حصلت-على-وظيفة-وهمية-في-الأكاديمية novel-series - حصلت على وظيفة وهمية في الأكاديمية - الفصل 14

I Got a Fake Job at the Academy, Chapter 13

“Do you want to shorten the spellcasting time?”

“Is that possible?”

“Aren’t you lying?”

Unlike the first-year students who were still naive, the second-years doubted Roger’s words. Before teaching the fundamentals in his first class, he promised to show them how to accelerate spellcasting. They couldn’t help but be skeptical.

The speed of spell manifestation is always a top priority for mages. One second is a long time in a life-or-death battle. Mages, unlike knights who move their bodies in real-time and wield swords, are far more vulnerable when they take time to manifest magic.

With the advancement of science, even mages were less exposed to the same dangers as before, but they hadn’t disappeared entirely. Since they were mages, always needing to think clearly and rationally, they had no choice but to cling to this aspect even more.

In such a case, what Roger said now wasn't merely to satisfy the students’ expectations, but to ignite the eyes and inspire all mages.

Cheryl, Flora’s friend, asked.

“Flora. Is that really true?”

“Hmm. We shall see. Has there been a proper shortening of the procedure so far?”

There was certainly a way to reduce casting time. A typical example is scroll magic, performed by pre-storing magic into a medium. However, in this case, there’s a one-shot limit; scrolls lose their effect once used.

Alternatively, magic called [Memory Recall] could be used, activating and storing magic in advance. Even then, continuous use is impossible due to a limit on the maximum number of spells storable, depending on skill level.

“As long as we don’t change the spell’s structure itself, I think it’s impossible.”

Ultimately, shortening the time requires improving fundamental techniques, but even that is impossible. Commonly used magic is the optimal method, refined and created by mages who would enter history for millennia. For some, it might just be third-level flame elemental magic, but behind the spell lie countless traces of geniuses throughout history. Even those hailed as modern-day geniuses can't improve existing magic; it's too perfect.

This had been determined over a century ago. Even Flora Lumos admitted it.

“However, if you dare change a part, you’ll inevitably lose something.”

If the speed of a technique's manifestation increases, other aspects will inevitably weaken. Energy decreases, range narrows, or accuracy drops. But if the affected elements are reduced, would it still be the same spell? No. It would become a completely different spell. For mages who value legitimacy so much, this is a problem.

“If you truly mean to increase casting speed as you think…”

Flora’s gaze narrowed. She'd be greatly disappointed in her teacher. No, instead, Flora wished Roger would do it to make it easier for her to act.

“I think our beautiful princess felt the same.”

The three princesses boasted different beauties; their hair was like woven golden threads. Unlike her side, even for a woman who loved her neat and elegant appearance, her opinion of Roger would inevitably be biased. To prove this, Princess Sama’s face also sat coldly.

The moment the classroom atmosphere became strangely tense, Roger clapped his hands, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Stop. The chatter ends here.”

All students kept their mouths shut, but the atmosphere itself didn't change. Roger smiled wryly, as if unaware.

“It seems you have many questions. Fine. Before I show you, let me answer some questions.”

Instantly, students raised their hands. Roger gestured to the first student.

“Tell me.”

“My name is Alex Salan, a second-year student. Sir Roger, you said you’ll shorten magic manifestation time. What exactly do you mean?”

“Shortening manifestation time is literally shortening it. Be more precise when asking a question. Next.”

“This is Dalia, second-year. By any chance, does shortening spell manifestation mean improving the spell?”

“No. The trick is to keep it as is, but speed it up.”

At these words, voices erupted from everywhere.

“Can you really increase spell manifestation speed?”

“That can’t be possible. Wasn’t this a challenge no mage could overcome?”

“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way.”

Flora had the same thought. How could one increase manifestation speed without modifying or improving the spell? Shouldn't the clear method be increasing efficiency through endless repetition? But seeing Roger’s imposing expression, she felt a bit nauseous.

“That’s impossible.”

Unable to stand it, Flora opened her mouth. An icy gaze shot towards her, pinning her. Flora felt a slight sting to her self-respect.

“I’m Flora Lumos.”

Upon introducing herself, the surrounding noise increased.

“Flora’s out.”

“Haha. This teacher is finished.”

Even among students, Flora’s reputation was impressive, the same for the new students this time. A second-year genius, retaining the genius title at Theon, she was already famous among the new students. It was natural for all her classmates to pay attention since she’d voiced her objection to Roger’s approach from the first day of class.

“I don’t remember allowing questions, but let’s overlook it this time. Why does the student say it’s impossible?”

“The only way to shorten spellcasting time without modifying or improving it is by increasing one’s mastery over it.”

“Why do you think there’s no other way?”

“Because no one has ever done it, not even the geniuses of history. Not even the most powerful archmages could do it. But since the teacher says he did, I don't believe it.”

Countless mages in the tower continue their pursuit daily, racking their brains for the truth. Yet, unlike in the past, some fields saw no progress, shortening spellcasting being a prime example. A new teacher claiming he’d accomplished this was more than a mere trick; it bordered on a public insult to the magical world.

