Chapter 46 – The Peaceful Midterm Week (3)

Due to the headmaster’s persistent efforts and budget constraints, I decided to postpone the search for a sword and instead focused on the renovation of the store.

I removed the broken window frames and replaced them with new ones, and tore up the wooden floorboards that had been damaged by soldiers’ boots.

I piled up the damaged display items behind the store for disposal and set aside expired bread and reagents to be discarded separately.

With the shelves, bookcases, and display stands removed, the now-empty first floor seemed quite spacious. When planning the renovation, there was one key consideration:

Ensuring that no one could enter the store while I was away.

Initially, I considered classic traps like spikes that would spring up if stepped on or boiling oil pouring down from above.

But those seemed a bit too dangerous. If something went wrong and expensive items were broken, it would be a disaster.

The best solution was to surround the entire store with defensive magic. It wasn’t that difficult to do.

At Farencia Academy, and most noble houses and the royal palace, all sorts of magic were employed for security purposes.

I could ask the headmaster to call in a company, or I could personally find a few who could handle the job.

The problem was that the level of defensive magic I wanted wasn’t something as simple as the low-tier <Barrier> used in ordinary buildings.

How did that work out for the academy, which was protected by both defensive magic and guards?

They got thrashed by the Rochear soldiers. Which means against powerful mages, they’re practically useless.

Those things are more for buying time, so what I wanted was a stronger defensive spell.

For example, something like the <Refractive Monoform> that Terra used, or an advanced defense system like the <Iron Dog> used by the Counter-espionage Brigade ‘Goliath,’ one of the twelve federations of the Lavierre Mountains. Isn’t there a way to have that?

“Excuse me, shopkeeper.”

At that moment, someone came over to me, walking past the fallen door. See? If there had been a trap there, there would be another gravestone in the basement by now.

“Who are you?”

“Vincent Vanilev. I’m currently in charge of introductory elemental magic lectures for first-years. I noticed that you conducted classes in my stead while I was hospitalized.”

Ah, he must be one of the victims from when Adela was doing her club tour. Judging by the bandage still wrapped around his right hand, his injuries must have been quite severe.

His tone was rather authoritative, but he looked older than me, and he was a noble, so I let it slide. But still, maybe traditional traps would be better…

“What brings you here?”

“I’m here because of the midterms for the first-year students. According to academy regulations, if a guest lecturer conducts a class, they should also handle the evaluation.”

“So… you’re asking me to create an exam question?”

“Since the number of classes was not extensive, one question will suffice. It will be added as an additional question at the end of the elemental magic exam paper.”

Come to think of it, I think it was like this a couple of years ago, but I don’t quite remember. However, it wasn’t a difficult request, so I nodded.

All I needed to do was create one question about how to identify a doppelgänger.

“Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Do you need anything?”

“A diagram would be helpful. I’m thinking of including some visual materials.”

“I have some in my office. Follow me.”

I put my work on hold and followed Professor Vincent to the Akasha building.

Indeed, around this time, the atmosphere at the academy was quite hectic. I could see students rushing to their classrooms or coming to the store for supplies needed for their exams, only to leave in despair upon finding it closed.

When Professor Vincent, who walked half a step ahead of me, passed by, students in the hallway parted to make way.

I mean, if they could move so orderly here, why did they rush into the store like starving wild dogs?

It seems that skilled mages do hold a different status at the academy.

“Here it is. This won’t take long, will it?”

“I’ll have it back to you by tomorrow morning.”

“I won’t be in my office due to supervising exams, so just leave it in the mailbox outside.”

“What if someone steals it?”

“It’s protected by security magic. There’s nothing to worry about.”

It seems even professors take their precautions.

I considered asking if he knew any skilled mages who could help, but I decided against it.

He didn’t seem particularly interested in me. He hadn’t even asked what kind of class I had taught.

Another task added to the list. Holding a copy of the anatomical diagrams, I was returning to the store when I noticed a line of people along one of the corridors leading to a classroom.

What’s this? Did someone famous come by?

I glanced inside as I passed by and saw a familiar face standing at the podium.

“It’s the Baroness.”

***

Professor Antonio Boledi from the Merak Tower was one of the most disliked, even hated, professors among the second-years.

The reason wasn’t just his prickly personality, but his teaching style, which any student would dread.

In all his classes, student evaluation was based on a comprehensive score of 100, divided into 15 for group assignments, 15 for report submissions, 15 for pop quizzes, 15 for individual assignments, 15 for midterms and finals, and 10 for attendance.

