I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 76

Professor Gerald took Baek Yu-Seol’s exam paper and immediately went to find Vice Principal Archie Hayden.

Teaching a student who had crafted such an exceptional paper wasn’t just about elevating Stella’s reputation… it was a matter of personal pride and accomplishment. Gerald felt as triumphant as if the work had been his own.

"You’re suggesting Baek Yu-Seol for the Aslan Seminar?"

"Yes."

Of course, whether or not it would be possible was uncertain.

The Aslan Seminar will only cater to prodigies and students with bright minds from around the world, so breaking through their fierce competition would not be easy.

Yet, considering Baek Yu-Seol’s paper displayed doctoral-level quality, Gerald believed it stood a fair chance.

But Archie Hayden slowly lowered his gaze, his brow creasing in displeasure.

"That's troublesome, Professor Gerald."

"Why?"

"Stella already has numerous candidates for the seminar this year, particularly among the freshmen. We have candidates with brilliant, brilliant minds."

"That's true, but..."

"An academy can only send two students to Aslan, aside from those with guaranteed attendance as prestigious invitees."

It was rare for any academy to even fill both slots. Producing two students worthy of Aslan was no small feat.

However, Stella wasn’t just any academy. It brimmed with talent fit for the Aslan Seminar.

"And yet… you recommend Baek Yu-Seol?"

From Gerald’s perspective, it made perfect sense.

Although Baek Yu-Seol was a commoner, his skills proved he was more than capable as a mage.

"No, this won’t do. A magic warrior who doesn’t use magic? That’s an insult to Stella, to magic institutions, and to every mage across the world. Don’t you agree?"

"Yes."

He couldn't deny the vice principal’s words. 

Yet… it had been Principal Elthman Elwin himself who personally approved Baek Yu-Seol’s admission.

Gerald hadn’t anticipated such resistance from the vice principal.

"If you’d thought this through, you wouldn’t have come here. I absolutely refuse to allow Baek Yu-Seol to attend Aslan."

"I understand."

It was disheartening to see a talented student have his potential stifled by the prejudice of a narrow-minded old mage.

But what could be done? This is the cold shoulder of reality.

Gerald left the office with slumped shoulders and a weary sigh, while Archie Hayden clicked his tongue and tore Baek Yu-Seol’s exam paper to shreds, setting it aflame.

"To think they’d try to push such a worthless insect into Aslan…"

He couldn’t stomach the idea of such a student representing Stella.

***

After the second round of exams, formal training in mage dueling would begin.

Strictly speaking, duels weren’t a specialty of magic warriors. Magic knights excelled in duels, while magic warriors focused on hunting dark mages.

However, that didn’t mean that magic warriors never engaged in combat with humans.

Even so, magic warriors still needed to learn the basics of dueling, just as magic knights were taught fundamental tactics for fighting dark mages.

Baek Yu-Seol hadn’t received proper training in dueling yet.

“Seriously, is it fair to push me so hard when I haven’t even learned it yet?”

He knew he couldn’t win.

So far, he’d managed to survive by relying on the protagonist's knowledge.

During the necromancer attack, the main characters handled the enemy’s primary power, the skeletons. During the mock battle with the monsters, Eisel basically handled everything.

The same went for the persona gate, where the three female protagonists took care of it themselves, but for some reason, most of the credit went to him.

This overestimation had painted him in an unrealistic light.

When left to his own devices, he was little more than a quick-footed scarecrow.

He could channel some magic power into his sword, but he lacked the destructive force needed to finish a fight.

If the duel was 2v2 or 3v3, he could perhaps win.

That’s how he’d managed so far.

‘I’m more like a melee striker than a tank.’

He’d learned to exploit openings, deliver swift strikes to weak points, and retreat before counterattacks.

But in a 1v1 duel? That was another matter entirely.

While his knowledge and experience might surpass even a second-year student, his low offensive power made victory uncertain.

If he concentrated all his efforts and struck with surgical precision, he might just scrape by.

Still, there was no ignoring the gap in experience.

But was it really worth pushing himself so hard? He wasn’t eager to suffer for a fleeting win.

‘Practicing with items sounds like a better plan.’

Standing in the middle of the dueling field, which was a vast plain, Baek Yu-Seol gazed into the empty space.

Thanks to the Stella Dome’s spatial transformation, the field could simulate environments ranging from dry deserts and dense forests to icy wastelands and rocky cliffs. Its size rivaled that of a soccer stadium.

Beyond the boundaries, rows of tiered seats formed an arena-like structure.

During special training, students often spectated from these seats… perhaps as a reminder of what awaited those who made mistakes.

This place had once been rife with corruption passed down through generations. Though much of it had been rooted out, some remnants lingered.

In the 21st-century democratic South Korean military, which was supposedly equal, the bullying and hazing was far worse than this, so it was rather surprising that only this much remained in an academy where nobles and commoners coexisted.

Putting that aside...

'Why is there such a massive crowd here?'

This special training session wasn’t even a major storyline in the game.

A quick check of his spec told him that only about twelve students should have attended.

