolevit royal, Hong Bi-Yeon was surrounded by numerous students. She had the luxury of selecting her companions.

In comparison, she was alone.

By contrast, Eisel was alone.

'I was once...'

She shook her head, rejecting the thought and fortifying her resolve, though her heart grew weaker with each passing second.

‘What am I thinking?’

As she trembled in despair, Hong Bi-Yeon’s gaze locked on hers for a fleeting second.

In that brief moment, she couldn’t find a single trace of emotion in Hong Bi-Yeon’s eyes.

It was as if she didn’t exist.

Noticing the brief interaction, one of the girls with Hong Bi-Yeon whispered with a subtle smile, "Princess, there’s someone alone out there.”

“Oh my, I feel sorry for her. Shall we go ahead and let her join us?”

Hong Bi-Yeon appeared disinterested, staring into space. Yet, for some reason, Eisel’s anger only grew.

Hong Bi-Yeon hadn’t always been like this.

To her, Eisel had once been an equal.

She thought, 'It was once like that.'

Back when the Morph family was strong.

At that time, the Morphs and the Adolevit royals had maintained a balance of power, their influence in the magic world evenly matched in a tense standoff.

Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon had been born into these illustrious families.

Grand Duke Morph’s daughter had an ice-attribute child.

While the Adolevit royal family had a fire-attribute one.

Children born in the most prestigious families in the world…

Perhaps by a twist of fate, the daughters of the two families were gifted with heaven-defying talent.

Eisel held an ice spike in her hand as soon as she was born, while Hong Bi-Yeon’s fingertips shone with a spark.

It was not something that could simply be described by talent. Being able to manifest magic at birth without even learning it was a blessing from the world. It could allow them to reach the Heavenly Realm that all mages aspired to ascend.

Everyone in the world focused their attention on Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel, and they calmly accepted the reality. 

'I must have been chosen.'

As the pride of the Morph family, she was certain she would one day become a grand mage.

Until the Adolevit royal family completely destroyed her family.

She clenched her fists tightly.

‘There’s no need to be angry right now…’

‘People of the world will say that Grand Duke Morph has fallen.’

‘However, that’s not quite right. Because I am still alive and will continue the Morph bloodline.’

'Because… I will become a grand mage and revive Morph again.’

However...

Lately, she had been questioning herself.

'... Can I really do it?'

Hong Bi-Yeon had already surged far ahead of her. Not just her… many other geniuses with the potential to become grand mages had overtaken Eisel.

Could she, who had grown up on the streets, ever hope to catch up with those who had received elite training?

Now, she couldn’t even see how far ahead they had gone.

'I...'

The moment when the seed of anxiety that existed somewhere in her heart was about to sprout.

“Hey, are you alone?”

A familiar voice called out from behind.

It was Baek Yu-Seol.

Eisel sighed as she saw his smiling face.

"What’s going on?"

“Let’s team up. The maximum number of people is fixed, but you know there’s no minimum number, right? The two of us should team up and get extra points.”

"Are you crazy? How will we face a level 3 risk medium-size monster?"

Although she said that, Eisel was already convinced.

‘For some reason, if it’s Baek Yu-Seol... I really think we can do it.’

“Are you willing to do it?”

“Yes. Not like I have other options.”

“Right. Outcasts like us should stick together.”

“I’m a voluntary outsider, okay? I’m different from you.”

“You’re absolutely right.”

"Ugh."

‘Baek Yu-Seol's way of speaking is… something…’

He spoke to her like an adult addressing a child, and while his initial approach seemed designed to preserve her pride, he had an unusual smoothness about him.

‘He looks younger than me...'

Baek Yu-Seol had a face that looked quite young to the point that if it weren’t for his school uniform, he could be mistaken for a middle school boy. 

His delicate features were curbed by his stiff hair, which was the only reason he looked masculine at all.

“Once you've decided on the cadet and group you like, bring me the list and register it.”

At the instructor's shout, the students hurried to him.

“I’ll be right back,” Baek Yu-Seol said, walking to the instructor to submit a piece of paper.

As he walked off, Eisel let out a deep sigh. Once again, she found herself swept up by his pace.

She was standing idly, shuffling her feet, when she suddenly felt a piercing gaze. Turning her head slowly, she froze.

'Huh...?'

Far away, Hong Bi-Yeon was staring at her.

It wasn’t her imagination.

Hong Bi-Yeon was definitely looking at her.

'What is it?'

Moments earlier, she had completely ignored Eisel’s existence. But now, her intense glare sent an unsettling chill through Eisel’s body.

Feeling the weight of her stare, Eisel instinctively averted her eyes. However, Hong Bi-Yeon began to walk toward her.

