I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - C.221: End of Summer (2)

When Eisel and Edna regained consciousness, they found themselves at a campsite located a fair distance from the ruins of Karacornia.

"You were both found unconscious.”

The Karacornia expedition team leader said with a bitter expression.

A week had passed since they began exploring the ruins, yet they had discovered nothing, nor had they found any trace of the missing Kayla.

The leader was extremely worried when Eisel and Edna also went missing.

"It's fortunate we at least found the two of you.”

He remarked and provided them with some personal time to rest.

Left alone in a three-person tent, the two girls sat silently, staring blankly at different spots. The experience felt like a dream, and they had yet to fully grasp reality.

Edna was the first to speak.

“What should we do?”

The question came out of nowhere, but Eisel responded as if she was prepared for it.

"The Morfran Forest was once the territory of the Grand Duke Morph. But after that day, it was designated as 'corrupted land' and is now managed by a nation, five mage towers, and the Magic Society."

Strict barriers surrounded the Morfran Forest, and even now, the security forces ensured not even an ant could approach.

They hadn't questioned it much before, but now something seemed off.

"Why are they so determined to conceal it?"

The legendary beast, White Demon Fox Fire Spirit.

Isaac Morph, the Danger Level 9 Dark Mage.

… And Baek Yu-Seol.

The scars of their fierce battle remain engraved in the Morfran Forest.

"That land is the proof."

Eisel Morph now had a clear vision: to restore the House of Grand Duke Morph.

But first, she aimed to uncover the truth of the events from ten years ago and to retrieve her father's wandering soul.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

The Morfran Forest was now a dark secret of the Adolveit Kingdom, and they would never reveal it.

How she would find her father's soul, which could be anywhere, was beyond her.

But it was okay.

Her father wasn't a traitor. He was a hero and still alive somewhere.

Knowing this truth was a significant gain and a source of happiness for her.

Feeling relieved, Eisel stretched and stood up. It was refreshing as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her chest.

"Shall we head back?"

"Yes."

"The expedition seems intent on conducting a thorough investigation of Karacornia. And probably..."

They would continue to search for the missing Kayla.

However, she was no longer there. Having shown Eisel echoes of the past, Kayla was likely traveling somewhere else by now.

The chances of finding anything in the ruins were slim, but no one would believe two seventeen-year-old girls if they said so.

"I'll inform them that we’re descending.”

Eisel said as she exited the tent, and Edna collapsed with a sigh.

"Haah..."

It had been an arduous journey.

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Watching alone had drained her energy significantly. She couldn't take her eyes off Eisel for even a moment out of worry.

She recalled what happened just before they returned.

Just before Baek Yu-Seol sent away Isaac Morph through the mysterious artifact, the Wheel of Dawn.

The words he muttered to himself as he stared into the sky.

No, it was definitely a conversation.

‘I haven’t received the promised gifts yet. Is it okay if I get it now?’

A promise. And a gift.

The original romance fantasy often mentioned promises. The Twelve New Moon were bound by promises and tried to fulfill them. Though the plot points were never fully resolved.

What exactly was that promise?

"......... The Wheel of Dawn."

When Baek Yu-Seol spoke to someone as if requesting something, a giant wheel appeared in the air. This meant someone was watching him.

Edna already knew who that 'someone' was.

"The Constellation Project.”

'I will send back the Wheel of Dawn.'

Baek Yu-Seol himself had mentioned it.

He could communicate and access the 'Star Archives,' which was said to contain all the world's knowledge.

This was one of Baek Yu-Seol’s many hidden secrets.

It was something she had expected to some extent. With Baek Yu-Seol’s fighting against the world's end by turning back time countless times, the Constellation Project wouldn’t leave him alone.

Her heart pounded.

The Star Archives was only accessible to female protagonists belonging to the twelve families. However, Baek Yu-Seol could communicate with it.

The more she learned about Baek Yu-Seol’s secrets, the more questions arose.

But even that was fun.

Little by little, she was learning more about him.

"........ Shall I go back?"

By now, Eisel was probably eager to return to Stella, so it would be best to hurry.

Adolveit Kingdom, Capital Tehalan.

The Frost Cliff Palace.

Now that the Curse of the Levian Coast had been lifted thanks to Princess Hong Bi-Yeon’s efforts… It was quite a predicament to still call this sun-drenched cliff by the name 'Frost'.

However, the atmosphere inside the palace remained so cold and gloomy that the name still appeared fitting.

Queen Hong Se-ryu brushed her red hair over her shoulder and spoke to Princess Hong Bi-Yeon, who stood proudly before her with her head held high.

“It's the start of the semester at Stella.”

“Yes.”

“Will you go back? If you wish, you can stay here and receive the education you missed as a princess.”

“No. That’s not necessary.”

While receiving the education she missed as a princess was indeed important, she could study those things intermittently at Stella.

“It seems you have a compelling reason to return to Stella.”

Princess Bi-Yeon had no intention of quitting Stella. She planned to complete the full three years and graduate normally.

“It will be disadvantageous for you. The coronation is scheduled for three years from now, and you won't receive proper royal education while completing your studies at Stella.”

“It has always been disadvantageous. Please stop pretending to care now.”

