Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 10

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Episode 10

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius Episode 10

Colleagues (5)

Life at the academy was really uneventful.

I would read books all night, wake up at dawn to spend an hour or two in the training room, and then head to work by 8 AM.

Once at work, I would invariably receive the script excerpts from Nam Hwayeon, memorize the textbooks, and write the script.

I think I spent about three weeks like this.

‘It’s about time I started going out for external activities.’

In my heart, I want to seek out hidden opportunities or valuable items, or deal with the villains who will appear later, preemptively.

But that’s easier said than done.

How can someone who can barely take care of himself get lucky and defeat enemies?

From the start, I’m just an extra, a minor villain.

I should leave that to the protagonists and main characters.

“……But what should I do about this? Should I just return it?”

While consulting various textbooks and papers to create the script, a book on my desk suddenly caught my eye.

A refreshing light green cover.

It’s a healing magic book I borrowed last night.

There’s nothing special about it, and there’s no need to read it again. I had planned to return it to Seo Yerin, waking up at 5 AM and waiting for her in the training room.

But she didn’t show up until almost 7 AM.

It seems she changed her training time.

‘It must be because of me.’

Until now, every time I went to the training room, the large training room on the first basement floor was hers alone.

But today, no one was there. It’s not like I didn’t sense any presence, as I had last time.

There were traces of someone being there.

But Seo Yerin was nowhere to be found.

Haa, what should I really do?

I was frustrated, but there was no other way.

I tried to put my complicated feelings aside and focus on my work.

But──.

───Rattling, rattling.

The miscellaneous noises coming from the front and back kept distracting me.

It wasn’t like someone was intentionally trying to disrupt my concentration. It’s just that the lab was generally noisy.

“Hey, move that box over there.”

“This one? It’s too heavy, is this the right one?”

“Heavy my foot. You’re just weak. Eat some meat and build up some strength.”

“How can I have any strength left when I’ve already moved so many boxes?”

“Hey, you guys, stop slacking off and move the luggage. If the professor finds out later, you’ll be in trouble.”

Strong men struggling to move several large boxes.

Women were no exception. Most of the assistants in the lab were doing unusual things, such as carrying things or packing their bags.

What are they doing?

Even if I tried to grab someone passing by and ask, they would turn their heads and ignore me.

I was used to people avoiding me.

But the sight of them gritting their teeth and ignoring me even when I grabbed them was quite… amusing.

Not only the senior assistants but even the youngest one I saw yesterday is now starting to avoid me. I had no choice but to grab the head assistant who was passing by.

“Head assistant, could you spare me a moment?”

“Oh, did our *maknae* [youngest member] call me? But I don’t have much time, so can you tell me quickly?”

“Everyone seems busy. Is something going on?”

The head assistant gave me a subtle look in response to my question.

It was a mixture of a look that said, ‘How could you not know this?’ and a look that said, ‘I guess it’s possible.’ Is everyone going on a trip without me?

“Oh, that. There’s a conference coming up soon. Most of our lab has decided to attend.”

I guessed right. They’re going on a trip without me.

I don’t know what kind of conference it is, but the fact that they’re preparing without saying a word to me smells fishy.

The smell of hiding something important.

“But did you really not know? If you came under Professor Nam Hwayeon, you should know.”

“What kind of conference is it that everyone is working so hard for…….”

“The Magic Conference is in three days. Did you really not know? A magician wouldn’t not know.”

“……!!”

After hearing the head assistant’s words, I suddenly remembered.

The fact that the Magic Conference was held around this time.

And the incident that arises from it.

─I’ve been thinking about it, and I think the first episode is a bit awkward.

─What is?

─The novel I’m writing is an academy genre. But the scene where villains attack and friends die in front of the protagonist’s eyes and awaken seems a bit lacking in plausibility.

─Well, usually professors are portrayed as powerful beings in academies. It’s ridiculous that security is breached by a single villain.

