Episode 406. Academic Conference Paper Presentation (3)

Before the presentation began.

I exchanged greetings with the magicians the conference chairman introduced me to.

They were all incredible high-ranking magicians, so it wouldn’t hurt to get to know them.

Besides, if it’s Arthur’s connections, there shouldn’t be any strange people.

“This is Douglas. He looks like a Viking, but he’s a gentle guy who couldn’t even kill a mosquito.”

“Wow. So you’re the genius magician Lee Hoyeon!”

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you. I am Lee Hoyeon.”

Douglas, the bushy-bearded magician.

Even though he looked quite old, he appeared full of energy.

Besides this, I spent time diligently building connections with several others.

“This is tiring…”

Scurrying around the presentation hall, I sat next to Im Sol and the conference chairman to catch my breath.

Trying to schmooze with all these guys is damn tiring.

There wasn’t a female magician as pretty as Im Sol.

There was just one other woman, but she was around the conference chairman’s age, so I didn’t try to get friendly with her.

Smiling, I spoke to Arthur, who was sitting nearby.

“The Magician’s Conference seems like a really big event. There are so many famous people here.”

“Naturally. Because I’ve expanded the stage considerably.”

“Aha….”

The surrounding magicians were also gathered in groups, chatting amongst themselves.

Since it was time for some light socializing before the presentations began, everyone was working hard to build connections.

‘It’s quiet over here.’

If it weren’t for the magicians the conference chairman introduced me to, I would have just sat quietly.

Unfortunately, the old guard running the conference didn’t like Im Sol.

The funny thing is, they kept glancing over here even though they couldn’t approach.

The attention focused on Im Sol and me was almost overwhelming.

It must be because of the expectations the conference chairman built up.

“It’s almost time. I need to head over to the judges’ area.”

“Goodbye, Mister.”

“Please do a good job with the judging, Chairman.”

“Hoho. And I ask you for a good presentation.”

Thump, thump-

Arthur smiled and disappeared beyond the presentation hall.

That guy really does have a friendly impression.

I immediately sat down next to Im Sol and said,

“Professor. About when is the presentation starting?”

“Since Mister left, it’ll start right away.”

I’m tired of socializing with the men now.

I just wish the presentation would start soon.

“Hello. Magician Im Sol.”

Just then, a group of magicians approached.

A man exuding a hostile atmosphere, even while wearing a friendly smile.

Im Sol and I looked at the man who had suddenly approached.

‘Aiden?’

Why the hell did this bastard show up again?

Unlike the other magicians who were watching their surroundings and hesitant to speak, he approached directly, so he definitely seemed to have some standing at the conference.

Aiden approached our table and spoke to Im Sol,

“Magician Im Sol. I’m looking forward to this presentation too.”

“Thank you.”

“….”

Im Sol replied without even looking at Aiden, seeming annoyed.

But Aiden continued speaking, unbothered.

“And… I’m looking forward to Cadet Lee Hoyeon’s presentation too. To be the finale right after your debut, the chairman’s eye for talent is truly exceptional.”

“Indeed.”

I wondered why he came, but it seems he intends to put pressure on me, the finale of the presentations.

Is that really so important?

“As it’s decorating the finale of the Magician’s Conference, it seems incredible magic is expected. Though that’s unlikely… if by chance cadet-level magic were to appear, everyone would be disappointed.”

Aiden smirked slyly and raised his voice so the surroundings could hear.

He seemed to be trying to speak to the other magicians, not to me.

If he’s going to build up the anticipation like that, that’s great for me, right?

“Yes. I am preparing some not-bad magic. By the way, I heard Magician Aiden also prepared something incredible.”

“The rumor has already spread that far.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it too, Magician Aiden.”

I looked at Aiden, wearing a confident smile.

Seeing my attitude, a slight look of discomfort flashed across Aiden’s face.

• In a moment, the magicians’ paper presentations will begin. Presenters, please prepare.

“I look forward to a good presentation. Well then.”

Aiden seemed about to say something, but hearing that the presentation was starting soon, he led his followers back to their seats.

