Chapter 15

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nWillis, who introduced himself as my 1st-Grade Combat Magic assistant, led me somewhere while constantly moving his mouth.

nHe was awfully talkative.

n“Isn’t it really exciting? Three geniuses entered Vivienda Academy at the same time!”

n“Uh, yeah. It’s amazing.”

nBut there’s just one problem.

n< Vivienda Magic Academy was founded 500 years ago by the wizard Linecare. He built the school on a giant structure 10km above ground to keep non-mages from entering. >

nThere are not only one but two people talking right now.

n< ….The academy is powered by the greatest Mana Stone of this world… >

n‘Hey.’

n< What. Go ahead. >

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n‘Why are you talking so much all of a sudden?’

n< Your skill Protagonist Hunter is now level 2, making it possible to understand the world’s plot. >

nReally?

nBut it doesn’t matter.

n‘Okay that’s enough, quiet down.’

nIf there are two existences explaining things, it is better to listen to the one that was explaining the more useful information.

nWhile the Client was explaining the useless history of the school, assistant Willis was explaining the current situation, so it was obvious who I should be listening to.

n< …Okay.>

nSomehow, the Client who was always emotionless hid her presence as if she had become quite sullen.

n“That’s why…Professor? Are you listening?”

n“That was very interesting.”

n“What? It’s interesting that Principal Matalani’s wig fell off during a speech?”

n“Different people find different things interesting.”

n“Ah, I see.”

nWillis, who quickly nodded, went on to explain.

n“So, who do you think will get the highest mark in this ‘circling?’”

nWhat are you talking about?

nI didn’t understand, so I decided to flip the question.

n“What do you think?”

n“Uh…I think it’ll be Gurim who scored 2nd place in the entrance exam. Although he’s weak at theory, his mana circling which has been handed down from generations is excellent. Professor, don’t you think so?”

nI don’t know, you bastard.

nIn the first place, what’s circling?

n“Well, Mazelon who entered 3rd is also great. I really don’t know how a person from a fallen family managed to achieve Tier 2 circles. He’s really a genius. If the family was intact, the top spot wouldn’t be out of the question.”

n“I agree.”

n“Of course for the most part they did very well…”

nHe shrugged his shoulders and giggled.

n“Though, neither their theory nor practice is comparable to Araceli, who got a perfect score and the top grade in overwhelming fashion.”

n1st place, Araceli.

n2nd place, Gurim.

n3rd place, Mazelon.

nThe protagonist’s name was ‘Fiolen,’ so it was none of these.

nHowever, the protagonist may be using an alias, so I don’t want to completely rule out the possibility that one of those three is the protagonist since ‘genius’ was the hashtag of this world.

n“Maybe, we’re going to record the biggest ‘magic grade’ in the history of Vivienda Magic Academy today.”

nWhile we were talking, me and Willis arrived at a huge gate at the end of a corridor.

nThere were quite a few young children around wearing strange capes.

nI guess they’re students of this academy.

n“Let’s go.”

nThe door opened.

nA huge auditorium appeared in front of me.

n“Uh…”

nThe auditorium, which was reminiscent of an olympic stadium, was arranged like a spiral.

nAt the very center was a blue crystal and a chandelier-like seat floating in midair.

n“Your seat is over there, Professor.”

nSaid Willis as he hurried away.

nCrazy, it was so damn high.

nI lightly walked up the escalator-like structure and sat down in the seat.

nAfter sitting for about five minutes, the rest of the professors sat down.

nPa!

n“All right, everybody quiet down!”

nAs I looked down, an old mage sitting in the center drew my attention.

nHis voice was so powerful that it echoed throughout the auditorium even though he quietly spoke.

n“This year’s batch of freshmens will now begin their circling.”

nAfter a short round of applause.

nOne by one, students in green capes began to descend the spiral staircase.

nOnly then did I know what circling is.

nJust as physical examinations quantify the energy possessed by superhumans on Earth, circling was a way of measuring the mana possessed by mages of this world.

nAnd how hunters took a strength test at each entrance and graduation ceremony during high school.

nThe mages’ mana were also publicly measured by that blue crystal ball.

n“1st Year. Theory Magic department, Zandarite. Mana, 31.”

nWaah…

nThere was a burst of exclamation from the surrounding students.

nThe light from the crystal ball seemed unusual to me, but apparently the mana was quite high.

