I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 400
Starting a private training session with Scarlet proved challenging due to the lack of suitable locations. They needed a place where they could use magic without prying eyes, especially since Scarlet had to wield magic far beyond her known 3rd-class level for Yuseol’s growth.
“...There's no such place.”
No matter how deserted a gym or magic training ground seemed, there were always one or two people around.
“Can’t we use magic to fix this?”
“I could cast a perception-dulling spell and clear the place out in one go!”
“Oh?”
“But then, I’d probably get kicked out by Elteman.”
“...Yeah, let’s not do that.”
Practicing in the dormitory was out of the question—it was far too cramped for anything serious. The outdoor areas of Stella Academy offered space, but using powerful magic outside of sanctioned training was strictly prohibited, not to mention highly conspicuous.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got the perfect solution!” Scarlet announced confidently.
“...Really?”
“Of course!”
Her assurance felt oddly dubious, but lacking better options, Yuseol followed Scarlet. She led him to one of the S-Class training facilities: the “Jungle Zone.” It was an area designed with dense foliage and obstacles, meant to simulate a challenging natural environment.
This place was infamous for being inconvenient, as the dense terrain made it ill-suited for high-level spell practice. Consequently, it was sparsely used—but not entirely empty. About a dozen S-Class male students were training there.
“This place is so humid and sticky that most girls avoid it,” Scarlet explained.
“...Didn’t know that.”
Yuseol shrugged and moved to open the door.
“Wait!” Scarlet grabbed his arm, grinning as she pointed to a nearby corner.
“The trash can?”
“No, behind it! Hide over there.”
“Why?”
“Your presence wouldn’t exactly help my plan.”
“...Fine.”
Not fully understanding her logic, Yuseol obediently hid in the shadows and peered into the training ground through a window. Scarlet flung the door open confidently, instantly drawing all eyes to herself.
“Oh? Scarlet!”
Some first-year boys greeted her enthusiastically, while the older second- and third-years gave polite nods.
‘Familiar faces,’ Scarlet thought, recognizing a few from shared lectures or academy events.
“Are you here to train?”
“Great! Join us!”
“Ah, well...”
Some of the boys eagerly approached her, but the previously bold Scarlet suddenly became bashful. She lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers.
“I... I was hoping to find a quiet place to train on my own. You see, I’m practicing a secret magic technique, and... I’m too embarrassed to show anyone...”
Yuseol, watching from his hiding spot, nearly choked on air. Scarlet—the Scarlet—was twisting her body and acting shy in a way he had never imagined.
‘What the...? It... kind of suits her?’
With her naturally cute appearance and surprising acting skills, Scarlet had the boys captivated.
“Secret magic, you say?”
“Yes... But it’s too crowded here. I guess I’ll just have to leave...”
As Scarlet turned to leave, the boys panicked.
“Wait, Scarlet! I was just about to finish up. You can use the place.”
“Me too! I’m done for the day anyway.”
“Yeah, same here...”
One by one, the boys offered to vacate the training ground. Even those who weren’t planning to leave felt compelled to follow suit. A student council member even promised to put up a sign to keep others from entering.
‘So that’s why she told me to hide...’
Yuseol now understood her reasoning. Scarlet’s strategy would’ve been far less effective if another boy had been present.
“Okay, Yuseol, you can come out now!” Scarlet called, her face glowing with pride.
Yuseol sighed and stepped into the now-empty training ground.
“Do you... do this often?”
“Do what?”
“Lure boys in with your charm?”
“Lure? I was just being playful. It’s fun to see their reactions!”
“...You’re not extorting them, are you?”
“Extorting? What kind of person do you think I am? If anything, I should be charging them for how entertaining this is.”
Yuseol pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just don’t take it too far. They’re teenagers—getting their hopes up could really hurt them.”
“Of course! I know where to draw the line. It’s just harmless fun.”
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“...Harmless, huh.”
Scarlet truly seemed oblivious to how seriously some of the boys might take her actions. Yuseol decided not to press further. They had a rare chance to train undisturbed, and he intended to make the most of it.
Three hours later, Scarlet lay sprawled on the ground, completely spent.
Yuseol stared at her, a bemused expression on his face. “You lasted... three hours?”
Scarlet groaned, barely lifting a hand to wave him off. “Just... give me a minute...”
“You’re the Witch Queen, yet you’re already out of energy?”
“Hey! I’ve been living the quiet life! I wasn’t ready for this level of intensity!”
Yuseol sighed. “We’re going to need to work on your stamina.”
Scarlet pouted, glaring at him weakly. “You’re relentless...”
“Ugh... ugh...”
