Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 21 (Part 2)

The continental common language had far more words, but he had memorized them quickly. He believed runes wouldn’t take long either.

‘Memorizing is my strength.’

Rodin memorized the intermediate-level cultivation method in an instant. It took less than thirty minutes.

However, he didn’t go to the cultivation room right away. He decided to memorize all the runes first.

The cultivation method given by Instructor Serion didn’t contain runes. It was written by converting the runes into common language pronunciations.

Considering there was an additional step, he judged that there was a difference from the actual rune pronunciation.

Sitting in the library, he opened the thick rune book that made him feel breathless just looking at it.

* * *

The next day, he entered the central building for the mathematics class. The instructor he had seen a few months ago was waiting, having filled the blackboard with something.

“Am I late?”

“No. I came early. Sit down.”

“Yes, instructor.”

Rodin took his seat and opened his notebook. Even if he didn’t need to write, it was polite to open it.

‘Hmm.’

He examined what was written on the blackboard. It was a math problem.

‘It’s seven.’

Rodin quickly found the answer. He didn’t need to write anything in his notebook.

“You know my face, right?”

“Yes. I took math lessons from you a few months ago.”

“Nice to see you, number 108. My name is Adrian Kruper. You can call me Instructor Kruper.”

“Yes, Instructor Kruper.”

Today was the first time Rodin heard Kruper’s name. Even though they had been in class together for two months, he hadn’t revealed his name before.

“Why am I telling you my name now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because we won’t see each other for long. Look around. Out of 52 in the third batch, you’re the only one here. Do you think I’d want to share my name?”

It meant that the two months of acquaintance had no value. Kruper, and likely other instructors, shared this sentiment.

‘That’s why they didn’t tell their names.’

He had been here for six months and met many instructors, but the only name he knew was Instructor Serion’s. Today, Kruper was added, making it two.

“I am a third-circle magician and a mathematician. I learned mathematics first and later got into magic. That’s why I’m teaching mathematics here.”

Kruper’s words meant he was better at mathematics than magic. He also subtly implied that he deserved respect for being a great person.

“You would have learned mathematics from me before, but that was not really mathematics. It was just the basics, essential for daily life. This is real mathematics.”

Kruper turned towards the blackboard and started solving problems with chalk.

‘Why is he solving it like that?’

The method Kruper chose wasn’t wrong. It would get the right answer.

But it was a roundabout way, making the problem unnecessarily complicated.

“There! The answer is seven. What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“You don’t get it, do you? This is real mathematics. But don’t worry. The mathematics needed for magicians isn’t this level. It’s much easier. At least, in my opinion. You might not agree.”

Every word had a hint of self-praise.

It wasn’t surprising as he had experienced this attitude a few months ago. It was easier to just listen with one ear and let it out the other.

“Now, excluding deep mathematics. Why is mathematics needed in magic? How does being good at mathematics help? Number 108.”

“It affects the casting speed and accuracy of spells. Precise calculations can also reduce magic consumption.”

“Oh, seems like you’ve studied. Correct. It influences casting speed and accuracy and can reduce magic consumption in the right situations.”

Kruper turned around again and drew something. Rodin recognized what he was drawing.

‘Coordinates, I guess.’

Smack!

“Now, the figure on the left is the spell caster. The coordinates are 0, 0, 0…”

He explained how to set simple two-dimensional coordinates and define the path of a linear spell. Then, drawing again on the right, he explained how to set three-dimensional coordinates including height.

“Set the coordinates, and define the spell’s path. This is all there is to mathematics in magic. Of course, just because it’s all, doesn’t mean it’s easy. Defining the unit of one, determining the distance to the target, all these require precise calculations.”

Rodin found the current lesson boring.

He had already seen and understood all of this in the library. He could even explain it better than Kruper.

“How do you define the unit of one? It’s different from one meter in reality. In magic, one unit is…”

Kruper’s explanation continued. He spent almost the entire morning on this, going over things Rodin already knew.

“Now, let’s have a problem. The distance from your fingertip to your heart circle is 66. The distance to the target is about 2,442. The target is 198 units higher than you. Calculate the coordinates for a magic arrow spell.”

“The wave of magic power is missing in the problem.”

“Assume it’s 12.”

“33, 18, 421.”

Rodin quickly found the answer. It took him less than three seconds to understand the problem and derive the answer.

“Huh?”

Kruper made a strange noise and personally checked the board. After struggling with the calculations for a few minutes, he finally arrived at the answer 33, 18, 421.

“Ah! How did you know?”

“I just did it mentally.”

“Mentally? This?”

“Yes.”

Kruper’s mathematical skills weren’t bad. Among magicians, he was certainly at a high level.

But Rodin was beyond just high level. He had mastered the formulas Kruper was teaching in just ten days. He could even create his own applied problems.

“You. You’re good at math?”

“I like it.”

“From the day after tomorrow, don’t attend the morning math class.”

“Pardon?”

“Attend the afternoon class with the first and second batches. You can keep up with them.”

“Ah! Understood.”

Kruper acknowledged Rodin’s ability. He didn’t know exactly how skilled Rodin was, but he realized Rodin wasn’t just at the basic level.

“Ah! Just because you’re quick at calculations doesn’t mean your spell casting speed is automatically fast. All three elements of casting must be completed for the spell to manifest.”

“Yes, I’ve heard. Incantation, calculation, and visualization.”

“Correct. Even if the calculations are done, if the incantation isn’t finished, the spell won’t cast. Everything must be completed… Never mind.”

Kruper stopped himself from adding unnecessary explanations.

Trying to emphasize that quick calculations weren’t everything made him feel defensive. It seemed like jealousy, which made him feel embarrassed.

Hyung_Otaku2

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