I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy

Time flew by, and the League of Spirits selection tournament at Stella Academy finally began. Unlike typical tournaments where a single match was the main focus, multiple teams played simultaneously to save time.

Instead of a knockout format, the tournament used a points system. The teams with the most points would earn the right to compete in the national tournament, but only 2 to 3 teams could qualify each year, making the competition fierce within the academy.

There were 32 teams participating, all of which had been scientifically trained. Every match promised to be thrilling and could not be taken lightly.

[Red Team Victory!]

“Damn it! We lost to a team of players who’ve barely played LOS before…”

“This is ridiculous…”

The defeated students walked dejectedly out of the arena, disbelief written on their faces.

Flame felt a bit guilty watching them.

With four overpowered members, their team easily overwhelmed the amateur trainees they faced.

"Are you still doing that?"

“Yeah. I told you not to destroy the enemy tower yet. I was trying something out.”

“Ugh. When do we have time for that? You’ve got to end the game when you can. We’re not pros, and we’re even more inexperienced than them.”

Despite the ongoing tournament, Baek Yu-Seol seemed to be experimenting with a new item build again. It was clear he was thoroughly enjoying himself even at this stage of the competition.

For some reason, Flame found that reassuring.

'Baek Yu-Seol as usual, huh?’

'What does he even do all day?’

'I don’t think I’ve ever seen him studying...’

'That’s right. He’s always training. If you’re looking for him, just check the gym or the training grounds.’

'When he’s not around, he disappears completely. I heard he goes out a lot.’

'Where does he go all the time?’

'Oh. Is he going out to enjoy some hobby or something?’

Going out to enjoy a hobby?

Not a chance.

Every time Baek Yu-Seol left campus, it was for something crucial. He rarely went out for personal indulgence.

The reality was, Baek Yu-Seol didn’t have any hobbies. He had no personal life, no leisure activities.

When the academy day ended, he was either outside handling necessary matters or training relentlessly in the training hall.

As an elite magic warrior, it made sense in some ways. But even by those standards, his lifestyle was extreme.

Even the prodigies of the Class S didn’t spend all day studying. Even Eisel had hobbies like gourmet food and board games, and Hong Bi-Yeon had recently taken an interest in soul chess and tea.

Every student had some hobby or break in their routine. It wasn’t realistic to spend all day on schoolwork.

But Baek Yu-Seol was different. He didn’t seem to have any personal life at all.

He constantly pushed himself to the limit using every second without wasting a moment and always moved forward relentlessly.

It was as if someone was constantly whipping him from behind.

That’s why seeing Baek Yu-Seol genuinely enjoying the game brought a sense of relief to Flame.

“Hah. I think I’ve got it now.”

“Got what?”

After waiting for around 30 minutes while Baek Yu-Seol stared at his item window post-match, he finally stretched and stood up.

“A usable setup for the match. I’ve had it in mind for a while, but I stopped putting it together after quitting LOS.”

There are two types of ‘experts’ in games.

One is the ‘theory-crafters,’ who mathematically analyze skills and items to find the optimal results. The other is the ‘skill-based players,’ who learn through experience by playing countless matches.

Occasionally, someone can combine both approaches, but usually, the theory-crafters create the builds, and the skill-based players apply them.

Unfortunately, the ‘character Baek Yu-Seol’ didn’t have anyone researching for him, so he had to experiment with everything himself as a pure skill-based player.

Fortunately, some of the work he did as a beginner—when he was eager to improve at LOS—remained, allowing him to piece together a usable build, albeit clumsily.

However, Flame had no idea about any of this and was utterly baffled.

“... Already?”

Creating an item build in less than two weeks was supposed to be impossible. After all, Baek Yu-Seol was a complete novice when it came to LOS.

“Yeah. It took a while, but I should be able to use it in the next qualifiers.”

While Flame was surprised, Baek Yu-Seol acted like it was no big deal, remaining calm and indifferent.

“Well, I guess that’s good.”

By now, Flame was too drained to be surprised by such trivial things. This was just Baek Yu-Seol being Baek Yu-Seol.

[Match Ongoing: Maorun White Team]

As they left the arena and checked the team match listings, Baek Yu-Seol noticed that the team Raiden had mentioned, the Maorun White Team, was currently playing.

‘Hmm... How should I help them advance…’

His deliberation was short, and the conclusion was simple.

