Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1263

“Apostle Transformation, you say…?”

A new form of the Ouroboros magic system.

Felix’s expression momentarily hardened upon hearing the name from Lenox.

He knew that only the Perpetuals of the Guiding Order were called by that name.

The demons of the Order, reborn as the incarnations of the end, in exchange for offering their souls and minds to the gods of the sea.

Transcendent beings, each possessing monstrous combat power, unkillable, and free from the overload of thought and mind.

Corrupted beings whose end is predetermined to be less than that of a mere beast, in exchange for borrowing the power and mind of the end.

Was he trying to use the Ouroboros to turn the mercenaries of the Tower into beings like them?

“While I’ve named it Apostle Transformation, to be precise, it’s not a power that actually creates true Apostles.”

Lenox smiled, seeing Felix’s serious face as he pondered.

“It’s more accurate to say it temporarily grants a similar status and abilities to an Apostle… a higher-dimensional augmentation.”

“No, Lenox. I…”

Felix, who had been deep in thought, spoke with a determined expression.

“I wouldn’t mind becoming a true Apostle. At this point, it would be absurd to shy away from it.”

“…”

“As long as my existence doesn’t negatively affect your magic system or become a contaminant, I’m ready to do it right now—oh, uh?!!”

Whoosh!!

Lenox tossed the crumpled halo over Felix’s head, causing him to shut his mouth in surprise.

The sight of the bird-headed giant, unable to move, eyes darting back and forth as he stared at the halo hovering above his beak.

“Listen to the end. I’m not trying to deceive you by speaking indirectly.”

Lenox chuckled, looking down at Felix.

“Originally, it was an ability I devised for my own use, but after some modifications, it seemed like it could be used by you all, so I’m explaining it in advance.”

“…”

“Since the people of the Tower are having difficulty mastering the Ouroboros, I thought, why not try changing it into a form similar to innate abilities? This is part of that research.”

“…Should I start by refuting how absurd it is to modify a magic system into an innate ability?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but seeing the operation system used by the Legion gave me a direction. The way the ability manifests is copied from the system, and by changing the mechanism based on the Ouroboros, it works as an innate ability.”

Lenox, ignoring Felix’s words, spoke while looking at the halo.

“Using the Apostle Transformation ability explosively increases potential, but in exchange, you temporarily become an Apostle subordinate to me. As a side effect, you simultaneously gain various characteristics possessed by the Apostles of the Order.”

“If it’s the characteristics or talents granted to Apostles…”

“There are many that come to mind, aren’t there?”

Lenox leaned back in the chair opposite the bed where Felix was sitting and raised a finger.

“Excessive mana. Mental resistance. Spell resistance. Immunity to injection. Manifestation of authority. Amplification of thought and mind… From the experiments, it seems that most of the abilities possessed by the Apostles of the Order can be reproduced.”

“…”

Felix was also well aware of what kind of monsters the Apostles of the Order were.

The incarnations of the end that had led the holy war against the continent to the brink of success.

The Apostles were among the few transcendent beings in this world who were specialized for combat.

If one could become a being of the same status as them, even for a short time, the power they could obtain would be beyond words.

“There are various side effects that can manifest through Apostle Transformation, but among them, the manifestation ability I’m focusing on is the nullification of backlash observed in most Apostles.”

“Nullification of backlash?”

“They have little backlash even when they unleash powerful authority or mind techniques, and they recover instantly even when overloaded. This is fundamentally possible because the Apostles of the Order offer their souls to the Outer Gods and borrow their power.”

Lenox folded his fingers and said.

“The reason I used the Ouroboros magic system as the base for the Apostle Transformation ability was also because of this. Without the [circulation] of the Ouroboros, I couldn’t find a way to nullify the backlash and burden imposed during the Apostle Transformation process.”

“Even as I listen to the explanation, I have no idea how such a thing is possible…”

“Well, although I said it’s part of an innate ability, it’s not an ability that can be used as easily as turning a switch on and off. Since it’s an ability created by modifying the Ouroboros, practice is needed, and the sensation of maintaining Apostle Transformation must also be learned from the ground up.”

Lenox, who had risen from his seat with his staff, said.

“But even so, if you master it properly, it will surely bring a significant advantage in battle. Even if it’s only a temporary augmentation, becoming my Apostle without any cost would mean just that.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“The Apostle Transformation ability is ultimately based on my mind and spirituality that sustain the Ouroboros magic system.”

Lenox said nonchalantly.

“Becoming my Apostle, in other words, means that you can borrow some of the intuition or spirituality that I possess.”

“Th-that’s…!!!!”

In an instant, Felix’s massive body trembled violently as if struck by lightning.

Bang!!

He shook off the electrodes plugged into his arm and turned, causing the bed and IV table to collapse.

All sorts of medicines and supplies fell and scattered everywhere, but Felix’s expression was too shocked to care about such things.

“Unbelievable…!! How could you explain something so important at the very end?!!!”

“It’s just a story of what would happen if the ideal result were achieved, so don’t get too excited. In the end, you’re not becoming a true Apostle, it’s closer to a side effect that you can temporarily gain when using the ability.”

“No, you can’t just mention it like that and be done with it!! How could such a miracle…!!”

Felix was a superhuman who had watched Lenox’s abilities and intuition for a long time.

He was one of those who knew better than anyone how absurdly talented Lenox was.

To be able to borrow some of the intuition of perhaps the most outstanding genius in the entire Eastern Continent, just by mastering an ability.

Felix, with his mouth agape, pondered the fact in a daze, then suddenly realized something and turned his gaze.

“I see. So that’s why the others haven’t left the ward and are engrossed in training…”

“Now, if I just explain it to Dylan, I think I can wrap things up.”

