Magic Academy's Genius Blinker-Chapter 455: Arctic Iceberg Mountain (2)

The long weekdays had finally passed, and the weekend arrived, but the students of Stella were as busy as ever.

A student who whimsically suggested going out to admire cherry blossoms would never have made it into Stella in the first place.

Why? Because exams were just a month away.

Although Stella always had tests looming overhead, the atmosphere at the start of the semester was different.

Students unhappy with their current classes studied diligently to move up to higher classes, while those already in higher classes focused on keeping their ranks.

This, combined with the pride of attending the most renowned academy, created a subtle atmosphere where everyone naturally dedicated themselves to studying.

During her first year, Flame had been among the elite who set the tone for this demanding academic environment.

Despite being a commoner, she earned top grades and proudly held the title of being in the prestigious Class S right from the beginning.

When she spent entire days absorbed in her studies, other commoner students felt deeply motivated and tirelessly copied her routine, racing between the library and study rooms.

But now... It was different.

There was a time when missing even a single day of study would have felt like breaking out in hives.

Calling it 'a time' felt like it had happened ages ago, but in reality, it was just a month ago.

Now, however, she couldn't focus on her studies at all.

It wasn't that she wasn't feeling anxious.

Despite already possessing enough knowledge to earn multiple doctoral degrees, she knew all too well that even greater effort was required to stand on equal footing with Baek Yu-Seol.

And yet, the reason she couldn't focus - why she pushed herself to go out even on weekends when everyone else was studying - was simple.

'I have to find the lost divine artifact of Silver Autumn Moon...'

It was early dawn. The time when the first light had just begun to break through the darkness. The sky was still dim and gray.

With tired eyes, Flame quietly exited through Stella's main gate.

Though there were few people out and about at this hour, she spotted a handful of others.

She saw two or three private carriages moving through the streets and slowly made her way to Stella's exclusive carriage station.

"...?"

"Oh! You're here!"

And there, she encountered an unexpected person.

A girl holding a tray stacked high. Rice cakes and cheesy meat dumplings in her left hand, and instant ramen cups, three types of sauces, and fried shrimp in her right.

Her name was Eisel.

The girl with blue hair tied in a tight ponytail was enjoying an early morning... or rather, a dawn feast. Snacks were piled up high in both of her hands.

"You... What are you doing?"

"Huh? Ehehe, I guess I've been eating a bit more lately?"

"No. You've always eaten a lot... Aren't you on a diet or something?"

"Diet? Hmm, well, my weight has gone up a little, but it doesn't feel like I've gained any fat."

Flame instinctively glanced at Eisel's chest and hips.

For some reason, it appeared like all her weight gain had gone to very specific areas.

Seeing Eisel's condition made Flame irrationally annoyed.

"Want a bite?"

"... Should I?"

Of course, annoyance aside, she couldn't resist the snacks.

Flame was never the type to strictly watch her diet, anyway.

Among the three girls in the Class S of second-years, Hong Bi-Yeon was probably the only one who actually cared about maintaining her figure and appearance.

"But how did you even know I'd be here?"

Flame asked while poking a dumpling with a toothpick and bringing it to her mouth.

At this, Eisel flinched slightly before responding.

"Shouldn't you be asking where you're going at this hour instead?"

"Where you're going doesn't even matter. It's obvious you followed me."

"Ehehe."

"Ehehe? Don't laugh like you're feigning innocence and just answer me."

"Uhh..."

Pretending to think for a moment, Eisel then gave a vague yet somehow plausible answer.

"Gut feeling?"

"...?"

"Or maybe... A sixth sense?"

"That's the same thing."

"It's the ability to intuitively grasp the truth of a situation without relying on analytical reasoning."

"... You just recited the dictionary definition of gut feeling, didn't you?"

"Well, anyway! I'm the only one who noticed that you're worried about something, Flame."

"Ugh..."

Still, it's almost eerie.

Was this what it meant to be the protagonist of the novel?

How else could Eisel have predicted that she would come out at this hour?

Well... It wasn't exactly impossible to guess.

Flame had been mirroring Baek Yu-Seol's schedule ever since he started disappearing right after classes on weeknights and heading out early on weekends.

