The Mages Association was turned upside down.
The reason was none other than an unknown mage, who had appeared in Labyrinth City like a comet or out of nowhere while bringing with him a thesis on space-time magic.
It wasn’t just a matter of implementing a few detailed magic formulas from the knowledge gained in the Labyrinth. The thesis contained an extensive body of theory, fully established concepts of space-time magic, and most importantly, actual magic formulas that were generally accepted within the space-time field. In fact, the work was so comprehensive and systematic that it could practically establish an entirely new school of space-time magic.
“Wh-What on earth are these theories?”
“This is incredible! When the magic is cast, objects truly accelerate or decelerate in any motion. Has time magic really been realized?”
“A magic that distorts space like this…! Doesn’t that mean it can deflect any attack?”
“The magic formulas actually work. But these theories…they’re something I’ve never even heard of before…”
“What kind of theory is this? General relativity?”
“One of the bases is gravity magic? What kind of relationship could there be between space-time and gravity?”
“Next! Show us the next part!”
Space-time magic was long considered the ultimate pursuit of mages. And so, the Association’s scholars and mages couldn’t contain their almost frenzied enthusiasm as they pored over the information, which offered insights into this very space-time magic. Not only was the thesis comprehensive, but it was so well organized that it laid the foundation for an entire school of thought.
As countless scholars made copies of the thesis and continued reading, they eventually reached the final page. The very last line.
However, their faces quickly turned to expressions of sheer bewilderment.
—I have discovered countless magic formulas for this newly established branch of space-time magic, along with its infinite potential. These are truly extraordinary, but due to lack of space, I will not record them here.
“Arrrgh!”
“What kind of nonsense is this?! If you’re out of space, just use more paper!”
“Damn it! Is this guy mocking us?!”
Using a phrase similar to the omitted note from Fermat’s Last Theorem, which tormented mathematicians on modern Earth for 350 years, the scholars and mages began coughing up blood in sheer frustration.
“Curse it! Does he think we won’t figure it out if he hides it like this?!”
“We’ll uncover every single magic formula he’s left out!”
“We will uncover the secrets of space-time magic!”
Whether it was their pride as mages or sheer stubbornness being provoked, the mages and scholars became even more determined. They clung to the thesis with burning passion and devoted themselves to research with extraordinary intensity.
They worked tirelessly to interpret the theories, to reanalyze information on gravity magic, which was one of the foundations of space-time magic, or to deconstruct some of the magic formulas that had been recorded.
They were desperate to uncover even the slightest bit of information about this newly established branch of space-time magic.
“Damn it… What is this theory even about?”
“I can’t figure it out. How does gravity magic even interact with space-time magic?”
“Argh…! Dismantling the magic formulas is useless! How can such a simple structure fit together so intricately?”
But all their efforts ended in failure.
It was only normal. The relationship between space-time and gravity, revealed through the theory of general relativity, was considered highly special knowledge even on modern Earth, where physics was well-developed.
However, for those who were born into a world filled with forces that were singularities in the laws of physics themselves, and who lived their lives completely dismissing physics as irrelevant, it was an impossible task to understand concepts that formed the foundation of modern physics.
Moreover, the magic formulas for space-time magic that Yujin had fully disclosed were extremely simple in structure, despite their complex functionality. Even if they were dismantled, there was little of value to be gained.
“Bring me the author of this thesis!”
In the end, they reached a single conclusion. They had to bring Yujin, the author of the thesis, to them.
***
“So, you’re saying that’s why you’ve come to find me?”
“Y-Yes, that is right…”
At one corner of the table in the inn run by Mary, an old man with a long white beard was bowing deeply. Sitting across from him was a black-haired man with narrow eyes. It was Yujin. The latter regarded the old man with an amused expression on his face.
“I didn’t expect the head of the Mages Association to personally come all this way.”
The old man was none other than the head of the Mages Association. This was a man who literally held the highest position within the organization that governed mages.
Under normal circumstances, someone in his position would never go out of his way to meet an ordinary mage. But this situation was anything but ordinary.
The branch of space-time magic. It was an entire school of magic that could be established, not with the fragmented knowledge hastily implemented from the labyrinth but with a vast and comprehensive foundation.
If the author of such a thesis was the one they were going to meet, it was more than worth it for the head himself to take action personally.
“You seem to be of considerable age. I worry that I might have caused you unnecessary trouble. You could have left this matter to someone below you.”
“Ha, haha… Not at all. There’s no way I could entrust the honor of welcoming Yujin to mere subordinates.”
