Aslan Seminar (5)

After Eisel finished her presentation and stepped down from the podium, a small commotion arose.

"A unique magic circle..."

"This is a revolution in magic!"

"If one aligns the form with the inherent patterns of attributes in the magic circle and revamps it, without a doubt, the level of magic will advance several steps."

As there were many magic scholars and warriors present at the Aslan Seminar, they directly analyzed exceptional magical abilities of geniuses. They knew well the remarkable value of the thesis presented by Eisel.

Thanks to this, those attendees who had needlessly criticized Eisel earlier could only blush in embarrassment.

The commotion didn't settle for a while.

The moderator and the conference chairman didn't intervene.

Since such remarkable magic had been presented, it was only proper to allow them a bit of excited chatter time.

Hong Bi-Yeon didn't quite fancy this atmosphere, so she slipped away from her seat.

Since the Aslan Seminar didn't have designated break times, it was a common practice to utilize the brief gaps between presenters as a break time.

The commotion would likely take around thirty minutes, so she decided to step out and grab a quick coffee.

"Hey, you don't seem too well today. What's wrong?"

"... Thank you."

"No, the issue isn't about being thankful..."

While walking quietly along the corridor, a familiar voice could be heard in the distance.

Peeking around the corner, she found Eisel leaning against the wall and Baek Yu-Seol calming her down.

'What's going on?'

Hong Bi-Yeon hid behind the corner and discreetly eavesdropped on their conversation.

"It's just... I had to spend a lot of mana and mental strength before."

"What happened?"

Eisel hesitated and looked at Baek Yu-Seol.

'The story about accessing the 'Star Archive'... should probably remain a secret for now. After all, delving into someone else's past without permission...'

Moreover, Principal Eltman mentioned that ordinary people were unlikely to understand the term 'Star Archive.'

Unless one belonged to the Twelve Disciples' lineage or possessed abilities related to the Star Archive, it was better not to talk about it as it might not be comprehensible to most.

"... I can't talk about it. Anyway, my mana recovered quickly after just one night in the hospital, but it seems my mental strength didn't bounce back as fast."

Mana recovered well after a good night's sleep, but the issue lay with the mental strength.

Mental strength was a significant factor for magic warriors. In any situation, they must calmly think of the numbers and form the magic spell, which was quite challenging with low mental strength.

Baek Yu-Seol was confident that Eisel had a high level of mental strength, so he thought she wouldn't have any problem with the presentation and debate this time...

He would never have imagined that the aftermath of that incident would still linger.

"Well, it's a relief that you're okay."

"Yes. I'm really grateful for today."

"Yeah. Buy me a meal sometime."

"Sure. I'll take my leave now."

As Eisel briskly tidied up and rose to leave, Baek Yu-Seol also disappeared in the opposite direction.

'Hmm... if it's something that requires mana and mental strength... then it couldn't have been...?'

While Hong Bi-Yeon was speculating something based on Eisel's words, a familiar woman's voice echoed from behind.

"Oh my, little sister! What are you doing here? Hmm? Enjoying the view?"

The first princess of Adolveit and a rival to Hong Bi-Yeon.

It was Princess Hong Si-hwa.

Intentionally, she turned around the corner of the hallway, and deliberately made a loud and cheerful sound.

She might have been thinking of picking on Hong Bi-Yeon, who was secretly spying, but unfortunately, the people involved had already left.

"Ugh, how boring."

"...."

Ignoring her, as Hong Bi-Yeon tried to turn away, Hong Si-hwa suddenly jumped up, blocking her way.

"Sister! Why are you so mean~"

"Get to the point."

"Just curious~"

Fluttering like a butterfly, Hong Si-hwa spoke as if she was trying to appease Hong Bi-Yeon, who was standing still.

"Is our sister's first Aslan going well? I wonder if your thesis preparation is going well?"

"By any chance, you haven't finished your thesis yet? Surely not! Adolveit's princess wouldn't do that!"

"Is that all you have to say?"

"No?"

Leaning in closer, Hong Si-hwa spoke with a slightly dry voice.

"No matter what... you don't want to face embarrassment in your first Aslan, do you, little sister? If you're desperate... How about getting a little help from your older sister? Since you're my little sister, I could help with one thesis, right? Hmm?"

