I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 420

Stella Academy, like other prestigious magic schools, respects the public engagements of its noble students.

Although they attend school, nobles often participate in numerous gatherings from a young age, receiving aristocratic education and building connections.

For this reason, nobles were allowed to miss classes with valid reasons while still being marked present. Occasionally, even commoners could benefit from this policy.

Commoners were sometimes invited to noble gatherings and seized opportunities for social mobility. Stella actively promoted such chances.

Stella’s unique feature of allowing talented commoners to miss classes without penalties attracted many gifted individuals to the academy.

"Skipping classes is nice."

"Sure is."

In the carriage heading to Adolevit, Eisel wore a troubled expression.

When she first accepted the invitation, she didn’t think much of it. But now, reflecting on it, wouldn’t the ball in Adolevit be attended by influential figures from across the political spectrum?

And Adolevit was the home of her father, Isaac Morph’s, greatest enemies.

...Hong Biyeon knew this fact as well.

"She’s not my enemy."

No matter what the Adolevit royal family had done, Hong Biyeon herself wasn’t responsible for those actions. Eisel didn’t resent her for it.

But the rest of the Adolevit royal family? That was a different matter entirely.

They were her sworn enemies.

Perhaps that was why Hong Biyeon had invited her to this ball.

“Here, these are your enemies, the ones you have to eliminate. And the ones I intend to dispose of. Watch them carefully, remember their faces, and assess them.”

Hong Biyeon hadn’t said those words, but Eisel could almost hear them as if spoken aloud. In fact, it seemed likely that Hong Biyeon had such intentions in mind.

By showing consideration for her friend while simultaneously aligning it with her own goals, Hong Biyeon had paved the way skillfully.

Thus, at this ball...

"You’ll stay quiet, right?"

At Flame’s question, Eisel nodded.

She wasn’t strong enough yet.

Drawing attention to herself could hinder her future plans. She resolved to remain as inconspicuous as possible, quietly following Hong Biyeon and observing.

I don’t even know their faces properly yet.

The tragedy wasn’t solely the work of Hong Sihwa. Many who followed her had been complicit.

Eisel intended to hold every single one of them accountable.

Clatter!

After a while, the carriage stopped, and the driver approached to open the door.

"We’ve arrived. From here, you’ll need to transfer to a private carriage."

Security measures, no doubt...

Eisel nodded and stepped out. The massive forest that unfolded before her eyes was overwhelming. Just the fact that this was merely the “front yard” of Adolevit’s royal palace left her speechless. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.

Her father once owned a forest of this size during her childhood.

Don’t lose your composure.

"Wow, is that the palace?"

But the next moment, Flame’s words startled her.

The capital of Adolevit, Tehalan.

At its center stood the Frost Palace.

Unlike the fiery red atmosphere symbolizing Adolevit, the towering, icy palace exuded cold grandeur that far surpassed Eisel’s own family’s estate.

The Frost Palace, cold and lofty, stood as if intending to overwhelm all who saw it. Eisel’s heart raced at the sight.

Holding the hem of her dress carefully, she began walking.

The knights stationed on either side, presumably to welcome Hong Biyeon’s guests, stood at attention.

"Hong Biyeon’s influence seems to have grown..."

In the original romance novel, Hong Biyeon didn’t wield enough power to command such elite knights within the royal palace.

In fact, had she given an order, the knights might have laughed at her.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing."

Flame shook her head before giving Eisel a sly grin, nudging her arm with her elbow.

"You look good in that dress, you know?"

"...I’ve worn dresses a few times as a child."

"Oh, stop being modest. Just say, ‘I look stunning because I’m beautiful,’ and own it!"

"Can you really say something so embarrassing so easily?"

"Huh? Of course, I look amazing in dresses because I’m pretty!"

"You’ve got some nerve..."

Eisel sighed, glancing down at her dress.

Neither she nor Flame was particularly wealthy. While the money they’d earned from dungeon raids and monster-slaying missions over the break was substantial, it was nothing compared to the wealth of nobles.

Thus, their dresses were prepared by Hong Biyeon.

Eisel’s dress, a blend of light blue and white, clung to her figure, subtly highlighting her curves. Flame had joked that it made her look like the “queen from a winter kingdom,” but Eisel didn’t understand the reference.

Regardless, Eisel liked the dress’s design—it suited her attributes and hair color well.

As for Flame’s dress? Its black base adorned with gold embroidery resembled a starry night sky, a piece so exquisite that it could easily make noble ladies envious.

The price must have been astronomical.

Why on earth did that insufferable princess give us such expensive clothes...

Flame didn’t dare imagine the cost, but Eisel, with a rough estimate in mind, felt too burdened to move carelessly.

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"This way, please."

Guided by the knights, they transferred to an automatic carriage and proceeded toward the Frost Palace’s interior.

Hong Biyeon was likely waiting elsewhere. The royals would already be at the ballroom, so they’d have to enter the unfamiliar space alone.

