Two weeks have passed since the carrot was dangled in front of Fiolen, and three days were left until the competition at Maelka Dungeon.
Even though it was early morning, I couldn't sleep and had to patrol the academy.
I didn't expect the damn faculty would even ask me to patrol at dawn for the safety of the students.
< The current world's time dilation is…2.7021x >
Looking at the message that appeared in my mind, my worry was for nothing.
Time flies 2.7 times faster here than on Earth.
In other words, ten days on Earth is almost four weeks here.
I've been here for six weeks.
I've spent more time than I thought, but it doesn't really matter.
I don't even have a guild to report to anyways.
Ever since I first held a gun at the age of 14, no one has waited for me to return.
Rather, right now the priority is dealing with Fiolen.
Fiolen, who is treated like the academy's ace, can't be killed by normal means.
I have to thoroughly and flawlessly destroy the power and image Fiolen has.
Maelka Dungeon.
Yeah, it's good that I have information on the future.
But beyond that, I can't think of any good ways to use it.
At best, I'll just do better than Fiolen in the Maelka Dungeon.
'Well, there are many chapters. Should I aim for the next chapter instead?'
I was absentmindedly walking in the hallway thinking when I suddenly sensed something somewhere.
Unknown that might have gone unnoticed before.
But now that I have the sixth sense skill, I can clearly feel it.
'Reading Room?'
During this time, all areas like the reading rooms, the libraries and the study rooms were closed.
I thought something must be going on, so I slowly opened the door and walked inside.
What is this?
Araceli, with bloodshot eyes, was looking at something.
"Uh…Professor?"
"What are you doing here?"
"T-that. I'm sorry. I have a symposium coming up."
"…"
What's a symposium?
< Interpretation: An academic forum where students must present their own magic findings every quarter. >
Ah, I see.
"But it's curfew now."
"…Yes. I'm sorry."
"Go back."
I said roughly, but then Araceli hesitated and slowly spoke.
"But…"
"…?"
"If I don't do this, I'm going to be ruined at the symposium again. This time, I…I don't want to have to endure it."
"Hm."
Desperation in one's eyes.
I thought I knew that look well, but honestly I'm not sure.
Unlike me who had always been defeated and was used to losing, this child had just entered the path of a loser after walking the path of a winner.
But in the end, the result was the same.
Just like me at one point, this child must be struggling to get out from being a loser.
She looked me in the eyes and spoke.
"Actually, I'm not confident."
"…"
"No matter what. I can't beat Fiolen. I know this. I'm far more lacking."
You're wrong.
"But…If I don't do this, I won't have the confidence to learn magic anymore."
Even if I lose, let's lose doing my best.
That's what Araceli thought after resigning herself to losing, but she was still determined.
I deeply sighed.
Even so, I can't make an exception.
That's all, it's troublesome.
There are a lot of things to think about right now, so I couldn't be held up by a single student.
So, the moment I was going to tell her to go back.
Looking at the thesis on the table, a message appeared in my mind.
< The thesis written by Araceli will be completed in six months. >
'Uh…?'
I approached Araceli and took her thesis involuntarily.
There was a magic formula written on the thesis and translucent formulas overlapping it appeared in my mind
'What is this…?'
The theses from the present and future Araceli were overlapping each other.
I've never seen something like this before.
One possibility came to mind.
'No way, was this because of Fiolen's interference?'
Unlike the regressor, I could see the future any time.
I could see the overlaps by comparing the original timeline with the current timeline the protagonist has interfered with.
So unless it's related to Fiolen, the theses from the future would not overlap with the current one.
'The future has changed.'
Originally, it was a thesis that would have been published half half a year from now, but Fiolen pushed so hard that Araceli eventually moved ahead with her future.
'Hold on, this…?
The other day, when Lee Yeonjun was in a crisis he suddenly acquired a skill.
That's because the world was correcting Lee Yeonjun's misfortune.
But Lee Yeon-jun was the protagonist, not a supporting character.
Particularly, in the case of regression, skills were not given without a cost.
In the first place, the word 'regression' itself is improbable, so there must be some restrictions to it.
'Hey. Client.'
< Yes. >
'What happens if a regressor is in a crisis or face a loss?'
