The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1178

The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Chapter 1178

Chapter 1178
Heins Academy, being a newly established institution, only had five professors specializing in magical studies. However, each of them had once made quite a name for themselves.
“Revenge!! Only revenge shall be the path we walk forward on!!” Professor Vent burst out with fiery passion.
Once a blindly devoted employee of Shakuntala, he had long since turned against them.
Normally, the other professors would’ve stopped him. Yet instead, their eyes glinted in agreement.
“He speaks the truth. They threw us into that hell over a single test... They must pay the price in full.”
Their fury ran deeper than one could’ve imagined.
“But realistically, how do we even get revenge? It’s not like we can use force.”
That elusive method was the biggest problem.
It wasn’t like they could declare war against the country backing Shakuntala, and a war between academies had no gain for anyone.
So then, how were they supposed to relieve this humiliation, this seething rage?
As they struggled to come up with a plan, an unwelcomed guest let out a sly chuckle. “Rough day,
huh?
”
The professors turned to see a young man carefully biting into a potato. They shook their heads.
Once considered a top-tier bachelor in the Pallan Empire, he had sunk to a level where even a boiled potato was a precious meal.
‘Have you ever eaten a potato in tears? If not, don’t act like you’re the shit. I made it through that era.’
Professor Olman wasn’t the only one feeling frustrated. Most of the senior faculty felt the same.
What truly made it worse was that one of the magic professors—who had barely taught for two weeks—showed similar symptoms.
They couldn’t take it anymore, and so their anger boiled over.
Staying calm was supposed to be a mage’s fundamental quality, but they felt like they might just die of stress if they didn’t let all of the rage out.
Then, someone appeared behind Professor Olman and muttered, “Isn’t the biggest academic conference coming up soon? I heard it’s Shakuntala’s turn to present their papers and results this year.”
The professors all turned in unison, their eyes flashing as they shouted, “The conference!!”
Their pupils gleamed like starving beasts who had finally caught sight of prey.
“Yes... That’s it!”
“
Kuhuhuhu.
”
“Revenge... Revenge shall be mine!”
The professors of magical studies cackled like mad cultists, and Olman simply shrugged at the sight.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Alice averted her gaze with a sour expression. Tracing it back, she knew the whole mess hadn’t even technically started with the magic professors. It started with her, the theology professor, when she overworked her grad student Josiah.
‘Nope. Not my fault. Josiah’s the one who snitched. I did nothing wrong.’
Archbishop Alice had apparently become more shameless the longer she worked at Heins Academy.
* * *
Shakuntala Magic Academy.
The academy was actually staking a lot on the large-scale conference.
As the institution long recognized as the top magic academy on the continent, along with the direct backing from the Mage Tower, their pride was immense.
For the professors of Shakuntala, this conference held deep significance. It was their chance to prove their dominance and elevate their name even further.
Across the continent, many magical academies existed, both large and small. Yet if one were to compare it to institutions on Earth, Shakuntala stood on the level of Harvard University in both prestige and renown.
Naturally, professors from countless other academies were expected to attend the conference. The faculty had prepared extensively by coming up with responses to anticipated criticisms and polishing their research results for maximum impact.
All that was left was to unveil their perfect results and presentations.
There were no issues to be had—at least, that’s what the professors of Shakuntala believed.
From what they could tell, the work they’d prepared was, by all accounts, flawless. With the extended time they had spent preparing for the conference, their confidence was at an all-time high.
The Red Tower, the venue of the conference, was already packed with magic professors. Standing amongst them, the professors from Shakuntala stood out like royalty, commanding presence and admiration. However, it wasn't long before they caught sight of a group of ragged-looking mages in the crowd.
‘Have there always been mages like that?’
They found it strange, but since not every academy in the world was as wealthy as theirs, and mages tended to be eccentric anyways, they just brushed it off.
“They say they're from Heins Academy.”
“Heins? That academy rarely sends more than one or two participants to these events. Why so many this time?”
“Who knows.”
In past years, Heins Academy’s presence had been minimal at best, having one or two professors presenting unremarkable papers that never drew attention. They weren’t viewed as major players among the older schools.
“Don’t worry about them. They’re probably all new faculty, anyway. They won’t cause any disruption.”
“
Hmph.
This is the same academy that once tossed some ridiculous unsolvable question and told middle school students to solve it, right? Bunch of lunatics, I say.”
