Magic Academy's Genius Blinker Chapter 542: Green Core (7)

The airship carrying Baek Yu-Seol swiftly reached the skies above Brightly.

Though the crew had provided a parachute for a secure descent, a mage-warrior of Honorary Mage status obviously had no need for such rudimentary equipment.

"You're truly just going to jump...?" a flight attendant inquired, her voice laced with nervousness. Baek Yu-Seol, however, merely offered a calm nod, his thoughts preoccupied with other matters.

This situation implied that the assault by the dark mages had already concluded. Even if Baek Yu-Seol managed to defeat them and secure the area for the airship's safe landing, the passengers might still face limitations on their movement.

The airship's lower hatch creaked open, allowing a powerful gust of wind to rush in. While the upper decks were shielded by magical enchantments to protect the occupants from strong winds, the lower levels lacked such defenses.

"Uh, at least take this..." The crew, visibly anxious, continued to offer Baek Yu-Seol something for his descent. He, however, brushed them off casually and leaped into the void.

"Oh my!" As the flight attendant let out a short gasp of astonishment, Baek Yu-Seol plummeted rapidly towards the ground, his internal monologue running.

He had chosen to jump without a parachute, aiming for a cool entrance, yet he hadn't precisely planned his landing. While he had confidence in his physical prowess, unlike some mages, he lacked the ability to float or hover mid-air.

As he pondered stylish ways to land, he suddenly recalled [Golden Solstice Moon’s Essence]. This was one of the abilities he had acquired thanks to Florin, and it possessed incredible synergy with his existing skills. Although he hadn't yet employed it in battle due to control difficulties, this moment seemed opportune for a trial.

As his vision cleared, the forms of dark mages became discernible below, one by one. Among them, five distinct auras announced them as risk level 7 powerhouses. Contrary to the flight attendant's report of only four, it appeared there were significantly more high-level dark mages present.

It seemed illogical for so many risk level 7 dark mages to congregate in such a remote locale, but there was no time for contemplation. 'Target locked.' Drawing his sword and pointing it downwards, Baek Yu-Seol unleashed his skill.

[Unbreakable Body] This ability temporarily fortified his physique to the resilience of steel, albeit with the significant drawback of rendering him immobile. Normally, this would preclude its combination with Flash; however, during a freefall, it presented a perfect opportunity for effective utilization.

With a smile that hinted at his enjoyment, Baek Yu-Seol aimed his sword straight down. In an instant, he activated Flash, propelling himself with astonishing velocity, akin to a speeding bullet, in the same trajectory.

As Baek Yu-Seol streaked earthward like a projectile, one of the risk level 7 dark mages below finally registered his presence. Too late to react, the mage cried out in sheer panic.

"What the hell?!" But that was the final utterance from the dark mage.

Baek Yu-Seol’s blade bisected the risk level 7 dark mage cleanly in a single, decisive strike. "What’s going on?!" "S-Something just fell from the sky...!"

The commotion alerted one of the leading risk level 7 dark mages, who barked out a question. The other dark mages nearby responded with trembling voices. Witnessing one of their own, a risk level 7 entity, annihilated in a flash was enough to sow terror, even among beings supposedly devoid of emotion like dark mages.

As the dense cloud of dust settled, Baek Yu-Seol emerged, drawing the attention of all the dark mages. "There are more of you gathered here than I anticipated." Casually tapping his shoulder with his sword's hilt, Baek Yu-Seol surveyed the port, noting a peculiar absence.

Signs of a fierce battle were evident, yet no martial warriors were in sight. Had they been annihilated, surely remnants would remain, but there were none. Even more strangely, traces of magic were scarce, suggesting the magical forces hadn't yet arrived or had been neutralized.

"...What's this? Who the hell were you fighting?" Examining the dark mages more closely, Baek Yu-Seol observed the Gash marks on their bodies. They were deep and ragged, indicative of claw or bite wounds—injuries no human could inflict.

"Wait, don't tell me... you were fighting amongst yourselves?" Baek Yu-Seol, utterly dumbfounded by the sheer absurdity of the situation, questioned in disbelief.

"Ha! Does a mere human dare to interfere in a dark mages' war? Be gone!" "No, but how does it make sense to wage war within a human city?" "When dark mages commence a battle, the area becomes our dominion! Lesser beings like humans must simply endure it!"