< The regressor's future chapters will change into chapters that could be overcome, or their future losses will be minimized or erased. >
Wow.
So it's like that.
I was convinced upon hearing the Client's answer.
Araceli can be used.
I slowly looked over her thesis.
It's like 'spotting the difference.'
"Here."
"Y-yes?"
She was startled when I pointed my finger to a part of the formula on the thesis.
"Can you see what's wrong with this shape?"
The future Araceli drew a triangle, while the current Araceli drew a circle.
That's at most what I could understand.
I don't know what any of this is since I am a total stranger to magic.
However, Araceli who is a genius had a shocked expression and realized something the moment I made such a comment.
"Ah…!"
"And this. And this and this."
Araceli who had a sullen look for awhile hurriedly took out her pen and began checking the things I pointed out.
Her appearance was haggard.
However, since she had a lot of worries it was only normal that fatigue followed.
Somehow Araceli looked happy as if she's flying.
"When did you start studying this?"
"Ah…before I entered the academy."
Replied Araceli meekly, feeling ashamed that she hadn't completed one of these theses given such a long time.
I didn't care about that, so I continued asking about this and that.
It was incomprehensible to me, but it didn't matter because she understood the important points.
Things that even the regressor didn't know.
I handed Araceli a recorder.
A cheap recorder called a 'mysterious wand with light' by the students.
"Take it, go to your room and study quietly."
"…Ah! T-thank you."
I don't need it right now, but Araceli will need it.
It was the last thing she said before leaving, but I didn't bother to look back at her.
I was using Araceli, so I didn't deserve to look her in the eyes.
Time passed quickly, it's now the day of the academic debate.
1st year freshmen present their own thesis at a gathering of faculty members.
Since it's a prestigious magic academy, they must show what they've learned since entering the academy.
Here, twenty years ago, Fiolen did not write a thesis.
As a commoner, he barely managed to enter the academy's doors, and Fiolen only had about a month worth of knowledge compared to other students who already received an early education.
Now, it was different.
It is because Fiolen has countless knowledge from the future, and most importantly, Araceli's thesis 'Waveform 4th Equation,' which is scheduled to become a hot topic half a year later, was now in his hands.
There's no hurdle.
Again this time, he just needs to prove his 'genius' and undermine Araceli's upcoming thesis.
Just like this, if he keeps doing it.
'That woman who thoroughly destroyed my self esteem, this time I will…'
However.
There's a problem.
"There will be an announcement by freshman Araceli."
[Waveform 4th Equation]
Looking at the message that rose in the air by magic, Fiolen unconsciously widened his eyes.
'How come…?'
Obviously, Araceli from the original future had published a thesis.
It was also great, but from Fiolen's perspective, who had knowledge of the future, the thesis was nothing but sloppy.
'I've been working very hard to defeat Araceli.'
'No, that's not the point!'
With cold sweat, Fiolen scrunched the paper in his hand.
It's because he also brought a thesis on the same topic.
'What should I do?'
In such a scenario, it was advantageous to be the first to present it.
Araceli's presentation was also logical and neat, and her voice naturally carried a charm that sways people.
"Thank you."
Clap clap clap!
When she finished her presentation, the faculty gave out a series of exclamations.
It was truly a great thesis.
"…Next, Fiolen."
'What should I do…'
"Fiolen?"
"…Yes."
It was too late.
He brought the same thesis as Araceli, and had to present it.
'Will I not present here like the past?'
No.
It's too early in his academy life, and he doesn't want to experience being insulted by everyone for failing to make a presentation at the first symposium.
Above all, he didn't want to lose to Araceli anymore.
So.
He decided.
"Concerning Araceli's thesis, I raise the suspicion of plagiarism."
That one sentence from Fiolen caused a commotion in the hall.
The principal raised his hand, then everyone quieted down.
Raising suspicion of plagiarism.
It was a shame that didn't fit the image of the elite academy, but it did happen once or twice a year.
So if these suspicions were raised it had to be proven on the spot until it was resolved.
Who plagiarized who.
The faculty looked around the hall with interest.
They've seen it a few times before, but this time, it was Araceli, the top admitted student, and Fiolen, the highest recorded mana power.
Wasn't this really exciting?
"Before raising allegations of plagiarism, is the freshman Fiolen confident it is your own work?"
