Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 124

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 124

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius Episode 124

The City and the Tramp (4)

Since when was it?

Was it a distortion of personality, or a distortion of perception?

Tamamo, connected to Seungwoo by a ring and a contract, could read his mind, at least on the surface. His mind was always colorful, but.

Looking back now, it seems that the core of it was always a colorless, achromatic color.

This is… honestly quite impressive.

She, both now and in the past, has lived as a nine-tailed fox who charms the hearts of men and women of all ages, but.

In each life, she only put forward one mask.

For example, her current appearance has a face and personality similar to when she was called ‘Tamamo-no-Mae’.

However, Seungwoo was different.

He was wearing several masks at the same time.

It was so intricately put together that I didn’t know it until now, but now I understand it well.

To Tamamo’s eyes, who had gained powerful ghostly eyes by combining her abilities from her previous life as a spirit, all kinds of energies appeared as concrete forms, and various masks split into pieces and fragments were placed on Seungwoo’s face in a similar way.

Are those… all masks worn to hide his inner thoughts?

─What is going on?

Everyone lives with a mask.

Some for social life, others to protect their weak selves from the storms of the harsh world.

However, his mask, as seen by Tamamo, had no gaps or moments of weakness, so she could guess its meaning without having to hear it.

Those are all worn to protect only one inner thought.

─Contractor, you don’t have multiple personalities, do you?

‘Do people usually say that to your face?’

─So, do you have multiple personalities, or not?

‘Not really, I’ve never really questioned my identity.’

Tamamo asked persistently, noticing Baek Seungwoo’s subtle evasion of the question by adding the words ‘not really’.

─Tell me honestly. When I saw you in the mental world back then, the pitch-black, distant world was a lie, right? Wasn’t it a distorted image created by combining masks that played all kinds of human figures?

A mental image like an endless void.

The hellish sea of corpses that unfolded afterwards.

Those were some of the many masks that defined Baek Seungwoo.

In particular, in the case of the former, it was clear that several personality-like things were combined to create such a distorted world.

His answer to this is.

‘Is that so important?’

─!!!

Is he saying that sincerely?

Or is he using some kind of trick?

Even Tamamo, who had a very diverse interest in the man named Baek Seungwoo, could not understand this at all.

I can’t grasp the intention.

The meaning and true meaning are the same.

Maybe the he I’ve seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg.

That thought lingered in her head.

─……Contract, you know, right?

‘Without lying, without betraying, I will reveal everything.’

─That was the main point. Haa… I never thought I would use this usefully before you, not you.

Lies were aimed at Baek Seungwoo.

Betrayal was aimed at Tamamo.

Two conditions to get what each other wants and to bind each other at the same time.

However, she never knew that these two conditions would suddenly be for Tamamo.

─I would have been in big trouble if there hadn’t been a clause about betrayal.

The moment she mentioned the mask.

Tamamo felt like she was standing on a knife’s edge.

She thought that even if she made a mistake or something went wrong, she could die even if she was just a soul.

This is her judgment.

She was greatly influenced by Seungwoo’s murderous intent felt through the connection with the ring.

If an ordinary person had exuded such murderous intent, Tamamo would have laughed at it as recklessness. But Seungwoo had absolute confidence.

Confidence that he could kill her someday, even if it was impossible now.

And that confidence made her, a nine-tailed fox, think that she might really end her life if she made a mistake.

I wonder what he used to do.

No, is that even a person in the first place?

He wore several masks at the same time to hide his personality and inner thoughts.

The skill of teaching students is also unusual, and what is more suspicious than that is the combat sense and skill of unknown origin.

How much is he hiding?

Tamamo realized once again that she didn’t know much about Seungwoo.

Even if she knew, she only knew fragmented parts.

Her previous thought was that she would enjoy the situation slowly and wait for him to tell her himself… until Seungwoo opened his mouth.

But now it wasn’t.

I don’t know why.

She felt that she had to find out about Baek Seungwoo’s life and identity as soon as possible. She felt like something terrible would happen if she didn’t know.

She is a nine-tailed fox.

A fox that reached the sky, a person who has reached the realm just before becoming a celestial fox.

Tamamo’s divine power, which is not the sky but the closest and most similar to it, was a power no less envious than a prophet.

