Ch. 98 - Tae-Ryeong’s Godly Technique (1)
I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic AcademyThis chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Notes
Happy reading!
This chapter is broken. Please report this on discord.
Happy reading!
Chapter 98: Tae-Ryeong’s Godly Technique (1)
Having vanquished a danger level 6 dark mage, the first-year students of Stella Academy became a hot topic.
It was astonishing that the first-year students of Stella had successfully repelled the dark mage's assaults not just once, but twice, garnering considerable attention.
However, it was short-lived.
The world was about to learn a shocking revelation.
[The true identity of the dark mage was none other than a Stella Academy professor?]
[The corruption of Alchemy Professor Maizen Tyren]
[In light of this incident that sent shockwaves through the academic community, Stella's side…]
Most mages possessed formidable mental resilience, making them resistant to corruption.
But what about a professor at Stella?
Being entrusted with the education of the most exceptional students in the world, they would undoubtedly be exceptional teachers as well.
Yet, a corrupted professor had emerged.
"I didn't expect you to keep this fact a secret,” said Elf King Florin to the person sitting across from her.
Elthman Elwin fidgeted with his ring, and Florin didn't touch the food in front of her either.
The food smelled good, but there was a bigger problem.
No matter how skilled Eltmon Eltwin was, he couldn't resist the curse.
"Well, I wanted to bury it, but there are limits to that. Such incidents will continue to happen in the future. It's just a matter of time before it explodes."
"If such incidents continue to happen, then..."
“Exactly. The dark mages have already infiltrated deeply in the magical society. It's really disgusting, but it's the same with Stella."
In the end, the intrusion of dark mages into the Divine Realm was all because of an issue within the Stella Academy.
From the perspective of the Heavenly Spirit Tree, there was no reason to compensate Stella.
In fact, Stella should be the one paying significant compensation.
"I will make sure to compensate you. Are the divine beasts unharmed?"
"Thankfully, there were no injuries."
"That's a relief," Elthman said with a tired expression.
"You should be careful too. The corruption of elf mages can lead to dreadful consequences."
“At least they won't be able to infiltrate like they do in human society."
‘That's indeed a relief.’ Florin thought silently.
Compensation for damages.
She didn't particularly care about it, but she knew that in the political world, Elthman had no choice but to offer it and she had no choice but to accept it.
However, Florin had a different thought.
The man who killed her long-time friend, Leafanel, was undoubtedly disguised as a Stella student.
But until now, it was just speculation.
Familiars were the most special and sacred existence in this world.
Those who killed familiars were called divine slayers and their souls would become corrupted, forever chased by elves.
But Elthman could not sense the corrupt soul of the divine slayer.
That was what she thought until now.
However…
Through this incident, she learned something new.
The dark mages possessed an astonishing ability to conceal their mana, which couldn't be detected by Stella's magical skills or Elthman's senses.
In that case, could the divine slayer also hide their corrupted soul?
That was probably why she couldn't sense their presence when they infiltrated Sky Flower Cradle.
‘It's been a while. I should pay a visit to Leafanel’s garden.’
It was rare for Florin to engage in external activities. To call it an external activity was an overstatement—it was simply a brief visit to the White Castle for official duties.
Regardless, since she was already out and about, it wouldn't hurt to stop by the place where her dear friend lay in eternal rest.
There was no need to delay it any longer.
That weekend, Florin made the immediate decision to visit Leafanel.
Early Saturday morning, just past midnight.
"Ah, my body feels so weary." Baek Yu-Seol sighed. Right after his discharge, he embarked on the outing to Leafanel’s garden.
"You've finally arrived!" Leafanel greeted.
"Oh, it's been a while,” Baek Yu-Seol replied, feeling a sense of nostalgia. It seemed like ages since his last visit.
Ever since the rise of side effects, he hadn't frequented the garden as often.
"I'm delighted to see you!"
Although Leafanel remained as motionless as a statue, her voice exuded warmth and enthusiasm.
It was to be expected.
She had already sensed the presence of the secret he carried within.
He had planned to surprise her, but it seemed that even without a beating heart, a spirit’s intuition was keen.
Baek Yu-Seol’s playful attempt turned out to be a futile prank.
Slowly, he retrieved a small locket from his backpack and placed it gently on the ground.
As he opened the lid, a soft, radiant light emanated from the pearl nestled inside.
"Wow...”
Leafanel gasped in awe, her voice filled with childlike wonder.
Even though it was an exchange, an inexplicable sense of pride washed over Baek Yu-Seol.
As he carefully held the familiar’s heart in his hands, he presented it to her.
Drifting in the air for a moment, it gracefully floated towards Leafanel’s chest.
And then, a brilliant flash of light.
"...!"
In the dazzling burst, Baek Yu-Seol instinctively closed his eyes, shielding himself from the powerful gust of wind that enveloped the world.
As the air grew heavy, the swirling energy of familiars surged towards Leafanel, drawing her in. It felt like a storm where silence reigned.
Standing was a challenge, yet the surroundings remained eerily calm and undisturbed.
“Ah..."
Finally, as the tempest of the energy subsided, he slowly raised his head.
"Ah..."
Flash.
The woman who was frozen like a statue opened her eyes and turned her gaze toward him. Her face had a playful smile.
"Ah, finally...!"
"Can you move?"
