“It’s best if you remain here until the third day, Roselyn,” Vanitas said. “But if you wish to explore Estelle, I advise you to wear a disguise.”
“Yes, Professor. Understood. But I think I’ll stay and practice my lines for my presentation. I’m quite nervous. It’s my first time presenting in front of so many people, especially professionals.”
“Would you like to practice?” Vanitas said. “I can be your audience if it helps.”
“Me too,” Karina chimed in.
“Really? That would help a lot. Thank you.”
“Take your time. Start whenever you’re ready.”
Vanitas sat on the empty chair in Roselyn’s hotel room, while Karina made herself comfortable on the bed.
Without access to a magic projector, Roselyn opted to use the thick document she had prepared.
“Here goes nothing….”
Roselyn began with the first layer of the Mana Crystallization Formula.
This part was straightforward, considering scholars had already perfected it up to the third layer. But the fourth and fifth layers were where most scholars hit a roadblock.
At first, Roselyn’s nerves were evident.
——Uh…. Uhm….
She stammered occasionally, fumbled her phrasing, and repeated herself in ways that highlighted her lack of confidence.
Some explanations went in circles. While others seemed to be over-explained points she’d already covered.
But as time went on, she began to find her rhythm.
——To put it simply….
Her delivery grew smoother, and her voice seemed to gradually flow seamlessly.
By the time she reached the sixth layer, Roselyn seemed completely in her element.
——Therefore, the volatility of the Carson effect….
Vanitas listened closely, though he had to admit he’d lost track around the third layer.
Glancing at Karina, he noticed she wore a similar expression of confusion, nodding along with him.
He could solemnly swear he saw steam rising from her ears.
Still, they both focused on Roselyn, not on the content but on her flow and delivery. It was clear she had put in a lot of effort.
When she finished, Roselyn looked at them expectantly.
“How was it?”
Vanitas nodded. “Good. It seems like you’ve come a long way. But remember to pause at key points and avoid rushing. It’ll give the audience time to process.”
“Yes,” Karina nodded in agreement. “And if possible, I think you should simplify some of the terms for non–specialists.”
It was a solid suggestion. Most people, especially those in the business field, weren’t interested in the process itself, but leaned more on the results.
Roselyn smiled, feeling relief washing over her.
“Thank you. I’ll work on that.”
“You’re doing fine. Keep practicing, and you’ll be ready for the big day.”
Karina nodded in agreement, giving Roselyn an encouraging smile.
“You’ve got this, Roselyn~!”
***
“Are you going out wearing something like that?” Vanitas said, glancing at Karina’s outfit.
“Uhm…. is it weird?”
“No, but given the magic phenomenons in Estelle, the climate is highly unnatural, it’s not practical. It might feel fine indoors, but I stepped outside earlier for a quick jog. The sun’s out, but it feels like winter.”
“….Is that so?”
“Yes,” Vanitas replied. “I suggest you wear something that covers your arms.”
Karina sighed, looking down at her outfit. “Alright, I’ll go change.”
A few minutes later, Karina returned, wearing a white long-sleeved coat over her clothes.
“Is this better?”
“Yes. If you’re comfortable with that, let’s go.”
——Uhm….
Before they could head down the stairs, a voice stopped them. They turned to see Astrid standing nearby.
“Are you two going to the conference?” she asked.
“Yes,” Vanitas nodded.
“The Princess is here? What a surprise!” Karina said quickly, bowing her head.
“Ah, it’s fine, Miss Karina. There’s no need for formalities. I’m no Princess in Estelle.”
“No, no, I can’t ignore protocol,” Karina insisted. “It’s only proper to pay my respects.”
Astrid shook her head. “Truly, it’s fine. Please, call me Astrid, like Professor Vanitas does. In the academic hierarchy, I’m just a student. You and the Professor are my superiors.”
“If…. if you insist, then, Astrid.”
Astrid nodded, then glanced around before her gaze returned to them.
“Where is the other person you’re with?”
“Ah, she’s not coming. She’s a bit busy with something,” Karina responded.
“Is that so?” Astrid said thoughtfully. Then she smiled. “Can I join you two on the way to the conference?”
“Of course,” Vanitas said.
***
The second day of the academic conference entailed presentations of newly created spells—thesis. Presenting these, varied from scholars, professors, mages looking to make a name for themselves from all over the world, and so on.
