Chapter 18: The Younger Generation Is to Be Feared
At the same Energy Level, an Esper could not defeat a proper Mage in a straightforward contest of spells.
That was the simple truth.
A Mage had structure, system, and a complete casting framework behind every spell. An Esper using [Energy Simulation] could imitate the effect, but imitation was still imitation. No matter how cleanly he copied it, there would always be a gap in depth and stability.
Hodell knew that very well.
His only real advantage over the academy's Mage apprentices was speed.
He did not need long incantations, intricate gestures, or proper rune construction. Compared to them, his "casting" was much faster. As long as his opponent did not know that, he could make use of it.
Elijah had been strong. If Hodell had wanted to preserve the image of a genius and clear the way for his entry into the General Administration of Mysteries, then in a normal fight, he would have had to go all out. But if he also wanted to keep his secret from being exposed, then he could not fight normally at all.
There was no way to have everything.
So he had chosen the only practical solution.
A little cleverness.
When he told Elijah that he had only used some tricks, he had not been pretending to be modest. He had been telling the truth. If he had shown his trump card from the start, the final reversal would have lost most of its force.
People were always better at convincing themselves than being lied to outright.
If you handed them a conclusion, they might doubt it.
If you made them feel they had figured it out themselves, they would defend it for you.
…
"Ryan, can you explain how you cast so quickly?"
Under the shade of the trees, broken sunlight fell over Celia's cyan hair. She was looking at Hodell with complete seriousness, the kind that only appeared when her curiosity had fully seized her.
"That Ice Spike at the end," she continued. "Your casting speed was already at a Master level."
Hodell sighed inwardly.
Celia really did love chasing details to the end.
He put on the expression he had already prepared: a tired, slightly self mocking smile.
"There's no real secret," he said. "Just practice."
He let the words settle for a moment, then went on in a calm tone.
"You probably won't believe me, but before coming to the academy, I practiced the most basic Energy Blast against moving targets tens of thousands of times. All I wanted was a little more speed when condensing energy. After doing it long enough, I ended up developing a few clumsy methods of my own."
That part, at least, was not a lie.
[Acting Skill] at max level let him control his face, tone, and body language down to an absurd level, but he really had spent three whole months grinding experience until he nearly went insane.
Hodell met Celia's eyes and added, at exactly the right moment, "If you're interested, after the General Administration exam is over, I can share some of my practice notes with you. But for now…"
A faint, timely trace of pressure entered his smile.
"The exam is too close. Let's talk about my shallow little tricks afterward."
Celia listened quietly. Her gaze stayed on his face for a second longer than usual.
"That is not a shallow trick," she said.
Then she lowered her head and looked at the pebbles scattered by the roadside. After a moment, she gave a small nod, as if she had accepted the explanation for now.
"I understand. Then we'll talk after the exam."
Hodell almost relaxed.
Almost.
Because she did not leave.
She stood there in silence, as if she were weighing one last thought.
Before he could decide whether to say something to ease the atmosphere, Celia spoke again.
"Ryan, I don't think you need to suppress yourself this much."
Hodell looked at her.
Her eyes were clear and steady.
"A genius like you shouldn't have to stay completely bound all the time. At least in situations where your safety is assured… like private discussion… you could relax a little."
Then, after the slightest pause, she added in a soft voice, "Books often say that the more a person can let go of, the richer they are."
Hodell was silent for a moment.
Celia's perceptiveness had exceeded his expectations again. She did not just suspect that something about his technique was unusual. She had, somehow, sensed the pressure behind it.
He looked away toward the shadows swaying in the distance.
"Celia," he said quietly, "books also say this: you are free to choose how you cross the desert, so you are free. But you must cross the desert, so you are not free."
He let out a breath.
"Forgive me for not being more honest, but… I really don't have much choice."
Celia listened without interrupting.
She did not look surprised.
She did not ask for more.
