Academy’S Gumiho Is A Magical Genius [EN]: Chapter 54

Academy Gumiho is a Magical Genius – Episode 54

Teacher (4)

Baek Seung-woo’s class was uninspiring.

He employed a unique teaching method, but compared to other professors or teaching assistants, it wasn’t clear if it was a systematic or efficient way to study. It felt a bit haphazard.

For now, I followed my advisor’s curriculum without complaint.

Lee Ji swung a huge axe every day until her arms felt like they would fall off. She trained with relentless dedication.

She swung it so much that her arms were covered in calluses and developing muscles.

Seong Yeon-hwa meditated every afternoon when we gathered in the training room.

Amidst the sounds of weapons clashing and heavy breathing echoing around, it was quite amazing to see her, usually so talkative and cheerful, meditating silently. Her focus was remarkable.

As a Ranger, Noh Yu-ra learned how to move stealthily.

It was supposed to be a way of walking that didn’t make a sound even when stepping on bushes or dry twigs while running. She was learning to be as silent as a shadow.

To others, it just looked like she was imitating a cat. Her movements were fluid and graceful, but perhaps a little comical to watch.

Seo Ye-rin alternated between two types of swordsmanship. She was diligently practicing different combat styles.

She was clumsy on the first day, but now she’s quite capable. Her improvement was noticeable.

Of course, it wasn’t at a level good enough to be used in actual combat yet. She still had a long way to go before she could confidently face an opponent.

Isis seemed to be receiving the most practical instruction in the group. Her lessons appeared the most directly applicable.

When she had difficulty controlling her ice magic, he taught her a unique magic array method, suggesting changing the units of magic power and range. He was helping her fine-tune her abilities.

Double helix… was it? I think that was the term he used.

It was an array method I had never seen before, so I don’t remember it in detail. It was an unfamiliar and complex technique.

And in Isabel’s case.

“You still haven’t figured it out?”

She hadn’t started anything. She was stuck at the starting line.

To be precise, she couldn’t. She was unable to begin.

Seung-woo hadn’t taught her anything for four days. He hadn’t given her any guidance.

“If you give me just one more day, no, two more days, I can do it.”

“I told you, there’s nothing to fix in my magic. It’s wrong to even think that there’s a tiny flaw in the formula corrected by my grandmother.”

“No… there’s definitely something. How should I explain this…” She was convinced there was an issue, but struggled to articulate it.

She said that if she had more time, she could tell me her flaws. She believed she could identify the problems with further analysis.

From Isabel’s point of view, it was a ridiculous notion. She found the idea absurd.

Who was her grandmother? Her grandmother’s identity was significant.

The pillar supporting Europe, the guild leader of [a powerful and influential guild], and a high-ranker who received the title of ‘Valkyrie’ [a legendary warrior title] from the system. Her grandmother was a figure of immense power and prestige.

When it comes to magic related to light and runes [ancient symbols with magical properties], no one in the world can follow her grandmother. Even the Demon King, who advanced the history of magic by decades, would not be able to surpass her in this field. Her grandmother was considered the ultimate authority in these areas.

There was no way that a technique born through her grandmother’s teachings would have flaws or shortcomings. It was inconceivable that her grandmother’s work could be imperfect.

Moreover, this is magic that her grandmother directly adjusted the combination of runes and the arrangement of magic power. This magic was personally refined by her grandmother. Nevertheless, Seung-woo said that there was something to fix in Isabel’s magic. Despite her grandmother’s expertise, Seung-woo claimed to see flaws.

Of course, she didn’t take it seriously. She dismissed his claims.

There was no way that her ex-fiancé, whom she had kicked out, would be better than her grandmother, whom she respected so much. She couldn’t believe that Seung-woo, her former fiancé, could surpass her revered grandmother.

‘Still, it’s not bad to see him struggling for me…’ She found a certain satisfaction in his efforts.

Seung-woo was her ex-fiancé whom she had kicked out, but it was quite thrilling to see him worrying and pondering for her. It was exciting to watch him grapple with her magical formula.

Perhaps it was because his appearance itself was outstanding. Maybe it was simply because he was attractive. Watching him worry became quite an enjoyable routine. She found pleasure in observing his concern.

