Chapter 40
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 040
Chapter Title: Further Ripples
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The academic journal of the Mage Association.
Countless mages eagerly awaited its release for reasons ranging from genuine learning and scholarly exchange to forging ties with specific schools of thought.
However, with magic now an established field, fewer and fewer sought out papers purely for education.
These days, even 1-circle mages rifled through them mostly to butter up their superiors...
But this latest issue—number three—had a markedly different vibe.
A stranger's name appeared right at the front.
(Author: Kang Eun-ho et al.)
(Research Leader: Park Ha-jun)
(Sponsor: Jeong Hyun-seok et al.)
Park Ha-jun had listed the entire lab—seven names—as first authors, granting everyone equal credit.
They were simply alphabetized, hence "Kang Eun-ho et al."
Park Ha-jun was the sole name under research leader.
This compelled the mages to devour the paper with undivided attention.
The Mage Association wasn't some fly-by-night outfit. There had to be a reason they'd lead with a paper from a nobody—no named mage in sight.
And the sponsor? That Jeong Hyun-seok.
Mages pored over every word, savoring them.
Among them was Shin Ye-ji, the mage from Kim Ji-seok's team. When she finished, her body shuddered uncontrollably.
It masterfully exposed the flaws in conventional methods, building tension with concrete examples... all culminating in a single sentence.
This paper proves that all attributes form a one-to-one correspondence with topological knots, enabling their redefinition.
That sentence left no choice but to nod in agreement. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
And rightly so—it established a benchmark for "attributes" that no one had ever managed before.
"...This was led by a math professor?"
Shin Ye-ji had recently hit the peak of 3-circle.
She'd rocketed ahead thanks to inspiration from asd123's scrolls.
But shattering the old notion that "B-rank limits you to 3-circle"? She was nowhere near enough.
Deep down, she hated to admit it, but she felt the wall closing in.
Yet this mathematician's research lit a beacon for her journey.
It pinpointed exactly where and how to refine her attribute spell formulas for even 1% more perfection.
Embrace this revelation, ponder it endlessly... someday, she might just hit that [Unlock] button for 4-circle.
'Researched at Yeonhui University Math Lab, right...'
Gratitude fueled her sponsorship.
Submitting a paper usually cost money—fees for submission, publication, that sort of thing.
Even if accepted, outlets paying royalties were rare as hen's teeth.
Most did it out of obligation, chasing credentials and prestige.
But a wildly successful paper? That changed everything.
Massive sponsorships followed as a matter of course, and those credentials became nukes in future grant reviews.
"This can't be... did the math lab's account get leaked wrong or something?"
Hwang Ji-on, chair of the Mathematics Department, was trembling like a leaf.
Real-time research sponsorships kept flooding in. All from mages—big spenders, every one.
Still clueless, Hwang stared. Park Ha-jun gave an awkward chuckle.
"Well... probably because my paper got published in the Mage Association journal."
"The Mage Association?"
Hwang's eyes bugged out. What was this young prof on about? How many days had research even been underway?
But Park wasn't the type to joke about this.
Besides, the account proved it true.
[Deposit: 5,000,000 won]
[Deposit: 10,000,000 won]
......
Word was, cash in the lab's dedicated account had already topped 1 billion won.
"...I don't even know how to process this."
Hwang had trusted Park. But he hadn't held high hopes. Magic fusion research? Risky topic.
He figured modest results would suffice—enough to acknowledge Park's talent and grit.
If the magic academics piled on criticism for those modest gains, he'd fight by his side.
If the board raised hell, he'd argue right back: a math prof pulling any results in magic fusion? That's huge.
That was the plan.
Turned out, no need.
"...Hogging all this for our lab feels excessive. We've got prior funding, after all. Like last time, let's route it as performance bonuses for the researchers..."
Park was the one shielding the department, just like he'd promised.
No—revitalizing it beyond that.
"Well, I'll be..."
Suddenly, the department chair's phone rang. Call from the administrative office.
They handled professor reappointments and promotions.
Clocking the intent, Hwang snapped to attention.
'Not the time.'
Park had more than done his part as a math prof.
Now it was Hwang's turn—as chair—to be the transparent umbrella. Block the rain, let only warm sunlight reach Park...
"Professor Ha-jun, shall we pick this up later? I'll adjust things so the researchers get their bonuses, as discussed..."
