A Regressor's Lesson in Magic Resonance
By the time Yuna and I finished our conversation, we had already arrived at the classroom. Since it was a common required subject, there was no need to switch sections, and the content was one we already knew by heart. We could have skipped the lecture entirely, but the time dragged on endlessly. With nothing better to do, I decided to make the most of it by filling the gaps in my sleep.
'Speaking of which, since it's a required subject...'
"Hey! Over here!"
The moment the lecture began, Yuhwa-young's voice rang out as usual, waving at us from near my usual seat. Given how many girls might find Yuna bothersome, I sighed and headed straight for our spots, only to overhear a group of boys whispering nearby.
"It seems the rumor is true after all. That he and Yuna are dating."
The words hit me like a slap. Yuna and I were indeed together, and the photo from yesterday had spread far and wide. I was about to brush it off when another voice cut in.
"Really? I heard you were dating the Sichuan Tang family's daughter from the Martial Arts class instead."
"Huh? I thought she was Yuhwa-young."
"I thought she was the second-year."
"What the hell is this nonsense?"
"What?"
Unable to hold back, the words spilled out before I even realized it.
Despite myself, I seized the collar of the idiot who had dared to link me to Yuhwa-young, glaring at him with a cold, chilling intensity.
"Who exactly did you just say I was dating?"
"E-Eek?! W-What are you suddenly—"
"Say it. Who am I supposedly dating?"
"I-It’s... it’s you and Yuhwa-young...!"
Clenching my fist around his collar, I squeezed harder, the disgust in my voice thick enough to make the boy pale.
"...Let go first, okay?"
"No."
"U-Understood?"
After a long, heavy sigh, I met his trembling eyes. "I don’t know where you heard that nonsense, but it’s a lie. Got it?"
He nodded frantically, and I turned to the other boys watching, repeating the same words. Then, taking Yuna’s hand in mine and lacing our fingers tightly, I held it up for everyone to see.
"The only person I’m dating is Yuna. So stop spreading these stupid rumors."
"C-Cheon Seong...?"
Yuna’s face flushed bright red, her flustered expression adorably endearing. It made me feel guilty, but I knew I had to act now. If I didn’t, more unpleasant things would pile up on her. It was the only choice.
These idiots would have broken a few bones if I hadn’t already ruined my reputation with Yuna. But by threatening them with words alone, I had managed to end it without violence.
'Most importantly, that bastard was trying to squeeze in right when I had him by the collar. I couldn’t let him have the opening.'
Right after I grabbed the guy’s collar, Cheon Yu-seong, who had been lounging in the seat next to Yuhwa-young, had that sleazy look on his face, clearly hoping to jump in at any moment. He must have planned to smear my name with those sly words from my past life, trying to boost his own.
I could tolerate others succeeding, but I couldn’t let this bastard see my luck, no matter what.
"Yo~! So you’re finally admitting Yuna is my girlfriend?"
Walking over, I found Yuhwa-young laughing loudly, covering her mouth with one hand, eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Not a chance. I just don’t like being lumped in with you."
"Damn! I hate it too! And why are you calling it unpleasant?! I don’t want to hear that anywhere!"
"Because you’re the Flame King’s youngest daughter, that’s why."
Now that she was teasing me, I knew exactly how to handle her. When she complained about being "unpleasant," I pushed back, and her smug expression turned genuine. The fight felt strangely refreshing.
Just like every time, I ignored Yuhwa-young’s shouting and waited for Professor Ryu Se-rin to enter. Without a bigger reason, she was the only one who could stop Yuhwa-young’s endless nagging.
"Everyone, quiet! Attendance begins!"
"Tch. Don’t you dare look at me!"
"Sure. Do as you like."
As expected, the simple girl that Yuhwa-young was, Professor Ryu Se-rin arrived. I clicked my tongue and muttered a line meant for a third-rate villain. Then I ignored it, finished attendance, pulled out my Mana Theory textbook, and lay down on my desk.
"Yuna, sorry, but I’m only going to rest for a little while. If anything comes up, wake me, okay?"
"Huh? Cheon Seong... did you not sleep well last night... oh. I see. Got it. I’ll wake you if anything happens."
