Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Soul Chess (1)
Edmund Atalek calmly unfolded the newspaper. There was no need to ask what was so important.
One piece of incredible news stood out on every page of the newspaper.
[Alchemist Alterisha Develops New Magical Engineering Technology of the Future]
…Indeed, it was newsworthy enough to cause a stir in the press.
The feature could store magic in scrolls or potions, potentially increasing the efficiency of all wands used so far by several times, and even include mysterious functions in ‘items.’
Th i s w a s c op ie d f r om k in gm t l . o rg
All the future technologies imagined so far could be realized by Alterisha’s Alchemy Magical Engineering.
“To think it would be this significant…”
He had vaguely heard about the impressive aspects of the Random Aeration Cross Formula. The combination of alchemy and magical engineering. Those two seemingly impossible linked technologies held unimaginable value.
For those without knowledge, it was hard to grasp its extent.
Edmund was just like them.
But after confirming it, he felt reassured.
‘It’s not a big deal. Anyway, Father is moving quickly.’
Introducing such technology into the country is quite a significant issue. Various corporations, merchant guilds, magic towers, and guilds must already be in motion.
If they could localize the items in Adolevit under the name of the Atalek family, the foundation of their family would become solid.
‘Thinking back, did that commoner brat spout some arrogant nonsense back then?’
What? The Atalek family refused, so they wouldn’t supply items to the Adolevit Kingdom?
Ridiculous. Even now, he couldn’t stop laughing at the thought. It’s because he was ignorant of politics and society that such nonsense came out.
The head of the school came to them, begging, ‘Please buy our products,’ let alone thinking that the roles of superior and inferior had reversed.
‘That was quite a funny gag after a long time.’
The Atalek family’s reach extended to every corner of the Alchemy Castle, where the joint research on items was progressing, and even most of the alchemists within Stella Academy had deep ties with Adolevit.
Of course, the Alchemy Castle was said to be an inviolable area for any nation… but that was just a facade.
Unless all the alchemists united, or the mysterious ‘co-author’ spoke out, or the great ‘Golden Alchemist’ intervened.
Nothing significant would happen just because of one commoner’s word. That was reality.
Ring!
At that moment, the phone rang from the office inside the club room.
“Sir, you have a call.”
“I heard it.”
It was not uncommon for the direct descendants who were set to inherit the family to have small personal offices within Stella, and Edmund, being the successor of the Atalek family and the head of one of the largest clubs, the Red Hawk, had a rather sizable office.
Thanks to that, despite being just a student, Edmund Atalek’s office was equipped with a telephone.
Considering how rare telephones were, it was quite surprising. Even though telephones were common at Stella, having one installed in a club room was unheard of.
T h i s w a s co p i e d fr om k i n gm tl . o r g
Edmund walked gracefully and picked up the receiver.
“Edmund Atalek speaking.”
T hi s w a s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g mt l . o r g
-…My son.
The voice from the other end was none other than his father’s. It was rare for him to call directly, so Edmund was a bit surprised.
“What’s the matter?”
– The Alchemy Castle just contacted us.
“Oh, as expected of Father. Your connections are fast….”
– They said the ‘Alterisha School’ alchemists have stopped supplying items to our country because the Atalek family refused. Do you know anything about this?
T hi s w a s c op ied fr o m k i ng m tl .org
“…What?”
For a moment.
He was at a loss for words.
Those words from his father, he had heard them somewhere before.
His mind went blank.
T hi s was c op i ed f ro m k i ng m t l .org
It was unbelievable.
T h i s wa s c o pi e d fr om k i ng mtl . o r g
“H-Haha… Father, you must be joking… Why would I say such a thing to the Alterisha School…?”
– But it’s true. The ‘co-author’ of the Random Aeration Cross Formula said so himself.
“…What?”
A co-author.
He had never met such a person. Then, a sudden thought.
‘…Could it be Baek Yu-seol?’
His heart started pounding.
At the same time, a chill ran down his spine, and cold sweat formed on his forehead.
