Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 11
I tossed and turned last night too.
My mind was too cluttered to focus on reading magic tomes, and whenever I tried to sleep, I dreamed of Seo Ye-rin chasing me with her spear.
I accomplished nothing and wasted the whole night away.
I was exhausted, but fortunately, thanks to Bluffing, I didn't show any signs of fatigue on the outside. Even though I felt drained inside, I could carry on with my work as if nothing was wrong.
'...Wow, so this is how people die from overwork.'
I thought to myself as I scripted with bleary eyes.
I might actually drop dead from overwork like this.
Every day, I'd cut back on sleep because it felt like a waste, devouring magic tomes instead, and now my body was hitting its limit.
I'd been pushing through with sheer willpower so far, but I was starting to feel the breaking point.
It was getting a little dangerous.
'Just two more days, then I can crash and rest.'
Tonight, most of the professors were heading to the conference.
The rest would leave within two days for external schedules or exam preparations. It was the perfect setup for an academy raid.
"Did you see the article about casualties in the [Nine-Tail Guild] yesterday?"
"Yeah, some accident in an A-rank dungeon. They say everyone died, no survivors."
"I heard from a contact involvedit was actually done by a human."
"What, really!? I thought it happened in a dungeon owned by the [Nine-Tail Guild]. Internal betrayal? Or office politics?"
"Not sure about that. But from the traces, it was the [Mage Hunter]."
I looked up to gauge the lab's atmosphere.
Unlike usual, the TAs looked cheerful, even chatting idly. They must all be excited about attending the magic conference.
I wonder how they'd react if they knew the academy would be raided the day after tomorrow?
'Would they skip the conference they've been looking forward to and stay? Or head out anyway, refusing to believe it?'
The thought crossed my mind, but it wasn't worth dwelling on.
They'd follow Nam Hwa-yeon to the conference regardless. With all the professors and most TAs gone, the first-years would be exposed.
Thinking about it, it was incredibly irresponsible.
No matter how busy their external schedules, dragging almost all the TAs along?
No one imagined the academy could be raided while they were away.
Was it the grounded confidence of one of the world's top five academies? Or reckless arrogance born of safety complacency?
Either way, they were better off than me.
'At least they don't know the future, but I have a rough idea.'
The images of laughing, chattering students still wouldn't leave my head.
Imagining them soaked in blood made my head throb. I opened the drawer for painkillers.
Creak.
The drawer was packed with all sorts of meds.
Not just supplements and vitamins, but stuff from the pharmacy like headache pills and digestive aids. My poor health had turned it into a mini medicine cabinet.
Let's see... the headache ones were red, right?
There were so many, even I forgot where things were sometimes, despite buying them myself.
Rustling through the crinkly wrappers, I quickly found the painkillers.
Rustle rustle.
I tore open the packet and took out two red pills.
I was about to swallow them with water from my cup when...
"...?"
The pills on my hand vanished.
Did I drop them? I checked around.
Didn't seem like it on the floor. Maybe on the desk?
My headache must be narrowing my vision and dulling my judgment.
But no pills on the desk either. As I turned my head, I spotted a TA with a horrified look.
What? Now just eye contact sets them off?
"Headache pills, huh? And it's only been two hours since you clocked in?"
"...Professor."
A clear voice from behind.
I turned to see Nam Hwa-yeon staring intently at the red pills.
She wasn't holding them; they floated in midair as she examined them.
The pills hovered motionless, like they were fixed in place.
I'd seen a similar trick in Lab 1 before, but studying psychokinesis magic made it look different now. Worlds apart from my Pyrokinesis.
Professors really were on another level.
As I admired her psychokinesis, she finished analyzing and returned the pills to my hand.
I swallowed them with water right away, and her gaze turned to me.
What's this? More work incoming?
'Please, not that...'
Her initial requests had been minimal.
I'd scripted accordingly and added bits where I could improvise.
But somehow, the demands grew more complex over time.
Some required digging up specialized papers.
