Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Absurdity (1)
After talking with Alterisha and waiting for a moment, the office door opened, and a weary-looking Hwarseok Koden entered.
“Oh, Baek Yu-seol is here!”
As soon as he saw me, he approached with a big smile. I also bowed my head and said,
“You look tired.”
“Well, there’s been a lot going on lately.”
“Has the Paldangram Republic been bothering you?”
“…Yes, but how did you know about that? They were supposed to be secret visitors.”
T h i s was c op i e d f r o m k i n g m tl . o r g
“I saw the carriage parked at the entrance. The emblem sculpted by Baqque Mos’s sculptor gave it away.”
“Oh… keen observation. Yes, they’ve been quite a nuisance.”
“Because the technology of the items is highly coveted.”
Hwarseok Koden nodded, rubbing his forehead with his fingers.
“Yes. Even though you’re not in the Alchemy Castle, you seem to know its internal affairs like a ghost.”
“I had no idea…”
The Alchemy Castle is neutral and belongs to no country. But in this world, true neutrality doesn’t exist.
The alchemists of the Alchemy Castle also have their own countries.
Therefore, when new technology is developed at the Alchemy Castle, it sometimes attracts national interference. They might secretly extract their nationals involved in the development or demand the technology.
This time is no different.
Alchemists can’t work alone, so Alterisha already had many alchemists under her.
Although they were bound by strong contracts… once nations start interfering, there’s no guarantee they won’t betray.
Trust as an alchemist would be shattered, but if their family’s lives were at stake, they would choose betrayal a thousand times over.
“The Paldangram Republic came to threaten the alchemists who have families there. Fortunately, I heard about it first and drove them away, but this can’t continue indefinitely.”
Golden Alchemist Hwarseok Koden.
He is an alchemist so powerful that he could create an island in the middle of the sea.
Possessing power comparable to a 9th-class mage and even greater authority, he could easily fend off national interference.
So, nations try to extract researchers secretly, and while they’ve managed so far, the future remains uncertain.
“Anyway, it’s quite a headache. I’ll have to take some measures soon.”
I knew what those measures meant. Thinking the opportunity had come, I spoke up.
“You plan to make an example of someone, don’t you?”
“Uh…”
Hwarseok Koden widened his eyes as if slightly surprised, and I quickly added,
“I read a newspaper from ten years ago. It mentioned what happened to those who coveted your ‘multi-constructive’ technology.”
“Ah, yes, that happened.”
The multi-constructive method involves combining multiple alchemy circles, which can be understood as ‘multi-casting.’
It opened a new world in the alchemy community by allowing alchemy to move in multiple directions simultaneously instead of just one.
Naturally, ten years ago, many attempts were made to steal this technology.
So, Hwarseok Koden made an example of a seemingly untouchable large corporation.
Th i s w a s co p i e d f r o m ki n g mt l . o r g
‘We will cease all transactions with the Laganthal Corporation.’
That statement, like the flap of a butterfly’s wings, became a storm that eventually devoured the Laganthal Corporation.
Unable to absorb anything from the Alchemy Castle, while everyone else thrived using multi-constructive technology, they were left behind and naturally phased out of the market.
Thus, Laganthal disappeared completely from history, leaving no trace behind.
People didn’t realize back then.
Just how powerful the ‘Golden Alchemist’ could be.
Realizing that someone who could topple a top-tier corporation with just a word existed was a revelation.
And…
I plan to use this precedent.
Edmund Atalek probably didn’t know that I was connected to the Golden Alchemist. That’s why he spoke so rudely.
“Who do you have in mind as the example?”
“For now, Paldangram. They’re the most dangerous. There are many from Paldangram in the Alchemy Castle, making control difficult.”
“Uh…”
Pretending to think for a moment, I carefully spoke.
“I think we can leave Paldangram alone.”
“…Hmm. Why?”
“The government will change in a year. The current president of Paldangram is reckless, but he’s in a lame-duck status and can be ignored.”
T h is w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n gm t l .o r g
“That’s true, but…”
“The candidates for the next president have little influence over the alchemists of the Alchemy Castle… How about targeting somewhere else instead?”
The key in a conversation is not just to avoid looking ignorant but to appear competent.
The other party needs to recognize that you know a lot and can see a broader picture for them to take your words seriously.
Through the Bulbul Glasses, I had pretended to be knowledgeable, and it seemed to have worked, as Hwarseok Koden was now looking at me seriously.
