Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Magic Analysis (2)
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"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Just in case, but you can trace magic circles, right? Since Elise can do reverse calculation, why don't you give it a try like you're learning it?"
The professor encouraged me with a smile. It was already a foregone conclusion that I was going to lose.
Well, that's the right way to think about it.
After all, Elise is the only cadet known to be capable of reverse calculation.
Even active mages struggle with it. Magic is that difficult and talent-dependent.
Magic circle tracing is a lower-tier version of reverse calculation.
It's a spell that traces magic circles, giving a similar feel to reverse calculation but vastly inferior in speed.
Think of it as a stepping stone you pass through on the way to learning reverse calculation. Makes it easier.
Of course, while I can do reverse calculation, I don't know magic circle tracing.
"Hmm, I'm not great at magic circle tracing, but I can put on the demonstration the professor wants without issue."
"Perfect. That's more than enough."
"…."
Elise stood in front of me, shooting me a look that screamed utter disbelief.
I mean, even I'd be baffled if I were her.
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 [Trigger Elise's Jealousy?!]
Elise feels jealousy when she sees a peer who's superior to her!
Why not trigger her jealousy and draw her attention?
Manifest the magic circle before Elise does!
🎁 Reward: Strength stat +1
Oh, a quest after so long.
But why's the reward Strength? I'm a mage.
Though lately, I've been seriously considering that magic martial artist path Lilia mentioned.
Anyway, a quest popping up means I'm finally on the proper original story route.
Makes sense—Lilia the assistant or the orphanage rape scene weren't in the original.
"Shall we use the most basic magic? Force magic."
Force magic.
The most fundamental spell. It shapes mana into a tangible form and launches it with physical force.
You can skip the magic circle entirely without issue, but it's rarely used due to its low utility.
Still, there was a massive problem.
"Ready?"
"Professor... sorry, but I don't know the Force magic circle."
"...? For Force magic? Oh, right, you only recently switched to mage, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. You're so good I always forget."
The professor chuckled and started flipping through the textbook from the front.
"Let's see... what other spells are there?"
"Just tell me the Force magic circle. That's all I need."
"Huh? No, no. That wouldn't be fair. Competing with an unfamiliar magic circle goes against fairness."
"It's fine. I'm the one learning anyway, and using the simplest spell lets the other cadets watch and learn easily, right?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Professor."
Earlier you talked like I was gonna lose anyway, now you're pulling the fairness card?
Dealing with these old professors is such a pain. Just let it slide already.
"Alright, follow along then. It's like this."
A basic circle with a hexagram inside. Super simple.
I replicated it perfectly on the first try. At this level, fairness doesn't even matter.
"Got it memorized."
"Then, when this flame goes out, begin."
The professor conjured a small flame in her hand.
Whoosh—
The flame shrank bit by bit in the air.
Elise, standing before me, casually gathered mana without much tension.
I planned to win this reverse calculation duel flawlessly.
The quest said to manifest before Elise, but when would that make her jealous or memorable?
I had several women to target right now.
I needed her jealousy to linger all day, fixated on me.
Today, Elise would feel the gap in our levels.
It'd be a bitter first defeat, but she'd endure.
"If you wanna donate that book so bad, I'll take it."
"Sorry in advance. Don't get too mad."
I shrugged with a grin.
Hope she doesn't actually rage. Not sure if I can dial it to just jealousy.
The flame vanished soon.
I surged mana through my body.
'Clairvoyance.'
My vision expanded instantly, letting me observe the mana gathering in Elise's hands.
I prepared my magic circle too.
I could release it in a flash if I wanted, but winning like that was pointless.
Sizzle—
The signal flame extinguished, and Elise dove straight into constructing her circle.
Seemed her strategy was to build hers first rather than disrupt mine.
If you're confident in mana control, that's the safest play.
But I didn't build my circle with the mana I'd gathered.
I just read hers.
Gaps in the circle, mana intensity, Elise's breathing.
I analyzed every element visible in that sub-second gap.
With so many tells, reverse calculation was inevitable.
I flicked my hand lightly, disrupting her mana.
"...?!"
Her nearly complete circle crumbled.
Elise finally looked at me.
I was slowly constructing mine.
Like a sloth crawling on the ground, I drew a solid circle at a leisurely pace.
Elise scowled and began interfering with my mana.
In a real fight, variables could bridge skill gaps.
But pure reverse calculation? Skill crushes all.
Plus, she had to calculate and interpret—I just understood.
That gap was insurmountable.
No matter how she interfered, my circle formed.
Whenever she tried hers, I sliced her mana precisely, dismantling it.
"Hah…."
In the end, Elise lost without a proper fight.
She stared blankly at my completed circle.
