Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 190

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Episode 190

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius Episode 190

Substitute Lecture (5)

Baek Seung-woo’s lecture became a hot topic at Chilseong Academy.

The initial reactions were mixed, with some people thinking he was a controversial figure who must have stirred up trouble.

Well, in a way, he did.

In a very positive way.

“Did you take that class?”

“Me? Of course, I did. The lecture was more advanced than I expected.”

“Wasn’t he just reading from a script? I admit he’s skilled in magic—the videos prove that—but being good at something doesn’t automatically make you a good teacher.”

Some people remained skeptical.

It was a natural question to ask.

No one doubted Baek Seung-woo’s magical prowess anymore.

The internet was full of evidence of his abilities and combat skills.

But his reputation preceded him.

His ice-cold, ruthless personality and volatile temper were well-known. It was hard to imagine him possessing the patience and skill to teach students effectively.

“I heard he lectured without a script?”

“Then he must have memorized it. Anyone can do that, right?”

“Memorizing a two-hour lecture perfectly is impressive in itself. Besides, not everyone who memorizes a script can deliver it well. Teaching is an innate talent.”

The innate qualities of a teacher.

It became clear that he possessed a natural gift for teaching.

That alone was enough to fuel gossip among the students, but when word spread that the lecture was delivered spontaneously without any preparation, even the teaching assistants vying for professorships were astonished.

Despite the lecture already being highly regarded, the notes containing all the key points were being sold for 500,000 won [approximately $400 USD].

This was fueled by rumors that a second-year student applied the formulas from the notes to their magic, resulting in a 1.2 times increase in power and casting speed.

As these rumors spread, they eventually reached Baek Seung-woo himself.

“The students seem to be responding well. Should I schedule a lecture for you?”

“No, thank you. I find it more beneficial to finish my work and read in my spare time than to prepare a lecture.”

Baek Seung-woo’s reaction was indifferent.

He wasn’t concerned with the students’ trading or the lecture’s popularity.

“Then, how about a special lecture?”

“A special lecture…?”

“It’s like an after-school program. Not many professors do it, and student attendance is usually low, but it’s a good addition to your resume, right?”

“My schedule is too packed to worry about such achievements.”

In truth, he wouldn’t have agreed to the initial lecture if Nam Hwa-yeon hadn’t offered it as a reward. He wasn’t the type to actively guide others.

Being a teacher was already enough.

It felt like too much.

However, Nam Hwa-yeon leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

Whisper, whisper.

When she revealed the compensation for the special lecture in a voice only he could hear, his mind instantly changed.

“Then, I’ll give it another try…”

That special lecture.

He would do it.

“Great. Do you have a specific date in mind? It would be a disaster if you were unavailable that day.”

“Actually, there’s something I need to discuss regarding this.”

One month until the final exam.

One month and two weeks until vacation.

‘And my time as a limited-time character is about 27 days.’

As far as he knew, nothing significant happened during the final exams.

After gathering all available information, he concluded that major events affecting the scenario only occurred twice a year, once per semester.

He could relax and focus on extending his lifespan, but…

‘Now that the scenario is gradually changing, I can’t afford to miss a major event like the final exam.’

He needed to prepare in advance, just in case.

He slightly altered the story about his lifespan and the scenario and explained it to her.

“You’re going to the dungeon? In your condition?”

“I plan to enter with a team, just meeting the minimum requirement of five people.”

“Okay, go ahead. I’ll speak with the chairman.”

Permission was granted so easily.

Entering the dungeon individually would have been a different matter.

Normally, teaching assistants or professors couldn’t officially enter the dungeon as a team.

The usual procedure involved attaching relevant data to the plan, getting approval from the professor in charge, and then obtaining the chairman’s approval.

But it was all skipped in an instant.

‘Is she teasing me or making fun of me?’

He was so taken aback that he wondered if she was joking.

However, upon closer reflection, there was no reason for Nam Hwa-yeon to play such a joke. She wasn’t the type to do so.

‘It’s simply that I can easily achieve what I want because of who I am connected to.’

He realized it again.

Who his advisor was.

Who his master was.

, Nam Hwa-yeon. The magician most frequently invited to official magic-related events, including the Magic Society, and known to have reached the pinnacle of magical achievement.

The influence afforded to a disciple of .

It was more extensive than he imagined, excessively so.

She, highly respected within the academy, was his backing.

* * *

Chilseong Academy was absurdly large.

It attempted to replicate various dungeon environments, such as deserts, grasslands, and mountain ranges.

