The Academy Regressor is Obsessed

Asel’s magical power is fluid. Rather than having a smooth flow, it feels like its nature changes as he wishes. Of course, the flow is smooth too, but the characteristic change in nature that occurs freely is more distinctive of his magical power.

Considering that magical power sometimes goes against its owner’s will, this was a very advantageous characteristic. Absolute magical power that is never influenced by others’ interference and only follows its owner’s commands.

It wasn’t an easy feat even with a great magician’s magical power control. Asel’s talent had easily surpassed even such differences in rank. It was enough to make magicians who struggle at the 5th or 6th circle for decades foam at the mouth.

It wasn’t for nothing that the 5th and 6th circles were called the graveyard of magicians. Though one could do a proper job even at that level, if they were satisfied with that, they wouldn’t have become magicians in the first place.

The desire for circle ascension was as high as academic enthusiasm and curiosity. That’s why there are not a few magicians who aim for circle ascension through human sacrifices or wicked rituals. Perhaps the current perception of magicians was largely due to such corrupted magicians.

Proper magicians mostly belonged to some organization or sat alone in a room doing research. Though manic magicians were extremely rare as rumored, those few were frequently exposed externally, shattering the perception.

Just look at Asel, who had already met two people, Zerbil and Virsia. They were all such monstrous beings that the magic they used was still vividly imprinted in his mind.

Continuous research was essential, if only to avoid being helplessly defeated should he encounter them again by any chance. Research through Aleph was also part of this.

[Burn Phosphorus]

Aleph directly constructed the formula on a blank page, then manifested magic by consuming Asel’s absorbed magical power. Then a will-o’-wisp about the size of a fist floated above Aleph. Aleph spoke while freely rotating it.

[There’s no hindrance to the manifestation of magic. It’s strange. Even for me, I had to endure some discomfort when using the owner’s magic.]

Ignoring Aleph’s admiration, Asel directly moved the risen will-o’-wisp. Fortunately, perhaps because the magical power used to manifest the magic was his, the will-o’-wisp flew through the air and spewed heat according to Asel’s will.

‘Even if I manifest magic pre-engraved in Aleph, direct manipulation is possible.’

Though Aleph could manipulate magic with her will too, it would have been quite troublesome if she stopped operating while the magic was manifested. Fortunately, there seemed to be no need to worry about that. This way, there was enough room to actively use Aleph in combat as well.

Not only proxy chanting of defensive formulas, but dual chanting would also be possible as comfortably as breathing from now on.

Though he had no choice but to take the vanguard in the battle with the doppelganger, with Aleph’s help, he might be able to exchange offense and defense with warriors at the front lines according to his will. It already seemed possible, but the difficulty would clearly drop significantly.

“It’s good.”

Asel said that with a grin, then continued to manifest formulas until Aleph’s magical power was all consumed. Though Aleph’s activity amount was rapidly decreasing, far from expressing dissatisfaction, she seemed excited at being able to fire magic indiscriminately and followed his orders.

As a result, it was concluded that the number of magic spells Aleph could use in a day without any hindrance was a total of 7.

All were based on low-level magic. There was nothing preventing it from going beyond that, but rather than doing so, it was much more advantageous in combat for Asel to directly manifest mid-level magic and leave the rest to Aleph as support. Unless it was a special situation, there seemed to be no need to expect mid-level or higher magic from Aleph.

[It seems all remaining activity for today will be consumed after just one more question. Is there anything you want to ask?]

After all the research was finished.

Aleph, who had left only minimal power, carefully asked. Asel thought deeply while shaking off the remnants of lightning magical power in his hand. Then, he opened his mouth in a voice that seemed nonchalant.

“What benefits can be gained from continuing to attend the Academy? Which is better compared to wandering the continent while traveling outside?”

As described, magicians have a strong desire for circle ascension as much as academic enthusiasm and curiosity. The same was true for Asel.

The 6th circle reached at a speed unprecedented in history.

It’s not about age. He was officially the first to achieve the 6th circle from an ordinary person in just 9 years after being initiated into magic.

However, Asel had not progressed further from the current point and continued to remain there.

