Mana Design, as its name suggests, is a subject that teaches the method of “designing” magic circles using mana as the “material.”
Originally, it was a course designed for freshmen who were not yet proficient in magic circles.
However, the students seated in the vast lecture hall of Primus had already walked the path of magical studies for several years—elites in their field.
They had long since learned about the components and formation process of magic circles.
Therefore, teaching the content of the textbook was meaningless.
Explaining concepts already deeply rooted in the students’ minds would yield nothing new.
Thus, Letter made a choice.
Instead of repeating the basics, she chose to redefine them.
“Wind magic and earth magic have entirely different properties. However, this does not mean they cannot complement each other.”
Letter aimed to redefine the foundation that served as the basis of the students’ thoughts and ideas while showcasing the ultimate peak they could strive for.
It was a choice to simultaneously inform the advanced students of her teaching methods and objectives.
“For example, consider the vibrations that can be seen as the medium of each magic. The atmospheric vibrations needed to create a storm and the ground vibrations needed to create an earthquake…”
With a gentle motion, two magic circles appeared in midair, and only the central diagram of each was extracted and magnified.
Her small index finger slowly traced the air.
“They both share the commonality of starting at one point and spreading outward. On the other hand, the differences can be found in their intensity and range.”
The two magics, whose origins and principles were once considered polar opposites, were now contrasted.
A calm voice followed.
“Earth magic increases its intensity to penetrate the solid ground, while wind magic broadens its range to spread through the vast atmosphere.”
But must one necessarily give up either intensity or range?
The girl, who was shaking the very foundational concepts of magical studies, spoke as she neatly combined the core principles of the two magics.
What appeared was a magic circle reminiscent of the high-tier spell known as “Meteor.”
However, even its destructive power seemed fundamentally different.
Even without activating the magic circle, one could gauge its immense power.
It was not merely about dropping a massive boulder but reaching a level where the explosive pressure of the atmosphere and the frictional heat of a meteor were fully expanded.
“…Hah.”
One of the students gasped at the sight, which defied common sense.
The foundational principles of magical studies, which had unconsciously become rigid preconceptions for the students, were now being freely reshaped in pursuit of ultimate power and efficiency.
It was something they had not been able to see because they were confined within the framework of concepts they had established themselves.
It was something they could not reach because they had not tried to go beyond the framework of magical studies they had constructed.
“This is what I will teach you in Mana Design from now on.”
Among the things the girl demonstrated, there was not a single element unfamiliar to the students.
They were all diagrams they had seen and principles they had understood.
The only difference was that they had never thought to use them in the same way as the girl.
“How on earth…”
A sigh escaped someone’s lips as the concepts they had once believed to be immutable crumbled away.
At the same time, a new horizon opened.
The possibilities the girl had just demonstrated began to spread to all the magic the students had learned so far.
They imagined deconstructing and recombining magic circles, turning abstract ideas into tangible phenomena, their creativity running wild.
Of course, they could not yet be certain whether these combinations were truly feasible, but they were worth trying.
After all, the one standing beyond them, bearing the title of professor, had succeeded in doing what no one had ever attempted before.
Mana Design.
What was once a foundational course in magical studies now overturned the obvious and neatly erased the limits of possibility.
In this lecture that so easily denied common sense, the flow of time, which had long since lost its significance, quietly faded away.
Every student in the lecture hall, as if spellbound, focused solely on the girl, engraving her composed voice into their minds.
***
“How much time had passed?”
“Hmm, it seems we have a little time left.”
Realizing she had finished everything she prepared, Letter quietly lifted her head.
What she faced were eyes full of passion and determination from every student.
Ending the class as it was felt impossible.
She felt that she needed to show at least one more thing to meet the eager expectations of the students.
So, once again, Letter moved her mana and began drawing a magic circle in the air.
It wasn’t part of the standard curriculum, but she wanted to show that such a thing was possible.
“If we were to define magic simply, it is the manifestation of will. Using mana as a medium to transform the unreal into the real—that is magic.”
