Epherene and Sylvia, who had been attempting category magic, were drenched in sweat. Sylvia had somehow succeeded in applying the category, but Epherene fell one step short.
“Beck. Lucia. Come out.”
I demanded category application from the other Debutants as well.
They, too, drew only spells at random, unable to find any direction. There was little logic in their casting, only intuition.
“······Enough.”
I turned off the power to the crystal that transformed the lecture hall. As the barrier was dismantled, the scenery shifted back into an ordinary lecture hall.
“This is all your level amounts to. It was my mistake to overestimate you. Sit.”
The Debutants awkwardly took their seats in the lecture hall.
“I intended to teach you eyes that see magic through logic rather than intuition. Without a theoretical framework, intuition is bound to lose its way.”
Of course, it was an unfamiliar method to them. That was why it was not easy, why it was irritating, and why they ultimately returned to square one.
“······.”
I had not been negligent in my efforts to teach. There was likely no professor more diligent in his lectures than I was.
I had combed through every methodology and game system, even books from the ancient theocratic era, when magic was said to have flourished even more.
In the distant past, they had valued logic, and I, too, thought that was correct from a “systemic” standpoint. Yet, in reality, at most five or six people had the talent to internalize this teaching······.
To put it crudely, post-nut clarity had hit.
“From now on, I will explain it again in detail.”
There are various “bonus systems” in the game.
Attribute bonuses, category bonuses, combination bonuses, harmony bonuses, and so on······.
An attribute bonus naturally refers to the amplification of performance and reduction in mana consumption when using an attribute that suits the character’s talent, and a category bonus is not particularly different from that.
However, the “harmony bonus” is somewhat complicated.
First of all, this game is not a system where you learn a spell with a poof the moment you obtain a grimoire.
Not only practical proficiency in magic, but the process of “internalizing” it is required. That process, which the people at our company called “understanding,” also requires a proper amount of time within the game.
The harmony bonus activates when that “understanding” and “practical proficiency” are perfectly in tune.
I wanted to teach the Debutants that harmony bonus.
“Look. This is the formula for 「Goblin Fire」.”
I lifted a piece of chalk with 「Psychokinesis」.
In one section of the blackboard, I drew the formula for 「Goblin Fire」; in the next, the formula for the support category; then I recorded in detail the process of connecting them.
It was an analog lesson.
“When 「Goblin Fire」 is applied to the ‘support category,’ it manifests a special effect. Memorize the entirety of this connection between formula and circuit.”
If understanding was difficult, memorization came first.
For Debutants of a level high enough to enter the Imperial Magic Tower, there would be countless cases in which they understood difficult material while memorizing it, or after they had memorized it.
“When 「Thundercloud」 is applied to the ‘destruction’ category, it manifests a special effect. Memorize this as well.”
I wrote on the board the “logic” of grafting each pure element onto the appropriate category.
Scratch, scratch—six pieces of chalk moved at once. Considering readability, I also differentiated the colors of the core circuits.
Hoping the students would be moved by this attention to detail.
“「Metal Corrosion」, which wields metal like blades, unexpectedly manifests a special effect when applied to the ‘summoning’ category. You cannot yet comprehend its mysterious depth, so simply memorize it.”
My writing did not stop for even a moment, and the blackboard became filled with the category applications of a total of eight spells—geometric things that, in terms of lines and circles, numbered almost in the thousands, impossible to tell whether they were patterns or designs.
It was a two-hour class.
“That is all.”
There was no answer.
Half of them looked as though they were dying, and the other half were still taking notes.
Only belatedly did I turn back to look at what I had written.
On the enormous blackboard, nearly five meters high, there was nothing but formulas.
“Experience the helplessness of facing a problem that cannot be solved by intuition alone. Only after you suffer through it will you understand its necessity.”
Everyone has a plausible plan until they get punched.
Once they had been hit, their thoughts would change.
I continued coldly.
“There will be a simple test next week. Prepare yourselves.”
When I looked at the clock, it was off from exactly six o’clock by eleven seconds.
Feeling an immense discomfort, I left the lecture hall.
* * *
As soon as class ended, Epherene headed to the library. Deculein’s class today had been extremely complicated and difficult.
[ The “logical” support-category application of Goblin Fire ]
[ The “logical” destruction-category application of Thundercloud ]
[ The “logical” summoning-category application of Metal Corrosion ]
[ ★Important★ Effort to see “logically,” in other words “magically,” is required ]
“······Logic.”
Deculein said that if logic was what paved the road in magic, intuition was what walked upon it. With intuition alone, one could lose the road, and one could also be deceived by phenomena.
Of course, easy spells and problems might be solvable through intuition alone. In fact, that might even be more efficient. The knowledge we had accumulated thus far would help intuition gain insight.
