Chapter 77

Failure in summoning magic refers to when the result is even 1% different from the intended target. However, the magic quills now falling from the sky perfectly matched the targets. There were just more of them.

Professor Garcia soon understood the meaning and nodded. "I see. It wasn't a failure."

Professor Troll let out a slight sigh of relief. While it was a professor's duty to care equally for all students, he couldn't help but worry a bit more about the young man from the Wodanaz family. Due to his immense innate magical power, even basic magic was extremely difficult for him. Despite this, Yi Han, the freshman, faced the challenge with a brave and resolute attitude, which made the professor feel somewhat apologetic.

Isn't this something a teacher should solve for the student? Professor Garcia, who couldn't provide a proper solution, was the only professor at the magic school feeling guilty.

"Yi Han has quite a talent, doesn't he? Given that he succeeded perfectly..." Professor Garcia, now reassured, spoke up, and Professor Mireille nodded.

"He has talent."

"Indeed, that's what I thought."

Professor Garcia knew how difficult summoning magic was and how strict Professor Mireille was. Therefore, her recognition felt even more valuable.

"He has the potential to learn summoning magic. However, there is one weakness."

"??"

Professor Garcia was slightly taken aback.

"Of course, his magical power is not just a little, but actually overwhelmingly large. However, his control is gradually improving..."

Professor Garcia, who had intended to lie, couldn't bring herself to do so due to her conscience. Still, considering Yi Han's magical power, he was adapting at an incredibly fast pace.

"I think it will get better over time..."

"I wasn't talking about his magical power, Professor Garcia."

"Then what?"

"The weakness I'm referring to is arrogance."

"...?"

Arrogance?

Professor Garcia was slightly taken aback. Of course, the young man from the Wodanaz family might appear arrogant at first glance. His cold appearance, like a sculpture of marble, exuded the dignity of a noble, making it difficult for most people to approach him. However, Professor Garcia knew that Yi Han was not such a boy. After all, a student who personally feeds the students of the Blue Dragon Tower couldn't have such an arrogant personality.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding..."

"Professor Garcia, look closely."

Professor Mireille pointed to the dozens of magic quills and spoke sternly. "This student succeeded on the first try. Yet, he deliberately summoned dozens of magic quills. What could that mean?"

Succeeding on the first try in summoning magic meant a high level of understanding of the magic circle and excellent control of magical power. A freshman with both knowledge and talent was rare. Clearly, he had outstanding abilities and, objectively, was a talent worthy of entering the world of summoning magic.

But why did such a student deliberately summon dozens of magic quills?

If he had the ability to succeed on the first try, he could have summoned just one.

The answer was simple.

To arrogantly show off his skills.

"No..."

Professor Garcia was taken aback by Professor Mireille's words.

"Yi Han isn't the type to do that..."

"Arrogance is a virtue for a mage, but it can also be a dangerous poison when possessed from a young age, especially for someone with innate knowledge and talent, Professor Garcia."

"That's..."

Professor Mireille's eyebrows raised. Professor Garcia flinched.

Not all relationships among professors were equal, especially when one professor was a former student of another.

But Professor Garcia wanted to clear up the misunderstanding.

"I don't think Yi Han has that kind of personality. It was probably a mistake..."

"A mistake?"

A hint of disbelief crept into Professor Mireille's voice, which was not a good sign.

"So, Professor Garcia... Are you saying that the summoning was a mistake?"

Professor Garcia's face turned red. She realized how absurd her words sounded.

To summon multiple quills with that magic circle, one would need to input several times the magical power required for a single quill. Since the circle was not designed for multiple summoning, increasing the magical power abruptly could destroy the circle or cause adverse effects.

Once magical power is input into a circuit, its properties change. Therefore, the calculations also change. To input new magical power into a circuit already infused with magical power, one must recalculate.

In other words...

The only way to summon multiple quills with that magic circle was to repeat the process meticulously several times.

Calculate the exact amount of magical power that can be summoned and input it.

Then, carefully assess the changed state of the magic circle and recalculate the exact amount of magical power to input.

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

It was a feat one would not choose unless they had a strong sense of pride in their skills.

A feat that could only be achieved with intent!

"Maybe he practiced to avoid destroying the magic circle... or he might have forgotten that there was still magical power left in the circle..."

"..."

Professor Mireille, who had been looking at Professor Garcia sternly, relaxed her expression. Her eyes showed a hint of sympathy for her beloved student.

"Professor Garcia, a student of such caliber wouldn't forget that."

'You're right...'

Professor Garcia, feeling the futility of her defense, fell silent.

Honestly, she felt her excuse was weak. But how could she deny the high possibility?

