I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 413

In a separate dimension, an unknown world.

The entire realm shimmered with shifting hues—purple turned to blue, blue to green, and green to red, in an endlessly mysterious transformation. At the heart of this enigmatic world floated a large, circular table with chairs surrounding it.

Though the table had no designated "head," anyone would assume that Hoegongsihwol, seated confidently with his arms crossed and eyes closed, occupied the place of highest honor.

Behind him stood a robed mage's statue and a massive dragon sculpture. Other than Hoegongsihwol, no one seemed to know why these figures existed in this mystical space.

A ripple suddenly disturbed the space. From it emerged a young man with striking blue hair and a girl with violet hair.

Cheoncheong Haeowol and Jaryeok Ilwol.

Hoegongsihwol opened his eyes and glanced at them.

"Ah, Hoegongsihwol, you’re already here," Cheoncheong Haeowol said with a smile.

“...Yes.”

While Cheoncheong Haeowol spoke nonchalantly, Hoegongsihwol responded curtly.

Jaryeok Ilwol, visibly uncomfortable with their interaction, scurried to a chair on the opposite side of the table.

"Ugh, this atmosphere is the worst," she muttered, pulling a candy from her pocket and popping it into her mouth.

Not long ago, Cheoncheong Haeowol had stirred up a major incident by capturing the Rising Dragon’s Tide fleet in a massive whirlpool to lure Angel. This, however, had not been part of Hoegongsihwol's plan.

The event occurred in the middle of the ocean, far from any continent, but it wouldn’t be long before the world found out.

In other words, humanity would soon realize that the Twelve Shinsunmoons were actively interfering in their affairs.

Hoegongsihwol despised such exposure. For reasons unknown, Cheoncheong Haeowol had acted independently.

‘Though it was supposedly for my sake.’

In truth, the one among the Twelve Shinsunmoons seeking to use Angel as a vessel wasn’t Cheoncheong Haeowol but Jaryeok Ilwol.

Though she appeared to be a child no older than ten, Jaryeok Ilwol wielded a terrifying power: absolute penetration, capable of piercing through anything with her lightning.

Yet even she couldn’t freely wield her powers without a vessel, which was why Hoegongsihwol wanted Angel.

However, after Jeokha Yuwol's disastrous attempt to use Hong Biyeon as a vessel—an effort thwarted by Baek Yuseol—Hoegongsihwol had decided to postpone any plans involving Angel and proceed cautiously.

‘Who would’ve thought that Cheoncheong Haeowol, of all people, would act so rashly...?’

Jaryeok Ilwol kept her head down, pretending not to notice the tense standoff between Cheoncheong Haeowol and Hoegongsihwol. She clicked her tongue, her unease evident.

She might have been the most destructive of the group, but she had no confidence in her ability to take on either of them.

Cheoncheong Haeowol possessed an impenetrable shield and a calculating nature that made his moves difficult to predict. Hoegongsihwol, on the other hand, was the undisputed strongest among the Twelve.

‘I miss the quiet life,’ Jaryeok Ilwol thought bitterly.

Unlike other Shinsunmoons, she had spent her time disguised as a child, wandering rural villages in peace. Though she couldn’t use much of her power or assume an adult form, she had been content with the simplicity of it.

No ambitions, no desires, no goals. The only reason she was here was because she feared Hoegongsihwol’s threats.

She had hoped that, whatever the issue, Hoegongsihwol would handle it swiftly and cleanly.

‘That damned Baek Yuseol is the real problem!’

Why did he keep interfering with Hoegongsihwol and putting him in such a foul mood? If only he’d act like a proper human and quietly accept the Shinsunmoons' will. That would make everything so much easier.

“Cheoncheong Haeowol,” Hoegongsihwol finally said.

“Yes? What is it?”

“I won’t ask for reasons. But whatever happens from now on... you will take full responsibility.”

“Of course. That’s only fair.”

Cheoncheong Haeowol smiled broadly. It was a hollow, insincere grin.

Hoegongsihwol said no more, turning his gaze away and closing his eyes again. Cheoncheong Haeowol casually approached Jaryeok Ilwol and whispered.

“Are you sure this will work?”

“I’m not sure... but there’s no other way to bring Angel Morphe. She’s Baek Yuseol’s most cherished vessel.”

“Wait, Baek Yuseol cherishes her? Then isn’t that his vessel? What if we end up provoking him by taking it?”

Their casual discussion, treating humans as mere tools, would go unchallenged.

“That’s why I used this approach. Admiral Hallisveil is a 9th-class archmage, famous for his love and care for his crew and daughter. He’ll definitely offer Angel as a sacrifice.”

“A 9th-class mage? That’s pretty strong for a human, right?”

“Yes. That’s why it was tricky to act when Hallisveil was present.”

If Hallisveil had been there, Cheoncheong Haeowol’s whirlpool would never have been able to manifest. While humans might seem weak compared to the Shinsunmoons, a 9th-class mage wasn’t someone to dismiss lightly. Their interference could have disrupted the entire plan.

That’s why he waited for Hallisveil’s absence.

Without their admiral, the fleet was powerless against the Shinsunmoon’s abilities. By the time Hallisveil arrived, the situation was already under control.

Though Hallisveil might attempt to dispel the whirlpool with magic, Cheoncheong Haeowol had threatened to drown the fleet if he tried.

“That human is strong. It would be an interesting fight.”

“...But you’d win in the end.”

