“The black shall turn to white, and the white shall turn to black.”
With these words, he gestured toward a large box he had prepared in advance. His hand reached inside the box, and when he withdrew it, a dark shadow wrapped around his hand.
As the crowd looked on, bewildered, magic began to unfold.
The darkness that enveloped his hand spread throughout the entire hall.
“Ah, the light suddenly!”
“I can’t see!”
The chandeliers and candlesticks that had brightly illuminated the hall lost their glow, and in an instant, darkness descended.
No light could overcome Ghieuspe’s darkness.
Just as people started to panic, Ghieuspe pulled back the darkness and returned it to the box.
“I can relocate darkness.”
It was a simple explanation, yet more than enough. The ability to relocate darkness was indeed impressive.
In any case, Ghieuspe demonstrated his power, and people murmured in awe.
“As expected from the Tower Mage of the Boleno Kingdom….”
“Prince Allan seems to have brought a special guest.”
“Shh, Princess Alice might hear you!”
Hearing the whispers around me, I smiled. The more Ghieuspe elevated our standing, the better it was. This would deal a blow to Alice.
Now it was my turn. I took a light breath, relaxed, and stepped onto the stage.
Standing on the stage, I could see things hidden from below.
Nobles watched with intrigued or wary gazes, Prince Allan and Princess Alice wore contrasting expressions, the leading men cast glances my way, and the servants bustled behind the audience.
Good, having everyone’s attention was exactly what I wanted.
“I am a mage with spatial attributes, and today, I will demonstrate a two-dimensional confinement spell.”
Mathematics in this world had not advanced to the same level as in my world.
For example, although this world had computers, they had yet to become widespread. Computers were only used when Princess Eva controlled artificial intelligence automatons.
As a result, mathematicians in this world lacked access to computers and, therefore, couldn’t perform certain proofs that required them.
However, since I don’t have a computer, I can’t reveal those proofs.
Even without a computer, there are still things one can accomplish.
Euler hypothesized that the above equation has no integer solution, but it remained unproven.
However, when computers were later invented, a counterexample was discovered:
\( 27^5 + 84^5 + 110^5 + 133^5 = 144^5 \)
I clearly remembered that \( n=5 \) and \( k=4 \) were involved in this counterexample, though I could only recall parts of the equation and had to perform complex calculations to get the exact numbers.
Another counterexample involving eight-digit numbers exists, but it’s too complex, so I stopped at this point.
The key takeaway here is that with the advent of computers, it was discovered that countless integer solutions satisfy the above equation, disproving Euler’s hypothesis. …I apologize for the lengthy explanation; I will proceed quickly.
“Now, I will demonstrate the two-dimensional confinement spell!”
I took out a notebook and opened it, revealing a blank page.
Then, I pulled out a shiny pearl.
“This pearl will cease to exist in our world.”
“Is it some kind of annihilation spell?”
While people murmured, I applied Euler’s hypothesis to the pearl. This required additional equations, and my mind raced to keep track of them.
Good. Now this pearl has Euler’s hypothesis applied to it.
When I collided the numbers I derived with this pearl…
Pop!
“What’s happening?”
A blinding light radiated from the pearl, causing people to squint.
When the light faded, nothing was left in its place.
“Is it annihilated?”
Seeing someone raise their hand to ask, I smiled.
“No, this pearl has moved to a two-dimensional space.”
I lifted my notebook, revealing the image of the pearl transferred onto the paper.
“A three-dimensional object has shifted to two dimensions?”
“How is this possible?!”
People began to murmur in astonishment.
It was indeed remarkable magic, manipulating dimensions using space.
Challenging the limits of humanity, so to speak.
I briefly explained the principle of the magic, and people expressed even more admiration.
“Oh, that’s incredible! A new mathematical discovery!”
“What an extraordinary mage!”
I locked eyes with Ghieuspe, who was seated below. His surprised face quickly shifted to a blank expression, giving me a thumbs-up. His serious attempt at encouragement made me laugh.
“With such groundbreaking magic, nothing can surpass that.”
“Exactly, she’s even made a new mathematical discovery.”
Some of the mages assigned to judge murmured, but the winner of the competition was all but confirmed.
As I sat in a chair below the stage, waiting for the announcement, they soon called out the expected name.
“And the winner of today’s grand prize is Miss Seraphina Viviana!”
A thunderous round of applause erupted, as if on cue. Smiling brightly, I offered a polite bow. Ah, the thrill of being recognized—it never gets old.
After stepping onto the stage, accepting the award, and giving a brief acceptance speech, the chairs were quickly cleared away, and the banquet began.
Naturally, I became the center of attention at the event. People flocked to me with bright, eager eyes.
“Miss Viviana.”
The first person to approach was Allan.
“That was an incredible display of talent. I didn’t expect you to develop your own magic.”
“It was nothing, really.”
“You’re far too modest. Among all the mages here today, you were the only one to create a new spell.”
As he said this, he glanced subtly in one direction, gesturing for me to look as well. It was where Alice stood.
Surprisingly, Alice showed no emotional reaction.
I had expected her to be resentful of the results or to glare at me with hostility, so I was a bit taken aback.
Instead, she looked at me with a keen, shining gaze.
Though unsettled, I ignored her look and continued chatting with the others. Simone complimented my skills.
“Seraphina, it seems your hard work paid off.”
“Good job. See? Hard work never betrays you.”
“Hmph, you’re truly one of us.”
“Looks like you could even aim for the Tower Master position.”
As I conversed with my friends, I tried to ignore Alice’s gaze. But unfortunately, she had already approached me.
With a demeanor entirely opposite of how she’d been a few days ago, she extended her hand.
“That was a truly remarkable spell, Miss Viviana. You could be considered an exceptional talent.”
“Ah, um… thank you.”
I awkwardly took her hand, only to feel her peculiar, almost sticky gaze on me.
“At first, I thought my brother merely brought you along as a formality. But now I see, you’re far too good for him.”
“Pardon?”
“Be mine, Miss Viviana. I can give you everything you desire.”
“Wh-what?”
“Hah, this is ridiculous.”
Alice’s intense, almost possessive declaration left my pupils shaking.
What… what’s happening here?
Could it be… yet another crazy admirer?