Even though four days had passed meaninglessly, Isabel only spewed out harsh words, but she arrived at the training room first every day, waiting for her group members and Seung-woo. Despite her critical remarks, she was always eager to attend the training sessions.

As time passed aimlessly, Friday approached. The week was drawing to a close.

“…Shall we go out today?” She casually suggested an outing.

The last lecture of the week was over, and Seung-woo’s class was also over. Classes had finished for the week.

She didn’t have any close friends in Chilseong, and since the magic stone she used for her research after school had run out, she planned to go to the market. She needed to restock her research supplies.

“30 6-circle magic stones [high-quality magic stones], mandrake leaves [a magical herb], plant growth accelerator, and a set of intermediate potions should be enough.” She listed the items she needed.

These were items that she could order online. She could easily purchase them online.

However, in that case, she couldn’t check the quality of the magic stones and mandrake leaves. She preferred to inspect the goods personally. So Isabel preferred going to the market in person.

It took valuable time to go back and forth, but interesting things sometimes happened while walking, so she couldn’t stop moving in person. She enjoyed the unexpected encounters during her trips to the market.

Yes, for example, witnessing Seung-woo entering the basement of a gloomy building. She happened to see Seung-woo entering a suspicious location.

“…Why is he there?” She wondered about his destination.

Outside the Chilseong Academy grounds, there were many blacksmiths and stores for players [individuals with special abilities]. The area surrounding the academy was filled with shops catering to adventurers and mages. Some streets were lined with blacksmiths’ shops, and you could often see merchants selling all sorts of miscellaneous goods. There was a bustling marketplace nearby.

However, the place Seung-woo was heading to was not such a place. He wasn’t going to the usual commercial area.

A gloomy outskirts that even Isabel, who frequented the market, had never been to. It was a seedy part of town, unfamiliar even to her.

Feeling a strange sense, she immediately followed him. Driven by curiosity, she decided to tail him.

Soon, she witnessed him heading to the basement of the building. She saw him descend into the building’s underbelly.

Screech.

As the basement door opened, smoke escaped from inside. A cloud of smoke billowed out as the door creaked open.

Moving stealthily, she sniffed the air. She cautiously approached and inhaled.

“This is, the smell of grass?” She detected an unusual scent.

A pungent smoke. A sharp, acrid odor.

It wasn’t the smoke from grilling meat or fish, but the smoke from burning grass. It wasn’t the smell of cooking food, but of burning vegetation. And it didn’t seem like ordinary grass. It seemed to be something more exotic.

…Could it be? She began to suspect the truth.

“Oh, what should I do…?!” Isabel’s expression darkened. Her face fell.

She felt like her delusions were becoming reality, and her expression was gradually filled with shock. She feared her suspicions were correct. At the same time, one side of her heart denied the thoughts in her head. Part of her refused to believe what she was thinking.

No way, it can’t be. It couldn’t possibly be true.

* * *

I headed straight to the basement of the building. I made my way directly to the underground location.

It looked like a low-quality entertainment establishment, but the reality of this place was completely different. It appeared to be a cheap nightclub, but it was something else entirely. Eve named this place a ‘botanical garden’ or a clinic. Eve had given it a euphemistic name.

Well, it was ultimately a place that sold illegal drugs or plants without the permission of the state. In reality, it was a black market for illicit substances and flora.

─What if an illegal merchant is distributing not only drugs but also other plants? For example, plants specialized in treatment or poison. I wondered if the dealer sold more than just drugs.

─Why are you asking me that? There are some drug addicts in barrack 42. Why don’t you consult them? Eve responded sarcastically.

─Hey, I’m not really saying I’m going to do drugs. I clarified that I wasn’t planning to use drugs.

─Then? Seriously, is it about that novel setting again? Aren’t you tired of it now? Eve questioned my obsession with the novel.

─How can I be tired of it when it’s my novel? By the way, this illegal merchant setting isn’t bad, right? This guy lives in the basement of a shopping district near the academy… I defended my interest in the story and the character.

Eve said that the guy was staying in the basement of a shopping district outside the academy grounds. Eve had provided the location.

There was no other information. Even if I had heard it, I had already forgotten it. That was all I knew. I couldn’t recall any other details.

Let’s see, the shopping district is near here, so should I take a quick look? I decided to investigate the area.

