I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 794 - Side Story 67: A New Method (4)

Rudger spent a considerable amount of time having an in-depth conversation with Rene about magic.

The draft she had devised contained a magic circle similar to an astronomical clock, but this was ultimately just a preparatory stage for activating the magic.

"To actually use this magic in earnest, we'll probably need a fairly high-level artifact." 

"You don't need to worry about that. There's already one that's been made."

Rudger was about to ask when she had made such a thing, when he suddenly recalled the gate he had ridden through when he returned.

"Are you planning to modify that?" 

"Since we already made it, wouldn't it be good to work on it a bit more? Of course, we'll have to change its form quite a bit and there will be many things to add."

They would need to go beyond the form of a door targeting one specific location and change it into a form suitable for simultaneously observing multiple dimensions.

"Hmm. Something related to multiple dimensions."

Rudger, as if something came to mind, began drawing a picture in the air using his mana.

Bluish mana formed in the air and freely changed shape according to Rudger's will.

What was eventually completed was a three-dimensional figure where multiple rings overlapped while rotating in different directions.

A core existed in the center, and around it, rings presumed to be metal rotated according to their respective speeds and rules.

Its appearance resembled an armillary sphere, a tool for observing celestial bodies.

"This is..."

Rene and Julia were quite surprised to see the model Rudger had devised. It was because it was very plausible for something improvised on the spot.

"If you're going to change it, this would be a suitable form." 

"Definitely. If we do it like this, we'll be able to check all omnidirectional coordinates. There will be range differences depending on the scale of production, but if nothing else, the stability will increase tremendously."

Indeed, Rene was one of the magic researchers that only those with exceptional talent could become.

As if proving that she didn't occupy her position solely through the characteristics of spatial mana, she instantly grasped what purpose Rudger had shown this for.

"Hmm."

Rene stared at the model Rudger had devised like someone deeply absorbed in something.

As if she had begun to gain some inspiration, her eyes that seemed to contain stars repeatedly sparkled.

'She's completely absorbed.'

Julia, who had maintained a long friendship with Rene, noticed that Rene was now completely absorbed in that magic.

Rene's passion for exploring magic was incomparable to others.

In particular, she had faced life-threatening danger due to the previously unknown characteristics of spatial mana.

To nearly face death by the unknown without knowing something—could there be anything more agonizing for a mage?

Of course, Rene didn't die. She was able to continue living by becoming aware of her mana and mastering how to handle it.

Through that process, Rene was able to establish a firm life purpose of what she should do.

There was still so much unknown left unrevealed in this world.

It was magic, mystery, and also certain laws that could be called the foundation of this world.

Rene wanted to illuminate such unknown worlds. She wanted to lift the veil of uncertainty and properly understand things that didn't even have a proper form yet.

So that there would be no more victims like herself. And to be faithful to the life she had newly gained.

As a result, Rene showed tremendous achievement from when she became a second-year student, as if she had awakened.

She even threatened Julia's position, who always held first place, and snatched that position several times.

Julia also gritted her teeth and endured to firmly defend her position, not to be outdone. Perhaps it was because of such competitive processes that the two became even closer.

Whatever the case, Rene developed a habit of becoming completely absorbed when she saw new magic, and what she was showing now was exactly that.

'The original purpose must have been to come see Teacher Rudger.'

Julia, who was quick-witted in such matters, knew what thoughts Rene had when she came without notice.

Just watching her openly call Rudger "oppa" and act foxy made it impossible not to know.

'She was actually thinking about new magic, but that must have originally been just an excuse. Now it's completely reversed.'

She had taken the time and even tried to stay with Rudger using new magic as an excuse, but because Rudger showed something too plausible, she ended up falling for it instead.

Julia chuckled and shook her head at those burning eyes that looked like they would start a fire.

'Ah, that won't work. The switch has been properly turned on. Like that, she'll hole up in her workshop for a while and not come out.'

Indeed, it was as Julia expected. Having completely imprinted the model Rudger showed in her mind, Rene spoke with a voice full of enthusiasm.

"Oppa. It seems I have urgent business, so I think I should go now." 

"I see. You've found a clue." 

"It's all thanks to you, oppa. Later, I'll show you the result as quickly as possible."

Having received the materials back, Rene disappeared by teleporting on the spot. Her departure was as sudden as her arrival.

When Robert opened his eyes, what he saw was a neatly organized room and the sight of Rudger and Julia having a conversation inside it.

He flinched as he recalled the scene before fainting, but when Julia looked at him, he found himself involuntarily captivated.

Julia's appearance after washing up and adorning her original beauty was so elegant that Robert momentarily lost his senses.

"Oh my, you're finally awake."

At Julia's words, Rudger also looked this way.

"Robert. Are you feeling alright?" 

"Yes? Ah, yes. I'm, I'm sorry. I suddenly fainted..." 

"It's not your fault, so you don't need to blame yourself. Rather, I'm late with introductions. This is Julia Plumhart. She's your senior affiliated with this research building." 

"Hello. Nice to meet you." 

"Ah, hello. My name is Robert Histon."

At those words, Julia's eyes widened.

"Histon? If it's Histon, isn't that the family that famous War Mage Rosa Histon comes from?" 

"Uh, yes. That's right. She's my eldest sister." 

"Hmm. I see."

Julia instantly understood why Robert was so dispirited despite being from the Histon family.

