Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Academy’s Gumiho is a Magic Genius – Chapter 26
It had been a month since I last stepped outside the academy.
There wasn't much emotion stirring in me.
Instead, something else caught my interest.
"I didn't expect my leave request to be approved this quickly."
Thinking about it, it really was surprising.
From the academy leadership's perspective, I was just a newbie TA who hadn't even been here a full month. In these chaotic times, I figured it'd take forever to avoid any scandals.
Maybe asking Nam Hwa-yeon directly helped?
Or perhaps my background from the Heavenly Fox Baek Family played a role. It could even be recognition for how I handled that attack.
'Whatever the case, I hope this isn't the end of it.'
I fought until my body brokesettling for just a single day off as compensation would be downright shameless.
My medical bills, excluding emergency care, were all covered by the Heavenly Fox Baek Family. In other words, out of my own pocket.
If they dared replace that with something this pathetic, I'd tear the chairman apart myself.
"There are privileges I need from the chairman."
Access to the forbidden library.
That's the only thing I wanted from him.
Still, no guarantee it'd work.
Permissions to enter the forbidden library were limited to a handful of people across the entire academy. It wasn't called "forbidden" for nothing.
Rumor had it the chairman was an active player raiding dungeons in his youth. I hoped his generosity matched the tales. Of course, rumors alone weren't enough to judge him.
By the novel's nature, the story focused on the protagonist and key characters.
The chairman never had a major role in the original, so speculating was risky.
"Sigh... When's this car getting here?"
I let out a sigh and glanced around. Cars whizzed by. Right now, I was stuck waiting helplessly for a ride.
The family car was running late.
The original plan was to take my day off, clear a dungeon, and head back.
Then suddenly, word came from the main house. They'd confirmed my leave and were sending a car.
No reason to refuse, and since I was out, I figured I'd handle some family business too.
But with the car dragging its feet, a thought crossed my mind.
'Are they stalling on purpose to ruin my day off?'
Unfounded paranoia, surebut plausible.
This was the family with a sister sending letters demanding elixir payments.
They definitely had ulterior motives.
"If it's not here in an hour, I'll just hit the dungeon solo."
Time was already tightno wasting it standing around.
My leave was just for today.
Too short to clear a dungeon comfortably.
'Epfnel's Flower Garden isn't a pushover.'
'Epfnel's Flower Garden.'
A D-rank dungeonnot particularly tough. Even I, half-dead from before, could handle it.
The difficulty wasn't the issue.
Epfnel's Flower Garden earned its spot as one of Korea's top three unsolved dungeons due to its unique quirks. And hidden within was a hidden piece.
I absolutely needed that hidden piece.
Not just to boot the protagonist from the scenario by forceit suited me perfectly.
For someone sickly and frail like me, it'd be a huge boon.
"I have to get it today, no matter what."
Given its nature, the sooner I claimed itbefore the next episodethe more time I'd have to train it.
As I reviewed my plan in my head, a black car pulled up nearby.
A large, sturdy-looking black vehicle.
A man in a black suit stepped out from the driver's seat and bowed to me.
"Greetings, Family Head."
My gaze fixed on the back of his head and his back.
No fox ears or tail.
A servant of the Heavenly Fox Baek Family, but not by blood.
Having gauged the class difference, I spoke lowly.
As formally as possible, in a deep, gravelly tone.
"You're late."
"My apologies. Traffic was a bit heavy..."
"Do I need to micromanage that too?"
I cut him off, and his face twisted.
Satisfying sight.
Even the damn driver looked down on me here.
"Straighten your face. You're begging for a slap."
"...My apologies."
"Then quit scowling."
His face flushed red with anger.
Damn, how much of a pushover did they think I was?
Definitely time to whip the family into shape.
This arrogant tone felt rusty after so long, but no room for weakness now.
I patted his shoulder and climbed into the car.
"From now on, be prompt. And open the back door."
"Y-yes, sir."
Once inside, the man sighed heavily and took the wheel.
His grim expression screamed impending road rage.
What an ugly mug.
"..."
He drove straight to the main house.
I snuck a glance at the back of his head, fiddling with the hand I'd used to pat his shoulder.
'Strong for a driver. Well-trained.'
The guyBlack Suit, for conveniencewas no slouch.
The moment I touched his shoulder, I'd subtly extended my mana to probe. Physical stats rivaled active duty, mana reserves solid.
Driver? He could pass for security.
And they sent him to pick me up.
'Interesting.'
Probing me already?
I couldn't wait to see what awaited at the main house.
Leaning back, I cracked open a book.
The drive lasted just long enough to finish it.
At least he drove smoothly.
Worth the prestige of a great family's chauffeur.
Shitty personality, but skilled.
* * *
"...This estate is massive."
By the time I finished the book, we'd entered the estate.
First impression? Vast. Insanely so.
Did Korea even have places like this?
I speed-read, so it didn't take longunder two hours, including magic books that demand comprehension.
"We've arrived, Family Head."
"Good work."
The driver opened the door, and the estate's grandeur hit harder.
Just throwing money at it doesn't make something majestic.
Yet this swelling awe in my chestwhat was it?
Not mere aesthetics. Something deeper.
