Magic Academy's Genius Blinker - Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Soul Chess (3)

In the Red Hawk Club room, at the club leader’s seat.

Edmund Atalek slumped weakly into his chair.

“Ah…”

He was still struggling to accept reality.

‘I lost…?’

And it was in Soul Chess?

Why? How? How could he lose a Soul Chess match to a first-year freshman?

No, more critically…

‘Did I really lose the right to attend the Aslan Seminar… to that commoner…?’
T hi s w a s co p i ed fr o m k in g m t l. org

The mana oath is absolute.

If not upheld, he would not only lose all his abilities as a mage but also become a laughingstock in the magical community for ages.
T h is wa s c o p ie d fr o m k i n g m tl .o r g

“Damn it…!”

Bang! Edmund slammed his desk with all his might, causing the members huddled in the corner of the Red Hawk Club room to flinch and glance nervously.

Though they were members of Hong Bi-yeon’s faction, in reality, they had been aligning with Edmund, and now, they had to gauge his mood.

However, no one dared to step forward. Falling out of his favor could lead to their quick downfall.

Edmund’s trembling hand reached for the phone.

How was he supposed to explain this to his father?

He failed to secure the item contracts, and now, he had lost the right to attend the Aslan Seminar.

How could he possibly explain this?

At this rate, the Atalek family might fall into ruin because of him.

Not only had they made an enemy of Alterisha’s faction, causing turmoil in the Adolevit Kingdom, but now they had also lost the right to attend the Aslan Seminar, which was proof of their prestigious magical lineage…

“Damn it, damn it, damn it!!”

Bang, bang, crash!

No matter how hard he slammed the desk, no matter how loudly he yelled, his anger wouldn’t subside. His insides felt like they were about to explode from frustration, his future looked bleak, and he had no way to retaliate against that commoner, which made him even more furious.

“Huff, huff…”

Grinding his teeth, he forced his hand to reach for the phone.

Click!

The door to the club room opened, and someone walked in. Despite standing in a spot where sunlight didn’t reach, her silver hair seemed to glow.

“…Bi-yeon.”

“Senior.”

Edmund tried to speak with a firm voice, but he could only hang his head. He couldn’t say anything to her anymore.

How did she see him now?

Edmund knew it himself. He had been using his power to constrain Hong Bi-yeon.

But now, part of that power had crumbled. The balance of power that had been equal between them had suddenly shifted.

‘Hmm…’

And Hong Bi-yeon was contemplating Edmund’s situation.

She couldn’t abandon him now. Although the Atalek family’s power had weakened somewhat, they were still needed.

The students gathered in the club room were essentially loyal followers of the Atalek family.

She intended to lead them all.

However, thanks to Baek Yu-seol, many things had changed from now on.

She no longer had to be forcibly tied to the Atalek family. She no longer had to feel suffocated by Edmund’s subtle pressure regarding marriage.

Now, Hong Bi-yeon could purely treat Edmund Atalek as her ‘vassal’ as a ‘monarch.’

“Senior.”

When Edmund raised his head, Hong Bi-yeon spoke as calmly as possible.

“I will persuade that commoner on your behalf.”

“Does that mean…?”
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“I will ask him to give us the trading rights and retract his words about the Atalek family.”

If that happened, the Atalek family’s position within the Adolevit Kingdom wouldn’t be jeopardized.

Edmund looked at Hong Bi-yeon with trembling eyes.

“But how…?”

“Well…

Feigning a troubled expression, she smiled inwardly.

She had already discussed everything with Baek Yu-seol. They had even sealed the deal with a contract.

At that time, Baek Yu-seol had smiled and said, “It’s absurd for a mere faction to challenge Adolevit.”

However, he only wanted to weaken the Atalek family’s power and strengthen Hong Bi-yeon’s position.

“…It will require a significant cost.”

Significant cost. Hong Bi-yeon deliberately spoke vaguely, so the burden would settle on Edmund’s shoulders.

So that he could clearly understand the reality that ‘you are indebted to me.’

“…Thank you, Bi-yeon. Truly, thank you.”

“It’s what I must do.”

As Hong Bi-yeon turned around, she added one last thing.

“I am destined to be a queen. So, it’s only natural to take care of my ‘vassals.’”

After speaking, Hong Bi-yeon walked out of the room with the click of her high heels, leaving Edmund staring blankly at her retreating figure.

‘Vassal…?’

Yes, from the beginning, they were like a king and a vassal. Edmund had only tried to forcefully adjust the relationship with his power.

But now that the power balance had been broken, things were reverting to their original state.

“Ha, haha…”

Collapsing into his chair once more, Edmund grabbed his hair, unable to speak for a long time.

A deeper, darker sense of loss settled in than when he lost the right to attend the Aslan Seminar.

He felt as though he had lost everything to that commoner.

* * *

Stella Academy even had a public phone booth. Although not many people used it. To make a call, the other party also needed to have a phone.

“Thank you for accommodating my request.”

– Of course, who else would I accommodate?

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Hearing Alterisha’s voice over the receiver, Baek Yu-seol burst into laughter.

