Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 18

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 18

Magician Hunter (3)

My muscles tore with each violent movement.

My bones were damaged, and my skin was torn, leaving me emaciated.

But magic filled those gaps.

It replenished the insufficient blood, held the muscles together, and replaced the torn muscle fibers.

I forcibly reassembled the broken bones in my right hand, allowing me to grip the spear.

But the limit was clear.

No matter how advanced my spear techniques were, with physical abilities inferior to a student, it was impossible to catch up with Yuren, who moved so quickly.

So, I compensated for the lack of strength with [Body Enhancement] magic, which strengthens the body using magic and formulas.

I used [Body Enhancement], bracing myself for considerable aftereffects, but even that wasn’t enough. My tail grew, and my momentarily expanded cognitive abilities immediately assessed the lacking parts.

Prepared to become half-crippled, I finally reacted to Yuren’s speed after using a secret technique that pushed my body to its limits, a technique I only used in my prime.

But now, another problem arose.

A sizzling sound and the smell of burning meat wafted around.

The source was my right hand.

It was because of the spear of dark flames.

I could control even the firepower of ordinary flames with “Pyrokinesis.”

So, when using flames against me, he minimized the firepower as much as possible.

But “Foxfire” was impossible to control.

It was like a wild horse with broken reins.

It was beyond my current ability to control.

But I couldn’t *not* use it.

I even released the saddle of the wild horse.

[‘Foxfire’ blazes magnificently.]

[The fire demon covers everything!]

The curse-laden flames soared.

The sight of the dark flames spreading everywhere was reminiscent of hell.

No, this place was already hell itself.

──Hie, hieeeeeee!

──Kuaaaaaaa!

──Ki, kill meeeeeee!

Beyond the flames, bizarre voices were heard.

Among them were those of Illusion Monkeys and those who spoke human language.

These were all ghostly wails.

Each and every one was the weeping of the demons I had killed.

Their souls were burning as fuel for the ‘Foxfire’ even in death. How could they not weep?

“Haha, this is completely psychopathic.”

Yuren said, realizing the source of the curse.

He wasn’t exactly in a position to judge, but a flame that fueled itself with the souls of the dead…

It was beyond eerie or gloomy; it was insane.

There was an instinctive revulsion.

It wasn’t a physiological issue.

It was just that Yuren, as a living being, felt an instinctive disgust.

*Seriously, what kind of skill is that?*

“Could it be the bloodline of a Gumiho…”

I had seen several murals in China and Japan while working as a mercenary. Murals of foxes with multiple tails.

In the corner of the murals, there was always a fox stained with black smudges.

At the time, I thought it was just a stain caused by the passage of time.

*Why does that stain come to mind now?*

Yuren desperately suppressed the rising thoughts and sought a way to cope.

*First, I need to create some distance.*

Yuren’s gaze turned to Seungwoo’s body.

The body, pushed to its limits, was gradually breaking down.

It seemed to be moving somehow with vast amounts of magic.

*If I create distance and stall for as much time as possible, an opportunity will surely come.*

Yuren fumbled, taking something out of his pocket. In his grasp were five cursed dolls.

*Poof*, the dolls exploded, and Yuren split into six.

It wasn’t a high-level ability like a doppelganger. It was the power of the cursed dolls.

The Yurens fled in all directions. Fierce flames chased after them, but the flames split as much as the numbers divided.

It would be different if all nine streams chased one person.

Dividing into two or three streams was not enough. Seeing that, my eyes widened.

Ruby-like eyes rippled with blue, sparkling like amethyst.

[‘Demon Eye’ opens wide.]

[An eerie gaze observes the ‘flow of magic’ and ‘gaps.’]

[Distinguishes the ‘truth’ of things.]

The six dolls came into view at once.

Five are illusions. Then the real one must be the remaining one.

“…There were six cursed dolls.”

The number of dolls he held was a trick.

Then where is the real body hiding?

All directions were covered in blazing flames. A faint gap was visible.

A trace of a person that cursed dolls could not imitate.

I reached out towards it.

At the same time, a pillar of fire slowly rose from the floor, forming a massive wall.

*Kugugung*, a barrier with a different quality and structure of magic from the existing barrier blazed, aiming for Yuren.

He hurriedly tried to escape outside the wall, but…

*No way.*

「Double Helix」

Another wall rising from the floor.

The two walls resonated with each other, forming a single barrier.

“Now there’s no way out of here.”

Of course, neither can I.

We are trapped inside this barrier.

Now he’s a rat cornered in a corner… I want to express it that way, but since he’s such a tricky guy, I couldn’t rashly guarantee victory.

Eyes that glimpse the future, a treasure trove of various artifacts, seasoned experience from mercenary life, and so on.

His power doesn’t weaken just because I cut off his right arm and dropped a gun. Rather, I have to be even more careful.

Because a veteran mercenary like him gets stronger when cornered.

Even a mouse bites a cat when cornered.

How about Yuren? There’s no need to think long.

*Finish it as quickly as possible, in a blitzkrieg.*

I bent my back and took a stance.

