Chapter 42

Chapter 42

A week before the midterm exam.

Drent, helping Julia with her homework, was interested in Epherene’s assignment on their club room’s desk. He had been in a slump with his own thesis and thought giving his junior a hand would provide him with some information.

However, he couldn’t even use her work as a reference. Driven by desperation, he checked out Epherene’s assignment while Julia was in the bathroom. What he saw made him feel like electricity coursed through his mind.

Eventually, Drent took Epherene’s idea as his own.

However…

“It seems that you don’t know, so I’ll move on and even do you a favor by asking you easier questions. Now, that magic you’ve just manifested, [Fire Preservation]…”

Deculein reproduced Drent’s spell. However, a glance would be enough to deduce that his fireball was far denser.

“Are you sure this magic will never be distorted underwater, no matter the altitude? Does the same apply when it’s underground?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.” Drent gathered his senses and answered. He didn’t have enough time to comprehend Epherene’s thesis completely, but he understood it to some extent…

“If so, then tell me. What makes that possible?”

The fireball that Drent described in his thesis rose in the air. Deculein had already determined its core.

“Which circuit of this technique causes the ‘preservation’ effect? ”

“Uh… That is…”

He was at a loss for words. His professor just stared at him, his silence raging through the entire area like merciless winds.

“…”

It didn’t matter how long he waited. The defense couldn’t answer. Before long, Deculein’s gelid tone enveloped the building.

“I can ask hundreds of questions derived from this paper.” The Head Professor’s stare made him feel pathetic, his twisted contempt-filled lips even more so. His next words just humiliated him further. “But you can’t even answer the easiest of them. Can you even call this your thesis at this rate?”

Drent clenched his teeth, feeling his anger surging from deep within him. As he was about to shout, Deculein continued, interrupting him.

“I’ll finish my statement by leaving you with the worst bawling you’ll ever do.”

“…!”

He held the defense’s paper in one hand. “Try again. On your own.”

Schrrrk….

The paper caught on fire and was soon reduced to ashes as it fluttered, almost as if it was trying to break free. The scene caused a small commotion among the audience. Even Sylvia’s eyes widened due to what she witnessed.

“…”

Drent couldn’t say anything.

Now drained of all the strength he possessed to answer back, he just let out a bitter laugh.

Deculein knew.