Chapter 102
Chapter 102
Episode 102
EP24 - Professors of Illusion Magic (2)
Someone swallowed dryly. The gulping sound reached everyone's ears. The professors, who had been laughing and chatting before entering the lecture hall, stiffened and spoke less once they were inside.
Innate superiority is maintained by not revealing it. The moment it is thrown into explicit competition, the time comes when one closes their eyes and ears, believing themselves superior, only to have that belief shattered. Because there is always someone better than oneself.
At the professors' age, everyone knows this. And so, in the moments when they closed their eyes to meditate or distracted themselves with a "crystal ball" to quell their tension.
The door to the lecture hall opened.
“…Hm? That guy….”
All eyes turned. A professor in disheveled attire was entering. Round, thick glasses. Messy hair. And a professor who was slightly stooped, making him short.
The professor's name was Mate.
One of the assistant professors under Head Professor Gloomy, the traitor.
He was the official 'outcast professor' of the Magic Department.
“Ah, what a shame. I thought it was Head Professor Kain.”
“Ugh, even someone like that wants to listen to this.”
“Still can’t tell where he belongs, can he….”
Mocking voices followed.
There was a reason for this.
Assistant Professor Mate was a man who had aided Head Professor Gloomy in his rebellion, helping to move materials to Kreutz.
After the Kreutz incident concluded, he was brought to trial, but it was proven that he didn't even know he was participating in a rebellion, and the charges were dropped.
However, just because the charges were dropped, would he be viewed favorably?
Ultimately, Mate was an accomplice to rebellion, and in the process, Gloomy had taken other assistant professors with him but abandoned Mate.
How ridiculous was his situation?
“Tsk, I suppose his persistence is something to acknowledge.”
“Why acknowledge that?”
“Excuse me?”
At that moment, Lambda, the senior professor with the most influence among the Illusion Magic professors, clicked his tongue and said.
“If you lack such common sense, it’s no wonder you were abandoned alone when your master left his home.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Self-awareness is important for people, self-awareness. If you lack that, are you even human?”
The professors agreed and laughed, thinking his words were indeed true.
Assistant Professor Mate paid them no mind.
However, just as there are ten colors for ten people, not everyone enjoyed such disregard.
An elder professor, unable to bear it, approached Mate and asked.
“Hey, Assistant Professor Mate.”
“…Yes.”
His hollow eyes turned to the elder professor.
The elder professor asked with concern.
“Don’t pay too much attention to them. Those words. They all point fingers without knowing anything.”
“…Yes.”
“But I hope you don’t just keep listening either.”
“…What?”
“You must protect your pride. If the professors keep saying things, at least try to push back. They see you as an easy target because you take it all.”
Mate shook his head.
“…What need is there for pride before scholarship? I am simply here to gain an opportunity to learn.”
“No, but still, my friend. I find it all frustrating to watch.”
“…Thank you, Professor.”
Assistant Professor Mate bowed his head.
“……”
Assistant Professor Mate was also a magician. He too possessed intense inner superiority and pride.
Had he not encountered the wall of reality, he might have become similar to the magicians who looked down on him.
But now, all he had was desperation.
‘I have nothing left.’
Head Professor Gloomy, the only golden rope in his life, had betrayed Hiaka.
Now, he was being advised to resign not only by the professors but also by the department.
What if he gave up his life and returned to the countryside?
His elderly parents were cultivating a tiny field and raising a sick goat.
Because assistant professors had to spend most of their salary on research materials, he couldn't even celebrate his parents' birthdays.
That was his life.
Now, there was no hope or future in his life.
The opportunity that came his way was that all Illusion Magic professors would attend Head Professor Kain's lecture.
Provided, of course, that he passed this test.
‘Perhaps, this is my last chance…….’
He turned his head.
Even now, looking out the window, he could see the giant tree adorning one axis of the sky. The magnificent tree, invisible if one chose not to see it.
He could receive instruction from the one who created it.
This was the greatest opportunity in his life, and perhaps his first and last.
“……”
With such feelings, Assistant Professor Mate waited for the proctor to arrive.
