I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 74

The total number of students in first-year Class S was 41.

The total number of students in second-year Class S was 23.

Originally, the second-year Class S had 26 students, but due to the deaths of two students during the previous year's training and the demotion of one student to Class A, the number became 23.

Although it was still more than half the number in first-year Class S, it was impressive that Class S had more than 20 students in one grade.

There was no set limit for enrollment. Only those who fulfilled certain exceptional conditions at Stella were admitted to Class S.

In a place like Stella, where extraordinary talents gathered, qualifying as special was no small feat. Typically, Class S consisted of no more than 10 students per grade.

Many students, especially those in Class A, looked upon Class S with envy. Yet, in reality, most students of Class S didn’t view their status as anything extraordinary.

Among the elite second-year students maintaining top ranks was Ban Di-Yeon.

"Hoo..."

Ban Di-Yeon sat at the edge of the training ground, wiping sweat from her brow as she gulped down a bottle of water.

It had become her daily routine to train her body after evening classes. However, her poor exam performance had left her in low spirits. Even without much running, her breath came in ragged gasps.

“Haah! Hey, you brat! Tired already?”

"Ugh... This monster..."

In stark contrast to her weary state, Deok Cheol-Gwang of Class 2-S was brimming with energy. He had already sprinted around the training ground at full speed for dozens of laps.

Enhancing physical strength through mana was said to be no more than a myth. She couldn’t fathom how he managed to grow so powerful with mere physical training.

Of course, for a mage, having just enough stamina to function was sufficient.

Pushing one’s body to the limits, as Deok Cheol-Gwang did, seemed inefficient… foolish, even.

‘Hmm, come to think of it, there was one peculiar underclassman who fought using strength.’

Ban Di-Yeon still remembered what happened at the Marthevis Cemetery.

Among the dark mages, the most feared and despised were necromancers… harbingers of ruin capable of bringing forth the worst disasters.

Starting from the second year, students could officially take on missions involving monster hunts, including the extermination of dark mages.

However, a necromancer was far beyond what any student could hope to handle. Such an encounter was an unthinkable catastrophe.

The memory of facing one lingered vividly in her mind.

The reason Ban Di-Yeon and Deok Cheol-Gwang survived wasn’t due to exceptional ability but the timely intervention of an unusual underclassman.

The boy with an unusually sharp mind, Baek Yu-Seol.

It was thoughts of him that resurfaced now, spurred by recent rumors.

‘Baek Yu-seol from the first year defied Edmon Atalek from the third year.’

Details related to alchemical engineering were kept classified, leaving only the rumors of his defiance to circulate.

From a traditional standpoint, Baek Yu-Seol was clearly in the wrong. Challenging a senior was a violation of magical society’s rigid hierarchy.

Yet, Edmon Atalek’s notorious reputation gave people pause. Those familiar with Baek Yu-Seol’s nature found the situation more intriguing than offensive.

‘Did Baek Yu-Seol really do that?’

The Baek Yu-Seol she knew had stood on the front lines, leading classmates with unshakable courage and determination during times of crisis.

He was sharp-minded and always a step ahead. Would someone like him recklessly provoke seniors, fully aware of the consequences?

Doubt gnawed at her thoughts.

"Hey, who's that guy?"

“You know that arrogant first-year? It's him. We’re here to teach him a lesson.”

"Oh yeah? These days, the first-year students are getting out of control."

‘Huh?’

Ban Di-Yeon, resting quietly, turned toward the voices. A group of second-year students had cornered a freshman and were taunting him.

‘Is it starting again? Pathetic.’

Hierarchical bullying.

When seniors tormented juniors, those juniors often passed the abuse down to others beneath them.

Though not rampant, such behavior still lingered within Stella.

Due to the clear hierarchy, it was intended to correct the attitude of juniors who dared to confront seniors.

For this reason, seniors often dragged juniors to second-year facilities to intimidate them publicly, drawing the attention of other seniors.

This kind of mental torment typically targeted commoners or low-ranking nobles. The freshman being bullied was likely a commoner too.

Ban Di-Yeon usually ignored such incidents. But this time, the victim’s face was familiar.

‘Baek Yu-Seol...?’

As expected.

He had drawn the attention of upperclassmen and ended up here. Their prior connection aside, Ban Di-Yeon found no valid reason to step in.

Disciplining juniors was a matter deemed acceptable even at Stella.

“Ha, look at this guy staring straight at us.”

“First-years must be having it easy these days, huh? Look at those eyes, full of life.”

Baek Yu-Seol was looking at the seniors with clear but intelligent eyes.

‘What is he thinking...?’

Ban Di-Yeon was going to ignore the situation.

"Hey, this won't do. Get down right now."

In the end, as Ban Di-Yeon watched the scene where Baek Yu-Seol lowered his stance to kneel down...

‘Hmm…’

A flurry of thoughts raced through Ban Di-Yeon’s mind.

‘Hazing.’

In the magical world, hierarchy was paramount, and certain practices were tolerated. But there were boundaries no one was permitted to cross.

Physical punishment, for instance, was strictly forbidden… whether punching, kicking, or even forcing someone to do push-ups.

Yet such acts persisted, largely because victims rarely dared to speak out.

But Baek Yu-Seol?

Could he truly be that powerless?

He was a first-year Class S student, someone who had defeated a necromancer and displayed exceptional leadership in dire moments.

