I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 399

The world had fewer than 100 witches remaining—a rare and dying race.

Witches were often called the sorcerers who devour other sorcerers. Cursed to use forbidden magic, they were incapable of reaching beyond 8th-class mastery. Bereft of social skills, they were doomed to extinction, a fate that had played out over the centuries.

Or so a certain sage had claimed.

What even that sage didn’t know, however, was this: among those witches, one had risen above the rest, breaking through to the 9th class, a level once thought unattainable. This witch began to consolidate and control all the others.

The Witch Queen, Scarlet.

It might seem unimpressive to be the queen of a dwindling race of fewer than a hundred witches. But if Scarlet so desired, she could turn the entire magical world upside down.

Witches were feared in the magical realm, their abilities lying far outside the bounds of common sense.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

And yet, what was Scarlet, this Queen of Witches, currently doing?

Living a quiet, perfectly ordinary life as a first-year student at Stella Academy, blending in with her peers and enjoying the mundane.

"Mother, you seem to be enjoying yourself."

Scarlet had just finished playing basketball in the gym and returned to the bench to take a break. As she sipped her sports drink, a shimmer rose from the ground, revealing a woman in a revealing outfit.

Scarlet smiled without surprise, her expression as bright as ever.

"Do you think so, Windy?"

"How long do you plan to indulge in this game?"

"Who knows, Windy? I enjoy experiencing all kinds of lives. I don’t think of this as just a game."

"...I must disagree. You are the mother of all witches. Your essence is the Witch Queen."

Windy Melcirune—a lost witch taken in by Scarlet, now a devoted disciple.

Windy was the quintessential witch, embodying the truest nature of their kind. Scarlet admired her talent but found her constant interruptions to this newfound hobby of living among humans mildly bothersome.

"Well, it’s not like I’ve forgotten who I am. Honestly, there’s not much to do back there."

"I worry for you, Mother. In this form, you cannot fully access your original power. If Eltemon Eltwin harbored ill intent..."

"That brat? Don’t worry. I’ve got insurance!"

"That’s reassuring. When will you return? The Green Tower Master, Toa Legron, awaits your presence."

"That kid still can’t manage on his own? He’s a 9th-class sorcerer now; he should be fine!"

"It is not a matter he can resolve alone."

"Huh?"

That was unexpected.

Toa Legron was one of the disciples Scarlet had trained to handle worldly matters she couldn’t be bothered with. He’d even established the unique magic institution known as the "Green Pillar of Rasselon," influencing politics and commerce alike.

"What’s he saying now?"

"Reports indicate that a strange cult founded by dark sorcerers has begun recruiting witches."

"What? Those guys? It’s absurd enough that they started a religion, but now they’re trying to gather witches? Must be something urgent."

"Only you can stop them, Mother. Recently, many witches have been questioning their purpose in life."

"Hmm..."

That much made sense.

Ever since one of the youngest witches had been killed by Baek Yuseol, most of the remaining witches were over a century old.

Under Scarlet’s strict control, they had been forced to keep their abilities hidden for far too long. Now, things seemed to be unraveling.

"Looks like the time is coming. Let them be. My children can never truly escape my influence anyway."

"...Understood."

"You’d better head back too. If you stay here too long, Eltemon will get upset."

"Yes, Mother. Take care."

When Windy disappeared, the male students who had been hovering around suddenly flocked to Scarlet.

Windy’s instinctive use of perception-dampening magic had kept them away until now, but with her spell lifted, they all seemed to realize Scarlet’s presence at once.

"Scarlet! You seem to like sports. Why not join our team? The uniform is red and white—it’d suit you perfectly!"

"I saw you play soccer the other day. You’re amazing! Want to join us?"

"Scarlet! Have you thought about the club proposal I mentioned last time?"

Indeed, Scarlet was wildly popular.

Unlike Hong Biyeon or Eisel from the 2nd-year S class—whose intimidating aura kept boys at a respectful distance—Scarlet was approachable, dismantling those walls effortlessly.

Like butterflies drawn to a flower’s fragrance, her peers were captivated by her.

Why?

No particular reason.

She simply found mingling with these young humans amusing.

Hmm...

But as much as she enjoyed it, Scarlet never forgot her priorities.

Her gaze shifted toward a boy leaning against the wall, far removed from the chaos. While others were busy vying for her attention, this one seemed utterly uninterested, wearing a look of pure annoyance.

Baek Yuseol.

Scarlet smiled and stood.

"Sorry, guys. I have to go."

"Huh? But the gym class isn’t over yet..."

"Let the instructor know for me. You can handle it, right?"

As Scarlet flashed a radiant smile, the boys nodded furiously in agreement.

"Fufu."

Leaving them behind, Scarlet walked lightly toward Baek Yuseol, her steps like a fluttering butterfly. He watched her approach with an exasperated expression.

