Book 1 Chapter 235

As Associate Professor Anna watched Ren enthusiastically praise Leo, she let out a deep sigh.

She was reminded of the tearful struggles from the last winter break.

Anna opened an interdimensional portal and retrieved Ren's thesis.

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

In truth, being an associate professor under Ren was incredibly difficult.

'He really works you to the bone.'

And that was the least of it.

When it came to magic, he sometimes went on an uncontrollable rampage.

Anna herself had wanted to quit her associate professor position countless times.

Yet, the reason she remained Ren's associate professor was simple.

'Because this person is a genius.'

He was more passionate about magic and possessed deeper talent than anyone else.

His creativity and application in magic theory were enough to make any magic theory major gasp in awe.

Furthermore, his magic theory didn't end with mere theory.

He endlessly researched magic theories that could be realized in the near future, constantly advancing the development of magic.

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

The [Introduction to Stellar Magic], which he wrote during this past winter break, was no different.

Ren's current thesis wasn't just changing the landscape of the magic academia; it was a paper with such immense ripple effects that it would shake history.

While assisting in the writing of this thesis, Anna was initiated into stellar magic.

She was an excellent mage herself, but her constitution wasn't suited for learning stellar magic.

Of course, even after being initiated into stellar magic, she couldn't wield it on par with elves.

However, simply being initiated into stellar magic greatly increased the number of spells she could use.

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

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

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

Exploration is the essence of a mage.

Therefore, for Anna, who was a mage to her very core, Ren was an object of admiration.

However…

"Everyone! Please give a round of applause for Leo Flob, the co-author of this great thesis!"

'…Seeing that fit, I really want to quit being an associate professor!'

Anna clutched her head, suffering from a throbbing headache.

Co-author.

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

Even so, announcing him as a co-author without consulting Leo or herself beforehand.

'You should at least give a heads-up!'

Dragged to the front of the lecture hall by Ren, Leo looked at Anna with an expression demanding an explanation.

Leo had been attending Ren's classes for the past year.

Leo and the other students were well aware that Ren sometimes went on rampages related to magic.

Now, when Ren went on a rampage, they naturally looked for Anna.

"It seems Professor Ren has listed student Leo as a co-author of his thesis."

"But why?"

"Because student Leo's unique magic, the Bible Array, was of great help in writing this thesis. In fact, the framework of the magic theory is student Leo's unique magic."

*Fwip-fwip-*

Anna flipped through the thick thesis and opened the page where the names of the authors were listed.

Then, confirming Leo's name as a co-author, she sighed.

'I knew it… Huh? Why is my name on here too?'

Anna's face showed surprise as she discovered her name listed as a co-author as well.

"Just a moment, Professor. Why is my name on the co-author list?"

"Isn't it obvious? Associate Professor Anna. If it weren't for you, it would have been difficult to complete this thesis. You assisted me, and your brilliant ideas were of great help in completing the magic theory."

Ren said with a proud expression.

"Since this thesis was completed by combining student Leo's magic array with your ideas, it's no exaggeration to say it's a joint thesis by the three of us."

Hearing Ren's words, Leo looked understanding.

'It seems he borrowed the Bible's array.'

Leo's unique magic system that allows him to use all the 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 is activated by Leo's unique mana characteristic of purity.

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

And last year, when Leo registered his magic in the academic world, he didn't apply for a patent so that anyone could use it freely.

If he had applied for a patent, he would have had the right to receive royalties for any derivative research using the registered array, but he gave that up.

He thought it would be good for the advancement of magic through research, and besides, he wondered how many mages could understand and apply this array.

Yet, Ren brazenly used Leo's array to create a new magic theory.

'This person is also a genius.'

While Leo was marveling.

Anna had a touched expression.

"To evaluate my humble help so highly, I don't know where to put myself."

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

Ren smiled brightly and patted Anna on the shoulder.

"Therefore, after the thesis presentation, you will be in charge of attending the academic conference. I'm busy with magic research and classes, and student Leo is still a student, so you are the only one who can attend the conference and discuss the thesis."

*Crack-!*

Anna's face stiffened for a moment.

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

"Hoho. You're being modest. Associate Professor Anna. Don't you also understand this thesis well?"

"You! Be honest! You just dumped all the troublesome work on me by making me a co-author, didn't you?!"

"How sad. To accept my gratitude in such a way."

"Then remove my name from the authors immediately!"

"I refuse."

"You put me as a co-author just to dump troublesome work on me, didn't you!"

Anna, whose reason had been paralyzed, finally couldn't hold back and lunged at Ren, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him violently.

"Uh, what should we do?"

"What do you mean, what should we do? Hurry and stop her!"

Chloe shouted urgently and rushed to the front of the lecture hall.

"Associate Professor Anna! Please stop."

"Calm down, Associate Professor."