Reading them for scripts often helped organize my thoughts. Sure, it was brutally tough.
"Have you finished all the scripts I asked for?"
"...The basic ones are done. Polishing will take another two hours."
"Good work. You've been diligent."
She praised me like I'd earned it.
Stunned by this new side of her, she stepped closer. A floral fragrance filled my nose, but before I could react, she placed her hand on my forehead.
Cold. Did she have poor circulation?
How could anyone's hand be this icy?
"Oh my, you have a high fever."
"...Isn't it because your hands are cold, Professor?"
"My temperature runs low, but it's still normal."
Checking myself after her words, I did feel feverish all over.
Caught a cold? No chills, though.
I brushed off my condition.
But Nam Hwa-yeon didn't. She stroked my forehead, her tone worried.
"You've been pushing hard, haven't you? How about taking the afternoon off to rest?"
She was concerned for me.
The first worry anyone had shown since coming to this world.
Especially from someone as inscrutable as Nam Hwa-yeonit felt strange.
"No, I'm fine."
"Still, a day off wouldn't hurt. You've been struggling with my excessive demands..."
She knew and still piled it on?
I was shocked, but caught a hint of guilt in her words. Did she blame herself for my headache?
She wasn't entirely innocent, but her share was negligible. No need for guilt.
'Unexpected.'
Working with her, I'd never seen this side.
To students, she was revered; to TAs, an object of awe and fear. I'd assumed she'd always be distant.
"Really, I'm okay. Headaches are my chronic companionno need for you to worry, Professor."
"Still... Ah, how about this?"
She clapped, like a great idea struck her.
Curious, I listened.
"Come with me to the conference. No lectures or work there, right? Think of it as vacation."
"...!!"
Totally out of left field.
She'd invite me to the conference?
She extended her hand. I hesitated.
Grab it, and I wouldn't be here when the raid hits.
I'd save my skin. But would it really go that smoothly?
"The magic conference is always full of new papers and research. It'll inspire you for sure."
"...I see."
"Plus, rumors say there'll be groundbreaking results announced this year."
Tempting.
Just take the handno harm to me.
But was it really okay?
Doubt gnawed at my conscience.
"No answer means you're in. We leave early morning two days from now, so prep ahead..."
"No, I'm fine."
I forced a smile, suppressing the throbbing pain.
"I have things to do here."
I'd already chosen.
To stand by while students died.
That choice meant bearing responsibility.
Witness the academy massacre firsthand.
That was my duty for staying.
By the way, even if I told her, Nam Hwa-yeon wouldn't believe meprobability approaching zero. Who'd buy that the academy gets raided and ten students die?
In the end, I could do nothing.
Just watch without intervening.
That was the best I could do for this world.
Nam Hwa-yeon returned to her spot, disappointed.
The next day.
The day after that.
Thus, two days passed.
Not much time left.
* * *
The nights at Chilseong Academy were long.
Diligent students studying hard, TAs worked like slaves, guards patrolling all night for safety.
Fluorescent lights burning late were the academy's pride.
It showed everyone's effort.
A guard in the security room hummed while brewing coffee.
"Hum de dum~ Normally, the seniors would hog the coffee. That's why I love conference season."
Professors loomed large at Chilseong Academy.
Each was a valuable asset and symbol. For external events, they got guard escorts from the spare staff.
Usually, mid-career guards for field experience.
But veterans scooped the spots to impress. So, for a few days, no hassleeasy shifts.
"Might as well check the news."
He couldn't ignore CCTV for work, but Chilseong guards were all pros.
Too old for frontline, but superhuman territory. Multitasking news and CCTV? Easy.
This morning at 8 AM US time, the magic conference opened. Held yearly worldwide, it draws famous figures from each nation. Even rankers like the Demon King, Tiger Fist, and Divine Bow are attending, sources say.
"Whoa, stacked lineup. Demon King's a given, but Tiger Fist and Divine Bow? They must've shelled out big this time."
