NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
When the war was in full swing, the five-member Hero Party was busier than anyone else on the continent. This was because the Imperial Assembly and Royal Family desired more from them than just their status as war heroes.
Walter Hellhound and Rose Caprice were both members of the Imperial Assembly. Given that only nobles of Baronet rank and above could sit on the Assembly, it was not unusual for these two individuals to hold those positions.
Rose Caprice was none other than the precious daughter of the Emperor, while Walter H. Hellhound, although not of noble birth, claimed to be a direct descendant of a hero from centuries ago and was a modern-day hero himself.
Margaret had been offered a seat in the Imperial Assembly based on the recognition of her noble lineage as part of an alliance. However, she declined the candidacy, which led to the proposal being abandoned.
Perhaps she did not particularly favor the concept of an aristocratic assembly. Or maybe, being the princess of the Kingdom of Eramenia, she avoided joining the Imperial Assembly to not give the impression that Eramenia was a vassal of the Audrich Empire.
Instead, Margaret actively worked to resume diplomatic relations and improve perceptions between humans and elves, which had been nearly severed for centuries. As a speaker, she was quite popular, and the fact that the Elf Army, moving to fight the Demon King, could receive not only material support from the Empire but also voluntary help from its people was largely due to Margaret’s efforts.
Bernard, originally hired by Walter solely for the purpose of slaying the Demon King, did not engage in much social activity. However, whenever necessary, he effectively played the role of ‘Walter’s Hammer,’ helping to root out traitors who had been swayed by the Demon King.
But what about Jeongjae? The Earthling who was suddenly thrown into war right after hastily completing his university course, what did he do when there were no battles?
He was appointed as a special professor at the Imperial Magic Academy and tasked with teaching students directly. Given his characteristics as a member of the Hero Party, his lectures were somewhat irregular, and since his foundational theories of magic weren’t solidly constructed, the content diverged quite a bit from the norm. Nevertheless, many students flocked to hear him lecturing.
However, Jeongjae was aware that the students were not drawn to his lectures because they were high-quality; rather, simply attending his classes granted them a sort of certification as outstanding students.
“So, you mustn’t think that just what I’m drawing on the blackboard is all there is. The movement of the mana circuit is fluid and can sometimes be even transcendent. The expressions on the scroll are merely highly simplified symbols. Ultimately, the completion of the scroll is a matter of the caster’s subjective interpretation, and there is almost nothing I can teach you in this regard.”
As Jeongjae diligently wrote something with chalk on the green chalkboard, he momentarily turned around to check the students’ reactions. Only top students from each subject’s highest grade level were given the opportunity to attend his class.
In most cases, the reason students paid attention to Jeongjae’s lectures wasn’t because they were good but because simply attending his class could certify them as excellent students who knew the content.
“Professor, if the interpretation of the scroll is wrong, can’t the magic fail to activate or produce completely unintended effects?” a student raised their hand and asked. Jeongjae awkwardly nodded and flicked his finger.
“Right. If you misinterpret it entirely, that would be terrible. For instance, if you look at the Fireball magic circle and mistakenly understand it as a Blizzard magic circle, the scroll would definitely be wasted, and the magic would not activate. However, as long as you can ultimately bring forth the fire, you can be a bit lenient about the means you use. For example, when you think of fire, you might just picture shooting a fire pit, but as long as you can summon hellfire, you could strike with lightning from the sky…”
As he said this, Jeongjae suddenly paused. Damn, he thought he had chosen a bad example.
Using lightning in a fire spell circle. Just recalling that horrific battle from earlier made his stomach turn, and he found it hard to concentrate on the lecture. Most of the students were already thinking, “What on earth is he talking about?” but still, he couldn’t let it slide.
Yeah, he couldn’t just let it slide. The fact that he was able to return to school instead of being out on the battlefield was a testament to Walter’s careful consideration for Jeongjae’s mental health.
What could he do if he just stirred up his own trauma and felt nauseous all by himself? No one was going to resolve it for him.
“Professor, is there a manual that outlines where the line is drawn between incorrect interpretation and the caster’s creative interpretation?” another student raised their hand and asked. Jeongjae looked at the student and replied.
“That depends on the nature of the scroll. In fact, as long as you don’t damage the principles of the scroll’s operation, it will activate in most cases. You all know that, right?”
The room fell silent at Jeongjae’s words.
“Is the perspective of the author important, or is the perspective of the user important? I don’t know which is more stable academically. Suddenly thrown into a world at war, I was educated to be ‘combat-ready’ as quickly as possible and have been thrown onto the battlefield just three months later. You all understand what I’m saying, right?”