Even taking just one of his classes meant a relentless onslaught of brutal assignments and exams that would push anyone’s sanity to its limits.

To make matters worse, in his newly introduced course “Exploring the Horizons of Magic,” he had midterms where each student had to present a lecture.

The task was to employ all the magical knowledge they had acquired throughout the semester to achieve a new feat unreported in the existing academic community.

In other words, “Why don’t you come up with a brand-new spell or principle?” It was an absurd demand.

While they were allowed to present just an outline, considering it was only midterms, for most students, this exam was a headache-inducing ordeal.

“Next.”

A sullen student stepped down from the podium. Judging by Professor Antonio’s grim expression, it was clear they’d scored at the bottom.

As all the students in the classroom held their breath, the next person to step up was the second-year valedictorian, Liv Labre.

As she bowed, receiving the attention of countless onlookers, Antonio adjusted his glasses and repositioned his evaluation sheet.

“Second-year Magic Department, Liv Labre. You’re the last one. What’s your presentation about?”

“The theory on the implementation of Imaginary Magic.”

— Imaginary magic? Did she say imaginary?

— Have you ever heard of it?

— No, it’s not part of the curriculum.

— If anything, it might fall under the domain of the Phecda Tower. You know, during the Great War…

“Quiet!”

Professor Antonio silenced the students and gave a brief explanation of Imaginary Magic to those unfamiliar with it.

“Imaginary Magic is the concept of turning thought itself into magic. The ancient dragonkind’s language spells were the closest to this form. However, no human has ever successfully replicated their methods.”

Thought is vague until it’s structured. The entire process of constructing spells, drawing magic circles, and combining mana and karma must be within the realm of strict calculations.

Thought cannot become magic. If it were possible, it would mean changing the world with mere thought.

“But that’s a broad explanation. Narrowing the scope, using a part of the brain as a subconscious computing device, as in <Unspoken Manifestation>, can also be considered a form of Imaginary Magic. Liv Labre.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Explain what you mean by Imaginary Magic here.”

“Understood.”

Liv drew her wand through the air.

Then, around her, two of the Three Originals—the Axis of the Earth, “Terrarius,” and the Grand Duke’s Return, “Prium Mobile”—unfurled.

Dozens of magical formulas floated in the air. Although they were simple structures between the 1st and 2nd-tier, the intention wasn’t just to gather low-tier spells to increase output.

<White Magic: Water Surface ⌜Surface⌟>

Liv, now standing on a transparent, still lake beneath her feet, began speaking in a calm voice.

“What I mean by implementing Imaginary Magic is to remove the visible steps required by traditional spells.”

Numerous magic circles rotated slowly, half-submerged beneath the water’s surface.

“There are currently three spells being cast: <Will-o’-the-Wisp>, <Crystallization>, and <Clear Wind>. They have structural similarities, being transformed with a circular uniformity and a blue hue in a palindromic arrangement rather than in a simple 1st-tier state.”

In other words, the three spells are nearly identical in structure, ensuring stability in the combination and transformation of the spell’s formula.

“The rotation adds inertia. The contact points of the magic circles, which align like gears, maintain the output. Since half of the circle is submerged, the other half is not visible to our eyes.”

“But it’s still functioning, I assume.”

“Yes. And therefore—”

Tap!

Liv struck her wand against her palm. A small vibration rippled across the water’s surface.

“I’ve just severed the spells below the water’s surface.”

If a round object were cut in half, the slowly rotating characteristic of the magic circles would normally cause the half-circle to immediately appear above the water.

Or, at the very least, forcibly removing half of the magic circle should cause the spell to either run wild or be canceled.

However, the dozens of blue magic circles revolving beneath Liv’s feet remained stable.

“The reflection on the water acts as a substitute for the missing half. It’s typically a method used to amplify a spell’s power.”

“That’s correct.”

Reflecting a single magic circle in a mirror doubles it. This is part of the <Magic Amplification> taught from the second year.

However, this only applies when projecting a fully completed magic circle. Doubling an incomplete magic circle would be pointless.

Even this was an impressive feat, but Liv was only now ready to demonstrate her theory.

<Black Magic: Smoke ⌜Black Mist⌟>

A black mist enveloped the platform where she stood. The blue light below the magic circles flickered through the mist.

Like the grand finale of a performance, everyone inside and outside the classroom was fixated on Liv’s voice emerging from the darkness.

“Now, I will dissolve the <Water Surface>.”

— What?

— She’s going to break the spell?

“I’m not breaking it. The half of the spell reflected on the water never actually existed and has now vanished from every observer’s sight. I have my eyes closed now, and I fully understand the operating principles of the spells I’ve arranged and have explained them to you.”

