I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy

"The Pendant of Marekan... Is it possible?"

[Possible.]

"Hmm, well..."

It was more troubling when it was possible than when it wasn’t.

It was clear that his growth was important.

If he acquired a growth item right now, he could become much stronger in the future.

However, the main episodes were filled with all sorts of dangers.

Not to mention the upcoming eighth episode, where he would have to face the "Awakened Maizen Tyren."

Becoming stronger was certainly important, but shouldn't he have at least one insurance that could help him survive in the immediate future?

‘Sigh... I'll go with that.’

He couldn’t help it.

Moreover, even the protagonist Edna made a wrong choice and ended up with a bad ending, suffering and dying.

Even Eisel and Hong Bi-Yeon, who were considered strong, had never escaped the fate of death, with death flags looming over them.

This wretched world was just like that.

Being a mere extra, he didn’t know when he would die, so he needed at least one insurance.

[Item received: Pendant of Marekan.]

The pendant fell gracefully onto his palm, and Baek Yu-Seol immediately checked its information.

[Pendant of Marekan]

[Grade: High]

[Description: A pendant crafted by Marekan, the future alchemic engineer, who processed a barrier to its limits in order to protect his own life.]

[Special Function:]

[▶ Marekan Shield]

[Automatically defends against attacks of Class 6 or lower.]

[Usable only once.]

This wasn’t too bad.

After all, he didn’t have any immediate plans to fight against demon-class beings of Class 7 or higher.

It stung that it was a one-time use item, but if he had the condition for choosing an item without limitations, he would have had no choice but to settle for something quite mediocre.

Moreover, since this item couldn't be created with modern item technology, its value was even higher.

Carefully placing the pendant around his neck, he checked his overall stats.

[Absorbing the petals of the Enchantment Tree increases 'Mental Power' by 65%.]

The increase in mental power was the best harvest he could have hoped for. He was planning to meet Twelfth God Yeonhong Chunsam in December, and having a high mental power stat would be crucial at that time.

Although the stat of two stars was still relatively low, it was much better than one star.

Moreover, Baek Yu-Seol’s overall stats were gradually approaching the level of three stars. Stats such as strength, agility, and stamina beyond three stars could be considered the realm of the "superhuman," a level that ordinary humans could never reach.

At that point, excluding special different species, there probably wouldn't be anyone with a stronger physique than him when compared to ordinary humans.

Of course, compared to protagonists who would likely have two sets of four-star stats by now, he was severely lacking, but he was progressing rapidly enough to be highly satisfied.

The reservation for creating the spatial artifact was probably in place. Although he wanted to take a break for a while, unfortunately, the next episode was scheduled to progress soon.

‘The Familiar Contract.’

It was an episode that took place in the Elf Kingdom, known as the "Celestial Tree's Root" and "Sky Flower Sanctuary," under the pretext of a field experiential learning.

That day coincided with the Elves' festival called the "Birth of the World Tree," so Stella's new students were briefly participating in the festival.

It would be the first appearance of the Elven king, "Florin."

She possessed a beauty reminiscent of a benevolent goddess... But she would be completely wrapped up, making it difficult to see her properly.

So he didn't have high expectations. After all, he might never get the chance to see her again.

For this episode, he had planned to act individually and not get involved in the main story. To do that, some preparation would be necessary...

He thought he should ask Alterisha, who had been slowly preparing a few "items" for him.

After the Persona Gate incident was resolved, the atmosphere on campus became somewhat grim.

The seniors in the second and third years frequently encountered cases of students dying during their training, and it was quite common for them to quit halfway and transfer to the "Support Department."

But for them, the first-year students, it was their first time experiencing such a thing, especially so early in the semester.

But as if nothing had happened, the atmosphere quickly recovered.

The gifted students who had prepared themselves to survive from the beginning of their admission would have already been eliminated before even entering if they were to falter due to such incidents.

"Princess, I'm glad you're safe!"

"I heard it was a mistake on the academy’s part in creating the Persona Gate..."

The fact that the Persona Gate was real got buried. The professors had strongly denied it, but above all, it was the principal's order.