As long as he could kill the enemy in actual combat, whether it was a scroll or a magic circle, Jeongjae’s method meant he wasn’t engaging in an academically rigorous analysis. This was simply the way he had adapted to learning in this world.
Jeongjae checked the massive clock hanging at the back of the lecture room and realized class was almost over.
Given the situation, it didn’t make sense to conduct any further teachings, so he briefly wrapped up the lecture, bowed his head in thanks, and calmly stepped out of the classroom.
Most of the students didn’t hold him back or pay any attention to Jeongjae as he left the classroom.
While he walked down the corridor of the building, one girl called out to him.
“Um, Professor!”
Jeongjae turned around at the familiar voice. She was Jenis Harker, with snow-white hair and sparkling blue eyes, wearing a neat uniform. She was the only daughter of the famous House of Count Harker.
“Oh, Jenis. Is there something you want to ask?”
Jeongjae felt no need to use any formal titles just because she was the daughter of a noble family.
When he first began teaching, he had moments of hesitation about how to treat the offspring of noble families, but he quickly picked up on the atmosphere that being part of the Hero Party offered a higher status than mere members of aristocratic families, thus he never addressed students more highly in private conversations.
“It’s not exactly a question… Yes, I have a question. That’s right.”
Jenis nervously twisted a strand of her hair around her finger as she spoke. Her hair was so thin and soft, it seemed like it could slip right through her fingers no matter how hard she tried to twist it.
“Ask me anything. I’m all ears.”
Jeongjae said as kindly as he could. She wasn’t particularly beautiful or of noble lineage. Jenis was one of the most outstanding students at the academy, consistently submitting the best results for Jeongjae’s assignments.
Although she still didn’t fully grasp the heart of a teacher, it was hard for Jeongjae not to find such a student endearing.
“It must be really tough for you, teaching those kids.”
Jenis said. As Jeongjae struggled to find a response, she hurriedly waved her hands and added.
“No, what I mean is, it’s not that they’re being really strange! I mean… everyone seems to have no intention of accepting what you say, Professor. You’re just… more experienced, right?”
“The ways of accepting things are different, Jenis.” Jeongjae evaluated fairly.
“For most students, magic is a study or, in some sense, an amazing thing, while for me, it’s a tool I must use to survive. I just wanted to convey my perspective based on my unique experiences.”
“But they’re all third-year students now. What will they do once they graduate?”
“Right. That’s true.”
A wizard is a precious resource, and those who graduate with excellent performance from the Imperial Magic Academy are more valuable than mere precious resources.
However, that does not mean wizards can be cherished and kept in the back like rare treasures; that’s just the reality of the Magic Tower. Officially, neither the Hero nor the Imperial Assembly has the right to intervene in the Magic Tower, but when pressure comes in, they must fight. One must mobilize their full strength.
The thought that the students graduating from this school might soon be active on the battlefield was not just a mere assumption.
“Um, Professor…”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Are you going to be here for a while? I heard the enemy’s offensive has slowed down…”
Of course, the enemy’s offensives have indeed slowed down. But that doesn’t mean the war has stabilized. At such times, could he really afford to take a break from the party and just remain at school?
“Well, I understand, but war is something you cannot take your eyes off for even a moment. It can’t be underestimated.”
“I see… then, Professor, what do you do when you’re not in class? Just wondering if you have free time… I don’t have any weird intentions or anything!”
Jenis said, slightly blushing as she rambled on. Jeongjae turned his face away, overshadowed by a dark shadow.
“Research. I have an urgent magic I’m studying right now. Usually, I spend my time on that research.”
“I see… I shouldn’t disturb that, right?”
Jenis asked cautiously. Jeongjae lightly shook his head.
“Just coming by to ask me about something you’re curious about isn’t a disturbance. You can come by if you find the time; taking a moment isn’t a problem.”
Jenis nodded with a slightly disappointed expression. It was clear that whatever she wanted was more than just “taking a moment.”
“Is there anything else you want to discuss?”
After recalling the research that had been put on hold during their last conversation, Jeongjae asked. Jenis rolled her eyes slightly and nodded.
“Yes, this is the last one… My father asked if you could visit him sometime. Specifically, next Monday for dinner.”
“Count Harker?”
Jeongjae asked. Jenis nodded. Jeongjae followed her lead, nodding a few times before clapping his hands.
“Sure! That’s no problem. It would be rude not to accept Count Harker’s invitation!”
With that, their conversation came to an end. As Jeongjae returned to his personal research room, he pondered over the path he had to take moving forward.
There was no other way. If he followed this path, he could achieve his goals.
In that pouch, deeply hidden, was a scroll he was still researching, unofficially named ‘Manhattan.’