Academy’s Genius Mage

‘I can’t believe this.’

Professor Frost found it difficult to immediately conclude how to understand the results before him.

Ian’s mana measurement results far exceeded the expectations.

1750.

In academic terms, this was equivalent to the mid-4th circle in mana.

If it had been an ordinary professor, they might have thought there was an issue with the measurement method or a temporary malfunction in the apparatus.

Previously, Ian’s measured magic was only 77.

Even considering the margin of error, the number 1750 was an enormous figure.

‘There’s no error. The method was appropriate, too. I have no choice but to believe this is Ian’s pure mana.’

Professor Frost reached this conclusion.

From a purely arithmetic standpoint, Ian’s magic had increased by about 23 times.

It was not something that could simply be called an achievement.

It was, quite literally, a ‘miracle.’

“How is it?”

Ian asked Professor Frost, who had been looking at the small screen displaying the measurement results, his voice tinged with both tension and anticipation.

Professor Frost laughed heartily.

“You might not be sure, but I am very satisfied.”

Simultaneously, Professor Frost turned the screen so Ian could also view it.

Ian’s eyes widened.

“This… is this accurate? Could there possibly be a mistake somewhere?”

“I had my doubts as well, but there was no reason to suspect one.”

“I certainly felt that my magic had increased, but I never imagined it had grown this much.”

Ian looked down at the right hand he had been holding the crystal orb with, feeling as if he was dreaming.

‘If it’s 1750… that’s over 250 points higher than Zickhardt.’

If a full measurement of the Department of Magic were conducted now, Ian could easily secure the top position among the first-year students.

An astonishing event would transpire where the last place becomes the first.

However, the significance of this achievement was not merely in the high numbers.

Across all mages, it would be hard to find a case of such rapid growth in such a short time.

Professor Frost focused on this aspect.

“Converted to academic terms, you’ve acquired mana at the mid-4th circle. From the 1st circle to the 4th circle… if the Tower of Magic learns of this, it will undoubtedly cause something of an uproar.”

The Tower of Magic was already paying attention due to the publication of a new spell formula in Ian’s paper.

There’s a considerable difference between publishing a research paper and achieving circle growth.

The latter is much more impactful.

Moreover, Ian was still aspiring to be in the Major of Theoretical Magic. That’s also the family background.

Such a sudden growth was something no one could have anticipated.

“It might be best to keep this quiet. Receiving too much attention might not be a good thing.”

“It might be okay for now, but you won’t be able to avoid it during the next mana measurement.”

“I’ll think about it then. There’s something urgent I need to deal with first.”

A conflict with the Hamel Trading Company was about to erupt.

Preparations needed to be made for it.

Whether visiting the Tower of Magic, attending a magic conference, or anything else, it would be best to delay everything else until the matter with the Hamel Trading Company was resolved.

Professor Frost nodded, respecting Ian’s words.

“With this, your Mana Concentration Disorder is completely resolved. Now, you just need to keep moving forward.”

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to you, Professor.”

“Let’s be accurate. The idea to use magic acquired through a spirit contract to overcome the Mana Concentration Disorder came entirely from your head. Oh, and congratulations again. You’ve got another theme for your paper.”

Ian smiled.

One more thing he had been itching to ask came to his mind.

“But wasn’t the Ophelia incident part of your ploy, Professor?”

“Ploy, you say. Those are some frightening words.”

“I started to think that perhaps the way Ophelia’s mana rampage was anticipated, provoked, and orchestrated might have been part of your plan. It became an opportunity to address my difficulties while also highlighting my relationships with my peers.”

“That’s because you’re a diligent and exemplary student. There aren’t many people who dislike sincere individuals.”

Professor Frost smiled slyly as he organized the mana measuring devices and continued speaking.

“And your statement is merely an unproven hypothesis. If that’s truly my plan, bring some evidence to prove it. I’m not interested in conjectures.”

“I’ll definitely bring it someday.”

“I’m looking forward to that.”

Ian finished assisting Professor Frost in tidying up the mana measuring devices.

The two of them moved to a table to continue their conversation.

Ian still had numerous challenges to resolve.

His mana had naturally increased. However, Ian found one thing completely incomprehensible, no matter how many books he read.

“Professor, there’s something more important than resolving my issues that I wish to discuss with you.”

“Something more important, you say? It keeps getting bigger and bigger. Are you planning to surprise me a lot today?”

Professor Frost let out a hearty laugh.

Despite his words, he leisurely savored his tea, awaiting the story to come.

“Can the mana measured by the device be converted into circles? How accurate would that be?”

“Hmm, if you’re asking about accuracy, do you mean the margin of error?”

“Even if not the exact margin of error, I’d like to know how reliable the converted results are.”

Such questions were abundant.

