Episode 404. Academic Conference Paper Presentation

The hotel rented for the Wizard Association is one of the top hotels in America.

Among them, the best rooms always went to the ‘Elders’ of the Association.

A table with plates showing room numbers.

High-end wines were lined up on it.

Aiden, a candidate for the next Association President, sat before it, talking with a man.

“Don’t you agree? Do you think it makes sense for a bitch like Im Sol to hold the title of the best wizard?”

“Hmm… Still, you can’t ignore Im Sol. Some people value results.”

“But look at her. She doesn’t even participate in Wizard Association meetings, and she’s not even that incredibly talented. For a woman, she doesn’t even use her own body.”

“That’s right. I don’t like that either.”

The Elder sitting on the sofa took a swig of wine with a vile chuckle, while Aiden continued speaking, careful not to show any emotion on his face.

Because he felt like hateful words might slip out if he kept talking with these pig-like bastards.

Ssssk-

Aiden pushed the item he had prepared onto the table.

“My business has been going well lately, so I got quite a few top-grade magic stones. This is all thanks to you, Elder-nim. This is my token of appreciation.”

“Hoho, indeed, it was a good decision to entrust the investigation team to you, Aiden.”

“Please continue to look favorably upon me. I will also support you, Elder-nim, and set this Association right.”

“Alright. I understand. I’ll put in my effort this time too.”

Aiden bowed his head as he watched the Elder pocket the magic stones.

‘At least I’ve secured one vote for now.’

Every year, the Wizard Association awarded a prize to the person who presented the most outstanding paper.

Although it was a nominal award with no actual prize, the tradition couldn’t be ignored.

It would be good to receive one before becoming the Association President.

In fact, Aiden was confident about the magic he had prepared.

The only thing bothering him was Im Sol.

Securing even one vote from an Elder like this put him at ease.

To secure the Association President position, he had to keep Arthur in check, and Im Sol was one of those concerns.

Im Sol was just too outstanding.

She was talent unnecessary for the kind of Association he wanted to create.

Even a genius wizard wouldn’t like being in an Association where they aren’t recognized.

‘And that guy named Lee Hoyeon…’

Lee Hoyeon, a male student who debuted alongside Im Sol.

The fact that he submitted his name just a few days before the presentation, and looking at his career so far, there are more than one or two suspicious points.

His achievements were on par with when Im Sol was actively working as a wizard.

Since he seemed to have a rather deep relationship with Im Sol, he might end up strengthening Arthur’s side if things go wrong.

‘Should I take care of him while we’re in America?’

Aiden recalled the faces of the guys he had recently gotten acquainted with.

The power that allowed him, who ran a secret magic society, to rise to the position of candidate for the next Association President.

It was because of the demons who suddenly contacted him.

They provided funds and power under very favorable terms.

The only condition was occasionally providing information.

He might need to ask them for a favor.

“Aiden. What are you thinking about? Have a drink.”

“Ah, yes. Understood.”

Aiden stopped pondering as he downed the alcohol poured by the Elder.

*

The cafe on the first floor of the hotel lobby.

Arthur took a sip of his coffee and changed the subject.

“By the way, I’m looking forward to Lee Hoyeon’s presentation too.”

“…Are we talking about Hoyeon again?”

“This is fine, isn’t it? The disciple of the monster Im Sol… No, wait. Sorry.”

“Why are you suddenly apologizing?”

“No, I decided I should be more careful about the terms I use when calling you too. Someone close should pay attention to these things.”

“…? It’s fine if you just do it like you always do.”

Im Sol tilted her head.

She wouldn’t be hurt by words like that.

She knew well that Arthur’s words held no malice.

Arthur looked at Im Sol’s face, pondered for a moment, and then smirked as if he’d thought of something amusing.

“Heh….”

“…What is it? Why are you making that face.”

Im Sol put a little distance between herself and Arthur.

When he made that kind of face, it usually meant he was about to tease her.

