Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 221

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Episode 221

Academy Gumiho is a Magic Genius 221

Magic and Mystery (1)

At first, preparing was awkward, but before I knew it, the lecture was halfway over.

With the end of the lectures approaching, summer vacation was on everyone’s mind. The students buzzed with excitement, discussing their travel plans and training regimens for the break.

Listening to them, I picked up on a lot.

“I’m heading to America next week.”

“Why a trip? You’re so lucky to get away.”

“It’s not just a trip. There’s an academy in America too. I’m planning to check it out.”

“I’m thinking of visiting the academy in China. It’s the closest of the five major academies.”

“Lucky you. I’m stuck at home, swinging my sword in the training room.”

Some students were planning to visit other magic academies.

It seemed they wanted to broaden their horizons through these tours.

“I’m going to Europe next week. Want me to grab you a souvenir?”

“Sure, I’d love that. But why Europe? Are you doing the academy tour thing?”

“Nope.”

“Then what takes you to Europe…?”

“Just a normal family trip. Nothing special.”

Others were simply going on vacation.

“Where are you headed for vacation?”

“Nowhere. I’m just staying home. Too much hassle to go anywhere.”

“Yeah, tell me about it.”

“I’ve got a new game installed. Want to play together during the break?”

“Oh, awesome! I’ll come over to your place on the first day of vacation.”

In contrast to the actively traveling students,

quite a few planned to enjoy their vacation comfortably at home.

While students were eagerly anticipating summer vacation, there was still some time left.

Perhaps because of that, word of Seungwoo’s lectures began to spread like wildfire.

Maybe because the vacation hadn’t started yet, the rumors spread faster than anyone expected, since the lecture series was still ongoing.

“Have you been to Baek Seungwoo’s lecture?”

“No, not yet. What’s the buzz?”

“Something definitely happened.”

“What, did all the girls’ hearts explode from seeing his face up close?”

“Mine almost did.”

“…What?”

“Never mind that. The lecture is a huge hit. Want the details?”

“Honestly, I’m more curious about the first thing you mentioned.”

The lecture content was one thing, but the chance to see Seungwoo’s face up close was a major draw. People initially attended to see him, but they were pleasantly surprised by the lecture’s quality.

Chilsung Academy’s students, who were used to high standards due to the talented and reputable professors invited from all over, were full of praise for the lecture.

Even first, second, and third-year students were satisfied.

Moreover, the difficulty level, which was challenging yet manageable with thorough review, spread by word of mouth.

* * *

That afternoon.

Even more students than the 2,000-seat capacity showed up for the lecture.

As time went on, the number of students standing in the back seemed to increase. I couldn’t check attendance due to the sheer number of people, so I couldn’t know exactly who was there, but roughly 671 more people had crammed into the lecture hall.

It would take too long to identify the students who hadn’t officially registered for the lecture one by one.

So, I simply started the lecture.

“I’ve already covered the uses and limitations of each organ. We’ve discussed muscles, nerves, organs, and skeletons. Starting today, we’ll focus on practical applications.”

I dedicated half of my allotted lectures to the body.

Of course, if I simply lectured on the uses of the body, it would be a standard biology lecture. So, I also taught them how far they could push their bodies using magic power.

For example, bones. The range of motion is limited by the skeleton and joints, but if you reinforce the joints with magic power, you can move beyond those limitations.

However, I also taught them the precise amount of magic power to use and how to control it, up to the point where they could move without injury.

Ordinary professors don’t usually know these things.

This was knowledge I gained from countless battles and interrogations.

You could call it practical biology.

“Before we begin, let’s address a question. Many students have emailed me questions, and some have even included their contact information and photos. I read them all out of courtesy, but most weren’t worth answering.”

Surprisingly, I received more emails asking to meet me than questions about the lecture. The gender ratio was also fairly even.

Perhaps that’s why.

I didn’t feel great while reading them. Still, by reading them all, I found a worthwhile question.

“One student asked if there would be corresponding pain if the body was pushed to its limits while manipulating muscles, nerves, and bones, and what solutions or coping methods exist. This question is perfect for the lecture’s level, so I’ll address it directly. Simply put, you use hormones in that case.”

It’s too complex for students to control hormones individually.

