Chapter 235
Chapter Title: The Burden of Genius
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235
Watching Ren lavish praise upon Leo, Assistant Professor Anna let out a deep sigh.
It brought back memories of her tearful struggles during the last break.
Anna opened a subspace and took out the paper Ren had written.
It was Ren's latest thesis, not yet published in the academic world.
In truth, working as an assistant professor under Ren was incredibly difficult.
‘He really works me to the bone.’
If that were all, it would be a relief.
Sometimes, when it came to magic, he would go on a rampage that was impossible to handle.
Anna, too, had wanted to quit her position as assistant professor several times.
Yet, the reason she remained Ren's assistant professor was simple.
‘It's because this man is a genius.’
He was more passionate and deeply talented in magic than anyone else.
His creativity and application in the field of magical theory were enough to leave any magic theory major speechless.
Moreover, his magical theories didn't just end at theory.
He endlessly researched magical theories that could be implemented in the near future, constantly accelerating the advancement of magic.
He was already a great theoretical mage who had overturned the academic world several times.
The [Introduction to Star Magic] he authored this winter break was no different.
Ren's latest thesis wasn't just one that would change the landscape of the magical academic world; it had the potential to shake history itself.
In the process of helping author this paper, Anna was initiated into Star Magic.
Though she was a skilled mage herself, she didn't have the constitution to learn Star Magic.
Of course, even after being initiated, she couldn't wield Star Magic at the same level as the elves.
But just being initiated into Star Magic vastly increased the number of spells she could use.
For a mage, the number of spells one could use was one of the metrics for judging skill.
‘Because he's this kind of person, I can't bring myself to leave his side.’
To Anna, Ren was a mage who showed her new worlds.
Inquiry is the essence of a mage.
Therefore, for Anna, a mage to her very core, Ren couldn't be anything but an object of respect.
But…
“Everyone! I want you to give a round of applause for the co-author of this great thesis, Leo Flove!”
‘…Every time I see him have one of his fits, I really want to quit this job!’
Anna clutched her head, a throbbing headache setting in.
A co-author, he says.
Of course, this paper would have been impossible to write without Leo's ideas.
Even so, to announce him as a co-author without telling Leo or her beforehand…
‘He should have at least given us a heads-up!’
Forcibly dragged to the front of the lecture hall by Ren, Leo looked at Anna, his eyes demanding an explanation.
Leo had been taking Ren's classes for the past year.
The fact that Ren sometimes went on a rampage when it came to magic was well-known to Leo and the other students.
Now, whenever Ren had one of his outbursts, they would naturally look for Anna.
“It seems Professor Ren has listed you, Leo, as a co-author on his paper.”
“But why?”
“Because your unique magic, the Bible's formula, was a great help in writing it. In fact, the very framework of this magical theory is your unique magic.”
Fwip—
Anna quickly flipped through the thick thesis to the last page where the authors' names were written.
She sighed upon confirming Leo's name listed among the co-authors.
‘I knew it… Huh? Why is my name here too?’
Anna looked baffled when she discovered her own name was also listed as a co-author.
“Wait a minute, Professor. Why is my name listed as a co-author?”
“Isn't it obvious, Assistant Professor Anna? Without you, it would have been difficult to complete this paper. You supported me, and your brilliant ideas were a great help in finalizing the magical theory.”
Ren wore a proud expression.
“This thesis was completed by weaving together student Leo's magic formula and your ideas, so it's no exaggeration to call it our joint paper.”
Hearing Ren's explanation, Leo's expression showed he understood.
‘So he borrowed the formula from Bible.’
Leo's unique magic system, which allowed him to use all the magic in the world.
Of course, simply understanding the magic system didn't mean one could use the magic.
That's because the Bible system itself required Leo's unique mana trait, 'Purity,' to be activated.
However, even without being able to activate the magic, it was entirely possible to apply the formula to produce different results.
And last year, when Leo registered his magic with the academic world, he hadn't applied for a patent, so that anyone could use it freely.
If he had applied for a patent, he would have had the right to receive incentives every time derivative research using the registered formula was conducted, but he had essentially forfeited that right.
He thought it would be good if it helped the advancement of magic through research, and he also wondered how many mages could possibly understand and apply this formula.
But Ren had splendidly applied Leo's formula to create a new magical theory.
‘This man really is a genius.’
While Leo was marveling at this,
Anna looked touched.
“I'm at a loss for words that you would value my humble contribution so highly.”
“Your help was by no means humble. I'm proud to have you as my assistant professor.”
Ren smiled brightly and patted Anna's shoulder.
“Therefore, you, as the co-author, will be in charge of attending the academic conference after the paper is published. I'll be busy with magic research and my classes, and Leo is a student, so you're the only one who can attend the conference and discuss the paper.”
Crack—!
In that instant, Anna's face froze.
“Wait a minute. Why do I have to do that? The person who understands the paper best is you, Professor Ren, the author.”
“Heh heh. How modest, Assistant Professor Anna. Don't you also understand this paper well?”
“You! Tell me the truth! You put me down as a co-author just to dump all the annoying work on me, didn't you?! That's it, isn't it?!”
“How sad. To think you'd interpret my gratitude that way.”
“Then take my name off the author list right now!”
“I refuse.”
“You did put me as a co-author to dump the annoying work on me!”
Her reason paralyzed, Anna finally lost it, rushing at Ren, grabbing him by the collar, and shaking him violently.
“Uh, what do we do?”
“What do you mean, what do we do? Hurry up and stop her!”
Chloe shouted urgently and came to the front of the lecture hall.
