Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Everything Melted (1)

A full day passed since the two calamities struck Lisbond Port and the entire Adolevit Kingdom.

No one was unaware that the vengeful spirit of the Pirate King, awakened from Leviang’s Coast, and the royal treasure, the Flower of Fire, nearly erased the entire nation.

For Hong Seriu Adolevit, an 8th class mage who had lived without failure, it was the first blemish in her life.
T h is w a s c o p i e d from k i n g m t l .o r g

And… people also knew.

That the one who perfectly covered Hong Seriu’s mistake was none other than the third princess, Hong Bi-yeon.

She controlled the Flower of Fire, which no one had been able to tame since Adolevit, and even used its power to defeat the vengeful spirit of the Pirate King!

Could there be a more dramatic story of life-reversal than this?

“…I’m telling you; it wasn’t me who defeated him.”

Hong Bi-yeon’s name spread widely not only in Adolevit’s media but globally.

A mere seventeen-year-old girl had thwarted the calamity caused by both the Ice Avatar and Fire Avatar, a feat that garnered inevitable attention.

In this context, Queen Hong Seriu did nothing, making Hong Bi-yeon shine even more by comparison.

While the praises and accolades for her were indeed pleasing—being revered by someone was something Hong Bi-yeon truly enjoyed—she felt it unfair that Baek Yu-seol, the real hero who defeated the Pirate King, received no spotlight.

Very few had witnessed Baek Yu-seol, splitting the clouds and riding the aurora to strike down the Pirate King in a single blow. It was just known as a single bolt of lightning.

Thus, Hong Bi-yeon desperately tried to publicize Baek Yu-seol’s achievements, but no one believed her.

Who would believe that a high school boy, unharmed and fainted, had struck down the Pirate King in one blow?

…Admittedly, it was just as unbelievable for a seventeen-year-old girl to have done such a thing.

“Princess, would you like to be discharged?”

The attending physician at the university hospital at Lisbond Port asked carefully. Hong Bi-yeon was physically fine and could have been discharged immediately.

“…Well.”

T h i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n g m t l. o r g
She pondered for a moment.

She could return to the royal palace immediately, but…

She didn’t feel the need to do so.

“No, I’ll do it when I feel like it.”

“Er, ahem. I understand.”

The hospital system in Lisbond Port was quite well-organized. Since the city itself was the adventurer’s haven, many people often got injured while exploring dungeons or hunting monsters.

But even so, having a direct royal family member admitted seemed burdensome, judging by the uncomfortable expressions of the doctors.

Of course, Hong Bi-yeon didn’t care at all about others’ discomfort.

She was selfish, after all.

“Princess… then, what should we do about the journalists waiting outside?”

Hong Bi-yeon slightly lifted the curtain to look outside.

Indeed… a massive crowd was swarming in front of the hospital.

The royal knights blocked them, so no one could easily approach, but at this rate, patients wouldn’t be able to be admitted properly.

But would there truly be any patients needing admission?

Hong Bi-yeon looked far out to the coastline. The sparkling seawater under the warm sunlight was beautiful.

That’s right.

Leviang’s Coast had begun to breathe and live again.

While the waves gently rolled, the water wavered with the wind, and the temperature had dropped significantly, making the sunlight quite warm.

The ice hadn’t fully melted yet, but Lisbond would soon regain its appearance from a thousand years ago.

The Ice Avatar, sealed within the Pirate Ship, was sealed as Black Bellize, the Pirate King, fell, and the curse of eternal winter was completely lifted.

Of course… whether it would bring entirely positive effects immediately was uncertain.

Lisbond had lost its function as a port city for over a thousand years, and no one remembered those times.

Yet, it was inefficient for Lisbond, located in a fantastic position at the heart of the continent, to remain frozen and paralyzed.

If developed as a port, it could be a stepping stone to make the Adolevit Kingdom even stronger.

“…Send the journalists away.”

Even as selfish as she was, she decided to keep the place quiet for now, considering any potential future patients or already admitted ones.

