I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy-Chapter 464

The visit of the Black Magic Cult Leader, Huiyeon, to the Narang colony was just two days away.

In the meantime, Baek Yuseol moved tirelessly under the cover of night, eliminating Black Mages and gathering information.

“As expected, security outside the central tower is lax. It’s no different from any other Black Mage settlement.”

While the Black Mages guarding the central tower were remarkably organized, operating almost like humans, this level of structure was limited to only a few.

“It seems the Black Magic Cult has taken control of this city, but not all Black Mages truly believe in the cult.”

Most of the Black Mages likely pretended to follow the religion, seeing it as an opportunity to align themselves with a powerful organization.

“Looking at it like this, I’m starting to get a clearer picture of how the Black Magic Cult operates...”

On the surface, it seemed functional, but beneath the façade, it was far from perfect—nothing like the rigid hierarchy of humanity.

It was a ticking time bomb, waiting for the right trigger to explode.

“Well, that’s not really my concern.”

If the Black Mages were to wage a large-scale war, that would be the Black Magic King’s problem. Baek Yuseol only cared about surviving whatever power emerged victorious.

Before that, however, he needed to confirm one thing: just who Huiyeon was and why he had ties to Hui Gong Siwol.

BONG!

The bell of the central tower rang loudly.

In those two days, the tower’s roof had been transformed into a proper belfry. At noon, the bell tolled, summoning all the Narang to the tower.

The leader of the Black Mages ruling the city, presumed to be the High Priest of the Black Magic Cult, emerged in a black robe, looking down at the kneeling Narang.

The central plaza was far too small to accommodate nearly twenty thousand Narang, so the High Priest had remodeled the city to make the streets capable of holding them all.

“Vile wolves, heed my words!”

The High Priest’s booming voice echoed throughout the city. Watching from the shadows of one of the tallest nearby buildings, Baek Yuseol frowned slightly.

“That doesn’t suit him at all.”

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The High Priest had an unusually large frame, and the way he wore the robe looked awkward and ill-fitted.

Moreover, the horns protruding from his head didn’t match the image of a priest, and his pitch-black eyes made him look like nothing less than a demon.

Nevertheless, he shamelessly proclaimed himself a divine representative and began his speech.

“We have descended to liberate you from your filthy, barbaric culture! From now on, you shall believe in the Black Magic Cult, and in return, you will receive the blessings of our grace. This bell tower itself is a magnificent cultural heritage you could never hope to create with your own pitiful skills!”

Baek Yuseol, unable to listen to more of this nonsense, covered his ears.

“That’s supposed to be a speech?”

He wished someone would write a script for this bumbling High Priest.

Did he think such nonsense would convert anyone?

The reason no one opposed his gibberish was not because the speech was persuasive, but because of fear.

Rebellion would mean not just their deaths but the brutal slaughter of their families as well. No Narang warrior dared step forward.

“Maybe he knows that and is just winging it,” Baek Yuseol muttered as he moved silently into the crowd.

With his superhuman physical abilities, he could slip through the Narang, even with the Black Mages watching closely.

“Huiyeon, or whoever they are... aren’t showing up in person, huh?”

Baek Yuseol glanced toward the corner of the bell tower.

In the shadows, a young figure in priestly robes sat quietly.

Though the figure appeared to be just a boy, Baek Yuseol was certain.

Two powerful Black Mages guarded him, and the boy himself exuded considerable Black Mana. Most importantly, Baek Yuseol’s enchanted glasses marked him with a warning icon.

While Huiyeon hadn’t appeared in the original game, the circumstances were enough to convince Baek Yuseol.

For someone with such a presence to remain unnamed was proof enough that this boy was Huiyeon, the Black Magic Cult Leader.

“Well, it makes sense. There’s no reason for Huiyeon to personally show up just to give some silly sermon in this city.”

After all, Huiyeon had been operating in secrecy, never revealing his face to the world.

He wouldn’t break that secrecy in a place like this.

Having confirmed enough, Baek Yuseol reached into his bag and pulled out a headband.

It wasn’t an ordinary headband—it had wolf ears attached.

He had spent the past two days making it to disguise himself as a Narang.

With Huiyeon’s identity confirmed, it was time to act.

Baek Yuseol put on the headband and smirked.

“This should be convincing enough.”

“Now, you all have the honor of receiving the grace of the Black Magic Cult. Be grateful and...”

As the High Priest continued his laughable sermon, Huiyeon watched silently from the shadows of the bell tower.

It was clumsy.

And foolish.

Not the Narang, but the Black Mages themselves.