As Mate and the other Illusion Magic professors eagerly awaited,
Creeak—
The door opened, and a professor appeared.
Wavy black hair, pink eyes with three pupils, a gait as silent yet unhurried as a stalking predator. An assassin was entering the lecture hall.
Normally, this would evoke strong revulsion from magicians. Assassins were uncomfortable beings to magicians.
To be evaluated by such a being was something they had never dared to imagine. But today was different.
“Greetings.”
A low voice that resonated throughout the entire lecture hall.
A tone that was heavy yet carried a sense of wildness.
“I am Senior Professor Dante Hiacapo of the Assassination Department. I am here today to conduct an examination for the professors.”
“Out of the 30 individuals present, only 3 will be able to participate in the special lecture on [Sculpting of Transcendent Form Illusions]. Please understand that this decision was made by the Magic Department.”
Everyone swallowed dryly.
[Sculpting of Transcendent Form Illusions], just hearing the name, anyone could tell what a noble level of lecture it was.
At the same time, greed surged in everyone's eyes.
“The examination is simple. For the next 30 minutes, you will create the best Illusion Magic you can, using only a single [Fundamental Particle]. I will then evaluate and judge.”
A single [Fundamental Particle].
This was not an easy test.
At that moment, someone raised their hand.
“Are you the one, Professor? Not Head Professor Kain himself?”
“Yes.”
“I ask because I don’t know. Do you possess sufficient qualifications to evaluate [Illusion Magic]?”
“I am Head Professor Kain’s top disciple. Furthermore, this is an assignment for which Head Professor Kain has granted me full authority.”
“……!”
At this, the professors' eyes sharpened.
Top disciple!
This meant one who inherited the master's greatest enlightenment from his closest proximity.
For example, there was Agion, the top disciple of Abraxas, the god of Illusion Magic. Agion, though not reaching Abraxas's level, was currently ranked 20th in the world, a [Bright Star of Light⁺₊⋆], and was considered the pinnacle Illusionist on the continent.
In other words, this assassin professor named Dante was also highly likely to be an incredibly skilled individual, despite his young age.
“Do you have any further questions?”
At Dante's words, everyone fell silent.
Soon, he materialized a sand timer using [Illusion Magic] and placed it on the table.
‘Ah, no?’
‘That’s…!’
Then, the professors marveled inwardly.
At first glance, it appeared to be a simple sand timer. However, from the professors' perspective, it was an astonishingly delicate and exquisite Illusion Magic.
Normally, when creating a 'sand timer,' professors would implement it by attaching [Form] to [Form]. The exterior of the clock and the sand, all as [Form].
Because the sand is small, a lot of Fundamental Particles are consumed. Therefore, sand timers are rarely made. The Mana consumption is extremely high.
Why would they do that?
Because it is difficult to create the [Phenomenon] of pouring sand.
For pouring sand to look natural, it must follow the principles of fluid dynamics by half and particle motion by half. If one were to implement this as a [Phenomenon], they must have a precise understanding of fluid dynamics.
And [fluid dynamics] is one of the most troublesome fields for all Illusionists in this world.
But.
Professor Dante had created the clock and the sand entirely as a single [Phenomenon], and no Magical Imprint had leaked during the creation of such advanced Illusion Magic.
He had implemented what others would invest 100 Mana for, with a mere 15.
This proved that he possessed skill at least approaching the level of a Head Professor.
‘Head Professor level, at such a young age……?’
The gazes that had doubted him even slightly melted away like snow.
This young assassin was fully qualified to evaluate them.
The professors' pride was not even pricked.
Just as no one feels inferior in size when looking at a bear.
Amidst this,
“The time is 30 minutes.”
Dante flipped the sand timer over.
“Begin.”
As soon as the words fell, all the professors summoned [Fundamental Particles].
And then they began to unleash the best Illusion Magic they could perform.
‘I must do well.’
And Assistant Professor Mate also gritted his teeth and began to materialize forms.
* * *
To create the most perfect Illusion Magic within 30 minutes.
And to do so using only a single [Fundamental Particle].
It was not an easy task.
