To be precise, it wasn't exactly the same as the math workbooks I used in elementary school.
The formulas were much longer and more complex than anything from those days.
Additionally, there were new symbols I had never seen before.
Even so, I couldn't help but think of it as a math workbook because the problems were simple, straightforward calculations that didn't require much critical thinking.
"These are fundamental mana formulas designed to help you utilize your mana more effectively. If you master solving these formulas, you'll be able to cast any basic magic quickly," said Professor Drehos.
The students who had received the textbook all looked utterly disheartened by its contents.
Ignoring their despair, Professor Drehos continued,
"This workbook contains all the problems you must complete by the end of the semester. Today, we'll only work on examples of basic formulas in class. The rest will be assigned as homework. You'll solve them on your own."
So it really was a math workbook.
Back in the day, various workbooks were often assigned as homework. And if I didn't finish it, I'd conveniently "forget" to bring it to school. Saying, "I forgot it at home," sounded like a better excuse than, "I didn't do it."
Judging by the groans around me, some students would probably start doing the same this semester.
"You'll notice some unfamiliar symbols in the workbook. These symbols aren't ordinary arithmetic symbols but are specific to the world of mana. I'll now explain their meanings."
With that, Professor Drehos began writing on the blackboard, filling it with large characters.
Since the lecture hall was so large, he had to write big for the students in the back to see clearly. The large writing did make it easier to follow.
Surprisingly, his explanations were simple.
The symbols represented things like transformations of mana properties, inversions, or phase shifts—concepts that applied only in the world of magic. While they might seem difficult for ordinary people, those who could sense mana found them fairly intuitive.
"This symbol here is the dimensional converter. By using it, you can transform your mana into energy from another dimension. Most summoning spells rely heavily on this converter, so if you're interested in summoning magic, make sure to remember it well."
Professor Drehos continued his lecture.
Glancing around, I saw students' eyes spinning in confusion. It seemed they hadn't expected magic class to be like this.
I feel the same.
I hadn't expected this either.
I thought magic school lessons would involve holding wands and chanting spells. I didn't think there would be theoretical lectures like this.
"Ugh. Do you understand any of this, Noah?" Rudy asked.
"Yeah, it's not too hard," I replied.
"You understand this?"
Understand? That wasn't the right question, Rudy.
"You just memorize it."
"..."
That's how symbols work.
In mathematics, symbols are simply agreements. Once it's decided that "this symbol represents this," you just use it that way. There's no need to question why or how. As long as you memorize the methods, using symbols is straightforward.
Soon, Professor Drehos finished writing on the board and addressed the students.
"That concludes the explanation. Any questions?"
Most of the students looked dazed.
Since I didn't have any questions, I stayed silent. But then, someone raised their hand.
"You there. Go ahead."
"I don't understand why this particular formula changes like this," the student said, pointing to a section on the blackboard.
The student appeared to be a commoner or a servant, judging by his plain attire. His desk was covered with neatly arranged notes and a quill, suggesting he was diligently following the lecture.
Professor Drehos adjusted his monocle with a finger and looked at the student with narrowed eyes.
"An ignorant question, but an excellent one nonetheless."
Ignorant but excellent? What did he mean by that?
"In the realm of mana formulas, there is no 'why.' Mages simply discover the laws governing the world of mana and assign symbols to those laws. That's all. There's no inherent reason. Your role is to simply learn and apply them. Hence, asking 'why' is an ignorant question."
As Drehos finished speaking, Rudy glanced at me in amazement, as if to say, "How did you know that?"
I told you, math symbols are like that.
"However, as a mage, your curiosity and interest in formulas are admirable traits. For that, I will award you one bonus point for this course."
"Oh."
"Oooooh."
The mention of bonus points stirred the students.
Realizing they could earn points by asking questions, someone else immediately shot their hand up.
"You there."
Drehos pointed at the student, who stood up quickly.
"Professor! Why does the dimensional converter work in this way—"
Before the student could finish, Drehos interrupted.
"Enough. Asking about something I just explained? Foolish. Utterly foolish. You lose one point."
"..."
The room fell silent.
Clearly, there was a right time and way to ask questions.
Of course. It's obvious when someone's asking a forced question just to earn points.
With the room quiet, Professor Drehos moved on to wrap up the lesson.
"Now, open your formula workbooks."
So the workbook was officially called a "formula workbook," huh?
"The first and second pages contain examples of the formulas we just learned. You have 30 minutes to solve them all. Begin."
Any lingering questions I'd had about the unfamiliar symbols were already resolved during the lecture. The rest was just basic calculations.
I'm confident when it comes to calculations.
There was nothing difficult about the arithmetic itself.
I didn't even need to write out my work; I could solve everything in my head.
Within moments, I had completed both pages.
Looking around, I noticed the other students still struggling, their heads practically glued to their desks. Even Irina Velun, who knew how to cast Ice Arrow, was having trouble.
Is this really that hard?
Admittedly, I was pretty fast at mental math, so my speed was unusual.
