Episode 400. American Dream (2)

Arthur muttered, watching Lee Hoyeon walk out of the cafe.

“…Is that a monster?”

“Don’t say things like that about my disciple. He’s a good kid, more than he looks.”

“That’s not what I mean. Even though I’m retired from active duty, I can tell that much. He seems stronger than you were when you were a cadet, Sol?”

Im Sol smiled and picked up the chocolate latte in front of her.

Her disciple was being praised, and she felt inexplicably proud, as if her own shoulders were rising.

She had personally raised Lee Hoyeon.

“That’s true. He’s definitely stronger than I was when I was 20.”

“I’ve never seen a guy like that in my life. It’s as astonishing as when I first saw you, Sol.”

Arthur swallowed hard.

No matter how long it had been since he retired from active duty, to think he’d be pushed back in terms of presence by a cadet.

By his own common sense, it was unimaginable.

‘Someone like that would be worth teaching directly.’

The more talented someone is, the easier it is for them to miss something.

Im Sol was the same.

Since they knew everything from the start, they overlook truly trivial things.

Arthur, who had risen from the ranks, could definitely point out those aspects.

“Speaking of which, you too, Sol-ssi, seem to have gotten incredibly strong… What did the two of you possibly do?”

“I was always stronger than you, mister.”

“…Yeah, you’re so great. Anyway, I have something to tell you.”

Arthur smiled and continued.

“Yeah. What is it?”

“This time, the association has found a secret magic cult.”

“A secret magic cult? Aren’t those all just cults?”

“Usually, yes, but these guys this time are quite large-scale. Moreover, demons have joined forces, increasing their power…”

Arthur continued his explanation to Im Sol.

Im Sol drank her chocolate latte while focusing on Arthur’s words, and the explanation continued until her chocolate latte was half empty.

“So what is it you want to say? You want my help?”

“That’s right.”

“Mister, you’re the association president. Why are you asking for help from an academy professor?”

“…You know how it is. These days, the political infighting is intense. I have to resolve things like this with my own power, without borrowing the association’s strength.”

“I clearly told you, didn’t I? Those positions would be troublesome.”

“I’m sorry. I thought becoming association president would allow me to change everything.”

Im Sol gave a bitter smile.

Arthur had jumped into the association for a society where skilled mages are respected, but even after rising to the position of president, he couldn’t overcome the deeply entrenched elders.

“Forget it. No matter how much those old geezers struggle, the moment the mages below don’t acknowledge them, it’s over.”

In the end, power only has meaning if there are people supporting you from below.

Arthur brightened up at Im Sol’s words and asked,

“Right. Well said. What are you presenting this time? Co-authoring with a disciple, this is the first time for the genius mage Im Sol, isn’t it? Wasn’t it the genius mage’s hobby to surprise the association alone?”

“This time, I prepared a little harder. It’s my disciple’s debut.”

“Hoho… Can I look forward to it? You’re not even giving me a heads-up this time?”

“If it were you, I wouldn’t worry about leaks, but still, no. This time, it’s a paper that will truly shake the whole world. I want to see your surprised reaction too.”

“If you say it like that, it sounds like you mean it… You’ve never said anything like that before.”

Arthur was inwardly surprised.

Im Sol always brought something groundbreaking enough to shake the association, but she had never boasted like that before.

Instead, she’d express disappointment, saying it wasn’t a big deal.

“You’ll see when you see it. My disciple discovered something incredible.”

“Alright. Then I’ll play along. Since it’s our Sol-ssi’s beloved disciple’s debut.”

At Arthur’s teasing, Im Sol’s eyes widened slightly.

“…What are you talking about? I don’t like it. Anyway, just watch on the day. If you need help because of the secret cult, contact me then.”

Im Sol frowned and stood up.

As she left the cafe, a slight blush had risen to her cheeks.

Arthur watched Im Sol’s retreating back and picked up his coffee.

Slurp-

“Even the genius mage is experiencing spring…”

He murmured softly, giving a wry smile.

*

I returned to the suite and unfolded a magic circle.

The fake dungeon magic I’m creating with Rebecca-ssi.

When I have free time, I need to work on it bit by bit.

Rebecca creates the overall framework, and I supplement the details. That’s how we’re working.

Rebecca is much better at the concept of barriers, so creating the dungeon’s structure should be left to her.

“This part should be made a bit stronger… And since no one should know about it, mixing in the magic of the Underworld would be best.”

This dungeon must contend not only with academy cadets but also professors and association mages.

To avoid them realizing it’s a fake dungeon, I’ll have to put in considerable effort.

“Especially Professor Im Sol is the problem.”

She must not notice my and Rebecca’s magic.

To do that, I need to make it more robust.

“Let’s mix in more magic from the Underworld. The professor is a monster.”

“What are you doing?”

“…!”

Startled by the voice from behind me, I canceled the magic circle.

Turning around, I saw the professor peeking out and looking at my magic circle.

“…Professor, why are you sneaking up like that?”

“Ah, sorry. I was still using the perception-blocking barrier I had maintained at the cafe.”

I watched the professor deactivate the perception-lowering barrier and swallowed.

Surely she didn’t notice.

If she did, it would be incredibly troublesome.

I calmly continued speaking, not showing my panic.

“Did you finish talking with the association president?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t that long of a conversation.”

“Then, since it’s the first day, shall we do some sightseeing?”

Anyway, the magic research was a bust.

Maybe I could spend some time with the professor.

“That doesn’t sound bad. But first, how about we grab a meal? The restaurants here are quite good.”

“Oh, eating first sounds good.”

I was already hungry.

We took the elevator to the restaurant on the top floor.

‘What kind of restaurant is this so luxurious?’

I blinked, looking at the marble floor.

The floor was so clean it reflected my face.

