Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 222

Chapter 222
T h is w a s copi ed f r o m king m t l . o r g

End of Summer (2)

When Aiselle and Flame regained consciousness, they found themselves in a campsite located some distance away from the ruins of Karacornia.

T his w a s c o p ied f r o m k i n gmtl . or g
“You were both found passed out.”

The leader of the Karakorun Expedition muttered with a bitter expression.

It had already been a week since their exploration of the ruins of Karacornia began, but they had found nothing, and the whereabouts of Kaila remained unknown.

In the midst of all this, Aiselle and Flame had also gone missing, causing great concern.

He left them with the words, “At least it’s a relief that we found you two,” and arranged some personal time for the two girls to rest.

Left alone in a three-person tent, the two girls sat in silence, each staring blankly at different spots.

Having experienced something that felt like a dream, it seemed they still hadn’t fully regained their sense of reality.

Eventually, it was Flame who broke the silence.

“…What are you going to do?”

Though the question came out of nowhere, Aiselle responded as if she had already prepared an answer.

“Morf Forest used to be the territory of the Grand Duchy of Morf. But after that day, it was designated as ‘Tainted Land,’ and it’s now managed by a nation, five Towers, and the Mage Association.”

A strict barrier had been erected around Morf Forest, and the Security Guard was still on high alert, ensuring that not even an ant could approach.

She had never questioned it before, but now, thinking back, something felt off.

“Why are they trying so hard to hide that place?”

The legendary beast, the White Tiger Flame Spirit.

The 9-Risk Dark Mage, Isaac Morf.
Th is w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m tl . org

…And even Baek Yu-seol.

The scars from that fierce battle would still be etched into the battlefield of Morf Forest, left unhealed.

“That land is the evidence.”

Aiselle Morf could now clearly determine her goal. The revival of the Grand Duchy of Morf.

But more importantly, revealing the truth of the events that took place ten years ago while retrieving her father’s lost soul, which still wandered the world.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

Morf Forest had become a symbol of Adolevit Kingdom’s dark secrets, and they would never reveal it. Not to mention, how could she find her father’s lost soul, which could be anywhere?

But still, it was fine.

‘Father was not a traitor.’

‘He was, in fact, a hero.’

‘He is still alive somewhere.’

Just knowing these truths was more than enough of a reward and brought her immense happiness.

Feeling lighter than ever, Aiselle stretched, as if the heavy burden on her chest had been completely lifted.

“Shall we head back now?”

“Yeah.”
T hi s w a s co pi e d f ro m k ing m t l . or g

T h is w a s copi e d fr om k in g m t l. o r g
“It seems the Expedition plans to conduct a full investigation of Karacornia. They will probably… do their best to find the missing Kaila.”

But Kaila was no longer here.

Having fulfilled her role of showing Aiselle the echoes of the past, Kaila was likely traveling elsewhere now.

The chances of finding anything in the ruins of Karacornia were slim, but no one would listen to the claims of seventeen-year-old girls.

“I’ll go inform them that we’ll be heading back down.”

With that, Aiselle stepped out of the tent, leaving Flame to let out a long sigh as she flopped down onto the ground.

“Haaaaaa…”

It had been an exhausting journey.

Who would have thought that just watching could drain one’s mental energy so much?

She had been so worried about Aiselle that she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off her, not even for a moment.

‘By the way…’

She recalled the moment just before they returned to this place.

When Baek Yu-seol was about to send her back while riding on Isaac Morf’s mysterious artifact, the Wheel of Dawn.

The words he had murmured while staring into the void. No, it was not just a murmur; it was definitely a ‘conversation.’

‘I haven’t received the gift you promised last time. Is it alright to receive it now?’

A promise, and a gift.

Come to think of it, the original romance fantasy also frequently mentioned the word ‘promise.’ The Twelve Divine Moons were all tied to promises with someone, and they were determined to fulfill them…

Yet, even those stories didn’t fully resolve this mystery.

What exactly was this promise?

The Wheel of Dawn.

When Baek Yu-seol asked for something, a moment later, a gigantic wheel appeared in the air. Though it wasn’t visible, it meant that someone was watching over him.

