Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 1

Academy Gumiho Is A Magical Genius – Episode 1

Academy Gumiho Is A Magical Genius 1

Became a Rascal Fox (1)

I had one friend.

For me, with my limited social circle, they were an invaluable friend.

“Seungwoo, how about I give you a fox tail?”

Except for doing things like this.

My friend, Eve, stretched out her bare hand.

Then, blue particles swirled and gathered above it.

Nine tails, shimmering like a fox’s, materialized above her palm.

A miracle impossible to achieve with ordinary common sense.

The manifestation of magic, Eve’s specialty and forte.

“Don’t waste your magic on frivolous things like that.”

“I’m doing it because I have magic power to spare. If we were in a war, I wouldn’t even consider it.”

“War or whatever, just don’t do it.”

This world was once destroyed.

Perhaps because of that cataclysm, some of us developed abilities.

Abilities different from others, abilities to restore the destroyed world.

In Eve’s case, that ability manifested in the form of magic.

Magic is very rare and precious. Unrestrained by physical laws, the power manifested from imagination is transcendent.

Looking at its power and usefulness, I also want to learn magic.

But magic is Eve’s unique ability.

It was not something that could be learned by just anyone.

Well, I have swordsmanship and martial arts instead.

Envy is still envy.

“If you’re going to use magic like that, give some to me.”

“You can’t use it even if I taught you.”

“I guess not.”

“Rather than boring talk like that, how about this?!”

She stretched out her hand into the air.

Then, the space shimmered and distorted.

A desk could be seen through the warped space.

Several notebooks lay on the desk, and Eve grabbed one. As she did, the space returned to normal.

“Do you know what this is?”

“Strategic documents or supply accounting?”

“Wrong! Are you always so rigid? Anyone can tell it’s a novel.”

She flipped through the book with a rustling sound.

The long lines of text and frequently appearing quotation marks confirmed it was a novel.

Well, it’s not like it’s written on the cover.

How can you tell it’s a novel just by looking at an ordinary notebook?

Such a form of novel doesn’t exist in military entertainment circles.

All novels exist as paper books or are stored as e-books on specific devices.

I know it well because I like reading books.

This form of novel does not exist.

At least, not as far as I know.

“Why? Is the cover strange?”

“Of course. Even novels obtained through illegal means aren’t in this form.”

“That’s because it’s a novel I wrote. Of course.”

“…What?”

It was an answer that made me question what I heard.

You wrote the novel yourself?

Certainly, if Eve wrote the novel, it’s understandable that it’s written in this notebook.

But why a notebook of all things?

A laptop would be more suitable for writing a novel.

The answer to that was simple.

“Well, I’ve been writing it in my spare time during the war. There’s no good way to charge a laptop.”

Eve explained in detail the difficult process of writing the novel.

In addition to that, she explained the development and content of the novel in detail, which was so long that my ears started to ring.

“So, I made you into a rascal.”

“Why did you have to use me of all people?”

“Well, it’s fun.”

Among the lengthy explanations, there was also a story that could not be easily overlooked.

Especially the part where she cast me as a character in the novel.

Not the main character, but a villain in the novel.

Moreover, an extra villain who is nothing special.

“Instead, I gave you a solid family background. Isn’t that enough?”

“Haha, yeah, being the head of a noble family is great. But you said I get backstabbed by my younger sister and older sister, turn into a demon, and die at the hands of the main character.”

“That’s the fate of a villain.”

There were many things I wanted to say in my heart.

But because of Eve’s sparkling eyes as she explained the novel she wrote, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.

I shouldn’t have stayed silent at that time.

“The title of the novel I wrote is ‘Academy Loser Genius’. I was a hopeless loser, but I awakened as a genius because of a certain incident.”

“What incident?”

“My friends die in front of my eyes.”

“It’s very stimulating, but the plausibility will be certain.”

She excitedly went on and on.

About which hidden pieces are in which dungeons, and how the novel’s plot unfolds.

From the explanation alone, it was a typical academy genre novel.

The only unique thing was that the world was like a demon realm where accidents never stopped?

So, I didn’t particularly feel like I had to read her novel.

I really shouldn’t have felt that way.

If I had known that I would be possessed by this novel a few years later.

I would have twisted the settings she wrote and read the novel carefully even once.

“…I’m screwed.”

I entered the novel my friend wrote.

Into a modern fantasy world where swords and magic, and science coexist.

