······I spent two weeks immersed in understanding magic and the body.
As a result, my “entire body” came to remember the magic called 「Basic Psychokinesis」 with certainty. I had engraved the enormous magic circle of psychokinesis beneath my skin, like an invisible tattoo.
Goooooo──
Three fountain pens were floating around the spacious living room like paper airplanes.
The limit of my psychokinesis was ten fountain pens. By “pure” metal standards, 300 kilograms.
Considering that the specs of Basic Psychokinesis described in the magic book were,
“The limit of Basic Psychokinesis is 30 kilograms only when it suits the magician’s own attribute well, and only for simple pushing or pulling tasks······.”
it was an astonishing output.
“If this is what I can achieve in two weeks, it’s lacking, but satisfactory.”
Of course, only the power had been amplified; mastery was still far away. Rather, because the performance was so outstanding, mastering it would be even more difficult.
With the help of 「Comprehension」, I was training as efficiently as possible, but even writing with a fountain pen was still difficult. I would only be satisfied once I reached a level where I could at least draw.
“The basics are done.”
I picked up 「Beginner Manipulation Magic Volume 1」 from the desk.
The difference between 「Basic Psychokinesis」 and 「Beginner Psychokinesis」 was, in terms of the number of lines alone, a full 18 strokes.
Basic Psychokinesis was magic composed of 20 “lines” and two “circles,” while Beginner Psychokinesis consisted of 38 “lines” and three “circles.”
Of course, since Beginner was structured as branches extending from the foundation of Basic, I only had to remember an additional 18 strokes rather than all 38, but this time the thickness of the lines was another problem······.
“This is for later.”
My body needed time to recover, and if I moved on to Beginner without even mastering Basic Psychokinesis, it was obvious I wouldn’t be able to control it.
Therefore, my next goals were these.
「Basic Metal-Attribute Magic Volume 1」
「Basic Fire-Attribute Magic Volume 1」
「Basic Earth-Attribute Magic Volume 1」
Magic books of three attributes.
Even among these, I could only learn manipulation-type magic if possible.
This was an unexpected side effect. Since I had engraved “manipulation”-type psychokinesis throughout my entire body, learning magic that completely contrasted with manipulation placed a burden on my body.
For example, summoning and spirits were systems that conflicted with manipulation, so learning them was impossible in itself. At best, I could learn them in the order of alchemy >> support > destruction, depending on how similar their forms were to manipulation magic.
Still, well, it didn’t matter much. He was a guy who had talent only in the manipulation system anyway. I could simply consider it a matter of selection and concentration.
Knock, knock—
Just as I was about to open the book, someone knocked on the door.
I retrieved the fountain pens floating in the air and answered.
“What is it?”
─It’s Roy. Magician Allen says he has brought the lecture materials······
It meant Allen had come.
Well, of course. The first class after the semester began was just ten days away, next Thursday.
“I’ll be out soon.”
I changed clothes with psychokinesis. No, I tried to, but the pants kept coming to my upper body, so I put them on myself.
When I went down to the first floor, Allen was setting large boxes down on the floor with the servants.
“······Is this my lecture content?”
“Yes! This is the summary for the first semester’s classes! I prepared it the same way as every year!”
Allen answered like that, dark circles filling the area around his eyes. More than those dark circles, I pitied the innocent brightness with which he seemed happy to have finished the work.
“You worked hard.”
Other professors in the Magic Tower had as many as 20 people under them, and at least 5, but I had only Allen.
It was entirely due to Deculein’s lack of virtue.
“Yes. Then I’ll be heading back now!”
I grabbed Allen by the back of his robe as he tried to leave.
“Gah.”
“It’s late. At least have dinner before you go.”
“Huh? No. I—”
“Eat before you leave.”
I jerked my chin at the servant. The servants then moved briskly and led Allen to the dining room.
“Uh, I, I’m really fine······”
“It’s fine, so sit.”
Perhaps intimidated because even the dining room was luxurious, Allen just stood there awkwardly.
“Sit.”
“······Yes.”
“Your meal.”
The meal was prepared in no time. Even to my eyes, it was a feast. Allen was dazed for a moment, and I skillfully picked up the knife and fork.
“It’s late, so sleep here tonight.”
“Huh? No, I······.”
“I will refuse your refusal.”
“Ah. Yes, yes······.”
Allen nodded, looking shy and uncomfortable.
