I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 50

Unlike the Magic Academy Conference, the Alchemy and Magic Engineering Conference was slightly smaller in scale.

It was rather ironic that alchemy and magic engineering, the cornerstones of this world’s technological advancements, garnered less attention than combat magic.

Yet, given that this world had long been locked in conflict with the forces of darkness - infamous as dark mages - such favoritism was inevitable.

Moreover, combat magic was far more challenging and intricate compared to alchemy or magic engineering.

To simplify its complexity, magic could be likened to an elaborate blend of Chinese characters and mathematics. Combining numbers with already complicated symbols was a daunting task that defied imagination.

For example, there was magic that required interpreting and drawing the formula (4+5×7). The mage must inscribe the magical word (𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖕𝖑𝖚𝖘 𝖋𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖚𝖑𝖙𝖎𝖕𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖉 𝖇𝖞 𝖘𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓) onto the array of mana. Following that, they would integrate it with mana lines by etching circular brackets and carefully drawing each symbol in the correct order to complete the equation.

Moreover, that was not all.

The mage had to calibrate the spell’s strength based on the mana infused and simultaneously calculate trajectory, coordinates, and range to ensure its proper manifestation.

What did this mean?

Simply put, magic was a nightmare.

Executing such precise tasks alone was already arduous, let alone doing so in the heat of battle.

This was why not just anyone could become a mage. It also explained why the academic conference on combat magic was the most popular among students, whereas alchemy and magic engineering conferences drew far fewer attendees.

Baek Yu-Seol, for one, wasn’t particularly interested in academic gatherings, yet he decided to attend this one.

He had been keeping a close eye on Alterisha’s progress, so it felt necessary to witness the results firsthand.

"We're almost there."

"Yeah, that's right. Hooh, I'm nervous."

The venue for the conference changed every year.

Last year, it was hosted at the newly constructed alchemy lab in Alchemy Castle. The year before that, it was held at the Dwarf Mithril Research Institute.

This year, the venue was Golden Light Academy, a prestigious alchemy school located in the Dwarven Kingdom.

Given that dwarves were the originators of matter magic, expectations for this year’s conference were especially high, which explained why Alterisha was so nervous.

[Golden Light Academy Entrance Station. The doors will open on the right side.]

As the train glided into the heart of a massive volcano, a cavernous expanse came into view.

This was the capital of the Dwarf Kingdom - Black Iron Empire - renowned for its abundant gold mines.

Golden Radiance District.

It was vast, high, and desolate.

The ceiling soared so high it hardly seemed like a cave. Its end was shrouded in mist, pierced only by faint, star-like glimmers.

Buildings stretched skyward, resembling a futuristic cyberpunk skyline.

Despite the dim and oppressive atmosphere, the dwarves bustled about energetically.

Steel tracks crisscrossed the air, and countless trains zipped back and forth, earning the city its nickname—the ‘City of Spiders.’

"Wow..."

The city’s appearance—starting from the ancient civilization where the Golden Solstice Moon(the divine moon representing the month of July) of the twelve divine moons dwelled up to the pinnacle of mechanical culture in modern times—was impressive. 

Even with their relatively small number of magic warriors, it became clear why the dark forces had struggled to breach this world.

Baek Yu-Seol felt his heart pound with excitement.

At the center of the city loomed a towering fortress… the residence of the Dwarven Emperor.

Beneath it lay the resting place of the Golden Solstice Moon.

The unwavering might of the dwarves, their bodies as unyielding as steel, was a blessing he knew he must one day claim.

‘Not yet. I have to wait for the right time.’

For now, he only needed to wait. The fated encounter with the Golden Solstice Moon would happen naturally.

There was no need to rush.

Ding!

As the train doors opened, Alterisha carefully stepped out.

Despite the station’s name, Golden Light Academy Entrance, the actual academy was still a ten-minute walk away.

When they arrived, both Alterisha and Baek Yu-Seol froze in awe.

At the main entrance of the academy were marble stairs covered with a red carpet, and in front of it were numerous luxury foreign carriages.

How could they not feel overwhelmed? Researchers and professors dressed in luxurious suits ascended the stairs, their movements captured by flashing cameras.

Perhaps Professor Maizen Tyren also climbed those steps.

"Um... Y-Yu-Seol..."

Alterisha looked at him, her eyes pleading for help.

Thankfully, there was an alternative. Perhaps in consideration of humble alchemists intimidated by such grandeur, a smaller back entrance had been provided.

"Let's go through the back door..."

"Yeah, that's a good idea."

***

In the realm of fantasy, dwarves and elveswere indispensable.

However, the dwarves in this world defied common stereotypes. Rather than rugged warriors wielding hammers and axes, many were bespectacled, scholarly alchemists devoted to unraveling the mysteries of matter.

And their sense of aesthetics was quite unique.

"What the heck! Ugly humans are here again!"

The stout, brown-skinned dwarves, who were as tall as a person's waist, always called humans ugly. 

Half of the alchemists gathered in the grand hall were dwarves.

They generally disliked traveling, but since the conference was held in their homeland, they had turned up in droves.

“Sir Halsecoden! It’s impolite to call someone ugly in human society! Please use a different term!”

“Oh, is that so? Humans are strange.”

In dwarf society, calling someone ugly was, in a sense, the highest form of praise.

Halsecoden, as he was called, made an effort to adapt to human customs, but the cultural gap remained vast.

“Well, humans are so finicky.”

He nodded solemnly, as though he had just unraveled a profound truth, and then turned to another human.

“You, your features are quite a mess.”

He seemed to have put effort into flattery.

“Thank you for evaluating my features! It’s an honor!”

“Hmm! Despite your face looking like it's been kneaded, it's nice to see that you can accept your ugliness. Modern humans are full of complaints despite their appearance!”

