The Genius Tamer of the Academy

Chapter 80

The four of them gathered to discuss the upcoming astrology competition. With only about a week left, it was time to start making solid plans.

“So, how do we go about this?” Adela asked.

“I’ve got the rules from last year. Just hold on a sec,” Won replied as he rummaged through his bag and pulled out several wooden boxes.

There was a clicking sound, like coins hitting each other.

Han Siha’s eyes widened as he asked, “Wait, are we practicing?”

“They said this is how the actual competition will go. We’ll be given several boxes, and we have to figure out which one contains the charm,” Won explained.

“Is that… even possible?” Adela blinked in confusion.

Han Siha slowly nodded. “Even if it seems impossible, we’ll need to get at least that much right to have a shot at winning.”

In truth, he didn’t know for sure. The astrology competition episode had only briefly appeared in the storyline to highlight Yoon Haul’s talent, and it wasn’t a major scene.

He vaguely remembered it but couldn’t recall all the details. What he did know for certain was that Yoon Haul had solved every problem except for one.

“Let’s give it a try, anyway.”

Honestly, Han Siha didn’t think they could surpass that level, but since they had decided to participate, they needed to push themselves as far as they could.

Won tapped the wooden boxes lightly and nodded. “Where do you think it is?”

The basic astrology course they had taken in their first year only covered the bare minimum of theory.

It was like learning the principles of equations in mathematics without actually solving any problems.

The advanced astrology they had learned in the last lecture was supposed to be a practical application.

Adela took out a pen and tucked it behind her ear. “From what I remember in class, we arrange the cards, calculate the positions of the constellations, and analyze the direction of the planets… Is that right?”

“Seems right!” Natalie nodded, her eyes focused intently on the wooden boxes. Of course, staring at them wouldn’t reveal what was inside.

“I think I heard something coming from over there,” she said.

“No, that’s not how it works.”

“Really?”

This isn’t like a cat catching a mouse by listening for noises.

Han Siha stopped Natalie and helped Adela with the calculations. Among them, Adela had the most knowledge of astrology for one simple reason: she paid the most attention in class.

“Wow, model student!” Han Siha teased.

“…Hey,” Adela sighed.

“You’re reliable!” Han Siha gave her a thumbs up, and Won chimed in with his own encouragement.

Adela sighed again and said, “Alright, I’ll give it a shot.”

She spent some time scribbling on the paper before cautiously asking, “Could it be… in the second box?”

“Should I open it?” Won asked.

“It could be wrong,” she warned.

“…Okay!”

With a flourish, Won lifted the second box, and a collective gasp of surprise escaped from both him and Han Siha.

She got it right.

“Whoa.”

This wasn’t just luck; it was the result of careful calculations. Maybe they actually had a chance.

Adela nudged him. “You try it too. You were doing well earlier.”

“That was just dumb luck. I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

“Still humble!” Won joked.

“The challenge isn’t just finding the location; you also have to identify what’s inside and its color. That’s three problems to solve in total,” Won explained.

“Huh…” Han Siha muttered. “That sounds tough.”

Even Adela, who managed to find the location, had no clue about the type or color of the item inside. It wasn’t something they could solve with just a day of studying.

Natalie hesitated before suggesting, “Should we… sneak in on another lecture?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Won replied, his initial excitement fading.

These guys were too good at sneaking into other people’s classes.

Han Siha vividly remembered the chill he felt when he was nearly dragged off to graduate school in the Department of Theology instead of Magic.

They should save that option as a last resort.

As Han Siha pondered seriously, a vague memory flashed through his mind.

“Hmm…”

“What is it?” Won asked.

The others could handle finding the location. “What about the color?”

“That’s a bit easier than identifying the object,” Won replied.

If that was the case, then identifying the item inside the box was the next challenge. Han Siha rested his chin in his hand, murmuring to himself, “Hah…”

He felt like he was on the verge of remembering something.

“At least one of them should be right.”

Nothing to lose.

Han Siha confidently stepped forward. “I’ll try to guess that.”

* * *

“Is this the list of this year’s participants?”

The astrology competition was one of the Department of Theology’s annual events, involving most students except for first-year students who had just entered and sixth-year students who were about to graduate. Occasionally, a genius would appear and surpass their seniors.

The judges scanned the list with interest, wondering who the standout would be this year.

Commissioner Han Si-hyuk slowly turned the first page, his eyes catching on a student with striking black hair.

“Hmm.”

He seemed familiar somehow.

Sitting beside him, Professor Supreme commented, “That’s Yoon Haul. I saw him in class, and he was excellent.”

Though, in truth, it was her first time seeing him in class recently.

Still, her enthusiasm was genuine. Even in the brief time she had observed him, Yoon Haul’s calculations and predictions were far beyond those of his peers.

As Professor Supreme recalled the memory, another face suddenly flashed through her mind.

Ah, right.

‘The friend who came with that kid… I think he was pretty good too. Han… Han Suha, was it?’

