"Then, Yujin, we’ll be heading out now."
"Yes, take care."
After finishing the al with Hugo’s party, Yujin accepted the share of their reward they insisted on giving him. Watching them leave, he returned to the inn.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Mary, who was clearing the dishes, he headed back to his room.
『So, assuming you’re really going to write that thesis, where exactly are you planning to conduct your research?』
Tiamat’s question broke the silence, her tone curious about his choice of location.
"I’ll do it inside the subspace. Judging by what’s stored there, it seems like I have plenty of research materials."
『That’s true, but...』
"Oh, but I’ll need paper and a pen first."
Fortunately, the inn had so basic supplies like paper and pens. Wasting no ti, Yujin headed downstairs toward the innkeeper.
"Madam Mary!"
"Huh? What is it, Yujin?"
"Would it be all right if I borrowed so paper and a pen? I’ll pay for them, of course!"
"Pay? Nonsense! Just take them! Let know if you need more!"
Mary cheerfully waved him off, allowing him to collect the supplies.
With that settled, Yujin retrieved the paper and pen from a nearby room and entered his subspace.
Inside, the black void stretched infinitely, littered with treasures Yujin had swept from Tiamat’s tomb. He sifted through the items, selecting a few that might be useful for his research.
"All right, let’s get started," Yujin said.
『Need a hand? You may be a dragon and naturally gifted with magic, but you’re lacking in the knowledge departnt.』
"I’ll try on my own for now. If I get stuck, I’ll ask for your help."
『That’s an admirable approach... but if it gets overwhelming, don’t hesitate to ask.』
Tiamat, seemingly satisfied with his determination, quietly observed him from behind.
Of course, Yujin had his own thoughts about the matter.
Knowledge, huh...
Tiamat had indeed imparted so magical knowledge to him, but most of it revolved around the powers of dragons. He still lacked an understanding of the world’s magical frawork or how it operated.
But that didn’t bother him.
"Let’s rely on science and intuition."
Combining his scientific background from Earth with the heightened intuition he gained as a dragon, Yujin aid to approach the problem from a unique angle.
"[Gravity is the curvature of spaceti.]"
『Hmm?』
"Ah, nothing important," Yujin replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he recalled the principles of Earth’s physics.
General Relativity.
One of the most successful theories of modern physics, it redefined humanity’s understanding of gravity. Formulated by the genius scientist Albert Einstein, it interpreted gravity not as a classical force but as a phenonon tied to the geotric properties of spaceti.
The relationship between gravity and spaceti could be summarized as follows:
Strong gravitational fields distort spaceti.
However, this was technically incorrect. More accurately, gravity was the result of spaceti distortion.
In essence, any object with mass, no matter how small, causes a slight curvature of spaceti around it.
Here, Yujin saw an opportunity.
『Tiamat, could you share so knowledge about gravity magic?』
『Of course.』
In this world, gravity magic already existed. It allowed mages to increase gravitational pull, reverse it, or even change its direction.
Interestingly, Earth had explored similar concepts.
Awakeners with gravity-aligned abilities had attempted to develop space-ti magic, though they had ultimately failed.
But Yujin was different.
"Teleportation, subspace... the existence of these suggests..."
Mana, as a force beyond physical laws, enabled miracles that should have been impossible. In scientific terms, mana was akin to a singularity—a point where normal rules ceased to apply.
"I don’t need to rely solely on gravity magic."
Yujin believed in his intuition and newfound ability to calculate with unparalleled precision. As a dragon, he could now perceive the flow of ti, the resonance of space, and other phenona imperceptible to ordinary beings.
By combining these new insights with his scientific knowledge, he could bridge the gap between magic and science.
Though not a scientist, Yujin had a solid educational background. Before becoming an Awakener, he had completed his university studies, including courses in physics that had once seed outdated in a world dominated by mana.
Perhaps his interest in physics had been fueled by nostalgia, a way to honor his parents who had valued such knowledge.
"No, that’s probably just nonsense."
Chuckling at his own musings, Yujin began jotting down notes on the paper.
Tiamat watched him with growing amazent.
"This is knowledge? Such an idea… I've never encountered it before."
Tiamat, born into a world overflowing with mana since its inception, found the concept of physics both unfamiliar and refreshing. Naturally, this was to be expected.
Mana, along with aura, divine power, and demonic energy—the four fundantal forces—far surpassed the physical laws that served as the foundation of physics. Dragons were masters of mana, after all.
Their very existence was proof that physical laws were rendered aningless. How could a discipline like physics ever flourish under such conditions?