“Wow. Sol, you really have a good disciple.”

“Suddenly?”

“Your disciple told me. He said not to call his teacher ‘monster’ anymore. That’s why I’m trying to be careful too.”

“…Lies.”

“Why would I lie? Keuugh, this guy who just became an adult has such a mature way of thinking. It makes me think I’ve aged poorly.”

“……”

Arthur chuckled contentedly and teased Im Sol.

Because his actions were so commendable.

But Im Sol couldn’t pay attention to Arthur.

She felt her face slowly getting hot.

She felt like the emotions hidden deep in her heart were exploding again, thanks to her disciple thinking of her even when she wasn’t around.

Im Sol covered her face with both hands, squeezed her eyes shut, and stood up.

“Sol-ah. Are you okay?”

“I-I don’t know. I’m fine. Thanks for listening. I, I have something to attend to, so I’ll be going.”

Arthur gave her a worried look, but Im Sol left as if fleeing.

Im Sol ignored Arthur calling her name and got into the elevator.

Doki- doki-

‘Why is this…’

Rationally, she knew it was just a small comment, but she couldn’t calm the trembling.

Im Sol’s mind couldn’t find peace even after arriving at the suite.

Sensing his presence subtly, she realized Lee Hoyeon was still holed up in his lab.

She wanted to see his face right now, but she was afraid of disturbing his concentration.

She knew better than anyone how focused a wizard could be when in that state.

“Ugh… This is annoying.”

It’s all because of that guy.

If he received such a request, he should have just kept quiet, why…!

“Hoo….”

Lee Hoyeon’s face came to mind for Im Sol.

His face, constantly throwing stones into her calm heart, filled Im Sol’s mind.

Im Sol took a deep breath and unfurled a magic circle.

When her mind is troubled, she can just examine her magic.

Because magic is justice.

“Magic circle… Let’s check the magic circle.”

Disciples are naturally good at charming women.

This is probably part of that too.

Inside the quiet living room.

Im Sol deployed the magic circles, trying to erase her distracting thoughts.

Ever since the past, when she focused while examining magic, useless distracting thoughts would fade away.

She intended to use that method again today.

However, no matter how much time passed, her trembling wouldn’t stop.

*

About 25 hours after starting the research.

I slowly rose from my chair.

I had never concentrated for this long in my life, but perhaps due to protagonist’s luck, my concentration was still holding.

The special skill [Sharp Mind] probably helped too. My mind remained clear even after concentrating for so long.

For this research, I mobilized all the magical knowledge I knew.

I solidified the domain with a Rune Barrier, and controlled the internal mana using [Mana Sensitivity].

With excellent reverse-calculation abilities, I reversed enemy magic intrusions and even seized the remaining mana.

Besides that, I utilized every magical element I had heard, learned, and experienced.

Even though this high-level magic was still uncharted territory, it surprisingly wasn’t difficult.

It was probably because of the framework provided by the Rune Barrier.

“…Complete.”

──『Magic Sky Dome (魔天穹)』──

▶ Unique Magic

▶ Deploys one’s own mana domain.

Possesses extremely strong control over the mana within the domain.

─────────────

“I really am a genius.”

I marveled at my talent once again, swallowing hard at the sight of the magic circle before me.

A magic one level higher than what I had used so far.

It meant completion the moment it was recognized as Unique Magic, but just in case, I carefully infused mana into the magic circle.

“Deploy Magic Sky Dome.”

Woong-

A large force field centered on me emitted invisible waves, and mana ripples dominating the surrounding space constructed the domain around me.

“It still makes my head hurt a bit… but it’s okay.”

A performance that was slightly taxing even for my calculation abilities.

But this is enough. For now, I just need to prepare enough for the presentation at the conference.

I’ll have to get used to this too, like I did with Arc.

Hwaruru-k-

I created a small flame within the domain.

I tried bursting the flame, moving it around.

The noticeable increase in power and speed.

Inside the domain, I could receive additional effects when using my mana.