「Yomaan」

My eyes turned purple, and I contemplated the world. I activated my special vision.

The only blue of magic power flickering in the gray-colored vision. I could see the faint glow of magical energy.

Even if it was underground, it could penetrate the inside of the building like an X-ray. My vision allowed me to see through walls and underground.

After examining all the basements of the buildings, I was finally able to find it. I searched each basement until I found the right one.

A place full of plants with a lot of particularly blue magic power concentrated. A location with a high concentration of magical energy emanating from plants.

That place is the ‘botanical garden’. That was the black market Eve had mentioned.

Walking into the building, there was a path to the basement in the corner. I found the entrance to the basement.

The atmosphere felt like ruins, but as I went down the stairs to the bottom, I felt a pungent smoke. The place was dilapidated, and the air was thick with smoke.

Turning my head to look left and right, the smoke filled the surroundings, and at the same time, I felt my heart pounding and carrying blood diligently. The smoke was everywhere, and my heart began to race.

「Baekdokjiche」 reacted to the smoke and began to purify the blood. My body’s defense mechanism activated.

It’s medicine. It was some kind of medicinal substance.

“I came to buy plants.” I announced my presence.

“You came to buy my plants?” A middle-aged man emerged from the shadows.

The botanical garden spread out behind the middle-aged man came into view. I could see the extent of the illegal operation.

The scale is considerable. It was a large-scale operation.

To run a business of this scale near Chilseong. It was audacious to run such a business so close to the academy.

I don’t know if he’s bold or stupid. I wondered if he was brave or foolish.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you. Don’t you want to take off your mask?” He asked me to reveal my identity.

“Do I need to answer that?” I declined to answer.

The man nodded at my answer and acknowledged it. He accepted my refusal.

“Okay, whatever. I’m not in a position to be picky about customers. I just have to sell things to customers. So, what do you want?” He was willing to do business regardless of my identity. He only cared about making a sale.

What is sold here are herbs banned by the state. He dealt in prohibited substances.

The botanical garden, which handles all kinds of medicines, from potent medicinal herbs, has two main categories of plant groups. The shop specialized in two types of plants.

Medicinal poisonous herbs and illegally manufactured drugs. Poisonous herbs and illicit drugs.

Of course, the number of the former is overwhelmingly large. He primarily sold poisonous herbs.

Why would the state ban medicinal herbs? I wondered why these herbs were illegal.

Because they are highly toxic or highly addictive. They were dangerous due to their toxicity or addictive properties. And my body was able to adapt to the toxicity and addiction and create new antibodies. My body could develop resistance to these substances.

“Red Sea flower, Polygonum multiflorum [a medicinal herb], black bracken [a type of fern], and all kinds of poisonous herbs. Do you have them all?” I listed the herbs I wanted.

“I don’t know why you’re looking for poisonous herbs, but it’s the first time I’ve seen your physique. You don’t look like a drug addict, are you a beginner?” He questioned my motives and appearance.

“As I said repeatedly, do I need to answer that?” I reiterated my refusal to answer personal questions.

No, his job is to make money. He was only interested in making a profit.

Since most of the customers who come here are unidentified people who do not reveal their identities, the middle-aged man nodded and agreed. He was used to dealing with anonymous customers.

“That’s right. But can you buy them all? They’re rare herbs, so the price won’t be cheap…” He warned me about the high cost.

I showed him my phone history. I displayed proof of funds.

[100 million has been deposited into your account.]

“…It seems like it’s not a word that works for customers. This is a big shot after a long time. Wait a moment.” He realized I was a wealthy customer and became more attentive.

When he hurriedly took out his phone from his pocket and checked the text message, the lethargic man’s actions became quick. He confirmed the payment and became more efficient.

After all, money is the best. Money was a powerful motivator.

He took out a bottle containing medicine from the drawer. He retrieved a vial of liquid.

“What kind of method do you want? Usually, we extract the undiluted solution and dilute it.” He offered different preparation methods.

The middle-aged man was shaking a glass bottle that looked dangerous at first glance. The bottle appeared hazardous.

In the shaken glass bottle, there was a transparent but somehow sacred energy latent. The liquid seemed to possess a strange power. It looks like holy water on the outside. It resembled holy water.

