When the news broke that Soul Academy would be closed for several months, students gradually began preparing to head home.
Some couldn’t resist the pressure from their parents, who were worried about them.
Others faced the reality of needing to earn money for the next semester’s tuition.
Some, more irresponsibly, thought they should relax a bit more after all the hard work.
Others still had their own reasons for packing their bags.
Because of this, as the day grew brighter, the atmosphere at the academy became more chaotic. But Joy was detached from all of this.
“This part of the magic circle had this meaning...”
“Looking at it this way, it fits together in some places. Especially this part, which seems more aligned with healing-type holy magic.”
“Erginus’s ideas are truly amazing.”
“Do you think this can be applied to existing magic?”
“Definitely. We could even use it in our academy’s training ground...”
In front of the many professors of the Department of Magic, Joy, far beyond the level of a student, listlessly listened to their conversation about the magic circle’s interpretation. She sighed inwardly.
When the head of the Department of Magic first asked Joy to help interpret the magic circle, she hadn’t imagined things would turn out like this.
It wasn’t because she underestimated the professors' passion. She had been learning for so long, how could she not understand their enthusiasm?
The reason Joy initially thought the task would be simple was simply because she didn’t know much.
Not long ago, Joy had learned about the magic circle directly from Erginus. She had proved her mastery by restoring the collapsed magic circle, showing that she had internalized it.
In fact, she felt confident she could do it repeatedly, which is why she had accepted the headmaster’s request.
But if asked whether she had reached the level where she could understand and explain all the knowledge contained in the magic circle, Joy would shake her head in horror.
There was no way it would be possible to understand a magic circle that contained the essence of a great wizard like Erginus in just over a month.
She could use magic, but she hadn’t fully grasped the principles or the ideas behind it. After drawing the magic circle for the headmaster, Joy planned to explain the functions of each symbol and step back.
“Wait, this one has the function of purification?”
“Yes, that’s what I believe.”
“Is this possible?”
The problem started with the headmaster’s question. The magic circle, which was completely different from the currently accepted magical system, gave him a headache.
“I only learned that it works...”
Like Joy, she didn’t have an answer to his question.
Having been taught through strict rote learning, Joy had no idea why the magic circle was drawn that way.
“...Partlan Young Lady, I have a request.”
After much contemplation and still no answers, the headmaster made a request.
Non-disclosure and prohibitions on misuse, among other restrictions, meant she could bring other academy professors in to help with the interpretation.
In front of the headmaster’s serious gaze, Joy nodded her head without hesitation. She wasn’t particularly interested in monopolizing the knowledge related to this magic circle, and since Erginus hadn’t asked her to keep it secret, there was no issue with sharing it.
“It looks like an ancient magic system... but wait a moment, I’ll bring the materials.”
“...Yes, that’s correct. Some of the magic from the past matches this magic circle.”
The professor the headmaster brought in dug through countless materials before helping to resolve the issue.
But even after that, the next question arose, and the puzzle wasn’t solved.
“We may need to call Professor Conta. The one studying ancient offensive magic. He might know more.”
“Partlan Young Lady, is this alright?”
“I don’t mind.”
With another professor joining the research, questions were resolved only for more to arise. Each time, more professors arrived to help.
No professor refused the headmaster’s invitation, even though the restrictions were rather severe.
Watching the professors nod their heads in agreement, Joy quietly asked a question, and one professor, smiling like a child, answered her with a clear, cheery voice.
“The main reason we struggled to interpret Erginus’s magic circle was that it was made up of so many different circles. But now, thanks to you, Young Lady, we’ve broken through that barrier.”
“We have the opportunity to face the wisdom left by the great wizard Erginus! How could we refuse such an opportunity?”
“Anyone who refuses this chance has no place at Soul Academy.”
“We thank you for giving us such an honorable opportunity. Partlan Young Lady, if you ever need anything in the future, do not hesitate to ask.”
Of course, there was a way for Joy to escape, though it wasn’t without difficulty.
Throughout the ordeal, she was visited by other young ladies, including her friends like Fabi and her older brother, who checked in on her.
Each time, Joy tried to excuse herself, but the passionate eyes of the professors made it impossible for her to speak up.
Despite being just a student, she was overwhelmed by the scholars and their accumulated knowledge, and she was forced to participate in the intense discussions.
As the moon rose and set, Joy had no choice but to watch with soulless eyes as the professors continued their fervent work.
