Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 310

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 310

Test (5)

It’s common to subdue an opponent by striking their weak points.

Just like in fist fights, the same applies to magic.

Whoosh.

A tiny spark extinguished the massive light the moment they met.

Isabel’s face flickered with a smile at the sight of the candle being blown out with a big breath, but it didn’t last long.

“What is that?”

The smoke from the extinguished flame spread leisurely.

Because the flame was small, the smoke was also small, and it seemed like it would soon be scattered by the wind.

But the smoke was longer and clearer than expected.

That smoke captured all the flashes of light in the area.

Snap!

With the sound of a whip wrapping around something, the smoke grabbed the black light and crushed it. Gray smoke and black light. Since both are dull colors belonging to achromatic colors, it became difficult to distinguish the two with the naked eye.

What was certain was…

“Huh? Why is it suddenly disappearing?”

“Your idea and talent are excellent, but you still lack the *sense* to support them.”

The light engulfed in smoke became one mass with the smoke.

The mass naturally dispersed, and the surroundings regained their original colors.

Isabel’s domain, “Like Draws to Like,” was forcibly dispelled.

“…Is that something that can be done with the word ‘sense’?”

Forcibly dispelling a domain.

It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.

Moreover, if the person dispelling it was a Great Mage, it wasn’t difficult at all.

However, this only applies when the opponent has also declared a domain or sanctuary.

“Even my grandmother can’t pull off such a feat.”

From Isabel’s perspective, what I did was incomprehensible.

But just because you don’t know it doesn’t mean it’s against common sense.

“Really? It’s easy if you know the principle.”

“What is it?”

Isabel’s tone sharpened.

Her eyes were fierce.

‘Well, it’s understandable.’

A domain is Isabel’s trump card.

To think there’s a way to dispel such a domain so easily.

She probably doesn’t want to admit it, but she had no choice but to acknowledge what I had shown her right in front of her eyes.

Moreover, it’s *easy*?

Just *know the principle*?

‘Any mage would be driven crazy.’

It’s rather gentlemanly of her to be asking me like this.

Usually, when their weaknesses are revealed, most mages grab their heads and scream.

…I feel like I’ve portrayed all mages as lunatics, but most of them are.

Mages are beings who seek knowledge and pursue truth. However, there are very few mages who can tolerate the existence of a major flaw, a weakness, within themselves while pursuing truth.

Unless it’s compatibility.

Weaknesses stem from one’s own ignorance, so there are surprisingly many stubborn mages who don’t accept it even if they know it.

In that sense, Isabel is better.

‘At least she’s ready to accept it.’

From a teacher’s perspective, it’s admirable.

“Don’t be too impatient.”

“Impatient? When should I be impatient if not now? You’re telling me to remain calm after seeing my domain, which is one step above a domain, being defeated by a small spark?”

“Yes.”

So, I gave her a lesson.

“Is that easy?”

“In the first place, it’s strange that you’re handling a domain at your level. A domain is a concept that even I can’t handle carelessly, so isn’t it strange that you handle it well?”

“…!”

A domain is something that even a Great Mage has difficulty handling.

Even a Great Mage has trouble, so it would be strange if Isabel could perfectly handle a domain. Of course, Isabel has been learning magic for much longer than I have.

However, the concept of realm is not divided for no reason.

“You’re rushing too much. Just by using a domain, you’ve already surpassed what you can do within your realm.”

I looked at her.

I observed the amount and quality of her mana. I observed the vessel containing them.

I could roughly see her level.

‘Advanced Mage. How close is she to mastering it… two steps before perfection?’

I can be sure.

With Isabel’s talent, she will master advanced magic within this year.

In her second year, she will learn a lot of top-tier magic and lay the foundation for becoming a Great Mage. In her third year, she will become a Great Mage and be able to fully utilize her own domain.

It’s a great talent.

And a fast growth rate.

“So don’t be impatient. You’re doing well enough.”

I bent down and stroked her.

A small head and physique that fit in one hand.

There was no reason for this young girl to be impatient.

Just enjoying the present, exploring knowledge, and studying her major under a great mage is enough. With just that, Isabel will become a mage who surpasses even me.

“…”

“Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something you want to say?”

“…But.”

Lake-like blue eyes looked up at me.

In those pure eyes, there was something different from stubbornness.

“But, at this rate, I can’t help you!”

There was resentment.

“Help me? What an presumptuous thing to say.”

“I know! My talent is inferior to yours, and my knowledge and abilities are lacking. My magic has many flaws! But, but!”

As if she was getting angry.

Isabel continued, venting her frustration.

“You’ve always looked at me with expectant eyes!”

“…”

I closed my mouth at her words.

“With expectant eyes. You were looking at me with eyes that hoped I would grow and help you! I’ve been watching you for years, do you think I wouldn’t know that?”

