I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 337
Baek Yuseol finally began to enjoy his winter vacation two weeks after it had started. Though most of his time was spent sleeping, leaving him feeling a mix of regret and despair, he found solace in the remarkable improvements he achieved during his slumber.
Stella Academy was nearly deserted during the holidays. Even **Flame**, who usually stayed around, had decided against spending her vacation at the school. Like many students, she followed the seasonal norm—beaches in summer, ski resorts in winter. She left abruptly one early morning, announcing her trip to a ski resort with a group of nearly twenty companions.
Curiously, Flame didn’t seem particularly eager to go. However, being assigned as the group’s treasurer left her with no choice but to participate.
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**"Don't cause trouble while I'm gone, okay?"**
**"Do I look like a kid to you?"**
**"Who gets into more trouble than a kid? You!"**
**"You."**
**"...Anyway, I'll see you when I get back."**
With even **Aigel**, the ice-loving companion, accompanying the trip, Baek Yuseol found himself utterly alone at Stella, with no pressing tasks to occupy his time.
It was a strange feeling.
During the semester, he always had something to do, regardless of whether he had anyone by his side. Yet, recently, being alone made him feel an unfamiliar sense of loneliness.
Baek Yuseol had lived a solitary life for as long as he could remember. Even before becoming **Baek Yuseol of Aiter World**, his life on modern Earth had been similarly isolated.
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#### A Quiet Journey to the Third World Tree
As the rhythmic clatter of the train echoed around him, Baek Yuseol stared blankly out the window. While others headed to ski resorts or winter beaches, he took the less glamorous route to the **orchard of the Third World Tree, Namuhwaran**.
Snow blanketed the forest trails, adding a serene beauty to the landscape. But rather than marveling at the snowy forest, Baek Yuseol focused on the heightened clarity of his enhanced vision.
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Falling snowflakes and swaying leaves were now incredibly vivid, as if he had transitioned from a 60Hz monitor to a 144Hz one.
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As he was engrossed in the view, a hesitant voice interrupted him.
**"Um, excuse me..."**
Baek Yuseol turned to see a group of five students—two girls and three boys—in school uniforms. Though unfamiliar with their insignias, he could easily tell they were from a prestigious school.
**"Are you... this person?"**
One of the boys held up a newspaper. The article was about the "demonic appearance" incident from a few days ago, and Baek Yuseol's face was prominently featured.
He couldn’t help but feel incredulous but maintained a calm expression, thanks to the **Blessing of Greenwood April**.
**"Yeah, that’s me."**
**"Oh wow... it’s amazing to see you in person!"**
**"It’s my first time seeing you, too. Guess we’re both amazed."**
The students, behaving like modern teenagers meeting a celebrity, shyly asked for his autograph.
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Autographs were a foreign concept to Baek Yuseol. His life had been far removed from fame—he didn’t sing, dance, act, or even crack jokes. His appearance was average at best, and he’d lived in complete anonymity.
**"I don’t really have an autograph,"** he said plainly.
At their insistence, he conjured a magic pen from the void, a casual display of subspace magic that left the students wide-eyed. Signing his name with a flourish—**“Baek Yuseol ★”**—he even wrote their names as a gesture.
Their excitement over such a small thing amused him. As they scurried off, he overheard their whispered remarks.
**"He’s so sharp and intimidating in person!"**
**"I can’t believe we got his autograph!"**
**"He’s younger than us, but I feel like I was scolded..."**
It was only then that he realized why they emphasized their age—they were older than him. By **Aiter World’s Korean age system**, he had just turned 18, making him younger than the third-year students.
Still, Baek Yuseol didn’t care. Chronologically, he was at least ten years older, and such trivial details were beneath him. Settling back in his seat, he put on a sleep mask to nap until his destination.
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#### Arrival at Namuhwaran
The Third World Tree, Namuhwaran, was blanketed in snow, transforming its orchard into a pristine white expanse. While the annual **World Tree Festival**—a Christmas-like celebration—had already passed, Baek Yuseol quietly navigated the area, pulling his hat low to avoid recognition.
As one of Namuhwaran’s most treasured guests, he had inadvertently gained the favor of the elders during a previous encounter. He even received a letter from an elder expressing disappointment at his absence.
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Arriving at the heart of the orchard, Baek Yuseol greeted **Iphanel**, the World Tree spirit. Once frail, her condition had visibly improved, and for the first time, she was walking unaided.
**"You can walk now?"** he asked, astonished.
**"Mhm... Sometimes I even take walks outside,"** she replied with a bright smile.
Though her appearance remained childlike, her recovery seemed to have accelerated her growth.
They sat together, with Iphanel eagerly listening as Baek Yuseol recounted his recent experiences, including his visit to the **Elf Kingdom**. Watching her wide-eyed wonder, he couldn’t help but indulge her curiosity.
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#### A Hidden Purpose
While Baek Yuseol’s visit was partly to check on Iphanel, he had another goal: retrieving a special sword once wielded by **Hataeryeong**, a legendary figure. His current arsenal, consisting of modified **Theriphon Swords** and staves enhanced by **Altherisha**, had clear limitations.
The development of magic swords was still in its infancy, leaving him yearning for a weapon capable of matching his abilities.
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#### Meanwhile: Scarlet and Her Past
Elsewhere, **Scarlet**, the Witch Queen, sipped on iced coffee in broad daylight—an act of defiance in the **Adolevit Kingdom**, the birthplace of coffee culture, where cold coffee was taboo.
Her companion, **Windy**, a young girl with a straightforward personality, scolded her.
**"Master, drinking cold coffee in this weather will give you a cold."**
**"Oh, call me 'sister' already. I want to hear it."**
Windy, unrelenting, voiced her concerns.
**"Are you planning to repeat the mistakes of your past?"**
Scarlet’s smile faltered, replaced by a distant look.
**"You know... I’ve only been happy once in my entire life. But that happiness was stolen from me by the hands of wizards."**
Windy fell silent, unsure how to respond.
Scarlet stood, stretching languidly.
**"Happiness is a risk worth taking. I’ve lived long enough to have nothing left to lose."**
Though Windy couldn’t understand Scarlet’s seemingly reckless pursuit of happiness, she followed closely, her thoughts filled with unease.