——My name is Xavier Elmir, a Cerulean University Tower Professor.
Cerulean Magic Tower was one of two University Towers in the Zyphran Dominion, an Empire located west of Aetherion.
——I will now present my thesis.
A magic projector shimmered, projecting a hyper–realistic detailed magic circle in mid-air.
——As we all know, Aqua magic, in essence, involves gathering mana from the atmosphere to project the essence of water. With further mastery, this magic allows for the condensation of temperature, enabling the restructuring of its variables and nodes to form ice, similar to Pyro, but on a negative basis.
The audience watched intently as the magic circuit shifted, demonstrating the process Xavier described.
——But what if we could further refine Aqua magic to manipulate its variable structure, enhancing its density and durability? Not only could this improve combat applications, but it would also open doors to groundbreaking advancements in defensive spells and infrastructure.
It was an interesting proposal, but nothing groundbreaking. Similar concepts had been discussed before.
Xavier, sensing the audience’s lukewarm reaction, raised his hands.
——Allow me to demonstrate.
With a flick of his wrist, mana coalesced around him and the magic circuit began to glow. There was no need for any incantations, considering the circuit had been prepared in advance.
A stream of water materialized in the air. He guided it into a dense, compact sphere.
——Now, observe its transformation.
He gestured, and the water sphere condensed further, hardening into a crystalline structure.
——Before any rebuttals saying it’s just ice. Observe closely. It’s Aqua Crystal. It’s a much more dense, mana-reinforced state of water. It resists physical and magical impacts far better than standard ice or shields.
To prove his point, he summoned a sharp blade of wind and hurled it at the crystal. The blade shattered on impact, leaving the structure unharmed.
The audience murmured in surprise, some skeptical. While impressive, it was clear some weren’t entirely convinced.
Xavier continued, breaking down his presentation into different segments to give a more in depth explanation.
When he finished, Xavier smiled slightly.
——I’ll address each and every question during the Q&A.
With that, the scholars acting as officials began their questioning. At first, Xavier handled their inquiries with ease, ad-libbing his responses and explaining his points clearly.
——Yes, I understand. To answer your question….
But as the questions became more technical, his confidence started to falter.
The scholars began dissecting his spell, pointing out flaws in its sustainability, practical usage, and efficiency.
——Ah…. Uhm….
Xavier’s composure wavered. His answers became more hesitant, and cracks in his arguments started to show.
By the end, he looked visibly defeated.
——….
His proposal was ultimately rejected.
While the concept was interesting, it wasn’t groundbreaking. It was simply a refined version of ideas already presented in the past. More importantly, it wasn’t sustainable enough to be practical.
A good effort, but the execution fell short. Incomplete, as one of the scholars stated.
That was the harsh reality.
Xavier had paid a hefty fee to present his thesis. At least the entrance to the conference itself was free, but the cost of presenting made it a risky gamble.
For other mages without official validation, this was an even greater risk.
If their proposal was rejected, they not only wasted their efforts on a failed presentation but also lost a significant amount of money.
——….Sigh.
He felt like crying at that moment.
***
Time was allotted for a break, giving Vanitas, Karina, and Astrid, a chance to explore the conference’s booths.
There were several Professors from the Silver University Tower, some greeting Vanitas, while others blatantly pretended not to notice him.
“I feel like the first presentation was a bit of a waste,” Karina suddenly said.
“What makes you think that, Miss Karina?” Astrid asked.
“His thesis was decent. If he’d spent another year perfecting and refining it, I think it could’ve been accepted. But now that he presented it and got rejected, his process is public information.”
Scholars or researchers who saw potential in it could build on his work, enhance it, and present it as their own.
He wouldn’t get any credit for it at all.
Astrid frowned. “But isn’t that plagiarism?”
“Not exactly,” Vanitas chimed in. “It wouldn’t be plagiarism if someone takes his incomplete work and builds on it. If they change enough of the process, add new methods, or refine the concept to make it sustainable, it becomes their work.”
Once a thesis was presented at the conference, it became part of the public domain.
Anyone could use it as a reference or inspiration. It wouldn’t be considered stealing if they significantly modified it.
“That feels unfair,” Astrid muttered.
“It is,” Vanitas said. “That’s why presenting prematurely is risky. If the work isn’t solid enough to stand on its own, it opens the door for others to benefit from it without the original creator getting recognition.”
