Episode 403. American Dream (5)

“As I said again, I don’t know the exact details either.”

“It’s fine.”

As I gave him my brightest eyes, Arthur continued speaking with a reluctant expression.

“Hmm. It’s Domain Construction. It’s probably a magic that unfolds a domain around oneself to exert influence over incoming mana. I don’t know the specifics.”

“Domain Construction… If one has that, perhaps we could gain an advantage in mana speed or power, just as the Association Head-nim said.”

“In theory, yes. But it’s not something that can be done just by talking. That guy Aiden prepared that magic for a long time. That’s what unique magic is.”

I quietly continued my thoughts.

Although Aiden is good at politics, based on actually meeting him, he wasn’t exactly the type to keep his composure well.

It’s easy to provoke that kind of prideful type.

Namely, humiliating him in front of many people.

‘Let’s observe the reaction then.’

It’s okay if there’s no immediate reaction.

If I can just find something suspicious somehow….

‘He’s dead.’

His future can be decided then.

I looked at Professor, who was drinking a chocolate latte, and asked.

“Professor. When is our paper presentation?”

“The day after tomorrow. It’s Thursday.”

“Two days… I guess I’ll have to give it a shot.”

“What are you talking about? Are you seriously thinking of recreating Aiden’s magic in two days?”

“No way. I’m human too. How could I possibly do that?”

“Geez. You’re a buzzkill.”

I smiled at Arthur, who looked disappointed.

I’m sorry, but I can’t fully trust Arthur yet.

No matter how close he is to Professor, there’s no need to unnecessarily stir up trouble.

The only one I fully trust is Professor Im Sol.

And, just replicating it won’t be enough.

Even if I presented Aiden’s magic identically, it would cause quite a blow, but if possible, it should be overwhelming.

I must crush his pride by embarrassing him in front of everyone.

Only then will I be able to see a proper reaction.

While I was lost in thought, Professor started a conversation with Arthur.

“Old man. How’s the secret magic syndicate investigation going?”

“We’re still investigating. We can’t get a proper lead. However, their funding is unusually enormous. They clearly seem to be receiving support from somewhere… but I don’t know the source of the funds.”

“How is the investigation being conducted?”

“It’s being led by the Wizard Association. There’s a separate investigation team.”

“Seems like those guys at the Association aren’t working hard.”

“Perhaps.”

Slurp- slurp-

Professor Im Sol shook her head while sipping her chocolate latte, but the more I listened to their conversation, the more a strange thought occurred to me.

Perhaps Aiden, the next Association Head, is involved with them?

Perhaps that’s why the investigation isn’t moving forward?

Of course, asking the Association Head about the Association’s corruption seemed a bit inappropriate, so I kept it to myself.

After finishing her chocolate latte, Professor Im Sol seemed to lose interest and said.

“Hoyeon-ah. Shall we go? This old man doesn’t seem very helpful either.”

“… What are you talking about? You brought along an even more amazing disciple than you, a monster.”

“Thanks for the compliment, old man.”

“Well then, I guess it’s time to leave. Association Head-nim.”

“Hmm. Okay. If you need anything again, let’s meet anytime.”

I said goodbye to the Association Head, and Professor Im Sol got up first and headed towards the counter.

Arthur also prepared to get up, chugging the rest of his coffee.

Now that it’s just the two of us, I need to say something.

“Association Head-nim. Thank you for always looking after Professor.”

Bowing deeply.

I bowed my head deeply and expressed my thanks.

This was sincere.

Although the Association Head hasn’t built a relationship of trust with me, he has looked after Professor up until now, that’s a fact.

As a prospective boyfriend, I should be sufficiently grateful.

“Sure. I’ll ask you to take good care of Sol too. If it’s someone like you, you’re always welcome.”

Arthur patted my shoulder with a good-natured smile.

It was a smile that unintentionally made me feel good too.

However, I changed my expression to a serious one.

As a rule, one should give praise before saying harsh words.

“Yes. But, may I ask for just one thing?”

“Huh? What is it? If it’s something I can grant, sure.”

“Please don’t call Professor a monster. Just because she’s become desensitized doesn’t mean the wounds disappear. I ask this of you.”

Actually, it had been bothering me ever since I met Arthur.

No matter how close the two of them are, I wanted to say something at least once.

Maybe I’m overstepping.

I don’t know the relationship they’ve built.

And Professor Im Sol, having known the Association Head for a long time, might have gotten used to any kind of address.

Normally, even an offensive nickname doesn’t anger you when a close friend calls you, because that’s the way it works.

‘Still, I don’t like it.’

But who cares? I don’t like it.

Calling her a monster to his prospective girlfriend is too harsh.

This is something one must be careful about, starting with the people around her.

Hearing my words, Arthur widened his eyes and then bowed his head to me.

“I’m truly sorry. I’ll be mindful from now on.”

“Thank you.”

“Right. Please continue to stay by Sol’s side. Cadet Lee Hoyeon. Sol needs someone like you.”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t leave even if you told me to.”

I nodded, looking at Arthur’s expression.

To this extent, he seems like someone I can trust.

As expected, Professor Im Sol’s judgment seems to be correct.

Now that it’s like this, maybe I should tentatively bring it up.

“Association Head-nim. You mentioned Professor has a presentation on Thursday. What’s the presentation order?”

“Sol will probably be last. She’s like the highlight of the Association.”

“… Then please add just one more name after that.”

I decided to use my trump card strategy.

Fighting with one’s back to the river (背水陣).

People usually find strength they didn’t have before when a deadline approaches.

If I set the schedule even before starting the research, I’ll somehow manage to pull it off.

*

After parting with Arthur, Professor and I returned to the suite room, and I dropped a bombshell declaration on Professor.

