During the break, the Magic Tower’s Administrative Office also grows quiet. Of course, there’s still someone on duty. So I handed my paper to today’s person on duty, the master’s graduate, Elara.
[The Relationship Between the Volume and Temperature of a Gas – Regarding the Definition of Absolute Temperature] Elara took my paper and blinked.
"... Isn't it vacation right now?"
"It is."
"Didn't you submit a paper on the operating principles of a magical device just a few days ago?"
"I did."
I kept the suspension, a 100 percent mechanical device, a secret, and only submitted a paper on the high-end version made as a magical device. Looking back, it was a good decision. If this rumor spreads, people will mistakenly think that the suspension they're buying has magic applied to it.
Elara let out a deep sigh.
"Good heavens. What kind of mad mage submits two papers during the break..."
"I didn't know it would turn out like this either."
"Liar."
It’s true...
No one believes in my innocence.
Elara said.
"I can accept it, but it probably won't be reviewed until the semester starts. That's fine, right?"
"Of course."
After my period of confinement, I met Laura for the first time in a while. The meeting place wasn't the school's research lab. We met at a small, two-story house next to Anna’s orphanage.
Laura is more like my personal secretary, and it felt a bit strange to keep seeing her at the lab, so I arranged a separate place. Laura's report began.
"The Upperhills Workshop has started to receive suspension orders in earnest. Calculating just the backlogged orders, we have three years' worth of work piled up."
Three years' worth of work piled up. I wonder if Tobin's shoulders will be okay...? 'A power hammer...
I really need to make one for him.' Anyway, it's good news that they're selling well.
"It seems Her Highness the Princess has made her move properly."
Laura nodded at my words. Laura's report continued after that.
"Also, the establishment of the 'Upperhills Foundation' has been successfully completed."
"That's amazing."
It seems the route to channel the proceeds from Winterheart's mana stone sales to the foundation has been confirmed to be safe.
"For now, it will be operated in cooperation with the territories near the northern magical beast front, providing additional support funds on top of the existing relief funds given to the 'Upperhills'."
"That's incredible."
Laura furrowed her brow.
"You... you don't have to praise me for every single thing I do."
"No, it's just... you're doing a great job."
"Anyway, once the 'Upperhills Foundation's' boarding school is completed, the plan is to shift from simple support to directly protecting and educating the children."
"And the construction is underway?"
"We are still in the process of bidding for a contractor."
"Good."
I carefully reviewed the detailed report, but there were no problems. She's handling everything so well on her own. A professional is truly different.
Once the boarding school is complete, I'll need to hire teachers... Who would be good? Teachers for other subjects can just be hired with money, but magic is a bit tricky.
That's because there are only a few masters in the world capable of teaching magic. 'Who should I pick.' First, Count Ludwig Everglow comes to mind.
He pre-ordered a large number of suspensions when the price wasn't even set, so if I offer him a discount, he might agree to it. If that doesn't work, I could probably make a deal by offering to publish another calculus paper and call on Valerius. 'If all else fails, I guess I'll just do it myself.'
A former corps commander, a current Great Mage, just Isaac.
Let's go.
I said to Laura.
"Oh, right. There's one more thing."
"Please, tell me."
I took a piece of parchment from my coat and handed it to her. It was a list of the Wind Mages I met while serving as an advisor for the exam committee.
"Could you send a copy of the paper I just submitted to everyone on this list?"
A small smile spread across Laura's lips at my request.
"Why are you smiling?"
"Because in the past, I would have felt helpless, wondering when I'd ever finish writing all of this."
True.
Without Excel, I would have had to spend all day writing it out by hand. I made one more request to Laura.
"In the recipient field of the letter, please write the name 'School of Ideal Gas Magic' instead of 'School of Wind Element Magic'."
Laura tilted her head at my words.
"School of Ideal Gas Magic? I've never heard that name before. Is it a typo?"
"No. It's the name of a new school that will be established in the future."
From now on, their magic will no longer rely on the capricious wind. Instead, they will follow the 'ideal gas', which moves according to clear laws and formulas.
"It has changed too much to simply be called Wind Magic anymore. It's about time it became independent."
A few days later, I was in a carriage heading to the Imperial Academy of Magic. It wasn't because I had more duties as an advisor. Today was the day of the Magic Academy's entrance exam, and I was just going to cheer for Anna.
Damn...
The Magic Academy. A name that feels like it's brimming with the vitality of youth. It's on a completely different level from a graduate program.
'Now that I don't get motion sickness, all sorts of strange thoughts are popping into my head...' From the seat next to me, Anna asked.
"What are you thinking so hard about?"
"About stolen youth and passion."
"... Huh?"
Hans, sitting in the front seat, chuckled and said to Anna.
"He must be remembering the old days."
"What does that mean?"
