Chapter 46
Chapter 46
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: The Magic Tower Genius Hides Physics
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During vacation, even the Magic Tower Administration Office quiets down.
Of course, there's still on-duty staff.
That's why I handed my paper over to today's duty officer, Ellara the "Master."
[Relationship between Gas Volume and Temperature - On the Definition of Absolute Temperature]
Ellara blinked as she took my paper.
"...Isn't it vacation right now?"
"It is."
"Didn't you submit a paper on magic tool operating principles just a few days ago?"
"I did."
I'd kept the pure 100% mechanical suspension a secret and only published a paper on the high-end version made with magic tools.
Looking back, that was a smart move.
If word got out, people might start thinking magic had been applied to the suspensions they bought.
Ellara let out a deep sigh.
"Good lord. What kind of lunatic mage submits two papers during vacation..."
"I didn't expect it to turn out this way either."
"Liar."
"..."
It's true...
No one believes in my innocence.
Ellara continued.
"I can accept it, but the review won't happen until classes start back up. That okay?"
"Of course."
It had been a while since the canned life since I last met Laura.
The meeting spot wasn't a school lab.
It was a small two-story house next to Anna's orphanage.
Laura was practically my personal secretary, so it felt weird always meeting in the lab. That's why I set up a separate place.
Laura's report began.
"Orders for suspensions at the Uphills Workshop have started pouring in for real. Even just counting the backlog, we have three years' worth of work lined up."
Three years' worth of work backed up?
I wonder if Tobin's shoulders will hold up...
'Power hammer... I really need to make one.'
Anyway, it was selling well—great news.
"Looks like the Princess pulled her weight."
Laura nodded at my words.
Her report continued.
"Also, the 'Uphills Foundation' has been successfully established."
"Impressive."
They must have confirmed the route linking Winterheart's mana crystal sales proceeds to the foundation was secure.
"For now, we'll operate by partnering with territories near the beast frontlines, adding extra support funds on top of the existing poverty relief for the current 'Uphills.'"
"That's huge."
"..."
Laura furrowed her brow.
"Uh... you don't have to praise me every single time."
"No, I just... you're doing great."
"Anyway, once the foundation's boarding school is complete, we plan to shift from simple aid to directly protecting and educating the kids."
"Construction's underway?"
"Contractor bidding is still in progress."
"Sounds good."
I scrutinized the detailed report, but there were no issues.
She was handling everything perfectly on her own.
Professionals really are different.
Once the boarding school was done, we'd need to hire teachers too...
Who would be good?
Hiring teachers for other subjects was easy—just pay them.
But magic was tricky.
There just weren't many experts in the world who could actually teach magic.
'Who to pick.'
Ludwig Everglow, the Count, came to mind first.
He'd placed a huge pre-order for suspensions that didn't even have a set price yet, so maybe I could negotiate a discount in exchange.
If that fell through, I could publish another calculus paper and call in Valerius.
'Worst case, I can do it myself.'
Former legion commander, current archmage—just Isaac, let's go.
I said to Laura.
"Oh, right. One more thing."
"What is it?"
I pulled a sheet of parchment from my pocket and handed it to her.
It was the list of wind mages I'd met while serving as exam committee advisor.
"Can you send a copy of the paper I just submitted to each of them?"
A smirk crept onto Laura's lips at my request.
"Why the smile?"
"Back then, I would've been overwhelmed thinking about writing all these out by hand."
Fair point.
Without Excel, I'd have been scribbling all day.
I made one more request of Laura.
"In the recipient field of the letters, write 'Ideal Gas Magic School' instead of 'Wind Element Magic School.'"
Laura tilted her head at my words.
"Ideal Gas Magic School? Never heard of it—is that a typo?"
"No. It's the name of the new school forming from now on."
"..."
Their magic no longer relied on fickle, ever-changing winds.
Instead, they would follow "ideal gases," governed by clear laws and equations.
"It's too different now to just call it wind magic. Time for them to stand on their own."
A few days later, I rode a carriage to the Imperial Magic University.
I didn't have any more advisor duties left.
Today was the Magic University entrance exam day, so I was just there to cheer on Anna.
Damn...
Magic University.
The name alone made my youth feel alive and breathing.
Nothing like some graduate school.
'No motion sickness means all sorts of random thoughts...'
Anna asked me from the seat next to mine.
"What're you thinking about so hard?"
"My stolen youth and passion."
