Academy’s Genius Mage

It was an unexpected answer.

Milo, who had assembled the device, thought it was meant for brewing potion solutions or cooking herbs. After all, there was a lamp for heating.

No matter how much Milo appeared to be on the physical side, that was only on the surface.

He was also a mage who enjoyed pondering.

“Hmm. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t figure it out. Boiling water instead of a potion solution? Just plain water?”

“Yes, just water.”

“What’s it for? Wouldn’t that negatively affect the ingredients?”

“Boiling water is new to me too. I’ve often heard of adding herbs and decocting.”

Edel’s words gave Milo some assurance. After all, he was the son of a healer.

However, Ian only smiled leisurely.

As the two stared at him, prodding for an answer, Ian finally opened his mouth.

“Have you heard of the Distillation Theory?”

“Distillation Theory? What’s that?”

When Milo looked at Edel, he shook his head, indicating he didn’t know.

“It’s one of those lesser-known hypotheses. It’s a viewpoint of a minority group of scholars in the southern region, but it hasn’t been concretely proven yet. Let’s talk about salt for a moment, shall we?”

“Salt, out of the blue?”

“Yes, salt. Where does salt come from?”

“Where else would it come from? It comes from salt pans.”

This time, Ian asked Edel.

“Do you know how salt is obtained from salt pans?”

“I think I’ve heard that if you dry seawater, you get salt…”

“In reality, the process is a bit more complex, but essentially, when seawater evaporates, salt remains. So where does the seawater that held the salt go?”

“It must have dried up and disappeared somewhere, right?”

“Isn’t it strange? Seawater looks clear and transparent, with no visible salt. Yet, when you dry or boil it, salt is left behind.”

Milo mumbled, questioning what he had taken for granted.

“That’s because salt is dissolved in seawater. If you evaporate the water away, the salt remains. Isn’t that obvious?”

“Salt isn’t the only thing that can dissolve in water. Various substances dissolve well in water. The reason water is used in many magical experiments is because it’s easy to obtain and has excellent dissolving power.”

“Dissolving power… Huh?”

Edel hadn’t quite grasped the concept yet, but Milo seemed to have gotten a hint of something.

“Are you saying that the water we usually drink also has something dissolved in it?”

Ian snapped his fingers, pointing at Milo.

“That’s the essence of the Distillation Theory. All water contains trace amounts of impurities. The actual hypothesis is more complex, but it’s enough to understand that.”

“So that’s why you mentioned seawater! But it’s still strange, isn’t it? When we dry or boil the water we drink, nothing’s left behind. According to you, something should remain like salt.”

“What if the amounts are so small they’re not easily visible?”

Ian picked up a flask and filled it with some well water he had prepared in advance. Then, he gave it a little shake in front of his two roommates.

“And what if those trace impurities affect potion-making?”

“Hmm.”

The two fell into deep thought.

Ian felt pleased.

They hadn’t dismissed it as nonsense, which meant these two were willing to experiment together.

“Let’s summarize again. You’re saying that all water has impurities mixed in, and by evaporating it, we can obtain pure water, right?”

“Exactly. The device you built is for that experiment. The basic principle is to boil the water, cool the steam to condense it back into liquid. It’s simple once you know the principle; complex if you don’t.”

“Wow, I’ve built something extraordinary…”

Milo seemed to grasp the basic principle.

In truth, the distillation device had been further refined by Ian, making it even more precise than what was noted in research diaries.

Ian prepared for the next step.

“Want me to show you something interesting?”

“What is it?”

Ian brought over a large tank placed on one side.

He poured the remaining well water into it entirely.

Splash!

Ian moved the tank, positioning one end towards Milo and the other end towards himself.

“Put your hand in the tank.”

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Don’t worry. Haven’t you been deceived before?”

Milo, with a skeptical look, discreetly reached in. Ian Oracle immediately formed a magical rune with one hand.

Buzz!

The mana at his fingertips transformed into a blue current.

Milo flinched, his eyes widening, but Ian thrust his hand, charged with electrical magic, into the water tank.

Naturally, the result was as clear as day.

Zap!

“Argh!”

Thud!

Milo ended up on his backside, having lost his balance trying to pull his hand out quickly.

“Are you crazy? Why would you use electrical magic in water?”

“Stop the theatrics!”

Ian responded, extending a hand. Milo continued grumbling, but took Ian’s hand and got up.

“Isn’t it common knowledge that electrical magic works in water?”

“It’s basic in magical war. There’s a famous story about forcing enemies into water and frying them with electrical magic.”

“Wow. Really?”

Edel, surprised, perked up at this. Milo rubbed his aching hand while explaining.

“It’s a well-known tale from ancient war history. Since then, infantry have worn robes that defend against electrical magic before entering water, or they just don’t go in at all.”

“The Vinettia Family lives up to its name. But you’ve missed something.”

“What did I miss?”

“Edel’s debt has increased. ‘Really?’ What was that, Edel? You’ve just added 10,000 shillings.”

Edel’s mistake was due to his surprise over the electrical magic. His shoulders slumped. Only then did Milo start to laugh.

“Ian, you cruel rascal! I like you. But what’s funny here? Surely it’s not me falling backward.”

“It’s an application of distillation theory. Water obtained through a distillation apparatus is less conductive to electrical magic.”

“What?”

“They call it distilled water, according to a minority of scholars.”

