NOVEL WEB Chapter 2
Chapter 2: First Lecture
Her height alone exuded an overwhelming presence—over 180 centimeters tall.
An almost flawless formal outfit, paired with a peerlessly beautiful face that naturally drew all eyes. Her body and clothing proportions were immaculate, the perfect embodiment of the golden ratio.
······Serena Leonhart.
In her, the very concept of "noble dignity" seemed perfectly realized, without flaw or crack. Her steps, gestures, expressions—everything radiated her unique noble aura.
“That bastard…”
Yet, this seemingly perfect appearance, in some eyes—in many eyes—was nothing more than a "disgusting façade."
“Hoo…”
Flora Cuiting. From the moment Serena appeared, she had been forcefully suppressing her inner rage.
Not only in words, but her actions were fierce. She clenched her fists so tightly they nearly bled, and bit her lower lip hard.
She had taken away her very foundation of life—her father’s achievements—turned them to waste, and ultimately caused his death.
The world praised Serena as a “genius of magical interpretation,” but that honor rightfully belonged to Flora’s father…
─…Attention.
At that moment, Serena’s voice was amplified by the crystal orb.
─I will begin the lecture.
A spacious auditorium filled with hundreds. Serena finally stepped onto the stage, surveying the surroundings. Her gaze was sharp and arrogant, like a finely-honed blade.
She wanted nothing more than to draw a dagger and blind her on the spot.
“That bitch…”
But now was not the time.
Serena was an enemy she must kill with her own hands. Although she had entered the university’s Mage Tower for this purpose, a revenge attempted without preparation would only bring more pain.
Besides, her talent far exceeded that woman’s.
She would learn stronger magic and kill her herself; or ascend to a higher position and erase her socially—revenge brewed longer tasted all the sweeter.
She lived for that sweet moment. Waiting a little longer was fine.
─Hello.
But... it wouldn’t hurt to teach her a small lesson. Flora suddenly had an idea. She smiled innocently and tightly wrapped her robe around her.
***
…The tall auditorium was packed with hundreds of people, all staring at me. Their eyes glimmered, unsettling, and the classic cameras flashed dazzlingly nonstop.
Serena faced it all alone.
Yet strangely.
Serena didn’t feel the slightest bit nervous.
Serena felt this was only natural.
In Serena’s life, this kind of attention was expected. This kind of focus wasn’t pressure, but privilege. That lofty sense of superiority had already adhered to Serena like skin.
“...Hello. I am Serena of the Leonhart family.”
And so, Serena began the lecture with composure.
The lecture opened with the first line of the script—an introduction of the character Serena.
“Chief Professor of the Mage Tower at Imperial Royal University. A ‘Monarch’ level mage governing elemental forces. Master of water, fire, wind, and earth. Unbound by magical categories.”
A mesmerizing string of words.
“...As is well-known, magic is divided into three major ‘attributes’ and nine major ‘categories.’ Attributes include Element, Origin, and Artifact. Categories consist of Summon, Spirit, Destruction, Support, Manipulation, Enhancement, Illusion, Harmony, and Specialization.”
Serena read the script word-for-word.
Even just these words captured everyone’s attention and breath. This was thanks to the “Dignified Aura” trait.
“Thus, a mage must focus on a category that matches their attribute in order to achieve success in magic.”
After speaking, she snapped her fingers.
Snap—!
With a crisp sound, the auditorium lights went out, and floating magical runes appeared in the air.
“The act of forming and emitting runes with mana is the essence of magic. Therefore, to realize magic, one must first understand runes. Now let us examine the rune above.”
Serena paused so the audience could view the magic circle.
It was a fractal-like geometric figure, composed of dozens of straight and curved lines.
“This 68-stroke rune forms a circle in structure. Mana gathers in the center, then spreads outward. The outward-spreading property applies to ‘Destruction’ and ‘Support.’ But Destruction magic typically forms straight-line circles. Therefore, this is a Support rune. Next...”
The first topic was “Foundations of Magic.”
This section lasted about fifteen minutes. Serena didn’t falter once. The script seemed to flow from her lips naturally.
Surprisingly—despite seeing this script for the first time today—Serena had already fully “understood” it.
“...This is how rune-based magic works. But is mana always limited to spellcasting? Must one always master these runes to use magic?”
Next came “How to Use Mana.”
Because the auditorium had not only mages but also general students, knights, and adventurer candidates, the topic was designed with a broader audience in mind.