Referring to them as his "kin" was almost laughable.

These beings, with nothing but physical strength and no intelligence, incapable of forming a proper society—they were little more than beasts.

Did they even deserve to have the word "human" in their name?

They could talk, and they could think to some extent, but that was all.

“Being the King of Black Mages... isn’t appealing in the slightest.”

Still, becoming the Black Magic King was the first step toward becoming the ruler of the world. It was a hurdle he had to overcome.

Though the initial steps were shaky, Huiyeon was confident that his plans would not veer off course.

“Cult Leader, what do you think?”

“It’s fine. Tell them to keep it up.”

“Yes. That the Cult Leader himself observes this sermon will be a great honor for the High Priest.”

Huiyeon’s visit to a colony like this was an unusual occurrence.

He had come to the area primarily to oversee the purification of the Green Core in a nearby shrine. This stop at the colony was merely incidental.

It was even possible that the Red Core, once the purification was complete, would be managed from this very city.

If the Green Core is tainted black, the World Tree could be ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) completely reversed with no trouble.

The World Tree, which once governed life, was now in a state of complete neutrality.

And if it were to forsake life entirely and take charge of death instead, it would lead to a scenario too horrifying for the spirits to imagine.

The Green Core was one of the keys to making such a scenario a reality.

Though acquiring it had been immensely difficult—being treasured and fiercely protected by humans—it was now firmly in their grasp.

Once stolen, it is no longer a human artifact but a sacred relic of the Black Mages.

The purification process would still take considerable time, so Huiyeon planned to remain in the area to personally oversee the proceedings.

As he mentally organized his plans, a sudden commotion broke out nearby.

“What is going on?”

Leaning against the bell tower with his eyes closed, Huiyeon opened them slightly to question the Black Mages, who hurriedly provided an explanation.

“Look over there.”

In the plaza below, a young Narang boy stepped forward, raising a sword high and pointing it directly at the High Priest.

“High Priest of the Black Magic Cult!”

At the boy’s shout, the Black Mages immediately tried to rush in and restrain him. However, the High Priest, seemingly amused, stopped them with a raised hand.

Then, curling his lips into a smirk, he nodded as if to say, Go on, speak.

“If you truly want our Narang tribe to join the Black Magic Cult, prove your strength! We Narang are warriors who live and die by power!”

Huiyeon, who had been quietly observing the boy, felt a strange sense of familiarity.

The boy wore wolf ears and covered his mouth and neck with a mask and scarf, but there was something about him that seemed recognizable.

Where have I seen him before?

While Huiyeon pondered, the boy continued his speech.

“You cowardly attacked us under the cover of night, and you dare call yourselves warriors? If the High Priest can prove his strength in an honorable duel, we Narang will accept your power and faithfully follow the Black Magic Cult!”

The other Narang warriors, terrified, lowered their heads.

They had already experienced the overwhelming strength of the Black Mages firsthand. Now, this talk of a duel seemed like a dangerous provocation that could bring more harm to their people.

Instead of being inspired, they felt fear and resentment toward the boy.

“Haha! I like this!”

The High Priest glanced at Huiyeon in the background and nodded.

The sermons hadn’t been particularly effective, but proving their strength through combat might do the trick.

Besides, the High Priest was bored with his duties and thought it might be fun to toy with the arrogant Narang boy.

“Are you the representative of the Narang warriors?”

“Yes, my name is Baek...something-or-other. I represent the Narang and challenge the High Priest to a duel in the name of honor.”

“Very well, Baek-something-or-other. I, Malcan, the High Priest, accept your challenge in the name of honor and pride.”

There was no time to question how a Black Mage could talk about honor and pride.

Huiyeon, finally realizing who the boy was, stood up abruptly.

It was too late.

Malcan had already accepted the duel with Baek-something-or-other—or rather, Baek Yuseol.

Huiyeon’s face twisted with fury as he clenched his fists.

The attending priests noticed and approached cautiously.

“Cult Leader, is something the matter?”

“...That’s Baek Yuseol.”

“What? Baek Yuseol... as in...”

“Yes. The insolent human who has repeatedly interfered with my plans.”

Hui Gong Siwol had ordered him not to engage with Baek Yuseol, but Huiyeon had no intention of following that order.

How could he tolerate someone who had tracked him here and openly mocked him?

“Priests, prepare yourselves. If Malcan defeats Baek Yuseol in the duel, all is well. But if Baek Yuseol wins...”

Huiyeon gritted his teeth and growled.

“Tonight, I will take his head myself.”