Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 980

“The Alliance’s Grafting Art Master. A slayer of Apostles, huh….”

I remember the Alliance’s Art Master that the 8th Apostle, Kamrodal, mentioned when we met on the way to Yorta. He was manipulating Apostle corpses.

Wasn’t it said that the Grafting Art Master fought an Apostle head-on, tearing its body to such a degree that it was beyond recovery?

“I’ve heard of the name ‘Art Master.’ I know it’s a term used within the Alliance to refer to the owner of a specific art [a unique magical discipline].”

[The Grafting Art Master is one of the four Great Art Masters who form the Great Nexus of the Alliance.]

Oliviera said.

[Among the Art Masters under the Alliance Leader, he possesses the most unique and heterogeneous art, and his past achievements are said to be unparalleled among Art Masters of the same rank.]

“……”

[As a Specialization-type Art User, he has a unique personality and often acts independently of the Alliance. Many people are surprised that he has been assigned to the first gate.]

The Great Nexus.

That must be referring to the Order Alliance’s ultimate goal of connecting all the spells in this world into one.

The Grafting Art Master was one of the core Great Art Masters forming the Alliance’s Great Nexus.

[Anyway, due to the presence of the Grafting Art Master, it won’t be easy to approach the gate and steal the barrier fragment.]

Oliviera shook her head and said.

[Currently, we have sent an agent to the first gate to observe the situation. We can wait until the report comes in.]

“……”

Oliviera had already moved her subordinates to gather information about the barrier fragment at the first gate.

That was possible because she had decided how to handle things even before visiting the Dark Archive.

Considering the Grafting Art Master’s difficult personality and abilities, as well as the harsh environment and situation at the gate, it’s understandable that they can’t proceed immediately.

I was momentarily mistaken because the process of obtaining the Celestial Incantation from the Dark Archive was too smooth, but I shouldn’t forget that it was only possible because I met Naoyz Penn.

As Lenok stepped back with an understanding look, Oliviera winked at Claris.

[If things fail, you will have to step in directly, whether you want to or not. For now, focus on learning the Celestial Incantation from Claris.]

* * *

Balkan City, District 49. The Adamantine Magic Tower.

Late at night, close to midnight.

In the deserted underground chamber of the magic tower, Claris, facing Lenok, opened her mouth.

“The Celestial Incantation is a medium art created to manipulate the movements of stars and celestial phenomena at will. In other words, it’s a power that creates a kind of testbed [a controlled environment for experimentation].”

Whoosh!

At the same time, a model celestial sphere unfolded in the dark underground chamber, beginning to rotate with faint starlight.

Claris, with the model celestial sphere floating above her head, spoke with a somewhat complex expression.

“It would be a great help to Art Users who cannot create their own framework, but you are different.”

“……”

“I know. You are already-”

[Awoop.]

At that moment, something that appeared behind Claris suddenly swallowed her head.

Claris jumped up in place, her shoulders shaking violently.

“~~~!!!!!”

She couldn’t scream because her head was eaten, but it was easy to guess how surprised she was just by her movements.

Lenok, who had been watching quietly, spoke to the baby dragon that had bitten Claris’s head.

“I know you’re happy to see her, but we have things to discuss, so let her go.”

[Bawoo.]

The pure white baby dragon opened its mouth with a sulky look, and Claris hurriedly pulled her head out.

“Cough, cough!! Wh-what was that…!!”

“My guardian spirit was rude.”

Lenok said, taking a towel from his subspace and throwing it to Claris.

“It seems excited to meet a similar kind.”

“G-guardian spirit, you say?!”

Only then did Claris raise her eyes and look at the guardian spirit.

The sight of the chubby baby dragon looking at Claris with clear eyes and puffing out air from its nose.

[Poo-ooo.]

“No way. A dragon species being chosen as the tower’s guardian spirit….”

Claris muttered in disbelief as she looked at the pure white baby dragon.

“I don’t know what kind of art must be used as the foundation of the tower for this to be possible.”

“It’s usually shy, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it bite someone’s head like that.”

Lenok added, as if intrigued.

“It seems to feel quite close to you.”

“……Is that supposed to be an explanation for the current situation?”

Claris sighed, rubbing her forehead with a tired look.

“I didn’t notice any sign of this child approaching until it was right there. I almost summoned my main body [her true, powerful form].”

“You’ll have to summon your main body to teach me the Celestial Incantation anyway.”

Lenok said, nodding his head.

“That’s why I deliberately emptied the underground chamber of the magic tower. You can start right away.”

“……”

Claris, as if saying that conversation was impossible, shook her head and looked down at the baby dragon lying on its back.

[Hoo-oong.]

“Really…….”

Claris looked at the baby dragon with a troubled expression, then sat down as if she couldn’t help it and began to rub its belly.