T hi s w a s c o p i ed f r o m kin g mtl . o r g
“No, uh, well…”
He stuttered for a while, unable to finish his words, barely clinging to a thin thread of hope.
“Even so, refusing the Adolevit Kingdom… That’s not possible.”
-…Indeed. Adolevit, being the Kingdom of Fire, could even influence Stella Academy.
“Yes, exactly…”
– But! That applies only to the magical world. Do you know where most of our country’s engineering technology comes from?
“Of course…
In magical engineering, it’s the Black Iron Empire.
In alchemy, it’s the Alchemy Castle.
Realizing this, Edmund shut his mouth.
“But… you know how influential we are in the Alchemy Castle, Father—”
– Ha! Ah…
His father sighed without listening to his words until the end.
– You still don’t seem to understand the situation. I held your extraordinary intellect in high regard. What’s the use of it all then?
Edmund listened to his father without even breathing.
– My son, it’s a ‘technological revolution.’
“…What?”
– It’s a new technology that hasn’t existed until now. It’s a technology that can create items comparable to the ‘artifacts’ once called ancient relics.
“Did you say artifacts…?”
– Yes! Even now, countless alchemists are joining the Alterisha School, and even the ‘Golden Alchemist’ Hwarseok Koden is conducting joint research with Alterisha.
“What…?”
Hwarseok Koden?
That Golden Alchemist, really?
‘What is this…
It’s bigger than I thought.
– Yes. You might be right. No matter how revolutionary the technology is, they can’t refuse Adolevit.
It’s the Adolevit Kingdom.
The world’s strongest nation, Adolevit. If they wanted, they could shake the Alchemy Castle.
However… doing so politically and diplomatically would cause significant noise. Therefore, the country wanted to find a peaceful compromise quietly.
Perhaps
The Alchemy Castle also knew Adolevit would approach peacefully, so they dared to do such a bold thing.
To show off their power, telling them not to touch them.
In other words, the Atalek family was just being used as a political tool by the Alchemy Castle.
– We must bow our heads first, my son. Even if you don’t move, the country will soon resume trade with the Alchemy Castle. But the name of Atalek will not be on that Silk Road.
Th i s w as c o pi ed f r o m ki n gm tl . o r g
Edmund didn’t say anything. He couldn’t say anything.
– My son. I’ll ask you once more. Were you involved in this incident?
Edmund Atalek still didn’t answer, and that was already answer enough.
His father was silent for a long time, and finally, he left one last word and hung up.
– Since you caused this, you must resolve it somehow. I’ll talk to the higher-ups.
Click!
Beep. Beep. Beep.
As he listened to the beeping sound, Edmund stared blankly at the receiver.
“No, wait, what is…”
Let’s organize his thoughts.
…There was no need to organize.
Edmund bit his lip hard and banged his forehead against the wall.
‘I have to meet Baek Yu-seol…’
To make the Alchemy Castle retract their statement, he had to meet Baek Yu-seol and have a proper conversation with him.
But.
He had done so many things to him that he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
From the start, the very act of bowing his pride to a commoner for such a trivial matter was still unacceptable.
He turned his trembling eyes to Hong Bi-yeon. Whether she knew about the phone call or not, she was still enjoying her tea time in the same position as before.
“…Bi-yeon.”
“Yes, please speak, senior.”
Hong Bi-yeon responded with a slightly stiff expression. She had also begun to sense that something unusual was happening.
Edmund trembled his lips and uttered the repulsive, detestable name.
“…Can you arrange a meeting with Baek Yu-seol?”
Hong Bi-yeon stared at him silently for a long time, thinking about something.
Eventually, after organizing her thoughts, Hong Bi-yeon slowly nodded.
“Yes, I’ll arrange it.”
* * *
In a cafe located in Stella’s Star Tower. It was a place I rarely came to, having few friends and almost no need to study, but it was a cost-effective cafe frequented by students who were neither commoners nor from wealthy families.
Hong Bi-yeon had chosen the location, and it seemed she did so to draw attention as many students gathered around, studying or chatting.
