The Magicians' Association was thrown into chaos.

The reason was none other than the sudden appearance of an unknown magician, like a comet blazing across the sky, who presented a thesis on space-time magic to the Association.

And it wasn’t just some hastily cobbled-together knowledge from the labyrinth or a rough attempt at implementing a few magic formulas. It was a comprehensive and systematically established body of work that spanned the entire realm of space-time magic: vast theories, perfectly refined concepts, and, most significantly, actual magic formulas capable of being classified under space-time magic. It was practically an academic foundation capable of establishing a whole new school of magic.

"What are these theories?" "Incredible! When you use the magic, objects genuinely accelerate or decelerate in any motion. Has time magic truly been realized?" "Magic that distorts space to this extent… Does this mean it could deflect any attack?" "The magic formulas actually function, but the theories… I’ve never heard of anything like them." "What is this theory even called? General relativity?" "Gravity magic as one of the foundations? What kind of connection exists between space-time and gravity?" "Next! Bring up the next section!"

The scholars and magicians of the Association, faced with the enormous amount of information on space-time magic—a long-standing dream for magicians—organized into a clean and coherent thesis, were overcome with an almost frenzied academic fervor.

As countless scholars copied and pored over the thesis, those who reached the final line on the last page of the document soon found their expressions turning into one of utter disbelief.

"In this newly established field of space-time magic, I have discovered numerous magic formulas and their boundless possibilities. They are truly wondrous, but due to lack of space, I will not include them here."

"Aaaaaaaargh!" "What is this nonsense?! If there’s not enough space, use more paper!" "Dammit! Is this guy toying with us?!"

By quoting the notorious omitted note from Fermat’s Last Theorem, which vexed mathematicians for 350 years on Earth, Yujin successfully elicited a collective wave of outrage and blood pressure spikes among the scholars and magicians.

"Damn it! Does he think we can’t figure it out because he’s hiding it?" "I’ll uncover every last formula this bastard left out!" "We will get to the bottom of this space-time magic, no matter what!"

Their pride and stubbornness having been provoked, the magicians and scholars became even more determined. They threw themselves into deciphering the thesis with heightened zeal.

Some tried to interpret the theories, wracking their brains to understand them. Others revisited the principles of gravity magic, one of the foundations of space-time magic, while others attempted to deconstruct the few formulas that had been included in the document.

No matter what it took, they were desperate to uncover even a fraction more about this newly established branch of space-time magic.

"Damn it... What is this theory supposed to be?" "I can’t figure it out. How does gravity magic even work within space-time magic?" "Gah…! Even when I break down the magic formulas, it’s pointless. How can something so simple fit together so intricately?"

But all their efforts led to failure.

It was inevitable. The relationship between space-time and gravity, revealed through general relativity, is an advanced concept even on modern Earth, where physics has developed extensively.

For those born in a world saturated with forces that defy physical laws—mana, aura, divine power, and demonic energy—the ability to comprehend the core principles of modern physics was an insurmountable hurdle.

Moreover, the few space-time magic formulas Yujin had revealed were constructed with remarkable simplicity despite their intricate functionality, offering little to glean even when deconstructed.

"Bring the author! Find the author of this thesis!"

In the end, they arrived at a singular conclusion:

They needed to bring the author, Yujin, before them.

***

"So, you've come looking for me?"

"Y-yes, that’s correct..."

At a table in the inn run by Mary, an elderly man with a long white beard sat in a deferential posture, facing Yujin, a black-haired man with perpetually narrowed eyes.

"I didn’t expect the esteemed head of the Magicians’ Association to personally pay me a visit," Yujin said with a faint smile.

The man before him was indeed the head of the Magicians’ Association, the leader who stood at the very top of the organization. Normally, such a figure would never bother meeting a mere magician in person. However, this situation was an exception.

Space-time magic—an entire field of magic so vast and systematically established that it could form a school of thought on its own. And this thesis, which had rocked the Association, originated from none other than the man sitting before him.

For the association head, it was more than worth the effort to personally meet the author of such groundbreaking work.