“Not necessarily. It depends on where in your body you store mana.”
No sooner had Serena finished than the runes in the air faded, replaced by a human anatomical diagram. Blue mana orbs were marked in the head, heart, and abdomen.
“First, the ‘head’—the brain. Because it’s easier to imagine runes there, complex lines and circles can be visualized. Thus, mages usually store mana in the head.”
Serena’s head surely had mana too.
Numerically: 「3,375」
Not a high number. Serena had seen a certain famous character’s “initial” mana value as 「30,000」.
“Next is the ‘heart.’ The heart circulates blood throughout the body, so mana stored there spreads easily. But that also makes it hard to concentrate. Hence, the heart is better suited for knights than mages.”
Serena slowed down, used simple language, ensuring everyone could follow.
Her excellent speaking skills were likely due to “Understanding.”
“Finally, the ‘abdomen’—the dantian. This is the point where internal and external forces often meet. It can be used by mages, knights, or even ordinary people...”
As she spoke, Serena glanced at her watch—forty minutes had passed.
“...What I want to say is simple. Effort is important, but if you lack talent, you must consider efficiency. Not everyone has talent, so in most cases, you must make choices and focus.”
Reading this part, Serena nearly laughed.
If you lack talent, consider efficiency—make choices and focus.
It was practically advice tailored to Serena right now.
“And...”
Finally, she reached the end of the script.
But this passage made Serena uncomfortable.
She wondered if she should read it.
Would the old Serena have read it?
Serena didn’t know. Since it was written in the script, she must have.
“Lastly, are there any questions?”
A moment of silence.
Fortunate indeed.
“If not—”
Just as Serena exhaled in relief and prepared to turn away, someone suddenly raised a hand and stood up.
A robed female mage. Before I could speak, she continued:
“Professor Serena, mysterious runes were found last night in the mage dorms. Suspected to be demonic in origin. As the genius of rune interpretation—”
“Are you part of the university’s Mage Tower? If so, giving your name and department is basic etiquette.”
Serena immediately cut her off. Though anxious inside, her exterior remained graceful. It was an instinctive noble speech.
“Ah? Uh, my name is—”
“Too late. I don’t answer rude questions.”
“...Huh?”
The robed mage’s cheeks turned red.
Though a bit sorry, Serena had no choice. “Understanding” consumed too much mana.
「Mana: 2,005 / 3,375」
One lecture had consumed 1,300 mana.
Interpreting unfamiliar runes would need even more. Serena didn’t want to push herself. Besides, she was a bit dizzy.
“Lecture ends here.”
Hoo— hoo hoo— hahaha.
In the center of the hall, the female mage stood alone, facing the laughter and ridicule. Serena tidied her rumpled sleeve.
She smoothed her wrinkled suit, put on her coat, buttoned it up, packed her script, and stepped down from the stage.
Every motion flowed like water.
“...But!”
As Serena turned, a loud shout rang in her ear. She only turned her head slightly to look.
The unknown female mage still stood, drawing a rune in the air with mana.
“Even the Mage Tower dismissed this as rumor! But with Professor Serena’s reputation, I believe you can immediately identify the nature of this magic!”
“······.”
Serena looked at the stubborn mage.
To speak so boldly to Serena—rare, but the rune itself did appear strange. Unlike ordinary magic circles, it wasn’t composed of lines or curves, but dozens of squirming parasite-like coils.
At the moment she saw the rune—Serena’s Understanding activated involuntarily.
Her vision turned entirely blue, soaked in pigments. Thought and calculation sped up, time slowed, and her brainstem gave off a burnt smell due to overload, but…
It lasted only an instant.
「Mana: 360 / 3,375」
In less than a second, her mana was nearly exhausted.
Even so, Serena barely grasped the nature of the magic.
[ Illusion-Type: Barrier Magic ]
Though the level of understanding didn’t reach the “realization” or “deconstruction” stage—which would need double the mana—it was enough. The questioner didn’t need that level anyway.
They only wanted to know the essence of the technique.
“The freshmen left in the dorms are working hard to analyze it, but it’s holiday time. There aren’t enough seniors or professors to help, and progress is slow. If you could just give a hint—”
“No need for hints. It’s an illusion-type barrier. Looks like someone wants to trap you.”
“······Is that so?”
“It’s over.”
A confident reply.
The bold mage looked flustered, but Serena didn’t look back. She walked straight out of the auditorium.