ALL NOVEL Chapter 38
“I have a dream.”
A somewhat sudden statement.
Yet, with just those few words, those who were already focused on Yujin found themselves drawn to his words.
“That dream is deeply rooted in my beliefs and your noble endeavors.”
Yujin looked around and continued in an unexpectedly sincere voice.
“I have a dream. A dream that one day, the children I and the esteemed professors here have taught will lead the future of humanity.”
At first glance, it might sound overly grandiose. But somehow, his words, filled with conviction, carried a mana that moved people’s hearts. A mana that ignited the pride of the professors, making them believe they could nurture such individuals.
“I have a dream. A dream that one day, a developed humanity will prove to the great celestial gods above that we are not merely pitiful beings to be cared for, but independent and worthy entities.”
-….!!!
Those words were a revolutionary shock.
What are gods?
They are the Transcendents who emerged victorious in the Great War and now protect humanity. Yujin was essentially saying that he would prove humanity’s worth to such beings.
“I have a dream. A dream that one day, the gods will acknowledge us and that we can show them on this earth that human life can be free and beautiful.”
-…….
“I have a dream. It is the hope that one day, humanity will truly become great.”
A heartfelt appeal.
Even in modern Earth, it would be considered one of the greatest speeches in history, akin to Martin Luther King’s iconic address.
Yujin’s speech, cleverly echoing that sentiment, was captivating the professors.
“This is also the hope of humanity. This is the belief I wish to instill when I teach the students who seek knowledge. With this belief, we can surely realize this hope.”
“Let this hope resonate across the earth. Let us pray that this hope reaches the great gods. Let us show those who deny this hope the potential of humanity!”
“Our lives are never insignificant. Our lives can be free and beautiful. Let us awaken this truth in countless others!”
“I have a dream!”
“A dream that one day, we will prove to the gods that they protect us not because we are pitiful, but because we are worthy beings!”
Even the professors of divinity, who dedicate their lives to the study of gods, were spellbound by his words.
They felt a desire blooming within them to prove their worth to the gods.
“I have a dream!”
And with that, the intense and powerful speech came to an end.
Yujin bowed his head to the professors and spoke.
“Thank you for listening to my long speech. I am Han Yujin, newly appointed as the Magic Studies Professor.”
And then, silence.
For a while, a heavy stillness settled over the meeting room.
No one spoke. The silence felt almost chilling, but it was more like the calm before a storm… no, more like the quiet before a volcano erupts.
…Clap.
Someone started clapping. That was the beginning.
Clap, clap-clap.
Clap-clap-clap-clap.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
The small clapping sound soon grew louder, echoing throughout the meeting room. People began clapping for Yujin with dazed expressions.
Regardless of age or gender, they clapped as if entranced…
‘What… is this?’
Professor Reina Sahart felt a chill run down her spine.
The professors gathered here were all highly respected in their respective fields.
They were proud individuals who didn’t easily acknowledge others, yet they were all clapping in admiration, completely captivated by just one speech.
Of course, it might have helped that the speaker was an authority on space-time magic…
‘To sway people’s hearts like this with just one speech?’
If Reina hadn’t known who he was, she might have been clapping along with them. It was that kind of speech—one that moved hearts and inspired pride.
‘Dangerous. Truly dangerous…’
Regardless of skill or power, someone who can enchant people with pure eloquence is extremely dangerous.
Reina felt her wariness of Yujin grow even stronger.
Meanwhile, the President, with a bewildered expression, spoke to Yujin.
“…Well, that was an impressive speech, Professor Yujin.”
“Not at all, Mr. President.”
“Ahem… Well, I suppose we’ve roughly finished introducing Professor Yujin. We hadn’t planned to hire a professor at this time, but we ended up appointing him urgently, so we wanted to create an opportunity for introductions. With that in mind, does anyone have questions for Professor Yujin?”
At those words, a dozen professors raised their hands, only to awkwardly lower them upon seeing others do the same.
Among them, Yujin pointed to an elderly professor who had raised his hand first.
“Yes. The professor on the right, who seems to have a wealth of experience, do you have something to say?”
“Ahem, let me introduce myself first. I am Professor Bern Kantonai. I humbly serve as the professor of Swordsmanship Studies.”
“Ah, Professor Kantonai. I’ve heard of your achievements in establishing a part of the swordsmanship system of the Knight Kingdom Leonhardt.”