"Of course, it's definitely my thesis."
"I see. When did you write this thesis?"
"I've been writing it ever since I entered the academy. And I can prove it."
"Present your proof."
In the magical world, a thesis begins with the perfect understanding of the formula.
No amount of plagiarism could completely explain all the dozens or hundreds of formulas that went into it.
So, as a way to solve the suspicion of plagiarism, a 'who can explain their thesis better?' check was done.
Fiolen was confident regarding this.
No matter what Araceli's explanation was, Fiolen has the knowledge of the future.
He can just add a few university-level formulas to make it look more efficient and complete.
Fiolen, who came forward, smoothly wrote down formulas on the blackboard in the air with no tension at all, then exclamations erupted among the faculty.
Formulas that even the 2nd year students don't understand.
It was the same with Araceli who became paler and paler.
Soon, a commotion broke out in the hall when Fiolen completed a more efficient formula that was completely different from Araceli.
"What. Don't tell me Miss Araceli plagiarized…?"
"I can't believe it. It's more efficient. It's obvious…"
Obviously, Araceli must have plagiarized.
They had no choice but to believe so.
Fiolen was enjoying the atmosphere with his eyes closed.
The thrill you feel when you step on a genius from above!
Exhilarating!
It was an intense pleasure incomparable to anything.
So, when Fiolen was about to enjoy the triumph of victory.
"Principal. May I say a word?"
The guest professor of combat magic opened his mouth.
Different from Fiolen's slow reaction because he was basking in his moment, the principal nodded.
Because the opinions of every faculty here were important.
Seodam, who had obtained permission, slowly rose from his seat, looked at Fiolen, and then spoke.
"First, I'd like to congratulate you, freshman Fiolen, on your equation. It's a very clean thesis."
"Thank y-"
"However."
It was my first and last praise.
It was simply to show the audience my politeness.
Now that I've gotten their attention, it's time to push.
"There's one thing that's a little strange…"
Seodam, slowly looking into Fiolen's eyes, asked.
"Freshman Fiolen. Whose formula did you reference in the 17th section, 'Octal Fractionation Parameter?'
"Huh?"
He didn't expect such a question, so Fiolen was flustered for a moment, but soon cleared his throat and spoke.
"This… My hobby is reading thesis papers. You can't remember every book you've read either, right?"
Yes.
It was nothing.
You just have to flip it around.
"That's strange."
Yoo Seodam tilted his head.
"Octal Fractionation Parameter…I'm sure it's the first formula Araceli wrote on her entrance exam."
Then.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall fell.
Fiolen, too, quivered his lips with a puzzled look.
Regressors have future information.
However, they don't know everything.
Seodam is able to grasp the information of the world in the original and second timeline simultaneously, and was able to catch a regressor's gaps in knowledge.
Just a little piece of evidence that's really nothing.
But the little evidence was so obvious that it left Fiolen speechless.
The principal slowly turned his head.
From Yoo Seodam, to Araceli, and then Fiolen.
What felt like eternity, after 30 seconds passed.
The principal slowly opened his mouth.
"Freshman Fiolen. I'm sure you've written this thesis after entering the academy. But, can you tell me the reason why the formula freshman Araceli wrote during the entrance exam, a formula that only the faculty should be aware of, is in your thesis?"
At the question, Fiolen clenched his fists and teeth.
He has to come up with an excuse somehow.
He has to say something.
However, the regressor did not expect such a situation.
The criminal, a fake genius, could do nothing in this unexpected situation.
As a result, there was only one answer Fiolen could give.
"…No, I can't."
As if waiting for him, the principal with a determined voice, spoke.
"We will now hold a disciplinary committee regarding plagiarism against freshman Fiolen."
At the same time, Araceli collapsed to the floor.
"Haha…"
She didn't give up.
She proved her efforts to the professor.
And, for the first time, was able to triumph over Fiolen.
Araceli, who couldn't control her overwhelming emotions, shed tears without realizing it.
And with that.
[A crisis has been detected for the protagonist Fiolen.]
[The target Yoo Seodam has been designated as a villain.]
[Chapter Maelka Dungeon's Hell Beast (3) will now be hostile towards the villain.]
The future has changed.