Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: Insights (1)
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After Smith sent a letter to his own master, time continued to pass.
Whether it was because he'd steeled his resolve with the opening gift from Oliver or not, Smith adapted to his new turf by selling black magic items to the members of Dinklage's Gym.
The Fighter Crew members, too, gradually began using genuine emotions instead of processed ones.
In particular, Jo and the other executives had identified the black magic they needed to focus on training in and started showing tangible results by developing specific combat styles tailored to it.
There was still a long way to go, but Forrest said this was smooth sailing.
Smooth enough to yield good results at the upcoming meeting with the Crime Firm, even.
'Of course, some people won't believe it until they see it, so we'll have to run the tests.'
Test. It was the first Oliver had heard of it, but it didn't seem strange upon reflection.
Once the contract between the Crime Firm and Fighter Crew was officially signed, Fighter Crew would provide the muscle, and Crime Firm would pay a hefty sum.
It was only natural—and a right—to want to verify the product's performance.
There were no issues at all. Oliver's job remained unchanged.
Teach black magic to the Fighter Crew members with all his might.
Ah, though that wasn't the only thing he had to focus on, of course.
"......That concludes today's lesson."
Kevin, who had filled the blackboard wall with formulas and magic theory, dusted the chalk powder from his hands as he spoke.
Word around the grapevine was that the first class of the semester was just light greetings, but Kevin clearly had no such plans. After a perfunctory self-introduction, he dove straight into the lesson.
And quite intensively, at that.
A few students who hadn't brought writing tools could only sit there dumbfounded, while even the diligent ones who'd come prepared scrambled to keep up.
Oliver could glimpse their bewilderment and regret without even focusing—it shone in their eyes.
The low murmurs of complaints, barely audible, were proof enough.
Among them, some snide remarks mocking Kevin's skin color. Of course, they were whispered far too softly to be heard.
Oliver personally couldn't understand it.
Kevin's lesson was intense, sure, but among the lectures Oliver had heard, it was the best.
At least compared to Joseph and Merlin.
Joseph, his black magic master, hadn't taught proper lessons at all and never went beyond the bare minimum knowledge.
Merlin, meanwhile, didn't lead classes himself—he just filled in the gaps from Oliver's self-study.
In contrast, Kevin's Intro to Flame Magic and Fundamentals cut straight to the core without fluff, making it efficient while broadening knowledge by examining concepts from multiple angles, even if it was packed tight.
For instance, he pointed out how all elemental school magic stemmed from a single base formula, emphasizing its importance,
and explained how that allowed wielding elemental magic of different properties.
Coming from someone who used both flame and earth magic himself, it was a highly convincing theory.
'Plus pure mana school magic.'
Oliver thought back to his past battle with Kevin.
He had once formed a massive mana network via a giant stone pillar to separate interior from exterior.
That had incorporated pure mana school techniques.
Suddenly, Oliver wondered how Kevin handled such diverse magic. Maybe because he was Merlin's disciple.
In any case, Kevin taught various magic properties based on formulas and kindly wrote basic applications on the board.
Each one fascinating, with no room for complaints—yet oddly, the students seemed to think otherwise.
Kevin appeared aware of it, too.
As they walked the hallway, he asked,
"How were the students' reactions? To the lesson, I mean."
Oliver answered honestly.
"Some didn't take it well. About half, I'd say."
"Oh, impressive. Only half, huh."
"Pardon?"
Oliver blinked at the unexpected response.
"Impressive that it's only half. I figured it'd be more."
As Oliver still looked puzzled, Kevin elaborated.
"The Mage Tower's got history and size, so fat's bound to build up. More folks chasing grades and prestige than real skill-building."
Ah...... Now Oliver got it. Merlin had mentioned something similar.
"Trend is more students gaming the system for good grades than seeking real growth. True education's turning into grade-grinding. Bureaucracy's curse from the Tower's bloat. Thought I'd cancel if numbers dipped too low, but it'll scrape by. Budget'll take a hit, though."
Kevin meant every word. He'd teach diligently, but drop it gladly if no one kept up. Conscientious, yet strict.
"What about you? How was my class?"
"You mean for me?"
"Yeah. You're here to audit classes, right?"
True enough. Library access and class auditing were Oliver's main reasons for joining the Mage Tower.
He was already helping out at other professors' classes in exchange for auditing.
Though he got kicked out more often than not.
"Personally, I found it fascinating. Your lecture, Professor. The way you alter magic properties using the common base formula for elemental magic was truly impressive."
Even Oliver, who freely manipulated magic properties, meant it without exaggeration.
Strictly speaking, he'd only mimicked observed spells.
No intermediate process. He sensed it intuitively, but hadn't formalized it mentally. Learning the framework was a huge gain and joy for him.
"Good attitude. True genius doesn't coast on talent—hones it. ......I'll share lesson notes ahead. Study up and prep materials."
"Yes, understood...... Professor. Since you mention it, may I go prepare for the next class?"
"Next class? Ah...... Basic Magic Combat."
"Yes. Starts in two hours, and setting up test sandbags takes time."
Kevin nodded, and Oliver thanked him before heading off to prepare.
Kirrik, kirrik, kirrik.
Oliver set up the magic sandbag he'd gotten from the supply room on the floor.
After tightening the screws to secure the mana sandbag, he took the cord from its base and plugged it into the outlet in the training hall's corner.
