episode_0017

[When n is an integer greater than 3, there are no integer solutions (x, y, z) that satisfy x^n + y^n = z^n.]

I write the formula largely, drawing attention.

Even the guy who was blatantly dozing off, and the guy who was diligently taking notes, seemed interested in the words “grade A guaranteed.”

Each and every one of them lifts their heads, which had been buried down, and stares at me with ardent eyes.

It would have been better if they had shown such passion from the beginning.

“In, Instructor-nim. Is that true? You’ll guarantee an A?”

“Of course. If you present an excellent solution, I’ll use my discretion to grant you conveniences until the next semester.”

“…Not bad.”

“The problem doesn’t seem that difficult either. If we do well, we can get free credits for a year, right?”

The students whisper with expectant voices.

Well, that would be a natural reaction. It’s incredibly difficult to get good grades at the academy.

Was it the motto of the first dean? Perhaps because it aims to be the best educational institution in the world, it is incredibly fair and thorough when it comes to education.

No matter how high your family’s status is, if you mess up the exam, your grades will plummet.

Of course, if you’re qualified to be a faculty member here, you’re an authority in your field, so bribery doesn’t work well.

‘Hypocritical culture. They barely accept commoners because of their status, yet they’re fair only in places like this.’

That’s why they’re so interested when I say I’ll guarantee an A. It’s a chance to raise their average GPA without any effort.

They might have hesitated if it was a difficult problem. But this was obviously very easy.

Anyone who has learned the definition of exponentiation and integers can understand it. It seems like it can be solved with a little thought, so they can’t help but be tempted.

‘Well, the reality is the complete opposite.’

Of course, if it were that easy, I wouldn’t have presented it as a problem in the first place.

That’s Fermat’s Last Theorem. Famous for the phrase “the margin is too small to write the proof.”

Of course, it can never be solved with the mathematics of this era.

It was only at the end of the 20th century that the world’s leading scholars barely found the answer after developing numerous theories.

In this era, they can’t even grasp a clue to the solution.

But what if a guy comes along and solves it?

…Then he’s not human. Or he’s an otherworlder like me. I should hire him as a tenured professor right away, not a student.

“I will accept submissions of answers starting after today’s class. Now, everyone, open your textbooks to page 45.”

Making them suffer by trying to solve a problem that can’t be solved is separate from education.

I started the lecture so I wouldn’t be criticized later for teaching poorly.

Even though I’m a disguised spy, I still have the pride and self-esteem of a former professor.

Like an educator, I’ll do my best to cram high-level knowledge into your heads.

* * * * *

“Hey, did you hear the news?”

“About the new finance instructor who just came in…”

It didn’t take long for rumors about Ismael, no, Instructor Raemis, to spread throughout the academy.

The academy seemed large, but it was surprisingly a small society.

When a new faculty member joins the ranks of only a few dozen instructors, it quickly becomes known.

“Is he handsome?”

“His looks are average. But I heard his teaching style is unique. He presents some simple problem and if you solve it…”

Normally, this would have been a light topic of conversation that would have quickly faded away.

Other than the students taking the course, people would slowly lose interest and just remember his name.

But this time, everyone’s attention was particularly high.

All thanks to the problem presented by Instructor Raemis.

“A year’s worth of credits with one quiz? What a steal!”

“No way, there’s no way he’d offer such favorable conditions. There must be a catch.”

“Math is the worst, so I don’t know if this is easy or difficult… Just looking at the numbers, it seems pretty simple.”

“I wonder if I can apply for an additional course during the semester?”

From an uninformed perspective, it looks too easy.

But the reward for solving it is incredibly huge.

From the perspective of students who are obsessed with studying, it’s an opportunity too good to ignore. Even from the perspective of students who don’t take the course.

“Do you want to try solving this together?”

“You and I aren’t taking the course, so what’s the point?”

“It looks fun. And if we find the answer, we can sell it to the other guys.”

Meetings of fools trying to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem were formed all over the academy.

Some out of interest, others seriously.

They began to devote their time and effort to trying to solve a problem that they could never solve on their own.

“I’m jealous of the kids taking the finance lecture. They get to see that woman assistant every week.”

“You pervert. Do you choose courses for reasons like that?”

“What’s wrong with that! You were ogling her as soon as you saw her!”

Meanwhile, there were also cases where people were interested in Raemis for other reasons. Mainly among the male students.

Students entering the academy are usually between 17 and 19 years old.

