I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 454

Since the current generation’s Black Magic King ascended to the pinnacle of the black magicians, not a single challenger to his throne has survived.

This meant that every black magician who had dared to challenge him had met defeat.

Frightened by his fearsome reputation, powerful figures either retreated into the shadows of other factions or swore their allegiance to him. For decades, no challengers arose.

“How dull it must have been for you, Black Magic King, to face such a pitiful challenger.”

Caw—!

The anguished cries of crows swept past like the wind. The Black Magic King stomped on what remained of the former Black Magic Alliance leader, lifting his head.

Through the swirling dust, a small boy stepped forward.

“Heiran.”

“Ah, please use my proper title—Black Magic Cult Leader. I must remind you, this was once your position too, wasn’t it?”

“A title? How very human of you to insist on such things. Why would black magicians need titles? If you desire respect, then force me to bow and create your notion of etiquette within black magician society.”

“Ha...”

The Black Magic King’s arrogance wasn’t born from mere conceit—it stemmed from overwhelming confidence in his power.

Although Heiran briefly showed a stiff expression at those words, he quickly replaced it with a relaxed smile.

“Force you to bow... Such brutishness. Do you truly believe one must defeat you in combat to become king?”

“I know you overthink things. But today is not your day. Go back.”

With those words, the Black Magic King turned his gaze to the sky. The clouds, now thick and ominous, crackled with lightning. Their appearance signified the approach of Blackingdon, the Thunderblade Knight, a response to the Black Magic King’s clash.

“Blackingdon, the Knight of Lightning... If he arrives, things might indeed become troublesome. But does it really matter? After all, if you and I duel, no one else will be able to interfere.”

“...It sounds like you’re challenging me to a duel.”

Though the Black Magic King’s expression was obscured by his helmet, Heiran could almost see his face—a gaze filled with disdain, perhaps even amusement.

After all, Heiran was nearly powerless as a combatant among black magicians, regarded as one of the weakest.

But contrary to Heiran’s assumption, the Black Magic King did not consider him weak.

Instead, he saw Heiran’s courage to challenge him despite lacking power and his cunning to wait for a moment of vulnerability. He respected all of these traits, acknowledging Heiran as a worthy adversary.

“...Very well. I cannot refuse a duel. But know this: the price of defeat is death.”

“I am aware.”

Heiran smiled lightly, drawing a dagger from his robe.

It was rare for black magicians to wield weapons, as they typically relied on unique abilities or their physical prowess. Yet the Black Magic King allowed Heiran all the time he needed to prepare, showing no objection to his unorthodox approach.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes. Although, I doubt a mere dagger like this can pierce your armor.”

Despite his mocking tone, Heiran knew the remark was meaningless. He had mentioned the dagger to mask his own vulnerability.

“Do you know why I built my castle here?” the Black Magic King asked.

“Who knows? I suppose it suits your dark, foreboding image.”

Heiran glanced at the vast canyon, its land stained a dark crimson. He dismissed it as nothing more than a fitting backdrop for the Black Magic King’s somber persona.

This land, barren of life due to the dense concentration of dark magic, teemed with grotesque creatures beneath the surface. While it appeared to be the most dangerous place, it was also ideal for someone seeking isolation.

Thus, Heiran regarded the Black Magic King as a coward.

A being with immense power yet too afraid to wield it—a coward.

‘Father once told me... In another world, I defeated the Black Magic King with sheer strength.’

Though this Heiran lacked such power, the very fact that another version of himself had triumphed suggested that even the Black Magic King’s strength had its limits.

And so, he saw both the Black Magic King and his counterpart in another world as foolish.

‘To possess such power and yet fail to fulfill Father’s grand plan... Utterly pathetic.’

In Heiran’s view, his father, Hui Gong Siwol’s, plan was nothing less ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) than the creation of a new world. But such a grand scheme required more than raw strength.

‘Wisdom. It all comes down to wisdom.’

Heiran believed he, unlike his other-world counterparts, was truly suited for his father’s vision. While he lacked strength, he prided himself on possessing far more wisdom than any version of himself across dimensions.

‘The Black Magic King’s strength must be nearly depleted by now.’

From what Heiran had observed, the Black Magic King was undoubtedly fatigued after his battles with the dragon and the Black Magic Alliance leader.

Even without lifting a finger, Heiran had pushed the Black Magic King to this point. Surely, his plans were already reshaping the world.

“They say you possess the ability to absorb all magical energy.”

The Black Magic King offered no response.

Heiran’s lips curled into a sly smile.

“With such invincible power, you must have lived a life of great arrogance. Truly enviable.”

“I fail to see your intent.”

