Academy's Gumiho is a Magic Genius

Life at the academy was really uneventful.

I spent the night reading books, woke up early to spend an hour or two in the training room, and then headed to work by 8 AM.

After arriving at work, I would receive the script portions from Nam Hwa-yeon, memorize the textbooks, and write the lecture script.

It felt like I had been living like this for about three weeks.

'I should start going out for external activities soon.'

I wanted to collect hidden opportunities or hidden pieces, or even deal with the villains who would appear later.

But it's easier said than done.

How can someone who can't even take care of themselves expect to defeat enemies by finding opportunities?

After all, I'm just an extra villain.

That kind of thing should be left to the protagonist or the main characters.

"...By the way, what should I do with this? Should I just return it?"

While referencing various textbooks and papers to create the script, I suddenly noticed a book on my desk.

A fresh, light green cover.

It was a healing magic book I borrowed last night.

There wasn't anything special in it, and I didn't feel the need to read it again, so I woke up at 5 AM and waited for Seo Yerin in the training room.

But by 7 AM, there was still no sign of her.

It seems she changed her training schedule.

'It's probably because of me.'

Every time I went to the training room, the large training room on the first basement level was always hers.

But today, there was no one there. It wasn't like last time when I couldn't sense her presence.

There were traces of someone being there.

But Seo Yerin was nowhere to be found.

Sigh, what should I do?

It's frustrating, but there's nothing I can do.

I pushed aside my complicated feelings and tried to focus on my work.

But──

──Clatter, clatter.

The constant noise from all around made it hard to concentrate.

It wasn't like someone was intentionally trying to distract me. The entire lab was just unusually noisy.

"Hey, can you move that box over there?"

"This one? It's too heavy, are you sure?"

"Too heavy? You're just weak. Eat more meat and build some strength."

"I've already moved several boxes, do you think I have any strength left?"

"Hey, stop slacking off and move the stuff. If the professor catches us, we're done for."

Several men were struggling to move large boxes.

The women were no exception. Most of the assistants in the lab were either moving things or packing, doing unusual tasks.

What's going on?

Out of curiosity, I tried to stop someone passing by to ask, but they ignored me, turning their head away.

I was used to people avoiding me.

But being ignored even when I grabbed them was quite a fresh experience.

Even the senior assistants, and the junior I saw yesterday, were starting to avoid me. I had no choice but to grab the head assistant.

"Head Assistant. Can you spare a moment?"

"Ah, did our junior call me? But I don't have much time, so can you make it quick?"

"Everyone seems busy. Is something going on?"

At my question, the head assistant made a strange expression.

A mix of 'how can you not know?' and 'I guess it's possible.' Are they all going out without me?

"Ah, this. There's a conference coming up soon. Most of our lab is attending."

Bingo. They're going out without me.

I don't know what kind of conference it is, but the fact that they're preparing without telling me anything smells fishy.

The smell of hiding something important.

"But really, you didn't know? If you're under Professor Nam Hwa-yeon, you should know."

"What kind of conference is it that everyone's so excited about…?"

"The Magic Conference is in three days. Did you really not know? Any magician should know."

"...!!"

Hearing the head assistant's words, I suddenly remembered.

The fact that the Magic Conference is held around this time.

And the incident that happens because of it.

"I've been thinking, the first episode feels a bit awkward."

"What do you mean?"

"The novel I'm writing is set in an academy, right? The part where the villain attacks and the protagonist's friends die in front of him, awakening him, feels a bit lacking in plausibility."

"Well, in most academies, professors are depicted as powerful beings. It's ridiculous for security to be breached by just one villain."

"Yeah, that's why. I came up with an idea, what if we send all the professors and security guards outside?"

...And I replied that it would make sense.

Damn it, I shouldn't have answered like that.

While I was lost in thought, the head assistant waved his hand and left, saying he had to prepare for the conference.

Even as he disappeared from my sight, I stood frozen in place. I realized that the original story, which was only at the very beginning, was slowly progressing.

"Is it already time for the episode to happen? Time has flown by."

Not long after the protagonist enters Seven Stars Academy and makes friends.

A major incident occurs that turns the academy upside down.

The so-called 'Academy Attack Incident.'

This incident, which will later be called that, happens early in the original story and drastically changes the atmosphere.

It's the first episode.

It marks the true beginning of the novel 'Academy's Mad Genius.'

'Above all, it's the monumental episode where the protagonist awakens.'

The protagonist in the early part of the novel is just full of righteousness. He's immature both physically and mentally.

He entered the academy ranked 1,999th out of 2,000 freshmen. He works hard, but he's just an ordinary talent, the protagonist, Kyle.

He acts recklessly without any power and escalates the situation.

It's no wonder the keyword 'mad' is in the novel's title.

But Kyle awakens after going through the first episode and takes the top spot in the next semester.

The most crucial moment in the novel's progression has arrived.

A major incident that turns the academy upside down, and the moment a hero who will save the world is born.