She only tilted her head slightly and looked down at the shifting flecks of light beneath the trees.
"I understand," she said.
Then she lifted her book a little, as though reminding herself why she had come in the first place.
"In that case…"
"Good luck on the exam."
This time, she turned and left without lingering. Her cyan figure soon disappeared into the deeper shade of the path, leaving Hodell alone under the trees.
He stood there for a long while.
He did not know whether saying those words had been wise. After all, he had more or less admitted that he was hiding something.
Still, he did not regret it.
…
For the next few days, Hodell spent most of his time in the library.
That conveniently let him avoid the students who had grown far too interested in the "genius Mage," and at the same time, it helped him learn more about Liuli Star.
Oddly enough, the more he read, the more he began to miss the Mechanic class from the original novel.
From a player's perspective, the Mechanic class had been miserable in the early game. Compared to the other four classes, it barely had any real combat experience. It leaned toward support, logistics, crafting, and utility, with the combat payoff coming painfully late. It did not properly rise until around Version 3.0, and even then, it was mostly the top tier players who benefited. Ordinary people still suffered.
The original novel had put it bluntly.
"To train a high level Mechanic, the required experience is several times that of the other classes."
"The growth of the Mechanical branch is extremely expensive. Devices, materials, and parts can all be worth a fortune. Funds and resources are major barriers."
In other words, every time a Mechanic fought seriously, they were often setting fire to their own savings.
But from an NPC's perspective, a class that could steadily grind experience from the back line did not sound bad at all.
He only had one life.
He absolutely could not afford to play like a player.
For now, he thought, I'll take it one step at a time. Pass the General Administration examination first. Growth needs resources, knowledge, and opportunities. Running around as a fugitive is not a plan.
One evening, he became so absorbed in a stack of books on Liuli's culture and political development that he did not notice how late it had gotten until the light outside turned completely dark.
When he finally stepped out of the library, a cool wind brushed against his face and cleared his mind a little.
Then, just as he reached the quiet tree lined path between the library and the dormitories, a figure stepped out from behind an old tree and blocked the way.
Same deep grey uniform.
Same forgettable face.
Hodell's expression turned cold immediately.
Before the man could open his mouth, he spoke first.
"The academy is already tense because of the last incident. Don't tell me the School wants to make trouble again right before the exam."
The man did not react at all.
"The organization is not interested in discussing your emotions," he said flatly. "I'm here to remind you. Tomorrow's General Administration examination will require strength."
His gaze fixed on Hodell.
"Do not forget to take the medicine."
Hodell's lips tightened.
"…I ran out."
For the first time, the man showed something like confusion.
"Ran out? Weren't there several pills in the bottle?"
Hodell answered through clenched teeth.
"Disguise is dangerous. Caution is necessary at all times."
The man stared at him for a second, then reached into his coat and took out another small black bottle.
"Fine. Take this one. It's the latest version." He pressed it into Hodell's hand. "If any problems appear after using it, report them."
"I understand."
Hodell took the bottle and left without another word, walking faster than before.
The man moved aside to let him pass. As Hodell went by, he caught a faint trace of mockery in the other man's eyes.
…
Back in the dorm, Hodell looked at the second bottle of addictive pills and let out a short laugh.
"Heh. Maybe in the future I can sell these to some player."
He turned the bottle between his fingers.
"Respawn should wipe the side effects clean for them."
The idea was ridiculous.
Which made it strangely comforting.
…
The General Administration examination arrived right on schedule.
The written exam hall was vast and solemn. The ceiling arched high overhead, covered in complex magical patterns that emitted a soft, even light. Below, small separated examination booths were lined up in clean rows.
The students seated there were the elite of Liuli Cloud Dream Academy.
On Liuli Star, the Ministry of Magic and the General Administration of Mysteries were the two most important institutions in the empire. But for the majority of academy students, the General Administration meant more than a prestigious job.
It meant status.
