Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Items (5)
By now, I’m not too surprised when events occur that weren’t in the original story.
Even the sight of Hong Bi-yeon sitting in front of me, haughtily grilling pork belly with tongs, doesn’t faze me.
Wow, it really doesn’t suit her. But she’s so beautiful that even grilling meat looks like a photoshoot.
…But has a princess ever grilled meat before?
Sizzle
“Hey, it’s burning! Flip it!”
“…I was about to.”
T hi s w as co p i e d f rom k in g m t l. o r g
“Geez, give me the tongs.”
“No. Today, I’m treating…”
“Shut up and give them to me.”
Wasting this precious meat…
As expected of the Fire Incarnate, she seems to burn everything well.
Hong Bi-yeon sat there with a sullen face, hands on her lap, waiting as I expertly flipped the pork belly and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
“Here, eat.”
Being born a princess, she was used to eating high-class food, so even this pricey black pork would probably seem like cheap food to her.
Still, I specifically chose this type of food. If we went somewhere like a fancy restaurant, I’d feel out of place. By taking her somewhere she wasn’t familiar with, I could sit confidently.
“…It’s edible.”
That means it’s not tasty. Normally, if she found something tasteless, she’d scrunch her face and spit it out, but today, she swallowed it down.
T h i s w as c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l.o r g
I know the reason why.
It’s because, at the Alchemy Castle, the product of ‘Alchemy Magical Engineering’ was finally developed.
It hasn’t been announced to the public to prevent a technology leak, but Hong Bi-yeon likely learned about it through the Adolevit royal family’s information network.
She probably wants to establish a direct connection to the ‘item business’ through me.
Bringing this new technology of items to the Adolevit Kingdom through ‘Hong Bi-yeon’ would bolster her position.
But there’s one thing I don’t get.
“It’s impressive you knew I’m the co-author. But why me? You could’ve contacted Assistant Alterisha directly.”
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. While the items are important, I value the connection with you more.”
“Huh?”
“You’re quite a competent person. There’s no harm in maintaining some form of relationship.”
I hadn’t expected her to think so highly of me.
Sizzle!
Listening to the sound of the pork belly grilling, I thought about what kind of person Hong Bi-yeon was.
She’s in a very precarious situation. One misstep and she could tumble off a cliff she’s sprinting across.
It’s dangerous. Knowing this, she still runs. Oblivious to the looming ruin at the end.
I understand how desperate this seventeen-year-old girl in front of me must be.
Her own power.
Her own authority.
These are what she needs the most right now.
So, whatever she does here, I plan to accept it.
She is no longer a villainess.
I may not be a mind reader, but I choose to believe she’s changed.
In the original story, she became a villainess because…
The circumstances were bad. Her relationships were entangled. She was cornered with nowhere to retreat. And the ‘protagonists’ joined the school.
So, it happened.
She can get better.
Just like Aiselle, Hong Bi-yeon Adolevit also deserves a path of flowers.
No player has ever shown such a path to Hong Bi-yeon and Aiselle…
By the way, seeing her nibble on that piece of meat for ages, she really can’t savor the taste.
“Not tasty?”
“…No. It’s edible.”
“Your face says otherwise.”
I know why.
Her taste has become quite… no, very peculiar and sensitive.
What a typical person finds sweet, she finds sour; what they find salty, she finds bitter. Added to this is her ability to detect common flavors as repulsive and twisted… but the above points are the most significant.
Why?
Because it means she can’t experience the most fundamental ‘sweet and salty’ tastes that are crucial to enjoying life.
So, Hong Bi-yeon struggles to find food that suits her palate, but without a ‘player’s’ help, she might never find it.
In Aether World, players obsessed with villains have tried thousands, no, tens of thousands of times, forcing various foods on Hong Bi-yeon to determine what she reacts to.
First and foremost, ‘spices.’
She can’t appreciate sweet and salty flavors, but she can distinctly taste spicy food. Spicy isn’t a taste, it’s a pain sensation.