Aiden’s domain probably isn’t stronger than my magic.

This is clearly an incredible thing, even at first glance.

It gave me the confidence that perhaps, combined with Arc, I could even stand a chance against Professor Im Sol.

Of course, it’s just confidence.

“…That’s enough for now.”

I deactivated Magic Sky Dome and rubbed my stomach.

Only after completing the magic did the fatigue and hunger I had forgotten rush in.

I feel like I’m going to die after just one day like this, how did the Professor manage to stay locked in her room researching for a whole week?

“First, let’s get something to eat.”

Checking my smartwatch, the time was 1 AM.

I could make it to the conference presentation if I slept now and woke up.

I just need to fill my stomach before sleeping.

For the first time in a while, I opened my door and went outside.

“It should be somewhere around here. Ah.”

Deol-geureok-deol-geureok-

I shoved a chocolate bar I found stashed in the kitchen cabinet into my mouth.

It’s like being stranded right now. I need to cram in as many high-calorie foods as possible.

“Or maybe not? Come to think of it, I think I heard it’s better to eat porridge after starving for a long time.”

Chewing the chocolate bar, I continued my random thoughts. What does it matter if porridge or chocolate bars are better?

At least eating something is making me feel a bit more alert. Especially consuming sugar makes my head feel like it’s working again.

Jiiiiiiing-

“…Huh?”

And then, after my stomach was somewhat full, I heard a sound.

It was the sound of a magic circle activating.

“What the? Is the Professor awake?”

Well, 1 AM isn’t that late. It wouldn’t be strange for her to be awake.

Without much thought, I headed towards the living room.

“Professor? What are you doing?”

Just as I expected, the Professor was sitting in the living room with hollow eyes.

So she wasn’t sleeping after all.

Professor Im Sol was examining magic circles, but she wasn’t focused at all, which was a bit different from her usual self.

As I spoke first, Professor Im Sol slowly turned her head and looked towards me.

“Your research is finished. Did you get results?”

“Yes. Of course. You weren’t sleeping either, Professor.”

“…I had something to think about.”

I sat down next to the Professor.

Why does this person look so tired?

No, maybe it’s not just tiredness?

Since she said she had something to think about, it might be because of that.

“What’s wrong? Is something bad happening?”

“No. It’s because something good happened.”

Professor Im Sol looked at me and gave a beautiful smile.

Her smile was so beautiful it made my accumulated fatigue disappear, and I felt my mood lift too.

“The magic I created this time is amazing. I’ll show it to you before the presentation, Professor.”

“Mhm. Thank you. I definitely want to see it.”

“Yes. And… haam.”

I intended to chat a bit more with Professor Im Sol. But I let out a yawn before I knew it.

I was too sleepy to talk any further.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t slept for almost two days.

“Oof, Professor. I’m so tired, I think I need to go to sleep.”

“You’re going to sleep now?”

“Yes. I have to sleep. You should sleep too, Professor. We have the paper presentation today, don’t we?”

“…So, shall we sleep together?”

“Yes, yes. Sounds good.”

I got up from my seat next to the Professor.

Since the Professor is going to sleep too, I should hurry back.

As a consequence of the long research, my head started to ache.

I hope I can get my condition right before the conference.

Jeobeok-jeobeok-

“Professor?”

I tilted my head, watching the Professor walking behind me.

Why is she coming to my room instead of going to her own?

“Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“I have to sleep.”

“Then why are you following me.”

“…I said let’s sleep together.”

“What?”

Only then could I understand the meaning behind the Professor’s words.

Aha. She meant sleeping in the same place, not just at the same time.

…Why all of a sudden?

“Professor?”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

I don’t think I did anything wrong?

Did I focus too much on research alone after we came together?

No, she’s not the type to care about things like that.

Besides, even if that were the case, there’s no reason to sleep together in my room.

While I was lost in useless thoughts, Professor Im Sol headed towards the bed first, and I swallowed hard watching her.