It meant crossing the line from student to builder of order.
It meant joining the machinery that actually kept the empire running.
If the Ministry of Magic was the arm that reached outward, then the General Administration was the spine.
To enter it was not just to get access to power. It was to gain entry into the empire's most advanced magic guiding technology, its largest public data networks, its highest level projects, and perhaps, one day, the circles where actual decisions about the future were made.
For ordinary people, the General Administration was both manager and protector. It was rigid at times, yes, and often more feared than loved, but it was still one of the cornerstones holding the empire steady in a hostile universe.
Hodell sat in his seat with a perfectly proper expression on his face. Calm. Focused. No different from the other examinees.
The exam covered a grotesque spread of material.
Magic theory.
Energy geometric structures.
Chronicles of Liuli Star.
Foundations of magic conducting engineering.
Arcane ethics.
Social governance.
And several other areas besides.
For normal students, this was a brutal battlefield of memory, understanding, and mental endurance.
For Hodell, it was more like following a route someone else had already drawn on the map.
There had been a time, in his previous life, when he had daydreamed about impossible things.
What if I just had all the answers?
Now he did.
Unfortunately, the reality attached to that fantasy was less glorious.
He was not here because of some miracle of destiny.
He was here because he had been arranged, shaped, and pushed onto this road.
That thought sent a faint coldness through his chest.
He lowered his eyes and kept writing.
…
The written test was only the first gate.
Even if someone performed poorly there, strong results in the practical exam could still drag them back into contention.
The practical examination took place in the academy's main training grounds.
This time, unlike the usual classes, a translucent energy barrier enclosed the entire field, and above it, a dense observation array hung across the ceiling like a net of light. Students were brought in one batch at a time to demonstrate their abilities under direct review.
The practical exam had three parts.
Basic elemental manipulation.
Designated spell construction.
Free demonstration.
It was completely public.
That meant Hodell could study the people before him.
He watched Eric produce two earth walls at once with clean, confident control, earning a slight approving nod from one of the examiners.
He watched others cast standard fireballs, Wind Blades, and ice spikes, some with admirable fluidity, others with stiffness obvious enough to hurt.
Then his name was called.
"Next. Ryan."
Hodell stepped into the field.
At once, he felt the attention of the entire venue settle on him.
The comments began immediately.
"That's him?"
"The transfer student with connections?"
"Shut up. Didn't you see his fight with Elijah?"
"The genius Mage?"
Hodell ignored them all.
The examiner looked down at his slate and spoke in a clear voice.
"First task. Demonstrate basic water element control. Condense and maintain a standard water sphere."
Hodell extended one hand.
With a single thought, a perfectly round water sphere formed above his palm almost instantly. It floated there, gently rippling, smooth and self contained.
A rustle of surprise spread through the crowd.
"No incantation again?"
"The gesture was almost nothing!"
"Is this guy some reincarnated old monster or what?"
The examiner's brows lifted slightly, but his hand moved quickly across the recording board.
Condensation time: 0.28 seconds. Excellent.
Condensation effect: Excellent.
Incantation free: bonus consideration.
Minimal gesture dependency: bonus consideration.
No visible natural energy draw… strike that. At this speed, external draw would only slow him down.
"Maintain for one minute."
Hodell did.
The sphere did not shake once. It stayed as smooth as polished glass until the minute ended, then dispersed without a trace.
The examiner gave no verbal reaction.
But his pen moved again.
"Second task. Construct and launch a [Blazing Missile]."
This was one of the most basic low level offensive spells. Elijah had used the same spell a few days earlier. The key points were stability, standardization, and a precise flight path.
Hodell let out a few short, deliberately vague syllables, just enough to resemble a simplified incantation. At the same time, he traced a compact rune path through the air with two fingers.
He had to admit it.
Maxing [Acting Skill] had been one of the best decisions he had made. Even trained examiners could not find fault with a sequence he was imitating at this level.
