Chapter 88
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Spell Formula
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Everyone knows this magical property takes a typical form. It compels the user to.
Class time.
Wendy was focusing intently on the blackboard.
As expected from the top magic university in the country, even the first-year classes were quite advanced.
On top of that, Wendy had skipped grades, making her the youngest in the room.
Even so, she was desperately trying to keep up with the lesson.
Yawn.
As she diligently took notes, Myohails carefree voice reached her ears.
These are all spells everyone already knows.
Master?
Theyre all so boring. Staring at stuff like this all day makes me yawn.
But Master knows everything.
The sage, hailed as the pinnacle of all mages, Myohail, was currently residing in her hairpin.
Hoho. You think I know every spell out there?
Huh? Dont you?
Of course not. I just know a lot. If you subtract the ones Ive forgotten, its about 700 million or so.
Isnt that basically knowing them all?
Nonsense! There are still countless undiscovered spells in this world. And just as many forgotten ones. Knowledge has no end, after all.
Since becoming Myohails disciple, Wendy had learned a great deal about magic.
From mana property conversion to reading and creating spell formulas.
It had been difficult for Wendy, whod been a complete novice, but Myohails teachings had gotten her through somehow.
Myohail always knew the way.
He had deep knowledge and unshakable confidence in magic.
Yet even her master didnt know every spell out there. Magic truly was boundless.
Wendy sighed inwardly.
Ugh. I must not have any talent. At this rate, I wont just fail to get first placeI wont even pass.
Hoho. Whats there to worry about? Dont I exist?
Huh?
Forgot? Im a sage. Any exam this school throws at us is childs play to me. Just trust your master. Kekeke.
Myohail spoke in a triumphant tone.
He was right, of course.
With a sages vast knowledge, taking first place in this schools exams would be effortless.
But Wendy shook her head.
Im sorry, Master.
Hm?
I know its presumptuous, but. I want to get first place with my own strength.
The reason was obvious: the promise shed made with Tristan a few days ago.
Hed grant her one wish if she got first place.
But it only meant something if she achieved it on her own.
Sensing this, Myohail sighed.
This child. So admirable. Heh heh. So, what wish do you plan to ask of the count if you get first?
Huh? Uh, well?
Come to think of it, she hadnt decided on a wish yet.
That day, Tristan stroking her head had kept her awake all night.
At the same time, she was determined not to disappoint his expectations.
It might be the first time the count had ever expected anything from Wendy. She absolutely couldnt let her master down.
Shed never cared about getting first place before. But now, she wanted to pour everything she had into it.
So she could proudly ask him for her wish.
But. what wish should she make?
A wish would be something Wendy desperately wanted.
What she desired was.
Would he. really grant anything at all? The count.
Wendy murmured to herself.
Unbeknownst to her, her cheeks were slightly flushed.
Seeing this, Myohail sighed.
Sigh. I hope my disciple asks for something wholesome.
Wholesome. Wholesome?! What do you mean by that!? You make it sound like Im going to ask for something indecent!
You think you can hide it from me? A sage can use mind-reading magic, you know.
Wha?!
Wendy flinched.
Mind-reading magic?
Did such a terrifying spell exist?
No. No way. That cant be!
But Wendy wasnt so easily fooled.
Shed fallen for Myohails pranks countless times before.
Y-Youre lying! If it existed, you wouldve used it ages ago!
Believe it or not, up to you. But it makes this master so sad. My little disciple already climbing the stairs to adulthood.
...
Th-Thats not it! What stairs to adulthood?! I havent thought anything weird like that!
So you really do plan to see the counts grandchildren?
The moment she heard that, goosebumps erupted.
Eek?! H-How did you?! So there really is such magic!?
Yes. Its called the Lie spell.
Ugh! To think such a wicked spell exists. But the name is Lie? Lie? Lie, you say?! That means bluff!
Only then did Wendy realize shed been tricked again, but it was too late.