“It’s only learned bad habits, being rude and then acting cute. Did you not teach this child any manners?”

“It’s hard to be convincing when you’re rubbing its belly so enthusiastically, don’t you think?”

“……”

[Arururung.]

The baby dragon made a happy sound as its belly was rubbed.

Lenok nodded, watching Claris smile.

“While you’re teaching me the Celestial Incantation while going back and forth to the tower, I’d like to ask you to take care of this one, if you don’t mind.”

“Did you call me to the tower for this from the start?”

They could have taught the Celestial Incantation at the research building located at the Cartel headquarters, but Lenok had deliberately called Claris to his magic tower.

It was only after encountering the guardian spirit in the underground chamber of the magic tower that Claris realized Lenok’s intentions.

“It’s my guardian spirit, but I don’t really know what a dragon species thinks about on a daily basis.”

Lenok said, watching the baby dragon rolling on the floor with sparkling eyes.

“The magic system I created is a very special concept of art… so it’s honestly difficult to know what my guardian spirit, which is based on that concept, prioritizes.”

“……”

The Uroboros magic system is a perpetual motion machine that Lenok devised, using imperfection as its driving force.

It is the extreme of convergence, dismantling, absorbing, and swallowing all the laws and arts that exist in this world.

Lenok’s guardian spirit is a divine beast born based on the Uroboros magic system and the Blaber’s previous tower lord’s conceptual material, [Phoenix Hall].

However, since it was powered by an incomplete concept that even Lenok did not fully understand, Lenok could not fully understand the existence of the guardian spirit either.

The fact that the subconscious of the Ascendant’s Handbook was connected under the guardian spirit’s consciousness was also something he had learned by chance.

“It follows humans well, but I don’t know if that’s an emotion that stems from the guardian spirit’s origin.”

“That’s……”

“If it’s you, a long-lived species, there shouldn’t be any problem with minimal communication. I’d like to ask for your help with that.”

Although it is a guardian spirit that protects the tower, its power and size are still that of a weak baby dragon.

As a guardian spirit based on the Uroboros magic system, it has a strong appetite and a good absorption rate.

However, it is unknown what form the guardian spirit will grow into in the process, or what kind of power it will desire.

Lenok was thinking of asking Claris for advice on that very point.

“……I suppose I have no choice. If it’s while I’m going back and forth to the tower to teach the Celestial Incantation.”

Claris, who had stood up while stroking the baby dragon’s head, quietly shone her eyes.

“Then let’s start the lecture on the Celestial Incantation right away. Would you please step back?”

“Sure. Come over here if you don’t want to be crushed to death.”

Lenok said, grabbing the guardian spirit with his mana thread and lifting it up.

Claris sighed as she watched him, then muttered and heightened her conceptualization [focused her magical intent].

“She’s already learned bad things from Oliviera.”

Whoosh!

Once again, Claris’s main body descended into the dark underground chamber.

A huge divine beast form, clad in clouds and emitting a mystical light.

[……?!!!!]

The guardian spirit, which had been hanging from the mana thread, opened its mouth wide at the sight of the suddenly appearing divine beast.

Perhaps the huge divine beast, large enough to fill the underground chamber, looked shocking to the guardian spirit’s eyes.

“The Model Garden is a type of legendary ancient magic that has been passed down among long-lived species.”

Claris said, raising the grimoire [a book of magical knowledge] of the Celestial Incantation in front of her.

“As you can guess from the fact that the Order Alliance is after it, there are many interesting secret stories passed down about this art. To tell you one of them-”

“Is it that the Model Garden is a power close to the origin of the Magnetic Domain?”

“……”

Claris lowered her gaze for a moment, as if surprised.

The huge divine beast had to tilt its head halfway back to make eye contact with Lenok.

“I heard about it in the Nox Biblio [a library of forbidden knowledge]. I understand the concept and basis of the Celestial Incantation, so you can skip it.”

“……I see. But that’s not the only thing I was going to say.”

The divine beast, clearing its throat, slowly tilted its head back and said.

“Apart from the fact that the Model Garden is presumed to be the origin of the Magnetic Domain, the two techniques have too many differences.”

“……”

“From the perspective of the modern art world, the Model Garden is far less efficient than the Domain. That’s because the Model Garden is not originally a power specialized in conceptual imprinting.”

“You mean it can only be used in a limited way to twist and interfere with the barrier?”

“No. The real value of the Model Garden lies in the fact that the Art User can arbitrarily adjust the rules within the Model Garden.”

Claris said, her eyes shining.

“The Magnetic Domain, based on the root concept. The domain that projects the Art User’s ideal. Both are powerful techniques, but they ultimately have limitations that operate regardless of the Art User’s will.”

“……”

“But the Model Garden is different. Depending on what materials and catalysts are filled inside, the Model Garden can literally become a miracle that indirectly manipulates reality.”