Underneath the performance, he ran [Energy Simulation] at full force, while also wrapping the effect with a fine binding field to stabilize the shape of the spell.
An orange red fireball rapidly took form before his fingertips.
Its size, luminosity, and mana fluctuations were all standard.
"Go."
He pointed.
The fireball shot forward, trailing a neat ribbon of flame, and struck the center of a moving target dozens of meters away.
The target burst in sparks.
For a moment, Hodell almost wanted to laugh.
Two impossible fantasies from his old life had once lived in his head.
Learning magic.
And immortality.
Now at least one of them had come true.
The examiner continued writing.
Hodell knew very well that he was not hiding as much as he would have liked. But there was a limit to what his circumstances allowed. Compared to the Mages standing around him, he had spent too little time as a genuine Superhuman. [Energy Simulation] was not [Mage Simulation]. It could mimic results, but it could not completely replace the foundation of the Magic System.
At equal Energy Level, he was still weaker than a true Mage in direct magical quality.
That gap would only grow later if he did not find another way to bridge it.
Fortunately, he had advantages in other areas.
The free demonstration began.
Five targets lit up in sequence across the field, each moving unpredictably. This part tested reaction speed, spell switching, and casting fluidity under pressure.
This suits me better.
Hodell's eyes sharpened.
The instant the first target lit up, his right hand was already up. Energy gathered at his fingertips and a compact fire missile shot out with a sharp whistle, striking the target dead center.
"So fast!"
Someone blurted it out from the sidelines.
The second target lit.
He switched to Wind Blade.
The third.
Ice Spike.
The fourth.
Wind again.
From beginning to end, he exploited the one thing he could do better than most of the others present: he cast quickly, switched quickly, and never let the rhythm drag.
The whole sequence was smooth and economical.
No unnecessary movement.
No wasted hesitation.
Just spell after spell, clean and immediate.
The spectators could not stay quiet.
"That casting speed is terrifying."
"Even the stability is impressive."
"Look at the structure of those Wind Blades. They're clean."
"He must be using some special technique. Maybe he sacrifices raw spell power for faster casting and flexibility."
The examiners exchanged glances and gave the faintest nods.
…
In a hidden room far from the examination grounds, the man in grey bowed his head before a crystal ball.
"Lord Reed, Eli's examination performance is outstanding. According to our analysis, he has used the medicine again. Only…"
Reed's blurred figure sharpened slightly in the crystal.
"Speak."
"His casting peculiarities are becoming more noticeable. I'm afraid…"
Reed cut him off.
"It does not matter. From the moment he entered the academy, every step has already been part of the design. Letting that sort of peculiarity appear is not a flaw. It is another chain."
His tone was calm.
"He will understand that this, too, is leverage over him. An obedient one is useful. A talented one that obeys is better."
"I understand."
…
In the grading room, the examiner who reached Ryan's written paper stopped almost immediately.
The exhaustion on his face faded.
The early questions were all precise.
Correct.
Logical.
The foundation was impeccable.
Then he reached the comprehensive essay question at the end, the one concerning optimization of Mana Net node efficiency.
The Mana Net was one of the core systems of Liuli Star. It was not just long distance communication. It was also part of the energy supply backbone, urban coordination structure, and public administrative network.
To put it crudely, it was something like a combined power grid, internet, and civic command system all fused together.
It was the lifeblood of the planet.
The examiner read more slowly.
The answer did not merely reference several advanced theoretical models correctly. It actually connected them. Then it proposed a new route of thinking that was logically self consistent from beginning to end.
It was still somewhat shallow. Not enough to overturn existing frameworks or become a mainstream school of thought.
But still…
The examiner leaned back and reread a section.
The fatigue was gone from his face now.
His fingers tapped lightly against the desk.
"Such deep theoretical reserves at this age…" he murmured.
Then his eyes settled on the paper again.
"The younger generation truly is to be feared."
.....
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