"Oh, ooh…! Cadet Lee Ho-yeon! You can do reverse calculation! Why didn't you say so earlier?!"
"Just picked it up by luck right now."
"What're you talking about… Never mind. Point is, we've got another genius mage in first-year. Jackpot!"
The professor seemed happier about Victoria Academy's boon than my nonsense.
I ignored her and looked at Elise.
She was deep in thought, pondering her loss.
"Elise."
She clenched her fists and glared at me fiercely.
"You… what the hell are those eyes?"
She'd pegged my Clairvoyance as the reason.
Pretty much spot-on, but I'd have won anyway.
I could've finished in one second if I tried. Just meaningless.
"Secret, obviously. Oh, this bet has no hard feelings, right?"
"…Hah. Do what you want. So, what do you want? I can pull one favor with my discretion."
Elise's father led France's Iris Guild.
Iris Guild, France's top guild, was the world's only info broker powerhouse.
They say any info's yours for the right price.
They faced tons of threats but held firm with overwhelming force.
"I've got cash for an Iris Guild request. Wouldn't have bet if that was it."
"No way…."
"Yep, what you're thinking. We'll talk later. You're not backing out after losing, right?"
"…Fine. Don't worry. I'll do it."
Not requesting the guild—going straight to the guild master.
Money alone won't cut it.
Needs insane connections and luck, but Elise's plea would work.
The Iris Guild master's a massive daughter-con.
Her response sounded a bit pissed, though. Nah?
"Elise. You're not mad, right? Just a simple bet."
"Not at all. Why would I be? Don't say weird stuff."
…She seems mad.
[Quest Complete!] Well, quest's done, so it's fine.
Heroine conquest quests never screwed me over.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "But seriously, where'd you learn reverse calculation? Beating Elise? That's insane."
Lunch ended, and as we headed to the lecture hall for afternoon theory, Lucy spoke up.
"Told you. Self-taught."
"Whoa… Ho-yeon, you're nuts."
"Impressive, Ho-yeon…."
"Quit it, you're embarrassing me. Let's prep for theory."
They'd been like that all lunch. Mortifying.
Passersby glanced at me with Lucy and Lumi flanking.
Or maybe just the twin beauties?
We arrived, set up for class.
"Ugh, Modern Hunter Studies sucks. I get it when explained, but why memorize this crap?"
"Calm down, Lucy. Study with me in the clubroom later."
"Yeah? Ho-yeon, you too. You're good at this."
"Me?"
No plans after, so okay…
No reason to refuse.
Chance to be alone with Lumi, too.
"Sure, why not."
"Sweet. Teacher's in today. Gonna mooch hard."
"Don't distract Ho-yeon too much."
"Got it, got it. You wanna ask stuff too."
"Well… yeah."
Creak—
"Hello! Professor Kang Hyo-rin here! Long time no see."
Modern Hunter Studies prof, Dr. Kang Hyo-rin.
Legendary for canceling with "busy schedule" skips.
"Test prep today: key points summary. No breaks—full throttle! Stay awake and focus!"
"We're doomed."
Lucy's despair echoed beside me.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The sedan parked at Victoria Academy's main gate daily at the same time.
Elise slid in naturally.
"Good work, miss."
"Yeah, thanks."
The middle-aged driver started up smoothly, like always.
Elise had her dinner restaurant set.
"Midterms prep going well?"
"Yeah, smoothly…."
She almost said "smoothly number one" but caught herself.
One guy popped into her head.
"Probably first or second."
"Second? Must be some prodigy if you'd say that."
"Yeah. That promo guy you mentioned, Lee Ho-yeon."
"Ah, the handsome one. Studies well too? Impressive. Heard he took down an ogre last time. Real?"
"Who knows. Maybe."
Elise was skeptical before, but after seeing his magic today… maybe.
"Anyway, look into Lee Ho-yeon for me."
"Oho! Finally interested in a friend?"
"Not like that. And you investigate personally. Please."
"Not interest, then rivalry?"
The driver's vibe shifted. Smiley uncle gone, sharp aura emerged.
"Just a hunch… feels off."
"Understood. If you say so, I obey."
"Thanks, always."
Elise rarely fixated on others. Even skipped digging on Nam Da-eun. Talenter peers exist.
But Ho-yeon nagged at her.
Close with Student Council President, weird vibes with the Saintess.
Club with first-year twin beauties.
Abnormal magic skills.
One less red flag, and she'd ignore.
But now? She hoped something stuck.
Hit or miss.
"Oh, call Dad. Daughter's got a favor."
"Yes. When to start on Cadet Lee Ho-yeon?"
"Whenever. Not urgent."
"Starting tonight then."
"Sure, go for it."
Elise ordered the probe casually.
Never imagining he'd ping everywhere she suspected.