I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 52

The two asked for boards of different sizes.

At Maizen's request, one of the boards was brought in an enormous size, whereas Alterisha's was only about one-fourth of that size.

Maizen had four ‘doctors’ assisting her, while Baek Yu-Seol did nothing and merely stood by the side.

"How interesting. Let's get started, shall we? Do we have any beer?"

"Sir Halsecoden, please maintain your dignity."

"Enough, let's begin!"

With Halsecoden’s shout, Alterisha and Maizen each raised their magic pens to their respective boards.

Alterisha’s pen was a multicolored magical tool, crafted based on Baek Yu-Seol’s insights derived from his knowledge of the future.

"Hmm? What's that pen?"

"A magic pen that's not even a ballpoint pen but colored? Can it change colors with a button?"

"That... could be profitable."

As some businessmen' eyes sparkled with excitement, alchemists held their breaths and focused on the work of the two alchemists.

As the intense confrontation began, a man sitting in the corner instinctively pulled out a cigarette from his pocket.

The woman sitting next to him slapped his hand.

"Squad Leader Kaen, this is a no-smoking zone!"

"...Right."

"Ah, you’re hopeless."

Kaen put the cigarette back into his pocket and shifted his focus to the conference. Though his original task had nothing to do with attending this event, the thrill of the confrontation had completely captured his attention.

‘Isn’t this fun?’

Looking at the squad leader, Hyejin shook her head.

Deputy Leader Hyejin Macaron belonged to New Moon Tower’s Unit 13, Dark Mage Extermination Squad.

She was an elite among elites… part of the world’s top magical warrior organization that operated in the shadows. She even held the qualifications to judge the Magic Elders’ Council, the pinnacle of this world’s magical hierarchy.

Furthermore, Kaen, who was sitting next to her, was her superior, having hunted down countless dark mages at risk level 6, completing hundreds of successful missions.

They had been dispatched to root out high-level monsters hiding in society. Yet, of all places, they were sent to this dreadfully dull alchemists' conference.

'Boring!'

Her knowledge of alchemy was limited to the basics she learned during her school days at the magic school.

She glanced at Professor Maizen. This time, the target they were monitoring was exceptionally unique, as it was none other than a professor from the esteemed Stella Academy, a prestigious institution for elite magical warriors.

‘Does this even make sense?’

Stella Academy. Even the name alone was self-explanatory, describing a perfectly crafted space.

And now, one of their professors was possibly undergoing dark mage corruption.

The problem was that the squad leader fully trusted the Tower Master’s orders. No matter how much she mulled it over, this mission still felt like a wild goose chase.

"Hmm?"

At that moment, the atmosphere shifted.

The alchemists, who had been holding their breath, began to murmur.

"That is..."

"It's similar, but interpreted from a slightly different perspective."

"But..."

One alchemist was about to express their opinion but stopped. Perhaps everyone in this room was thinking the same thing.

Because…

'The assistant's solution is simpler and clearer than Professor Maizen’s, isn’t it?'

And there was a subtle difference in their final answers.

Finally, they moved on to the solution of the second problem.

Around this time, a few alchemists began to murmur.

"That is...!"

"We’ve seen various interpretations for the solution to the second problem, but…” 

“This is something new..."

It wasn't directed towards Professor Maizen since her solution was not much different from the solutions they had seen so far in other problems.

However, Alterisha’s solution was completely different.

It was as if she was looking at it from a different dimension.

She ignored the usual constraints and rules for combining magic circles with material properties.

The second challenge supposedly required complex 4-dimensional crystalline coupling theories.

It was also known that it was possible to solve it only after writing at least 200 lines of formulas.

But Alterisha solved it in just 19 lines.

"Good grief. I'm a magic engineer, so I'm not familiar with alchemy, but I understand that."

Scholars realized why Alterisha started with such a small board.

It was because she had the confidence to solve all five challenges within that small space.

As the solution to the third challenge began, the atmosphere gradually shifted. Professor Maizen Tyren’s explanation was undoubtedly remarkable. After all, no one in history had ever solved the third challenge before.

Professor Maizen was undoubtedly impressive, but…

"... Assistant Alterisha is even more impressive."

Someone unintentionally blurted out their inner thoughts.

Yet no one rebuked him. They were all thinking the same thing.

Professor Maizen wiped off cold sweat with a bewildered expression.

'This can't be happening...'

‘What is this solution that I've never seen or even thought of? It's similar to mine but slightly different.’

The source of that disparity was obvious.

Baek Yu-Seol had divulged formulas from a distant future to Alterisha.

It was a formula from a world far ahead in time. Alterisha modified it according to her own taste and after using her own technique.

In other words, the solution completed by Maizen was good, while the one done by Alterisha could be described as perfect.

With such a solution being presented, how could it be compared to an unfinished thesis?

Finally, the fourth solution began, and Professor Maizen could no longer remain silent.

Despite using a board four times larger than Alterisha’s, it still wasn’t enough.

She demanded an extra board. Meanwhile, Alterisha continued writing seamlessly on her tiny board.

Around that time, the alchemists, one by one, realized something and either jumped up from their seats screaming or clamped their mouths shut.

“I see…! The reason Professor Maizen couldn’t complete the formula is finally clear now!”

Halsecoden also realized something and laughed heartily.

Until now, alchemists had treated the five challenges as isolated problems.

Professor Maizen Tyren was no exception.

But Alterisha’s approach was different.

