Academy’s Genius Mage

“What kind of grim conversation did you have?”

As soon as Ian entered the lecture hall, Milo questioned him.

Ian shrugged while opening his textbook.

“Just a casual inquiry?”

“Is that something to say? When did you two ever have such casual talks?”

“With exams around the corner, someone might just need a target to vent their frustrations on.”

Milo sighed deeply, shaking his head.

“Ian. It’s a bad habit to only open up when things go south. It’s better to talk about it beforehand. That way, we can prepare or do something.”

“I’ll tell you at the dorm later.”

After going through the process of disciplining the Hamel Trading Company, Ian had decided to revise his approach slightly. He decided it was worth accepting his companions’ goodwill, even if it was slightly risky.

It was the least he could do to repay the companions who extended their hands without expecting anything in return.

“But doesn’t something seem off?”

“What now?”

“It seems like we haven’t seen Isera lately.”

Ian clicked his tongue.

“That just means you haven’t been going to the library much.”

“No, why did the conversation shift to that? You said you’d write a thesis once the Hamel Trading Company ordeal was over. I thought you’d jump into it right away.”

Listening to this, Ian realized what Milo was implying.

Isera was a person with an insatiable academic curiosity.

She even offered to write a thesis for Ian when he said he had no time.

“Plus, we just went through a significant ordeal. I thought she’d have something to say about it, but there’s been no word, which is strange. The place Zickhardt occupied should have been Isera’s.”

“She must be busy.”

“Isn’t it meaningful that such a busy person managed to break out, come all the way to the Oracle estate, and deal with the assassins?”

Isera was a noble from a vassal state.

Her every action would be reported to the Sonokin Royal Family or intelligence agency, yet she acted boldly.

Ian had only recently realized why Isera was being monitored.

She was an exceptional mage, to the point that her potential was difficult to measure.

If Isera were to return to her homeland, the Kingdom of Roland, after graduating, it could pose a significant threat to the Kingdom of Sonokin.

‘It was wise to choose the Major in Theoretical Magic to avoid surveillance, but a needle in the pocket will eventually poke out.’

Meanwhile, Ian was concerned that Count Cage might summon him again.

When Helios had previously provoked him, Isera had helped him out.

And right after, Count Cage had summoned Ian to inquire about his connection to Isera.

In the end, nothing came of it, but it was clear that the Royal Family and high-ranking nobles of the academy were keeping an eye on Isera.

‘Well, the situation is somewhat different now.’

Back then, he was still new to the academy, so there was ample reason for suspicion.

But now, things have changed.

They conducted research together, participated in club activities, and were invited to magic conferences. By this degree, they could be considered close associates.

“There might be reasons we’re not aware of.”

“True. Even if they’re a Count’s family, their position is ambiguous, so the trading company might have made unreasonable demands.”

“Let’s pretend we don’t know.”

“I know that much, you fool.”

“I can’t stop worrying since I’ve witnessed your drunken antics.”

“Anyway! The real problem is women showing up in front of the dorm room. Imagine if that fact reaches Isera’s ears. She’d lose interest.”

“If you’re jealous, just admit it, Milo.”

“Ah…”

Edel’s casual remark deeply affected Milo, who then flopped onto his desk.

At that moment, the front door opened, and Professor Frost entered the room.

“Hello, Professor.”

“Good morning.”

The expressions of the students who greeted him lacked ease.

The pressure of the standard exams went beyond imagination.

Unlike the tension of measuring one’s mana, there was a different kind of anxiety present.

Mana measurement was, quite literally, measuring one’s mana using an objective meter. This meant that, no matter how hard one tried, their limits were evidently clear.

However, exams were different. Especially written exams, where results could greatly vary depending on the effort put in.

Because of this, some professors valued exam scores even higher than mana levels.

‘Furthermore, right after the standard exams, there’s the exchange event.’

This weighed heavily on the students’ minds.

Whether one’s skills were lacking or exemplary, the pressure increased all the same, as results from the exchange event, much like their mana measurement, would be widely known in social circles.

“You all look very lively. That’s a good attitude. However, if you get excessively nervous, you won’t perform to your full potential. Remember, exams don’t end with just one attempt.”

Professor Frost did not open the textbook as usual.

Today, he had prepared a slightly different topic to discuss.

“The standard exam is your first examination since admission. It’s a bit different from the mana measurement. Today, I will not conduct a usual class but instead give you advice on the exam.”

The students sighed in relief. Other professors hadn’t mentioned anything about the exams, and only Professor Frost, who understood the students’ positions well, was sharing such insights.

“There are mainly two types of standard exams. There’s the midterm during the semester and the final exam at the end. Edel Heinz.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Do you know the difference between these two exams?”

Edel, a bit nervous, clenched his fist tightly and explained step by step.

“The midterm focuses on theoretical exams and the final focuses on practical exams. However, the emphasis can vary at the professors’ discretion!”

“Thank you. That was a very precise explanation.”