“…For example?”
“Adolevit. Specifically, let’s target Atalek.”
“Hmm…”
“We have a reason. Edmund Atalek, their successor, told me he would refuse the deal.”
“Huh.”
While I’m not significant, my shared ownership of the technology makes that statement quite fatal. Of course, Atalek could forcibly intervene, dismissing me, a commoner.
Atalek is a prestigious family renowned for producing alchemists and mages. Their influence within the Alchemy Castle is vast.
Thus, I needed Hwarseok Koden’s power.
“Hmm, Adolevit… They’re quite a headache too…”
Hwarseok Koden trailed off.
No matter how powerful, confronting a mighty nation is not easy. It’s on a different scale compared to toppling a corporation.
T hi s w a s co p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l . o r g
“Of course, we can’t completely sever ties with Adolevit. If they respond aggressively, it would be difficult no matter what.”
“That’s right.”
“But Adolevit won’t come out aggressively at first. They benefit greatly from the technology of the Alchemy Castle, so the king will try to resolve the issue peacefully and attempt to continue the trade.”
This moment is crucial.
“Before that ‘peaceful’ approach turns ‘aggressive,’ we can retract our statement. Eventually, we will trade with Adolevit… But everyone will know.”
Oh!
The Alchemy Castle can even influence Adolevit.
Fully understanding my point, Hwarseok Koden stroked his chin with a serious expression. Alterisha, who still seemed dizzy, didn’t have much to contribute. Political issues were something we planned to handle ourselves.
“That makes sense. It’s a good opportunity with a valid reason, perfect for setting an example.”
Even now, countless hyenas are eyeing the technology of the items.
But if they see even a momentary hesitation from the ‘king of the jungle’ lion?
If they realize that what they thought was prey is actually stronger than the lion?
T hi s wa s c o pi e d f r om kin gm t l . o rg
The hyenas would become scared and cautious.
“I’ll handle the royal trade rights.”
“Can you do that?”
“I have a friend in the Adolevit royal family.”
Hwarseok Koden, feeling a sense of relief, flashed a gold-toothed smile.
“Good. The more I see you, the more I want you as my disciple.”
Alterisha, who had been silently sitting, finally spoke up, sensing that the conversation was wrapping up.
“Um, how… does Yu-seol know so much about politics? Aren’t you a commoner like me?”
“Uh…”
I wasn’t expecting that question, so I hesitated before coming up with an excuse.
“Well, reading the newspaper is my hobby. Watching politicians fight is quite entertaining, isn’t it?”
“Not at all?”
“It’s really fun.”
For the record, when I say fighting, I mean it literally.
Watching politicians punch each other and lie on the floor in the National Assembly is quite entertaining.
Anyway, my excuse seemed to work as Alterisha faintly smiled.
“Thank goodness. We’ve received help again.”
If I confessed that it was all for my selfish motives, she might be hurt. My conscience pricked like a needle, but I ignored it.
Anyway, the conversation ended successfully.
* * *
Time passed, and the second exams began.
As the results of the second exams would be reflected in the ‘rank changes,’ the students of Stella Academy were studying day and night, but it had nothing to do with me.
‘Practical Magic Application Exam’
If nothing else, it was a sure spectacle.
Flames and lightning bursting everywhere were scenes you couldn’t see in a modern high school.
Since magic has various attributes, the scoring criteria were different for each.
For lightning types, it was about the maximum voltage and chain units. For fire types, it was about how explosive the power was. For ice types, it was about measuring the range based on the lowest temperature.
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n gm t l .or g
In addition, there were evaluations for healing, curses, hexes, new moon studies, material, radiance, and special attributes inherited through bloodlines.
T hi s w a s co p i ed fro m k in g m t l . org
There were many spectacles, but the fire attribute always stood out.
Honestly, the most spectacular was the lightning attribute, and the most beautiful was the water or ice attribute, but the fire attribute was always noisy and expansive.
Naturally, Hong Bi-yeon ranked first.
However, Hong Yiel, the exam supervisor for the fire attribute and Hong Bi-yeon’s mother, didn’t seem satisfied with her.
Hong Si-hwa, who could be considered her competitor, had already become a great mage who could delicately wield even more destructive and explosive magic.
Although Hong Bi-yeon was still young and promising, her mother seemed more anxious than her.
“You’re still lacking. Work harder. Your magic always risks hitting allies, which is a demerit.”
