Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 238

Chapter 238

Witch (5)

***

Late at night.

When Flame arrived at the library, the librarian immediately spoke to her.

“It’s too late for any book rentals now.”

“I don’t care.”

Since she hadn’t planned on borrowing a book in the first place, she simply nodded and glanced around.

At this late hour, the Stella Library was nearly deserted. There had once been a ghost story circulating among the students about a “Night Librarian Ghost,” but it was quickly debunked when people realized the so-called ghost was actually just third-year seniors studying all night to enter the university-level magic towers, looking like zombies from lack of sleep.

‘No one’s here…’

“Are you looking for a particular book?”

“No, just…”

Flame had intended to ask a question, but stopped herself. Upon reflection, asking about Baek Yu-seol’s whereabouts in the library seemed a bit ridiculous.

‘This is kind of embarrassing…’

She could just leave. As she was debating whether to go, the librarian, who had been staring at her name tag, suddenly clapped his hands.

“Ah! You’re Baek Yu-seol’s girlfriend, right?”

“What?”

For some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say, “No, I’m not.”

“There was a book he forgot to take earlier. It’s something he was looking for, and I think he’d really like it. Could you pass it along to him later?”

The librarian handed her a book, and Flame accepted it.

[Witches and the Truth]

In other words, Baek Yu-seol had been searching for information about witches all this time in the library.

“…Sure, I’ll give it to him.”

As Flame left the library and walked down the street, she thought to herself.
T hi s w a s co pi e d fr o m k i n g m t l . o r g

‘Witches are real.’

She knew this well, having read the original novel of the romance fantasy genre. Witches, despite supposedly hiding in the shadows of the world, were always mentioned and frequently appeared in the plot.

And soon, there would be a major incident involving a witch in Arcaneum. In the original timeline, Aiselle would have been caught up in it, but thanks to Baek Yu-seol’s preemptive actions, she was safe.

However, while Aiselle might be safe, the future where a witch causes havoc remained unchanged. Baek Yu-seol was likely planning to stop the witch somehow…

‘Should I also look into witches?’

No matter how many books related to witches she read in the library, it wouldn’t be of any use.

There were no properly recorded books on witches, after all.

Baek Yu-seol surely knew that better than anyone, yet he was still looking for books and reading them. There must be a reason behind it.

‘Either he’s lost knowledge, or there’s a mystery that even Baek Yu-seol doesn’t know about.’

If it was the former, there was no need for her to worry. But if a mystery had arisen that even Baek Yu-seol didn’t know, Flame could help with that.

In the original romance fantasy novel, the lore about witches was detailed enough that Aiselle almost became a ‘Witch Queen.’ Flame herself, therefore, practically possessed expert-level knowledge on the subject.
T h is wa s co pi e d f r o m k in g m tl . o r g

‘Hmm…’

Flame, who had been planning to return to her dormitory, changed her direction toward the boys’ dorm instead. It was late, but Baek Yu-seol would eventually return to his dorm to sleep, so she decided to wait for him there.

***

Stella’s Supreme Knight Commander, Arain.

If I had to define his personality, as encountered in the original game, in just one word, it would be “psycho.”

“You’re here.”

“Yes.”

Upon arriving at Arain’s office, I subtly observed my surroundings. Based on what I knew, he was supposed to have a personality close to that of a madman. However, the office’s interior was bright and tidy, which felt oddly out of place.

To think that someone with his personality would enjoy decorating his office like this… It was hard to believe.

Thi s wa s c opi e d f rom k i n g m tl .o r g
“Take a seat.”

Without offering the usual tea or coffee, Arain sat down and immediately got to the point.

“I’ve heard that you’ve been personally investigating witches recently.”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

“Do you have a particular reason?”

Now, how should I respond to this?

Should I just say I’m curious?

No.

Arain wasn’t the type to waste time on trivial answers. He was very particular about not wasting his time, so it was better to give him the answer he wanted to hear.

“I want to hunt witches.”

“A foolish thought.”

…Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

Arain maintained a stiff expression as he rubbed his wrist.

“Mages cannot hunt witches. You know that quite well.”

“Yes. I do.”

Witches primarily used illusion magic, which made them a natural enemy to mages, who dealt with tangible, scientific phenomena.

No matter how diligently a mage summoned flames or controlled ice, if their mind was manipulated and broken, they would become helpless fools.

And Arain himself was known to have suffered a near-fatal wound 12 years ago while fighting a witch.

Having faced witches directly, he would know better than anyone how foolish it was for a mage to go up against a witch.

“But… You might be a bit different.”

Arain looked me in the eyes.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r om k i n g m tl . o r g

“Mana Leakage Syndrome.”

Thi s w a s co p ie d f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
“You possess a body structure different from other mages. While your body is highly disadvantageous for magic use… conversely, it also means you’re less susceptible to magic.”
T h is w as c o pi ed f r o m k i n g mt l. o r g

“That’s correct.”

Indeed, I had entirely nullified illusion magic before.

“So, I have a proposal for you.”

Arain placed a pocket watch on the table.

These pocket watches were primarily used by mages to prove their affiliation, but unlike my student pocket watch, Arain’s gleamed with a golden star engraved in relief.

‘Stella Magic Knights Pocket Watch.’

He spoke in a calm voice.

“This is a pocket watch that temporarily grants you the status of a Stella Knight.”

