Academy’s Genius Mage

“Oh my, it’s our cute students’ thesis!”

Jessica inspected the thesis with a newfound interest.

Karahan, who had observed her for a long time, snorted.

No matter how much she pretended not to know or acted innocent, Jessica always had a plan.

She had gathered the council not because she had thoughtlessly submitted the paper to the Magic Society, but because she had determined it was a strategic move.

“But why is this thesis an issue?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“I’m asking because I don’t know. Surely it’s not a matter of plagiarism. The thesis contains highly original and comprehensive content.”

“……”

Karahan silently watched his former student.

Meanwhile, the other members of the council grew even more curious about what the thesis was about and why they had been summoned.

Had some forbidden magic been disclosed?

Or had they discovered a portent foreshadowing an invasion by demon clans?

As numerous speculations circulated, Jessica casually tossed the thesis into the center of the round table.

“This thesis contains a new formula for Lightning Spell. It’s a paper presented collaboratively by two cute and clever undergraduates from our academy.”

“Lightning?”

“Are we talking about that Lightning Spell we know?”

“Yes, indeed. The first-circle basic magic.”

“But a new formula, what on earth does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it sounds like. Should we say they found a more precise formula? The interpretation of the ancient script has changed slightly. That’s what this thesis contains.”

The room fell silent.

The thesis’s potential was significantly greater than its physical size, causing the atmosphere to shift.

“The academy students found a new formula? That’s preposterous!”

“If it were so preposterous, would you all have gathered here like this?”

The council mages stood up abruptly.

Among them, it was the grand mage Stormbringer who seized the thesis first.

Whoosh!

The paper flew through the air, directed by mana, and settled into his hand.

Stormbringer immediately opened the thesis.

An unfamiliar ancient script appeared.

“Mana that originates from the source of power should move like a waterfall over the cliff of the meridian.”

He was not a grand mage for nothing.

In that fleeting moment, he made the ancient script his own, and based on it, understood the new formula.

Eventually, the new magic that Ian had discovered was manifested from his rugged, wrinkled hands.

“Lightning.”

Crackle!

An immense bolt of lightning roared forth.

The Lightning Spell cast by the grand mage was like a colossal storm making landfall.

“Hah!”

The feeling was unlike the magic conjured by Ian and Isera.

The magic cast by the two lacked the element of wind.

Yet, stormbringer’s Lightning Spell was infused with a sense of air pressure—a secondary attribute had been added.

“How can this be!?”

Only then did Stormbringer understand the true meaning of what the tower Master Karahan had alluded to earlier.

This was not merely an improved formula for efficiency.

“Does this mean the formula we’ve been using was wrong from the start?”

A conclusion hard to believe, yet undeniable.

As a Master in the field of electricity-based magic, having recognized the true value of the thesis, no further verification from other magicians was necessary.

Stormbringer clenched his fist tightly.

The lightning that threatened to consume everything within the room vanished instantly.

Yet, the thesis Ian submitted remained, radiating its presence.

Jessica smirked.

“What do you think? Stormbringer.”

“I don’t really know how to explain this.”

“You don’t still think the academy is a playground for children, do you? Lightning Spell is a first-circle magic. Very basic. But as you’ve just seen, when a new technique is applied, its power can increase significantly. It becomes a completely different kind of magic.”

The Council of Elder Mages, led by Karahan, remained cautious in their words.

Jessica continued her passionate speech.

“The thesis contains Ian’s reinterpretation, and it doesn’t merely present new possibilities for lightning. It rings an alarm in our rigid and stagnant magical community. It demands we wake up. You all know how much courage it takes to challenge propositions we’ve believed true for hundreds of years, right?”

“That’s quite a statement.”

“But not incorrect, is it?”

If things continued this way, they would get caught up in Jessica’s logic. Though a bit early, Karahan decided to get to the point.

“Can I meet Ian Oracle?”

“Why?”

“I want to ask about the motivation behind the thesis and how he discovered the new technique.”

“It seems you have doubts. As you know, Ian is the head of the Oracle Family. He has an excellent mentor and parent in Lord Lefevre. There’s no need to doubt his abilities, is there?”

“I don’t want to doubt him either, but this is a different case. Once this thesis is published in the academic world, it will cause a huge stir. You know that, don’t you?”

“I believe our student won’t face any disadvantage. Rather, he will be remembered as the academy’s genius mage, won’t he?”

Jessica’s intentions were blatantly clear.

She had been disillusioned with the closed-mindedness of the Tower of Magic for a long time and thought that such isolation was toxic to mages.

For this reason, she had left the tower to accept the position of dean at the academy’s Department of Magic, helping more mages pursue their dreams.

When Isera enrolled in the Department of Magic last year, Jessica was genuinely happy because Isera possessed extraordinary talents and skills.

However, this year, a student with even greater potential had knocked on the academy’s doors, and without anyone prompting, Ian had completed a thesis together with Isera.

As the dean of the Department of Magic, she was delighted, but as a tower Master, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

The paradigm of magical studies could potentially shift from the tower to the academy at this rate.