Elevating emotions is enough for them to learn for now.

“I can organically control hormones without disrupting the body’s homeostasis [maintaining a stable internal environment], but you should start by controlling your emotions.”

“Professor, I’m the one who sent that question. I have a follow-up.”

“What is it?”

“You said to suppress pain by controlling emotions, but how do I do that specifically?”

That’s easy.

I answered immediately.

“There are many ways, but the easiest is to heighten your emotions by getting angry or excited.”

You can manipulate the information in the spinal cord with magic power to trigger the release of endorphins [natural pain relievers]. Then, memorize that sensation and stimulate it with magic power when needed, causing endorphins to be released reflexively, like Pavlov’s dog [a reference to classical conditioning].

Of course, you have to control the amount secreted and maintain the body’s homeostasis to avoid aftereffects.

As I explained this, I noticed students diligently taking notes. Not just the student who asked the question, but everyone else too.

Everyone’s working hard.

That made me want to teach them even more actively.

Until I heard some foolish comments.

“You know, isn’t this more of a biology class than a magic lecture?”

“It’s distracting when I’m taking notes. Hurry up and scribble in your notebook too.”

“Honestly, think about it. I’m a magician. This content is new and amazing, but it’s not really related to magic.”

The lecture content was mostly about the body.

There was a lot about magic power, but not everything that uses magic power is magic. By that logic, martial artists who use swords and spears should be called magicians because they enhance their bodies with magic power.

So, from some students’ perspective, this lecture didn’t seem like a magic lecture. It seemed more suited for martial artists who train their sword energy or bodies.

Even if they didn’t say it, some students were subtly nodding.

And those words…

“Are you serious about what you just said?”

“Y-yes…?”

Reached my ears.

At first, I doubted my hearing, but I realized something was wrong because no one was stopping them.

“What you just said, are you serious?”

“Ah, yes! O-of course.”

“Judging by the silence, most of you agree, right?”

When I stopped the lecture and spoke, all eyes were on me.

Looking down from the podium, I could see their eyes clearly.

Everyone was nodding. They couldn’t say it, but they seemed to agree.

Only a few students were crossing their arms or clicking their tongues.

Mostly third-year students or magicians with exceptional talent.

They numbered less than 100.

There are thousands of students here. A truly disheartening ratio.

“I didn’t know there were so many ignorant students in the world.”

I realized my thinking was flawed.

Instead of assuming I could make them stronger through my lectures, I needed to teach them basic common sense.

“It’s not time to teach you advanced topics yet.”

Basics.

These guys lacked common sense.

Magic and mystery might be difficult to grasp, but a magician who forgets the basics can’t progress.

“I need to rewrite the lecture curriculum.”

I didn’t have much time left.

Less than 7 hours, but it’s okay. I’ll create a lecture they can understand and cram it into their heads.

‘I’ll build everything from the basics of magic, as well as lectures on regeneration and the human body.’

There’s not enough time to build a solid foundation.

No matter how great the lecture, it’s impossible to build a foundation in less than 10 hours. But if I think about it differently…

It’s just a matter of time.

I continued the lecture, revising the next curriculum in my head as I spoke.

After the lecture.

The students stayed in the hall during the break, copying everything from the blackboard and chattering.

“Today’s lecture was tough. The difficulty level is insane. I have to review it in the dorm, but today was especially hard.”

“It’s hard, but we feel like we’re getting stronger as we listen and review, right? Isn’t that enough?”

“Hey! Hey, did you guys see that?!”

“What’s wrong? Did you see something weird?”

“It’s not weird. Open your phone and check it out!”

“What’s going on?”

He stopped mid-sentence.

His eyes blinked as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and the students next to him who were looking at their phones had the same reaction.

Most of the students with phones had similar reactions.

They had opened an email sent by Professor Baek Seungwoo to the entire class.

The moment they saw it, they were stunned.

The auditorium fell silent.

“Isn’t this completely crazy?!”

“How can there be more homework than lectures?!”

“Even the deadline… Am I seeing this right?”

That afternoon.

Baek Seungwoo, who had never given handouts or assignments, handed out dozens of assignments per person. The deadline is tomorrow.

Students who don’t finish will be kicked out of the lecture.