“When we filed a complaint, they didn’t even try to defend themselves. There’s nothing to worry about from them.”
However, they had no idea just how massive a butterfly effect that very same complaint had started.
* * *
The conference began with research presentations.
Just like the previous conferences, numerous academies and renowned mages presented their papers.
However, most of them were nothing more than singular theoretical equations. Producing something practically useful required enormous time and resources, something few could afford.
Naturally, everyone paid attention to the well-funded professors of Shakuntala.
“I’ll conclude my presentation here. I’d like to open the floor for questions, if there are any...” a professor mumbled timidly, lacking confidence.
He was from a small academy in the Central Continent. As if on cue, one of Shakuntala’s professors raised his hand high.
“Yes, go ahead, Professor Gondolf.”
“I read your paper with interest. However... there are a few parts I couldn’t quite grasp and agree with.”
With a stern expression, he began raising objections one after another. As the professor answered each one, his face gradually darkened.
Struggling to respond, his expression turned pale as if he’d been wrung out like a towel.
However, it was a sight everyone in the audience had more or less expected.
His face turned ghostly white as he struggled to defend his work.
To outsiders, it might’ve looked like the Shakuntala professors were bullies. It certainly felt that way to the person being grilled, at least.
Sure, rigorous academic critique was normal at conferences. However, such an extreme level of relentless pursuit was rare.
“W-Why are you doing this to me?! What have I done to deserve this?!”
“Come now, you think I’m objecting out of spite? We’re all just here for the betterment of magical scholarship.”
“T-That may be true, but...”
“I don’t see much remaining value in this paper anymore. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Unable to provide a proper rebuttal, the professor had no choice but to step down from the podium, shoulders slumped.
Some of the others cast sympathetic glances his way, but no one blamed the Shakuntala professor.
Yes, they weren’t very humane. Yet, from an academic standpoint, their conduct was flawlessly executed.
Every time their rebuttal made another paper obsolete, their academy’s prestige rose all the more.
The presenter just had to live with the embarrassment.
Most conference presentations turned out to be that way. The academies scheduled to present early were mostly smaller institutions with lesser-known professors. Their research was thus often demolished by Shakuntala’s critiques, or just quietly ignored.
The more it happened, the more powerful Shakuntala appeared.
Of course, there were plenty of professors harboring grudges against Shakuntala. Many of them ground their teeth, vowing to object to Shakuntala’s presentations in turn.
However, that was exactly what the Shakuntala faculty wanted. They believed the ideal outcome would be to draw attention and still provide answers to every objection, boosting both their individual reputations and the standing of their academy.
“Then let us begin Shakuntala’s presentation. I, Toffsmann, 6th Class mage, shall go first.”
He stepped up to the podium with a thick bundle of papers.
He activated a massive projection artifact behind him with a practiced flick. Complex diagrams, formulas, and explanatory text lit up the screen.
It was clearly a new, sophisticated theory that even seasoned professors would struggle to follow.
A few faculty members who had prepared to give counterarguments sighed and slowly lowered their heads, as they simply didn’t have the knowledge to challenge his work.
Not all 5th Class mages were the same. The gap in ability among them could be massive, and beyond the 6th Class, that gulf widened even further.
From mid-to-high 5th Class onward, a mage was considered elite on the continent. They were pretty much established professors and mages once they reached that level.
Someone like Yulis, who reached the 6th Circle before even turning thirty, didn’t get called a once-in-a-generation genius for nothing.
“To summarize, this theory proposes that in the composition linkage of mana particles—”
His explanation went on like he was speaking some alien language. The longer he spoke, the more dumbfounded expressions filled the hall.
At last, clearly filled with confidence, Toffsmann finished his presentation and addressed the audience.
“That concludes my paper. Are there any questions?”
Most professors averted their gazes, tails practically between their legs.
‘Yes, this is how it should be. We spent months preparing for this conference, and we have a status to uphold. How dare some low-level professors try to belittle us?’
He knew all he had to do was to step now and it’d be the perfect ending for him.
“I have a question,” a voice cut through the silence. An elderly mage with a slightly ragged appearance raised his hand.
“And you are?”
“Low-ranking new hire from Heins Academy. A 4th Circle mage, Bupherman.”
‘A mere 4th Circle?’
