I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy

… No, it was not impossible.

He could predict something like that with his own example.

Even excluding Flash, he had been holding Argento Sword for less than a month, and he could already slash low-level magic.

In the past, there might not have been such fraudulent equipment, but there still could have been Mana Accumulation Retardation.

In other words, it wouldn't be strange even if someone in the past couldn't learn magic, and had trained their physical abilities to the extreme using this constitution.

Not everything was revealed even in games.

Keeping that fact in mind, he asked, "Who is that person? Can I meet them too?"

“No, you can't. They were killed by the twelve disciples of the Progenitor Mage.”

"The Progenitor Mage..."

He was a person who lived in a much older era than he thought.

“I was close to that person.”

"... So?"

“I've seen their swordsmanship a lot. They were excellent. You're just mediocre.”

"I know that too."

Baek Yu-Seol didn’t know what to say.

“I can teach you that person’s breathing technique, their movements. I recorded everything.”

"...... What? Really?"

“In return, there's a condition.”

Indeed, it should be like this.

He didn't expect to learn for free.

But, if what that spirit said was true, and if he could learn it, his growth would undoubtedly change dramatically.

He obtained the opportunity to meet the 'master' that he thought he could never meet.

That was why no matter what proposal would come, he was willing to accept it for now.

“Save me.”

… Except for these absurd proposals.

"How can I save you? Should I perform CPR? Oh, you don't have a heart, so that won't work. Too bad."

“Don't make fun of me, you evil human.”

"What can I do for you then?"

“I can't take a single step away from here, and no one understands me. I'm half dead.”

"So?"

“Heart…. Get me a heart.”

When the expected answer came, he was engulfed in deep disappointment. It was an impossible condition.

Even Leafbane, just before becoming a spirit, had immense power. How could he obtain the heart of another spirit?

"I'm sorry, but that's impossible."

“It doesn't have to be a spirit's heart. Just... a pure heart of a creature…”

"If you use such a heart, you will lose most of your powers, you know?"

Upon hearing that, Leafbane’s voice momentarily softened. ".... It's better than being trapped here forever..."

There was a somewhat bittersweet feeling in her voice.

Forever, alone.

He couldn't even imagine the loneliness she must have felt being stuck here all by herself, so it made him feel heavy-hearted.

"Well, if it's just an ordinary creature’s heart... it might not be completely impossible."

“Really?”

"Yeah."

After all, the reason why he came here and went through all this training was because of the upcoming Familiar Contract ceremony. At that time, he would meet countless creatures for sure.

Hostile creatures, friendly creatures, neutral creatures.

In a place where countless creatures existed, it was uncertain whether he could truly obtain a heart worthy of Leafbane.

"It's much more challenging than obtaining a spirit's heart."

“If it can fill the only part that is missing in me, I am willing to put in any effort.”

"I'll try to bring it with all my efforts."

“Thank you! I'll be waiting!”

Upon hearing his words, Leafbane displayed a bright smile.

Even though she must have lived for at least several hundred years, she could still wear such a pure smile.

He was struck by that thought once again.

"Oh, by the way, I have something for you. It's a token of our promise."

"A token?"

“Yes! Take a look at the pillar I'm standing by.”

Struggling against the weight on his legs, he approached the pillar, and there he saw a necklace adorned with flowers and grass.

"What's this?"

“It's proof that you're my friend.”

"Oh? What's it used for? Can I get a discount at a luxury department store with it?"

“It means you can become friends with me.”

".... Uh, okay."

He’d never heard of such an item in the game. He didn’t know if it would be useful or not, but it must serve some purpose.

At the very least, it could be used as firewood when there was no fire...

Wait a moment.

"Token of a spirit?"

The existence of spirits was regarded as extraordinary within the world's cosmology.

As a token given by such a spirit, even if it was just an ordinary necklace with no special abilities, it undoubtedly had some purpose.

No, he was convinced.

This necklace would be used for something very important in the future.

Late dawn.

Stella Academy, Alterisha’s research laboratory.

It used to be more like a garbage dump than a warehouse, but thanks to frequent cleaning by Baek Yu-Seol, a relatively decent research environment had been established.

Tick, tock.

It was already past 3 a.m., yet Alterisha continued her research. The presentation was tomorrow, after all.

The Delta Augmentation Technique.

It was a famous formula that caused a sensation when an alchemist from 300 years ago said, "I discovered an amazing formula that can solve this problem, but I'm in a hurry to use the restroom," and then he died in the restroom.

If this formula was true, it would be such a tremendous discovery that it could turn the entire alchemical academic community upside down.

However, for the past 300 years, countless alchemists had attempted it, but all failed, and now no one dared to challenge it.

This unsolved formula had been deemed "impossible."

However.

That formula...

"...... Ah!"

She finally solved it.

In the cramped research lab, Alterisha had finally unraveled it.

Thud.

Alterisha, who had successfully completed the calculations, sank down to the floor as if her strength had left her.

"I did it..."

Her head felt fuzzy.

This couldn't be a dream, right?

She pinched her cheek, and tears welled up from the pain.

Suddenly, she turned her head and looked at a student dozing off in the corner.

The boy who had faithfully come to her side every day while she struggled to solve the formula.

The boy who had been the greatest help in making the impossible possible, Baek Yu-Seol.

She wanted to wake him up right away and boast about her achievement, but she refrained.

After all, he looked so exhausted.

Instead... She added one more name to the list of authors in the paper.

[Co-author, Baek Yu-Seol]

No matter how she thought about it, it was thanks to Baek Yu-Seol that she was able to complete this paper. If it weren't for him, it would have been impossible. It was only right to include his name here.

"Phew!"

She took a deep breath.

She felt nervous and scared at the thought of the upcoming presentation, but she would still face the challenge.

Because there was a boy who had worked so hard for her sake, despite being ignored and abandoned by everyone else.

She held the paper close to her chest.

"The Delta Augmentation formula."

How many scientists dreamed of a new era when alchemy and magic engineering, once considered impossible to harmonize, merged together.

If that was the case, then tomorrow...

The world would have to prepare for the dawn of a new era.