It’s been 5 years since I took this stance, so it’s a bit clumsy, but I took a step forward with my left foot in this state. A quiet, firm step that scrapes the ground.

There was no majesty that shattered the ground and left only footprints.

I’m just taking a step forward.

However, with that action alone, Yuren felt a sense of oppression.

“…What is it?”

A sense of oppression that pressed down on my body for a moment.

It was only for a moment, but it was definitely the same feeling as facing the Fear of a demon. *Is that also possible with the bloodline of a Gumiho?*

There were many questions, but there was no time to worry.

Because I, who had taken a firm step again, sprang up like a bullet.

With the current movement, the cartilage in my left knee is gone.

I replaced the cartilage with magic, but this is only temporary. I have to decide the outcome as quickly as possible.

*Tadadak*, moving at high speed and stepping on the footwork, I swung my body greatly.

Then, the spear in my hand spat out flames and drew an elegant curve.

Drawing a half-moon from bottom to top. Aiming for the groin and lower abdomen.

Yuren put magic on his legs and dodged back.

*Whooooong*, the spear cut through the air. No one was hit by the spear.

However, there is one unique point. This spear is not a cold weapon, but something implemented with skills and magic.

*Hwareureureu────!*

The handle of the spear lengthened.

It stretched out long like a whip, wriggling like a snake and binding Yuren’s ankles.

*Good, this will block the movement──!*

──*Chwaaaak!!*

A red aura cutting through the purple flames. It was Yuren’s sword energy.

The embers that bound his ankles like shackles scattered powerlessly into the air.

His sword cut through the flames and headed towards me.

Middle stance, the tip of the sword aimed at my head.

I swung the spear greatly to block the sword strike.

*Pazzeuk*, the sword and spear collided, and sparks flew.

These sparks were not what I intended. It was a spark that was born from friction alone.

“Puhaha, your body is so weak. Why don’t you go and eat some more mother’s milk!”

The sword and spear continued to collide.

My pathetic physical abilities struggled to withstand the continued blows.

Every time the weapons collided, my body began to break down in every corner.

A rib was broken. The lack of oxygen in the blood makes the sensation at my fingertips strange. My palms continue to burn in the ‘Foxfire,’ and I suffered third-degree burns all over my body.

It was safe to say that I was almost dying.

Nevertheless, I did not let go of the spear in my grasp.

I just waited silently, suppressing the screams that filled my mouth.

There is a reason why I chose to grab a spear and swing it directly among many means.

The spear is long and easy to swing.

It has the longest reach among cold weapons.

It’s perfect for blocking and deflecting swords.

I insisted on defensive spear techniques, aiming for the moment.

The moment the guy, exhausted from the continued blows, uses a big technique.

That moment is when my aim will show its true value.

“Your technique is excellent, but your body is trash!”

Yuren swung his sword like crazy.

There was no sign of exhaustion.

On the other hand, my skin color turned as pale as the color of the flames.

I’m already short of oxygen because of the 「Solar Meridian Severance」, but the rough movements and the flames that eat up oxygen are gradually draining my body of strength.

Yuren’s sword, which couldn’t miss that fact.

The moment my breath was cut off, a powerful strike aimed at me.

The sword cuts through the wind and approaches.

An attack that seems fatal even if it just grazes me.

I immediately moved my legs.

*Puk*, the sword dug into the flesh.

A groan that I couldn’t bring myself to utter lingered in my mouth. When I opened my eyes with difficulty, I saw Yuren with a surprised expression.

*Haha, well, you’ve probably never seen a crazy bastard like this before.*

The sword that dug into the area near the abdomen. It was not the area he was aiming for at all.

Yuren was aiming for the area around my neck and face.

But I brought my abdomen directly to twist the trajectory.

Blood overflowing, and the sensation of my intestines brushing against each other.

Death was near.

In that state, I swung the spear.

No, the spear was too long. So, I changed its shape to a short sword.

「Pyrokinesis」

*Hwareureu*, a tangible flame turned into a short sword.

Yuren, who grasped the situation, tried to rummage through my insides with his sword, but…

*Kwaddeudeuk───!!!*

Because he tore and cut out the entire left shoulder blade, he was helpless.

Cutting flesh and severing bone.

It was a triumph paid for with the abdomen.

*Ah, now it’s not a metaphor, it’s really helpless.*

Because both arms have been cut off.

Yuren, who had both arms cut off, and me, who looked like I was about to die.

At this point, it’s almost a battle between dragons and tigers [an evenly matched fight].

So, I’m preparing the finishing blow─

──*Thud*.

Yuren collapsed as it was.

I questioned that figure.

I definitely cut off his arm, but I didn’t cut off his leg.

*Tuk tuk*, I touched him a few times with my foot, but he couldn’t move.

I know because I’ve touched a lot of corpses on the battlefield.

Whether it’s a dying flash or whatever, it’s definitely right before death. Cutting off his left arm and shoving a curse into the affected area must have been a fatal blow.

