I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 78

The duel ended.

As most students had predicted, Kalivan, the second year, emerged victorious.

However...

Even though the senior won…

"Wow, he really looks furious, doesn’t he?"

"Yeah, he must be absolutely livid."

"If I were in his shoes, I’d have started swinging punches regardless of the duel’s outcome."

In truth, since the duel had been nothing more than a one-sided spectacle where Baek Yu-Seol toyed with Kalivan, no one actually considered Kalivan the winner.

“This is my first time seeing Baek Yu-Seol fight in person, and I was so amazed about how fast he is.”

"I heard his sword can even cut through shields?"

"How are we supposed to counter that?"

"I mean, even the senior couldn't do anything but get beaten."

A freshman had bested a second-year.

Even in the electrifying aftermath of poetic justice, Stella’s elite students couldn’t resist analyzing the duel.

Some began dissecting Baek Yu-Seol’s combat techniques.

"What were those things Baek Yu-Seol was using?"

"Could they be prototypes of some newly developed artifacts?"

"Probably. The performance didn’t seem groundbreaking - maybe because they’re experimental - but... if refined further, they could become terrifying tools."

Meanwhile, others evaluated the gadgets he had employed.

"Did you catch that? He targeted the exact moment when the senior’s vision was obscured by his barrier, then detonated a flash bomb."

"He even anticipated the shockwave and set traps along the escape routes to respond with layered magic."

"He planned the placement of each device from the very start..."

Alchemists typically engaged in combat by utilizing the terrain and objects around them.

They could turn the ground beneath their opponent into a prison or shape tree branches into solid weapons infused with mana to strike like swords.

While their style often seemed defensive, alchemists could turn the tide with clever traps, making their territory perilous for any intruder.

Thus, it was extremely dangerous to enter the domain of a well-prepared alchemist.

Although magic circles could be designed beforehand, the process was painstakingly time-consuming. Moreover, the required materials were seldom within reach during a duel, rendering their use in such situations virtually impossible.

Conversely, alchemy required pre-planning every spell, making it common for alchemists to lose as soon as the battle started.

However, Baek Yu-Seol, leveraging his exceptional agility, transformed the battlefield to his advantage by strategically placing items within his territory.

There was no need for him to use intricate alchemical formations.

As his true strength lay in swordsmanship, he wielded an array of magical devices to push his opponents to their limits, creating openings to deliver decisive strikes.

It was his unique combat style.

It was not something anyone could do.

Even if they had both Flash and magic devices prepared, very few individuals would be capable of replicating his actions.

From beginning to end, battling in such a manner would be unthinkable unless one possessed the mind of a strategist, capable of foreseeing the opponent's magic and every move.

"Impressive..."

Ban Di-Yeon, who had watched the duel from beginning to end, blurted out those words after completing all the analysis.

"So, did you get the result you wanted?"

As Student Council President Mi Ro-Yun approached from behind, Ban Di-Yeon smirked. "The result I wanted..."

She looked around.

Second-year students had expressions of utter frustration.

The first-year students were praised as extraordinary, which naturally made many second-year students disdainful of them from the start.

Therefore, they had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to put the first-year students in their place.

"I didn't expect the first-year students to be so strong..."

No one knew who would become the next victim.

Perhaps it could be them.

They might receive the humiliating title of a second-year senior defeated by a freshman.

Up until now, no matter how gifted the first-years were rumored to be, they had always believed they could easily overpower them if they truly applied themselves.

But that assumption proved to be wrong.

As it happened, there was a faint chance of them facing defeat.

From that moment, second-year students wouldn’t easily meddle with first-year students.

If they accepted a duel challenge from a first-year student and lost, they wouldn’t be able to hold their heads up again.

Of course, not everyone would be like that.

Some obstinate seniors would persist in harassing the weaker first-year students, and that was to be expected.

Still, seeing those arrogant bullies have their pride shattered and their tormenting ways subdued, even if just a little, made Ban Di-Yeon feel genuinely grateful to Baek Yu-Seol.

"In a way, I suppose you could say I got the outcome I was hoping for. This has certainly become an intriguing situation," she remarked, turning away.

Stella truly was a school brimming with fascinating students. She felt fortunate to have enrolled.

***

The duel between Baek Yu-Seol and the second-year senior spread throughout the academy.

Although he didn't win, his intentionally mocking actions spread like wildfire.

The information was quite exaggerated, but rumors often became the truth as they spread from mouth to mouth, and most students accepted it as fact.

"Wow, did he really embarrass the senior?"

