I’m Not Becoming a Graduate Student! – Chapter 16

“If you have any questions about the class, please feel free to ask.”

Professor Ronda Magret said while looking at Sion, who had also come up to the platform.

‘Maybe it’s better to just be honest… right?’

I glanced sideways and felt the intense gazes of the Magic Department students upon me.

Saying now, “Oh, I was just being curious,” would be problematic in its own way.

Being labeled as someone who made a fool of themselves in class would definitely tank Sion’s reputation, and it would certainly leave a bad impression on the professor.

‘Still, this isn’t quite right.’

Even if I didn’t want to be a graduate student, I didn’t want to ruin my college life.

I wanted to continue my daily life, which included partying to tackle dungeons with students I randomly met at the Adventurer’s Guild and casually having meals with Geivolg and Patrick.

“I think that the definition given by the practitioners of practical magic that the professor explained earlier is…”

Speaking clearly and slowly to avoid stammering.

Having some experience presenting opinions as a grad student, it wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

“So, what Sion is saying is that chanting is merely a ‘demonstration’ of magic?”

“Yes, that’s right. While chanting is indeed a legacy left by great senior wizards, I believe we should not be trapped by it.”

“Well then, show us.”

“…What? Show what?”

Professor Ronda Magret smiled.

It wasn’t a smile born out of being happy but rather a ridiculously cold smirk.

Faced with that, Sion couldn’t help but shrink back.

“Sion, can you use the 1st Circle non-elemental magic ‘Barrier’?”

“…No.”

Murmurs arose.

The classroom became noisy with Sion’s response.

The sharp remarks from the students jabbed at Sion’s ears.

“You can’t even do 1st Circle non-elemental magic?”

“No family name, huh? Just some nobody who bought their way in.”

“If that’s how you got in, just keep your head down and don’t make a fuss…”

“What about that spirit contract? Just luck, right?”

“Seems like it. 1st Circle non-elemental magic is supposed to be the first thing learned when learning magic… ugh.”

Dismissive, belittling, and disparaging comments.

Sion’s expression turned stiff.

Memories of the trauma from school days when people talked behind his back resurfaced.

“Everyone, quiet down.”

When Professor Ronda said that, the classroom instantly fell silent as if nothing had happened.

She approached Sion.

“If you don’t know it, I’ll teach you how to cast the Barrier magic. Repeat after me… ‘My intangible magical power, manifest before me and protect me from my enemies.’”

Zzzz!

A small barrier formed in front of Professor Ronda Magret’s palm.

It wasn’t easily visible, like a clear glass window, but if you looked closely, you could see it.

It was the manifestation of the 1st Circle non-elemental magic, Barrier.

“Repeat after me, Sion.”

“…….”

“Is the incantation difficult? I can write it on the blackboard for you.”

Professor Ronda Magret smiled.

It was the same cynical smirk as before. I understood now.

Her smile only appeared when mocking or belittling others.

Ignoring her words, Sion memorized the incantation.

“…My intangible magical power, manifest before me and protect me from my enemies.”

Zzzz!

The magic power from Sion’s heart flowed through his right arm into his right hand.

The result was a barrier that looked just like Professor Ronda Magret’s.

It felt slightly different from elemental magic, making Sion feel a sense of alienation.

‘…Is the method of transmission different? It feels strange.’

Elemental magic allowed for switching to a different element through imagination midway.

But with non-elemental magic, that thought clung strongly to him.

What was different about it?

What could be changed in the middle?

The speed of the barrier’s manifestation? Size? Thickness? Hardness?

“All right, if what Sion said is true, then that means you can now use magic without incantation… and freely modify it.”

“…Yes, that’s correct. But I still need time…”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you that much time. Other students are waiting, you know.”

Ronda pointed to the students sitting in their seats.

They all had looks that seemed to say, “What’s this guy doing?” and their gazes were directed at Sion.

‘…I can do this. There isn’t much time, but…’

Sion put his left hand in his pocket.

While it might seem like a delinquent posture at a glance, there was a reason for it.

Barriers were constantly forming and disappearing from his left hand.

It felt like his brain was burning.

His heart, filled with an endless supply of magic power, was pounding, and his left arm tingled.

The focus stretched to its limit analyzed all the pain and trial and error.

“I’m going to lightly throw some Water magic at Sion. It’s 1st Circle water elemental magic. Sion, just use a barrier to easily block it. It shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

“…Understood.”

“Great… Water of the primordial.”

Vwww!

Professor Ronda Magret began her incantation.

If he failed to deploy the barrier in time, he would end up soaked like a drowned rat.

“Shouldn’t someone stop that?”

“Let it be; it looks amusing.”

“Yeah, who’s asking for this? The professor seems angry too.”

“Getting in trouble for disrupting class like this is way too much.”

“What’s she thinking of the Byzantium Academy?”

“It’s not going to splash or what—”

The students’ chatter made Sion’s ears ring.

But soon all sounds were drowned out.

All he could see were his right hand and Professor Ronda Magret, who was still producing water while chanting.

‘I can do this.’

Murmuring to himself, Sion narrowed his eyes.

A massive amount of mana surged from his heart.

He forced that excess mana through his right hand to use 1st Circle magic.

