[Silvena’s POV]
Without turning his body, Orlan raised one hand.
Mana rearranged themselves into a glowing arc of script and figures, and in seconds, a full equation stretched across the manaboard behind him.
"I don’t want to hear any excuses. If you wish to stay in this class..."
"Then, solve this."
A shimring web of numbers and symbols began to spin across the manaboard.
The mathematical question appeared.
Silvena recognized the structure instantly. It was a refined equation built around high-level magic theory, specifically involving mana compression ratios and efficiency thresholds.
Even before the instructor had finished projecting the final variable, she could already see where the trap lay.
The equation required a working knowledge of advanced spellcasting infrastructure — how mana condensed under pressure, how its flow rate changed in elental conditions, and how internal systems stabilized volatile currents during mid-cast transitions.
It wasn’t sothing a first-year should be seeing, much less solving.
And definitely not soone from Class E.
For anyone who hadn’t been raised in a household that taught magical theory before they learned to read, this would be the equivalent of tossing a child into the deep end of a river.
Even with preparation, the question was still brutal!
So of the better scholars in the room might solve it if they were given ti and space to think, maybe access to a formula sheet or a reference book.
But even then, it would take focus and experience.
Silvena folded her arms lightly over her chest and leaned back in her seat.
"If you cannot solve this," Orlan said, voice level and unbothered, "you will be barred from attending this elective for the remainder of the sester. You will receive a zero, and the matter will not be revisited."
The words carried no heat, but they struck with finality.
’Not good...’
Silvena slowly grew worried for him.
Then, like a slow knife, the instructor read out the full problem.
"Given a spell with a mana compression ratio (Cm) of 3:2 and an efficiency threshold (Ef) of 75%, determine the optimal stabilization coefficient (Sc) if the internal conversion coefficient (Ic) is influenced by wind resistance (Rw), where Rw = 0.8Ic. Assu standard mana density (D = 1.2) and no external amplification."
The silence that ca after was unlike the previous one. Earlier, the room was anticipating to see if Ruvian would be reprimanded.
Now, it was anticipating a different thing.
Silvena let out a frown, and resisted the urge to sigh outright. Earlier, she had been curious. Genuinely. But this? It was too difficult.
Silvena had already managed to solve it, but she doubted that Ruvian, who had no background, or foundation related to magic equations could have solved it.
’Yeah. There’s no way he can solve that, he needs to know the formula first, without that... there’s nothing much he can do,’ she thought, eyes focused toward the front with a heavy sigh.
’If things get worse... I have to step in and help him.’
Ruvian looked at the manaboard with intense concentration, his expression calm and calculating.
He hesitated for a mont.
So people thought he would struggle at this point, possibly ssing up his words and guessing clumsily before being rejected.
It would have been understandable. Even predictable. After all, the equation was designed to be a wall. Tall, cold, and impassable to anyone without years of training.
But instead of retreating, Ruvian spoke:
"Instructor, is the internal conversion coefficient always linear in relation to wind resistance?"
A few heads turned at him.
Orlan narrowed his eyes. His voice ca quieter now, more guarded.
"No."
Ruvian nodded slightly, then asked again.
"Wouldn’t the stabilization ratio change depending on the spell’s rune sequence?"
There was a longer pause this ti.
Then Orlan gave a reluctant reply.
"Yes... but only if the mana density remains constant."
Ruvian didn’t stop there. "And does this assu standard density, or does it fluctuate based on the caster’s affinitas?"
That was when Silvena straightened in her seat. Her back ca away from the chair as her eyes sharpened, tracking the conversation now with a different kind of interest.
What had started as a quiet line of questioning was beginning to feel like another matter entirely.
’Haha... seriously? He wasn’t just clarifying the question. Was he trying to lead the instructor to give away the formula?’
Silvena had seen it before — rchants who never nad a price, but sohow always walked away with the better end of the deal.
A negotiation disguised as ignorance.
And this... this was exactly what Ruvian was doing.
It took Orlan a few more seconds to realize it too. But by the ti the thought settled, it was already too late.
Ruvian’s hand lifted as he began answering the question.
First, he broke the values down.
Cm = 3/2
Ef = 0.75
D = 1.2
Rw = 0.8 Ic
Then, as if adjusting, he made a ntal note for himself.
"Since mana density fluctuates based on affinitas... then this is it," he murmured quietly, almost as if reminding himself.
Ic = (Ef / Cm) × D
Silvena’s lips opened slightly.
’Is he... modifying the standard assumption just from asking those questions?’
Her colleagues stayed still in silence while he replaced the values, his fingers moving quickly and decisively across the manaboard.
Ic = (0.75 / 1.5) × 1.2
Ic = 0.6
Rw = 0.8 × 0.6
Rw = 0.48
Then, without even a mont’s hesitation, he set up the final ratio. The instructor never gave him the formula for this equation.
But Ruvian managed to easily create one nevertheless.
Of course, having said that, this was not an easy feat everyone can do. Especially for first year scholars, with no backing background.
And yet to him, all of this was just a child’s pretend.
Sc = (1.5 × 0.48) / (0.75 × 1.2)
Ruvian let out a thin smile as the numbers aligned. The equation shrank into sothing simpler, and before anyone could react...
Sc = 0.72 / 0.9
Silvena watched as he wrote down the correct answer cleanly.
Answer Sc = 0.8
Orlan studied the answer. And in the end...
"...That," he slowly admitted.
"Your answer is correct."
[You have received 150 Plot Points!]
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[Chapter 82: Calculated Disruption (1)]
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