Chapter 81: Sometimes Getting Slapped in the Face Happens Just This Fast

It was absolutely ridiculous—Merlin had come to a completely different world, and yet he still couldn’t escape the clutches of mathematics. Still, there was a silver lining: in his previous life, he had been a top student, a true academic prodigy. The coordinate-based function array before him could, in theory, be solved with nothing more than high school math.

The problem, however, was that ever since entering university and leaving behind the grueling days of the college entrance examination, he had forgotten almost all of his high school knowledge. Now, he had to dig deep into his memory and think carefully, reconstructing what he once knew.

At the thought of this, Merlin felt a sharp pang of headache approaching. He settled cross-legged on the magical array, closing his eyes for a moment, forcing his mind to recall every piece of high school mathematics he had ever learned. He had to work quickly—the coordinates of the room shifted every hour, and if he hesitated, he could be lost.

In the wizard tower, the demigod Weber lounged comfortably on a soft leather sofa. His gaze rested on the rippling surface of water that shimmered on the table before him, reflecting the scene of Merlin seated within the intricate magic array.

Leaning back with a casual air, Weber turned to the woman beside him, a playful smile on his lips. “Jenny, how long do you think this boy will keep thinking before he finally comes seeking help?”

At the center of the room sat a broad oak desk, its surface covered with a massive sheet of parchment etched with a labyrinth of complex magical runes and mathematical symbols. A hand paused mid-stroke, holding a quill delicately as it traced the intricate diagrams.

In one corner of the desk burned an oil lamp made of bronze, its eternal blue flame casting a soft, soothing glow across the room. The flame danced across the figure seated before the desk—a woman advanced in years but radiating energy and sharpness. Her pale hair cascaded down her shoulders like a silvery waterfall, each strand seeming to shimmer with the light of wisdom.

Her eyes were deep and luminous, as if capable of piercing directly into one’s thoughts, while the fine lines at the corners hinted at decades spent uncovering the mysteries of magic.

She wore a deep blue robe embroidered with golden arcane symbols and the insignia of the Arcane Academy. The edges of the robe were lined with soft velvet, lending her an air of dignified elegance. Simply sitting there, she emanated authority and grace.

This was Klein Jenny—the legendary “Iron-Blooded Witch,” Weber’s most loyal follower, and currently the vice-principal of the Arcane Academy.

“For a child who hasn’t gone through systematic mathematical training, this is nearly impossible,” Jenny said calmly, her tone measured but edged with skepticism.

“Impossible? Perhaps this little one will surprise us,” Weber said with a grin.

Jenny’s expression shifted, her voice sharpening. “Mathematics isn’t something so easily mastered. While a function-coordinate array isn’t an especially difficult puzzle, do you truly believe a first-year student who hasn’t taken a single math class could solve it?”

At the Arcane Academy, mathematics was a required subject only for second-year students. The first year was intentionally flexible and exploratory, giving students time to adapt to magical life. But by the second year, required classes increased, and mathematics became one of them.

Mathematics—the study of quantity, structure, change, and space—was considered, in this world, the key to understanding the universe. Wizards believed that through math, one could analyze and comprehend the fundamental truths of magic.

Casting spells was, at its core, a way of communicating with the elemental energies of the world, employing symbols and formulas not unlike mathematical equations. These symbols represented specific magical forces or effects, precise as any formula in mathematics.

In addition, alchemists and wizards often used geometric constructs in their magical arrays. A magic circle might be a complex geometric pattern, requiring exact measurements and careful design to activate. During battle, mathematics allowed wizards to calculate enemy positions, predict movements, or determine the trajectory of spells using parabolic calculations. Math was essential for measuring and controlling magical energy—its range, intensity, and duration.

Even the spells themselves adhered to strict rules and logic, echoing the rigor of mathematical thought. Advanced wizards could use mathematical models to predict spell outcomes or simulate magical events. Here, mathematics was considered the language of the universe itself, the tool by which wizards understood and manipulated its underlying laws.

Jenny had known of Merlin’s existence through Weber, yet she had never held much interest in a student who relied on shortcuts and alchemy. Even though Weber often returned with delectable foods, she regarded them with mild disdain.

“Spice combinations,” Jenny often thought, “don’t belong in alchemy. There’s no magic reaction at all—what sort of alchemy is that?”

She had strongly opposed the integration of culinary arts into alchemy, but Weber insisted. Not every student choosing alchemy possessed innate talent. For ordinary students enamored with alchemy yet lacking natural skill or background, learning some basic scent crafting was a means of survival and gave them a sense of achievement, keeping their passion alive.

Jenny watched Weber continue his calculations. The quill scratched rhythmically against the parchment, a soft whisper filling the quiet room. After a minute or two, she spoke with measured detachment.

“If he really manages to find my office on his own, I suppose it won’t matter if I grant his request.”

“The school exists to educate,” she continued, a faint smile curving her lips, tinged with irony. “And yet he wishes to rent classrooms to sell food? Were it not for your connection with him, I wouldn’t give him a second thought.”

Her smile deepened slightly, soft but laced with mockery. “Of course, it’s impossible for him to reach my office on his own. So there’s no way I’d actually agree…”

Knock, knock, knock—

The sound of the door interrupted her words. Weber, smiling, gestured toward the entrance, his eyes glinting with amusement at Jenny’s startled expression. “He’s at the door already.”

“Good day. I am Leo Merlin, a first-year student in the Alchemy Department of the Arcane Academy. Under the recommendation of my professor, Harrington, I hope to have a moment with the vice-principal. May I enter?”

Jenny’s eyes widened in disbelief. She could hardly believe it—this first-year student had actually solved the coordinate array of the wizard tower. Had he somehow encountered mathematics before?

It was a humbling moment, but Jenny was not the type to sulk when proven wrong. She glanced at Weber and felt, for the first time, genuine interest in Merlin.

Merlin stood nervously at the vice-principal’s office door. Only moments ago, he had recalled enough high school knowledge to calculate the coordinates of her office. The array had flashed, transporting him here. He glanced at the nameplate on the door. Yes… he was in the right place.

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