“…Reveal your form here.”

Professor Ronda Magret’s incantation finished.

A water ball, about the size of a fist, formed on her palm.

She lightly tossed it toward Sion.

The water ball flew in a parabolic arc.

If it continued on its path, it would hit Sion’s head, soaking him from head to toe.

That is, as long as nothing got in its way.

“…Barrier.”

There was no incantation. He simply whispered the name of the magic.

Yet magic power concentrated in his hand.

“…What?”

Professor Ronda Magret’s eyes widened.

*

During the second week’s class, Ronda Magret was convinced.

‘So that’s what a commoner is like.’

The second week of the academy where proper classes began.

Different from the first week, where they barely did anything or only held short orientation sessions.

Sion’s expression stiffened as lectures went on for two to three hours without breaks.

He even tilted his head in confusion, as if he didn’t understand what she was saying.

‘Did he fail to grasp the most important point? So commoners are like this…’

All that had come before was merely buildup for the present moment.

The modern definition of magic only recognized the definitions set by the practitioners of practical magic.

The definition of magic they had set was as follows.

Magic is the act of drawing forth a person’s magical power through incantation to produce a certain result.

The process of a wizard invoking magic always required an incantation, except in special cases like magical tools or magic circles. This was a universally accepted truth that any wizard would agree on.

Yet, for some reason, that commoner seemed to question the validity of her lesson.

He even seemed to twitch his hand, as if he wanted to ask something.

‘Ridiculous.’

Professor Ronda Magret was also one of the practitioners of practical magic.

A question at the student level could easily be dismissed.

“Sion, do you have a question?”

Ronda Magret pointedly asked Sion.

The reason she chose him was clear.

It was because she had felt ridiculous for thinking of that commoner as something like the top student of the academy during the first week’s orientation.

Sure enough, he seemed dazed, staring into space.

Even though the professor called out to him, there was no sign of comprehension.

It proved that he was not concentrating on the class at all.

It wasn’t until a student sitting next to him nudged him that Sion regained his senses and looked at Professor Ronda Magret.

“…Sion, I’ll ask again. Please explain why you were tilting your head. Do you have something you’re curious about? If you have a question, speak it out. Come up to the platform.”

Professor Ronda Magret called Sion to the platform.

His shy demeanor, a small frame, and… a somewhat decent face for a commoner.

She felt like she had completely lost her composure for thinking highly of such a commoner.

When Sion reached the front of the platform, he finally voiced his opinion.

‘Well, he has some thoughts. Reckless, but…’

That the incantation was merely a tool; something only seniors from the past would say.

He wasn’t any different from those who couldn’t accept the new concept of incantation.

To such students, showing once is far more effective than explaining ten times.

She came up with a cunning plan.

One that would surely present a special experience not easily forgotten throughout their academy life.

“I’m going to lightly throw some Water magic at Sion. It’s 1st Circle water elemental magic. Sion, easy block it with a barrier. Shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

“…Understood.”

“Great… Water of the primordial.”

Thinking this would be a sufficient punishment for Sion, who wasn’t focused in class, she prepared the incantation.

He had only just learned how to use the protective barrier magic.

Using magic freely that he had just learned would be virtually impossible.

As she finished her chant, a water ball the size of a fist was generated in her hand.

Though small, it was large enough to cause embarrassment if it burst.

Even if he wanted to back out now, it didn’t seem like he was considering it.

‘…Why is he standing there with such a serious face?’

The expression of Sion, who she absentmindedly looked at, was devoid of emotion.

He was openly displaying his right hand, staring at it intently.

…His unwavering gaze appeared as if he was truly set on achieving something.

Ronda’s eyes trembled at the sight.

‘That can’t be possible. It’s impossible.’

This was magic he had just learned that very day.

What’s more, Professor Ronda hadn’t given him proper practice time for fear of wasting time.

Yet now he claims he can use magic without so much as an incantation?

Even geniuses couldn’t pull off something like that.

Ronda re-centered her determination.

At last, she threw the water from her hand—

“…Barrier.”

There was no incantation, just muttering the name of the magic.

But magic power began to condense in his hand.

Zzzz!!

A barrier unfurled from Sion’s palm.

“…What?”

Professor Ronda Magret’s eyes widened.

He truly succeeded in casting barrier magic without an incantation.

And that wasn’t all.

‘This isn’t just an ordinary barrier…’

The speed of Sion’s casting far exceeded that of Ronda Magret’s demonstration.

Its size, too, was not just enough to cover his palm but that of an adult man’s height.

He was freely shaping the barrier.

Without stopping, Sion confidently extended his palm forward.

Whoosh!

The barrier shot forward at high speed.

Rather than being fixed, it was pushed ahead.

The fist-sized water ball flying toward Sion and the enormous shield flying toward Ronda.

What would happen if the two collided?

The answer was—

“…Hiiyaaaak!!”

Splaaash!

…‘The water colliding with the barrier splatters all over Ronda Magret’.

Professor Ronda Magret, screaming like a bird, jumped back.

Though it was just the size of a fist, she ended up drenched from head to toe due to the impact.

She was shaking from the sudden splash of water…

“………….”

“………….”

“………….”

All the students who witnessed the scene in the classroom were left speechless.