"I've got a recording of it. Wanna watch?"

"Show me too."

In classrooms, before lectures, in the dining hall, study rooms, reading rooms, training rooms, on the dueling grounds, students gathered and discussed the duel, replaying the video.

It wasn’t only about a junior humiliating a senior. Baek Yu-Seol’s combat style was a subject worth analyzing for aspiring magical warriors.

Why?

His fighting style this time bore a slight resemblance to that of a dark mage.

It relied on the strategy of luring the opponent into unfavorable terrain and exploiting it through rapid mobility.

Moreover, the disposable items Baek Yu-Seol had employed were more than enough to pique their curiosity.

"Wow... that's amazing."

"But, do you think Baek Yu-Seol made this?"

"He's close to Assistant Alterisha, right? They must have collaborated on many research projects."

"He's also known for being skilled in alchemy, and those magic tools were registered under his name."

"Impressive..."

However, Edmon Atalek was far from pleased with the unfolding situation.

"Stupid bastard."

The Crimson Eagle Club was in disarray.

The members of Hong Bi-Yeon's faction cast nervous glances at Edmon Atalek, whose clenched fists and twisted expression betrayed his frustration.

Aware that Edmon Atalek had a tendency to act recklessly when upset, they couldn't help but tread carefully around him.

Knowing the reason behind his bad mood, they tried to flatter him.

"We knew Kalivan was pathetic, but we never expected him to be humiliated by a first-year student like that."

"It's pathetic. Should I bring him here right away?"

"Leave him alone."

"Yes!"

It wouldn’t be long before the students started buzzing about Baek Yu-Seol’s accomplishments.

With his growing reputation, the other second-year students wouldn’t simply stand by and watch.

The higher-ranked second-years were far from easy opponents.

Amidst such discussions, Hong Bi-Yeon was deeply engrossed in her own thoughts.

'Hmm... So he let him win after all.'

Throughout the 15 minutes, Baek Yu-Seol didn't even properly use his sword and simply humiliated the senior by using various magic tools.

In other words, had he intended to win, he could have won at any time.

However, he chose not to.

The reason was obvious.

‘It would be strange if a first-year student defeated a second-year student.’

It was evident that, as a first-year student with little real combat experience, there were natural limits to his growth.

Baek Yu-Seol seemed to be concealing his true abilities for reasons unknown, and this time was no exception.

She had expected Baek Yu-Seol to rise to the challenge and overwhelm the senior, but she never anticipated he would humiliate him like this and then simply walk away.

'But what will he do next?'

She learned from this incident that any attempt to challenge Baek Yu-Seol within the academy’s regulations wouldn’t pose a threat to him.

If he deliberately decided to be humiliated, there had to be a reason and a plan behind it.

"So what are the second-years doing now? I told them to teach Baek Yu-Seol a proper lesson."

Edmon and the faction members were still discussing what to do about Baek Yu-Seol.

"Well... the second-year students haven't laid a finger on Baek Yu-Seol."

"What?"

Just because he was an Atalek didn’t mean he could control all the students within the academy.

Only a few second-year students were compelled by Atalek's influence. The others were coerced commoner students.

The faction members spoke cautiously, aware of Edmon's presence.

"Contrary to rumors, Baek Yu-Seol greets seniors with a 90-degree bow and listens attentively, and that guy... He speaks so eloquently..."

"Wait, what are you talking about?"

“The ones who went to teach him a lesson ended up buying him snacks.”

Speechless, Edmon’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

Beside him, Hong Bi-Yeon couldn't help but burst into laughter, though she swiftly regained her composure.

"Ha..."

While Baek Yu-Seol often came across as defiant toward seniors, not all of them harbored dislike for him.

Among the second-year students, there were quite a few commoners who, under pressure from the third-years, had no choice but to put on a show of reprimanding Baek Yu-Seol.

Keenly observant, Baek Yu-Seol recognized such individuals and, drawing on his 29 years of social experience, skillfully flattered them by discerning their preferences.

His social finesse were far superior to those of any noble scion.

Having pursued power and learned to curry favor with authority figures - from construction sites people to administrative offices in small and medium-sized companies - Baek Yu-Seol found navigating these social dynamics almost effortless.

Moreover, they were only 18 years old at best.

Baek Yu-Seol gradually polished his image in this manner.

"I don't like it."

‘They couldn't even properly deal with a first-year commoner.’ 

‘Useless.’

‘But it doesn’t matter.’

Stella Academy’s space was constrained, and ultimately, so were Baek Yu-Seol’s actions.

