Fame is a burden, much like weight is to a hog.
At this moment, Greg fully grasped the essence of this ancient proverb through firsthand experience.
As he stepped into the classroom for the second-year Elective Theory Class just as the final bell rang, the room, which had been buzzing with whispers, instantly fell into a strange silence.
Immediately afterward, almost every eye in the room turned toward him in unison.
Those gazes held extremely complex emotions, acting like countless invisible rays that pinned him to the doorway.
Even the old professor of Magic Theory, who usually looked upon him—the former noble playboy—with obvious disdain, adjusted his crystal spectacles. His gaze lingered on Greg for a few seconds before he gave a rare, almost appreciative nod and a slight smile.
Greg: "..."
He felt the muscles in his cheek twitch imperceptibly.
Although he had expected it, as someone who was used to being a dark rat in the shadows of the dungeon, he really wasn't accustomed to this kind of public attention.
Enduring the dozens of gazes that felt like they were trying to burn holes through him, he maintained a blank expression and walked quickly to his seat by the window in the back row, trying to minimize his presence.
However, this was only the beginning of the ordeal.
Halfway through the lecture, the old professor was explaining a complex theory regarding the "attenuation models and node compensation of elemental mana in composite magic arrays."
Because Greg had exhausted so much energy yesterday and hadn't slept enough this morning, his eyelids began to droop involuntarily as he listened to the obscure formulas and theories. His head bobbed as he drifted toward a nap.
Just a moment before his consciousness sank into a sweet dreamland—
The old professor stopped writing on the board, turned around, and lightly tapped the edge of the podium with his pointer. With a gaze full of encouragement and expectation, he looked past the rows of curious heads and locked onto Greg.
"Regarding the practical application of this mana attenuation constant..."
The old professor cleared his throat, his voice booming as he intentionally elongated his tone, then pivoted:
"Let us hear student Greg Sass's thoughts on the matter!"
"!!!"
Greg was instantly wide awake.
"As the outstanding student representative who, through his own wisdom and courage, defeated an Undead Knight alone in yesterday's incident."
The professor's tone was filled with unabashed admiration, his eyes bright.
"I believe that student Greg must have some... unique and profound insights regarding the 'efficient use of mana' and 'on-the-spot adaptation in combat'!"
"Come, student Greg, don't be nervous. Boldly share your understanding. It will be very enlightening for your classmates to see how theory connects to practice!"
Once again, the eyes of the entire class were locked onto Greg like spotlights.
Many students in the front rows even turned around to get a better look at his reaction, with the girls' eyes shimmering with curiosity and expectation.
Greg: "..."
Thoughts?
I don't have a single damn thought!
I've already forgotten what that constant you were just talking about is even called!
I just want to sleep!
I really owe your ancestors a debt of gratitude for this!
He ranted wildly in his mind, but his face showed nothing.
Meeting the professor's eager gaze and the expectant stares of the entire class, Greg knew he had to say something.
To maintain his image and to ensure his smooth participation in the upcoming Hundred Academy Exchange in Act Three, he couldn't drop the ball here.
He slowly stood up, his brain whirring at an unprecedented speed.
He certainly wasn't an expert in magic theory, but bullshitting and shifting focus were among his primary survival skills.
"Um... thank you for your trust, Professor."
Greg tried to make his expression look like he was in deep thought.
"Regarding the theory of mana attenuation and node compensation, the professor's explanation just now was very clear and thorough. I have benefited greatly from it."
He started by politely affirming the professor's lecture before pivoting.
"As for its application in combat... my humble understanding is that theory is, after all, a framework and a guide. Real combat is ever-changing; enemies will not act according to the models in a textbook."
He paused and continued.
"When I faced the Undead Knight yesterday, I didn't have time to precisely calculate the attenuation constant of every spell or plan perfect mana nodes. I relied more on an instinctive perception of my own mana flow, a rapid judgment of the enemy's attack rhythm and weaknesses, and... the on-the-spot reaction of combining the magic techniques I usually practice in the most effective way under extreme pressure."
He skillfully avoided specific theoretical details, steering the focus toward vague but politically correct concepts like combat intuition, adaptability, and basic practice.
"Therefore, I believe..."
Greg summarized.
"A solid theoretical foundation is certainly important; it keeps us from taking detours and helps us understand the essence of magic. But ultimately, what transforms theory into actual combat power is tempered practice and the willpower to remain calm and make the right choices in life-or-death moments."
He finished speaking, and a brief silence fell over the classroom.
Then—
"Good! Well said!!"
The old professor slammed his hand on the podium, his face showing extreme satisfaction and even a hint of excitement as he praised loudly.
"Modest and possessing unique insights! Student Greg's words profoundly point out the dialectical relationship between theoretical study and practical application! Without a solid foundation, one is like a tree without roots; without the tempering of combat and a steady will, no matter how good the theory is, it is but a castle in the air!"
The professor nodded vigorously as he spoke, his gaze sweeping across the class.
"Did you all hear that? These are the precious realizations that can only be gained by a warrior who has truly undergone a difficult trial! Not becoming lost in the constraints of theory, yet not dismissing its fundamental role, while emphasizing the crucial nature of willpower! This is the kind of true talent our Glory Cael Academy should cultivate!"
The professor gave Greg's humble evasion an incredibly high evaluation, as if he hadn't just spoken a bunch of platitudes but rather combat maxims filled with profound philosophy.
With the professor's official seal of approval, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted instantly.
The way the girls looked at Greg became even brighter, filled with unabashed longing, admiration, and even a hint of... affection.
His insightful speech, combined with his heroic feat of fighting the Undead Knight alone and his current slightly tired yet resolute profile, made his charm multiply.
As for the boys...
Their expressions looked as if they had collectively swallowed a fly, or perhaps like they had been constipated for three days and still couldn't find relief. Their faces turned various shades of pale and green, and their gazes were complex to the extreme.
They wanted to retort, to say, "That's just a bunch of nonsense!"
But in the face of the professor's obvious praise and the fact that Greg had actually defeated an Undead Knight, any retort seemed hollow. They could only swallow their annoyance, feeling utterly miserable.
Greg sat back down with a calm exterior, but he couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
It really is true... once a man attains the Dao, the great scholars will naturally step in to defend his scriptures.
It seems no matter the world, it's all just one massive, makeshift stage...
Rate on N.U.