Summoning every ounce of her willpower, Eisel forced her trembling legs to stay firm. She bit her lip hard and raised her head stiffly.

"You."

"W-What is it?" 

Hong Bi-Yeon hesitated, her lips parting as if to speak before closing again.

She almost looked embarrassed to have come over.

'Could it be that she’s here to keep me in check?'

The corner of Eisel's mouth rose up.

Concluding she had deduced correctly, Eisel got more confident and raised her voice, “Ha, are you suddenly here to suppress me? Ridiculous. I bet you’re worried that—”

"What nonsense are you on about?" Hong Bi-Yeon’s expression crumpled as if she were genuinely annoyed.

"Stop deluding yourself and watch your behavior."

"What behavior...?"

“Do you know the saying, a pearl necklace around the pig’s neck?” 

"Of course..."

"That perfectly describes you. Wearing a pearl necklace beyond your station."

The moment she heard those words, Eisel’s heart sank.

It dawned on her that Hong Bi-Yeon wasn’t here because she felt threatened by Eisel Morph.

Her reason was far more mundane: irritation over Baek Yu-Seol’s presence.

As the realization hit, Eisel’s anger flared, and she let out a hollow laugh.

It was just like that.

That woman didn’t care about her at all.

Eisel was always noticing her.

However, she wasn't paying the slightest attention to Eisel’s existence.

‘I see...' Eisel thought.

Hong Bi-Yeon frowned as she saw Eisel getting more and more contemplative.

'What am I saying…?'

It wasn’t like her to get worked up enough to confront someone. Such behavior didn’t suit an Adolevit princess. Jealousy and pettiness were beneath her.

Nevertheless.

'That felt refreshing.’

Eisel was usually someone who drew attention. Like Hong Bi-Yeon with her fire attribute, Eisel was born blessed with the ice attribute.

The thought of Eisel teaming up with Baek Yu-Seol, arguably the academy’s most outstanding knight, gnawed at her insides.

Somehow, she felt like she was falling behind.

So she lashed out unconsciously. 

‘Well, I guess she should’ve figured it out by now.’

Leaving Eisel, who now wore a dark expression, Hong Bi-Yeon strode back to her group with measured elegance.

Yet, the faintest hint of unease lingered in her mind. The absurd notion that Eisel might surpass her kept gnawing at her.

‘I can’t let that happen.’

By mobilizing her faction, she could easily trample the loser of House Morph.

But, her pride couldn’t tolerate it.

She wanted to win against Eisel Morph, who had Baek Yu-Seol on her side, on equal terms and with her own skill.

‘A combination of a loser and a commoner.'

She recalled members of her own faction. Clearly, there were many competent knights. They were still waiting to be chosen by Hong Bi-Yeon.

However, it was not enough.

Even knights of that level could not catch up with Baek Yu-Seol, who teamed up with Eisel.

They would need to be at least like Ma Yu-Seong, who was acknowledged as the best.

Only then would the equation be balanced.

As she thought of that, she stopped hesitating. Ignoring all the calls directed at her, Hong Bi-Yeon approached Ma Yu-Seong, who was looking over the map.

“Ma Yu-Seong.”

"Hello, Princess. What's up?"

“Have you formed a team?”

"No. I plan to go solo."

Hong Bi-Yeon was a little surprised by his words, but she calmly asked, "Why don't you join me?"

“Hmm?”

A faint smirk played on Ma Yu-Seong’s lips… an obvious rejection. But Hong Bi-Yeon wasn’t one to retreat so easily.

She decided to provoke his competitive spirit.

“You know that Baek Yu-Seol and Eisel formed a group, right? The fewer the number of members in a group, the more points each person gets, right? It seems she intends to target large monsters rather than normal medium-size monsters. As you know, I have a strong fighting spirit, so I have no intention of losing.”

While Ma Yu-Seong might succeed in defeating a level 3 medium-size monster alone and earn significant points, he couldn’t ignore the possibility of Baek Yu-Seol’s team outperforming him by taking down a large monster.

However, what if Baek Yu-Seol's group handled a large monster?

Unlike regular monsters, those with special abilities and attributes were called large monsters.

If a student succeeded in defeating a large monster, they would get a lot of points.

Even though there were two of them, they would easily outperform Ma Yu-Seong.

Of course, Hong Bi-Yeon did not know whether they would actually target large monsters or not.

It was just a means to stimulate Ma Yu-Seong's fighting spirit.

It must have been successful as Ma Yu-Seong instantly reacted sensitively.

"Is that so..."

Ma Yu-Seong pondered for a moment.

Then he smiled and nodded his head.

“This ought to be fun. I also wanted to compete with Baek Yu-Seol at least once."

Hong Bi-Yeon grinned at him and shouted gleefully in her heart, 'This time, I'll beat you properly.'