At that, the elderly professor smiled and said, “It’s kind of you to acknowledge an old man’s achievements. Ah, come to think of it, are you older than you look?”
Yujin, the head of the Mage Association…
The fact that there was a high probability of reaching such a realm was well-known among the professors, except for those who were a bit slow on the uptake. Many professors speculated that perhaps Yujin was a Great Mage who had returned to his prime physical condition.
However, Yujin smiled mysteriously and said, “Haha, I’ll leave it to your imagination. But feel free to speak as you wish. After all, I’m still a newbie here.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll speak freely. First, you said you believe the children we teach will truly lead humanity. So, what do you plan to teach them? I heard that you declared at the Mage Association’s lecture hall that you wouldn’t teach the Space-Time Magic you established, as it’s too advanced for current mages.”
“That’s a good question. I didn’t come here to teach the students the Space-Time Magic I established.”
“Then?”
“I came to show them the direction of the path. Unfortunately, I know that many mages, including those in the Association, struggle to grasp the concepts and theories outlined in my papers.”
At his words, the other Magic Studies professors bowed their heads slightly, seemingly embarrassed. Yujin continued, “So, I plan to impart the foundational knowledge that underlies those concepts and theories to the students. Once they absorb that knowledge, they’ll be able to understand, even if only a little, the concepts and theories I’ve outlined in my papers.”
“Isn’t that the same as teaching Space-Time Magic?”
“It’s a bit different, Professor. Let me put it this way… Yes, it’s like a tree.”
“A tree?”
“Yes, a tree.”
With that, Yujin manipulated the Mana floating in the air. After all, his own Mana, the Dragon’s Mana, was too conspicuous.
Blue particles gathered and gathered, soon forming the shape of a tree.
“Ooh…”
“Such precise and skilled Mana manipulation.”
The Magic Studies professors let out small gasps of admiration at the delicate form. Yujin said, “Do you see the roots of the tree?”
“Yes, I do.”
“These roots are the foundational knowledge I want to pass on to the students. When they come together into a single stem, they form a large trunk.”
“Hmm…”
“The large stem, the trunk, is where the theories and concepts converge. However, that trunk then branches out into dozens of limbs, creating new concepts. Leaves and flowers bloom, and eventually, fruit is borne. Some of these branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits are the Space-Time Magic Circles I’ve created.”
“So you’re saying…”
“Yes, finding Space-Time Magic here is up to the explorer. I only teach the roots of the tree, hoping they will find the trunk and eventually discover new concepts. In that process, new magic that I haven’t created—or even thought of—might be born.”
With that, Yujin smiled brightly and continued speaking.
“I want that. True exploration, I mean. But right now, others are just digging around in a barren wasteland without even a single tree. That can’t be called exploration.”
“…I see. I understand.”
Professor Bern Kantonai nodded in satisfaction at the answer and took his seat.
Seeing this, Yujin also looked around and asked, “Is there anyone else who would like to ask a question? Ah, the young professor over there. Please go ahead.”
“Yes, my name is Heizen Schneider. Professor, you…”
Yujin smoothly answered the questions from the other professors without hesitation.
“…….”
Reina, who had been watching this, gazed at Yujin with a calm expression for a moment before raising her hand.
“…Yes, Professor Reina Sahart. Please go ahead.”
Yujin, who had been about to take the last question, flinched slightly when it turned out to be Reina, but he didn’t show it and spoke to her.
Then, Reina opened her mouth.
“First, I would like to commend Professor Yujin for his impressive speech as an educator.”
“…Haha, thank you.”
“On that note, I have one question. Professor Yujin, you were appointed as a professor at a rather ambiguous time. Aside from your speech, I’m curious if you’re currently in a position to conduct lectures.”
“Unfortunately, as you mentioned, due to being appointed at an ambiguous time, I currently don’t have any lectures to take on. So, for this semester, I will likely be focusing on administrative duties as a designated professor.”
“Is that so? Then, you do have the intention to lecture, correct?”
“That’s correct… but do you have something to say about that?”
Yujin asked, sensing something oddly ominous. Reina spoke.
“Professor Yujin, I understand you will be taking on the role of department head for Magic Studies… As the head of Magic Studies, I would personally like to conduct joint lectures with you for the time being. Would that be alright?”
“……”
A statement that blatantly wielded her authority as the department head. And a gaze that seemed to brook no refusal.
Yujin, once again realizing he had been squarely targeted by her, opened his mouth to speak…