I said to Im Sol, who was watching Aiden’s retreating back,

“There are so many annoying people, Professor.”

“If he had said one more word, I would have cast a magic circle. Lucky for him.”

“… Don’t say scary things like that.”

• Ah. I’d like to thank everyone who has graced the Magician’s Conference. First, the introduction of the judges…

Finally, the awaited time had come.

After the tedious introduction of the judges, the chairman’s congratulatory speech, and the introduction of the invited magicians, the first presentation began.

“This is proving the Miranteos Hypothesis…”

I was curious about the criteria for determining the presentation order, and it seemed they were presenting starting from the ones with lower research difficulty.

That makes sense; if something incredible comes out early on, the focus would drop for those presenting later.

‘So this is why Aiden freaked out.’

He didn’t like the fact that I was ranked after him.

But what could I do?

I have incredible connections, like the conference chairman.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“No. I’m fine.”

I smiled, looking at Im Sol giving me a worried look.

“You just need to stay calm, even if strange questions come up.”

“Don’t worry. I received a lot of encouragement in bed last night.”

“….”

Smack-

Im Sol frowned, hit the back of my hand, and turned her head away.

I laughed at her reaction and watched the presentation.

“Still, the quality isn’t bad.”

“They’re people who dedicated their lives to magic, after all.”

We chatted casually while watching the presentations.

Although they were decent presentations, I noticed many parts that needed correction.

“That one needs correction. The mana distribution is too wasteful.”

“The calculation itself is wrong. They need to use a lighter medium.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Giving advice to others is actually fun.

We enjoyed the conference by critiquing the magicians’ presentations.

Since it was the last turn, it was convenient because I could watch others present.

• The next presentation will be by Magician Aiden.

And finally, it was Aiden’s turn.

Aiden stood up from his seat and walked to the stage with a triumphant expression.

“I am Magician Aiden Miller. From now on, I will present my magic developed for combat against magicians: Domain Expansion.”

Bzzzz-

Aiden began drawing a magic circle with his hands.

Soon, shining mana enveloping his body created a thin film, which gradually expanded until it was large enough to fill the stage.

The shimmering mana, like looking through water, displayed a rather fascinating form.

“Hmm?”

It was magic that even piqued the interest of Im Sol, who was watching from the side.

• What is it? The mana has become dense only in that space.

• It’s not just that. Aiden’s presence seems to have become stronger.

Crackle- Whoosh-

Soon, the followers who had come up with Aiden cast their magic.

They were simple but powerful spells like Fireball, Ice Arrow, and Wind Cutter.

The target was Aiden’s domain.

Everyone quietly watched his presentation.

“Launch them.”

Following Aiden’s words, the followers fired their magic.

BOOM- CRACKLE-

The magic, fired with the momentum to devour everything, soon entered Aiden’s domain and, as if by agreement, began to slow down.

• What the?! The magic’s speed slowed down. Did the caster manipulate it?

• No, Aiden is controlling the mana of the magic that entered the domain.

• Such an unbelievable thing…

• It’s the discovery of the century. This is a revolution in combat between magicians!

The other magicians started murmuring amongst themselves.

It was an effect befitting the name “magic developed to counter magicians.”

Interfering with an opponent’s mana without reverse calculation was an incredibly difficult task.

I nodded and looked at Im Sol beside me.

“Professor. What do you think?”

“It’s novel. There seem to be many areas for improvement, but… the speed of the analysis is abnormally fast.”

“And compared to me?”

“Hmm… Well. It might be similar to yours. Perhaps if it’s perfected, it could be faster than yours?”

Im Sol tilted her head and answered honestly.

If even our Professor, a genius magician, evaluates it like that, it’s definitely decent magic.

‘Exactly as I expected.’

Of course, it was just as I predicted.

Even though it was called Domain Expansion, I wondered if it might be more, but it didn’t show anything beyond what I expected.

I watched Aiden finish his presentation.

He was bowing with a relieved expression, and seeing his face, I felt like I was about to burst out laughing.

