Ch. 144 - Academy Battle (3)

Chapter 144: Academy Battle (3)

The Academy Battle was held at different locations every year.

Two years ago, it was at the Kaikaren Private Magic Academy, last year at the Astral Flower Magic Academy, and the year before at the Molondo Magic Academy.

This year's competition would take place at Stella Academy.

Thanks to this, the students were incredibly busy preparing for the Academy Battle.

Of course, it wasn't unpaid work.

The students who helped with the preparations for the Academy Battle were given quite a bit of compensation and benefits, so among the students at Stella, there were many rumors about this great part-time job, and many commoners wanted to do it during their summer vacation.

Of course, there were also those who didn't pay much attention and just went about doing their own things.

Thud!

“Got it.”

Stella Magic Library.

Flame had piled thick books on the bookshelf.

Though it was hard to believe that such strength resided in that petite body, the other two girls didn’t seem surprised as they each took a book and began reading.

'Twelve Divine Moons.’

Eisel, Hong Bi-Yeon, and Flame gathered together to investigate the Twelve Divine Moons, which were also referred to as legendary entities.

They had suddenly fallen into a deep slumber a thousand years ago, and now, they existed only in the form of belief, suspected to be the key to the world's destruction.

Twelve clusters of light shown in the Star Archive.

That... No matter how much one thought about it. They unmistakably seemed like traces left behind by the Twelve Divine Moons.

Additionally, the girls agreed to share information or events they each knew with each other.

Flame spoke first.

"... If, indeed, Baek Yu-Seol has returned due to Silver Autumn Moon’s power, we might not be able to tell others about that fact."

"Why is that?"

"If we try to speak about the knowledge we saw in the Star Archive, we might be restrained or blacklisted. Revealing future events might result in the ‘Leafanel Revelation’ erasing our existence itself through a forbidden power."

No one questioned why Flame knew that fact; it was about mutual respect for each other.

"It seems impossible to talk directly with Baek Yu-Seol about this matter."

"Right. That man... won't answer anything. He might even avoid us if he found out we uncovered the secret. What if the knowledge of the future leaks to us..."

Eisel clearly experienced the consequences, so her face turned pale.

"Principal Elthman Elwin, who used magic to pry into the secret in the Star Archive, coughed up blood and collapsed. It was absolutely not the right choice."

"That was the extent of it..."

Even Elthman Elwin, who was hailed as the world's strongest, couldn't endure it. The fact cast a dark pall over the girls' faces.

Next was Hong Bi-Yeon.

"You remember the day of the Familiar Contract Ceremony, right?"

"Of course."

"I almost died then..."

"At that time, I saw quite an unusual sight. After Baek Yu-Seol knocked down Professor Maizen and I fainted... ‘Pink Spring Moon,' one of the Twelve Divine Moons, was embracing that commoner."

"W-What?"

"A Divine Moon... revealed themselves?"

As this was quite a shocking story, Flame and Eisel widened their eyes in surprise.

"Yeah. It was unmistakably Pink Spring Moon. I didn't know much about that being, but strangely, I knew her when I saw her. They are one of the Twelve Divine Moons, who possess the power of the mind."

Why would such a being be embracing Baek Yu-Seol?

What kind of relationship did he have with Pink Spring Moon?

… In that case,

Is Baek Yu-Seol really traveling the world to gather the Twelve Divine Moons?

"No wonder... he was always going out every weekend."

"He must have been traveling the world while managing his schedule at the academy during the weekends."

It struck them anew how incredible his stamina was.

Or perhaps, did he manage such a packed schedule regularly?

Was that the reason he ended up nodding off during classes?

“That's true. If he has that kind of knowledge... there's no reason for him to attend the academy, right?”

“Exactly. If he's busy collecting the Twelve Divine Moons while traveling the world, what reason does he have to maintain academy life?”

“There must be. After experiencing it thousands of times, he must have found a reason to attend the academy.”

Baek Yu-Seol’s academy life was truly unique yet ordinary.

While standing out for not using magic, his academic ranking always remained average.

In other words, attending the academy wasn’t necessarily about grades.

“If that's the case, then the only thing left is...”

“Human relationships... that's all, right?”

If he had thought of handling everything by himself in this life too, he would have long dropped out of the academy and traveled the world to accumulate his own strength.

However, that method wasn’t right.

The most righteous choice to prevent the world's destruction was present in Stella Academy.

Right after his enrollment, the ones who drew the most intense interest were...

“…Us, right?”

At Flame’s hollow voice, Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon tightly pressed their lips together.

It wasn’t an incorrect statement.

Right after enrollment, the three people whom Baek Yu-Seol had shown peculiar interest in were them.

‘Is that so...?’

Flame, who knew about the existence of the original novel, could somewhat understand.

She was the reincarnator from another world, Eisel was the protagonist of the original rofan, and Hong Bi-Yeon was the top rival possessing talent comparable to such a protagonist.

Moreover, considering the subtle attention given to various students, including the Mayuseong, it might have been possible that he found some potential in Stella's students after all.

However, the other two girls had slightly confused expressions.

Why me, really?

They didn’t even know if they were destined to become a great mage or not.

Still...

Because the fact that Baek Yu-Seol had been subtly paying attention to them from the beginning pleased them, and a subtle smile appeared on the girls' faces.

—————

At the highest peak of the primordial mountains.

White Castle.

