Chapter 31: Breaking Through the 2nd Circle and a Forgotten Promise

Breaking Through the 2nd Circle and Unraveling Magic’s Secrets

The evening sun cast a golden glow over Professor Rhonda Margaret’s research lab.

Inside, only two people remained.

Sion lay on his back on the floor, while Rhonda Margaret loomed over him, as if she had just pinned him down.

Beneath her, Sion’s mind raced desperately.

‘Why is the professor…? Ah, is it because of the mana?’

The moment he opened his eyes, he found himself trapped beneath Professor Rhonda Margaret.

It was clearly not an intentional situation—her flustered expression made that obvious.

Even so, the undeniable fact remained that their bodies were pressed closely together… which left Sion feeling incredibly awkward.

‘Ugh, I… I can’t move.’

It was as if she had deliberately pinned him down, sitting squarely on his abdomen.

To make matters worse, both of her hands rested firmly on his shoulders.

Their faces were so close that they could feel each other’s breath.

“…Professor…?”

“…!!”

All Sion could do was stare into her eyes and squeeze out a trembling voice.

Fortunately, that alone was enough to snap her out of it.

With a start—

She jumped up, bouncing off him as if electrocuted.

Even though the sensation of her weight pressing down on him still lingered, she hurriedly looked down at him and spoke.

“G-Get up already, Sion! How long do you plan on lying there?”

“…Huh?”

“I-It’s late! Students should return to their dorms immediately!”

“The dorm curfew is still a few hours awa—Whoa?!”

Without waiting for a response, Rhonda Margaret grabbed Sion’s arm and yanked him up from the floor.

Then, without missing a beat, she began dusting off his uniform, avoiding eye contact as she spoke.

Her face had already returned to the cold, composed expression she usually wore in class.

As if her earlier flustered state had been nothing but an illusion.

“Congratulations on reaching the 2nd Circle. There were… some complications, but you’re officially a 2nd Circle mage now. You can be proud of that.”

“…The 2nd Circle.”

Only then did Sion glance down at his chest.

Beneath his academy uniform and the red tie signifying a first-year student—

There were now two Circles engraved within him.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—!!

His heart, which had endured so much strain, now pulsed stronger than ever, as if all the impurities in his bloodstream had been flushed out.

His body felt astonishingly light, as though all the previous exhaustion had been a lie.

Even though he had expended a significant amount of mana during the process, the overall quality of his mana had improved dramatically.

‘So this… is the 2nd Circle.’

He had finally reached the level he had long desired.

Now, simply by watching, he could instantly learn 2nd Circle spells and combat techniques.

Just how different would 2nd Circle magic be compared to 1st Circle magic?

He was already eager to find out.

But before that—

“Thank you.”

With a deep bow, he expressed his gratitude.

If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have been able to reach the 2nd Circle so smoothly and safely.

And thanks to her advice, he had managed to engrave a thin and refined Circle, which would be beneficial in the long run.

No matter how strong he became in the future, thinner Circles would always be advantageous.

“Well, reaching the 2nd Circle puts you among the top students in the first year. However…”

She shot him a sharp gaze.

“Even at the 2nd Circle, don’t let your guard down. I’ve heard that some first-years have already reached the 3rd Circle.”

“I’ll make sure to keep improving.”

“You’d better. A commoner trying to survive Byzantium Academy’s rigorous schedule won’t have it easy.”

Click-clack, click-clack—

With her usual dignified stride, Professor Rhonda Margaret began walking away.

As if the earlier accident, where she had fallen on top of him, had never happened.

She reached for the door handle of her office.

“Don’t forget the debt you owe me for this.”

“…I’ll remember.”

“Good. Then, I’ll be off.”

Creak. Slam.

And with that, she left, closing the door behind her.

Sion stood frozen, staring blankly at the door she had just exited through.

It wasn’t because her words had deeply resonated with him.

Nor was it because he was still thinking about the very close encounter they had just had.

Rather—

“…Wait. This is Professor Rhonda’s office.”

Why had she, the owner of the research lab, just left him inside alone and walked out?

That was the real mystery.

…A few moments later, without saying a word, she quietly re-entered the room, her head hanging low in embarrassment.

The Next Day

“You became a 2nd Circle mage? Seriously?”

“Yeah. I still can’t quite believe it myself…”

“Either way, congrats! At our age, reaching the 2nd Circle means you’ve got talent. You lucky bastard.”

“Argh! That hurts!”

On the way to class, Patrick pulled Sion into a headlock to congratulate him.

Meanwhile, Sion had something on his mind.