"You seem to be of considerable age," Yujin continued with a polite tone, "I hope I didn’t cause you to strain yourself unnecessarily. Surely you could have left this to someone below you."

"Haha... no, no. How could we entrust such an important matter as welcoming you, Yujin, to a subordinate?"

Of course, the association head hadn’t come simply out of respect or goodwill. His aim was to leverage his position and the power he had accumulated over the years to pressure Yujin into divulging the secrets of space-time magic.

However, the moment he first faced Yujin, he felt it.

Upon entering the inn, after clearing out the other guests with authority and coin, and ensuring it was just the two of them, he had tried to subtly oppress Yujin using the overwhelming magical power of a grand mage.

It was then that Yujin half-opened his eyes and revealed a fraction of his own aura.

And the association head immediately felt the overwhelming "difference."

It was as though he were a prey standing before a predator—or, more aptly, a firefly in the presence of the sun. His presence shrank into insignificance.

The crimson eyes that pierced into his very soul carried a chilling power, one akin to the legendary "Fear" attributed to dragons. It froze his spirit and nearly stopped his heart.

If not for his years of experience and honed mental fortitude as a mage, he might have gone mad or collapsed unconscious on the spot.

In that instant, he knew. The being before him was far beyond his ability to control.

It reminded him of the vast disparity he had once felt in his youth when standing before the "Chancellor of the Academy"—a true monster in human form.

And perhaps, the youthful appearance of Yujin wasn’t what it seemed, either. After all, the chancellor had maintained a youthful form despite living for centuries, though much of that was due to his race.

"Certain beings who reach a particular level of mastery regain the vitality of their prime and cease to age," the association head thought with a tinge of bitterness. "The East calls it the ‘Reversal of Aging’ or perhaps ‘Rebirth in Full Bloom.’"

Despite being considered a grand mage himself, he had never reached that level. Feeling a mix of bitterness and resignation, the association head straightened his posture and humbly made his request.

"Please, Yujin. Would you consider sharing your knowledge of space-time magic with us?"

He decided that abandoning his pride and asking politely was the most effective—and safest—approach.

The association head silently prayed that beneath Yujin’s unreadable demeanor lay a sincere desire to see knowledge prosper.

"Of course, I wouldn’t ask you to share it for nothing," he added hastily. "The Association will do everything in its power to support you, no matter what you need—"

"It’s fine."

Yujin interrupted with a smile, cutting off the association head’s offer. His tone could have easily been interpreted as rejection, and the association head’s face paled as though the world had crumbled around him.

"Please, reconsider—"

"Haha, it seems you’ve misunderstood me," Yujin said, waving a hand dismissively. "I meant that there’s no need for compensation. I have no intention of selling knowledge for a price."

"Truly? Does that mean—"

"Yes, but how about this instead?"

Seeing the association head’s face light up with hope, Yujin continued.

"Could the Association host a lecture sometime soon? I’d be happy to attend as a speaker."

"Are you serious?!"

The association head practically shouted in joy, gripping Yujin’s hands tightly.

"Thank you! Thank you, Yujin!"

"Haha, no need to thank me. I’ll visit the Association soon to finalize the details."

"Of course! Come at your convenience! Oh, wait—here!" The association head hurriedly produced a communication crystal from his dimensional space. "Please take this so we can contact you anytime—"

"Let’s take it slow," Yujin said with a chuckle, watching as the association head placed the crystal on the table and bowed repeatedly before leaving the inn.

As Yujin watched him depart, Tiamat’s voice echoed in his mind.

『Yujin, are you really planning to give a lecture? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t make space-time magic public?』

"Ah, Tiamat, I still have no intention of doing that. I never said I’d give a lecture on space-time magic, did I?"

『What?』

Yujin’s smile turned mischievous as he explained.

"I only said I’d attend as a lecturer, not that I’d hold a lecture on space-time magic. And I certainly don’t plan to."

『Ah…』

"If I outright refused, it would cause unnecessary backlash and attract annoying people. This way, I get to show a little flair while keeping everything under control."

Yujin turned to Tiamat with a sly smile.

"I didn’t lie, after all."