However, when faced with difficult magic that could not be governed by intuition, or when one first stepped into a magical unknown.
The “road” called “logic” would become a useful tool for solving magic······.
“······It’s hard.”
They were good words. They were certainly persuasive.
The problem was the difficulty.
At first, it had clearly begun with something as simple as 1+1.
But after closing and opening her eyes just once, the blackboard had been filled with geometric formulas. There had also been numerous mathematical operations to express those circuits.
“But how on earth does Deculein······.”
No matter how she thought about it, there were far too many points that conflicted with her father’s letter.
Could it be that he also had a certain degree of theoretical ability?
Or had he learned it from her father?
If not that, had he hired someone else to take over her father’s role?
“······Let’s just study for now.”
She could learn, practice, master it, and challenge him again later.
Professor Deculein seemed, if anything, to welcome challenges.
[ 12:00 ]
After studying like mad, before she knew it, it was past midnight.
Epherene placed her thick notebook of notes into her bag and rose from her seat.
Trudge, trudge—
On the way back to the dormitory, as she was passing through a deserted alley.
“······!”
Epherene, having spotted someone, instinctively hid herself.
The broad silhouette was Relin, and the slender silhouette was Professor Siare.
The two were whispering to each other.
“······Sir Luina has gone missing? Professor Siare, is that true?”
“Yes, I’m telling you. I saw Sir Luina finish His Majesty’s lesson and leave by carriage, but after that, her whereabouts became unclear.”
“Why all of a sudden······ Don’t tell me, don’t tell me it was that Professor Deculein?!”
“Shh. Shh, shh.”
Epherene’s eyes widened.
“The details at the Magic Society. Even the disappearance is still confidential for now. There is concern the Magic Tower may fall into needless chaos.”
“Yes. Still, the timing is truly strange. The opposition signatures will be gathered soon······.”
Epherene, who had been covering her mouth and even holding her breath at the corner, exhaled as soon as they left.
“······Kidnapping? Disappearance?”
Epherene knew of the person named Luina as well.
Not only was it a name she had read in her father’s letter, but Luina was also one of the special talents of the present magical world.
That Luina, by Deculein?
“No way.”
It was not as though everything professors said was true, and before worrying about someone else, her own circumstances were the problem.
What was the current balance of her bank account?
The support of 100,000 elne she had received at the beginning of the semester.
Of that, 85,000 elne had been spent on grimoires, writing tools exclusively for mages, department event fees, and so on, while 5,000 elne had been sacrificed for the sake of the happiness of eating. The money remaining was only 10,000 elne······.
“Miss Luna?”
As soon as she arrived at the dormitory, the dorm supervisor in the lobby called her.
“Yes.”
Epherene approached her. The supervisor pushed up her pointed glasses with a finger, but contrary to that impression, she was the most trustworthy person in this dormitory.
“Several letters came for you. Take them. I was worried the children might tear them if I put them in your mailbox.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you as always.”
“Good work.”
Epherene looked at the letters as she climbed the stairs.
One was a letter from her hometown, and the other was······ Epherene’s eyes grew as large as ping-pong balls.
It was a certificate of sponsorship.
When she hurriedly tore it open and looked, it was once again 100,000 elne.
“Wow······.”
The certificate shone like gold, and Epherene’s pupils sparkled as well.
Could they have heard the rumor that I placed second on the midterms?
Then, does that mean they’ll continue sponsoring me if I keep up my grades?
Epherene smiled brightly and tucked the certificate into her arms. Then she looked at the letter from her hometown.
“······!”
The very next moment.
Epherene turned on her heel and ran to the administrative office.
“E-excuse me!”
She shouted as she opened the door. The administrative office employee, having received a visitor late at night, looked at her with annoyed eyes.
“Yes.”
“I received a sponsorship certificate today······”
The letter sent by her grandmother back home contained something Epherene had not known.
That 300,000 elne had been deposited under the name of “sponsorship funds.” That it seemed to be thanks to Epherene, and that they were so grateful and sorry, so she did not need to worry about the family.
“Is it anonymous again this time?”
“Yes. It’s anonymous.”
The administrator nodded while yawning. Epherene urgently asked again.
“Still, could you perha—”
“Just accept it. Your situation isn’t exactly good, is it? Who would sponsor you while revealing their name?”
“······.”
They were cold words, but they were true. Rumors about Epherene, the so-called “mad commoner,” were widespread.
The employee, glancing at the crestfallen Epherene, added one more thing.
“If it bothers you that much, why not write a letter?”
“······A letter?”
“Yes. Even if it’s an anonymous sponsorship, a letter can be delivered. Well, if you’re lucky, they might reply. It’s already 200,000 elne in sponsorship. That’s a large sum.”
“Ah······ Yes, that’s right. I’ll do that!”