All the patients here would also become her subjects one day.

For Hong Bi-yeon, things that weren’t hers weren’t worth considering, but what was hers was precious.

“Then, what should we do about the visiting dignitaries?”

“I told you to send them away, didn’t I?”

“Well, they are quite high-status figures, making it difficult for us to just turn them away…”

Listening to the doctor’s words, Hong Bi-yeon brushed her hair back. It wasn’t a meaningful gesture, just a way to hide her twitching lips.

Until now, the faction supporting her consisted solely of students inside Stella trying to grab hold of a royal connection and, at best, Duke Atalek’s household.

But things were different now.

Everyone wanted her, and everyone started looking for her.

“Hmm-hmm. Just say I’m not available to meet yet. I’ll announce my discharge, so tell them to come then.”

“Announcing your discharge… is that what you mean?”

“Yes.”

Had Baek Yu-seol heard this, he might have remarked, ‘Such a show-off, down to the bone,’ but no one here dared say such a thing to Hong Bi-yeon.

Her treatment had become only natural.

Even for the doctors here, if it weren’t for Hong Bi-yeon, they might have vanished without a trace in the calamity.

The benefactor of the entire nation.

In fact, for this hospital, discharging all the other patients and focusing solely on her might be a matter of family honor for the doctor.

“Then, I’ll convey that.”

It was not the doctor who answered but the knights escorting Hong Bi-yeon. Normally, she should have had an official assistant, but lacking a designation from the queen, the knights had to take on such tasks.

Right after the incident, Queen Hong Seriu returned to the capital immediately.

She knew too well how embarrassing and perilous the act she committed was.

She might be preparing something to apologize to the citizens soon, but… that was not Hong Bi-yeon’s concern.

“Hmm…”

After the doctors left, leaving the hospital room in silence, Hong Bi-yeon quietly hummed a tune.

Everything was perfect.

Could there be a more perfect day than this?

She felt so happy and blissful that she almost wanted to fly off and ascend right away.

However, she couldn’t completely let go of all her concerns and worries yet.

Just one.

There was one big worry left.

When will Baek Yu-seol wake up?

Right after the battle, Hong Bi-yeon, who had awakened in the hospital room, searched for him first. Fortunately, the doctors’ response was positive.

‘Physically, there are no issues… but he seems to have suffered extreme mental stress. We conducted thorough examinations, puzzled over such an extreme stress level, but could not find the cause. Perhaps he experienced quite a taxing ordeal just before losing consciousness.’

Upon hearing the doctor’s opinion, Hong Bi-yeon felt a pang in her chest.

Something that might have caused Baek Yu-seol extreme stress.

He had never once shown any sign of struggle despite overcoming numerous hardships and adversities, making it impossible not to worry.

‘But he will wake up soon. His recovery rate is astonishing.’

Hong Bi-yeon decided to trust those words.

While respecting the doctor’s knowledge and examination, she believed in Baek Yu-seol even more, thinking he wouldn’t fall from just this.

Knock knock!

While she was lost in thought, a knock echoed.

-Princess, Black Matale is here to see you.

“Let him in.”

The lord of Cheonhwa Ice Palace, governing Lisbond Port, and the descendant of the legendary Pirate King, Black Bellize, Black Matale.

As the door to the hospital room opened… Matale, who seemed to be in better condition than when she last saw him a few days ago, entered.

Though still in patient clothes, he covered them with a coat out of courtesy and stood up to greet her, but suddenly, Matale knelt before Hong Bi-yeon.

“…What are you doing?”

Following him, the men who had come in with Matale also knelt before her.
Th i s w a s c o p ie d fro m k in g m t l .o r g

Hong Bi-yeon couldn’t understand the situation but watched them quietly.

“I have received great grace from you, Princess.”

“I’m aware.”

“…It’s not just that you saved our lives.”

Matale raised his head to meet Hong Bi-yeon’s ruby eyes directly.