Park, spotting the admin call, nodded.
He was still an untenured assistant professor. Dept closure or denied reappointment? Gone in a flash.
Sure, this Park Ha-jun had cash to burn and could jump to any university with an opening...
But the researchers left behind? Not so much. Park quits, lab vanishes.
Reading his worry, Hwang smiled softly.
"I'll fill you in on what admin says."
"...Thanks."
With that, Park left the office and strolled down the hall. Lab wasn't far.
But at the door: several massive delivery boxes.
Researchers eyed them curiously.
"...Professor! Packages!"
"What's all this?"
Park's purchases. Chairs costing just over 2 million won apiece. Supposed to lock in perfect posture, comfy even ramrod straight...
For researchers glued to seats all day, back health was priceless. Especially with research funds overflowing.
"Lab chairs were creaking, armrests busted. Replaced 'em all."
"Ooh, finally!"
Not knowing the specs yet, they were just thrilled at the upgrade.
Until the boxes opened.
"Whoa, hold up—is this our new lab chair?"
The master's student nearing graduation wailed.
"Why change now...! I'm graduating soon...!"
Senior researchers teased.
"Just do your PhD."
"...!"
"Why join the math grad program if you're bailing after master's? Waste those two years?"
"Fair point..."
Park, intrigued, nodded and steeled his resolve.
One day, he'd make that banter into real, practical advice.
To get there, no slacking.
[Sender: Urgent Item Buyer]
[...Thank you again for this matter. Advance warning on the impending threat...]
Perfect timing—Fire Spirit Guild commission plus other tasks.
"...A monster wave blotting out the sky. Horrific."
Lee Dong-gyu muttered while analyzing the quest reward—the Fragment of the Story—from the collaboration.
"The entities in the illusion were no joke. We need to prep every trick in the book..."
A flying monster wave.
If this fixed future held, it'd be a first even for the Association President.
The Immortality Potion collab quest was a this-round debut itself.
'...One step closer to the system's desired ending.'
He clenched his fist.
But anxiety gnawed too.
Past crises crumbled to asd123's scrolls, but a monster wave? No single scrollmaker handles that.
Especially if global, not Seoul-bound.
"Still, might not need to worry that much."
Lee Dong-gyu, done analyzing, chimed in.
Handing the Immortality Potion to Vasuki enrages Garuda, who invades Earth.
14 days, 17:42
......
[Oath of the King of Nagas embedded.]
[Naga clan will lend strength to the final battle against Garuda.]
Mana wave analysis, noise stripped—hidden effects revealed.
"That freak's kin lending aid..."
Maybe not so hopeless, as Lee said.
But the President knew the system's temperament.
It skimped even on skill guidelines.
No way it'd hand a main quest completion on a platter.
"Dunno how much the nagas help, but we prep humanity's solution without counting on it."
"Agreed... Myths say Vasuki loses to Garuda anyway."
Full readiness essential.
But for this wave, dial back asd123 reliance.
'Melee chaos demands finer control...'
Scrolls spewing fixed patterns? Risky in the fray.
Of course...
Special asd123 scrolls like [Barrier] or [Detection]? Game-changer.
But mana drain—few hunters could sustain it.
Wasteful keeping them sidelined, clutching scrolls?
'Tough to get help this round.'
Yet asd123 wrought miracles. Couldn't rule out entirely.
"Email asd123 a tidy summary. I'll touch base with overseas associations."
"Got it."
While the President liaised via secretary, Lee sent the mail.
Clear situation breakdown, plus intent to buy any helpful scrolls.
Mail away, he waited for the President's tasks to wrap, then broached cautiously.
"President, about the [Detection] scroll commission fee..."
"Speak."
"asd123 took Fire Spirit Guild's job. They're offering 15% of S-rank gate clear revenue."
"...15%?"
Wildly generous for one scroll.
Other motives at play, likely.
But.
"Won't asd123 feel let down by the Association?"
"If human? Yeah. Visible gap."
"...Then shouldn't we go big this once?"
The President shook his head—not refusal.
"...Not going big."
The [Detection] scroll's finale—asd123's voluntary "Harmonized Mana Arrow"—demanded far higher valuation.
"Convene a meeting. Replan ahead, reassess asd123 scroll values."
With that, the President strode off.