I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

52 – 52. Presentation Preparation

I looked at Jizel and said,

“I’m going to the Matop Conference to present in a month.”

Jizel made a face as if to say ‘eh.’

“I just happened to get involved because I presented when I became a professor. Now, what do you have to do?”

Jizel smirked. I looked at Jizel like that and said,

“Well, you have to become an expert. Did you think you could just cling to me after the presentation and mooch off me?”

Jizel made a sound of realization. And after thinking for a moment, he said,

“Um, well… didn’t you say it was only a month?”

“That’s right. A month. It should be enough. If you weren’t ready to become an expert within a month, why bother with all that fuss?”

Listening to my words, Jisel nodded with a determined gaze and spoke.

“Yes! I’ll definitely become an expert within a month!”

“Alright. Then, let’s start with practicing basic spell combinations.”

Without saying a word, Jisel took out his staff and began casting spells of various elemental changes. Until Jisel’s magic was depleted and the sky darkened, neither of us spoke a word.

After a few more days of focusing on basic spell combinations, Jisel finally began combining spells.

“Alright, the most important thing in combining spells is understanding the principles.”

“Principles?”

“Yeah. You need to precisely understand how the combination of this spell and that spell, using what principles, produces what results for it to become a complete magic. The origin of magic lies in the ‘intentions’ that change the world. Magic won’t work properly if the intentions are not in order.”

After saying that, I demonstrated spell combinations to Jisel.

“By combining the fire element with color change, I created blue flames. This results in a second-circle magic.”

Upon seeing this, Jisel smirked.

“Do we really need to combine them like that? It seems useless.”

“It’s just intuitive. Isn’t it better to make it blue rather than combining an arrow shape with the fire element? Both the principle and the result are intuitive. This is good for giving an answer about what a combination is. And it’s useful for interior decoration.”

“Ah…”

Jisel nodded at the mention of interior decoration magic. I looked at Jisel and said,

“In general, nobles don’t use magic for research purposes. They mostly learn it for self-defense and combat. But that doesn’t mean research magic is useless.”

“Yes.”

“Do you also attend the society meetings at Matap? Since most of the magic there is like this, it’s good to study it in advance.”

“Oh, yes! My father and our family decided to attend the Matap society meetings together.”

“I see, that’s good to hear…”

To some extent, Jisel opened up to me, revealing information about his family. Well, the Duke Ircalli is participating in the society meetings? The reasons to diligently prepare for the society meetings increased.

“Now, let’s start by creating blue flames. Once you combine a spell, you become an expert just like that. Your perception of the world changes.”

Listening to my words, Jisel nodded and began combining color change magic with the fire element.

Of course, every time he created a spell, one side would collapse, and magic power would steadily diminish.

Now, there’s a little over three weeks left. It’s enough time to turn a naturally talented child into an expert.

If you do that, there won’t be any more entanglement with Jiselle.

I rested my chin on my hand and watched Jiselle practicing.

…

For a few weeks, I lived quite busily.

Not only did I check the course content in advance to conduct classes, but after all the classes were over, I watched Jiselle practice. After that, I had to review the content for the presentation at the conference.

It would have been impossible for me alone, but with occasional help from Professor Cordelia, I managed to hold on. By the way, doesn’t the professor have her own work to do?

Anyway, living so busy resulted in Jiselle producing results.

Three days before the presentation. Finally, Jiselle created a blue flame.

“Uh, wow, whoa….”

“Feeling dizzy?”

I spoke to Jiselle. She nodded quietly in response to my words.

Reaching the level of an expert means that the way you perceive the world changes completely from before. As all senses become much sharper than before, one could feel dizzy before adapting.

“Now, eat this. Fortunately, you can produce results before the presentation.”

As I handed her the usual tea, I quietly watched Jiselle blowing on it and sipping.

“So, now that tutoring is over… What are you thinking of doing next?”

“Uh, well… Since I’ve become an expert, I’m planning to study 2nd circle magic in earnest. I have a rough idea, but I don’t know it precisely yet.”

