I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 341

Enjoying skiing required more stamina than one might think.

As aspiring magical warriors, the students were naturally well-trained in physical fitness, their bodies conditioned to endure intense activity. Spending the entire afternoon skiing from lunch until evening wasn't unusual for them.

*Swoosh!*

Full Frame glided down the slope on her snowboard, leaping gracefully off a hill. Her short black hair swayed, and snowflakes scattered like a halo around her.

*Whoosh...!*

The exhilarating rush of the wind swept past her, giving her the fleeting sensation of weightlessness. Her knees tingled as if gravity had momentarily lost its grip on her.

This was the thrill that only the most advanced skiers could experience—the notorious "Dragon Course." Designed exclusively for experts, it offered daring jumps and a sense of excitement that could make one the envy of onlookers.

While her friends stuck to beginner and intermediate courses, Full Frame had felt a pang of guilt for abandoning them. However, after spending the whole afternoon with them, she figured it was time to indulge herself.

"Phew, I'm exhausted. Where would the others be now...?"

The last time she'd seen them—about forty minutes ago—they'd been excitedly proclaiming, "We’re ready for the advanced course now!" But there had been no word from them since. *If only smartphones worked here,* she thought wistfully.

Still, they had agreed to meet at a designated spot by 7 PM, so she wasn’t too worried. It would be silly to fret over Stella Academy students at a ski resort.

Although her stamina held up, the creeping fatigue prompted her to head to the lodge at the peak of the advanced course. Inside, the lodge was larger than expected, its cozy interior resembling a café with a roaring fireplace, perfect for weary skiers.

She ordered a steaming cup of coffee and settled into a corner to rest. But soon, she noticed someone staring at her.

"Is that her?"

"Yeah, I saw her earlier. She’s pretty."

"High schooler, right?"

"Who cares?"

Tuning her magical senses to focus on sound, she caught snippets of their conversation. Though she lacked the heightened hearing of a Night Magician, it was enough to discern their intentions.

Predictably, a man in his early twenties approached her confidently.

"Hey, I’ve seen you around a lot today, and—"

Full Frame gave him a cursory glance, scanning him from head to toe. His bleached blonde hair, tanned skin, rainbow-tinted goggles, and mismatched red-and-blue ski gear screamed *wannabe delinquent.*

*A bleached-blond tanning junkie? Seriously?*

She rolled her eyes, unimpressed. Hunting for dates, whether in her previous life or this one, had always been a nuisance to her.

"Yes? What do you want?"

"Whoa, no need to be startled. I bet you’re used to guys hitting on you, right?"

"Yes, seven times today before you. All of them were taller and better-looking than you."

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"Haha... really?"

The man’s face darkened, but Full Frame wasn’t lying. Several men had approached her earlier while skiing, though she had declined all of them, preferring to enjoy her day in peace.

"If that’s all, could you leave now? I’m exhausted."

"Come on, don’t be like that. I’m not like the other guys. I can show you a good time, even if my face doesn’t scream confidence."

"How old are you?"

"Huh? I’m twenty."

"I’m still in high school. You should consider the age gap."

"A one- or two-year difference isn’t a big deal. Besides, I’m better than your school friends."

"How so?"

"I’m an adult."

"An adult? And what does that mean for me?"

His eyes lit up, as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

"I graduated from the Gordon Magic Tower program and am about to get my 2nd-Class Mage certification. Way more interesting than hanging out with some students, right?"

When Full Frame’s expression didn’t change, he added, "You know the Gordon Magic Tower, right? Where the famous Master Gordon presides?"

"Not at all."

"What? Really? Are you not a mage? Master Gordon helped establish—"

"That’s impressive."

Before he could continue, she interrupted, her patience running thin.

"By the way, did you know?" she said suddenly.

"Know what?"

"I have a boyfriend."

"Hah! Come on, you’d have more fun with me—"

"He’s from Stella."

"Wait, what?"

From her pocket, she revealed the pocket watch marking her as a Stella Academy student. Its authenticity, imbued with mana, was unmistakable to any trained mage.

"My boyfriend is also from Stella," she added casually, taking a sip of her coffee.

The man’s face turned bright red before he bolted from the lodge, humiliated. A mere 2nd-Class Mage flaunting his certification in front of a Stella student was laughable, and he knew it.

"Ugh... annoying."

Though it was flattering to attract attention as a woman, Full Frame found it bothersome during a vacation.

Just then, another voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Excuse me, young lady?"

Startled, she turned. A man with a calm, pleasant demeanor stood behind her, adjusting his glasses with a polite smile.

"Sorry to intrude. I overheard earlier—you’re from Stella Academy, right?"

"What of it?"

Unlike the earlier wannabe, this man seemed competent, yet something about him felt off. His ill-fitted ski gear and awkwardly worn goggles seemed almost deliberate, as if they didn’t belong to him.

"I was wondering... do you know a student named Full Frame? I’m a big fan of hers."

Her lips tightened. *A fan?*

Suspicion crept into her mind. If he were truly a fan, wouldn’t he recognize her face?

"She was on the beginner course earlier. Didn’t you see her?"

"Oh, I must have missed her. Thanks for letting me know."

The man’s smile never wavered, but something in his tone made her uneasy. Before she could question further, he disappeared into the crowd.

Moments later, the ground shook violently.

*Rumble...!*

"An earthquake?!"

The tremors seemed centered on the advanced course. When she saw a massive blade of ice erupt from the slope, her heart sank.

"Eisel’s magic...!"

Without hesitation, Full Frame summoned golden wings of light from her back, drawing gasps from onlookers. She soared toward the chaos, dread pooling in her stomach.

At the scene, Eisel stood resolute, wielding her staff as she impaled two mid-sized monsters with colossal ice spears.

"Eisel! Are you okay?!"

"Full Frame! Don’t worry, I’m fine!" Eisel replied cheerfully, waving her staff.

Relief washed over Full Frame as she surveyed the situation. Her friends were protecting a group of trembling civilians, their staffs at the ready.

"Monsters? Here?"

"Yes, but we’ve got it under control. Unlucky for the monsters, isn’t it?"

"...Lucky for the civilians," Full Frame muttered.

But her relief was short-lived.

"I knew it was you," said a cold voice behind her.

She turned sharply, raising her staff defensively. The man from earlier stood there, his smile gone, replaced by a chilling glare.

"Why did you lie to me? Your little stunt almost got innocent people hurt."

"Who are you?"

He took off his glasses, revealing narrow, feline-like pupils that made her blood run cold.

"I’m Alpha, the last hunter of the Angelic Bloodline."

Before she could react, a sharp pain tore through her left wing.

And then, she fell.