Chapter 2: Deculein (2) (2/2)

I spoke slowly and easily so that everybody could comprehend the content of the script.

I probably grasped how to give a lecture well through “Understanding”.

“Finally, the “abdomen”. In other words, the lower abdomen. In this area the outside and inside are most often mixed, so its use is universal whether you are a knight, a magician or a normal person…….”

After talking like that, I suddenly checked my watch. 40 minutes had passed.

“……What I want to say is simple. Effort is of course important. However, if you’re not talented enough, you have to consider efficiency. Talent isn’t given to everyone, so most of you need to choose and focus.”

I almost laughed while reading this line.

If you’re not talented enough, you have to consider efficiency — What you need is to choose and focus.

That advice was incredibly fitting for the current Deculein.

“And…….”

I finally reached the end of the script.

But that paragraph was a bit obtuse.

I was wondering whether I should say it or not.

Would the original Deculein have read that?

I didn’t know. I read it in there, so he must’ve written it.

“Lastly, is there anyone who has a question?”

There was only silence.

That’s good.

“If not then-”

When I was about to turn around, relieved that no one had a question, someone raised their hand. Then she got up from her seat.

“Professor Deculein. A mysterious magic technique was found in the Magician’s Dormitory last night. It’s also believed to be the devil’s work, so if Professor Deculein who is said to be a genius in interpreting magic circles could–”

“Are you a member of the University Tower? Well, isn’t it basic courtesy to say one’s name and affiliation first?”

I spoke right away. On the inside I was in a rush, but what I showed on the outside was pure elegance. I instinctively spoke in an aristocratic way.

“What? Oh, my name is-”

“Too late. I won’t take questions from rude children.”

“……Eh?”

The lower part of the robe-wearing magician’s face turned red.

I’m sorry, but I can’t help it. The mana consumption of “Understanding” is pretty overwhelming.

[Mana : 2005 / 3375]

It’s as much as 1300 points at a time.

It would take a lot more mana to interpret that new circle, I don’t want to overdo it. I think I’m getting dizzy.

“This is the end of the lecture”

puh- phuhuhu-Kuhuhu

In the midst of the ridicule and cynicism the magician received, I adjusted my disheveled sleeves.

I removed the wrinkles from my suit. I put on my overcoat and buttoned it up. Finally, I finished reading the script and came down from the podium.

This sequence of gestures were as natural to me as breathing.

“……But still!”

When I turned around a loud sound rang in my ears. I stopped in my tracks and turned my head to look back.

The unknown female magician, who was still standing, floated into the air and drew a magic circle with mana.

“Even the Tower refused to interpret it, dismissing it as just some rumor! If Professor Deculein is such a genius, then I think you’ll be able to recognize these lines immediately”

“…….”

I looked at that persistent magician.

How dare you be so hard on Deculein? I wonder if there was a character like that in the game, but that magic circle definitely looked a little weird.

A normal magic circle cannot be defined as just a straight or curved line with different arks, but as dozens of living parasites that randomly intertwine.

The moment I looked at the magic circle — Regardless of my intentions,”it” got activated.

As if my eyes were covered in paint, my vision turned blue, my speed of thinking and calculating had been amplified and time seemed to have slowed down, the smell of something burning lingered in my nose as the brain couldn’t handle the load.

It was only a moment.

[Mana : 360/3375]

In less than one second, nearly all my mana got wasted.

With that I was “only” able to barely grasp the magic’s identity.

[Illusion type: Barrier Magic]

Comprehending more than this, in other words, to know how to “implement” the technique would require double the mana, which I didn’t have, but fortunately, she didn’t want to know that either.

She just wanted to know the identity of that magic circle.

“The rest of the freshmen in the dormitory are working hard to analyze this, but since it’s vacation right now, there aren’t enough seniors or professors to ask for help. Professor, if you could give us a hint that would-”

“I won’t have to give you a hint. It’s barrier magic of the illusion type. It seems someone was trying to lock you up.”

“……Excuse me?”

“That’s it.”

A confident answer.

The bold magician seemed embarrassed, but I just left the auditorium without looking back.