Transmigrating: Starting in the Cyberpunk World

Roxy stood before the main gates, tidying her clothes slightly. She brushed off the dust from her journey, took a soft breath to calm her emotions, and reached out to ring the doorbell.

Visiting a noble's home for the first time to serve as a magic tutor made her quite nervous.

There were many reasons why she had chosen this job.

First and foremost was her identity as a Demon Race member.

Even though the Demon Race and Human Race had been at peace for many years, it was still common for demons to face discrimination or ostracization in human territory. In the past, Roxy had experienced her fair share of difficulties.

Secondly, it was due to her appearance.

Racial characteristics caused Roxy's appearance to freeze at the age of fourteen early on. For short-lived species like humans, judging by appearances was quite normal.

This was true even though Roxy had already graduated from the Ranoa University of Magic and had become a Water Saint-Class Mage.

The first impression she gave everyone was that of a little girl who hadn't grown up.

Furthermore, because of her naturally blue hair—which looked green under certain lighting conditions—people were often reminded of a certain green-haired Demon Race that the world feared.

But even with all these difficulties, nothing could hinder Roxy's determination to advance.

Researching and studying magic was a very expensive endeavor.

Serving as a home tutor for a noble was undoubtedly the most suitable and best job she could find.

Not only was the income stable, but it also included room and board, and allowed her free access to the noble's library.

One must know that knowledge in this world was quite expensive.

Even a simple popular science book that didn't involve any magic-related knowledge would cost several gold coins.

Meanwhile, the normal monthly salary of a Water Saint-Class Mage might not even reach a single gold coin.

It sounded somewhat unreasonable, but it was an objective fact of this world, accepted by the majority.

Returning to her old profession as an Adventurer would certainly yield higher returns, but the risks were proportional. Moreover, the constant traveling and sleeping rough wouldn't allow Roxy to settle down and delve into her magic research.

Not long after Roxy rang the doorbell, a maid opened the door and led her into the living room.

Noah's mother was already waiting in the living room.

At the first sight of Roxy, Noah's mother couldn't help but frown slightly.

Roxy observed this and sighed inwardly, but she still stepped forward to pay her respects. She took off her mage hat and spoke softly.

"Good day, Madam."

"My apologies, but may I politely ask: are you truly a graduate of the Ranoa University of Magic and a Water Saint-Class Mage?"

Madam Noah asked with a skeptical expression.

Roxy had long anticipated this question and produced her relevant certificates, but this didn't entirely dispel Madam Noah's concerns.

While a Water Saint-Class Mage was hard to find, a member of the Demon Race was indeed difficult to trust, especially for the nobility.

Compared to the common folk, the upper-class nobility felt a much stronger sense of rejection and resistance toward the Demon Race.

Just as Noah's mother was thinking it over and preparing to voice her refusal, Kael walked out of his room. He stood before Roxy and asked with a smile.

"Mother, is this my magic teacher?"

"Noah..."

Just as Noah's mother was about to speak, she heard Kael speak again.

"Hello, Teacher. My name is Noah."

"Uh..."

Roxy didn't know how to respond for a moment. She had actually seen the answer in Noah's mother's attitude and was already prepared to look for the next employer. She hadn't expected this situation to arise.

"Noah..."

Noah's mother opened her mouth, but she soon retreated under her son's earnest gaze. Changing her tone, she continued.

"Then I shall leave him in your care, Mage Roxy."

"Does this mean my application was successful?"

Roxy was still a bit dazed. The turn of events had happened a bit too quickly.

"Would you like to see your room? I'll lead the way, Teacher."

Kael curled his lips into a smile.

It would be hard to push away a Water Saint-Class Mage who had come to the door, especially this particular one.

"Then I'll trouble you, Noah."

A sense of expectation rose in Roxy's heart. A noble's room certainly wouldn't be too simple or plain. If possible, she wanted to sleep somewhere comfortable.

Wait, I don't think I've actually agreed to stay yet, have I?

Roxy's brain finally caught up.