She approached all five challenges as a unified whole, integrating them and progressing with the solution!

A few exceptionally brilliant alchemists managed to anticipate parts of the solution to the final, fifth challenge.

And their predictions were correct.

Alterisha seamlessly intertwined all five challenges, achieving a harmonious and unified solution.

“How can she integrate Ergest’s theorem with multidimensional circuit-based thermodynamics to achieve a Chronicle reflection?!”

"If that's the case, we can prove the hypothesis of a 3.8-fold amplification of the angular magical rotation."

Thump!

With a final flourish, Alterisha lightly tapped the board with her magic pen and turned around.

Gasps filled the hall. Some alchemists screamed in disbelief, while others ran outside or collapsed into their seats.

It was the dawning realization that they stood at the threshold of a new era—an age where history was being rewritten.

"AAAAHHH!"

"This is insane! It's truly insane!"

Even Halsecoden didn’t attempt to calm the chaos. In fact, they themselves were bewildered. Who could possibly mediate anyone in such a situation?

"Argh..."

No one spared a glance at Maizen anymore. Alterisha’s brilliance had cast a shadow over them all.

The board Maizen had requested was still not there.

The apprentice who had gone out to get it completely forgot about it under the surprise brought by Alterisha’s solutions.

Crack! Crack!

Veins bulged along Maizen’s forehead, arms, and temples as rage contorted her face.

‘Unacceptable. Those fools are deceiving you all. Can't you see? The formulas are similar. That solution there is just like mine. There's no doubt about it. They plagiarized my formula.’

‘Why don't you understand?’

‘How can a woman in her twenties solve all these problems on her own? Even I, with the support of dozens of doctors barely solved these four problems!’

Her bloodshot eyes fixed on Alterisha, burning with malice.

"Al...terisha…”

"Professor?"

Startled by Maizen’s menacing presence, Alterisha instinctively stepped back.

Baek Yu-Seol, with the staff secretly grasped in his arms, blocked Alterisha’s path.

"How long… are you going to… keep deceiving and undermining me? Modifying the stolen paper… and disguising it as your own... Do you enjoy it?"

"Hey! Security! Stop her!"

Professor Maizen’s behavior had become erratic.

Alchemists shot up from their seats, and the moderator rushed to regain control.

Just when the magic warriors standing guard were about to move…

Neither Baek Yu-Seol, nor the guards, nor even Halsecoden—

No one stopped it.

Except when Alterisha did.

Alterisha shouted, "Stop it! Admit it!!"

For the first time, Professor Maizen reacted like a cornered animal. She slowly turned her head toward Alterisha, her lips trembling.

"What... did you say?"

A chilling tension hung in the air, but Alterisha refused to back down.

"M-My paper is clearly better than yours, Professor! Was stealing the paper you presented earlier not enough? How much more of my work do you want to steal before your conscience kicks in?"

Whispers erupted among the alchemists.

"What? That Red Potion paper from earlier belonged to her assistant?"

"Hmm, well... something did seem off..."

Countless bitter memories of her time under Professor Maizen flashed through Alterisha’s mind.

‘You foolish girl. Is that all you're capable of?’

‘I'm sorry.’

‘I told you to prepare it properly! How many times do I have to say it for you to understand?’

‘But… but I did it as you asked, Professor…’

‘Even if I said something wrong, you should have understood! You've worked under me for years and you still can't do something so basic?!’

‘I'm sorry! Please, please don't kick me out!’

‘Listen carefully. Without me, you won't even be able to set foot in this field. You understand, right? So do it properly!’

She had been deceived, robbed, oppressed, and endured immense pain under Professor Maizen. She wanted to cry, but she had to hold it in. All those memories came flooding back.

That surge of emotions.

"Professor…”

She exploded all at once.

“You’re dumber than I am!!!”

Silence.

Wide-eyed, the alchemists stared at Alterisha in stunned disbelief.

"Haah...!"

Even Professor Maizen froze, wide-eyed.

"Hahaha!" Halsecoden burst into laughter. "How amusing. Today's presentation is truly amusing!"

Perhaps spurred by his laughter, Maizen seemed to regain her composure.

But it would have been better if she hadn't regained her composure.

Because with clarity came the realization of the disaster she had caused.

'What have I done?'

She looked around the hall.

Former colleagues, acquaintances, and companions who respected one another. All of them were looking at her with faces that seemed to convey disgust and pity.

"No, no. It's not true! Look! This woman stole my paper! Why, why don't you understand?"

No one responded.

Perhaps she had already lost her grip on reality, but there was no salvaging her reputation now.

"Take her out."

"No... No! Aahh!"

With a cold remark from Halsecoden, the situation was concluded as two security guards dragged Maizen out.

Thump!

"Ughhh..."

Maybe because all her tension was released, but several officials and guards in suits had to rush over to take care of Alterisha as she plopped down on the floor.

"Are you alright, Assistant Alterisha? Here, we have water and a towel."

"Would you like to take some medicine?"

"There's a university hospital nearby that I operate. Would you like to have a check-up?"

"Hahahaha..."

With the stark change in treatment, Alterisha could finally realize what she had done.

Clack.

She lifted her head and looked at Baek Yu-Seol who was approaching her. His usual gentle smile seemed different today… warmer, more reassuring.

"Assistant Alterisha, you've worked hard today." Baek Yu-Seol reached out his hand and spoke, and Alterisha warmly smiled and shook his hand.

"Yes!"