Naturally, the sight of Hong Bi-yeon and I, an unlikely pair, occupying a table drew students’ attention.
“Hey, those are students from the Magic Combat Department.”
“They’re from 1st-year S-Class.”
“That’s Princess Hong Bi-yeon, isn’t it?”
“Yes. What’s that commoner doing with her?”
Hong Bi-yeon stared blankly out the window, indifferent to their chatter.
“Aren’t you ordering coffee?”
“…I will.”
Whatever coffee or tea she ordered, it wouldn’t suit her taste. But I knew what kind of coffee Hong Bi-yeon liked.
I stood up, headed to the counter, and called the waiter to place an order.
“One iced Americano and…”
“Yes. And?”
“In a Demitasse cup, please brew a Talibica variety Rainforest High Mountain bean using a French Atalbica roast. Rapidly preheat the Crystal Magic Coffee Machine for 5 seconds and extract it through a filter within 30 seconds to make an Esoprosero.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Shall I repeat it? Using the Crystal Magic Coffee Machine…”
“Oh, wait a moment. It’s not that I need you to repeat it… the order is just, well…”
“Can’t you do it?”
“Well, …no, we can…”
The waiter sighed deeply and lowered his head. The profit they earned from that tedious process was so minimal.
I knew I was being a nuisance and making them go through unnecessary trouble, but what could I do? The princess liked it.
“Half a teaspoon of sugar with a teaspoon.”
The waiter gave me a look that screamed ‘you’re doing too much’ as he fiddled with some tools.
After a while, the barista came out with an iced Americano and an espresso, looking like he had chewed something bitter.
Taking the drinks to the table, I handed one to Hong Bi-yeon, who widened her eyes in surprise.
The quality might fall short compared to what she drank in the palace, but it was still her favorite coffee.
T h is wa s c o p ie d f r om k i n g m tl . o r g
She closed her eyes and sipped the coffee with satisfaction.
The coffee cost only about 8,000 credits, but the way she drank it with such elegance and refinement made it seem like a 1 million credit coffee.
‘Hmm, it’s almost time.’
Afternoon, 1:29 PM.
One minute before the appointment.
Right on time, the cafe door opened, and Edmund Atalek entered.
“You’ve arrived, senior.”
He looked ten years older than when I last saw him, and he gave me a hateful look as soon as our eyes met, but quickly changed his expression.
The usual gang he always dragged around was nowhere to be seen.
Edmund walked cautiously toward us, scanning his surroundings. He didn’t seem to like the crowded setting but had no choice since I had chosen the place.
“I’ve ordered two Americanos and an espresso. By the way, it’s Dutch pay. Give me the money now.”
“…What?”
“Aren’t you paying?”
When I reached out my hand and pressured him, Edmund handed over a 10,000 credit bill.
What a windfall. Americanos cost only 5,000 credits. I made a profit.
He sat opposite me with his head down, saying nothing for a while. I sipped my Americano through a straw, making loud noises on purpose.
Slurp—slurp—slurp—
The coffee was quickly gone, and I intentionally checked my wristwatch.
“Hmm. If you’ve called me, speak up. I’ve finished my coffee, so I’ll…”
“That incident.”
Finally, as if in a hurry, Edmund opened his mouth.
“…I apologize.”
The heir of the great Atalek duchy, boasting a thousand-year history, had apologized to a mere commoner.
Th i s w a s co p ie d fr om ki n g m t l . o r g
Commoners should be satisfied with this alone.
They should. It’s more than enough, so they should accept it.
…Maybe that’s why he made such a half-hearted apology.
I spoke indifferently.
“And?”
“…What?”
“Is that it? I’m leaving then.”
“W-Wait! What do you want from me!”
After shouting hurriedly, Edmund looked around. Everyone’s eyes were on us.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“You, you…”
Edmund stuttered in embarrassment, then spoke again.
“I apologize! I sincerely apologize. I deeply regret and repent for looking down on you as a commoner. So, could you please retract what you said earlier?”