─Yeah, so I came up with a plan. What if we send all the professors and guards outside?

……And I replied that the plausibility would be there.

Damn it, I shouldn’t have said that back then.

While I was lost in thought, the head assistant said he had to go prepare for the conference and waved his hand before leaving.

Even as he disappeared from view, I stood there as if frozen. Because I realized that the original work, which was only in its early stages, was slowly progressing.

“Has the episode already started? Time has passed quite a bit.”

Not long after the protagonist entered Chilseong Academy and made friends.

A major incident occurs that turns the academy upside down.

It is called the ‘Academy Attack Incident’.

The incident, which would later be called this, occurs at the beginning of the original work and changes the atmosphere drastically.

This is the first episode.

It signifies the full-fledged start of the novel ‘Academy Trash Genius’.

‘Above all, it is a monumental episode in which the protagonist awakens.’

In the early part of the novel, the protagonist only has a sense of justice. He is physically and mentally immature.

He enters the academy ranked 1,999th out of 2,000 freshmen. He tries hard, but he is just an ordinary mediocre person, the protagonist, Kyle.

He stirs up trouble by acting recklessly even though he has no power.

It’s no coincidence that the keyword ‘trash’ is included in the novel’s title.

But Kyle awakens after experiencing the first episode and takes the top spot in the next semester.

The most important time in the novel’s progress has come.

Because it is the moment when a big incident that turns the academy upside down occurs, and at the same time, a hero who will save the world is born.

But all things come at a cost.

‘As much as the protagonist awakens, a corresponding trigger occurs.’

The main body of the academy attack incident consists of hundreds of monsters and mercenaries instigated by demons.

In the process of invading, they kill several guards and about nine students while attacking.

And──.

“─All of this happens in front of the protagonist’s eyes.”

The trigger for a hero’s saga must always be plausible.

Since the protagonist is a student, there is no more certain trigger than his classmates dying in front of his eyes. There is no other way.

Helplessly, he does not resist at all.

He watches his classmates die before his eyes.

It’s really unfortunate, but.

Their sacrifice is inevitable.

If I report it to the academy’s upper management, there is a high possibility that security will be strengthened on the day, no matter what the truth is.

If that happens, the victims will survive, but the protagonist will not awaken.

If the protagonist does not awaken, the flow of this world may change. Maybe it will be a bad ending, unlike the original.

Step, step.

While the assistants were focused on preparing for the conference, I left my seat for a while.

I can finish my work in an hour or two.

I just wanted to walk for a while.

As I left the lab and walked through the park, I saw many students.

Young students enjoying the moment and reveling in their youth. They are clearly the new seeds of this society, but.

‘Is there any need to save them? After all, this world is just a novel?’

This is the worry that has been plaguing me lately.

I’ve even been suffering from insomnia because of this worry.

Even if innocent children die, wouldn’t it be better if the protagonist awakens and this world heads towards the right ending?

Morality and peace.

I was weighing these two values.

Even though the answer is obvious.

─Hey! What did you guys get on the healing evaluation?

─Me? 3 points. I only got the minimum score and attitude points.

─Study a little, you idiot. You got a B in practical skills, so why are you doing that on the written test?

─That’s because I’m trying to match the average with you guys.

─You’re full of it. I got 5 points too? You’re distracted by the girl in class 3. We all know.

I could hear the students talking and laughing.

It didn’t bother me usually, but for some reason, I didn’t want to hear it now.

“……It sucks.”

I feel nauseous.

I feel like I’m going to throw up any minute.

Thwack, I punched myself in the face.

The impact was so great that I bled in my mouth.

The tingling pain lingered in the roof of my mouth, and the disgusting feeling subsided a little.

Ah, it hurts like hell.

I couldn’t control my strength and hit myself too hard.

But it’s better to be in pain.

Because I’m used to pain.

‘Let’s go back quickly.’

I ran back to the lab as if fleeing.

The lab was still busy preparing for the conference.

No one pays attention to me.