I understand why Claris is emphasizing the importance of the Celestial Incantation at this point.

It’s to make Lenok fully understand the concept of putting a fragment of the barrier inside the Model Garden and actually twisting the barrier itself.

But apart from that, the fact that the concept of the Model Garden itself is a power that can be adjusted according to the Art User’s will was quite interesting.

It is a more primitive and closer to the origin concept than the Magnetic Domain, so while its power and efficiency are lower, it leaves room for various changes.

That’s probably possible because, as Claris explained at the beginning, the origin of the Celestial Incantation itself is a power that creates a testbed.

“You don’t need to make me understand how useful the Celestial Incantation is. I have no intention of neglecting my studies even without that.”

Lenok asked.

“What do you want to say? Do you want to tell me something about how to use the Model Garden?”

“……Yes. That’s actually the case.”

Claris answered hesitantly.

“The Model Garden is not a power that relies on concepts or conceptualization. To be precise, it’s a testbed that constructs the space based on the Art User’s consciousness… their ego or spirit.”

“……”

“Therefore, if the Model Garden is expanded infinitely, it can force a similar level of consciousness expansion on the opponent. And for us long-lived species, that means….”

The eyes of the huge divine beast shone with a strange light.

“It’s no different from being able to forcibly pull out the main body of a long-lived species.”

“……”

“I’m telling you this to warn you. After arriving in Kundara, you must not use the Model Garden carelessly. Forcibly pulling out the main body of a long-lived species is a serious crime close to capital punishment in that city.”

“You mean I should only use it at the necessary moment, and only on the necessary opponent.”

If the long-lived species in the outer city are hiding or transforming their main bodies like Claris, it would be difficult to recognize their abilities or identities.

Claris thought that Lenok would eventually notice another way to use the Model Garden, so she was warning him in advance by telling him how to use it.

“Come closer. First, we’ll start by measuring the size of your consciousness, Adamantine.”

Thump!

Claris, who had turned her body with a heavy thud, looked down at Lenok and said.

“After measuring and distinguishing the size of your consciousness, I’ll teach you the sensation by drawing a celestial sphere and creating a Model Garden in reverse.”

Lenok obediently approached Claris and placed his hand on the huge fin she had extended.

That was the start of the training, but only for a moment.

“I roughly understand the sensation. Is it a method of expanding consciousness to construct a virtual space?”

“How on earth…….”

While the huge divine beast muttered in disbelief, a small bubble-like sphere had appeared in Lenok’s hand.

Although the size and shape were different, it was clear that it had a similar form to the celestial sphere that Claris had deployed through the grimoire.

While Claris was looking at Lenok in disbelief, who had grasped the concept of the Model Garden as soon as the training started.

“It’s as I heard. It’s unstable and has low output to replace the Domain, but… that’s why it has autonomy that the Domain doesn’t have.”

Lenok, who had been staring at the bubble that had appeared in his hand, tilted his head.

“But if it’s like this, I think there might be a better way to use it.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You said it’s a technique to create a Model Garden and shape reality.”

Lenok asked with a smile.

“Then even if we substitute that concept into a virtual space instead of reality, wouldn’t the result be the same?”

“A virtual space, you say…?”

“Yes. For example….”

A cyber space located on the network, not reality.

While Claris was tilting her head at Lenok’s words, something stirred in Lenok’s arms.

[Hehehe…….]

As if sensing something as soon as she heard Lenok’s words, she couldn’t hide her excitement and was wagging her tail wildly.

Then, in a voice small enough for only Lenok to hear, Davi chuckled quietly.

[Hehehe… Hahahaha!!]

“……”

Is it just my imagination that I don’t want to work just by hearing the laughter?

Lenok smiled wryly and pressed down on the front of his coat where Davi’s head would be.

* * *

The Vylon Research Institute located in District 35. The press conference hall prepared at the back gate of the main building.

Inside the conference hall, dozens of reporters were sitting, fiddling with their laptops and cameras.

The researchers, who were watching the scene from the waiting room with nervous expressions, were talking.

“What was the main research theme for this quarter?”

“Alternative particles and the fifth common magic. And, also….”

The research institute’s press conference hall, which had become a place where reporters frequently came and went since Evan Vylon took office as director.

The Vylon Research Institute, which is a research institute directly under the city government, is required to announce its research progress every quarter.

“It’s time. Let’s go.”

“How long do we have to do this….”

“I heard they posted a job opening for the research institute. When is our youngest coming in?”

Since there is no one who volunteers to be the spokesperson among the researchers, it is customary for those who are lower in seniority to take turns filling the time.

However, the reason why the researchers are nervous before the conference was elsewhere.

“A solution to improve the low efficiency of the learning device. I’m sure they’ll ask about it again this time.”

“It can’t be helped. It was developed with reduced performance for the purpose of mass production, so there are too many complaints about its durability.”