Based on Flora’s words, every student nodded in agreement. None believed or sided with Roger. Gradually, the classroom atmosphere turned hostile toward him. But Roger didn't bat an eye; he remained unfazed, as if no external pressure could scratch him.

“No one can’t? That’s laughable. I think it’s rather that no one has tried.”

“Yes?”

“Magic is based on tradition and history. But it stagnated from a certain point. Now that science has advanced, magic is threatened.”

“…Are you saying science is superior to magic?”

“I only think magic has room for further development, just like science. Saying ‘there’s no room for improvement’ is wrong.”

“There hasn’t been such a case before.”

“Because no one has done it.”

“Everyone who tried has failed.”

“Then I’ll be the first to succeed.”

“…Are you serious right now?”

“I have no reason to lie in front of everyone like this.”

Flora was blatantly indignant. Didn’t this teacher know what he was talking about?

“Fine. It seems you don’t understand, so let’s start the class now. You said Flora? Do you know how long, on average, it takes to form the [Flame Flutter] formula I’ve written on the magic board?”

“…Depending on who casts it. 10 seconds for a mage who just reached third rank. As you become skilled and raise your rank, it’ll be shorter, under five seconds.”

“Okay. However, I dislike the arbitrary method of increasing speed by raising your rank. What I’m saying is designed to suit the level of students I’m teaching. Then, regardless of who casts the spell, it’ll be five seconds.”

“Is that your method?”

“Yes. You’re quite confident. Can you show us now?”

Flora wasn’t intimidated by the provocative words.

“Certainly.”

Flora descended from the pew with graceful steps, standing atop the podium. She raised her personal staff and immediately used [Flame Flutter]. The foundation is manifestation, and the elemental attribute is fire, plus the elements of heating, combustion, pressure, expansion, dispersal, and acceleration. The magic rising in the air was in the form of flames. Its speed was like a violent wind, startling the students who were paying attention to the spectacle.

Roger checked the golden pocket watch in his hand.

“Time, 4.78 seconds. Speed doesn’t seem like that of a second-year student, and the process was perfect.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“But it’s still slow.”

Roger’s cold voice cut through Flora’s smugness.

“…Yes?”

“The record for the fastest [Flame Flutter] casting among third-rank mages is 4.41 seconds. But even that is slow.”

“…I can do it faster once I get used to it.”

“I said even 4.41 seconds is slow.”

Everyone was surprised by Roger’s exceedingly audacious statement. Roger decided to show them why he said so. Standing atop the podium, he began focusing his magic.

“Watch carefully. This is how [Flame Flutter] is used.”

Muttering this, he raised a small wand, pointing it at the air. Soon, the magic emanating from the wand’s tip began to form a ritual, but something was odd. What followed the expression-based procedure wasn’t the heating and combustion phase that [Flame Flutter] should form. It was a straight line; a meaningless flow of magic. Not using [Flame Flutter]?

When the students thought the [Flame Flutter] magic in the air had completed…it happened in the blink of an eye.

“……!!!”

The entire classroom filled with silent uproar. No one saw it initially; Roger slowly showed how he cast the spell. The first step wasn’t [Flame Flutter]; the magic process was entirely different from the usual method. Yet, the result was the same; what materialized was [Flame Flutter], perfect, just as in the textbooks. How? Only the beginning and end existed; the middle process seemed cut and vanished. The speed was astonishingly fast. One second? No. It took roughly 0.3 seconds, incomprehensible to the students’ common sense.

“Did you see it?”

Roger’s voice was flat, without any rises or falls. He lacked any excitement for what he’d done.

“What the hell.”

“I’ll show you again for those who didn’t see.”

Roger said that, broke the current technique, and repeated the process just seen. Slower this time, so everyone could see properly. The students widened their eyes, seeing if they'd missed something, observing Roger's technique. The magical energy shot from the wand’s tip, connecting again in a strange way, just like the first time, and [Flame Flutter] instantly completed.

“Crazy.”

“Is that even possible?”

“How?”

He didn’t use a [Memory Recall] artifact. No matter how fast it was, the process should exist. But he skipped the process and only showed the result. There’s cause and effect in everything; that’s magic. But Roger’s method wasn’t like that at all; he removed the cause, yet the effect remained.

“No, just what the hell…”

Even Flora, watching from the closest point, didn’t understand what Roger had shown her.

“Finally, everyone’s eyes changed.”

“Gulp.”

The sound of someone swallowing echoed throughout the classroom. To this extent, the students focused on what Roger would say next.

“[Flame Flutter] casting took 0.24 seconds. It's completely different from the previous record, but at the same time, you'll find it strange. Because the initial magic wasn't [Flame Flutter].”

“You certainly used magic. To be precise, it was used for speed.”

“For speed?”

“What the hell is that?”

The murmuring students closed their mouths again.

“I call this, Source Code.”