The lobby of the Magic Tower was bustling, even in the early morning. With my face hidden by a hat and scarf, I read the princess’s congratulatory address posted on the bulletin board. It was full of praise for the merit of capturing Malakai, embellished to a ridiculous degree.
Heh heh.
Just as a hollow laugh escaped me, a familiar voice reached my ears.
"Even if you bundle up like that, it's completely obvious it's you, Isaac."
It was Gwendolyn. Fortunately, she spoke softly, so others couldn't hear. I asked her.
"How did you know it was me?"
"Your spine is straight and your shoulders are squared, but your movements lack the typical grace of a noble."
"In the entire Magic Tower, you're probably the only one like that, Isaac."
Was that a compliment or an insult? I replied to Gwendolyn.
"Come to think of it, your attire has changed a bit too, Gwendolyn."
She was in a plain researcher's uniform, and her face was marked with exhaustion.
"Is something wrong? You don't look well."
"Ah, it's the season when my seniors are submitting their graduation theses. They're all taking a break from their own projects, so I've been dabbling in a bit of this and that."
"... Did your seniors pressure you to do so?"
"Oh, no way. I just did it because I wanted to."
Gwendolyn waved her hand dismissively.
"If that happened, my father might come rushing to the capital. I have to make sure that doesn't happen on my own."
Ah, right.
That was true. I had almost forgotten from being around her so often, but Gwendolyn was the only daughter of a count’s family. In that case, she might know about 'Cayenne' as well.
I asked her.
"By any chance, do you know someone named 'Cayenne Winterheart'?"
"Ugh..."
Gwendolyn made a face as if she had chewed on a bug.
"Why is that name coming up here?"
Seeing her open dislike, he must have been a strange fellow from the start.
"We had a brief run-in the other day, and I was just wondering what kind of guy he is."
"Hmm... To explain that, I'll have to start with the school he's in."
Gwendolyn began to explain the School of Bloodline Magic. Even among the scions of renowned magical families, there were bound to be some who were dull-witted. No matter their innate mana capacity, it was difficult to produce research results if one was not bright.
Therefore, they focused their efforts on documenting their family's history or reinterpreting the magic of their ancestors.
"That's the reality of the School of Bloodline Magic."
"Just hearing about it, it sounds like it belongs in a regular university rather than the Magic Tower."
This seemed more like a study of genealogy.
"And yet, the fact that they aren't expelled means..."
Does it mean they're good at politics? Understanding the words I left unsaid, Gwendolyn nodded.
"Yes. Their political power is quite strong. Since all their members are nobles. Their lab is even located on one of the upper 20s floors."
"That's high. But how do they manage a thesis defense in a place like that?"
"They just ask each other questions, praise how great they are, and that's the end of it."
"..."
Praise how great they are... Weren't you my etiquette teacher?
Gwendolyn continued.
"That's how it is, as long as no other school volunteers to be the opponent."
"So that's what it was."
I had obtained and read Cayenne's thesis beforehand, and its contents were disastrous. Mistaking correlation for causation... Is he a university freshman?
Just then, a small crystal orb in Gwendolyn's possession began to glow.
"Oh my. It seems the analysis spell I was running is finished. I'll be on my way then!"
She disappeared with quick, light steps.
When I returned to the lab, Giuseppe was engrossed in his research while munching on a sandwich.
"Sandwiches again?"
"They're easy to eat while working."
'Should I not have told him about sandwiches...' ... No. If I hadn't, he might have just skipped lunch altogether. Giuseppe was that kind of person.
I discreetly slid a piece of paper onto his desk.
"Senior, have you by any chance applied to be an opponent for this year's thesis defenses?"
"No, I've been too busy... What's this?"
"It's Cayenne Winterheart's thesis. It has a considerable number of errors, so I'm thinking of applying to be the opponent."
Giuseppe didn't understand the meaning of my words.
"You? You can't. You don't have a degree yet."
I knew that too. As I was now, I couldn't be an opponent. The opponent in a thesis defense must be of a higher standing than the defender.
However, there were always exceptions.
"That's why I need your help, Senior. Could you apply as the opponent in your name?"
"Hmm... And on the day of, you want me to pass the baton to my junior?"
"Yes."
According to the rules, if the opponent had to leave for unavoidable reasons, a junior member of the same school could take their place.
"You'll need a reason to pass the baton."
"I've already prepared for that."
I handed him a thick report detailing my research achievements and activities to date.
"How about you go and report on your field trip to Professor Doloren? While you're away, I'll handle all the school's administrative affairs."
"Hmm..."
Giuseppe flipped through the report. Soon after, as if having made a decision, he nodded.