Evan Vylon’s third masterpiece, the common magic learning device, was a prototype created for the demonstration of the thesis from the time it was made.

Since then, the learning device, which was mass-produced and distributed to the market without performance improvement, was receiving various criticisms, unlike the initial enthusiastic response.

Cheap material. Poor finishing, terrible durability.

There are many problems pointed out in the mass production process of the learning device, but the most important thing is that the ‘learning’ of common magic itself does not work smoothly.

People don’t buy the learning device to use common magic. For those who dream of learning common magic and using it without the help of the learning device, the performance and efficiency of the learning device are far below expectations.

“The city government and the Technology Management Bureau are also constantly receiving complaints about it. They told us to come up with a definite alternative to this by the end of the year.”

“In the end, it’s a problem that can’t be solved unless the director steps in….”

In the end, all the researchers can do is endure the barrage of questions from the reporters at the conference hall.

It’s fortunate that they have made some progress this quarter, led by Professor Raphael.

The researchers, grumbling, stepped forward, squinting at the flashing camera lights from all directions in the conference hall.

Flash! Flash! Flash!

“What is this….”

“What’s going on? We haven’t even started yet?”

The reporters, their eyes wide open, were snapping photos as if they were out of their minds.

The researchers, blinking at the enthusiastic and almost fanatical reaction, turned their gaze to the direction the cameras were pointing.

They froze as if they had turned to stone when they saw the young man leaning against the side of the podium.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

“……Director Vylon?”

The young man, who was maintaining a smiling expression without even blinking an eye despite the constant flashes of light on his face.

The director of the research institute, Evan Vylon, who had rarely shown his face since the institute was established, was sitting there.

The researchers, who had barely opened their eyes with difficulty due to the flashes in front of them, asked with difficulty.

“W-what brings you here…?”

“You make it sound like I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t be.”

“Ah, no. That’s not what I meant….”

“I’m just kidding. I have some results that are worth announcing, so I took some time.”

“……Results, you say?”

Instead of answering, Lenok grabbed the microphone on the podium.

“I’m Evan Vylon. Nice to meet you.”

At the same time as his voice echoed, questions from reporters poured in from all directions.

“Director. First of all, why did you come to the conference hall today?”

“I know that the Technology Management Bureau asked for advice on patent issues. Do you have any opinions on this….”

“There are a lot of complaints about the durability of the learning device-”

Buzz!

Lenok tapped the microphone with a nonchalant expression, and the noise that came out of the speaker pierced the ears sharply.

The reporters, who had instinctively covered their ears and closed their mouths at the sound that was like scraping glass with their hands.

At that moment, someone quickly shouted as if seizing an opportunity.

“The public’s dissatisfaction with the lack of improvement in the performance and convenience of the learning device is skyrocketing. What do you think about this!!”

“……”

Perhaps it was the question that they were most curious about for Lenok, who had appeared at the conference hall.

The surroundings became quiet the moment those words echoed.

The reporters, who had closed their mouths with their cameras pointed at him as if waiting for Lenok’s answer.

Lenok, who had looked around the conference hall without saying a word, raised the microphone.

“I have succeeded in building a Spell Assistant Server in the cyber space.”

“Huh?”

Lenok said, looking at the reporters who tilted their heads, not understanding his words.

“It refers to a virtual space that assists in the calculation and incantation of common magic. It’s a word I just made up, so you can call it whatever you want.”

“……What does that have to do with improving the performance of the learning device?”

“It means that what was previously only possible through the learning device is now possible without hardware.”

“Without hardware, you say…?”

“I think it would be faster to give you an example.”

At the strange explanation that felt somewhat familiar, the reporters paused, and Lenok smiled and put down the microphone.

“It means that the common magic learning device can now be made into a mobile phone app and distributed.”

With those words, Lenok disappeared behind the conference hall.

The reporters, who had been staring blankly at the scene, jumped up from their seats and began to move.

“Q-quickly get an additional interview. What are you doing!!”

“No, put up the article first. It has to be an exclusive report!!”

“Are you crazy? If we don’t put an embargo on it here, the city government will definitely-”

“We still have to do it!!”

Some people ran out of the conference hall after Lenok, and some people sat down on the spot and wrote articles on their laptops.

There were also reporters who overturned all the desks and chairs and ran around the conference hall looking for a place where they could connect to a call.

There were also people who took the recorded video and ran straight out of the research institute.

Crash! Bang!

Even the security guards who had been waiting outside the research institute were flustered and ran around the conference hall in an orderly fashion.

The researchers who were left in the chaotic conference hall were watching the chaos.

“……What am I even looking at right now?”

“What are you looking at.”

One of the older researchers said with a blank expression.

“Our director, because he didn’t want to hear criticism about the learning device… he just got rid of the hardware.”