"Trusting and showing affection for students is good, but you shouldn't overlook their flaws and mistakes, Professor Garcia. Sometimes, affection and trust can cloud your judgment."

"Yes..."

"I'm not denying that this student has outstanding talent. I'm just saying that arrogance can harm the student, and they need to be cautious."

"Understood."

"You don't need to worry. If this student learns summoning magic, he will soon correct his arrogance."

Summoning magic has always humbled students who considered themselves the empire's greatest geniuses. Combined with Professor Mireille's strictness, uncontrollable arrogance would soon be reduced to a healthy level of pride.

Professor Garcia turned her head.

Yi Han was sending the magic quills he summoned to Angaro, trying to write "I don't have a quill" on them. As a result, a brawl was breaking out between the White Tiger Tower and Blue Dragon Tower students.

While heading to stop the fight, Professor Garcia thought that arrogance didn't seem to fit Yi Han.

'No matter how I think about it, that doesn't seem right.'

* * *

The commotion had subsided. The students' faces were stained with ink, the aftermath of the imperfectly and perfectly summoned magic quills.

"The magic quills will disappear over time, but the ink they leave behind won't. I believe you all now understand how difficult summoning magic can be. Today's practice was the most basic of summoning magic, which should be done without a magic circle."

Professor Mireille intimidated the students but continued earnestly.

"If you are serious about learning summoning magic, come to my workshop. Remember, while many think that talent and intelligence are necessary for learning magic..."

Yi Han felt Professor Mireille's gaze momentarily on him.

Was it just his imagination?

'Could the problem be that I made the quills harass Angaro?'

"...Ultimately, what is most needed is perseverance and patience. If you continue to work hard and do not give up, summoning magic will open a path for you."

Professor Mireille finished speaking and left the classroom.

The remaining students gathered and whispered among themselves.

"Should we go to the workshop?"

"The professor said it would be hard to catch up if we start in the second year. It seems essential to practice summoning magic from the first year."

The students nodded, understanding the difficulty of summoning magic after their attempt.

"Can we really go to the professor now and learn summoning magic separately?"

"Why not?"

"Really? We already have a lot of assignments, and we need to prepare for the upcoming pop quizzes. Can we really study summoning magic separately?"

"..."

The practical concerns made the students hesitant.

Summoning magic was attractive, but if it meant more assignments, few students could handle it.

'You should take easier subjects.'

Yi Han thought this and then reflected.

Thinking about it, if he had chosen easier subjects, he wouldn't be facing life-threatening situations now.

Yi Han suddenly wondered.

What elective courses are the other students taking?

"What electives are you taking?"

"Me? 'Basic Art.' Everyone takes it."

"I'm taking 'Basic Dance and Social Skills.' It's practically a required course."

"I'm taking 'Understanding Basic Imperial Masterpieces and Classics.' I want to buy one during the holidays."

"..."

Yi Han was slightly taken aback by the list of courses his friends were taking.

...Am I the only one without cultural refinement?

"There are no courses without assignments."

"I know. But I can't skip summoning magic."

"Shouldn't the school lend us an artifact that can turn back time?"

"Guyando, that's a fairy tale. Such things don't exist."

"Even if they did, would they lend it to a student to study? It would be used for much more valuable purposes."

Listening to his friends, Yi Han checked the time and stood up.

"Guyando, let's go."

"Where are we going? Why are you bringing Guyando?"

"Are you going to use him as bait for summoned creatures?"

"No. We need to meet Professor Mordum."

While everyone was debating whether to go to the summoning magic workshop, one professor was being ignored.

Professor Mordum, who taught black magic.

Since Professor Mordum had directly called them by name, Yi Han and Guyando had to visit him regularly to learn black magic.

"Do we have to go? Can't you send Guyando alone?"

The friends didn't want to send Yi Han, but Guyando refused to go alone.

"...If I go alone, I'll recommend all of you."

"Guyando! My noble friend! There seems to be a misunderstanding!"

The friends immediately changed their stance.

Yoner asked, "Are you okay if we go now, since the students who want to learn summoning magic might be there?"

"We haven't set a specific time, so we can meet Professor Mordum first and then go with Guyando."

Yi Han was interested in summoning magic but had a prior commitment.

It's best not to break promises with professors, especially lonely ones who are looking for students.

"See you next time."

"Be careful, Wodanaz."

"Watch out for the summoned creatures and don't forget the potion given by Sister Siana."

"Be careful with Professor Mordum."

"Be careful, Guyando."

At Asan's words, Guyando looked slightly moved.

"Darkard..."

"Be careful, because if Guyando makes a mistake, you'll be in danger too."

"..."

It wasn't a warning to Guyando but a reminder to Yi Han to be careful with Guyando.

Guyando decided to recommend Asan to Professor Mordum as soon as they met.