Chapter 43: Thesis Colloquium (2)

Chapter 43: Thesis Colloquium (2)

It was one week before midterms. While helping Julia with her assignment, Drent couldn’t help but notice Epherene’s paper on the desk in the club room. He had offered to help Julia in hopes of finding some inspiration, as he had been struggling with his thesis for a while during his slump.

However, Julia’s paper wasn’t particularly useful. When she left for the bathroom, he seized the opportunity to look at Epherene’s work. At that moment, he was struck by how impressive her ideas were. They seemed too brilliant to belong to a mere commoner. Drent ultimately decided to use Epherene’s concepts as his own inspiration. However...

“Since you appear uncertain, let us proceed to a simpler question. The Protective Fireball you just demonstrated—”

Deculein replicated the Protective Fireball that Drent had just cast. Even after seeing it only once, his Fireball was denser and more powerful.

“Can you truly assure that this spell will remain stable underwater, at any altitude, or deep underground?”

“Yes, yes, sir. I can,” Drent replied, regaining his composure.

I didn’t have enough time to fully master the thesis, but I had a sufficient understanding—

“How can you be so certain? Given the structure of this Protective Fireball spell as it is.”

The spell structure that Drent had described in his thesis materialized in the air. Deculein pinpointed the core of the magic circle.

“Which circuit in this spell fulfills the role of protection? Explain in detail, using supporting evidence.”

“Uh... well...” Drent stammered, unable to find the right words.

Deculein stared at him in silence, the tension in the room palpable. No matter how long he waited, Drent couldn’t provide an answer. Finally, Deculein’s cold voice broke the silence.

“I could ask hundreds of questions derived from this thesis,” Deculein said, his gaze filled with disdain and his mouth twisted in contempt. He continued in a withering tone, “Yet you cannot answer even a few of them. Can you truly call this your thesis?”

Drent gritted his teeth, anger boiling inside him. He was about to speak, but Deculein cut him off with a single sentence.

“Most importantly, I will overlook your gravest error.”

Deculein held the thesis in one hand and continued, “Attempt it once more, relying on your own abilities.”

With a flourish, the thesis ignited. The thick document quickly turned to ash and scattered. A murmur spread through the audience, even Sylvia’s eyes widened in shock. Drent couldn’t say a word; he let out a hollow laugh, too drained to respond.

Deculein knew everything. He knew it all.

Drent walked off the stage, leaving the hall in silence.

“No way. Who could answer after something like that?” Julia whispered furiously. Epherene felt the same, but something about the situation seemed odd.

— W-we will now hear from the second mage

The host stammered, clearly flustered. Twenty-two mages were still waiting for their turn in the Thesis Colloquium.

— Please remain quiet. The second presentation will be delivered by fourth-year mage, Solda rank Malone.

The next mage appeared, already pale and trembling. If he could, he would have gladly delayed his turn.

“S–S-Solda Malone here... Th-the thesis I wrote is...”

Mage Malone began explaining his thesis. Once again, Deculein listened and then asked questions, pinpointing the core issues.

“Yes, sir. The reason I set that spell to manipulation is...” Malone stuttered but managed to continue.

Deculein nodded in satisfaction and said, “That will suffice.”

Having witnessed the previous thesis being burned, Malone felt relieved. He bowed deeply.

“Thank you, sir!”

***

As soon as the thesis colloquium ended, I headed to my office.

Knock, knock—

It was Allen. He walked in, clutching some documents with a bright smile on his face.

“Professor! I’ve carefully selected these candidates.”

“Candidates?”

“Yes, sir. These are the mages who want to work under you.”

“... Just leave it on my desk and go.”

“Yes, sir!” Allen replied as he placed the documents on my desk and left.

I glanced through the papers and muttered, “Chloen... Groahn...”

There was no one exceptional, no named characters. They were all mages who wouldn’t have remained in the Mage Tower of the University without my leadership.

“Do they expect me to use them as laborers?” I muttered, tossing the list aside.

At that moment, I felt a small vibration in my pocket. It was a crystal orb. I infused it with magic, and a voice came through.

“Are you there?”

“Speak up, my former colleague.”

Charlotte was silent for a while, seemingly in deep thought. After a heavy sigh, her dry, cracked voice came through. “I have to leave now. There’s no time.”

“I understand,” I said, immediately pulling out a map. I had already determined the best route long ago. “Can you adhere to my plan?”

“What is your plan?”

“You must cross the Crebas Canyon.”

“... Are you serious?”

Crebas Canyon is a treacherous place filled with demonic energy. It belongs to no nation and is an abandoned path. It’s extremely perilous and notorious for being a place of fear, but it’s the only viable route for Charlotte.

“It’s a shortcut to the Principality of Yuren. Since no one claims ownership, there is no risk of diplomatic disputes with Leoc.”

“I am aware. I have considered it, but—”

“I shall guide you personally.”

