Hearing the sudden, crisp voice, Dean Bruce froze in place, filled with confusion.
Was he hallucinating?
"Ding!"
As if responding to Dean Bruce's unspoken question, this time, not only did the voice ring out again, but a line of text also appeared before his eyes.
"System Notice: The host must make a decision soon. Do you wish to activate the Supreme Mage System?"
Dean Bruce's pupils contracted sharply, and a wave of elation surged through him. As a modern youth from Earth, he was naturally familiar with what a system was!
System, can you make me a Supreme Mage? Like the ones in movies? Dean Bruce quickly asked in his mind.
"Ding!"
"System Notice: You will be even stronger than the Supreme Mages in your understanding! Activation countdown: 5... 4..."
Seeing this prompt, Dean Bruce immediately chose to activate the system.
"Ding!"
"System Notice: Congratulations to the host for successfully activating the Supreme Mage System. When the host takes on apprentices or teaches students, as long as they learn magic, you will receive rewards!"
"Not only that, but the host will also gain ten times the comprehension and power of the magic learned by your apprentices and students!"
In an instant, Dean Bruce's breath quickened.
The rewards were too generous!
Notting Primary Magic Academy had over a thousand students, all of whom were technically his students. Plus, there were numerous instructors as well. How could they not learn magic?
Wouldn't that mean the system would shower him with rewards?
"Ding!"
"System Notice: The knowledge imparted by the host must enable the students to comprehend magic in order to receive rewards!"
Upon seeing this prompt, Dean Bruce's smile faltered.
With this limitation, the difficulty had just skyrocketed.
He knew nothing about this world's magic system—how was he supposed to teach anyone?
Earlier, he had bluffed Joan Michelle because he had never intended to actually teach her; he was just after the Dragonheart Pendant!
Teaching the other students magic and earning rewards would require careful consideration.
[Forget it, no point in overthinking. When the time comes, things will work out! Even if I have to bluff, I need to come up with a decent system to get Joan off my back first!]
With that thought, Dean Bruce smiled warmly at Joan Michelle and asked softly, "Since you want me to teach you magic, I need to assess your talent first."
"You... you can assess someone's talent?" Joan Michelle gasped in surprise at Dean Bruce's words. "My God, even the headmaster of the academy can't assess others' talents without using special tools!"
In an instant, Joan Michelle's gaze toward Dean Bruce was filled with admiration.
Feeling the intensity of her gaze, Dean Bruce almost faltered, thinking to himself, [I hope she keeps overestimating me like this; it'll reduce the chances of me getting caught!]
While these thoughts raced through his mind, Dean Bruce maintained a composed exterior and asked, "Do you know what magic really is?"
"What is magic?" Joan Michelle echoed, puzzled. "Why are you asking that? It's the first thing they teach in the academy's introductory class!"
"Magic is simply a mystical force, isn't it? It's about using methods beyond normal comprehension to harness the elemental powers of the world and achieve your goals!"
Joan Michelle continued enthusiastically, "When those forces are gathered and manifest in the world, that's when magic is complete."
Dean Bruce's interest piqued, So, that's how this world's magic system works…
Noticing Dean Bruce's silence, Joan Michelle began to panic, "Did I say something wrong?"
It was clear that Dean Bruce's earlier use of gunpowder to blow up the wild boar had genuinely startled Joan Michelle, leading her to fully believe that Dean was a master of high-tier magic.
"That's just your understanding of magic; it's neither right nor wrong," Dean Bruce, who had been a content creator before his transmigration, naturally knew how to play on people's psychology. He smiled and said, "Actually, the essence of magic lies in a person's understanding of nature, the universe, and the mind."
Joan Michelle's eyes widened in surprise. "Magic has no right or wrong?"
Seeing Dean Bruce nod, Joan Michelle was utterly shocked. It was the first time she had heard anyone speak of magic this way!
[No wonder he can wield high-tier magic at such a young age. His philosophical understanding is far beyond mine!]
Determined not to miss this rare opportunity, Joan Michelle resolved to study diligently under Dean Bruce.
She had staked everything on this chance!
"Naturally," Dean Bruce continued, "God said, 'Let there be light,' and thus light was created, banishing the darkness."
"Is that sudden manifestation of light not a form of magic?"
"Magic is you; it is the caster's understanding of this world, of nature, of all things in the heavens and earth!"
At this point, Dean Bruce quickly changed the subject, giving Joan Michelle no time to ponder his words. "Do you know how many types of magic exist in this world?"
Dean Bruce had no choice—his previous statements were all nonsense, and he couldn't let her dwell on them!
"The types of magic?" Joan Michelle's attention was successfully diverted, and she answered, "My previous instructors taught that there are natural magic and ritual magic."
Hearing those two familiar terms, Dean Bruce's eyes lit up. This setup was something he recognized!
That would make bluffing much easier!
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as Dean Bruce nodded and said, "You're not wrong, but that explanation is a bit too simplistic."
"Ritual magic requires the construction of a magic circle, communication with deities, and the offering of sacrifices to obtain the power you desire!" Dean Bruce's voice grew deeper. "But if I only construct a magic circle to gather mana and form a giant of pure magical energy, is that ritual magic or natural magic?"
Joan Michelle was stunned, left speechless, unsure of how to respond.
Seizing the opportunity, Dean Bruce continued, "If I draw upon the fire elements in the world to create a fireball, then use it as a conduit to pray to the fire god for its burning power, is that natural magic or ritual magic?"
Hearing this, Joan Michelle was filled with admiration. Despite still being partially undressed, she stood up and gave Dean Bruce a deep, respectful bow.
Straightening herself, Joan Michelle earnestly asked, "Then how many types of magic are there?"
Dean Bruce sighed and shook his head, "You've disappointed me. I just explained that magic is your understanding of this world, of the universe, and you completely missed the point!"
Joan Michelle was utterly shocked. What had she misunderstood?
Feigning exasperation, Dean Bruce said, "The question I asked earlier was flawed from the start. I only wanted to test if you had grasped the teachings."
After a pause, Dean Bruce continued, "The types of magic are endless! There's necromancy, which involves communicating with the dead; dark magic, which curses others; ritual magic, which draws power from deities; and shaping magic, which molds physical forms from energy..."
The more he spoke, the more far-fetched it became. Dean Bruce practically listed every magical system he had ever seen in novels and anime. Joan Michelle listened in rapt attention, her entire body trembling with excitement.
"You... you truly are a master!" Joan Michelle suddenly dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead against Dean Bruce's feet, her voice trembling with reverence. "To know so many kinds of magic—what level have you reached? Serving you is my greatest honor!"
Overwhelmed by the flood of information, Joan Michelle had begun to see Dean Bruce as a divine being.
Noticing her mental state, Dean Bruce finally let out a sigh of relief.
He had successfully bluffed his way through!
Now, he could casually teach her a few nonsense spells and let her experiment on her own.
When the agreed-upon time came and she failed to master any high-tier magic, the matter would naturally end.
And the Dragonheart Pendant would still be his!
If by some miracle she succeeded?
Even better—the system would trigger rewards. It was a win-win situation, no matter what!
With this thought, a bright smile spread across Dean Bruce's face as an idea formed in his mind.
Not just Joan Michelle, but he could also bluff the other students.
If they didn't succeed, it would just be a fun story for him. If they did, he'd receive system rewards—either way, he couldn't lose!