How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 93

[⁜5ᚷᚹ±µ∂*A2∑∍Ω₃∳]

“As you all know, this is an equation related to the recently discovered mana induction method that increases magical efficiency.”

I could only stare blankly as Professor Beroen Clarence continued his sharp explanation. Why do these encrypted formulas keep getting more complicated and difficult as we go along? I prefer practical demonstrations that are clear and easy to understand over these incomprehensible bizarre theories.

“Of course, I don’t expect blockheads like you to understand this at once.”

Ugh, why does this professor always provoke and challenge students unnecessarily? I know he’s very competent. But can’t he be a little kinder?

Just then…

“Well, not everyone, at least.”

As Professor Beroen mumbled with a sardonic smile, someone raised their hand. Chelsea Artin, with her water-colored hair, was eager to show that she alone fully understood his words.

But Professor Beroen’s gaze never landed on her. Instead, he…

“Fireball.”

Whoosh!

He created a fireball in front of everyone with a simple spell.

“This is a standard fireball, cast using the method you’ve all learned so far. And now…”

Sizzle.

The fireball vanished, and Professor Beroen spoke again.

“Fireball.”

Whoosh!

Another fireball appeared, but this time…

“…!”

“It’s bigger.”

The size of the fireball was at least twice, no, three times as large as the previous one.

“Using this method, the efficiency of mana consumption will be significantly higher than the conventional method.”

Finally, Professor Beroen turned his gaze to Chelsea, who had been eagerly raising her hand.

“Let’s have a demonstration from a student desperate for attention. Chelsea Artin.”

“…”

“Go ahead, demonstrate the spell using the method I just showed.”

With a smirk, Professor Beroen instructed Chelsea, who nodded slightly with an expressionless face.

“Fireball!”

Whoosh, sizzle!

A small fireball appeared and then vanished in the air, drawing the attention of other students.

“Fireball!”

Chelsea chanted the spell again.

Whoosh!

“Huh?”

“Did it get a bit bigger?”

“No, it looks the same…”

The fireball was slightly larger than before, but there wasn’t much difference.

“…”

Sizzle!

As the fireball extinguished again, Chelsea bit her lower lip and shouted once more.

“Fireball!”

Whoosh!

“What’s this, the same again?”

“It did get a little bigger.”

Professor Beroen, watching the students’ reactions, chuckled and nodded.

“Ha, excellent demonstration, Chelsea. Such impressive comprehension.”

Despite his obviously mocking tone, Chelsea’s face hardened, and no one dared to speak up.

“Alright, the rest of you try it now. If you use my method, the size will clearly differ from someone else’s magic.”

Professor Beroen’s continued jabs at Chelsea made her change her expression and try to focus on the spell again.

“She’s really something.”

Shaking my head, I turned to Bren for help.

“Bren, can you explain this simply?”

“Huh? Isn’t this something the teaching assistant should tell us?”

“So, you won’t explain it?”

“It’s not that…”

After a moment of contemplation, Bren began to explain in his own way.

“When using magic, you usually change the flow of mana in your own way, right? But this method suggests you intend it to become a certain form naturally, rather than forcing it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, think of it this way: the old method is like forcibly changing mana, while this one makes it flow naturally.”

“…”

“I’m still figuring it out myself, so I can’t explain it further. Sorry, Kamon.”

“No, it’s fine. Thanks, Bren.”

Nodding lightly at Bren, who looked slightly apologetic, I closed my eyes.

‘Not forced but natural? Like it was meant to flow that way?’

The explanation was abstract, but I roughly understood the meaning.

“…”

As I closed my eyes quietly, I felt the mana circulating around my body. Normally, one would synchronize this energy with their own mana and manipulate it at will.

‘Instead of forcefully grasping or gathering it, make it flow naturally by blocking certain paths and directing it.’

Though uncertain, Bren’s explanation seemed to imply this.

When enough mana had gathered…

“Fireball.”

I whispered the incantation softly.

At that moment…

Whoosh!

A hot surge erupted in front of me, summoning a fireball.

‘Wait, does this work?’

Hold on, this isn’t just a fireball…

“What, what is that?”

“Get back! It’s fire!”

“Argh!”

The flames that erupted were incomparably larger than the fireball Professor Beroen had created, burning so fiercely that it threatened the other students.

“Damn, it’s hot!”

“Move back! We’ll catch fire at this rate!”

“Shit.”

“Kamon, what are you doing? Stop the spell now! It’s going to cause a serious accident!”

I heard someone shouting at me, but there was nothing I could do at the moment.

‘How do I stop this?’

Amidst the chaos in the classroom, a cold voice intervened.

“Dispel.”

With a light utterance, the enormous flame that was about to engulf the entire classroom vanished instantly. The one who dispelled the fireball I had created was none other than Professor Beroen.

