Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Unreality (2)

Since that day, the delinquents’ ‘brothers’ never showed up at Ewol High School again. Naturally, the girls who had been acting tough under the influence of their ‘brothers’ gradually faded away.

Students who had been enduring the delinquents’ behavior in silence cheered for Flame’s story.

“…Huh? Me?”

“Yeah! You’re amazing. Your boyfriend took down all the ‘brothers,’ didn’t he?”

“Uh, no… He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Really? Anyway, there’s more than one witness who saw it!”
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f ro m k in gm t l . o r g

“Yeah, yeah. They say the ‘brothers’ even declared they would never come near Ewol High School again as an act of surrender.”

As soon as she arrived at school, Han Choyeon and her friends were all over her.

But Flame had more than a few doubts about their words.

Who could have been in that narrow alley to witness everything? How did the rumor spread so quickly? And why would delinquents back down after being beaten by just one high schooler and declare surrender?

‘This makes no sense.’

“Who’s your boyfriend? I heard he’s super cool.”

“Apparently, he’s from our school? No one knows his identity because he was wearing sunglasses!”

“Does he not want his identity revealed?”

“Crazy girls…”

Sunglasses or not, he was openly wearing his name tag. What’s there to hide about his identity? The more she heard, the more confused she became.

“I’m telling you, he’s not my boyfriend…”

“But if he jumped into the middle of the fight to save you, doesn’t that mean he likes you?”

“I don’t know…”

Still, hearing all this… didn’t feel bad. After all, the boy did help her, and now everyone at school was praising her.

Feeling a strange sense of happiness, Flame couldn’t help but smile.

She felt like the protagonist of the world.

* * *

A week had passed since then.

Being a curious girl, Flame had scoured the school to find ‘Baek Yu-seol,’ but he was nowhere to be found.

She even checked the first-year and second-year student rosters, but there wasn’t even a name similar to his.

‘So, who was that guy?’

She wanted to thank him for saving her, but he had vanished without a trace.

“First place in the whole school, Flame! Congratulations. You ranked first nationwide in this mock exam.”

Flame snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of her name.

Standing on the podium was always nerve-racking, but she was so used to being the top student that it no longer bothered her.

“Thank you.”

As she received the award, applause filled the entire auditorium.

When she came down from the podium, Han Choyeon tapped her on the shoulder.

“Wow, this is amazing. How does the top student in the nation come from a school like this?”

“Well, I’m just naturally smart. You should stop reading those online novels and study. You’re really smart too…”

“Wh-What are you talking about! And it’s not online novels, it’s romance fantasy.”

“Same thing.”

Really, romance fantasy?

Why would she read something like that?

Especially when reality demands so much attention.

“No! The one I’m reading now is about the ‘Princess’s Love’…”

“Enough about novels. How about we go get some tteokbokki for lunch? My treat.”

“Ooh, sounds great! Let’s go!”

Unlike Flame, who belonged to a middle-class family, Han Choyeon was rather poor, and she remembered how Choyeon would always hesitantly buy even just tteokbokki.

Whenever she thought about it, she wanted to buy her meals more often, but she also didn’t want to hurt her friend’s pride, so she restrained herself as much as possible.

‘But today, I have a reason.’

Tteokbokki?

She had a special course prepared for them.

* * *

Evening came.

Feeling good today, Flame decided to go to a coin karaoke with Han Choyeon and their friends.

-She’s~goooone~!!

“Ahh! My ears!!”

-The passing time~!! The seasonal wind brings you~!!

“Argh!”

Among friends who were either singing or screaming, Flame’s singing stood out with its exceptional skill.

-Don’t look for me again~!

“Wow…”

-Don’t curse me~! For being a heartless woman~!

The must-sing song in karaoke, So Chan-whee’s Tears.

Flame hit every high note perfectly, showing flawless performance in all parts. Her overwhelming talent was incomparable.

After a refreshing session of singing, the girls, feeling satisfied, left the karaoke room.

“Ah~ That was refreshing.”

“You really sang your heart out…”

“Flame, how about becoming an idol? You’re pretty and talented, it’s perfect.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Not just anyone can become a singer.”

“No, I really think you can!”

“Stop talking nonsense. Filling her head with empty dreams will only ruin her life.”

Flame is very practical in her thinking.

Becoming a singer? In today’s world, there are countless pretty, talented, and charismatic teenagers who can sing and dance.

Even those kids often fail miserably in the idol industry. It’s not something she’d even consider.

After the karaoke session, Flame and her friends spent time shopping for cosmetics and eating snacks on the street.