* * *
One in the morning.
In the silent study where only the second hand of the clock ticked, I was preparing for the lecture.
[ Lecture Summary: Deculein’s “Understanding Elemental Attribute Magic” ]
Thanks to the lecture summary Allen had made, the preparation itself went smoothly.
However, the mana consumed to understand “half” of Lecture 1, that is, the first class’s content, was a full 3,500.
It meant I would have to invest 1,000 every day for a whole week to conduct one lecture smoothly, but fortunately, content understood through 「Comprehension」 was not easily forgotten.
“······It would be better to remove the useless parts.”
I did some cutting in my own way.
I extracted only the core content from Allen’s summary, and boldly excluded anything I judged to be too basic or useless.
Since I lacked knowledge anyway, I intended to make the lecture as participation-centered as possible.
If it were the original Deculein, he would have disparaged new magicians out of his own smugness, but I was not Deculein.
If possible, I wanted to structure the lecture with “content that would definitely help magicians,” while also being “at a level where my empty head wouldn’t be exposed.”
This needlessly fine-hearted sentiment was, in truth, partly because Deculein’s personality was needlessly diligent.
After writing the plan for about an hour like that, I checked the schedule.
“Nine days now, is it?”
Since midnight had passed, there were nine days left until classes began.
By then, as Professor Deculein, I needed to build up at least a little magical knowledge.
I was a little nervous about playing professor, something never in my fate, but thanks to the system-based 「Personality」, the burden was only very slight.
And did I not also have the trait 「Coercion and Dignity」? With that trait, listeners would focus more on my words and understand the content more easily.
Of course, there was also a way to quit my professorship.
Then my mind would be at ease.
However, in the game, Deculein was always called “Professor.”
In other words, the prerequisite for side quests and main quests might be the title “Professor.”
In a situation where there were no clues for returning, I must not carelessly lose that business card.
“This should be enough.”
I neatly folded the handwritten lecture plan and put it in an envelope.
For reference, Deculein’s lecture had a capacity of 150 people, and all 150 seats were filled. It was popular because it was the lecture of one of the few “Head Professors” in the University Magic Tower─ such a one-dimensional understanding was not very accurate.
This phenomenon required a slightly deeper understanding.
As soon as magicians entered the University Magic Tower, they were assigned to the lowest rank called “Debutant,” and only after being promoted from Debutant to “Solda” could they choose their career path. To be promoted, they had to fulfill the “required magic credits” at the University Magic Tower.
In that regard, the magic credits assigned to Deculein’s lecture were a full 5 points.
It was on the level of three ordinary lectures combined, so even if the professor was a bastard, it could not help but be popular.
─Knock, knock. It is 3 a.m., and this week’s Wizard Journal has been delivered. I will leave it here.
At that moment, the butler knocked and slid the journal under the door.
I brought it over with psychokinesis and read it.
[WIZARD JOURNAL ─ New Year Special Edition]
Wizard Journal, said to be the most authoritative publication in the magical world.
As I looked at the cover, it felt as though someone’s voice flickered by my ear.
······If the player builds achievements, they get recorded in this journal. Little things like this are actually fun elements of the game. Woojin, if you start as a magician, you’ll be able to feel proud by yourself while reading about your achievements too, you know?
A memory that, for some reason, made me sentimental.
Because of you, I can know that I am still Kim Woojin.
“I’ll check whether that’s really possible.”
I chuckled and opened the journal.
「New Magician of the Year」
The first thing that caught my eye was New Magician of the Year.
It was a setting inserted blatantly by the company aiming for Game of the Year (GOTY).
───────
「New Magician of the Year」
Recipient: Sylvia von Yusefin Iliade
Attribute: Origin.
Main System: Specialization.
Sylvia, who underwent Iliade’s succession ceremony at the age of 17, holds the three colors of the source within her heart.
Red, blue, and green.
The so-called miracle of manifestation, the three primary colors. She was born with the original colors that, when gathered together, can form all things.
Therefore, Sylvia can create all creation as long as her mana reaches it. Her reputation as one who was noble from birth is by no means mere exaggeration······.
───────
I knew this named character too. A blond beauty possessing the trait 「Nation-Toppling Beauty」, and the heir of Iliade, which stood shoulder to shoulder with Yukline.
For now, Yukline’s status was subtly higher, but because of this absurdly overpowered named character called Sylvia, that gap would gradually widen.