“I see….”
She understood the concept, having done her share of similar pseudo-thesis presentations back in high school.
Still, it felt wrong.
Their conversation faded as they arrived at a row of food stalls. Astrid’s mood lightened as she took in the aroma of freshly cooked meals.
Hotteok and gimbap were on display, along with spicy tteokbokki, steaming bowls of ramen, and crispy fried dumplings. Nearby, there were stalls serving bowls of beef stew, creamy mashed potatoes with gravy, and freshly baked bread rolls.
Vanitas turned to Karina and handed her a check for 200,000 Rend.
Karina glanced at it, her eyebrows raising in surprise.
“This is too muc—”
“You’ll end up spending it all, trust me. Prices are inflated in Estelle.”
“…Okay,” Karina said after a pause, then nodded and accepted the check. “Thank you.”
Vanitas gestured for her to go ahead.
“Feel free. It’s not everyday you get to attend an academic conference.”
“Yes….”
Karina nodded, smiling, and walked toward one of the food stalls.
Vanitas turned and headed toward the hotteok stall, joining the short line. As he waited, he glanced back, and noticed Astrid lining up right behind him.
“Yes, Astrid?” he asked. “Do you need something?”
Astrid smiled innocently, clasping her hands behind her back.
“Not at all, Professor. I just thought I’d try hotteok. It’s a coincidence.”
“….?”
Vanitas raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, turning back to face the line.
When it was his turn, he ordered two hotteoks and stepped aside, letting Astrid take her turn. She quickly placed her order and waited for her food, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
As they both received their hotteoks, Astrid stared at the food for a moment.
Then she took a bite. Her eyes widened in delight.
“It’s good, right?” Vanitas asked, already halfway through his own.
“This.… it’s like a pancake…. It’s so good~!”
Vanitas smirked, finishing his hotteok.
After finishing, Vanitas glanced around and spotted a stall selling skewered chicken. Without a word, he headed toward it and joined the line.
As he waited, he felt a familiar presence behind him. He turned his head slightly, and sure enough, there was Astrid, lining up again.
“Oh, Professor,” she said, feigning surprise. “Another coincidence.”
“….Right.”
Later, at the next stall.
“Hello, Professor.”
Astrid was clearly following him. Vanitas didn’t mind, but an idea struck him. He decided to play a little prank.
He headed to a stall, selling fermented squid with pungent spices.
Astrid followed him as usual.
When Vanitas received his order, Astrid’s face twisted with curiosity and confusion as she stared at the strange food like it had come from another planet.
“….”
When her turn came, she hesitated but eventually ordered the same. Determined, she grabbed a piece and tried to mimic how Vanitas ate it.
As soon as she put it in her mouth, her face scrunched up in disgust. The strong taste and chewy texture overwhelmed her, and she coughed lightly.
“Cough! Cough…!”
Vanitas chuckled discreetly, amused. It wasn’t everyday you get to see a princess trying to eat fermented squid.
Picking up another piece, he showed her how to eat it properly.
“Don’t bite it all at once. Take smaller pieces, and chew slowly. The flavor grows on you.”
“….Okay.”
Astrid frowned but gave it another shot.
She carefully tore off a smaller piece, chewing it slowly as Vanitas suggested. Her expression softened, but it was clear she wasn’t enjoying it.
“….It’s good,” she said, as tears started welling up in her eyes.
Vanitas held out some of his food. “You want more?”
“N–No,” Astrid stammered, waving her hands. “I’m nearly full myself.”
“Right. Nearly full.”
***
The second half of the second day featured notable spell presentations.
One of these was Exodus Flame, created and presented by Achille Demint, a Professor from Viridian University Tower.
Viridian University was located in the Sanctis Theocracy, a church-ruled Empire situated north of Aetherion.
As the presentation ended, the Q&A portion began. The judges wasted no time dissecting Achille’s work.
The first to speak was an elderly mage with a stern demeanor.
Magdalene Vorel, a renowned scholar and expert.
——It says here in your thesis that Exodus Flame has a delayed ignition mechanism designed to maximize its area of effect. While that sounds impressive, wouldn’t the delay compromise its effectiveness in a fast-paced battle scenario?”
Achille adjusted his glasses and nodded slightly.