“The start of the majestic magic circle was a series of geometric shapes.”
“A hexagon, formed by perfectly aligned circles and pentagrams, followed without a single error.”
“Then, is it impossible for a simple desire to use more powerful magic, rather than the will to produce a specific phenomenon, to become magic?”
“Next, diagrams were added around the magic circle, stabilizing the flow of mana.”
“Lines extended from the center to the edges at consistent intervals, forming a massive star before anyone noticed.”
“In other words, this meant that the caster’s mana would be relentlessly drawn toward the center of the magic circle.”
The absorbed mana would then be split into four paths and channeled outward through the surrounding circles, accelerating the flow of mana.
“The answer is ‘no.’ Even the personal will to simply enhance the power and effect of magic can become magic.”
“At the core of the magic circle was another, much smaller magic circle.”
“With the surrounding diagrams and formulas rapidly increasing mana efficiency, whatever magic circle was drawn in the center would unleash unimaginable power.”
“A simple gust of wind magic could become a storm that swallowed an entire village.”
“A basic flame spell, akin to a candle’s flicker, could transform into a massive blaze capable of consuming an entire forest.”
“I call this enhancement magic. Of course, it requires preparation and consumes an enormous amount of mana, but…”
At a critical moment, it would undoubtedly fulfill its role.
Having introduced a new concept—magic for the sake of magic itself, a notion unfamiliar to the students—Letter left the lecture hall.
***
But less than ten seconds later, she returned.
With an almost sheepish expression, as if gauging the students’ reactions, she cautiously spoke.
“I’m currently looking for a teaching assistant… If anyone is interested, please come to my office. I’ll make sure to compensate you well.”
She explained that she was looking for someone to assist with her class.
She added that she would teach them interesting things, then finally left the lecture hall for good, her small footsteps echoing away.
It was only then that the students realized the lecture had truly ended.
They buzzed among themselves, recalling everything they had seen and heard.
Despite the lecture lasting about an hour—a not-so-short duration—it had flown by, and no one had felt bored at any point.
Right up until the next class began, the students remained lively, discussing the conclusion they all unanimously reached:
Everyone agreed that registering for the new professor’s class had been far from a waste.
Above all, it was Letter who first showed them that even on paths they had already walked, countless possibilities still existed.
“Hey, does anyone remember the magic the professor showed us at the end?”
“I’m definitely applying to be her assistant.”
The students, who had rediscovered the joy of learning magic, would not forget the first lecture for a long time.
The avalanche of applications in Letter Yurth’s office was proof of that.
***
“This is… all from students who want to be my assistants?”
Faced with an overwhelming mountain of application forms, Letter couldn’t help but entertain the faint possibility that this was some sort of hidden camera prank.
‘Was this all an elaborate show staged by an ancient dragon?’
Though many problems awaited Letter, the most pressing issue was that Irina, the princess, was among the applicants.
After all, Letter had inadvertently offended Princess Irina in the past.
Ignoring the princess’s extended hand was never an option to begin with.
‘Magic, dragons… Why is there no concept of extenuating circumstances?’
In the end, one of the two assistant positions went to Princess Irina.
‘If it became known that the princess was chosen due to personal reasons, there would undoubtedly be an uproar. ‘
‘But there was no other choice.’
‘Well, she’s a kind person. If I explain things carefully, she’ll understand.’
The plan was to first grow closer to Princess Irina and then reveal the secrets of the Primus train hijacking incident, ultimately asking for forgiveness.
“But why…”
“Professor, I wanted to apologize for last time…”
-Bow-
‘Why was Princess Irina, of all people, apologizing first?’
‘Why was someone of her status—a princess—watching the reactions of a mere count’s daughter?’
“I’ll make sure I don’t waste the opportunity you’ve given me. I promise.”
“A-ah, yes…”
As Princess Irina clenched her fists in determination, Letter found herself completely bewildered.
Around the same time, Isabelle, who happened to visit Letter’s office, froze in terror upon unexpectedly encountering the princess.
“I-I’ll come back another time…”
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