A time when they are full of youthful vigor.

What would be the element that makes youths, who are bursting with energy from their bodies, the most excited?

Of course, it’s the opposite sex, right?

And Instructor Raemis had an excellent assistant.

A wonderful assistant named Kalia, who objectively deserved the modifier of unsurpassed beauty.

“Where did the instructor meet someone like that?”

“Maybe he was researching and took her in as a student?”

“If that were the case, she wouldn’t have followed him to the academy.”

Eyes with a scarlet glow.

Long, shiny silver hair.

A firm body without a single ounce of fat and a chest so full it couldn’t fit in one hand.

How could they not be fascinated by a figure that seemed to embody the very essence of male eros?

It’s not just that she’s pretty. Kalia knew how to groom herself as much as necessary.

Her outfits were always a neat combination that matched her beauty, and the appropriately worn accessories further enhanced her charm.

How beautiful must she have been for the Third Prince of the Artium Empire to propose to her on the spot after seeing her?

Fortunately, he gave up easily when she refused.

“I can’t help it. I’ll have to go see her again during the break.”

“Good luck with that? There’s a ton of people gathering in the finance classroom these days.”

“If I hurry, there’ll still be a seat left.”

Thanks to this, the area around the finance lecture hall was always crowded these days.

Due to students gathering as if waiting for someone, or chatting, trying to watch Kalia through the window.

Even if they couldn’t stare directly through the window, they kept glancing sideways. Hoping that one day she would pay attention to them too.

“Those humans are putting on quite a show.”

Unfortunately, the person in question had no interest in the students at all.

* * * * *

“Isma, no, Mr. Raemis. Can’t we talk to the administrative office and change classrooms? To a corner with no windows.”

“I don’t think so. They wouldn’t agree to suddenly abandon a place that previous instructors have used well, would they?”

This is the academy’s personal dormitory for instructors.

Today, too, as soon as I finished work and got off work, Kalia complained to me.

Saying she’s annoyed that she’s been reduced to a spectacle.

“Still. Aren’t those guys studying? Why are they hanging around where other people are lecturing? I can’t work because I’m distracted.”

“Isn’t it because Kalia is too beautiful?”

“You won’t get anything for complimenting me.”

She says it curtly, but the corners of her lips are slightly raised, as if she’s secretly happy. What an honest lady.

She lies on the bed, wiggling her feet and sighing deeply, and that 모습 is quite cute.

“Let’s stop chatting and get back to our main job. How is the situation on the front lines currently?”

“It’s probably still in a state of tense balance.”

I’d like to keep playing around with our lady if I could, but our main job is spies.

Aside from the students’ education, we also have to pay attention to intelligence.

When I change the subject, Kalia’s eyes change and she sits up straight.

She takes out a stack of documents from the drawer, scans a few pages, and slowly explains to me.

“The Helvetian Republic, which drew troops to strike the Sacred Emperor, seemed to be pushed back for a while, but the front lines soon became fixed. Now that they’ve eliminated the instability in the rear, they’ll probably hold out for a long time.”

“Is the troop supply smooth?”

“Yes. It seems they’ve secured resources and manpower from that side by connecting to the southern part of the peninsula. Thanks to nationalism, volunteers are overflowing even without forced conscription.”

Let’s skip the Elaine Kingdom front, which is going back and forth. It seems that even the Helvetian front, where the national power gap was most severe, is maintaining stability.

I was worried that other participating countries would gradually get the nationalism buff and be pushed back.

“The effect of the theory of war you wrote and sent was also very effective.”

Instead, I received help from a book that I prepared before the 115 counterarguments.

That’s right, [On War].

“Oh. They took that seriously as a reference?”

“They say they’ve even adopted it as a military textbook.”

Are they offsetting the lack of power with the superiority of doctrine?

Well. On War is the essence of strategy and tactics that is still useful in the 21st century.

Total war, setting strategic priorities, distinguishing between tactical and strategic, etc.

It’s full of all sorts of useful concepts.

I even interpreted it and sent it, so if they properly internalized it, it would have been helpful.

It’s like everyone else is using Windows 98, and they’re the only ones who’ve introduced 10, so it would be wrong if they couldn’t fight.

“Then this time we need to increase the blood spilled.”

It seems like roughly all the countries that are going to get involved in the war have already participated. This time, I need to aim for increased damage.

Right through the philosophy of Thomas Hobbes, a great senior I respect.