Yuna already knew about last night’s events. She understood perfectly. As I lay there, she stroked my back gently while using her ability with precision. It was unbearably cute. If I could, I would have pulled her into my room and held her all night, but that would only burden her. I forced myself to wait.
—Seong... Cheon... Seong... Cheon Seong!"
After what felt like thirty minutes, I opened my eyes to the hand shaking me and Yuna’s voice.
"What is it, Yuna?"
"Actually, I was the one who wanted to say that."
The voice that answered wasn’t Yuna’s. It was deep, thick with displeasure, belonging to a middle-aged man.
I lifted my head. In front of me stood a tall, muscular figure in a white shirt stretched tight over his frame, the kind of man who would have to look up even if I stood. His name... what was it again?
"Ah, Professor Magran."
"Professor Magran? You really don’t waste words, do you?"
"Ugh..."
Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound rude. Professor, I must have dozed off and lost track of time."
"Oh? Dozed off? Bold of you to sleep through a required class. It seems you already know a lot about Mana Theory, do you? Enough to doze off in the middle of it."
His final word dripped with sarcasm, and Professor Magran’s burning smile sent a shiver down my spine. His hand clamped onto my collar.
Whoosh—swish!
One swift motion and I was lifted off the desk, tossed forward like a ragdoll. I spun mid-air, stretching like a cat, and landed right in front of the teacher’s desk at the front of the classroom.
"Well then, let me test just how much you know about Mana Theory. Explain the formula written on the board."
Flexing my fingers, I felt the professor’s threat clear as day: explain the formula properly or I wouldn’t be spared. I looked at the board. The long list of symbols and circles was unmistakable.
"It’s Daer’s Mana Resonance formula."
At my words, Professor Magran crossed his arms, staring down at me. I grabbed a piece of chalk from the desk and began explaining.
"Daer’s Mana Resonance is the formula proven by one of the Knights of the Round Table in Britain—Daer Sirian—who discovered the resonance of mana."
Thud, tap-tap, tap-tap-tap
Red mana materialized as intricate lines and magic circles were drawn across the board. He continued with red chalk.
"Mana Resonance uses the unique vibrations each color of mana possesses to resonate with other mana, amplifying its vibrations and unleashing enormous power."
Thud, tap-tap, tap
"However, while Daer’s Mana Resonance has the advantage of achieving greater power with less mana, it has one major drawback."
He pointed at the diagram, drawing red lines through it.
"Daer’s Mana Resonance focuses on resonating the unique vibrations each mana type possesses. In fact, it’s a failed formula."
"Do you know what the Knights of the Round Table mean?"
"Of course. The Knights of the Round Table are the guardians who protect Britain and the greatest figures of the nation."
"So you know that, yet you claim Daer’s Resonance formula—once a member of the Round Table—is a failed one?"
Professor Magran’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice low and threatening.
The pressure was so intense it must have felt like a storm, but I didn’t flinch. I met his gaze head-on.
"Yes."
"Interesting. Then explain the reason now."
Professor Magran’s interest shone through as he released his pressure and waited for my answer.
"The first reason Daer’s formula fails is that when mana resonates, the user’s mana circuits overheat."
"And the second?"
"It assumes a majority of mana types."
My hand moved faster, drawing on the board until the final stroke was made.
"Even if each mana type has unique vibrations, the difference is minuscule. Forcing resonance creates backlash that overheats the circuits. Therefore, it must be used individually, not by the majority."
Setting the chalk down, I looked at Magran’s wide-eyed expression.
"That is why Daer’s Mana Resonance formula is considered a failed one."
Professor Magran’s eyes darted between my drawing and the board. He stared at the formula I had just created, then asked.
"Where did you learn the final reason and formula?"
"I simply thought it up while studying ahead of time."
The formula had come to me the first time I learned teleportation from my sister. I answered honestly when he asked where I had learned it.
His eyes bulged, nearly popping out of his head. Both his massive hands gripped my shoulders.
"You must come to my office at lunch! Without fail!"
Among the academy’s required subjects, Mana Theory. The call from a retired Highest-class hero who had sworn to nurture the next generation of talents had left the classroom in stunned silence.
And Cheon Seong, the one called, thought to himself.
'Great, more trouble.'
I should have just said I didn’t know.
