C222: Presentation (1)
Rene returned to the dormitory room with her tired body. After lying on the bed, she remembered what happened today.
Was it because Mr. Rudger's warning was still valid that no more people approached her to ask the results of the study?
'Is it because of that? I'm much more tired than usual.'
Just passing by, she felt like her mind was worn out as all kinds of complicated eyes flew. Some students looked jealous because they couldn't approach her openly, and the eyes of aristocratic students were so fierce that her back was cold.
Previously, she had a feud with Dunema Rommel. In addition to that, she, a commoner, received the benefits of research, so it was natural to be jealous.
'Ah, I'm completely hated.'
Just today, there was a quarrel on the way to take a class in the morning. Although it was said to have been an attempt, it would have been dangerous if Rudger had not helped then.
She felt a sense of injustice.
'Come to think of it, I was helped by Mr. Rudger.'
It was thanks to Rudger that her amount of mana emission increased, and it was Rudger who helped in the moment of crisis. Even the people who bothered her disappeared thanks to Rudger's warning to everyone immediately after the incident.
Rene recalled the appearance of Rudger.
'Teacher, was so cool.'
Rudger's saving her at the moment of crisis was like a prince on a white horse that seemed to come out of a fairy tale.
He didn't actually ride a white horse and he wasn't a prince but that's what he looked like in Rene's eyes.
'At the banquet hall, he saved me.'
She remembered how Rudger carried her like a princess during the banquet just by closing her eyes. Rene's lips went up without realizing it, and she smiled.
Then suddenly, an idea came to her mind.
'When I look at Mr. Rudger, I miss him. Why? Did Mr. Rudger and I ever meet before?'
Come to think of it, Rudger seemed to be nice to her.
Usually, he seems infinitely cold, but he always answers what she is curious about and even teaches what she doesn't know kindly.
It is because it's easy to be misunderstood because of the way he talks and facial expressions, but rather, Rudger thought of the students the most.
'Is it possible that Mr. Rudger……?'
She thought so, but Rene immediately shook her head and denied it.
'No, it can't be.'
'There's no way that a cool person like him would like a commoner who doesn't have much to show like me.'
It was probably because she was a student who took his lecture. Or maybe it was because she was born with a rare constitution.
'Besides, if he's like a teacher, there's nothing strange about meeting someone who's much prettier and greater than me.'
One had to live within one's means. She had to meet with the right person and only imagine what was right for her. That's what it is.
'What should I do now?'
After the existing problem was solved, a new problem suddenly came to mind.
In recent lectures, the proportion of group classes conducted in pairs has been increasing.
Originally, at the beginning of the semester, they didn't do much because they didn't have a chance to get close to each other, but now that the second test and the festival are over, things are slowly proceeding.
But there's a problem because Rene hasn't gotten close to anyone yet.
Since she had been involved in various incidents and accidents since the beginning of the semester, everyone was reluctant to get close to her.
Erendir and Freuden are the only ones who are talking to her right now.
'I can't get help from senior Erendir forever.'
As a freshman, she couldn't keep up with Erendir and there were very few classes that overlapped with hers, a sophomore.
She needed to make friends that were in the same grade. In addition, making friends in Theon was quite good for the future.
When she graduated from Theon and went into the society, the friendships she made at this time would be helpful. Therefore, Rene felt the need to form a relationship with people.
'But I don't know what to do.'
This was the worst part.
She was already hated by the aristocratic students and other commoner students were keeping away from her because they feared the aristocrats.
She was anxious to think that she would not make a proper friend for the rest of her life.
She knows what happens to people who get along without friends since she was acquainted with such a person.
'……I'm sorry senior Erendir.'
It was hard to suppress the guilt that came up just by thinking about her but what could she do?
'But I don't want to be like you. First, let's check out the clubs on Akashic Record.'
There are many clubs in Theon and it is said that it is good to join a club to meet people.
While thinking about finding a club inside the Akashic Records, Rene found one strange thing.
'Random matching? What's this?'
Akashic Records is an integrated magical exchange field that can only be used inside Theon.
Both students and teachers could use it and anonymity was guaranteed, so there were many cases of exchanging information with each other.
Of course, false information and useless fights were widespread.
'I haven't been able to use it because I've been so busy, but I didn't know there was something like this.'
Random matching probably means that you can exchange direct conversations with random people.
Rene was intrigued.
'In the past, when I was learning under my teacher, I used to write and send letters to my teacher.'
Of course, I was scolded by my teacher, but it was a good memory.
Thinking that maybe this would help her, Rene immediately tried random matching. Soon after, a matching was given with a ringing sound.
They greeted each other by writing letters with magic.
[Hello]
After a while, the reply came back.
[Hello]
Oh, that's interesting.
[How did you end up here?]
[After finishing all the busy things, I had time, so I came here out of curiosity. I didn't know there was something like this, but it's fascinating.]
[Oh? It's the same as me. I was like that, too.]
When I saw the reply coming back, she didn't think it was a strange person.
[What class are you taking here? Oh, should I not ask this?]
[That's right. I think keeping secrets is one of the main purposes of this space.]
[Hmm. What should I call you?] I don't know your name.]
When I asked such a question, the answer came back after a little time.
[Just call me John Smith]
[What is this? If you're going to use an alias, use something more sincere.]
[What about you?]
[Oh, me?]
Rene answered with a grin after thinking.
[Honestly, it's my first time doing this, so I don't know. Can you give me a name?]