But every event comes with sacrifices.

'For the protagonist to awaken, a fitting trigger must occur.'

The main force of the academy attack incident consists of hundreds of monsters and mercenaries hired by a demon.

They kill several security guards during the invasion and kill about nine students during the attack.

And──

"─All of this happens in front of the protagonist's eyes."

The trigger for a hero's story must always be plausible.

Since the protagonist is a student, there's no more certain trigger than seeing his classmates die in front of him. There's no other way.

He is powerless, unable to resist.

He watches his classmates die before his eyes.

It's really unfortunate.

But their sacrifice is indispensable.

If I report this to the academy's upper echelons, regardless of the truth, security will likely be tightened that day.

Then the victims might survive, but the protagonist won't awaken.

If the protagonist doesn't awaken, the flow of this world could change. It might even lead to a bad ending, different from the original story.

Thud! Thud!

While the assistants were busy preparing for the conference, I slipped away for a moment.

The work could be finished in an hour or two.

I just wanted to take a walk for now.

As I walked through the park outside the lab, I saw many students.

Young students enjoying their youth. They are clearly the new seeds of this society.

'Do I really need to save them? After all, this world is just a novel, right?'

This is the dilemma that's been tormenting me lately.

Because of this dilemma, I've even been suffering from insomnia lately.

Even if innocent children die, wouldn't it be better if the protagonist awakens and this world heads towards the right conclusion?

Morality and peace.

I was weighing these two values.

Even though the answer was already clear.

─Hey! What scores did you guys get on the healing practice evaluation?

─Me? 3 points. Just the minimum score and attitude points.

─Study harder, you idiot. You got a B in practical but why are you like this in theory?

─It's to match the average with you guys.

─Stop talking nonsense. I got 5 points, you know? You're just distracted by that girl in class 3. We all know.

I heard the students' conversations and laughter.

Normally, I wouldn't have cared, but for some reason, I didn't want to hear it now.

"...Damn it."

I feel sick.

I feel like I'm about to vomit.

Thud!

I punched my own face.

The impact was enough to make my mouth bleed.

As the sharp pain lingered on the top of my mouth, the nauseous feeling subsided a bit.

Ah, it hurts like hell.

I couldn't control my strength and hit myself too hard.

But I'd rather feel pain.

I'm used to pain.

'Let's go back.'

I ran back to the lab like I was fleeing.

The lab was still busy preparing for the conference.

No one paid any attention to me.

Even though I went out without permission, no one came looking for me.

Maybe it's because of that indifference.

Somehow, the emptiness in my heart feels comforting.

I naturally sat down in my seat.

No different from usual.

No different from my usual work.

Everything is the same as usual.

I suppressed the negative thoughts that arose as I resumed my work.

Yes, this is inevitable.

Look at me now.

I'm the same as usual.

Just living an ordinary day.

Just enduring like this until the end of the novel.

Like a cliché extra, today, tomorrow, and forever, if I keep living like this.

I can survive in this harsh world.

I absolutely cannot die.

***

1:30 AM.

Most students would be asleep by now.

Normally, I would be reading a book at this time, but for some reason, I couldn't focus on the book.

But it was too early to sleep.

Especially now that the first episode is approaching. I need to prepare for the impending threat and build up my strength.

If I mess up, I might become the first victim.

Of course, since Seo Yerin wasn't around, I trained in the deepest part of the training room.

"Repeating this over and over again. My fire magic is becoming more stable."

The flames floating leisurely in the air.

They transformed into various forms, maintaining stable firepower in any situation.

It was worth coming to the training room early every morning.

At this point, I can say I've mastered the basic fire magic, including [Flame].

Now it's time to move on to applications.

'I could start learning the next level of fire magic, but it's not practical.'

Magic like [Flame] and [Fireball] can be classified as basic magic. Even the next level up is just low-level magic.

If the academy is about to be attacked, low-level magic won't be enough.

'So I need to mix it with other magic to create a synergistic effect.'

Just like how fire and oil create a fierce blaze, or how wind spreads flames. I needed a means to combine with fire magic to create a greater effect.

After much deliberation, I narrowed it down to three options.

Curses, incantations, and telekinesis.

Among them, I valued telekinesis the most.

Telekinesis magic isn't that profound. If we were to classify its difficulty, it would be closer to low-level.

Like other magics, if mastered, it can create ultrasonic vibrations or build massive structures.

'But in the end, it's just moving objects without touching them.'

No need to think of it as difficult.

The power to move things with just thought, that's telekinesis.

I'm going to apply this simple magic to fire magic.

First, let's start by establishing the foundation.

I added telekinesis to the fire magic formula I had been practicing for weeks.

Then, the thin flame flew off in a strange direction.

──Whoosh!

The flame, which wasn't under my control, hit the wall and fizzled out.

I thought it wouldn't be easy, but it was harder than I expected. I can't approach this by simply combining them.