‘But there’s well over a hundred here.’

Not only were the student council president and vice president present, but noble students and senior classes had also gathered.

Edmon Atalek, who’d planned to rest, had shown up with his faction in tow.

Even Hong Bi-Yeon, seated beside Edmon, looked noticeably uneasy.

"Hey, brave junior! I don't know you much, but do your best!" Deok Cheol-Gwang who came along with Ban Di-Yeon shouted at Baek Yu-Seol.

‘Enthusiasm’s great, but aren’t I walking into a disaster?’

Some seniors gave Deok Cheol-Gwang a stern look, but seeing his muscular physique, they averted their gaze again.

Ban Di-Yeon, meanwhile, watched silently, her expression unreadable.

To make matters worse, even students who had no business being there had turned up.

"Hah, that brat’s finally going to get knocked down a peg."

"I’ve had enough of that arrogant commoner. It’s about time someone put him in his place."

"Once the seniors get their hands on him, it’s over."

Those who disliked him whispered eagerly among themselves, hoping to witness his humiliation in front of everyone.

Thump!

The sound of footsteps echoed as someone entered from the far side of the dueling field.

A second-year senior, slightly taller than Baek Yu-Seol, stepped forward. His bulky frame was matched by a gray staff that extended past his forearm.

What was his name again?

[Kalivan Kadarum from Class 2-C]

Class C.

It seemed funny, but in terms of rankings, he was in the top 300.

Baek Yu-Seol’s ranking was in the top 500 of the first-year students.

Despite being in Class S, his actual combat power was hardly different from someone in Class C.

His ranking was only thanks to scoring perfectly on the written test… a feat accomplished by essentially using a cheat code. 

Players in the original game couldn’t even identify characters who barely appeared in the storyline.

However, there was a record of a family with the name ‘Kadarum.’

Aether World had countless settings, including the concept of family legacy magic.

Each mage family was said to manipulate unique magic, so knowing a family’s name often hinted at their magical attributes.

For instance, Adolevit represented fire, while Morph specialized in ice.

[Viscount Kadarum’s family]

[A virtually unknown family ranked 77th.]

[A name you might barely see after conducting extensive 'you, be my friend!' events at local noble gatherings or within Stella. No notable magic to learn from them. It’s recommended to skip… (continued)]

[Primary attribute: Earth]

[No bloodline magic, no legacy magic]

Even a decade into the game, his obscure family background was documented in detail.

While Kalivan might seem unremarkable in the grand scheme, he ranked solidly as above average within Stella.

Bloodline and inherited magic were rare, and possessing even standard magical talent placed him ahead of many.

"Hey, junior. Are you ready?"

The problem was that he was Baek Yu-Seol’s opponent, but it was okay.

Years of battling mages in the game had given him plenty of experience.

Against an opponent lacking bloodline or inherited magic, there were no surprises to worry about.

As a Class 3 earth magic user, all the spells were stored in Baek Yu-Seol’s memory without even needing to glance at the textbook.

"Well, yeah. I think I'm ready."

"Still cocky, huh?"

Baek Yu-Seol adjusted the bag hanging on his lower back.

The travel-sized bag wasn’t ordinary… it was an alchemical bag, packed with potions and tools.

Technically, using alchemical items or external tools was prohibited in duels.

But there were exceptions.

Mages who relied on talismans, magical tools, or spellbooks instead of staffs were allowed their equipment.

Alchemy majors, too, were permitted tools, as their discipline required them to showcase developed creations.

Though officially part of the Department of Magic, Baek Yu-Seol had alchemy as his minor, giving him leeway to use certain items.

And inside his bag? Brand-new tools designed by him and crafted by Alterisha.

Baek Yu-Seol had no intention of defeating his senior or fighting seriously.

'I’ll just use consumable items for promotion.'

He needed a promotional video to attract sponsors anyway. This match served perfectly.

"Now I’ll explain the rules." The duel supervisor, an assistant professor, spoke. "The minimum duel time is 15 minutes. The duel will continue until one side is knocked out, and if it is deemed life-threatening, the spatial control magic of the Stella Dome will automatically stop the duel. In addition, either side can forfeit after 15 minutes, and the duel will immediately be halted. Are both sides ready?"

They nodded.

"We’ll begin at once."

Professor Jo, standing between them, took a step back and gave the signal.

"Today, I'll make you come to your senses! Earth Field... Huh?"

[Flash]

[Flash]

[Flash]

In an instant, Baek Yu-Seol vanished, blinking rapidly toward the edge of the field.

"What the?! Why are you running?! Get back here!"

Kalivan’s furious shouts echoed behind him, but Baek Yu-Seol didn’t bother looking back.

"Who would come back just because you told them to?" Baek Yu-Seol was a gamer. Baek Yu-Seol was a gamer, and he understood one thing perfectly.

'The purpose of the game isn’t just to win. It’s to drive your opponent crazy.'

Victory wasn’t the only goal today.

He planned to use every trick and item in his arsenal to frustrate his senior… and have fun doing it.