I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy

Even trying to get up and placing his hands on the ground made his joints creak.

"Ughhh!!"

But, since he couldn't give up there, he forced himself to muster strength and, in that moment, the pressure decreased ever so slightly.

Baek Yu-Seol’s body was resisting the pressure of this spirit!

Indeed, even in death, a spirit was still a spirit, as evident from the pressure emitted at the moment of dying.

However, in the end, he succeeded in raising his body. Energy flowed through every muscle of his body, and although he couldn't store mana, he could vividly feel the blood vessels that carried mana throughout his body becoming more active.

"Haha."

In this pressure, he stood up.

With this pure accomplishment, he could feel joy.

[EXP for the ability ‘Mana Accumulation Retardation' has increased.]

[Stats have increased.]

That was right.

This place was the cherished training ground left behind by the spirit, one of the mysteries of the world that even the most skilled mages couldn't uncover; the 'Mana Vein.'

It was a mystical place where even ordinary training could yield tens to hundreds of times greater effects.

Furthermore, thanks to absorbing the energy of the spirits, 'Natural Affinity' increased tremendously. It would undoubtedly show great effects in the upcoming 'Familiar Contract Ceremony.'

"But before training..."

With great effort, Baek Yu-Seol lifted his foot and took a step.

Step by step, he finally reached the spot where the spirit, Leafbane, was sleeping, and reached out his hand towards the branch hanging beneath her wrist.

[Obtained hidden artifact 'Vengeance Branch.']

"Yes!"

He finally acquired the desired item; the ultimate hidden artifact that would be most effective against the boss of the eighth episode, Mage Tyren.

[Vengeance Branch]

[Rarity: High]

[Description: Grudges never fade with time; they only grow stronger.]

[Special Function:]

[▶ Vengeance Branch]

[Inflicts the "Vengeance" debuff on the target upon initial contact.]

[Upon second contact, the "Vengeance" explodes, dealing damage. It inflicts significant additional damage to those with dark attributes.]

[The damage of the "Vengeance" accumulates each day and can be stored for up to 3 months.]

[If the target has a Danger Level of 6 or higher, the damage may be halved.]

[(Usable once)]

"Indeed..."

Even under the crushing pressure on his body, he could still smile.

Although it might not seem like much for a "Superior-grade artifact," it was truly extraordinary.

With a perfect accumulation of Vengeance over three months, he could bring down Maizen Tyren, who would awaken as a Dark Mage, in a single strike.

It was a shame that he could only use it once, but if such a scam artifact could be used multiple times, then there would be significant issues.

"Now that I have obtained the artifact, it's about time to..."

Baek Yu-Seol carefully placed the branch and intentionally laid it down on the ground. It was to fully experience the pressure throughout his body.

He had no intention of doing anything particularly special. He simply started basic bodyweight exercises like push-ups, pull-ups, and squats. The efficiency of those exercises would multiply in this place.

"Ughhh...!"

Enduring the excruciating pain as if his bones and muscles were about to snap, he began the training.

   

In the central region of the Aether continent stood a towering giant tree; The Primordial World Tree, known as the Tree of Celestial Spirits.

As the heart of the continent, the backbone of the world, and the source of life, this World Tree was surrounded by the "Primordial Mountain Range," where the fairies gathered and established their territory. It became the Kingdom of Elves, the Cradle of Celestial Spirits.

… And slightly away from the Cradle of Celestial Spirits, on the highest peak of the Primordial Mountain Range, stood an empty fortress. This old and worn-out fortress seemed unfamiliar in this space filled with nature, yet strangely, it perfectly blended and harmonized with the surroundings. At a glance, it would simply appear as a tree among the trees.

At the top of that ancient fortress, there was someone. It was a space engulfed in darkness. Faint sunlight seeped through the cracks of small windows. It was truly an eerie sight.

Despite the angle where the sun could not possibly reach, the sunlight somehow managed to illuminate the interior of the fortress, as if searching for someone.

"Mmm..."

As if stimulated by the dazzling light, the woman lying there like a sculpture raised her head. Then, snow-white hair resembling the snowflakes of the Primordial Mountain Range cascaded down her neck.

As she opened her golden eyes, they sparkled like starlight. If someone were to see those eyes, they might have lost their senses, completely drawn in by the beauty that seemed too overwhelming for any sentient being to handle.

High Elf Queen, Florin.

Due to her excessive morning drowsiness and low blood pressure, even after waking up, she stared blankly at the small window without fully regaining her consciousness. However, as a sensation brushed past her chest, Florin suddenly raised her head.

"This is...!"

Her long-time friend, the Thousand-Year old Spirit, Celestia, had been sleeping in the secret garden. Someone had entered there. Although no one should be able to go there anymore.

‘Who on earth...?'

Setting aside how they managed to use the key that was thought to have disappeared, she became even more curious about who had used it. She hurriedly approached the door and spoke.

"Is anyone out there?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Although the attendant replied, she quickly regained her composure and lowered her head deeply.

"... No, please go back to your duties."

Celestia was currently in an extremely vulnerable state. She couldn’t entrust matters related to her to anyone else, even if they were a loyal servant willing to sacrifice their life for her. However, she herself was confined to this narrow space and was unable to take a single step outside.

Her alternate name was 'Face of Death'. It was an infamous nickname given to her because anyone who saw her face, even once, would suffer from a debilitating illness and eventually die within a few months.

"I have to endure." She had already lived for decades without showing her face. She could go outside by covering her entire body with magically-coated masks and robes, but even that had a limit of one hour.

If her face was exposed for an extended period, the cursed effect would immediately take hold.

That was why she restrained herself from going out as much as possible, but she couldn't just stay still over such a matter. She didn't want to witness innocent people looking at her face and succumbing to madness and death.

Besides, she would inevitably have to reveal her face as a queen during the upcoming "World Tree Ascension" event. At that time, she would go out and see for herself.

So until that day comes, she decided to wait patiently.

Florin, as she determined, gazed out of the window, where the warm sunlight caressed her cheek.

There were reasons even for living in such a dark and remote place. It was to avoid any chance of someone accidentally seeing her face while she slept or goes about her daily life.

"Sigh..."

Florin leaned against the wall with a melancholic expression. Her last outing was eight years ago. It had always been like that.

Every time she ventured outside, fate never left her alone. It wasn't like this since birth. It just happened at some point, as if a "curse" had been cast upon her.

"When will I be able to freely roam around...?"

She didn't know why or how to solve it. So, she calmly accepted her fate and endured each day, simply hoping for the day when she could be free.