Chapter 244

The black stuff is writing, and the white stuff is paper. This proverb perfectly sums up my current feelings.

I know a bit about magic, but I’m more of a hands-on type than a theoretical one.

So, I had absolutely no idea what they were saying. The same goes for what was written on the blackboard.

Clearly, the codes were automatically interpreted during practice, but that? Nope, couldn’t understand that at all.

Understanding written symbols perfectly is one thing; actually comprehending them is another.

“Um? Sivar? When did you arrive?”

How long has it been? In the heat of discussion, Godin finally noticed me.

Naturally, Jane, who was beside him, turned her head my way as well. Judging by her wide eyes, she really hadn’t noticed me.

“Just got here. Grace didn’t come.”

“Oh, I see. Sorry, I was so engrossed in my debate with Jane that I didn’t even notice.”

“It’s okay.”

Grace replied that it was fine. Right now, she was happily munching on the lunchbox I had made for her.

It felt a bit like being an outsider looking in. Grace, like me, hardly understood anything.

I gazed at the myriad of symbols on the blackboard and opened my mouth.

“What’s all that? Is it code?”

“Haha. Not code—it’s theory. We were brainstorming how we could achieve the results we want.”

“Sounds really fun. Would you like to try it too, Sivar?”

Is she serious? Surely she must be joking.

I shook my head vigorously at Jane’s sparkling proposal.

Honestly, my brain was already screaming from just learning the math that Grace was teaching me.

But if I had to learn physics and magic as offshoots of math… wouldn’t my head explode?

Even as time passed, I preferred moving my body over using my brain. Not like I was going to be the Iron Man in this scenario.

‘Maybe a little.’

It’s a man’s dream after all. Just then,

“Sivar, that theory is definitely worth learning at least once. Besides, you can’t just put that brilliant mind to waste, can you?”

Godin said. It seemed like a heartfelt joke, but it stung a bit.

Everyone kept saying I was smart, but that was more or less a misunderstanding.

They all thought of me as a wildling, but I was actually a civilized person who knew more than they realized.

Sure, I’d act out of curiosity now and then, but that was just because it was a fantasy world. Otherwise, they were truly mistaken.

‘In the end, studying intelligence and thinking on your feet are different issues.’

Knowledge equals intelligence, and quick thinking equals wisdom. I’d say I’ve got more wisdom than intelligence.

Of course, as I accumulate knowledge, my wisdom will grow. Learning various things eventually proves useful.

But that doesn’t mean I want to learn all that. They were doing just fine without my interference.

“It’s okay. My head hurts. You two handle it.”

“Um… that’s a pity. How about you, Grace?”

“Sorry, but with my dull brain, I can’t understand what you’re talking about.”

Grace politely declined, downplaying her own abilities.

To reiterate, they’re on a different level of genius, yet Grace is pretty smart herself.

It’s just that Godin and Jane’s brains are on a level that far surpassed the times. Honestly, there aren’t many people who could grasp their theories.

‘If you think about it, it’s like a person from the 1900s looking at a smartphone.’

It’s a bit exaggerated, but honestly not really.

I made that analogy before. Jane’s straightforward; Godin is just plain insane.

He’s at a level where he’s creating artificial intelligence from scratch without any foundational theories.

It’s like using a ‘mod’ in a game to completely transform it into something different. It’s a revolution beyond mere innovation.

“Such a shame. It would be more fun if you two helped us.”

“Exactly! How about just hearing us out? You might understand it a bit more.”

Jane excitedly suggested, her blue eyes shimmering behind her glasses.

Naturally, Grace and I shook our heads in unison. The last thing I wanted was more brain strain.

Besides, I was in the position of an investor. An investor needs only good results.

“What you’ve made.”

“Huh?”

“Show me what you’ve made. That’s the deal.”

This simple reminder made Jane finally snap back to reality. She scratched her head, looking a bit sheepish.

I had been sitting still, but truthfully, Jane was the one needing investment and results from me.

Right now, she should be putting in all her effort to produce better outcomes.

‘Maybe I can finish this faster than expected?’

A medieval Iron Man with AI onboard. How could I handle that?

The real issue is figuring out how to put AI into the machine. Even Godin hasn’t managed to invent it yet.

