Magic Academy's Genius Blinker Chapter 543: Green Core (8)

Regardless of how staggering Baek Yu-Seol’s progress had been, confronting a risk level 9 dark mage like the Dark Knight was an impossible feat for him at this current stage.

Within the game Aether World Online, even the most seasoned players – those who had experienced the game numerous times, crafting multiple characters for speedruns – were unable to defeat the Dark Knight without first completing their studies at Stella Academy.

While Baek Yu-Seol’s rate of improvement vastly outstripped that of any player in the game’s history, certain challenges remained insurmountable.

Baek Yu-Seol's unparalleled advantage resided in his extraordinary agility. His ability to chain Flash spells granted him such astonishing velocity that even the Dark Mage King would find it difficult to maintain pursuit.

This meant that irrespective of his adversary, Baek Yu-Seol possessed the fundamental capability to ensure his own survival should he choose to retreat.

As he meticulously strategized his evasion, a chilling voice emanated from the Dark Knight’s form.

"Baek Yu-Seol."

Upon hearing his name spoken, Baek Yu-Seol recoiled in surprise, caught off guard that the Dark Knight was aware of his identity.

"What is it?"

"I had always harbored a desire to witness your visage at least once, though I never anticipated such an encounter would transpire here, under these dire circumstances."

What was that supposed to mean?

The inflection in the voice was peculiar. Contrasting Baek Yu-Seol’s expectation of immediate aggression and overwhelming fury, the Dark Knight’s tone conveyed a sense of calm, well-restrained resolve.

Driven by a cautious sense of intrigue, Baek Yu-Seol opted to test the waters further.

"On the contrary, I find this particular time and location to be quite suitable. After all, I too wished to see your face."

Perhaps this retort did not sit well with the Dark Knight. Following a brief interval, the dark mage descended forcefully to the ground, the impact echoing with a deafening boom!

The corpse of the dark mage the Dark Knight had been holding was pulverized upon impact, disintegrating as if it were mere refuse. The remaining dark mages, witnessing this grim spectacle, turned and fled without a second thought.

Now, amidst the desolate ruins of the fortress, only Baek Yu-Seol and the Dark Knight remained as adversaries.

However, the Dark Knight abstained from launching an immediate assault. Instead, he surveyed his surroundings deliberately before snapping his fingers.

Snap!

Whoosh!

"Argh!"

"Ack!"

A spectral wave of dark magic erupted from the earth, impaling every dark mage caught within its trajectory. Those who managed to narrowly evade were swiftly pursued and likewise skewered.

It appeared as though the Dark Knight was committed to ensuring no witnesses survived the ordeal.

By this juncture, Baek Yu-Seol, armed with his sharp discernment, began to grasp the Dark Knight's underlying objectives.

Indeed, the Dark Knight was a practitioner of dark magic, and the denizens of this very fortress were also dark mages.

While Baek Yu-Seol had initially dismissed the anomaly of one dark mage indiscriminately slaughtering others, a moment’s reflection revealed its inherent suspiciousness.

Why would he go to such lengths to eliminate his own kind?

"Speak."

The Dark Knight, apparently deeming further discourse unproductive, unleashed a subtle yet menacing pulse of energy and inquired with an imposing demeanor.

"How did you anticipate my arrival here?"

At this moment, Baek Yu-Seol's certainty solidified.

In essence, if Baek Yu-Seol were to spread rumors such as, "Hey everyone! The Dark Knight is out here eliminating his fellow dark mages!" it would undoubtedly precipitate considerable complications for him.

Suppressing a nascent smirk, Baek Yu-Seol responded with composed deliberation.

"And why should I provide you with an answer?"

"...Are you suggesting a transaction, in the manner of humans?"

"Precisely. No human being can guarantee absolute secrecy; not even I can pledge that I won't inadvertently divulge information one day. That prospect, wouldn't it make you uneasy?"

Baek Yu-Seol adroitly steered the conversation to his advantage, stipulating a fair exchange for his cooperation.

"And what if I have no inclination to transact in such a fashion?"

He had foreseen this potential resistance.

"Are you so confident in your ability to dispatch me here and now, without any possibility of failure?"

No dark mage had ever succeeded in bringing about Baek Yu-Seol's demise.

Even though the Dark Knight held the designation of risk level 9, representing the pinnacle among dark mages, Baek Yu-Seol had evolved into a formidable entity that could not be easily disregarded.

Baek Yu-Seol, historically recognized as the inaugural mage to flawlessly execute magic that warped space, enabling instantaneous relocation.

Truthfully, the Dark Knight did not believe he would be defeated in a confrontation with Baek Yu-Seol.

However, he remained uncertain regarding the potential stratagems Baek Yu-Seol might employ for escape, a contingency that precluded any reckless action on his part.

Otherwise, the Dark Knight would have engaged him the instant he laid eyes upon him, rendering this protracted and bothersome dialogue entirely unnecessary.

Fully cognizant of these realities, Baek Yu-Seol concluded that proceeding with increased confidence was appropriate.

"In truth, I have already determined the recompense I seek from you."

"And what is that?"

"The ensuing contender for the title of Dark Mage King – I find myself rather curious about that individual."

The Dark Knight paused for a moment before finally divulging his information.

"You refer to the Cult Master of the Dark Mages, Hui-Ryeon?"

"Ha, do not even attempt to bluff."