Ha, these guys have been avoiding people’s eyes in this way. They were disguising their products.

I shook my head and said. I declined his offer.

“Pure form of poisonous herbs. The amount can be small, but as many different kinds as possible, and specially sealed so that they don’t dry out or spoil.” I wanted the raw herbs, carefully preserved.

“The original itself that hasn’t been processed. You’re a customer who wants something quite poisonous. I’ll prepare it for you soon.” He acknowledged my unusual request and began to gather the herbs.

The man who pulled out various herbs and roots from behind began to pack them. He collected the herbs and roots from his stock.

The packaging bag was ordinary, but there was no problem. The packaging was simple, but adequate.

Anyway, this is just the outside. It was only for appearances.

“Here are the poisonous herbs grown in our botanical garden. I put one root of each, 228 kinds. Most of them are highly poisonous that are banned even in hospitals, so be careful when using them. And since they are not processed, the addictiveness is less, but there are some side effects such as headaches and vomiting.” He presented the herbs and warned me about their dangers.

It was a small number that I didn’t like considering that I invested 100 million, but the man continued to explain. I felt the quantity was insufficient for the price, but he continued his explanation.

“The plants I handle are generally excellent for pain relief, but since they are not processed as you requested, they will cause pain relief effects beyond imagination.” He emphasized the potency of the raw herbs.

The man said, shaking off the dirt on the bag. He brushed off the bag.

“This bag prevents the plants inside from withering or losing their effectiveness. Originally, I would have sold it for money, but I’ll give it to you for free since I received a lot of money.” He provided a special bag to preserve the herbs.

“Thank you.” I expressed my gratitude.

“Ugh, young people these days have bad attitudes. It’s like they don’t even know about respecting elders.” He grumbled about my lack of respect.

There’s no more business. The transaction was complete. What I want is not medicine, but only poisonous herbs that will increase my body’s antibodies. I only wanted the herbs to strengthen my body.

Judging that there was no need to stay in this gloomy den any longer, I was about to leave, but the man grabbed me. I turned to leave, but he stopped me.

He was holding a lighter in his hand. He offered me a lighter.

“How about a lighter? When you dry the plants and make them into cigarettes, the magic engraved on the built-in magic stone increases the efficiency of the medicinal properties in the plants.” He tried to sell me a magical lighter.

“What’s the price?” I inquired about the price.

“20 million.” He quoted a price.

“It’s a rip-off. And I don’t need it in the first place.” I considered it overpriced and unnecessary.

Unless I’m smoking, I don’t need a lighter in the first place. I didn’t need a lighter unless I was smoking.

And even if I smoke, I can light a fire with my magic. I could create fire with my magic.

However, the man who didn’t know that fact was trying to force me to buy a lighter. He was unaware of my magical abilities and persisted in trying to sell me the lighter.

Annoyed by his clingy appearance, I created a flame at my fingertips, and the man nodded and stepped back. I demonstrated my fire magic, and he backed down. I didn’t learn fire magic for this. I hadn’t intended to use my magic in this way.

Somehow, I felt a sense of self-disgust. I felt a little ashamed of myself.

Whether I did or not, the man looked at the fire burning in my hand and said admiringly. He was impressed by my magic.

“You’re something. If that old man in the back room saw the flame just now, he would have liked it a lot.” He mentioned an old man who would have appreciated my fire magic.

“…Old man in the back room?” I inquired about the old man.

“It’s nothing. It’s just that I have a foolish old friend who can’t die among my acquaintances. He’s a blacksmith, and I think he would have liked to see your flame.” He dismissed it as a casual remark about a blacksmith friend.

The man waved his hand greatly and added that it was just a monologue. He emphasized that it was just a passing thought.

“I’m getting old, so I’m talking nonsense. It was a monologue, so please…” He apologized for rambling.

“…I’ll keep that in mind.” I acknowledged his words.

“Huh? Okay, do whatever you want.” He shrugged and dismissed the matter.

I immediately left the botanical garden and looked for a place to chew on the poisonous herbs. I left the shop and sought a place to consume the herbs.

There was no suitable place to eat poison on the street, and since it was not an item obtained through ordinary means, I had no choice but to walk to the dormitory. I couldn’t find a suitable place to ingest the herbs in public, so I decided to return to the dormitory.