When I got closer, I realized why he had collapsed.

The curse spread all over his body. It was the same for me, but Yuren’s case was different.

When I opened 「Demon Eye」 wide, I could see it more clearly.

Apparently, the dark flames that had been transferred to him placed a more powerful curse on Yuren, using the resentment that had settled in Yuren as fuel.

Just how many people has he killed to pass out before me, who has low stamina?

“…Ah, is this my defeat?”

Yuren, looking at the sky with blurry eyes.

There was no event like the rising dawn illuminating him.

The night was still dark and deep. Only the flames burning in all directions illuminated his vision.

“I, I have to become a demon and cure my daughter’s… disease…!”

Yuren suddenly started spouting his last words on his own.

I looked down at him and thought.

A villain with a story. It’s like a novel world in unnecessary parts.

“Guumjeo [likely a name], I have to cure… her.”

“I’m sorry, but stop there.”

I changed the short sword back into a spear.

The flames burned cursedly. I’m sorry for interrupting my daughter’s last words, but I have no intention of listening.

The spear aimed at the heart.

*Puk*, the spear easily pierced without any resistance.

“Aaaah….”

“I’ll stab you one more time.”

In case, I aimed the spear one more time.

In order to block the novel cliché of suddenly resurrecting with only the brain, I also aimed for the head.

This time, the spear pierced without resistance. The yellow brain matter on the tip of the blade quickly cooked and became steam.

There was no guilt or sense of sin.

I just did a confirmation kill.

I have no mercy to give a chance to say last words to a criminal who killed guards and targeted students.

Rather, I was filled with refreshment that I could sleep comfortably.

*Ah, of course, I’ll have to be hospitalized in this state for the time being.*

“Ugh… I feel like I’m going to throw up….”

I burned the wound on my stomach with fire.

It was first aid. This will disinfect it, and I won’t have to worry about bleeding.

I’ll leave the rest to the doctor at the hospital.

As soon as I finished first aid, my eyes started to close. It was unrelated to my will.

I’ll catch a cold if I sleep in a place like this.

I want to go to the nearby health center or shelter, but my body is slowly reaching its limit.

I somehow endured it when fighting, but I couldn’t stop the strength from draining anymore.

I need to take a nap.

I moved my body.

It would be much better to sleep on the grass than to sleep on the ground. So, I looked around.

No matter how much I turn my head, there is no green lawn anywhere.

I burned it all black.

*Oh, right. I burned it all.*

Inevitably, while looking for a place to lie down on the ground, Yuren’s corpse came into view.

“…This is?”

I was just staring blankly at the corpse.

Suddenly, I saw the magic remaining in the corpse moving to my eyes.

Wondering what was going on, I opened 「Demon Eye」 wide.

A colorless world. I realized that blue magic was gathering in my eyes and doing some kind of work.

It didn’t seem like it would be a threat to me, so I waited quietly until the work was finished.

“Is it a byproduct…?”

Yuren’s eyes, dyed green.

There was no life in it, but there was light.

It was a light of familiar color.

That’s because it was the color that was revealed when he used 「Ten Mile Eye」.

For a moment, I became curious and pulled out Yuren’s eyeballs.

There was no courtesy or hesitation for the dead.

Courtesy to the guy who tried to kill me is bullshit. What’s more important is whether it will be helpful to me.

It feels a bit hard when I touch it.

Can I process it like a demon’s horn or bone to make a weapon or item?

I gave it a lot of strength to check how strong it was.

Then, Yuren’s eyeballs burst and scattered.

Too weak.

I wondered what it was.

The fragments of the scattered eyeballs emitted charges of magic and resisted, but soon they were quietly absorbed into my body as they were.

[You have a skill of ‘Energy Drain’ series.]

[Absorbs ‘Ten Mile Eye’ from the target.]

[The characteristic ‘Ten Mile Eye’ is integrated into the skill ‘Demon Eye.’]

The status window popped up in succession.

I looked at the sky and laughed in vain.

“Is it always this easy to get stronger?”

I stole the opponent’s ability.

It was very simple, so simple that it was absurd.

But how did I steal it?

Suddenly, the phrase ‘Energy Drain’ written in the status window caught my eye.

I was about to interpret what it meant, but suddenly my vision went dark.

*Ah, sleepy.*

That was the end of my thoughts.

I fell straight to the floor.

My body couldn’t handle it anymore.

I needed a little rest.

Even if it’s just a little bit. I wanted to close my eyes.

The situation has not been resolved yet.

The high-ranking demon that targeted the protagonist and the students is dead, and the leader of the attack has been caught. Still, demons are roaming the academy and threatening the students.

“…Hi, hihi.”

Nevertheless, a foolish smile leaked from my mouth.

I lived. I survived.

That fact is so pleasing.

At that time, a powerful wave of magic arose from far away.

A warm breeze blew with it. The warmth makes my eyes close.

*Ah, someone must be fighting.*

Well, I guess I can leave the cleanup to someone else.

In that way, following the vision, even the consciousness was darkened in order.