I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 369

Spring had come—a season when the gentle touch of sunlight caressed the earth and dew-kissed buds began to sprout. It was a time of renewal, and at Stella Academy, the new academic year was just beginning.

New students often arrived at Stella brimming with fantasies:

A campus life as vibrant and picturesque as cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Strolling along flower-laden paths, sitting atop hills with friends for reading sessions, stolen glances with a crush during classes, and attending dazzling festivals in Arcanium under the night sky, complete with fireworks.

...These dreams were shattered within three weeks of the semester’s start.

Freshmen quickly learned why Stella was a prestigious institution, even if they hadn’t wanted to know.

While other schools might devote time to orientation and bonding activities, Stella threw its new students directly into the Stella Dome for intensive combat training.

After grueling drills that left them physically drained, students were greeted with mountains of assignments that no human could feasibly complete in time.

Many cursed their professors, thinking, *Do they think we only take their class?* But the professors responded with cheerful smiles:

"Ah, curses without spells are useless! Let’s start practical curse magic today! Also, double the homework."

It was hell, pure and simple.

Ninety-nine percent of freshmen struggled, overwhelmed by Stella’s rigor.

But for the remaining one percent—those like Annella, who had crawled out of true hell and were finally glimpsing the light—Stella was nothing short of paradise.

---

Nearly a month had passed since the semester began, and Annella still had no friends. Most students had formed groups, but Annella’s reserved nature kept her isolated.

More than anything, she felt a stark "generation gap."

Annella’s real age was forty.

She couldn’t keep up with the conversations of teenage girls, their topics baffling her entirely.

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This, combined with her naturally introverted demeanor, explained why Annella struggled to connect with others.

The most decisive factor, however, was the betrayal she had experienced from Lady Mirinae—a person she had once considered a close friend.

She had thought they were friends. But Lady Mirinae had only approached her to take advantage of her.

Annella, who had grown up destitute and never possessed anything, found the feeling foreign and painful.

She thought back to stories of wealthy characters in novels who complained about people only valuing their money. Annella now understood about one percent of that sentiment.

Still, she found comfort in the knowledge that Baek Yuseol and Zelliel had approached her without any ulterior motives.

Even so, she couldn’t shake the lingering pressure.

Baek Yuseol must have some expectations of her. Otherwise, why would she be granted this extraordinary opportunity—to study at Stella, the best environment imaginable, after returning from being a Dark Mage?

"I don’t have time to make friends if I want to be useful to Baek Yuseol."

Studying alone allowed her to focus better anyway. For her, Stella truly was the perfect environment.

---

"Um... excuse me."

"Huh?"

Annella was lost in thought, staring blankly at the blackboard, when a girl approached her.

"We’re planning to form a study group after class. Would you like to join us?"

It could have been a good sign. However, Annella had already turned down similar offers over a dozen times.

By now, she could gauge someone’s intentions just by the look in their eyes.

During the entrance exams, Annella had made waves as "the genius girl poised to succeed Mayuseong," garnering attention from countless mages and students.

Some adults even reportedly ordered their children to stay close to Annella, emphasizing her growing reputation.

If she accepted, she might build connections with other students. But after Lady Mirinae’s betrayal, Annella no longer wanted to form superficial relationships destined to crumble.

"Sorry, I have something to do."

"Oh... alright, maybe next time."

As the girl walked away, Annella sighed and opened her spellbook.

She was already exhausted by the idea of socializing. Sometimes she wondered if she even deserved to be human.

She had barely returned to her studies when a commotion nearby drew her attention.

Turning her head, she saw a group of about ten students gathered around a girl with long, snow-white hair that flowed down her back like silk. She looked like a living doll.

In their first year, freshmen often divided into cliques based on nobility, country, mage towers, or family ties. However, this girl seemed to defy such norms, attracting students from all backgrounds.

Her name was **Scarlett.**

Though her noble lineage and mage tower affiliations remained unclear, Scarlett was a topic of much discussion due to her performance during the entrance exams. Like Annella, she had left a powerful impression.

But unlike Annella, who had rejected those seeking her out, Scarlett welcomed anyone who approached her without hesitation.

Annella couldn’t understand why.

After all, Scarlett was... the **Witch Queen.**

Even without Baek Yuseol revealing that secret, Annella already knew. She had suffered at Scarlett’s hands in the past.

Scarlett, if she so desired, could destroy Stella Academy in its entirety. She was a walking catastrophe.

Annella couldn’t comprehend why someone like that would bother pretending to be a student.

---

"Oh my?"

Startled, Annella flinched as Scarlett’s gaze met hers. She quickly averted her eyes to her spellbook, but it was too late.

Scarlett excused herself from her group and began walking toward Annella.

"Annella?"

"Y-Yes?"

Annella trembled, clutching her spellbook tightly, as Scarlett stopped in front of her.

"Are you scared?"

