Chapter 236. Magic with Professor Im Sol! (3)
Watching Lucy fire spells from afar, Im Sol looked at me and spoke.
"I still have to teach my student. Show me a spell."
With her arms crossed, Im Sol looked at me with interest.
"Hmm..."
She might be surprised.
The last time I properly showed magic in front of others was during my duel with the vice president.
'But I've gotten way better since then.'
I drew mana from my fingertips.
I chose the most basic form: an ice spear.
A spell that's easy to hit a target with.
But the simpler the spell, the more it shows your skill.
As the magic circle neared completion, Im Sol frowned.
Even with the same magic circle, the user makes a difference.
First, the casting speed.
No words needed. I'm confident I can cast faster than Im Sol.
Then, the quality of the mana.
With [Mana Sensitivity], I can draw out pure mana.
Clear, blue mana with no impurities formed the magic circle.
The circle was perfectly formed, and then came the core formulas.
Only Im Sol knows about that field… but she's here, so she'll recognize the value.
"Hm...?"
As expected, Im Sol sensed something strange.
The mana filling the core formulas.
Sharpening the tip of the spear and enhancing the frost.
Speeding up flight and increasing penetration.
Im Sol let out a dry chuckle at the layered magic circle.
"... My student. You've really grown."
"Thank you, professor."
Her reaction gave me confidence.
Crack—Crash—
The ice spear shot forward, solidly formed.
Bang!
The target shattered with a loud impact, leaving me satisfied.
That was a well-made spell.
- Wow, Lee Hoyeon's crazy.
- Yeah. But for a genius mage, isn't he kinda plain?
The students in the back who had been watching let out their reactions.
Im Sol snapped her head toward the second voice.
The one who said I was plain for a genius mage.
Her frown clearly showed annoyance.
- Ah! R-right. Gotta keep practicing!
"What kind of bullshit—"
"Professor, please. It's normal for regular students not to get it."
I stopped her from cursing.
No one here could fully understand the complexities of that spell.
Luckily, Im Sol understood my intent and met my gaze.
"... Did you dope or something?"
"You know I didn't. Why even ask?"
"True. Haah... You're seriously impressive."
Im Sol smiled wryly, like a rival sizing me up.
"I need to push myself more. Fine, I admit it. You're stronger than I was at 20."
"Thank you. But professor, you've also improved so much over eight years."
"... That's true. I'm the type who does better with solo research. And don't bring up my age."
She seemed genuinely pleased about my progress.
Maybe it's just that a strong student makes the teacher proud.
"Nothing to critique… except maybe that you used too much mana to impress me? You only needed to break the target."
"Hehe, true."
I did overdo it to impress her.
But I've increased my mana so much that it hardly matters.
Unlike before, my body now stores plenty of mana.
"You did well. Oh, right, what about the magic expo this week? I can match your schedule."
"The magic expo? I'm good whenever."
"Then how about today? We could go right after class."
"Uh..."
Today won't work.
Lucy and Lumi said I had to come with them.
"Today's a bit tough. What about tomorrow?"
"You going to see A-Young?"
"No, I have another promise."
I planned to meet Baek A-Young at lunch.
It's her return to the infirmary—can't skip that.
"Hmm, then let's do tomorrow."
"Yes. I'm free after class."
No plans tomorrow, so it works.
"Nope. I have research after class."
Im Sol shook her head firmly.
"... But you just said tomorrow. What now?"
"Let's go in the morning."
"Huh? But there's class in the morning."
"Skip it."
"You're a professor. Can you even say that?"
Seriously, is she really a professor?
Letting a student grade others was already insane.
And if she has nothing during morning classes, why not use that time to research?
Can't we just go after school?
"You've already got full attendance points. And if it bothers you, I can just use my authority. Say it's a field trip or something."
"... That's awesome."
Women with power are the best.
When others use authority, it's annoying. When it benefits me, it's great.
*
After lunch with the Lucy-Lumi twins, I told them I had somewhere to go.
"Ehh? Where?"
Lucy grabbed my arm and shook it.
She seemed more energetic than in the morning—good.
"To see the nurse. I need some medicine."
"Ah… So that's why you go to the infirmary a lot."
"Yeah. I've got some treatment going."
I gave them an apologetic look.
"Well, if that's the case, can't be helped. See you later."
"We'll see you in afternoon class, Hoyeon."
"Yeah. See you then."
Lucy and Lumi went back to class. I stepped outside.
'Somehow, I've ended up being the one getting treated.'
Since Baek A-Young became the nurse, no student visits as often as I do—so naturally, people assume I'm getting treated.
Even Elise once misunderstood that I had congenital mana issues because of that.
But this cover story works best. As long as Baek A-Young keeps the secret, it's fine.
Even though a sign said it was lunch break, I ignored it and opened the door.
In the lobby, staff on break spotted me, and the youngest-looking guy rushed over.
"Sorry, it's break time now\..."
"Hey! Hey!"
"Y-yes?"
Another staff member called out to the guy approaching me.
"Let him through. He's personally handled by the nurse. He usually comes during break because it takes time."
"Ah, I-I'm sorry!"
The junior staff bowed and apologized, and I gave a sheepish smile.
"It's fine. Please relax."
'So A-Young told them that too.'
Makes sense. That's easiest.
- When does the nurse even take breaks?
- No idea. That's why she's amazing.
Hearing the staff praise Baek A-Young confirmed her great reputation.
My wifey is the best.
I headed to her office and knocked.
Knock knock—
"Who is it?"
"It's me. Lee Hoyeon."
"Ah, yeah. Come in."
I opened the door and saw Baek A-Young resting in her usual work outfit.
White blouse, black mini skirt, black stockings.
That's her standard look.
No wonder guys go crazy getting treated by her.
Click—
I shut and locked the door tightly.
"Feels like it's been forever seeing you at the academy."
"Honey… I missed you..."
Only after locking the door did she get up and come to me.
A total contrast from her composed, professional appearance.
Squeeze—
She hugged me, rubbing her face against my chest, and I smiled, stroking her hair.
"I missed you too. I love you, wifey."
"Mmm... Me too."
I did feel a bit guilty leaving my wifey and ending up a baby daddy...