The Hidden Science of Illusions

"I see. So you're saying you can make something look real by using optical illusions?"

"That's right. But there's a limit to what magic alone can do. And at my level, I can't even increase the number of entities."

Shirone asked, "What if we used mechanical devices?"

"It's not as simple as it sounds. Even if we build a device, there are a mountain of factors to consider. The biggest problem is that, even if we manage to simulate movement, people still won't be fooled. To truly convince them, the illusion needs to respond to external stimuli."

After pondering for a moment, Iluki spoke. "What if... we predict people's reactions in advance?"

"Predict their reactions?"

"We could apply complex systems theory. Analyze and program all possible behavior patterns, creating an illusion that feels like it's responding in real time. It would give the impression of receiving feedback. Of course, this would require an enormous amount of data. Therefore, we'd need an efficient medium to transfer information and a control system to process it."

"Hmm, transmitting information... You're right. My electrical magic has its limits. In that case... Ah!"

Nade snapped his fingers. "Photon Output! If Shirone uses his photon output, he could transmit Iluki's data to the device!"

"Oh!"

Shirone's eyes sparkled with realization.

He had learned photon output for the targeting exam, but he had heard that in the cutting-edge world of magic research, photon output was being actively studied as a means of data transmission.

Iluki nodded. "That settles it. Nade, you'll build the hologram device. I'll program the system. And Shirone, your photon output will transmit my program to the device. The only problem is... this will require a tremendous amount of output. Will you be able to handle it?"

Shirone nodded firmly. "I have to. This is our one and only chance."

It was their only shot at saving the research society.

Just the possibility of success was enough to fuel Nade's motivation. "We can do this. We can save the society. Assuming nothing goes horribly wrong, of course."

"If we pull this off, the entire school will be shaken to its core."

"More than that. It'll cause an absolute uproar. I'm putting everything into this. Besides, it sounds like a blast. Heh, I can't wait to see the teachers' reactions!"

The group exchanged knowing smiles.

They were about to set in motion an unprecedented event in the history of the Magic Academy, staking everything on the fate of the Supernatural Psychic Science Society.

After class, Shirone dedicated all his time to increasing the efficiency of his photon output. Not only did he need to amplify its intensity, but he also had to extend the duration of its sustainment.

Because photons had no mass, they couldn't exert physical force and were therefore useless for offensive magic. However, in this case, that was actually an advantage—it meant he could practice freely in any unused storage room in Istas.

Shirone raised both hands.

Performing specific gestures helped solidify a mage's image of their magic, strengthening their omnipotence, but there was still a long road ahead.

A single beam of light spread out in a circular shape on the wall, and Shirone braced himself.

If he couldn't maintain this for at least ten minutes, increasing his output was nothing but a dream.

The difficulty level was beyond Class Five, but then again, so was Nade's hologram device and Iluki's complex equations.

'I have to do this. I must…'

Shirone gritted his teeth and held on.

At the three-minute mark, his consciousness began to fade.

During the speed gun test, he had barely managed to last a single minute with a single burst of photon output. Compared to that, this was already a remarkable improvement.

"Huff! Huff!"

After nearly ten days of training, his record was now at three minutes and twenty seconds.

But within the next twenty days, he had to push that number to ten minutes.

After each measurement, he always took a mandatory twenty-minute break. This kind of training was so dangerous that neglecting recovery could cost him his life.

As he rested, he became aware of noises coming from the storage room next door. It sounded like Nade had begun welding.

When he entered the adjacent room to check, he found Nade buried under a pile of components.

"Hey, Shirone. How's your output duration going?"

"Not bad. I've increased it by about twenty seconds. What about you?"

"As you can see, I'm still working on the engine."

"Will you be able to finish on time?"

"I have to. Don't worry about it. Prototypes always take time. Once production starts, fixing errors becomes difficult, so I'm being meticulous."

"Got it. By the way, what about the thing Iluki mentioned?"

"Oh, that? I got it yesterday. Here."

Nade tossed a coiled wire at Shirone's feet.

The outer layer was made of rubber, while a transparent, quartz-like membrane ran through its core.

It was something Iluki had specially requested from his father, the head of the House of Yongrae.

'Fiber optics.'

According to Iluki, three hundred hologram devices needed to be installed throughout the school.

It was impossible for Shirone to individually activate every single device with his photon output.

Nade's first idea had been to use mirrors—bouncing Shirone's light off reflective surfaces to direct it into the devices.

But in reality, there were too many bends in the path, making it unfeasible.

So Nade thought, 'What if there were many more mirrors?'

If they placed small mirrors inside a tube, they could create a tunnel where light would bend along the path.

When Nade excitedly shared his idea, his eyes were brimming with excitement. If he could commercialize it, he'd be sitting on a goldmine.

But Iluki had shattered his excitement.

His father's monthly letters often included updates on the latest magical research, and a few months ago, he had mentioned a device that worked exactly like what Nade had described.

It was called 'fiber optics.'

Even in the Ivory Tower, the pinnacle of magical research, this field was still in its infancy. Nade had been devastated.

However, once he got his hands on fiber optics and analyzed them, he realized he had been naive. The level of engineering behind it was beyond anything he could replicate at his current skill level.

'Still, the fact that Nade came up with the same concept as the Ivory Tower... That's amazing in itself.'

Shirone carefully examined the fiber optic cable. Just by looking at it, he couldn't grasp its intricacies.

"You managed to get your hands on this, huh?"

Nade, his eyes bloodshot from welding, stood up. "I can't guarantee its performance. Let's do a test run. I've made a prototype tester."

He handed Shirone a transparent sphere attached to the fiber optics.

"How do I use this?"

"Just hold it and activate your photon output. I'll measure the efficiency. But you need to go all out. We need to measure the maximum output."

Checking the time, Shirone saw his break was over. He grasped the crystal ball firmly.

As soon as he activated photon output, a soft light gathered in his hand, and the sphere began to glow with a pale radiance...