Their conversations, full of impressive academic results, were incredibly useful.
Even Joy couldn’t deny that she learned a lot by listening to them.
But there’s such a thing as too much!
She had just suffered through hell yesterday, and now, after not having a break, she was expected to study through the night?
She was really exhausted! At this rate, she felt like she was going to collapse from overwork!
“Partlan Young Lady?”
“...Ah, yes. I’m listening.”
“This part is the foundation of the barrier, correct?”
Despite her internal complaints, Joy still answered the professor’s question diligently.
“Yes, that’s correct. It serves to distinguish between the inside and outside.”
“I thought so.”
“...Thought so?”
The professor, studying both barrier magic and archaeology, lit up as he gazed beyond the cloudy horizon.
“Do you know about the Fairy Forest sealed by Erginus?”
“Yes, I know. The area is prohibited because the evil god’s energy is contaminating it.”
“I had the opportunity to visit it with some priests from the Church. And at that time, I discovered a magic circle very similar to this one.”
“Partlan Young Lady?”
Just as the professor’s story was about to get interesting, Joy was interrupted by a voice calling her from outside.
“Lady Arlen is looking for you.”
Lucy? I heard she collapsed yesterday, but she seems fine now.
That’s a relief. Joy sighed in relief, but as usual, she could feel the stares of everyone in the room directed at her. Steeling herself, she ignored their gazes.
If she missed this opportunity, she might never escape this hell. She had to leave—now!
“Let’s go. I’ll tell you the rest when you return.”
Leaving the professor’s voice behind, Joy stepped out into the hallway, letting out a bright, almost artificial laugh as she did.
She was exhausted. Honestly, it felt like she might die from sheer fatigue.
Physically, it was one thing, but mentally, she was even more tired than when she trained with the Arlen family.
Ugh. As much as she wanted to go back to the dorm and sleep, she couldn’t do that...
At the very least, she had to greet the other young ladies, check on her friends, and contact her family. And then...
“Foolish girl. Did you die and come back to life? Why’s your face like that?”
While absentmindedly gazing at the sky, Joy heard a cheerful voice and turned her head to the side.
Wow, it’s Lucy. She’s wearing such a cute outfit.
A pair of shorts that expose her thighs, a loose white shirt tucked into the pants, and a long overcoat that covers her hands.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёwebnovel.com.
Usually, Lucy is like a sharp princess, but right now, she looks more like a lively girl. She seems so energetic.
Too bad, if we weren’t outside, I’d have hugged her to recover my energy. And standing behind Lucy is...
“...Lord Benedict?”
“It’s been a while, Lady Partlan.”
Seeing his fierce, imposing smile snapped Joy back to reality. She hastily took out her fan to cover her fatigued face.
Given how hard I pushed her, I knew she wouldn’t tire easily.
What happened to her?
Could it be that she’s been dragged around by the professors in the Department of Magic?
I heard she was caught by the head of the Department of Magic, but has she been up all night, working with them?
I don’t like this. Why are they making our cute Joy suffer?
They couldn’t even let her rest after everything she’s been through.
<By that logic, you’ve pushed her more than anyone, haven’t you? Now you’re coming to ask for something from her again.>
‘That’s because I pushed her!’
<...So it’s okay for you to push her, but not others?>
‘Yes!’
I can push her, but I won’t let anyone else torment Joy!
Even if those old men don’t have much time left, how dare they! I’ll break their legs like chopsticks so they can only do the research they love for the rest of their lives!
As I got worked up over what was happening behind the scenes, suddenly, Joy raised her voice.
“What?! The academy’s going on break?”
“Didn’t you know? That’s why everyone’s preparing to leave.”
“...I had no idea. I’ve been too absorbed in discussing magic with the professors.”
“Magic?”
“Yes. It’s about the magic circle left by Erginus... Well, it’s a bit complicated to explain.”
“Oh, no need to explain.”
“Thank you!”
Joy was so relieved she wouldn’t have to explain in full that she raised her voice in excitement, then quickly blushed and changed the topic.
“So, um... why did you come to find me?”
“Foolish girl. You know almost every magic-related book in the library, right?”
“Yes. I’ve read everything I thought I’d need.”
“Could you find a book for me? It’s about...”
As she listed books related to the Fairy Forest, Joy nodded, then tilted her head.
“All of those books were written by one professor.”
“...Really?”
“Yes. He’s in the research lab right now. Should I call him for you?”
“Okay!”