At first, I thought it was a dream or an illusion. But no matter how much time passed, the hazy sensation didn’t fade. Rather, I only realized that the situation I was facing was reality.

Now I had no choice but to admit it.

“I… am I really in a novel?”

It’s unbelievable, but what can I do when reality is like this.

My friend, Eve’s ‘Academy Loser Genius’. I became an extra villain in that damn novel. With a tail on my back, too.

* * *

After accepting the situation, adapting to this world was surprisingly fast.

Operating my swordsmanship and Eve’s magic, the main energy source, magic power, felt the same as in reality, so it seemed that adapting was especially quick.

I, who was in the habit of quietly pondering while managing magic power, thought quietly.

Why is that?

Even considering the operation of magic power, the adaptation is too fast.

Is it because I was influenced by the personality of the body I possessed? Or is it because I steeled my heart to somehow survive?

Whatever the reason, adapting to this world quickly was a good sign.

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t know when I would die.

“But by the way, where is this…”

As I rubbed my aching head and looked around, a place full of piles of documents came into view. People in suits were moving busily.

Is it some kind of company?

Out of curiosity, I picked up a piece of paper, and it said ‘Professor Nam Hwayeon’ in elegant handwriting.

Next to it, the red seal of Chilseong Academy was stamped.

This was a thesis.

Moreover, a thesis to be used for academy classes.

Only then did I realize where I was.

“…No way.”

My jaw dropped involuntarily.

Even more shocking than the fact that I had entered the novel struck me.

Just then, someone grabbed my shoulder.

–Thud!

I turned around, wondering who it was, and a man with a haggard face was glaring at me. I waited, wondering what was going on.

“Hey, what are you doing just standing there?!”

“…What?”

“What? What kind of manners are you showing your senior right now!”

The man suddenly started scolding me.

He thrust the pile of documents he was holding into my arms and added.

“Keep your eyes open in front of your seniors. If you can’t, just lower your head.”

“…”

“If you act dumb again next time, you’re dead for real.”

Even in an unfamiliar situation, I could be sure.

This place is Chilseong Academy, the setting of the novel.

Even more specifically, the professor’s laboratory.

And my identity is an assistant.

Even the youngest assistant.

‘W, what on earth is going on…?’

I could easily tell that I was inhabiting the body of Baek Seungwoo.

Perhaps because he was based on me, even my physique and face were the same. There was a lot of evidence.

But an assistant? This would be against the original story.

Looking at the calendar, it is now March 2021.

It is the time when the main characters and supporting characters are just entering the academy. The very moment the novel begins.

And Baek Seungwoo, whom I possessed, is also supposed to enter the academy as the runner-up.

Baek Seungwoo, who had a sense of inferiority about the top student, satisfies his pride by belittling and ignoring the main character, whose talent has not yet bloomed, and completely falls from grace around the second semester.

The fallen Baek Seungwoo records the lowest grades in the year, makes a final struggle, but eventually receives academic warnings several times and is expelled.

After that, he reappears as a villain and meets a cold end at the hands of the main character.

But why did he become an assistant instead of a student?

Have other settings changed?

I was going to seriously think about it, but the man who gave me the pile of documents was sending me stinging glances from afar, so I didn’t have time to think quietly.

But what am I supposed to do with these documents?

Rustle.

When I flipped through the documents, densely written symbols and magic circles came into view. Judging from the fact that all the pages were densely filled, it probably wasn’t just a matter of processing them.

Fortunately, there was a small note on the front page.

It said to move it to this location: Nam Hwayeon’s 1st Research Lab.

It seems that I can just move it there.

“…Euchya!”

I picked up the pile of documents and started walking.

Oh, this is heavier than I thought.

It was heavy, but not to the point where I couldn’t hold it, so I moved here and there to find the 1st Research Lab. I didn’t know the layout of this place well, so I kept walking.

Even if I tried to ask someone passing by for directions, everyone was busy running away after looking at my face and tail before I could even open my mouth.

I’m not that fierce-looking.

Is this tail the problem?

That could be.

Even if it’s in a novel, it’s rare to have a tail in a modern setting.

I glared at the fluffy fox tail behind my back and resolved to find my way on my own, saying that it was possible enough.

The building was wider than I thought, so it took quite a while to find the 1st Research Lab. It was even more so because it was located in the most remote corner.

Usually, research labs are located in conspicuous places, right?

“…It looks more like a personal office than a research lab.”

