Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 27 (Part 1)

The next morning, since there were no classes, I went to the library.

These days, I was focusing on creating a new cultivation technique. I hadn’t made any significant progress yet. It seemed I needed some unknown new runes.

“Hmm, maybe I should just read a book?”

Clink!

At that moment, I heard the doorknob turn and felt a small presence.

It had been a long time since someone had visited the advanced corner of the library. The last time was when Instructor Serion brought a book on runes a year and a half ago.

‘Someone besides me is coming to the library?’

I turned my head instinctively and sighed.

The student number 155, who got crushed in the sparring yesterday, nodded slightly and sat down across from me.

‘There’s no need to pretend to know him.’

He didn’t look like he wanted to pick a fight. It was clear from a glance that his spirit was crushed.

Ignoring him, I focused on my book. Although I felt a hot gaze from the front, I didn’t lift my head to acknowledge him.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry, senior.”

“I’m not your senior… Ah, forget it. Apology accepted. That’s all.”

I replied firmly and focused back on my book. But I still felt his gaze.

‘This is annoying.’

I would have preferred if he glared at me sharply like usual. His earnest and pitiful gaze left me at a loss on how to respond.

Getting angry at such eyes would make me seem heartless. Asking him not to look at me would be even stranger.

That day, I closed my book early and left the library. I couldn’t concentrate with his gaze on me.

Ten days passed. Number 155 continued to visit the advanced corner of the library and sit across from me. His desperate and pleading gaze was unchanged.

‘Should I keep ignoring him?’

Even though I was stuck on my cultivation technique research, I didn’t get frustrated. Although it was frustrating now, I believed that with effort, I would eventually see results.

This future hope kept negative thoughts at bay.

But number 155’s constant staring was a different matter. Leaving him alone seemed like it would be an ongoing annoyance in the future as well.

“Haah, what’s your problem?”

I finally spoke to him. I decided to deal with this annoying disturbance that had been going on for ten days today.

At the sound of my voice in the quiet space, number 155 flinched. He opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, trying to gauge my reaction.

“There must be a reason you keep coming here. What is it? What’s your problem?”

“Please help me.”

“Help you with what? Who’s bullying you?”

“Teach me magic, senior.”

He wanted me to teach him? It sounded absurd. Was this really the same guy who used to pick fights with me, claiming he was the best?

“You should learn magic from an instructor. Why are you asking me? Go see the instructor.”

“Instructor Serion recommended it. He told me to seek help from senior number 108. Instructor Kruper also said it’s better to learn mathematics from you.”

“The instructors?”

I couldn’t ignore it if Instructor Serion was involved, though Instructor Kruper was a different matter.

Since the mathematics class was canceled, I had no reason to meet Instructor Kruper. We exchanged greetings occasionally, but we never had long personal conversations.

However, I often met with Instructor Serion. Rune language classes, magic association classes, and magic practice sessions required me to meet him six days out of ten.

“Yes, Instructor Serion said that senior number 108 is better suited to help with my problems than he is.”

“Hmm.”

Come to think of it, number 155’s magic style was quite similar to Instructor Serion’s. Both relied more on experience and intuition than precise coordinate calculations for their magic.

‘Does he think he can’t help because they share the same weaknesses?’

I reviewed number 155’s magic style in my mind. He had clear strengths but also distinct weaknesses.

“What do you think your problem is?”

“Mathematics. The calculations are too difficult.”

“Right. Your magic lacks accuracy, and your casting time is too long. If you can’t cut it in half, you’ll be helpless in battle.”

“I can memorize well, but no matter how much I try, I can’t improve my calculations.”

That’s not possible. It wasn’t improving because he wasn’t trying hard enough. It was difficult, so he likely gave up after a few attempts.

“Anything else?”

“Pardon?”

“Is mathematics your only weakness?”

“Um… Instructor Serion also said I’m bad at magical association… that my imagery isn’t clear.”

He mentioned the two weaknesses I had identified.

Calculation and association.

These were two of the three components of casting. This meant he was only good at rune chanting.

“You don’t need to worry about magical association. Solve the calculation problem, and the association problem will resolve itself.”

“Is that so?”

“The reason your magical imagery isn’t clear is because your mind is too busy with coordinate calculations. If your mind is occupied, how can you form clear images? So if you get faster at coordinate calculations, the problem with magical association will naturally resolve.”

“Ah! I see.”

I left the advanced corner and went to the general section of the library. I picked up about ten books on mathematics and returned to the advanced corner.

“First, let’s see what level you’re at.”

“Thank you, senior.”

“Stop calling me senior. I’ll give you some problems to solve first.”

Although I had already memorized the book, I opened it anyway to pretend I was referring to it.

I created 20 problems on the spot, ranging from basic to slightly more difficult ones. I mixed them evenly.

“You have one hour. Solve them.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Make sure to write down the solution process next to each problem. Don’t guess if you don’t know.”

“Yes. I’ll only write what I know.”

I handed him the problems and focused back on my book. Exactly an hour later, I collected his notebook.

“Hm, did you do your best?”

“Yes. I solved everything I knew.”

“Hmm.”

Hyung_Otaku2

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