I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 99

Having vanquished a risk level 6 dark mage, the first-year students of Stella Academy became a hot topic.

It was nothing short of astonishing that Stella’s first-year students had managed to fend off the dark mage’s attacks - not just once, but twice - drawing widespread admiration.

However, it was short-lived.

The world was about to learn a shocking revelation.

[The true identity of the dark mage was none other than a Stella Academy professor?]

[The corruption of Alchemy Professor Maizen Tyren]

[In light of this incident that sent shockwaves through the academic community, Stella's side…]

Most mages possessed formidable mental strength, making them resistant to corruption.

But what about a professor at Stella?

Entrusted with shaping the brightest minds in the world, these teachers were expected to be paragons of talent and integrity.

Yet, the world learned of a corrupted professor.

"I didn't expect you to keep this fact a secret,” said Elf King Florin to the person sitting across from her.

Elthman Elwin fidgeted with his ring, and Florin didn't touch the food in front of her either.

The aroma was pleasant, yet neither of them could focus on such trivialities.

No matter how skilled Eltmon Eltwin was, he couldn't resist the curse.

"Well, I wanted to bury it, but there are limits to that. Such incidents will continue to happen in the future. It's just a matter of time before it explodes."

"If such incidents continue to happen, then..."

“Exactly. The dark mages have already infiltrated deeply in the magical society. It's really disgusting, but it's the same with Stella."

In the end, the intrusion of dark mages into the Divine Beast Realm was all because of an issue within the Stella Academy.

From the perspective of the Heavenly Spirit Tree, there was no reason to offer Stella any compensation.

In fact, Stella should be the one paying significant compensation.

"I will make sure to compensate you. Are the divine beasts unharmed?"

"Thankfully, there were no injuries."

"That's a relief," Elthman said with a tired expression.

"You should be careful too. The corruption of elf mages can lead to dreadful consequences."

“At least they won't be able to infiltrate like they do in human society."

‘That's indeed a relief.’ Florin thought silently.

Compensation for damages.

Florin had little personal concern about it, but she understood the rules of diplomacy.

Elthman had no choice but to offer it, and she had no choice but to accept.

Even so, Florin’s thoughts lingered elsewhere.

The man who killed her long-time friend, Leafanel, was undoubtedly disguised as a Stella student.

But until now, it was just speculation.

Divine Beasts were the most special and sacred existence in this world.

Those who dared to kill a divine beast were branded as divine slayers, their souls condemned to corruption and eternally hunted by elves.

But Elthman could not sense the corrupt soul of the divine slayer.

That was what she thought until now.

However…

Through this incident, she learned something new.

The dark mages possessed an astonishing ability to conceal their mana, which couldn't be detected by Stella's magic or Elthman's senses.

If that were the case, could a divine slayer also hide the corruption of their soul?

That was probably why she couldn't sense their presence when they infiltrated Sky Flower Cradle.

‘It's been a while. I should pay a visit to Leafanel’s garden.’

Florin rarely left the confines of her domain. Calling it an outing felt like an exaggeration… it was merely a brief visit to the White Castle under the guise of official duties.

Regardless, since she was already out and about, it wouldn't hurt to stop by the place where her dear friend lay in eternal rest.

There was no need to delay it any longer.

That weekend, Florin made the immediate decision to visit Leafanel.

***

Early Saturday morning, just past midnight.

"Ah, my body feels so weary." Baek Yu-Seol sighed. Right after his discharge, he embarked on the outing to Leafanel’s garden.

— You've finally arrived! 

Leafanel greeted.

"Oh, it's been a while,” Baek Yu-Seol replied, feeling a sense of nostalgia. It seemed like ages since his last visit.

Ever since the rise of side effects, he hadn't frequented the garden as often.

— I'm delighted to see you!

Although Leafanel remained as motionless as a statue, her voice exuded warmth and enthusiasm.

It was to be expected.

She had already sensed the presence of the secret he carried within.

What was meant to be a surprise had been foiled by a spirit’s unerring intuition… despite lacking a physical heart, her perception was sharp.

Baek Yu-Seol’s playful attempt had failed before it even began.

Slowly, he retrieved a small locket from his backpack and placed it gently on the ground.

As he opened the lid, a soft, radiant light emanated from the pearl nestled inside.

— Wow...

Leafanel gasped in awe, her voice filled with childlike wonder.

Even though it was an exchange, an inexplicable sense of pride washed over Baek Yu-Seol.

As he carefully held a divine beast’s heart in his hands, he presented it to her.

Drifting in the air for a moment, it gracefully floated towards Leafanel’s chest.

And then, a brilliant flash of light.

"...!"

In the blinding burst of light, Baek Yu-Seol instinctively shut his eyes, shielding himself from the powerful gust of wind that swept through the world.

As the air thickened, the swirling energy of familiars surged toward Leafanel, pulling her into its embrace. It felt like standing in the eye of a storm… a place where silence held dominion.

Even standing upright became a struggle, yet the surroundings remained eerily calm and undisturbed.

“Ah..."

Finally, as the tempest of the energy subsided, he slowly raised his head.

Flash.

The woman, who had once been frozen like a statue, slowly opened her eyes and turned to meet his gaze. Her lips curved into a playful smile.

"Ah, finally...!"

"Can you move?"

— Yes, perfectly!

With deliberate movements, she flexed her hands, took deep breaths, and shifted her body as if testing each movement.