“Intent? None at all. I only know that you no longer possess that power, Abelain Staverk!”

Calling out the Black Magic King’s true name, Heiran pointed his dagger at him.

Once, Abelain Staverk had been known as a prodigious genius magician of Stella Academy and a disciple of Elteman Eltewin.

At a very young age, Abelain Staverk reached the pinnacle of the 9th-Class, achieving countless legendary feats, much like his mentor, Elteman Eltewin. However, he betrayed the magical community, killed three members of the Elder Council, crippled the previous Full Moon Tower Lord, and fled, leading to what many referred to as his "tragic downfall."

But was it truly a "tragic downfall"?

Who defined what tragedy was? Could betrayal of the magical community inherently mean tragedy? Wasn’t that perspective far too human-centric?

“How was it, Abelain? Did you enjoy living as a black magician? Were you satisfied, consumed by power and driven solely by its pursuit?”

Indeed, the legendary mage Abelain Staverk’s betrayal stemmed from a singular desire—to seek a higher plane of existence.

Unable to find a way to surpass his limits within the confines of a human body, he coveted the abilities of black magicians, who drew power from otherworldly forces to transcend natural constraints.

Yet, in the end, the Black Magic King was dissatisfied with his choice.

Despite becoming the strongest black magician in existence, he still felt his power was limited.

It was as if a god truly existed—a divine force that placed a ceiling on the power of all living beings, forbidding them from advancing beyond a certain threshold.

‘Your limits end here.’

‘Do not dare to surpass this boundary.’

The Black Magic King dreamed of conquering the world alone, creating a place where everyone could live equally. But his power was insufficient for that vision.

Even with the might of a 9th-Class, he could easily be stopped if three other 9th-Class mages joined forces against him.

A dream of conquering the world single-handedly? Utterly unattainable.

He tried. He hunted down other 9th-Class mages, killing five of them.

Yet, as if the heavens sought to maintain balance, whenever one 9th-Class mage perished, another rose to take their place.

And it didn’t stop there.

Even when the pool of potential 9th-Class mages seemed to run dry, children with innate talent for reaching the 9th-Class were born—bright stars of a new generation.

Jeremy of the Scalven Imperial Family.

Princess Hong Biyeon of the Adolevit Royal Family.

Grand Duchess Eisel Morph of the Morph Duchy.

A single generation had produced an unprecedented number of prodigies.

...The Black Magic King seized this opportunity and fathered a child of his own.

That child was Mayuseong.

Mayuseong, born with talents that inherited the very essence of the Black Magic King’s abilities, displayed extraordinary gifts from birth.

Yes, he embodied precisely the talents Abelain had yearned for.

While Abelain had mastered magical talents, he lacked the innate gifts of a black magician.

But Mayuseong? He possessed the unparalleled abilities of a black magician.

In the end, the Black Magic King made his choice. If he could not transcend the limits of this generation, he would pave the way for his child to do so.

“Your so-called great authority... Isn’t it currently implanted within Mayuseong? Am I wrong?”

Indeed.

The Black Magic King’s once-vaunted invincibility no longer resided within him. This was a closely guarded secret known to almost no one.

But Heiran, who had observed the circumstances surrounding Mayuseong’s birth, understood this truth better than anyone.

“You are no longer the legendary Abelain Staverk. You’ve completely lost your magical abilities, and the invincible power that nullified all attacks no longer exists. You’re merely pretending to be the strongest with the dregs of your former power.”

“...That’s correct.”

The Black Magic King, having no reason to hide the truth from someone like Heiran, nodded in acknowledgment.

“But.”

Even if Heiran didn’t know everything...

The Black Magic King had never intended to conceal the truth.

“Why did you think I was hiding such things?”

“...What?”

“If someone like you knows, then it’s no secret. I’ve never hidden the fact that I’ve weakened.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“Now you’re just bluffing...”

“Do you know why, Heiran?”

As Heiran’s face contorted in frustration, the Black Magic King stared directly into his eyes.

“Even after relinquishing half my strength, there has never been a black magician stronger than me.”

This confidence, born of absolute power.

It overwhelmed Heiran, who had been born weak and lived his entire life as an underdog.

“Stop spouting nonsense and step aside!!”

Enraged, Heiran had no choice but to charge at the one who had so thoroughly humiliated him, brandishing his tiny dagger.

While the dagger was small, it contained 18 years’ worth of energy accumulated since the day Heiran had betrayed the Black Magic King.

Slash—!

With a single light swing.

The black fortress, perched atop the Screaming Cliff, the most feared place in existence, split cleanly in half.

...Along with the surrounding space itself.