‘Oh no, I’m in big trouble.’

Looking around, I saw that everything from the desks to the surroundings was charred black. It seemed I had really caused a disaster.

Then, with an intrigued look in his eyes, Professor Beroen muttered while staring at me.

“It seems someone else has truly understood my words.”

What?

Is he praising me instead of scolding me?

With light steps, he approached me and slowly spoke.

“How did you do it, assistant?”

I have no idea.

I don’t even know what happened.

Flustered by Professor Beroen’s question, I racked my brain and responded.

“Um… I just did it, and it worked.”

“You just did it?”

Nodding his head thoughtfully, Professor Beroen glanced between me and Chelsea before bursting into a laugh.

“Interesting.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve got a talent that could burn down the whole classroom with a simple spell. As expected. Everyone, pay attention here. The fireball Kamon just summoned…”

Ignoring the pale faces of the other students, Professor Beroen began to elaborate further.

‘What exactly happened?’

I had no theoretical knowledge or clear understanding of what I had done, but I had successfully cast the spell. Although calling it a success might be a stretch, given the near disaster.

‘Anyway, it’s a relief that it turned out okay.’

Still unable to grasp the meaning of Professor Beroen’s ongoing explanation, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.

‘Magic is quite fun, isn’t it?’

Despite the near catastrophe, I was completely enthralled by the excitement of learning and discovering a new world I had never known.

Ah, of course.

I felt sharp glances pricking at the back of my head, but I decided to ignore them.

‘Please, stop glaring at me, Chelsea.’

***

“Why are you in such a good mood lately?”

Jamie asked sharply, and I shrugged my shoulders lightly in response.

“Huh? Why do you ask?”

“I don’t particularly like seeing you grinning all day.”

Ignoring her sharp tone, I looked at the ring on my finger and muttered.

“Ever since I started wearing the ‘Orb,’ I can feel mana more clearly.”

“Of course.”

Jamie, frowning slightly, continued.

“It’s an artifact of the highest grade, designed and customized to suit your body’s mana drain, by none other than me, Jamie Hasellion!”

Despite her serious tone and self-praise, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face as I nodded.

“That’s why I can’t help but feel good. I couldn’t sense mana before, but now a new world has opened up before me.”

“What? You couldn’t feel it before?”

“Oh, I mean after my mana routes were blocked.”

As I quickly added the latter part, Jamie looked at me with interest.

“Kamon, I quite like a man with many secrets.”

She spoke in a sweet voice, slowly placing her hands on my shoulders.

“But if that man is mine, it’s a different story. So please, don’t keep provoking my curiosity.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? I’m just happy because learning magic has become so fun lately. Today, I even tried the application method Professor Beroen taught.”

“Application method?”

“Yes. He said it’s an equation for a mana induction method that increases magic efficiency. It uses at least half, if not less, mana than usual.”

Showing slight interest in what I had learned from Beroen Clarence, Jamie soon chuckled and shook her head.

“That won’t be particularly useful. The academy these days teaches such useless things.”

“Why is that not helpful?”

To my question, Jamie smiled slightly as she looked at me.

“Alright, let me give you a lesson as a teacher after a long time…”

“A lesson?”

“There are things in this world that are not immutable.”

“Things that are not immutable?”

Tilting my head in confusion at her cryptic words, Jamie continued with a smile.

“Yes, mana is one of them. Do you understand?”

“No, not at all. Could you please explain in more detail?”

At my request for further explanation, Jamie shook her head firmly.

“Enlightenment is entirely dependent on the disciple’s intellect and talent, so that’s all for now.”

Concluding the conversation cleanly, Jamie glanced at the ring on my finger and spoke again.

“And about your ‘Orb.’ No matter how excited you are, use it moderately.”

“Huh?”

“It’s rechargeable. If you deplete all the energy, you’ll have problems again.”

“Rechargeable? What about the mana in my body…”

“Don’t worry. As long as you don’t overdo it, you’ll never completely deplete the energy. It’s self-recharging. But remember, there’s a daily limit to how much you can use.”

Finishing her additional explanation about the ‘Orb,’ Jamie waved her hand, signaling me to leave.

“The examination is done for today, so you can go now.”

“Yes. See you next time.”

Feeling slightly uneasy, I bowed and left.

Returning to my dorm, I lay down on the bed.

Thud!

“A rechargeable? So if the energy runs out, I’ll have problems?”

Reflecting on what I had just learned, I thought about the newfound fun in magic and my new abilities.

“Damn, I thought things were finally starting to go well.”

Now, do I need to find an endless energy source or at least a backup battery?

No matter what, I didn’t want to give up the magic I had just begun to enjoy.

______________

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