However, even such power became weak after death, so it became difficult to exert proper divine power right now, but there are things that can be known even with such divine power.

─What’s your name?

“Name? That’s an obvious question, it’s Baek Seungwoo.”

It’s not a lie.

But what she wants is not that name.

The real name beyond the packaging.

─Do you have another one to say? Tell me quickly. With your background.

“……I always feel this, but you’re sharp.”

She knew how to sew the first button well [referring to making a good first impression or starting off on the right foot].

This is an extension of the day she exchanged her ring finger and heart.

It was a somewhat late first greeting.

“My name is Baek Seungwoo.”

─The name is the same?

“Of course.”

This body.

“The original me. So, it’s just a creation based on the original.”

─……Huh?

Seungwoo smiled faintly at Tamamo’s blank expression.

I knew this reaction would come out.

I didn’t want to say it because of this.

It seems like it will be difficult.

A little… no, it’s very difficult.

* * *

The barrage of questions continued, but there was not a single fundamental question.

At best, when asked what her favorite food was, she answered that she didn’t have any, and at her dissatisfied appearance, she thought for 10 minutes and said, ‘Um… maybe it’s budae jjigae [a spicy Korean stew often made with instant noodles, spam, and kimchi]?’ That was all.

In fact, it’s been more than 7 years since I ate budae jjigae.

I liked it when I was young, so it wasn’t a lie.

Anyway, while such trivial questions continued.

It was right then.

“Are you… mentally ill?”

“!!!”

“You’ve been talking to yourself since a while ago. What do they call that… among humans? That, is it a mental illness?”

─Where did this woman suddenly come from? I can’t see her at all?!

I feel the same way.

I was startled for a moment by the sound suddenly heard from behind my neck.

‘……A strong lead powder smell.’

The smell tickled my nose.

Sniff, a disgusting smell.

Usually, when stench and perfume are mixed, it is alleviated.

However, excessive stench emits a more intense scent due to the reaction.

‘It’s lead powder, but something is a little strange. It’s like human skin…….’

─Like human skin?

‘Yes, I almost mistook it for a moment, but this is definitely a smell like a person……!!’

My head flashed for a moment.

Ha, haha, it can’t be.

My head denies it, but my body is convinced.

Sniff, the smell of flesh and stench, and the scent of lead powder.

This is probably.

─It smells like lead powder made from human flesh?

‘You know it well. That’s probably it.’

Maybe they cut it, dried it, and ground it.

The fox’s sense of smell was unnecessarily good, so I was quite sensitive to smells.

Moreover, I have a strong aversion to the Ma related tribes. If the smell of demons or monsters is mixed in with the terrible smell, I feel so nauseous that I feel sick.

“Oh my? Aren’t you going to answer? I like men who are like statues, but I don’t really like real statues.”

“……I don’t know.”

“Hmm~ I came because I felt a wave similar to our compatriots, but it was a waste.”

Our compatriots?

If a demon of that level says they are compatriots.

‘Are you talking about the ?’

─Paradise Lost……? Does it mean a lost paradise?

‘I don’t know. It could be a lost paradise, or it could mean that the abandoned are heading towards paradise.’

The significance of the group they belong to is not important.

What is important is their power and danger.

─The crazy woman in front of me doesn’t seem that strong. If you say that, the other guys must be quite strong?

‘Maybe… this guy is most likely the weakest.’

─Wait a minute… is that the weakest? Even at a glance, the magical energy is unusual?

The Nobles of Paradise Lost are a group that had influence until the second half of the novel.

In fact, they could be seen as the final boss group that opposes the main character and heroines.

And as such, I carefully recorded them in my diary before I forgot about them.

‘Maybe this year’s name is… huh?’

Why do I remember… no, why did I think I knew it in the first place?

She is not an existence created based on a motif from where I lived. I killed almost all the demons with my sword, so I remember simple impressions or powers.

But the year in front of me is not.

I have no memory at all.

But I approached it with the thought that I knew about her.

It cannot be explained simply by being tired.

Something, something is there.

Before I knew it, she said that he was a subtly fun guy to look at, even though he was a wooden statue, and disappeared with the words, “See you next time.”

And I just stared blankly at the guy’s empty seat.

The figure was so still and quiet, like a toy with the batteries removed, that a passing citizen turned around and stared.