The Demon King was practically a regular, devouring every paper presentedthirsty for knowledge.
Tiger Fist and Divine Bow? No ties to magic. They walked martial paths.
Wouldn't normally show at a magic conference.
"Rumors of a huge announcement must be real. Otherwise, no way they'd lure those guys."
A rumor bubbling in player circles lately.
The conference would unveil a century's discovery elevating all mana-based activities.
Dismissed as hype at first.
But aggressive marketing had everyone wondering.
No wonder all academy profs bolted.
"Thanks to that, even grunts like me get a breather."
Sipping coffee, he craved something sweet.
No snacks in pockets, and on dutyno convenience run. Outdoor patrol, maybe sneak, but CCTV? No dice.
"No helping it... Hng...!"
He dragged his stiff back to the tea cabinet.
Seniors' domain only.
Forbidden to peons like him.
Now, he reached into the taboo.
Click.
Cabinet opened to colorful premium snacks.
High-end stuff, not in stores.
Pricey as hell.
But with so many, one missing wouldn't hurt.
He grabbed fancy butter cookiesperfect with hot mix coffee.
Unwrapping, he realized he'd ignored CCTV.
"Eh, just a minute. Nothing happened."
Who'd dare invade Chilseong?
Students hopping walls outbound? Sure. Invasions? Never heard.
As he bit into the cookie...
It droppedalong with his right hand holding it.
"Gaaahhh!!"
Not just cookiehand severed too.
Scorching pain, clean cut. Stunned briefly, he screamed and collapsed.
Left hand grabbed right arm.
Slash!
Butcher's sliceleft hand gone too.
Indescribable agony. Too much pain for sound.
Then.
A man sliced through the security door with a sword and entered.
He scanned academy CCTV immediately.
Checking feeds, his lips curved like a crescent moon.
"No wayno professors left in the academy?"
Just like that horned bastard said.
Not a single prof. No magic blanket bitch, no old monster.
Perfect raid conditions.
He laughed big, kicking the guard.
Spotting leg toward alarm. Grabbed hair, slammed into wall.
Face full of pain and despair.
Perfect expression.
"Chilseong lives up to the name. Even high-rank monster suicide bombs don't crack the barrier. Not easy."
Guard couldn't parse the mutter.
Only CCTV feeds. Giant monsters exploding like bombs on outer barrier.
Solid against blasts, but cracks forming with persistence.
Targeting weak spots relentlessly.
Rumble!!
Barrier crumbled. Beyond, monster horde appeared. Absolute sanctuary, unbreached for decades, fell.
They scattered everywhere upon arrival.
Guard watched blankly, then flew from man's kick.
Impact ruptured organsribs pierced them.
"C-C-Can't stay here..."
Shock woke him.
No time. Crawled broken legs to corner.
Emergency comms everywhere for contingencies.
Used teeth on alarm instead of stumps. Linked to whole academy.
Blood from torn lungs rising, he spoke.
D-Danger! Monsters invading academy! A-All combat-capable, battle stations... G-Gyaaahhh!!
Strained words.
Ended in pig-squeal scream.
Mystery man shredded his back.
Kicked corpse, impressed.
Shock would kill most.
Job dedication.
"What a pain."
He knew the guard would broadcast.
Couldn't stop it.
No matter the future glimpseshe always broadcast.
Even limbless, decapitatedmana Morse code. What kind of freak?
"Ruined the stealth approach."
Aimed at empty back mid-broadcast. Shattered spine, gutted internalsno movement.
Stealth impossible now.
"Eh, still fine."
No profs? Nothing to stop him.
Already counting rewards, pondering spending. Then, in absent man's retina:
[Sub Quest: Awakening]
[Description: The foretold event has arrived. The protagonist awakens, freshmen face mortal threats, and the wheat separates from chaff. Survive until dawn breaks and prove your worth.]
[Reward: Survival, 3 points]
Meanwhile, the man pondered on.
Dying students? Not his concern.
He came to kill them all anyway.