The choice of a home tutor was mutual; the student chose the teacher, and the teacher also chose the student.

Roxy didn't yet know if the Noah before her had talent worthy of her recognition.

However, looking at the small figure leading the way ahead, she still held back and didn't speak.

Since things had come to this, she might as well check the room prepared for her first.

Feeling the softness of the bed, Roxy suddenly felt that staying to be a home tutor was actually not a bad choice.

Provided that Noah's talent wasn't too poor.

"Noah."

"What is it, Teacher?"

"Are you ready for your first lesson today?"

"Of course."

Hearing Kael's answer, Roxy felt a slight sense of relief.

Regardless of his talent for now, at least his attitude was proper and proactive.

And wasn't this little face just too adorable?

Roxy suppressed the urge to reach out and began to step into her role as a teacher.

Although it was her first time being a home tutor, thanks to her seven years of study at the magic university, she did have a bit of teaching experience.

At least she looked the part.

"Let me first lay the foundation of magic theory for you."

Roxy coughed lightly and tried to keep a straight face, imitating her former teachers to make herself look more authoritative.

However, given her appearance, it really didn't have much of an effect.

Fortunately, Kael, who had been a good student for many years in his past life, naturally understood respect and cooperation, and immediately sat upright in his chair.

Noah's mother, seeing this scene from not far away, breathed a small sigh of relief.

She would take it one step at a time; at least for now, this home tutor seemed to know what she was doing.

"The magic of this world is generally divided into three categories: Attack, Healing, and Summoning. Levels range from Beginner to God-Class. There are two methods of activation: Incantation and Magic Circles, with the former being the current mainstream..."

Roxy spoke eloquently.

In reality, she was just reciting the original text from her textbooks.

Being a home tutor for the first time, she truly lacked experience.

If it were any ordinary child, they would likely have become impatient long ago. But for Kael, this kind of'spoon-feeding' education was child's play.

Just looking at Roxy's cute face was enough for him to maintain full focus.

If he'd had a teacher like this giving him one-on-one lessons when he was studying in his past life, what university couldn't he have gotten into?

With such a comparison, Kael felt quite justified in blaming his failure to get into a top university on his lack of such a teacher.

By the time Roxy finished reciting the original text of basic magic theory and was feeling smug about her memory, she suddenly remembered.

Wait, I'm not standing in a classroom at the magic university; I'm tutoring a five-year-old child.

Magic theory was dry and boring even for university students. Could her student have already been lulled to sleep by her?

Don't ask why Roxy had such a worry.

It was because at the university, she had seen plenty of classmates who couldn't help but fall asleep during theory classes.

However, looking closely, Kael was still maintaining considerable focus, which couldn't help but make Roxy expectant.

It seemed her first disciple was quite extraordinary.

Could it be that she had picked up a treasure on her first try?

Roxy decided to test him.

"Let's stop the theory lesson here for now. Would you like to see me demonstrate the power of magic?"

"Of course I would!"

Kael hopped down from his chair, came to Roxy's side, and pulled her sleeve as he ran toward the training grounds in the courtyard.

Noah's father was an Advanced Swordsman specializing in the Sword God Style, so the house naturally didn't lack space for him to practice.

"Listen carefully, you'll have to try and imitate me later."

As Roxy spoke, she raised her staff, faced the wooden dummy on the practice field, and recited the incantation in a calm, focused voice.

"In accordance with thy request, I grant thee the great protection of water. Let the clear stream manifest here—Water Ball!"

As the words fell.

A Water Ball instantly condensed and took shape at the tip of the staff.

Immediately following that, it shot out like a cannonball.

It left a deep mark on the hard ironwood dummy.

If this hit a person, it would surely leave a nasty bruise.

"Wow~."

Kael clapped his hands, looking completely impressed.

Matter transformation? Kinetic energy endowment? Creation out of nothing?

Magic truly was incredible. If Newton saw this, he'd have to carry his own coffin lid and do a dance.

Although a Beginner-Class magic was really nothing to show off, the emotional value Kael provided was so high that Roxy couldn't help but feel a bit of smug joy, though she managed to hide it.

