Theory of Relativity (2)

In the world of magic, the academic world had two meanings. One was a community of people engaged in the mystery beyond academia called magic, and the other was a library system shared by magic towers across the continent.

The latter was a magical network that connected ideas from different places through a magic library resembling a central computer. Therefore, when a thesis was submitted, wizards from all over the continent could freely read, refute, and quote it. If the content of the thesis were proven, it would be copyrighted as a formal theory. Otherwise, it would be buried in the library.

"…It seems you've been too lazy all this time, Professor. Of course, we know it too. We know that the child, Epherene, was the daughter of your former assistant."

The head professor's office on the 77th floor was receiving a lot of guests today.

"But because of that, you have tolerated and allowed too many things. This thesis has crossed the line, and there is no room for mercy or tolerance."

Not only Relin, who was chatting in a serious tone right now, but also Ihelm, who came to see him, and Louina were also present here.

"Epherene lacks the qualifications and talent to become your disciple or even Yukline's disciple. Now you have to make a decision-"

"Let's hold a personnel committee."

I shut Relin's mouth first. Personnel Committee. Epherene had already been through a disciplinary committee when she was an undergraduate, but a personnel committee was more than that. It required the consent of not only the faculty involved but also the chairman and the directors.

"A… personnel committee?"

Even Relin, who insisted on a tough response, swallowed. Louina's eyes widened, and Ihelm grinned.

"What are you so surprised about? Competition between students and teachers is also common here. But will you be okay? Head Professor?"

"I have no interest in someone who submitted a thesis like this."

I tapped Epherene's thesis.

"Let's determine the level of punishment by listening to the subject's attitude and arguments."

Then I beckoned lightly to gesture that I would keep silent about anything more than that, and thanks to the mention of the personnel committee, the other professors understood immediately. It's understandable, still, a personnel committee, she's a commoner in the first place… they murmured things like that and left.

"Um, Professor Deculein. A personnel committee for a girl who's submitting a thesis for the first time-"

"Leave."

Louina was the only one who tried to defend her, but I adamantly cut her off. She glanced at me one more time and walked out.

"…"

My office was finally quiet. I took up Epherene's thesis. As a magician seeking magic— I read it from the first page with that sentence.

"…Hmm."

It was surprising. The content was blasphemous, but the logic wasn't bad. There were no radical statements as if to display she accepted my advice, and the core message was that science and magic were equal. The conclusion that she made, suppressing her pride, was that if science and magic worked together, or if science supported magic as an equal, they could coexist and develop together. It was an acceptable result if viewed without prejudice.

"It's not enough."

However, it wouldn't be enough to convince the wealthy island or the nobles, including me, who were obsessed with venerating mana as a mystery. No matter how perfect the thesis was, it would be impossible. A change would be possible only after Epherene became an Archmage.

Knock, knock-

I looked behind me to the window.

-Hehe.

Outside the window on the 77th floor stood a child smiling brightly. Lia.

Our eyes met, and she passed through the window. Her body was elementalized, passing through the glass as if it had no mass. I put down the thesis.

"Why are you here?"

"Oh~, you know the thing you said back then."

Lia sat down in front of me.

"You said you were going to teach me. I was wondering… if that offer still stands."

"…"

I looked at Lia in silence. She stared back at me with her hands crossed over her lap.

"…"

"…"

I began reading Epherene's thesis again, and Lia smacked her lips as she watched.

"…I've been around the outskirts of the continent."

She opened her mouth first. I quietly raised an eyebrow.

"A lot of places, even Annihilation's temple, and the Altar's home. There is no place on this continent that I haven't adventured. I've been through a lot of things too. I also raided very dangerous dungeons. Together with the Red Garnet Adventurers, we also protected several villages."

I leaned back and listened.

"I have a lot of wounds to show for it. This part that looks like I burned my collarbone here was a bullet, this scar left on my cheek here is from a knife, and the red spot on this side here came from a harpoon…"

She suddenly started showing me her scars.

"Also, this left arm was cut off once, but it was put back on in time and was reattached. Fortunately, we found a harmony class wizard not far away, so I survived. But the cost of treatment was huge. Was it 20,000 Elnes? It's cheap, considering."

Lia laughed softly. Then she raised her right hand with a slightly sorrowed look on her face.

"But I couldn't attach this right hand in time… so it's a doll prosthetic."

I looked at her as she clenched and opened that little hand repeatedly.

"Don't you have parents?"

"…Huh?"

Lia frowned, then pouted.

"…No. I was born and raised on an island."

I was perplexed. It was the same for her recklessness, but her personality was also very similar. She always endured until her insides exploded yet still showed a positive attitude like nothing in the world was wrong.

"Anyway. I'm telling you this, thinking that… if you teach me and I learn from you, wouldn't it be right for you to know a little more about me?"

That was Lia's introduction. The content just didn't match her age.

I nodded.

"You will go to work at the Yukline mansion from tomorrow on. I'll give you a new right hand, too; I know a good puppeteer."

"Oh. Really? But I don't have that much money."

"The last revelation you gave me has been and will continue to be of great help to our interpretation of the divine language."

It was only one sentence, but it was important since it was the last bit of the divine language and its interpretation. My Understanding could dig into tremendous depths based on that alone.

"It means you don't need to pay."

"…Yes."

"Now, go."

"Yes!"

Lia jumped up and was about to leave but turned around again, clutching the doorknob.

