I’m Not the Mastermind

"Can you imagine a world without the Four Great Forces?"

The students wore contemplative expressions as they considered the question.

A world without mana, magi, divine power, or aura.

And the conclusion most of them reached was this:

“...Could such a world even exist?”

The Four Great Forces were considered the foundation of the world itself, the source of all mysteries, and the power that maintained the balance of existence. This was a universal truth for those living in this world.

One student raised his hand and spoke.

“Professor, I don’t think such a world could exist. If it did, it would be a world already destroyed.”

“Hmm, I see. And what’s your name?”

“James, sir.”

“Very well, James. Then, let me ask you this: How do the Four Great Forces compose and sustain the world?”

“Well…”

At this question, James hesitated. While it was common knowledge that the Four Great Forces formed the foundation of the world, few truly understood how they did so.

The belief stemmed from the teachings of great figures who had mastered the arcane and priests who served the gods. But it was just that—a belief.

“It’s fine if you don’t have an answer,” Yujin said with an understanding smile. “After all, the idea that the Four Great Forces form the basis of everything is considered common sense in this world. Isn’t it said that the sun and moon themselves were placed in the sky by the Goddesses of Sun and Moon? Perhaps only the transcendent beings themselves know the full answer.”

“Yes, Professor…”

“However, I would like to challenge that assumption. I want to suggest that the world isn’t composed solely of the Four Great Forces.”

-?!

Gasps rippled through the classroom. The notion Yujin had just presented bordered on heresy.

Yujin, unperturbed, continued.

“Some of you might think this perspective is heretical. But let me ask you this: If we assume that the Four Great Forces compose everything, then why doesn’t every single thing in existence exude mystical energy?”

-...

“For example,” he said, holding up the piece of chalk in his hand, “can anyone here sense anything from this chalk? Mana, aura, magi, divine power… can anyone detect even a trace of the Four Great Forces in this object?”

The students exchanged uncertain glances, whispering among themselves. Yujin’s question was bold, especially in a world where transcendent beings were a proven reality.

It was the kind of statement that could be interpreted as sacrilegious, one that few dared to even ponder for fear of being labeled as heretics.

Yujin clapped his hands sharply.

“Silence.”

The room immediately fell quiet.

Though the students couldn’t quite explain why, Yujin’s presence had a weight to it that made his words impossible to ignore.

He turned his attention back to Julian, who had asked the earlier question.

“Julian.”

“Y-yes, Professor!”

“Why do you think we call mysteries ‘mysteries’?”

“...Excuse me?”

“Students, the phenomena caused by the Four Great Forces are commonly referred to as ‘mysteries.’”

And indeed, in the Labyrinth Academy—a setting Yujin had personally experienced—the term “mysteries” was frequently used to describe such phenomena.

“Why do we call them that? If the Four Great Forces truly compose and sustain everything in this world, shouldn’t their effects be seen as natural laws, not mysteries? Have you ever questioned why we use that term?”

-...

“Let’s circle back to my earlier question.”

Turning to the chalkboard, Yujin wrote another word beneath the earlier phrase:

[Singularity]

“When I first mentioned this word, many of you looked confused. What is a ‘singularity’? The answer lies in what I’ve just explained: mysteries themselves.”

He turned back to face the students, his gaze sharp yet inviting.

“It is said that the Four Great Forces—emanations of the transcendent beings—compose all things in the world. But can a world without transcendent beings exist? And what is the origin of the transcendent beings themselves? Were they born solely from the Four Great Forces? I don’t claim to know the answers to these questions.

“However, I do believe there are contradictions in the idea that the Four Great Forces alone compose the world. These contradictions are evident to anyone willing to look. But most people turn a blind eye, afraid of challenging dogma for fear of accusations of heresy or sacrilege.”

A cascade of shock followed Yujin’s every word. Had there been a theologian present, they would likely have been seething with outrage and indignation.

Yet Yujin continued unabated.

“I believe the Four Great Forces are fundamentally distinct from the natural laws of this world. That’s why they’re called ‘mysteries,’ and why I insist that there are things in this world that exist without them.”

“P-Professor, are you denying the fundamental doctrine of the Polytheistic Church, which states that the transcendent beings created the mortal realm?”

