“I have a dream.”
It was a somewhat abrupt statement.
Yet, with just those few words, those who were already focused on Yujin found themselves, for some reason, paying even closer attention to what he had to say.
“That dream is deeply rooted in my convictions and in the noble work all of you are dedicated to.”
Yujin looked around the room and continued speaking in an uncharacteristically sincere voice.
“I have a dream. That one day, the students taught by myself and all of you esteemed professors here will go on to lead the future of humanity.”
At first glance, his words might have seemed overly grandiose. However, there was a strange power in the conviction with which he spoke, a power that moved people’s hearts. It was as though his words carried the magic of inspiring the professors’ pride, making them believe they could indeed nurture such individuals.
“That humanity, having advanced to such heights, will one day prove to the great gods above that we are not just pitiful children to be taken care of, but fully independent beings capable of standing on our own.”
– .……!!!
That statement struck like a revelation, a revolutionary shock.
What are the gods, after all?
They are the transcendental beings who triumphed in the Great War and now safeguard humanity. Yet Yujin was essentially declaring that humanity would prove its worth to such entities.
“That one day, those gods will acknowledge us and we will show them here on this earth that human lives can be free and beautiful.”
-…….
“That there will come a day when humanity truly becomes great.”
It was a heartfelt appeal.
Even on modern Earth, such words could move people. It was like the greatest speech in Earth’s history, Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, which was hailed as a masterpiece of public speaking.
Yujin’s speech which was subtly changed in its context gradually drew the professors in and captivated them.
“This is also humanity’s hope. This is the conviction I aim to uphold whenever I teach the students who come to me seeking knowledge. With such a conviction, I am certain we can make this hope a reality.”
“Let us carry this hope across the world. Let us pray that this hope reaches the great gods themselves. And let us show those who deny this hope the limitless potential of humanity!”
“Our lives are never insignificant. Our lives can indeed be free and beautiful. Let us awaken that truth in countless others!”
“I have that dream!”
“I dream of proving on this earth that the gods do not watch over us simply out of pity for our existence, but because we are beings worthy of such regard!”
Even the professors of theology who were engaged in theology were captivated by those words.
They felt a desire stirring within them. A longing to prove their own worth to the gods.
With that, the bold and powerful speech came to an end. Yujin bowed his head toward the professors and spoke.
“Thank you for listening to my lengthy remarks. I am Han Yujin, newly appointed as the professor of magical studies.”
And then, silence.
For a moment, the conference hall was enveloped in stillness.
No one spoke a word. It was a silence that felt almost chilling, yet it was more like the calm before a storm. Or rather, the stillness just before a volcano erupts.
…Clap.
Someone began to clap. That was the start.
Clap. Clap clap.
Clap clap clap clap.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
What began as a faint sound of applause soon echoed loudly throughout the conference hall. People began to applaud Yujin with dazed expressions.
Watching men and women of all ages clap as if entranced…
What is this…?
Professor Reina Sahart felt a chill run down her spine.
The professors gathered here today were each renowned individuals in their respective fields.
They were a group of people with strong pride who rarely acknowledged others, yet all of them were clapping in awe, as if mesmerized, by the speech they had just heard.
Of course, the fact that the speaker was an authority in space-time magic might have played a role in this reaction…
To think someone could sway people’s hearts so thoroughly with just a single speech?
Even Reina admitted to herself that, had she not known the speaker’s identity, she might have been clapping along with the others. That’s how deeply the speech had moved people and stirred their sense of pride.
This is dangerous. Truly dangerous…
Regardless of his skill or power, someone capable of captivating people so completely with mere words was, in her view, an exceptionally dangerous individual.
Reina felt her sense of caution toward Yujin intensify even further.
Meanwhile, the Headmistress still looked a bit stunned as she spoke to Yujin.
“…Th-That was an impressive speech, Professor Yujin.”
“It was nothing, Headmistress.”
“Ahem… W-Well then, I suppose that concludes the introduction of Professor Yujin. I hadn’t originally planned to hire a professor at this time of year, but given the urgency of this appointment, I felt it necessary to arrange this opportunity for introductions. On that note, does anyone here have any questions for Professor Yujin?”
At this, a dozen professors raised their hands, though some hesitated and looked embarrassed when they noticed others doing the same.
Among them, Yujin pointed to an old professor who had been the first to raise his hand.
“Yes, the professor to the right, who seems to have a wealth of experience. Do you have something you’d like to say?”
“Ahem, first, let me introduce myself. I am Professor Bern Cantona. I am, though rather humbly, a professor of swordsmanship.”
“Ah, so you are Professor Cantona. I’ve heard of your achievements in establishing a part of the swordsmanship system in the knight kingdom of Leonhardt.”
At those words, the old professor smiled warmly and replied.