——The delayed ignition is a calculated trade-off. It allows the spell to reach a wider range and deliver a more devastating impact. However, I admit this makes it less effective in immediate, close-combat situations.
Magdalene’s expression didn’t soften.
——Even with the incantation completed, the delay remains impractical for most combat applications. Additionally, the spell formula is exceptionally complex, placing it in the Master category. Yet, the ignition delay is still far longer than most Master-spells currently in use. How do you justify this?
The exchange continued as other judges chimed in, asking about mana efficiency, stability, and practical uses in high-stakes situations.
Achille answered each question with confidence, presenting his data and reasoning clearly.
Magdalene finally nodded.
——Your explanations are thorough, and the data supports your claims. While the spell has limitations, its potential for large-scale use is clear.
The other judges murmured in agreement.
—It’s an innovative approach that fills a specific niche in combat magic. I believe it has merit.
In simpler terms, it was a Master–ranked spell in complexity, with the destructive power of a Grandmaster spell.
It was quite a presentation.
With the Q&A concluded, the judges accepted Achille’s thesis. A genuine smile appeared on his face as he bowed respectfully and left the podium.
Vanitas leaned back in his seat, adjusting his spectacles as he observed the presentations.
Whenever a spell was presented, he quickly searched for it in the Spectacle.
Spells that had been accepted were cataloged in its database, while rejected ones weren’t listed at all.
Because of this, Vanitas already knew which spells would be accepted the moment their names were announced.
Feeling a churn in his stomach, he stood up and quietly left the audience area, heading for the bathroom.
It had been happening less frequently these past few months.
Perhaps it wasn’t a symptom anymore, just something he ate.
He finished quickly, washed his hands, and stepped out of the bathroom, as the faint scent of lavender wafted from his figure.
As he exited, someone walked toward the bathroom from the opposite direction.
“Hm?”
Vanitas recognized him instantly.
It was Achille Demint, the Professor who had presented Exodus Flame.
“Vanitas Astrea?”
But the problem was. Achille recognized him too.
“Hey, you’re Vanitas Astrea, right?” Achille repeated, stepping closer.
“I am.”
“Do you remember me?”
“No.”
Achille laughed lightly. “We met before, during the University Tower exchange event. But I guess you wouldn’t remember.”
“Is that so?”
Perhaps, it wasn’t so weird that the two knew each other. After all, he knew exactly what Achille’s was.
A dark mage.
“Yes. I was your partner during the hunting event. Do you really not remember?” Achille’s asked.
“No. I really don’t.”
Achille’s smile faltered for a moment.
“Oh, I see. Well, it was nice seeing you again, Professor Astrea.”
With that, Achille gave a polite nod and walked past Vanitas into the bathroom. Vanitas glared at him intently from his back.
Vanitas turned to head back to his seat, but just as he did, the door to the women’s restroom opened.
A faint, sweet scent wafted out, much like his own.
“P–Professor…?”
It was Astrid.
“You…”
“Y–Yes?” Astrid stammered, her face turning beet red as she avoided his gaze.
“It was the squid, wasn’t it?”
***
Karina returned to the hotel room she shared with Roselyn and let out a heavy sigh. As soon as she stepped inside, she noticed Roselyn slumped over the desk, fast asleep.
Shaking her head, Karina walked over quietly. The desk was covered in paper filled with scribbles, and diagrams, all related to Roselyn’s presentation.
“She’s been working too hard.”
She reached for a blanket draped over the chair and gently placed it over Roselyn’s shoulders.
For a moment, Karina hesitated, watching the faint rise and fall of her friend’s breathing.
The pressure of presenting at the conference was clearly taking its toll.
“Get some rest.”
Deciding not to disturb her further, Karina changed into her nightgown and moved to her own bed.
She thought back to the events of today.
“….”
Her head throbbed from a sudden migraine as she remembered all the technical magic theories presented.
Perhaps, it wasn’t such a great idea.
But despite the headache, she couldn’t deny it had been fun.
Karina never imagined she’d be in Estelle, attending an academic conference, especially in the first year of her career. She could still barely call herself more than an intern.
“I hope you wake up soon, Dad. I have so many stories to share with you.”
Her father, whom she had only met later in life after her mother’s death, didn’t share her last name.
Karina had taken her mother’s name after her parents’ divorce, which had happened before she was even born.
“Sigh.”
Karina leaned back against the pillow, closing her eyes.