Award Ceremony (2)
After class, I thought I'd swing by Professor Im Sol's office. Lumi had hinted that she was heading to the club room, but I couldn't do it with her every single day.
[Visiting the professor again?]
"Yeah. I have some research to discuss."
[Hmm]
Why isn't she saying anything now? She's definitely thinking I'm just going there to get a fellatio from Professor Im Sol.
"Hello."
"Hello. You came to meet Professor Im Sol, right?"
"Yes."
"If you take the elevator, it will take you up to her office~!"
My name had been registered in the Mado hall lobby. I could enter Im Sol's research lab without needing her permission. I had wondered if there might be a problem, but since she had no intention of leaving her lab and no one could steal anything from it without her noticing, she simply allowed access. That's how confident she was.
I took the elevator to her lab. Seeing no one around, it seemed she was probably going through some documents in her office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
As I gently opened the door and entered, I saw Im Sol sitting at her desk, engrossed in reading printouts.
"Hello."
"Huh? It's you. I thought it was the assistant."
"I mentioned earlier that I'd come by after class."
"Yeah, yeah. There's nothing else to do anyway. Have a seat."
Even now, she didn't look up from the documents.
What did she mean there's nothing else to do? Is she living in a completely different world from everyone else?
Lost in thought, I sat on the sofa in her office. As Im Sol clapped twice, a tea set flew over, followed by a cup of coffee.
Gulp, gulp.
Sure enough, it was instant coffee.
"You have an idea, you said? Tell me."
"Have you made any progress with the fast spell manifestation technique I showed you last time?"
"Well, that seems to be related to your skill. I just can't get it to work." Im Sol muttered to herself as she put down the printouts and took a sip of her coffee. Then, with a content smile, she took a bite of a chocolate cookie.
"Oh, maybe you can do it this time, Professor."
"What is it?"
It might be easier to demonstrate than to explain. Using double casting, I conjured fireballs in both of my hands. On one hand, I sketched a magic circle infused with the determination of destruction,' while on the other, I simply drew a magic circle. Both fireballs contained the same amount of mana and utilized the same spell formula, yet one of them burned more intensely.
"What's this?" Im Sol was about to take a sip of her coffee, but as she opened her mouth, she froze in that position. Her grip on the cup loosened gradually, and I swiftly reached out to catch it before it fell to the table.
"Wait, what's this?! Have you figured out how to adjust your condition?" Im Sol, who seemed momentarily dazed, regained her composure and inquired.
"Adjusting my condition? What's that?"
"Why wouldn't you know about adjusting your condition Ah, right. You haven't been practicing magic for long, have you? Even if you use the same mana and spell formula, sometimes a stronger spell can result. The exact reason hasn't been fully understood, but it's likely tied to your physical condition."
Ah, that's actually quite logical. If the same spell occasionally yields different outcomes, it would make sense. Such theories exist because many mages struggle to sense mana accurately. Similar to vital components in architectural blueprints, magic circles also comprise essential elements for spell manifestation. These fundamental spell formulas need to be infused with determination.
"Infused with determination?" I elaborated on the concept I had uncovered to Im Sol. Initially, she appeared puzzled, but as I demonstrated magic again while explaining, her eyes widened, and she started sketching magic circles without uttering a word.
[Wow, are you genuinely a genius? How did you come across this?]
"Did you not have this concept even in Hell?" Since Im Sol was so engrossed in magic that she didn't respond even when I called her, I quietly informed Liliana.
[Our magical structures differ from yours.]
"Well, perhaps I should delve into it later."
Charm magic didn't prove particularly effective last time, but just in case.
"That's the idea!" A vibrant blue electric current began coursing through Im Sol's body.
"Isn't that typically a weaker magic?"
As far as I was aware, that magic is meant to generate a mild electric field around the body. So why did it suddenly turn into Pikachu's Thunderbolt?
"This This It doesn't make sense Really!" Professor Im Sol was so ecstatic that she grabbed my shoulders and shook me. It was almost as if I was getting a gentle electric shock. "This discovery is poised to revolutionize the world of magic!"
"Calm down, Professor."
"How can I stay calm?! I'm incredibly fortunate! Luckier than anyone else to have met you first!" She enthusiastically embraced my body and playfully tapped my chest. It felt more like she was dancing with joy against my chest than tapping it, but I suppose that's how she perceived it.
Amid her exuberant display, she eventually settled down, collapsing onto the sofa. "Ah This is truly fantastic."
"I did well, didn't I?"
"It's not just success on your part! This is a genuinely groundbreaking discovery! You're making a significant impact on the world of magical research!" Im Sol's joy was palpable. I wondered what it was about magic that brought her such happiness.
