I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy - Chapter 198: Chapter 198:

The meeting between Eisel and Edna could only be coincidental.

“How did you get in here? I found this place by accident too.”

“Oh. Did you get lost like me?”

Meeting in the library’s secret space at a time when no one else was around made it seem even more coincidental.

But for Edna, it was not a coincidence but an intentional meeting.

She had guessed that Eisel would be here around this time and remembered the knowledge from the romance fantasy novel, so she found the secret space without any effort.

“Just… Oh, yeah. I found it by accident.”

“Right? The librarian leaves right on time, so we can stay a bit longer.”

“Okay.”

“They wouldn’t even know we are here, right? That librarian doesn’t bother to keep records because it’s too much trouble.”

Eisel’s cheerful voice proved how excited she was to be able to read a little more. It was oddly soothing but couldn’t completely ease Edna’s bitter feelings.

“… What were you reading?”

“Oh. Look at this. I’ve recently become a bit interested in the Twelve New Moons. Do you know about the incident at the Levian Coast? Apparently, it happened because of the Twelfth New Moon Bronze’s curse.”

That curious girl had a personality which prompted her to delve into anything she was curious about.

“And guess what? There’s a book here about the Twelve New Moons. Though it seems like it only deals with folklore.”

Eisel probably wouldn’t know.

The book held by her was the one that could only be accessed by a few professors at Stella, and it was written by Principal Eltman Eltwin himself.

A hundred years ago, when Eltman Eltwin was still active and felt it was time to retire, he traveled around the world.

During his journey, he met countless heroes, reclusive experts, mysterious beings, and legendary creatures. Among those extraordinary encounters were the Twelve New Moons.

It would be natural to think that detailed records about the mythical Twelve New Moons wouldn’t be in a school library.

Just like Eisel did.

But this place was not accessible to just anyone.

It was really a confidence.

Eisel, who had arrived here naturally while wandering, wouldn’t know.

“Sounds interesting.”

“Do you want to read it together?”

From the moment Eisel started reading that book, her tragedy began. The best way to prevent it would be to stop her from reading it.

“Really? I’m curious. Can I see it for a moment?”

“Here you go.”

Eisel handed over the book without a hint of suspicion. Edna stared intently at the book in her hands and pondered for a moment.

She was certain.

The moment Eisel got her hands on this, she would not face a bright future.

Perhaps… Upon learning the ‘truth,’ Eisel would end up living like a recluse, wasting away the years. Not even Baek Yu-Seol could prevent that.

Although Baek Yu-Seol had resolved countless incidents and disasters, tragedies born from truth were beyond his ability to prevent.

However, there was one way to stop it right now.

With just a little bit of mana, she could tear this book apart.

If she did that, Eisel would never learn why her father died, nor uncover the secrets hidden within.

*’… I should tear it apart.’*

It was an unavoidable choice.

Sometimes, it was better to live without knowing anything.

… But then.

“Oh, I already read a bit of the middle part of that book. There’s a really interesting section.”

“… What?”

“That book covers ‘Eleventh New Moon Silver’ among the Twelve New Moons.”

“You read this? Already?”

“Huh? Yes? Yes… Is that not okay?”

Edna’s body shuddered, but Eisel continued talking while oblivious to the fact.

“Anyway, just as Twelfth New Moon Bronze left the ‘Heart of Winter’ as a fragment and Scarlet Summer left the ‘Hwaryeong Flower,’ Silver also did the same. One of the relics supposedly allows you to glimpse past events… Huh? Edna, what’s wrong?”

“… Nothing.”

It was too late. Now that she had learned so much, there was no reason to stop her.

Edna stared blankly at the book. She felt helpless.

“So, you see… There’s still some time left in the summer vacation, right? So I thought I’d go look for it myself.”

“… You’re going to search for it?”

“Yeah… It sounds foolish, right? I’m thinking of it as a trip to clear my head, a little adventure. Who knows if it even exists.”

Yes, it did sound foolish.

“But you never know, right? If this thing really exists, I might be able to reveal the truth about my father to the world!”

Eisel’s father, Isaac Morph, had been killed by the Adolveit Royal Family under the most disgraceful accusation in the magical community. He was being labeled a dark mage traitor.

It had been ten years since then.

Eisel had repeatedly claimed her father’s innocence, but the magical community did not accept it.

So, she had been biding her time, growing stronger on her own. To reveal the truth to the world and clear her father’s unjust accusation.

“So, I’m willing to try anything if there’s even a little hope.”

“… I see.”

Edna nodded with a determined expression, and with a resolute voice, she said to Eisel.

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“… What?”

“You said it would be like a trip, right? I’ve been incredibly stressed lately, so this works out perfectly.”

“Together? I can go by myself…”

“We’re going together. That’s final.”

Declaring this, Edna turned and left the library.

“Wait. Hey?”

Eisel’s flustered voice echoed, but Edna ignored it.

If Eisel was determined to follow the original story’s plot, Edna decided she would accompany her through the process.

—

The Cradle of the Heavenly Spirit Tree, the White Castle.