He treated nobles and commoners alike, never bowing to status, and wasn’t afraid to confront professors when driven by conviction.

Why would someone like him fear a few seniors?

So why, when told to kneel, did he comply without resistance?

The answer seemed clear.

Perhaps, in accepting this humiliation, he was preparing for something far greater… a move that could shake the academy itself.

‘Ah…’

Ban Di-Yeon hurriedly surveyed the group of second-year students surrounding Baek Yu-Seol.

Some were outright bullies, while others were commoners who had no choice but to enforce discipline on first-years under orders from the third-years.

They were known as ‘Edmon’s forced followers.’

Born in the Adolevit Kingdom without notable status, they had no option but to obey Edmon’s commands.

Unlike the other second-years, who could ignore Edmon Atalek’s authority, these students dared not defy him.

Any among them who weren’t Edmon’s followers but still harassed Baek Yu-Seol would face disciplinary action.

‘It must be stopped.’

While Baek Yu-Seol’s idea of challenging Stella’s unjust system was admirable, Ban Di-Yeon thought the target of sacrifice had to change.

"Wait!"

Therefore, Ban Di-Yeon intentionally blocked them.

***

‘I just thought of getting down on one knee.’

To be honest, without noble status or influential backing, taking them all on alone would only lead to unnecessary trouble.

‘If this were modern times, it might be different. But in this world, where there’s no such thing as a news channel, trying to fix injustice with a heartfelt letter isn’t worth the effort.’

‘Anyway, if my plan unfolds as expected, this harassment will end soon. I just thought I’d endure it quietly until then.’

“What do you think you’re doing?"

Baek Yu-Seol thought he was dreaming.

Ban Di-Yeon appeared.

Baek Yu-Seol didn't know much about her, but thanks to her partner, Deok Cheol-Gwang, he at least recognized her name.

Deok Cheol-Gwang was one of his favorite characters in the game after all.

‘What's going on?’

The seniors who had been harassing him hesitated slightly. Since most of them were from Class C or D, they faltered in the presence of Ban Di-Yeon from Class S.

"What are you doing?"

“Can't you see? We're educating a junior. Even if you're from Class S, you can't interfere.”

“So you're giving him corporal punishment?”

“Yeah. We'll educate him until he understands. Don't interfere.”

“No. I can't allow this.”

"What did you say?"

Their faces reddened as they approached her.

“Hey, get lost and stop meddling. Do you think being in Class S makes you special? This guy dared to defy a third-year senior! Do you think that’s acceptable for a mage? As seniors at Stella, we’re obligated to teach our juniors discipline!”

However, some of the other seniors remained silent, their expressions even appearing relieved by her intervention.

'Hmm. I guess they're also pitiable in a way.'

The seniors who stopped provoking Baek Yu-Seol when the interference occurred remained silent and didn't provoke him further.

‘They must have been forced into this.’

Disobedience might have led to an even worse fate for them.

But those who defiantly confronted Ban Di-Yeon were nothing more than irredeemable scum. Baek Yu-Seol recognized them. They were the same trash he had encountered in the game… students who specifically targeted commoner first-years in Class S, harassing them whenever possible.

Since they couldn’t touch the high-ranking nobles in Class S, they directed their cruelty toward weaker targets.

Ban Di-Yeon was clearly aware of this, as her disgust was plain to see.

‘But why is she stepping in now?’

Although they had fought side by side once, they weren’t particularly close.

Her sharp gaze lingered on Baek Yu-Seol as though she were lost in thought.

Then she spoke. "Well, how about this then?"

"What?"

“If, as you say, he dared to defy third-year seniors, that’s no small matter. If this were a magical warrior unit, it could lead to serious disciplinary action.”

‘What’s this? I thought she was on my side! Why is she making my offense sound even worse?’

“Yes, exactly!”

“So, this isn’t something we can overlook as mere provocation. That’s why…”

Ban Di-Yeon alternated her gaze between Baek Yu-Seol and the wicked second-year seniors and slowly parted her lips. "... How about conducting a special training for underclassmen?"

The seniors’ expressions stiffened at her words.

Then they began grinning wickedly.

Baek Yu-Seol also knew what that meant.

Officially, verbal abuse and physical violence were strictly forbidden at Stella, no matter how serious a junior’s offense might be.

But on rare occasions, seniors were allowed to administer punishment through an event known as ‘special training for underclassmen.’

The rules were simple.

A senior and a junior would engage in a formal duel.

Normally, duels between grades were forbidden. This policy provided a loophole to make it permissible.

However, despite its name, the event was nothing more than a pretext for seniors to pummel juniors under the guise of training.

First-years, who had only just begun practical magic, were no match for second-years, who had already completed combat training and were often sent on real missions.

Therefore, there was no way the juniors would stand a chance, even if they were in Class S.

To prevent abuse, the student council president’s approval was required to hold a duel.

But this particular student council president was infamous for being strict and rarely granted permission.

However, Class S students had another privilege… they could strongly appeal to the council.

Ban Di-Yeon also had personal ties to the president, which made it easier for her to get approval.

“I’ll secure permission for the duel, so if you’re going to do this, then do it properly.”

Ban Di-Yeon’s suggestion legitimized the provocation under Stella’s rules.

The second-year seniors grinned widely, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Great. It'll be fun.”