"Your turn, Noah."

"Okay, Teacher."

Kael stepped forward and came to Roxy's side.

Since it was just imitation, he didn't need to think too much for now. He would just try it once.

Kael copied the cadence and speed of Roxy's incantation just now, imitating it as best as he could with his still-childish voice.

"In accordance with thy request, I grant thee the great protection of water..."

As he recited the incantation.

He could clearly feel a power within his body circulating in response.

Without a doubt, this was the Mana Roxy had mentioned before.

According to basic theory, this power existed within everyone's body, said to be granted by the gods. Furthermore, the maximum Mana capacity one could possess was fixed from the moment of birth.

This meant that when you chose to become a mage, your professional ceiling was basically already determined.

As Kael finished reciting the final words, "Water Ball," the Mana in his body seemed to undergo a new change. Before he could examine it closely, the Mana was released from his palm, transforming into a Water Ball about the size of a fist.

Then, as if pre-programmed, the Water Ball shot out at a standard initial velocity and angle. It seemed to have no significant difference from the Water Ball Roxy had released earlier.

Even though the latter was a Water Saint-Class Mage.

A Beginner-Class magic was still just a Beginner-Class magic.

You could increase its destructive power by injecting more Mana, but with the same amount of Mana, Intermediate-Class magic undoubtedly had a higher utilization and conversion rate.

Even Roxy couldn't give it more possibilities.

Was this a fixed mindset, or a drawback of incantation-based casting?

Having gone through nine years of compulsory education in his past life, Kael possessed a certain scientific mindset.

From this point alone, Kael stood at a higher perspective.

"Teacher, did I succeed?"

Kael looked at the dent in the wooden dummy and looked up to ask.

"...That really is a bit unexpected."

Roxy froze for a moment before slowly speaking, her emotions somewhat complex.

She, who had almost become the valedictorian of her year at the magic university, hadn't succeeded in casting magic on her first attempt.

Amidst the surprise, she inevitably felt a small sense of defeat and loss.

"But Teacher, there are some things I don't quite understand."

Kael spoke up to ask.

"Hmm?"

Roxy's expression was serious and focused. Was it time for her to answer questions and resolve doubts? She had long ago prepared many mental drafts for this, having recalled basically all the doubts she had encountered when she first learned magic.

"What exactly is the connection between magic and incantations?"

"Is it the mage's will that shapes the magic, or the incantation itself?"

"What kind of existence is Mana? Can we observe it?"

"..."

Kael posed a series of questions. When he looked at Roxy again, her eyes were already somewhat glazed over.

No, no teacher had ever taught this knowledge at the magic university. To be precise, no student would ever ask questions like these.

Because just practicing and mastering various spells already consumed the vast majority of the students' energy and time.

"Teacher?"

Kael reached out and gently tugged on Roxy's clothes, bringing her attention back.

"The answers to these questions are still too early for you."

Roxy spoke evasively, trying to maintain her image and authority as a teacher, while her mind was racing with thoughts on how to find the answers to these questions.

Her first thought was naturally her teachers at the university.

However, back then, Roxy had gradually fallen out with her mentor because she was young and headstrong, and had pointed out her mentor's mistakes in her graduation thesis.

Upon graduation, the position of valedictorian that Roxy should have obtained was instead taken by a Ranoa noble from the same year. In the end, things had ended on a sour note with her mentor.

This best candidate could only be ruled out for now.

But besides them, Roxy surprisingly couldn't find anyone else who could answer her doubts.

During her time at university, her handling of interpersonal relationships really couldn't be called successful.

Her appearance was one reason.

On the other hand, Roxy had developed a somewhat conceited personality due to her own talent and the praise from the outside world.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Teacher."

Kael acted very obediently. Combined with his appearance and age, it was highly deceptive.

Sure enough, Roxy was fooled and felt quite lucky. She patted Kael's head, feeling glad about her choice.

"Let's stop here for today."

"Okay, Teacher."