nSince then, other students have put their hands on the crystal ball and the average number ranged from 10 to 20.

nSoon, the faculties quietly began to whisper amongst themselves.

n“He’s finally here.”

n“Is that child Mazelon?”

n“It should be, yes.”

nA boy with distinct features walked up and placed his hand on the crystal ball.

nHe was Mazelon, the third place student.

n“1st Year. Combat Magic department, Mazelon Verith. Mana, 46.”

nA commotion broke out.

n“Oh my… Isn’t that enough to be Tier 3 circles already?”

n“Unbelievable.”

nMazelon is probably a genius.

nHowever, he was not the protagonist.

nThis is because no hashtags appeared above his head.

nOne suspect down.

nAbout thirty students later, the second suspect appeared.

nThis student was Gurim.

nSomething about his face makes him look cunning and mean.

n“1st Year. Combat Magic department, Gurim Hainbul. Mana, 49.”

nOnce again the hall became noisy.

n“Huh…Every year it’s rare seeing even one student with mana over 30 enrolling, what’s going on with this batch of students this time…!”

nThere were talks among the professors, but Gurim is also not the protagonist.

nSoon a hundred students came and went.

nFinally, the last suspect appeared.

nWith straight black hair, a lively-faced girl placed her hand on the crystal ball.

nSupport character Araceli uses Araceli Mana Circling MK-2 (C).

nWhat is this?

nA supporting character?

nThe moment such a question arose.

n“1st Year. Combat Magic department, Araceli Linecare. Mana, 52.”

nA disturbance, which is incomparable to previous’, filled the auditorium.

nEven the professors seemed to be amazed and were left speechless.

n“Really…The rumor ‘once in a thousand year genius’ was not a lie.”

n“There’s also another rumor that she inherited the blood of the great mage Linkare.”

n“But at the age of 17, the mana of 52 doesn’t make sense. Her body won’t be able to handle it. What is she going to do?”

nAs expected, Araceli being the top student had the highest mana, but unfortunately she is not the protagonist either.

n‘…What was that?’

nWhether or not she could sense my disturbed mind, Araceli straightened her shoulders in triumph.

nShe seems to be the prideful type.

nBut I don’t care.

nI have to find the protagonist.

nThen.

nAll of a sudden the auditorium became noisy.

nA scruffy boy was approaching the crystal ball.

n“Haha, what a pitiful commoner. Of all things to be the next student after Araceli.”

n“Tsk. Does he even have mana?”

n“I can’t believe such a fellow got into the school.”

nI could hear the whispers of the student, but I mostly ignored it.

nBecause I could clearly see hashtags floating above the boy’s head.

n#Student_Turned_Out_To_Be_A_Magic_Genuis

n#Fantasy #Regression #Academy #Harem

nHe was none other than Fiolen.

nThe protagonist of this world.

n‘He’s the protagonist?’

n“Fiolen placed his hand on the crystal ball without even caring if others were looking or not.”

nThen, a clear blue glow came out that is not even comparable to the ones previously.

nProtagonist Fiolen used the skill Araceli Mana Circling MK-40 (SS)

nA mysterious message appeared in my mind.

nImmediately the professor in charge of the crystal ball had a shocked expression.

n“1st Year. Combat Magic department, Fiolen. The mana is…”

nThe professor looked at the number again, afraid that it was wrong.

nBut the crystal ball is always accurate.

nIn other words, this unbelievable number is reality.

n“…Oh my. 70.”

nThe auditorium became unnaturally quiet.

nAraceli was shocked while the principal calmly nodded.

nFiolen smiled.

nThat look, which was familiar to me because I have lived on the battlefield for more than 10 years.

nThe ugly smile of someone who has robbed from another.

n< Fiolen regressed from 20 years in the future. >

n< The skill ‘Araceli Mana Circling MK-40 (SS)’ used just now was created by the future mage Araceli 20 years from now after numerous trials and errors. >

nIt was a predictable development.

nAraceli Linecare.

nA rare genius who is said to have advanced the magic of this world by more than a few hundreds, 20 years from now.

nShe seems to be blessed by the world, but she turned out not to be the protagonist.

nJust a supporting role to the protagonist.

nTwenty years later, whatever achievements Araceli had is now gone.

nThe present Araceli has no idea what her future achievements are, but the regressor Fiolen knows everything.

nAnd me too.

