Overpowered Archmage Doesn’t Hide His Talent

Chapter 38 Seriously, this is driving me crazy. What kind of person is Kaplan?

Finally, the results of the pop quiz were announced.

It was a delayed announcement made a week later, and the reason for the delay in grading was entirely due to a single large bulletin.

[ To All Professors of the Magic Department at Merhen Academy ]

This was the bulletin.

Thanks to it, classes were suspended for a week. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it completely turned the Magic Department upside down.

“Haa.”

Becky let out a deep sigh and opened Trivia. The girl had other concerns.

[ ▷ Hey, Flan. ]

[ ▷ You wrote the bulletin, didn’t you? ]

[ ▷ Please reply. ]

[ ▷ The Magic Department has been in chaos for a week. ]

[ ▷ What if they find out you wrote it? ]

[ ▷ Can you handle it? I’m really worried. ]

Flan still hadn’t replied.

But she was certain. Flan was the one who wrote the bulletin.

It couldn’t be otherwise, as the formula used in the extra edition incorporated elements that Becky had recently summarized and handed to Flan.

Other elements also fit together perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle.

His characteristic arrogant tone, his confident attitude, the elegant formula, and even the audacity to post the bulletin on the Agora Board….

Yes, no matter how she thought about it, it was Flan.

She had already acknowledged that his goals and plans were exceedingly ambitious.

But it had always been a vague, abstract understanding, never something concrete. Who would have thought he had such ideas?

It couldn’t be expressed with emotions like “I like it” or “I don’t like it.”

…She simply thought, “This is so like Flan.”

Becky retraced the scenery she had observed through the formula on the bulletin.

What unfolded before her was an unfamiliar nostalgia.

It was more novel than a novel, sweeter than any fantasy. A world that every magician might have imagined at least once unfolded before her eyes.

In any case, Becky supported Flan. She was just too worried.

As she mulled over various things, she found herself in front of the lecture hall.

Inside the lecture hall, where the A-grade students had gathered for the first time in a week, chaos reigned.

“What should we do? Won’t this affect you negatively?”

As soon as she entered the lecture hall, Hailey’s worried tone hit her ears.

Not only Hailey, but all her companions were looking at Louis with concern.

“No, no matter what happens, I have to do my best. The fact that I’m the representative hasn’t changed.”

When Louis shrugged his shoulders, Hailey bit her lip.

“Still, it’s worrisome…. It’s really frustrating. Who exactly is Kaplan?”

“Kaplan, huh, the name does sound similar to Flan.”

“Louis. Could you please not mention that guy? He didn’t even write anything on the rolling paper.”

Hailey furrowed her brow as if genuinely angry. However, Louis responded with a good-natured smile.

“Why? Flan seems to be quite skilled too. He was first in the pop quiz, wasn’t he?”

“That’s definitely because the professor is biased! Even just looking at the scores for this pop quiz, it doesn’t make sense for him to receive a different grade than everyone else!”

Becky, who had been watching their conversation, shook her head. Anyone would think she was Louis’s girlfriend.

And another thing, not everyone was as impressed by Flan’s formula as Becky.

“Isn’t there a reason imagination exists?”

Martin, who was chatting animatedly with his friends in the corner, was the proof of that. He seemed quite dissatisfied.

“Think about it. If it can’t be achieved in reality, that’s why you imagine it. What benefit does causing such a stir bring to a magician? Why create unnecessary conflict with the Knights Department?”

A female student who had been listening to Martin’s story tilted her head.

“But the criteria for selecting representatives were kind of odd…? They said it was entirely up to the professors.”

“Hey. That’s not something to blame the professors for. How many times has the Magic Department actually won against the Knights Department? Even if they selected the right people and prepared, they still wouldn’t win.”

“Really? I think that’s something you should say after doing your best.”

Martin thumped his chest in frustration.

“What can we do by giving it our best? Losing to knights with innate abilities isn’t a matter of attitude?”

“Martin, lower your voice. Louis might hear….”

