Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Magic Tower Genius Hides Physics
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"...How did you know?"
She really was the princess.
I almost made a fool of myself otherwise.
Following what Gwendolyn had taught me, I dropped to one knee and said,
"I nearly committed the grave rudeness of failing to recognize Your Highness. Please forgive me."
"..."
A moment later, her lips parted.
"Rise and stand."
I obeyed the princess's command.
Lifting my head, I saw no trace of confusion or anger on her face.
I recognized that expression.
It was the look of a scholar struggling to contain their curiosity. She spoke.
"How did you know? I was using the imperial disguise magic tool."
I answered the princess.
"The outlines were slightly blurred. A perfect curve can't be rendered with a discontinuous set of points."
Her eyes sharpened.
"If it were you, how would you improve this technique?"
"By connecting each point with a continuous graph—vectors to define the changes. To calculate those rates of change..."
"Calculus would be essential."
She reached the conclusion before I could finish.
Her comprehension was above average. She had the makings of a solid business partner.
The princess gave a faint smile.
"Truth be told, I don't know much about vectors or the like. But I've already read your and Valerius's Principles of Calculus dozens of times."
"..."
"I already knew everything. I heard about you from the dean of the Magic Tower. Even who the true author of Calculus really is."
She lightly patted my shoulder.
"I just came from recommending you for a first-class medal at the palace. So stop hiding in the shadows and step out into the world."
"It wasn't like I was hiding because I wanted to..."
I muttered softly.
The water was already spilled anyway. Struggling more would only earn the ire of the imperial court.
I nodded calmly.
"If it's already decided, then I'll accept."
My compliant attitude seemed to surprise her, a flicker of intrigue in her eyes.
She smiled, satisfied.
"First off, I've sponsored your school in my name. It's an honor to support a genius like you."
I bowed my head gratefully.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
We were already getting 100,000 gold a week, but more research funds were always welcome.
I must never forget my starving grad student days from my past life.
Remember the hunger.
"But there's just one thing I'd like to say."
"Speak."
"I'll gratefully accept the sponsorship, but I'm no genius. If I've seen further than others, it's only because I stood on the shoulders of giants."
Princess Isolde tilted her head.
"A dwarf, you?"
"Yes."
It was a famous quote back on Earth, but apparently not here.
Of course. Even Isaac Newton himself, who said it, never existed in this world...
I elaborated.
"The ancients had to start every research from the ground up. But I can learn from all their trials, errors, and successes through just a few theses."
Calculus didn't spring fully formed from my head. If it had, I'd be a real genius.
Even Newton, one of its two originators, had said as much.
He too had stood on the shoulders of prior scientists, allowing him to see farther.
The same held true in this world.
Valerius had already devised classical calculus in the form of the 'yield method.'
He'd shelved it because the 'yield method' couldn't overcome 'Achilles and the Tortoise'... but it was just one step short.
A little more research, and he—or his successors—would have birthed Calculus.
"So I'm neither a genius nor a giant."
"..."
In my past life and this one, I was just a grad student standing on giants' shoulders.
The princess stared at me intently for a moment. Her brilliant golden eyes seemed to peer into my soul.
Soon, she smiled gently.
"I see. I understand what kind of person you are, Uphills. Then at least work for the sponsorship I've provided."
The princess made an unexpected request.
"I'll be giving a speech at the upcoming medal ceremony. I'd like it to reach everyone gathered in the square clearly. Can you make that happen?"
"If it's something like that, of course."
I nodded readily.
On the day of the medal ceremony, the central square of the capital was packed with people, no room to step.
The princess approached me as I sat in the awardees' seats, drained.
"All prepared?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Perfectly."
I had already cast magic over the entire square.
As this was my sponsor's first request, I planned to deliver the best possible result.
"I look forward to it."
The princess left those brief words and returned to her seat.
Soon, the ceremony began.
Clap clap clap clap—!
Thunderous applause erupted at the opening declaration.
Pompous formalities followed, showcasing the imperial grandeur.
I let them wash over me with one ear.
But I joined in the moment of silence for the fallen heroes.
Barnabas the bell keeper's son was among them, after all.
Time passed, and finally it was our turn.
"Archmage Valerius!"
"Senior Researcher Giuseppe Garneri!"
"Junior Researcher Isaac Uphills!"
As promised, all three of us received the empire's highest honor: the '1st Class Sacred Golden Lion Medal.'
Senior Giuseppe wiped away tears of emotion, while Valerius simply smiled quietly.
And I...
"I expect great things ahead."
"Thank you."
Thanks to Gwendolyn's lessons, I handled the etiquette flawlessly.
Good. No mistakes.
Once all awards were presented, Princess Isolde finally took the central podium for her speech.
Now.
I activated the pre-set magics.
Sound control was easy—I'd done it during the bell tower incident.
