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CHAPTER 05
Theodore glanced at the completely emptied pot. A faint smile spread across his lips before disappearing, and then he barked in the gentlest voice imaginable:
“Are you jealous?”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
Her voice rang through the apartment like a scream.
“Then, I’ll demonstrate a simple example here.”
Everyone seated in the auditorium focused on the woman standing at the podium. Her silver hair tinged with violet and vivid purple eyes were so mystical that once seen, they were impossible to forget.
The audience’s reactions sharply differed depending on whether they knew the woman well or not. Some stared in complete fascination, while others shot sharp gazes at her as though desperate to find flaws.
At the woman’s gesture, green light began tracing a magic circle in the air—its diameter more than twice her height. The completed magic circle was far simpler in structure than the ones they were familiar with.
“According to the theory I’ve devised this time, it’s possible to create a wide semicircular barrier while omitting some of the more complex formulas. Not only does this maximize mana efficiency, but because it partially draws power from nature itself, it can produce tremendous force with far less mana.”
The effectiveness of a magic circle was usually affected by its size. The larger the patterns inscribed within it, the longer it lasted and the greater its power became.
But according to Delsia’s design, a magic circle constructed on a much smaller scale than before could still produce similar effects.
“I believe this will greatly contribute to urban security against magical crimes and monster attacks. Now then, are there any questions?”
A dignified lady seated in the front row raised her hand. The noblewoman’s neatly tied pink hair looked familiar.
“I see you make heavy use of curves compared to conventional formulas. They must be more difficult to handle than straight lines—was there a special reason for that?”
At Yevgenia Ten’s question, Del cleared her throat before answering.
“As you know, circles have long been considered the most perfect shape in the history of magic. That’s why they are widely used not only in magic circles but throughout every field of magic. In particular, they excel at condensing and stabilizing power. I wondered if utilizing that property might allow magic to be used more efficiently than before. Though finding the exact formulas took quite a long time.”
A bearded man standing in the corner of the auditorium raised his hand. He wore a brown hat, a worn shirt, and black pants. Compared to the others, his clothes looked shabby, yet his eyes gleamed intelligently.
“The cities chosen for experimentation are rather interesting. Skepia, Meldir, Rensha… and the others as well. There’s one thing they all have in common.”
“And what commonality did you notice?”
“Aren’t they all cities that suffered major damage during the war thirty-seven years ago?”
“That’s correct.”
Nodding, Del continued.
“As you know, my teacher, Melody Jodiana, lived long enough to witness nearly every war fought over the last century. She was someone who saw devastated homes and the cries of civilians more often than anyone else.”
Del steadied her breathing again, as though emotions had surged while recalling her deceased master.
“This research is also a continuation of my teacher’s will.”
So I’m not getting involved in politics. Stay away from me.
As the audience fell solemnly silent, Delsia cast a glance toward one corner of the auditorium. Several well-dressed gentlemen flinched under her gaze, but one man alone met it directly and smiled softly.
“It was quite an interesting theory.”
Still carrying the same bold confidence as before, the man only approached to greet her after the conference had ended and the crowd had mostly dispersed. Del frowned slightly upon seeing him.
“Greetings, Professor Hendel. So you’ve finally ended your seclusion.”
The man took Del’s hand and lightly kissed the back of it. The eyes behind his glasses curved gently.
He was a handsome man with the sturdy physique of a leopard and a cold-looking face that softened considerably when he smiled.
Completely different from a certain soft-looking handsome man she knew. Though both shared one trait: it was impossible to tell what either of them was thinking.
“Hello, Congressman Brent. Or should I call you Chairman now?”
Expressionless, Del withdrew her hand and referred to his recent promotion to chairman. Emil Brent blinked in slight surprise before chuckling.
“Well, this is surprising. The person who claimed to have no interest whatsoever in politics actually knows about my affairs.”
“I do read the newspapers.”
Del immediately cut off any nonsense. Stop trying to steer this conversation like I’m personally interested in you!
“Though I suppose I’m the one interested in you.”
“You mean interested in my abilities.”
“Including that, I think you’re quite a charming person.”
He was still good at spouting flattering words. Worse, he had the talent to make every word sound sincere, which explained why romantic scandals constantly followed him.
Del briefly recalled the current state of parliament. The conservative Sendera Party and progressive Orlanka Party were in fierce opposition, and the fact that the young politician known as the heart of Orlanka was openly showing interest in her could easily send a political message on its own.
He was already famous for being capable three years ago, but to think he’d climb this high while I was away from the republic.
Deciding to firmly draw the line here, Del answered bluntly.
“Chairman. I regret bringing this up when we’ve only just met again, but I have no intention of leaving the academy.”
