Chapter 72: End of Semester (2)

Chapter 72: End of Semester (2)

The counseling room was silent. Sylvia seemed to be crying, but she made no sound. I watched her quietly. The untouched teacups sat as the ice inside them melted and clinked softly. The sunlight streaming through the window gradually shifted.

"I do not like to see people cry," I said.

At that moment, she lifted her head. Her eyes were moist, but no tears fell, just as she said.

"I was moved by your praise," Sylvia explained. "Professor Deculein, you are known for never complimenting anyone."

Her voice and expression remained unchanged as she made her excuses. I took a handkerchief from my pocket.

"But you praised me, thank you."

"Dry your eyes," I instructed, handing her the handkerchief.

Sylvia took it with both hands, her eyes sparkling like watery jewels. Just then, twenty minutes of counseling had passed.

"I'll be going now," Sylvia said, glancing at the clock.

She stood up, neatly folded the handkerchief, and slipped it into her pocket. After giving a polite bow, she left the room.

As I watched her small frame retreat, I said, "Remember my advice."

Sylvia paused at my words. Without turning around, she nodded and walked away. Outside, I could hear Allen’s voice.

"Have a good day!"

The office door opened and then closed.

"... Does she underestimate herself?" I mused aloud.

Sylvia was a brilliant mage. She could have easily been appointed a full-time professor next year. Spending time under another professor would have been a clear waste, not just for her, but for the entire world. But Epherene was different. She was perfectly suited for the magic I have been researching, and she could grow even more under my guidance.

"Professor," Allen called from outside the counseling room, poking his head in. "Debutant Epherene is scheduled in ten minutes! Please take a rest until then!"

***

Epherene, always seen in her blue robe symbolizing a Debutant and carrying a large backpack she had bought for thirty elne, walked down the hall. Since value for money was her top priority, from a distance, it looked like she was carrying a large brick.

Today, the backpack felt especially heavy, clinking with every step. A small cat figurine attached to the bottom of her bag brushed against the back of her robe.

"Ow, my shoulders hurt," Epherene murmured.

When she reached the elevator, she set her bag down to rest for a moment.

Ding—

The elevator quickly reached the first floor, and Epherene was startled as she picked up her bag. Inside stood Sylvia. Though it wasn’t unusual to see another Debutant, the atmosphere was tense. Sylvia glared at Epherene with a cold, piercing gaze filled with silent, simmering anger.

Epherene hesitated and asked, "What is it now? What's your problem?"

Epherene half-expected Sylvia to launch into one of her usual ways of calling her. Instead, Sylvia brushed past her and muttered, "Nepotism."

“... What does she mean by that? Nepotism?” Epherene muttered, feeling uneasy.

Her horoscope had already warned of a rough week, and Sylvia’s attitude wasn’t helping. Maybe it was time for another tarot reading. Pressing the button for the 77th floor, Epherene muttered to herself, trying to shake off the unease.

Ding—

She reached Deculein's office.

"Welcome, Debutant Epherene," Allen said cheerfully.

"Yes," Epherene replied, as she followed him into the counseling room.

Inside, Professor Deculein sat with his eyes closed, seemingly meditating. Epherene hesitated, unsure if she should interrupt. Deculein was an imposing figure, too distant and formidable to approach casually.

"Professor, Debutant Epherene has arrived," Allen announced.

Deculein opened his eyes, nodded slightly at Epherene, and said, "Sit."

"Yes, sir," Epherene said, sitting down and immediately taking off her backpack. She spoke with determination. "I’m here for career counseling, but I also have questions about the Solda promotion exam."

"Solda?"

"Yes, sir," Epherene confirmed, pulling documents from her bag. She had prepared extensively for the exam since the end of the first semester. Placing the papers on the desk, she explained, "These documents show my participation in various departmental classes."

This was her eighth attempt to find a professor willing to recommend her for the Solda exam. Initially, she had approached newly appointed professors, but their recommendations carried little weight. Professors like Relin had only belittled her, offering nothing but harsh words before dismissing her.

"Here, I have evidence of my involvement in the Common Magic Research Club, where we identified the precursor to the Baron of Ashes incident, as well as other community service activities," Epherene continued confidently, her tone reminiscent of a child reciting in a debate competition.

Her enthusiasm masked the anxiety and nervousness she felt in front of the imposing Professor Deculein.

"My grades are all A+ as of the midterms, and if I maintain them until the final exams," Epherene added, neatly stacking her documents on the desk. "Additionally, at the Mage Tower—"

"That's enough," Deculein interrupted, having listened in silence. Epherene froze. "Take these back."

Her expression hardened, and she bit her lower lip slightly before responding, "But I’ve checked all the requirements for the Solda exam. If you could just review them—"

"There’s no need," Deculein interrupted.

"... Oh, yes, sir," Epherene replied softly, her breath trembling slightly. She wasn’t entirely surprised; she had expected this to some extent. She began to pack her documents back into her bag.

"If you maintain your grades through the final exams, you will automatically qualify for the Solda rank."

"... Excuse me?" Epherene asked, her eyes widening in surprise, her face lighting up like a child's.

"If you place in the top three overall, there will be no reason for me not to recommend you for the exam," Deculein clarified.

"Oh, thank you, Professor. I will do my best," Epherene said, scratching the back of her neck.

"... If I pass the exam, I will apply to join you, Professor," she added quickly, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Deculein replied indifferently, "I won't prevent you. The burden of effort is yours to bear."

"Yes, sir," Epherene replied, hiding a smile.

Epherene thought that Deculein was playing with fire by accepting her. She wondered if he would remain composed when she surpassed him effortlessly in a year or two. On the Floating Island, Epherene recognized Deculein as a genius driven by effort, yet her spirit of challenge remained as strong as ever.