But in truth, Flame had already figured out who or what that ‘someone’ was.

‘The Constellatio Project.’

‘The Wheel of Dawn will send me back.’

After all, hadn’t Baek Yu-seol said it himself?

It was certain.

Baek Yu-seol could communicate with and access the ‘Library of Stars,’ where all the knowledge of the world was stored.

That was just one of the countless secrets Baek Yu-seol had kept hidden.

This was something Flame had somewhat expected. Given that Baek Yu-seol had fought against the world’s destruction countless times by turning back time, it was unlikely that the Constellatio Project would leave him alone.

For some reason, it made her heart race.

The Library of Stars, a place only barely accessible to even the ‘protagonist’-level girls possessing the power of the twelve families, was a place where Baek Yu-seol could even communicate with.

To be honest, the more Flame learned about Baek Yu-seol’s secrets, the more questions seemed to pile up.

But even that was enjoyable.

Little by little, piece by piece.

It felt like she was getting to know him more.

“…Shall we go back?”

By now, Aiselle was probably eager to return to Stella, so it would be best to hurry along together.
T h i s w a s co pi e d f ro m kin g m t l . o rg

* * *

Teharlan, the capital of the Adolevit Kingdom.

Frostcliff Palace.

Now that the curse over Leviang’s Coast had been lifted thanks to Princess Hong Bi-yeon’s efforts, one might wonder if this place should still be called ‘Frostcliff,’ given the now warm and sunny light that bathed the cliffs. However, given the cold atmosphere inside the palace, the name seemed as fitting as ever.

Queen Hong Seriu of Adolevit swept her fiery red hair behind her shoulders as she addressed Princess Hong Bi-yeon, who stood before her with her head held high.

“So, Stella’s new semester is starting.”

“Yes.”

“Are you going back? If you wish, you may stay here and receive the princess education you’ve missed out on until now.”

“No, thank you.”

While receiving the education she had missed as a princess was certainly important, she could study that at Stella in her spare time.

“I see. It looks like you have a reason you must return to Stella.”

She had no intention of quitting Stella. She planned to spend the full three years there and graduate normally.

“It will put you at a disadvantage. The royal succession ceremony is scheduled for three years from now, and during that time, you’ll be busy completing Stella’s academic courses instead of receiving proper royal education.”

“When was it ever not a disadvantage? Please stop pretending to care now.”

“…I see. Very well. Since it’s a path you’ve chosen, don’t blame me for it.”

“Yes.”

“Then, you may go.”

It was an unexpectedly curt and dry exchange for a conversation between a queen and a princess. Hong Bi-yeon, without a moment’s hesitation, turned to leave but then paused.

“Is there something else?”

“…I have one question.”

“Speak.”

Recently…

Hong Bi-yeon had learned that there was a certain ‘curse’ passed down through the Adolevit family.

Because of this curse, even the least talented princesses never lived beyond the age of thirty, and those born with the flames of Adolevit rarely lived past their late teens to early twenties.

But something didn’t add up.

Princess Hong Si-hwa.

Although Hong Bi-yeon thought of her as inferior to herself, even she had innate talent.

“How is it that… she has managed to survive until now?”

It was said that Adolevit princesses who were near the end of their lifespan would lose control of their flames and waste away until they died.

But when had Hong Si-hwa ever shown such signs? She always seemed composed, still freely wielding her flame magic, never once showing any signs of losing control.

It was as if…

She had somehow overcome the curse of Adolevit.

“That is not the case.”

Queen Hong Seriu firmly denied it.

“However, I can tell you that she is extending her lifespan by some special means that you are not aware of.”

“…Is that so?”

“Is that all you wanted to know?”

“Yes.”

It seemed there was indeed some method, but the queen had no intention of divulging it.
T h i s w a s co p i e d f r o m k i ng m t l . or g

Not that Hong Bi-yeon was particularly interested in prolonging her life in the repulsive way Hong Si-hwa had apparently discovered.

Why bother devising another method?

Becoming queen would suffice.

As Hong Bi-yeon shook her head, ready to leave without hesitation, Hong Seriu added a final remark.

“Do not be curious.”

“Knowing it would only bring you harm.”