A single Illusion Magic requires at least thousands, and up to hundreds of thousands, of [Fundamental Particles]. And that is by the professors' standards.
At my level, the unit of numbers changes. For example, the number of [Fundamental Particles] used to create 'Head Professor Kain' was around 820,000,000.
Using many [Fundamental Particles] is convenient. One can simply create and attach different forms. However, if one must handle a single particle, it becomes a headache.
Numerous [Expansions] are required. A small dot can do nothing on its own.
Numerous [Transformations] are required. It must be bent, carved, and given texture.
Throughout this, one must also consider [Durability]. Fundamental Particles subjected to constant stress can easily break.
‘It’s like creating an ultra-high-level sculpture.’
Making a sculpture out of silken tofu!
Given time, anyone could create something plausible, but 30 minutes is quite tight.
This is a test to distinguish those with a living sense of Mana, rather than their current attainment.
Even the greatest Illusionists lose their sense if they distance themselves from Illusion Magic.
In other words, those who have neglected their training will be unable to create anything in this test.
‘That is the core of this examination.’
I need to find [people who are prepared].
The moment a person reaches a certain level, their development stops. This is because they are satisfied with what they have already built. And such people tend to show resistance to new eras and new studies, refusing to learn.
To a professor who thinks, 'I'm already good enough! I can do this much! Do I need to try harder?' — I have no reason to share my teachings.
Such individuals will eventually be left behind in the long run. My teachings will also bear no fruit.
Conversely, there are those who, despite achieving much, still strive desperately. Those for whom effort has become a life's momentum. They are prepared with the will to learn, even as time passes.
I want to show such individuals Head Professor Kain.
I must.
Because I approach Illusion Magic with that same desperate heart.
< Remaining Time: 28 minutes 33 seconds >
I plan to begin circulating and evaluating around the 25-minute mark. Until then, they will need time for design and calculation.
In the meantime, I briefly stepped outside and headed to the waiting room behind the lecture hall.
In the waiting room, Ran, who had been sitting and waiting, stood up and greeted me.
“Do you require assistance?”
“It’s fine. I came to call Kain.”
I wanted to see the scene of this examination together with Kain.
I approached her and cast [Illusion Magic].
⋮
『 World Forgery: Fused Forgery of Form, Phenomenon, Perception, and Memory [Head Professor Kain] 』
⋮
After light enveloped the space.
A child wearing an elephant costume appeared.
“Take off the mask, Kain.”
“……”
As Kain struggled and removed the costume with his short arms, his sweat-soaked hair emerged.
The sweat flowing in real-time according to the external temperature and time. And the shape of his hair changing as it became soaked with sweat… Even I thought it was perfect modeling.
However, it was his back when he took off the mask. It seemed he had put it on backward.
“……??”
He tilted his head, looking for me. Muttering, ‘Where…?’
“Here. Behind you.”
Finally, Head Professor Kain slowly turned his body and looked at me.
He smiled, very slowly but brightly.
“Hi….”
Although it was perfect modeling, it wasn't entirely perfect.
The way he suddenly approached and extended his arms, asking to be hugged, was one such instance.
I covered my face.
“Stop. Now is a time for focus. Because the Illusion Magic professors are taking their exam outside that door.”
“……”
Head Professor Kain's eyes widened, and he nodded.
I had mentioned this before, and he realized it wasn't a time for playing.
“Now, look at this.”
In the waiting room, there was a large "projector" I had set up beforehand, and it was projecting the interior of the main hall in real-time.
“From the 30 professors here, we must select 3. How many?”
“3 people….”
“That’s right. You will watch them take the exam from this spot, and tell me just one person who resonates with you. I will choose two, and you will choose one.”
“Yes….”
Thus, Head Professor Kain, cradled on Ran's lap (they had met a few times), gazed at the "projector."
I walked back out into the hall.
< Remaining Time: 25 minutes 10 seconds >
It was time to start evaluating the creation process and deciding who to eliminate.
I moved my steps.
Towards the professors, who were concentrating with extreme tension.
“……”
Gazes filled with extreme tension flickered towards me.