“Is that so? Well, do as you please.”

Having become an expert, there was no longer any need for me to intervene with Jiselle. With that, she spoke to me in a cautious voice.

“Um, as a thank you for watching over me, is there anything I can do for you?”

I looked into her green eyes. A gesture of gratitude?

“No need. It’s unnecessary.”

I cut off Jiselle’s words with a single stroke. Then, I continued.

“After all, it’s just a daily routine as an academy professor. I don’t expect or need any gratitude, and above all… if it weren’t for work, there wouldn’t have been a reason for us to associate in the first place.”

Upon hearing this, Jiselle closed her mouth and slowly lowered her head. Her hands were trembling slightly.

“Oh… I see… I understand…”

There was not a single lie in what I said. In fact, there were several occasions when I felt uncomfortable with my own emotions while tutoring Jezelle.

It was bearable only because I considered it my own job to tutor her. With that meaning in mind, I looked at Jezelle and said, “Well, congratulations on becoming an expert. After finishing that tea, go back to your room and take a rest. Even though there might be a little magic left, adapting to that sensation comes first.”

It was a signal that the work was done, an indication for her to leave. Jezelle, having heard my words, bit her lip, emptied her teacup, and then staggered to her feet.

“…Thank you for everything so far.”

Watching Jezelle’s unsteady figure as she said this, I quickly shifted my gaze back to reviewing the presentation materials.

…

The ship reached the harbor. I moved my stiff body around and looked around.

“Ah, it’s been a while since I took a boat. It’s really uncomfortable.”

“There’s an anti-seasickness spell, though. What’s up?”

However, this time, I wasn’t the only one getting off. Professor Cordelia was standing next to me.

“Okay, didn’t they say someone would come to meet us? No one’s here yet.”

“They should be arriving soon. Why are you moving so impatiently? There’s no reason to hurry, really.”

“Hey, if no one comes within 30 minutes, should we just go to a tavern? To celebrate our arrival on land.”

“Are you crazy?”

“This guy has no limits when it comes to talking to his teacher.”

“Professor, you have no limits either as soon as you set foot on land. Just wait without talking nonsense.”

Professor Cordelia and I chatted away, passing the time at the harbor. Then, someone approached to greet us.

“You’re here, Edun-nim?”

“…Oh, Seris? Is it okay for you to come in person?”

Seris had come to greet Professor Cordelia and me for tomorrow’s conference presentation. After spending the night at Derrin Ga’s mansion, we were planning to head to Matop for the conference presentation.

Upon my words, Seris smiled and said, “Of course. Edun-nim is welcoming a joyful occasion, so… Oh, Professor Cordelia is here too.”

Professor Cordelia nodded once in acknowledgment as Seris continued.

“I heard that during your time at the academy, ‘we’ received a lot of help from Edun-nim. Thank you.”

Seris spoke with a smile, yet there was something uncomfortable in her words, prompting Professor Cordelia to respond with a forced chuckle.

“What’s so impressive about helping ‘my’ student? I heard it was you who assisted Eden when they weren’t feeling well.”

Sensing some unease, I interjected between them.

“Um, pardon me for the interruption, but I’m rather famished since I haven’t eaten anything this morning. Could we possibly discuss this after reaching the estate? Would that be alright, Professor? Please?”

Both of them appeared flustered. Then, in a fleeting moment, Seris swiftly regained her smile and replied, “Of course. I didn’t realize Eden was hungry. If you board the carriage, we’ll arrive at the estate promptly.”

With that said, Seris escorted Professor Cordelia onto the carriage.

“Professor, if you’d please take that seat… and Eden, over here.”

Next, Seris naturally took a seat beside me, creating a subtle face-off between Professor Cordelia and me. As the carriage door closed, Seris cautiously pulled my arm closer.

…There was this odd moment where both Professor Cordelia and Seris were smiling immensely at each other.

Until we reached the estate, this peculiar standoff persisted.