Academy’s Genius Mage

“What conclusion did he come to?”

Ian stood hesitantly in front of the Mana Meter.

Unexpected events continued to unfold.

He had heard about this during a previous meeting with Professor Frost.

Although he had studied with his father, they were not particularly close.

“But somehow, it feels like the professor knows about the issues with my mana.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been standing in front of the Mana Meter in such an isolated laboratory.

Ian recalled his memories once more.

However, the name Frost was not something he had heard from his father’s lips but was instead a name he first encountered while reading papers on the bookshelf.

“Still, do I have any reason to avoid this?”

Professor Frost had viewed the conflict with Prince Helios from a different angle.

If Count Cage approached it from a political perspective, he was solely focused on himself.

The reason remained unknown.

That said, refusing the measurement here would come across oddly. Above all, this was a situation where Ian couldn’t risk being disfavored by Professor Frost.

“Do I just place my hand on it?”

“Yes. Once you place your hand and channel your mana on it, the meter should respond. Clear your mind as if you’re meditating.”

Ian placed his hand on the meter and closed his eyes.

All mana gathered in the heart.

It was because the body’s energy flow concentrated toward the heart.

According to magical literature, the location for gathering mana had often changed.

In ancient times, there were instances where mana was concentrated in the lower abdomen.

Sometimes, mages didn’t accumulate mana within the body but directly drew on the mana present in the atmosphere.

Currently, all mages concentrate mana in their hearts.

Some called it a trend, others claimed it was efficient.

But there was no absolute answer in magic.

There was a possibility that the way mana was used could change in several hundred or even several thousand years.

Of course, it could happen in the near future.

Woooo!

The orb began to resonate, emitting an uncanny sound.

A brilliant blue light started to fill the orb.

Professor Frost, with his arms crossed, quietly observed the mysterious scene.

At that moment, the orb flickered once.

The change happened right then.

Shiiiiing……

The surge of blue light that had begun to fill the orb suddenly diminished.

For a moment, an unusual light flickered in Professor Frost’s eyes.

“Hmm, just as I thought.”

The blue light that had been shrinking soon vanished entirely within the orb.

Ian opened his eyes at that very moment.

“Is it over?”

“Yes. Check the message below.”

“……”

Ian read the brief text displayed on the indicator.

― Below Average

A sigh escaped Ian’s lips.

It was something he had long expected.

And he had promised himself not to be disappointed, even if he saw it with his own eyes.

But seeing it written down filled him with a sense of emptiness.

Reality was ruthless.

Meanwhile, a smile was on Professor Frost’s lips.

Ian wanted to ask him.

Is this the enjoyment you desired?

“Indeed. My guess was right. Were you really planning to confront Prince Helios in such a state?”

“How did you know?”

“Don’t misunderstand me. I merely wanted to check on your condition. But this conversation might take a while, so I suggest we change locations. What do you think?”

“That’s fine with me.”

Professor Frost reset the Mana Meter and exited the room.

Ian moved with Professor Frost to his office.

For the first time, Professor Frost offered Ian a warm cup of tea.

The steam rising from the tea transformed the atmosphere of the bleak laboratory. It felt cozier than when he first came to see Professor Frost.

“Thank you.”

“What do you think?”

Ian sipped the tea with a smile.

“More than impressions, I’m curious about how you anticipated my condition.”

“You’re impatient.”

“It feels like there’s something I don’t know.”

“It happened a long time ago. More than ten years back.”

“It’s related to my father, isn’t it?”

Professor Frost nodded gently.

“As I said earlier, your father would often boast about your intelligence. However, even more rarely, he would ask strange questions.”

“What kind of questions?”

“Questions about Mana Concentration Disorder. He asked about solutions, though he never mentioned that you were the subject. But I couldn’t help but suspect. Though there was no logical basis, call it intuition. Then, when I heard about the commotion with Prince Helios, I thought it was time to check. If my assumption was correct, your life might be at risk.”

“You’re right. As you’ve seen today, I have issues with mana manifestation.”

“Which circle are you?”

“The first circle.”

The circle refers to the number of condensed mana crystallizations in the heart.

The more circles one possesses, the higher the purity of mana and the greater the power of magic.

High-level magic requires more and purer mana, so without many circles, one cannot perform high-level magic.

Conversely, even when performing low-level magic, those with more circles can wield it with significantly increased power.

In short, a circle is a measure of a mage’s capabilities.

“How many circles did your father have?”

“He was in the fourth circle. He wasn’t interested in increasing his circles. He was more focused on the combination and application of magic.”

“You don’t have to defend him. I’m a theoretical mage myself. I know well that the number of circles is insignificant in our world.”

“I apologize.”

“I understand if it’s a family matter to you. Even so, the first circle is insufficient, no matter how extraordinary you may be.”

“I haven’t just sat idly wasting time, either.”

“What have you been doing to improve?”

“Since my parents disappeared, I’ve been striving to accumulate circles. But I couldn’t surpass the first circle.”