This time, I didn't add the formula but layered telekinesis on top of the fire magic.

I tried to spread the small flame and create a blade of fire.

──Bang!

With an explosion, the flame scattered in all directions.

After several more trials and errors, I kept failing.

This is driving me crazy.

"...What's missing?"

Is the power insufficient?

No, even if I add「Double Helix」it won't improve.

Then what exactly is needed? I pondered deeply.

Creative ideas? Experience-based expertise?

The dilemma deepened, and various thoughts took root.

Ideas intertwined like deep roots, establishing an extremely subjective worldview.

──Bang!

I stretched out my hand and created a flame, which immediately exploded.

Then this isn't it.

───Whoosh!!

An uncontrollable pillar of fire rose.

It hit the ceiling, lost momentum, and withered.

This isn't it either.

Should I try mixing in「Double Helix」?

No, that's out of the question.

If I mess up, I might not handle the firepower and burn my hand.

The repeated trial and error continued.

But I was definitely gaining something.

The more I used magic, the more I felt my hands and body getting used to it.

I judged that I wasn't far from the goal.

Just one more step.

One more step is enough.

[Entering the state of No-Self!]

[All senses become sharp!]

[The talent of「Magical Aptitude」blooms brilliantly!]

I poured all my nerves into the magic.

I connected the formula of [Flame] with the formula of [Telekinesis].

Not just combining them, but merging the two formulas into one.

It was a brute-force method, but I was confident.

This method is right.

Like connecting delicate nerve bundles, I fused the two magics into one.

From it, a tangible flame bloomed.

If ordinary flames are a phenomenon of heat and light being emitted.

The phenomenon before my eyes had a clear form.

"...It's done."

The flame burned in a bizarre direction. From top to bottom, from left to right.

Everything was under my control.

This is the harmony of fire magic and telekinesis.

Pyrokinesis.

"...Should I test it right away?"

Despite the thrill running through my brain, I calmed my mind and lit a flame.

It was already clear that I had succeeded.

But I needed to gauge the level of that success. Half-hearted success is absolutely unacceptable.

Whoosh, the flame grew fiercely.

The massive flame moved as naturally as if it were my own limb. I immediately moved on to the next step.

I stretched out my right hand and clenched my fist tightly.

Bang, with a loud explosion, the sparks scattered.

The sparks, like embers, spread everywhere. They burned fiercely as they scattered.

Sparks invisible to the naked eye.

But if I were to increase the output of mana in this state.

"...No, I should stop the test here."

I tried to use the scattered sparks like landmines to create a chain reaction. At that moment, I instinctively realized.

It's entirely possible.

Knowing that, further testing is meaningless.

It means most of the applications I've thought of are possible.

As I gathered my mana and cleaned up, I suddenly thought.

What if I add「Double Helix」to pyrokinesis?

'Theoretically, it's possible…'

The explosive power of「Double Helix」which doubles all output and firepower.

I had avoided it because I couldn't control it, but with pyrokinesis, it might be possible. Since telekinesis, which is based on controlling objects, is mixed in, controlling immense firepower might not be impossible.

A flash of experimental spirit sparked.

'...Let's stop.'

I'm too tired now. The attack will happen in a few days, so I need to maintain my best condition.

Last time, I tried to control the firepower and ended up flying backward.

Fortunately, I wasn't seriously injured, but I can't expect that kind of luck this time.

I cleaned up the training room and stepped outside.

But there was a girl standing motionless at the door.

"...Ah, hello?"

"..."

A familiar face.

I ran into Seo Yerin holding a spear.

I instantly got goosebumps. Was she waiting here to get revenge on me?

Fortunately, she passed by me and entered the training room.

Relieved that she didn't even glance at me, I thought I should hurry back to the dorm before any trouble started.

As I stepped out of the training room, a cold wind hit my skin. The cold wind instantly cooled the sweat on my body.

Thanks to that, my mind became clear, and I suddenly remembered.

"...Come to think of it, I haven't collected the embers yet."

The embers I scattered everywhere while testing pyrokinesis.

I was supposed to collect them while gathering my mana, but I was too tired and thought no one would come, so I left them.

Who would come to the training room at 3 AM?

The embers would have naturally died out in 30 minutes. They're hard to see with the naked eye, but well, the future divine spear will handle it.

Just as I thought that.

──Boom!!

The training building shook violently.

I heard an explosion, but there were no signs of it from the outside.

Then…

"...It exploded inside."

It seems Seo Yerin touched the embers.

The embers caused a chain reaction, and Seo Yerin was at the center of it.

"..."

The multi-person training room in the basement has particularly strong mana barriers, so there shouldn't be any major issues. The actual damage to Seo Yerin would be minimal.

After all, she's a trained warrior.

But even warriors get angry.

If her clothes got caught in the explosion, it would be even worse.

"...Let's run."

I ran without looking back.

The episode hasn't even started yet, and I don't want to die already.

Run for your life.