He almost laughed out loud.
‘How much can a 4th Circle possibly understand?’
Of course, circles and magical theory weren’t always directly correlated. However, in general, the higher the circle, the deeper and broader the mage’s knowledge.
Or more precisely, it had to be in order to reach that level in the first place. So, a 4th Circle mage had no business challenging a paper written by a 6th Circle mage.
“Go ahead, ask your question,” Toffsmann said.
“Then I’ll begin. First of all, your thesis appears flawless...”
It had to be.
“Under the assumption that the premise isn’t flawed.”
The atmosphere of the conference froze over.
Yes, counterarguments were expected at academic gatherings, and in a way, they served as battlefields of pride among professors.
It was all too exciting to see a 4th Circle mage pick a fight with a 6th Circle, a rare spectacle.
Toffsmann stiffened. “Can you back up your statement?”
“Back it up? It’s such an obvious issue.” With a dry chuckle, Bupherman continued to tear apart the presentation. Every time he said something, the expressions of Toffsmann and the rest of the Shakuntala faculty tightened.
“Then why don’t you tell us what the problem is?”
Buperman gave a faint smile. “Your paper is built on the use of the Mana Constant Equation, forming a theoretical framework around mana particle composition linkage, yes?”
“As already explained, that is correct. The idea was to better—”
“And yet, you used the mana constant equation?”
Laughter spread through the crowd.
It was as if he was stating the sky was blue. The constant for mana circulation was standard. Naturally, the paper’s conclusions followed straight from it.
“
Hmm.
It seems Professor Bupherman lacks knowledge. This, after all...”
“I’m well aware of the alpha equals x to the power of n version of the constant equation. That’s not what I’m talking about.”
Silence dropped like a blanket over the audience.
“I’m asking why you forced the constant equation into a context where it shouldn’t apply, producing a flawed result. What do you suppose happens when you combine a value derived from that equation with four-dimensional variables involving time and gravitational waves?”
Something wasn’t right—that level of analysis felt far too advanced for a mere 4th Circle.
As Bupherman began breaking down his theory step by step, Toffsmann’s expression twisted further.
“No, I suppose there’s no need to drag this out. I’ll prove it right here. If gravitational waves mix with the value derived from the mana constant, your model shows multiple inconsistencies. A plus or minus five percent error? Are you kidding?”
He was going in for the kill. What was ironic was that most of the words he said were things that others knew as well.
However, the fact that errors had crept into the paper, simply because of common knowledge that was regarded as the answer, was a perspective that even seasoned mages found hard to imagine.
That wasn’t the only problem.
“Furthermore, if we apply the Kellipost Equation, a formula typically unlocked only in late 6th Circle theory, your entire derivation falls apart. Let me guess, you’re familiar with the mana constant, so you used it freely, but you skipped the harder, unfamiliar Kellipost model entirely?”
Raising rebuttals and presenting arguments all came from knowledge.
“H-How?!”
“Otherwise... Don't tell me that you completely ignored the problems with the Kellipost formula and just cherry-picked the mana equation from it to use as you pleased? That’s nothing but a reckless buffet.”
Hearing his icy remark, the atmosphere around them froze once again.
“Don’t be ridiculous! How would you know anything about the Kellipost equation?!”
“I don’t. I’m just a lowly 4th Circle, after all. However, if you’re going to present a paper, you should be accounting for more variables. If someone like me can spot holes this easily, what does that say about your research?”
In truth, Bupherman, being a 4th Circle mage, knew little about the Kellipost Equation. Yet Davey had shattered their old preconceptions, and hammered new frameworks into their mind during their short hell.
He hammered into them the fact that they couldn’t just blindly use whatever formula they trusted, and that they had to understand how it should change depending on the situation.
Of course, for an ordinary mage, many of his perspectives would’ve been impossible to think of. When he even pulled out an unpublished theory to explain, the mages gasped in shock.
They couldn’t believe a 4th Circle mage was saying such things! As the no-named, newly appointed professor of Heins Academy continued with his rebuttal, Professor Toffsmann's face flushed red, then went fully pale.
However, he was only the beginning. The revenge of the Heins Academy professors had just begun.
The start was to demolish every weak point in Shakuntala’s perfect papers right on the spot.
The faculty of Heins Academy held grudges, and they had long turned bitter.

Chapter 1178