"N-No..."

"Hm. Well, it doesn’t matter to me if you’re scared or not. Just know this: as long as you hold his favor, I won’t harm you."

"...What?"

"So don’t worry about me. Live your school life however you want. If you keep isolating yourself like this, it makes things uncomfortable for me. Baek Yuseol gets on my case about it."

"He... does?"

"Not that I mind. It gives me an excuse to spend time with him. Anyway, don’t act like such a recluse. It’s pitiful."

Whack!

"Ah!"

Scarlett playfully slapped Annella on the back, laughing as she returned to her group.

Annella stared after her in disbelief, once again marveling at Baek Yuseol’s influence.

"Even the Witch Queen... he managed to bring her into this school."

---

Nearby, a group of freshmen whispered excitedly.

"Hey, you know Baek Yuseol, right?"

"Of course! I was going to major in medical magic, but I switched to combat magic just to see him."

"Have you ever seen him in class, though?"

"Once. But other than that, he’s barely at school."

"I heard from a senior that he’s always been like this. He only shows up occasionally, even in his first year."

"How does he not fail with that attendance?"

"Beats me. But I heard his theoretical grades are perfect, beyond what the professors can handle, yet he doesn’t do practical exams at all..."

---

Hearing their chatter, Annella fell into thought.

Even she didn’t know what Baek Yuseol was up to most of the time.

"Will he ever bother showing up at school...?"

***

On the express train bound for the northern frontier, Baek Yuseol sat quietly, gazing out at the snowy expanse.

Even though spring had arrived, the icy winds of the north were relentless, and Baek Yuseol couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the journey.

Just as he had hoped to enjoy the fleeting joys of spring on Stella’s campus, he found himself whisked away once again to deal with another pressing matter.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this while you’re busy..."

The apology came from none other than Ggotseorin, sitting across from him. Her voice wavered with guilt, her demeanor fidgety.

Baek Yuseol’s unease melted away instantly.

"No, it’s something I have to do," he replied with a warm smile.

The saying *“a pretty face can get away with anything”* didn’t exist for nothing. When Ggotseorin asked for his help, even a journey to the frozen north felt like a pleasant spring outing.

"So, we’re investigating whether one of those brainwashed by Twilight of August might be Grand Duke Sulparam of the north, correct?"

"It’s not confirmed," Ggotseorin replied, "but I thought it best to check personally."

This was uncharted territory for Baek Yuseol. The idea of NPCs brainwashed by Twilight of August hadn’t been prominent in the game.

Perhaps it was an unresolved thread in the original storyline. Twilight of August’s nebulous nature had made her a mystery even to the players, leaving much of her character unexplored.

Baek Yuseol turned his gaze back to the window.

The snowy landscape stretched endlessly, not particularly beautiful or comforting, but tolerable. At least, Ggotseorin seemed to enjoy the view.

*I don’t recall Grand Duke Sulparam being a likely candidate for brainwashing,* Baek Yuseol mused.

Sulparam was one of the key figures Full Frame encountered after graduating from Stella Academy—a male lead-level character with significant narrative weight, much like Melian.

But to think that such an important character might have been brainwashed by one of the Twelve Moons?

*I don’t know what to make of it.*

Even meeting him face-to-face might not provide immediate answers. After all, Baek Yuseol hadn’t sensed any trace of Twilight of August’s influence in Lady Mirinae when it mattered most.

Fortunately, his Sixth Sense and the records stored in his Monocular Glasses might provide a clue if similar circumstances arose again.

---

"Oh, and there’s something I’d like to give you," Ggotseorin said suddenly, breaking the silence.

"A gift?"

"Yes. I never had the chance to repay you for everything you’ve done for me."

"A gift, huh? Well, I won’t refuse it."

Ggotseorin smiled warmly, her eyes curving into crescents. She reached out a hand toward him.

"May I hold your hand for a moment?"

"Of course."

Without a second thought, Baek Yuseol extended his hand. Ggotseorin gently clasped it and closed her eyes.

*What kind of gift—?*

Before he could finish his thought, a strange sensation crawled into his mind. A tingling, almost chilling awareness shot through his body, and his eyes widened in alarm.

Something golden and solid stirred within his chest.

*Diamond July (Geumgang Chiwol).*

There was no mistaking it—the energy belonged to one of the Twelve Moons.

*How... how does she have this?!*

Baek Yuseol stared at Ggotseorin, his expression one of disbelief. She simply smiled back at him, radiating confidence.

"Didn’t I tell you? It’s a very special gift."

Her radiant smile, rare even for her, beamed brightly as if giving him this gift brought her immense joy.

[You have received the blessing of Diamond July.]

There was no denying the value of this gift—it was extraordinary.

Yet, in that moment, as Baek Yuseol looked at her glowing face, he realized that the true treasure was not the blessing of Diamond July but the brilliance of her smile.