Chapter 66

### Chapter 66: Magic Thesis Research

“Lucy, do you... like Ho Yeon?”

At Rumi's voice, Lucy's thoughts momentarily froze.

“W-What? W-What are you talking about! Why are you asking such a thing all of a sudden?”

Lucy stammered and tried to avoid the question.

But Rumi wouldn't let it slide so easily.

“Lucy, listen carefully.”

Lucy was taken aback by her younger sister's serious expression, but she was overwhelmed by it and fell silent.

“Right now.”

Ho Yeon's image swirled in Rumi's mind. Various fun memories and secret relationships came to mind.

A light blush spread across Rumi's face.

“Rumi...?”

Lucy sensed Rumi's hand, which was holding her shoulder, trembling slightly.

“Right now... I can give up.”

“Rumi?! What are you...!”

“But I can't be sure about tomorrow, and it will be too late after this week."

“What are you talking about!”

“Do you really... not have any feelings for Ho Yeon?”

Lucy was confused.

Not only by Rumi's sudden serious demeanor, but also by her own feelings for Ho Yeon.

Honestly, Lucy does think she has a good impression of Ho Yeon.

The way he saved her from Felix, the way he cheered her on, and his promise to be on her side. He was a truly grateful and precious friend.

But if asked if it was love... Lucy couldn't confidently say yes.

In Lucy's life, the word "love" had never been associated with men.

Having experienced men who approached her for her body, adults who demanded sponsorship, and peers who peeked at her, the feeling of loving a man was something she couldn't fully grasp yet.

‘Is this love? I like Rumi. I like Ho Yeon. Does that mean I love both Rumi and Ho Yeon?’

Lucy pondered repeatedly but couldn't come to a conclusion.

In the end, Lucy could only give an answer based on her experience.

“...Yeah. Ho Yeon is a really good friend. I don't have any thoughts beyond that.”

Rumi finally smiled brightly and hugged Lucy.

“Got it. Lucy, I like you the most.”

Pat, pat.

“Yeah. I like Rumi the most too.”

Lucy also tightly hugged Rumi's shoulder.

But even as she hugged Rumi, Lucy tried to ignore the pain in her heart.

*

“Ho Yeon, I'm sorry.”

Moon Sulin suddenly apologized to me.

“Why are you saying that, Sulin-sshi?”

“You were already tired, and I caused you trouble by being cautious about you. I promise this won't happen again.”

“...”

I can guarantee that her caution wasn't just directed at me but also at me.

Shin Dongmin's hostile gaze couldn't be explained by just being cautious about Moon Sulin.

“Anyway, I'm really sorry. Go rest. I'm also tired and need to rest.”

Moon Sulin said this and turned to leave for the president's office.

Seeing her back, I felt a pang of sympathy.

“Sulin-sshi.”

“Huh? Do you have something to say?”

She was worried about my fatigue, but dark circles were clearly visible under her eyes.

Her eyes, visible behind her glasses, were deeply sunken from high fatigue.

“I'm on your side, Sulin-sshi. I'm not upset or annoyed by this, so don't worry.”

“Hmm. Thanks.”

Moon Sulin gave a weak smile, as if my unexpected encouragement was amusing.

“I told you, didn't I? I'm a capable man. You saw it yourself. If you have any troubles, you must tell me. Got it?”

“Pfft. Got it, got it. How many times do you have to say that? Thanks for the encouragement.”

How many times does it take to engrain it in her mind?

Moon Sulin entered the president's office with a slightly more relaxed expression.

This should have increased her affection for me, right? It's reassuring.

Since I have no more business with the student council, I turned to take the elevator.

“Bye.”

“...”

Ellis was hiding behind the corner, listening to Moon Sulin's conversation.

Surprised. Why didn't you go and eavesdrop on someone else's conversation? Huh?

“You seem to be quite close with the president.”

“Huh? Yeah, I guess. What about it?”

“Hmm.”

Ellis slowly nodded and got into the elevator.

She maintained eye contact with me until the doors closed, then disappeared.

“...This isn't good.”

My tail was caught.

*

“Can you help me a bit?”

The first thing I heard when I visited Professor Im Sol's lab after the student council meeting.

“How difficult is it for a professor to ask for help?”

It's been a while since I visited Professor Im Sol, but not that long.

The award ceremony was on Wednesday, so it's only been two days. A lot has happened in between.

“I was trying to write a thesis to present at the Magic Society, but I need some help with the writing.”

“A thesis?”

I'm really not confident about that. The word alone sounds difficult. A thesis.

“Yes. I tried to do the research myself, but finding the core incantation of the magic array is too difficult. It's like manual labor. Trying to find and organize them one by one is endless.”

As she said this, Professor Im Sol handed me a document with the magic arrays organized.

“Just help with this task. You're the only one who understands the concept of core incantations, so you're the only one I can ask for help... Please.”

Wearing a tight pink knit, she leaned in slightly, making it hard to refuse. This person is definitely using her body. It's not intentional, but it's hard to believe she's leaning in such a suggestive way.

“Sure. Thanks to you, I got an award. This is nothing. But is this all the work?”

“Huh? Oh, I only gave you today's portion. There's too much to give all at once.”

“But this amount should take only 30 minutes.”

“...?”

Professor Im Sol frowned and looked at me, as if I was saying nonsense.

“To find the core incantation by using each magic array and channeling mana, it takes at least 5 minutes per array, no matter how fast you are.”