A quiet upscale cafe in Arcanium Rodeo Street.

Members of the Crimson Hawk Club gathered and threw words of concern at Hong Bi-Yeon. She mostly brushed off their words since they lacked sincerity.

"Princess Hong Bi-Yeon."

However, that voice couldn't be ignored. She turned her head to confirm the person calling her.

Edmon Atalek, a senior in the third year and the wealthy member of the Crimson Hawk Club.

"Yes, senior."

"Haha. You don't have to address me so formally. It's a bit awkward for me to use informal language too."

"The academy maintains a strict hierarchy."

"Is that so?"

As Edmon sat in front of Hong Bi-Yeon, the other club members quickly moved aside.

If one had to compare, Edmon could be said to belong to Hong Bi-Yeon’s faction, but his value was incomparable to other students.

A genius among geniuses who achieved Class 4 at the age of nineteen; Edmon was the successor of the Duke Atalek, the brain of the Adolveit Kingdom.

The twin mountain ranges of the Adolveit Kingdom.

The Atalek Duke family was the only family that could rival the Orkan Count family.

Without their support, Hong Biyeon couldn't possibly compete with Princess Hong Si-hwa.

That was why Hong Bi-Yeon couldn't afford to treat him lightly. It would be more accurate to say they had an equal relationship.

Hong Bi-Yeon was in a helpless position without the support of Edmon and his followers.

However... Their relationship was somewhat precarious.

If one analyzed it, the Atalek could be considered Hong Bi-Yeon's relatives, but that concept had practically dissipated in the present.

The Atalek family had become loosely connected to the Hong Si-hwa faction to the extent that, if they were determined, they could lend support.

Of course, such a situation was unlikely to occur, but it was the reality that they had no choice but to cater to Edmon's whims.

"You're not hurt, right? I was worried about what might happen to you."

The girls blushed as they listened to Edmon's gentle words. He belonged to a distinguished family and was not only handsome but also intelligent, making him popular.

However, Hong Bi-Yeon did not like him.

‘That cunning man…’

He was an outstanding strategist and politician, and he would not hesitate to use any means necessary to secure his own position.

Edmon seemed unusually fixated on Hong Bi-Yeon, and his ultimate goal was probably to make her queen and marry her.

She would rather die than marry a man like him, but the reality was bleak.

If she didn't become queen immediately, she would be subjected to a life of torture, and without Edmon's help, she couldn't become queen.

Unless someone with enough power to not need the assistance of the Duke Atalek or someone with power rivaling that of the Duke Atalek came by her side, her future was already predetermined to marry him.

“… I am healthy, so there's no need to worry."

"That's a relief."

Afterwards, Edmon tried his best to endure trivial conversations in order to win Hong Bi-Yeon’s favor.

However, she only responded curtly, and Edmon eventually realized that this approach was not effective, so he changed the subject.

"Oh, right. Do you want to play Soul Chess? It's a brain sport for mages. There will be an academy tournament soon."

He had a particular fondness for Soul Chess. Not only had he easily defeated the president of the Soul Chess club at academy, but he had also achieved remarkable results in competitions, showcasing his exceptional skills.

Although Hong Bi-Yeon had no interest in Soul Chess, she nodded reluctantly because she didn't want to hurt AlEdmon's feelings.

"Okay. I'll teach you a move today, so watch closely and learn."

She couldn't understand why she had to engage in this boring and unimpressive brain sport, but she had no choice but to comply to please Edmon.

As she moved the chess piece with her finger, she suddenly glanced out the window.

‘Baek Yu-Seol?’

Coincidentally, Baek Yuseol walked by on the street within her line of sight.

He yawned and half-sleepily blinked his eyes. Her gaze kept turning towards him, but Baek Yu-Seol quickly moved out of her sight, concealing himself.

"..."

Suddenly, memories of the perilous encounter at the Persona Gate flooded her mind.

For some reason, the time spent in that dangerous place felt more thrilling and enjoyable than the present.

‘Why is that?’

She pondered slowly, but she couldn't figure out the reason in the end.