Was that the purpose?

Hong Bi-Yeon felt somewhat disappointed and let out a hollow laugh.

She thought that the reason behind the deliberate destruction of the thesis was to diminish her value as a rival. After all, it would completely break her during the Aslan seminar...

'Seems like they're trying to turn me into a puppet.'

Well, maybe that would be better.

There were still three years left until the succession to the throne, and if the rivalry ended prematurely, there wouldn't be a 'dramatic succession to the throne.'

After secretly subjugating the second princess Hong Bi-Yeon while maintaining the facade of a rival… That's when everyone's attention would be centered.

Ta-da, eventually, the first princess would ascend the throne!

Absolutely perfect.

She was truly a wicked schemer.

She plotted a perfect masquerade even with showmanship included.

Truly wicked indeed.

Hong Bi-Yeon smirked subtly and said, "I have no intention of receiving a magic thesis that's inferior to mine, so I'll pass on such unnecessary kindness."

At that, Hong Si-hwa grinned.

"Hmm...? Are you allowed to keep saying such things till the last moment? You might regret being so arrogant later."

"Think whatever you want."

After saying that, she coolly left.

"Hmm...?"

Hong Si-hwa appeared to be unable to comprehend her reaction.

——-

The turns swiftly passed, and numerous magic students and warriors presented their thesis.

The thesis were so remarkable that it was difficult to relate them with teens in their 10s or 20s.

The magic presented by Eisel was so spectacular that it couldn't help but make everything else seem relatively shabby.

Sending out the youngest daughter of the Morph family as the first batter just for show ended up causing damage to everyone involved.

"Ugh... I ruined it..."

Even though Hong Bi-Yeon had prepared for this day for years, she couldn't help but feel nervous as she watched a young mage in his twenties lamenting his failure due to the order of appearance.

Finally, her turn arrived.

The thought of standing in front of the stage didn't scare her.

However, revealing a spell she personally crafted for the first time in her life made Hong Bi-Yeon tense.

"The next in line is Hong Bi-Yeon Adolveit, a first-year student at the Stella Academy."

Since she was there as a mage, she was not addressed as a princess.

So, she was rather satisfied.

She would destroy Hong Si-hwa, who was confidently staring at her with a wide grin, and that too, with her own power.

"Then, please begin your presentation."

Without any elaborate introduction, Hong Bi-Yeon showcased her magic first.

"Flare!"

As two red flames appeared in the air, people became curious. They soon realized that it was just an ordinary fire, prompting them to express puzzled expressions.

"Isn't that just a Class 1 spell, 'Flare'? Why basic magic?"

"Hmm?"

Now expecting some lengthy explanation, the mages crossed their arms.

Baek Yu-Seol assumed a neutral stance.

However, Hong Bi-Yeon had no intention to elaborate in detail.

She pointed at one of the two flames floating in the air and said, "This is the conventional Flare Magic."

Fwoosh! Bang!

As she directed the flame towards the Anti-Magic Barrier at the center of the stage, a huge spark sprang forth and instantly vanished.

"And this is the new Flare."

She calmly flicked the other flame just like before.

Boom! Thud!!

A heavy resonating explosion echoed.

"What, what's that?"

"That's supposed to be a Flare...?"

Immediately, some mages stood up from their seats, and adjusted their specs.

Of course, not everyone understood.

In fact, only a handful of specialized flame magic analysts barely comprehended the spectacle.

"Why are they so surprised?"

"Isn't it just a matter of putting in a bit more mana?"

"… No, it's not."

Watching Hong Bi-Yeon's magic silently, Cheong Param tilted his head and spoke, "She used the same amount of mana, and employed the same modifiers. In other words, exactly the same magic."

So... she just added one additional special element which significantly amplified its explosive power."

"What...?"

"Just by changing one thing, the destructive force became so different?"

The mana usage between the first and second spells was identical. However, upon hitting the experimental Anti-Magic Barrier, the first spell extinguished like a candle amidst a storm, while the second spell showcased an explosive power on par with a Class 2 or Class 3 spell.

"Does that... make sense?"

The muttered words of a student echoed the collective doubt in the room.

And this atmosphere was exactly what Hong Bi-Yeon wanted.