"Yes, perfectly!"
With deliberate movements, she flexed her hands, took deep breaths, and shifted her body in various directions.
After years of immobility, the ability to move was a tremendous relief.
He silently observed as Leafanel savored the moment.
However, she didn't linger there.
Closing her eyes and nodding gently, she seemed to be fighting off drowsiness.
"Feeling sleepy?"
"Ah, yes... My heart can’t withstand it any longer..."
Only then did he realize Leafanel’s form was gradually fading.
Maintaining a distinct human appearance as a spirit was challenging unless one held a high rank.
Although she was still a spirit, the loss of her powers caused her original form to fade away.
"Over here..."
Resisting the urge to drift off, Leafanel beckoned to him with a dreamy gaze.
"Put this on..."
On the ground was a small box containing an ancient-looking martial arts uniform. The design was quite old, probably at least a few hundred years.
Yet its condition remained remarkably well-preserved, showing only minimal signs of age.
Once he removed his school uniform, he changed into the black attire as instructed by Leafanel.
"Put the necklace I gave you around your neck..."
Unlike the previous turbulence, a gentle whirlwind embraced his body.
He could clearly perceive this mana even with his eyes. It took the form of shimmering starlight.
It made him wonder if this was how Tinkerbell's fairy dust would look.
The sensation was akin to the Milky Way cascading from the night sky, bathing him in its mystique.
"What’s this?" Baek Yu-Seol inquired.
Leafanel replied, "It will guide you to a secret place where my old friend rests..."
Her companion from ancient times, who had mastered magic and honed their swordsmanship to perfection.
The intention was to teleport him directly to the location that held all their memories and essence.
"Understood.”
He acknowledged, thinking there was no need to resist such an offer.
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching the garden entrance.
'Huh...?'
He knew that no one other than himself could find this place since he was the only one who possessed the key.
The presence of another person indicated the existence of a pursuer, something he hadn't encountered in his journey through Aether World.
‘Could it be… someone followed me?’
A chill ran through him, and he quickly surveyed the garden, only to be startled by what he saw.
A woman, draped in a black dress that covered her from head to toe, stood before him with a look of surprise in her eyes.
Her fluttering white hair extended past her neck and shoulders, while her golden eyes resembled the stars that adorned the night sky.
[The curse of the trait 'Abosorbing Affection' has been activated!]
[The trait ‘Blessing of Pink Spring Moon’ nullifies the curse completely.]
He didn't wear Sentient Spectacles, yet her appearance and the messages conveyed a familiar presence.
'Florin...?'
It was extremely rare for Florin to venture outside the Heavenly Spirit Tree.
However, on very rare occasions when she did go out, she secretly used a special private airship for transportation.
During these instances, she meticulously maintained secrecy, conducting her activities in the late hours of dawn to avoid drawing attention.
The Orchard of the Dream Tree, the third Heavenly Spirit Tree, was where her long-lost friend's slumbering garden was located.
As she ascended using the Heavenly Spirit Tree, the presence of other beings quickly diminished. There were hardly any active familiars until dawn arrived.
Finally, upon reaching the entrance of Leafanel’s garden, all signs of life vanished completely.
Taking a moment to survey her surroundings, Florin solemnly removed her mask.
"Haah...."
Breathing the outside air felt like a luxury after such a long time.
The mask was enchanted with anti-demon magic and filters and made even breathing a stifling experience.
However, being in the outside air directly felt electrifying and refreshingly vibrant.
Step by step, as she entered the garden, the distinctive dreamlike fragrance tickled her nostrils.
It was the pollen Leafanel scattered to protect herself, though its effects had faded and dissipated over the course of hundreds of years.
And there, at the far end of the garden, she lay in slumber.
Yet something felt amiss.
In a garden that should remain undisturbed, the presence of someone's visit lingered.
And with the scarcity of Leafanel’s roots, it felt as if someone had deliberately cleared a path.
‘Could it be?’
Florin dashed toward the inner part of the garden.
If the culprit who stole Leafanel’s heart had returned to this place once again...
Her heart throbbed with a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
Florin’s entire body brimmed with mana, sharp and ready to be unleashed at any moment.
As she entered Leafanel’s garden, a grand tree gate came into view.
Seeing the gate wide open, with enough space for a person to pass through, she became certain.
‘Someone’s here.’
With a burst of energy, she stepped into the garden, and in that fleeting moment when the breeze brushed against her cheek, she abruptly halted.
‘Huh?’
Florin was taken aback and paused in her tracks.
Long ago, her dear friend Leafanel fell into an eternal slumber, never to open her eyes again.
Even the familiars bowed their heads, convinced that she would never again open her eyes.
They believed she was gone forever, and Florin thought she would never see those pure eyes again.
But right in front of her, Leafanel’s eyes sparkled, clear and deep.
She smiled.
‘She’s alive…?’
How?
Instinctively, Florin glanced to the side. Before Leafanel stood a small boy, his eyes wide in astonishment.
‘That boy…’
He had revived Leafanel.
With unwavering conviction, Florin reached out her hand towards the boy, but he swiftly took a step back, as if startled.
‘Huh?’
In the next instant...
A burst of golden stardust resembling a cluster of stars erupted, and the boy skillfully vanished.
Unable to fully grasp the situation, Florin stared blankly into the empty space.