Therefore, this place is my imagination——

The moment she said that, Professor Antonio’s eyes widened.

She had, in essence, split a functioning spell in half, placing one part in reality and the other in an imaginary space.

Afterward, she blocked all other viewers’ sight, converting it into a “domain of unseen chaos,” akin to her imagination.

Magic is the art of reshaping the world according to one’s will.

Liv Labre had just conjured a small world where the real and the unreal blended in equal measure, creating something unseen but undeniably present.

The scales of fate were perfectly balanced. The weight that would tip the balance between the success and failure of the spell was now down to a single factor.

And finally——

“I have no doubt this spell will succeed.”

An imaginary weight, belief, was placed on one side.

***

Paah——!!

The smoke cleared, revealing beautiful will-o’-the-wisps crystallizing and spreading with the blue wind.

Amidst the dark mist, Liv opened her eyes quietly, and people watched her in a trance.

I was no exception. I knew Liv was smart, but I never imagined she was this impressive.

The finale, with the stage lights and glitter enveloping her, was so beautiful that it naturally elicited applause.

“Excellent.”

Professor Antonio scribbled notes on his evaluation sheet as he began to speak. However, his expression didn’t seem all that cheerful.

“The approach was non-intuitive, and the design was overly intricate, but you executed the implementation of Imaginary Magic in textbook fashion. I didn’t expect to see such a well-crafted theory for a midterm evaluation.”

“Thank you.”

“I have few criticisms to offer at this point, but since you’ll continue to work on this topic, I’ll mention just two things.”

The bell rang, and people began to file out. I slipped into the now-empty classroom, listening to the conversation between Liv and Antonio.

“First, as you probably know, Imaginary Magic is about subtraction, not addition. What you showed had a commendable result, but the process was overly complicated. At least one of the elements, whether Prium Mobile or Terrarius, should be removed. An imaginary field is unnecessary for this.”

“I understand.”

“And one more thing.”

He sighed lightly and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his glasses. The expression under his white beard wasn’t clearly visible from my angle.

“Don’t become too absorbed in Imaginary Magic.”

“Pardon?”

“If you become too engrossed in magic that transforms imagination into reality, you might one day be consumed by illusions. Keep deep connections with others. That will help anchor you to reality.”

“……”

“During the Great War, Pennheim lost two Grand Dukes. It was confirmed that the Ice Duke of Rochear perished, and her daughter stepped up as her successor, but the other remains missing.”

A master of Imaginary Magic, one of Pennheim’s five Grand Dukes, the Duke of Illusions.

A supreme mage who traversed the boundaries between reality and fantasy, vanished during the war.

Most believe she either died fighting demons or was trapped in her own illusions.

The professor was warning Liv of this.

***

“Oh, shopkeeper?”

“I enjoyed the lecture. It was impressive.”

As Liv left the classroom, she bumped into me. When I complimented her, her cheeks turned bright red, and she fidgeted before turning her head away.

“It’s not like I’m happy to receive compliments from you, shopkeeper.”

You look very happy. Mages are inherently filled with absolute pride in the magic they create.

Even Terra would smirk uncontrollably if I mindlessly praised her. Liv was no exception.

I wasn’t sure exactly how impressive her magic was, but she must have put considerable effort into it.

“No, really, it was amazing. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

“Don’t lie.”

“Wow~ For someone like Baroness Greenwood, using something like, what was it, Imaginary Magic? That must be something!”

“It’s still in the practice stage. I’m hoping to refine it before the first semester ends…”

“Can it be applied to any magic? Like defensive spells, for instance?”

“In theory, yes. But it needs further research…”

“Well, could you show me again sometime?”

“A-again?”

“Yes, this time, just the two of us.”

“Just, just the two of us!? If you say so, I mean…”

The more I praised her, the more Liv’s head lowered. Sensing the moment, I continued to encourage her until she promised to come to the store later.

“See you next time, Baroness.”

“Yes, you too, shopkeeper…”

Okay, that’s one thing off my list.

Why go looking for someone? There’s a brilliant mage who even left a professor speechless right here.

When she comes to the store, I should ask her to set up some defensive spells.

It seems like it’s some new magic theory about an invisible hand or something, but it should certainly be more useful than standard defensive magic.

Still, just in case, I decided to implement some traditional traps as well. Not because Vincent’s annoying face popped into my mind.

If you think about it, using both is the smart choice, right?

A more innovative system for eliminating intruders. The day the store adopts autonomous defense isn’t far off.