hotmtlnovel Chapter 22
Chapter 22
The Magicians' Association was thrown into chaos.
The reason was none other than the sudden appearance of an unknown magician, like a comet blazing across the sky, who presented a thesis on space-time magic to the Association.
And it wasn’t just some hastily cobbled-together knowledge from the labyrinth or a rough attempt at implementing a few magic formulas. It was a comprehensive and systematically established body of work that spanned the entire realm of space-time magic: vast theories, perfectly refined concepts, and, most significantly, actual magic formulas capable of being classified under space-time magic. It was practically an academic foundation capable of establishing a whole new school of magic.
"What are these theories?" "Incredible! When you use the magic, objects genuinely accelerate or decelerate in any motion. Has time magic truly been realized?" "Magic that distorts space to this extent... Does this mean it could deflect any attack?" "The magic formulas actually function, but the theories... I’ve never heard of anything like them." "What is this theory even called? General relativity?" "Gravity magic as one of the foundations? What kind of connection exists between space-time and gravity?" "Next! Bring up the next section!"
The scholars and magicians of the Association, faced with the enormous amount of information on space-time magic—a long-standing dream for magicians—organized into a clean and coherent thesis, were overcome with an almost frenzied academic fervor.
As countless scholars copied and pored over the thesis, those who reached the final line on the last page of the document soon found their expressions turning into one of utter disbelief.
"In this newly established field of space-time magic, I have discovered numerous magic formulas and their boundless possibilities. They are truly wondrous, but due to lack of space, I will not include them here."
"Aaaaaaaargh!" "What is this nonsense?! If there’s not enough space, use more paper!" "Dammit! Is this guy toying with us?!"
By quoting the notorious omitted note from Fermat’s Last Theorem, which vexed mathematicians for 350 years on Earth, Yujin successfully elicited a collective wave of outrage and blood pressure spikes among the scholars and magicians.
"Damn it! Does he think we can’t figure it out because he’s hiding it?" "I’ll uncover every last formula this bastard left out!" "We will get to the bottom of this space-time magic, no matter what!"
Their pride and stubbornness having been provoked, the magicians and scholars became even more determined. They threw themselves into deciphering the thesis with heightened zeal.
Some tried to interpret the theories, wracking their brains to understand them. Others revisited the principles of gravity magic, one of the foundations of space-time magic, while others attempted to deconstruct the few formulas that had been included in the document.
No matter what it took, they were desperate to uncover even a fraction more about this newly established branch of space-time magic.
"Damn it... What is this theory supposed to be?" "I can’t figure it out. How does gravity magic even work within space-time magic?" "Gah...! Even when I break down the magic formulas, it’s pointless. How can something so simple fit together so intricately?"
But all their efforts led to failure.
It was inevitable. The relationship between space-time and gravity, revealed through general relativity, is an advanced concept even on modern Earth, where physics has developed extensively.
For those born in a world saturated with forces that defy physical laws—mana, aura, divine power, and demonic energy—the ability to comprehend the core principles of modern physics was an insurmountable hurdle.@@@@
Moreover, the few space-time magic formulas Yujin had revealed were constructed with remarkable simplicity despite their intricate functionality, offering little to glean even when deconstructed.
"Bring the author! Find the author of this thesis!"
In the end, they arrived at a singular conclusion:
They needed to bring the author, Yujin, before them.
***
"So, you've come looking for me?"
"Y-yes, that’s correct..."
"It’s fine."
Yujin interrupted with a smile, cutting off the association head’s offer. His tone could have easily been interpreted as rejection, and the association head’s face paled as though the world had crumbled around him.
"Please, reconsider—"
"Haha, it seems you’ve misunderstood me," Yujin said, waving a hand dismissively. "I meant that there’s no need for compensation. I have no intention of selling knowledge for a price."
"Truly? Does that mean—"
"Yes, but how about this instead?"
Seeing the association head’s face light up with hope, Yujin continued.
"Could the Association host a lecture sometime soon? I’d be happy to attend as a speaker."
"Are you serious?!"
The association head practically shouted in joy, gripping Yujin’s hands tightly.
"Thank you! Thank you, Yujin!"
"Haha, no need to thank me. I’ll visit the Association soon to finalize the details."
"Of course! Come at your convenience! Oh, wait—here!" The association head hurriedly produced a communication crystal from his dimensional space. "Please take this so we can contact you anytime—"
"Let’s take it slow," Yujin said with a chuckle, watching as the association head placed the crystal on the table and bowed repeatedly before leaving the inn.
As Yujin watched him depart, Tiamat’s voice echoed in his mind.
『Yujin, are you really planning to give a lecture? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t make space-time magic public?』
"Ah, Tiamat, I still have no intention of doing that. I never said I’d give a lecture on space-time magic, did I?"
『What?』
Yujin’s smile turned mischievous as he explained.
"I only said I’d attend as a lecturer, not that I’d hold a lecture on space-time magic. And I certainly don’t plan to."
『Ah...』
"If I outright refused, it would cause unnecessary backlash and attract annoying people. This way, I get to show a little flair while keeping everything under control."
Yujin turned to Tiamat with a sly smile.
"I didn’t lie, after all."