"What a ridiculous bastard." It wasn't mere bravado; Baek Yu-Seol sensed that these dark mages genuinely believed their own pronouncements, a realization that made his head throb. How was he supposed to contend with beings whose very perception of reality was so fundamentally skewed?

It was rare for risk level 7 dark mages to descend into such extreme power struggles that they would invade human territories.

While one-on-one duels were a common occurrence, a large-scale conflict erupting like this strongly suggested that significant disturbances were brewing within their higher echelons.

For instance:

"The dire injury sustained by the Dark Mage King might be the catalyst."

Through Ma Yu-Seong, Baek Yu-Seol had gained knowledge of the Dark Mage King's critical condition.

It was possible that other dark mages were exploiting this vulnerability to initiate a war, aiming to seize the throne. Alternatively, they might simply be escalating conflicts to undermine the King’s authority.

Naturally, the Dark Mage King would not remain passive, leading to the widespread factional warfare observed.

The confrontation unfolding before him was likely just a minor facet of the global power struggles. Elsewhere, clashes involving risk level 8 or even 9 dark mages might be taking place.

This was happening far too soon.

This particular series of events was anticipated to occur much later, well after Ma Yu-Seong's graduation. However, this war's premature eruption was disrupting the established timeline. Following this conflict, the main narrative could easily spiral out of control, hurtling towards its conclusion at an accelerated pace.

For the present moment, Baek Yu-Seol's primary objective was the retrieval of the Green Core. He needed to remain focused on this immediate task.

The dark mages arrayed before him—regardless of their specific affiliations—were merely obstacles that required elimination.

"From this point forward, you would all be wise to start cooperating. Failure to do so will result in your demise."

"What preposterous claims...!"

Approximately fifty dark mages, including four other risk level 7 individuals, were currently dominating the port.

"You project an air of great confidence in your abilities, yet can you still utter such bold words when outnumbered so significantly?"

...Those were the final utterances of the dark mage.

Before twenty minutes had elapsed, Baek Yu-Seol had efficiently neutralized all the dark mages. Wiping the crimson from his blade, he let out a sigh.

There was scarcely any need to even test the capabilities of the Golden Solstice Moon's Essence. The dark mages had been dispatched far too easily.

Had they truly managed to coordinate their efforts, Baek Yu-Seol might have faced a more substantial challenge. However, even as they engaged him, they were too preoccupied with maintaining vigilance against each other to effectively synchronize their attacks.

In essence, they had brought about their own downfall.

"If individuals as foolish as these were to ever achieve world conquest, it would indeed be a catastrophic outcome."

Shortly thereafter, upon receiving confirmation that Baek Yu-Seol had vanquished the dark mages, the Duelis No. 3 airship descended upon the utterly devastated Brightly Port.

"How could this have happened... my beloved hometown..."

Some onlookers expressed their despair at the sight of the ravaged port. Others, who were merely transient visitors, voiced their grievances regarding the subsequent disruption to boat services.

"Rest assured, the disaster relief center will soon commence the restoration of the port. Airship operations should be reinstated in the near future. My sincere gratitude to you, Mr. Baek Yu-Seol."

The captain of the airship emerged to personally convey his thanks, to which Baek Yu-Seol responded with his customary reply.

"It was a necessary action."

Although these words were articulated mechanically, out of ingrained habit, they seemed to resonate profoundly with those who overheard them.

"To think he regards entering a perilous zone and confronting enemies alone as merely something he 'had to do'…"

"I formerly perceived magic warriors as mere mercenaries driven by wealth, but my perspective has now fundamentally shifted."

"One day, I aspire to emulate his example..."

Regardless of the misconceptions or idealized images being formed, Baek Yu-Seol held no further concern.

"Very well, I shall depart now."

Entrusting the post-conflict cleanup of Brightly to the administration of the Mage Association, Baek Yu-Seol promptly continued his journey.

In a prior era, he might have indulged in basking amidst the populace's gratitude and accolades, but the current circumstances did not permit such leisure.

Brightly Port was a settlement strategically situated between two imposing cliffs. In recent times, with diminished maritime traffic, the harbor was primarily frequented by fishing vessels. It was not unusual to encounter illicit fishing boats willing to provide smuggling services for a modest fee.

Baek Yu-Seol's initial strategy involved chartering one of these smuggling vessels to explore the adjacent islands of Brightly for any potential leads. However, with the complete destruction of all available boats, this option was now rendered obsolete.

