The world around him spun as his brain crashed due to an over-influx of information.
"This is too easy, Lucas."
"Shut up."
"You just lack vision. Let me explain. Each spell consists of several intertwining lines folded over one after another. While chanting, we calculate and draw the lines stacking them upon one another while imagining the outcome."Roan explained and pointed at Lucas.
"It seems you lack the creativity to imagine the design. The structure of the physical manifestation of the spell and destruction also depends upon imagination, other than mana."Roan then fiddled with his finger and a small fireball that appeared over his hand soon turned into a circular disk.
"This is a modified version–Extinguish it!"
"Hey, stop that. This is a library, not your place to practice spells."
Lucas and Roan's bodies jerked up as the library in charge reprimanded them and warned them.
Lucas glared at Roan.
This nilly-willy guy had trampled over his ego, crushing it into fine-grain particles.
From childhood, he had been a bright student and had never scored below 90% no matter how difficult the tests were.
Scoring less was not an option. Everything below 90 was considered a failure and the person would be subjugated to high-voltage emotional damage coupled with severe physical trauma induced by Flying Slipper Technique stance swordsmanship.
The written aspect of the subjects is quite difficult for him.
In terms of mathematics and science, this world can be compared to 2020 but in terms of physiology, theology, sociology, and history, it is a year ahead.
The aspect of mana studies is filled with innumerable theories which one needs to have a fundamental understanding of. Sadly, he lacked in this area too much.
The simple fireball spell in its 3d structure has an intricate pattern of 19 lines drawn over a folded structure. If one made a mistake in stacking a single line, either it wouldn't manifest or burst out.
In a short time, memorizing all this is a very big problem for him.
When children at the age of 4 were pooping and using diapers in his world, children here were already holding swords.
This is the true definition of having one foot in training and the other foot in doing business.
He had dedicated too much time to physical improvement and neglected this, so recently he had been focusing on learning the theories.
He held this book for two days but Roan, who hadn't touched this book before, finished this book within an hour and he could even tell the page number of the particular word when he asked.
"Roan, do you have a photographic memory? Is this something that you inherited from your bloodline?"Lucas asked with a serious look.
Roan stared at Lucas and then fidgeting his fingers answered"I...I don't know."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRoan then thought about his childhood days.
"My family had the silver bloodline and my father said our bloodline ability was lost countless years ago. We have even forgotten about it but we had one remarkable trait. We remember things quite well."
"Using our long-lasting memory, our family mostly establishes itself as an official. My father wanted me to be a scholar and walk on the literary path but I wanted to be a Mage. Magic has always fascinated me."
Roan then looked at the bright sky.
"Everything happening around me, apparently made of an intertwining process of science and magic, motivates me to search for the underlying principle."Roan's expression warmed a bit as he recounted his tales.
Instead of disturbing him, Lucas signaled him to continue. It was one of the very few moments that Lucas felt refreshed.
"My pursuit of knowledge began when I came across an article about the world that asked several questions?"
"What is the location of this place?"
"What is the distance of the sun?"
"Why can't we leave the land and move towards space and look for stars?"
"Do you know the answer?"Lucas asked.
Lucas's curiosity was stirred by Roan's question.
For an advanced generation like this, creating rockets and satellites was not difficult but there has been no development in the field related to astronomy. The smartphone tires use mana waves instead of normal radio waves to transfer signals here due to the lack of satellites.
The only guess Lucas could make was the higher gravity and advanced laws of this world.
Simple materials and propulsion created by the fuels would not cut for the rocket to launch itself into space.
"No!"Roan shook his head.
"That's why I am here."Roan smiled.
"I wanted to discover everything that is out there in space."Roan was staring outside the window.
"Roan, since awakened ones are strong, are there no records of them traveling out in space?"
"There is none. According to Church records, the world is flat stacked over layers. Beyond the sky are uncharted lands of Gods and Goddesses which are not allowed for us to step in."Roan mumbled.
"However, modern researchers discarded this. According to them, Gods and Goddesses are like mortals who ascended by taking control over the mana of the world through their strength. They reside in a different dimension that might be linked to ours similarly to the dungeon occurrence."Roan raised his specks giving a scholarly aura.
"Wait! How did you know so much?"
"Why do you think I am like this? Due to dedicating too much time to research, I have lost touch and have become like this. I have neglected the physical aspect so much, "Roan added with a sad expression.
Lucas tapped the table, falling into deep thought.