"Indeed, our school has changed a lot since you joined, junior. I should inform the professor as well."
And so, Giuseppe's trip was decided. Thus, I became the opponent for Cayenne's degree thesis defense.
Isaac Upperhills appeared as Cayenne's opponent. The chief professors who had come to observe began to whisper. -"That child is..." -"He's even younger than I thought." A considerable number of the professors gathered here were seeing Isaac for the first time.
This was because from the professor level onwards, they had fewer opportunities to see students from other schools. Therefore, the professors focused on Isaac Upperhills as if they were looking at a mythical creature. Black hair, black eyes.
A straight back and squared shoulders. A noble's confidence could be glimpsed, but his unrefined gait was evidence of his origins.
Upperhills.
An orphan who had the Empire as his parent. The appearance of a new figure was intriguing, but soon a question arose. 'But why is he here?'
Isaac spoke first, explaining the situation.
"Researcher Giuseppe Guarneri had to leave due to an urgent summons from the school head, so I am attending as his representative."
Cayenne and the head of the School of Bloodline Magic made eye contact.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The well-bred blue-bloods could communicate with just a look. This was clearly an unforeseen variable. Therefore, it had to be stopped.
The head of the School of Bloodline Magic asked the head of the School of Sound Magic sitting next to him.
"Is this in accordance with the school regulations?"
"..."
"..."
The head of the School of Sound Magic broke out in a cold sweat. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to state the facts.
"There is no precedent, but it is possible according to the regulations."
The eyes of the head of the School of Bloodline Magic blazed.
"Are you really trying to start something with me?"
"..."
The opponent of a defense is designated as a holder of a higher degree than the defender. However, in unavoidable circumstances, a junior from the same school could take over. Ironically, this was a tactic the School of Bloodline Magic had often used for smooth mutual back-scratching.
What goes around, comes around. The head of the Bloodline Magic School was furious that the head of the Sound Magic School had not taken his side.
"Don't tell me you're protecting that brat just because the Wave Theory came from his hands!"
"I will not tolerate any further insults, Head of the School of Bloodline Magic."
"..."
The head of the School of Sound Magic responded firmly. However, what the head of the Bloodline School said was half-true. The head of the School of Sound Magic was indebted to Isaac.
A hellish task given by the Dean, 'rewriting the university textbooks,' had been resolved by a few of 'Isaac's handwritten letters.' To receive such a favor and not stand by Isaac would make him not a man, but a beast. It was also something that would earn him a harsh scolding if Sir Valerius found out.
Thus, the head of the Sound Magic School had no choice but to make an enemy of the Bloodline School. The head of the School of Sound Magic thought. 'Could it be... he foresaw this and helped me for this very reason?'
The head of the School of Sound Magic felt a chill run down his spine. Isaac cut in between their argument.
"So, am I the opponent or not?"
"..."
"..."
The head of the Bloodline Magic School had no choice but to nod. On the podium, Cayenne's body trembled with rage.
"... Proceed."
At the school head's words, Cayenne began to read his thesis abstract.
"This thesis proves the structural superiority of the 'Ice Golem,' a secret spell of the Winterheart family. The pure mana flowing in our family's bloodline increases the density of the ice crystals, a principle that dramatically enhances the golem's durability..."
Even as he read the abstract, Cayenne kept glancing at Isaac. But fortunately, Isaac showed no signs of making a move. 'Yes, this is right.
The Ice Golem contains the very soul of our family...'
"Just a moment."
Isaac quietly raised his hand.
"That last passage, the part about 'the purity of mana guarantees the strength of the crystal.' Could you repeat that?"
Cayenne scoffed.
"The magic of my family is customarily known to be so. It is a fact that all the professors present here are aware of."
"You should explain what kind of custom it is, citing specific literature. Isn't this a hall of academia?"
"..."
Cayenne, glancing at the other professors, slowly continued his answer.
"That is... according to the thesis by the ancient mage Armand, 'On the Qualitative Traits of Mana'..."
"It has been three years since that thesis was proven to have flaws in its experimental design through cross-research by other schools."
"What did you say?"
Cayenne muttered in confusion, and Isaac let out a small smirk.
"Using informal speech, are we? In a public setting."
"... It was a mistake."
Isaac submitted evidence and spoke.
"Please look at this document. Winterheart's thesis describes cold as a physical substance. However, in reality, coldness is merely 'the absence of heat.'"
Even after reading the document, Cayenne failed to grasp its meaning. He could hear the murmurs of the professors around him. -"Oh... that is certainly true." -"Describing cold as the absence of heat is the current trend, after all." His pride wounded, Cayenne shouted.