“Well, I’ll be heading out now,” Epherene said, preparing to leave.

"Wait," Deculein commanded, his voice stopping her in her tracks.

Epherene's heart raced as she wondered if he had sensed her thoughts or noticed something amiss.

"You haven’t used the check yet," Deculein said.

Fortunately, the pain lasted only a moment, but the bloodstains on my desk were irritating. Using Telekinesis, I gathered the blood droplets and burned them at a high temperature.

Knock, knock—

"Professor, Professor Louina is here to see you," Allen announced.

"Send her in," I replied.

“Yes, sir!”

The door opened, and Louina stepped inside.

"Hello, boss. It’s me...” Louina said, but after taking a few steps, she paused and started sniffing the air.

“What brings you here?” I asked.

“Sniff, sniff— sniff, sniff—”

“Have you become a dog since I last saw you?”

“No... not at all. Calling me a dog is quite harsh, boss,” Louina replied.

As she came closer, she paused again, staring at my lips. I took out a handkerchief and wiped my mouth. A bit of blood stained the fabric, causing me to frown. It was disgraceful to appear so untidy.

“State your business,” I demanded.

“H-h-here, boss,” Louina said awkwardly as she approached and handed over some documents. “This is the proposal for the research I’m planning to start...”

This seemed to be my first task as the newly appointed Director of Planning and Financial Coordination at the Mage Tower. I took her documents.

"Th-then, I shall head out now. Th-thank you."

Before I could say anything, Louina hurried out, not making any further appeal for her project. She must be confident it will be approved. Seeing her accept Yukline's protection wasn't entirely displeasing. I reviewed her proposal.

“Hmm.”

As expected, Louina, with her Wealthy Magnate attribute, left nothing to be desired. I stamped her plan approved without hesitation.

Clunk—!

***

Wednesday at 3 p.m. signaled Deculein's final class before the end-of-term exams.

"Please form a line, everyone!" Assistant Professor Allen directed, organizing the 150 Debutants by their categories.

The Harmony category, known for its selectivity, had the fewest mages with just eleven, while the Support category had the most, with thirty-five mages.

“Stand ready,” Deculein commanded, addressing the 150 students assembled in the open field that served as today’s classroom. “As this is the final class of the semester, there is nothing more to teach. Today, we will test your application of your category and identify any deficiencies. Step forward in groups of five.”

The first group comprised five mages with the Support category.

“Demonstrate the magic you are most confident in,” Deculein instructed, observing each spell with keen interest.

“... Eurozan. Wind Armor. Good utilization.”

“Green Earth. Element transformation of the area is useful for monster subjugation,” Deculein noted.

Deculein identified each spell without fail. This might seem normal for a professor, but there was more to it than that.

“Crystallization is classified under the Support category, but its magic circle contains Harmony attributes. You overlooked this, which is why you failed.”

“Ah... yes, sir!”

Deculein could even identify failed spells and provide precise guidance on how to correct them.

“I will try again!” Debutant Ferit exclaimed, taking his advice. He succeeded on his next attempt.

"Good. Next group of five, step forward..."

Deculein's Sharp Eyesight allowed him to observe others' magic circles with precision. Over the past six months, his enhanced Comprehension had filled his mind with countless magic circles. What started as a shallow pool of knowledge had now expanded into a vast ocean.

Of course, this knowledge was different from Memorize. He couldn’t cast every spell he knew. Memorize involved the body remembering and casting spells without incantations. However, Deculein used a theoretical approach for all other spells, except for Telekinesis, which was inscribed on his body.

Therefore, Deculein's magic and knowledge were steady and reliable. This unwavering consistency made him an ideal mentor. To the Debutants, who were unaware of his true capabilities, Deculein was like a living encyclopedia of magic. His nearly supernatural perceptiveness was truly remarkable.

“Epherene,” Deculein said.

“Yes, sir,” Epherene said as it was finally her turn. "Here I go."

Epherene prepared to showcase her most intricate spell, weaving and intertwining circuits into a complex pattern. This mixed-category spell was designed to be challenging to decipher, even for Deculein. He examined Epherene’s magic circle intently for about thirty seconds.

“Soprano. A complex spell with minimal practical benefit for you.”

“Oh!”

The spell, Soprano, was a special magic combining the Pure Elements of wind and sound. Its effect was subtle, changing all sounds in the area to high-pitched soprano tones. This spell acted as a stepping-stone, a simpler spell learned to become familiar with the structure before mastering Silence.

However, Soprano’s interference with spatial sound made it unnecessarily complicated and not well-known. Most other Debutants likely mistook it for a type of singing.

“Epherene, were you trying to play a prank or to show off? That will result in one penalty point,” Deculein stated.

“No, please! Let me try again. Just don’t give me a penalty point!” Epherene pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

Contrary to Epherene’s expectations, Deculein had already identified the spell. Hastily, she demonstrated a proper one. The ground beneath her rumbled and transformed into a crater.

Deculein nodded and said, “Rage of the Mountains. A challenging spell, but its scale is too small.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve been concerned about that as well.”

“To enlarge the scale, increase the size of the magic circle. I will provide further details later,” Deculein stated.

“Ah, yes, sir. So... will there still be penalty points?” Epherene asked.

“Yes.”

“Ahhh!”

Ignoring Epherene’s plea, Deculein shifted his attention to the next student.

“Next, Sylvia.”

It was Sylvia’s turn. She had been glaring at Epherene, but she straightened up as Deculein approached.

“... Yes, Professor,” Sylvia replied.

She closed her eyes, focusing intently as she began to cast her spell.