“I see.”

Professor Frost fell into contemplation. After a moment, he spoke softly.

“Soon, there will be a mana measurement for the students in the Department of Magic. Are you aware?”

“I am.”

“You’ve managed to capture the attention of the Department of Magic students by opposing Prince Helios. Many students are already talking about you. A rematch might be inevitable. Though Count Cage is investigating, things will be quiet for a while…”

Ian had already heard this from Milo.

Professor Frost took a moment to caress his tea cup. Ian, risking being impolite, stared intently at the professor’s face.

“Great mages possess magnificent mana. However, having magnificent mana is not a fundamental requirement to become a great mage. History has already proven this to be true. That’s the irony of magic.”

Professor Frost began his discourse.

He wouldn’t waste time in the late night hours offering needless lectures.

Ian maximized his concentration.

“And because that contradiction cannot be resolved, magic constantly evokes mystery and reverence in people. Lacking mana is nothing to be ashamed of. Yet sometimes it can be a source of embarrassment, for example, in academy life.”

“I will willingly participate in the mana measurement. I’m prepared to endure some criticism and ridicule. I will also conclude the matter with Helios. I will not back down.”

Professor Frost narrowed his eyes as he stared intently at Ian’s eyes.

“Do you like philosophy?”

“I do, although my insight is limited.”

“Let me ask you a simple question. Do you think the future is predetermined, or do you think it’s not?”

It was a question Ian had pondered over multiple times.

His thoughts on it varied each time. However, now that he had entered the academy, he felt he had finally found a clear answer.

“I believe the future is something to be forged.”

“Indeed. In that case, you don’t necessarily have to adhere to the Department of Theoretical Magic. The preliminary desire for the Department of Theoretical Magic is a conclusion based on your current situation.”

“To be honest, yes.”

“Are you eager to become stronger?”

“It’s more of an inner thirst, rather than greed. It’s a sense of thirst.”

Professor Frost listened with a grateful patience, allowing Ian to reveal more of his true feelings.

“My father always emphasized that one didn’t need immense mana to become a great mage. However, if there is a thirst within me, I believe it should be quenched. Recently, this thirst pertained to mana. I wish to move in a direction where I can grow my mana.”

“Mana Concentration Disorder is a very rare case, but it’s not an unprecedented symptom. It has been recorded occasionally over the years. Of course, if you are the head of the Oracle Family, I suppose you have perused most of the literature. However, the academy’s great library holds even more books. You can even access preserved ancient texts if necessary. This means your future can change according to your efforts. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I will take on the challenge.”

“Your courage is commendable, Ian Oracle. In that case, let me offer you a piece of advice.”

Advice?

Could it solve the problem of Mana Concentration Disorder? Ian’s eyes sparkled with hope.

“You assume that if you measure your mana, your peers will mock you, right?”

“Yes.”

“That is your prejudice and preconceived notion. If we delve further, it’s also a form of inferiority complex.”

His mind felt hazy.

Prejudice and preconceived notion?

Even an inferiority complex?

“It is a very statistically significant concern commonly found among the heirs of prestigious families. The Oracle Family is renowned for theoretical magic. However, you worried that you might not meet those expectations due to congenital problems, and as time passed, your thoughts solidified. Hence, you arrived at the conclusion of ridicule. It’s not your problem but a mirage created by your circumstances.”

“… In the Department of Magic, possessing weak mana equates to being ignored. It’s similar to having lackluster swordsmanship in the Department of Martial Arts. Are you saying that’s not the case?”

“No.”

Professor Frost concluded so simply that Ian was left speechless.

“Did you not feel anything during the magic measurement earlier?”

“Well, no.”

“Empty your mind as if you were meditating. Conversely, if you don’t empty your mind as if in meditation, an accurate measurement won’t emerge.”

Ian’s eyes widened.

“Are you saying one can manipulate the test results at will?”

“Of course.”

“But that’s…”

“There’s no need to worry about violating school rules. The measurement of mana is merely a ceremonial event to gauge the students’ abilities. Even if one hides their strength, there will be no punishment.”

This was something Ian had never considered.

To think he could overcome the Mana Concentration Disorder in such a way.

The issues he had pondered over for years suddenly seemed insignificant.

‘Is that why the professor suggested measuring my mana, to provide me with certainty?’

Ian’s mind raced.

Stand confidently in front of the Mana Meter and proceed with the measurement. Then, when the results are announced, turn away calmly without showing surprise.

People will murmur.

The result might be ‘Below Average’—a rarity in the magical faculty.

‘Facial control is important. I mustn’t cower.’

Return to the seat with a confident expression. If someone asks about his magic, simply brush it off with a smile.

Then, students will believe he is hiding his strength.

‘It seems worth trying.’

He reached a conclusion.

There was no loss anyway. The façade of hiding strength could one day become advantageous. After all, ‘bluffing’ is the best strategy to pressure an opponent holding a strong hand.

“I will engrain the professor’s advice in my heart.”