Book 13 Chapter 33
Boy achieves success early (少年登科),
Debut in the Magic World (4)
A Collapsing Dike?
From the age of eleven, following the Dean, this wasn't just a test but a problem I'd faced in real combat multiple times.
For reference, I diligently studied Earth attribute magic when I was eleven. I really, diligently studied.
Because I liked seeing the Dean smile.
Because I liked seeing him happy.
So, problems like this are nothing. Because I've always thought about them and studied them. Because I've always encountered them in real situations.
In other words, it's no different from 2+2=4.
Whether it's 2-star, 3-star, or 4-star magic, it's merely a problem where the answer immediately pops into my head.
* * *
“I've finished making the magic. Can I use it now?”
The ripple effect of those words was enormous.
If the intention was to distract the other competitors, it would have been a perfect success.
The test had only just begun. Others had only now finished designing their magic and moved on to mathematical calculations, but he's already finished?
“Kid, are you serious right now?”
The muscular mage, Bulken, asked.
“This isn't a test where you get bonus points for finishing quickly. Check if anything is wrong.”
“Hmm, there's nothing wrong. The probability of getting the wrong answer for a problem like this is zero.”
“Even if the mathematical calculation is slightly off, the magic won't activate properly, and in extreme situations like this, even if it's cast perfectly, a little lack of power means you can't stop the flood. Are you truly confident?”
The boy before him was clearly an Atlas (3-star) mage, one of the empire's 150 intellectuals, yet his age was so young that Bulken unconsciously adopted a chiding tone.
The boy nodded.
As if it were utterly obvious, and as if pointing this out were bizarre.
“This test is structured so that submissions are judged in the order they are completed, so let's take a look.”
Ulan Page restrained Bulken with his left hand and stepped forward.
“But remember, Lin of the Osarius school. Once the assessment begins, it can never be reversed.”
This problem ultimately had to revolve around Earth attribute magic.
However, Earth attribute magic is the most difficult of the eight attributes.
This is because it is centered on geometry (幾何學), the study of spatial properties.
‘Geometry… a theory born to measure the dimensions of land through points, lines, curves, surfaces, and volumes, systematically studying shapes.’
General mathematics often deals with 2D shapes, but geometry visualizes up to 3D, presenting many research challenges.
Mastering geometry allows one to dabble in hyper-dimensional spatial transfer magic.
Of course, hyper-dimensional research was strictly forbidden by the Papacy, but it was a field that held infinite possibilities to that extent.
“You mean I can use it? Then I'll do it right away.”
The moment the boy placed his hand on the magic circle, the light of altered providence enveloped the arena.
That light was the light of attunement.
A radiance that neatly arranged all the mysterious phenomena disturbing people's lives—that is, the whims of nature defined as 'demonic' (魔).
‘As much as geometry…’
There was no mathematics that could be of greater help to human life.
Because accurate surveying affects not only simple architecture but also various other fields.
When a river overflows and the boundary stones of the land are lost, how does one accurately re-divide the land between two farmers? Geometry, which measures land area, is needed.
‘However, it is also a field that many mages abandon without reaching its pinnacle. Because while the beginning is easy, reaching the end is exceedingly difficult.’
But this was…
What rose grandly like a fortress in the dance of light was not mere magic. It was the essence of geometry, a dazzling testament to his understanding.
The earth, rising as solid as Mount Tai, was firmly blocking the torrent of water.
‘…I knew it. He just crudely made the earth rise.’
‘…Does he not know how weakened the soil is? That will collapse quickly.’
‘…He must have risen with all sorts of privileges from recommendations, so this is all he can do.’
Such envious gazes poured from the mages, but no matter how much time passed, and even if the water level rose higher, the earthen wall never collapsed.
‘…What is it?’
‘…Why?’
The common belief in magic was that the larger the scale, the harder it was to make it solid, and this test, in particular, existed to impose restrictions on magic that only increased in scale due to environmental factors.
“What? What magic did he use?”
Bulken stomped his foot and instantly rushed right in front of Lin.
The Chaihak school represents the 'Ging' (Wing) type, which strengthens the body with magic power for close combat.
Bulken's pupils widened and trembled as he took the answer sheet from Lin's hand.
“Earth attribute magic is indeed the main one. The magic circle is the largest. But the magic circles embedded within it are… Iron (鐵), Poison (毒), Thunder (雷)?”
Bulken's voice once again caused a great ripple throughout the arena.
“…What?”
“…Iron, Poison, and Thunder attributes?”
“…Those attributes don't match at all. What on earth did he combine and how?”
Ulan let out a gasp, seeing the extreme mathematical understanding displayed on the answer sheet.
“The rune used for iron is 'Hwak' (擴; to expand), and the rune used for poison is 'Yong' (鎔; to melt metal)… What kind of idea is this? To think of melting iron, no way.”
The iron, melted by the poison, spread like roots within the earth, then solidified again to act as a framework (骨組).