“… I understand. Don’t blame me for this; it’s of your own doing.”

“Yes.”

“Go back.”

The conversation between the queen and the princess ended on an extremely bland and dry note. Hong Bi-Yeon hesitated briefly before leaving.

“Is there something else?”

“... I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

Not long ago, Hong Bi-Yeon discovered that a certain 'curse' had been passed down in the Adolveit family.

Due to this, no princess, no matter how untalented, lived past the age of 30. Princesses born with the Adolveit flame usually died in their late teens or early twenties.

But wasn’t something odd about that?

Even Princess Hong Si-hwa was lacking compared to her, she was also born with exceptional talent.

“How’s she maintaining her life span?”

A princess of Adolveit who was nearing the end of her life couldn’t control her flame and would waste away, ending her life.

But when had Hong Si-hwa ever shown such signs? She always appeared confident, and manipulated flame magic effortlessly without a single incident of losing control.

It was as if… She had overcome the curse of Adolveit.

“That is not the case.”

Queen Hong Se-ryu said firmly.

“But I can tell you that she’s extending her life through a method you do not know.”

“… Is that so?”

“Is that all you wanted to know?”

“Yes.”

Indeed, it seemed there was a method, but she had no intention of revealing it.

Of course, Hong Bi-Yeon had no intention of extending her life in the distasteful manner discovered by Hong Si-hwa. She wasn’t particularly interested.

Why bother finding another method?

Becoming queen would suffice.

As Hong Bi-Yeon shook her head and turned to leave without hesitation, Hong Se-ryu added.

“Don’t be curious.”

“Knowing it would only harm you.”

“There's no need to be curious, nor do I intend to extend my life using Hong Si-hwa’s method. It’s a needless concern.”

Leaving Queen Hong Se-ryu behind, Hong Bi-Yeon walked down the long corridor, receiving salutes from the royal guard. She intended to immerse herself in thoughts quietly, but someone waiting by the door caught her attention.

“Hello?”

A face that appeared just when she was about to forget it.

“Do you need something?”

“Yes! You’re going back to Stella, right? I thought I’d see my sister’s face before you go~!”

“You’ve seen me, so you can leave now.”

“Oh. Don’t be so cold!”

Ignoring Hong Si-hwa’s fake crying, Hong Bi-Yeon tried to pass by when she suddenly spoke.

“Aren’t you curious?”

“... About what?”

“About how I’m still alive and well.”

“You have a habit of eavesdropping.”

“Well, it just so happened~ I also had business with the Queen~”

Hong Si-hwa had a habit of deflecting any question that put her at a disadvantage and turning the conversation back to the other person.

“So are you curious? Do you want to know?”

“I don't need to.”

"Ah! You’re such a buzzkill. If you lose the throne, you’ll just die off!”

“I'd rather that than prolong my miserable life using your disgusting method.”

As Hong Bi-Yeon walked away, Hong Si-hwa lowered her voice and said.

“Sister.”

“... What?”

“Do you want to see this?”

Hong Si-hwa suddenly lifted her shirt, revealing her navel area. The guards’ gazes were sharp. How could a princess show such a lack of manner?

… More than that, Hong Bi-Yeon was so surprised her eyes widened.

“That’s…”

“You’re right. I survive by the grace of a disgusting and miserable method.”

A white magic circle was inscribed on her abdomen which burned like flames.

No. It wasn’t just like flames. It was actually burning.

As she lifted her shirt, the temperature in the vicinity suddenly rose.

The heat was so intense that just standing nearby made you sweat profusely.

“... Do you always carry such a fireball inside your body?”

“Yes. Although it’s a bit hot and painful, it’s bearable. It’s much better than dying, right?”

This was undoubtedly Hong Si-hwa’s secret.

She had never revealed this weakness to anyone before...

But why now?

Why show it to her at this moment?

“Do you know? When you become queen, the curse will be temporarily suppressed, allowing you to live much longer.”

“I know.”

“But what about your children? Do you think they will be spared?”

“What...”

This was something she had never considered. Hong Bi-Yeon could only part her lips without a response.

“What if you find someone you love? What if you want to have children, but they are destined to inherit your curse? If they don't inherit the throne, they will eventually die early. Would you still want to have children?”

“That...”

Her fingertips trembled. As she had always lived as a child, she had never considered a mother’s perspective.

Come to think of it... Hong Bi-Yeon mother, Hong Yi-el, had been exceptionally harsh on her daughter.

She did everything she could to make her daughter queen, to save her, no matter how severe.

Could that really be called harsh?

It was, in fact, an expression of love for her child, wasn't it?

“Hmmm~”

Watching Hong Bi-Yeon’s confusion, Hong Si-hwa hummed and pulled her shirt back down.

As she walked towards the audience chamber, she added one final comment.

“Think about it a bit more. You don’t want to live a miserable life like mine, do you?”

She was right.

Hong Bi-Yeon never wanted to live like Hong Si-hwa. That was why she chose to live out her days through the rightful method of inheriting the throne.

But what if her most righteous path, the goal she had strived for her whole life, was actually flawed?

What if it was wrong?

Then what should she do?

"I don't know."

Her mind was filled with confusion.