With a nonchalant expression, Baek Yu-Seol tilted his head, causing the Dark Knight to fall into a sudden, profound silence.

The quiet lingered, stretching out so long that Baek Yu-Seol's impatience began to grow.

Becoming somewhat annoyed, Baek Yu-Seol crossed his arms, his fingers starting to tap a restless rhythm. Finally, the Dark Knight raised his head, his crimson eyes, burning within his helmet, meeting Baek Yu-Seol's gaze with a more ominous intensity than before.

"How much... do you comprehend?"

"Nothing at all."

It was the absolute truth; he genuinely knew nothing.

However, to the Dark Knight, those words seemed to convey a different, more incriminating meaning:

'I understand most of it, and I simply want to hear your honest confession.'

This complete misunderstanding was entirely possible, stemming from Baek Yu-Seol's consistent history of leaving an impactful, storm-like impression with his actions.

It was not an unreasonable assumption that if anyone could possess such knowledge, it would be Baek Yu-Seol.

Ultimately, after much internal debate, the Dark Knight found himself compelled to reveal a secret.

"The individual who is next in line to challenge the Dark Mage King... that person holds a closer connection to the world's true essence than anyone else alive."

"The world's true essence, you say? And why should I place my belief in such a statement?"

"That's because..."

Following a brief, three-second pause, the Dark Knight offered his next words.

"It is because the Fawn Prevernal Moon, one of the Twelve Divine Moons, believed to be an avatar of the Progenitor Mage, is said to lend its protection to the Cult Leader of the Dark Mages."

Baek Yu-Seol nearly vocalized his bewilderment.

Such information was entirely new to him.

The Fawn Prevernal Moon, an incarnation of the Progenitor Mage?

Considering the Fawn Prevernal Moon's past conduct, this assertion seemed utterly nonsensical. The Fawn Prevernal Moon acted more like a destructive force bent on annihilation, starkly contrasting with the Progenitor Mage, a revered figure who had supposedly spread magic throughout Aether World for the betterment of all.

But then again, this revelation wasn't from just anyone; it came from the Dark Knight, a figure of immense authority among the dark mages.

Had the words come from an insignificant individual, Baek Yu-Seol would have dismissed them instantly. However, hearing it from the Dark Knight made it considerably more difficult to disregard.

The Dark Knight's allegiance to the Dark Mage King naturally implied a certain apprehension towards this new potential challenger.

Furthermore, the fact that he referred to Hui-Ryeon, the Dark Magic Cult Master, with such deference as 'that person' indicated a lack of genuine loyalty or perhaps a hidden agenda.

Suddenly, Baek Yu-Seol grasped the extent of the Dark Knight's misunderstanding regarding his own position.

He remained oblivious.

Up to this point, Baek Yu-Seol had operated under the assumption that the Dark Knight remained the steadfast right-hand protector of the Dark Mage King.

"Is that explanation sufficient?"

Breaking the silence, the Dark Knight inquired. Baek Yu-Seol, however, shook his head, electing to pose another question.

"No. I find myself curious about your own stance as well."

"Speak freely."

"At the culmination of this ongoing war... upon which side will your loyalty ultimately rest?"

In essence, Baek Yu-Seol was directly probing the Dark Knight's ultimate allegiance and whom he intended to betray.

Admittedly, even for an individual of the Dark Knight's caliber, this was not a question that could be answered lightly. After a prolonged silence, he met Baek Yu-Seol's steady gaze and responded with measured calmness.

"My allegiance will be with whoever succeeds in forging a superior world for the dark mages."

"Such an ambiguous declaration."

It appeared highly improbable that Baek Yu-Seol would elicit a more direct or definitive response.

Nevertheless, acquiring knowledge about Fawn Prevernal Moon's involvement was undeniably significant, and the Dark Knight's own uncertainty regarding his position was equally telling.

"For the moment, that provides sufficient clarity. I shall extend a promise to you: I will claim to have witnessed nothing here today. This destroyed fortress? I will willingly accept responsibility for its demolition. If rumor arises that Baek Yu-Seol was the culprit, the world is more likely to believe that."

"...How can I be assured that this secret will remain inviolate?"

No concrete guarantee existed.

Formulating a magical contract with a dark mage was an impossibility.

Therefore, Baek Yu-Seol, with a bold gesture, tapped his chest and proclaimed with unwavering conviction.

"Place your trust in me. Even if it pertains to an enemy's secret, my promises are invariably kept. I vow to carry this secret to my grave."

His confident assertion and unyielding demeanor caused the Dark Knight to hesitate. After a prolonged moment of eye contact with Baek Yu-Seol, he emitted a sigh and reluctantly nodded.

Ultimately, even if the Dark Knight found himself unable to fully entrust Baek Yu-Seol, there was precious little he could do in the current circumstances.

"I shall place my faith in your honor."

With those pronouncements, the Dark Knight propelled himself skyward like a streaking comet, vanishing from sight.

Observing his departure, Baek Yu-Seol could no longer suppress the growing urge within him.

He desperately wanted to broadcast this discovery to everyone.

The Dark Knight's evident desperation to conceal this information fueled Baek Yu-Seol's desire to announce it to the entire vicinity... even to the distant in-laws residing next door.

Naturally, should he act upon this impulse, the Dark Knight might become enraged, potentially leading to a rampage and an unhinged assault on Stella. Consequently, refraining from such an action was the wiser course, yet the unbearable compulsion to divulge the secret was a true torment.