For professors and researchers developing Mana Meter devices, it was a crucial consideration.

If the measurement results differ from the calculations, the measurement itself is meaningless.

Although there were rare cases like Ian’s where students intentionally measured their mana lower, it was a necessary tool from an academic standpoint.

“Assuming the common situations, this device is quite accurate. If you measure a hundred people, it can accurately translate the scores of over 99 into their respective circles.”

Professor Frost explained the standard for converting the mana measure scores into circles.

In summary, it was as follows:
1st Circle: 1~500
2nd Circle: 501~999
3rd Circle: 1000~1499
4th Circle: 1500~1999
5th Circle: 2000~2499

After listening to the explanation, Ian realized that the conversion table was rather schematic.

“So, scores of 999 and 1000 are only one point apart, yet they differ by a whole circle?”

“That’s why it gets the label ‘Academy-style.’ Outside the Academy, these numbers are practically unnecessary. They serve no value beyond educational purposes.”

However, Ian’s perspective was slightly different.

He thought that if there were a device to quantify mana, it could be useful in combat or various unexpected situations.

Professor Frost precisely grasped this train of thought.

“Of course, that’s why they’re developing artifacts like mana measuring scouts. But you know, the accuracy is quite low. As I often emphasize, the value of a mage isn’t solely determined by circles.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“But why bring that up? That wasn’t the important question, was it?”

“My score is 1750, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“But I don’t have four circles.”

Professor Frost paused, the teacup almost at his lips, doubting his ears for a moment.

“Not four, you say? Then?”

“Two.”

“That’s impossible.”

The discrepancy was too significant. If Ian claimed to have reached the level of a third circle, that would be somewhat understandable, but a difference of more than two circles was unheard of.

“The issue isn’t just that. The newly formed circle isn’t located in the heart, but in the dantian.”

“What did you say?”

For the first time, Ian realized that Professor Frost could have such a bewildered expression.

“What did you just say again?”

“I told you that a new circle appeared in my dantian.”

Professor Frost hesitated for a moment, unable to respond immediately.

“Did you intend for that to happen?”

“No, I didn’t even attempt to create a new circle. Inducing a circle into the dantian under circumstances unknown after making a pact with a spirit is impossible.”

“Well, I suppose you’re right. That would indeed be too dangerous.”

“The circle formed on its own. I was unaware of it. Could it be that the spirit thought the best place for its power was in the dantian?”

Professor Frost, resting his chin on his hand, let out a deep sigh.

“It’s a difficult issue.”

While he was delighted that his cherished pupil had overcome mana congregation disorder and grown stronger, it was regrettable that the circle appeared in the dantian rather than in the heart.

However, Professor Frost was no ordinary person.

He sensed immediately that something was amiss.

“If a mana circle forms away from the center point of the heart, the mage loses balance, goes mad, or even loses their life. Even if luck is on their side, the mana should typically decrease, not increase.”

“But my mana increased. Not just by one or two times but more than twentyfold.”

“That’s the strange part, the point we need to think about.”

The atmosphere shifted.

Professor Frost suddenly rose from his seat.

“Do you have any plans this evening?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then give me a bit of your time. I don’t think sitting and pondering in the lab will yield any meaningful answers.”

Was he intending to have a drink?

Ian set aside his curiosity and followed Professor Frost.

* * *

The place where Professor Frost stopped was a location Ian had never seen before.

In front of them stood two stern academy guard knights.

“Entry requires identification.”

Professor Frost presented his credentials.

The knights saluted.

“This is my pupil. We have experiments to conduct, so please allow entry.”

“Your pupil must also show identification.”

Ian pulled out his student ID.

Authentication was completed without any issue.

“You may go in.”

As the guard pulled the lever, the door opened, and Professor Frost led the way.

It was evident at first glance that this was no ordinary place.

This room was designed like a fortress, granting access to only a select few.

‘Is it a secret lab?’

Though he had never heard of such a place at the academy, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be at least one.

“Don’t be too tense. I’m not planning to dissect you or anything. Opening up your heart or stomach won’t make the circle visible.”

“That makes me even more nervous.”

“Hahaha. It’s a very intriguing place.”

They passed through the corridor and went through the same authentication procedure again with another guard.

Soon, they arrived in a spacious area.

The walls, ceiling, and floor were all made of sleek material. Ian recalled visiting a similar place before.

“Is this a training ground?”

“Yes. It’s a training ground reserved for professors. Faculty from the Department of Magic use this place to test research outcomes or for personal practice.”

“That’s amazing.”

The mana possessed by the academy professors was beyond imagination. Even Dean Jessica was a 7th-circle grand mage.

Although her magic wouldn’t be the standard for resilience, there was no arguing against the need for a space more robust than what the students used.

“Let’s begin the experiment then.”