"The principle of magic casting is to guide mana along the meridians inside the body, eventually releasing it to create a desired effect."
"Depending on how the mana flows through different meridians, at varying speeds and patterns, the resulting magical effects change—thus, different spells are born."
"Every race has a different physical structure, and even within the same race, individuals may have slight variations. This leads to differences in their internal meridians."
"That's why certain spells can only be cast by elves, or by goblins—because the magic flows through meridians that don't exist in other species, making these spells impossible to replicate."
"And magic circles—are the miracle that breaks this limitation!"
Illya passionately explained the theory of magic circles from the lecture podium, while Ron listened with great interest in the back row.
It was obvious that this elven saintess had a deep passion for magic circles. Once she got into the zone, her whole demeanor lit up.
Her initially quiet and gentle presence turned vibrant and expressive the moment she began talking about her field.
"A magic circle mimics the meridians within a mage's body. By using specific magical materials to replicate those pathways, it draws in elemental power along these 'artificial meridians' and releases magic."
"Unlike individual limitations, as long as one learns how to construct magic circles using materials, even ordinary people can use them to cast spells—matching mages in power!"
"This is the true significance of magic circles!"
At this point, Ron couldn't help but shake his head slightly. He didn't entirely agree.
Forget how expensive magical materials were—just teaching ordinary people to construct magic circles was already highly unrealistic.
Mages, through long-term meditation, had mental strength and focus far beyond that of the average person.
They often struggled with the deep and complex theories involved in magic.
Let alone magic circles, which are widely known as the most difficult and obscure branch of magical study.
To ordinary folks, mages were already mysterious and esoteric. And to ordinary mages? Magic circle specialists were a whole new level of arcane weirdos.
That alone spoke volumes about how difficult magic circles were to learn.
Ron glanced at Illya's lush, healthy head of hair and couldn't help but think—many middle-aged mages would be envious.
To be so young and already making a name for herself in the field of magic circles clearly meant Illya had outstanding talent. Otherwise, the academy wouldn't have allowed her to teach this class.
Aside from her belief that "popularizing the study of magic circles is the future", which Ron didn't quite agree with, he found the rest of her theories well-argued and enjoyable to hear.
In Ron's view, Illya's ambition to spread magic circle knowledge to the masses was a bit too idealistic.
A more practical goal would be to popularize magic circle studies among mages instead.
As for ordinary people, it would make more sense to teach them how to use magic circles, not how to construct them. Designing, drawing, and enchanting—those should be left to trained professionals.
But this world's mages were arrogant and aloof—why would they go out of their way to build magic circles for commoners?
It was a deadlock.
Ron didn't dwell on the topic. As class neared its end, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a silver coin, and stuffed it into Baby-Face's hands before unceremoniously snatching a few illustration booklets from his bag and slipping them into his own coat.
"Hey…" Baby-Face whispered hoarsely, afraid to speak loudly. "One silver only gets you one copy…"
Ron didn't even look back. He walked right out the back door.
Baby-Face muttered a bit under his breath, but in the end, happily pocketed the coin.
Those booklets were mass-produced anyway, costing only a few copper coins each. Even if Ron took a dozen more, Baby-Face would still turn a profit.
So he just chalked it up as a special discount for a new customer.
Outside in the hallway.
"Your Highness Ron?"
As soon as Ron stepped out the door, a familiar voice called out to him.
He turned his head—and immediately came face to face with a pair of majestic peaks, raising an eyebrow. "Edith?"
"It really is you?" Edith looked slightly surprised, then nodded in realization. "You must be here to see Professor Hicks, right?"
They had chatted during that barbecue dinner before, and Ron had mentioned he'd be coming to study magic under Hicks, so it made perfect sense to her.
Ron felt a little awkward. After all, tucked in his coat were several copies of a certain… illustrated item.
And based on his earlier conversation with Baby-Face, he now suspected Edith was the other elven saintess.
Which meant—he was currently carrying a "photo book" of her sister.
Technically, the booklets were hand-drawn, not actual photographs. But still, the implication was about the same…
Luckily, he had thick skin. After greeting her casually, he said, "I was wandering around the academy and sat in on a lecture. It was pretty interesting. I was just about to look for the professor."
"That's a shame," Edith replied with a touch of regret. "The professor left the city with the headmaster today to visit the gnome tribes. He won't be back for another couple of days."
"Oh?" Ron blinked, then shrugged. "That's really unlucky. I guess I'll come back later."
Time to get out of here—fast. If any of those booklets slipped out, it'd be really embarrassing.
"Wait, hang on!" Edith quickly stopped him. "Actually, there's no need to wait for the professor. If you just want to start with beginner-level spells, I can teach you."
"But I do need to speak with someone real quick. It won't take long—just wait here, okay?"
Ron almost declined instinctively, but then thought—if he waited another two days to start learning magic, that meant he'd be delaying his Seed Acceleration and Plant Growth spells for even longer.
As for the booklets… he chuckled to himself and tapped his own forehead.
Then, with a thought, he tucked them away into the system inventory.
Right—I have that, don't I…
With that done, he turned to Edith and, recalling why she was here, asked curiously, "You're here to see your sister, right? The one teaching that class?"
"Huh? Oh, you mean Illya?" Edith blinked, then laughed. "She's my older sister—not my younger one."
"Wait—she's your older sister?" Ron was caught off guard. He reflexively glanced through the window at the seemingly ordinary Illya, then looked back at the very much not ordinary Edith… and couldn't help but sigh at the irony of fate.
So the older sister ended up... flatter?
Shameful, isn't it? He thought, shaking his head with a soft click of his tongue.