Even though I went outside without permission, no one looks for me.

Is it thanks to that indifference?

Somehow, the emptiness inside me is comforting.

I naturally sat down in my seat.

Nothing different from usual.

Nothing different from usual work.

Everything is the same as usual.

I resumed my work and suppressed the negative thoughts that came to my mind.

Yes, this is inevitable.

Look at me now.

I’m the same as usual.

I’m spending a normal day.

Just like this, I’ll endure until the end of this novel.

Like a common extra, if I live like this today, tomorrow, and in the future.

I can survive in this harsh world.

Absolutely, I can’t die.

* * *

1:30 AM.

It’s time for most students to go to sleep.

In my case, I would usually be reading a book at this time, but for some reason, I couldn’t get into the book at all.

But it was too precious to sleep.

Especially now that the first episode is approaching. I must build up my strength in advance to prepare for the threat that may come at any time.

If I make a mistake, I might become Victim 1.

Of course, since Seo Yerin wasn’t there, I practiced in the deepest part [of the training room].

“I keep repeating this, and the fire magic is slowly becoming stable.”

The flame floating leisurely in the air.

It changed into various forms and maintained stable firepower in any situation.

It’s worth coming to the training room early every morning.

At this point, I can say that I have mastered the basic fire magic, including [Flame].

Then it’s time to start applying it.

‘I can enter the fire magic one step above right away, but it’s not practical.’

Magic such as [Flame] and [Fireball] can be classified as basic magic. Even if it’s one step above that, it’s low-level magic.

The academy might be attacked right away, but low-level magic is not enough.

‘So I have to mix it with other magic to aim for synergy.’

Just as fire and oil burn fiercely when they meet, and flames spread widely when the wind blows. I needed a way to combine it with fire magic to create a greater effect.

After careful consideration, I was able to narrow it down to three candidates.

Curse, incantation, and telekinesis.

Among these, I value telekinesis the most.

Telekinetic magic is not very profound. If I were to classify the difficulty, it would be close to low-level.

As with other magic, if you master it, you can create ultra-vibrations or build huge structures, but.

‘In the end, it just moves objects without touching them.’

There’s no need to think about it in a difficult way at all.

The power to move with just thoughts, that is telekinesis.

I will apply this simple magic to fire magic.

First, let’s start by laying the foundation.

I added telekinesis to the spell of fire magic that I had been practicing for several weeks.

Then the thinly drawn flame flew in a strange direction.

──Whoo-oong!

The flame, which was not controlled by my will, touched the wall and died down.

I didn’t think it would be easy, but it was more difficult than I thought. I don’t think I should approach this with the idea of simply combining them.

This time, I didn’t add the spell, but I covered the fire magic with telekinesis.

I was trying to spread a small flame widely and create a blade of flame.

──Bang!

The flames, torn apart by the explosion, scattered.

After that, I went through various trials and errors, but it ended in failure every time.

This is driving me crazy.

“……What’s missing?”

Is the power lacking?

No, even if I add 「Double Helix」, it won’t get better.

Then I thought deeply about what was needed.

Creative ideas? Skill from experience?

The worry grew deeper, and various thoughts took root.

The ideas became intertwined like deep roots, establishing an extremely subjective worldview.

──Bang!

When I reached out and created a flame, it exploded immediately.

Then this is not it.

───Whoosh!!

A huge pillar of uncontrollable fire soared up.

It lost its momentum and withered when it hit the ceiling.

This is not it either.

Should I mix in 「Double Helix」?

No, rejected.

If I make a mistake, I may not be able to handle the firepower and my wrist may be damaged.

Still repeating trial and error.

But there was definitely something to gain.

The more I used magic, the more I felt it becoming familiar to my hands and body.

I judged that I was not far from the summit.

One step.

One step is enough.

[You have entered a state of selflessness!]

[All senses are sharply heightened.]

[The talent of 「Magic Power」 blooms brilliantly!]

