Magic Analysis (2)
"Student Lee Hoyeon, out of curiosity, can you trace magic circles? Since Alice can reverse engineer, there's a chance for you to learn too!" The professor encouraged me with a smile, seeming convinced that my defeat was inevitable.
To be honest, thinking in such a way is quite accurate. Among the students in the original plot, only Alice was known for her ability to reverse engineer. Even among active mages, many couldn't master it. That's how challenging and talent-dependent magic can be.
Magic circle tracing is akin to reverse engineering but falls under a subcategory. It involves tracking magic circles, similar to reverse engineering but with a significant difference in speed. Think of it as a stepping stone to learning reverse engineering. Of course, I can reverse engineer, but tracking magic circles is uncharted territory for me.
"I may not excel in tracing magic circles, but I'm confident in demonstrating what you want, Professor."
"Very well, that should suffice."
""
Alice stood before me, her expression puzzled, as if she couldn't quite grasp it.
Well, I can't blame her; I'm not entirely sure either.
[Subquest Received!]
[Stirring Alice's Jealousy?!]
[Alice becomes jealous when she sees peers outperform her! Shall we provoke her jealousy to gain her attention? Manifest the magic circle before Ellis does!]
[Reward: Strength +1]
Oh, a quest has emerged after quite some time. But why a strength reward? I'm a mage, after all. Lately, thanks to Liliana's talk, I've been seriously contemplating whether I should become a martial artist.
In any case, the appearance of this quest indicated that I was finally adhering to the original plot.
"Shall we begin with the most fundamental magic? Force magic."
Force magic. It's the most basic form of magic, converting mana into physical force and projecting it. It's a magic that doesn't require a magic circle, but it's rarely used due to its limited practicality.
"Alright, are you prepared?"
"Professor, I apologize, but I don't know the magic circle for Force Magic."
"Oh, right, you recently transitioned to being a mage. I keep forgetting because you're so skilled." The professor chuckled and began leafing through the textbook from the beginning.
"Let's see Are there any other magic circles"
"Just teach me the Force Magic circle; that'll be sufficient."
"Hmm? No, that won't do. Competing with an unfamiliar magic circle wouldn't be fair."
"It's alright. I'm still learning, and it might be easier for other students to observe and learn if we start with the simplest magic, don't you think?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Professor."
Earlier, you spoke as if I were going to lose anyway, and now you're concerned about fairness. This is why dealing with older professors can be challenging. Sometimes, it's best to just let things slide.
"Well, let's commence as soon as this tiny flame decides to vanish," the professor quipped, conjuring a minuscule flame in his hand.
Whoosh
The flame dwindled slowly in size, while Alice, stationed in front of me, serenely channeled mana into her body.
My grand plan was crystal clear; I aimed to triumph in this reverse engineering showdown with unparalleled finesse. Even though the quest insisted on me manifesting the magic circle before Alice, I knew that doing so wouldn't necessarily stoke her jealousy or leave a lasting impression. I had other women to impress in this game. My goal was to linger in her thoughts all day, not just trigger a fleeting moment of envy.
My masterstroke was to ensure Alice felt the disparity, even if it meant enduring the most agonizing defeat. She might require something extra to cool off afterward, but she'd endure it.
"If you're so keen on donating me the book, I'll graciously accept."
"I apologize in advance. Please don't get too worked up," I casually shrugged and chuckled. I had my doubts about whether I could keep it within the bounds of mere jealousy.
The flame was on the verge of vanishing. I channeled mana throughout my body.
"Ready."
In an instant, my field of vision expanded, granting me a clear view of the mana gathering in Alice's hand. My magic circle was prepared, but instead of constructing it with my gathered mana, I scrutinized Alice's mana. The gaps between magic circles, the mana's intensity, even the rhythm of Alice's breathI analyzed every detail in a fraction of a second. With a subtle gesture of my hand, I disrupted Alice's mana.
"That's true"
Drrring!
"Hello! I'm Professor Kang Hyorin! It's been a while."
Dr. Kang Hyorin, the professor of Modern Hunter Studies, known for her frequent claims of being too occupied for classes. What a reputable educator.
"Today, in preparation for the exam, we'll summarize the key points. We're short on time! No breaks, let's stay focused from start to finish!"
"Oh no" Lucy's voice, filled with dejection, echoed beside me.
***
Every day, at the same time, a sedan parked in front of the academy's main gate. Alice naturally got into the car.
"Good work, miss."
"Thanks."
The middle-aged man in the driver's seat started driving as if it were a routine. Alice always had a designated restaurant for dinner.
"Are you well-prepared for the midterms?"
"Yeah, it's going smoothly"
It would go smoothly enough to secure the first place. At least, that's what she was about to say, but she hesitated. A certain guy popped into her mind.
"I might end up in second place instead of first."
"Second place? If you're saying that, Miss Alice, they must be an exceptional talent."
"Yeah. It's that guy from PR department you mentioned last time, Lee Hoyeon."
"Ah, that handsome fellow. I heard he's really good at studying. Last time, I heard he defeated ogres or something. Is it true?"
"Well it might be."
Alice was somewhat skeptical, but after seeing Lee Hoyeon's magic skills today, she started thinking, "Maybe"
"By the way, speaking of that, could you do some background check on Lee Hoyeon?"
"Oh! Have you finally taken an interest in a friend?"
"It's not like that. But I'll let you do the investigation yourself, pease."
"So, is it more of a precaution than interest?" The middle-aged man's demeanor changed slightly. The jovial uncle disappeared, and he emitted an assertive vibe.
"It's just a hunch and it's a bit unsettling."
"Understood. If Miss Alice asks, I have no choice but to comply."
"Yeah. Thanks as always."
Alice wasn't one to take a keen interest in others. That's why she hadn't ordered any background checks on anyone, even if they were more talented than her. But there was something about Lee Hoyeon that bothered her. His close relationship with the Student Council President, the strange dynamics with the Saint, and the club with the exceptionally talented twin beauties. Plus, his abnormal magic skills.
If there weren't even one of these suspicious factors, Alice wouldn't have ordered an investigation. But at this point, she couldn't help but wonder if he might be involved in something. If he is, great; if not, so be it.
"Oh, right. Please call my father. Tell him his daughter has a favor to ask."
"Of course. When should I start the investigation on Lee Hoyeon, Miss?"
"Hmm, do it whenever it's convenient. It's not that urgent."
"Very well. I'll start today."
"Yeah, go ahead." Alice casually ordered a background check on Lee Hoyeon. And she couldn't have imagined that he would turn up in every place she had in mind.
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