Her voice, though tired, sounded happy. Knowing how busy she must be with research and development, he was grateful she took the time to call.
Th i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n g m tl . org

– By the way, you resolved the trade deal with the Adolevit royal family, right?

“Yes. Postpone dealings with Adolevit merchants and corporations for about a month. For now, only distribute through the royal family.”

During that month, Hong Bi-yeon would establish significant influence in her country. If she could dominate the entire Adolevit market in her name, it would be a monumental achievement.

In truth, she might not need such help.

Hong Bi-yeon possesses a true power that cannot be swayed by any other authority or politics.

She just doesn’t realize it yet.

– Ah, and the response to the video you sent was incredible. To be honest, I never imagined you would use those magical tools to their 100%, no, 200% potential on your first try.

“I do have some skill.”

He couldn’t exactly say he had used them countless times in the game.

– Individually, their performance might still be somewhat lacking, but thanks to you, our sponsors are very pleased. We can accelerate our development now.

“Oh, that’s good to hear.”

– We might even be able to make the items you requested soon.
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Knowing that the items he had only used in the game would become available in reality made Baek Yu-seol’s heart race.

– Um… Yu-seol.

“Yes?”

– Thank you.

Her sudden gratitude caught him off guard.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

– No, it’s all thanks to you.

“Huh?”

– These days, I’m happy every day.

With a voice he hadn’t heard from her before, soft and poetic, Alterisha spoke.

– I always dreamed of having my own little lab.

– Even if the tools weren’t top-notch, I always hoped for a day when I could do the research I wanted. I always waited and longed for it.

But she had resigned herself to thinking it was impossible.

To her, a dream was just that—a dream.

Yet, she had been given a chance.

It was the best lifeline in the world.

– Even my wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined this. In the world’s best environment, with outstanding doctors… using the best experimental tools and rare materials at will.

Who could have imagined?

From a shabby storage room with crude experimental tools, she had suddenly become the world’s best alchemist, working in a fitting facility.

– Now, no one opposes anything I do. Everyone respects my opinions and listens to my words.

For someone who had always been disregarded, this must be… the greatest happiness.

– These days, I truly feel alive. When I place my hand on my chest, I can feel my heart pounding. This is all… thanks to you.

– This time too. Someone tried to take away my precious creations again… but you stopped it all, didn’t you?

“Well, yes…”

– So, I just wanted to say thank you once more. Just… yeah, that’s it.

Her words came to an end.

Baek Yu-seol carefully pondered his response, considering her heartfelt words.

“Um…

– Oh!

Realizing she had revealed her deep feelings, Alterisha reacted first.

She hurriedly stammered and shouted.

– Ah, um, Dr. Hwarseok Koden is calling! I have to run! Goodbye!

“Wait, no, hold on! Assistant?”

Beep, beep, beep…

Before he could reply, Alterisha hung up, leaving Baek Yu-seol laughing in disbelief.

“Haha…”

After hanging up the phone, he leaned against the wall, staring blankly out the window. The sun was setting, but the sunlight was still dazzling.

“Really, she’s a whirlwind of a person…”

Imagining Alterisha blushing with embarrassment, Baek Yu-seol let out a quiet sigh.

Suddenly, the recent events replayed in his mind like a panorama.

Soul Chess.

Th i s wa s copied f r o m k in g mt l . o r g
Honestly, he had been a little nervous. He wondered if the performance of the Bulbul Glasses would work in reality. Could it be limited to NPCs in the game?

That was his slight concern.

But that worry turned out to be unfounded. The Bulbul Glasses showed astonishing performance, completely overwhelming the Soul Chess prodigy, Edmund Atalek.

Then again, no human could beat artificial intelligence.

Maybe if Lee Sedol 9-dan showed up, it would be different.

In any case, discovering the outstanding performance of the Bulbul Glasses was a significant gain.

However, obtaining the right to attend the ‘Aslan Seminar’ was good, but he had no use for it.

The main characters would naturally enter the twelve rising stars, so they wouldn’t need it.

‘Hmm, what should I do?’

As he pondered while staring blankly out the window, someone spoke to him.

“Commoner.”

“Huh?”

Looking to his side, he saw Hong Bi-yeon leaning against the wall with a mysterious aura, looking at him.

The setting sun’s soft light filtered through, making her silver hair resemble sparkling dust. Her crimson eyes glowed more intensely than the sunset, filled with a pleasant smile.

“Oh, is there another problem?”

They had already finished their contract. Was there any reason to approach him again? While Baek Yu-seol was wondering, she hesitated for a moment, brushing her hair over her shoulder.

“…This time, I owe you a big one. Truly, thank you.”

Wow. Living long enough to receive gratitude from her. It was worth living long, Baek Yu-seol thought.

Staring at him, she cautiously spoke.

“You said you had a price to help me… Tell me now, and I’ll repay it immediately.”

A price.

In fact, Baek Yu-seol’s desired compensation was quite simple.

For her not to be tainted by evil, to stand on the side of good, and to create the happiest ending together with him.

That was all Baek Yu-seol wanted.