After Eisel's initial presentation, the heightened atmosphere failed to satisfy anyone thereafter.

'But my magic is different.'

She dared to boast that her content could rival Eisel's groundbreaking thesis on imbuing original forms of attributes into the magic circle itself.

Just as doubts began to surface about the magic, Hong Bi-Yeon began her explanation of this spell very slowly.

"Throughout history, humans have strived to control fire, ultimately shaping flames into forms they desired."

"These shapes are truly diverse—flame arrows, spears, crosses, shields, hammers, and countless others... The list is practically endless. But all these forms are fake. Today... I will show you the true form of fire."

——-

"Wow...?"

Hong Si-hwa opened her eyes wide as Hong Bi-Yeon began presenting something groundbreaking in magic.

"What is that...?"

She was familiar with the original thesis prepared by Hong Bi-Yeon.

As it was the case with the other families who regularly attended the Aslan Seminars, including the Twelve Disciples' family, the thesis by Hong Bi-Yeon was just a patchwork of exceptional scholars brought in from various places.

It was a kind of convention: 'You do it, I do it, let's pretend we don't know each other.'

However, Hong Si-hwa intended to touch upon that aspect sensitively. After all, she had attended the Aslan Seminar consistently for a decade, displayed her excellence, and then retired.

Wasn't there no need to fuss about it anymore?

Moreover, if Hong Bi-Yeon fell for the bait, she could easily have her completely under her control without making a fuss about it.

But.

Her younger sister Hong Bi-Yeon didn't take the bait. Instead, she appeared extremely confident.

That couldn't possibly be the case.

'Mm, it's quite impressive.'

Even with her negative thoughts, she found herself strangely captivated by Hong Bi-Yeon's fireworks show.

If Eisel's magic was cold and artistically beautiful, then Hong Bi-Yeon's magic had an explosive charm which could ignite a fire in people's hearts.

It was admirable to have prepared a thesis of that level and presented it.

Even Hong Si-hwa felt compelled to stand up and applaud right then and there.

'But then again, if that's really your magic.'

Hong Si-hwa smiled bitterly.

She knew her younger sister's worst flaw was her lack of creativity.

That was probably why she seemed to have been simultaneously training and exploring creativity recently, but...

Even so, how could she prepare such diverse magic in such a short time?

It was unbelievable.

"Therefore, if you maintain the natural form of the flames…"

Hong Bi-Yeon's presentation was reaching its climax, and the expressions of the spectators were filled with excitement.

What was even more astonishing was that unlike before, no one took advantage of the 'intellectual opportunity'; they were just mesmerized, and listened intently.

The second revolutionary magic had already appeared at the Aslan Seminar.

This momentum was undoubtedly greater than

Hong Si-hwa's first presentation.

It touched a different realm.

But it was alright.

This kind of atmosphere was also a great stage for Hong Si-hwa.

When that momentum reached its peak.

That would be the perfect moment to completely take down Hong Bi-Yeon.

"I'll conclude the presentation..."

Just as Hong Bi-Yeon was about to successfully wrap up her presentation.

Beep!

Hong Si-hwa pressed the button to utilize the 'intellectual opportunity.'

"... I have a question for you."

As she spoke, the hall fell silent.

It was obvious that the one using the intellectual opportunity was none other than Hong Si-hwa, the rival contending with Hong Bi-Yeon for the throne.

The atmosphere became strange.

"For student Hong Bi-Yeon?"

"... Yes."

Hong Si-hwa's usual lively and cheerful demeanor was gone. Sporting a bright smile, she gracefully opened her mouth.

"I heard news that your previous thesis was omitted. Perhaps... it was merely a patchwork of other professors' thesis put together hastily, wasn't it?"

As she directed questions towards the thesis evaluation and review committee, some members nodded.

They were under Hong Si-hwa's influence.

"So, it's a question."

She inquired, "Is that magic... really yours?"

The build-up was over.

From now on, she would just watch quietly as Hong Bi-Yeon scrambled and fell apart.

'Well, what are you going to do now, little sister?'

Thinking this, she locked eyes with Hong Bi-Yeon, and...

Huh?

For some reason, contrary to her expectations, she found Hong Bi-Yeon looking back at her with a playful smile.