“…….”

I, who had been feeling their gaze all along, stood there without paying any attention to the gaze.

I was just standing there.

Until the guards came after being reported by citizens who felt uneasy.

“……Is it Eve’s doing?”

I was just standing there.

I didn’t want to take any action other than thinking right now.

* * *

“Welcome back.”

A peacock that subtly eats away at people’s brains with its three-inch tongue.

Also known as Marquis Mimo, she was escorted by Simon to the deepest part of Baron Epotts’ mansion.

For reference, she liked the expression Marquis Mimo, but she didn’t really like being called the former.

It was a very fitting modifier.

She smiled at Simon, who was feeling sorry.

“More than that, listen to me first.”

“What do you mean?”

“I met a handsome man in town just now.”

A man with a prickly and taciturn appearance is attractive.

In fact, even if he talked a lot or cursed, she would have felt the same way.

“He was cold. That was attractive.”

Attractiveness is completed with a face.

……That was the claim of Marquis Mimo.

She was so obsessed with her face that she put the modifier Mimo on herself.

And that man.

It suited her taste well.

“Can you tell me what kind of person he was?”

“Well, his face is more handsome than yours. This is not something that can be expressed in words, so let’s skip it. The unique thing is that he is an Ajin [a being of mixed human and demon heritage] with black hair and the traits of a fox that I have never seen in this world.”

Black hair.

The traits of a fox.

Ajin.

With that, a man came to Simon’s mind.

He is currently the hottest topic in the media for two months.

“Are you talking about black hair, fox tails, and ears……?”

“Yes, he even had three tails. It seemed like he was from the Cheonhobaekga bloodline [likely a powerful or noble lineage of fox spirits]?”

“……Puhuhu.”

Simon, who heard the description of the person whose gender was unknown, laughed and then burst into laughter.

I didn’t think I would be able to meet him so quickly.

At this rate, they seem to be taking strong precautions over there.

Puhaha!

At Simon’s loud laughter, the red-haired man and the peacock looked at him at the same time.

“What is it, livestock? Did you hurt your head or something?”

“Are you okay? Did my charm make you feel faint? Ah… why am I such an attractive woman?”

“Stop it, you crazy bitch. Charm my ass.”

“Oh my, I don’t want to hear that from a rabid dog of the same race?”

The man and woman faced each other as their eyebrows narrowed.

“A year suffering from mental illness and narcissism.”

“Anger control disorder. But he controls his anger well in front of the Duke and Marquis.”

“Isn’t that the same for you?”

“Huhu, but I’m not comparable to a mad dog.”

Simon, who was still laughing as he watched the two slander each other, thought.

First of all, it would be good to use the children.

The vagrants overflowing in the back of this city.

He received confirmation from the Baron that he could use them as he pleased because they were useless, so he planned suicide bombings and self-immolation.

Their sacrifice is martyrdom.

Everything is for the Demon Church.

Behind Simon, who was making a terrifying plan, a red-haired demon passed by.

He seemed tired of arguing with the woman, scratched his head and said in an annoyed tone.

“I’m telling you just in case. Don’t forget, livestock. The reason I’m accommodating you and cooperating is not because my fellow tribesmen are waking up─.”

─Because you promised me a rise in status, risking your miserable life.

I’m just checking out your skills.

Words that resonate in the spirit itself in a low voice.

Soon, he waved his hand as if he was too lazy to use his head anymore and left to lie down on the bed.

The red-haired demon seemed to have read Simon’s thoughts to some extent just by meeting his eyes.

Oh my… he was quite perceptive.

“Haha! Of course. Oh, did you already leave?”

“It can’t be helped, Simon. He is very lazy and insignificant.”

“Well, that’s his charm. By the way, Marquis Mimo, the preparations are complete. Now, show off your ideology.”

Meanwhile, the peacock was clapping and rejoicing.

Unlike the man, she did not show much hostility.

Rather, she was happy.

Finally.

“I can give knowledge and wisdom to the ignorant people of this era and this world. Huhu… I’m so excited…!!”

Wisdom and knowledge.

A demon of teaching and eloquence.

She is a bird crossing the sky, a beautiful peacock standing on a burnt offering, Marquis Mimo, and at the same time, a baron of demons.