Ch.183Chapter 183

Gathering people for the study group was successful. About 40 students from all years came for interviews, enough to practically establish an entire department.

However, that wouldn’t necessarily lead to research success. And even if we formed the group now, it would take more time before they could become proper research personnel.

Perhaps it was time to set aside my ambition to create research achievements. After thinking for a while, Yuria decided to bring some basic magic theory textbooks and place them in front of Ourr. When several thick books piled up before her, Ourr stared at them with wide eyes.

“…Magic basics?”

She furrowed her brow as if unsure she was reading correctly. While Ouro might not be interested, Yuria knew that Ourr had a quick learning ability.

Since they were Demon Gods who could handle magic itself, whether Ourr or Ouro, they could quickly do whatever they were instructed to do. However, Ouro knew nothing about magic used in society. Given the subtle mixing of human and Demon God characteristics, Yuria judged it appropriate to entrust this task to Ourr, unsure if Ouro could handle it properly.

It might be a bit harsh on Ourr. She had just learned to read and was adapting to her surroundings, and now she was suddenly being asked to study magic.

Still, these were necessary things now. For both Yuria and Ourr.

“That’s right. Magic basics. If Ourr wants to become like Ouro, or rather, become human like the Professor, I’m creating magic that you can use comfortably.”

“Me?”

Ourr’s eyes widened. It was a natural reaction.

Demon Gods don’t need to create magic circles. It was the most enviable ability to other living beings. Unlike others who had to follow rules and create formulas that worked within established frameworks to use magic, Demon Gods could change the world according to their whims.

For Demon Gods, the only framework was the world around them. It was fortunate that no one educated them, because if Demon Gods ever shared information, learned, and developed together, it was obvious that humans, elves, dwarves—everyone—would be headed toward extinction.

Their abilities were that overpowered.

In fact, Ourr could change her body just by learning how to handle magical power. But the reason for not doing so was to help Ouro think and act as a human rather than as a Demon God.

If she lived as a human, she could fully claim the glory of that achievement, and Yuria wanted to give her that.

“That’s right. Ourr will do it. Finding a way to not die and age slowly like humans. Of course, the Professor will help too.”

Yuria smiled.

She planned to handle most of the work herself, since it would be difficult for Ouro alone, and just focus on helping her understand magic enough to complete the task.

Even that would be challenging. While Ouro might be fine, the issue was that Ourr would need to become younger once more in the process. But investing in the distant future once or twice seemed worthwhile.

To deny that Ourr was a harmful being, they couldn’t allow her to continue dispersing unrefined, raw magical power.

“But I don’t think I’m capable enough…”

“You know your body better than anyone, so just focus on that. Later, when your body changes to be more human-like, you’ll practice using magic like humans do.”

Yuria spoke in a gentle, persuasive voice.

“Alright then.”

“…Since you can’t grow before your body changes, could you endure it just once later?”

Yuria knew exactly what she was saying.

Ouro could now grow without issue. It was no longer certain whether she still retained the properties of Ouroboros or if she could even become younger that way anymore.

But Ourr was different. She was still completely a Demon God, so the formula that she would become younger upon death was still valid. As she grew and her vessel expanded, it would become increasingly difficult to handle the aura flowing out, so making her younger was necessary in the current situation.

“Of course.”

Ourr understood exactly what Yuria meant. She couldn’t not understand. She knew what situation they were in and how to resolve it. She also knew this was something the Professor was saying while enduring heartache.

That’s why she agreed readily.

Yuria’s chest ached seeing Ourr readily agree despite knowing it meant her death.

She thought it strange that she couldn’t understand that Ourr’s values differed from her own because she was a Demon God. It was unreasonable to expect a child who hadn’t even lived here for three years to break down values that might have formed over hundreds of years.

Yet was she the one being unreasonable?

Was it right for a scholar researching Demon Gods to prioritize her own feelings over understanding? Was it right to put her own heart first?

She didn’t know anything. Despite being described as the youngest and best scholar, Yuria considered herself still immature.

“I see. I’ll be counting on you.”

She swallowed all the words she wanted to say, holding them back repeatedly before finally speaking.

**

The study group had twenty members in total. About forty students had applied, but since they couldn’t accept as many students as an entire department, they had to cut half.

Everyone might be motivated, but space was limited, and having too many students would make management difficult. If small cliques started forming, that would create its own problems, so they had distributed the spots appropriately.

Third-year students refined their graduation projects with direct confirmation from the Professor. If the Professor wasn’t available, getting help from people at the Academy was also an option. Sera and Aria had offered to help, so that matter was settled.

With that arrangement, the freed-up third-years would help second-years, and second-years would help first-years—that’s how the study group would be maintained.

It was different from before. Previously, they had been a small elite group where seniors generously supported their juniors because they were close, but now that couldn’t be expected.

Many were meeting for the first time, and not everyone was naturally sociable, so they needed to devise strategies.

They collected a certain amount of money to purchase helpful books, which they then copied and shared to save on textbook costs. Starting from there, everyone worked together to find helpful methods and support each other.

Iris and Karen worked to maintain what they had received from Sera and Aria. They had received much, both academically and otherwise, and wanted to share that joy with their juniors.

Though Iris hadn’t received that much herself.

“…Ugh, it’s a bit tough. But I’m getting help from the Professor too…”

Stretching, Iris sighed while loosening her neck.

She had made some progress on her graduation thesis. She had observed and written about me while living together. I hadn’t heard exactly what her topic was, but I knew it overlapped with what the Professor was writing.

“Is it okay for it to overlap with the Professor’s topic?”

“It wouldn’t be okay for a master’s degree, but for a graduation thesis, it should be fine. The Professor has been helping without saying anything about it.”

“I see. I didn’t know that. Everyone else was panicking about finding different topics.”

Not just Sera and Aria, but Lenya had said the same thing. Seeing how they struggled not to overlap with others made me realize that graduate students had different challenges.

It suddenly occurred to me that Iris was now a third-year, so I was curious about her plans after graduation.

“What are you planning to do after graduation, Iris? Get a job?”

When we talked before, I think she said she planned to graduate normally and stop studying, so I wondered if that was still the case. Iris nodded as if her thoughts hadn’t changed.

“Yes, I’m not planning to go to graduate school. It’s hard to find non-overlapping topics, and I’m not sure if I can study this intensively. My dream is to get good grades this time and find a good job later.”

“Oh. I hope you get a job at an amazing place.”

“An amazing place might be difficult. Since I’m in the Demon God Research Department, not the Magic Composition Department, there aren’t many connections with companies.”

Iris explained the difficulties she faced.

While Sera and Aria were in the Magic Composition Department so it seemed natural for them, that wasn’t possible for Iris. It was unfortunate. Although the Magic Composition Department and Demon God Research Department were closely related, preferences seemed to vary depending on which department you belonged to.

“Then it would be good if you could compose magic well?”

I came up with an idea for Iris, who had suddenly become the study group leader after just half a year.