“Hey, why are you so exhausted already?”
Scarlet, looking utterly drained, panted heavily while Yuseol stood there completely unfazed, looking at her with a bemused expression.
“This is way too easy.”
“...What?”
Scarlet’s face turned pale. Easy? She was putting her all into this training, yet he found it easy?
“I’m doing my best!”
“Doesn’t seem like it. When you were acting as a professor before, you felt way more threatening and imposing.”
“That’s because...”
Back then, Scarlet had fully unleashed her stored power. Having infiltrated Stella Academy in secret, away from Elteman’s watchful eyes, she’d used her true strength—and Yuseol just happened to be her opponent at the time.
“Ahem, so what do you want me to do?”
“This watered-down magic isn’t helpful at all.”
“Ugh, you don’t have to say it like that!”
“That won’t work on me.”
“Cheh...”
“Let’s switch up the training method.”
Scarlet, still seated and cross-legged, puffed out her cheeks in a pout. Though her short skirt was precariously positioned, she seemed to be managing the angles diligently.
“Switch the method? To what?”
“For example... let’s train like lions.”
“Lions...?”
Confused, Scarlet mulled over his words. Yuseol elaborated, “You know the old saying? Lions raise their cubs by throwing them off cliffs.”
“Well, yeah, something like that exists.” Scarlet sighed.
“But lions are part of the cat family. They’re known for their strong maternal instincts. Would they really throw their cubs off cliffs...?”
Yuseol answered firmly, “No, of course not. Lions only have one or two cubs at a time. They wouldn’t do something so reckless.”
“Exactly.”
“Besides, there aren’t even cliffs in the grasslands where lions live, so they couldn’t do it even if they wanted to.”
At this point, Scarlet was bewildered.
“So why bring up lions if it’s nonsense...?”
“It’s just a figure of speech. If ‘lion’ bothers you, should I say ‘tiger’ instead?”
Scarlet realized she was overthinking it. Yuseol didn’t care about consistency or logic—he just wanted something that sounded impressive.
“Hmm, tiger works. Let’s train like tigers. Yeah, that clicks. Feeling the vibe now?”
Not at all. Scarlet wanted to say this outright but instead chuckled and nodded. She understood what he was getting at anyway.
And yet, she’d entertained this pointless banter because, well...
Maybe I just wanted to talk about silly things with Yuseol, even if it wasn’t important.
“What about training like eagles?”
“I don’t have wings, so no.”
“...Do you at least have a mane or a tail?”
Scarlet’s pride was momentarily stung.
“Fine, your idea’s interesting, but it’s not doable.”
“Why not?”
“...Because the me you’re seeing now is different from back then.”
Scarlet wasn’t operating at full capacity. Her true body was sealed away somewhere deep and hidden in the world. She could only interact through this proxy, and proxies couldn’t wield their full strength.
Her ability to maintain her current form and continue living at Stella was thanks to her deliberate suppression of her powers, limiting herself to 3rd-class magic. Any greater exertion would instantly dissolve her proxy.
But even as she was, Scarlet was the Witch Queen. Despite her trust in Yuseol, she wasn’t ready to reveal such vulnerabilities.
“Ah, it’s because of the limitations of your proxy,” Yuseol said.
“...Why are you so sharp only when it comes to these things?”
“I’m sharp about everything.”
“...Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“So, if you could tap into your true power, this wouldn’t be an issue, right?”
“Well, yes, but Stella’s full of wards. That little brat Elteman layered so many barriers on this place it’s stifling. I’m barely holding on as it is!”
“Wards, huh...”
Yuseol stroked his chin thoughtfully, then suddenly pulled out a notebook from his subspace and started jotting something down. Curious, Scarlet stood up and tried to peek, but her height forced her to hop up and down for a better view.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m sketching a design for an antenna.”
“An antenna...?”
“Yeah, something to help you better receive power from your true body.”
“Do you think I’m a walkie-talkie or something?”
“Isn’t it close enough?”
“How do you even see me...?” Scarlet pouted as Yuseol nonchalantly pulled out two wooden sticks and stuck them onto her head.
“Ow! Hey! Do you have any idea who I am? I’m the Witch Queen!”
“How’s it feel?”
Scarlet blinked, looking up at the air above her. Could it be? He already finished the design?
But...
“I don’t feel anything.”
“Of course not. They’re just wooden sticks. I was asking if they were uncomfortable to wear. Are you really the Witch Queen?”
Scarlet’s face turned beet red as she lowered her head in embarrassment. Yuseol genuinely started questioning whether this clumsy girl in front of him was truly a legendary witch.
Is it really okay for me to be learning from someone like this...?