"You're truly a genius, and even that label falls short. I'm simply speechless."
"So, how did you find this idea?"
"Huh? Absolutely, it was incredible incredible" The last word of her sentence seemed to stretch like a rubber band. She and I have a pact, albeit a fading one. I assist her in her research, and in return, she lends a hand with a certain matter for me.
"I guess. Anyway, let's get going!"
"Okay! But why do you think they called us?"
"We'll find out when we get there."
She didn't even know why they summoned her for the award ceremony. Once we get to the principal's office, she'll naturally find out. So, I thought I'd keep the surprise for her and not say anything about the award.
Chit-chatting with Lucy, we reached the academy's administrative office. The principal's office was on top of the administration building. We showed our student IDs at the lobby, passed through, and in front of the principal's office, several students were already waiting. There were a few unfamiliar faces, but I recognized two of them.
"Junior! What's up?"
Heroine Status Window
[Moon Soorin]
[Affection: 51]
[Lust: 20]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 59]
Current Status: I'm wearing new glasses. Can he tell?
"Hello, President."
Moon Soorin. Of course, she's the most talented senior in the third year, so getting into the excellent students' group is par for the course. It's nice to see her lovely chest and curves again after a while. With a two-year gap, she's matured more than other student heroines.
"Oh you changed your glasses?"
The status window mentioned it. Her old-school horn-rimmed glasses were gone; now she's rocking round frames.
"You can tell? I wanted to change things up a bit lately, so I got a new pair." She chuckled as she pushed up her frames, making it look oddly sexy.
"But why are you here, Junior? Isn't Alice the excellent first-year student?"
"They're giving rewards for the demon I took down. Figured they'd call me over."
"I see! That's great! This is a chance to make yourself known to people. Guild VIPs will also gather at the event for the hunters who died heroically and the hunters who received rewards."
So I might be included just for killing a demon? No, wait, I'm getting a better reward than the top student. Maybe I'm not that unimpressive.
"Haha feels a bit overwhelming. Good luck to you too, President. If you ever need help, you know where to find me."
"Yeah. Don't worry. I'll be the first to reach out." Moon Soorin said that and left her seat. Talking in a crowded place didn't seem convenient for her. But still, her affection went up by 3 compared to when she visited to check on my condition in the hospital. The auto-hunting heroine certainly knows how to raise affection. However, for a clear strategy, I wished that the stalker would step up a bit more but but slow enough to let me find an opening to make my move.
One more person to greet. I headed over to Alice, watching her blonde hair sway as she looked at her smartwatch.
"Hey."
"Yes, long time no see, Lee Hoyeon." Alice turned her gaze from her smartwatch to me.
Yeah, it's been a while. I mean, I see her face every day in class, but this feels different. We haven't interacted much, so it's like it's been a while. We met during the PR department's activities the other day oh, and during the theory exam when I stole her top spot.
Is everything okay now?
As I quietly looked at Alice, she returned the gaze, thankfully not as bothered as before. "It's been a while. Congrats on being the star student this year, Alice."
"Likewise. Isn't defeating a demon more impressive than being an excellent student?"
Does Alice not care about the academy rumors? I can understand Moon Soorin because she's into me, but Alice, naturally suspicious, should have some doubts.
Heroine Status Window
[Alice]
[Affection: 26]
[Lust: 20]
[Appetite: 30]
[Fatigue: 30]
Current Status: I need to study hard to reclaim the top spot, but when will this nonsense event end?!
Alice you're still concerned about being at the top spot. Well, it's better if she doesn't have doubts.
"I just got lucky. Thanks."
"Yeah. Do well at the award ceremony." Short and sweet. Alice finished the chat and went back to her smartwatch.
Is she listening to a lecture or something? If she doesn't want to talk, there's not much I can do.
Back to Lucy I went.
"So, you know quite a few people here, huh?" Lucy looked a tad annoyed, brows furrowed. It's plain as day on her face, and I was kind of feeling it too. She's got a bit of a pout going on.
"Huh? Yeah. Been a while since I saw them. While I see you every day, I barely talk to them, so I should at least say hi, right?"
"Yeah, you're right"
"Oh, by the way, aren't you whipping up those cookies you made last time? They were pretty darn good."
"Really? Well, if you say so, I could make more for you! I usually do. You know, trying to be all ladylike!"
So Lucy's trying to be more ladylike. Considering that enormous bust of hers, she's feminine enough though. But I couldn't say that, and she's so earnest about it.
Looks like her mood's lightened a touch, though I'll have to take the poison tomorrow.
Just then, the principal's office door swung open.
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