The Transmigrated Author
Chapter 116 - 116: Running Out Of Time

[Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4 - A]

After that long gruelling conversation with Jan, I finally made it back to my dorm room.

As I entered, It appeared that the medals and plaque I won from the tournament were delivered to my desk, which didn't make it any better, since the tournament ended in a disaster for me.

The medal of 4th place and The Best Single Match Individual Performance were both in my hands, but I knew holding these felt kind of sentimental to me.

It was the first few things I could look back on after entering this world.

I placed the mementos on the windowsill.

"Doesn't matter now," I smiled.

Soon, these will be just memories after everything is all done.

Changing into home clothes, I tapped my watch to play my playlist, though I noticed that its entire battery was drained.

It made sense honestly, I was out for an entire 4 days just to recover from injuries and mana exhaustion.

I guess there was no time better than to charge it.

It's not like I was expecting anything special.

...

...

...

DING!, DING!, DING!

[Missed Messages:]

________________

Jae Yoona (Classmate): [...]

> I know you're not in class today but meet me and Alice by the library at 4PM. [Thursday, 3:34 PM],

> Hey, where are you? [Thursday, 4:00 PM],

>Do you have my bow by any chance? [Friday, 7:30 AM],

>Hey why aren't you responding?! [Friday, 9:30 AM],

>Reply back when you get the chance. [Friday 11:00 AM]

________________

[Group Chats]

[<Histories Breakfast Club>] Lan.Villerion [...] [Open?]

[< K-1 Classroom GC>] Ly4ra [...] [Open?]

________________

[Emails:]

[To Mr. Laurence: Tounrmanet reports are out... [Review] -]

[Alert: Theory and Practical exam dates have been pushed back please see teacher for more details...]

________________

What?

I couldn't believe the number of messages and emails I got.

But my Jaw dropped further than the time I dropped my coffee onto my toes... it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

While my biggest concerns weren't the emails or the group chat.

It was Jae Yoona... What should I say to her? I didn't know what to do... and the fact that she asked for the bow back was even scarier... I didn't even get time to organize a replication of her bow.

Shit, shit, shit. I was so screwed.

Maybe I should at least compensate her in some way...

haah...

...

...

...

[1 day later...]

[Pinnacle Academy, Classroom 1-A]

[Monday, 8:45 AM]

The day after... morning classes began like normal, strangely enough, there were many eyes towards me as I made my way to my usual seat.

Lyra and Camila especially... they were all staring at me intensely, though seeing the empty seat between the two, I already knew this had to do something with Valencia...

Although she was still recovering, I couldn't help but think they were looking at me for that reason right?

I hope not...

But before my thoughts could form a conclusion Kolek who seemed almost unhinged as ever started the role call.

"Morning class! I hope everyone's well." He logged into the attendance system and then hit us with the big announcement.

"Okay, 1-A, I hope you've read your tournament performance reports. Starting today, the Early Offer Program opens up on the Academy website. These start post-semester, so specific application forms will be available for those interested."

The Early Offer Program

The Early Offer Program, essentially it's where all students start their training to become future heroes for the desired guild.

Not only does this program offer a lot of value to hard-working students, but this also helps secure business relationships for future partnerships.

With many programs coming in the form of internships, this allows them to earn credits towards a guild honorary system, giving a student the chance to earn the credit threshold for their offer.

It's an honest and fair system if you ask me.

Especially for offers that didn't come with the immediate response of a contract, you can work your way to getting an offer through the early offer program.

A win-win condition with extra steps.

But it wasn't my ideal plan for the future, though I am a little curious to see what the early offer program has, It was mostly just filler for plot progression.

However, I needed to enjoy this life to the fullest with the time I had at this academy.

"Alright, enough of that! It's time to introduce your newest professor, a grade 4 mage and Pinnacle Academy alumna – give it up for Ms. Silvene!"

A woman strolled in. Shoulder-length brown hair, glasses, and a face that screamed trouble.

It was an annoying teacher I made to piss off the characters and Silvene was one of those characters – the kind who loved humiliating any type of student... Especially the low-ranked ones.

My position on the rankings was... dangerous. All I could do was be on my best behaviour…for now.

As she walked back and forth observing the classroom she smirked and began her speech.

"Good morning, class. I'm Ms. Silvene. Top theory student back in my Pinnacle days, and I'm honoured to be teaching my first class – you lucky lot."

The Class silent but observing sat up on their seats... But I couldn't...haah...help but feel drowsy hearing her talk...

...

...

...

Ms. Silvene's voice cut through the air like a whipcrack.

"So, what do we know about mana efficiency? Redhead over there, snoring..."

Bazz jolted awake. "Wha – what?"

Laughter rippled through the class as Silvene descended upon him, her glare a storm brewing behind her glasses.

"Care to share what you know about mana efficiency, Mr…?"