"As long as the results are proven, what does the process matter?! Thanks to the techniques of the Winterheart family, cold magic has indeed become more powerful!"
The hall stirred at his cry.
"What does some theory matter?!"
At a glance, it was a valid point. After all, the essence of magic is power. Cayenne pointed at Isaac and said.
"Therefore, I propose a 'Demonstration Defense'!"
A Demonstration Defense is the highlight of a 'thesis defense.' From this point on, the opponent and defender would settle the outcome not with words, but with magic.
Isaac shrugged.
"I accept. Go ahead."
"You son of a bitch...!"
A glint appeared in Cayenne's eyes. He was confident. An orphan who didn't even know his own roots could be brought to his knees before the magic of Winterheart.
Wasn't Isaac the powerhouse who had even captured an underworld mage?
Impossible.
The only reason Isaac was able to capture Malakai was purely due to the dedication of the Capital Guard. Isaac must have just swooped in after the guards had worn him down. With Doloren, Valerius, and even Giuseppe absent now, Isaac was completely isolated.
He could break an arm, feigning it as an accident, and no one would be able to say a thing.
"I will prove the greatness of my family here and now!"
Cayenne spread his hands and began a long incantation.
"Frost giant of the north, answer my blood!"
Mana gushing from his fingertips dyed the magic circle on the floor blue.
"In the name of the moon and ash, the north wind and the west!"
Generally, the longer the incantation, the greater the magic's precision and power. And his incantation continued for a full five minutes.
"Cover the unharvestable red earth and topple the scales!"
"..."
"..."
Yet, Isaac still appeared calm. He wasn't chanting any magic at all. That fact stoked Cayenne's anger.
'So you're going to act like that, are you?
Fine.
You started this.' He secretly channeled mana into a mana stone in his pocket. A treasure that could buy ten houses in the capital was instantly converted into mana.
Using a catalyst in a thesis defense was illegal. But as long as he wasn't caught, it didn't matter.
Whoooosh~!
With the sound of the atmosphere freezing, a massive Ice Golem revealed itself above the magic circle.
"Go! Crush that arrogant man!"
At Cayenne's command, the golem swung its fist at Isaac.
"You madman! Since when does the defender attack!"
"Hey! Dodge!"
Thanks to all the tricks Cayenne had used to enhance it, the golem's speed far exceeded the average. A graze would mean injury, no, death. But despite the professors' shouts, Isaac did not flinch.
Just before the golem's fist reached the tip of his nose. A faint smile brushed across Isaac's lips. That was all.
No incantation, no magic circle, not even a wave of mana was felt.
Drip.
"... Huh?"
The golem's shoulders, legs, arms, and all its other joints collapsed.
Drip, drip.
They had turned into water and flowed away.
"What, what is this!"
While Cayenne was panicking, the bizarre phenomenon did not stop.
Crack! Crash! Thud!
Having lost its limbs, the golem was reduced to a heap of ice and crumbled. It hadn't even lasted for the 'minimum maintenance time' specified in Cayenne's spell design. Magic is a discipline of 'prediction.'
If a prediction is wrong, the price is paid in full by the caster.
Rebound.
"Keuk!"
A gush of dark red blood spewed from Cayenne's mouth. The mana he had inflated using a catalyst turned into a deadly poison, ravaging his entire body.
Thud. Clatter.
Cayenne tumbled off the podium and collapsed at Isaac's feet.
Cayenne muttered.
"How..."
In his hazy consciousness just before passing out, he heard Isaac's voice.
"When pressure and friction increase, a thin layer of water forms on the surface of the ice."
As if reviewing a lesson, Isaac began his explanation.
"Of course, for a normal Ice Golem, that water layer can be ignored. It's thin and hard to heat."
"..."
"But thanks to your family's 'secret method,' the golem became huge and fast, creating excellent weak points at every joint. Thanks to that, I was able to melt them with microwaves."
"..."
"You tried to earn a degree with that kind of magic? You should be ashamed of yourself."
"..."
"Well, I guess you can't hear me anymore."
As he said, Cayenne's consciousness had already faded. A momentary silence fell over the collapsed golem and the unconscious defender.
"..."
"..."
"..."
No one in the hall could fully comprehend Isaac's words. Even the head of the School of Bloodline Magic couldn't say a word. Cayenne's defeat was certain.
It was the head of the School of Sound Magic who broke the silence. He rose from his seat and declared.
"The opponent's argument has been... demonstrated."
"..."
"The thesis defense of the defender, Cayenne Winterheart, is concluded as a failure."
Cayenne Winterheart did not become a master.