Chapter 129: Aslan Seminar (3)

Chapter 129: Aslan Seminar (3)

I Became A Flashing Genius At The Magic Academy

Just before stepping onto the podium, while Eisel was being challenged by the Dromian mage, Baek Yu-Seol also garnered attention from above.

"Is that him?"

"Yeah, it seems so."

"He’s been showing up in various media outlets recently."

"What's the big deal about catching a few Dark Mages..."

Though Baek Yu-Seol had just entered his first year, there were many elite mages in their 20s who even had official magic warrior certifications.

They possessed considerable practical combat experience, and they had likely faced Dark Mages numerous times.

To them, someone like Baek Yu-Seol, who had only hunted Dark Mages a few times and was gaining attention from the public, wouldn't sit well.

"Leave him be. Have any of you hunted Dark Mages at seventeen? Just ranting about facing a Level 6 Danger Dark Mage when you've never actually encountered one."

Amidst the attendees who weren't particularly fond of Baek Yu-Seol, there were some who supported him.

It’s human nature not to feel comfortable with younger, more capable geniuses.

"Hi, you're Baek Yu-Seol?"

"Yes, hello."

After stopping the gossiping people around him, a young man in his early twenties approached Baek Yu-Seol, and offered a handshake.

Baek Yu-Seol accepted it somewhat reluctantly.

"I'm Cheongparam Aidun. We might not meet often, but I still wanted to exchange greetings."

"I'm Baek Yu-Seol."

"They're all envious of you, so don't feel pressured."

"Not really."Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Even though it was known as the world's most prestigious Stella Academy, several prestigious academies existed inside Aether World.

Even within Arcanium alone, there were five prestigious academies, including Stella.

Each academy boasted talented individuals who took pride in their respective academy, family, and magic skills.

Everyone believed that they could easily crush a first-year Stella student from a commoner background.

"Well, you seem genuinely relaxed... You're quite unique. Even the smartest and most successful mage might feel a bit pressured when so much attention is on them. But you seem entirely unfazed."

In truth, Baek Yu-Seol’s expression remained as calm as a tranquil lake.

The reason lay in the protection from the ‘Blessing of Yeonhong Chunsamweol,’ but Cheongparam remained unaware of it.

"Anyway... I wish you luck. You'll become a public target. Most likely, many mages won't refrain from using 'Intellectual Contours' on you."

"Yes, I need to be careful."

"Then I'll be on my way."

As Cheongparam left, Baek Yu-Seol let out a deep sigh.

*'Intellectual Contours'*

... In the Aslan Seminar, there were over 200 mages who would each discuss their thesis.

If they constantly point out the other’s thesis, and endlessly critique, then there would be no end to it.

At the Aslan Seminar, each attending mage was given five chances to critique.

They could use these chances to discuss and challenge others' thesis.

If one failed to answer, there was no penalty.

However, it was just a bad line would be drawn on his career as a mage.

Only five chances.

Mages didn’t frivolously use those chances; they waited for crucial moments to make their critiques.

*‘When they can penetrate the core of the opponent's argument.’*

*‘When they discover a perfect flaw in the opponent's thesis.’*

*‘When they can utterly demolish the opponent.’*

*And, ‘... When they absolutely want to ruin the opponent.’*

Because of these critique opportunities, Edna had a tough time in the original game.

At that time, she possessed various elemental magics that no other mage could wield, and attracted attention from society.

Countless mages including Stella’s extra villain Cellyn used those critique chances against her.

In the game, the player had to refer to the ‘spec’ and choose the correct response each time.

“The Records of Ligram’s Magic documents successful manifestations of various forms of magic circles, including hexagons. However, Ligram eventually didn't choose another magic circle. Why do you think that is?'

“... Due to the inefficiency of mana circulation.”

“That's right. When mana travels through curved paths, it can efficiently and rapidly transmit its energy. Hexagon magic circles? Beautiful, honestly, I'd want to draw them and hang them at home, but apart from that aesthetic value, they don't seem to offer much else.”