“Haha, we’re not expecting that much. It would be enough if you simply attended a few events.”
Ah, absolutely not!
“I’m a scholar. I have no interest in anything except research.”
“Since that does seem to be the case, I prepared an interesting opportunity for you this time.”
Stepping closer, Emil lowered his voice so only Del could hear.
“Have you ever heard of a plant called ‘Dezaia’?”
“Isn’t it a kind of medicinal herb?”
Dezaia was one of the plants used in mana amplifiers. It was highly effective, but also highly addictive, which meant the mixing ratio had to be carefully controlled.
“Yes. Using that herb, the Joro Trading Company has apparently developed a new magical medicine. Clinical trials are already complete, and they plan to unveil it first at a private internal event before releasing it publicly.”
“Oh?”
“Fortunately, I happen to have an invitation to the event. Are you interested?”
For a moment, Del nearly gave in to temptation before barely stopping herself.
“Ahem. And what’s the condition?”
“Well. Perhaps simply considering a positive relationship with our party?”
Wait, what? You’re going this far?
If it was a private event, then the attendee list would remain confidential, meaning no articles would even be published properly. From her perspective, she could attend and then completely deny everything afterward without consequence.
“Offering all that for such a small condition seems excessive.”
The Joro Trading Company was one of the top three trading companies in the nation, especially renowned for magical medicine. Whenever they released a new product, it always caused a frenzy among the republic’s mages.
Del became newly aware of just how promising the man standing before her truly was as a politician.
“Sometimes one has to be bold.”
“…Give me some time to think.”
“Then I’ll send a contact person in three days. You can give me your answer then.”
As Del gave a small nod, commotion arose behind her. Turning around, she saw a man and woman walking toward them. Recognizing them, Del greeted them respectfully.
“Dean. Prime Minister.”
They were Sorel Yerif and her husband, Erzis Dane.
The old man, a war hero and leader of the conservative Sendera Party, smiled warmly at Del.
“It’s been a long time, Hendel. Ah, Chairman Brent was here as well.”
“Yes, Prime Minister. As you can see, I’m trying to recruit talented individuals.”
“My, I only hope your efforts weren’t wasted. Do try not to trouble civilians too much.”
“Thank you for your concern. Though I believe that’s for Professor Hendel herself to decide.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Invisible sparks flew between the leader of Sendera and the young chairman of Orlanka. Taking advantage of the tension, Del quietly slipped away from the podium under Sorel’s escort.
“Welcome back, Del.”
“You’re back, Master!”
The moment she opened the door, a delicious smell tickled her nose. Passing through the entrance and stepping inside, she found exactly what she expected: the man sitting at the dining table with Nike, waving at her.
You didn’t show your face at all yesterday, and now you’re here today.
Since then, Theodore had continued dropping by her house occasionally. Every time he rang the doorbell, he brought homemade food with him, and every single dish smelled incredible.
Nike, who usually handled the cooking herself, seemed to secretly welcome him.
It was ridiculous and funny how quickly she’d gotten used to his presence in barely ten days, but Del said nothing and sat down at the table.
Warm bread, soup, and salad sat neatly arranged before her.
Seeing a table completely devoid of meat or fish once again made her realize how well this man knew her tastes. As Del glanced at the food, Theodore quietly asked:
“I heard there was a conference yesterday. Did it go well?”
“Who do you think I am? Of course I handled it perfectly.”
As Del shrugged and tore off a piece of bread, the man chuckled softly and slid a jar of apple jam toward her.
“I wonder what His Majesty the King is doing to have so much free time.”
“As I said, I’m diligently handling my duties. Unlike you, I can’t teleport around with a wave of my hand.”
The way he mixed formal and casual speech made it feel like he was deliberately distinguishing between when he was acting as king and when he was simply Theodore.
From what she’d heard, he slept here but returned to the palace every morning through a teleportation magic circle to work. The moment she heard that, Del only had one thing to say.
“Do you even realize how much mana long-distance teleportation consumes? Don’t you feel bad for the palace mages?”
Despite the perfectly reasonable criticism, Theodore merely shrugged.
“I tripled their bonuses, and they accepted it.”
Damn it!
“Don’t worry. They don’t know where I’m going. That’s all thanks to you.”
To prevent assassinations and ambushes, the royal family’s teleportation circles used techniques that twisted and tangled spatial coordinates. Del knew this very well because she had personally designed those magic circles herself.
“Looks like you’ve got money rotting away.”
“You know it too. I earned quite a bit over those three years. And the long drought finally ended.”
The man was undeniably skilled. Having worked alongside him for three years, Del knew that well enough already. Rather than continue arguing, she chose to fill her empty stomach instead.
“By the way, I heard Emil Brent came looking for you. What did he want?”