Murmurs.
Students began whispering quietly. Everyone knew that Edmund had been tormenting me, so this situation was confusing.
Actually, there’s no need to go this far. Normally, that is.
I don’t particularly enjoy forced confrontations or forced satisfaction, and I’ve already achieved my goal.
However, the reason I’m doing this… is to suppress the death flag of Hong Bi-yeon’s future involving Edmund Atalek.
He isn’t a particularly powerful individual. Though being a 4th-class mage at nineteen is impressive, Edmund’s growth stops there.
From now on, he will likely live as a politician rather than a mage.
Thus, the threat from Edmund Atalek wasn’t physical but political.
Therefore, I plan to gradually strip away his ‘political power.’
I can’t bring down someone backed by the great Atalek family all at once.
But, as his value diminishes and Hong Bi-yeon stands alone… Edmund will crumble on his own.
My scheme is just that.
I have no faction or backing. I’ll just gradually eat away at him so Hong Bi-yeon can eventually consume him.
That’s all.
“Then how about this?”
I pulled out a sheet of paper from my pocket. It was a ‘mana paper.’
Whatever was drawn on it would magically manifest.
It sounds grand, but it’s a common paper you can find at any stationery store.
However, the contents written on it might be a bit different.
“Oath…
Edmund muttered, bewildered, as he read the pre-written content.
That’s right.
An oath.
A ‘mana oath.’
“Let’s make a bet. The game will be ‘Soul Chess.’ If I lose here, I’ll retract what I said and supply items to the Adolevit Kingdom solely through the Atalek family.”
Edmund’s eyes widened at my words.
“But if I win…”
He belatedly came to his senses and read the next part.
“Give me the ‘fixed attendance right’ to the Aslan Seminar.”
“What, what…! Do you think that makes any sense…”
“If you don’t want to, forget it.”
“W-Wait!”
The Aslan Seminar.
A prestigious public debate meeting where the scions of venerable magic families gathered for academic group discussions.
Only the true elite among the magic families could participate, and those deemed lacking were either denied entry or expelled during the debates.
There were three ways to attend the Aslan Seminar.
‘Presenting an excellent thesis in the previous year and getting recognized for attendance in the following year.’
‘Possessing a thesis worthy of presenting at Aslan and transferring the attendance right.’
‘Being one of the twelve rising stars of the year.’
The term ‘fixed attendance right’ didn’t exist. It just appeared so because families continuously secured the attendance right by presenting excellent theses year after year.
In other words, the same families kept attending, and twelve new rising star mages joined each year, most of whom couldn’t last a year and left.
Is it easy to be one of the twelve? No.
Even attending the Aslan Seminar for just a year was a great honor, so geniuses from all over the world competed to attend.
Elves, beastmen, angels, dwarves, and humans. Only twelve were selected from all the races.
Thus, those who continuously attended the Aslan Seminar considered it a form of ‘authority.’
Because.
If you couldn’t prove your magical abilities at the Aslan Seminar, you were expelled immediately and could never attend again, so just continuously attending proved your status as a ‘noble magic family.’
The Atalek duchy had attended the Aslan Seminar for decades, which was a significant factor supporting their power. I planned to aim for that.
Of course.
It’s a completely, utterly unbalanced trade.
No matter how valuable the items are, comparing them to the right to attend the Aslan Seminar is absurd.
But here’s the crucial point.
Soul Chess… Haha, interesting.
Edmund Atalek’s Soul Chess skills were unmatched in the school, and he had even participated in world tournaments.
He never considered the possibility of his defeat.
“…Fine. I’ll sign the contract.”
Finally, with a confident smile, Edmund Atalek raised his finger. If he drew blood and signed, the mana oath would be completed.
“You know what happens if you break the oath, right?”
“Of course I do. The moment you break the oath, you lose all mana. The same applies to you.”
“Of course.”
…I said, but actually, I have no mana, so breaking the oath wouldn’t change anything for me.
Not that I planned to lose.
End of Chapter
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