“What is this?”
At first, I thought I had an eye infection.
I even wondered if staring at books for too long had damaged my vision.
“Why is this happening…?”
What I was looking at now was Room 801, neatly arranged as I had left it.
But it looked completely different from before I started reading the book.
Something astonishing was happening.
“The universe?”
It felt as if I were gazing up at the night sky.
Like a vast cosmos filled with twinkling stars unfolding before my eyes.
The universe was projected over my familiar view of Room 801.
From the old bookshelf, the creaking bed, and the graffiti-covered walls… countless stars sparkled.
“No, those aren’t stars…”
A closer look made it clear.
They weren’t stars.
“Yes, they must be…”
I recalled the book I had just been reading.
The Elementary Elemental Studies textbook, co-authored by Horizon and other professors in the Department of Elemental Studies.
“This world was not created by chance but was deliberately crafted by a great will…”
Before I knew it, I was murmuring the words from the textbook’s preface.
The words written by Professor Horizon, explaining the significance of elemental studies.
“Whether one calls it a god or a creator, such contemplation is best left to theologians. A magician has no need to dwell on unverifiable matters.”
It was astonishing.
No matter how deeply impressed I had been, I had only read the text once—yet I could recite it perfectly.
It had been etched into my memory completely.
“But as a magician, I want to declare this: The world created by a great will…”
Taking a deep breath, I reaffirmed the words.
“This world is filled with beautiful laws.”
What unfolded before me now was a world composed of radiant polyhedrons.
Each one was a flawless Platonic solid, precise to the smallest degree, shining brilliantly as if revealing the fundamental truths of existence.
“I will say it again. This world is beautiful. And if one observes closely, one will see that it is composed of ideal mathematical elements—perfectly formed Platonic solids with no distortions whatsoever. Unlike the ever-changing physical materials we perceive, these are eternal and unchanging at their core.”
I raised my hand absently.
Even in my palm, countless shining polyhedrons glowed brilliantly.
“We call them elements.”
Elements.
The fundamental components that form this world and the basis of elemental magic.
“In ancient times, people believed in the four classical elements—fire, water, earth, and air—as the building blocks of everything. However, that was merely an intuitive assumption, not a truth derived from observing the world’s essence. The elements that make up this world are infinite.”
I looked around the room once more.
Now that I was paying closer attention, I could see tetrahedrons, cubes, octahedrons, and icosahedrons.
( TL : They are polyhedrons with different and many sides and edges. you can look them up if you are not familiar with geometry )
An incredible variety of elements existed within this world.
No… I could read them.
“Look around carefully. Even the most trivial object beside you is composed of elements. The air you breathe contains elements.”
I focused my consciousness on the empty space before me.
At that moment, the elements within the air became more distinctly visible.
“Draw them out. Manipulate them.”
I instinctively reached out.
Like a child grasping for a toy within sight.
“If you can do this, then you are a true elemental magician.”
The moment I spoke the final sentence from the textbook’s preface—
A fierce storm erupted within the room.
Professor Horizon, head of the Department of Elemental Studies, scanned the gathered freshmen at the outdoor training ground.
“As expected from the advanced class… They all look sharp.”
Today was the first lecture of Practical Elemental Studies.
Whereas Elementary Elemental Studies focused on the theory of elemental magic, this class was about actually casting magic in real-world situations.
It was a course that Horizon, as department head, had put significant effort into developing.
“Especially… that one.”
Horizon’s gaze settled on Eriol Valencia, who stood at the back.
For some reason, his eyes seemed different from the last time they had met.
“Show me your talent.”
A boy with the rare aptitude of Reading Comprehension.
Horizon was deeply interested in this freshman with an uncommon affinity.
“I doubt many others have realized his true value.”
Most magicians thought of the Reading aptitude as merely an ability that helped interpret grimoires.
But Horizon believed it was the most suitable trait for becoming a true archmage.
“Prove my theory correct.”
With that thought, Horizon slowly began his lecture before the students.
“You’ve already learned this from Professor Borton in Elementary Elemental Studies, but… elemental magic is both the most fundamental and most iconic branch of magic. Even now, when people think of a magician, they often imagine someone wielding a staff and conjuring flames. That’s how deeply elemental magic is ingrained in history, having been studied extensively over the ages.”
The students listened attentively.
Perhaps because it was a lecture directly given by the head of the department, they all seemed highly focused.
“Because of this long history, elemental magic has been well systematized, and its spell structures are highly efficient, making it accessible even for beginners.”
Typically, elemental magic was the first kind of magic that new students mastered.
That was how fundamental it was.
“However, there is something you must be cautious about in elemental magic—it is affected by the elements present in the surrounding environment.”
As he spoke, Horizon raised his hand and pointed at the air.
“Elemental magic always depends on the density of elements in the environment. Even if you cast the same fire spell, the results will differ between a volcanic region filled with the element of fire and a snow-covered mountain where fire elements are scarce.”
A volcanic region would be abundant in fire elements, whereas a snowy mountain would have significantly fewer.
“So, does that mean fire magic can’t be used in a snowy region? Not necessarily. Even in the coldest places, the elements required for fire magic still exist.”
There were theoretical cases where absolute zero temperatures rendered fire elements nonexistent, but such places did not naturally occur.