Since they rarely had time to play, they believed in enjoying themselves to the fullest when they could.

Then, they noticed a crowd of people in their teens and twenties gathered on the street, and their friends turned their attention there.

“Hey, looks like there’s busking over there?”

“Yeah, lots of people are gathered.”

When they realized it was a popular busking spot, they headed towards it.

-Next participant, please introduce yourself.

“Yes… I’m Han Yoomi, an office worker from Guwol-dong.”

-I see. What song will you be singing?

It wasn’t just an ordinary busking event.

“Hey, that’s the guy, right? The famous 5-million-subscriber YouTuber Kim Baek-gwang who runs the street casting karaoke!”

“Really? This is the first time I’ve seen him in person.”

“He’s so handsome… Wow.”

While everyone was reacting to the busker, Flame just stood there with a puzzled expression.

T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r o m k in g m t l. o r g
“Is he famous?”

“You don’t know? Look at her. Did you live in a cave?”

“Hey, it’s okay not to know…”

-Now, let’s say goodbye, as if nothing happened~

While Flame and her friends were talking, the participant began singing.

She seemed quite skilled, as the audience’s reactions suggested her talent, but Flame wasn’t impressed.

After the song ended, YouTuber Kim Baek-gwang led the audience in a round of applause.

-So, does anyone else want to participate?

Participants always flocked to Kim Baek-gwang’s broadcasts, hoping to be noticed by his 5 million subscribers.

But no matter how many there were, the next participant was always pre-selected. The current proceedings were just a scripted show.

Knowing this, the high school girls still shouted loudly.

“Over here! We have a real singer here!”

“This way! This way!”

“What? Are you crazy?”

Suddenly being pointed out by her friends, Flame got angry. It was embarrassing, even if the YouTuber didn’t look their way.

But unexpectedly, Kim Baek-gwang responded.

When the high school girls shouted, he looked at them for a reaction, then, seeing Flame, he froze for a moment before approaching with a bright expression.

-Here we have our next participant, chosen by the enthusiastic cheers of her friends! How about it, would you like to sing a song?

He subtly displayed a message so the camera wouldn’t catch it.

[If you’re uncomfortable, you can decline!]

So, there was no obligation to participate. But since Kim Baek-gwang had made such a reaction by coming over, it was hard to refuse, and with her friends urging her, Flame decided to sing a single song.

-Our next participant is a high school girl from Samwol High School, Flame! Haha, our viewers think you’re an idol trainee. Is that true?

“No.”

-Oh~ It’s not true! Do you have any plans to debut?

“I need to go home and study.”

-So she says~!

Kim Baek-gwang pointed the camera towards a large tablet screen filled with chat messages.

[LOL: Study?]

[HAHA: Is this real?]

[OMG: Seriously?]

[HMM: First time hearing someone talking about studying on a broadcast.]

[LOL: So adorable.]

The chat was from viewers across different platforms.

Once Flame stepped to the center and took the microphone, the chat exploded, and she had a vague idea why.

‘Sigh…’

-Shall we begin? What song will you be singing?

“Um… I’ll do ‘Say Yes’ by Hwal. 3 keys up.”

-Oh! A bold choice! I’m excited!

Choosing a song known for its high notes and raising it by 3 keys sparked a hot reaction.
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As Kim Baek-gwang adjusted the computer and audio equipment, music started to play. Flame took a deep breath and prepared to sing but suddenly felt something off.

‘Huh?’

In the distance, among the crowd,
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r o m k in g m t l . o rg

Baek Yu-seol stood there.

With a motorcycle slung over his shoulder.

Exactly as he had appeared a week ago.

‘What? Wait…’

She wanted to rush over and talk to him, but the music started, so she had no choice but to start singing.

-Ooh, say yes~

Her singing was emotional and explosive. The high notes soared, and the low notes tickled the ears.

“Wow… This is…”

T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr o m k i ng m tl . o r g
Kim Baek-gwang stood there, unable to respond, while the audience and even the chat seemed to freeze.

-Take my hand now~ Say yes~

As she passed the climax of the high notes, about ten seconds later, the chat exploded with reactions that nearly crashed the server.

[HMM: What’s with that voice…]

[LOL: If someone doesn’t hold her hand, they’ll die.]

[OMG: Who didn’t hold her hand?]

[HEY: Go hold her hand already.]

Dozens of comments per second.
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l . o r g

Donations almost crashed the server, and the number of viewers surged, signaling how much popularity Flame was gaining.

‘This is it!’

Kim Baek-gwang felt it.

With this much buzz, conversations about Flame would be spreading across all communities.