Now, her speech would ring clear to the citizens in the back, without overwhelming the nobles up front.
This alone would satisfy the princess adequately.
But a truly 'captivating speech' wasn't just about sound.
Visual effects were equally vital.
I activated the second magic.
E = I / r²
First, I conjured a dazzling orb behind her back.
Now, everyone in the square would see a divine halo shining behind the princess.
But I wasn't stopping there.
n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂
Time to refract the light.
To create a rainbow.
I gathered atmospheric vapor between the light source and the crowd, arranging it at optimal density across the vast space.
After all this effort, a plain rainbow would be disappointing.
My goal was a perfect circular rainbow, visible only from the ideal angle.
Pi ∝ e^(-εi / kT)
Probabilistic optimization of vapor distribution based on crowd layout—complete.
Magic composition finished.
Manifest.
Flash!
The crowd buzzed at the sudden light.
By now, they were witnessing a circular rainbow floating between the princess and themselves.
It would feel like she was speaking directly to each one of them.
In this state, even a 'kimchi stew recipe' would move them to tears.
Valerius, standing beside me on the podium, glanced my way and muttered softly.
"Heh... Creating a new spell for the world every week."
"Shh. Her Highness is speaking."
"Ahem."
The citizens were entranced by the wondrous sight. All attention converged on one point.
Princess Isolde Arcanus.
I watched her.
How do you like it, client?
Princess Isolde turned toward me with a sly smile.
Perfect. Sponsor satisfied.
May she continue supporting our school.
Isolde marveled at Isaac's magic.
"I only asked him to amplify the sound, and he builds me a whole stage."
She didn't know the exact magic, but the subjects' gazes had changed.
Her eyes fell on the awkward black-haired young man standing in the podium's corner.
Her lips curved upward unbidden.
Where did this genius drop from?
He was the empire's great fortune.
Isolde turned her gaze to the imperial subjects.
-"Not long ago, I had a peculiar conversation with a certain researcher."
Her voice, carried by Isaac's magic, resonated clearly in every heart.
From the front-row nobles to the commoners at the square's edge.
It was the voice of their beloved princess, Isolde.
-"I praised his research achievements and asked how he produced such brilliant results."
Isolde recounted Isaac's 'giant and dwarf' metaphor, trimming the excess and amplifying the emotional beats.
-"He likened himself to a dwarf, crediting all the功 to his predecessors."
Here, she subtly wove in the contributions of the fallen warriors.
-"The same must hold for the martyrs who built our empire. None may have been heroes who turned the tide of war alone. But their collective sacrifices made the empire possible."
The capital housed many families of national heroes.
They were always eager participants in such events—like now.
A gentle wave of emotion rippled through those who had lost family and friends.
Isolde continued at the peak of their moved sentiments.
-"Yes! We may all be dwarfs standing on the shoulders of ancestral giants!"
She paused, then bellowed with charisma that dominated the square.
-"But!"
The subjects, eyes glistening as they stared at the ground, looked back up at her.
-"Doesn't climbing those giants' shoulders lifelong, reaching heights no one else has seen—that in itself—isn't that greatness?"
The subjects echoed her words.
Yes!
That's right!
Their cries cascaded like waves.
Isolde was a bit taken aback by the response.
Usually, it's not this enthusiastic...
But today felt different.
The sunlight, breeze, temperature, humidity—everything seemed fine-tuned for this speech.
Isaac Uphills... Is it because of him?
Nothing else explained it.
He'd fit right in at the Imperial Propaganda Department.
Isaac was a remarkably useful man.
The princess pointed to the sky.
-"Thanks to that dwarf's discovery, we may one day predict the cycles of the sun, moon, and all planets!"
Woooaaahhh!!
-"Calculus will be the vanguard of a brilliant future!"
-"It bloomed in the hands of Archmage Valerius, then in the hands of the empire's son, 'Isaac Uphills'!"
Isaac!!
Isaac!!!
Isolde's fingertip pointed straight at Isaac.
His pupils shook like there was an earthquake.
The subjects went wild.
Over Isaac's humble origins, no different from theirs.
And yet his greatness.
-"Does such a man deserve the title of dwarf?"
No!
Absolutely not!
The crowd roared, voices hoarse.
To them, the princess—framed by glowing light and rainbows—spoke as a goddess.
-"Then what should we call him?"
Hero!
Someone led the chant, and others joined.
Hero! Hero!
-"Yes, a hero! The researcher 'Isaac Uphills,' who called himself a dwarf, is a hero who climbed the shoulders of Lord Valerius!"
The square erupted in earth-shaking cheers.
Woooaaahhh—!
Hero! Hero!
Giuseppe patted Isaac's back repeatedly, hot tears streaming, while Valerius watched with a pleased smile.
And at the center of all that glory...
Isaac muttered blankly amid the pouring adulation.
"What the hell have I just done...?"