Inventing it will take quite a while, and furthermore, it requires capital.

“Speaking of which, Jane, what you’re inventing… Can I take a look later?”

“I don’t mind. What about you, Sivar?”

“I don’t mind.”

They had been talking about theories without showing me anything yet? That’s impressive in a way.

However, it was getting too late today, so I decided to push it to the next day. I’ll have to swing by Jane’s workshop tomorrow.

Thus, I escaped from the swamp of geniuses and returned to the dorm with Grace. According to the signs, Lee Yeon-joo must have already gone back.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“You must’ve felt it earlier, but what we’re studying is nothing at all, right?”

I definitely felt that. English was so easy in elementary school, but by high school, it made me want to throw up.

That being said, it doesn’t mean I want to study. I noticed Grace was about to say something and interrupted her.

“I don’t want to study.”

“You can’t. We must study until we can understand what those people are saying.”

“Did you understand it, Grace?”

“… a little?”

A little, my foot! She had the same reaction as me.

When I glared suspiciously at her, Grace also avoided eye contact.

She must know well. She was probably feeling just like I felt about the black being letters and the white being paper.

‘By the way, wasn’t that originally something a dictator would use?’

Jane’s suit, which she’s inventing, is originally something that would be taken by the ruler of the land of science, Santia.

After Godin invented AI, it would be quite a while before Jane’s suit comes into play. And that’s when the issues begin.

The dictator of Santia would greedily take the product rather than focusing on Jane’s abilities.

After that, Jane completely falls into corruption and switches sides to the demons.

‘Who’s going to use it now, I wonder?’

But that future is now non-existent. Especially since I invested early, it’s going to be developed sooner.

Even if it’s delayed, it should emerge after the Academy collapse. The question is, who will use it?

I don’t particularly need to use it, and others are likely the same. Most of them can manage just fine without a suit.

‘Grace…’

I shifted my gaze to Grace. She was currently cleaning up the remnants of her lunchbox.

She’s definitely the best candidate among us, but… I doubt it’ll work. It would be uncomfortable with her ample chest.

No matter how advanced technology is, it can’t adjust body shapes. What’s more, Grace is in support.

‘I should think it through slowly.’

When a crisis hits later, someone will probably use it. With that thought, I was about to move on when…

“Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“Did someone visit our dorm? Why are there two dishes?”

“Oh.”

Thinking back, I hadn’t done the dishes. I forgot since I was busy taking care of Grace.

It didn’t matter much since it wasn’t just Danyerin either; Lee Yeon-joo had eaten with her as well. I’d say it was just a simple guest visit.

“Danyerin and Lee Yeon-joo had a meal together.”

“Yerin’s fine, but what about Yeon-joo?”

“Yeah. They know each other.”

“Really? Hmm…”

Grace stared intently at the dish smeared with sauce. She looked deep in thought.

Honestly, since I was in the wrong, I felt a bit tense. I waited anxiously for her to speak.

“… Am I being overly sensitive?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing at all.”

Grace smiled brightly and replied. Her smile is always beautiful.

But right now, there was something unnatural about the smile; it seemed a bit awkward.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“Next time, don’t casually bring guests into our room. This space isn’t just yours; I live here too.”

“Sure.”

That’s reasonable. I nodded in acceptance.

Grace nodded back with a smile still on her face, then began to tackle the dishes.

“… It can’t be helped.”

I heard her mumble with a hint of unease.

*****

The next day.

“Now, you’re doing something even more outrageous than I imagined.”

“……”

“Can you explain how this happened?”

I was kneeling before Rod, facing my punishment.

“It’s not just Sivar. Professor Godin.”

“Yes, yes…!”

“And your name is…”

“I’m, I’m Jane…!”

For clarity, I wasn’t alone in kneeling; Godin and Jane were kneeling right alongside me.

The whole situation is a bit long to explain. Let me first describe Rod’s current state.

His hair was a complete mess, clothes all disheveled as if struck by lightning. His brows were tightly knitted due to stress, etc.

“We barely just repaired the ceiling, and now… you’ve destroyed it again.”

“……”

“Can’t you just stay put for a day? I’m begging you.”

And finally, the ceiling that was wide open.

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