‘What’s the real difference between 1st Circle and 2nd Circle magic?’

As Patrick continued squeezing him, Sion pondered.

The 1st Circle was the foundation of all magic.

For elemental spells like Fire, Wind, Earth, and Water, the focus was simply on summoning the element in a basic spherical form.

So, what about the 2nd Circle?

He recalled his conversation with Professor Mehden the previous day.

— “That Fire Jet spell you used? That’s at least 3rd Circle magic.”

— “…Fire Jet?”

— “Rock Cannon and Wind Blade are also 3rd Circle magic. The only one that barely counts as 2nd Circle is Water Wall.”

— “…???”

Sion had believed he was using 1st Circle magic.

Yet Professor Mehden had outright denied it.

In fact, he had failed the duel for using 2nd and 3rd Circle spells.

“…Hey, Patrick, I’ve got a question.”

“Hm? What is it?”

“What exactly is the difference between 1st and 2nd Circle magic?”

“…Oh boy. Here we go again.”

Patrick released him from the headlock and smacked his forehead with a loud slap.

“C’mon, just tell me.”

“Fine… It’s not that complicated, so listen up. I’ll explain the difference between 1st and 2nd Circle magic.”

Patrick’s explanation was straightforward.

To summarize—

1st Circle magic focused on manifesting an element in its purest form.

However—

Starting from the 2nd Circle, the focus shifted slightly toward “applying” the element in different ways.

For example, take the 1st Circle spell Fire.

It simply summoned a sphere of fire in midair.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Circle spell Fire Wall summoned a wall of fire instead.

It was the same fire element, but applied in a different shape and form.

Sion immediately made the connection.

‘Then… the 3rd Circle spell Fire Jet must be another evolution of that concept.’

If Professor Mehden was correct, the spell Sion had used against Estroza was Fire Jet, a 3rd Circle spell.

Rather than forming a fireball or a fire wall, it spread fire in a fan-like shape and sustained it over time.

It was an even more complex application of the element.

In short—

From 1st to 3rd Circle, magic was simply evolving from its base form.

Which meant—

If Sion’s highly adaptable 1st Circle magic had appeared to be 2nd or even 3rd Circle magic to others…

It made perfect sense why he had been disqualified.

“…I finally get it now. Patrick, you’re surprisingly good at explaining things.”

“Good at explaining? Yeah, right. You just like making me suffer.”

“No, I really mean it.”

“Ugh… Whatever. Let’s just get to class.”

With that, the two headed toward the lecture hall, ready to take on the day.

The Club Recruitment Festival and a Forgotten Promise

Whether the spell was summoned as a sphere or as a long, rectangular wall determined whether it was 1st Circle or 2nd Circle magic.

‘Then… if Fire Jet, a 3rd Circle spell, exists… does that mean it’s just a further transformation of the same concept?’

According to Professor Mehden, the magic Sion had used during his duel with Estroza was Fire Jet, a 3rd Circle spell.

It spread fire in a wide, fan-like shape and continuously expelled it.

Compared to 2nd Circle magic, it was a more advanced application of the element.

In short, from 1st to 3rd Circle, the magic wasn’t fundamentally different—it was just an expansion and adaptation of 1st Circle principles.

That meant Sion’s highly versatile use of 1st Circle magic…

To others, it would easily look like he was using 2nd or even 3rd Circle magic.

“Now it all makes sense. Patrick, you’re really good at explaining things!”

“Good at explaining, my ass. Are you messing with me?”

“No, I’m serious.”

“Ugh… whatever. Let’s just head inside.”

Creak—

While talking with Patrick, they had arrived at the classroom before they knew it.

As usual, at the very front seat, Gáe Bolg was already waiting for them.

“Good morning, Sion! Patrick! Hahaha!”

“Morning, Gáe Bolg.”

“You’re still so energetic… Meanwhile, I’m exhausted from explaining magic to this magic-obsessed idiot.”

“Hah! If Sion is a ‘magic idiot,’ then that would mean everyone else here is an absolute fool! Hahaha!”

Snap!

Gáe Bolg raised a finger dramatically and let out a hearty laugh.

By now, both Sion and Patrick had gotten used to his high-energy antics.

Then, suddenly, Gáe Bolg pulled a pamphlet from inside his coat.

“Tomorrow is an important day, gentlemen. I hope you haven’t forgotten!”

“Tomorrow? What’s happening tomorrow?”

“Sion! You must remember this! Tomorrow is the long-awaited Club Recruitment Festival!”

The pamphlet in his hand contained information about various student clubs.