n< Protagonist Hunter Lv.2 has activated due to the changes in the world’s plot. >

nIn the original timeline, Araceli took first place in the preliminary test.

nIn the 2nd timeline, Fiolen beat Araceli to take first place.

nIn the original timeline, Araceli came up with the idea of a ‘strange mechanical device’ as a student.

nIn the 2nd timeline, Fiolen invented the strange mechanical device altogether.

nIn the original timeline, Araceli was selected to play in the magical sport ‘air soccer.’

nIn the 2nd timeline, Fiolen took Araceli’s spot because she was injured.

nIn the original timeline, Araceli had many university-level formulas and was highly praised by the professors.

nIn the second timeline, Fiolen deeply suppressed Araceli by stealing all her formulas.

nWhat’s even more funny was the magic formula Fiolen used to suppress Araceli this time.

n< The formula presented by the protagonist Fiolen this time will be created by Araceli three years from now. >

nIn other words, Fiolen is stealing all the achievements from the future Araceli by returning to the past and thoroughly destroying her.

nHe was such a vicious person that even I, who likes to take away other people’s belongings, could not tolerate it.

nAnd, it wasn’t just Araceli.

n“Hiyan. Ice magic suits you more than flame magic.”

n“N-no way! My family has learned flame magic for generations!”

n“Trust me. If you want to surpass your limits.”

nSince it’s an academy where numerous aristocrats gathered, there were many beautiful ladies here, and Fiolen chatted up all the pretty girls.

n“Gosh, Fiolen! How did you know I liked caffe latte…it reminds me of home.”

n“Thank you, Fiolen! I followed your advice and it’s really true!”

n“Ah, Fiolen. You knew this was my favorite spot? I enjoy coming here by myself.”

n…Every single conversation was so full of youth.

nThe way he talks is also very unique, like he’s afraid of sounding like a noble.

nSeeing such sights, you’d think Shakespeare had reincarnated.

nA little over a month later Fiolen founded his Harem Kingdom while Araceli became increasingly devastated.

nThe girl who was confident a month ago now shrunk her shoulders at the mere mention of a person.

nIt’s a little pitiful, but it wasn’t something I could solve.

nI thought it would naturally resolve itself once I succeeded in hunting Fiolen anyway.

nWhat have I been doing you may ask?

nWhile still making preparations to hunt Fiolen, I tried to learn magic somehow.

nOf course it wasn’t easy.

nMagic required at least college-level understanding, and in the first place, my academic background back on Earth is that I couldn’t even graduate middle school.

nBut in this world, and especially in a magic academy like this, it was possible to gather information and study magic.

nMagic.

nIt was more difficult, mysterious, and fantastic than I thought.

nAn idea had come to mind.

nThere is science and superpowers on Earth, but there is no magic.

nThere is magic here, but there is no science or superpowers.

nIf I combine the two.

nWhat will happen?

n“Professor Yoo. Please continue with the lecture.”

nWhile lost in my thoughts, the sound of someone’s voice snapped me out of it.

nRight, I was conducting a combat magic lecture for the 1st year students.

nI don’t know any magic, but fortunately, my assistant Willis took care of everything so I didn’t have to do anything.

nHowever.

n“Professor! Show us the ‘Concentrated Magic Shot’ you showed us last time!”

n“Show us!”

nThe students asked me with sparkling eyes.

nConcentrated Magic Shot.

nIn fact, it’s actually just me shooting my pistol and not magic.

nI took a pistol out from my waist, put on the silencer, and fired three shots into the sky, then three sparrows flying in the sky fell to the ground.

n“Wow..amazing. How did you shoot it so far?”

n“The magic was casted without chanting.”

n“I really want to learn it.”

nGuys, I’m sorry.

nThis is all a scam.

nThe students weren’t the only ones who fell for my magic.

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nWhen I showed a few tricks using my aether equipment, the professors rushed to my class, hoping to observe.

nAbout a month later, all the professors who had no classes and time to spare came to watch my outdoor classes.

nSo there were more professors than students in my class.

nBut wouldn’t the professors notice my scam?

nI was nervous about such an outcome.

n“Professor Yoo’s magic is amazing.”

n“Amazing. I can’t believe I can’t feel the injection of mana…”

n“What kind of magic do you have to learn to do that?”

n“As expected, the path to learning is endless. I want to read Professor Yoo’s thesis.”

n‘No, professors, please don’t do that.’

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