HLnovel Chapter 177 Phantom Land
Chapter 177 Phantom Land
"Let's go, we still need to write a report."
Irina approached the two. Now that the professor had left the classroom to have them write reports, they naturally had to cooperate and analyze the magic formula.
However, for some reason, she felt somewhat annoyed. Serafina's words and expression made her uneasy, and what had just happened in the classroom also angered her.
“Okay,” Sylvie said as she packed her things. “We’ll contact you after we finish the report.”
"Ah."
After informing her friends, Sylvie immediately followed Irina. As for Morse, he was already prepared.
But his eyes were fixed on Irina, observing her every move.
"Now that we have recorded many different formulas, we need to analyze them as soon as possible."
On the way, Irina briefly explained the urgency of the mission to the two, and neither of them objected. Surprisingly, she was very enthusiastic about studying magic and theory.
And so they entered the college library.
"Come with me, I've rented a private room."
Upon entering the library, Irina led Morse and Sylvie to a quiet corner with a small, soundproof room. This room was specifically designed for student group projects, ensuring they could discuss and complete their tasks undisturbed.
After the three of them sat down, the soundproof wall ensured their privacy, allowing them to discuss and complete their assignments undisturbed.
“Now, let’s begin analyzing the formula,” Irina said, checking the data. “You all know what steps we need, right? I’m guessing you’ve all passed the [Hunter’s Mana Basics] exam, haven’t you?”
"..."
“I passed,” Sylvie replied.
Seeing their reactions, Irina knew that the two had passed the exam. Previous exams didn't completely determine their semester grades, but they at least reflected their level of knowledge.
“Very good,” Irina said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask. We need a thorough analysis.”
After saying that, they each threw themselves into their tasks. The small, soundproof room became a place for focused study.
Irina carefully examined the captured magical formulas, analyzing their elemental composition and studying their structural integrity. Her gaze was sharp, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she deciphered the complex patterns.
However, while she was analyzing the formula, her mind was elsewhere.
What's going on with these two people?
Sylvie's commotion in the classroom was unusual. If she were someone who craved attention, Irina would have heard of her long ago. But from her initial impression, Sylvie was just an innocent, ordinary girl.
'Okay, she's still the same.'
One thing she did doesn't make you a bad girl, but... there are things that make Irina uneasy.
"This is your method for handling this formula. Do you remember the method I showed you last time?"
'Last time? When were they...?'
Watching the two converse so fluently, Irina felt that they had known each other for a long time.
Is there anything I don't know?
Her mood became somewhat conflicted, and she suddenly pushed the pen aside.
“Yes, I remember,” Sylvie replied.
"You need to use that method to solve this problem."
“But isn’t this formula third-order?” Sylvie asked, puzzled.
"It looks like that, but you're using the wrong loop. You should use this one."
"what……"
Irina felt something was off the more she looked, especially since Sylvie seemed a little too close to Morse.
Is it necessary to get this close?
She didn't even think twice before deciding to take action.
On a whim, Irina joined the conversation, her voice calm and steady. "Ahem, Sylvie, are you having trouble with this formula?"
Sylvie was surprised by Irina's sudden intervention. "Uh, actually, no. Morse is helping me."
Hearing this, Irina glanced at Morse, gave a cold laugh, and concealed her displeasure. "Don't bother him. You can ask me if you have any questions. Anyway, I doubt that guy can even complete his own mission."
“No, that’s not it…” Sylvie hurriedly explained. She had been having a good chat with Morse, but looking at Irina’s emotions, she felt something was wrong.
What's going on?
This emotion felt foreign to her.
"Why are you suddenly picking a fight?" Sylvie couldn't help but ask.
"Huh? What do you mean? I'm just stating the facts," Irina replied coldly.
“…You’ve really gone too far…” Morse sighed, looking at Irina expressionlessly.
“If you really want to be a teacher, then so be it.” He rarely backed down, seemingly tired of this pointless argument.
“Very good, you finally understand.” Irina responded casually.
Afterwards, Irina sat at the table and gestured for Sylvie to sit next to her. Despite feeling uncomfortable, Sylvie had no choice but to comply.
And so, the two continued studying, and time passed by, minute by minute.
......
'What a strange mission.'
This idea kept swirling in my mind as we analyzed the mana formulas. Calculating and understanding magic isn't difficult, and processing this data like a machine is easy, but maintaining this state for extended periods begins to feel tiring.