She had no intention of being curious, and even if she found out, she had no desire to use Hong Si-hwa’s method to extend her life. It was a needless worry.

As Hong Bi-yeon exited the audience chamber, leaving Hong Seriu behind, she walked down the long corridor, receiving salutes from the royal knights. She had intended to quietly lose herself in thought, but someone leaning against a distant doorway caught her eye, irritating her.

“…Hello?”

That disgustingly familiar face that appeared just when she was about to forget it.

“…Do you have business with me?”

“Mm-hmm! I heard you’re heading back to Stella? I thought I’d see my little sister’s face before you go~!”

“You’ve seen it, so you can leave now.”

“Aww, don’t be so cold!”

Hong Si-hwa pretended to cry, bringing her hands to her face, but Hong Bi-yeon ignored her and tried to pass by, when Hong Si-hwa suddenly spoke up.

“Curious?”

“…About what?”

“How I’m still living so healthily.”

“So, eavesdropping is a hobby of yours?”

“I just happened to overhear~ I had a reason to meet with Her Majesty the Queen as well~”

Hong Si-hwa had the habit of dodging any disadvantageous remarks and then redirecting the conversation back to her target.

“So, what about you? Are you curious? You are, right? Want me to tell you?”

“…I don’t need to know.”

“Hey, if you lose the throne, you might just drop dead, you know?”

“I’d rather die than live a wretched life using your disgusting methods.”

As she firmly stated this and tried to walk away, Hong Si-hwa’s voice suddenly grew low.

“My dear sister.”

“…What?”

“Wanna see this?”

Hong Si-hwa abruptly lifted her shirt, revealing the area around her navel. The stares from the knights nearby were unbearable. How shameless could a princess be?

…But before those thoughts could even form.

Hong Bi-yeon found herself slightly shocked, her eyes widening.

“…What is that?”

“You’re right. I’m living a wretched life using disgusting methods.”

On her stomach, a white magic circle was engraved, burning like a flame.

No, it wasn’t just like a flame.
T h i s wa s c op i ed fro m k i n gm t l .o rg

It was actually burning.

The temperature in the area had noticeably risen the moment she lifted her shirt.

Just standing nearby was enough to make sweat pour down in streams.

“…Are you carrying that burning thing inside your body all the time?”

“Yeah. Well~ It’s a bit hot and painful, but it’s bearable~ Isn’t it better than dying?”

This was undoubtedly Hong Si-hwa’s weakness.

Something she had never shown to Hong Bi-yeon before… her vulnerability.

But why?

Why now, all of a sudden?

Why show this to me?

“You know? When you become queen, the curse is temporarily suppressed, so you can live much longer.”

“I know that.”

“But what about your children? Hmm? What if you fall in love with someone? What if you want to have children, but the curse that afflicts you is destined to be passed on to them? And what if they don’t inherit the throne, so they’re doomed to die young? Would you still have children?”

“That… That’s…”
T h is w a s c o p i ed f ro m k i n gm tl .o r g

Her fingertips trembled. Having always lived as a child, she had never considered the perspective of a ‘mother.’

Come to think of it… Hong Bi-yeon’s mother, Hong Yiel, had been exceptionally harsh on her daughter.

But, in her efforts to make her daughter the queen and save her life, was there anything Hong Yiel wouldn’t do…?

Could that really be called ‘harsh’?

In truth, wasn’t that…

A mother’s love?

“Hm~”

Observing the now-conflicted Hong Bi-yeon, Hong Si-hwa let out a hum and pulled down her shirt.

As she walked toward the audience chamber, she left one final remark.

“Think about it a bit more~ You don’t want to live a wretched life like me, do you?”

She was right.

Hong Bi-yeon had never once thought of living like Hong Si-hwa. That was why she had aimed to live out her lifespan through the ‘right way’ of succeeding the throne.

“…Ah…”
T hi s w a s c opied f r om k i ng m t l. o rg

But what if the method she had thought was right, the destination she had aimed for her entire life…

Was actually flawed.

What if it was wrong?

Then… what should she do?

‘…I don’t know.’

Her mind was filled with confusion.

End of Chapter