"...Pardon?"
Hans, sitting up front, chuckled and said to Anna.
"Must be reminiscing about the old days."
"What does that mean?"
"Anna, your brother acts all nice now, but back then he was a prickly hedgehog full of suspicion."
"Oh."
Anna's eyes lit up.
I said to Hans.
"Hans... don't say unnecessary things."
"Ahem."
I didn't want to talk about my possession-era stories in front of Anna.
I awkwardly changed the subject, but Anna was already eyeing me with keen interest.
"..."
"..."
I steered the conversation elsewhere.
"By the way, why are you coming along, Hans? Is the mercenary band off today?"
"Huh? Didn't I tell you?"
"..."
"..."
I locked eyes with Hans silently.
I cast Telepathy on him.
"Ugh...!"
Hans clutched his head in telepathic pain. Served him right.
I asked him again.
"So, why are you here?"
"One of our mercenary band guys is trying to earn tuition for university. I'm here to cheer him on."
"Got it."
Thankfully, Hans's story had captured Anna's interest.
She asked.
"Even full-grown adults go to university?"
"Yep."
The Magic University was open to anyone with talent, regardless of age or status.
Of course, it was just "open"—no money, and you could get kicked out midway.
With money, donation admissions were possible too.
So if you weren't confident in scholarships, commoners had to save for years to even attempt entry.
Like Hans's band member.
Times like this made my "body" feel so mysterious.
What kind of life had pre-possession Isaac lived to save up money?
I told Anna.
"Most kids your age taking it are probably nobles."
"...All donation admits?"
"Nah. Some have been drilled in magic since childhood."
"I see."
Anna fell into thought for a moment.
"Nervous?"
"Nope. Just do what you taught me, right?"
There wasn't a hint of anxiety in Anna's voice.
Was it an act?
"Even if I was exam advisor, I won't pull strings."
"I know."
Anna grinned.
"I'll just prove it. That I'm your sister."
Pfft.
A laugh slipped out.
'Not acting.'
If she bombed and did donation admission, no big deal—as long as she kept smiling like this.
Then she'd endure happily even in our lab.
"We're almost there, milord."
I looked up at the coachman's words.
As the carriage crested the hill, the Magic University's full vista unfolded before us.
Cloud bridges linking spires upon spires.
Grand stone buildings reflected on the vast lake surface, creating a fantastical scene.
"Wow..."
"...Heard rumors, but not like this."
Exclamations burst from Anna and Hans simultaneously.
But to me, the design felt oddly familiar.
'Isn't this Hog0warts?'
Upon arriving at the Magic University, we parted ways with Hans.
"See ya after the exam, milord!"
"Yeah. Take care."
I walked through the campus side by side with Anna.
Anna asked me.
"Did you study in a place like this too, bro?"
"...This body did. Not me."
"Huh?"
"..."
Nothing more to say.
What would university life here have been like?
'...I'd probably just study anyway.'
Not sour grapes.
Feels like that's what it'd be.
For a nerd like me, the Magic Tower was perfect as is.
No.
Stop with the creepy thoughts.
"Hm? Something wrong, bro?"
"Nah. Nothing."
The exam hall area buzzed with crowds.
Kids Anna's age to white-haired lifelong learners—every type imaginable.
We headed to registration for examinee check-in.
"Examinee name?"
"Anna Uphills."
The clerk wrote down Anna's name, then looked up at "Uphills."
His gaze passed Anna and landed on me.
"This way, please. Examinee guidelines."
The clerk handed me a thick booklet like it was obvious.
He figured Uphills was commoner, so no kid would be taking the exam.
I passed the papers to Anna and corrected the misunderstanding.
"The examinee is this child, not me."
"Pardon? Uphills?"
"Yes."
"...Understood."
Anna quietly took the papers.
She didn't seem upset.
On the way to the exam hall after procedures, I asked.
"Not annoyed? Not all commoners come to university old. Kinda discriminatory."
"Well, could be. Wasn't on purpose, so whatever."
"Huh."
"Can't be an orphan if you sweat the small stuff."
"..."
A mature answer unlike Anna.
It bugged me a bit.
I told her.
"You don't have to hold back anymore. I can handle most problems."
"Thanks for saying that."
Anna beamed and headed into the exam hall.
"Alright. I'll sweep the floor with 'em."
"...Who'd you learn that from?"
"Hans."
"That damn Hans..."