Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 203

Chapter 203

A Gamble with Time (6)

The Soul Chess between Zeliel and Carmenset.

All the veteran expedition members, including the 7th-class mage Carderphilt, watched the scene with bated breath.

T h is w a s co pi ed f ro m k ing m t l . o r g
Their Soul Chess unfolded in a truly unique manner.

Was it because Zeliel was losing?

No, if that had been the case, they would have nodded, saying “as expected.”

On the contrary… it was completely unexpected that Zeliel was holding her own against Carmenset.

“The young lady… seems to have a slight advantage.”

“She pushed the legendary Carmenset into a defensive position…”

“No way, is the young lady’s chess skill that formidable? Her opponent is Carmenset, the very being who is said to have faced and won against the creator of Soul Chess!”

Honestly, none of the expedition members thought Zeliel would win. Though she was a young genius and stood out in Soul Chess, the same was true for the legendary Carmenset.

At the age of ten, Carmenset had already earned the title of Grandmaster of Chess. By her twenties, she had summoned the spirit of the creator of Soul Chess to challenge him, and by her thirties, there was a tale that she defeated him.

Even if Zeliel had earned the Grandmaster title in her late teens, her opponent was an even greater genius and had lived for thousands of years.

There was no way she could win.

They thought she was just burning with competitiveness.

That was their assumption.

-This is quite unexpected! It’s baffling!

Every move Carmenset made was blocked by Zeliel’s piece. It seemed as if she could anticipate every move her opponent would make, and her pieces moved into perfect positions.

Anticipation? Prediction? Guesswork? Foreseeing?

No.

Such words couldn’t describe it.

Zeliel’s chess was… almost like a prophecy.

‘How?’

Everyone shared the same thought.

The Archmage, the expedition members, Carmenset… and even Zeliel herself.

‘How can I know her moves in advance?’

It was as if Carmenset’s every move was laid out clearly before her eyes.

What would she do next, what strategy was she planning, and what was the intention behind moving that piece?

She could see it all.
T hi s was c o p i ed f r o m king m t l . o r g

It felt like she had learned telepathy.

Soon, she realized.

It wasn’t a difficult problem.

Previously, Zeliel had faced her second defeat of her life, and she had thoroughly analyzed and studied all the chess patterns and methods of her opponent, Baek Yu-seol.

It didn’t take long for her to make his chess her own. She even went a step further, modifying and absorbing it into her own style.

So, she understood.

The Spirit of Carmenset.

The chess that man played… was similar to Baek Yu-seol’s.

No, it wasn’t just similar; it was almost identical.

The reason Zeliel gained the upper hand?

Isn’t it obvious?

She had analyzed, dissected, trimmed, broken down, and reassembled her opponent’s moves for days on end. It was impossible to lose even if she wanted to.

Certainly, Carmenset’s chess was formidable. In a short time, she changed her patterns several times, causing the strategy to sway continuously.

Had she never experienced chess with Baek Yu-seol, would she have dared to challenge the monstrous-minded Carmenset… and achieve victory?

…Impossible.

Even knowing all the strategies, his chess skills were such that the thought of defeat lingered in her mind, a being she, a mere novice, could not dare challenge.

However, even if her skills were far inferior to Carmenset’s…

-Hahaha! I have lost!

In the end, she won.

…This too was thanks to the help of someone not even present here.

Boom!!

Finally, when Zeliel’s piece toppled Carmenset’s King, he burst into laughter and said.

-I acknowledge it! You are better than me! It’s as if the god of chess has descended!

“Oh…!”

“To be recognized by the Spirit of Carmenset…!”

“Unbelievable…”
T hi s w a s c op ie d f ro m ki n g mtl .o r g

Those loyal to Zeliel were so moved by the scene that they even knelt.

Not only did the lady they served discover the legendary ruins, but she was also recognized by the ancient Carmenset.

The moment this fact is revealed to the world, she might draw as much attention as the young mage girls of Stella, who made headlines with a massive thesis at the Aslan Seminar.

But Zeliel, devoid of any joy, stared calmly at Carmenset.

-Good! You said you wanted ‘eternity,’ right?

“Yes. Give me the key to eternal life.”
Th i s w a s c o p i ed f ro m k i n g m t l . o r g

-Do you truly wish to live forever? No matter the cost?

“…Yes. But, it’s not for me.”

-Oh?

“It’s not for me, but I want to grant eternity to my father.”

-Oh….

Unexpected words brought a slight narrowing of Carmenset’s eyes, and he stretched his mouth into a wide, twisted grin.

-Is that so…?

Something felt unsettling.

But unable to turn back now, Zeliel stiffened her neck and faced Carmenset.

He laughed.

His mouth stretched wider, shoulders shaking out of sync, and his disheveled hair flew wildly.