But at that moment, the front door of the lecture hall suddenly opened.

Naturally, all the students’ eyes turned towards the man who entered through the front door. Becky was no exception.

A gaze that seemed to look down on the entire world, and a tall stature that seemed capable of actually doing so.

An academy uniform, perfectly pressed without a single wrinkle or speck of dust, and the side profile with a sharply defined nose and jawline that stood out even more.

Flan.

The one Becky had been desperately searching for had finally appeared.

However, Flan quietly walked toward the blackboard. There wasn’t a single flaw in his actions as he checked the pop quiz results.

If “dignity” were personified, it would be him. His expression, his spirit, his gait, his gaze… every element reflected that.

[ Flan – A+ ]

[ Louis – A ]

[ Trixie – A ]

.

.

.

Despite the fact that all the prodigies who were frequently mentioned by the students received A’s, only his grade stood apart.

Everyone was too preoccupied with the bulletin to notice, but ordinarily, this would have been a highly talked-about topic.

“…Tsk.”

However, Flan clicked his tongue as if it were trivial.

He made a bored expression and signed next to his grade as if to confirm it.

The movement of his signature, done through telekinesis, was elegant, and the handwriting was equally graceful. Becky watched it in a daze for a moment.

“Geez, I thought he was the professor.”

“Why does he enter the lecture hall through the front door?”

The other students voiced their complaints after a brief delay, and Becky finally snapped out of her daze and approached Flan.

“Hey, Flan!”

Flan only moved his eyes to look at Becky.

There wasn’t a hint of concern on his face. Even now, when all the magicians were in turmoil, he seemed like a person from another world, completely composed.

“What is it?”

“It’s not ‘what is it’…! Why haven’t you checked my messages?”

“Do I have an obligation to check them?”

“Ah, no…. That’s not what I meant.”

Becky had only asked out of worry, but his curt reply made her feel unexpectedly hurt.

Flan took out Trivia from his inner pocket and opened it.

The moment he closed Trivia again, Becky immediately spoke up.

“As I thought, you wrote it, didn’t you, Flan?”

“Who else could have?”

“Don’t you feel worried or anxious? The professors are even holding a meeting with the Dean today.”

“A meeting.”

Flan paused to think.

“They’re certainly quick to act. It’s already been a week.”

With those words, Flan turned around.

“Hey, Flan! Wait a minute!”

Like a chick following its mother, Becky trailed after him.

Suddenly, Flan stopped in his tracks, causing Becky to bump her nose against his back.

“Ouch!”

Flan spoke up.

“Come to think of it, regarding the question of whether I can handle it.”

Flan turned his gaze to Becky.

“Becky. I’ve been with you the longest in the academy.”

“Huh, huh? All of a sudden?”

Becky’s face gradually turned red.

It was the first time they had looked each other in the eye from such a close distance. Something like a mirage flickered in his red eyes.

Blazing Heat.

Looking down at Becky with a fiery gaze, Flan murmured softly.

“But you still don’t know me, do you?”

◈

The conference room of the Magic Department.

The atmosphere in this room, where professors were seated in a circle around a central seat, was heavy.

It was Professor Brody, the summoning specialist, who broke the silence.

“This is really driving me crazy. What kind of person is Kaplan?”

Brody scratched his head in frustration and continued.

“There’s only a week left until the Sports Competition, so what’s the point of this? It’s not like we can achieve anything in such a short time….”

“Professor Brody.”

Violet spoke in a calm voice.

“Let’s not pretend we did anything even when we had more time. Honestly, the professors in the Magic Department didn’t do anything.”

“Professor Violet, what are you saying in front of everyone…!”

“Am I wrong? You all just sat on your hands.”

“It’s not like it’s something we could’ve dealt with! I’m a magician before I’m a professor, but let’s just admit it when it’s clear!”

“What is there to admit?”

“Think about it. What could it be? Innate abilities naturally have an advantage over magic. We’re not even starting from the same point!”