‘Should I throw the game?’

It was hardly a mindset befitting a sportsman.

———

Rooted deep in the mountains, towering through the clouds, lay the fairy city ‘Skyflower Cradle.’ It was nestled around the ancient ‘Heavenly Spirit Tree’.

The city’s roads and buildings were formed from interwoven branches, making it inconvenient for wheeled vehicles to traverse.

The dwarves, who lived on flat lands, loved their wheels, and every time they visited the Heavenly Spirit Tree’s cradle, they would loudly complain.

“What a bothersome place.”

The dwarf king Geumgang Pal-Jeong’s translator and diplomat, ‘Doo Amri’, was visibly displeased that their proud invention, the aerial train, could not be used in this place. His expression remained sour the whole time.

In fact, dwarves and elves had never gotten along well, so there was rarely any reason for him to visit. But the king had ordered it, so he had no choice.

“Uh, hello?”

It was Meidi, the elf king’s assistant. She had taken over the position previously held by ‘Orenha’, earning the favor of Florin, and her abilities were exceptional.

However, due to her young age, she seemed shy and awkward when welcoming unfamiliar guests.

"Tch. So timid."

"Eek!"

With his large head disproportionate to his small body, Doo Amri sighed in exasperation, causing Meidi to flinch.

The expressions of the knights flanking Meidi hardened, but Doo Amri wasn’t the type to care about such things.

"Hey, lift your head, will you?"

"Wh-what?"

Thud!

“Ahh?!”

"Straighten your back! Lift your head! Sharpen those eyes! Come on, do it, you little elf brat!"

Doo Amri patted her back and shoulders with his arm until she straightened up, then used both hands to make her open her eyes wider.

“See? A royal assistant needs to show at least this much spirit. I swear, that Orenha guy before you, at least we could talk..."

“P-please don’t talk about Orenha. He’s a criminal now.”

"I know, kid. It’s infuriating that I ever got along with that trash."

Doo Amri leaned back on the sofa and took a sip of the tea in front of him, only to immediately spit it out.

“Don’t you have any dark beer?”

“… We don’t drink alcohol during meetings.”

“Boring.”

"Please state your business."

“Ah! Right.”

Doo Amri snapped his fingers, and a dwarf who had been waiting nearby approached, placing a black bag on the table.

After unlocking it with a code, the dwarf opened the bag and spun it around for Meidi to see.

“This... Is this mud?”

Inside the bag was soil, but Meidi could feel the mana in it, as if it were alive and breathing.

"That's right. It's mud. More specifically, it's the mud of the Dusk Soil Moon."

Meidi's eyes widened at the unexpected mention of Dusk Soil Moon.

“Want a taste, kid?”

“N-no, thank you.”

“Just kidding. But you should show this to the elf king immediately.”

“Is there… A reason?”

“Yes. It seems that Dusk Soil Moon, who has been asleep in the Land of the Dead Giant, is showing signs of anger. As you know, that place is sealed by both the elf king and the dwarf king’s powers. The seal hasn’t weakened, but Dusk Soil Moon’s emotions are stirring again.”

"That’s... Not a good sign.”

“Exactly. He’s one of the Twelve Divine Moons, and he hates all life on earth.”

Dusk Soil Moon was infamous for being the most violent of the Twelve Divine Moons, so much so that even the avatar of wrath would pale in comparison.

There were countless countries and cities that had been destroyed overnight due to his rage in ancient times.

"So, as I was saying..."

Click!

Just as Doo Amri was about to continue, the door opened, and Florin entered the room.

Meidi hurriedly stood up and bowed, while Doo Amri also stood and gave a respectful nod, albeit reluctantly.

"Your Majesty. This is our first meeting.”

It was a surprise to see Florin, the Elf King, in person. Doo Amri was caught off guard since he hadn't expected the queen to show up in person despite his diplomatic status.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Doo Amri.”

“It’s an honor.”

“The Dwarf King has sent word, saying that you’d be bringing important news.”

“That’s correct.”

Doo Amri’s expression stiffened.

However, Florin waved it off

“There’s no need to feel pressured. The Dwarf King has already apologized for not being able to come in person.”

“I understand.”

Florin gently motioned for Meidi to stand aside and took a seat on the sofa, settling in comfortably. She wasn’t wearing her signature white mask today, but instead draped a delicate veil over her face, softly illuminating her features and giving her an even more mystical aura.

