I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 317

*Crackle, crackle!*

A small campfire made of dry twigs and leaves crackled, filling the silent space with a comforting ASMR of flames.

Inside a small underground cave, Baek Yuseol sat, staring blankly at the fire. An elven knight broke the silence and spoke to him.

“If you’re tired, go ahead and rest. We’ll take turns standing watch.”

“I’ll sleep a bit later.”

He wanted to offer to keep watch with them, but considering that it might be wise to conserve his strength for what lay ahead, he accepted their offer.

*Screech—!*

*Roar...*

The agonized wails of wraiths echoed from outside the cave.

Although the magic cast here blocked both sound and light from leaking out, the heavy, thunderous footsteps of the giant wraiths reverberating just outside were hard to ignore, causing a slight tension.

“What happened to turn them into wraiths?”

Suddenly, one of the elven knights muttered the question. She was one of only three female knights, and, from what he’d heard, the youngest.

“Hanarim, there’s no need for such useless thoughts.”

“It’s just... I’m curious. They say only those with an intense grudge can become wraiths, but almost all giants ended up as wraiths.”

It was a question no one else had considered, but Baek Yuseol knew the answer.

“They were creatures born from rage, to begin with.”

“Huh?”

As she looked at him with a puzzled expression, Baek Yuseol stirred the campfire with a stick.

“They were constantly angry. The legend that they were gentle is a lie. They fought among themselves so fiercely that people in the outside world never got to know their true violent nature. The frequent earthquakes recorded back then? Those were caused by the giants.”

“Is that... true?”

The knight named Hanarim fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Then... how do you know that?”

“I just know.”

Baek Yuseol was too tired to come up with an excuse. He lapsed into silence, staring at the fire, while Hanarim looked out of the cave.

The sight of dozens of enormous wraiths roaming around felt like looking into a hellscape, sending a shiver down her spine.

“You think... we’ll be able to handle this, right?”

“We have to.”

“I don’t know. Even if we approach Damgaltwoil, I don’t think everything will magically improve...”

“Hanarim, enough. You’re killing morale here.”

“That’s not it. I’m just really worried. Damgaltwoil is inherently hostile to all living beings. If... if Baek Yuseol gets too close and something goes wrong—”

“Hanarim!”

The senior knight couldn’t hold back and scolded her.

“That’s not something for you to worry about. Do you think you’re in a position to worry about Baek Yuseol? Her Majesty the Queen herself vouched for his ability. So who’s worrying about whom?”

“...I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. No need to be upset.”

From Baek Yuseol’s perspective, having a beautiful elven sister worry about him wasn’t unwelcome at all. However, the senior knight seemed to think Hanarim’s words might damage Baek Yuseol’s honor.

“And there’s truly no need to worry. You saw Damgaltwoil, didn’t you?”

“Yes, it was massive...”

“He’s so bloated he can’t even move anymore.”

“Oh... that’s a relief...”

“But soon, he will awaken.”

“What?”

Baek Yuseol casually dropped this shocking revelation.

“He’s one of the Twelve Divine Moons, after all. Once he fully regains his senses, moving that colossal body will be nothing for him.”

“Then...”

“Right now, he can’t move, which is why I need to go quickly and handle it.”

“Ah, I see...”

“Well, let’s get some rest now. We’ll need to head out early tomorrow.”

“Yes, rest well. We’ll set up our watch rotations.”

“Thank you, as always.”

After that, Baek Yuseol quickly slipped into his sleeping bag and drifted off. Hanarim alternated her gaze between the cave entrance and him, shivering slightly.

Having ghosts roaming just a few steps away, yet being able to sleep so peacefully—it was a strength of mind she both admired and envied.

*Thud, thud...*

Though wraiths were spirits, those with physical power were known as “wraiths,” and how many mages had encountered such massive, heavy creatures before?

Even Blossom, who had never dealt with wraiths before, was taken aback at first. But with her powerful mental strength, enough to commune with the World Tree, she quickly regained her composure and acted decisively.

“Your Majesty! Three wraiths are clinging to the White Castle!”

“I see them. I’ll handle it. Stay inside and wait.”

As giant wraiths began appearing around the World Tree, the city plunged into chaos.

*I never thought this would happen...*

Blossom had assumed that any disaster from Damgaltwoil’s awakening would only involve earthquakes. She never imagined that a worse calamity would strike first.

*Why are the wraiths of dead giants here at the World Tree...?*

She had read all the books in the secluded library over the years, and there wasn’t a single mention of such an event in all of history.

*Is this the price of a failed seal?*

The sudden arrival of Warding Moon’s interference had prevented them from fully sealing Damgaltwoil, leading to this unprecedented disaster.

*Flutter!*

Blossom spread her green fairy wings and soared into the sky, gathering golden energy in her hands and shooting it high above.

