Not long after Yujin met with the Head of the Mages Association, the Association was thrown into an uproar once again.
The reason? Yujin, the mage who had newly established the framework for space-time magic, had announced that he would give a lecture on such magic.
The Head of the Mages Association who was speaking with absolute confidence immediately set the Association into motion to prepare for the lecture. News of the event was spread across the country.
When the announcement first circulated, most people dismissed it as exaggerated rumors.
Space-time magic? It’s probably just like before, a small fragment of knowledge recovered from the Transcendents’ vast wisdom.
Space-time magic, as a field, had not existed up to that point. More accurately, magic categorized under “time” magic had never existed and only fragments of “space” magic had been known.
Yet the news spread by the Mages Association claimed that space-time magic had been developed into a concept so comprehensive and structured that it could establish an entirely new school of thought.
Naturally, the claims were hard to believe. What exactly was the concept of space-time? It was an unfathomable field, one that even the greatest of Transcendents could only influence if they possessed the necessary authority.
The currently existing space magic, such as subspace, teleportation, and the expansion and contraction of space, were akin to a type of authority that had been refined into magical knowledge by dragons, the supreme masters of magic. As such, they were spells that could only be properly used by mages who had reached truly extraordinary realms.
And yet, to claim that such magic had been fully established as a formal school of thought? That what mages had dreamed of for lifetimes, their ultimate aspiration, had been achieved so suddenly?
Most assumed that the Mages Association was merely overreacting, making a fuss over some newly discovered fragment of knowledge. At best, they thought, it might involve some specific improvements in space magic.
Of course, even that would be remarkable and worth checking out. But surely, it won’t involve time magic…
Such was their thinking. Until the Head of the Mages Association released both his statements and a thesis written by Yujin that completely overturned their assumptions.
[This is the thesis submitted by the mage. It contains a portion of the newly established knowledge about space-time magic]
The Head’s emphatic words, coupled with the undeniable contents of the paper, swept across the country.
Mages, scholars, and even political elites were stunned. They scrambled desperately, each doing whatever they could to secure a spot at the lecture.
And so, a few days later, the lecture hall hosted by the Mages Association was set to open.
“Is that really true? The author of the thesis on the newly established space-time magic is going to give the lecture in person?”
“Yes, I heard the Association Head personally invited them!”
“On top of that, they’re offering to do the lecture free of charge!”
“As expected! The authority of the Association Head is truly extraordinary!”
“But is it really true? That the knowledge of space-time magic has been fully established…”
“Ha, you’re behind on the news. The verification of the magic formula is already complete. It’s been confirmed. True space-time magic has been discovered.”
“Who exactly is the one who fully established space-time magic?”
“From what I’ve heard, they came from the East…”
“What? The East? Isn’t that a place with no connection to magic?”
“You never know. Perhaps some insight about space-time exists in the East…”
“Finally, the secrets of space-time magic are being unraveled…!”
Murmur, murmur.
The sound of the audience murmuring echoed throughout the lecture hall as they gathered before the podium.
The seats were filled with countless attendees. Famous mages, legendary heroes, scholars, and powerful figures alike.
Their conversations revolved around just two topics.
The newly established branch of space-time magic and the author of the thesis that had defined it.
The person who had made it possible for an ordinary mage to touch upon the transcendent concept of space-time. A realm once thought accessible only to Transcendents.
As wild speculations about this individual swirled among the crowd…
“Here, Headmistress.”
“Yes.”
A sharp-looking woman with short, dark purple hair was escorting another woman. She treated her with the utmost reverence and led her to one of the elegantly arranged seats on the upper level.
The woman being escorted was a stunning beauty with fiery red hair and golden eyes. She had a voluptuous figure.
There was, however, one peculiar detail about her. The pupils in her golden eyes.
Amidst the bright yellow irises, a vertical crimson slit, almost like a scar, was etched in the center.
The reptilian-like pupils gazed intently at the lecture hall below.
“Professor Reina.”
“Yes, please speak.”
Standing beside her, almost like an attendant, was none other than Reina Sahart.
She was the professor who had previously supervised the students during the exam led by the Hugo Party and had resolved to investigate Yujin after hearing about him.
And the woman Reina was serving was none other than…
“So, according to your report, the one who established this new branch of space-time magic could be a dark mage?”
“That is right, Headmistress.”
“Hmm…”
The Headmistress of the Academy, Ines Karandar.
