Chapter 131: An Seminar (5)
After Eisel finished her presentation and stepped down from the podium, a smallmotion arose.
"A unique magic circle..."
"This is a revolution in magic!"
"If one aligns the form with the inherent patterns of attributes in the magic circle and revamps it, without a doubt, the level of magic will advance several steps."
As there were many magic schrs and warriors present at the An Seminar, they directly analyzed exceptional magical abilities of geniuses. They knew well the remarkable value of the thesis presented by Eisel.
Thanks to this, those attendees who had needlessly criticized Eisel earlier could only blush in embarrassment.
Themotion didn''t settle for a while.
The moderator and the conference chairman didn''t intervene.
Since such remarkable magic had been presented, it was only proper to allow them a bit of excited chatter time.
Hong Bi-Yeon didn''t quite fancy this atmosphere, so she slipped away from her seat.
Since the An Seminar didn''t have designated break times, it was amon practice to utilize the brief gaps between presenters as a break time.
Themotion would likely take around thirty minutes, so she decided to step out and grab a quick coffee.
"Hey, you don''t seem too well today. What''s wrong?"
"... Thank you."
"No, the issue isn''t about being thankful..."
While walking quietly along the corridor, a familiar voice could be heard in the distance.
Peeking around the corner, she found Eisel leaning against the wall and Baek Yu-Seol calming her down.
*What''s going on?*
Hong Bi-Yeon hid behind the corner and discreetly eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Its just... I had to spend a lot of mana and mental strength before."
"What happened?"
Eisel hesitated and looked at Baek Yu-Seol.
*''The story about essing the Star Archive... should probably remain a secret for now. After all, delving into someone else''s past without permission...''*
Moreover, Principal Eltman mentioned that ordinary people were unlikely to understand the term Star Archive.
Unless one belonged to the Twelve Disciples'' lineage or possessed abilities rted to the Star Archive, it was better not to talk about it as it might not beprehensible to most.
"... I can''t talk about it. Anyway, my mana recovered quickly after just one night in the hospital, but it seems my mental strength didn''t bounce back as fast."
Mana recovered well after a good night''s sleep, but the issuey with the mental strength.
Mental strength was a significant factor for magic warriors. In any situation, they must calmly think of the numbers and form the magic spell, which was quite challenging with low mental strength.
Baek Yu-Seol was confident that Eisel had a high level of mental strength, so he thought she wouldn''t have any problem with the presentation and debate this time...
He would never have imagined that the aftermath of that incident would still linger.
"Well, it''s a relief that you''re okay."
"Yes. I''m really grateful for today."
"Yeah. Buy me a meal sometime."
"Sure. I''ll take my leave now."
As Eisel briskly tidied up and rose to leave, Baek Yu-Seol also disappeared in the opposite direction.
*Hmm... if it''s something that requires mana and mental strength... then it couldnt have been...?*
While Hong Bi-Yeon was specting something based on Eisels words, a familiar woman''s voice echoed from behind.
"Oh my, little sister! What are you doing here? Hmm? Enjoying the view?"
The first princess of Adolveit and a rival to Hong Bi-Yeon.
It was Princess Hong Si-hwa.
Intentionally, she turned around the corner of the hallway, and deliberately made a loud and cheerful sound.
She might have been thinking of picking on Hong Bi-Yeon, who was secretly spying, but unfortunately, the people involved had already left.
"Ugh, how boring."
....
Ignoring her, as Hong Bi-Yeon tried to turn away, Hong Si-hwa suddenly jumped up, blocking her way.
"Sister! Why are you so mean~"
"Get to the point."
"Just curious~"
Fluttering like a butterfly, Hong Si-hwa spoke as if she was trying to appease Hong Bi-Yeon, who was standing still.
"Is our sister''s first An going well? I wonder if your thesis preparation is going well?"
"By any chance, you havent finished your thesis yet? Surely not! Adolveits princess wouldn''t do that!"
"Is that all you have to say?"
"No?"
Leaning in closer, Hong Si-hwa spoke with a slightly dry voice.
"No matter what... you dont want to face embarrassment in your first An, do you, little sister? If you''re desperate... How about getting a little help from your older sister? Since you''re my little sister, I could help with one thesis, right? Hmm?"
