How to Live as a Genius Scholar in another World

Chapter 43 – The White Mage (12)

—–CROW—– 

Beastmen.

They weren’t disgusting, panting, bipedal furballs, but rather people with animal features like ears and tails.

While the Berserkers of Earth history were warriors who rampaged in animal hides, the Berserkers of this world were literally human-animal hybrids.

It was only natural that people who discriminated based on skin color would also consider beastmen barbaric.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, this world hadn’t developed evolutionary theory or white supremacy, so the discrimination wasn’t as extreme. That was probably the only saving grace for the Berserkers.

“Beast Transformation magic slowly alters the body over time, replicating animal traits,” Tirshi explained, drawing on the cat beastman sketch.

“The main side effect is the appearance of animal features… and also…”

Tirshi hesitated mid-explanation. I realized why and finished her sentence for her.

“Penile enlargement also occurs?”

“…Yes. In some cases.”

Touched by my consideration, Tirshi opened and closed her mouth, then lightly slapped her cheeks.  She regained her composure, her face settling into a calm expression that suited her white hair.

“I understand your concern, Mr. Wayne.  You’re worried that someone might be interested in the penile enlargement effect.”

“That’s right.”

Her question was direct and confident, a stark contrast to her earlier hesitation.  Had she switched to work mode?  It seemed Tirshi was also trying not to stumble over the word “penis” every time.

“The reason Lucy and I aren’t worried is because penile enlargement isn’t the side effect of Beast Regression.”

“Excuse me?”

Penile enlargement *wasn’t* the side effect?  I was surprised, and Tirshi continued calmly,

“The side effect of this magic is simply ‘physical mutation.’  The specific mutation is determined by individual genetic traits, so it’s practically random.  Penile enlargement is just one example.”

“So… there’s no guarantee that others will experience penile enlargement if they use Beast Regression?”

“Correct.  All BSK-type variant magic has individual variations in side effects. Some people might develop animal ears like Berserkers.  In your case, Mr. Wayne, the side effect just happened to manifest in your penis.”

“I see.”

Wow.  That was a surprise.  My dick enlargement wasn’t a magical effect, but a genetic quirk.

‘So, someone could use Beast Regression and their dick could shrink instead of growing?’

If the side effects were determined by genetics, they were essentially predetermined at birth. Like people born with an aversion to cucumber or a predisposition to motion sickness.

No wonder no one was interested. It was like playing a gacha game with your own body.

A macho Viking could learn the magic hoping for a bigger dick, only to sprout cat ears and become a Nekomimi muscleman!

I, too, could have become a macho cat-man Nord, throwing furry punches.  I was incredibly lucky to get the dick upgrade.

“Um… couldn’t someone eventually learn to control the side effects with enough research?” I asked, thinking out loud.

Groundbreaking inventions often stemmed from unexpected coincidences.

Like how biologist Fleming accidentally discovered penicillin from mold, couldn’t someone tinker with Beast Regression and turn it into a dick enhancement spell?

“No, that’s unlikely.  Many mages have already researched this and concluded that the ‘Beast Transformation’ mutation is uncontrollable,” Tirshi replied, reciting textbook knowledge.

“Variant magic has limitless potential.  If we could control the mutations, we could achieve amazing things like regenerating lost limbs, curing diseases, and enhancing soldiers.”

“That… makes sense.”

“Yes.  That’s why so many have attempted to research variant magic. But they all failed.  Even at the Mage’s Guild headquarters in Romania.”

So the Mage’s Guild had already researched variant magic.

It wasn’t surprising.  Scholars were the type of people who looked for research topics even while eating. They would have already explored every possibility I could think of.

‘But they all failed?’

After some thought, I understood.

Even on Earth, we developed steroids but couldn’t eliminate the side effects.  Similarly, controlling variant magic would be a difficult task.

“No one has succeeded in controlling variant magic, anywhere in the world.  Not even national-level projects,” Tirshi said, drawing a flask and crossing it out.

“That’s why there’s no point in researching Beast Regression’s side effects.  Research on ‘Beast Transformation’ has already failed, and Beast Regression has the same underlying principle.  It would just be repeating past failures.”

“So, no one will be after Beast Regression.”

“Correct.”

Knowing the reason put me at ease.

Beast Regression was a magic with random side effects based on individual aptitude.  No one would be interested in such a gamble. And even if they were, they wouldn’t come bother me.

“But… I still don’t understand why the magic only works on me,” I said, counting the people who had tried to use Beast Regression.

It only worked on me.  Even Usrate dismissed it as mere superstition.  I shouldn’t trust him completely, but it was still a concern.

Tirshi looked uncomfortable as she explained,

“I’m sorry, but that’s beyond my knowledge… Ulster magic hasn’t been researched much.”

“Ah, right. I know. I’m an archaeologist myself.”

The Ulster didn’t record their history in writing.  Their civilization was also less developed.  They lived practically naked, even now.

With few ruins or artifacts left behind, there wasn’t much for archaeologists to research. That’s why so little was known about Ulster history and magic.

“Well, I won’t die from not knowing.  As long as there are no more side effects, I’m satisfied.  This is enough.”

I said, but the inscription from the ruins came to mind.

—Branwen, or whatever her name was, said she received Beast Regression from a ‘friend.’

The erased characters, ■■■■, on the stele were probably the name of the ‘friend’ who gave her the magic.  It could be the name of a country, a person, or a god.

Anyway, the Erin people who received Beast Regression from this ‘friend’ would have been able to use it, just like me. And probably suffered from mutations at some point.

Was this side effect the reason the Erin people considered Beast Regression a ‘curse’?

At least, the side effect must have been something far worse than a bigger dick, considering they called it a curse and betrayed their ‘friend.’

