Chapter 40

◈ Chapter 40: Flora Lumos (2)

After pointing out Flora's mistakes, I continued to observe the state of various students and did not hesitate to give them advice.

'Telling them isn't that difficult.'

The manifestation of elemental attributes is the foundation of all foundations.

While some might think it's easy and not a big deal, there's nothing more important in <elemental attributes> than properly laying this foundation.

The manifestation of elements using the five senses is a form that has developed based on such a 'foundation.'

'Actually, I didn't know the foundation was so important either.'

The elemental magic that wizards use by manipulating mana is slightly different from the elements that naturally exist.

To be precise, it's more like imitating elements using the strange power of floating mana.

Of course, this 'imitation' is recognized by the world as 'real,' so if a fire spell hits you, you will burn.

Naturally, something that can't occur naturally, like the warm and gentle flame Aiden just created, can also be implemented using mana.

In other words, the elements conjured by magic are both fake and real, a contradiction that coexists.

This is the mystery of magic.

Such elements conjured by magic naturally follow the wizard's disposition.

The ice magic used by a cold and composed person and the ice magic used by a hot-tempered and passionate person, even if they use the same elements, will produce completely different results.

A wizard who has wandered the world and gained more and diverse experiences can imbue their magic with more diverse 'emotions' compared to one who has been cooped up in a room.

Indeed, magic itself is close to loading human emotions onto mana.

Just like there are songs with and without emotion.

However, this method is very old and is no longer found even in history books.

Perhaps it's written in the corner of the library in the magic tower, in an old and worn-out book.

While not everyone knows about it, it's a method known to only a few compared to the past.

How do I know this? Because my master told me.

'This method of maximizing elements through senses was originally taught to me by my master.'

It's a technique that my master taught only to me, his disciple, but now this clumsy disciple is publicly revealing my master's honey tips.

I'm sorry, Master.

Still, I have to do this to save my life.

Magic is indeed such a mysterious discipline.

'Thinking back to when I first learned it.'

When I first learned that magic existed in this world, I believed I would become a great wizard remembered in history.

The fact that I had reincarnated into another world was enough to instill such hope.

Of course, that dream was quickly abandoned.

Because I lacked the outstanding talent to learn magic.

I could manage the basics, but that was all.

It was practically impossible to become a great wizard remembered in history.

Therefore, I had no choice but to change the direction of my magic studies.

My limit for using magic smoothly is up to the third tier.

With a bit of a stretch, I can use basic fourth-tier magic.

Considering my level, I'm at the beginning of the fourth tier, and this is both my best and my limit.

Since I can't use higher-tier magic, I chose to improve the quality of the third-tier magic I can use.

Laying a solid foundation was for that very reason.

Most importantly, because I had memories from my previous life, I could view magic with a slightly different perspective.

I incorporated 21st-century scientific knowledge, which is still premature for them, into the magical formulas.

A good example of this is the source code.

Moreover, I received my master's Spartan-style teaching, so I can proudly say that my foundation in magic is more solid than anyone else's.

And the method I've adhered to so far has shown its value in Seolron.

'I complained about why he made me do such things back then, but now, thinking about it, there's nothing better than this.'

The method of using the five senses to manifest elements is probably not taught even in the magic tower.

At most, it's only whispered to important talents within the schools, like a secret recipe of a famous restaurant.

I openly revealed it.

Since there were noticeable changes and achievements, the students were quite satisfied.

'Still, I can't let my guard down. Flora Lumos. Who would have thought she could use elemental stacking at such a young age.'

Elemental stacking isn't something that can be achieved just by combining different elements.

The magical formula that constructs the mana must be adjusted to prevent them from conflicting, and if done incorrectly, it can lead to more serious consequences, a highly dangerous act.

That's why when using elemental stacking, elements that complement each other well are often combined.

Water and ice, fire and wind, wind and electricity, for example.

However, Flora stacked fire and ice, elements that are mutually exclusive.

Not only that, she even added a third element, demonstrating a triple-element stack, which is quite advanced in elemental attributes.

It's not a skill one would expect from someone her age.

I realized once again why Flora is called a genius in Seolron.

'Still, she almost failed.'

Mana surge.

Due to her desperate attempt to suppress it, I also consumed a lot of mana and felt dizzy.

Fortunately, I had a mana potion in my mouth beforehand, so I quickly recovered. Otherwise, I might have staggered in front of the students.

That's why I couldn't help but scold Flora harshly.

I used to be overconfident about inventing new magic, just like her, and got a severe scolding from my master.

Back then, I also did many dangerous things, trying to manifest some grand magic.

Thinking about it now, I should have kicked myself in bed.

Flora's confident appearance after successfully stacking two elements reminded me of my old self when I was learning magic from my master.

The memory inadvertently surfaced, and I pressed the panic button.

That's why I pushed her a bit too hard.

I later thought my words were a bit harsh, so I tried to excuse myself by saying, 'I was worried about you. You know my heart, right?'

'She might have been hurt a bit.'

Still, she's a girl called a genius, so she should be able to handle this.

I decided to focus on the other students and ignore Flora.

'As expected, since this is Seolron, even with just a few simple pieces of advice, everyone is doing well.'

A few students stood out.

The first was a brown-skinned girl with animal ears on her head, who manifested a compressed element of earth.

The element she created looked like she had pulled a mineral vein from deep underground.

'Iona Aubrey, right?'

I had seen her on the first day. After all, she was the only one of her kind in this lecture room.

She turned to look at me, sensing my gaze. I simply nodded lightly to express that she had done a great job.

Perhaps my action was surprising to her, as she opened her mouth in surprise.

I ignored her and checked another student.