"Do you enjoy playing around with kids so much?"

"And what about you? You’ve got just as much experience as I do, and you’re no better, hanging around these kids yourself."

"What? When did I ever do that?"

«..

Baek Yuseol looked genuinely puzzled.

"What are you even talking about?"

His response, full of cluelessness, made Scarlet even more exasperated.

"Hmm, never mind that. Don’t you think it’s a little inconvenient for you to just show up here?"

"Inconvenient? For you? Is that even possible?"

"Listen here, junior," Scarlet said, pointing a finger. "I’d appreciate it if you’d stop using formal language with me. We’re practically the same age on paper."

"Fine. What’s got you so worked up?"

"...You adapt too quickly."

Scarlet gestured to the space around her.

"This is the first-year gymnasium, you know."

Stella Academy, a miniature magical society with strict hierarchies, didn’t take kindly to upperclassmen barging in uninvited. While there were students who admired Baek Yuseol, others weren’t so fond of his presence.

"You get it, right? A second-year showing up out of nowhere puts everyone on edge."

Her reasoning was sound, but...

"Huh? Why should that bother me?"

The issue was that Baek Yuseol simply didn’t care.

Scarlet was left speechless.

"Wow. You’re really oblivious, aren’t you?"

"What do you mean? My situational awareness is faster than light."

"...Never mind. Just come with me."

With a sigh, Scarlet led him outside to the garden. She picked a bench and patted the spot next to her.

"Nice weather, isn’t it?"

As she smiled up at the sky, Scarlet’s demeanor was so genuine and carefree that for a moment, Baek Yuseol almost forgot who she truly was. But the blessing of Everlasting Spring March—which allowed him to perceive one’s essence—reminded him not to be deceived by appearances.

"So, what’s up? You didn’t even bother to visit after I enrolled you here."

"You seemed to be getting along fine on your own."

"That’s beside the point. I joined this place because of you. And hey, it’s just us now, so let’s drop the formalities, okay?"

"Too confusing. I’ll just stick to informal speech."

Scarlet laughed, her carefree attitude shining through.

She liked this about him. Other sorcerers who knew her as the White Witch or the Witch Queen would never dare to speak so casually to her. But Baek Yuseol treated her as just Scarlet.

"Nothing serious. I just have a question."

"Ask away. I’ll even tell you my underwear color if you want."

"What color is it?"

"...Most people would skip over that joke, you know?"

"But now I’m curious."

"Forget it. I don’t feel like telling anymore..."

"Shame."

Baek Yuseol smirked, then shifted gears.

"Scarlet."

"Yeah?"

"A long time ago... before I came here. You met another mana leakage carrier like me, didn’t you?"

"...Huh?"

Had she mentioned that before?

Scarlet blinked, momentarily caught off guard. But then she remembered, nodding as the realization dawned.

"Yeah, I did. We fought a lot."

"Can you teach me their strategies? Or maybe how you countered them?"

"Teach you... strategies?" Scarlet frowned slightly. "I’m not great at teaching anyone. I just let people figure things out for themselves."

Despite having trained several sorcerers—including Toa Legron, a 9th-class sorcerer—Scarlet had never really considered herself a teacher. She merely guided talented individuals, letting them grow on their own.

But Baek Yuseol?

He was different. He had risen entirely on his own, without anyone's guidance.

What could he possibly want to learn from me?

Scarlet’s mind raced, and then a thought struck her.

Has he hit a wall?

She couldn’t imagine what kind of obstacle someone like Baek Yuseol could face. He wasn’t even a proper sorcerer. He didn’t have a mana core.

But if someone like him—a self-made powerhouse—had come to her for help, it must mean that...

He believes I’m the only one who can help him.

Her heart raced with excitement at the thought.

"Of course! I remember everything! Every last detail!"

"That’s reassuring," Baek Yuseol replied, raising an eyebrow at her enthusiasm.

"Teaching isn’t free, though. What will you give me in return?"

"I figured as much... fine, what do you want?"

Scarlet hesitated, then shook her head with a small smile.

"I’ll tell you later. Just promise that, when the time comes, you’ll give me whatever I ask for."

"As long as it’s not too expensive."

"It’s nothing big. Something small."

"Fine. Deal."

Baek Yuseol nodded.

"Let’s get started, then."

"...Right now?" Scarlet hesitated. "I had plans to eat parfaits with my friends and read manga at the café tonight..."

"You won’t have time for that. You’re going to need every second we’ve got."

"Wait... I’ll get breaks, right?"

"Sure."

"When?"

"When you feel like you’re about to die."

Scarlet’s face froze.

Did I make a mistake?

Her instincts, honed by years as the Witch Queen, screamed that she had walked into something she might regret. But it was too late to back out now.

There was something she wanted from Baek Yuseol, after all. Something she was determined to get.