Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 186

Chapter 186

Isolation (4)

Teharlan, the capital of Adolevit, is quite famous as a tourist destination.

The Frostcliff Palace could be seen from anywhere in the city. The massive palace standing atop a sharply cut cliff in the distance created an overwhelming sense of awe just by looking at it.

Indeed, it was a magnificent city.

Sitting at an outdoor cafe on the street, sipping a drink and gazing at the distant palace, one could feel a sense of elegance.

T hi s wa s c op i e d f r o m k ingm tl . or g
The streets of Teharlan were reminiscent of 19th-20th century London.

The gloomy black trains crossing the city, the gentlemen and ladies who favored formal attire, and the gray-tinged sky and buildings.

It felt like Sherlock Holmes might pop out of an alley nearby, chasing Jack the Ripper with Watson.

If asked what to do next, the obvious answer would be to infiltrate that palace.
T h i s w a s c opi e d fr om k i n gm tl . o r g

Of course, sneaking into such a heavily guarded palace relying only on Blink would be suicidal.

Although my body lacked mana, past experiences showed that mages could detect mana reactions as soon as I used Blink, so the security system would likely detect it too.

However, infiltrating the Frost Palace didn’t necessarily require secretive or criminal methods.

A moral and legal method…

For instance, what if I became a ‘palace servant’ myself?

With only 2-3 weeks left of summer vacation to get Hong Bi-yeon out, becoming a palace servant might seem impossible, but it was surprisingly easy for me.

I had the Bulbul Glasses, which meticulously recorded many current events.

First, I sought out the most famous trading company in Teharlan, ‘Thousand Li Trading Company’.

“Hmm? A Stella student. What brings you here?”

“Hello, sir.”

The Thousand Li Trading Company’s office was more like a factory. Dozens of huge magical carriages as big as trucks were waiting, with workers loading and unloading goods. Amidst them, office workers were directing operations and going about their business.

I joined in.

“I heard you’ve been short on technicians for Antaril Oiler recently. I happen to be very skilled with Antaril Oiler. May I help out?”

I said confidently, but…

“What are you talking about? We’re overflowing with Antaril technicians. That guy over there is an Antaril technician too, but there are so many that he’s doing loading work now.”

A failure.

Of course, the Bulbul Glasses weren’t omnipotent.

Not only were the exact times and locations of events not precisely recorded, but countless butterfly effects had likely occurred worldwide due to my actions, leading to a different future.

Of course, I didn’t expect to succeed on the first try.

I continued to search various places around Teharlan.

Newspaper offices, weapon shops, magic item stores, and more.

After repeated failures, I finally found a place in trouble, just as written in the Bulbul Glasses.

‘Sunset Bookstore’

This bookstore, which was essentially a publishing house, was one of the suppliers that continuously provided books to the Adolevit royal family.
Th i s w a s c o p i e d fr o m kin g m t l . or g

However, a recent problem had arisen.

They had to carefully manage the books already supplied to the royal family, as they couldn’t provide the same books again unless specifically requested. Recently, their managing librarian had run away, causing them a headache.

If the librarian had simply run away, it wouldn’t have been a big issue. But they had completely messed up the related documents, making it difficult to meet deadlines.

“I happen to be excellent at organizing such things.”

“…Really? Well, give it a try.”
T h i s wa s c o pie d f r o m k i n g m tl . o r g

The bookstore owner seemed skeptical, but thanks to the power of the Stella mark, he hired me as a daily part-timer.

And in just one day, I impressively organized everything.

“H-How…?”

“I’m just that good.”

The document organization itself wasn’t much. It was a labor-intensive process of sorting documents one by one, gathering them, and then reading them. Of course, I wasn’t reading them myself, but making the Bulbul Glasses read them.

After the Bulbul Glasses stored the contents of all the documents and classified them in order, I just had to follow along and collect them.

The volume was truly enormous, requiring me to work all day without meals, but it was worthwhile since I helped the Sunset Bookstore successfully deliver books to Adolevit.

“This worked out well. We needed someone to fill the vacant librarian position anyway. You said you’d work during summer vacation? We’re planning to deliver books directly to the royal family the day after tomorrow. Come along. Your help with organizing will be a great assistance.”

Of course, not just anyone could enter the palace, and a sufficiently guaranteed status was required. But wasn’t a Stella student ID an extraordinary status?

While not comparable to the royal family, it was enough to be called a ‘first-class citizen’, so there was no major obstacle to simply entering.

Having come this far, half the battle was won.

Though I hadn’t become a palace servant yet, according to my plan, perhaps…

“Oh my, did the three of you organize all this?”

“Haha. Surprising, isn’t it? But what’s more surprising is that this student did it all alone, while we two did nothing.”

As the Sunset Bookstore owner patted my back boastfully, the royal librarian’s eyes lit up.

“You said you’re a part-timer? Your discernment and memory are remarkable. And your personality seems very meticulous and detail-oriented.”

“Thank you.”

