Ch.103Chapter 103

“Since the Professor knows the nature of the Demon Gods well, I’ll just get to the point. That was the condition the Professor set starting from the second student. The reason was simply that I was getting too cocky and giggly.

The students were initially confused by this sudden requirement, but once they realized it was because of me, their expressions changed to subtle smiles. One by one, they came forward and presented their research topics using PowerPoint presentations.

All the topics were fascinating enough to make me think, ‘Wow, people actually research such things?’ I never would have come up with ideas like those, but somehow the Academy students managed to find topics and create presentations.

The problem was that even though I found them interesting, the Professor wasn’t satisfied with all of them.

Some students were scolded for their PowerPoint formatting, while others were criticized for having slightly odd topics. Still, the Professor pointed out what needed to be fixed and how to proceed.

Some Academy students passed, and some didn’t. I wished everyone could succeed, but seeing that not everyone could made my heart ache.

I wondered if Sera, Aria, and Karen would face this kind of situation if they came to the Academy. Though Aria probably wouldn’t come anyway. Seeing the dejected faces of the students who failed made me feel gloomy too.

As I stared at them, I unconsciously smacked my lips. The Professor glanced at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

It wasn’t my place to interfere. I had nothing to say.

This was the Professor’s work and responsibility, and I wasn’t qualified to tell her what to do. I wondered if her strict approach might actually lead students to better outcomes.

You can’t always say nice things. Just as good things don’t always happen, this was simply reality. I was just projecting onto their gloomy expressions, which made my mood sink a little too.

Not wanting the Professor to worry, I composed myself and glanced at her with wide eyes. I did this deliberately, thinking that staring directly might make things awkward.

The Professor placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Bored? Should we finish up soon?”

“No, no! You can finish everything first.”

“Alright, alright.”

The Professor called the next Academy student.

It was Lenya’s turn, and she stepped forward with her chosen topic.

“Hello, Professor.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

When the Professor gestured slightly with her hand, Lenya nodded and took the remote.

Her PowerPoint was neatly prepared. Lenya’s goal was to create an Original.

“I want to use a method inspired by the Professor’s Original technique. It’s well-known among certain circles that the Professor uses a ring for her Original. So I’ve utilized that concept. Instead of forming a magic circle in two dimensions, I’m creating one in three dimensions. I believe this will be the beginning of new magical research as I develop this Original.”

Lenya moved to the next slide. As she described, the screen showed what looked like a paper ring.

“This will serve as a circulation mechanism, and while the magic circle is circular in form, the rectangular shape of…”

“Well, I’m glad you’re excited about encountering a new concept, but this part should be condensed into footnotes. So what Original are you trying to create, Lenya?”

“Ah, I apologize.”

Lenya scratched her head at the Professor’s comment, then quickly flipped through several slides. Apparently, her presentation had been filled with explanations about this new magic circle.

After an awkward smile, Lenya composed herself and continued her presentation.

“Using these principles, what I want to create is external Mana storage.”

“External storage?”

“Yes. This is something you know best, Professor, but your Original creates vessels externally, similar to a Demon God.”

The laser pointer indicated the screen.

The display had changed to show a human figure emitting an aura. The drawing was somewhat simplistic, making it look cute rather than impressive or intimidating.

“Besides the human vessel, another vessel is created, but I believe it can exist by maintaining the vessel with Mana while filling it. So I thought, what if we eliminate that need and create a system that completely separates the Mana? That’s how I set this topic.”

On the next slide, the figure was holding a ball. The aura that had been drawn earlier was nowhere to be seen.

“Hmm, interesting. So should I think of it like a hard drive?”

“Yes! Exactly like a hard drive!”

“You pointed out that vessels need to be created with Mana, but is there any way to contain Mana without using Mana itself?”

“Well, I’m not saying we shouldn’t use Mana to create it, but I’m looking for a way to eliminate the need for continuous Mana supply to maintain it.”

The Professor looked through Lenya’s materials once more and nodded.

“For your next presentation, I’d like you to cut the preliminary chatter and get straight to the point. Keep the concepts simple, including only what’s necessary. Put the rest in footnotes.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Then go ahead with this research. I’m also studying ways to create vessels without continuous Mana supply, so I’ll help if I can.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Lenya left with a bright smile. Seeing her happy face made me feel good too.

I had worried that she couldn’t focus on her research because of me, but seeing her work hard and produce results despite that filled me with admiration.

I wanted to achieve something too. Anything would be fine. If I could accomplish even something small, I’d be content.

Rather than finding answers that were already determined, I wanted to discover my own unique approach.

If I studied and researched magic, could I create something like the Academy students?

I had thought they seemed too busy helping with the Professor’s research while doing their own, but seeing them produce results so efficiently made me look up to them.

“I think we’re done here. Shall we go?”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’? We agreed to go clothes shopping together.”

“Oh…! You also said we’d do reporting?”

When I recalled our morning conversation, the Professor seemed to remember too and immediately gathered her materials and headed to her private research lab.

After collecting some documents there, she rushed me to another building.

Having finished her work, the Professor slumped her shoulders slightly as if tired. Then she leaned against my head and nuzzled me.

“Ourr… Today was so exhausting.”

“Professor, should you be doing this in public…?”

It wasn’t anything inappropriate, but I was concerned that if other students saw the Professor leaning on me like this, it might be embarrassing for her, so I spoke up gently.

The Professor moved away from me slightly.

“You’re right. Hmm, would it be okay if I hug you tightly at home?”

“That’s fine.”

“Are you saying you’d like that, or are you just being polite?”

The Professor seemed unsure of my meaning and asked for clarification. I thought about teasing her but decided to answer honestly.

“I’d like that.”

“Really? Great~”

Pleased with my clear answer, the Professor hummed happily as we left the Academy.

We went outside and took a warp point to downtown. The first-floor shops along the wide sidewalk of the main street were mostly luxury clothing stores. There were occasionally other types of shops like game arcades or bath product stores, but since we didn’t need those right now, I just glanced past them.

We passed through an alley toward an area with clustered buildings.

This was where my current uniform had been tailored. Previously, I had ordered a larger size thinking, “I might grow into it someday, poof!” but now it felt a bit awkward knowing we were getting clothes that would fit me perfectly.

“…Professor, do I have to wear clothes that fit me?”

“Why? Do you want to wear bigger ones?”

“……”

If I wore larger clothes, I’d have to secure the skirt well to prevent it from falling. Recalling past days when I hadn’t fastened things properly, I didn’t want to repeat that, but if the skirt issue was resolved, I was most comfortable in oversized clothes, so I unconsciously tended to choose larger sizes.

“I’d like the skirt to fit, but I want the top to be bigger.”

“It’s just a sleeveless shirt with a thin jacket. You want that to be big?”

The Professor looked slightly shocked.

“Then people might be able to see your chest from the side, Ourr.”

“Oh, r-really?”

I lowered my head slightly. The Professor traced the shape of a sleeveless top with her finger.

It wasn’t a straight-cut garment but had a triangular shape that widened from top to bottom, so wearing it oversized would definitely expose my chest.

Realizing my oversight, I shook my head and followed the Professor’s advice.

“Then I’ll just get something that fits properly.”

“Good, good.”

The Professor chuckled and began examining the clothes in the store one by one.