"Anna, your brother pretends to be so nice now, but he used to be a wary little hedgehog."
"Oh."
Anna's eyes lit up. I said to Hans.
"Hans... don't say unnecessary things."
"Ahem."
I didn't really want to talk about the days right after I was transmigrated in front of Anna. I cut the conversation short, but Anna was already looking at me with great interest. I smoothly changed the subject.
"By the way, Hans, why did you come along? Is the mercenary corps on a break today?"
"Huh? Didn't I tell you why?"
I met Hans's eyes without a word. I used Telepathy on him. -'Hans, are you going to keep this up?'
"Ugh...!"
Hans clutched his head in pain from the Telepathy. Serves him right. I asked him again.
"So, why are you here?"
"There's a guy in our mercenary corps who saved up tuition money to go to the academy. I'm here to cheer him on."
"I see."
Fortunately, Hans's story seemed to have caught Anna's interest.
She asked.
"Do grown-ups go to the academy too?"
"Of course."
The Magic Academy is a place where anyone with talent can challenge themselves, regardless of age or status. Of course, 'challenge' is all they can do. If you don't have money, you can get kicked out midway.
If you have a lot of money, admission by donation is also possible. Therefore, if you're not confident you can get a scholarship, commoners have to save money for quite a long time before attempting to enroll. Just like Hans's mercenary.
At times like these, I find 'my body' truly fascinating. What kind of life did the original Isaac live before I possessed him to have been able to save money? I said to Anna.
"Most of the kids your age are probably nobles, nine times out of ten."
"... Are they all admitted by donation?"
"Not necessarily. Among them, there will be kids who have received rigorous magic education from a young age."
"I see."
Anna was lost in thought for a moment.
"Are you worried?"
"No. I just have to do as you taught me, right?"
There wasn't a hint of anxiety in Anna's voice. Is she acting?
"Even if I'm an advisor for the entrance exam, there won't be any special treatment."
"I know."
Anna grinned.
"I just have to go prove it, right? Whose little sister I am."
Pfft.
A laugh escaped me. 'She's not acting.' Even if she messes up the exam and has to get in through a donation, it doesn't matter at all, so I hope she can always smile like this.
That way, she'll be able to happily endure being in our lab.
"We're almost there, sir."
I looked up at the coachman's words. As the carriage passed the crest of the hill, the entire view of the Magic Academy spread out before my eyes. Several spires and the sky bridges connecting them.
The quaint stone buildings were reflected on the surface of a vast lake, creating a fantastical scene.
"Wow..."
"I'd heard rumors, but I never imagined it would be like this."
Gasps of admiration escaped from both Anna and Hans at the same time. But to me, the design was somehow familiar. 'Isn't this Hog-warts?'
After arriving at the Magic Academy, we parted ways with Hans.
"Well then, see you after the exam, sir!"
"Yes. Goodbye."
I walked side by side with Anna across the campus. Anna asked me.
"Did you study at a place like this too, brother?"
"... My body seems to have, but I haven't." "Huh?"
There was nothing more I could say. What would it have been like to experience academy life in a place like this? 'Even if I had enrolled, I probably would have just studied, right?'
This isn't sour grapes. I really have a feeling that's what would have happened. In fact, isn't the current Magic Tower perfect for a nerd like me?
No. Let's not think such horrifying thoughts.
"Hmm? Is something wrong, brother?"
"No. It's nothing."
The area around the examination hall was bustling with a crowd. There were all sorts of people, from children Anna's age to white-haired, older students. We headed to the registration desk to sign in the examinee.
"What is the examinee's name?"
"Anna Upperhills."
The staff member was writing down Anna's name, but looked up upon hearing the surname 'Upperhills'. His gaze passed over Anna and landed on me.
"This way, please. Here are the instructions for examinees."
The staff member handed me a thick guidebook as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Since Upperhills is a commoner name, he must have thought there was no way a young child like Anna would be taking the exam. I corrected the misunderstanding by handing the papers to Anna.
"The examinee is not me, but this child."
"What? But the name is Upperhills?"
"Yes."
"... I understand."
Anna silently accepted the papers. She didn't seem to be in a bad mood. After finishing the registration, on the way to the examination hall, I asked.
"Were you not offended? Not all commoners come to the academy when they're older. That's subtle discrimination, you know."
"Well, it happens. It's not like he did it on purpose."
"Oh."
"It's hard to live as an orphan if you worry about every little thing like that."
It was a mature answer, unbefitting of a child. Which is why it bothered me a little. I said to Anna.
"You don't have to put up with it anymore. I can handle most problems."
"Thank you for saying that."
Anna smiled shyly and headed towards the examination hall.
"Alright then. I'll go slaughter them all."
"... Who taught you to say things like that?"
"Hans."
"That Hans, I swear..."