I Became the Genius Mage of the Martial Academy

Baek Hasin was always the one who was doubted.

Ever since he was left in the care of the Baek family as a child, along with the sword his mother had left behind.

Whether he was a blood relative, whether he would cause trouble like that one day, whether he would get involved in the succession battle, and so on.

The gazes that always surrounded him were of vigilance and suspicion.

However, even for such a Baek Hasin, there was once a friend who had approached him without prejudice.

Baek Ra-uk. It was perhaps natural that they, who were both persecuted by their families, became close.

Although it was only for a brief period in their childhood, the moments they had played together were enjoyable.

Although they had parted ways due to circumstances later on, the events of that day were one of the few memories that Baek Hasin cherished.

That was the same even after entering the Martial Academy.

The appearance of Baek Ra-uk, whom he had seen after 10 years, had changed a lot. It seemed he had established a certain position within the family.

On the other hand, Baek Hasin still had many enemies.

That’s why he couldn’t approach.

Even when doing group projects. He couldn’t cause trouble for his friend because of himself, who had been marked by Baek Yuhwan.

It was a regrettable but unavoidable choice. Now, they were not the children of those days.

Then, this time too, the one who approached was Baek Ra-uk.

“It’s been a while. That sword is still the same.”

Baek Ra-uk approached without hesitation. Just like that day when they had played together 10 years ago.

“What a coincidence. I also came in with the sword I received from my older brother. Though it’s a memento now.”

He said with a melancholic look in his eyes and then quickly changed the subject.

“I saw the teams this time, and it seems we’re up against each other.”

“That’s right. No hard feelings if you lose.”

“…You’re so full of yourself for being at a disadvantage. You better do well yourself.”

Baek Hasin smiled faintly at Baek Ra-uk’s dismissive reaction.

After that, he met Zhuge Cheonwu, who was famous for being a scoundrel, and he came up with a sharp yet bold strategy. And then he took on the most dangerous role and succeeded brilliantly.

Baek Hasin, who had thus seized victory, sought out Zhuge Cheonwu to express his gratitude.

And also to show off to Baek Ra-uk.

It might seem obnoxious, but it would be okay to play a prank like this.

Because they were friends.

‘Zhuge Cheonwu doesn’t seem to be as cold-blooded as the rumors say.’

Baek Hasin sought them out with a subtle sense of anticipation.

Perhaps since they were both in the same place, they might be able to start a conversation among the three of them this time.

It should have been that way.

But what unfolded before Baek Hasin when he arrived at the scene was a blackened Do Sogi and Baek Ra-uk, covered in blood and clutching a broken sword.

And in the midst of all that tragedy was the figure of Zhuge Cheonwu, aiming his sword at Baek Ra-uk’s neck with a cold gaze.

It was a sensation as if his blood had run cold.

As if to reprimand his strangely excited self, the scene of reality was coldly laid out before him.

That’s why Baek Hasin had no choice but to ask.

“What are you doing?”

* * *

‘This has become troublesome.’

I, who had sheathed my sword, lightly clicked my tongue.

From the blackened and collapsed Do Sogi to Baek Ra-uk, who was holding a broken sword while covered in blood.

And in the middle of it all, the former top student scoundrel, standing with a perfectly fine face.

It was a situation that was perfect for being misunderstood.

“Why is it like this?”

Soon, Baek Hasin’s gaze turned to the person responsible for this situation.

“Because he rushed at me first.”

“Still! It’s too much.”

I calmly asked back, looking at the vehemently reacting Baek Hasin.

“So you’re saying I should have held back? To the guys who were trying to kill me?”

“Kill you…! It was just an exam.”

“The one who rushed at me as soon as the instructor disappeared was Do Sogi. And Baek Ra-uk, who was next to him, condoned it.”

At my words, Baek Hasin narrowed his brow as if he couldn’t believe it. Just as I was about to continue my exposé at that sight.

