[When n is an integer greater than 3, there is no integer solution ( x ,y,z) that satisfies x^n + y^n = z^n.]
As I write the equation in large letters on the board, all eyes turn to it.
Even the students who were blatantly dozing off and those who were diligently taking notes suddenly perk up at the mention of a guaranteed A.
One by one, heads that had been drooping in disinterest lift, and eager gazes lock onto me.
If only they had shown this level of enthusiasm from the beginning.
“Instructor, is it true? Are you really guaranteeing an A?”
“Of course. If someone presents an outstanding proof, I might even extend the benefits into the next semester at my discretion.”
“…That sounds promising.”
“The problem doesn’t even look that hard. If we get it right, isn’t this basically a free pass for a year’s worth of grades?”
The students murmur in excitement.
Well, of course, that’s a natural reaction.
After all, getting good grades at this academy is extremely difficult.
It was a principle set by the first headmaster—since this institution prides itself as the best in the world, its education system is rigorous and fair.
No matter how prestigious a student’s family might be, a failed exam means a failing grade.
And the instructors here, being leading authorities in their respective fields, are not easily swayed by bribes or favors.
“What a hypocritical system. They barely accept commoners as students because of their birth, but suddenly care about fairness when it comes to grades?”
That’s why the mere mention of a guaranteed A has drawn such interest.
It’s an opportunity to raise one’s GPA effortlessly.
If the problem were difficult, they might have hesitated.
But at first glance, this equation looks deceptively simple—just a matter of exponents and integers.
Anyone with a basic understanding of mathematics would think they could solve it with a little effort.
‘Well, the reality is quite the opposite.’
Of course, if it were that easy, I wouldn’t have presented it as a challenge.
This is Fermat’s Last Theorem—the one made famous by the words “I have discovered a truly marvelous proof, which this margin is too narrow to contain.”
Naturally, with the level of mathematics in this era, there’s no way they could solve it.
Even in the late 20th century, it took the development of numerous advanced theories and the combined efforts of the world’s greatest mathematicians to finally prove it.
In this time period?
They wouldn’t even have a clue where to start.
But if someone did manage to solve it?
Then that person wouldn’t be human.
Either that, or they’d be another otherworlder like me.
In that case, forget being a student—they should be hired as a permanent faculty member on the spot.
“Submissions will be accepted after today’s lecture. Now, everyone, turn to page 45 in your textbooks.”
Assigning an impossible problem to torment them and teaching them are two different things.
I don’t want to be accused of neglecting my duties later, so I begin my lecture as usual.
Even if I’m an undercover spy, I still have my pride and dignity as a former professor.
So, as an educator, I’ll make sure to hammer some advanced knowledge into their heads.
* * * * *
“Hey, have you heard the news ?”
“About the new finance instructor?”
It didn’t take long for rumors about Ishmael—no, Instructor Leamis—to spread across the academy.
Despite its seemingly vast grounds, the academy is actually quite a small community.
With only a few dozen faculty members in total, any new instructor’s arrival becomes common knowledge almost immediately.
“I heard he’s handsome?”
“His looks are average, but apparently, his teaching style is unique. Something about giving out simple problems, and if you solve them—”
Normally, a new faculty member would be a topic of conversation for a day or two before fading into the background, remembered only by the students taking their class.
But this time was different.
All thanks to the challenge Instructor Leamis had issued.
“A single quiz for a year’s worth of grades? That’s insane!”
“No way a deal that good is real. There’s gotta be a catch.”
“I suck at math, so I can’t tell if it’s actually hard or not… But just looking at the numbers, it seems simple.”
“Can we still sign up for extra courses mid-semester?”
From an outsider’s perspective, the problem looked too easy.
But the reward was far too great to ignore.
For students who dedicate their lives to academics, it was an opportunity too tempting to pass up.
Even those who weren’t taking the finance course were interested.
“Hey, wanna try solving it together?”
“What’s the point? We don’t even take that class.”
“It looks fun, though. And if we actually find the answer, we can sell it to someone who does.”
Across the academy, groups of fools started forming—some out of curiosity, some out of sheer determination—dedicating their time and effort to an unsolvable problem.
“I’m jealous of the finance students. They get to see that female assistant every week.”
“Dude, you pick your classes based on that?”
“So what? Like you didn’t immediately stare at her the first time you saw her?”
Of course, there was another reason some students were paying attention to Leamis—or rather, her assistant.
Most of the academy’s students were between 17 and 19 years old.
The prime of youth, overflowing with energy.
And what do teenage boys lose their minds over?
The opposite sex.
And Instructor Leamis happened to have an assistant—a truly breathtaking woman named Kalia.
“Where the hell did he even meet someone like that?”
“Maybe she was one of his students?”
“If that were the case, she wouldn’t have followed him all the way to the academy.”
Crimson eyes that glowed like polished gemstones.
Flowing silver hair that cascaded down her back.
A perfectly sculpted, athletic figure,And assets that defied reason.
She was, quite literally, the embodiment of every man’s fantasy.
But it wasn’t just about her beauty—she knew exactly how to enhance it.
Her outfits were always impeccable, her accessories carefully chosen to accentuate her charm.
She was so stunning that even the Third Prince of the Artium Empire had confessed to her on the spot upon seeing her.
Fortunately, he took the rejection well.
“I don’t care. I’m going to see her during break.”
“Good luck with that. The finance lecture hall is always packed these days.”
“If I hurry, I can still get a spot.”
As a result, the finance department had become the most crowded area of the academy.
Students gathered around under various pretexts—pretending to wait for someone, chatting idly—just to steal glances at Kalia through the window.
They couldn’t stare outright, but they kept sneaking glances, hoping she’d one day notice them.
“These humans are so utterly pathetic.”
Unfortunately for them, she had absolutely no interest in any of them.
* * * * *
“Ishmael—no, Leamis. Can’t we request a classroom change? Somewhere without windows, in a more secluded area?”
“Unlikely. The administration won’t approve it just because we don’t like the attention.”
This was the faculty dormitory, where instructors could unwind after work.
As soon as we got back, Kalia immediately started venting her frustrations.
She was getting sick and tired of being ogled all day.
“Don’t those brats have any studying to do? Why the hell do they keep hanging around our classroom?”
“Because you’re too beautiful, Kalia.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.”
Though, judging by her faint smile, she didn’t entirely dislike the compliment.
But enough idle talk.
“Let’s get back to business. What’s the latest update on the war front?”
Straight to On War.
“Oh, they seriously referred to that?”
“They even adopted it as a military textbook.”
So they’re compensating for their lack of military strength with doctrinal superiority?
Well, On War remains a cornerstone of strategy and tactics even in the 21st century.
Total war, setting strategic priorities, distinguishing between tactics and strategy—it’s packed with invaluable concepts.
Since I even translated and sent it over, if they’ve fully internalized it, it must have been a huge help.
It’s like everyone else is using Windows 98 while they’re the only ones with Windows 10—if they still can’t fight properly, that would be the real problem.
“Then it’s time to increase the bloodshed.”
It seems like most of the nations that could join the war have already done so.
Now, I should aim to escalate the casualties.
Through the philosophy of my esteemed predecessor, Thomas Hobbes.
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