Despite her efforts, her mother only gave harsh criticism, but Hong Bi-yeon silently nodded.
Soon, Hong Yiel turned her gaze elsewhere. The second rank in the first-year fire attribute was none other than Arshuane.
“Your control is impressive. Although the firepower is slightly lacking, that can be compensated with precise control. You’ll excel when facing sensitive enemies or carrying out quiet missions.”
While Hong Bi-yeon only received harsh words, Arshuane received praises. Hong Bi-yeon’s expression darkened, but Arshuane’s expression wasn’t good either despite the compliments.
The fire attribute focused solely on firepower, and no matter how good the control was, weak firepower was a fatal flaw.
Arshuane gave Hong Bi-yeon a cold glance before disappearing somewhere with quick steps.
“Baek Yu-seol. It’s your turn.”
Th i s wa s c o pie d f r o m k i n g m t l . or g
T h i s wa s c o pi e d fro m k i ng mt l .o r g
Fortunately, due to my ‘special magic,’ I wouldn’t fail completely this time, unlike during the entrance exam.
…Of course, I failed countless other magic application courses, but that was inevitable.
[Blink]
Wearing protective gear, I moved toward an obstacle 8 meters ahead, then swiftly passed between another set of obstacles, landing smoothly.
In fact, the Blink exam was nothing special.
It was about the maximum range and cooldown interval of Blink, and how precisely I could control it.
“Impressive. Not only is there no delay after blinking, but you also head precisely in the desired direction… It’s fascinating.”
The instructors and assistant professors scoring the exam often gave exclamations. It seemed Blink being an uncontrollable magic intrigued them.
“Ahem, how on earth do you train to control Blink?”
Some professors subtly asked about the principle, but I didn’t answer.
I couldn’t.
How could I explain something I didn’t know myself…
It just works?
“Ah, well. A mage doesn’t reveal their secrets, huh? Fine, fine.”
So, remaining silent often resulted in such disgruntled reactions, but they didn’t scold me harshly.
Though I was a commoner student, forcibly extracting magic secrets was considered unethical for a mage.
Well… there were groups that secretly stole magic secrets, but since I had no secrets to steal, there was no need to worry.
After a few Blinks, the exam ended, and I moved to the next exam site.
‘Magic Protocol Interpretation Exam’
This was a subject I was confident in.
Students had to interpret a complex magic circle designed in the middle of the exam hall, and those who finished first could leave early.
A test of endurance and pain, lasting from at least an hour to six hours.
[Prokitex’s Overlapping Circuit Design]
The Bulbul Glasses analyzed the magic circle, displaying numerous pieces of information that made no sense to me. But understanding wasn’t necessary. I just had to copy.
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
‘Why is it taking longer to interpret than usual?’
Isn’t this too difficult for first-year students? I wasn’t sure. I was clueless about magic.
After pretending to understand and taking twenty minutes, I stood up. If I blatantly copied, it would take five minutes, but that would be too obvious and look like cheating.
‘Already?’
‘What’s with him…?’
Although the students couldn’t speak during the exam, I could feel their wide-eyed stares.
Sorry for cheating while you all work hard, but I just want to finish quickly and rest.
My score would probably be a perfect 100.
To avoid failing, I needed to score as high as possible in written and theoretical subjects.
Since I botched the practicals, I might fail if I didn’t score well in the written exams.
“Here.”
“Is it a forfeit?”
The professor accepted my test paper without even checking and placed it in the chart. It seemed some students gave up early.
“No. I finished.”
“…Already?”
“Yes. I’ll be going.”
The professor then pulled out my test paper from the chart, nodding.
Now it’s break time.
I had no intention of spending exam week productively and planned to nap in the classroom.
As I left the exam hall with such thoughts, a group of thugs blocked my path.
“Are you Baek Yu-seol?”
Seeing their second-year badges, I immediately knew.
Edmund had finally started his nonsense.
Even at Stella, there was always a hierarchy, and Edmund had likely ordered these second-years within his influence to torment me for disrespecting a senior.
This was intentional. To push Edmund to the point of no return.
“Look at this punk staring at us.”
“Hey. Do we look like a joke to you?”
“Damn kids these days.”
“Back in my day, this was unthinkable.”
…But facing it, it sure feels shitty.
End of Chapter
LilyAllucard
Da um jeito nesses bully
Tbraxer
Annoying ah cliche bully
Molart_Note
Rinha de político ao som de Linkin park é incrível