“Thus, recognizing the elements around you is crucial when casting elemental magic. You must first assess how much of an element is available in the environment and adjust your spell accordingly. If you fail to do so, your spell may either fizzle out from a lack of energy or run wild from an excess of power.”
If too few elements were drawn in, the spell wouldn’t activate.
But if too many were drawn in, the spell could spiral out of control—endangering the magician.
“That said, with your current abilities, you won’t be able to summon enough power to cause a dangerous outburst. More often than not, the opposite will be the case. This is because you still lack the ability to accurately perceive the surrounding elements.”
Even if a spell was structured correctly, it would fail without a proper grasp of the available elements.
That’s why developing elemental perception was essential for mastering elemental magic.
“Today, our goal is to capture elements and use them to cast elemental magic.”
At Horizon’s signal, assistants began distributing something to the students.
It was a pair of glasses.
“These glasses are a joint creation of the Department of Elemental Studies and the Department of Magical Engineering. By wearing them, even your underdeveloped senses will be able to detect fire elements.”
“Wow…”
Students wearing the special glasses looked around in amazement.
“Right now, the world must appear stained to your eyes. The closer something is to red, the more concentrated the fire element is. Imagine drawing power from those areas.”
With enough training in elemental magic, one could perceive the surrounding elements without the aid of such tools.
A mage of Horizon’s caliber could discern the types and densities of dozens of elements around him in real time.
Of course, maintaining that awareness constantly would be mentally exhausting, so he usually dulled his senses.
“Today, you will be creating a basic fireball.”
“Fireball…”
“The spell commonly known as ‘Fireball’ is an offensive magic that utilizes this fireball.”
Fireball.
The most iconic spell for launching a sphere of flame.
“You’ve already learned the technique in Elementary Elemental Studies. As long as you can properly perceive the elements, the spell should activate immediately.”
Saying this, Horizon clapped his hands lightly.
“Then, let’s begin.”
“Yes!”
The students, still wearing their glasses, began to focus.
However, a moment later, a male student raised his hand.
“Professor.”
“What is it?”
“May I try without the glasses?”
“…….”
The room stirred.
Even the students who had been concentrating turned their gazes toward him.
“What was your name again?”
“Monarch Orson.”
Monarch Orson.
A name Horizon remembered.
He had seen the boy rejoice during the aptitude test when he was found to have an affinity for Enhancement magic.
Likely a member of the Orson ducal family.
“Are you confident?”
“Yes, I believe I can do it.”
It seemed he had received prior training before entering the academy.
It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t uncommon either.
“Then, give it a try.”
“Yes!”
With a confident nod, Monarch handed his glasses back to the assistant.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.
He was sensing the elements around him.
“…….”
Then, slowly, Monarch raised his hand.
And atop his outstretched palm… a tiny spark, no larger than a match flame, flickered to life.
“Wow…!”
The surrounding students murmured in admiration.
But Horizon remained impassive.
“You know that’s not enough, don’t you, Monarch Orson?”
“O-Of course.”
“You need to form at least a fist-sized flame.”
“I’ll try again!”
Monarch shut his eyes once more, focusing his energy.
The tiny flame flickered out momentarily, but soon, another spark ignited, growing steadily in size.
“As expected of Lord Monarch!”
“He’ll have a proper fireball ready in no time!”
The other students praised Monarch enthusiastically.
Emboldened by their cheers, Monarch grinned and continued to expand the flame.
“Hey, you lot! Stop paying attention to others and focus on your own magic!”
“S-Sorry!”
Scolded by the assistant, the students hurriedly resumed their practice.
Just then, something peculiar caught Horizon’s eye.
“……?”
Eriol Valencia was holding his glasses in his hand, deep in thought.
It didn’t seem like he was focusing on casting magic.
“Eriol Valencia, what are you doing?”
“I was thinking about the spell formula.”
“The spell formula?”
“Yes.”
“I told you to follow what you learned in Elementary Elemental Studies.”
“Apologies, but I believe there’s a problem with that approach.”
“What?”
The room buzzed once more.
“What’s with him? So arrogant.”
“Is he ignoring the professor’s instructions?”
“He’s always acting like he’s better than everyone.”
Some students jeered at Eriol.
But Horizon remained silent, simply observing him.
“Eriol Valencia.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Shall I guess why you’re hesitating?”
Horizon spoke in a calm tone.
“You’re afraid of losing control, aren’t you?”
“…….”
The students looked confused.
“What? That’s not what he said earlier.”
“The professor told us we don’t have enough power to make the elements go berserk.”
As murmurs spread among the students, Eriol remained silent.
But Horizon could tell—his silence was an affirmation.
“Do not worry, Eriol Valencia.”
With a composed voice, he reassured him.
“Forget about control. Draw in as much elemental power as you desire.”
“Professor, but…”
“You don’t need to be concerned.”
Horizon gave a faint smile.
“Who am I?”
“You are… Professor Horizon, the head of the Elemental Department.”
“Exactly. Even if your magic spirals out of control, I can suppress it with ease.”
Indeed.
With Horizon’s power, he could handle Eriol’s magic no matter how chaotic it became.
So—
“Don’t fear losing control. Unleash your full potential.”
Horizon encouraged him, brimming with anticipation.