Usually, participants sang one song and left, but it didn’t seem right to end it here.

After finishing the song, Flame stood there quietly, holding the microphone with both hands, waiting. Kim Baek-gwang quickly resumed.

-My mind went blank. Did I space out? How long did I space out? Someone tell me. What? Thirty years? Hey, don’t lie. That’s not possible.

He lightly interacted with the viewers while approaching Flame.

-Wow, you’re amazing. Are you sure you’re not an aspiring singer?

“No.”

-This is such a waste. I’m not in a position to judge, but I think you could debut right now. Honestly.

“Thank you.”

Flame, subtly glancing at the chat, knew the reaction was intense. While it was overwhelming and she wanted to step down quickly, the audience and the chat started chanting for an encore.

-Oh, viewers are asking for one more song. Hey, calm down, everyone. No need to force her. I heard she’s a senior in high school. If she gets stressed, it’s a big problem.

“Ah…”

She was aware. If she left now, it would ruin the mood.

“…I’ll do one more.”

Flame, who loved singing and didn’t mind the hot reactions, eventually got swept up in the atmosphere.

Then, suddenly, she looked towards Baek Yu-seol.

Now standing in the front, he had taken off his sunglasses and stared at her with a serious expression.

Opposite to his previous playful and mischievous look.

He slowly mouthed something to her.

‘Don’t do it.’
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His lips formed a clear ‘no.’

“What…?”

-What’s wrong?

“Ah, nothing.”

-What song will you sing?

“…Kim Sang-min’s ‘You.’ Please play it.”

Looking at Kim Baek-gwang, Flame glanced back at Baek Yu-seol. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

Don’t do it.

But she couldn’t stop now. The number of viewers had surged to over 100,000. If she stopped now, it would be embarrassing.

Regardless of Baek Yu-seol’s reaction, the music began, and Flame started singing.

-What should I do

Again, the reactions were similar. People fell silent to focus on Flame’s singing, and in a world devoid of noise, she performed alone.

She felt like the center of the universe.
Th i s w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l .o r g

Singing while everyone solely focused on her felt like this.

She now understood why singers worked so hard to stand on stage.

For this exhilarating thrill.

For this moment where everyone concentrated on her voice.

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-Spending the long night alone~ When morning comes~

Her song climbed towards the climax. It was like climbing a mountain, with everyone aiming for the summit.

Then.

Just before reaching the climax, Flame instinctively looked for Baek Yu-seol.

Intuitively, she felt she should.

Baek Yu-seol, with a serious expression, stared at her and raised his right hand.

In it was a cheap thousand-won mechanical pencil.

‘Huh?’

What was he going to do with that?

As she thought that, he gripped it backward and threw it.

…Thunk!

The pencil pierced through the audio equipment.

Pop!

The music stopped.

The crowd’s confused expressions etched themselves into Flame’s mind. Kim Baek-gwang, shocked, ran towards his laptop.

It was pointless. Flame knew why the music stopped.

‘Is this even possible?’

Piercing the computer and audio with a plastic pencil… is that even possible?

Even in this absurd reality, Flame couldn’t stop. She continued singing a cappella, not letting go of the microphone.

-You~ In the rainy street~ Abandoned alone~

The climax burst forth.

Kim Baek-gwang, who was about to fix the computer, stopped and stared at Flame.

Standing in the night~

Unfazed by the audio failure, Flame raised the pitch by two more keys.

-In the place where you fall asleep~

Thus, the song rushed towards its end and finally reached its destination.

“Huff, huff…”

Wiping the sweat from her cheeks, Flame set down the microphone. After a moment of silence, applause erupted.

But all the cheers felt like meaningless noise to her.

Looking for Baek Yu-seol, she saw him shaking his head and walking away.

“Hey, wait…!”

-Amazing, truly! That was Flame from Samwol High School! Everyone, give a warm round of applause!

“Ah…”

Like an illusion, Baek Yu-seol’s figure blurred and disappeared into thin air.

All that remained were the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd.

As people whistled and waved, Flame couldn’t help but ease her serious expression.

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“Ha… haha.”

Baek Yu-seol? What did it matter about that boy whose name she barely knew?

She was happy now.

She was alive and well.

Shouldn’t she enjoy this moment?

Forcing herself to forget Baek Yu-seol, she waved at the people and cameras.

Today’s events would be unforgettable.

…But.

‘Why do I keep feeling uneasy?’

As she came down from the stage and received her friends’ cheers, she touched her name tag.

She was too happy.

So happy that…

She felt something bad might happen.

End of Chapter.