After years of immobility, the act of simply moving again was a profound relief.

Baek Yu-Seol quietly watched as Leafanel reveled in the moment.

But the joy didn’t last.

Closing her eyes and nodding gently, she seemed to be fighting off drowsiness.

"Feeling sleepy?"

"Ah, yes... My heart can’t endure much longer..."

Only then did he realize Leafanel’s form was gradually fading.

Maintaining a distinct human appearance as a spirit was challenging unless one held a high rank.

Although she was still a spirit, the loss of her powers caused her original form to fade away.

— Over here...

Resisting the urge to drift off, Leafanel beckoned to him with a dreamy gaze.

— Put this on...

Resting on the ground was a small box containing an ancient martial arts uniform. Its design bore the marks of a bygone era, likely several centuries old.

Yet, despite its apparent age, the garment remained remarkably well-preserved, showing only faint traces of wear.

Following Leafanel’s instructions, Baek Yu-Seol removed his school uniform and donned the black attire.

"Put the necklace I gave you around your neck..."

Unlike the earlier turbulence, a gentle whirlwind enveloped his body, carrying with it a comforting warmth.

He could feel the mana distinctly, even without trying. It danced around him, shimmering like fragments of starlight.

It made him wonder if this was how Tinkerbell's fairy dust would look.

The sensation was akin to the Milky Way cascading from the night sky, bathing him in its mystique.

"What’s this?" Baek Yu-Seol inquired.

Leafanel replied, 

— It will guide you to a secret place where my old friend rests...

Her companion from ancient times, who had mastered magic and honed their swordsmanship to perfection.

The intention was to teleport him directly to the location that held all their memories and essence.

"Understood.”

He acknowledged, thinking there was no need to resist such an offer.

Just then, he heard footsteps approaching the garden entrance.

'Huh...?'

No one besides him should have been able to find this place. After all, he was the sole keeper of the key.

The presence of another person suggested something far more troubling… a pursuer.

It was an experience he had never faced in his journey through the Aether World.

‘Could someone have followed me?’

A chill ran through him, and he quickly surveyed the garden, only to be startled by what he saw.

A woman, draped in a black dress that covered her from head to toe, stood before him with a look of surprise in her eyes.

Her white hair cascaded past her shoulders like silk, while golden eyes gleamed like stars scattered across the night sky.

[The curse of the trait 'Abosorbing Affection' has been activated!]

[The trait ‘Blessing of Pink Spring Moon’ nullifies the curse completely.]

He didn't wear Sentient Spectacles, yet her appearance and the messages conveyed a familiar presence.

'Florin...?'

***

It was exceedingly rare for Florin to leave the confines of the Heavenly Spirit Tree.

However, on very rare occasions when she did go out, she secretly used a special private airship for transportation.

During these instances, she meticulously maintained secrecy, conducting her activities in the late hours of dawn to avoid drawing attention.

The Orchard of the Dreamtree, the third Heavenly Spirit Tree, was where her long-lost friend's slumbering garden was located.

As she ascended using the Heavenly Spirit Tree, the presence of other beings quickly diminished. There were hardly any active familiars until dawn arrived.

Finally, upon reaching the entrance of Leafanel’s garden, all signs of life vanished completely.

Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, Florin solemnly removed her mask.

"Haah...."

Breathing the outside air after so long felt almost indulgent.

The mask, enchanted with anti-magic and protective filters, had always made breathing feel tight and suffocating.

But now, standing beneath the open sky, the air felt alive… vibrant and electric.

Step by step, as she entered the garden, the distinctive dreamlike fragrance tickled her nostrils.

It was the scent of the pollen Leafanel had once scattered for protection.

Yet, over the centuries, its potency had waned, leaving only a faint trace of its former power.

And there, at the far end of the garden, she lay in slumber.

Yet something felt amiss.

In a garden that should remain undisturbed, the presence of someone's visit lingered.

And with the scarcity of Leafanel’s roots, it felt as if someone had deliberately cleared a path.

‘Could it be?’

Florin dashed toward the inner part of the garden.

If the culprit who stole Leafanel’s heart had returned to this place once again...

Her heart throbbed with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.

Florin’s entire body brimmed with mana, sharp and ready to be unleashed at any moment.

As she entered Leafanel’s garden, a grand tree gate came into view.

Seeing the gate wide open, with enough space for a person to pass through, she became certain.

‘Someone’s here.’

With a burst of energy, she stepped into the garden, and in that fleeting moment when the breeze brushed against her cheek, she abruptly halted.

‘Huh?’

Florin was taken aback and paused in her tracks.

Long ago, her dear friend Leafanel fell into an eternal slumber, never to open her eyes again.

Even the familiars bowed their heads, convinced that she would never again open her eyes.

They believed she was gone forever, and Florin thought she would never see those pure eyes again.

But right in front of her, Leafanel’s eyes sparkled, clear and deep.

She smiled.

‘She’s alive…?’

How?

Instinctively, Florin glanced to the side. Before Leafanel stood a small boy, his eyes wide in astonishment.

‘That boy…’

He had revived Leafanel.

With unwavering conviction, Florin reached out her hand towards the boy, but he swiftly took a step back, as if startled.

‘Huh?’

In the next instant...

A burst of golden stardust resembling a cluster of stars erupted, and the boy skillfully vanished.

Unable to fully grasp the situation, Florin stared blankly into the empty space.