As I sat idly, having finished, Professor Drehos approached me. He leaned down and asked in a low, quiet voice so as not to disturb the others.
"What are you doing, student?"
"I've finished."
"Finished?"
"Yes."
"Already?"
"Yes."
Professor Drehos adjusted his monocle and frowned slightly. He seemed skeptical.
Extending his hand, he gestured for me to hand over my workbook. I passed it to him.
"Hmm."
He carefully examined the first and second pages I had completed. It seemed like he was taking longer to review my answers than I had spent solving them.
After a while,
"Hmm..."
He adjusted his monocle again and began flipping through the entire workbook. He even checked the back cover and sides, thoroughly inspecting every part.
Still appearing doubtful, he waved over the teaching assistant.
"Assistant Tirilen."
"Yes, Professor?"
It was the tired-eyed assistant who had distributed the workbooks earlier. She hurried over and responded promptly.
"Did you happen to distribute the answer keys along with the workbooks?"
"...No, I didn't."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm certain..."
As the professor's frown deepened, Tirilen quickly amended her response.
"...But just to be sure, I'll go back to the lab and confirm the number of answer keys."
"Good. Go check."
Tirilen dashed out of the classroom.
Watching her leave, I made a mental note.
I am never becoming a teaching assistant.
---
By the time the entrance ceremony, the mana rotation ring class, and the basic formula theory lesson were over, it was already lunchtime.
Lunch wasn't mandatory, but I wanted to check out the cafeteria. Rudy agreed, so we headed there together.
"Wow... this is amazing," Rudy said, marveling at the cafeteria's interior.
I, however, wasn't particularly impressed.
It looked exactly like the student cafeterias I already knew. In fact, the familiarity was almost surprising.
A cafeteria is a cafeteria.
The massive hall was packed with students eating their meals. Judging by their appearances, some were clearly upperclassmen.
"Whew. Isn't there a private room somewhere? It's so noisy here," Rudy complained.
As if a school cafeteria would have private rooms.
"Doubt it. Look over there—upperclassmen are eating with us too."
I pointed to a table where three older students with worn-out expressions were silently devouring their food.
"Oh, you're right."
"Let's grab a table first."
I pulled Rudy along to find a seat. If we waited too long, we wouldn't even get one, as more students were streaming into the cafeteria.
Each table had a menu written on a board, accompanied by small illustrations of the dishes.
"At least there are plenty of options," Rudy noted.
With students from across the empire gathered here, the cuisine seemed to reflect a variety of regions.
I decided to go with the top-listed item, the Astran Set Meal.
Even here, they have set meals.
The menu description mentioned pickled vegetables, seasoned meat, stew, and rice. It was the cheapest option, fitting for a student meal.
Meanwhile, Rudy was scanning the menu when he asked, "What about you, Noah? What are you getting?"
"The Astran Set Meal."
"Huh? Why? It doesn't look very appetizing."
For a meal priced at just 9 copper coins, the quality seemed fine to me.
"It's good value."
Rudy hesitated before realizing something and muttered, "Ah, your family..."
Don't finish that sentence. I already know my family isn't rich. Typical rich kids.
Rudy pointed to the bottom of the menu and suggested, "Why don't we just get this? The special salad with beef steak."
"That's the most expensive thing on the menu."
It cost over a silver coin per serving—more than ten times the price of the set meal I had chosen. How could I even afford that?
"I'll cover yours too, Noah."
"...! Thanks!"
You're a great friend, Rudy. Let's stay close forever.
Maybe befriending Rudy was the best decision I'd made at Astran Magic Academy.
I clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Let's go order."
"Huh? Where are we going?"
"To order."
"There aren't waiters?"
"..."
Ah, he doesn't know how food courts work. Typical rich kid.
Wanting to stay on good terms, I patiently explained.
"Watch carefully. Here, we have to order and pick up the food ourselves. See that line over there?"
"Yeah."
"You order there, get a meal ticket, and then pick up your steak at the counter with the steak sign."
"We do it ourselves?"
"Yeah, that's how it works."
"But there's someone serving food over there."
Rudy pointed to someone carrying two trays of food. It was Milio's servant, the one we'd seen in class earlier.
That's just him serving his master.
I grabbed Rudy's arm and stood up.
"Come on."
"O-okay."
Rudy followed my lead.
But just then, I heard the screech of a chair being dragged behind us.
It was Irina Velun.
I asked, "Are you heading to order food too?"
"Yes. I already know how it works—order at the steak counter, then pick it up from the other side."
Sure, let's pretend you already knew.
Rudy smiled and said, "Ladies first, right? You can go ahead."
It was a simple, polite remark with no ill intent. But Irina's expression hardened as she firmly refused.
"That phrase belongs in chivalry. As a mage, 'ladies first' doesn't suit me. I'll let you two order first."
Her cold tone made Rudy flinch. He leaned over and whispered to me, "Did I just insult her by saying 'ladies first'...?"
No, I don't think that's it.