You fell for that? Youve got a long way to go, disciple. I just took a shot because your face looked like it had envisioned the counts grandchildren. Never thought Id hit the mark.
F-Forget it! Please, Master! Forget it! I beg you!
Having unwittingly confessed her inner thoughts, Wendy could only bow her head in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Myohail fumed.
Forget? As if! His grandchildren? Over my dead body!! Absolutely not!!!
Hiiing.
Absolutely not. I cant hand over my precious disciple to a thief like that!
M-Marriage? Someone like me with the count.
Hey now. No cheeky wishes like that. Even if the count agrees, Ill stop it.
I-I wouldnt ask for something so cheeky!
Heh heh. Looking at you now, you seem plenty capable of it.
N-No, Im not!
Wendy could only deny it desperately. And because of that, she reacted the same way to the voice calling her.
Student Wendy.
No, Im not! Im not like that.
Student Wendy.
Huh? Hiii!?
Only then did Wendy shoot to her feet.
And she was met with a sight that terrified her.
Every student in the lecture hall was staring at Wendy.
Whispering students and the worried looks from Sia and Luna.
If it had just been them, it mightve been bearable.
Finally looking at me, huh.
The heavily made-up female professor standing at the blackboard was glaring at Wendy.
So. whats no supposed to mean?
Th-Thats not.
Professor Ariel Lishujet, who taught basic spell formulas, spoke in a cold voice.
If theres something wrong with the spell formula I drew, would Student Wendy care to fix it?
Huh?
She was pointing to the spell formula on the blackboard.
Inside a circular magic circle, a fairly complex formula trailed off incomplete.
Ariel had drawn it that way after hearing Wendys mutterings.
N-No, its not wrong. Sorry for spacing out.
Come on, dont be shy. Come up and finish drawing it. Id love to see the top freshmans skills.
Huh?
Come on, hurry.
Ariel beckoned Wendy with a smile.
But her eyes were ice-cold.
If you dont come down, Ill deduct points for attitude.
Ugh.
Getting deducted would make first place impossible.
Wendy had no choice but to reluctantly head to Professor Ariel.
As she trudged down the steps listlessly, Myohail whispered in her ear.
Dont be nervous, disciple. Recall what I taught you. Do exactly as I showed you, and therell be no problem.
Y-Yes.
Wendy steadied her breathing.
As she neared the blackboard, the formula came into sharp focus.
This spell formula.
She knew how to read formulas, thanks to Myohail.
Even though it was incomplete, Wendy could roughly tell what Professor Ariel had intended.
But.
Why would the professor draw something like this?
Pushing the question aside, Wendy stopped in front of the blackboard. Ariel promptly handed her the chalk, as if shed been waiting.
Here you go. Finish it, Student Wendy.
Professor.
Yes. What is it?
Ariels eyes remained cold.
The same female professor shed encountered with Tristan at the entrance ceremony.
Just like then, she stared at Wendy with icy eyes.
Wendy couldnt meet them directly. She could only ask in a hesitant voice.
Um, is this by any chance one of the wind spells.
Ahem. It wouldnt be fun if I told you that far. Besides, the top freshman should be able to figure this much out.
Wendy hesitated.
Not because of Ariels inexplicable hostility.
R-Really? Can I actually complete it?
? Of course. Dont tell me you lack confidence?
N-No, its not that, its just too dangerous.
Worried about that? Then hurry up and finish the formula. Ill give you three minutes.
Th-Three minutes?!
Time was short.
Wendy had to make a decision.
Ugh. Im done for!
Wendy hurriedly grabbed a nearby stool.
She was too short to reach the top of the blackboard otherwise.
She began completing the spell formula on the blackboard.
Watching her struggle, Ariel smirked faintly.
Too bad, but the formula I was drawing wasnt. that. Wait. What?
It didnt take long for Ariels face to stiffen as she watched Wendy draw.