“Assistant Professor Anna! Please stop.”
“Calm down, Assistant Professor.”
Chelsea, who had followed, joined Chloe in grabbing Anna's arms and pulling her away from Ren.
“Let me go! I'm settling this with that man today! I'm quitting my job as of today!”
“Hahaha. Even if you quit, you'll still have to attend the conference. You are a co-author of this paper, after all.”
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
Having lost her mind, Anna began to thrash about wildly.
When she even tried to chant a spell, the female students freaked out, covered her mouth, and dragged her out of the lecture hall.
“…What's the big deal about attending a conference that she's so furious? Isn't it a huge honor?”
As Karl muttered in a daze, Abad gave a bitter smile.
“The problem isn't attending the conference, but the content of the paper.”
“What?”
“Attending the conference is an honor, just like you said. But the magical theory Professor Ren created this time is a revolutionary one that allows any race, not just elves, to learn Star Magic.”
“Wouldn't presenting a theory like that be an even greater honor? It's leaving a huge mark on magical history.”
“That's true, but… do you think the conservative elf mages will just stand by and let it happen?”
“Ah…”
Hearing Abad's words, Karl's expression showed he understood.
The magic conference was a place where renowned mages representing each race gathered to discuss topics of magic.
At the conference, the elf mages were particularly famous for being authoritarian and conservative.
The greatest mage in history.
Most elves held a sense of privilege, believing they were a special race capable of learning the magic of the Progenitor of the Stars.
The reason elves called themselves the 'Race of Magic' was also because the Progenitor's magic was optimized for them.
Ren's magical theory was tantamount to throwing down the gauntlet directly at that elven pride.
No matter how great and amazing the magical theory was, it was bound to face great pains and difficulties before it could be established in the magical world.
And he had dumped the responsibility of presenting it at the conference entirely on Anna, under the pretext of her being a co-author.
It was as clear as day that if she went to the conference, she would be torn to shreds by the furious elder elf mages.
“No wonder Assistant Professor Anna lost her mind.”
Karl clicked his tongue in amazement.
Meanwhile, Leo picked up the thesis Anna had thrown down.
And with a flip-, he skimmed through its contents.
‘This is certainly incredible.’
The magical theory and formulas Ren had devised were enough to make even Leo marvel.
‘So this is how he applied my formula.’
Just as he let out a sound of admiration—
Step— step—
“What do you think, student Leo?”
“It's truly amazing. But is there really a need for me to be a co-author?”
“Heh heh. This magical thesis originated from your idea. You created the basic framework, so it's no exaggeration to call you a co-author.”
‘And once such a great achievement is made, history will remember Leo Flove as a great mage!’
He had no intention of denying Leo's identity as a knight and a summoner.
But even so, Ren wanted Leo to be a great mage who also happened to know how to use Aura and summoning.
‘Hehehe. My foolish seniors. Now you won't be able to claim student Leo for the Knight and Summoner Departments with useless titles like 'bloodline' or 'contractor of the Phoenix' anymore!’
Ren chuckled sinisterly as he thought of Ain and Yura.
‘And I can also show those pointy-eared bastards who dare try to transfer student Leo to Seirun! That Leo Flove is a student of Lumerne's Magic Department!’
CRASH—!
“Ren Horuuuuus!”
“Hey! Hey! Stop Assistant Professor Anna!”
Anna, who had been dragged out of the lecture hall by the female students, kicked the door open and stormed back inside.
The students, their faces pale, tried to stop her.
‘I guess class is over.’
Leo sighed softly.
‘What a mess on the first day.’
***
“Phew! It's over.”
“But still, that was amazing! Professor Ren might be an eccentric, but you really have to respect his skill in magic. How did he even come up with that idea?”
“By the way, do you think Assistant Professor Anna will be okay? She was sitting there looking like her soul had left her body.”
“…Just thinking about being bombarded by the kind of elf mages who attend the magic conference… Ugh! It makes me sick just thinking about it.”
After the magic class ended, the Magic Department students filed out of the lecture hall.
Excited about learning a new magical theory, the students were busy engaged in heated discussions.
“You're seriously amazing.”
Karl looked at Chloe, clicking his tongue in amazement.
“How did you get initiated into Star Magic on the very first day?”
“I've been studying Star Magic for a while now. Seeing Professor Ren's theory just made it click for me.”
Chloe had succeeded in using Star Magic on her own during the first class.
Ren had spared no praise upon seeing her.
With this, Chloe became the second student in the Magic Department's second year, after Leo, who could use Star Magic.
“Abad and Chelsea couldn't get the hang of it.”
“Those two are heavily influenced by their family's magic. But they'll probably learn it soon enough.”
“Anyway, what should we get for lunch?”
“Would you care to join me?”
Just as Chloe and Karl were pondering about lunch,
A voice suddenly came from behind, startling them both into turning their heads.
Leo, who was walking with them, stopped short at the sudden appearance of the individual.
A beautiful woman with silver hair and an eyepatch stood there with a gentle smile.
“You're Professor Mel, the first-year magical theory instructor, right?”
Karl, who was well-versed in school news, recognized Mel and bowed his head in greeting.
“Yes. Student Karl. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh! You know me?”
“Yes, you're quite famous for being a trickster, aren't you?”
“A trickster… haha.”
Karl looked embarrassed.
“Student Leo, student Chloe, student Karl.”
Mel smiled warmly.
“I'd like to invite the three of you to lunch.”
Karl and Chloe looked at each other.
“Alright.”
Leo accepted the invitation.
At that, Chloe and Karl also nodded.