Of course, lava zones or the sea were difficult to recreate perfectly.

They were trying to simulate such environments inside massive buildings using magic.

These geographical elements served as the primary defense against external intruders, acting as a natural fortress for the academy.

However, like all fortresses.

There were vulnerabilities.

“…I’ve never been here before either.”

“Well, it’s a place where secret transactions between professors and students occur… No, let’s just say it’s a secret place well-known to those in the know.”

“I think I just overheard something I shouldn’t have as a senior teaching assistant.”

An area where the desert and grassland met.

Fragments of a massive building loomed overhead like an umbrella. This created a blind spot for CCTV cameras.

“What is there that you can’t hear? You’re not a teaching assistant anymore; you’re ‘my’ subordinate.”

“…Yes, I was. Damn it.”

There were unnecessary additions to the afterthought, but.

He could overlook it.

He reached out his hand and said.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“…Do you think I’ve been doing well in this state?”

“Use honorifics.”

“I haven’t been doing well at all. I need to find and buy a prosthetic hand, but money is tight. You’re asking me to bring you information. This is the first time in my life I’ve felt so short on time and money. It’s all because of you.”

After the previous lesson, he had become more compliant.

“In that case, you should say it’s not because of me, but thanks to me.”

“I realized from the moment you cut off my hand that you’re not quite right in the head either.”

However, this was only relatively docile compared to before.

His tone and behavior were still sharp.

It seemed his original personality was inherently abrasive.

‘By the way, the prosthetic hand is indistinguishable from normal skin.’

It was the arm that he had cut off and burned.

However, it was only when the joints of the prosthetic, matching his skin tone, moved that he realized it was artificial.

It wasn’t a cheap prosthetic.

Like other player equipment.

It was an expensive item worth hundreds of millions [of won].

‘Cheonho… this is also a product of our family.’

The unrivaled leader in player equipment and the medical world.

The Cheonho Group, owned by the Cheonho Baekga family, was such a place.

He, the nominal head of the family, was the chairman, but in reality, a board of elders controlled it.

Someday, he would have to take over that business too.

“So, what about what I asked for? Did you bring everything?”

“…I’m forced to follow your orders to survive. But if you want me to carry them out, please give me more than half a day’s notice. What am I supposed to do with such short notice?”

“What am I supposed to do? Cater to the whims of the guy who was targeting me?”

“…I’ve compiled everything you requested into documents and brought them.”

Very good.

Mugung, now truly docile, handed him a bundle of documents.

He had requested records of all students and CCTV-related data. He didn’t have a specific use for it yet.

He figured it would be useful to have on hand.

Especially the records of all the students.

“The growth rate of the first graders is significantly higher than that of the second and third graders. The average growth rate is 1.3 times higher. The top students are growing 1.5 times faster. The academy and the industry are paying close attention to those growing about 2 to 3 times faster. But the details are a bit lacking. There’s a lack of information about their characteristics and skills.”

“That’s not something I can do anything about…!”

Mugung’s expression twisted in embarrassment.

He had managed to obtain the student record book, but the students were reluctant to disclose such important information.

Most students chose not to.

“I know that. Excessively detailed information can be harmful to students.”

However, if disclosed, characteristics and skills could be carefully nurtured under the supervision and guidance of professors. Teaching with detailed knowledge of a student was undeniably more effective than teaching blindly.

“Okay, that’s enough. Good job. I’ll take the report compiling the student record book and the professors’ evaluations.”

“I printed it out under the guise of delivering it to another department.”

“Print it out again.”

“What if people notice? You know it’s wrong to give or possess such information privately!”

“Take care of it.”

It was none of his concern.

Some might feel he was being too harsh.

He wasn’t the type to forgive someone who had targeted him so easily.

Eliminate future troubles by killing them.

Or put a leash on them and make them his slaves.

He would create a situation where they couldn’t harm him.

‘In a situation where I don’t have enough people, I have to use even this kind of guy.’

It might seem harsh not to kill Mugung right now. It was good for him to struggle in this world.

Because regret was an emotion only felt by the living.

“Ah, be prepared by the weekend. There’s a chance the attack will extend beyond the weekend. Take your monthly leave in advance.”

“Hey, you bastard! Are you messing with my monthly leave now!?”

You shouldn’t have touched him.

Be glad he wasn’t touching your annual leave.

He headed towards the infirmary.

He felt lighthearted at the thought of gaining his first slave, no, colleague.

‘I’ve fastened the first button correctly. Now I have to match the remaining three buttons.’

That was one.

Now there were three more left to reach the minimum number.