No sound could be heard.

As if trying to hold back laughter, he was laughing heartily.

-Khuh… so, your decision. Is it unwavering?

A brief hesitation.

Zeliel glanced back.

…

The 7th-class Archmage Carderphilt was pounding the air with wide eyes. He was shouting something, but it couldn’t be heard from here.

‘I’m sorry.’

No matter how much of an Archmage, he couldn’t stop her now.

“Yes. I won’t change my mind.”

In the end, Zeliel nodded toward Carmenset.

Crack!!!

‘Ah…?’

Suddenly, she felt something snap, and her legs gave way, causing her to collapse.

“Ugh…”
T h i s w a s c o p ie d f r o m k i n gmt l .o rg

The world spun round and round.

A childhood memory of a dark amusement park visited with her father.

Riding a carousel alone in the dead of night.

Her father waves his hand.

But the carousel kept spinning, preventing her from consistently facing him.

‘Dad.’

Whoosh, whoosh.

In the passing scenery, Zeliel kept searching for her father. The carousel spun faster and faster.

‘Dad…’

Faster.

Even faster.

Amidst the spinning scenery, she could no longer find her father.

‘Ah.’

Zeliel closed her eyes.

* * *

Southern Haoya Plains.

Named from the phrase, ‘The moonlight fills endlessly under the endless plains,’ it was so vast that nothing could be seen.

Nowadays, with the development of trains, traversing the thousands of kilometers of plains became quick.

In the old days, hundreds of tribes divided and governed the land.

The wolf beast-people of the Garam Tribe, the cat beast-people of the Black Cat Tribe, the frog beast-people of the Yoowa Tribe, among others. The diversity of tribes was quite extensive, but now most of them coexist harmoniously.

There’s a rather absurd aspect to it.

The reason these tribes, once at war countless times, achieved harmony wasn’t because they were tired of war, but rather due to the sudden appearance of the Starcloud Trading Company, which visited every tribe and conducted ‘financial therapy’ exceptionally well.

It might sound nonsensical, but sometimes reality is more fictional than a novel.

Clang clang!

“Oh…”

“Wow…”

When the train passed through the cliffside railway and pierced through the mountain, the view suddenly opened up, and a massive tree appeared.

In the distance.

A single colossal tree stood towering, piercing even the procession of clouds, occupying what seemed like half the world.

The Second World Tree, Haoya Tree.

Located at the heart of the seven rivers traversing the continent, it’s also called the heart of the plains.

Unlike the Heavenly Spirit Tree, it was inhabited by conservative elves, the so-called ‘natural elves’ of the fantasy world, along with numerous other races. In terms of scale, it was the largest World Tree.

The elves, including the Elf King Flowerseorin, communicated with this World Tree. However, there’s a ‘Tree Keeper’ more like a spectator. Of course, it doesn’t govern, as the elves inherently didn’t require a ruler.

While everyone aboard the train marveled at the Haoya Tree, I looked in the opposite direction.

In the middle of the plains, a large village harmonized with nature was established.

Moonlit Hills, Lotus Inn.

In the center of the plains, a green stalk grew unusually tall, with a massive pink lotus blooming at its top.

That place is the famous Lotus Inn. It’s also the residence of the Twelve Divine Moons, the Silver Age November, and is considered the most beautiful place in the Southern Haoya Plains.

-The next stop is Moonlit Hills. Moonlit Hills Station. The exit door is on the right.

To break the atmosphere, a woman’s voice suddenly popped out from the machine. Those who had been staring at the World Tree regained their composure and hurriedly prepared to disembark.

…I should get going too.’

Though I didn’t come for leisurely sightseeing, I was glad to have enjoyed the beautiful scenery thanks to the train journey.

T h i s w a s c opi e d fr om k in g m t l. o r g
* * *

T hi s w a s c op i e d f r om ki ngm t l. o r g
A lotus blooming high in the sky, the inn built atop it.

T h i s w a s co pi ed f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
In ancient times, it was said that those who could tread the air and fly would enjoy the arts here. However, nowadays, a state-of-the-art magical elevator was installed inside the lotus stalk, allowing anyone to enter easily.

Perhaps this enchantingly beautiful view captivated ordinary people. At one point, the Lotus Inn was filled with gambling, almost akin to Las Vegas, with scenes of casino roulette spinning or pachinko machines going off frequently seen on the streets.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m tl .o rg

Not anymore.

After the Starcloud Trading Company bought out the shares of the Lotus Inn, they closed all gambling halls and restored it to its former atmosphere.

As a result, the immortals who had developed a taste for the new gambling culture smacked their lips and disappeared somewhere, no longer to be seen, or so the rumors go…

Believe it or not.