A legendary Archmage, also known as the “Great Witch”. She was also rumored to carry the bloodline of dragons.
One of the most powerful individuals in the world had personally come to the lecture hall.
“At first, I was simply curious. Who could possibly establish a form of space-time magic that even I couldn’t master? But then, Professor Reina came to me with such an unexpected report. If I recall… you said it was someone named Yujin.”
“Yes.”
Professor Reina lowered her head as she responded.
Ever since her encounter with the Hugo Party, she had indeed conducted a thorough investigation into Yujin.
The result? Absolutely nothing.
Yujin’s past activities were remarkably spotless. Almost unnaturally so. It was as if he had suddenly fallen into this world out of nowhere.
This peculiarity only deepened Reina’s suspicions. When she heard the news that he had turned the Association upside down with his thesis on space-time magic, she immediately rushed to the Headmistress to report it.
Dark mages and demons were grave matters even at the Academy. In fact, though it was a tightly kept secret, one of the Academy’s students, the second princess of the Arcedium Empire, was currently being corrupted by a demon.
And dark mages were targeting her. For the Headmistress, who was known for her extraordinary care for her students, it was something she could not ignore.
To make matters worse, the person suspected of being a dark mage was giving a lecture on space-time magic.
The Headmistress had already been fascinated by space-time magic. Something she herself had yet to fully master. Now, she had one more reason to attend.
A dark mage who has mastered space-time magic… It’s not certain yet, but I need to find out who this person really is.
As her eyes gleamed coldly with determination…
At the back of the lecture hall, Yujin who had been speaking with the Association Head turned his gaze toward the direction where the Headmistress was.
“…Hmm?”
“Hmm? Is something wrong, Sir Yujin?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
He had faintly sensed magical power that resembled that of a dragon, which caused him to glance in that direction. Incidentally, Tiamat had sensed it too.
[Wait, this energy…]
There was something about the magical power that felt familiar to her.
[…No way… Karandar, is that your…?!]
Even in her spiritual state, Tiamat instinctively realized something and broke into a cold sweat with her face flushing red…
Lady Tiamat, did you sense it as well?
[H-Huh?]
I can sense traces of a dragon’s energy, even if it’s faint. The source seems to be human, however.
At his words, Tiamat’s face grew even redder.
[I-I see…]
Hmm? Lady Tiamat, I’m picking up on something that feels akin to shame. Do you happen to know anything about this?
[N-No! I don’t know anything! Really, I have no idea!]
…Is that so?
Though Yujin had a hunch that she knew something, her adamant denial led him to decide to let it go. Instead, he refocused on his conversation with the Association Head.
Meanwhile, Tiamat was caught in her own thoughts.
Karandar… no matter what, how could you do that with a human…?!
The mere thought that one of her kin, one of the young dragons she had once guided, had engaged in “such an act” filled her with so much shame that she couldn’t lift her head.
While Tiamat wrestled with her emotions, Yujin was wrapping up his conversation with the Head of the Mages Association.
“Sir Yujin, everything is ready now, so…”
“Yes. I suppose it’s about time for me to head up.”
“Please, I’m counting on you.”
The president clasped Yujin’s hand and bowed several times as he repeated his request.
When he’s being this respectful, I can’t help but feel a bit guilty.
Although he felt a little sorry for the Head for showing such humility despite his position, he had no intention of backing out of the lecture. All he could do was acknowledge the feeling and move on.
With that, Yujin watched the president step aside, then began walking toward the stage.
Step. Step.
The sound of his footsteps echoed as he steadily climbed the stairs.
-……
Though the sound was faint, it carried an inexplicably immense presence that silenced the audience.
Step. Step.
The audience’s attention turned entirely to the podium. Some swallowed nervously, while others stared intently at the figure who had stepped onto the stage.
Unlike his usual style, he now adopted for a neatly swept-back hair. He had styled it in response to a request to appear slightly more formal.
Now that he was dressed impeccably in a suit, he looked less like a mage and more like a distinguished musician from the world of fine arts. His calm face, graced with a slight smile, held a charm that could effortlessly captivate anyone who saw it.
Step. Step…
The soft yet resonant sound of footsteps that had filled the lecture hall soon came to a stop, and the man began to speak.
“Greetings. I am Yujin, the author of the thesis on space-time magic.”
With a voice amplified by magic, the man spoke while maintaining a gentle smile.
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