Unable to recall clearly, Professor Supreme frowned. Meanwhile, another professor from the Department of Theology smiled upon hearing Yoon Haul’s name.

“Ah, Yoon Haul! He’s a strong contender for the championship. I bet his team will take first place this time.”

“Is he that good?”

“The rumors have been around since he was a first-year. Even the seniors can’t beat him.”

“But it seems like the fifth-year students have been preparing a lot this time.”

“No matter how hard they try, they can’t beat a genius. You know how it is, especially in astrology.”

As the Theology professors chattered among themselves, Commissioner Han Si-hyuk straightened his posture. Though he didn’t know Yoon Haul personally, the description intrigued him. If he was truly that extraordinary…

‘Will he recognize me?’

Will he, with those supposedly remarkable intuitive eyes, be able to discern my intentions?

“Interesting.”

Of course, he didn’t have high expectations. After all, Yoon Haul was only a second-year student.

The astrology competition was more about identifying potential than finding a great prophet.

Clearing his throat, Han Si-hyuk turned to the next page, and his eyebrows raised slightly.

“And this student?”

“Uh… Han Siha?”

“Doesn’t that name sound familiar?”

“Wasn’t he the one from the festival? That kid from the Department of Magic?”

Some professors with sharp memories recognized Han Siha’s name. There it was, boldly written on the registration form, accompanied by a photo of him smiling brightly.

Professor Supreme rubbed her eyes, frowning. “But why is he in the Department of Magic?”

She was sure he was the student she had seen in her class. He had definitely been in her lecture…

“Wait, what?”

It was only then that Professor Supreme realized that the students had been attending her class without permission.

‘Those little…’

But that wasn’t the most important issue right now.

“That kid was a genius!”

“Pardon?”

“That can’t be right.”

“Is there a mistake on this form? Why would a Magic student sign up for the astrology competition?”

Sure enough, the next page revealed more names from the Department of Magic: Adela, Natalie, and Won—students who were quite well-known in their department. Professor Supreme found herself having to clarify to the confused professors.

“They attended my class, and he got the answer right on the spot!”

“Are you sure you didn’t see it wrong? A Magic student?”

“Adela? If it’s her, she’s pretty good at astrology too.”

“But no matter how you look at it, their major is different…”

“We’ll find out soon enough. This is quite curious.”

“Interesting group of kids. How did they end up here?”

The professors couldn’t stop talking. It was the first time in the history of the astrology competition that students from another department were participating. The fact that these were rising second-year stars made it even more exciting.

Meanwhile, Han Si-hyuk couldn’t take his eyes off the page with Han Siha’s name on it.

“Why is he….”

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen him, but this was certainly not the environment in which he wanted to meet.

Han Si-hyuk sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He prided himself on maintaining his composure in any situation, but right now, his fingers were trembling slightly.

‘This is awful.’

The last memory he had of Han Siha was not a pleasant one.

* * *

“They’re from the Department of Magic?”

“I thought I saw them in class before. Weren’t they from our department?”

“No, they’re from the Department of Magic.”

The students from the Department of Theology were abuzz with chatter. Even in a department known for its indifference to others, this event had caused quite a stir.

The idea that students from another department, who likely didn’t even know the basics of astrology, had confidently entered the competition was shocking.

“But didn’t they do well last time?”

Yoon Haul listened to the chatter of her teammates, her curiosity piqued. It wasn’t just her—many of the Theology students were focused on Han Siha.

He had walked into their class out of nowhere, correctly solved a problem in front of everyone, and had even caught the attention of Professor Supreme.

Whether he was from the Theology department or the Magic department didn’t matter anymore.

One student lowered their voice as they made a point. “He definitely seemed like he knew what he was doing with astrology.”

“Yeah, maybe he’s just really into it as a hobby.”

“Wow, he must be really interested in it!”

“That makes sense.”

“Do you think he’ll do well today?”

“He might surprise us.”

The students from the Theology department watched Han Siha’s team warily. One of Yoon Haul’s teammates sent her a subtle look.

“You’re confident, right?”

“Confidence has nothing to do with it. It’s all up to the stars,” Yoon Haul replied, avoiding a direct answer.

Even so, she couldn’t deny that she felt the weight of the attention around her. As the de facto representative of the Theology department, she had to secure first place in this competition. Although the competition was done in teams, her contributions would make up more than 99% of their success.

She had to meet the expectations of her teammates, who were relying heavily on her.

“Alright, let’s begin,” the judge’s voice cut through the students’ murmurs.

“We will now commence the astrology competition. All students, please take your positions.”

The students’ eyes gleamed with determination. The fierce resolve to win this year’s championship was palpable.

“The first question.”

Whirrrr—.

The boxes at the front of the room moved to the center of the arena.

“…Wow.”

There were nine identical boxes, uniform in size and color, with no visible differences between them. The students sighed in frustration.

Yoon Haul muttered to herself without realizing it, “Weren’t there only five boxes last year?”

But there was no time to complain about the difficulty. Yoon Haul bit her lower lip.

“There is a 10-minute time limit for each question.”

The competition had begun.

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