After thinking it over, Epherene nodded. That person might dislike letters, but if so, they simply would not reply.
There was nothing wrong with the act of sending a letter itself.
Epherene opened her eyes round and asked,
“Um, what about stationery? Aren’t you giving me any?”
“······You have to get that yourself. We only handle the letters. If you received 200,000 elne in sponsorship, doesn’t that mean you have plenty of money?”
“······Yes. Thank you.”
* * *
The next day. The Magic Tower of the university, where the festival and parties were in full swing.
♩♬♪♬♪♩~
While parade music drifted in faintly from outside, the “correlation between runes and circuits” that I had recently been absorbed in was nearly complete.
It was a precise interpretation.
There were a total of fourteen runes used in Problem 6 of the symposium. Among them, only three could be utilized as circuits.
It seemed I could solve the symposium on the basis of this research.
I sealed the documents with mana and placed them in my briefcase.
“······Hm.”
Suddenly, one notebook in the corner of the drawer caught my eye again.
[ ─ ]
An untitled notebook.
An unidentified object that could not be seen through 「Tycoon’s Wealth」, 「Villain’s Fate」, or anything else.
“This is······.”
I picked up the notebook.
After staring closely at its innocent cover, I flipped it open. I placed my hand on a page with no sentences written on it.
I could not simply agonize over it forever.
“I won’t know until I try.”
After preparing myself.
Slowly, I infused it with mana.
[······You do nothing but disappoint me.
A solemn voice flowed in. I raised my head. A man who resembled Kim Woojin, yet was far more dignified, was looking down at me.
Deep contempt gleamed in his pupils.
······This chance is your last. Produce results at “Marik.”
I tried to answer something. However, the pressure of that mana did not permit even a reply, and when I opened the eyes I had squeezed shut, I was already inside a dark mine.
A slender back was carrying me.
“······Who are you?”
I asked.
“It will be all right.”
The voice was familiar. I opened my eyes wide and looked at her.
It was Yuli.
She was beautiful then as she was now, but her complexion was poor. Blood was flowing from her side.
Deculein asked Yuli,
“What happened to the job?”
Dekyulrein had attempted to retrieve a 'certain object' in Marik. It had been his father's order.
However, a problem occurred. It was an unexpected ambush.
"Yes. My colleague has recovered it. You should be able to meet them on the surface."
Dekyulrein let out a sigh of relief.
But before long, an eerie demonic qi surged. Though Dekyulrein's exterior remained composed, his heart thrashed like mad.
"Protect me."
"Yes."
"You need only protect me."
"Yes."
"Protect only me."
Yulli set Dekyulrein down on the ground nearby. Feeling pain, Dekyulrein leaned against the wall.
"Fulfill the duty of a knight."
Those pointless words betrayed no impatience. Understanding his intent—that she must save him even if she had to sacrifice herself—Yulli answered,
"Yes. I will protect you."
Gripping her sword, she turned around, and Dekyulrein watched her back.
At that moment.
From beyond the mine, fearsome demonic qi surged forth like waves. ]
"······!"
I returned to reality with the sensation of my entire body being swept away by a tidal wave. The memories of that day and various emotions flowed in vividly.
It was Dekyulrein's past.
I pressed my temples with my fingers. It had been Dekyulrein's past, yet that episode had settled in as if it had been my own memory all along.
[ Independent Quest Complete: Dekyulrein's Diary ]
◆ Shop Currency +1
◆ Trait 「Yukeurain」 Growth
It seemed this notebook had been Dekyulrein's diary after all.
"Damn it······"
Unwilling to be tormented by those memories, I left Matap.
I wandered aimlessly across the university grounds.
······This opportunity is the last.
The voice that had spoken those words was clear.
It had been his father's voice.
It wasn't my father.
No, it was my father.
Perhaps because I had reconstructed Dekyulrein's memories, his father resembled my own······.
Tuk—
I bumped shoulders with a passerby.
"Ah, sorry."
He left with merely that trifling apology. I disliked that nameless, lowly wretch.
But thanks to that, my troubled mind settled somewhat.
"Come see the play~ There aren't many tickets left~"
There was a theater right nearby.
"Ah, will you be seeing it? There are tickets left!"
A student hawking tickets handed one to me. I nodded and went inside.
I sat blankly in a theater seat, and before I knew it, the play had begun.
—Dad. Dad. I'm sorry, I······!
Though not a fragment of it reached my eyes or ears.
"Ugh······ Hng."
The person beside me seemed quite moved.
"······Hk."
The incessant sniffling grated on me, so I stole a glance that way.
I was slightly taken aback.
"Uugh······."
It was Ipeurin.
I silently handed a handkerchief to the sniffling brat.
"Huh? Ah, th-thank you, hnngh······."
Ipeurin wiped her tears and handed it back. I threw it on the floor.
