Relin sat before Deculein like a student summoned to the principal’s office with his massive frame hunched over, curling in on itself like a pill bug. Half-asleep, Epherene drowsily watched the scene, wondering if she was still dreaming.0

"Yes… That section was referenced from Mage Jorah’s thesis," Relin said.0

"Yet, I see no citation," Deculein replied.0

"Oh, well… I intended to include them, but time was too short…"0

"I notice several passages that reference other mages' theses as well."2

Relin wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, forcing a smile. Yet, despite his attempt to maintain composure, a flicker of irritation crossed his face—his pride as a professor had clearly been wounded.0

“Haha… May I ask which passages you are referring to, Professor?” Relin asked.0

Epherene kept up the act of pretending to sleep, quietly watching. Then, without warning, the study door on the right side of the office swung open, and a flood of documents and books spilled out.0

"The subject of your thesis is about engraving specific spells from the supportive category onto mana stones to create a continuously operating security system, is it not? And yet, your spell incorporates elements from Circuits Inscribed Upon Objects," Deculein stated, presenting the evidence.0

Relin stood there, stunned, his lips parted in silent disbelief.0

Circuits Inscribed Upon Objects was a thesis published five years ago by an unknown university mage—one that received neither research funding nor recognition and was all but discarded.0

“Oh… Umm…”0

"Is this another cited reference?...0