“One thousand years. For exactly one thousand years, our Black lineage has fought against a curse.”

A compulsion to go out to sea.

However, if they went out to sea, they would inevitably die.

The dreadful curse that began with the era of Black Bellize grew stronger with each passing generation, and now it had reached a point where even looking at the beautiful horizon caused pain.

The reason the Black lineage couldn’t live long was absurd—it was because they couldn’t resist the urge to go to the sea and ultimately ran into the ocean, ending their lives.

Just as Matale’s father and grandfather did, he might have met the same end.

But now things were different.

“Thanks to you, Princess, our Black lineage can once again go out to sea after a thousand years.”

“…That’s great.”

Hong Bi-yeon turned her head to look out the window. Gazing at the slowly melting sea felt liberating.

Although they were freed from the curse, they couldn’t go out to sea just yet.

It was due to the contract with the Adolevit royal family.

“If I become queen… I’ll release your entire lineage from that contract.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m not joking. Go and live as you wish, whether it’s as pirates or whatever.”

“Your words alone are gratitude enough.”

“I’m serious. Because I will truly become queen.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“What?”

Black Matale looked at Hong Bi-yeon with a clear gaze.

“I have also fought against the compulsion to go out to sea all my life and have now been freed from that curse. Yet I have no intention of turning my back on the Adolevit royal family.”

“Then… what do you intend to do?”

“I am fine with the next generation enjoying the freedom of the sea. I will remain here in Lisbond, work to grow this city, and if we ever reach a level of being able to help, I will lend you my strength.”

“What?”

Hong Bi-yeon was taken aback by his unexpected words.

Even today, the value of a port city carries significant meaning. Although warp holes and airship technology have been developed, it is still highly inefficient to transport all cargo, making water transport remain the main means of trade.

In that sense, Lisbond Port, located at a strategic center capable of reaching the entire world, holds immense potential. If it grows properly… it could wield tremendous power.

The lord of Lisbond, Black Matale, had been holding a titular position, but would he remain so when it becomes a true port city?

Certainly not.

In the future, his power would soar to unprecedented heights.

When that time comes, if Black Matale, holding wealth and power, supports Hong Bi-yeon, it would surely be a great help in the battle for the throne.

“That is…”

“…If being of pirate lineage bothers you, I will cleanly resign as lord and step down.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

If Black Matale were to step down as lord, Lisbond would fall back into Queen Hong Seriu’s hands. That must not happen.

“I have never disregarded pirates. To begin with, under me, all humans are equal, be they nobles or slaves. I judge people by their abilities, never by their status.”

“Is that so…”

Though it pricked her conscience slightly, it was somewhat true recently, allowing Hong Bi-yeon to shamelessly speak those words.

“Thank you. I will surely grow this city into the best port and be of help to you.”

“Yes. I’ll visit often, so do your best. I’ll support you in everything I can.”

“Thank you!”

Black Matale pledged allegiance to Hong Bi-yeon, and after he left, Hong Bi-yeon quietly turned around, clenching her fist.

Things seemed to be going well.

And it felt like more good things were yet to come.

As if her feelings were right, exactly a week later…

Baek Yu-seol woke up.

* * *

I had a dream.

-I prefer a swift and clear development with dramatic scenes!

The voice of Blue Winter December echoed like a resounding bell.

-Good luck!

Soon, my body was falling.

When faced with sudden buoyancy without any warning, a human naturally feels fear, but I seemed to lack even the energy to feel frightened.

The world flipped wildly, and when I came to my senses, I was flying above Leviang’s Coast.

Soon, Black Bellize, the Pirate King, filled my vision.

He really had a massive and heavy build. I had seen him in graphics in the game, but the pressure felt in reality was on a completely different level.

However.

Even he didn’t scare me.

Only one thought filled my mind.

‘Pierce it into the heart!’

The small icicle given by Blue Winter December had grown longer than my height and emitted a blue glow.

The Spear of Aigilix.