“Thank you for acknowledging this old man’s accomplishments. Ah, come to think of it, you’re not as young as you look, are you?”
It was widely known among the professors, except for those who were late to hear the news, that Yujin was likely at a level beyond the head of the Mages Association. Many professors speculated that Yujin might actually be an Archmage who had somehow regained the body of his prime.
However, Yujin simply smiled in a way that was difficult to interpret and said,
“Haha, I’ll leave that to your imagination. But please, feel free to speak comfortably. After all, I am definitely a newcomer here.”
“Is that so? Then I shall speak plainly. First, you mentioned that you believe the students we teach will truly lead humanity forward. If that’s the case, what exactly do you intend to teach them? From what I’ve heard, you once declared at the Mages Association’s lecture hall that the space-time magic you developed was too advanced for current mages and that you would not teach it.”
“That’s a good question. I’m not here to teach the space-time magic I’ve developed to the students either.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’ve come to provide direction. Unfortunately, it seems that many mages, including those in the Association, fail to grasp the concepts or theories outlined in various academic papers.”
At those words, some of the other professors of magical studies lowered their heads slightly and looked a bit embarrassed. Yujin continued speaking.
“That’s why I intend to pass on the foundational knowledge that forms the basis for those concepts and theories to the students. Once the students absorb this knowledge, they will be able to understand, even if only a little, the concepts and theories I have outlined in my thesis.”
“Isn’t that essentially the same as teaching space-time magic?”
“It’s a bit different, Professor. Let’s see… Ah, it might be best to use the analogy of a tree.”
“A tree?”
“Yes, a tree.”
With that, Yujin began manipulating the mana floating in the air. Since his unique dragon magical power was far too conspicuous, he carefully used the atmosphere’s mana instead.
Blue particles gathered and gathered, eventually forming the shape of a tree.
“Ohhh…”
“Such precise and skilled manipulation of magic…”
The complicated form of the tree drew small murmurs of admiration from the professors of magical studies. Yujin spoke again.
“Do you see the roots of the tree?”
“I see them.”
“These roots represent the foundational knowledge I intend to pass on to the students. When these roots come together as a single trunk, they form a large, sturdy body.”
“Hmmm…”
“The large trunk represents the common concepts and theories. However, this trunk then branches out into dozens of limbs, each creating new concepts. Eventually, leaves and flowers bloom, and then fruit forms. Some of these branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits are the space-time magic formulas I created.”
“Then, what you’re saying is…”
“Yes, to discover space-time magic in this is the responsibility of those who seek it. I only intend to show the roots of the tree, in the hope that they will find the trunk themselves and eventually uncover new concepts. In the process, new magic may emerge that I either could not or did not want to create.”
With that, Yujin smiled gently and continued speaking.
“That is what I want. True exploration. However, right now, others are merely digging into barren ground where not even a single tree stands. That cannot be called exploration.”
“…I see. I understand now.”
Professor Bern Cantona nodded his head in satisfaction at the response and took his seat.
Seeing this, Yujin glanced around the room and asked,
“Does anyone else have a question? Ah, the young professor over there. Please, go ahead.”
“Yes, I’m Heisen Schneider. Professor, I would like to ask…”
Yujin proceeded to answer each of the other professors’ questions without hesitation. He replied smoothly and confidently.
“…….”
Watching this, Reina gazed at Yujin for a moment with a calm, contemplative expression before finally raising her hand.
“…Yes, Professor Reina Sahart. Please go ahead.”
Although Yujin momentarily flinched at the timing. Just as he was about to take the final question it turned out to be Reina, but he maintained his composure and addressed her.
Reina then began to speak.
“First of all, I’d like to commend you, Professor Yujin, for your remarkable speech as an educator.”
“…Haha, thank you.”
“I’d like to ask you one thing while we’re at it. Professor Yujin, you were appointed as a professor at a somewhat ambiguous time. Setting your notable speech aside, I’m curious if you’re currently in a position to teach any lectures.”
“Regrettably, as you mentioned, I was appointed during an ambiguous period, so there aren’t any lectures I can take on at the moment. For this semester, it seems I’ll be fully focusing on administrative duties as a professor in charge of departmental affairs.”
“Is that so? Then, does that mean you’re willing to teach if given the opportunity?”
“That’s correct… but is there something you’d like to say regarding that?”
Yujin felt a strange, threatening tension and asked. Reina spoke.
“I understand that you’ve been appointed as the Head of the Department of Magical Studies, Professor Yujin… As the Dean of Magical Studies, I’d personally like to conduct joint lectures with you for the time being. Would that be all right?”
“……”
It was a statement that blatantly asserted her authority as the Dean. And her gaze seemed to say that refusal would not be an option.
Yujin once again felt the full weight of having drawn her attention and opened his mouth to respond…
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