Crebas Canyon is only three to four hours away from Hadecaine by horseback. As the coordinator for the mage Educational Retreat, I could arrange the schedule to ensure a smooth journey without wasting time.

“You will guide us yourself?”

Feeling playful, he pinched her soft cheek. Her face twitched slightly in response. Realizing he was being silly, Deculein took a book from his briefcase and started reading, though none of the words registered in his mind.

After a while, he spoke to the driver, “It will take approximately half a day to reach our destination.”

“Yes, sir.”

Thanks to the driver's skillful driving, the car circled the same road several times. It was already 8 p.m., and the agreed meeting time of 7 p.m. had long passed. Deculein alternated between reading his book and watching Yulie. He was surprised when he glanced at the clock and saw it was already 9 p.m. Time seemed to pass in chunks. Finally, around 10 p.m., Yulie woke up.

Yulie stirred, her eyes heavy with sleep. She glanced around and, startled by the view outside the window, jumped in surprise.

“Are you awake?”

“Is it already nighttime...?”

“It is already quite late,” Deculein remarked as she looked out the window in surprise.

As the car came to a stop, he took out a pocket watch. The driver stepped away, mentioning a problem with the vehicle.

“It is 10:30 p.m. Dinner must have concluded long ago. This is the first time I have missed an appointment.”

“Wh-why didn’t you wake me...?”

“Avoiding an awkward dinner is more effective in dispelling suspicions about us.”

Yulie pondered his words, then blushed. Deculein gazed at her steadily, his eyes serious.

“Yulie.”

“... Yes?”

“Upon reflection, it appears our contract now carries an implicit deadline.”

Yulie's eyes widened in surprise.

“Zeit is suspicious, so we won’t have more than a year. You must become a guardian knight within that year. You will be the youngest in the Empire’s history, as you’ll only be thirty then,” Deculein said as he reached out to smooth Yulie's hair, which had become disheveled while she slept.

She didn’t resist his touch, sensing the sincerity in his voice.

“If you do not become a guardian knight within that time, you may have to marry for convenience. Therefore, do not remain idle. Do not act foolishly. I may change my mind and not let you go.”

Yulie looked into his eyes, her questions unspoken.

After a long pause, she finally asked, “Why do you show such emotions toward me? There are many women more beautiful than I am, with hands not rough from wielding a sword, who are less frustrating and more open-minded. But why...”

Deculein gazed silently out the window, moonlight reflecting in his blue eyes.

“... Yulie,” Deculein began, his lips almost forming a smile. “I detest the notion of fate or destiny, yet sometimes, I feel there are things that cannot be altered.”

He continued gazing at the moon.

“For me, that’s you.”

Yulie understood his meaning but was also puzzled. Deculein had never been like this before; something significant must have happened to cause such a change in him.

“... I see,” Yulie said, sighing deeply.

Deculein spoke again, “To prevent me from reverting to my old self, it is best for both of us if you keep your distance.”

Deculein leaned forward. Startled, Yulie tensed, ready to defend herself.

Click—

Deculein simply opened the door for her.

“Rest well tonight. Although we missed dinner, Zeit will be satisfied that we spent time together.”

Yulie stared at Deculein, uncertain of what to say.

“Are you not getting out?”

“... Yes. Thank you. Goodbye,” Yulie said, finally nodding as she stepped out of the car.

A gentle breeze blew. She didn’t know how long she had slept, but the night was dark, and her heart felt calm. Her mansion was visible in the distance.

Deculein’s driver approached Yulie and asked politely, “Has your conversation concluded, ma'am?”

“Yes,” Yulie replied.

“Then, I bid you farewell, ma'am.”

He got back into the car, which drove off. Yulie watched until it disappeared, then returned to her mansion.

“Oh, Master, you’re back?!” the servants said, greeting her in the living room.

Yulie treated her servants without formality. Smiling slightly, she said, “I’m hungry. Could you make me dinner?”

“Ah yes, right away!” the servants responded promptly, hurrying to prepare the food.

It was the first time in two weeks she had requested a meal at the mansion, so they put their best effort into it. That night, Yulie enjoyed a delicious dinner and had a restful sleep, lying in bed without thinking about work for the first time in a while.

As she drifted off to sleep, Deculein’s words echoed in her mind. “I detest the notion of fate or destiny, yet sometimes, I feel there are things that cannot be altered....”

For some reason, she felt that she wouldn't have nightmares tonight.

***

... On the way back in the car.

“Would you like me to drive around a bit longer?” the driver asked.

I shook my head and then instructed, “Return to the mansion.”

“Yes, sir.”

A sigh escaped me, followed by a faint chuckle. Today, I decided I needed to distance myself from Yulie. As time passed, I knew I would come to love every aspect of her.

Damn my personality. Damn Deculein. I knew the process of distancing myself would be difficult. Therefore, Yulie had to become a guardian knight. She needed to be the one to distance herself from me...

“We have arrived, sir.”

“Well done.”

I got out of the car and walked through the garden toward the front door. A hawk perched on a shrub branch watched me closely.