“So, as it happens, our manager has fallen ill with a terrible flu…”

The elderly librarian spoke while cautiously gauging the situation.

“We’ll pay you generously. How about working just for the summer?”

It was as I expected, or rather, as written in the Bulbul Glasses.

The royal library was short-staffed due to the manager’s illness, and in the midst of this, a capable librarian had appeared… How could they not hire me?

“Yes, of course.”

And so, I successfully secured a position to work at the Frost Palace.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f ro m k i ng m tl . or g

Working at the palace didn’t mean I could immediately meet Hong Bi-yeon. My role was limited to managing third-grade books, which didn’t include confidential matters, in the royal library.

As I wasn’t an Adolevit citizen and merely a traveler, I couldn’t even access second-grade books like national magic texts.

But that didn’t mean I had nothing to do. Rather, there was so much work it was maddening.

The manager had been absent for quite some time, and the royal library was in such a mess that it raised fundamental questions about whether humans could organize it at all. Moreover, its unnecessarily large size meant it took over a week to organize.

“To think you actually organized this. Remarkable.”

“Hey, head librarian. Is this the kid you mentioned?”

“That’s right. Impressive, isn’t he?”

“Hmm…”

On top of that, administrative nobles who had heard the rumors started eyeing me.

I hoped the head librarian would intervene, but unfortunately, he didn’t have much power.

“Say, could you help me out when you have time? I have a mountain of documents piled up, and I’m having a hard time organizing them.”

“Of course.”

Although I had planned to stay quietly as a simple library assistant, I ended up being called here and there for administrative work.

I wasn’t an Adolevit citizen, nor a noble, and not even an official palace servant, so I don’t know what they were thinking.

Then again, considering how even stray dogs were put to work in the Korean military if they could be useful, maybe this was relatively tame.

Still, these tasks weren’t all bad. While not an official palace servant, I could befriend noble palace servants, especially the maids, who were very sensitive to rumors and could provide inside information about the royal family.

“Did you hear? Her Majesty the Queen is going on vacation with the princesses.”

“Of course I heard. They’re going to ‘Leviang’s Coast’, right?”

“Ah, but that’s just a vacation in name only.”

Through the maids’ conversations, I finally confirmed that this situation matched the story I knew.

[Extra Episode]

[Adolevit Royal Family’s Vacation]

This is an extra episode, not a main episode.

But I’ve mentioned before that the ‘Twelve Divine Moons’, presumed to be the most important keyword for guiding this world to the correct ending, can hardly be encountered in the main episodes and can only be met by progressing through side stories.

For that reason… I dare say this episode is more important than any story so far.

Because the Twelve Divine Moon Blue Winter December (靑冬十二月) sleeps on Leviang’s Coast, where winter never ends.

‘I didn’t expect to progress this so soon…’

But eventually, meeting the Twelve Divine Moons is inevitable.

While it may seem a bit early, given the situation, I’ll have to do my best.

* * *

“…Princess. I’m sorry.”

Hong Bi-yeon listened silently to the words of her guard knight Yetherin, her lips tightly pressed together.

Yetherin, who had spent time in the same space with Hong Bi-yeon since she came of age, was like her closest friend and protector.

She was one of the few people Hong Bi-yeon could trust in this dreadful palace where everyone was hostile to her.

And now, Yetherin was being sent away on a mission.

Isn’t it absurd? Sending away a princess’s guard knight. But since Queen Hong Seriu herself had approved it, it couldn’t be reversed.

Until the last moment of packing to leave, Yetherin couldn’t hide her regretful eyes.

Normally, Hong Bi-yeon would have said something, but today her mouth felt unusually heavy, and she couldn’t say anything.

“Princess…”

Even when Yetherin called out, Hong Bi-yeon didn’t answer. Or rather, she couldn’t. She felt that if she opened her mouth now, she wouldn’t know what she might say.

Yetherin slowly approached Hong Bi-yeon and spoke softly, almost whispering.

“Princess, even without me… you’ll be able to manage well. The princess I’ve known has always moved forward steadfastly, never faltering at anything.”

“I promise… I’ll complete my mission quickly and return to your side again.”

After saying this, Yetherin stepped back, and only then could Hong Bi-yeon nod.

She didn’t make a sad face.

There were still many watching eyes here.

‘I mustn’t become weak.’

She always had to show a strong image. If she showed any weakness, she would be looked down upon in an instant.

She was at the top of the food chain, but also the prey that all predators targeted.

After Yetherin left, someone else took her place as Hong Bi-yeon’s guard knight. She didn’t know his name or status, but one thing was certain.

‘He is not on my side.’

The man with short-cropped hair and a hard, cold expression looked at Hong Bi-yeon with disapproving eyes.

It wasn’t a gaze one should direct at royalty, but she couldn’t confront him carelessly. He was… someone the queen had personally assigned.
T h is w a s c o p i e d fr om ki n g m t l . o r g

…Night fell.