‘Oh… now that I think about it, I do remember hearing about this during the entrance ceremony… I think?’

The memory was faint, but Sion did recall something about student clubs.

On the Friday of the second week, after the orientation period ended—

All of Byzantium Academy’s clubs would open their doors and host events to recruit new members.

New students wouldn’t have regular classes that day.

Instead, they were free to visit various clubs and enjoy the events prepared by senior students.

By next Thursday, all students had to choose a club, since Thursdays were dedicated to club activities.

“I’ve heard about it before. Apparently, the Club Recruitment Festival is almost like a mini-festival at Byzantium Academy.”

“That’s exactly right, Patrick! In fact, that’s why there are no classes on Thursdays. The academy has officially designated it as ‘Club Day’!”

“…Oh? Then what about Fridays?”

“No classes on Fridays either. That’s why our schedule is so intense.”

Thinking about it, it made sense.

Each day had two long lecture sessions—one in the morning and another in the afternoon—covering multiple subjects.

With only three days of classes (Monday–Wednesday), students managed to cram in 20 academic credits.

‘Wait… that actually doesn’t sound too bad?’

Sure, it meant 6 to 7 credits per day, but in exchange—

Students got Thursday to Sunday off every week.

Well… not entirely off.

Thursdays were for clubs, and Fridays to Sundays were meant for team projects or adventurer activities.

Still, it was a surprisingly flexible schedule.

“A club, huh… Which one should I join?”

Sion scratched the back of his head.

Back in his previous life, he had never joined a club at school.

He was too busy with studying, writing research papers, and completing extra credit assignments.

Instead of spending time on hobbies, he’d spend his weekends working on midterm substitute assignments that were due in a month.

‘This time, let’s actually enjoy club activities.’

Sure, studying was important, but he couldn’t say he had zero regrets about missing out on clubs before.

If he had 48 hours in a day instead of 24, he would’ve gladly balanced clubs and hobbies.

But in his past life, he had simply prioritized efficiency.

This time, he wanted to experience academy life more freely—including joining a club.

“Hmm… I think I’ll join the Travel Club! I want to explore famous landmarks across the Empire!”

“Travel, huh? That sounds fun. I might join the Tea Ceremony Club instead.”

“Tea ceremony? Since when were you interested in that?”

“Well, I figured it’d be a good way to build connections with noble families.”

As Gáe Bolg settled on Travel and Patrick on Tea Ceremony,

Sion carefully examined the club pamphlet in his hands.

This was his first experience ever choosing a student club.

He wanted to pick wisely.

As he carefully browsed the list, he suddenly felt a presence watching him.

From very close by.

“…?”

“Sion.”

“Se… Serenne?!”

When he turned around, Serenne Camillia was standing right next to him.

She had appeared silently at his side, observing him.

Her expression was the usual sleepy-eyed look, but there was something… different.

‘Her… cheeks… are puffed up?’

With her soft, youthful face, she already looked young for her age.

But now, with her cheeks puffed out, she looked even younger.

Wait… why was she puffing her cheeks like that—

‘Oh. Oh.’

Suddenly, memories flooded back into Sion’s mind.

Serenne was glaring at him while inflating her cheeks like a balloon.

Seeing her like that made him instantly recall a certain conversation they’d had.

— “I don’t really care about other people. I just wanted to talk to someone else with Mystic Eyes.”

— “Really?”

— “Let’s go to a cafe after class. Or if you don’t like open places, the training hall works too. It’s soundproofed.”

Two days ago—before Professor Hurryju’s class—

Serenne had recognized that Sion possessed Mystic Eyes.

And in response, she had revealed that she did too.

They had then agreed to talk after class about their shared abilities.

— “Alright, alright. Just let go of my hand for now, okay?”

— “Mhm. Promise.”

— “Yeah, yeah. I promise.”

To seal the deal, they had even linked pinkies and made a promise.

They were supposed to meet after class for a chat.

And what did Sion do instead?

‘Oh… I completely forgot…’

He had gone straight to the training hall to try and reach the 2nd Circle—

Then ended up getting help from Michelle-senpai instead.

With everything that happened—

Learning Upper Slash, dealing with Clive’s provocation, and keeping his promise with Professor Hurryju—

Serenne had completely slipped his mind.

Instead of meeting her after class, he had almost died training in the combat arena.

Serenne narrowed her eyes.

“…Do you have anything to say to me?”

“…”

Sion gulped.

Then, seeing her puffed-up cheeks, he quickly lowered his head.

“…I’m sorry.”

Yep.

The fact that her cheeks were so inflated was 100% Sion’s fault.