‘If this theory is correct, it explains why Usrate dismissed the Beast Regression passed down by the Ulster as ineffective superstition.’

The three barbarian tribes, including the Ulster, passed down their history orally.

Oral tradition.  Knowledge passed down through spoken words.

The downside was that records were easily lost.  If someone died before passing on their knowledge, it would be lost forever.

Like a small business with no work manuals.  If a key employee quit, no one would know how to do their job.

Similarly, perhaps the ancient Erin people considered Beast Regression an ominous curse and didn’t teach it to their children, and the proper method of using it was lost over time.

‘It’s not uncommon for superstitions to cause the loss of valuable cultural knowledge, even on Earth.’

Koreans used to believe that sleeping with a fan on would kill you, so they added timers to their fans.  The Erin people experienced curse-level mutations, so it was a rational decision not to pass down Beast Regression.

Beast Regression probably faded from Ulster history.

It all seemed to add up.

But…

‘Something still feels off.’

I frowned, lost in thought.

It felt like a crucial piece of the puzzle was missing.  Like forcing a picture together with mismatched pieces.

There were a few things that bothered me, but the biggest one was this:

‘—Out of all the people in the world, *I* have the aptitude for Beast Regression?’

I could use ancient magic that no one else could, and the only side effect was a bigger dick?

That was too convenient. Even movie protagonists didn’t have it that easy.

I wasn’t a chosen one. I wasn’t a great hero or a powerful mage. I wasn’t some heroic figure destined for the spotlight.

Maybe if my dad was secretly a hero or a god from another world… but that was even more ridiculous.

‘Like I have some secret birthright.’

My parents were ordinary Earthlings who got sick from a common cold.  They were just regular people who were on friendly terms with the local shopkeeper and frequented the neighborhood bazaar.

My beloved family having otherworldly bloodlines?  Bullshit.  Not even worth considering.

Me being dropped into this world wasn’t fate; it was just plain bad luck.

Kang Buk-ho from Earth was just an ordinary guy. A guy who wanted to see his family again and introduce his girlfriend to his parents.

But if there was *one* thing that set me apart from others…

‘It’s that I’m from Earth.’

—*Spark!*

A thought struck me like lightning. I had felt something similar three years ago when I found a clue for my thesis.

Scholarly instinct!

It felt like scattered clues were connecting, forming a single beam of light.

‘…This is it.’

The reason only I could use Beast Regression.

The reason the side effect was limited to dick enhancement.

It felt like these two points were leading to a single answer.

The blurry outline of my destination was finally coming into view.

I had a feeling I would find the answer eventually.

Because to move forward, I had to overcome and break down the obstacles in my path.

“*Phew…*”

I took a deep breath and relaxed. Tirshi blinked at me.

“Mr. Wayne?  What’s wrong?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.  I just feel a bit drained after that explanation.”

Not all of my questions were answered.

But I knew my goal remained the same.

I would continue to gather wives and search for a way back to Earth.  That was all that mattered.

If I kept living each day to the fullest, I would eventually uncover the secrets of this world and Earth.

At least my biggest concern, my dick, was resolved.  Now I could focus on leveling up as an adventurer and scholar.

With that in mind, I decided to say my goodbyes.

“Thank you for the detailed explanation, Ms. Armashunas.  You’ve eased most of my worries.”

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

“You were a great help. I feel much better now.”

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded brighter, despite being intentionally low.

I felt a sense of relief.  I could finally relax and focus on my work.

“Let’s consider us even.  I hope to see you again someday.”

I stood up and offered a handshake.  It would be polite to remove my glove, but I couldn’t risk revealing my yellow skin.  Hopefully, she understood.

“Likewise.  If you ever need potions, please come visit.  Potioneering is my specialty.”

“It’s an honor to be invited back by such a distinguished person.”

Tirshi stood up and shook my hand.  We bowed to each other.

“Goodbye, Mr. Wayne.”

“Yes. Take care, Ms. Armashunas.  May your future be blessed.”

I activated Vector—Speak Gently and left the Mage’s Guild.

I took a less conspicuous route and changed my clothes in an abandoned building in a nearby alley.  I made sure to check my surroundings before and after entering, so I was probably safe.

“Man, how do superheroes manage to keep their identities secret?”

After my nerve-wracking costume change, I rushed back to Mutarat’s Children.

“Francesca! I’m back!”

I greeted Ms. Beinha and went straight to Francesca’s room.  She greeted me with a bright smile as I opened the door.

“Welcome back, Nord!”

—*Dash!*

*Hug!*

I caught Francesca as she ran towards me and hugged her tight.  Her sweet scent and soft skin melted away my fatigue.

“You’ve worked hard, Nord. I wanted to come meet you, but I didn’t want to interfere with your… secret identity.”

“It’s okay. You welcoming me back in your room is enough.”

Francesca giggled and snuggled closer.

“But I was so worried when you were late!  You know, I was thinking of going to the Mage’s Guild with a made-up errand if you didn’t come back by nightfall.”

“Aww, you’re the only one in the world who worries about me like that.”

Francesca’s words filled me with both guilt and warmth. That bastard, Usrate!  If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have kept Francesca waiting!

I wanted to apologize on my knees, but I didn’t want to let her go.  So I just apologized while hugging her.

“I’m really sorry. I planned to come back right after getting my answer, but things got complicated.”

“What happened at the Mage’s Guild?”

“Let’s just say my life is a 24/7 rollercoaster.  Never a dull moment.”

I was starting to think trouble sought *me* out. Francesca giggled at my words.

“What happened? Tell me! I’m curious.”

“Of course. That’s why I’m here.”

Francesca and I lay in bed, chatting about everything and nothing until late at night.

And I ended up spending another night out.

Bye-bye, my lovely inn fee.

—–CROW—– 

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