*Rumble...!*

The massive branches of the World Tree responded to her will, entangling the gigantic wraiths around the White Castle.

These giants, larger than most wraiths, seemed to be drawn to the enormous life force radiating from the White Castle.

“I won’t let that happen.”

*Snap!*

*Roar...!!*

The branches gripped the giants, and their forms crumpled like paper, disappearing as the intense holy energy dissolved them before they could fully manifest.

The immediate crisis was averted, but the situation remained grim.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“This is unbelievable...”

From her elevated position at the top of the White Castle, Blossom could sense the entire city’s view with just a little focus.

“The whole city is covered in wraiths...”

The despairing sight nearly made her legs give out. But if she gave up now, everything would end.

Balancing on the White Castle’s peak, Blossom spread her wings wide, clasped her hands together, and began to pray.

“Great World Tree of Creation, please send your light once more for your children.”

Within the World Tree’s bounds, Blossom could wield power equivalent to a 9th-class mage.

Her specialties were life protection and healing.

While she couldn’t eradicate all the wraiths with explosive magic, she could at least protect her people.

But... how long could she sustain this defense?

Even now, magic warriors fought throughout the World Tree, yet the wraiths were resurrected almost instantly, spreading chaos across the city.

An endless war.

*This is...*

Amid the chaos, Blossom spotted several high elven elders sneaking away, abandoning their duties. Seeing even the “Guardians of the Trees,” who were meant to protect the city, running away was dizzying.

“So, this is why you opposed evacuation...”

These same elders had objected to evacuating the people during the council meeting. If so, shouldn’t they now bear the responsibility and protect the people?

Some guardians stayed, fulfilling their roles to the end, but most fled, increasing Blossom’s burden and stress.

*I can do this. I am the Queen.*

The one who communes with the World Tree and cares for all the fairies.

She doesn’t govern through domination or rule but nurtures and protects with a mother’s heart—that is the role of the Elf Queen.

Although no solution to this crisis came to mind, she still had something to believe in.

*Just hold on a little longer.*

As long as she didn’t give up, light would surely come.

* * *

Flame leaped down from the rubble of the collapsed school building, recoiling as a black substance brushed past her head.

“Eek!”

Had she not ducked quickly—if she had been even a second slower—she might have lost her head right then and there. Her heart pounding, she slammed her staff onto the ground.

With a flash, a streak of white light shot out behind her, binding the giant wraith.

But it didn’t hold for long, breaking free with a sharp crack!

“Take this!”

Hastily, she fired a massive arrow of light into the wraith’s chest.

*Roar...!!*

However, it only seemed to anger the creature rather than significantly damage it.

“Damn it!”

As she rolled aside, a black whip struck where she had just stood. Just as she prepared to cast another spell, the giant wraith suddenly lowered its stance and charged at her.

“Ah...”

She instinctively threw up a shield but knew it wouldn’t be enough.

At that moment, an icy hand rose from the ground, blocking the wraith’s charge.

*Crash—!*

The ice shattered with an ear-splitting noise, but fortunately, it slowed the wraith enough for Flame to escape.

“Are you okay?!”

From afar, she heard Eisel’s voice. The hand-shaped spell was clearly inspired by Mayuseong’s signature magic, which Eisel had tried

to mimic.

“I’m fine. But for now...”

Looking up, she saw the giant wraith regaining its stance.

It had been a good move to lure the wraith away from other students, but the sheer power of the creature made it difficult for her to take on even one.

“We’ll have to take it down.”

“Do you even know what it is?”

Eisel shook her head, unsure.

“It seems like a fragmented wraith, but I don’t know anything beyond that.”

“One thing’s clear—we have to destroy it.”

Screams echoed from across the campus, indicating that more wraiths were appearing. The professors must be fighting them off, but the sheer number would make it difficult to keep up.

“Do you have a plan?”

“The underground shelter. It’s protected by a holy barrier, so the wraiths can’t enter. We need to evacuate the students there.”

“But... I saw it on my way here. The entrance is completely blocked by debris, and dozens of wraiths are blocking the path, sensing the life inside.”

“We’ll need help from other students and professors. First, we take down this one, then recruit allies as we advance. Simple, right?”

Flame grinned, and Eisel nodded.

“I’ll lead the way. Remember League of Spirits?”

“Just like last time.”

As Eisel gripped her staff with both hands, a massive explosion of flames erupted in the distance.

*Boom! Boom!*

The flames were so intense and frequent that it was obvious who was casting them.

“One of our allies is already there.”

“Yes, let’s go!”

Eisel froze the ground ahead, sliding forward, while Flame followed close behind, summoning arrows of light.

*We can do this.*

Though fear gnawed at her over how long this situation might last and whether the wraiths could even be defeated, she wasn’t one to back down.

*If others have faced this situation thousands of times before... then just once... I can overcome it too.*