Academy’s Genius Mage

Finally, the long-awaited moment had arrived.

Ian straightened his collar as he stood up and walked to the witness stand prepared up front.

“Hehe~ You’re aspiring to join the Major in Spirit Magic, aren’t you?”

Professor Elena approached with a bright smile.

Ian returned the smile and nodded slightly.

“I’m not sure which spirit you resonate with, but there’s definitely a natural energy about you. Something tranquil yet brimming with vitality… could it be water?”

“I am not a spirit mage, and I’m aspiring towards Major in Theoretical Magic.”

“What! You’re aiming for the Major in Theoretical Magic?”

“Professor Elena, this is not a salon. Please refrain from personal conversations.”

It seemed that Dean Jessica was indeed quite intimidating. Professor Elena pouted slightly and stepped back.

Ian clasped his hands in front and stood neatly.

Dean Jessica questioned him earnestly.

“According to Ophelia, you prepared the report. Is that true?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Did you intend to assist Ophelia from the start?”

“I had no intention of actively helping. Rather, I became intrigued by the disharmony Ophelia was experiencing, and through exploring that issue, a solution emerged.”

Ian began to defend Ophelia while maintaining an appropriate distance.

Dean Jessica, casting another sharp look at Professor Frost, turned to question Ian again.

“Is the report prepared now?”

“Yes.”

“Given the importance of this matter, I will thoroughly review it here and then make a decision. Ian Oracle, please submit the report.”

Ian retrieved a bundle of documents from his possession and handed it to a knight, who then delivered it to Dean Jessica.

“Hmm…”

Dean Jessica’s speed-reading was impressive. She finished the 20-page report in less than five minutes.

“So Ophelia attempted to integrate her specialty in flame magic with the power of a water spirit to resolve the disharmony issue?”

“Yes, it can be demonstrated here.”

The sternness in Dean Jessica’s gaze softened somewhat.

“Ian Oracle.”

“Yes, dean.”

“To my knowledge, you should be unable to sense the forces of nature. Was I mistaken? According to this report, you can communicate with spirits.”

“It is true that I can communicate. However, there’s a bit of a story to it. It’s an issue unrelated to this matter, and if given a chance, I will explain it separately.”

“Understood. Now, Professor Elena.”

“Yes!”

“You mentioned earlier that you could prove magical overflow. How exactly would you prove it?”

“The method is simple. Just have a conversation with the spirit!”

A straightforward yet definitive approach.

Dean Jessica nodded and consulted the surrounding professors for their opinions.

“It seems like a reliable method. If Professor Elena conducts it, an accurate answer will be provided.”

“We trust she can offer an impartial judgment as she has no special relation with the Marquis of Drias.”

“I agree.”

The other professors also concurred.

Even for a high-ranking mage, conversing with spirits wasn’t easy. Unless the spirit manifested, all one could do was sense its presence.

In other words, officially, Professor Elena was the only one capable of having an in-depth conversation with a spirit at this moment.

Dean Jessica gestured towards Professor Elena.

“Proceed with the evidence now.”

“Yes! Now~ Miss Ophelia, don’t be too scared. Can you summon your cute and adorable spirit?”

On Ophelia’s shoulder, Undine made an appearance.

Upon revealing its form, Undine was admired by a few students for its beauty, though the professors observed the scene impassively.

Professor Elena waved her hand cheerfully to greet.

“Hello? Undine. I’m Elena!”

“Nice to meet you, ms. Elena. There’s a very familiar aura about you,” he said.

“Yeah. My friends are with me!” she replied.

A clearing of the throat was heard behind them. When Jessica urged her, Elena continued her question with a gloomy expression.

“Could you tell me what has happened so far?”

“Of course.”

Since Undine had used materialization, everyone could hear the spirit’s voice.

The story spanning over ten years, from the first time they encountered Ophelia until now, was condensed into a narrative.

Undine, with a calm demeanor, unraveled the tale in a way everyone could empathize with. Of the four elemental spirits, Undine possessed the power to evoke emotions.

“Hmm… So that’s how it was. Thank you, Undine,” she acknowledged.

“Ms. Elena, the Master has done nothing wrong. Everything is my fault. If only I were a fire spirit, this wouldn’t have happened!”

Undine confessed.

With those words, Ophelia lowered her head with a solemn expression.

“That’s not true. It’s no one’s fault. You just misunderstood each other, but everything is fine now!”

“You are truly a kind-hearted human.”

“Hehe, I hear that a lot!”

Once again, a clearing of the throat echoed from behind. Elena, puffing her cheeks, gestured with her hand.

“Let’s hang out again next time, Undine!”

Undine’s figure vanished. Jessica promptly inquired, “Professor Elena, what is your opinion?”

“It was indeed a magical surge. I could feel the sorrow, pain, and melancholy of the spirit. They must have gone through a tough time together.”

“I will review this report then,” she said as Professor Elena took Ian’s report and began to read it.

Though it was awkward, feeling like a child reading a thesis, she soon brightened up with a cheerful smile.

“Wow! This is a very well-written piece! Ian Oracle, wouldn’t you like to pursue a Major in Spirit Magic? I will mentor you thoroughly!”

“Professor Elena, I believe I mentioned avoiding personal discussions.”