Bazz snorted, nonchalantly picking his nose. "Uh… mana efficiency, it's, like, spells… I think."

Disgust twisted from Silvene's lips, as she pushed up her glasses.

"If you bothered paying attention during this semester, you'd have the definition written down in your laptops or books."

Jan who flicked Bazz's head, everyone remained quiet while she scanned the room, a predator assessing its prey.

Her gaze settled on Alice, Jae Yoona, Lyra, and Camila. Silvene easily deduced that they were among the top of the class.

Then, her eyes landed on a boy slumped at his desk, chin propped on his hand.

He was brazenly asleep. "Sleeping through my class, Mr. Glasses?" she barked.

Rel jerked upright, blinking the sleep from his eyes.

His gaze met Silvene's, and a flash of nervousness quickly masked. "Sorry..."

"Sorry won't cut it," Silvene snapped. "Explain to me, glasses, what is mana efficiency?"

Rel stared for a moment, then answered, his voice steady.

"Mana optimization. Using the least amount of mana to achieve the maximum spell output while minimizing wasted energy."

The smug grin fell from Silvene's face. This answer was too good, too concise. "Correct…" she ground out, her tone laced with venom.

She turned to the board, scrawling equations, a storm cloud of resentment swirling around her as she punished the class for this boy's audacious knowledge.

[An Hour Later]

Silvene's eyes widened as she scanned the theory rankings. There, at the very top, was a familiar face – the student who'd dozed off half an hour ago, just after handing in his worksheet with every answer flawlessly filled in.

It was Mr. Glasses or Rel Laurence who was number one among first-years.

Yet, his combined practical and theory scores placed him near the bottom.

Such a strange disparity. He must be weak, a paper tiger.

The thought brought a malicious thought to her eye.

Perhaps the next lesson would be a 'practical' indeed… but for now, she'll give the class an impossible equation to solve, one even she hadn't solved until her second year.

"Well done, class," she purred, the change in tone setting the room on edge.

"As it's my first year teaching, I'd like to give you a challenge. It's thirty minutes until the bell. If anyone solves the equation I'm about to write, you're all dismissed early."

Excited murmurs filled the room as the students prepared to solve what she had for them.

"She's been stern, but fair so far..."

"This teacher isn't bad after all."

"Maybe this was a complicated efficiency problem?"

The students were about to learn how drastically they'd underestimated her.

As the marker tapped on the board, symbols and formulas appeared in a maddening tangle.

"...?"

Even Alice looked on in confusion.

This wasn't about efficiency, but sheer, impossible complexity.

Silvene's smirk widened – let them squirm, let that insufferable glasses boy break his brain, just a taste of the humiliation to come.

____________

SOLVE EQUATION TO LEAVE EARLY!

Total Mana Cost=

Total Mana Cost=

((Power FactorBase Cost×Complexity Factor​)×(Efficiency ModifierDuration Factor​))+

(Specialization Bonus×Environmental Modifier)

Given Values:

Base Cost = 10 mana

Complexity Factor = 1.5

Power Factor = 2

Duration Factor = 1.2

Efficiency Modifier = 0.8

Specialization Bonus = 5

Environmental Modifier = 0.5

____________

"Whenever you're ready, the marker is yours!" Silvene's innocent smile was a razor-sharp facade. The class was a whirl of panicked whispers, but her gaze was locked on Rel.

He'd squinted at the board, scribbling on his notepad in a circle pattern.

There was no way he could solve this.

This equation had stumped doctorate-level professors.

haah...

Then, a sigh. Rel stood.

As the arguments raged around him, he was already moving towards the board, grabbing the marker in hand.

Silvene's stomach twisted.

This was impossible...

Numbers flowed from Rel's hand, not just the solution, but the calculations themselves.

An elegant, brutal display of mathematical mastery.

And before she knew it, his answer and in-depth explanation were written all over the board.

Silvene's face burned. Before the rest of the class could grasp what was happening, Rel's work was done.

An explosion of shock rippled through the room. Then, silence.

Silvene, still frozen, felt rage replace the humiliation.

"I'll get you for this," she muttered, unheard amidst the students packing up.

"I'll make you regret this..." But Rel was already gone, slipping out the door unnoticed.

__________________

Authors Note:

- Rel's answer:

Total Mana Cost= ((210×1.5​)×(0.81.2​))+(5×0.5)

Total Mana Cost=((152)×(1.20.8))+(5×0.5)Total Mana Cost=((215​)×(0.81.2​))+(5×0.5)

Total Mana Cost=(7.5×1.5)+(2.5)Total Mana Cost=(7.5×1.5)+(2.5)

Total Mana Cost=11.25+2.5 Total Mana Cost=11.25+2.5

Total Mana Cost=13.75 Total Mana Cost=13.75

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