I poured all my nerves into magic.

Connect the spell of [Flame] to the spell of [Telekinesis].

Not just combining them, but grafting the two spells into one.

It’s a reckless act, but I was convinced.

That this method is correct.

Like connecting delicate nerve bundles, I fused the two magics into one.

The tangible flame that blooms from it.

If ordinary flames are a phenomenon in which heat and light are emitted.

There was a clear form in the phenomenon that was happening before my eyes.

“……It’s done.”

The flame burned in a bizarre direction. From top to bottom, from left to right.

Everything was according to my will.

This is the harmony of fire magic and telekinetic magic.

Pyrokinesis.

“……Shall we test it right away?”

Despite the thrill that flashed through my mind, I calmed myself and lit a flame.

It is a self-evident fact that it has already succeeded.

But I need to know the level of success. I can never tolerate a mediocre success.

The flame flickered and grew in size.

The huge flame moved very naturally, as if it were my limbs. I immediately moved on to the next stage.

Extend your right hand forward and clench your fist tightly.

With a bang, the embers burst out.

The embers flickering like embers spread everywhere. They burned and scattered.

Embers that are not visible to the naked eye.

But if you create magic in this state.

“……No, I should stop the test here.”

I was trying to use the embers scattered on the floor like landmines to create a chain reaction. At that moment, I instinctively sensed it.

That it is possible enough.

If I know that far, no further testing is meaningless.

Because it means that most of the applications I’m thinking of are possible.

I gathered my magic power and was cleaning up the surroundings when I suddenly remembered.

What if I add 「Double Helix」 to pyrokinesis?

‘Theoretically possible…….’

The explosive power of 「Double Helix」, which doubles all output and firepower.

I had been ignoring it because there was no way to control it, but if pyrokinesis is added, I don’t know. Since it contains the mystery of telekinesis, which is based on the control of objects, it is not unreasonable to control the enormous firepower.

At that moment, my experimental spirit flashed.

‘……Let’s stop.’

I’m too tired now. An attack will happen in a few days, so I have to maintain the best condition.

Didn’t I fly backwards last time when I tried to control the firepower?

Fortunately, there were no major injuries, but it is difficult to expect such luck this time.

I cleaned up the training room and went outside.

But a girl was standing blankly in front of the door.

“……Oh, hello?”

“…….”

A girl with a familiar face.

I met Seo Yerin, who was holding a wooden spear.

I felt chills down my spine at that moment. Was she waiting to take revenge on me?

Fortunately, she passed me and entered the training room.

I was relieved that she didn’t care about me. I have to go to the dormitory as soon as possible before I get caught in the crossfire.

As I left the training room, the cold wind touched my skin. A cold wind that instantly cooled the profuse sweat.

Thanks to that, my mind became clear, and I suddenly remembered.

“……Come to think of it, I haven’t collected the embers yet, have I?”

The embers that I had scattered everywhere while testing pyrokinesis.

Originally, I was planning to collect them in the process of gathering magic power, but I was tired and thought no one would come, so I didn’t collect them.

I didn’t think anyone would come to the training room at 3 AM.

The embers would have disappeared on their own in 30 minutes. It’s hard to see with the naked eye, but hey, the future God of Creation will take care of it.

At that moment.

──Kugugung!!

The training room building shook greatly.

I heard an explosion, but there were no traces of an explosion from the outside.

Then…….

“……It exploded inside.”

It seems that Seo Yerin touched the embers.

The embers caused a chain reaction, and Seo Yerin would have been at the center of it.

“…….”

The multi-person training room in the basement has a particularly strong magic barrier, so there won’t be a big problem. The actual damage Seo Yerin suffered will be minor.

Because she is a trained warrior.

But that doesn’t mean that warriors don’t get pissed off.

It would be even more so if her clothes were caught in the explosion.

“……Let’s run away.”

I ran without looking back.

The episode hasn’t even started yet, but I didn’t want to die already.

Run, legs, save me.