Academy’s Genius Mage

The Royal Academy operated on a dormitory system, so letters arrived from all over the country.

Moreover, since the faculty engaged with people from various walks of life, the amount of mail to be handled each day was quite substantial. Thus, the post office was large enough to have its dedicated building.

A surprising variety of activities occurred here.

The post office was responsible not only for document exchanges but also for communication via the communication sphere.

While confidential information passed through the Academy’s Security Bureau, general communication was managed here.

“If the royalties come in, I should definitely set up a communication sphere at the mansion.”

Imagining Wilson and Dorothy marveling at the communication sphere brought a smile to Ian’s face.

“Is everyone doing well? I’m getting along pretty well myself.”

Ian opened the door and entered. The sight of employees diligently sorting mail caught his eyes. Desks lined up in rows on one side, with staff attending to visiting clients.

“Excuse me.”

“Hello. How may I help you?”

“I’m here because I was summoned. I’m Ian Oracle, a first-year in the Department of Magic.”

“One moment, please. I’ll check for you.”

The employee began searching through the mail in a basket. It was filled with mail of varying sizes.

However, not finding the item he sought, he went into a room further back and soon returned.

“There’s a registered mail item that came for you. We held it for you. Please show your student ID for verification before I can hand it over.”

Ian handed his student ID to the employee.

After the identity verification process, Ian received the large envelope meant for him. It was made of a luxurious material that felt very smooth to the touch.

“It’s the mail from the Patent Office.”

Seeing the name “Kingdom of Sonokin Patent Office”, his heart began to race.

“Didn’t Milo say getting ahead of oneself is a surefire way to fail?”

Recalling Milo’s advice, Ian proceeded to open the envelope.

Inside was something made of thick paper. There were no other documents—just a single sheet of paper.

Ian halted momentarily and took out the paper. His eyes, which had initially trembled with nervous anticipation, gradually widened. His expression was one of disbelief.

Could this be a dream?

But only for a moment. A bright smile spread across his face.

“It’s finally here!”

The document confirmed the granting of a patent, marked with the royal insignia in golden ink.

It was the official unveiling of the “Patent on a New Potion Formula Combining Distillation Theory and Synergistic Magical Formulas”.

Ian stood there, unable to move for a while.

* * *

Knock, knock, knock!

A knock sounded on the door. It seemed more hurried than usual, prompting Professor Frost to chuckle softly.

“Come in.”

Even without looking, he knew who was there.

It was Ian.

“I assume good news has arrived.”

“You knew?”

“First, have a seat.”

Professor Frost offered Ian a seat.

Regulating his excited breaths, Ian settled onto the sofa.

Graciously, Professor Frost prepared a cup of tea for him.

The tea’s fragrance was delightful.

Thus, Ian managed to calm his nerves.

“It seemed like they were looking for you on the broadcast. If it’s from the post office, it would be a registered item, so I speculated it might be something from the Patent Office.”

“You were spot on. The patent certificate has arrived.”

“Are you that happy? Wasn’t it something you anticipated?”

“Even so, I was worried in case it didn’t turn out as expected.”

Ian gently handed the patent certificate to Professor Frost with both hands.

It was a splendid patent certificate, adorned with the emblem of the Sonokin Royal Family.

The certificate did not bear Ian’s name, but he was overjoyed more than anyone else. It was the first accomplishment he had achieved since coming into the world.

“Aren’t you disappointed?”

Professor Frost inquired, referring to the absence of Ian’s name on the patent certificate.

“Not in the slightest. This all started to pay off my debt. There will be more opportunities for research in the future. I don’t plan to be satisfied with just this.”

“Well said. As an academy student, maintaining such a challenging attitude is essential.”

Professor Frost placed the patent certificate off to the side without even properly looking at it. Though he should have preserved it in a frame with preservation magic, he appeared indifferent.

“Aren’t you pleased, Professor?”

“Oh, I am pleased. You can pay off your debt, and I now have more room to speak proudly to Dean Jessica because of this.”

“It seems like you two get along quite well.”

“You should probably get your glasses adjusted.”

Both scholars laughed quietly.

“It seems like it’s time to get moving in earnest now. When do you plan to contact the trading company?”

“I intend to move immediately tomorrow.”

“Now that the patent is granted, the academy will start preparing for the construction of production facilities. Do you know of Professor Maxim from the Natural Sciences Department?”

“I have only heard his name.”

Professor Maxim was recognized for his innate talent in Mathematics and Applied Sciences.

He often collaborated with the Department of Magic faculty to develop magitech machinery.

There was a notion that if he could wield mana, magitech technology would be a century ahead of what it is today.

Though widely considered to have an eccentric personality, currently, someone with exceptional skills was more needed than a person with a good temperament.

“He is working on scaling up your distillation apparatus. It would be good to visit him soon. He would appreciate it now that the patent is recognized.”

“Understood. Is there anything else we should do right away?”

“Send Milo to Professor Maxim’s lab. He seems to need an assistant. It’s wise to inform him firmly before sending him. He is not an ordinary person, after all.”

“Understood.”

It seemed like today’s frustration with Ophelia would come back full circle.

But Ian was confident it would also be a great experience for Milo.