'And I don't even understand what this means.'
What's strange isn't the calculations, but the final result we got. Usually, we'd get a clear spell name, but this time it was a bunch of complex patterns.
"Ugh... what the hell is this?"
It seems Irina and I share the same idea.
“How do we write these results into a report and comment on them?” she asked, frowning.
I never thought I would agree with Irina, but this time she's right.
“I’ve never encountered anything like this before. Mana formulas are supposed to reveal something concrete, not leave behind a bunch of mysterious patterns.” She sighed. “It’s like solving one equation and getting another, an endless cycle.”
“That’s right.” I shook my head. “The more we analyze, the more confusing the results become.”
When Sylvie finished analyzing the last formula, a sense of exhaustion filled the group. She looked up, her face etched with confusion and weariness.
During our studies, I noticed that her talent wasn't in theoretical areas. I'm not saying she's stupid, but at least her intelligence didn't suddenly increase because of her awakening.
Seeing her still as Sylvie as before made her seem more like an ordinary person.
'But I have no right to complain.'
Just as I was thinking, something suddenly caught my attention.
As Sylvie folded her papers, I noticed a subtle connection between the symbols, thanks to the shadows cast by the light.
'etc?'
As if struck by lightning, I turned my attention to my own paper, comparing it to Sylvie's. Then, a connection emerged. It was like seeing something and feeling it resembled something, but not being able to name it—that's the feeling.
“Wait a minute,” I said, leaning forward. “Sylvie, could you show me the last formula?”
In order to find the same connection, I gestured for Sylvie to show me.
Sylvie handed me the paper, puzzled. "Okay, but I don't understand..."
"Wait a minute." What I need now is to concentrate and be quiet.
"..."
As I focused more on these formulas, I rearranged their order, while also mixing in my own formulas.
Gradually, as I stacked more and more papers together, the pattern became clearer.
Is this a piece of land?
The patterns in our analysis gradually form a picture below.
"Irina, give me your paper."
"What? It's not..."
"Shut up and give me the paper."
"……Give."
Irina reluctantly handed me her papers, which I carefully folded on top of Sylvie's.
The mysterious patterns and symbols on the page seemed aligned in a way I couldn't quite comprehend. With each new sheet of paper added, the image became clearer. It was like a jigsaw puzzle.
As I put Irina's papers away, a sudden realization struck me like lightning. The patterns were forming a map, depicting a place we had learned about in class, a place where magical phenomena occurred.
I leaned back in surprise, my eyes fixed on the combination of formulas that now revealed a hidden terrain. Lines and symbols subtly outlined the contours of the landscape, highlighting key landmarks and features.
'Land of Illusions.'
When this realization struck me, I finally understood the purpose of this test.
Why do they want us to capture as many mana formulas as possible? Why do they want us to analyze all of these formulas?
Why isn't the result straightforward?
This all makes sense.
'Luckily, I was paying attention in class.'
Because I have a good memory, especially for content related to projections, I was able to connect the dots.
Sylvie and Irina noticed my sudden change and exchanged puzzled glances.
"So... what's going on?" After a while, Irina could no longer contain her excitement and asked.
"Come here." I gestured for them to come to my table and opened the map of the Phantom Lands.
Don't these two look familiar?
Sylvie and Irina leaned closer to examine the map closely, their eyes scanning the intricate details. After a moment, Irina's face lit up with a look of sudden realization.
"These patterns look a lot like the maps we analyzed in class... Really?"
"Yes."
"Is this a map of the Land of Illusions?"
I nodded, confirming her observation. "That's right. The whole purpose of this assignment is to test whether we can piece together the different mana formulas to create a complete map of the Phantom Lands."
Sylvie's eyes widened; she finally understood. "So, these mysterious patterns are like puzzle pieces, and when we put them together, they reveal the hidden map we've been studying."
"That's right..."
“So what should we do now?” Irina asked, looking at me.
"It's nothing, we just need to include our findings in the report, and I believe we'll get extra points for that."
Although we have discovered the purpose of this test, I believe not all students will be able to do it. Most people, even with so many formulas, will find it difficult to connect them.
This means we will receive a special reward.
'Let me see what it is.'
If it's about analysis, I don't mind getting attention, because I know that most of the credit for this assignment goes to Irina.
"Hey hey hey..."
However, seeing her expression, I suddenly regretted revealing this discovery.