When I opened the door of the 1st Research Lab with only my fingers while holding the documents with both hands, what greeted me was the scent of coffee beans that stimulated my nose and the documents that filled the desk.

Most people think of state-of-the-art mechanical equipment and clean places when they think of a research lab. But here, there was barely one chair, and the bookshelves and desks were cluttered with densely packed documents.

No matter how I look at it, it looks like a personal office.

Then, is it the professor’s personal place?

Looking at the fact that only personal items were scattered without any facilities, it was highly likely.

–Thump!

I put the bundle of documents I was holding on the messy desk.

There is no empty space, so I guess I can put it on top of here.

Having finished what I had to do, I looked around. Perhaps because it was the professor’s personal research lab and located in a remote place, I couldn’t feel the presence of people around.

I peeked my head through the door and looked around, then sighed.

“Hoo, fortunately, there’s no one nearby.”

After realizing that I was possessed in the novel, there was one thing I really wanted to try. But I didn’t want to do it in front of others just in case.

I guess I can try it here.

I said in a small voice as if muttering.

“…Status window.”

Then, a translucent window appeared on my retina.

As various letters came into view, I clenched my fist without realizing it.

Fortunately, it was a success. I would have been embarrassed if nothing had come to mind.

I let out a sigh of relief and manipulated the translucent window.

This is the status window.

The status window is the authority given by the system, and it is an identification card that can never be forged in this world.

「Name: Baek Seungwoo」

「Age: 21」

「Race: One-Tailed Fox (一尾狐)」[A fox spirit with one tail; in this world, the number of tails indicates power.]

「Title: None」

「Rank: ——」

「Status Condition: Solar Meridian Blockage」

「Magic Path Saint(魔道聖)」[A natural talent for magic.], 「Alluring Beauty(傾國之色)」[Possessing beauty that can captivate a nation.], 「False Bravado(虛張聲勢)」[A tendency to exaggerate one’s abilities.]

「HP: D+」「Strength: E+」

「Durability: E+」「Agility: D-」

「Magic Power: A+」「Sense: S」

「Charm (S)」, 「Fox Fire (A)」, 「Yoma Eye (A)」[An eye that can see through illusions and perceive demonic energy.], 「Essence Absorption (A)」

You are the owner of Solar Meridian Blockage (太陽絶脈), an incurable disease in which the meridians are blocked, twisted, and broken due to a large amount of yang energy. The growth of all physical abilities is restricted, and you cannot reach a certain level of stats.

Various contents are listed in the status window.

Starting with personal information such as height and weight, to detailed contents such as physical abilities, skills, and traits.

Several contents caught my eye, but what was especially bothering me was ‘Age’.

‘The age in the setting was definitely 17 years old.’

The calendar was pointing to the time when the novel begins.

This is nothing more than saying that my existence in this world has been twisted somehow.

Baek Seungwoo’s age is from 17 to 21.

The identity is from a freshman to an assistant.

Quite a few parts have changed.

Just in case, I took out my cell phone from my pocket and searched.

When I searched for the settings or contents in the novel that I remembered, it came out the same.

Fortunately, the settings except for me seem to be the same as what I heard from Eve.

“Haa, if I had known this would happen, I should have stopped her from making an extra villain with my name…”

When my friend, Eve, said that she was making a character based on me because there were not enough characters in the novel. I should have stopped her somehow at that time.

‘Well, what can I do, it’s already too late. I have to worry about what will happen in the future now.’

Regret arises deep in my heart, but I ignored it and turned my attention to the part written as ‘Stats’. As far as I remember, the average stats of academy freshmen are known to be C grade.

Stats worse than the average freshman. However, magic power and senses were outstanding.

Magic power of ‘A+ grade’ and sense of ‘S grade’ are higher than most active players working in dungeons based on this world.

That fact gave me comfort.

“Sigh…”

After examining the stats, my gaze went to ‘Traits’ and ‘Skills’.

Four abilities each. It’s not a small number at all, but just looking at the names makes me sigh.

「Alluring Beauty」, 「False Bravado」, 「Charm」 and so on. Names that don’t even make me laugh.

How on earth should I handle these abilities?

‘It’s a relief that the race is at least a One-Tailed Fox.’

One-Tailed Fox (一尾狐).

It means a fox with one tail, and it is a race based on the Gumiho [Korean nine-tailed fox], whose number of tails increases as it continues to practice.