"But you know, is the personnel committee such a big punishment?"

"We have to decide what kind of punishment she will receive, but it is possible she will be fired."

"…"

Lia's face was instantly colored with worry. When did Epherene become so close with this kid? I shook my head.

"It is a blasphemous thesis that could make her the enemy of all wizards. If you are an adult, you should be able to handle what you have done on your own."

The connection between magic and science. The wizards of this age would treat it like apostasy, but Epherene would be able to endure it. She would survive, eventually becoming the most revered Archmage.

"…Yes. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

* * *

…Cackle-Quack-

This was the blue island where the geese chirped, and the clear sea lapped at the sands. Away from the continent, this was once the center of the Voice. It was now beautiful, though occasionally creepy sounds could be heard at night. Adventurers stayed and explored Sylvia's Island.

"Stupid Epherene…"

Among the island's buildings was the so-called Sylvia's Lighthouse, overlooking it all. Sylvia, the island's owner, muttered and bit her lip. She held a stack of documents, Epherene's thesis, in hand.

"What's the matter~? As you requested, I brought all the new papers published in academia."

Ganesha asked with interest. Sylvia shook her head.

"This is a bad thesis. Too disrespectful."

The connection between science and magic, and looking into mana scientifically. Even Sylvia couldn't help but feel an automatic rejection of that unconventional approach.

"Hmm~. More importantly, is the Voice recovery still in progress?"

Of course, Ganesha had no interest in a magic thesis or anything of the like. The Red Garnet Adventure Team was focusing only on Sylvia now. If their work were successful, they would receive a huge reward from Sylvia and the Iliade family.

"It's in progress."

"Huhn, what a shame~. But if the continent is destroyed, you could make a new world here~."

Ganesha placed her hand on the railing of the lighthouse. Leo and Carlos were down below fighting the scarecrow that Sylvia made, while Dozmura and Reylie were resting in a hammock.

"This is the power of complete creation, right~? I'm here to work, but I think I'm on vacation."

"…"

Sylvia turned quietly and laid down Epherene's thesis.

"I guess the thief hasn't been caught yet."

"Oh~, yes. We can't catch them."

Last week, there was a thief on the island. Someone stole a painting that Sylvia had painted and a mana stone that contained the Voice's power.

"Will it be that bad if we don't catch him? Is it that important?"

"It's not that, but…."

Sylvia pouted, pushing out her lips. The Voice's mana stone didn't matter, but Deculein's portrait was the problem.

"Anyway. It will take six months at the most."

"Six months~? That's faster than expected."

"Yes."

After six months, the Voice recovery would be completed, and Sylvia could leave the island.

"Not long left…"

With a little more effort, she could meet Deculein. She could be his strength and by his side. And…

"Stupid Epherene."

She could even slap the head of that stupid girl.

"The connection between magic and science. Ridiculous."

Aside from Epherene's bold ideas, Sylvia knew the Floating Island well. She had experienced the cold, cruel, and stringent stalking those crazy bastards could inflict.

"…The Floating Island might be after you."

Sylvia gripped the railing as she muttered with worry.

* * *

Late night, at an annex in the Yukline mansion. I looked over the Snowflake Obsidian in my newly renovated magic training and scientific research laboratory. The room around me was tidy and had a certain modern feel.

—Whoong!

The blue and white crystal floated and resonated above the palm of my hand. I was thinking about how to reinforce it.

[Understanding: 99%]

99% understanding. My understanding of the Snowflake Obsidian was now reaching the stage of completion. However, this alone wasn't enough. To be precise, I learned one way to become stronger. I came to realize it while understanding Decalane's [Artifact Magic Science].

"Demon Spirit Core."

The most basic principle was to put the core in the Snowflake Obsidian. But to do that, I needed a real heart. A heart that could become the nucleus of this core, suited to it and capable of withstanding its power.

"…"

And I didn't have to go far to obtain it because it was in my body right now.

"If I use the heart of Yukline."

The heart of Yukline was tougher and harder than any other organ in the world, and more than anything else, it suited this demonic core. If I connected the Snowflake Obsidian to my heart, by uniting it and making it part of the Snowflake Obsidian…

"…At least several times stronger."

I muttered a little. As a result of my calculation, the overall spec increase would be at least double the current level. Even this wasn't just a matter of combat power, though. As a wizard, it was about overall specs.

The Snowflake Obsidian's energy would be in my mana, and my physical abilities would be amplified accordingly.

"The problem is overload."

That was the only downside… then, there was no reason to hesitate.

Gwoooh-

I tightened my hand around the Snowflake Obsidian to begin.

"Brother."

A cold wind blew through the open door, and I looked back.

"…Isn't it dangerous?"

It was Yeriel, watching me with worry in her eyes. I answered briefly.

"I calculated everything."

"Then I will help you."

Saying that Yeriel took a step forward. At that moment, I belatedly checked the book in her arms: Decalane's [Artifact Magic Science].

"…I can do this too, you know? An assistant is essential for magic research."

I pondered for a moment at Yeriel's insistence, but then I saw her trembling hands. Reluctantly, I nodded.

"But only as I tell you-"

"What the, I said I can do it."

As soon as I allowed it, she looked elated. I pushed aside my regret…

I should've just kicked her out.

"Why do you ask me to do as you say every time? You think I'm a puppet."

"…"

It was my fault for being deceived by the word 'brother'…