If I stabbed it into the heart of the Pirate King, where the Ice Avatar was dormant, I could seal the source of his power.

-That…

He seemed surprised upon discovering me, but it was too late. I used blink continuously without controlling it for maximum range. Though it was only 45 meters, it was enough.

It was sufficient to pierce the heart of Black Bellize, the Pirate King.

It was simple.

I aimed the spear at his heart.

And stabbed it in.

-..!!

At that moment.

Suddenly, Black Bellize’s blue skull turned into mint chocolate chicken.

I sat at the table with a fork to eat mint chocolate, but it didn’t suit my taste.

When I offered it to Flame sitting beside me, she said…

‘If you get hit by the magic beam fired by mint chocolate chicken, you can never eat deboned chicken legs again!’

Unfortunately, Flame had already become unable to eat deboned chicken, but fortunately, she liked Hawaiian pizza, so it didn’t matter.

However, since I disliked Hawaiian pizza too, I had no choice but to flee from the mint chocolate chicken swinging a mop and chasing me.

Living with the joy of picking deboned chicken legs, I fled desperately but was caught because I had no taxi fare.

Then, a Gundam descended from the sky and knocked out the mint chocolate chicken with a hyper-flame jet kick.

Today, we protected world peace again!

Staring at the corpse of mint chocolate chicken, I felt horrified, but I thought I couldn’t be the only one to see such a thing, so I donated it to a museum.

People gathered to look at mint chocolate chicken and felt tormented.

‘Jesus!’

‘I can’t believe such food exists in this world!’

‘I can’t trust my visual organs!’

While watching the suffering people with a heavy heart, Aiselle quietly called me to the backyard of the school and hesitated shyly, twirling her mint-colored hair.

T h i s wa s c op i e d f ro m k i n g mt l . org
‘I think I actually… like mint chocolate chicken…’

At that moment, I opened my eyes wide.

“Ahh, no!”

“W-What… commoner…”

Right next to me, Hong Bi-yeon looked at me with a bewildered expression.

“Oh, oh? Whew…”

A dream.

It was a dream.

I often relive intense experiences in my dreams.

Though it was problematic that the story veered in a strange direction…

“I had a nightmare…”

When I said that with a serious face, Hong Bi-yeon listened intently.

“What kind of dream?”

“A dream where if you get hit by the magic beam fired by mint chocolate chicken, you fall under a curse where you can’t eat deboned chicken legs…”

“So I showed it to Flame, and she said she likes Hawaiian pizza, so it doesn’t matter…”

“…And then?”

“So, I had no choice but to exhibit it in a museum, and then Aiselle said she actually likes it and wanted to eat it herself…”

Saying it out loud, it was absurd, so I glanced at her cautiously, and sure enough, her expression was scrunched up in anger, unlike before.

“Yeah. So?”

“Uh, uh… that’s the end?”

I said and sneaked a look around. This place seemed to be a hospital room. Judging by the high-quality white wallpaper and medical equipment, I seemed to have received decent treatment.

While I was grasping the situation, Hong Bi-yeon kept asking about the dream. As if she was waiting for something.

“That’s the end… why?”

“…It’s nothing.”

T h is w a s c o pi e d f ro m kin g m tl.or g
Then Hong Bi-yeon, with a deeply furrowed brow, seemed annoyed by the nonsense she heard.

“Hoo…”

Regardless of her anger, I felt mentally exhausted and lay back in bed.

“Hey, how long was I asleep?”

“A week.”

“Holy crap. That’s a big deal.”

“…Why?”

When I was shocked, Hong Bi-yeon was equally shocked.

“Wasting a whole week of summer vacation…”

Hong Bi-yeon gave me a look as if to say, ‘What kind of guy is this?’ but despite that, I was serious in my own way.

I had been running nonstop in life, planning a little vacation just for myself.

‘Ugh. The bet with Blue Winter December must have been quite significant…’

Even though it was a completely frozen environment where I didn’t need to eat or sleep, having endured that hardship for three months, a mere week of fainting might have been generous.

