Book 1 Chapter 235

235

Vice-Professor Anna let out a deep sigh watching Ren lavish praise on Leo.

She recalled the tearful struggle from the last vacation.

Anna opened a sub-space and pulled out a paper written by Ren.

It was Ren's latest paper, not yet published in academia.

To be honest, working as a vice-professor under Ren was extremely difficult.

'Because he really works me to the bone.'

It would be fine if that were all.

Sometimes, when it involves magic, he goes berserk to an uncontrollable degree.

Anna herself had wanted to quit her vice-professorship countless times.

Yet, the reason she was still Ren's vice-professor was simple.

'It's because this person is a genius.'

He was more passionate and deeply talented in magic than anyone else.

His ideation and application skills related to magical theory were enough to make anyone specializing in magical theory gape in awe.

Moreover, his magical theory didn't simply end in theory.

He endlessly researched magical theories that could be implemented in the near future, constantly pushing the advancement of magic.

He was already a great theoretical mage who had reshaped academia several times.

The [Introduction to Star Magic] he authored during this winter vacation was also such a work.

Ren's current paper was not merely changing the landscape of the magical academic world, but a paper with an enormous ripple effect, enough to shake history.

In the process of assisting with this paper, Anna was initiated into Star Magic.

She, too, was an excellent mage, but not of a constitution that could learn Star Magic.

Of course, even after being initiated into Star Magic, one cannot wield Star Magic at the same level as elves.

However, simply being initiated into Star Magic dramatically increases the number of spells one can use.

For a mage, the number of usable spells was one of the criteria for judging their skill.

'It's because he's this kind of person that I can't leave his side.'

To Anna, Ren was a mage who showed her a new world.

Inquiry is the essence of a mage.

Therefore, for Anna, a mage to her very core, Ren couldn't help but be an object of respect.

However…

"Everyone! Please give a round of applause to Leo Flove, the co-author of this magnificent paper!"

'…When I see that fit, I really want to quit my vice-professorship!'

Anna clutched her head, suffering from a throbbing headache.

Co-author, he said.

Of course, this paper would have been impossible to write without Leo's ideas.

Even so, to announce him as a co-author without prior notice to Leo or herself.

'You should have given me a heads-up!'

Leo, forcibly dragged to the front of the classroom by Ren, looked at Anna with eyes demanding an explanation.

This was Leo, who had been taking Ren's classes for the past year.

Leo, along with other students, knew well that Ren sometimes went berserk when it came to magic.

Now, whenever Ren went berserk, they naturally sought out Anna.

"It seems Professor Ren has listed student Leo's name as a co-author of the paper he wrote."

"Why on earth?"

"Because student Leo's unique magic, the Bible spell formula, greatly assisted in writing this paper. In fact, the backbone of the magical theory is student Leo's unique magic."

*Rustle-rustle*

Anna flipped through the thick paper and opened the very last page where the author's name was written.

She then sighed, confirming Leo's name among the co-authors.

'I knew this would happen… huh? Why is my name here too?'

Anna's face showed a bewildered expression upon discovering her own name listed as a co-author.

"Wait a minute, Professor. Why is my name listed as a co-author?"

"Isn't it obvious? Vice-Professor Anna. Without you, it would have been difficult to complete this paper. Your assistance and brilliant ideas were a great help in completing the magical theory."

Ren beamed with pride.

"Since this paper was completed by weaving together student Leo's magical spell formulas and your ideas, it's no exaggeration to call it a joint paper by the three of us."

Listening to Ren, Leo wore an expression of understanding.

'It seems he's borrowed the spell formula of the Bible.'

Leo's unique magic system that allows him to use all magic in the world.

Of course, understanding the magic system doesn't mean one can use the magic.

This is because the Bible itself is a magic system that only activates with Leo's mana characteristic of 'purity'.

However, even if one cannot activate the magic, it is entirely possible to apply the spell formulas to produce different results.

And last year, when Leo registered his magic with the magical academia, he did not apply for a magic patent so that anyone could freely use it.

If he had applied for a patent, he would have had the right to receive incentives whenever derivative research using the patented spell formulas was conducted, but he had given that up.

He thought it would be good if it helped the development of magic through research, and also wondered how many mages would be able to understand and apply this spell formula.

However, Ren, as if to show off, applied Leo's spell formula to create a new magical theory.

'This person is also a genius, truly a genius.'

While Leo was marveling.

Anna's face showed a touched expression.

"I don't know what to do with myself, to have my humble help so highly valued."

"Your help is by no means humble. I am proud to have you as my vice-professor."

Ren smiled brightly and patted Anna's shoulder.

"So, after the paper is published, you, as a co-author, will be responsible for attending the academic conference. I'm busy with magic research and classes, and student Leo is still a student, so you're the only one who can attend the conference and discuss the paper."

*CRACK!*

Anna's face instantly stiffened.

"Wait a minute. Why do I have to do that? The person who best understands the paper is the author, Professor Ren."

"Hahaha. You're being modest, Vice-Professor Anna. Don't you also understand this paper well?"

"You! Be honest! You put me down as a co-author just to dump all the troublesome work on me, didn't you?! Isn't that right?!"

"How sad. To receive my gratitude that way."

"Then take my name off the author list right now!"

"Refused."

"You put me as a co-author to dump troublesome work on me, admit it!"

Her reason paralyzed, Anna finally couldn't hold back and lunged at Ren, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him vigorously.

"H-How do we stop her?"

"What do you mean, 'how'? Quickly, stop her!"

Chloe urgently shouted and came forward to the front of the lecture hall.