He knew it was greed. It hadn’t been long since achieving the 6th circle, yet he was feeling impatient looking up at the 7th circle. It was so ridiculous that if the elderly magicians of the magic tower heard, they would hit his head saying not to talk nonsense.

No matter how innate talent one has, there’s a limit. Even outstanding geniuses took a very long time to achieve the 7th circle from the 6th. Asel hadn’t even spent half of half that time.

He had enough leeway to live gratefully for what he was given, far from feeling impatient.

But Asel couldn’t be satisfied.

It feels like he could reach it if he just stretched out his hand.

He doesn’t even hope for great magician. That distant realm was still unfathomable.

But the 7th circle feels like it’s right in front of his eyes. He just couldn’t grasp it, as if blocked by an invisible veil.

That’s why he feels impatient.

It’s not that severe yet, but no one knows how it will be in the future.

So he had been pondering repeatedly recently. Now that the Academy was on break, sufficient time was given to worry about the future.

Whether to stay at the Academy prioritizing stability, or drop out and wander the continent, brushing with death.

He thought about it lightly and asked Aleph.

“…?”

But even after a long time, no answer came from Aleph. Asel reached out towards Aleph, thinking perhaps she had used up all her magical power in that short time.

At that moment, letters began to be written slowly on the silent page. Asel frowned as he looked down at it.

‘…The handwriting is different.’

Sharp letters different from Aleph’s usually round handwriting were engraved on the blank page.

It was writing like tree branches dried and imprinted by lightning. Thin and sharp. The size was all jumbled, and the letters themselves were a mess, hard to read. It was completely opposite to the intellectual appearance Aleph usually showed.

“…Aleph?”

He called her name just in case, but no answer came. The shattered handwriting was still being engraved on the page. At the moment Asel felt something was amiss and stood up from his seat.

[Tomb of the Sage.]

The randomly written letters aligned in one line. Asel realized it was a parade of numerous words and frowned.

[Root of the beginning. Start of everything. Chance. Fate. Reversed master and disciple. Milky Way. Star cluster. Arrangement.]

“This is…”

[Child holding a sword. Woman stained with blood. Girl swallowed by fate. Enchanted fox. Gift. Countless worlds. Hundreds of millions of lives.]

[And the direction you will take.]

Bzzzzt!!!

The moment Asel read the last word, black current rose above the book.

It was in the blink of an eye. The current burned only the written letters, then disappeared without a trace. Asel wasn’t even given time to do anything.

“…”

A situation that felt bizarre beyond bewilderment. But instead of being flustered, Asel tried to cool his head and observe the current situation.

Aleph suddenly stopping operation. Intervention by an unknown entity. A parade of words with unknown meaning.

And black lightning.

“…”

Asel’s brain worked furiously. ‘Something’ that descended by consuming all of Aleph’s remaining magical power. It was clear that someone whose intentions, whether friendly or hostile, were unknown had conveyed some message through Aleph.

The fact that it spoke only in words rather than clear sentences was probably because Aleph’s built-in magical power was on the verge of depletion.

Considering it had been quiet until now and only reacted when asked about the Academy, there must have been a trigger. Rather than thinking it had been watching this place all along, it was more reasonable to think that some device was hidden in Aleph and it waited for it to activate.

It might not be so, but nevertheless, it’s an undeniable fact that something of unknown identity spoke to him.

It’s neither Aleph herself nor the demon of knowledge who created her. The demon of knowledge had long since perished, and the atmosphere and magical power felt weren’t hers for it to be Aleph’s action.

An intrusion by an unknown third party. A being whose identity, whether a high-ranking magician, demon, or other transcendent being, couldn’t even be guessed.

“…”

Though he asked a question to get an answer, his head became even more complicated instead.

Asel’s eyes sank.

“The reason for the fall of that powerful magical kingdom was all due to the luxury and corruption of the royal family. However, the actual reason was the royal family’s demon summoning ritual.”

In the end, even after another week passed, Asel couldn’t get a definite answer. He pondered alone about what the words left by the suddenly intervening being meant, what they signified, but no suitable answer came to mind.