Everyone directed their attention to the distillation apparatus.

Ian packed up his research notes and bag as he continued.

“I’m going to the library for a bit. If you’re curious, make some distilled water in the meantime and experiment. According to the hypothesis, the purer the distilled water, the less effective electrical magic is.”

“Oh, should we try it?”

Edel nodded, his curiosity aroused.

Milo, also intrigued, filled the distillation apparatus with water and lit the flame.

Ian put on his glasses and left the dormitory.

* * *

The Great Library of the Royal Academy was truly a monumental sight. Ian took in the view of the building before ascending the stairs.

The marble steps and columns, along with the massive roof overhead, instilled a sense of reverence akin to that of an ancient temple. At the same time, it felt as if he were gazing up at the ceiling of the world.

‘It’s too big to take in with a single glance. If I’m not careful, I might get lost.’

He found it difficult to hide his amazement.

This moment was a confirmation of the grandeur he’d only heard of in tales.

This place housed all the knowledge and experience of the Kingdom of Sonokin. There’s a saying that if something isn’t known here, it’s not real knowledge.

‘I’ll find the clues I need here.’

Ian decided to become stronger. He had promised Professor Frost as well.

It was true that the professor’s advice had helped alleviate some mental burden.

The prospect of measuring his mana no longer worried him as much.

However, his advice was temporary.

To solve the core issue, Ian needed to put in his own effort.

‘To hide my strength, I need to be strong. It’s nonsense to hide power if you’re not strong.’

During his time at the academy, Ian was certain that the time would come when he’d face situations requiring him to reveal his strength.

Academy students are basically apprentices to the kingdom’s officials. When an incident occurs, they are summoned as assistants.

Just as students of the Department of Martial Arts are dispatched to battles as apprentice knights, students of the Department of Magic are often sent to various fact-finding and explorations.

Naturally, these students could face dangers equal to those in wartime scenarios.

‘In those situations, the only thing protecting me will be my own strength.’

For this reason, Ian planned to visit the Great Library daily to search for information. For the short term, it was to stand up against Prince Helios, and for the long term, it was to forge his own future.

‘I will accomplish this!’

Ian, having composed himself, ascended the stairs and entered inside.

A special device traversing the broad gate was visible.

Also, the knights standing guard were in sight.

They stared straight ahead, but they monitored Ian’s every move vigilantly.

Ian, standing at the gate, placed his hand on the orb beside him.

Beep!

Successfully proving his identity as a student, Ian stepped in without trouble.

Momentarily, the knights cast sharp glances at Ian. Although he could have flinched, Ian walked on nonchalantly.

Soon, a vast lobby unfolded before him.

Ian stopped in front of the directory and read the letters.

‘Magic-related books are this way, huh.’

With his direction set, Ian began to walk down the wide, long corridor. Small spaces lined up as if branches were sprouting from a tree.

‘They’ve sectioned it according to themes.’

Ian showed interest in the ancient magic section. Confirming its location again on the directory, Ian proceeded.

Along the way, he encountered a few students.

All were seniors.

None of them carried a wand like Ian’s.

‘By now, everyone is probably busy preparing for mana measurement by consuming elixirs, so no one would come to the library.’

Acquiring elixirs from the Oracle Family was quite burdensome.

In reality, they hadn’t been particularly effective.

He had consumed them a few times when he was young, but there was no change in his mana.

Consequently, the seniors looked at Ian with suspicion in their eyes.

Ian pushed past those biased gazes and continued walking.

After quite a walk, the ancient magic section came into view.

There’s someone sitting alone, reading a book. The person remained motionless, fixed on the book.

‘Wearing a hood in the library? Quite peculiar.’

Usually, people take off their hoods to read, as it obstructs their view.

As Ian approached, he noticed a few golden strands of hair peeking out from the hood.

Suddenly, a memory from a few days ago flashed through his mind.

‘Could it be Senior Isera?’

The build and the aura she exuded were unmistakably hers.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t properly greeted her.’

Joining the seniors required time. Ian approached to speak with her.

“Senior.”

No response came. Her fair, delicate hand merely flipped the page indifferently.

“Thank you for helping me the other day. Thanks to you, I avoided causing a scene.”

Isera continued reading, unfazed.

It was Ian who felt more awkward.

Was she suggesting he had no business there?

Ian bowed slightly and walked towards the bookshelves filled with books.

“Ian Oracle.”

A voice he hadn’t expected rang out.

He paused and turned. Isera still didn’t lift her eyes from the book.

“You came to the academy to hone your magic, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“There are very few who enroll to actually learn something. So, try not to stand out too much.”

“I understand. Thank you for the advice.”

He realized why Isera chose to obscure herself with a hood and why she opted for a theoretical path despite her notable abilities.

He recalled the image of Lord Cage from not too long ago.

Isera was undoubtedly under the kingdom’s watch.

Sensing something, Isera glanced back.

Ian was standing exactly where he was. A glint appeared briefly in Isera’s eyes before it vanished.

“You’re hiding your strength, aren’t you, senior?”

“Why do you think so?”

“It’s not a logical deduction. Just a feeling. I’ve seen enough since I was young.”

“If you couldn’t sense even that, it might be tough surviving at the academy.”

Isera turned away again. The conversation ended there.

“I’ll greet you again next time.”

Bowing respectfully, Ian turned and proceeded into the library filled with books.