However, the knowledge Yujin brought from his otherworldly origins sparked sothing new within her. For the first ti, she felt a more systematic understanding of the concept of space-ti, which she had previously only grasped instinctively.
She spoke without thinking.
"Yujin, let teach you about space-ti magic."
"Huh? There’s no need to, at least not right now."
"It’s not about need. I’m just curious. If we could integrate this knowledge into existing magic, imagine how far it could develop."
"Well, if it’s for that reason..."
Following her words, Yujin absorbed Tiamat’s teachings on space-ti magic. For the first ti, he fully understood how techniques like the ti-stopping spell he had previously used as a dragon could occur.
"This is interesting. Shall we continue?"
Space-ti magic, fundantally, was not sothing mortals could easily wield. However, Yujin started to think that perhaps it could be adapted into a form that even mortals might manage to use in its most basic aspects.
***
Three days later.
"It’s done."
"It’s done indeed."
Yujin murmured as he finished drafting his thesis, while Tiamat, observing from the side, echoed his sentint.
The groundwork for a new branch of space-ti magic had been laid.
On the desk he had conjured into existence, two piles of papers lay neatly separated. One stack contained the full and detailed docuntation of this new branch of space-ti magic. The other was a condensed, sanitized version, with only the theories and a handful of basic formulas included, prepared for submission.
Critical magic formulas and easily decipherable theoretical elents had been omitted. Even the foundational theories were structured in such a way that they would be incomprehensible without a proper understanding of modern physics.
As the stack labeled "submission copy" implied, Yujin intended to present it to the Magicians’ Association. This would safeguard against the theft or misuse of his magic.
Above all, Yujin had no intention of publicizing the full content of his research. Technology itself might be neutral, but those who used it were not. Humans were beings capable of both good and evil.
In a world where the misuse of his space-ti magic could lead to unforeseeable consequences, there was no way he would recklessly allow it to beco widespread.
"Well then, shall we head out?"
Yujin gathered the submission copy, smiled, and exited the dinsional pocket. As he prepared to leave the inn, he ran into Mary, who was cleaning.
"Yujin! Heading out to eat?"
She knew he had been locked in his room for the past few days, absorbed in so sort of research. She had even brought als to his room on several occasions when he skipped eating altogether.
It seed he was finally erging for a al.
"I’ll eat later. I need to deliver this to the Magicians’ Association first."
"Huh? What’s that?"
Mary asked, pointing to the thesis in his hand. Yujin smiled and replied.
"The results of three days of research."
"What? Already finished?"
"Yes. I’ll submit it quickly and then co back for dinner."
With that, Yujin left the inn and headed toward the Magicians’ Association building in the labyrinth city.
"The Magicians’ Association prioritizes the pursuit of knowledge above all. No matter how skilled a magician is, they are not recognized unless they et academic standards."
That was why he had prepared. A card that could place the Association in a subordinate position.
With this, at least, he wouldn’t have to worry about the Association bothering him about magic-related matters within the labyrinth city. Surely, even Tiamat would be satisfied with this level of resolution.
Thinking as such, Yujin reached the Association building. A guard-like magician standing at the entrance stopped him.
"Halt! This is the headquarters of the Magicians’ Association. State your business."
"I’m here to submit a thesis."
"A thesis...?"
The magician glanced at the stack of papers in Yujin’s hand, then scrutinized Yujin’s appearance, his expression imdiately souring.
"You’re from the East, aren’t you? What business does soone from a land with no ties to magic have submitting a thesis—"
"I am a magician, though."
Yujin casually lit a fla in his hand, making the guard’s expression shift slightly. But that was all.
"Fine. What’s the topic of your thesis?"
"Space-ti magic."
"...What?"
The magician’s face contorted as if he had misheard. But seeing Yujin’s serious expression, he laughed in disbelief.
"Hah, this guy. Do you think magic is a joke? Just because you’re a magician doesn’t make you equal to others. Soone like you, with no affiliation, talking about space-ti magic? Don’t make laugh. Now get—"
"Would proof suffice?"
"What?"
Yujin pulled a gold coin from his dinsional pocket, and the magician’s eyes widened, realizing that Yujin could use such advanced magic. But what followed left the magician utterly speechless.
Yujin flicked the coin into the air, then pointed a finger at it.
A magic circle unfolded at his fingertip.
The coin froze in mid-air.
"....!!!"
Around the coin, a sphere of grayish light ford, halting not only its motion but also any detectable energy or air currents within it.
It was as if ti itself had stopped.
"Uh, uh..."
"Now, do you believe ?"
Yujin smiled gently at the dumbfounded magician.
Not long after, the Magicians’ Association was in an uproar.
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