Aleph also couldn’t provide any clear answer. To begin with, she didn’t even know that her consciousness had disappeared.

“The corrupt royal family indulged in corruption and abuse of power, bathing in blood or consuming human flesh, among various other eccentric behaviors. All things demon worshippers would do. Yes, they actually worshipped demons.”

What on earth was that thing he saw then? What kind of being, to convey what, spoke through Aleph instead of appearing directly? How superior a being must it be for even Aleph, created by a demon, to not sense its presence?

What connection could there be between the Academy and it to use a question related to the Academy as a trigger? Isn’t it too exquisite to dismiss as mere coincidence?

“…sel.”

No matter how much he wracked his brain, no answer was in sight. Asel let out a deep sigh and rested his chin on his hand with a complicated expression.

“Asel!”

At the same time, Celine, who was sitting next to him, grabbed his shoulder and shook it. Thanks to that, he came to his senses and turned to look at Celine.

“What?”

Instead of answering, Celine carefully stretched out her finger and pointed at the podium. Asel looked at the history professor standing there and swallowed hard. He coughed repeatedly at the sudden choking sensation.

The professor smiled seeing that sight.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind? You’ve been staring blankly out the window for a while. I’ve been trying to get your attention several times.”
“Cough…! S-Sorry…”
“It’s okay. Your mind can be complicated. After what happened.”

The first day after the Academy’s temporary break ended. A history class held without distinguishing departments, embracing the unsettled atmosphere. Though it would be a class where a novice professor would just go with the flow, unable to do this or that, swept up in the atmosphere, when led by an experienced professor, a different aspect can be created.

“Shall we end today’s class here? It’s almost time to finish anyway.”

The history major professor, Weller, said that while closing her book with a thud. Then the sound of people exhaling held breaths was heard here and there.

Professor Weller’s classes were easy to listen to and interesting, but they were also infamous for inducing an insane amount of sleepiness. Probably the students who had been fighting the overwhelming drowsiness were exhaling their held breaths at the fact that they were finally liberated.

Weller smiled and said as she watched students closing their books along with her and stretching.

“Though the Academy atmosphere is unsettled, I hope you all work hard. Prepare well for the midterm exams and inter-year competition next month. Today is also the start of first-year club registrations, so don’t forget to join a club that suits you. Then, class dismissed!”

Weller left the classroom as soon as she finished speaking. Only when she was completely out of sight did Asel close the book he had been keeping open and let out a long breath. Celine, who had also closed her book, turned to him and asked.

“What were you thinking so hard about that you couldn’t even hear the professor calling you?”
“Just had some things to worry about.”
“What is it? Tell this big sister everything honestly.”
“What nonsense are you talking about, big sister?”

Asel got up from his seat with a grin. Celine followed behind him.

“By the way, I heard you were really worried. Elena told me.”

On the first day when news of Asel’s disappearance spread, Celine was the only person who directly went around to professors, expounding on the legitimacy and inappropriateness of the current situation, and even knocked on the door of the headmaster’s office. She went all out to save him, even going so far as to hire mercenaries herself to form a search party.

Although her preparations came to nothing, the sentiment alone was truly appreciated. However, Celine seemed embarrassed by that fact and grumbled while avoiding Asel’s gaze.

“Wh-Why does she go around telling people that? Making people feel awkward.”
“Thank you.”
“Forget it! More importantly, have you decided which club to join?”
“Ah… club…”

Asel scratched his head and trailed off.

Though he had long known about the existence of clubs, he had been so busy recently that he hadn’t even thought about that area. With so much to think about already, his brain capacity was insufficient to worry about clubs too.

It was impossible not to join a club. No matter how voluntary the activity was, strictly speaking, it was part of the Academy’s curriculum. Because there are many academic schedules involving fighting, there’s a deep intention to build culture in clubs. So everyone had to join a club regardless of grade.

From Asel’s perspective, it was just a bothersome thing, but Celine seemed to be looking forward to it somewhat, her face brightening as she linked arms with him.

“Sigh, I knew it. You only know about magic, don’t you?”

Celine spoke first with a smile before Asel could answer.

“Come with me. Let’s go on a tour together.”