He rushed there alone to meet Florin, who ruled over countless familiars and elves.

After passing through minimal guards protecting the castle, he arrived at the top and kneeled after sensing the presence of Florin.

"... You've come, Orenha."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Her voice sounded a bit hoarse.

It had been quite some time since she had spoken.

As her voice held a power to bewitch anyone, it was unavoidable not to captivate those around her.

So, she couldn’t talk openly.

She felt relieved since the only person she could speak freely with had arrived.

The sound of Florin’s footsteps drew closer to the door.

Yet, the door didn't open.

While Orenha possessed a curse immunity strong enough to meet her gaze, it was unpredictable what would happen if he was exposed for a long time.

… Of course, Orenha's 'curse immunity' was a bold lie.

He had long been enchanted by Florin's magic, yet he hid and concealed that fact.

Love sickness?

That was a disease for the weak-willed.

If one falls in love, they should sharpen their abilities and thoroughly plan to win over their beloved aggressively, not whine alone and die, right?

Orenha hid all of his emotions thoroughly.

There had been a time or two when he wanted nothing more than to rush and confess his love.

If he hadn't possessed the trait ‘Iron Will,' he might have ended up like everyone else long ago.

"Why have you come?"

Hearing Florin's excited voice, Orenha's heart pounded.

Trying to appear as calm and emotionless as possible, he spoke carefully, "The Academy Battle of this year will start soon. While Your Majesty doesn't need to personally participate, an invitation has been sent."

"I see. I can't go. It's not something important, and there's no need for the Elven King to reveal herself for an Academy Battle organized by students."

Even if there were no curse, her answer would have remained the same.

However, with over 30 prestigious academies participating, it was common for kings and high-ranking nobles to appear there, so it wouldn’t be strange for the Elven King to visit.

Elthman Elwin, who possessed power greater than the kings of most countries, would be witnessing the battle, so there were significant political reasons for meeting him.

"I really want Your Majesty to attend this year's Academy Battle."

"Is that so?"

If Orenha spoke with such a firm voice, there must surely be a reason.

She asked without hesitation as Orenha was the most trusted aide to Florin.

"Why?"

"A while ago, I informed Your Majesty that I discovered traces of the 'Divine Slayer' you have been searching for so diligently."

"..."

With the most sensitive words coming out, the temperature dropped slightly.

It dropped due to Florin's power.

However, Orenha didn’t stop and continued with confidence.

"It seems I've obtained solid evidence."

The Academy Battle was held at Stella Academy.

And... Baek Yu-Seol was currently enrolled there.

Orenha secretly used his power to initiate a solid investigation about him.

He even captured a dark mage to extract information about Baek Yu-Seol.

The result led to a decisive judgment.

‘Baek Yu-Seol is not an ordinary student. There is some force behind him.'

He attended the academy for a reason which was definitely not ordinary.

Although it was certainly strange for a human being who was not even Class 9 Grand Mage to maintain the appearance of a young boy, that was it.

'Since he’s capable of hiding dark magic and a corrupted soul, it's not impossible to hide appearance as well.'

Recently, he even met individuals with the ability to change appearances.

‘Full Moon Tower.’

They were active behind the scenes of the world, and possessed overwhelming magical technology, making it possible.

However, the crucial point was the fact that they could alter appearances.

Baek Yu-Seol undoubtedly had such advanced magical technology, allowing him to conceal his true identity while attending Stella.

This was not merely his own speculation.

He detected numerous dark mage groups showing considerable interest in Baek Yu-Seol. He took all the gathered information, and personally investigated all his activities.

The conclusion reached was, 'You can’t deceive me.'

Orenha was considered one of the highest-ranking high elves in history, and he still vividly remembered the distinct aura of a spirit he sensed from Baek Yu-Seol.

The 'Soul Orb’ put on his body had been there for a month now.

In other words, it was possible to uncover Baek Yu-Seol's true identity.

As the Academy Battle gathered the most exceptional elite students from around the world, it could be considered an exceptionally special event.

In such a setting, revealing the truth about Baek Yu-Seol could go beyond capturing Florin's heart, and attract public’s interest, bringing significant gains politically, diplomatically, and image-wise.

"Is that so...?"

While he didn’t yet reveal the culprit’s identity, he explained his plans to some extent.

Florin said with a trembling voice.

"I'll... I'll request your assistance."

After saying that, Florin’s voice faded away.

To calm her mind, she wanted to spend some time alone.

He felt a little sorry to leave her alone, but it was not the right time yet.

Sooner or later, she would let him into that room.

Thinking so, Orenha left the room.

Alone, Florin stared blankly out of the small window.

'Divine Slayer....’

The hatred for him had not yet subsided.

It was true that she wanted to catch the culprit.

However... Recently, she discovered something even more important.

‘Leafanel is alive.’

Thanks to someone's gracious act, Leafanel was still alive and breathing.

She still couldn’t forget.

That night when the moonlight brilliantly illuminated the world.

A small, young boy standing in a uniform.

When she briefly met those black eyes, she felt that she was gazing at the universe itself. And as if it was trying to devour him.

'I have to meet him.’

She didn’t know his identity or name.

But somehow, she must meet him.

Beyond the gratitude for saving Leafanel, he... had a perfect immunity against her 'curse.'

'... Someday, if I can freely go out into the outside world.’

She would search for him.

Florin closed her eyes as she made up her mind.

Today... she felt unusually tired.

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