And because Eisel had been keeping a close eye on her, it wouldn't have been difficult for her to notice.

Even if she didn't know the exact time, all she had to do was wake up earlier than anyone else and wait.

With limited early-morning transportation and no airships operating at that time, the carriage stop for the train station was the only logical destination.

And if Flame didn't show up before the airships began running, Eisel could always head over to the airship terminal later without being late.

It was unexpectedly thorough planning for someone like her.

At the same time, Flame discovered something surprising. Dumplings dipped in tteokbokki sauce were delicious.

"You... Who first came up with this way of eating? I had no idea it could be this good..."

"I just dip everything I see into sauces. I've even tried dipping blood sausage into chili paste before."

Ah. That's a bit much.

After finishing what was essentially a breakfast feast of snacks, Eisel neatly sorted the trash into bags and carefully separated the recyclables before disposing of them in the nearby bins.

She was unexpectedly neat.

Flame, on the other hand, would have likely stuffed everything into a single bin without much thought.

With their meal concluded, a brief silence settled.

Then, Eisel rummaged through her bag and handed a few pills to Flame.

"What's this?"

"You look exhausted."

Saying that, Eisel pulled out a small handheld mirror and showed it to her.

In the reflection, Flame could see the dark circles under her eyes, which had deepened considerably.

Since she hadn't put on much makeup, there was no way to hide them.

"Well... yeah."

Touching the area beneath her eyes, Flame slipped her hand into her pocket and took out a small cube shaped like an octahedron.

It was a Fragment of Constellation.

Previously, the Knight Commander, Arein, had given her this item, instructing her to access the Star Archive.

At the time, it was reported that employing this artifact had completely drained its power, rendering it inert.

However, Flame had kept the now-darkened fragment, believing it to be an important key item.

The Star Archive was said to store not only records of this world but also events that had never existed or had once existed and then vanished.

In other words, this fragment, which could open a doorway to the timelines of every world, was something that defied the natural order of existence.

Although it had lost its power and could no longer let her glimpse into the timelines of all worlds, Flame believed it might still allow her to perform a similar action.

"Hmm... But the carriage still hasn't arrived. Could something be going on today?"

"No idea."

Come to think of it, it was strange.

Typically, private carriages would be lined up early in the morning, ready for passengers.

Like taxis...

When she was younger, she had always been afraid to take taxis alone and would make sure a friend came with her.

If no one could accompany her, she preferred walking to riding alone.

She couldn't recall why she felt that way.

She only knew that taxis were scary.

Being alone with a stranger had made her uneasy.

Propping her face on her elbow, she rested her knee on the ground and stared blankly at Stella's front gate.

Suddenly.

Zzt!

A sharp sensation pulsed through her head, like an alarm going off.

It wasn't unfamiliar.

In fact, it felt oddly familiar.

It was the same sensation she felt whenever the angels sent their voices to her.

"... Huh?"

But no matter how long she waited, no voice came this time.

Puzzled, she lifted her head right as Stella's front gate swung open and a luxurious, red-ornamented automatic carriage rolled out.

"Huh? Flame, look at that..."

"Yeah... What's going on today?"

Clatter!

If it had been just an ordinary carriage, she wouldn't have paid much attention.

But the Adolevit crest emblazoned on it was impossible to ignore.

After all, there was only one student at Stella who used the Adolevit crest.

The carriage's wheels clicked softly against the cobblestones as it rushed past Flame and Eisel without stopping.

... Only to reverse a moment later and return to the station.

The window rolled down, revealing Hong Bi-Yeon, who appeared unusually disheveled.

"What's this? What's got the princess out so early?"

"... You're not looking too great yourself."

"Thanks for the early-morning proverbs."

Flame twisted a lock of her hair around her finger, noting that Hong Bi-Yeon's condition seemed no better than her own. Not that she was one to judge.

After scanning the area briefly, Hong Bi-Yeon suddenly spoke.

"Get in."

Without any hesitation, Flame rose to her feet, marched over to the carriage, flung open the door, and sat down inside.

"... Not even a second of hesitation, huh?"