"Sir Halsecoden, that's discriminatory speech!"

"So what?!"

Despite Halsecoden’s abrasive remarks, few dared to protest.

After all, he was the only alchemist present who had earned the rank of Golden Alchemist… an honor once considered the pinnacle of the field.

Even after that, Halsecoden continued roaming the hall, greeting human alchemists with comments like, “Your face looks like a rock!” or “You look terribly ill!”

Most alchemists, including dwarves and humans, would bow their heads and express gratitude.

He circled the hall, and as he passed by Baek Yu-Seol, he asked, "Is this human a man or a woman?"

Baek Yu-Seol’s expression twisted in disbelief, while the assistant trembled slightly and bowed her head.

Being human, she seemed accustomed to Halsecoden’s outrageous remarks.

"Sir Halsecoden, typically, men have short hair and women have long hair."

“Oh? But didn’t you, Nelisha, claim to be a human woman? And yet, you have short hair.”

"These days, women also have short hair and men have long hair. Please let go of such narrow-minded and stereotypical views."

“Do you want to be fired?"

"I’ll report unfair dismissal to the labor board."

‘Tsk, why are all humans like this?’ 

Clicking his tongue, Halsecoden turned back to Baek Yu-Seol.

"Anyway, this guy has a damn confusing appearance."

‘I was deeply wounded. Very deeply.’

Interestingly, Halsecoden passed by Alterisha without casually calling her ugly.

"You... Well, you look passable, I guess."

"Oh, really?! Th-Thank you!"

Halsecoden, renowned as a designer with an unmatched sense of aesthetics, had given her a rare compliment. To be deemed passable by him was the highest form of praise.

Alterisha wore no makeup, her hair was unkempt, and her thick horn-rimmed glasses overshadowed her features. Many failed to notice her understated charm.

Yet, Halsecoden’s keen eyes pierced beyond superficial appearances, appreciating her essence.

She could be called a one-in-a-million beauty.

Of course, in dwarf society, being considered passable was quite a severe insult.

“Oh, I apologize for my earlier remark.”

Surprisingly, Halsecoden offered an apology without being prompted. He had no idea that his words were considered high praise in human culture.

"Um, Sir Halsecoden, would you kindly take a seat?"

While Halsecoden cheerfully exchanged dwarf-style greetings as he walked around, the moderator nervously approached and spoke.

"Hmm? Time has flown by already. Well then."

One by one, the alchemists took their seats.

Maizen sat separately with the professors, engaging in conversation and completely ignoring Alterisha and Baek Yu-Seol.

It didn't matter.

She had fulfilled her role just by bringing Alterisha to the presentation.

Once the preparations were completed, a staff member stepped up to the podium as the host. Surprisingly, he was an elf.

"To all the professors and researchers of the Alchemy Society, greetings. I am Itaren, the Chief Researcher of the Alchemy Castle Fusion Institute, responsible for hosting the 87th Golden Academic Conference."

Clap! Clap!

Light applause followed.

"For our first session, we will be discussing the impact of potions on health and recovery. We invite potion scholars to present and analyze their new potions. Now, without further ado, Professor Maizen Tyren from Stella Academy will be giving a presentation."

"Hooh..."

Finally, it began.

Alterisha’s hands trembled nervously.

Unfortunately, Baek Yu-Seol, being a mere observer, couldn’t stand by her side to offer comfort. He could only send silent encouragement from afar.

"Hello. I am Maizen Tyren from Stella Academy, and I have been entrusted with presenting the alpha-type Red Potion today."

"Wow...!"

The Red Potion, a widely used healing potion, had numerous variants and derived formulas. Despite its popularity, improving its performance had proven difficult.

But today’s response was overwhelmingly positive. And it was all thanks to Alterisha’s research.

“Now, if you could direct your attention here first…”

Yet Maizen Tyren presented the paper as if it were entirely her own work, blatantly ignoring Alterisha’s contribution.

"Impressive, Professor Maizen!"

“I didn’t expect the Red Potion to be improved like this. Impressive idea.”

Those compliments were supposed to be directed at Alterisha if things had gone according to the original episode.

There were plenty of ways to expose the truth such as asking detailed questions about the unique blending method that only Alterisha could understand, or how she formulated it and with what formula and substances.

A few sharp questions would likely leave Maizen flustered and babbling incoherently.

However, Baek Yu-Seol held back.

Alterisha also remained patient and waited. Like a predator targeting the vulnerability of its prey.

Today’s conference would not proceed like any ordinary gathering.

Clap! Clap!

Professor Maizen’s presentation ended to thunderous applause. One after another, professors, researchers, and alchemists delivered their presentations.

The quality of the conference was noticeably higher than average, prompting merchants and businessmen attending as observers to swiftly start networking.

"Moving on, we’ll have the presentation from the assistant to Stella Academy’s Professor Maizen."

Meanwhile, it was Alterisha’s turn, but she wasn't even called by name.

"Regarding the potion you presented, the pharmaceutical company I introduced to you before..."

"I enjoyed your presentation. It was about the extraction of natural regenerative cells as you explained, right?"

“Haha, you mean the protective potion coating stick you developed? I’ll lend my support on that project too.”

No one paid attention to an assistant's presentation.

Amidst everyone's indifference...

"Uh…"

Alterisha slowly rose from her seat and approached the podium. Her voice trembled slightly with nerves.

Her moment has begun.

"Hello, everyone. I am Alterisha, an alchemist affiliated with Stella Academy. Today, the topic of my presentation is…”

Nobody was listening.

However, it was expected.

So instead of a normal spell, she uttered a spell that was even more magical, and it successfully captured everyone's attention.

"... A complete analysis and understanding of the Alchemical Engineering Cross Technique.”

In an instant, the room fell silent.