“...?”

“...?”

We both looked at each other in confusion.

“Ah.”

I finally realized the big difference in our perspectives.

Since I haven't experienced life as a magician without [Mana Sensing], I couldn't understand how others see it.

“Watch carefully.”

I pointed to the magic array on the top page.

“Explosion is an explosive magic, right?”

“Right. It's a high-level magic, so the array is complex.”

“Anyway, the important part of Explosion is the explosion itself. To enhance the magic, you need to strengthen the line responsible for the explosion. That's the core incantation, and it's right here.”

I pointed to a line slightly to the right of the center of the magic array.

“...?”

Indeed, as a genius magician, Professor Im Sol seemed to be getting the hint.

“Let me show you one more. The location of the core incantation is also important depending on the attribute. For example, fire attribute magics have this. The incantation that initiates the fire is the core incantation.”

I don't know the theory, but I can 'understand' the structure of the magic array.

Even without knowing the principles, I can read what I see.

That's enough. Just pointing out the results, Professor Im Sol can deduce the cause.

“Hmm... Oh... Ah! I see!”

Professor Im Sol looked at the magic arrays I pointed out, scanned the printout in her hand, and tried out the magic arrays with her hand, adding strange interjections.

Then she pressed my cheeks with her hands and said,

“Why didn't you tell me this earlier!!”

“Ah... Ouch, let go.”

Does she think I'm her lover?

Ignoring my reaction, Professor Im Sol bit into a piece of cake on the table.

“Wow! Thanks to you, I'll save a lot of time. It's a simple concept, but why didn't I think of it?”

“Geniuses often overlook basic things. And it's only been a few days. If you had worked on it for about a week, you would have figured it out on your own.”

This is true.

The core incantation is a new concept but not a difficult one. If you keep working on various magic arrays, you would have found the common points on your own.

“It might be, but thanks to you, I saved a week.”

Professor Im Sol added an interjection and smiled happily. I can't tell if that happy expression is due to me or the chocolate cake.

“By the way, do you know someone named Shin Dongmin?”

“Shin Dongmin? Who is he?”

“Vice president of the student council.”

“Oh~ That unfinished guy?”

“...Yes.”

He does look a bit strange. Well, Moon Sulin has her reasons for disliking him.

“But why that ugly guy? Since you're in the same student council, you should know him better.”

“Actually, I might have to duel with Shin Dongmin. I don't know how strong he is.”

“How would I know how strong he is? I don't even remember his name well. Oh, I remember he's a magician.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

I didn't really expect much, so it's fine, but I can't help feeling a bit anxious.

“It doesn't matter anyway. You're going to win.”

“Huh?”

Professor Im Sol sipped her mixed coffee and said,

“Among the students, who is stronger than you? You can beat everyone up to the third year, except for Moon Sulin.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You chopped up two Ogres by yourself. What are you talking about? A mere student can't be your match.”

“I didn't chop them up... Anyway, thank you.”

What, I was worried for nothing. I'm really strong, aren't I?

———————-

– [Ho Yeon]

▶ Strength: 42

▶ Stamina: 48

▶ Agility: 43

▶ Durability: 42

▶ Mana: 50

– Unique Ability: Combat Sense

– Skills: Eye Opening, Cotton Guard, Acceleration ...

– ??? : ???

———————-

Well, looking at the stats, I am really strong.

An average stat of 40 or more makes you an upper-class student, so I'm on the strong side.

“Phew. So, shall we start?”

“Huh?”

“Aren't you going to do it? Since you helped me save a lot of time, I should repay you.”

Professor Im Sol opened her mouth, slightly stuck out her tongue, and made a circular motion with her hand in front of her mouth.

Well, I was going to let it go this time because I got a magic book and an artifact thanks to Professor Im Sol, but I can't hold back with such a lewd gesture.

“Please.”

Professor Im Sol knelt in front of the sofa where I was sitting, and I lowered my pants and pulled out my penis.

“Suck. Slurp...”

A crimson tongue climbed up the shaft, stimulating the glans. Professor Im Sol, making lewd sounds, swallowed my glans and caressed the remaining shaft with her hand.

“Gasp...”

I barely suppressed the moan that was about to escape. How is she getting better every day?

“Hmm... You know.”

“Yeah?”

Suddenly, Professor Im Sol pulled her mouth away from my penis. It was a shame because it felt good.

“Actually, I thought it was a mistake last time... Why is your... that... sweet?”

“...? Ah.”

It seems to be due to the sweet body reward I got from conquering Rumi.

Since then, Lilia has also said my body smells sweet, and Rumi said my semen tastes good, so Professor Im Sol must have noticed it too.

“Of course there's something! I wasn't mistaken! I thought my taste was broken by chocolate and reduced my chocolate intake, but it still tastes sweet here! What did you do something strange!”

“Aah! No, it's a skill. I got a skill.”

Professor Im Sol firmly grabbed my precious part and shook it back and forth. Despite the pain, the soft touch and friction felt good, which I didn't like.

“A skill?”

“Yes... I got a strange magic book from the black market and used it. Since then, my body has been sweet.”

“... Then it's not something strange.”

Buying and selling things in the black market is a common thing in this world.

Professor Im Sol extended her tongue again and licked the Cowper's fluid from my glans.

“Delicious...”

Slurp.

The way Professor Im Sol looked at my penis was the same as how she looked at the chocolate cake.