'Like it's forcing the emotion on me...'
Demon Eye
My red pupils parted, revealing amethyst eyes gleaming wide.
The mana-piercing gaze scanned the estate.
Psssh.
Sparks flew in my vision.
Blue mana currents disrupted it, forcibly closing the Demon Eye.
"Hah..."
I pressed my eyes, exhaling in admiration.
Solid barriers. Defensiveno, aerial defense-level magic enveloped the place.
Illusions and phantoms guarded the entrance.
A subtle maze inside too.
Was this a dungeon?
"Family Head? Is something wrong?"
"...Nah, just hit with nostalgia coming home after so long."
"I see..."
The driver escorting me paused at my sudden stop, puzzled.
I answered casually.
Lie, but not wrong.
Possessed a month ago, hadn't left the academy sinceno home visit in over a month.
Plausible enough, then a girlish voice chirped.
"Liar."
"...No way you hate coming home."
"Liar again."
I turned toward the voice. A girl stood by the driver.
Her mere presence had the rude driver trembling. Proof of her status.
Sigh, didn't expect to meet at the front gate, not even inside.
I extended my right hand to the girl, matching the novel's description.
"Long time no see, Seol-hee."
"Brother, that's disgustingdrop the act. If you're trying to make me nauseous, mission accomplished."
"Wasn't aiming for that."
"Like a cow backing up and accidentally catching a rat. Guess that's you. If it's about that elixir letter, consider it canceledjust stop."
The moment I saw her, instinct screamed: my little sister.
Pricked white fox ears like a fox's.
Three pristine white tails neatly aligned behind her.
Her elegant hanbok screamed noble lady.
'Three tails already...'
Three-Tail Foxa realm I hadn't reached.
Her supernatural prowess must be top-notch. Those rippling sapphire eyes were the tell.
Mine gleamed amethyst; hers melted ice-blue.
I knew instinctively.
Similar to 'Demon Eye,' but different texture.
'Dragon Eye? Nah, too weak. Not precognition either.'
Baek Seol-hee looked up at me.
What did those rippling blue eyes glimpse?
Curiosity piquedthen she spoke.
"Family meeting's starting. Perfect timing."
Family meeting?
Did Baek Seung-woo and Baek Seol-hee even have family?
His sister Baek Seol-hee, maybe.
She walked off without another word.
The gate opened naturally at her steps; I followed.
Through vast gardens to the central mansion.
Looked like one huge building from outsideup close, clusters of smaller ones.
Servants' quarters? Elders' residences?
Tongue itching with questions, but her silent aura kept me mum.
Soon, the grand main building.
The door swung open.
"Welcome back, Miss. And Family Head."
Dozens bowed in unison.
Butlers and maids, by their attire.
That's when it sank in.
I was the head of a noble house.
Honorary nobility in the 21st century? Who knew.
But feeling it bodily? The weight was real.
'No wonder they call the Nine Heavenly Houses different.'
The Nine Heavenly Houses, my creationoverpowered as hell.
They had every power: military, wealth, influence.
But necessary. They divided the skies above the continenthad to feel noble.
Nine houses total.
Heavenly Fox Baek, Germany's Reinhardt, Greece's Iris, etc. All inheritors of Ain blood.
Or plainly, " houses."
Only ancient lineages with potent inherited traits could claim nobility.
One per country max, rife with rivalries.
With Heavenly Fox Baek declining, it hit harder.
"The others are already in the meeting room. I'll head in."
Clack-clack went her heels into the "Conference Room."
No clue how big inside.
But the aura leaking out? Far from ordinary.
'At least Yu-ren level... No, all above.'
Battle-honed senses and S-rank instincts screamed warning.
This was a den of true monsters.
Pressure leagues beyond the academy. Each step heavy.
"The council of elders."
Few in this house could exude such presence, from memory.
Nineno, ten maybe.
Matched the presences inside, minus Seol-hee: exactly ten.
Intense auras weighed me down.
A sensation even the Mage Hunter never triggered.
This shrinkage? Long time coming.
Creak!
I flung the doors wide with both hands. Vast round table inside. Eleven chairs around it.
And one throne, a step higher.
I drifted toward the throne, entranced.
Atmosphere chilled at my entrancenone of my concern.
Only that throne mattered.
Step by step, across the table.
Seated figures glared icily, but held their tongues. That seat was mine by right.
The Family Head's throne.
"...So this is what it feels like."
Red fox eyes gazed down from the throne.
They all had white hair and fox tailsunlike me. Opposite colors, far more tails.
"No wonder it burdens the mind."
All different from "me."
Baek Seung-woo's fur black; theirs white.
His eyes blazed red; theirs serene lakes.
Utterly isolated.
Not pleasant. Humans thrive in groups.
Standing out just breeds discrimination.
Snappsychokinesis base of [Pyrokinesis] snatched docs from the table. Small print, plenty, but straightforward.
Family matters.
"Maternity leave? Yeah, we should put real thought into this."
"Ahem..."
"Family Head, what brings you here? This isn't your place."
Some flustered at my intrusion.
Most displeased.
I smirked.
'Hierarchy's a mess.'
Ridiculous, post-military.
Time to instill some discipline.