Chapter 45

“Could it be that I’ve made such a big mistake that I need to see the Dean personally?”

Ian Oracle had no connection with Dean Jessica.

And yet, it was odd to be summoned this late at night.

The Dean was not someone easy to meet.

‘Could it possibly be because of Isera Hebraim?’

He recalled the meeting with Lord Cage. At that time, it seemed that Lord Cage was keeping an eye on Isera.

‘No, the atmosphere’s too calm for that. Or is it because of that nuisance, Prince Helios?’

A matter that could cause conflict between departments might have called for the Dean’s intervention.

There was no clear conclusion.

It was because of the atmosphere.

Even though it was his first time meeting Dean Jessica, it felt like they’d known each other for a long time.

She wasn’t oppressive; rather, she was more approachable than he had expected from what he saw at the academy.

“Don’t worry. I didn’t call you here to reprimand you. I have a few things to convey and I’m also curious about your thoughts.”

At that moment, Ian suddenly remembered something he’d forgotten.

‘It’s because of the thesis!’

If it wasn’t something bad, that was the only other reason.

He had thought it was about time for a reaction, and it seemed it was finally happening.

‘Well, in that case, it’s a matter worth having the Dean summon me to her home. I thought there would be a call from the Tower of Magic, but perhaps not?’

Despite the turbulent emotions within him, Ian calmly waited for Jessica’s words.

“Indeed, it’s true that there haven’t been many students who’ve come all the way to my residence to meet me. It’s understandable to be surprised. But rest assured, nothing will harm you.”

“I don’t know how to thank you for your consideration.”

“Let’s skip the formalities, shall we?”

Jessica lifted the wine glass from the table.

She continued the conversation while sipping the rich wine.

“I heard from Sir Horizon who brought you here. I didn’t have much time to listen in detail, but he mentioned you figured out the principles of the dungeon monitoring device. He praised you as an extraordinary student. Honestly, I was skeptical about whether any team could clear the dungeon as intended.”

“I didn’t figure it out completely. I just guessed the principles, and it was sheer luck that I was correct.”

“Well, that’s still quite something. A little freshman in the academy managed to penetrate conclusions that royal mages and academy professors have been researching for years… It’s as if I’m seeing my school days in you. Haha.”

Jessica wore a self-satisfied smile.

It was hard to tell if it was praise for Ian or a boast about herself.

As Ian appeared serious, Jessica awkwardly put down her glass and continued.

“You said you overcame the golem by using the surrounding terrain?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then, do you know why we chose a golem as the final monster?”

“I don’t know.”

In fact, he hadn’t thought much about it.

Magical machines like golems were common in the community of mages. They weren’t particularly remarkable in and of themselves.

“There are other reasons we used a golem as the final trial, but later on, you’ll have to create golems yourselves. I thought it would be a good opportunity to observe their movements more naturally if you’ve experienced them firsthand.”

“We have to create golems?”

“You didn’t hear? The academy holds a Golem Competition every year. Teams create golems and compete with them. There are mainly two categories. Combat golems or construction golems. The purpose determines the approach.”

It seemed like a reasonable competition in many ways.

Golems were used for combat when wars were frequent across the continent, but nowadays, they were mostly employed for construction.

“You can choose one of the two categories, or enter both. That’s up to you.”

“I’m looking forward to it, wondering what kind of competition it will be.”

“There are many other competitions too, so why not join with your teammates? From what I’ve heard, it sounds like you have good roommates.”

Ian felt that Dean Jessica was very interested in his academy life.

Professor Frost always radiated a similar aura.

‘Could the Dean also have been one of the people waiting for my enrollment?’

Ian wondered, wanting to find out the truth. He listened calmly to her words, waiting for a chance to interject.

The opportunity came sooner than expected.

“Shall we get to the main point? I called you here today because of the paper you submitted.”

“Are you referring to the thesis on Lightning Spell formulas?”

“Yes. Your report on potions hasn’t been presented to the academia yet, so it must be the correct one.”

His heart began to race.

Ian savored the excitement while reminding himself to stay composed. He knew this was no place for mistakes.

“Your paper gave a fresh shock to several mages as well as the Tower of Magic. It proposed a new possibility for first-circle magic that had been largely overlooked.”

“You flatter me.”

“There’s no need for unnecessary modesty. Surely, you are aware of your paper’s significance. The critical point is not merely discovering new formulas for Lightning Spell, correct?”

Indeed, the Archmage had remarkable insight.

The discovery of new spells was merely a surface-level achievement.

The true importance lay elsewhere.

“Although it wasn’t a paper I wrote out of personal desire, I believe it demonstrated the potential for varied interpretations of ancient language aphorisms.”

“Exactly. Thanks to you, a philosophical foundation has been set to re-evaluate all magic from its origins. That’s what makes your paper significant.”

Ian hadn’t expected such accolades, particularly not from the Dean of the Department of Magic.

