Academy’s Pure Love Dark Knight – Chapter 14.1

Chapter 14. The World Without Mana is Definitely Wrong

“It’s called a three-dimensional magic circle.”

Dennis tilted his head.

It seems he still doesn’t fully understand. There’s a skill that only certain characters can use, often referred to as the “ultimate skill.” It was a really tough route for players to learn.

‘Drake had *Dragonslayer* and Dennis had the *Three-dimensional Magic Circle*.’

I approached the chalkboard. I drew a large circle in the center and a smaller one beside it, like a satellite. Oh, they have chalk here too.

“It’s simple. You take a flat magic circle and make it three-dimensional, allowing you to use multiple spells at the same time.”

“Why not just cast multiple spells separately?”

“That lacks improvisational ability. When would you have time to draw several circuits?”

If you follow the method I came up with, you could carry over a hundred magic circles in one hand. Professor.”

I divided the large circle into several sections like slicing a pizza, splitting it into eight parts, and using four different colors.

“Student Licht, it’s been a while since I’ve heard an interesting theory. But isn’t there something you’re missing?”

“I am aware that magic circles only activate on a flat surface.”

“Good. Continue.”

He opened his mouth with interest.

This is your thing. I’m just pretending to speak as if it’s mine, like with Kainel.

At some point, I locked eyes with the brown dog staring intently at the chalkboard. Even if it sees it, only Dennis would be able to use it anyway.

“By following this line, the small circle next to it is used as a satellite to orbit the larger one.”

I extended a long curve to make the large circle rotate like the rings of Saturn.

I made the circle look like a sphere.

“That creates a cross-section. Is this the equivalent of one magic circle?”

“Correct. As expected, Professor.”

“I didn’t go through a doctoral program at the Tower of Magic for nothing, Student Licht.”

Sipping his coffee, Dennis smiled.

“Then, what about the issue when magic is bundled together? There are elemental conflicts, aren’t there, Sir Helmet?”

“Exactly. An explosion might occur.”

Oh, that’s a sharp point. Is he referring to conflicting attributes? As expected from the *Mage of Blazing Flames*.

My eyebrows rose slightly at the unexpected question.

“That’s why only Professor Dennis would be able to use this. Water can neutralize most attributes easily.”

“That’s true. It’s advantageous.”

The *Glass Knight* agreed. I suppose since they’re magic users, they all know the same level of information I do.

I felt embarrassed for having been so confident just because I knew future knowledge.

“But even if you layer flat magic circles into a three-dimensional sphere, you’d still have to memorize all of them, right?”

“That’s why the magic acting as a ‘satellite’ is important.”

“Like a guide, or a table of contents in an encyclopedia?”

This time, Kainel and Dennis both spoke.

The hero, stroking his chin thoughtfully, and Dennis, who looked at me as if he had found a new task, stared at me.

“Student Licht, where did you hear about this theory?”

“I came up with it on my own. I guess since I can’t use magic, I started to admire it.”

I stammered. How could I explain that users called this the “3D magic circle”? The gazes of the three were fixed on me.

“..I approve your application for membership.”

“Really? Thank you! Professor!”

After a brief silence, he signed the paper I had submitted.

Is this a success? He even did it with magic.

“But in return, Licht.”

The eyes of a predator locking onto its prey. I’d experienced that before. Dennis placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Would you like to join my research lab?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Your intellect and thirst for knowledge are impressive. It’s as if you know the future of magic.”

Well, I actually do know it. Goosebumps ran down my neck.

Am I about to get taken somewhere and have my mind read?

“I do dabble a bit in water magic…”

He created a sphere composed of four rings in the palm of his hand. It was the exact same shape I had drawn on the chalkboard. He recreated it instantly. As expected of the 3rd-ranked magician of the Top Ten.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen something I could verify right in front of me.”

He created another water orb with his other hand. As the satellite orbited the three-dimensional magic circle, its state kept changing.

It fluctuated between gas, solid, and liquid repeatedly.

“I can give you any books or resources you need. Why not work under me, Student Licht?”

“I’m not sure I fully understand what you’re saying.”

“I’m asking if you’d consider graduate school. Come see me after you graduate. For now, continue with club activities.”

I felt dizzy. Even here, there’s graduate school? Isn’t this supposed to be a romance fantasy academy setting?

Why does it have a research lab overflowing with academic ambition and overworked assistants?

“Don’t you dislike being someone who can’t use magic? I’m just suggesting you invest a few more years.”

Dennis, were you always like this?

“If you use a medium to substitute the circuits, it might be possible. So I need a little help with the experiments—uh, I mean, your cooperation.”

You’re searching for a 21st-century legal slave.

“These days, it’s hard to get a job if you can’t use magic. You know that, right?”

“That’s true, but… I must decline.”

“Are you really not interested? You could get funding from the Empire too. We’re researching a teleportation magic circle right now, and it would be great if you could help, Licht…”

“No. Licht.”

Thank you, Crown Prince! You just saved me from a future as a magic theory dispenser.

Maybe he’s actually a good guy. He hasn’t even hit on Ariel.

Mardol stepped in and separated Dennis and me.

“Teach me swordsmanship.”

“Ah, yes.”

he approached right in front of me and spoke, his voice layered with an echo. That really is a luxurious helmet.

‘I take back what I thought about you being a good person.’