Of course, the Head hadn’t personally taken on the task of meeting Yujin simply out of courtesy.
As someone in his position, with the authority of the head and the strength he had accumulated over decades as a mage, he also had the intent to pressure Yujin and extract the knowledge of space-time magic with ease.
However…
The moment he first faced Yujin, he realized something.
It was when he had entered the inn, dismissed the other guests already present with authority and money, and arranged for a private meeting without even the innkeeper present.
Interesting.
When he tried to subtly oppress Yujin using the power of an Archmage without anyone noticing, Yujin had half-opened his eyes with a faint smile and revealed his own magical power.
And then, the Head felt it. An overwhelming gap.
He wondered if this was what it would feel like to face a dragon in person.
Standing before Yujin was like being a prey in front of a predator. Or perhaps a firefly before the sun. He suddenly felt utterly insignificant.
As he gazed into Yujin’s dark red eyes, which seemed to freeze his soul and stop his heart, he felt as if he were facing the legendary Fear of a dragon, the kind only spoken of in myths.
If not for the pride he had built as a mage and the mental strength he had honed over many years, he might have already gone mad or collapsed down.
The head realized one thing. The person standing before him was someone far beyond his reach.
A monstrous figure. Like the Headmistress of the Academy who had once made him feel this way in his younger years.
Even his youthful appearance might not be as it seemed. After all, wasn’t the Headmistress of the Academy still maintaining an endlessly youthful appearance despite having lived for countless years? Of course, that could also be attributed to her race.
But beings who reach a certain level of mastery sometimes return to the prime of their youth and no longer experience aging. Wasn’t it called the “state of returning to one’s origin” in the East? Or perhaps it is the “shedding bones and changing form”?
Though he was one of those referred to as an Archmage, the Head of the Mages Association hadn’t reached such a level. Feeling a twinge of bitterness, he turned to Yujin and made a polite request.
“Please, Sir Yujin. Would you consider sharing your knowledge of space-time magic with us?”
He decided to cast aside his pride entirely. Being courteous and sincere seemed the best approach, not just to increase his chances of success but also for his own sake.
The Head of the Mages Association desperately hoped that, behind Yujin’s unreadable expression, there was at least some desire for the prosperity of knowledge.
“Of course, I’m not asking you to share it without compensation. The Association will do everything in its power to support you. Whatever you desire, Sir Yujin, we will…”
“No need.”
Yujin interrupted the Head’s words with a faint smile. Though it could easily be taken as a refusal.…no, in reality, it felt exactly like one. The Head of the Association almost showed a devastated expression before he could stop himself.
He pleaded desperately.
“Please, reconsider just this once…”
“Haha, it seems you’ve misunderstood my intentions.”
Yujin laughed and waved his hand at the Head’s words.
“What I meant was that there’s no need for compensation. I’m not particularly interested in selling my knowledge for a price.”
“What? Are you saying…!”
“Indeed. For now, how about this?”
As the Head’s face lit up with hope, Yujin continued speaking.
“Could you arrange for a lecture to be hosted by the Mages Association in the near future? I’ll participate as a lecturer.”
“Really?!”
The Head of the Mages Association was overcome with emotion and looked as if he might kneel on the spot as he cried out in gratitude, clasping Yujin’s hands tightly.
“Thank you. Thank you so much, Sir Yujin!”
“Haha, there’s no need to thank me. I’ll visit you soon, so how about we coordinate the schedule then?”
“Of course! Please feel free to come whenever it’s convenient for you! Ah, no, wait. I’ll leave a communication crystal here for you to use…”
“Take your time.”
With that, the Head of the Mages Association took out a communication crystal from his subspace, placed it down, and bowed repeatedly to Yujin before leaving the inn.
As Yujin watched him leave, Tiamat who was standing beside him spoke up.
[Yujin, are you really planning to give a lecture? I thought you had no intention of spreading the new structure for space-time magic?]
Ah, my stance hasn’t changed on that, Lady Tiamat. But I never said I’d give a lecture about space-time magic, did I?
[What?]
Yujin grinned somewhat mischievously and continued.
I only said I would participate in the lecture as a lecturer. I never promised to hold a session on space-time magic. Nor do I have any intention of doing so.
[Oh…]
If I outright refuse to disclose anything, people will push back hard, and there’ll be no end to the ones pestering me. So, I thought I’d ask them to organize a lecture and put on a bit of a show instead.
He smiled at Tiamat who was staring at him blankly.
I didn’t lie, did I?
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