“Ian Oracle, do you understand the value of your paper?”

“It’s not that extraordinary. Perhaps it’s just black letters scattered on paper.”

Jessica’s eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn’t anticipated hearing that exact phrase in this setting.

It had been ages since she last heard it—a phrase often used by someone who had once smiled warmly at her.

Whether Ian understood the depth of those words was unclear.

Yet it didn’t matter.

Experiencing emotions from decades past held innate value.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Jessica awkwardly smiled. Ian tilted his head in curiosity but continued speaking.

“It was something my father used to say frequently. He cautioned that obsession with accomplishments hinders more profound research. Remaining humble and striving for greater humility, he taught, are essential for meaningful research.”

“That is indeed the mindset of a true scholar. Yet, it’s not an easy path, especially for a mage.”

“Honestly, I’m thrilled and hopeful about presenting a good paper, but I strive to honor my father’s teachings. After all, the paper has already left my hands.”

“Yes, of course. Lefevre…”

Realizing her slip, Jessica quickly corrected herself.

“Baron Lefevre was a humble man. You learned well, Ian.”

Ian didn’t miss her mistake.

“So, you were also close to my father, dean? Close enough to call him in a familiar way. Were you one of those waiting for my admission?”

“What do you mean?”

Jessica feigned ignorance, but Ian’s gaze was unwavering.

A seventh-circle Archmage was taken aback by the resolve of a first-circle mage.

“Professor Frost mentioned there were people awaiting my enrollment. Somehow, I felt you might be one of them, so I asked.”

“That damn Frost!”

Jessica mumbled precisely, reluctantly admitting with a troubled expression.

“Aah, I had agreed to keep it a secret with Professor Frost, but I guess he told you first. That changes things since it’s no longer secret.”

She looked at Ian with a bitter smile.

“Ian. Isn’t it strange when people suddenly start caring for you?”

“Ever since my parents ended up like that, no one has visited our estate. Even our relatives have completely cut off contact.”

It was a typical process of a noble family’s decline.

However, Ian did not give up and endured well. Wilson did the same, and so did Dorothy.

Jessica felt endlessly proud of Ian.

“There were circumstances like that. Professor Frost would have claimed he was elsewhere at the time…”

When Ian stared intently, Jessica cleared her throat and corrected herself.

“Contrary to appearances, Professor Frost has a tendency to be loose-lipped.”

“I didn’t see it that way. Isn’t there a reason for it?”

In a way, he envied Professor Frost. To gain trust after just a month of admission was impressive.

“There is a reason. Now that you’ve become an adult and taken on the Oracle Family’s legacy.”

“There seems to be something I didn’t know.”

Jessica nodded.

“Whenever Lord Lefevre needed to go far away, he instructed not to meddle in the household matters regardless of what happened to him. And that was his wish. He couldn’t return from the ruins. So, we had no choice but to follow. If it weren’t for that instruction, we would have become your guardians.”

It seemed like the mystery was finally being resolved.

It wouldn’t have been something told only to these two.

People who Ian had seen a few times in his childhood might have heard similar things.

It was a harsh truth.

But Ian only focused on the result.

‘It’s not harsh. It’s because of Father that I could stand here today.’

A weed growing on a rugged field is stronger than a flower grown in a greenhouse. Ian respected his father’s decision.

“But now that you’ve inherited the family and become an adult, helping you wouldn’t go against the Lord’s will. Of course, we can’t openly support you, but there are ways to help in various ways.”

“Thank you for your words. All my curiosities have been resolved now. Still, if it’s just because of your connection with my father, you don’t have to take care of me.”

Jessica was surprised by the unexpected statement.

“Why?”

“As you said, I am the head of the Oracle Family and an adult. I will take care of my affairs.”

Ian’s voice was filled with confidence.

At that moment, Jessica was so moved that she almost shed tears.

Could he grow up so well? Once, she had resented the heavens, but now it seemed there was no need for that.

“… You’re bold.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know the dean, of all people, was concerned like this. I’ll consider it as encouragement to work harder.”

She thought he resembled Lefevre in that aspect as well.

Jessica recalled the affection she once felt. It was that aspect of Lefevre that had made her fall for him.

It was now a distant memory, but reminiscing about it occasionally brought great joy.

“But, dean, may I cautiously ask for a favor?”

“You said you’d handle your matters yourself?”

“It’s not that kind of request.”

“What is it?”

“I would appreciate it if you didn’t refer to my father’s words as his will. My father and mother will definitely return.”

“If that’s your request, I’ll oblige anytime.”

Jessica offered a drink. Ian raised his wine glass and toasted with her.

After emptying his glass, Ian stood up.

“It’s late at night. I should get going now. Thank you for the invitation.”

“The matter isn’t finished yet, Ian.”

Jessica crossed her legs and looked up at Ian with subtle eyes.