Julian stammered as he asked, unable to hide his unease.

The Polytheistic Church, the largest religion in the world, worshiped the pantheon of gods believed to govern all existence. Its influence spanned continents, even taking root in the far-off Eastern Lands.

Yujin’s statements could undoubtedly be interpreted as a direct challenge to this powerful institution. But instead of backing down, Yujin responded with a serene smile.

“Julian, has there ever been a single instance where the transcendent beings themselves declared that they created the mortal realm? Or has any historical text recorded such a claim?”

“Well, the first High Priest, the Saints, and the Holy Priestesses have—”

“They are not gods.”

“...!!!”

The students’ faces turned pale. Yujin’s words were a direct affront to the authority of those who were said to wield divine power on behalf of the gods.

Even Reina, who had maintained her composure so far, looked visibly shaken.

But Yujin pressed on, his tone calm and unwavering.

“It’s taken as common knowledge: the transcendent beings created the mortal realm, and we live by their grace. But I want to pose a question to the transcendent beings themselves, or to the gods of the heavens: Did you truly create this mortal realm? Of course, I would exclude demons from this line of questioning since deceit is their nature.”

Yujin already knew the answer, of course.

Tiamat, the leader of the dragons—a transcendent in her own right—had confirmed it herself.

“None of the transcendent beings created the mortal realm. The mortal realm has always existed independently of them.”

The memory of Tiamat’s words resonated clearly in Yujin’s mind.

“Do you think the gods would lie about such a thing? I doubt it. They’d consider it disgraceful to tether themselves to the false authority created by mortals. It would make them no different from demons, and they despise deception. They’ve merely chosen not to correct mortals’ misconceptions because they see no need to intervene.”

“Interesting perspective,” Yujin had thought at the time.

Indeed, he was certain the mortal realm wasn’t created by the transcendent beings, nor was it composed entirely of the Four Great Forces, as common knowledge suggested.

His certainty imbued his words with authority, and the room fell silent under their weight.

Yujin’s declarations were radical, even dangerous. It wouldn’t have been surprising if someone reported him to the Polytheistic Church.

But the reason no one dared was simple: Yujin’s reputation. He was a Grand Mage of unparalleled renown, a pioneer of temporal-spatial magic—a groundbreaking contribution to human knowledge.

Words spoken by a beggar and those spoken by a world-renowned scholar carried vastly different weight. And Yujin’s words demanded consideration, however uncomfortable they were.

Students began to question whether his claims might hold some truth. After all, Yujin wasn’t spouting baseless nonsense. The contradictions in the belief that the Four Great Forces composed all things were apparent to anyone who cared to look. But people turned a blind eye, unwilling to question what they were taught for fear of being ostracized.

Perhaps Yujin’s disregard for the dogmas of transcendent beings and their followers was what allowed him to uncover the secrets of temporal-spatial magic. The students couldn’t help but think that his bold mindset might be worth emulating.

Yujin glanced at his wristwatch.

“I had planned to spend more time explaining my concept of ‘singularity’ in relation to the Four Great Forces, but… it seems we’ve run out of time. I can’t monopolize the lecture, nor do I have enough time for more questions. We’ll continue this discussion next time. For now, Professor Sahart?”

“Ah, yes?”

“It’s time for you to begin your lecture. My apologies for taking up so much time with my introduction.”

“Oh, no, it’s quite alright,” Reina said, shaking her head reflexively.@@novelbin@@

“Well then,” she cleared her throat and turned to the students. “Let’s begin the lecture. Please open your textbooks.”

The students complied without a word, though their gazes occasionally flickered toward Yujin as they opened their books.

Thus, the lecture proceeded in an unusually subdued atmosphere.

“Alright, that concludes today’s class.”

When the lecture ended, the students shuffled out of the room with dazed expressions, still processing Yujin’s provocative statements.

As the last of them exited, Yujin turned to Reina.

“Well, I should be going now. Professor Sahart, I have some business to attend to, so I’ll be stepping out.”

“Ah, wait a moment—”

Before Reina could stop him, Yujin had already disappeared beyond the door.

“...What is with him?”

By the time she stepped outside, there was no trace of him left.