"Vice-Professor Anna! Stop it."

"Calm down, Vice-Professor."

Chelsea, who had followed, also grabbed Anna's arms with Chloe and pulled Anna away from Ren.

"Let go of me! I'm going to finish him today! I'm quitting my vice-professorship today!"

"Hahaha. Even if you quit your vice-professorship, please attend the conference. You are a co-author of this paper, after all."

"Kyahhh!"

Anna, her eyes bloodshot, began to rampage like a madwoman.

When she even started chanting spells, the female students shrieked, covered Anna's mouth, and dragged her out of the lecture hall.

"…Why is she so angry about attending an academic conference? Isn't it a great honor?"

When Kyle mumbled with a bewildered voice, Abad smiled bitterly.

"It's not so much the academic conference attendance that's the problem, but the content of the paper."

"What?"

"Attending an academic conference is an honor, as you say. But the magical theory Professor Ren created this time is a revolutionary magical theory that allows anyone, not just elves, to learn Star Magic."

"Wouldn't announcing such a theory be an even greater honor? It's leaving a huge footprint in magical history."

"That's true… but will conservative elven mages just sit idly by?"

"Ah…"

Hearing Abad's words, Kyle's face showed understanding.

The Magical Academic Conference is where prominent mages representing each race attend to discuss magic.

At the conference, elven mages are particularly known for being authoritative and conservative.

The greatest mages in history.

A majority of elves possess a sense of privilege as a special race capable of learning the magic of the progenitor of the nebula.

The reason elves call themselves the race of magic is also because the progenitor's magic is optimized for elves.

Ren's magical theory was tantamount to directly challenging such elven pride.

No matter how great and magnificent a magical theory, there are bound to be great difficulties and obstacles until it becomes established in the magical world.

And all of that academic presentation was dumped on Anna under the pretext of being a co-author.

It was obvious that if she went to the conference, she would be torn to shreds by enraged elven elder mages.

"No wonder Vice-Professor Anna lost her mind."

Kyle clicked his tongue.

Meanwhile, Leo picked up the paper Anna had thrown.

And *rustle-rustle* - he flipped through it, checking the contents of the paper.

'It's definitely amazing.'

The magical theories and spell formulas Ren had devised were things that even Leo found admirable.

'He applied my spell formulas like this.'

Hoo- It was time for him to exclaim in admiration.

*Step-step-*

"What do you think, student Leo?"

"It's truly incredible, but do I need to be a co-author?"

"Hahaha. This is a magical paper that originated from your ideas. You created the basic framework, so it's no exaggeration to call you a co-author."

'And once such a feat is accomplished, history will remember Leo Flove as a great mage!'

He had no intention of denying Leo as a knight and summoner.

But even so, Ren wanted Leo to be a great mage who could use aura and summoning magic.

'Hehehe. My foolish seniors. Now, no more talking about bloodlines or Phoenix contractors. You won't be able to call student Leo into the Knightology or Summoning Departments with such useless titles!'

Thinking of Ain and Yura, Ren gave a sinister laugh.

'And I can also inform those pointy-eared rascals who dare try to transfer student Leo to Seirun! That Leo Flove is a student of the Lumern Department of Magic!'

*CRASH!*

"Ren Horsssssss!"

"Hey! Hey! Stop Vice-Professor Anna!"

Anna, who had been restrained by the female students and taken out of the lecture hall, kicked open the door and re-entered the lecture hall.

The students, pale-faced, tried to stop Anna.

'I guess class is out of the question.'

Leo let out a small sigh.

'The first class is already a mess.'

***

"Phew! It's over."

"But that was amazing! Professor Ren is eccentric, but you really can't help but respect his magical skills. How did he even come up with such ideas?"

"By the way, is Vice-Professor Anna okay? She was sitting there with a practically departed soul expression."

"…Thinking about being intensely attacked by elven mages who would show up at the magic conference… Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me sick."

After the magic class ended, the students of the Department of Magic exited the classroom.

Excited by learning new magical theories, the students were busy engaging in heated discussions.

"You're really amazing."

Kyle looked at Chloe and clicked his tongue in wonder.

"How did you get initiated into Star Magic right from the first class?"

"I'd been researching Star Magic from the beginning, so after seeing Professor Ren's theory, I got a feel for what to do."

Chloe succeeded in independently using Star Magic right in the first class.

Ren praised Chloe to no end upon seeing her.

With this, Chloe became the second student in the second year, after Leo, who could use Star Magic.

"Abad and Chelsea couldn't get the hang of it though."

"Those two are heavily influenced by bloodline magic. Still, they'll pick it up quickly."

"Anyway, what should we have for lunch?"

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"

It was while Chloe and Kyle were pondering about lunch.

*Suddenly-* A voice came from behind, startling the two, who turned their heads.

Leo, who had been walking with them, paused at the sudden appearance of the person.

A beautiful woman with silver hair and an eyepatch stood there, smiling gently.

"You're Professor Mel, the professor in charge of first-year magical theory, aren't you?"

Kyle, well-versed in school news, recognized Mel and bowed his head in greeting.

"Yes. Student Kyle. Nice to meet you."

"Oh! You know me?"

"Yes, you're famous for being a quick-witted prankster, aren't you?"

"Quick-witted prankster… Haha."

Kyle made an embarrassed expression.

"Student Leo, Student Chloe, Student Kyle."

Mel smiled.

"I'd like to invite the three of you to lunch."

Kyle and Chloe looked at each other.

"Alright."

Leo accepted the invitation.

Then Chloe and Kyle also nodded.