Additionally, she can smell and taste astringent flavors properly. Considering these factors…
I chose kimchi.
Why kimchi out of the blue?
Do I just want to promote Korean culture?
Sort of.
Actually, even if it wasn’t kimchi, she could eat anything with chili or garlic.
That’s why I could have given her gambas or mala hotpot, but being a Korean, I chose kimchi.
“Try this.”
“…It doesn’t look appetizing.”
“Just eat it.”
Forcing the kimchi on her, Hong Bi-yeon scrunched her nose slightly but took it. Then, with a slightly surprised expression, she chewed on it.
It’s not because kimchi tastes good.
It’s simply because she can taste it. Foods that stimulate her taste buds are rare.
The reason she carries red ginseng candy isn’t for health or taste.
Th i s wa s c o pi e d f rom k i n g m t l . o rg
It’s just one of the few foods she can taste.
Seeing her keep picking at the kimchi was quite satisfying.
It’s sad for national pride, but in this world, kimchi exists but isn’t popular, so Hong Bi-yeon probably never had the chance to try it.
“They even give out red ginseng candy as an after-meal treat.”
She flinched, then quietly glared at me and snatched the candy. One was supposed to be mine.
Anyway, seeing her change little by little gave me a strange sense of joy.
If Hong Bi-yeon, standing on the side of good, becomes an ally, it would be a great help.
To raise her favorability further, I was about to say something when…
“Oh, Bi-yeon?”
A sudden, unwelcome guest interrupted.
Someone approached our table, casting a shadow.
A handsome man with a sly smile.
‘Who is he?’
I tilted my head, but Hong Bi-yeon’s fingertips trembled. If it weren’t for my keen eyesight, I would’ve missed it.
I quickly put on my Bulbul Glasses, confirming his identity.
‘Edmund Atalek.’
…The ‘death flag’ set to lead Hong Bi-yeon to ruin appeared before me.
“Bi-yeon. You were supposed to have lunch with the club members today.”
“…Senior. I told you I had an important appointment.”
Hong Bi-yeon’s expression slightly soured. She seemed quite angry.
Edmund looked puzzled, alternating his gaze between me and Hong Bi-yeon.
“You broke your promise with me to have lunch with a mere commoner?”
I don’t remember much about Edmund Atalek. But the Bulbul Glasses had detailed information about him.
First, he’s very jealous.
He already considered Hong Bi-yeon his woman, and the fact that she was alone with another man… let alone a commoner, would greatly irk him.
That’s Edmund Atalek’s weakness. Usually calm and cunning, he became irrational when jealous.
T h i s w a s cop ie d f r o m k i ng m t l. org
“He’s not a mere commoner.”
Hong Bi-yeon spoke in a stiff tone, as if reciting from a book.
Very few knew Baek Yu-seol was the co-author of the Random Aeration Cross Formula. The rumor spread quietly within the alchemy community, but Alterisha’s impact was so overwhelming that no one paid attention to the other unidentified co-author.
Hong Bi-yeon had discovered Baek Yu-seol’s identity using the Adolevit royal family’s information network, so it wasn’t surprising Edmund didn’t know.
But…
I wished he’d refrain from interfering in matters he knew nothing about.
“Baek Yu-seol. His name has been heard frequently, and I know he’s capable… but is he worth breaking our promise for?”
‘Geez, how petty.’
I’m used to being looked down upon as a commoner. But I just didn’t like Edmund Atalek himself.
If I don’t bring him down, Hong Bi-yeon will never have a happy ending.
But actually…
There are many ways to help.
T h i s wa s c o p i e d fro m k in g m t l. o r g
Bringing down Edmund and helping Hong Bi-yeon secure the throne.
It’s recorded in the Bulbul Glasses.
It wasn’t my idea.
Dedicated players who adored the villainess researched for years to find ways to save her.
Whether she took the throne or the Atalek family fell, the endings were always the same.