“It’s not that I want to deny their achievements. There are just some things I need to verify.”

“You can’t meet him. If rumors spread that a new student from the Department of Magic met the Tower’s Master, it would be troublesome for both parties. You wouldn’t hear good things either. Once rumors start about favoritism or impropriety, they become uncontrollable.”

“There’s no need to worry about that! Who among the elders here has loose lips?”

“Why wouldn’t there be? I’m right here.”

Jessica pointed at herself with mock sincerity.

Silence started again.

In the end, Karahan sighed, unable to gain any ground.

“Handle this thesis according to the proper protocols. Regardless, I was planning to meet Ian soon, so if you have any questions, I’ll ask him on your behalf. How does that sound?”

This time, her tone was softer than before.

It was the student’s ultimate technique that was even scarier than the 8-circle Hellfire magic.

Karahan raised the white flag.

“Fine! Just bring him to the tower sometime. Give him a tour if you must.”

“If you’re not going to have a separate meeting, we’ll do that.”

“Promise me.”

“Alright. I’ll bring them soon, along with Isera.”

Jessica stood up. Karahan stopped her from leaving.

“Are you planning to leave already? It’s been a while since you visited; have another cup of tea and share some news.”

“I told you before, the students of the Department of Magic are currently in the dungeon. They’re conducting a rather dangerous experiment, and everyone is concerned. Stay healthy, everyone. I’ll greet you again next time.”

Jessica left with a mysterious smile and peeked her head back through the door.

“Oh, I forgot to mention something. There’s actually one more. Another thesis by Ian Oracle.”

“What?”

“You’ll see soon enough, so look forward to it. I just forewarned you so you won’t be shocked suddenly. I’m kind, right?”

The cheeky student vanished as if she had fled, leaving Karahan standing stiffly from his seat. Another thesis? It was truly unbelievable.

* * *

Ian, Milo, and Edel had continued a successful exploration.

After Milo injured his ankle, there had been almost no monsters for about a day.

Thanks to this, Milo’s ankle healed completely.

They were fortunate, and Edel’s skills were outstanding.

In the meantime, the group discovered many plants that could be used as herbs.

The three were more eager to collect plant samples and document their appearances in notebooks than to unleash magic.

“What on earth were they thinking when they created this dungeon?”

As the visibility of the monsters decreased, Milo’s complaints naturally increased.

“It’s good if we don’t have to use magic. Isn’t this better than being trapped in the academy?”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s move on.”

Having finished gathering and recording the herbs, the group started moving again.

Not long afterward, something happened that delighted Milo. A group of goblins appeared once more.

However, these goblins were quite different from the ones they had encountered before.

Their attire was more splendid, and they wielded far superior weapons.

Moreover, they frequently communicated with the goblins around them.

There were ten in number—definitely not an insignificant count.

“Could they be the more intelligent ones?”

Not all goblins were the same. They, too, had different races, and their lifestyle varied according to their environment and culture.

It seemed the person who designed this dungeon considered such details.

Milo prepared for battle. Ian was scanning the ceiling where the goblin group was located.

“Edel.”

“Yes?”

“In combat, it’s not just about fighting head-on. Sometimes, you need to utilize the terrain.”

Ian formed a hand sign. It was a concise and rapid spell.

“Mana Bolt”

Mana Bolt was a basic magic that condensed mana to strike a target. It was useful as it could deliver non-elemental damage.

Swoooosh!

As the Mana Bolt, emitting a dazzling blue light, suddenly changed its trajectory and soared toward the ceiling. It had completely missed its target.

“Kekeke!”

“Kyeke! Kyeke!”

The goblins, who had momentarily been tense, laughed mockingly. The magic had spectacularly shot into the sky.

Thud!

Soon after, an ominous sound echoed, and a massive shadow engulfed the goblins.

Boom!

“Wow….”

Edel was awestruck.

The Mana Bolt, which seemed to have missed, had instead shattered and brought down a large stalactite.

The attack instantly killed four goblins with the resulting debris.

The remaining goblins frantically tried to escape.

Naturally, they did not make it back to the warm homes where their families waited.

Thwack!

Crack!

Milo’s staff showed no mercy.

“Since we’re mapping, noting that we dealt with the monsters using the terrain might be good.”

“Ian, you’re really smart! And as if being handsome wasn’t enough….”

“What are you suddenly blabbering about?”

Ian laughed as he collected the spoils.

The goblins this time carried more useful items than those they had encountered previously.

After placing all the blood samples and loot in their bag, the group resumed their journey.

However, something unexpected soon occurred.

“What on earth is this?”

Milo stalled his steps.

Ian and Edel positioned themselves beside him.

A vast open space appeared before them.

It was an artificial area. The floor was smoothly polished, and no monsters were in sight.

On the opposite wall, a large stone door stood firmly closed.

What caught their attention was the seal engraved in relief on the stone door.

“Isn’t that the academy’s crest?”

The group moved closer to examine the door.