“This is not personal talk! It’s for the Academy!” she insisted.

In any case, Professor Elena stepped back, but she couldn’t stop her eyes from glowing as she looked at Ian.

“What do the other professors think?” someone asked.

“Considering the gravity of the issue, expulsion should be the appropriate measure, but if elemental disharmony and a magical surge coincide, there’s room for understanding.”

“Indeed. It’s fortunate not to have gone berserk. If any other students were attacked, it could have been dangerous.”

“It is proof of exceptional self-control.”

“However, raising magic in front of a professor is a bit…”

“The Drias family need not be considered. We must handle this according to the Academy’s regulations.”

“Then expulsion seems to be the right course.”

The professors each voiced their opinions, split exactly in half. Until then, Professor Frost had not offered any opinion. Both Ian and Ophelia watched him closely.

As a stakeholder and a member of the disciplinary committee, his perspective was crucial.

“Professor Frost?” someone prompted.

“I would like to discuss the essence of the Academy.”

“The essence?” the person asked again.

Not only Jessica, the head, but everyone was curious about his response.

Professor Frost stood up from his seat.

“What is the purpose of establishing this academy? There’s no need to use lofty terms like ‘the hall of knowledge’. To learn what we do not know—that is what I believe is key.”

He walked deliberately, eventually standing before Ophelia.

“Isn’t this situation the same?” he asked, as if questioning Ophelia, then turned to face Jessica and the professors, spreading his arms wide.

“As a member of the disciplinary committee, it is right to mete out punishment. Yet before we are committee members, we are professors. Professors who teach and guide students at the academy. Many envy this prestigious job, but you all know well—being a professor is not a light responsibility.”

Professor Frost tapped his chest, right where his heart was.

“From that perspective, should we punish a student who has recognized their fault and is willing to embark on a new path? No. Shouldn’t we instead applaud them?”

Ophelia was taken aback by his words.

Professor Frost, whom Ophelia believed hated her and wanted her punished, was asking for forgiveness. Beyond forgiveness, he even suggested applause.

At that moment, her eyes grew warm.

Something hot and damp began to flow down her cheeks.

Ophelia hurriedly wiped her tears away with her sleeve.

“Therefore, I humbly request leniency for Miss Ophelia.”

After concluding his speech, Professor Frost returned to his seat.

Dean Jessica, after a moment of contemplation, made her decision.

“I will pronounce the sentence.”

Finally, the end had arrived.

Ophelia’s hands trembled.

She pressed her eyes shut.

That fleeting moment of silence from Dean Jessica felt eternal.

“Considering the severity of the matter, yet acknowledging the involuntary circumstances and her genuine remorse, I sentence her to 50 hours of community service within the school.”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Dean Jessica tapped the gavel.

The disciplinary committee meeting was over.

Dean Jessica and the professors started to leave one by one.

Ian followed Professor Frost out.

“Professor Frost!”

Ian had something he was eager to ask.

Professor Frost paused, aligning his steps with Ian’s.

“Did you anticipate things would unfold this way, Professor?”

“Why do you think that?”

“When I visited you, it felt like you were giving me hints. Didn’t you say back then, that even if she didn’t want to meet me, she inevitably would?”

“No woman in the world dislikes a handsome man. It’s just natural law.”

“You even joke, Professor.”

Professor Frost smirked. He lightly patted Ian’s shoulder.

“Regrettably, Ian Oracle. Your hypothesis is incorrect. Had you not come to me, I wouldn’t have said such things, nor would we have reached this conclusion. In essence, it was your choices that crafted these results.”

“Listening to your speech earlier, and after hearing this, I’m now certain.”

“Certain of what?”

“You’re truly a professor, Professor.”

“Hahaha. Not a bad compliment to hear.”

“I wasn’t particularly aiming to aid Ophelia, but in the end, there was some result. Thanks to you, Professor.”

“Indeed, maybe that’s why Professor Elena took such an interest.”

Professor Frost was convinced that Ian was blessed by the spirits.

“So, are you going to major in spirit magic?”

“That’s not the case.”

“Why not!”

Professor Elena, hiding at the end of the hallway, quickly muffled her mouth.

The two men looked around where the sound had seemed to come from, but found no one.

“Anyhow, if you end up contracting with a spirit, the issues you’re facing might be resolved. Youth is indeed a wonderful thing, isn’t it?”

“You flatter me, Professor.”

“It might feel roundabout, but I hope this opportunity resolves your issues.”

Then, he gestured back.

Turning around, Ian saw Ophelia, finally free from the knights’ supervision.

As Professor Frost departed, Ophelia approached.

“It’s kind of annoying to say this… but uh, thank you… or whatever.”

“I can barely hear you.”

“Thank you!”

“It’s really difficult to get you to say thank you.”

“Don’t get it twisted! I’ll repay this debt completely one day!”

By now, Ophelia seemed to have gathered herself.

Truly, it’s odd for a person to change suddenly.

“That’s all right. There’s someone else you should thank. I’m leaving now.”

Ian began to follow the path Professor Frost had taken.

Ophelia found it strangely hard to tear her eyes away from the receding figure of Ian.

At that moment, Ophelia’s brows furrowed.

A child suddenly sprang from the hallway and started chasing after Ian.