“Then… where am I?”

“Lisbond Hospital.”

She said while standing up. Her strange, smug smile was somehow pleasant to see.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“I confirmed you woke up. I’ll finish the discharge process.”

“Oh… okay.”

“What are you doing? Get dressed.”

“Am I being discharged too?”

“Of course.”

Was it really so obvious?

I wasn’t sure, but if the princess says so, there’s no way I could disobey.

I got up and rummaged through the wardrobe. With only the school uniform coat left, I decided to wear it anyway and waited.

…I waited a long time.

I must have zoned out on the bed for nearly two hours.

“What’s taking so long?”

Click!

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As if waiting for me to speak, Hong Bi-yeon, dressed properly unlike me, opened the hospital room door and entered.

“Looks like everyone’s gathered. Let’s go.”

“Oh… okay.”

I followed her.

Hong Bi-yeon’s appearance seemed strangely well-prepared.

Soon, I found out why.

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Click-click!!

Chatter chatter.

“It’s the Princess!”

“The third princess has come out!”

“Princess! Please look this way once!”

*…What is this?*

Suddenly, an overwhelming crowd was waiting for us, almost dizzying.
T hi s w a s c opi e d f r om k ing m t l . or g

No, more accurately, they were waiting for Hong Bi-yeon.

They screamed in excitement towards her, while reporters frantically clicked shutters and thrust microphones, an even larger scale of media attention than any incidents I’d been involved in combined before.

‘Crazy… what on earth is happening?’

Hong Bi-yeon elegantly swept her silver hair back and walked towards the crowd.

Step! Step!

As the Adolevit knights cleared the way for Hong Bi-yeon, she naturally walked through it.

Could there be a more perfect model walk? It felt like I was a bridesmaid at a wedding, following behind her when suddenly Hong Bi-yeon turned around, looking at me.

“Baek Yu-seol.”

“…Yeah.”

Why was that?

In the moment Hong Bi-yeon called me, all surrounding noises disappeared. As if only the two of us remained in the world.

“Forget everything about the Hong Bi-yeon you’ve seen so far.”

“What?”

Thi s w as co pi ed f r o m k ingmtl . o rg
I expressed confusion at her sudden words, but she didn’t properly answer and took another step closer to me.

“And engrave the me of now into your memory.”

“W-What do you mean by that?”

“Have you… ever seen me this happy?”
T h i s w a s c o p i ed f rom ki n gmt l. o r g

Why did Aether World Online suddenly come to mind at that moment?

In the game, the character Hong Bi-yeon never experiences happiness, ultimately ending with a tragic end at the hands of the protagonists.

But the real Hong Bi-yeon was different.

Not only did she pass one of the biggest death flags with ease…

“Princess Hong Bi-yeon!”

“Long live the princess!”

“Please look this way once!”

“We love you!”

She had become the beloved, praised, and greatest princess by all.

It was unquestionably.

A completely new ‘Hong Bi-yeon’ I had never seen before.

I didn’t know what she meant by asking such a question. But, I understood in my own way and answered.

“No. I’ve never seen it.”

“…Yes. I suppose so. Without you, I couldn’t have become like this.”

She took another step closer. Now so close that her breath was within reach, it was quite overwhelming, but I couldn’t step back for some reason.

“So forget all the Hong Bi-yeon’s up till now. And…”

She hesitated briefly but ultimately pulled out the words she had kept inside.

“Only remember the me of now, no matter what happens to you.”

-…What?”

“Can you do that?”

I didn’t know what it meant, nor did I understand the context, but it felt like a big deal if I said no, so I nodded hastily.

Only then did she relax her expression, smile slightly, and lead the way walking ahead.

Was it just my mood that Hong Bi-yeon’s footsteps seemed lighter than usual today?

But seeing her in a good mood, my own steps felt lighter as well.

I wasn’t sure why.

End of Chapter