“Professor. Your disciple is going into research starting now.”

“Research? Could it be the thing we talked about earlier?”

“Yes. You really heard the conversation? You were yawning, so I thought you weren’t listening.”

“… I told you I heard it.”

“Anyway, we only have two days left. I’m going to try my best.”

“Honestly, I don’t know why you’re trying to create Evan’s or Aiden’s magic… but can the research even be done in two days?”

“If it doesn’t work out, I’ll sell off even my Ark. What else can I do?”

I already asked the Association Head and secured a spot.

Whatever it takes, I have to present.

Even if I try for two days and it doesn’t work, I’ll just sell my Ark.

I clenched my fist, looking at Professor.

“Please don’t be lonely even if I’m not around.”

“Okay. Good luck. If you need any help, just tell me.”

“Understood.”

I went into the room, receiving Professor’s encouragement.

“From now on, it’s closed-door training.”

Clap- clap-

I clapped my hands and roused my spirit.

Although there are only two days left, I actually think two days is enough.

Because, until now, I’ve never truly put my heart into magic research.

I practiced magic every day, but I had never dedicated myself completely to magic research.

To begin with, there were too many people I had to take care of, and trouble kept erupting.

Magic practice was always done in my spare time.

‘This time, I can truly focus only on magic.’

Conveniently, there are no people I need to take care of right now.

It’s a chance to test my limits.

Moreover, if it’s magic related to domains, I was confident.

This is because I can handle the Rune Barrier, the highest tier among barrier magic.

“First, let’s make a plan.”

• Applying the Rune Barrier for Domain Control.

• The basic framework should be based on the Rune Barrier, while increasing the control over internal mana.

• If I increase the power to control external mana using [Mana Sensitivity]….

‘What if, after all this, it turns out to be nothing?’

As I was writing the plan, it suddenly occurred to me.

Actually, there’s no guarantee Aiden is 100% a bad guy.

I’m not a perfect person, and sometimes I might be wrong.

It’s possible, though highly unlikely, that he might just be a pure-hearted young man aiming for the Association Head position.

“In that case, it’s just disappointing.”

So what if he’s not a bad guy?

The act of hitting on Professor Im Sol alone confirms he’s a scumbag.

Still, if he’s not a bad guy, let’s spare his life.

“… Ah.”

And thinking of Professor Im Sol, I remembered something else.

I should have asked Professor to ‘take one shot’ tonight. Damn it.

Should I go out and ‘take one shot’ now before starting research?

“No. Let’s focus. If I stop now, I’ll lose my flow.”

I shook my head vigorously, cleared my mind of distracting thoughts, and began constructing a magic circle.

*

Wednesday afternoon.

It had been about 20 hours since Lee Hoyeon locked himself in his room.

Im Sol was meeting Arthur at the first-floor cafe.

“He didn’t even eat and locked himself in his room. He made such a fuss telling me to take care of myself while doing research.”

“I see. Our Sol must have been very lonely.”

“No, she wasn’t. Old man. If you say weird things, I’m leaving.”

“Haha. Sorry. But please consider my position too, sitting here listening to you talk about Lee Hoyeon for 3 hours straight.”

“… It’s been 3 hours already? When did the time pass like that?”

Im Sol checked her smartwatch and frowned.

Just how did the time pass like this?

It doesn’t feel like we talked that much.

“Well, how would I know? Who was it that suddenly started talking about the first meeting with their proud disciple?”

“… I’m leaving, so pay the bill. Old man.”

“Sol-ah. Sorry. Sol-ah!”

Arthur stopped Im Sol, who was trying to leave, and gave a wry smile.

I haven’t seen their relationship for long, but young love is complicated.

‘Sometimes, it’s the right thing for an old man like me to help.’

Arthur spoke to Im Sol, who had an uncomfortable expression.

“Sol-ah. Why don’t you accept him, considering that?”

“Accept him? What are you talking about?”

“I mean Lee Hoyeon. Anyone can see that he likes you, it’s obvious.”

“….”

“Considering that, he’s a decent young man. He has the looks to be popular with women, but listening to him talk, he doesn’t seem like that kind of personality.”

“You don’t know Hoyeon at all.”

Im Sol pursed her lips.

Her beloved disciple’s only flaw was having many women around him.

“Really? That’s unexpected. Still, he’s young, so he plays around like that. That’s temporary too. He’ll come back to you eventually. Where could there possibly be a woman better than Im Sol in the world?”

“… Still, it’s not okay.”

Arthur also liked Im Sol as one person to another, but he was starting to feel exasperated.

Of course, Lee Hoyeon might not be to her liking.

People’s tastes vary, and even if a guy is great, if she doesn’t like him, she doesn’t like him.

But if that’s the case, she needs to make her intentions clear.

Only then can Lee Hoyeon give up.

“Why on earth are you acting like this? If you don’t like him, you should say so clearly; that’s how you won’t hurt Lee Hoyeon too. Could it be like you used to say when you were 20, ‘I’ll only acknowledge men stronger than me’?”

“… What’s so bad about that?”

Im Sol looked at Arthur with a displeased look, and Arthur widened his eyes.

“You’re serious? Is that why that guy is trying so hard to become stronger?”

As Im Sol quietly turned her head, Arthur not only opened his mouth wide but grabbed the table with both hands and stood up.

“Sol-ah! That’s abuse, pure abuse. It’s like crushing a budding flower. Lee Hoyeon will lead the future generation of wizards….”

“Argh. Really! I’ll handle it myself, so leave me alone. No more talk about Hoyeon!”

“Tch. Fine.”

Im Sol was the one who came over out of the blue to start talking about Lee Hoyeon, but Arthur just nodded.

Teasing her about the cold, genius mage turning into a woman in love was more fun than expected.