Hahaha!

Laughter erupted as she jokingly mocked Eisel’s thesis.

In reality, there was nothing wrong with Cellyn’s words. She had already perfectly analyzed and deconstructed Eisel’s magic, and prepared how to critique it.

While most mages circulated mana within their minds to achieve immense computational abilities, Cellyn had an ability called [Information Processing Ability].

"That's..."

Clearly, it was a question already predicted by Eisel. It could be easily refuted with a little effort, but the moment she tried to recall the related theory, she got stuck somewhere.

Eisel’s thoughts froze as if her mind had been paralyzed.

When Eisel couldn't respond, Cellyn's successful attack was immediately followed by another 'opportunity to comment.'

Once the initial comment opportunity was used, there was a five minute window during which the speaker could choose not to respond.

"Eisel Morph, your magic seems to have a significant flaw."

Once a rival of the Morph Family, Keika of the Dromian Family spoke up.

"In cryogenic magic, it's essential to construct a formula by specifying the freezing point. Because each substance has its own freezing point. However, your magic has no links to freezing points. Are you just pouring mana to cool without considering the freezing points?"

"Th-The freezing point..."

Eisel opened her mouth as if trying to come up with an excuse, and Dromian pretended to spare her a moment.

But seeing Eisel confused and unable to speak for a few seconds, he quickly struck again.

Here, it was not just about undermining the opponent's magic; it was more about highlighting oneself to stand out even more.

"As an example, let's talk about the Dromian Family’s magic circle."

So, he deliberately brought up the proud cryogenic magic of his family.

During the thesis debate, displaying magic circles was quite acceptable, so no one criticized Keika for waving his wand and creating a blue ice magic circle.

"Do you see this magic circle? To efficiently designate freezing points, Dromian Family inserted as many as eighteen freezing points into a single magic circle equation."

"Wow...!"

"It's impressive...”

Since it was a type of magic which froze the target, the number of freezing points inserted into that complex magic circle became the main task of cryogenic magic and a benchmark for superiority.

Yet, in the magic circle of the Morph Family, which reappeared after a decade, there was not a single freezing point.

*‘How do you feel?'*

Keika shrugged his shoulders and his smile feigned victory, while Eisel’s expression progressively hardened.

With that momentum, one by one, mages started seizing the opportunity to comment against her.

"While adopting this hexagonal magic circle, you attempt to rewrite the old 'Ordon's Theory of Temperature Changes.' What's the connection between this magic and that theory?"

"I have doubts about the mana consumption formula at the moment of freezing. Why is the mana consumption only this much? Proper scrutiny is needed..."

"Erasing the freezing points and creating a hexagonal magic circle decreases the efficiency..."

Despite being bombarded with numerous questions, Eisel appeared frozen and couldn’t answer.

Baek Yu-Seol soon understood the reason.

She wasn't just speechless because she forgot the theory; despite just starting her presentation... The indiscriminate barrage of criticism and ridicule had unnerved her, leaving her mentally shaken.

She was a woman who had been enduring insults for a lifetime.

Yet, at that moment, everyone was blatantly stripping away her foundational magic, and making a joke out of it. Even Eisel’s mental fortitude was significantly shaken.

*'Everyone hates me, huh.'*

*‘No matter what magic I use, no matter what logic I present, they have no interest at all.’*

*‘They simply take delight in suppressing me, demeaning me, and mocking me as trash.’*

Amid blatant criticism, Eisel painfully realized this fact.

At that moment, Baek Yu-Seol thought: *‘In the midst of the Aslan Seminar, it's impossible to teach or advise Eisel. She has to figure it out herself.’*

*'How?'*

Eisel’s magic and reasoning were flawless, to the point where there was no need to teach or assist her anymore.

So then... the only option left was to point out that flaw.

"Eisel, I've found a weakness in your thesis."

Hence, Baek Yu-Seol used the 'opportunity to comment' against her.",