The more tails, the stronger the power and ability, and when ten tails are reached, it is called a Heavenly Fox (天狐) and handles unique divine powers that even control the sky.

It’s just a story that is only a setting.

Still, where is it that even a setting exists.

Reaching the realm of the Heavenly Fox is more difficult than ascension (登仙) [becoming an immortal] or nirvana (涅槃) [enlightenment], so it is impossible, but if I can become a Gumiho in the process, it is enough to take care of myself in this harsh world.

While scanning the status window here and there, one document suddenly came into my view.

Among the documents filling the research lab, it was especially old and had a lot of fingerprints.

Out of curiosity, I turned the page.

A document consisting of unknown symbols, letters, and equations.

There was an explanation below it.

Let’s see.

“…Astrology is an old magic that predicts fate and the future by observing the shape of celestial bodies. In the modern era, it is closer to witchcraft than magic, but the concept of astrology has had a great influence on the modern magic system.”

It was difficult to understand, so I read it aloud.

After reading a whole page, I realized what this was.

It seemed like a lecture script related to magic.

However, unlike the systematic magic I thought, this script was closer to the occult. All pages were like that.

It was full of difficult contents such as magic that embodies celestial bodies, and formulas that use the power of stars, but each one was a mysterious and complex occult system.

However, just because it was complex and difficult did not mean it was not fun.

Apart from understanding, reading this document was interesting. Enough to make me forget for a while that I had entered the novel.

As I delved into the documents and read one page, two pages, I had already read all of this old paper.

I put the paper back in its place and thought.

Why do I feel like something is cut off?

‘I feel like something is missing…’

I am an amateur when it comes to magic, but I realized that the contents of this paper were incomplete. Should I say it’s intuition?

Starting with astrology, there should be contents related to celestial bodies, formulas based on this, and finally examples and conclusions related to this, but there was nothing.

As if someone intentionally removed the back part.

“…I feel like I know something.”

I don’t know what the symbols or magic circles written on the paper mean, but I felt like I knew what the contents behind the empty paper were pointing to.

A sense of puzzles being put together in my head.

Without realizing it, I reached out to the documents scattered around.

I grabbed it.

A densely written document.

However, the back page was extremely clean.

Similarly, I picked up a fountain pen rolling on the desk and unfolded the inspiration that flashed through my mind.

Repeated sentences and phrases were organized into symbols, and detailed contents were filled in. Pages filled with only intuition and inspiration without any prior knowledge.

One piece of paper was not enough, so I turned over the document next to it and continued the contents.

As I filled in one or two pages like that, I got an outline of what to do.

The inspiration that is gradually becoming concrete.

Every time I played with the fountain pen, my vision gradually expanded.

[Entered a state of ecstasy (無我之境)!][A state of complete focus and immersion.]

[Unleash the talent of 「Magic Path Saint」!]

Something was reflected on my retina, but I ignored it and wrote the next page.

While I was in a state of ecstasy, someone opened the door of the research lab and came in.

I didn’t realize it even though they came in openly. My hearing is not functioning properly anymore.

All my nerves were directed to the documents that the fountain pen was drawing.

Thus, 20 completed papers.

Even I didn’t know how long I had invested in writing this.

When I came to my senses, I was panting for air that was belatedly filling my lungs, and I heard applause from behind.

Very clearly.

–Clap clap clap!

“…!”

Someone had entered the research lab without my knowledge.

Realizing that fact belatedly, I slowly turned my head.

Dark navy eyes like a vast ocean (大海). It narrowed as if it had seen something interesting.

“What are you doing right now?”

It was a very beautiful woman.

Long black hair and a pure white suit stretched out like a starless night sky were enough to shake the hearts of many men. But my nerves were directed to the name tag on her chest rather than her appearance.

Nam Hwayeon.

The name of the owner of this research lab was written on the name tag.

“Well, I like the appearance of being enthusiastic about learning. There is no development without effort.”

She giggled.

It was a beautiful voice like jade beads rolling, but somehow the laughter sounded uneasy.

“But you know.”

Nam Hwayeon’s finger pointed to the scattered documents.

“No matter how much, isn’t it too much to use my documents like scrap paper?”

Soon her finger pointed to the bundle of papers I had written.

“If you did something wrong… you’ll have to be taught a lesson, right?”

Nam Hwayeon’s mouth drew an arc.

However, I couldn’t know what she was thinking because her eyes, as deep as the sea, were so deep, and a strange sense of unease soared.