"Huh? A friend offers a ride... you take it."

"F-Friend...?"

"Wait for meee! I have so much stuff to pack...!"

Eisel hurried after them, struggling under the weight of her massive luggage.

Even though it was clearly a spatial-expansion bag, its size hinted at an absurd amount of gear stuffed inside.

"Geez, what the hell did you bring all this stuff for?"

Flame grumbled as she helped Eisel with the luggage.

Eisel, however, responded with a dignified expression.

"You never know when or where something might happen. A lady must always be prepared to handle any situation!"

"So why the hell did you pack a wine opener...?"

"Ah! Don't touch that!"

Snatching the bag away from Flame, who had begun rummaging through it, Eisel set it securely in the corner of the carriage.

Hong Bi-Yeon quietly observed their antics before finally speaking.

"So?"

"Wow! Could you be any shorter with your words? Would it kill you to say something like, 'So where should I take you, Miss Flame?'"

"Get out."

"We're heading to Osbolt Station."

Resting her chin on her palm, Hong Bi-Yeon smirked slightly.

"What kind of trouble are you up to this time?"

Osbolt Station was located in the northwestern region of the continent. It was a place rarely visited by students. As a result, it wasn't a busy stop compared to others.

"Well, let's just say it's important."

"... Like last time?"

"Maybe... Even more important than last time."

At that, Hong Bi-Yeon turned her gaze out the window, still resting her chin on her hand.

Before the conversation could fade, Eisel, who hated awkward silences, quickly jumped in.

"Now that I think about it, you seem to have your own plans. Are you sure you're okay giving us a ride?"

"I'm not okay with it. I need to go to Rockbells Station."

Rockbells Station was located in the exact opposite direction of Osbolt.

Since Hong Bi-Yeon had made the offer herself, Flame couldn't call it inconsiderate, but she still felt a pang of guilt.

"I thought you were heading to the royal palace."

"... No, not that."

Hong Bi-Yeon pressed her lips tightly together.

There was no way she could admit that she had been heading to a temple to have her condition checked.

Not a hospital. A temple.

For someone like her, who refused to believe in superstitions or faith, even considering such a thing was a blow to her pride.

'They said the only way to bring the fever down is through a blessing...'

Her body was still burning up.

With regular medicine failing her, a divine blessing seemed to be her last resort.

Whether Flame had caught on to this or not, she suddenly leaned forward and poked Hong Bi-Yeon's forehead.

"Ugh... What the hell are you doing?"

Unlike usual, Hong Bi-Yeon couldn't even get angry properly or put up much resistance.

As expected, her condition was serious.

When Flame gently lifted the front of Hong Bi-Yeon's collar, she noticed beads of cold sweat forming on her skin.

"... You're pretty impressive, acting like you're perfectly fine. Just hang on a bit."

With a sigh, Flame pulled out her staff, closed her eyes, and began chanting a spell.

All at once, a small magic circle flared into existence... only to burst apart with a commotion, morphing into a set of wings.

"Do you always have to make such a racket while casting magic...?"

Flame was probably the only person in the world who could make healing magic this loud and dramatic.

Those glowing wings floated above Hong Bi-Yeon's head, gently circling before settling over her.

Almost immediately, her pale complexion brightened, and her condition visibly improved.

"You... Were you cursed or something—? No, never mind. Forget it."

Flame had blurted the question without thinking, only to recall that Hong Bi-Yeon truly was cursed.

She immediately fell silent.

Noticing this, Hong Bi-Yeon gave her a knowing smile.

"You're so transparent. You know, but you're awful at pretending you don't."

"... Still, don't worry about it. The reason I'm sick is because I'm in the process of purifying the curse."

"... What? Purifying a curse?"

That wasn't in the original story.

In the novel, Hong Bi-Yeon had always been portrayed as someone living on borrowed time.

Hah.

"I see..."

Then again...

Baek Yu-Seol wouldn't have just left her to die, would he?

That thought unexpectedly reassured Flame, prompting a soft, amused chuckle.

'Still, I can't just sit back and do nothing.'

Now it was her turn to help him.

With that determination in her heart, Flame steeled herself for what lay ahead.