“…”

I couldn’t say anything.

Isabel was right. I had been expecting her growth until now.

She is one of the main characters in this world.

I had high expectations for Isabel’s talent and growth.

I hoped that one day Isabel would become a shield and spear protecting humanity. I taught my students with that mindset.

‘But it’s a shame to use her as a force right now.’

The development of the novel is twisted.

As I actively intervened, the increasingly twisted scenario poured out variables that even I couldn’t handle.

‘In the midst of all this, can Isabel be of help to me?’

Not to mention her achievements in other magic, she can’t even handle her domain properly?

It was a problem I had never thought deeply about before.

Isabel left me standing there, frozen in place.

She stimulated the portal I had opened, saying she would bring the next students.

Isabel easily pulled in the nine fallen students, bound by light snares, and disappeared.

After that, the next students appeared before me.

─Think about it later. Why don’t you focus on the lesson now?

The fox’s melodious voice calling me was heard, perhaps because the depth of my worries had been conveyed to Tamamo [likely referring to Tamamo-no-Mae, a mythical fox spirit known for wisdom].

“Okay.”

I cut off my thoughts for a moment and decided to think about this later.

For now, first.

“Let’s start the lesson.”

Let’s finish this first.

* * *

The lessons for promising students, including Isabel, took quite a while, but I managed to finish the class on time. After sending the last students back to the lecture hall, I closed the portal.

─Aren’t you going back?

“Is there any need to go back?”

Either way, my work is done for today.

Now, I can either go back to the lab and continue my research as usual, or just go home.

So, I decided to walk across the field.

As I walked across the field without saying a word, various terrains came into view in the distance.

Mountains with impressive streams flowing from the valleys, and lush, giant trees reminiscent of tropical rainforests.

In the distance, there is a desert terrain, so when the wind blows, sandstorms swirl, and the sand tries to penetrate other terrains.

However, the sand is blocked by magic that separates each terrain, and only sandstorms occur, and the sand does not cross into other areas.

All those scenes came into view.

“This is why the maintenance costs are melting away.”

A lot of money was spent.

Look at this enormous scale.

It was not at a level that an academy could own.

I suddenly thought it was a huge waste of money, but still, the academy uses these terrains to improve students’ adaptability and the quality of classes.

‘On the other hand, our family’s nobles can’t even do that.’

The elders are still fiercely fighting.

The elders, who drew their swords at each other for their interests, eventually began to wield those swords. Thanks to my mediation, the blind blades did not target the necks of innocent servants.

The necks of the elders, who are like plump, greedy, and greasy pigs, are probably being broken one by one at this moment.

‘Compared to the money that goes into the old men’s pockets, this is much better.’

Maybe the amount of money that goes into the back pockets is almost the same as the cost of maintaining such facilities. Now that it’s come to this, should I create such terrains in the remaining parts of the mansion grounds with that money when all the elders die?

I was naturally thinking about the future.

For the sake of the family’s development, I was seriously thinking that it would be right to install these various terrains on the family’s internal grounds.

Step, step.

I stopped the feet that were walking forward.

“…”

The future. The family’s future.

The thought that came to me momentarily grabbed my ankle.

So, I stopped walking to focus on my thoughts, and I closed my eyes and pondered. Then, all sorts of moments flashed through my mind.

“…Why am I thinking about such things?”

When I thought about it carefully, that was the case.

Either way, death was near. Even if the incurable disease was cured, my will to face the end in battle was the same.

It doesn’t make sense for me to think about the family’s future.

I felt like something was broken within me.

“…I guess it’s because I’ve lived for too long.”

In this world. In this body.

I’ve lived for too long.

The new life that has lasted for more than half a year has breathed new life into me, who had been living without purpose. Before I knew it, I had something to immerse myself in, and I had something precious.

…This won’t do.

“I need to sort out my thoughts a bit.”

In fact, I’ve had these thoughts often before.

Watching the students grow day by day, my mind gradually began to become confused. Still, the good thing is that the place I am in now is a great place to get lost in thought.

Let’s go a little deeper.

I didn’t hesitate and stepped into the depths of the mountain.

The sound of the stream flowing, the sounds of insects, animals, and plants, and the sound of the wind brushed past my ears. As I wandered aimlessly through the mountain, I found a stone that was good to sit on.

‘Let’s sit down and rest for a while.’

Thud.

When I sat down, the stone was bigger than I thought.

It was so huge that I could see the entire view of the mountain I had walked on from here.

It’s really wide.

“Well… I guess I can be alone here.”

No one will interfere here.

In a place where I can be completely immersed in my thoughts, I took a meditative posture and fell into my inner world.

Still an empty inner world.

However, unlike what I saw before. The inner world seems to be slightly brighter.

…Or is it?

I haven’t been here in so long that I don’t know.