Was that the purpose?
Hong Bi-Yeon felt somewhat disappointed and let out a hollowugh.
She thought that the reason behind the deliberate destruction of the thesis was to diminish her value as a rival. After all, it wouldpletely break her during the An seminar...
*''Seems like they''re trying to turn me into a puppet.''*
Well, maybe that would be better.
There were still three years left until the session to the throne, and if the rivalry ended prematurely, there wouldnt be a ''dramatic session to the throne.''
After secretly subjugating the second princess Hong Bi-Yeon while maintaining the facade of a rival Thats when everyones attention would be centered.
Ta-da, eventually, the first princess would ascend the throne!
Absolutely perfect.
She was truly a wicked schemer.
She plotted a perfect masquerade even with showmanship included.
Truly wicked indeed.
Hong Bi-Yeon smirked subtly and said, "I have no intention of receiving a magic thesis that''s inferior to mine, so I''ll pass on such unnecessary kindness."
At that, Hong Si-hwa grinned.
"Hmm...? Are you allowed to keep saying such things till thest moment? You might regret being so arrogantter."
"Think whatever you want."
After saying that, she coolly left.
"Hmm...?"
Hong Si-hwa appeared to be unable toprehend her reaction.
-
The turns swiftly passed, and numerous magic students and warriors presented their thesis.
The thesis were so remarkable that it was difficult to rte them with teens in their 10s or 20s.
The magic presented by Eisel was so spectacr that it couldn''t help but make everything else seem rtively shabby.
Sending out the youngest daughter of the Morph family as the first batter just for show ended up causing damage to everyone involved.
"Ugh... I ruined it..."
Even though Hong Bi-Yeon had prepared for this day for years, she couldn''t help but feel nervous as she watched a young mage in his twentiesmenting his failure due to the order of appearance.
Finally, her turn arrived.
The thought of standing in front of the stage didn''t scare her.
However, revealing a spell she personally crafted for the first time in her life made Hong Bi-Yeon tense.
"The next in line is Hong Bi-Yeon Adolveit, a first-year student at the Ste Academy.
Since she was there as a mage, she was not addressed as a princess.
So, she was rather satisfied.
She would destroy Hong Si-hwa, who was confidently staring at her with a wide grin, and that too, with her own power.
"Then, please begin your presentation."
Without any borate introduction, Hong Bi-Yeon showcased her magic first.
"re!"
As two red mes appeared in the air, people became curious. They soon realized that it was just an ordinary fire, prompting them to express puzzled expressions.
"Isn''t that just a ss 1 spell, ''re? Why basic magic?"
"Hmm?"
Now expecting some lengthy exnation, the mages crossed their arms.
Baek Yu-Seol assumed a neutral stance.
However, Hong Bi-Yeon had no intention to borate in detail.
She pointed at one of the two mes floating in the air and said, This is the conventional re Magic.
**Fwoosh! Bang!**
As she directed the me towards the Anti-Magic Barrier at the center of the stage, a huge spark sprang forth and instantly vanished.
"And this is the new re.
She calmly flicked the other me just like before.
**Boom! Thud!!**
A heavy resonating explosion echoed.
"What, what''s that?"
"That''s supposed to be a re...?"
Immediately, some mages stood up from their seats, and adjusted their specs.
Of course, not everyone understood.
In fact, only a handful of specialized me magic analysts barelyprehended the spectacle.
"Why are they so surprised?"
"Isn''t it just a matter of putting in a bit more mana?"
" No, it''s not."
Watching Hong Bi-Yeon''s magic silently, Cheong Param tilted his head and spoke, She used the same amount of mana, and employed the same modifiers. In other words, exactly the same magic."
So... she just added one additional special element which significantly amplified its explosive power.
What...?
"Just by changing one thing, the destructive force became so different?"
The mana usage between the first and second spells was identical. However, upon hitting the experimental Anti-Magic Barrier, the first spell extinguished like a candle amidst a storm, while the second spell showcased an explosive power on par with a ss 2 or ss 3 spell.
"Does that... make sense?"
The muttered words of a student echoed the collective doubt in the room.
And this atmosphere was exactly what Hong Bi-Yeon wanted.
