Magic Genius of the Fallen Dukedom - Chapter 4.2
Hmmm—
Izein was extremely tense.
She could feel the resonating vibrations of mana as Aden opened the channel. With her unusually high mana affinity, Izein could sensitively sense the flow of mana without using sensing techniques.
“Ab…Above…Danger!”
Thud.
The mana that was rushing forward suddenly stopped just in time.
A flow that halted just before Aden’s heart was delicately drawn inward like a thin thread.
The surging mana seemed to defy expectation as it danced wildly, yet it behaved as if restrained by some force, patiently awaiting its turn in an orderly fashion.
“Almost as if… it has a will of its own?”
Mana itself possesses no will; it merely serves as the medium through which a mage’s intentions manifest. Thus, among the elements constituting a mage’s abilities—concept, consciousness, and will—the most decisive factor is willpower.
The strength of this willpower determines not only how the absorbed mana is utilized but also its influence on external mana.
Swoosh—
The mana extracted undergoes a systematic manipulation before emerging on the opposite side of the heart. While the entrance is minuscule, its speed steadily increases.
Aden’s circle is probably spinning at a speed even he can’t handle, even though it’s only the 4th circle.
“You said you were confident in your control.”
It wasn’t just talk.
She clenched her hands, sweating.
“At this rate…”
A bead of sweat trickled down Aden’s forehead, so focused that he forgot his surroundings.
That was when it happened.
***
Bang—! Bang—!
“Aden Myon! Are you here?”
‘Of all times…!’
Izein bit her tongue slightly.
It was Professor Platinum’s voice.
“Aden Myon. Are you hiding here like a rat after causing trouble and not wanting to face the consequences? The disciplinary committee has been convened. Come out immediately!”
On the way there, Izein asked Aden why he had opposed Professor Platinum so vehemently.
It was probably because her master, who had come back after ten or so years, seemed even more grown-up and still couldn’t bear the professor’s attitude.
—If you don’t want to continue to suffer, you should increase your work.
—You were thinking along those lines, huh?
—Given Professor Platinum’s personality, he won’t let this slide. He’ll try to humiliate me somehow. He’ll probably come looking for me tomorrow, won’t he?
No, it seems he couldn’t even endure a single day. Regular working hours were over, yet he still called for the disciplinary committee and came to catch Aden himself.
“It’s not time yet.”
Izein glanced back for a moment. Aden was still immersed in his work.
If his concentration were to be suddenly disrupted by an unexpected external interference during such delicate work?
Not only would he fail to achieve his goal, but his life could also be endangered.
She had to intervene.
“What’s going on?”
“Izein Caddock? Your names were written together on the registration list. Are you two dating or something?”
“Professor.”
“I’m curious why you two are stuck together in the practice room, but let’s save that explanation for later. Open the door quickly.”
“Aden is currently in the midst of mana cultivation.”
Aden’s use of the training room, set up according to his own preferences, was clearly a violation of the school rules.
However, right now, it was much more important not to disturb Aden.
“So what? Stop and come out! Is mana cultivation such an important matter that it violates the professor’s orders?”
“That’s not—”
“Izein. Just now, my words didn’t single out only Aden. You’re also disregarding the professor’s command. Are you both undressed right now? Do you need time to get dressed, or do my words sound amusing to you?”
“Professor!”
“If you don’t come out in five seconds, I’ll open the door.”
Creak, creak—
The training room was designed in such a way that if it’s locked from the inside, it can’t be opened from the outside, but there are keys available only to administrators and professors for handling occasional incidents.
Among the dozens of key bundles, the sound of keys clashing against each other could be heard, indicating the search for the key to this room.
‘If it opens, it’s over.’
Would Professor Platinum quietly wait until Aden finished his immersion?
Not likely. He would probably grab him by the collar and drag him out. Aden would surely be injured significantly in the process.
Then, should they deploy a barrier spell right after entering?
While it would be a significant violation of the rules, even if they were willing to accept that consequence, Professor Platinum is a 5th circle mage.
He could easily dispel their barrier, and in the process, Aden would still be subjected to the shock.
“I need to prevent it from opening. But how?”
Izein’s head was spinning.
Fortunately, casting magic inside the training room doesn’t get detected from outside. Since dozens of training rooms are clustered together, they’re blocked from interfering with each other.
To prevent being caught using magic, what’s the most efficient way to block entry?
‘Lock!’
Izein quickly activated a 3rd circle stone arrangement.
“Five-”
As it’s within a high-density training room, the required mana rapidly surged. Skillfully blending it with the internal mana, she began casting.
“Four-”
“…”
“Three-”
Engage.
A small cluster of mana darted towards the lock hole.
But it shouldn’t take form just yet.
“Two-”
“…”
“One-”
Click.
The cluster of mana that sneaked through the lock hole settles inside, gradually taking shape.
Finally, it hardens into a small stone-like fragment.
“I’ll open it! Defying the professor’s orders and barricading the door, this is a disciplinary matter-”
Thunk.
Clack!
“What? Why won’t the key work?”
“It should. It’s the key to that room.”
“It’s not working!”
“Huh? Why is this happening? We check it every day… I’ll go get the emergency key.”
The flustered voice of the staff faded into the distance, and as Professor Platinum raised his voice in anger, Izein wiped the sweat trickling down her face and sighed.
Thud-
Then, something touched her shoulder, startling her.
“Izein.”
“My Lord! Professor Platinum is outside-”
“I heard everything. I couldn’t intervene, but you handled it well. Thank you.”
Seeing a sense of accomplishment reflected on his face, Izein felt relieved.
Fortunately, it seemed that his intentions had been fulfilled.
Even though the situation outside hadn’t been resolved.
“Don’t worry. Other than coming a bit sooner than expected, everything went according to plan.”
“···Yes.”
Aden passed by her and swiftly opened the door. Just as the professor, who had been angrily berating, turned to glare at him,
“Hello, Professor.”
Aden smiled warmly and extended his hand.
He genuinely seemed pleased to see him.