“It’s a misunderstanding.”

Baek Ra-uk cut in.

“I didn’t condone it. I just couldn’t interfere because it was beyond my ability.”

“So you’re saying you also saw Do Sogi go berserk and attack me on his own.”

“…Yes.”

With this, I had secured a witness. To think he would deny it right away just because I scratched him a little.

‘I can finish Do Sogi with this.’

If I took him to Go Wontae under the pretext of treatment, I would be able to find out about the drug.

And if a witness is added to that, it’s an unconditional expulsion.

‘The problem is that guy.’

After a short deliberation, I looked at Baek Ra-uk and asked.

“For someone who couldn’t interfere because you lacked the skill, you were quite strong.”

“What?”

Baek Hasin, who blinked his two eyes as if surprised by my testimony.

Baek Ra-uk tried his best to hide his uncomfortable expression and continued.

“Thank you for seeing me in a good light, but I’m not at that level…”

“What are you talking about. You’re hiding your skills. You’re not at the level of a held-back student.”

“W-what are you talking about…”

When I pointed it out directly, the guy became a mute who had eaten honey for a moment.

‘Since he’s still playing the weakling in front of Baek Hasin.’

The reason Baek Ra-uk had approached Baek Hasin was to keep the successor forces within the family in check.

That meant that he was a guy who would consistently interfere with Baek Hasin in the future.

‘I’ll plant the seeds of doubt in advance.’

“I don’t know why you’re pretending to be weak and staying as a held-back student, but don’t try to deceive the eyes of those around you. This is not a place to be taken lightly.”

After saying that, I carried Do Sogi on my back.

If I had my way, I would have had Baek Ra-uk, who was in the same team, do it, but since I didn’t know what he would do, it was more comfortable for me to take him.

‘He’s damn heavy.’

Even though my mana had gotten stronger, my body was still weak. This was not just a matter of muscle strength, but a matter of my innate constitution and debuffs.

I moved forward, trying my best to support my trembling legs under the heavy weight with my remaining mana.

I could feel Baek Hasin’s wary gaze from behind, but I had already expected it.

After all, the level of intimacy that Baek Ra-uk and he had built up was different.

Of course, he wouldn’t be able to believe me right away.

‘But conversely, it’s easy to make him lose trust.’

Just by the fact that he was caught lying, he would lose trust.

I glanced at Baek Hasin and Baek Ra-uk, who were walking at a subtle distance, and headed to the gathering place.

“Heok!”

“What is this? Zhuge Cheonwu and… Do Sogi?!”

At the gathering place, two groups of teams whose victory or defeat had already been decided were gathered.

They were terrified when they saw me coming down the mountain, carrying a blackened Do Sogi.

“He’s merciless.”

“At that level, it’s not just a matter of roughing him up, is it?”

“Staying out overnight without permission and even assault under the guise of an exam…”

Strange rumors were being added day by day, but right now, I didn’t have the time to pay attention to them.

My muscles were screaming with every step I took.

‘Damn it.’

I could feel firsthand how hard it was to carry an unconscious person.

It was on a different level from hiking with just my own body.

And on top of that, I had deliberately pushed myself to hurry so as not to arouse suspicion from Baek Hasin and Baek Ra-uk, so my stamina consumption was even greater.

Thump!

“We need a physician.”

When I finally threw Do Sogi in the middle of the clearing, everyone’s gaze fell on me.

“…What in the world did you do to get into this state?”

Instructor Jeongmuk, who was in charge, looked at the blackened Do Sogi with a dumbfounded expression.

“I will explain everything. If you are okay with it, even in this place.”

At the subtle suggestion, Jeongmuk let out a faint sigh and said.

“…Follow me.”

Soon, as Do Sogi was being carried to the physician’s office by another instructor, the murmuring grew even louder.

* * *

“Are you saying it was a drug?”

Jeongmuk’s voice echoed in the physician’s office.

