I have now accepted I'm into some isekai novel or cracked some 9 and 1/2 platform thingy that has resulted in this. Where else can you explain this much shock by magical and scientific advancement?
As I reach the gates of the academy, I realize just how grand this place is—like one of those magical castles from fantasy movies. Except this one isn't at 240p. This is 4K. Truly, it does justice to imagination.
I have lectures today. I remember that much instinctively—but why? How? All I know is that I must teach new admissions some basic magic concepts. Something free TAs used to do back at my old university. Man, the reputation of this guy I'm inhabiting must be rock bottom if he has to teach first-year basic magic.
I only recall the briefing in fragments, so I'll try to keep the lecture simple—more of a self-learning session for me. That sounds easy (hopefully). This world spans multiple planets connected by "mana holes," essentially wormholes formed by high-speed mana particles acting as magical tunnels through space.
This university? It's an entire planet on its own. If you want to go home, you'd need to return to your home planet first. But of course, doing that isn't cheap. Travel across planes costs a fortune—not something you do casually.
There's a forest planet for elves, a titan planet for those colossal creatures, and other worlds for ogres, dragons, and who knows what else. Personally, I would dig that planet with angel chicks with thick thighs, oh my gawd.
This academy serves as a central hub, the one institution helping to build the intergalactic network and push magical education to the highest reaches of the galaxy. We can assume this is Mana Valley of the United Nations of Magical Lands. This freaky magic name is attributed to this historic battle of colonialization ending and all powers getting a buffer time to build forces as far as this body remembers.
I still need to figure out what kind of magic "cheat" or advantage is available to me. Speaking of which, the only thing I had when I arrived was a blurry photo from some problem-solving conference in that other world. I have a feeling my powers begin there. But come on who cares about this picture of old fogies and a radioactive princess.
For now, I need to navigate the day—especially the lectures. Today might be the day I encounter a novel entity that governs this galaxy in the future. Or it should be how the novels go on I would assume?
Speaking of meeting a novel entity, this Wade boy is a parcel of wonders in itself. I mean his family rules an entire planet, but how useless can you be that you have to pick up teaching on a different planet, that too at the bottom of the hierarchy. He is a bit like the DC hero we had back there, minus the rich part and male, old, accommodating butler part. (that tail and thighs though are worth it...)
Beginning with the lecture material, I tried to make notes of it. I knew I should have gone for that doctor degree those fellas always had that 90% focus on notes and 10% on content.
Here goes nothing:
Lecture: Introduction to the Magic System
Today, I had to teach these little piglets—first-year students—what a magic system even is. Based on what I remember, the ranking system here is unique. Forget veins or magic circles around the heart—this is all about mana chains and parallel processing.
Ranks:
Mana Novice: Controls one basic chain element.
Early Stage: Can sense a single chunk of a mana chain.
Mid-Stage: Can sense multiple chunks but only short lengths.
Late Stage: Controls the length of a chain, limited by stamina and mana capacity.
Mana Pupil: Can control two mana chains simultaneously. For multiple elements, the control scales as: 2 × number of elements.
Mana Specialist: Controls 2^2=4 chains.
Mana Candidate: Controls 2^4=16 chains effortlessly.
Mana Candidate Master (aka "Half Master"): Controls 2^(16/2)=256 chains.
Mana Master: Can create an unlimited number of chains and tap into external mana sources seamlessly.
Mana Supreme: Commands all surrounding mana in their vicinity, forming a domain of absolute control.
Demigod: Exists like a fish in water—mana flows with zero resistance. These beings are essentially nuclear bombs; they must suppress their aura in the presence of others to avoid mana decay and accidental death of mortals.
Mana God: A mystery. Possibly exist in higher realms or act as planetary-level mana siphons—if they even exist.
As for me? Yours truly is currently at the peak of Mana Specialist level, and I probably would've ranked higher already if I hadn't taken over this body mid-journey, right? right?
The elements here are comprised of various distinct divisions you can make out with mana or the things:
Standard Elements (based on states of matter):
Air Water Earth Space Wind Fire
Exceptions (beyond physical matter):
Blood Spirit Hell Divine
And the most important one I forgot to mention: Chaos.
Why's it important? Is it the protagonist-tier element responsible for creating this world? Maybe. Is it powerful? Probably. Do I have it? Hopefully?
In reality, the UNML (United Nations of Magical Lands) decided that those who don't fall into any known element category are classified as "Chaos" types. But how do you know which element made the system in the first place? Easy: it's said that the gods above hold these primary elements, and perhaps are still alive in some corner.
There are Nobel clans, tribes, and communities that you can think of, dictator, communist (successful), colonial, democratic, as usual monarchy is omnipresent, community govern, collective consciousness, and all other types.
In essence, all are in a hierarchical relationship to the god tiers and nobody knows whether there is something at the top or not.
As I revisit this all paragraphs, I can safely conclude that the theory lectures are settled for today at least, But the real problem? Mana Algebra. Apparently, this body won a gold medal in it.
Starting tomorrow, I'll need to figure out how to do calculations involving mana formulas and algebraic mana gates.
Sigh... my poor, non-math brain.