Chapter 16: Breaking the Barrier

“A Question of Magic”

“If you have doubts about the lesson, please speak up,” Professor Rhonda Magret said.

She was standing at the podium, looking directly at Sion, who had also been called to the front.

‘It’s probably best to be honest,’ Sion thought.

He glanced to the side and felt the sharp stares of the Magic Department students.

At this point, saying, “I tilted my head for no reason,” wouldn’t help.

It would only cement his reputation as someone who disrupts class with idle behavior, damaging his standing among peers and professors alike.

‘As much as I dislike it, that’s not the path I want to take.’

Sion didn’t want to ruin his college life, even if he was determined to avoid becoming a graduate student.

The everyday joys he had found, like exploring dungeons with a fellow student from the adventurer’s guild, chatting with Geivolg and Patrick, and sharing meals, were worth preserving.

“Regarding the definition given by the practical magic theorists earlier, I have my own thoughts,” he said clearly.

He took care to speak calmly and without hesitation, using the confidence he had developed through presentations in his past life.

“Are you suggesting that incantations are merely examples of magic, rather than absolutes?” Professor Magret asked.

“Yes, that’s correct. While incantations are a valuable legacy left to us by great magicians of the past, I believe we should not become overly reliant on them.”

“In that case, show us,” the professor said.

“…Pardon? Show you what?”

Professor Magret smiled—a cold, biting smile that sent a chill down Sion’s spine.

“Can you use the 1st-circle, non-elemental magic spell ‘Barrier’?” she asked.

“…No, I can’t.”

Murmurs erupted across the lecture hall.

The students’ whispers pricked at Sion like needles.

“He can’t even use a 1st-circle non-elemental spell?”

“Doesn’t even have a family name. Probably a donation admit.”

“If you’re going to come in like that, at least keep your head down. Why try to stand out?”

“What’s with the spirit contract, then? Just luck?”

“Must be. Even a child learns Barrier first…”

The dismissive and condescending comments made Sion’s face stiffen.

Memories of being the subject of gossip in his school days came flooding back.

“Quiet, everyone.”

At Professor Magret’s command, the classroom fell silent, as if nothing had happened.

She stepped closer to Sion.

“If you don’t know Barrier, I’ll teach you. Just follow the incantation: ‘Shapeless mana, appear before me and protect me from harm.’”

Ziiing!

A small, transparent shield formed in front of her palm.

Though barely visible, it shimmered faintly like a pane of glass—a textbook example of the 1st-circle non-elemental spell, Barrier.

“Repeat after me, Sion,” she instructed.

Sion hesitated.

“Is the incantation too difficult? I could write it on the board for you,” she added with a mocking smile.

Now Sion understood. That smile only surfaced when she was mocking or belittling someone.

Ignoring her tone, Sion began to recite.

“Shapeless mana, appear before me and protect me from harm.”

Ziiing!

The mana from Sion’s heart flowed through his right arm and into his palm.

A Barrier identical to the professor’s materialized.

It felt strange to Sion, different from elemental magic.

‘The way it’s channeled… feels off. What’s different about it?’

Unlike elemental magic, which could be adapted mid-cast, non-elemental magic seemed rigid—unchangeable.

Was it the speed of its manifestation? The size? Thickness? Hardness?

“Now, Sion,” Professor Magret said, interrupting his thoughts. “If what you claim is true, you should be able to use magic without an incantation—and freely alter it as well.”

“…Yes, but I might need more time—”

“I’m afraid I can’t allow you much time. The other students are waiting,” she said, gesturing to the restless class.

The students’ gazes bore into him, brimming with impatience and skepticism.

‘You can do this,’ Sion told himself, his resolve hardening.

He slid his left hand into his pocket—a seemingly defiant posture, but purposeful.

In reality, his left hand was continuously generating and dispelling small Barriers. His brain felt like it was on fire.

His mana core ached from the constant strain, and his left arm tingled painfully.

The intense concentration required to push his limits brought clarity to his thoughts, even through the pain.

“I’ll lightly cast a Water spell at you,” Professor Magret announced. “It’s a 1st-circle water spell. Just block it with your Barrier. It shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

“…Understood.”

“Good. Let’s begin… O primeval waters.”

Wooong!

The hum of her incantation filled the air as mana coalesced around her.

If Sion failed to summon his Barrier in time, he’d end up drenched like a soaked mouse.

“Shouldn’t someone stop this?” one student whispered.

“Leave it. This is getting interesting.”

“Serves him right for showing off. Looks like the professor’s angry.”

“This is what you get for disrupting class.”

“Hope the water doesn’t splash on me.”

The chatter around him was relentless, but Sion shut it all out.

His world narrowed to his right hand and the professor, who was steadily finishing her incantation.

‘I can do this.’

He steadied himself, his focus unshakable.

