Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Preparations of the Transcendent (3)
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It was true that these sentiments were something new.
I never imagined I'd be meddling with 7th circle magic.
But this... well, the 7th circle came with its own set of headaches.
You couldn't train freely. By the time you reached the 7th circle, each spell consumed an enormous amount of mana, and with power to match, it was too risky to just rely on a barrier and give it a shot.
It was probably one of the reasons so many hit a wall here. It was the moment I truly understood that you had to shift to refining your imagery.
The ritual calculations formed a massive magic circle behind it. The monstrous head that emerged from beyond barely revealed its full form before it was sucked back into the circle. In an instant, the biting cold that had blanketed the training grounds dissipated.
7th circle magic certainly wielded overwhelming power, but it had its impractical sides too.
Still, one encouraging thing was that thanks to my bloated mana reserves, I could now cast 7th circle spells a few times without much issue.
'Time to head out soon.'
The promised time Professor Palrez had requested was approaching.
The Academy wasn't far.
The Academy after so long.
I wandered the expansive grounds, glancing around, before heading straight to the research building.
Upon reaching the door and knocking, it opened with a familiar voice.
"Ivan!"
Professor Palrez greeted me with a beaming smile.
"It's been ages."
"We met after last semester ended."
"That was just a quick hello. I didn't expect you to actually come here."
"I thought you were busy."
Professor Palrez must be incredibly swamped. From communication orbs to mana pattern recognition devices, he was overseeing the rollout of all these new artifacts while still handling lectures—no way he had free time.
Yet I couldn't ignore his request just because it was a hassle.
"Satisfied with professor life?"
"It's the best these days."
"I heard you've become a popular prof."
"Thanks to you, I've achieved my late-life dream."
Professor Palrez had always said he dreamed of lecturing to a packed auditorium one day.
"How's that my doing? I told you back when your research hit Villeicher—why bury such brilliant work? It just saw the light."
"…."
Professor Palrez smiled wordlessly and patted my shoulder. He gestured for me to sit in a chair deeper in the lab.
As I sat, he spoke up.
"That artifact you're making this time? Once it's out, I'm quitting teaching to focus on it full-time."
"Isn't now the peak of your satisfaction?"
"Nah, no regrets."
His eyes deepened, as if tracing back through the past.
"Feels like just yesterday I was getting nagged by the family for being broke…."
Now, no one would dare complain about money wherever he went.
Honestly, being an Academy professor was stable enough, a fine status unless you were from some major noble house.
And….
"Lady Palrez doesn't seem the type."
"You don't know her. She only acts prim around you."
We hadn't met often, but I remembered her warm smile every time, welcoming me like family.
"Come to think of it, it's about time I paid my respects…."
"Ahem… That was a joke. You're not taking what I said seriously, are you?"
Family peace couldn't be bought with money alone.
Maybe he was neglecting home life due to busyness now, but his face showed no such shadows.
"Means I've got nothing to hide anymore. I change, and so do the people around me. That's what I meant."
"She nagged hard, huh…."
"That's why I was trying to thank you."
I stopped teasing Professor Palrez there.
Truth be told, no need to thank anyone specifically. Even if a student sparked the idea, pounding the pavement himself wasn't easy.
"I've reached the 7th circle."
"What I meant was… huh?"
I said it calmly. Professor Palrez, mid-thought on smoothing things over, stared blankly at me.
His eyes widened round, then grew even more as shock bloomed plain.
Those bulging pupils up close were intimidating.
"7th circle? I… I didn't mishear?"
"Yeah, somehow."
"…Somehow? No way that's a thing. Mistake… nah?"
"Who mistakes their circle? The ring forms right there."
"For real? How haven't I heard?"
"'Cause I'm telling you first here."
First time saying it, except to Merin and chat room folks.
"Me first?"
He kept dumbly repeating, disbelief etched deep.
I got it. Past me wouldn't believe future me either.
"Touching, right? Your student's a 7th circle now."
"Touching… yeah, but your nonchalant face kinda kills the vibe."
"Aren't I the first for you?"
"…True. Can't even do it myself if I tried."
"You gave up for research."
"No need to sugarcoat. …But 'somehow'? Don't say that elsewhere—sounds fake."
"Got it, careful."
"But really? Didn't miscount rings…."
"…."
"Sorry. Just… can't believe my student hit 7th circle. My student, 7th circle. Dream or reality? Wait."
Pacing, sitting and standing restlessly, he paused mid-sentence, then continued.
"7th circle now… that's Transcendent level."
"Just hit it, and you're expecting already?"
"Anyone would react like this. If word spreads… faster than Oz, right?"
Oh yeah, haven't told Oz yet.
But today it'd spread like wildfire—I planned to tell everyone anyway.
What would Oz say? Competitive type, maybe not thrilled like Palrez.
We're closer now, so maybe different.
"Oz'll hit it soon too."
"You two got close, huh? Paired up at the ball… Makes me hopeful."
"Hopeful how?"
"Heh… Worried about her family status, but you first means no issue."
"…."
How far did his imagination run?
"…Anyway, what's this about helping with lectures?"
"Ah, your name keeps coming up in my class, kids are dying to know."
"So you sold me out. Academy doesn't mind?"
"I'll get approval. Say yes, and it's on now."
He grinned confidently.
"Plus, you're a legit 7th circle mage. Word out, chairman'd greet you himself. Academy's top output, genius mage Ivan Vieirn welcome!"
Not the top output, obviously.
Seniors like Merin existed, and with the Academy's history, countless talents passed through.
Still, I chuckled.
Who wouldn't be happy with genuine joy like his?
"Can I tell people about the 7th circle?"
"Go ahead. I was gonna anyway."
Especially now he's quitting to focus on artifacts—needed to spread it.
Palrez brought up the lecture.
His current course: "Precise Mana Operation Theory."
"…."
Isn't that required? Since when?
Well, long-term mana preservation fell under precise operation too.
"What do I do?"
"You'll do it?"
Expectation lit his eyes.
His undimmed passion was cool, but still burdensome.
After a brief chat, I left the research building.
Palrez rushed off to get permission, and I strolled the grounds to sort my thoughts.
Then, a familiar blonde head flashed by, halting my steps.
'…Rosellin?'
Golden hair gleaming in sunlight. Neat Academy uniform, practice sword at her waist.
Straight-backed, confident stride as she passed.
Coincidentally, I'd been pondering Rosellin while walking. Seeing her was surreal.
'She's doing well at the Academy.'
Acted like contacting Cedric soon, but hadn't—must've returned here.
Her swordmaster senses must've pinged; she turned toward me.
Eyes met. Her head tilted quizzically.
Of course she wouldn't know me. Unless she saw through the Cedric mask.
She seemed clueless; I looked away quick.
Then another in Academy uniform rushed past, blocking Rosellin's path.
He bit his lip, face stiff with resolve. Looked like he'd steeled himself for something.
'No way.'
Felt like an exciting scene was about to unfold right here.