[Judy]
[Judy?]
[Yeah, Judy is nice.]
"Judy. Judy."
Having called the name out of her mouth a few times, Rene thought it was quite good.
[Good! Judy]
Like that, Rene lost track of time and continued to exchange conversations with the other person.
[Oh, it's already this time. I should go now.]
[That's true. It's been a long time.]
[Smith, can we talk again next time?]
[I don't care]
[Then, at this time?]
[All right]
That's how Rene finished random matching but she suddenly wondered who the person she talked to was.
'Looking at the way Smith talked he looked older than her. He's not a teacher, is he?'
* * *
Rudger finished random matching and placed the Akashic record plate on the table. Teachers also tried it out of curiosity but they fell into it without realizing it.
'Well, it wasn't a bad feeling.'
It was like using a messenger app when I lived on Earth, so it was not bad because I could feel the nostalgia of that time. In addition, the person whom I had a conversation with was strangely friendly, so I was also excited and we had a long conversation.
It is by nature that my way of speaking normally is hard, but speaking on messenger in this way was also a part of being able to speak softly like in my previous life.
I thought it was not a bad experience in that I could recall myself that I had not yet forgotten.
'It's nice to refresh your mood like this sometimes.'
The many things that have complicated my mind are over.
First of all, Theon has successfully completed the transaction after receiving approval from the president, although it is still unofficial.
The same is true of the Black Dawn Society.
Other first orders don't know, but Zero Order has decided to acknowledge my existence.
'It's still only a matter of sealing the urgent wound, but compared to the first time when I felt my life threatened just by being caught, it's a huge difference.'
That's why I could spend time on these little entertainments but I know there's still a lot of work to do after all.
'The academic presentation date is just around the corner.'
The deal with the president is not over yet because he has to announce the results of his research on increasing the amount of mana emission he achieved this time and take the position of Planning Director in recognition of his contribution.
'I'm looking forward to it.'
How will people react tomorrow?
I thought it would be fun even though I knew I shouldn't do this.
* * *
[Arcane Chamber] was a huge grand hall where wizards gather to present their findings.
The huge space, reminiscent of an ancient dumping ground, was filled with wizards since regular presentations of new discoveries are held periodically.
However, the seats that would not have been half full normally were especially full today since all the wizards gathered here heard some "rumors."
"Is it true that they are publishing a study related to increased mana emissions?"
"I don't know, but according to rumors, yes. It's just that there are a lot of other people gathered."
It was clear that all the people gathered here had heard the rumor.
"And look over there."
A wizard pointed to the air.
The Arcane Chamber basically consists of a dome that resembles a huge stadium and all the seats are arranged like a circle around this huge space.
Nevertheless, there is an individual space for the 'special' people floating in the air.
A huge octagonal metal plate embedded with mana stones was floating in the air. There was a person sitting there who wouldn't normally be present to this kind of event.
"Is that Auguste, one of the Three Wonders of the Old Tower?"
"That's right and there's a representative of the New Tower over there. I heard that they have great skills at a young age."
"They've come here because of Theon's president, so she must be the one who arranged the seats."
In the top seats there were wizards who have built fame throughout the continent sitting and only at least six ranks could climb there.
Then some wizards were forced to make another fuss.
"Look, Sir Clinton, the great wizard of the imperial family."
"Oh, my God, the seventh rank wizard is here?"
Clinton Rothschild, one of the few 7th rank "Impera" wizards in the world. He was an old man but he looked so clean that people didn't think so at all just by looking at his appearance.
After sweeping the white beard that came down to his chest once, he sat down in his seat as if he didn't care about the eyes around him.
In addition, a wizard named with the title [Colour] was also present at the scene.
'Oh, my. Why did I come here?'
It was Casey Selmore.
She was assigned a top seat, but she refused and sat in a moderately back seat. Originally, she had no intention of coming, but she came because Theon sent her an invitation directly.
But now she wasn't in a very good mood.
'I need to read that person's memories as soon as possible.'
Since she was kicked out of Rudger's teacher's office that day, she has been looking for opportunities to obtain his mana and continue to see his memories.
She was busy because of a series of things that happened one after another. Since her position of detective was not a hoax, the police in Leathervelk asked her for help.
Because she was busy she couldn't find time to obtain Rudger mana but that was just an excuse. The reason why she delayed was because of her internal hesitation and the pressure of finding out the truth that no one knows.
Even she felt a little fear as to whether or not she could accept and handle the truth that she would see.
After hesitating and delaying it, she came all the way here.
'Is it a thesis presentation?'
I didn't know that the research data I saw in his office would really come this far.
Presenting in front of people means that the results of the study have been successful.
If it's really possible, it was really unusual.
'I don't know what you're up to.'
Casey, who was agonizing with her arms crossed, sighed because even if she thought about it she won't get an answer so she'll have to wait and see.
As soon as she thought so, the lighting began to get dark.
The Arcane Chamber is literally made up of huge domes and by reducing the light a little, it was possible to create a dark atmosphere even in broad daylight but there was also a place that got as bright as the rest of the space got dark.
The center of the Arcane Chamber was lit to show those who presented their papers and proved their achievements and values.
The wizards who were talking among themselves were silent. It was an amazing sight to see the place where thousands of people gathered so quiet that not even a breath could be heard.
They all know that the future announcements, big or small, will bring a storm to the magic world.
'It's starting.'
The 136th Magic Thesis presentation has begun.