Hong Bi-yeon went out to the balcony in her underwear, gazing at the moonlight. The full moon hanging high seemed only spiteful to her.

What was there to smile so brightly about?

As she stared blankly at the sky, she remembered her sister who had left long ago.

She used to lie on the hill with her sister, constantly gazing at the stars.

‘Have you ever seen a meteor shower?’
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f r o m k i n g m t l . o rg

Back then, I shook my head.

‘At the time when the sun completely falls asleep, you face the sky to bid farewell to the day.’

It was past midnight.

In those days when no one looked for me, even if I climbed the hill at dawn with my sister, no one would stop us.

‘On a clear day without clouds, spread out a mat and lie down… embrace the whole sky like this. In that moment of watching the meteor shower, you’ll be the freest person in the world.’

…My sister was wrong.

I had become someone who could no longer be free. What did that meteor shower matter?

Lonely, desolate, and solitary.

Th is w a s co p ied f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g
Because I had come to know that unfamiliar feeling of not being lonely.

Because I had come to know the sensation of being able to rely on and lean on someone.

This emotion dug even more painfully into Hong Bi-yeon’s heart.

There was no one left in the Frost Palace to take her side.
T h i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n gm t l . o rg

Those who had stood by me had all left.

I am alone.

T h i s w as c o p i ed f ro m k i n g mt l . or g
Trapped alone in the palace.

Praying desolately for a lifetime.

That’s how I’ll wither away.

Hong Bi-yeon leaned weakly against the balcony and closed her eyes. As she received the comfort of the pouring starlight…

‘Ah.’

At that moment, she suddenly felt something strange yet not unfamiliar on her cheek, causing her to open her eyes. She absent-mindedly brushed her cheek with her hand, but there was nothing.

‘This is…’

Thinking about it again, this wasn’t one of the five senses. It was the sixth sense, mana, that had sensed a familiar scent.

In the dead of night when everyone was asleep.

Hong Bi-yeon quietly slipped out of her room and walked down the corridor.

Not knowing where she was heading, she just followed that familiar scent.

Walking. And walking more.

After passing through several corridors and leaving the palace, she finally arrived at what could be called a destination.

It was… the library.

The Royal Library.

It was her first time coming here since enrolling in Stella, so it had been half a year.

‘Why… here?’

Although she couldn’t understand why she had come here herself, Hong Bi-yeon unconsciously opened the library door.

She thought it would naturally be locked at this late hour, but strangely, the door was open.

Creak…!

As the old, unoiled main door opened, the interior of the library was revealed. The smell of books permeated the air, but it wasn’t unpleasant.

There was no sign of anyone. But seeing a light on inside the library, she cautiously took out her staff and headed towards it.

Then, a sudden loud noise.

Bang! Thud!

“Ugh!”

It was the sound of something collapsing.

‘What…!’

Hong Bi-yeon hurriedly ran towards the source of the noise.

When she arrived, she found dozens of books scattered from a bookshelf that had fallen sideways, and someone struggling underneath.

“Who-”

Just as she was about to ask who it was.

A boy popped out from between the books, revealing his face.

…At that moment, Hong Bi-yeon truly felt her heart might stop. She wondered if this situation might be a dream, unconsciously holding her breath.

“Oh, I’m dying here… That damn head librarian, just wait till I see him tomorrow…”

Grumbling as he tried to lift the books, Baek Yu-seol casually turned his head and met eyes with Hong Bi-yeon, who was staring blankly at him in her nightgown.

“Uh…”

A moment of silence.

After that, Baek Yu-seol smiled awkwardly and said.

“Hehe… Well, instead of just staring, why don’t you come help? Isn’t that what neighbors are for-”

Thud!

“…Huh?”

However, as Hong Bi-yeon collapsed on the spot, Baek Yu-seol couldn’t even finish his sentence.

“H-How, how are you here…”

“Just, well. You know. As a part-time job.”

He pointed his thumb behind him.

“See that? I organized all of that. Impressive, right? I’m quite skilled at this sort of thing, you know.”

Despite his proud boasting, Hong Bi-yeon’s gaze didn’t even turn to where Baek Yu-seol was pointing.

She stared at him without even blinking, as if she might lose sight of him if she looked away for even a moment.

“Part-time job… you say?”

“That’s what I said?”

“Heh, haha…”

She laughed. But strangely, her expression was crying.

“Liar…”

She bowed her head deeply.

“Who wouldn’t know it’s a lie… you stupid commoner…”

“Ahem! It’s not a lie. Maybe with a bit of MSG added. You know, instant food tastes good…”

“…Don’t look this way.”

“Huh?”

Hong Bi-yeon covered her face with both hands. From that moment on, Baek Yu-seol was genuinely flustered and couldn’t speak properly. His lips wouldn’t part, as if caught in an error.

He had no idea she would react so intensely, so Baek Yu-seol truly… couldn’t do anything.

The night was deep.

It was a night where the stars shone unusually bright.

End of Chapter.