“That means…”

“You’ve been working alone up until now, and despite that, you’ve accomplished quite a bit. However, there are limits to what you can achieve alone.”

At that, he pushed the pocket watch toward me.

“If you accept this and join the knight order, I promise you will be treated with the same respect as a full-fledged knight. You will also gain access to information that ordinary people cannot know.”

“…Are you offering me a position?”

“Yes. You stand out even within Stella. It’s only right that we offer you such terms.”

The Stella Magic Knights were the world’s most elite force, often referred to as the ‘World Police.’ Not just anyone could join them.

Mages not only had to demonstrate a high level of magical ability, but they also needed years of experience hunting dark mages or subjugating magical beasts to prove themselves.

That’s why this offer was so strange.

While I had certainly solved many incidents, when compared to the achievements of individual Stella Knights, my efforts seemed insignificant.

“If you accept this pocket watch, you’ll be able to wield some of the knight order’s authority even as a student, and you can become a full-fledged knight upon graduation. I will personally vouch for you.”

“This is… quite generous for me.”

“You can think of it that way.”

I stared at the pocket watch.

‘This is… really tempting.’

T hi s w a s c o p i e d f r om k ing m t l .o r g
The reason I had been working alone until now was because I had no one to move with.

Of course, even if I joined the knight order, I wouldn’t be able to reveal future information, so I would still have to act alone. But being able to receive some assistance from the knight order would certainly be a huge advantage.

There was also a practical benefit. I had always been concerned about what I would do after preventing the future apocalypse.

Without the ability to use magic or alchemy, the Magic Knight Order, which valued raw combat ability, was the most suitable group for me.

“Of course, there’s one condition.”

“…A condition?”

“As a neutral, unaffiliated force, the Stella Magic Knights often take on low-level mercenary work.”

It seemed he had no pride in the title of Magic Knight.

“You, too, would continue your student life, but when an assignment comes, you must follow orders.”

—…

That didn’t sound great. When I made a displeased face, Arain quickly adjusted the condition.

“However, since you’re still focused on your studies, frequent assignments wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll make sure you’re only called upon for cases like the one you’re already interested in. Is that enough?”

“More than enough. In fact, it’s a bit too much. Why are you being so generous to me?”

“I hold you in very high regard. For the future of the Stella Magic Knights… you are essential.”

“Come on, that’s a bit much. What have I done to deserve such praise?”

I joked to lighten the mood, feeling that he was overestimating me, but he didn’t change his rigid expression.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

If he was that serious, there was no reason for me to hesitate any longer. The terms were more than generous, and though I didn’t know why, Arain seemed to trust me deeply. All I had to do was take advantage of that trust.

“I’ll do it.”

When I accepted the pocket watch, Arain’s expression finally relaxed, even if only slightly.

“Congratulations on becoming a temporary Stella Knight. Now, let’s discuss your first mission.”

“…Wait, you’re assigning me a mission immediately? I haven’t even received an official appointment yet.”

“It’s a mission you’ll find interesting. It involves a witch.”

Each time he mentioned the word ‘witch,’ Arain kept rubbing his wrist.

“That’s… Yes, that’s interesting.”

When I confirmed my interest, Arain, as if expecting that response, pulled out a prepared document and placed it on the table.

“Your mission is to trace the movements of the witch causing trouble in Arcaneum and, if possible, eliminate her.”

T his w a s c o p ie d f r om k i ng m tl . o r g
After saying that, he clasped his hands and asked,

“Can you do it?”

Without hesitation, I accepted the document and nodded.

“Of course.”

***

After that, I spent quite a bit of time discussing witches with Arain before I was finally able to leave.

‘As you already know, witches do exist.’

That’s how he started the conversation. He was careful not to ever mention his past defeat at the hands of a witch, but he did his best to provide me with as much information as possible. Unfortunately, most of it was information I already knew.

However, there was one piece of information I found particularly intriguing.

It seemed to be directly related to why I kept hearing those hallucinations… Something about witches with grudges binding their souls to objects…

“Hm?”

When I returned to the dormitory, I noticed the door was slightly open. Did I forget to close it properly?

‘Whatever.’

There were security cameras everywhere, so the chances of a thief entering were slim.

After coming in, I quickly showered and then securely stowed the document envelope in a makeshift safe.
T h i s wa s c o p i ed fr o m ki n g m t l.o r g

I turned off the lights, feeling ready to collapse into bed, but as my body hit the mattress, I felt something soft and warm by my side. Startled, I shot up and gasped.

“W-What the hell…?”
Th i s w a s copi ed f r om k i ng m t l .o rg

I quickly summoned my glasses to light up my surroundings, and there, to my surprise…

“…Flame?”

A small girl with short hair was curled up like a shrimp, sound asleep and breathing softly.

‘Did I enter the wrong dorm?’

No, that couldn’t be. The layout of the room was definitely my dormitory.

‘Then what the hell is she doing here?’

As I watched her hog one corner of my bed, I wasn’t so much angry as I was dumbfounded.

Should I just pick her up and carry her back to her own dorm? Or should I be the one to sleep elsewhere?

“Sigh, whatever.”

But then again, it all felt like too much of a hassle. I planned to spend the next few days roaming all over Arcaneum, so I wanted to get a proper night’s rest. Gently pushing Flame further into the corner, I plopped down onto the bed.

It was uncomfortable and distracting… but sleep would come eventually.

End of Chapter.