“That’s right. And quite cleverly at that. It was formulated to be naturally burned by the vital energy, but it remained in the scorched blood scabs.”

Go Wontae showed a serious look in his eyes and glanced this way.

“I don’t know how that guy used fire arts, but.”

He seemed to have something to say to me, but perhaps thinking it was not appropriate for the situation, he soon gave an order to leave.

“You may leave now. If you have any questions, come and find me on the weekend.”

After finishing all my testimony, I also left a formal greeting and went outside the medical center.

That last remark was a signal. That it would take time for the elixir pill to be completed.

‘I’ll have to come back later.’

I stretched and calmly organized my thoughts.

On one side, Baek Ra-uk would have finished his cross-examination.

‘The class would have ended by now.’

It took time for the testimony and the blood test results to come out.

Since only the part where they commented on the strategic shortcomings and strengths of each team was left, the class would have ended as it was.

That’s why there should have been no one who had come to find me.

“You’ve come?”

And even more so if it was the large-bodied man standing in front of me right now.

I reflexively checked the amount of mana in my body.

The opponent in front of me was that dangerous.

The man with thick lines, standing in a dignified posture, Peng Geun-u.

‘Why did he come to find me?’

I asked, looking at him with a wary gaze.

“What is it?”

My reputation right now was the absolute worst.

On the other hand, Peng Geun-u was a righteous path person to the bone, and he was a guy who valued responsibility that much.

‘This is bad.’

I only had an uneasy feeling.

He was already a rigid guy, and to him, I would probably look like a guy who had taken the top spot and then thrown it away, or who had brutally messed up the opponent team member even after the exam was over.

The guy who was getting closer in real time even while the accidents were continuing.

‘Should I spread a magic shield? No, no matter how many layers I put, it will be shattered in an instant. In that case, it’s better to…’

Just as I was agonizing over it, Peng Geun-u’s shadow was cast over my head.

Grab-

A rough hand grabbed my hand.

“I was deeply impressed, Young Hero Cheonwu!”

“What?”

I asked back without realizing it at the unexpectedly favorable remark.

Before I knew it, Peng Geun-u was looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“A perfect tactic that strikes the opponent’s weak point! And the aspect of sacrificing your own body for your team members in a crisis situation. I was truly deeply impressed!”

It’s burdensome. And even more so because a big guy suddenly clung to me.

It seemed the instructors had given our team a good evaluation during the tactical evaluation time.

“And you even subjugated the bandits of the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest for the suffering commoners. Even giving up the position of the top student. It’s truly a great thing. Hahaha!”

He said, grabbing my shoulder. Let’s just say he was mistaken, but I heard something I shouldn’t have.

“The Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest?”

“That’s right. The name of the guy who was caught was Jo Don… something, but it seems he had deep connections with an executive of the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest, so the government soldiers couldn’t touch him until now. And some of the government soldiers even had a history of colluding with him.”

“……”

“But the young hero caught that bandit in the name of the Martial Academy. With the intention of making it so that he couldn’t get away with it! It wouldn’t have been easy if it was a direct organization of the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest. You are truly full of chivalry!”

Peng Geun-u chattered on as he pleased. I just closed my eyes as I listened to him.

‘Was that true?’

I thought it was a bluff until he said he was related to the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest.

I never thought that everything that the guy named Jo Donchu had said was true.

“Hehe, don’t be too embarrassed. It’s a truly great achievement for a student.”

Peng Geun-u said slyly, as if he had mistaken my reaction.

I just narrowed my two eyes without a word.

In this world, enmity is easily increased, and friendly relations are difficult to form.

So it was important not to make enemies as much as possible, but I had ended up making an enemy of one of the heretical factions since my student days.

And when I thought of the leader of the Eighteen Fortresses of the Green Forest… I felt dizzy.

‘I shouldn’t climb mountains carelessly from now on.’

But whether that was the case or not, Peng Geun-u was serious.