“Yawn…”

The queen’s personal guard, Lime Taeseong, yawned widely and wiped away the tears that had squeezed out due to excessive stretching.

Just because he was a knight who served closely by the queen’s side didn’t mean he always had to maintain a dignified appearance, right?

“Taeseong. I told you to maintain your dignity at the White Castle.”

In contrast, his twin sister, Lime Taeseon, always maintained a disciplined appearance wherever she was and often scolded her brother.

“Oh, ah… Right…”

Lime Taeseong tried to gather himself and appear dignified. But it did little to change his tired and sleepy appearance.

*’I’m so tired…’*

One of the two knights closest to the queen, Lime Taeseong had been living in a secluded cabin in the forest for the sake of the Florin.

Perhaps because of the years he spent there, he had grown completely indifferent to others’ opinions, resulting in laziness.

Despite this, his skills were undeniable, and he had served the queen for a long time, so he never lost the Queen Florin’s trust.

But from his sister Lime Taeseon’s perspective, his attitude was deeply troubling.

“The queen… She’s working hard again today…”

“Yes. It’s a good sight to see.”

Peeking into the queen’s office, they saw Queen Florin diligently working from morning until night without a single day of rest. Seeing her running around busily in her black veil and dress was quite strange from the perspective of Lime Taeseong, who had guarded her all his life.

“Thanks to her, the Elders’ Council’s influence has significantly decreased these days.”

At Taeseon’s words, Taeseong chuckled.

“Those insolent old folks were really acting up while Her Majesty was away, weren’t they?”

“Indeed.”

When the queen was absent for long periods, the power of the High Elf Elders’ Council naturally increased.

For decades, they had been doing whatever they pleased, running everything as they saw fit.

But with the queen’s sudden return and her efforts to set things straight, there was now considerable dissatisfaction among the council.

But what could they do? They couldn’t oppose the one closest to the Heavenly Spirit Tree.

“Faenal. I told you to remove the Elders’ Council’s seal from this document. The Queen’s direct departments do not need the council’s approval.”

At that moment, as Queen Florin began to scold someone, Taeseon and Taeseong’s gazes naturally turned to the office.

“… It’s always been that way. We’ve upheld this tradition for over 30 years….”

“Always? Did you say ‘always’?”

Oops. Taeseong placed a hand on his forehead. The word ‘always’ was the one the queen hated most.

Elves, by nature, feared change and had maintained their conservative culture for a very long time. It was as if they were following a script. The person who broke this pattern was none other than Queen Florin.

The recently arrived young High Elves was oblivious to this.

“During my time, it has not ‘always’ been like this. Change it immediately.”

As she began to overhaul the absurd rule which required the Elders’ Council’s approval for every matter in the White Castle, some officials wore expressions as if they’d swallowed something bitter.

“……”

Queen Florin scrutinized each of their expressions. Thanks to the weakening curse and activation of the abilities of Yeonhong Chunsamweol, she could read the hidden intentions and emotions displayed on their faces.

*’… I must uproot the Elders’ Council as soon as possible.’*

Her resolve was swift.

“Maidi? We need to conduct a thorough investigation of all the senior officials within the palace. Bring me the list of officials by this evening.”

“Y-Yes!”

The girl named Maidi, who had newly taken on the position of aide, replied hastily, causing the officials’ faces to pale.

“Wow~ The queen’s got charisma.”

“Indeed. I’ve never seen Her Majesty like this before.”

Thinking back to the days when Queen Florin lived quietly in a hut, she seemed like a gentle, flower-loving girl.

She feared going outside but longed for a normal life more than anyone. She loved sunlight but was afraid to lift her head…

Such a delicate girl. But they were mistaken because they had only seen the timid Queen Florun who hid away.

As the Elf Queen, Queen Florin was different. She possessed the charisma and leadership needed for a ruler and had the decisive determination to overturn the deeply entrenched culture.

To be honest, after returning to her role as queen, Queen Florin had shown only a cold and fierce demeanor every day, to the point where they could hardly recall her former self.

Even Lime Taeseong and Lime Taeseon, both Class 7 mages, occasionally found themselves intimidated.

“Still, I think Her Majesty looks more impressive this way.”

“… Really?”

“Yes. It looks like she’s doing what she wants. She seems happy.”

Seeing her live each day with clear goals and a newfound passion was moving for the two knights who had always stayed by her side.

So.

They believed that Queen Florin would continue to live with such regal dignity.

She had initiated a great reform, uprooted the decayed customs of the palace, fostered cultural exchange with many countries around the world, and further elevated the prestige of the elves in the world…

As such, they firmly believed that she would rule the Heavenly Spirit Tree forever as the charismatic Elf Queen.

[Taeseong, Taeseon. I’m sorry. A special guest is coming tonight, so I’ll be going out. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry!]

—

… One night.

Until the queen left a note and wondered off like a reckless young girl.

She escaped the castle without the knowledge of her personal guards.

“W-What is this?!”

Realizing too late that the queen had gone missing, Lime Taeseong shouted frantically, and Taeseon collapsed into her seat.

“Your Majesty…? This can’t be true…”

The heartless action of their queen left the hearts of the two personal guards shattered.”