‘What should I do?’
Bringing down the Atalek family right now is impossible. The timing isn’t good. The Orkan family, likely supporting her sister Hong Si-hwa, is currently in a power struggle with the Atalek family.
Toppling the Atalek family recklessly would cause a power imbalance… but does that really matter?
Hong Bi-yeon will eventually awaken as the Fire Incarnate, able to stand alone without help. Even if it’s risky now, shaking the Atalek family a bit shouldn’t be a problem.
T h is wa s copi e d f r o m k in gmt l . o r g
‘Though I can’t do much now.’
I haven’t established a solid foundation yet, so confronting a noble as a commoner is impossible.
But I can take advantage of the surprisingly strong cards I have.
“Senior. Please stop. I’m considering a connection with the alchemist Alterisha through this commoner. This is going too far.”
Baek Yu-seol hid the fact that he was a co-developer of Alchemy Magical Engineering. So, Hong Bi-yeon didn’t mention it.
“Do you really think so? Bi-yeon, wake up. Dealing with a mere commoner…”
As they argued, I purposefully sighed loudly.
“Hoo, enough. I’ll just leave.”
“…What?”
Hong Bi-yeon looked unusually flustered.
“Hang on…”
“I’ll forget about the item business.”
She bit her lip and lowered her head in despair. She likely wanted to kill Edmund but couldn’t express it.
I felt sorry, but it was necessary. All for her sake.
“You’ve made a wise choice. A commoner should know his place.”
Edmund smirked, showing his teeth triumphantly, so I added,
“Additionally, I’ll inform the Alterisha school that the Atalek family has refused the item business, thus not supplying the Adolevit Kingdom.”
Edmund’s expression turned cold. Not because he was scared.
It was absurd and disrespectful.
He clenched his fists, but Hong Bi-yeon stood up first.
“…I’ll take my leave.”
“Sure, Bi-yeon. I’ll wait for you at our usual restaurant.”
As she left, Edmund glared at me with disdain.
He leaned in, speaking so only I could hear.
“Do you understand now, commoner?”
“You and Hong Bi-yeon don’t suit each other. Know your place.”
Though I didn’t look at him, I knew. His face was twisted with rage.
“And what? The Atalek family refused the deal?”
Edmund laughed derisively.
“I can’t believe you thought that threat would work.”
“Considering you’re a commoner at Stella, I’ll overlook the insult to nobility. But you insulted your senior. So, get on your knees…”
Whatever he was saying,
I couldn’t hear the rest.
Sizzle-!
‘Now!’
The pork belly was perfectly cooked.
T h is w a s c opi e d f r o m ki n g m t l . o rg
If I missed this moment, I’d never experience the meat’s true flavor.
Moving at lightning speed, I reached forward. Edmund flinched and stepped back, but I wasn’t aiming for him. I grabbed three pieces of pork belly with my chopsticks.
Straight to the lettuce!
Green onion, onion, raw garlic, three chili peppers, a spoonful of rice, and a bit of ssamjang.
The balance is key.
The ssamjang must be carefully portioned with chopsticks, and the rice amount should match the pork piece size.
I didn’t cook the garlic for Hong Bi-yeon’s sake, but raw garlic is fine. It’s essential that garlic is included.
By the way, raw garlic is good for stamina.
T h i s w a s c o pie d f ro m k i n g m t l . org
The savory smell of pork belly tickled my nose. If only I could have a shot of soju with this, but sadly, I’m underage.
The completed wrap was as big as my fist, but it fit in my mouth.
Crunch!
Th is w a s c o p i ed f r om k in g mt l .o r g
The lettuce crunched, releasing the juices. My entire body shivered.
This is it.
This is what I missed.
“…Unbelievable. Don’t expect your school life to be easy.”
Edmund muttered something and left,
But I couldn’t care less.
Th i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k in gm t l .or g
I had to make another wrap before the pork belly’s prime was over.
End of Chapter
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Keremhasid
Food before fued