“I have something to give you as well. Today is your lucky day.”

Professor Frost retrieved a thick collection of theses from his desk and handed it to Ian.

“This is the newly published journal from the Magic Society.”

“Oh…”

“Yours and Isera’s thesis is included. I heard from the editor that having a first-year student’s thesis featured in a special section of the Department of Magic is only the second occurrence. You’ll receive considerable attention.”

Sweat formed on Ian’s hands as he held the thesis collection.

It felt completely different from when he had checked the patent.

“Is this what Father was referring to as academic achievement?”

Ian reminisced about his father once again.

Today, his father’s benevolent smile seemed to appear more vividly before him.

“But Professor, if receiving significant attention means something, what exactly happens?”

“First of all, you would receive an official invitation to the next Magic Society meeting. You’ll have the opportunity to network with other mages or scholars by attending.”

“That sounds exciting. I’m looking forward to it. Oh, but didn’t you say I was the second? Regarding the first-year student’s thesis getting into the special section.”

“Indeed.”

“Who was the first?”

“Someone you know well.”

Ian gasped with realization. The answer was somewhere very close.

Isera Hebraim.

Certainly, she must have been the one to claim the first title.

“As expected, senior Isera is incredible.”

“It’s not Lady Isera.”

“Pardon? Then who?”

Professor Frost abruptly cleared his throat.

Only then did Ian understand who the first was.

“Ah, I apologize. I failed to recognize you, though you’re right here.”

“It’s fine. It’s not that big of a deal.”

At that moment, Ian felt a surge of respect for Professor Frost and thought of looking up his thesis if he got the chance.

Considering it’s a research as worthy as discovering a new formula.

“Remember, Ian Oracle, while it’s natural to be excited, be cautious if you attend the Society meeting. They are people, after all. People tend to form groups and delight in disparaging others.”

“I understand.”

“Knowing something and experiencing it are different. Please remember my words well. Things might work out at the Sonokin branch, but if other branches or the headquarters get involved, it could become quite cumbersome. Don’t think of it as a distant story, but prepare now.”

“Yes, Professor.”

The Magic Society was managed by the local branch’s Tower of Magic. This meant that the society Ian initially registered with was the one hosted by the Sonokin Tower of Magic.

Magic Towers were fundamentally very reclusive and competitive, so there was hardly any interaction between them.

However, Professor Frost was confident Ian’s reputation would spread faster than expected.

“By the way, what about the spirit?”

“I haven’t been able to make a contract yet. I plan to visit Professor Elena soon. Once I had a contract, I’d like to request a mana measurement again.”

Professor Frost chuckled, resting his chin on his hand, and nodded.

“Come for measurement after you’ve made the contract.”

“Thank you.”

“How is Ophelia doing?”

“Well, she’s…”

Ian could not bring himself to mention that Milo was being domineering. However, Professor Frost seemed to have figured it out, as he laughed heartily.

After the meeting, Ian headed straight to the Great Library.

* * *

At the ancient magic section, Isera was always there reading a book, and today was no different.

“The journal has been published.”

“I know.”

“It seems like there’s nothing you don’t know, senior.”

Today, unusually, she lifted her gaze from the book quickly. Isera’s penetrating eyes fixed on Ian.

“Are you a spirit mage?”

“No.”

“Then how come you defended that freshman who caused trouble?”

“I can sense spirits, but I haven’t made a contract yet. So, I can’t really be called a spirit mage.”

“I see.”

Isera understood quickly.

“Now that the journal is out, we should have a meal together, shouldn’t we?”

“Why have a meal over something trivial?”

“Actually, my patent certificate also came out today. I’ve always wanted to treat you to a meal, and now seems to be the right time.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Publishing the journal was thanks to you, after all.”

“No, really.”

“I don’t have any ulterior motives, just expressing my gratitude…”

“Really, it’s okay.”

Ian felt a sudden urge of emotion.

But he couldn’t get angry at Isera. It was crucial to remain calm at such times.

“I have a new idea for a paper. I think it would be nice to discuss it over a leisurely meal.”

Isera hesitated, her hand pausing in the act of turning the page—a sign of her contemplation.

Sensing an opportunity, Ian leaned in a bit closer.

“This time, it’s about the language of spirits. It’s been known that the will of the spirit is expressed through the mana emitted by the contractor. But upon analysis, it appears to show fragmented waves.”

“……”

“Could it really be just simple will? Isn’t it possible that it’s a new phenomenon we haven’t understood before?”

“……”

“Perhaps it’s a kind of script the spirit uses.”

When Ian presented his hypothesis, Isera’s hand, which had been about to turn the page, froze again.

She was deeply pondering.

“I’ll consider it.”

Feeling deflated, Ian sat across from her.

“Is a junior treating a senior to a meal such a questionable thing? It’s quite harsh.”

“Depending on the circumstances, it could be.”

“Then, under what circumstances is it possible?”

“For instance… passing an entrance exam.”

“An entrance exam is just an entrance exam, isn’t it?”

“It depends on the examiner’s whim.”

“It’s not that you dislike me, right?”

“Who knows.”

In the end, Ian could not get her consent today either.

Who knew showing appreciation could be such a difficult task? He sighed inevitably.