Even Fengmi Hall, which I often visited in Korea, was incredibly luxurious, but this is incomparable.

“It’s Im Sol.”

“Please wait a moment.”

At the entrance, when I presented the association invitation, the staff member guarding the entrance clapped their hands, and another staff member came from inside.

“This way, please.”

I followed the professor into the restaurant’s interior.

Inside was even more so than the entrance.

Dazzling lights and seemingly expensive decorations.

And customers ordering from the menu were visible.

“…This is a place where you buy food? I thought it was complimentary.”

“I’ll buy it for you, so don’t worry.”

“I have plenty of money too, Professor.”

“Shh. Let’s sit down.”

We sat down at a window seat.

Around us, other mages were visible, and they were all whispering, looking at us.

• “It’s Im Sol. Was Im Sol supposed to present today? I didn’t see her on the schedule.”

• “The disciple presenting with her is Lee Hoyeon. Co-authoring with Im Sol on his debut at 20… That guy is amazing too.”

• “The aura he gives off is unbelievable. Is he really a cadet who hasn’t even graduated yet?”

• “That’s why Im Sol is taking him around. She’s not the type to bring someone around just because he’s handsome.”

• “Well, she is obsessed with magic.”

I wore a sour expression at the whispers around me.

The fact that I could hear them meant the professor could hear them too.

But the professor showed no change in expression.

I asked, licking my lips,

“You seem used to it.”

“You’ll get used to it too after hearing it for a few years? What would you like for your meal?”

Fortunately, she really didn’t seem to care.

“I’ll have whatever the professor recommends.”

“Then let’s go with lobster.”

While Professor Im Sol called a waiter to place the order, I examined her outfit.

Unlike her usual daily wear of sweatpants, today she had properly dressed in a suit.

Even as a professor, she maintained decorum for a formal occasion.

After admiring her clothes for a moment, I suddenly became curious.

What had she talked about with the association president earlier?

Would she tell me if I asked?

“Earlier, when I wasn’t there, what did you talk about with the association president? May I ask?”

“Hmm… The mister doesn’t like people knowing his secrets, but since it’s you, I suppose I can tell you.”

“Of course. Where would I possibly tell anyone?”

“In the mage world, there’s something called a secret magic cult. They seem to have recently increased in number in America.”

“A secret magic cult? I’ve never heard of it.”

The fact that it’s not in my memory means it wasn’t in the original work either.

It probably happened in America, so it wasn’t covered in the original work.

“That’s true. If you knew about it, it wouldn’t be a secret cult.”

“Aha.”

We continued our conversation slowly even after the food arrived.

“There was always a movement like this. People who say that to conduct magic research and experiments, magic experiment ethics must be abolished.”

“Magic ethics?”

“Simply put, they’re people who want inhumane experiments. They want to use living humans as experimental material.”

“Ah…”

Even in the original world, there were ethics regarding animal testing.

It was a rule that protected animal rights to the minimum extent.

But in this world, it seems they experiment not on animals, but on humans.

Truly, it’s a scary world.

“Usually, those without skill make strange excuses… but their scale seems to have grown. That’s why they need help.”

“Aren’t you, Arthur-ssi, the association president? Then you could just borrow the power of the Mage Association.”

“That’s not so easy.”

“Hmm.”

As expected, places of power don’t work as you please.

Just seeing Surin noona, the student council president, and the chairman struggle is enough proof.

“If you need strength, I’ll help too. Anyway, there’s still time before the presentation.”

“I’d be grateful. But, I saw you working on a magic circle earlier. Don’t you need personal time too?”

“…That was just something I made out of boredom.”

“Then I’ll ask you to help.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

As expected, she didn’t see it properly.

I don’t know when the professor might catch on, so from now on, I must use the fake dungeon magic only when it’s absolutely safe.

“But, Professor. I have a request.”

“Hm?”

Professor Im Sol was eating the ice cream that came with dessert.

She seemed to be in a good mood, so maybe I could tease her a bit now.

“I want to try calling you Sol too.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Everyone close to you, Professor, calls you that. Can’t I call you that too?”

“Are you going to say strange things again? I’m really going to scold you.”

I chuckled at the professor’s reaction.

As expected, teasing people like this is the most fun.

“Then, if I beat you, can I do it?”

“…If you beat me?”

“Yes. You said I could do whatever I wanted if I won.”

“Haaah, do whatever you want.”

“You promised. You definitely said it?”

“I’ll grant you anything, so win first. Got it? And don’t say weird things.”

The professor shook her head, and I nodded happily.

Now I just need to win.

I got the promise, so I don’t have to worry about any request being rejected.

‘But why is this ice cream so delicious?’

As soon as I took a bite of the ice cream, my eyes widened.

This must be why the professor likes it.

It’s incredibly sweet, but not overwhelming.

“Professor, the dessert here…”

Thump. Thump.

I stopped talking at the sound of footsteps approaching us.

If it were a staff member or another customer, I would have ignored it, but I felt the presence of a mage.

Moreover, it wasn’t natural mana, but felt like mana deliberately being scattered towards us.

More precisely… it wasn’t directed at us, but at me.

I turned my eyes towards the approaching man.

Anyone could see he had a handsome face and a tall build.

His neat attire and confident smile.

I looked at the man and thought.

‘…Who the hell is this guy?’

He didn’t appear in the original work.

However, in my experience, guys who flash such nice smiles are never good people.

‘And he’s a man.’

If it were a pretty woman, there might be room for reconsideration, but for a man, there’s no such room.

It’s safe to assume he’s just a bad guy.

“It’s been a while. Archmage Im Sol.”

As expected, he approached our table and greeted Professor Im Sol with a smile.

‘Decided. He’s a killer.’

I looked at the guy and nodded.