Thinking about it now, it must have been quite a funny sight. Seeing immortals with beards reaching their waists gathered around a roulette wheel, shouting “Let’s go!”, would have been a spectacle hard to witness even with money.

“Is there a single room available?”

The Lotus Inn was no longer a single inn but divided into several inns, with qualities ranging from 1-star to 5-star. I chose a moderately 3-star inn.

“Hoho, student. Is there a single room available? You can only get a double room at the minimum.”

…Was that so?

“Then, I’ll take that.”

As I pulled out my wallet to receive the inn key, the Stella Pocket Watch slid up with it.

It wasn’t a coincidence; I intended it.

Like casually slipping in a luxury watch and foreign car keys while posting food photos on social media.

“Oh? A Stella student?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, here for a visit?”

The innkeeper’s expression changed. He had thought I was just an ordinary kid, but upon realizing I was a noble’s child here for a “vacation,” his perception shifted.

“Well… yes? There seem to be a lot of interesting things.”

With the liquidation by the Starcloud Trading Company, all illegal gambling at the Lotus Inn vanished without a trace. In other words, legal gambling still remained.

Games played with cards or dice were still present, and I deliberately came here to participate in them.

“What do you want to try?”

“Poker sounds fun.”

“Here, you get the first 100 coins for free, so give it a try.”

“Oh…”

Did they always give these? I don’t remember since I’ve never been to a game like this. But, well, it’s obvious.

They plan to hook me with a taste, making it appear I’m a noble’s child, so I’ll eventually spend real money.

However, there’s no need to bother with such tricks on me.

“I’d like to exchange coins right away.”
Th is w a s c o p ie d f r o m k i ng m t l . o rg

Bang!

After placing a black 007 box on the table and opening it, stacks of glittering bills made their appearance.

“Wh-what the…!”

Passersby widened their eyes in surprise, staring at me. The innkeeper, too, was momentarily flustered by such a big-shot guest but soon wiped off his business smile.

“Haha. Oh dear, you’re a VIP customer. You should have said so earlier. Did I give you a double room just now? I’ll guide you to the VIP room instead!”

“I don’t need that.”

“Come, come this way. You said you wanted to try poker? I’ll prepare the best players for you.”

After saying so, the innkeeper gestured wildly behind him.

He must have thought it was outside my field of vision, but I could see it clearly with Intuition.

Whirr!

Several hidden agents moved, setting up a game for me. All these cumbersome processes were part of the procedure to meet the Silver Age November.

Even if money and time were precious, it was an unavoidable process.

Then, shall we get started?’

…I was thinking when suddenly.

Crash!

A loud noise of something breaking echoed from the next room, followed by someone’s shout.

“You old scammer! How dare you cheat me! Guard! Where’s the guard? This old man used a trick! How else did the nine of spades disappear?”

“Sir, please calm down.”

“Do you think I can calm down?”

I quickly ran toward that direction. Perhaps because I had shown enough money, the guards protecting me made way.

In what appeared to be another VIP room, there sat an elderly man leisurely puffing on his pipe, while a thirty-something man was shouting angrily at him.

“You, you… give me back my money now!”

“Heh heh. The young man is saying something amusing. What trick do you claim I used?”

Though this wasn’t a casino, it was still a place for games, so using tricks would result in immediate ejection.

To prevent that, the place was equipped with top-notch mana detection sensors directly crafted by an 8-class mage, and the innkeeper himself was a 7-class mage, making magical tricks impossible.

Even if Eltemon Eltrine came by, the moment he used magic, the mana detection sensors would set off a ruckus.

“So, did the sensor go off? The guards must have been watching my every move. Was there anything suspicious?”

The elderly man said arrogantly, and the guards all shook their heads, sweating. Even the guards, composed of the Garam Tribe with exceptional peripheral vision, hadn’t seen anything, so it was safe to say there were no tricks.

In other words, he had won the young man’s money with pure skill.

‘Ludicrous.’

I chuckled at the old man’s brazen demeanor. How could someone be so shameless?

He was using a trick so fraudulent it couldn’t even be compared to 9-class space magic or a gambler’s sleight of hand.

“Damn, damn…!”

Failing to find evidence, the young man in his thirties was dragged out by the guards, penniless. I quickly took his seat.

“Hmm? Kid, who are you?”

Bang!

Was there a need to open my mouth?

Showing dominant wealth and chips, or rather, coins, was enough.

“Old man, let’s have a round.”

“Oh, from the looks of it…?”

Throwing down the gauntlet confidently, the gambling elder, Silver Age November, seemed intrigued by me, raising the corners of his mouth subtly.

“…Alright, it’s been a while since I’ve had fun. Heh.”

Ting!

He tossed a coin to me, signaling the start of the game.

The game was poker.

The card game I was least confident in.

End of Chapter