—You can't kill him honorably! In the meantime, too many people will die! Our father died that way too!
I belatedly heard the lines. I didn't know what the story was about, but anyway it seemed to be a revenge play, and the actress's performance was tremendous. Even viewed through 「Aesthetic Sense」, it was quite excellent.
Intermission came in the meantime.
Ipeurin fled covering her eyes, then returned shortly after Act 2 began.
······Thank you.
Ipeurin, who had been glancing at me, whispered and held out popcorn. The kid, who had pulled her robe hood over her head, didn't seem to be able to see my face.
—······I loved you. But if you stay by my side, you will suffer too. I am a criminal who killed him, a murderer.
The play reached its climax.
Ipeurin bent over completely. Tears dripped between the fingers clutching her face.
"Hic! Hup! Hngh!"
She seemed like a more sentimental child than she appeared.
I pulled a proper handkerchief from my suit's inner pocket and gave it to the brat.
"Ah, hngh. Th-thank y... hiee...... hiiiee......"
That sound of trying to hold back tears was like a boiling kettle. I rose from my seat and went outside.
I walked the campus grounds again and sat on any random bench.
To clear my thoughts, I closed my eyes in the darkness.
How much time had passed like that?
[ Main Quest: The Stirring ]
◆ Completion Reward: Shop Currency +2
Suddenly, a Main Quest had occurred.
* * *
11 PM.
As soon as the play ended, Ipeurin came outside. Magical fireworks were bursting in the sky. It seemed some party was being held, but she had little interest.
"Hngh, hmph. Ah, I cried like crazy."
Ipeurin walked, wiping her tears with the handkerchief.
It was something a certain gentleman had given her. It seemed quite expensive, so she had tried to return it, but when she came to her senses, he had disappeared somewhere.
"Ipi!"
A shout called out to her. She turned around to see Jullia.
"Big trouble!"
"What?"
"At the beginning of the semester, that, a formula on the dormitory wall... no, just follow me!"
Jullia grabbed Ipeurin's hand and ran.
When they arrived at the dormitory building after running like that, Ipeurin was shocked.
"What is this······?"
A part of the dormitory was covered by a black-red barrier. Among the dormitories, Building 3. The place where commoners made up the majority was shrouded in an unidentified fog.
"At the start of the semester, on the dormitory wall, a red formula was drawn! Isn't that it?!"
Fwhiiiing— Baaaang—!
The fireworks continuously embroidered the sky. Shouts of joy from people rang out raucously in the distance.
"Wh-what is going on!"
The professors who had belatedly received the report came running. Rellin, Siare, Reteuran, Kamel······ They had been in a meeting at Matap, and the moment they witnessed the phenomenon, their eyes widened in shock.
"What is this······ what demonic qi is this······"
"Damn it. This is why I didn't want to open the Dark Mountain!"
"······The Chairman, where is the Chairman?"
Rellin asked Reteuran.
"He's probably on the floating island. Today of all days······"
"······"
The professors could not even muster the resolve to enter the barrier.
In a situation where they didn't know what was inside, they couldn't act rashly. The concentration of demonic qi felt from the outside was already no trivial matter.
Gas masks were essential. It was safest to bring along at least an active-duty knight. The viscous demonic qi would stubbornly disrupt even magic the professors cast.
They were simply being rational.
"Professor! What are you going to do!"
Ipeurin shouted at them. Rellin flinched in surprise, but soon narrowed his eyes like an angry bird.
"Why are you asking me that, brat!"
"There are people inside!"
"······"
At Jullia's retort, Rellin bit his lip and looked inside. He seemed to be contemplating something, but he was a man already in middle age with much to lose.
"······Who first discovered this situation!"
"That's not the issue right now!"
"Of course it's the— Ah, Professor Siare! Aren't you from the Destruction branch?"
"······I am physically frail. Please wait a moment. The knights will arrive soon."
If they waited, it might be too late.
Knowing what was happening inside.
"······Haa."
Sighing, Ipeurin handed her bag and handkerchief to Jullia.
"Ipi, why?"
"I'll go."
"What? No!"
It was at that moment.
A voice honed like a blade pierced through the space.
"What is going on."
A cold tone that chilled the sweltering air.
Everyone turned that way.
"······"
Dekyulrein.
He who emerged from the crowd was composed. A chill lurked in his gaze as it swept the area, and his bearing was arrogantly upright.
Soon, seeming to have noticed the barrier as well, he slightly furrowed his brow.
······His impression of this grotesque barrier that even the professors feared.
"This commotion has crossed the line."
That was all.
And without saying anything to anyone, without waiting for a word, he walked.
Thud— Thud—
Producing exceptionally loud footsteps, he advanced toward the barrier.
The professors watched his back, and in his steps, there was no trace of fear or hesitation.
He was simply aristocratic.