Well, besides Rosa Histon, her siblings also had their own reputations. If he grew up among such formidable sisters, he couldn't help but lack confidence in everything.

"You don't need to be so scared. This isn't a place that teaches practical magic or anything like that." 

"Yes? Ah, yes." 

"You don't seem convinced. As you can see, I'm a Dreamwalker. I belong to the Dream Studies school and am a user of Dream Work, a special category magic." 

"Dream, Work?"

When talk of magic came up, Robert's eyes changed for a moment. Seeing that, Julia smiled contentedly inside.

To show such interest and enthusiasm for magic. First of all, his attitude was a pass.

Then, shall we check just how excellent his talent is, as Teacher Rudger said?

"Do you know about it?" 

"Yes. I've at least heard of it. Among special category magic, it's relatively the most versatile." 

"Right. It is somewhat versatile. But while it's relatively better than other magic, Dream Work magic is still quite difficult to master. Do you know why?" 

"That's probably because of the magic's inherent characteristics. Dream Work is magic for walking through dreams. Magic ultimately needs to be established through formulas and theory, but in the case of dreams, human unconsciousness plays the biggest role."

Julia's eyes widened as if surprised. When she looked at Rudger, he nodded as if to say he didn't bring Robert for no reason.

"That's impressive. That's exactly right. It's difficult to master because it's magic related to the unconscious. People who have developed senses in this area naturally learn it well, but such cases are usually extremely rare."

That was one of the reasons the Dream Studies school was gradually declining. That's why Julia had an obligation to somehow make her magic learnable by everyone and popularize it to the public.

"Would you like to take a look at this?"

Julia unfolded the magic formula she had created with maximum effort. Unlike other formulas that drew clean lines or graceful curves, her magic was somewhat metaphysical in form.

It was a formula that anyone would have difficulty recognizing, but this was the result Julia had created with her utmost effort. A formula that barely created regularity among the chaotic elements and was just barely implemented. 

Robert who saw it kept his mouth firmly shut for a while. He simply stared intently at Julia's formula.

How much time passed like that?

"Um..."

Robert carefully opened his mouth.

"That part there, the part that regulates the boundary of unconsciousness. The formula shaped like flickering flames."

At those words, Julia received quite a shock. She had only shown the formula, without explaining where or how it worked.

Yet Robert knew where and how this worked just by looking at the formula.

"That form is a bit too intense, how about organizing it a bit more neatly?" 

"..." 

"Ah! Did, did I overstep too much?"

Robert belatedly realized he had made a mistake. Not only had Julia's expression become quite serious, but pointing out someone else's magic like this wasn't proper etiquette among mages.

However, Julia's face became even more absorbed in contemplation. Rudger, who was watching the scene, used telekinesis to lift up a blank sheet of paper and a pen, handing them to Robert.

"Te, Teacher?" 

"It's fine, so try drawing the formula you're thinking of."

Robert glanced around cautiously, but since Rudger had given permission, he thought it would be okay and immediately began drawing the formula with the pen.

Unlike his cautious attitude, his hands moved so quickly it was almost light-hearted.

"How about this?"

In less than a minute, Robert completed the form of a new formula. Rudger, who received the paper he handed over, looked at the formula's form and then passed it to Julia.

"See for yourself and judge." 

"..."

Julia stared intently at the formula. On that expressionless face, bewilderment settled in, then joy came, then signs of disappointment alternately passed.

Julia looked at Robert with a gaze filled with complex emotions.

"Have you learned this somewhere from someone?"

"N, no. I'm seeing it for the first time today." 

"I see. I understand."

Julia changed part of the formula as Robert suggested. Just by doing that, the magic's form became much more stable than before.

It still wasn't perfect, but compared to before when it seemed unrecognizable, should I say it was now following a somewhat more conventional magic formula?

Julia erased the formula with a sigh.

Robert had reinforced the deficient parts of the formula she had struggled so hard to create just by looking at it once.

For her, who had never felt lacking in talent anywhere, this was the first time she felt a sense of defeat.

But at the same time, there was also a refreshing feeling.

If it had been her in the past, she would have tried to handle everything by herself. And while seeing Robert's talent and being discouraged by it, she would have harshly whipped herself.

But now it was different. Julia, who had formed bonds with other people, knew well that she couldn't do anything alone.

"Excellent. Very impressive. You really have an exceptional eye for magic."

That's why she could humbly accept Robert's genius as well. No one lives alone. In the end, people have to live back to back or shoulder to shoulder with someone.

There was absolutely no reason to be ashamed of that.

"Would you like to try developing your talent?" 

"Re, really?" 

"Yes. If you want, you can research whatever magic you desire here as much as you like."

Robert felt tempted by those words. In fact, he also preferred researching and analyzing magic like this rather than doing practical magic for no reason.

However, hesitation remained, and that was because of the atmosphere of this research building.

"We'll provide food, clothing, and shelter, and we can give you a scholarship too. You don't need to be confined here like other graduate students. This is truly exceptional treatment." 

"Is, is that really true?"

"Yes. And if you help me, I'll also help you learn magic. It's a give and take."

Julia smiled bewitchingly as she extended her hand. Robert stared at that sight blankly before naturally grasping that hand.

"Looking forward to working with you." 

"I, I look forward to working with you too."

Rudger, who was watching the scene, nodded with a pleased smile.

'Another excellent slave—no, academy student has been added.'