...Or so she thought.

"Oh, you’re finally here."

"What? You’re here too?"

"Why are you here..."

As they reached the entrance of the ballroom, they were met with the sight of numerous nobles descending from Adolevit’s exclusive carriages and ascending the grand staircase.

Amidst the bustling flow of nobles making their way to the ballroom, a young man—no, more like a boy—stood waiting by one of the ornate pillars.

It was Baek Yuseol.

Dressed impeccably in an expensive tuxedo, he looked remarkably well-groomed. Though he wore no accessories like the other nobles, he still had his signature glasses on.

Some nobles passing by glanced their way, recognizing both him and the girls accompanying him.

“The Honorary Mage, Baek Yuseol.”

“The traitor Morph's... daughter, Eisel.”

Eisel’s reputation had shifted significantly in recent times. While some had developed a more positive view of her after the incident involving Cheon Cheonghae Owol, such sentiments were scarce among the nobles of Adolevit.

After all, the first princess of Adolevit, Hong Sihwa, had been present during Isaac Morph’s betrayal. It was said she had tried to deal with him personally, leading to catastrophic casualties and losses for Adolevit.

Many nobles believed those events had cost Adolevit dearly, and they blamed the Morph family entirely.

In other words, just as Eisel viewed these nobles as her enemies, these ignorant aristocrats harbored their own deep-seated animosity toward the Morph family.

By bringing someone from the Morph lineage to Adolevit’s ball, the potential blow to Hong Biyeon’s reputation was beyond imagination.

Whether aware of this or not, Baek Yuseol simply smiled brightly and said, “I’m so glad you came. I was worried you might not show up.”

“What? Why?” Eisel asked, puzzled.

“Why, you ask? Well...”

Baek Yuseol was about to say, ‘Because I was scared to enter this kind of ballroom alone,’ but he stopped himself.

A man’s pride wouldn’t allow such a pathetic excuse!

“Hmm. Let’s just say I had my reasons.”

Eisel, however, interpreted his words differently.

Baek Yuseol had experienced countless regressions, enduring situations like this more times than anyone could fathom.

He would know the outcomes of both attending and skipping Adolevit’s ball.

If someone like him was relieved that she had come, it could only mean one thing...

‘It’ll work out well for both Hong Biyeon and me. Definitely.’

Certain of this, Eisel clenched her fists tightly.

“Let’s go. I’m curious to see just how grand this famed Adolevit ballroom really is.”

“I was about to suggest the same,” Baek Yuseol replied with a sly grin, taking the lead toward the ballroom. Some nobles, noticing his presence, stepped aside hesitantly to make way.

The recent months had clearly amplified his influence. But for the two girls following him, such details were of little concern.

All they focused on was what they should do once inside the ballroom.

That was the only thing occupying their thoughts.

***

Meanwhile, at the back of the ballroom.

In an area where even nobles could not freely enter unless they were part of the palace’s staff, Hong Biyeon found herself face-to-face with someone she despised.

“Oh my, little sister...”

Hong Sihwa Adolevit.

That infuriating face, one she wanted to crush beyond recognition, was standing before her.

And yet, strangely enough, there was no smile.

"Why..."

"Hmm?"

"Why... are you making that face?"

“What are you talking about? It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other.”

No, Hong Sihwa was smiling.

On the surface, it was the same insincere, fox-like smile she had always worn.

But Hong Biyeon could see it.

This wasn’t her usual smile.

The countless masks Hong Sihwa had always worn seemed to have slipped away, leaving her with a forced, almost strained attempt to mimic her old demeanor.

“...Never mind. I just wanted to see your face before the ball started.”

Hong Biyeon no longer reacted like a child, trembling or flying into a rage in front of Hong Sihwa. She knew that losing her composure and blurting out rash words would only backfire on her.

Of course, no matter how calm she tried to stay, Hong Sihwa always found a way to poke at her nerves with some comment or other.

Something like how she was audacious for someone so unfit to inherit the throne, or asking if she still missed her older sister.

“Really? My little sister wanted to see my face? Oh, that makes this big sister so~ happy!”

Hong Sihwa’s exaggerated display did little to faze Hong Biyeon, who turned on her heel and walked away in the opposite direction.

And yet, for some reason, Hong Sihwa refrained from making her usual biting remarks.

Instead, she just spouted ridiculous, meaningless words, leaving Hong Biyeon baffled.

What is going on?

Out of Hong Sihwa’s line of sight, Hong Biyeon cautiously turned back to look.

She was gone, having already headed elsewhere.

Something’s strange.

Today, there was something undeniably off about Hong Sihwa. Hong Biyeon could sense it, but she had no idea what to make of it, leaving her feeling deeply unsettled.

At a time like this, there was one person she could seek advice from...

...He must have arrived at the ballroom by now.

She was relieved that he had come.

Steadying her trembling heart, Hong Biyeon headed toward the ballroom.

Today was a day filled with anticipation for her, in more ways than one.