Edel sat down with a sense of relief. Professor Frost looked at the students and solemnly spoke.

“You will be taking a magic theory exam this time. Therefore, your grades will depend on how much you study. Also, exam scores will be posted on the school bulletin board.”

Although most students knew this, hearing it directly from the professor was not pleasant. In a way, it was more brutal than mana measurements.

At least the scores from the mana measurement were not posted on the board. However, exam scores were visible to other department students as well.

“In other words, your level will be exposed to others. I hope you perform well to avoid any embarrassment.”

“Professor.”

Sebastian raised his hand.

Professor Frost permitted him to speak.

“In what format will the exam be conducted? Other professors haven’t told us anything about the exams.”

“Before that, I need to clear up a misunderstanding.”

Professor Frost smiled widely and clasped his hands behind his back, strolling slowly around the lecture hall.

“The other professors are not keeping quiet about the exams to make it hard for you. The first-year course involves common exams. Exams are taken by subject only after specializations are determined. So, there’s no need for extra explanations. Just take the exam as you’ve studied.”

“What is the scope of the exam?”

“It includes everything you’ve learned so far and everything you will learn.”

The students’ faces became even gloomier.

It was obvious that what they had learned so far was part of the scope, but including everything they would learn meant the scope was virtually limitless.

“You are currently studying subjects from all schools of thought, much like a liberal arts course. What do you think that means?”

“To widen our perspectives.”

“That’s a good answer, but it feels a bit abstract.”

Professor Frost paused in his step, waiting for another answer, but the students couldn’t come up with more than what had just been given.

“Is it to apply knowledge across different schools of thought?”

“It’s a process of discovering which area you have more talent in before deciding on a specific major!”

Although all the answers received nods of satisfaction, Professor Frost didn’t have what he considered to be the correct answer.

At that moment, someone quietly raised their hand.

“Zickhardt?”

“Is that guy participating in class?”

“What wind blows him here?”

A murmur spread around them.

He had never actively participated in class before, but here he was, directly raising his hand.

“It’s been a while since you’ve come forward like this. It’s a very pleasant surprise.”

Professor Frost also pointed that out.

Zickhardt shrugged his shoulders.

“Everyone seems too foolish to grasp the core. So, I thought I should provide some guidance instead.”

It was a remark filled with arrogance.

Students from less prominent families didn’t dare say a word.

Zickhardt was a person who combined the power of his family with his own skills.

But Sebastian was different.

“Hey, Zickhardt. Who are you calling foolish? Withdraw that statement immediately!”

“Keh-keh-keh. Now that you’re the student council president, you’re finally making a noise. You feel like you’ve become something, don’t you? Flaunting such a facade only makes you foolish.”

“What did you say?”

If Professor Frost hadn’t been there, he would have immediately stirred mana.

“Both of you, stop it. Zickhardt, you’ve gone too far.”

“Ah, I’m sorry, Professor.”

Sebastian and some other students became even more enraged.

Despite apologizing, the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

“What do you think the core is?”

“Isn’t it simple? I don’t know why everyone beats around the bush. Being eloquent does not increase one’s mana, after all. There’s only one reason to attend classes from different schools: to become stronger.”

It was an explanation that suited Zickhardt perfectly.

That single statement about becoming stronger was likely Zickhardt’s lifetime goal and worldview.

He seemed like someone who would do anything to become stronger.

“To become stronger… hmm. I think that’s a splendid answer. Indeed, strength is often a measure for many people.”

“What do you think, Professor?”

“Regrettably, my thoughts differ a bit.”

One of Zickhardt’s eyes twitched slightly.

It implied his answer had also missed the mark.

“I hope there isn’t any misunderstanding. There is no correct answer to this question. It’s just that what I think is a little different.”

“I’d like to hear your perspective, Professor.”

“It’s still too early. Someone in this classroom might understand my point of view.”

Naturally, his gaze drifted toward a particular place.

The students’ gazes followed Professor Frost’s, eventually landing on Ian, who was sitting there.

“What do you think, Ian Oracle? I have a feeling you might offer a different kind of answer.”

Ian stood up.

The room became so quiet that even the sound of breathing couldn’t be heard.

“Personally, Zickhardt’s answer about becoming stronger resonated with me quite a lot.”

Zickhardt, who had been watching, grinned widely.

Though it did not account for other classes, Ian’s prominence in Professor Frost’s class was significant.

Naturally, that made Zickhardt quite pleased that Ian had referenced his words.

“However, if it’s solely about becoming stronger, was there really a need to enroll in the academy?”

With that single statement, the favorable smile Zickhardt had completely reversed.

He no longer smiled.

The smile moved over to Ian.

“There are many ways to become stronger. Meeting a good mentor, or spending money on consuming many elixirs. Working at the Tower of Magic isn’t a bad method either. Yet, we are here, studying at the academy.”

Ian drew a rune in the air.

Buzz-buzz!

Above his hand, a lightning Spell unfolded.