"Roan, why don't we do this? Since you are a mage shouldn't you train your mana to use efficiently?"
"Yes but why?"
"I have a suitable method to train you. Come join me in my training with Sir Harris.."
Roan stared at Lucas's brightened eyes and wanted to refuse but Lucas was dead set on taking Roan.
With no option to refute, he finally agreed not knowing the hellish days that were waiting for him where even crying and begging would not help.
'Finally, I won't suffer alone.'Lucas smiled crookedly, making Roan shiver.
...
After finishing his studies in the library, nimbly and steadily, Lucas made his way to the Third Year with great caution.
Putting his life on the line, he successfully transverse the distance without his bad luck affecting him.
Entering, he had not even greeted Linda nor asked her about the potion, when Linda flicking her sleeves tossed him a piece of parchment.
Squinting his eyes Lucas skimmed the contents that seemed to be the name of the ingredients.
Hydra innards, Phantom's sweat, Satyr hook, Hippogriff beak, Belch Bite, Dawn Bitterweed, Serpent Feather.
A strong headache assaulted his brain as soon as he saw the contents.
He was utterly speechless.
'Phantom sweat....'
'Isn't phantom means shadow so since when did shadow start sweating? Is this something I am not aware of?'
'Dawn Bitterweed...What kind of weed is this? Are we making a potion or a drug? Is this a drug recipe?'
'And Serpent Feather! The serpent also grows feathers here.'
Seeing Lucas bulging eyes and shocking reactions, Linda sensed he might be in shock.
"Cough...Cough...Stop behaving like this. These are just descriptive words and don't represent the actual thing."
"Ehhh, okay but what is this Phantom Sweat?"Lucas pointed at the term.
"There is a ghostly cat that can hide its presence in the shadows. Phantom sweat refers to the sweat of this cat."Linda explained casually and then proceeded to shake a greenish liquid in the tube.
Lucas's jaw hung open.
For the safety of his brain, he thought that it was better to not ask anymore.
"Why are you giving me this list? Do you want me to search for these items?"
"Hmm!"Linda nodded without looking at Lucas.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmFrowning, Lucas raised his brows and asked" Don't you all just make a list and then pass it to the Alchemy procurement team?"
Lucas was in charge of supporting her financially but she decided to bear half of the cost.
Though Lucas did not know much about the others in Horizon, all funding and things for research should be provided by them.
Linda stopped working, giving Lucas a confused stare.
"Lucas, you might not know but there is a certain clause for all these funding things. Horizon is entitled to pay funds for all the research done by the students which might seem good at a glance but for all this, Horizon would hold the patent of the thing the student researched and have a share."
"For most, Horizon would own everything unless you have a noble background," Linda said, smacking her lips in annoyance.
"What? There is such a thing."Lucas freaked inwardly.
"Then, how do you think this institution is running? Do you think it depends on the funds from the Empire and nobles.No, it procures the money for the maintenance by itself. Other funds are just additional."Linda uttered.
Lucas pinching his brows wiped off the beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Then did not it mean, we are in trouble for researching our potion here."
"No, it's because I did not submit any application for funds and materials and I am researching on my own using my laboratory in the dorm. I am only borrowing the alchemy lab to complete crucial steps and for testing."
Lucas's heart stirred on hearing her words.
"You have been spending too much money, you could have asked me for more money," Lucas exclaimed in surprise as the cost she bears might already be more than half.
"How can I?"
"First of all, you are my junior."
"Second, I am doing this for my gain since I will be entitled to a part of the profit. The recipe is the main thing, I am just completing the handiwork. I should also contribute to this joint venture. It's only because all these things are troublesome to find, I am telling you. I am looking for this while you can also try from your end."
"The senior is kind."
"Don't butter me, just get out and look for the things."Linda shooed away Lucas.
Lucas laughed inwardly. His heart felt warmth.
This world is too deceptive, so finding someone like her may not be impossible but it's quite rare.
Lucas walking out raising the list fell into deep thought.
"Now, where can I get these things? I don't know anything about it. Should l look in the black market but I don't remember anyone hiding deeply there. Without any support, I may be looted there."
Lucas then clapped his hand due to sudden realization.
"Damn man! How can I forget this?"
"I have Reynolds. That man had a great connection when it comes to this kind of thing."Lucas heaved in relief and walked not knowing about the pair of eyes watching his movements from afar.
"It seems, Mr.Secretary is cooking something."