"In a scenario where the precise location remains unknown, a systematic search of the islands would have been the most expedient approach."

Dark mages typically established their enclaves far from human settlements, often choosing desolate islands teeming with monsters or remote, treacherous mountain ranges.

He had managed to obtain intelligence suggesting that a contingent of dark mages had absconded with the Green Core and sought refuge in proximity to Brightly. Beyond this, however, his knowledge was sparse, and consequently, his original plan to conduct a thorough island-by-island search from the outset had already been thwarted.

Given that the local inhabitants had survived, the vessels would likely undergo prompt repairs. Furthermore, in light of the extensive property damage incurred, a significant number of them would probably welcome the opportunity to lend their boats if Baek Yu-Seol were to offer a substantial monetary compensation.

"For the time being..."

Baek Yu-Seol deployed a map into the air using his Sentient Spec, cross-referencing it with the landscape before him.

"It's an exact match," he confirmed.

The map had indicated a forest for this region, but upon arrival, Baek Yu-Seol discovered a colossal fortress instead.

Furthermore, the bizarre, monstrous entities patrolling the ramparts were undeniably dark mages. While this verified his location, the crucial uncertainty remained: whether the Green Core was actually present.

"Their security is surprisingly weak."

It appeared they didn't even observe the practice of rotating guard duty. In a typical human stronghold, watchtowers would be occupied by soldiers, but here, their positions were completely vacant.

This meant the fortress presented an ideal opportunity for Baek Yu-Seol's undetected infiltration.

Merging with the shadows, he moved rapidly towards the fortress's perimeter wall. A swift ascent allowed him to land silently atop the battlements.

Before two dark mages who noticed him could cry out, he ended their lives with precise cuts to their throats.

He then dragged their bodies into a secluded corner, concealing them discreetly. This ensured his entry remained completely clandestine, especially since dark mages typically paid little mind to the disappearance of their own.

With no designated posts, the absence of a guard would likely go unquestioned.

Reaching the fortress's core to confront its boss-level commander would undoubtedly involve navigating a perilous course.

Given that the number of dark mages present numbered in the hundreds, Baek Yu-Seol's capacity to confront them all single-handedly was limited. Although he was confident in his ability to escape without area-of-effect spells, eliminating such a formidable group simultaneously was beyond his current capabilities.

Slowly, with caution and meticulous planning.

Just as Baek Yu-Seol prepared to advance further—

Beep!

An unsettling premonition washed over him, sending a shiver down his spine. Acting on pure instinct, he threw himself backward, employing consecutive Flash abilities to maximize his retreat.

Mere moments passed—

Boom!!!

A colossal object plummeted from the heavens, instantaneously obliterating a significant portion of the fortress.

"Guh..."

Caught in the violent aftershock, Baek Yu-Seol enveloped himself in the protective embrace of Golden Solstice Moon. He squinted through the dispersing dust and mayhem to assess the unfolding situation.

The fortress lay in ruins, more than half destroyed. The apparent master of the stronghold, who must have been stationed in the highest tower, was now bleeding profusely, held firmly by the collar by an imposing figure.

A dark mage, assessed as at least risk level 7, possibly even level 8, had been incapacitated in mere seconds!

Narrowing his eyes, Baek Yu-Seol focused his gaze on the victor and recoiled in astonishment.

"...A Dark Knight?"

It was an exceptionally distinctive dark mage, encased in black armor that bore a striking resemblance to the Dark Mage King himself.

This entity was, in fact, the Dark Knight, the trusted right-hand of the Dark Mage King and one of Aether World Online's most formidable boss monsters. And its presence here was entirely unexpected.

"Why is he here...?"

As Baek Yu-Seol stared, dumbfounded, at the Dark Knight, the formidable foe snapped the neck of the dark mage it held captive, ending its life instantly.

Then, as if sensing a presence, the Dark Knight's head whipped around, its gaze locking directly onto Baek Yu-Seol's concealed position.

It wasn’t a mere glance; the Dark Knight was staring intently at him.

Meeting its piercing gaze, Baek Yu-Seol felt beads of sweat trace paths down his back.

He had previously invoked the Dark Knight's name, leveraging it to his advantage, which had led to significant trouble. Furthermore, Baek Yu-Seol had thwarted its plans on numerous occasions. If discovered now, his life would undoubtedly end on the spot.

This left him with only a single viable course of action.

It represented his sole chance for survival.