But it would be strange to just say, “I want you to be good.” So, with 29 years of life experience, he gave the most ideal answer for the situation.

“Buy me a meal.”

“…What?”

“Just treat me to a meal. I want to enjoy a proper meal, served by the princess.”

Hong Bi-yeon didn’t expect such an answer and had a bewildered expression.

But soon, she burst into laughter and nodded.

“Alright. I can definitely treat you to a meal.”

She tilted her head slightly, gesturing for him to follow.

It might sound outdated and silly, but Stella Academy even had a parking lot.

Given that cars existed in this world, it made sense.

Cars were rarer than in modern times, used only by wealthy families, but most Stella students were wealthy, and the parking lot was filled with colorful cars.

Among them, Hong Bi-yeon’s car stood out clearly, looking incredibly expensive.

Normally, she would have a bodyguard mage in the passenger seat, but not today.

The old chauffeur bowed and opened the door, and Hong Bi-yeon elegantly stepped in. Baek Yu-seol awkwardly got in beside her, and the car started smoothly.

The ride was surprisingly similar to modern cars, making Baek Yu-seol slightly amazed.

He smirked at the thought of getting a fancy meal.

‘Hehe, what will I eat?’

He had eaten black pork before, but it felt a bit pity to eat that with the princess of Adolevit. With her wealth, she could feed him the five great delicacies of Aether to his heart’s content.

However, the moment Hong Bi-yeon had received the meal proposal, she had already decided what to eat.

She didn’t know much about Baek Yu-seol. He was always a mysterious figure full of secrets.

She recalled when he ignored all sponsorship offers and love calls from various famous magic towers.

Back then, she thought he was an arrogant commoner who didn’t know his place. Really, she thought simply.

But he had a plan.

Unlike her predetermined path as part of the Adolevit royal family, he intended to carve out his own path.

Now, she understood Baek Yu-seol’s past, filled with despair, acceptance, and fighting against new despair.

She realized what haunted Baek Yu-seol’s memories most deeply.

Like breathing oxygen to live, he had lived breathing in pain.

When people feel their emotions are too worn out and desolate, what do they do?

They seek the most beautiful and shining thing in their life.

No matter how precious or expensive the jewels or dishes were, they held no value for Baek Yu-seol.

The only thing that could heal his broken heart was likely black bean noodles.

Perhaps… she was the only one who understood that.

[Die Jajang Restaurant]

The place they arrived at.

“…Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Baek Yu-seol looked back and forth between Hong Bi-yeon and the restaurant in disbelief, but she confidently walked in.

He followed her with a baffled expression.

“Really…?”

My foie gras en croûte?

Caviar canapé?

Black truffle cream risotto…?

He had been looking forward to tasting all kinds of delicacies but helplessly followed Hong Bi-yeon into the restaurant.

“Welcome!”

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Hong Bi-yeon’s dignity was enough to overwhelm the general public. The yawning owner of the black bean noodle restaurant was so startled that he hurried over.

“The menu.”

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“Here it is!”

She confidently sat down and stared at the menu.

…She didn’t recognize any of the dishes.

But she knew one for sure.

Black bean noodles.
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“I’ll have this.”

After ordering, she looked at Baek Yu-seol, who was also reading the menu but didn’t seem pleased.

“…Why?”

Baek Yu-seol hesitated for a long time, then finally forced himself to speak.

“Um. Three bowls of spicy seafood soup and a medium sweet and sour pork.”

“…What?”

His order left Hong Bi-yeon bewildered.

“Why? Can’t I have three bowls?”

“No… That’s not it…”

She hesitated, about to ask why he didn’t order black bean noodles, but then closed her mouth.

She realized the reason.

‘Could it be…?’

Hong Bi-yeon realized her mistake.

‘Why did I think he had overcome his past…?’

In the assignment where they had to write about their past, why did he write about his mother and black bean noodles?

Why were all his words and phrases filled with sadness?

Baek Yu-seol… was still regretting that past.

His mother, who had scraped together every penny to buy him a bowl of black bean noodles when he was sick and weak.

Baek Yu-seol realized his mother’s grace only after growing older.

But by then, it was too late. Before he could repay her… she had passed away.

Though he was now looking forward to the future, he would have lived in desperation otherwise.

But… Baek Yu-seol was still shackled by his past, struggling.

His favorite childhood food.

Black bean noodles.

But now, black bean noodles had become a symbol of regret for him.

And now, realizing this.

She felt deeply embarrassed and sorry.

Hong Bi-yeon’s cheeks turned red, and she bowed her head.

“…I’m sorry for bringing you to a place like this.”

“Huh? No, it’s fine.”

For some reason, Hong Bi-yeon was bowing her head and fidgeting with her fingers.

‘What a strange girl.’

Seeing her feeling sorry made him think she might have been financially strained and he munched on pickled radish.

Even if she was short on money, as a princess, additional orders should be fine, right?

Thinking that, Baek Yu-seol called out to the chef.

“Mister, can I get an order of fried dumplings too?”

“Fried dumplings are on the house, sir!”

“Oh.”

Today seemed to be a lucky day.

End of Chapter