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

"Let go! I'm going to settle this with that guy today! I'm quitting my associate professor job today!"

"Hahaha. Even if you quit your associate professor position, please attend the academic conference. You are a co-author of this thesis."

"Kyahhhh!"

Anna, her eyes rolling, began to rage.

Finally, when she tried to cast a spell, the female students, terrified, covered Anna's mouth and dragged her out of the lecture hall.

"…Why on earth is attending an academic conference making her so angry? Isn't it a very glorious thing?"

Karl muttered in a bewildered voice, and Abad chuckled bitterly.

"It's not the attendance at the conference that's the problem, but the content of the thesis."

"What?"

"Attending the conference is a glorious thing, as you say. However, the magic theory Professor Ren has created this time is an innovative magic theory that allows non-elf races to learn stellar magic."

"Wouldn't announcing such a theory be even more glorious? It's leaving a great footprint in the history of magic."

"That may be so… but will the conservative elf mages just let it be?"

"Ah…"

Hearing Abad's words, Karl understood.

The magic conference is a place where distinguished mages representing each race gather to discuss magic.

At academic conferences, elf mages are particularly known for their authority and conservatism.

The greatest mages in history.

Most elves have a sense of entitlement, believing they are the special race that can learn the magic of the Celestial Progenitor.

The reason elves call themselves a magical race is that the Progenitor's magic is optimized for elves.

Ren's magic theory is essentially a direct challenge to that elven pride.

No matter how great and remarkable the magic theory, there will inevitably be great pain and difficulties before it can be established in the magical world.

And now, under the guise of being a co-author, all of that has been dumped on Anna.

It was as clear as day that if she went to the academic conference, she would be torn to shreds by the angry elder elf mages.

"It's no wonder Associate Professor Anna lost her mind."

Karl clicked his tongue.

Meanwhile, Leo picked up the thesis that Anna had thrown.

And flipping through it, he checked the contents.

'It's certainly amazing.'

The magic theories and arrays devised by Ren were something that even Leo admired.

'He applied my array like this.'

Hoho—it was when he let out a sigh of admiration.

*Tap-tap-*

"How is it, student Leo."

"It's truly amazing. But is there a need for me to be a co-author?"

"Hoho. It's a magic thesis derived from your ideas. Since you created the basic framework, it's no exaggeration to say it's a joint thesis."

'And by achieving such a feat, history will remember Leo Flob as a great mage!'

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

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

'Hahaha. Foolish seniors. Now, with things like bloodline or Phoenix contract, you won't be able to call student Leo to the Knight Department or Summoning Department with such useless qualifications!'

Recalling Ain and Yura, Ren smiled sinisterly.

'And to the pointy-eared guys who dared to transfer student Leo to Seirun! I can also let them know! That Leo Flob is a student of Lumern's Magic Department!'

*Bang-!*

"Ren Horrrsss!"

"Hey! Hey! Stop Associate Professor Anna!"

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

The students, their faces pale, tried to stop Anna.

'It looks like class is ruined.'

Leo sighed softly.

'It's a mess from the very first class.'

***

"Ugh! It's over."

"By the way, it was amazing! Professor Ren is a weirdo, but his magic skills are truly respectable. How did he come up with such an idea?"

"Speaking of which, is Associate Professor Anna okay? She was sitting there with a look of near-death."

"…Thinking about being intensely attacked by elf mages who attend magic conferences… Ugh! Just thinking about it makes me sick."

After the magic class ended, the magic department students exited the lecture hall.

Lost in the excitement of learning new magic theories, the students were busy engaging in heated discussions.

"You're really amazing."

Karl looked at Chloe and clicked his tongue.

"How did you get initiated into stellar magic from the very first class?"

"I was already researching stellar magic. After seeing Professor Ren's theory, I had a good idea of how to proceed."

Chloe succeeded in independently using stellar magic from the first class.

Ren praised Chloe profusely.

Thus, Chloe became the second magic department student in the second year to be able to use stellar magic, following Leo.

"Abad and Chelsea didn't quite grasp it."

"Those two are heavily influenced by their bloodline magic. But they'll probably catch on soon."

"By the way, what should we eat for lunch?"

"Would you like to eat with me?"

As Chloe and Karl were pondering lunch.

A voice suddenly came from behind, startling both of them as they turned their heads.

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

A beautiful woman with silver hair and an eye patch stood there with a gentle smile.

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

Karl, who was well-informed about school news, recognized Mel and bowed his head in greeting.

"Yes, student Karl. It's nice to meet you."

"Oh! You know me?"

"Yes, you're famous for being a troublemaker."

"Troublemaker… haha."

Karl gave an awkward smile.

"Student Leo, student Chloe, student Karl."

Mel smiled faintly.

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

Karl and Chloe looked at each other.

"Understood."

Leo accepted the invitation.

Then Chloe and Karl also nodded.