Part of the supply network powering the entire Elemental School Tower—mana flowed visibly along the line into the sandbag the moment it connected. Oliver activated it to check.
Mana from the cord followed the designated formula, eventually forming a human-shaped dummy.
Luxurious item, even on second look.
A plain sandbag would've sufficed, but they'd made this for more effective training.
One might call it overkill for a mana-powered gadget, but having seen its performance, Oliver couldn't disagree.
On days without Kevin's classes, he'd helped other professors and learned its purpose:
Not just a mana dummy—it replicated actual spell damage.
A joint product of Life and Magic Engineering schools, it quantified spell power and effects, gauging casters' skill precisely.
"Setup complete......"
Oliver said, powering it down. He checked other supplies next.
Nothing fancy: first-aid kit, fire extinguisher.
Magic combat training caused as many accidents as lab work or alchemy—prep had to be thorough.
"Should I grab a fresh extinguisher?"
Oliver muttered, eyeing the one with iffy mana levels.
Supply room staff didn't like him, so he'd get side-eye, but prep was prep.
Who knew what mishap might hit day one?
As he thought that, he sensed an approaching emotion and turned.
Yareli Iceeye entered the training room. Their eyes met.
"Hello."
Oliver greeted normally.
Yareli arrived, and minutes later, other students trickled in.
Varied bunch, physically and mentally.
Some brimmed with quality mana, others lacked it; some curious about class, others resentful.
"Damn, if they'd scheduled lectures right, I wouldn't be here."
"Look on the bright side. Ice Princess is here—might be decent. Hey, Derek Redhill's there too."
Oliver reflexively glanced at Yareli and the man called Derek Redhill.
Coincidence or not, Derek was someone Oliver knew by face.
The red-haired guy from the library who'd chatted over a book.
He exuded the same spirited emotions and vigorous mana as before.
Alongside Yareli, clearly high caliber. Several others like them caught his eye.
Though they seemed to have ulterior motives beyond just attending.
Kieek......
Five minutes to class, Kevin entered—black hair, red skin.
The air shifted with him.
Typical reaction. A few balked at his skin and questioned his authority,
but facing him directly froze everyone, degrees varying.
His vast knowledge, battlefield experience as war mage, stern nature—all radiating influence.
Oliver was used to it from the prior two classes.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
In the open magic combat training room, Kevin walked to the front.
His steady footsteps and silence drew all eyes naturally.
"......Pleased to meet you all. Kevin Dunbar, Elemental School Master and Professor. I'll handle this semester's Basic Magic Combat."
Unlike others, no amplifier—just mana in his voice.
Yet clearer, weightier, inducing pleasant tension.
"No beating around the bush—straight to tests. Want to gauge your levels, so come up one by one, state your school or subschool, and hit the sandbag with a spell...... You there, hand up—speak."
"What spell, Professor?"
"Good question. Use what you're confident in. Tailor education to that."
Students perked up with curiosity.
Not fitting class to students, but class to students.
Uncommon approach, but Kevin insisted it was most effective.
Magic combat, mostly practical, was worse than useless if levels mismatched badly.
This first class set the tone for all that followed.
Standing unobtrusively in the corner, Oliver pulled an evaluation sheet from his magic bag to prepare.
"Professor."
The redhead, Derek Redhill, raised his hand.
"Yes, student. First up?"
"Yes, but a question first."
"Question...... What is it?"
"Why's that guy prepping to evaluate us?"
Derek pointed at Oliver in the corner, sheet and pen in hand.
Others followed his finger, frowning at Oliver with displeasure.
"Problem?"
"Hard to swallow someone not even Mage Tower staff evaluating us."
"Don't worry. His eval's just reference—I'll do my own."
"Sorry, Professor, but the point is him evaluating at all."
Derek's emotions gleamed with lofty arrogance.
Oliver had seen plenty proud of their skills, but Derek's was exceptional.
To the point of utterly rejecting Oliver.
Interestingly, others echoed agreement, voicing class discontent. Kevin's calm flickered with faint irritation.
"......Your school and name?"
"Derek Redhill, Elemental-Agnis subschool. Professor."
Derek replied politely yet boldly, ready to face repercussions.
His pride, self-satisfaction, dignity, narcissism shining.
"Right, Derek. Why object to that staffer evaluating you? Specific, rational reason—I'll accept it."
"As I said: not formal Mage Tower, and mana non-generation syndrome. Learned it checking class info."
Murmurs rose.
"Not formal Tower and syndrome the issue?"
"Yes. Being judged by the unqualified—other professors wouldn't approve."
Unqualified reject. Oliver had heard it once before. Duncan, before dying, insisted he wasn't one.
"Doesn't compute. Magic combat's for getting stronger. What's Tower status or syndrome got to do with it?"
"......Professor, if I didn't mishear, it sounds like you're saying he's stronger than us—Mage Tower-trained."
"Least of who you should underestimate."
"Pardon?"
"Strength isn't just bigger spells. Narrow experience breeds that delusion."
Kevin's even words crumpled Derek's ever-smug smile—like a slap of spit, radiating humiliation.
"Then, may I show just how 'narrow' my experience is?"
"Challenging to a match?"
"Yes."
Derek affirmed firmly. Kevin paused thoughtfully, then looked to cornered Oliver.
"Xenon. Up for it?"
"If it's work...... I'll do it."