‘Let’s see how long that smile lasts.’

• The next presentation is a joint one by Magician Im Sol and Cadet Lee Hoyeon. Please come up to the stage.

“Let’s go, Professor.”

“Okay.”

Coincidentally, our turn was right after Aiden’s.

We stood up and went onto the stage.

• To be the last turn right after debuting, this is quite the special treatment.

• Can that young man prove himself?

• Why right after Aiden? Tut tut.

I chuckled wryly at the comments I heard around me.

I’ve done quite a lot, but as expected, people outside the academy are unaware.

I must prove myself definitively this time.

Im Sol, seemingly accustomed to such scrutiny, began the presentation nonchalantly.

“I am Im Sol. From now on, I will prove the Monodromy Hypothesis and the Goldbach Conjecture.”

Im Sol continued the presentation smoothly.

I don’t know when she prepared this, but she was explaining unsolved conjectures as a warm-up before the main presentation.

Indeed, our Professor is the hope of the Magician’s Conference.

• Incredible… Did she finally solve the Millennium Problems?

• Moreover, it’s so perfect. There’s absolutely nothing to point out.

Even the magicians who were praising Aiden until just now listened intently to Im Sol’s presentation.

Meanwhile, I quietly watched Im Sol from behind.

This wasn’t something I prepared, after all.

“That concludes the proof of the Monodromy Hypothesis and the Goldbach Conjecture.”

As soon as Im Sol’s proof concluded, the magicians’ admiration ensued.

There was nothing to criticize, so they had no choice but to acknowledge it.

• The genius magician Im Sol lives up to her name.

• I have to admit, at least her abilities…

However, not all the comments were positive.

• It’s certainly amazing. It definitely is, but… something feels lacking?

• It’s just the usual Im Sol. The chairman said this time would be truly amazing…

These were the reactions of the high-ranking magicians who had known Im Sol for a long time.

I lowered the corners of my mouth that were trying to rise and maintained my expression.

They were impressed just by this, so how surprised will they be when the real thing comes?

“Next, I will begin the presentation on the core principles of magic.”

Im Sol immediately drew a magic circle in the air.

Blue, shining mana, meant to be shown to others, drew three magic circles, and soon three flames appeared in the air.

• What is that? Summoning three Fireballs, what are they trying to do?

• Hey. Look at the shape of the flames.

• Wait a moment. The shapes are clearly different.

The three Fireballs summoned by Im Sol clearly had distinct characteristics.

One was sharp like an arrow, another looked like a blazing campfire. The remaining one was condensed into a small form, appearing like a completely different spell.

• They drew the same magic circle, but got different results? What’s the principle?

• Didn’t they add additional principles?

• No. I confirmed it for sure. The three magic circles were the same shape.

While the magicians sitting in the hall were falling into confusion.

Im Sol continued speaking with an unfazed expression.

“Until now, magic was a realm of thorough calculation. However, all magic can contain the caster’s will. That is the core principle discovered by Im Sol and Lee Hoyeon.”

As the presentation continued, the inside of the hall began to stir.

Magic was a discipline fixated on formulas and laws, requiring a perfect amount of mana, a perfect magic circle, and precise mana control.

But Im Sol’s presentation was shattering the very foundation that magic had relied upon until now, so of course, the hall stirred.

While a huge backlash would have been natural in this situation, Im Sol began explaining the theory behind the core principle before the magicians could react.

The theory we had checked together was so perfect that even the magicians who were about to raise questions gradually focused on Im Sol’s explanation.

‘As expected, our Sol is the best.’

And I was standing behind Im Sol, reaping the benefits.

Since our Sol was handling the presentation perfectly, there was no room for me to intervene.

Im Sol was explaining it in a way that anyone with a basic knowledge of magic could understand.

Seeing Im Sol, who possesses such genius talent, explain it like this must have been incredibly difficult, no matter how I look at it. It must be the result of immense effort.

‘I should praise her again later.’

I nodded and watched Im Sol’s presentation.