After Eisels initial presentation, the heightened atmosphere failed to satisfy anyone thereafter.
*But my magic is different.*
She dared to boast that her content could rival Eisels groundbreaking thesis on imbuing original forms of attributes into the magic circle itself.
Just as doubts began to surface about the magic, Hong Bi-Yeon began her exnation of this spell very slowly.
"Throughout history, humans have strived to control fire, ultimately shaping mes into forms they desired."
"These shapes are truly diverseme arrows, spears, crosses, shields, hammers, and countless others... The list is practically endless. But all these forms are fake. Today... I will show you the true form of fire."
-
"Wow...?"
Hong Si-hwa opened her eyes wide as Hong Bi-Yeon began presenting something groundbreaking in magic.
"What is that...?"
She was familiar with the original thesis prepared by Hong Bi-Yeon.
As it was the case with the other families who regrly attended the An Seminars, including the Twelve Disciples'' family, the thesis by Hong Bi-Yeon was just a patchwork of exceptional schrs brought in from various ces.
It was a kind of convention: ''You do it, I do it, let''s pretend we don''t know each other.''
However, Hong Si-hwa intended to touch upon that aspect sensitively. After all, she had attended the An Seminar consistently for a decade, disyed her excellence, and then retired.
Wasn''t there no need to fuss about it anymore?
Moreover, if Hong Bi-Yeon fell for the bait, she could easily have herpletely under her control without making a fuss about it.
But.
Her younger sister Hong Bi-Yeon didn''t take the bait. Instead, she appeared extremely confident.
That couldn''t possibly be the case.
*Mm, it''s quite impressive.*
Even with her negative thoughts, she found herself strangely captivated by Hong Bi-Yeons fireworks show.
If Eisels magic was cold and artistically beautiful, then Hong Bi-Yeons magic had an explosive charm which could ignite a fire in peoples hearts.
It was admirable to have prepared a thesis of that level and presented it.
Even Hong Si-hwa feltpelled to stand up and apud right then and there.
*But then again, if that''s really your magic.*
Hong Si-hwa smiled bitterly.
She knew her younger sister''s worst w was herck of creativity.
That was probably why she seemed to have been simultaneously training and exploring creativity recently, but...
Even so, how could she prepare such diverse magic in such a short time?
It was unbelievable.
Therefore, if you maintain the natural form of the mes
Hong Bi-Yeons presentation was reaching its climax, and the expressions of the spectators were filled with excitement.
What was even more astonishing was that unlike before, no one took advantage of the ''intellectual opportunity''; they were just mesmerized, and listened intently.
The second revolutionary magic had already appeared at the An Seminar.
This momentum was undoubtedly greater than
Hong Si-hwas first presentation.
It touched a different realm.
But it was alright.
This kind of atmosphere was also a great stage for Hong Si-hwa.
When that momentum reached its peak.
That would be the perfect moment topletely take down Hong Bi-Yeon.
I''ll conclude the presentation..."
Just as Hong Bi-Yeon was about to sessfully wrap up her presentation.
**Beep!**
Hong Si-hwa pressed the button to utilize the ''intellectual opportunity.
"... I have a question for you."
As she spoke, the hall fell silent.
It was obvious that the one using the intellectual opportunity was none other than Hong Si-hwa, the rival contending with Hong Bi-Yeon for the throne.
The atmosphere became strange.
"For student Hong Bi-Yeon?"
"... Yes."
Hong Si-hwa''s usual lively and cheerful demeanor was gone. Sporting a bright smile, she gracefully opened her mouth.
"I heard news that your previous thesis was omitted. Perhaps... it was merely a patchwork of other professors'' thesis put together hastily, wasn''t it?
As she directed questions towards the thesis evaluation and reviewmittee, some members nodded.
They were under Hong Si-hwas influence.
"So, it''s a question."
She inquired, "Is that magic... really yours?"
The build-up was over.
From now on, she would just watch quietly as Hong Bi-Yeon scrambled and fell apart.
*Well, what are you going to do now, little sister?*
Thinking this, she locked eyes with Hong Bi-Yeon, and...
Huh?
For some reason, contrary to her expectations, she found Hong Bi-Yeon looking back at her with a yful smile.",