Professor Brody thumped his chest in frustration.

Other professors, unable to watch any longer, began to support Brody’s opinion.

“Professor Violet, we understand your enthusiasm. But what can change in a week?”

“Exactly, we were all passionate once too. But if you waste energy on something pointless, you’ll just wear yourself out.”

The other professors, who were keeping quiet, didn’t seem to have much of a different opinion. They were all looking at Violet with disapproving expressions.

Perhaps Professor Audrey was the only exception. She was glancing around with a worried look.

Even in such a situation, Violet didn’t flinch.

She furrowed her sharp eyes and spoke again.

“The time spent giving up and resigning was wasted. We must do something this time.”

“Professor Violet!”

In the end, Brody shouted.

At that moment.

“Everyone, stop.”

It was Dean Conette’s voice. The professors immediately stood up.

Her hair, white on the outside and black on the inside, her signature two-tone style, fluttered as Conette entered.

Conette, sitting at the central seat, spoke with a blank expression.

“So, have you all discussed it in my absence?”

Brody immediately responded.

“Dean. I’m Brody from the Summoning Department.”

“Professor Brody. Speak.”

“There’s less than a week left until the Sports Competition. Attempting anything now is absurd. That’s our stance.”

“Indeed, is that so.”

“Of course. Don’t you share the same view, Dean?”

Brody mumbled anxiously, licking his lips. Conette remained expressionless.

“Well…. Does anyone have a different opinion?”

At that, several professors glanced at Violet.

Their stares were as sharp as they could make them, a warning not to speak.

Violet coolly ignored the warning and opened her mouth.

“I’m Violet, in charge of first-year A-grade students.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“I believe we should thoroughly establish criteria and select a representative even now. That’s my opinion.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the sharp gazes of the other professors pierced through Violet.

“Well…. I suppose that’s one way to think.”

Conette’s lips curled slightly.

“But why do you think that, Professor Violet?”

“Ah.”

“What I’m curious about is this. Do you believe the Magic Department can accomplish something with less than a week left until the Sports Competition?”

All eyes in the meeting room were focused on Violet. She swallowed and spoke.

“The Knights Department is preparing for the competition in a systematic manner. Magic is not inherently inferior. If we establish a system and move forward….”

“No. Professor Violet. That’s not what I’m asking.”

Conette cut off Violet’s words. The watching professors began to smile.

But Conette’s next words were rather shocking.

“I’m simply asking for your personal opinion.”

“Yes…?”

“Professor Violet. What do you honestly think? Is one week enough time for a magician?”

“Well….”

Violet clenched her fists.

It hurt. The wound on her palm from when her nails had dug in hadn’t healed yet.

She was also scared.

In fact, the thoughts of the other professors were the norm. Violet was well aware that she was the exception.

If they failed, the Knights Department would further disregard the Magic Department. They would also have to stoically endure the contempt of their fellow magicians.

But.

Even so.

“Dean. Have you read the bulletin?”

Her voice came out more confidently than she had expected. Violet met Conette’s gaze without flinching.

“Of course, I’ve read it.”

“I agree with the bulletin’s opinion. And I also believe that the Magic Department has the rough gem that matches that opinion.”

“So?”

“Therefore, I believe we must select a representative properly. If we unearth the rough gem, I believe the Magic Department can also win.”

Violet finished speaking without trembling.

The meeting room fell deathly silent. Before she knew it, all the professors were staring at Violet with puzzled expressions.

“My, my.”

It was Conette who broke the silence. She was smiling.

“I apologize to the other professors…. But I agree with Professor Violet.”

The professors’ eyes widened in disbelief.

Conette blinked once, and a stack of white papers flew into the meeting room like a flock of pigeons.

They landed uniformly in front of each professor.

Dean Conette of the Magic Department spoke again.

“I have prepared the criteria. Select the representative of the Magic Department properly.”

The meeting room was in shock. In the heavy silence, Conette added one last comment.

“Let’s decide whether to escalate things after we see the representative students.”