[Physical Network]

Lein replied, "Yes!"

There was nothing to hesitate about.

He didn't know if he'd ever truly become a "principal" and shout, "The advantage is ours!"

But he'd crossed into another world, and this damn place was full of dangers. Seizing every opportunity to grow stronger was the key to staying alive.

Anyone who didn't know how to climb the ladder might as well start thinking about where to be buried—somewhere scenic, perhaps, where grass would grow over the grave.

Lein had no idea how astonishing the scene looked to everyone else when he silently activated the Campus Network.

At that moment, the entire Vulture Dragon Mountain seemed to tremble. Even with the naked eye, one could see the Four Elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—beginning to gather into threads of elemental energy.

The threads quickly grew denser.

Earth's black.

Water's blue.

Fire's yellow.

Wind's gray.

The entire valley was bathed in the four colors, each one radiating power and mystery.

The elemental threads formed a remarkably orderly network, perfectly following the contours of the mountain as they embedded themselves throughout the valley.

The whole display lasted no more than five seconds, but Downs realized with profound clarity that although the valley still looked unchanged, it had become a terrifying magical fortress, no different from a Mage Tower.

Stunned and awed by his master's godlike abilities, Downs couldn't help wondering: Why hadn't his master created this elemental network earlier? Weren't Mages all supposed to like building Mage Towers?

With his back to his disciple, Lein stood with his hands clasped behind him and his head tilted slightly upward. He closed his eyes calmly, feeling the mountain breeze against his face as it whipped his hair and the hem of his clothes.

For some reason, his still and detached bearing stirred in Downs an urge to bow before him once more.

If you wanted to bow, then bow!

A master so great deserved every ounce of respect.

"Downs."

"This disciple is here." Downs answered respectfully.

"I am not of this world." On impulse, Lein blurted it out.

Downs bowed deeply. "For a hundred years, there hasn't been a single Mage left on the entire Chaos Continent. I guessed... that you weren't of this world, Master. I only know that you treat me well and possess supreme wisdom. That is enough for me. I don't care whether you came from the heavens, hell, or the abyss."

No, your grandpa here came from Earth.

But the words caught in Lein's throat. He caught sight of Downs's bright, earnest eyes—his good disciple was clearly saying, Master, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. There's no need to lie to me.

And so, the fact that Lein hadn't come from another plane in this universe was brushed aside in the most absurd fashion.

Lein sighed. He decided to bury his secret as a transmigrator forever. "I thought the 'science' I taught you might not be accepted by this world. I didn't expect the world to recognize it as one of its laws. Since you've grown to this point, we'll go with the flow and bring a little magic, as you understand it, to this world."

"Yes!" Downs grew excited. He realized he was about to witness the beginning of an entirely new legend!

As the saying went, "The predecessors plant the trees, and the later generations enjoy the shade." Some things had to be done by someone. Since fate had guided Downs to a Magic Web Fragment, it must be heaven's will that he help rebuild the Magic Net, bring the light of magic to humanity, and win a place for humankind to survive. This magical network, which Lein had named the Physical Network, ought to be imbued with magic by Downs.

Downs's breathing quickened.

Every one of his master's words was full of hidden meaning. Since his master was guiding humanity toward rebuilding magical civilization with his supreme wisdom, then as his disciple, Downs should do his part and help lay the foundation.

"Yes—this disciple will do everything in his power to assist you, Master."

Lein nodded and transferred another magic-injection permission to Downs through the system. In fact, Downs knew more magic than his master did.

In almost the blink of an eye, Downs copied every spell he knew into the Physical Network through the spirit world.

Lein glanced at the system and was immediately stunned, his mouth hanging open.

He wasn't surprised to see spells like Electric Claw. What was outrageous was the extra note in the system's evaluation. Comparing it with the data from the magic books Ganis had brought last time, which the system had examined, the system rated Downs's version of Electric Claw as 138% more powerful, with 30% less magic consumption and a 59% faster casting speed than the version used by Mages in the Magic Network Era.

Downs's spells completely outclassed the old versions.

Lein could only marvel at how absurdly talented the kid was.

For a moment, he even wanted to copy the Magic Network Goddess's approach: make spellcasters pay the corresponding amount of Mental Power and magic in exchange for the right to cast a particular spell. As the lord of the "Campus Network," he could simply be an almighty administrator with all the permissions.

Then he thought it over.

No good!

A very bad idea!

The Goddess of Magic had played around with the Magic Net until it exploded, killing all the Mages who used it.

Lein had no interest in recreating that catastrophic disaster.

The lesson humanity had learned from history was that humanity never learned its lessons from history.

But the Magic Network Goddess wasn't human.

Lein definitely wasn't stepping into that trap.

Although the Physical Network was, to put it plainly, just Downs supplying the magic while Lein got it for free, Lein had still thoughtfully prepared a series of hurdles for potential new users.

Once a user reached the appropriate level, they could try a particular spell "for free" ten times. If they decided to bind that spell afterward, they would enter the full version.

Using the full version of a spell was like taking an online course. First, users had to pay the Campus Network enough Mental Power and magic, then study the relevant scientific knowledge and pass the Campus Network's quiz before they could keep using the spell.

There were limits not only on individual spells, but also on the total number of times any user could cast spells each day, to prevent magic from being abused without restriction.

Want to use magic without limits?

Sure!

Purchase the "Advanced Edition" of the spell. That meant using the magical theory stored in the Physical Network to independently draw upon the elements or magic in nature, reaching the level of casting spells on one's own. Then you could cast the same spell as many times as you wanted.

Some might wonder: if someone could already cast spells on their own, what would they need the Physical Network for?

That was the trap set by a certain transmigrator—ah, no, the key point.

Don't assume that just any Mage could get the same results as Downs from the same spell!

It was like shooting a gun. Did you think everyone was a sharpshooter who could hit the bullseye with every shot?

The spells created by that monster, Downs, were practically the best possible versions of them.

And even if users weren't tempted by Downs's spells, they could still benefit from Lein's bonus.

The system gave the Physical Network a clear description: [Given that the host's expertise in (Junior High Physics) perfectly aligns with this world's fundamental laws, the power of Evocation Magic cast by users of this Magic Net is increased by an additional 23.33%!]

After seeing that description, Lein was completely speechless.

So, in the eyes of this world, Lei was a bona fide "Physics" Archmage!