With the unique powers of the Shinsunmoons, defeat at the hands of a human was unthinkable.

‘Cowardly bastard,’ Jaryeok Ilwol thought to herself.

He likely avoided a direct confrontation with Hallisveil out of fear of the consequences. Still, she decided to let it go.

‘This is for my benefit, after all. I’ll turn a blind eye.’

If they succeeded in securing Angel, perhaps they could finally deal with that arrogant Baek Yuseol.

“Even so... are we just going to sit here and wait?”

Few mages in the human realm could stand against Hallisveil one-on-one.

Still, just in case...

“Of course, we’re not just going to wait.”

“Then...”

“This is essentially a threat against Baek Yuseol. He’ll learn about it eventually. But even with his abilities, he won’t be able to destroy my whirlpool. He’ll face a choice.”

“A choice? Ah... right, Baek Yuseol is all about saving people, isn’t he?”

“Exactly.”

Cheoncheong Haeowol smirked as he patted Jaryeok Ilwol on the head. She shook him off irritably, but the point was clear.

“Hoegongsihwol might not like it, but this situation won’t stay quiet. The whole world will know. They’ll see Baek Yuseol’s choice as well.”

The choice would be clear for all to see.

Would Baek Yuseol save the countless lives of the Rising Dragon’s Tide fleet?

Or...

Would he choose to save Angel Morphe, the child of a traitor?

It didn’t matter what choice he made.

Even if they failed to bring Angel as a vessel, forcing Baek Yuseol to abandon the fleet would be enough.

“He won’t be able to act as he did before. Sacrificing so many lives for the sake of a traitor’s child... the world won’t forgive that.”

A despicable scheme.

Jaryeok Ilwol thought so sincerely but kept her expression neutral as she turned away.

All she could hope for was that none of the fallout would reach her.

***

Meanwhile, Angel and Prillane, at Hong Biyeon’s request, met with Admiral Hallisveil to hear his account.

“A Shinsunmoon, and not just any but Cheoncheong Haeowol, threatening us...”

It had already been a month since the incident, leaving two months of grace period remaining.

Angel, her face pale, lowered her head.

‘They... want me?’

A Shinsunmoon, one of the most feared beings in existence, had taken the famous Rising Dragon’s Tide fleet hostage and blackmailed a 9th-class archmage just to claim her. Even for someone who prided herself on her nerves of steel, Angel couldn’t stop the sinking feeling in her chest.

“Stay calm. Don’t lose your head,” Hong Biyeon said firmly, prompting Angel to bite her lip hard.

“You’ve been through something similar, haven’t you?” Angel asked.

“...I have,” Hong Biyeon admitted.

“But... this is different from your situation.”

Back then, Hong Biyeon’s life alone had been at stake, and Baek Yuseol had been by her side to protect her.

This time was different.

If Angel didn’t sacrifice herself, countless lives would be at risk.

Worse, Admiral Hallisveil had been forbidden from informing Baek Yuseol, despite knowing he was an expert on the Shinsunmoons. The threat hung heavy, preventing them from reaching out to the one person who could offer a solution.

“What... are we supposed to do?”

As the three girls and Admiral Hallisveil deliberated with grim expressions, Hong Biyeon’s communication orb began to vibrate.

She calmly picked it up, and a panicked voice came through.

“Princess Hong Biyeon! Forgive the intrusion, but please, pass the receiver to the Admiral!”

“This voice... Chief Navigator Kaln, isn’t it? Speak; I’m listening,” she replied.

“Admiral, it’s a disaster! The Clozier, a cruise ship sailing near the Eastern Seas, has just reported sighting the massive whirlpool where our fleet is trapped. It’s all over the newspapers now!”

“What?!” Admiral Hallisveil shot to his feet. He had gone to great lengths to keep the whirlpool secret, controlling access to the seas. But during his brief absence, a cruise ship, with so many onlookers, had sailed too close.

Now the entire world knew about the whirlpool.

“Damn it. If Baek Yuseol finds out about this incident... Cheoncheong Haeowol might claim we’ve broken the terms and retaliate with who knows what kind of threat!”

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

But that wasn’t the worst of it.

“Admiral... we’ve received further information. A single survivor managed to escape from within the whirlpool and spoke to the cruise passengers about everything that happened inside...”

“N-No way...”

Admiral Hallisveil was aghast, and Angel, listening from the side, felt like screaming.

“Yes. Now the entire world knows. About Cheoncheong Haeowol, the Shinsunmoon who governs the sea, and how he seeks only one thing: Angel Morphe.”

Angel’s hands trembled violently, her lips as pale as her face. Prillane grabbed her hand tightly, but she couldn’t find the words to comfort her friend.

“This is...”

Hong Biyeon clutched her forehead, feeling a wave of dizziness.

If only Baek Yuseol had known about this a month ago.

If only he’d been given the chance to act in advance, he might have devised a solution...

“...Maybe that’s what Cheoncheong Haeowol wanted,” Prillane said through clenched teeth.

“It was only a matter of time before Baek Yuseol found out. But Cheoncheong Haeowol wanted the world to learn first. He wanted to force the situation into a corner, giving Baek Yuseol no time to think of another plan.”

Now, the world was aware.

It wasn’t just Angel Morphe’s life on the line.

It was the countless lives of the Rising Dragon’s Tide fleet, the protectors of the seas who vanquished pirates and monsters alike.

“A...”

Angel closed her eyes tightly, on the verge of fainting.

‘If only this were all just a dream...’