Next was the element of plants.

The one who manifested it was a girl with dark blue hair, braided on both sides, wearing large round glasses that covered half her face.

Just by looking at her, she seemed like the type who would say, 'I'm good at studying.'

She was a girl with a reputation among the new students, someone the alchemy school was pushing.

Clara Hannis, right? She's quite good too.

In addition to her,

There were twin sisters from a well-known noble family in the Eastern Kingdom, and a new talent being pushed by the magic tower.

Surprisingly, this new talent seems to have a strong rival consciousness towards Flora Lumos.

'They say this year's new students are exceptionally talented. I must have entered at a peculiar time.'

The golden generation, they called it.

I vaguely remember Teacher Selena mentioning that many of this year's first-year students were like this.

And surprisingly, most of them are in my class.

I might go crazy with the pressure.

I also can't help but wish they would tone it down a bit.

Teaching these talented students one by one is exhausting.

Just then,

As the class was almost over, I noticed a student who couldn't manifest an elemental attribute.

'That child.'

She was familiar. After all, with her striking bright gray hair and heavenly beauty, it was impossible not to recognize her.

There was the incident at the first training ground the day before, and the werewolf incident.

But most importantly, I know her for another reason.

I approached her.

"What's the matter? Rine."

"Ah, Professor Ludger."

"Is something not going well?"

"Ah, no. It's just that……"

Rine hesitated to answer, fumbling with her words.

Next to her, Erendil, the princess, was sitting. What? Have they become friends since then?

When I gave Erendil a questioning look, she silently shook her head.

Finally, Rine sighed and released her mana, floating a sphere.

Since Rine had entered Seolron, she had the basic knowledge and talent for magic, so she could certainly release mana.

Up to that point, everything was fine, but the problem came next.

I immediately identified the issue.

"The manifestation of elemental attributes isn't working, right? Or rather, the attribute itself doesn't exist, does it?"

"……Yes."

Rine was a holder of non-attribute mana, which barely manifested.

* * *

'I'm doomed.'

Rine feared she had just wasted her time.

Just as she was deeply bowing her head, the bell signaling the end of the class rang throughout the lecture room.

"I'll end today's class here. Everyone, review what you learned today. This will replace your homework."

"Ooh!"

"Don't think you can get away with a cursory review. I remember all the elemental attributes you used today, and I'll check them in the next class."

Some students, who were initially happy about the lack of homework, quickly averted their gaze when they met Ludger's eyes.

"Those who don't practice properly will stand out. I'm looking forward to it."

"Thank you, Professor!"

The students fled the lecture room as if they were running away.

Just as Rine was about to stand up, Ludger stopped her.

"Rine."

"Yes? Yes!"

"Follow me to the faculty office."

"Ah!"

Rine couldn't help but gasp.

The remaining students looked at her with pity.

In the manifestation class, elemental attributes are the most important specialization after mana release, and non-attribute means she can't specialize.

He probably called her to suggest she look into other classes since she couldn't properly follow this lecture.

Although it's only the second week, Ludger's class has already become legendary in Seolron.

Especially his teaching, which strengthens the foundation of elemental attributes even more, has fully met the students' expectations.

Not being able to attend such classes in the future would be a significant loss, not just in Seolron but in life.

If she hadn't known from the beginning, it might have been different.

But giving up a class she had already tasted would be a whole different level of problem.

Of course, most students were relieved that they weren't the ones being called.

Rine, however, looked miserable.

She followed Ludger, who was walking slowly down the corridor, with quick, hesitant steps.

Despite following him, she couldn't hide her ominous feelings.

'Why did he call me? Could it be for a personal interview? If so, is he going to kick me out of the class?'

Although she had only seen him three times, including the incident at the training ground the day before, Rine had a good understanding of who Ludger was.

Considering his sharp personality, the best-case scenario was that she would be advised to look into other classes, and the worst-case scenario was that she would be kicked out of Ludger's class.

'Ah! I'm finished.'

Rine felt depressed and bowed her head.

It would be better to change classes early in the semester, but being removed from Ludger's class, not just any teacher's, would be very painful.

It would be as sad as finding a precious gem on the street and then having to throw it away.

"Come in."

They had already arrived at the personal faculty office, and Ludger opened the door with his nameplate and entered.

Rine entered Ludger's faculty office with the feeling of a convict heading to the executioner.

The interior was quite sophisticated and tidy.

They say a place reflects its owner, and this was a space with a classical atmosphere fitting for a man like him.

"Sit down."

"Yes, yes."

At Ludger's words, Rine sat on the sofa, frozen.

The high-quality leather of the sofa should have been comfortable, but Rine couldn't help but sit stiffly.

Ludger sat at his desk and pulled out a stack of documents from a drawer.

Seeing this, Rine closed her eyes tightly.

'Ah! He's going to send me to another teacher's class!'

Should she kneel and beg to be allowed to continue the class? What if it only made him despise her more?!

Just as her mind was racing, a thin book was suddenly thrust into Rine's hands.

Rine closed her eyes and shouted.

"I'll work hard! I'll do everything you tell me, so please don't make me stop attending the class! I'll be in big trouble if I can't attend this class!"

Despite Rine's desperate plea, Ludger remained unfazed.

"What are you talking about? That's not what this is about."

"Really? This isn't…… a class change application form?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Really? I, I thought I couldn't attend Professor Ludger's class anymore."

"You're saying strange things. Just take it."

Rine respectfully took the book with both hands.

What kind of book is this? Thinking this, Rine looked at the title and couldn't help but widen her eyes.

[Understanding Non-Attribute Mana]

The large letters on the book's cover caught her attention.