Mana surged from his heart, a torrent more than sufficient for a 1st-circle spell.

With a deep breath, Sion raised his right hand, forcing the mana to coalesce.

“…Appear before me.”

“Barrier Without Words”

Professor Rhonda Magret completed her incantation.

In her palm, a water ball about the size of a fist formed.

She casually threw it toward Sion.

The water ball followed a smooth arc through the air.

If it continued on its path unobstructed, it would hit Sion squarely on the head, soaking him from head to toe.

That is, if nothing stopped it along the way.

“…Barrier.”

There was no incantation—only a faint murmur of the spell’s name.

But from his hand, mana began to condense.

“…What?”

Professor Rhonda Magret’s eyes widened.

During the second week of classes, she had been confident in her judgment.

A commoner. Of course.

Unlike the orientation week, where lectures were short and sporadic, the second week marked the start of intense, nonstop classes spanning hours.

Sion had looked visibly tense during these sessions.

At critical moments in her lecture, he had tilted his head as if confused, seemingly unable to grasp key concepts.

Did he not understand the most important part? Typical of a commoner…

Everything taught so far had been leading up to this moment.

The modern definition of magic, as established by practical magic theorists, was clear:

Magic is the act of channeling one’s internal mana through incantations to produce specific effects.

For magicians, incantations were an absolute necessity in casting spells.

With the rare exception of magical tools or circles, this was a universal truth.

So why, she wondered, did this commoner student tilt his head as if disagreeing with her teaching?

He even seemed to want to ask a question, raising his hand slightly before pulling it back.

How absurd, she thought.

Rhonda Magret was herself a practical magic theorist. Questions at a student’s level were trivial to her.

“Do you have a question, Sion?” she asked, singling him out.

She had chosen him deliberately, irritated by her own fleeting impression of him during orientation week as someone promising.

As expected, he seemed completely unaware she had addressed him, staring blankly into space.

It wasn’t until the student next to him nudged his shoulder that Sion snapped out of it, turning toward the professor.

“…Sion, I’ll ask again. Why were you tilting your head earlier? If you have a question, please come to the podium and ask it.”

Rhonda called him to the front.

His hesitant demeanor, small frame, and slightly decent looks for a commoner perplexed her further.

Why had she ever thought highly of this student?

At the podium, Sion expressed his thoughts.

He has opinions, at least. Foolish ones, though.

He claimed that incantations were merely tools, a notion reminiscent of outdated theories from past magicians who had failed to adapt.

Such ideas, to Rhonda, were relics of a bygone era.

Students like him didn’t need explanations; they needed demonstrations.

A thought occurred to her—a way to leave an unforgettable impression.

“I’ll cast a simple Water spell and throw it at you,” she said. “It’s a 1st-circle water spell. You just need to block it with a Barrier. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?”

“…Understood,” Sion replied.

“Good. …Primeval waters,” she began, starting her incantation.

She believed the act would serve as a fitting punishment for Sion’s lack of focus in class.

The Barrier spell was something he had just learned.

To freely apply such a spell immediately was almost impossible.

As her incantation ended, a fist-sized water ball materialized in her hand.

It was small, but enough to thoroughly humiliate someone if it hit them.

Even now, he showed no signs of backing down.

Why is he standing there so seriously?

When she glanced at Sion, his expression was blank.

He held out his right hand confidently, staring directly at her with unwavering eyes.

As if he’s really going to succeed?

The professor’s gaze trembled for a moment.

Impossible. There’s no way.

This was a spell he had learned mere moments ago, and she hadn’t given him time to practice.

To cast it without an incantation? Not even geniuses could manage that.

Steeling herself, Rhonda flung the water ball.

“…Barrier.”

No incantation. Just the spell’s name spoken softly.

But from his hand, mana gathered and coalesced.

Ziiing!

A shimmering Barrier formed in front of Sion’s palm.

“…What?”

Rhonda’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He had cast the Barrier spell without an incantation.

And that wasn’t all.

This isn’t an ordinary Barrier…

The speed of its formation far surpassed her own demonstration.

Its size wasn’t just enough to cover his hand; it expanded to the height of a full-grown man.

The Barrier morphed and shifted seamlessly under Sion’s control.

He extended his palm forward casually.

Whoosh!

The Barrier surged ahead, moving like a battering ram.

It wasn’t stationary—it was advancing.

The fist-sized water ball flew toward Sion, while the enormous Barrier rushed toward Rhonda.

If the two collided, what would happen?

The answer was clear.

“Eeek!!”

Splaash!

The water ball splattered upon hitting the advancing Barrier, drenching Professor Rhonda Magret.

Though small, the water ball struck her head-on, soaking her from head to toe.

Trembling from the unexpected drenching, she let out a sharp, startled cry.

The students, who had been watching in stunned silence, were at a complete loss for words.