But this isn't enough.
The iron would spread too slowly compared to the time the earth rose, so it should have collapsed long before the framework was perfectly formed.
“Look at this, Alliance Leader.”
“This is…!”
“I added the 'Ja' (磁) rune to the Thunder attribute magic. It amplified the magnetic properties of the Iron attribute. So the Iron attribute magic could spread faster.”
At first glance, this magic seemed utterly simple.
Because in a typical flood situation, it looked no different from the Earth attribute magic commonly used by mages.
That's why it was great. In a situation where such a simple correct answer couldn't possibly be *the* correct answer, he forcibly made it one.
‘That forcefulness was precisely a magical talent that far surpassed even a genius, no, even an exceptional talent.’
Not only the runes, but his understanding of all eight attributes already surpassed the realm of genius.
However, this alone wasn't enough.
Even with an understanding of runes, to implement such a forced solution, a corresponding mathematical formula was needed. Could a mathematical formula that established this forced solution even exist?
‘He made it exist.’
What was even more amazing was that, unlike famous difficult problems, it didn't require a unique solution method known only to the examiner.
So easily.
The greatness of the magic this child displayed today was that he derived the solution in such a way that anyone could do it, so simply.
“Lin, could you explain this to the audience yourself? I felt it would be too absurd for me to be the only one reading this answer you've written on the sheet.”
Lin turned his gaze away, scratching the back of his head as if annoyed, yet answered in detail.
“What I used for this steel magic is Zernix's 23rd Theorem, the fourth one: [A straight line is a line drawn straight along the points on it].”
“…!”
“Honestly, modern magic unnecessarily tries to find overly precise coordinates even when casting area-of-effect spells. Like idiots. But if you use this, you just input the coordinates of the starting and ending points, and the calculation is done.”
While it's difficult to find straight line coordinates all at once, if you think of setting two points as axes and connecting them, finding the coordinate equation becomes extremely easy.
The steel melts.
As it melts, it heads towards the end point. Around that line it's heading towards, the molten metal spreads randomly along the cracks in the earth and solidifies.
“…He uses Zernix's Fourth Theorem in that way?”
Yes. If Zernix's Fourth Theorem is used effectively, it is possible to significantly shorten mathematical formulas.
‘Mages who study geometry commonly use [Zernix's 5 Axioms, 5 Postulates, and 23 theorems], but such a method…?’
Those with magical knowledge were astonished by his interpretation.
They trembled in fear.
With that young brain, that young intellect, was he closest to the clarity of mathematics with something so simple that everyone had overlooked it?
Or rather, was it because of his unblemished age that he could approach the study of mathematics so purely?
“Hey kid, no, Lin, do you like geometry? Did you focus solely on studying geometry? Like your master?”
Bulken asked.
Lin merely shrugged lightly.
“Any kind of magic and math is good, you know.”
Actually, he liked it second only to Thunder attribute.
The reason he liked Earth attribute was because the Dean was an expert in Earth attribute.
He was happy because he could learn so much by her side when studying Earth attribute.
‘Just…’
The very environment of being able to sit face-to-face with the Dean in one space and listen to her knowledge made him happy.
The Dean's voice was just like the sound of rain.
It had sound, but it wasn't noisy. It spread calmly and clearly, pleasantly leaving ripples deep within the heart.
“Alliance Leader, I… it might be an arrogant statement and one that could hurt other mages, but I don't think a more excellent answer than this will come out.”
Bulken said, unable to tear his eyes away from the magic circle drawn on the answer sheet. As if he intended to commit it all to memory.
“It's not an arrogant statement, Bulken. I also thought so… and everyone here will come to think so.”
Ulan Page said that, turning his gaze to Lin.
“Originally, the structure is to score each answer sheet and pass the two with the highest scores, but… I dare not evaluate this answer. Lin, your caliber must be assessed in the main competition.”
Instantly, the spectator seats were filled with a thunderous clamor.
“…The Alliance Leader, such praise?”
“…Is that really that amazing?”
“…Using such a method for the proof means that his understanding of runes or mathematics has already reached its pinnacle.”
Dean Atlante, who was watching the Gladost (4-star) mages showering praise from the spectator seats, happily, sadly, wistfully, and proudly, wiped away tears.
‘You've finally come out, Lin.’
Recalling all the moments they had shared from their first meeting five years ago until now.
‘Now the world will know you through this.’
Laughing together, chatting and laughing again, watching happily as he passionately learned whenever she taught him something…
She realized that such precious everyday moments were now nearing their end.
Because she, as a teacher, had nothing more to give her disciple.
‘The long, long winter…’
Not to crawl on the ground.
Not to walk on all fours.
Not to run on two feet… but a talent born to fly high in the sky.
‘The era of stagnation in knowledge has finally ended…’
Therefore, she must let him spread his wings, leave the nest, and fly into the vast sky…
‘That spring has come…’