If Edmon chose to step in personally, Baek Yu-Seol would undoubtedly stumble… and perhaps even be forced to drop out.

‘Getting rid of one useless bug is no big deal.’

Just when he began to think about directly resolving the issue,

"Young Master!"

The door of the club's dilapidated building opened, and one of Edmon’s followers rushed in with a newspaper in hand.

"Ah, yes."

He made it a habit to diligently read the newspaper every morning. Staying informed about the currents of the magical society was essential.

Yet, for some reason, the expression on the boy’s face unsettled him.

Despite his youth, Edmon had already glimpsed the shadows of the political world and developed sharp instincts.

‘This can’t be good.’

With a heavy feeling sinking in his chest, Edmon forced himself to swallow and calmly extended his hand toward the newspaper.

***

Meanwhile, Baek Yu-seol sent a video of the duel where he used disposable items to the Alchemy Castle.

Though the items were relatively simple, the fact that he had momentarily overpowered a second-year Stella Academy student without relying on magic was enough to demonstrate their effectiveness.

Furthermore, by including additional experiments and footage featuring professional magic warriors, Alterisha’s department gained recognition for the practicality of the items and successfully secured a spot in the newspaper.

[Alchemist Alterisha Develops New Future Magic Engineering Technology]

Thus, Melian of the Starcloud Trading Company was also able to receive the footage.

"Father, is that what they call an item?"

"Yes. Isn't it fascinating?"

Melian warmly smiled and handed a bead-like object to his daughter, Jeliel.

"When you throw this, it generates a slight paralysis effect along with an electric shock. I'm thinking of developing it as a must-have item for women's safety."

"That sounds promising."

Her eyes turned blue as she tried to gauge the value of the item using her ability, [Value of All Things].

‘Hmm, it's useful…’

While the immediate value of the item was low, its potential growth limit was very high. This meant that the technology of alchemy and magic engineering  itself was highly valuable.

"There are video recordings of practical battles utilizing such items. Would you like to see them too?"

"That sounds interesting."

She brushed her pointed ears and watched the video with keen interest shining in her eyes.

As a high elf enrolled at the Astral Flower Magic Academy, Jeliel naturally found herself captivated by battles involving mage warriors.

Among the many videos, one stood out in particular.

"This is..."

"Oh, right. One of the co-developers of alchemy and magic engineering technology, Baek Yu-seol, recorded this experimental footage himself. I heard he fought a second-year senior using only items..."

"Let's watch this one first."

Jeliel pressed the play button on the video playback crystal.

Then, a rectangular barrier appeared in the air, and the video started playing.

And at that moment, a boy with black hair and black eyes appeared.

'Huh?'

And instantly, Jeliel doubted her own eyes.

'What is this...?'

Nothing should be able to escape her eyes.

Therefore, Baek Yu-Seol’s value should appear before Jeliel.

But...

[???]

She can’t see it.

'This can't be...'

The only person whose value she couldn't gauge was her father.

There were only two situations where her ability failed to discern a target’s value… either it was someone she cherished deeply or someone who possessed an immeasurable, unknown worth beyond her analytical grasp.

'Could it be that he has a value I can't measure?'

Nothing had ever escaped her gaze. Even ancient artifacts and priceless treasures revealed their worth to Jeliel’s eyes.

Both the emperor of the Skalven Empire and the queen of Adolevit had values that Jeliel could perceive.

Yet, the value of a mere student remained invisible?

When an ignorant person encounters something beyond their understanding, they feel curiosity. It is a natural response to the unknown.

However, when someone who believed they understood everything in the world comes across something they cannot comprehend, what they feel is fear.

For such a thing should not exist in this world.

That was why Jeliel is scared.

"Jeliel? Are you okay?"

"Huh…?"

It was only then that she noticed the sweat pouring down her face and her unsteady, heavy breaths. Quickly, she dabbed the sweat away with a handkerchief and forced a smile.

"Yes, I'm fine."

“Are you sure? Talk to me."

"Seriously, I'm fine, so don't worry."

Jeliel took a deep breath and gradually steadied her mind.

Yes, she had felt fear initially when faced with the unknown, but if she carefully unraveled it step-by-step, everything would be fine.

Curiosity.

Once the fear completely subsided, Jeliel experienced curiosity for the first time in her life… a yearning to uncover something unknown to her.

It was a strange and unfamiliar sensation.

Since Baek Yu-Seol had mentioned hosting an investor presentation soon, she would have the chance to meet him in person.

'I'll uncover his secrets then.'

A strange excitement stirred in her heart.