He suddenly cupped his fists at me and bowed his head.

“Actually, I wanted to apologize to the young hero for my rudeness from before. You have the strength and righteousness befitting the top student. Although I came late because of the disciplinary action, my heart is sincere. Can we be friends from now on?”

It was not a disadvantageous proposal for me at all. On the contrary, forming a friendly relationship would be helpful in the future.

Of course, it was strange to make friends in such a way.

‘Am I actually a little crazy too?’

I pushed aside such silly thoughts and raised the corner of my mouth and answered.

“Let’s do that.”

As long as it wasn’t harmful, there was no reason not to build a friendship.

“Hahaha! It’s an honor. By the way, I heard you use a peculiar martial art. How about having a duel with me to deepen our friendship?”

“……”

It seemed I needed to keep a certain distance.

* * *

“This is strange!”

Jeongmuk’s voice echoed inside the disciplinary committee.

The agenda was Do Sogi’s drug use and berserk state.

Since the various circumstances and evidence were clear, Do Sogi’s expulsion was a confirmed situation.

The problem was that it ended there.

“You’re saying it was just an individual’s deviation?”

Jeongmuk protested as the disciplinary action and investigation were about to end with just Do Sogi’s mistake.

According to Go Wontae’s testimony, the drug that Do Sogi had taken was of a kind that a junior student with no particular backing could not obtain.

It was obvious that there had been external intervention, but to close the case like this was impossible.

“He said he got it from the black market himself. You’re not suggesting we track down all the heretical organizations in the market district, are you?”

Then, Baek Yuhwan cut in.

It was a plausible opinion at a glance, but in conclusion, it only served to downplay the case.

Just as Jeongmuk was about to refute further.

“Both have a point.”

Gu Jabeom stepped up.

“What we have to decide in this place is the disciplinary action and the future preventive measures. The discussion on the disciplinary action is almost over, so what’s left is the dimension of prevention.”

He organized the situation and looked around.

“Let’s hear your opinions. What should we do.”

Then, words came out from here and there. Not only the professors, but also the chief instructors who comprehensively guided each grade were gathered, so the discussion was diverse.

“Since the students’ outings have become a problem, it might be a way to restrict the outings of the junior students.”

“Isn’t that a bit too harsh? It’s better to just strengthen the crackdown.”

“Have we been slacking off until now? I’m saying this because there’s a limit to the crackdown.”

From the opinion of controlling the students.

“How about we take this opportunity to subjugate the heretical groups in the area? And we can set a limit on the activity area for the junior students.”

“Do you think we didn’t do it because we couldn’t think of that?”

To the opinion of changing the surrounding environment.

But there was something that was not being discussed in all this discussion.

“In the first place, what if it’s not a problem of the environment or the individual?”

The gazes turned to Jeongmuk’s words.

“A mere junior student obtaining a drug of that level. And in the middle of a heretical group with no connections at that.”

He once again pointed out the core and continued his logic.

“It’s impossible without someone’s help.”

“Are you saying there’s a backer?”

The surroundings became quiet at Gu Jabeom’s point.

“Yes. The signs that have been happening in the academy recently are unusual. We may need to take measures, just in case.”

It was a moderate statement, but it was a story that contained many implications.

“I see. It seems it will be difficult to decide right away in this place. The disciplinary action will proceed as it is, and the corresponding measures will be decided after consulting with the academy head later.”

Just as the meeting was about to end with Gu Jabeom’s words.

“Ah, but there was a peculiar point, wasn’t there? The burn marks. Since Chief Instructor Jeongmuk witnessed it himself, tell us.”

“…That was a sorcery that I had never seen before.”

At the words of Jeongmuk, a seasoned martial artist, the gazes of the other professors and chief instructors gathered.

“That’s interesting. Tell us in detail.”

It was the moment when Zhuge Cheonwu’s magic was unexpectedly revealed.

(End of Chapter)