“So, do you no longer wear the mask?”

“Are you curious?”

“Forgive my impolite question.”

“No, it’s fine. I no longer need to wear the mask. However, the curse is still effective, so I wear this veil to keep from enchanting those who look upon me.”

“Gaining favor from others isn’t such a bad thing, is it? Especially for an elf.”

“No. I want to show my face only to those whose hearts I truly wish to win. I don’t want to steal the hearts of others by force.”

"Hmm.”

Win someone’s heart? He couldn’t imagine Florin having such a person in her life.

‘Does that mean she intends to wear the veil for the rest of her life?’

Returning to the earlier discussion, Doo Amri gestured toward the item on the table.

“Do you recognize this mud?”

"... Yes. It’s a fragment of Dusk Soil Moon’s emotions.”

“Indeed. That’s why I must ask... I heard you recently faced the Absolute Invincible Chelven in battle. Did you notice anything strange about him?”

"Something strange? Well, he’s always been unusual.”

More specifically, it was his abilities that were strange. The earth seemed to protect him as though shielding him from attacks, making him nearly invulnerable, and his attacks were devastating, as if he intended to annihilate all life around him.

“The one favored by the Twelve Divine Moons... It’s still a mystery.”

Dusk Soil Moon, who harbored extreme hatred toward all life on earth, had inexplicably come to love a dark mage.

The sight of him attaching his soul to the dark mage and forbidding any other life from approaching made it clear how deeply in love he was... But why?

“Your Majesty. In reality, I did not come here by the king’s command to ask you questions. It’s more like…”

A warning, advice, counsel.

Countless words swirled in his mind, but none seemed appropriate to speak to the Elf Queen. He had no choice but to carefully assemble his sentence.

“I have come to inform you of a looming danger for the sake of your safety.”

“Are you saying…?”

“The reason for Dusk Soil Moon’s rage is because Chelven was injured. He believes the cause to be either you, Your Majesty, or Aryumon, the head of the Mage Association. Or…”

He trailed off slightly.

“Perhaps he may even come to resent the boy who dealt the final blow to Chelven, Baek Yu-Seol.”

At the mention of Baek Yu-Seol, Florin's hand, which had been caressing her teacup, trembled.

Doo Amri noticed this but looked away, giving her space to control her emotions.

‘Dusk Soil Moon’s rage…’

It was something she had never considered. After all, Chelven was a being who wandered the world in hiding, and the only one capable of wounding him was the Dark Mage King.

Dusk Soil Moon had never had reason to be enraged before.

“… Your Majesty. Our Dwarf King is currently searching for a way to quell Dusk Soil Moon’s anger, but the situation is difficult.”

“I understand. Soon, Golden Solstice Moon’s…”

Florin started to say something but stopped when she noticed that Meidi and the guards were still present. She pressed her lips together.

“… In any case, it would be wise to call upon Grand Mage Aryumon and discuss this matter in private.”

With that, Doo Amri bowed respectfully and withdrew, leaving Florin biting her lip in distress.

‘Dusk Soil Moon’s rage… And the Witch King.’

Lately, rumors had reached Florin’s ears that the Witch King had started to move again. In particular, the news that the Witch King was targeting Baek Yu-Seol sent a chill down her spine.

‘Why is it that such things always happen to him…’

Her expression stiffened as she stared absentmindedly at her reflection in the teacup.

Meidi approached cautiously and asked, “Your Majesty... Are you alright?”

“Ah, yes. I’m just fine.”

Florin forced a smile, trying to appear strong.

As a queen, she could not show personal emotions to her subjects.

“You did not hear anything about this situation. I will take care of everything myself, so do not speak of this matter to anyone until we hold the meeting.”

“We will follow your orders.”

Soon enough, everyone would inevitably learn about Dusk Soil Moon’s rage. Once the Heavenly Shift began in the Land of the Dead Giants, large-scale disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions would follow.

It had been over a hundred years since the previous Elf King and the current Dwarf King had successfully soothed his anger. Since then, there had been peace, and they had hoped he would never awaken again.

Florin closed her eyes tightly, praying that Baek Yu-Seol, who was so small and fragile compared to these immense beings that could shake the safety of the world, would not be caught up in their wrath.

‘May the blessings of the World Tree be with him.’