I began flipping through the pages in search of Deculein.
Deculein, Deculein, Deculein······ As I searched, I found that quite a large section had been devoted to my name.
─────
「Head Professor of the Imperial University: Deculein von Yukline」
He showed talent in elemental magic from a young age, and after graduating from the Academy, he was called a genius of formula interpretation and became the youngest Head Professor of the Imperial University Magic Tower······.
······.
However, these days, as he enters his mid-thirties, he has no clear achievements. He is merely still absorbed in the magic research he declared three years ago.
Now, slowly, it is time for him to prove not only his achievements but also his own worth.
─────
If it had been the original Deculein, he would have crumpled up the journal and contacted them immediately.
What kind of bullshit were these reporter bastards spouting?
“······They are saying something correct.”
However, the Wizard Journal was not a place where money or family prestige worked, and even if some of Deculein’s personality had transferred to me, I was still Kim Woojin.
When it came to magic, I was absurdly easygoing. There was no pressure for achievements. I had no pride in what I did.
For people originally invite disaster when they covet beyond their station.
I simply wanted to survive for a long time and gain an understanding of this game······.
“It’s already four.”
When I looked at the clock, it was four in the morning, and I headed to the bedroom.
After lying down on the bed and opening my eyes again—
It was six in the morning.
“······.”
The recovery power of 「Iron Man」 was indeed astonishing, but the fact that the day was long was not purely a good thing.
“I would like to sleep for about six hours, though······.”
Whenever I woke, it was always early dawn.
Only the sun’s hairline peeked out, and the radiance seeped in sluggishly. That languid scenery was sleep itself, but even if I wanted to sleep, I could not.
Because my entire mind was perfectly clear. Because fatigue and languor melted away cleanly with just a few hours of sleep.
For me, who was trapped inside a game and spending every day here, 22 hours a day was far too long.
* * *
Lectures began this Thursday, but as soon as Monday came, I went to work at the Magic Tower. It was to use the Magic Tower’s “magic training room for executives and staff.”
[ Entry of Head Professor Deculein is permitted. ]
The training method was simple. In the training room, blocked off on all sides, I simply had to solve stages given like “mini-games” with magic.
If a player cleared up to the final stage, they received a bonus trait, but I did not know whether that system would apply to me as well.
Also, since magic used here was treated as something similar to real combat, I should be able to grasp the magic’s “temperament” as well.
“It is I. Deculein.”
I placed my hand on the magic crystal sphere in the center of the training room. The orb flashed blue and emitted letters.
[ Confirmed. Please select the system of magic you wish to train. ]
I selected the manipulation-system “psychokinesis magic.” Then, several dots appeared in the air. The dots intertwined with one another and moved in complex patterns.
[ Level 1: Manipulate an object with psychokinesis and pierce the dots. ]
This much was easy.
I floated the dagger from my inner pocket with psychokinesis. The dagger swam beautifully and pierced through the dots in the air, and Level 1 ended in 2 minutes.
In Level 2, the number of dots doubled, and it took 5 minutes.
In Level 3, phantom butterflies appeared instead of dots, and it took 15 minutes.
In Level 4, a swarm of phantom bees appeared and darted all over the place, and it took 40 minutes······
After that, for an hour, I struggled at Level 5 with a swarm of flying insects the size of ants before giving up.
“Quite difficult. Though this is how it should taste.”
The mana I consumed was 2,500.
Having done this much, my temperament should have been identified.
[ Magic Temperament Confirmed: Deculein von Grahan Yukline ]
Every magician’s magic had a temperament, simply put, a personality.
For example, intense, provocative, explosive, calm, fluctuating, sly, cunning, subtle, tranquil, composed, and so on······
This temperament usually resembled the magician’s personality, and though it might seem insignificant, it was actually an important setting.
It was similar to “aptitude.”
The temperaments of intense, provocative, and explosive strengthened the power of destruction magic, while the temperaments of sly and cunning amplified the performance of illusion or support magic.
In that sense, the temperament of my magic was······
Let’s see······.
[ Noble Temperament ]
“Uh······.”
■ Noble: elevated and graceful in meaning, dignity, or the like.
Simply put, dignity and elegance were embedded in the act of casting magic itself.
“······How very fitting.”
I was dumbfounded and let out a hollow laugh.
In many ways, it was a temperament that suited Deculein very well.