Lenox said, casually changing the subject.

“How’s your body? There must have been some backlash from using the Ouroboros in the labyrinth.”

“…I’m fine. It doesn’t seem like the collapse of Area 49 has had a negative impact on my mind and body, as you feared.”

Felix said, looking down at his thick hands.

“Rather, I was constantly gauging my limits while fighting in the labyrinth. It was the result of trying to glimpse and learn the fragment of power that you had given me, the miracle of the Ouroboros… the power I might one day obtain.”

“…”

“I can’t be sure, but I think the others are the same. They understand the meaning of this war, so they are all following your suggestions without complaint, aren’t they?”

“That’s a relief then.”

Lenox, turning towards the door of the ward, took a step with his staff.

“That halo will probably be needed to practice the ability and get a feel for it. After watching the practice process a few times, it seemed that the process of making eye contact was important, so try to keep that in mind.”

“I will start training as soon as the checkup is over. I will keep your advice in mind.”

Felix, holding the crumpled halo that flickered like an eye, said as if he had suddenly remembered something.

“Lenox. But come to think of it, you said that the Apostle Transformation ability… was originally created for your own use.”

“That’s right.”

“Then, whose power or mind were you planning to share by using Apostle Transformation?”

“…Well?”

Lenox smiled.

“I think they’re probably fast asleep by now.”

“…?”

Leaving Felix, who was tilting his head in confusion, Lenox left the ward.

He headed to the courtyard behind the ward, leaving the hallway where Dylan’s screams echoed like a ghostly wail.

An artificial garden created for patients visiting the ward to rest or take a walk.

In various places on the wide lawn, mercenaries and superhumans were engrossed in training.

Clang!!!

Weian, wielding dual swords, and Mila, wielding a dagger, clashed fiercely.

Mila’s figure, having unleashed a shockwave, skimmed low across the ground, and Weian, leaning forward as if about to fall, crossed his arms.

The two, lowering their center of gravity as if crawling on the ground, swung their arms almost simultaneously, flashing a faint golden light in their eyes.

The magic power unleashed by the two combined with the faint golden halo, accelerating and entering a realm of selflessness.

The three-pronged sword light, bent dozens of times, collided in the air at tremendous speed, scattering golden sparks.

Fwoooosh!!!

Clang clang clang!!!

A fierce exchange that was difficult to gauge with the naked eye.

However, it was clear that the pupils of the two, glaring at each other, were tinged with a faint golden hue.

At this moment, when two of the superhumans who had received the Apostle Transformation ability from Lenox, and who were particularly sensitive, were fully immersed in training.

Golden afterimages were mixed into every thought that Weian and Mila wielded, and each time, their presence swelled madly.

Kwoooooooo!!!!

The two shadows, reflected among the scattered grass, distorted from human form into huge, grotesque shapes, casting a wide shadow on the ground.

Even those who were watching stiffened their expressions slightly at the unusual change and entered a state of alert.

With a sharp shockwave, Mila and Weian’s figures were simultaneously pushed back in opposite directions.

Thud!!!

“Ugh…!!”

“Ptooey.”

Weian, shaking off his dual swords and exhaling the breath he had been holding, and Mila, throwing her dagger to the ground and sticking out her tongue.

However, the expressions of the two, who had stepped back at the same time, were tinged with a subtle dissatisfaction.

“Huh, it doesn’t feel like this…”

“It’s like I can almost grasp it, but I can’t quite get it.”

The two, lost in thought even as they faced each other, as if something unresolved remained.

As Lenox moved towards Weian and Mila, who were muttering to themselves, the two turned their heads sharply.

“Lenox!!”

“It seems there are no problems with your condition.”

“Yeah, that vampire said I was fine. He told me to get out of his ward quickly since I was healthy.”

Mila grumbled, picking up her dagger and tucking it into her waist.

“Well, I was only killing Legion commanders in the labyrinth, so I guess so. I should have been assigned to guard the gate like Felix.”

“There’s no need to volunteer for dangerous tasks. In the first place, this checkup isn’t just to confirm injuries.”

Lenox said, glancing sideways.

“Weian alone had to go through a lot in the labyrinth. It would have been dangerous if the preparations had been delayed even a little.”

“Lenox. About the Apostle Transformation ability you explained earlier, it’s too difficult to use.”

Weian, who had been listening to Lenox’s words, scratched his cheek and said.

Next to him, a crumpled halo, similar to the one given to Felix, was floating and rotating.

“It feels like I’ve gained another sensory organ that I’ve never used before. It’s like I can’t even find the button unless I consciously pay attention to the activation of the ability?”

Weian shook his head, tapping the halo that flickered like an eye with his finger.

“Once I succeed in activating it, I can feel the effect, but maintaining that state is unbelievably difficult. I’ve been practicing with Mila since earlier, and I can’t last more than 15 seconds.”

“That’s right. It feels like I’m getting a little smarter, but I haven’t felt like I’ve become your Apostle even once.”

Mila quickly agreed with Weian’s words, waving her arms back and forth.

“What was it? Shouldn’t I feel like I’ve become a genius? Shouldn’t my talent and inspiration explode like crazy even if I just stand still?”

“I can clearly see how you usually think of me.”

Lenox shook his head.

“Even if it’s just for a moment, you’re becoming a state similar to an Apostle, beyond human. If you don’t get used to that change, it will be difficult to find the boundary line where you can control the ability.”

“Well, it’s not just a little difficult…”

“From what I see, you’re doing quite well. Don’t you actually feel a change in your senses or cognitive abilities?”

“…”

In fact, Weian and Mila’s presence had begun to take on a different form and flow than before.

Evidence that in the process of practicing the Apostle Transformation ability, they were recognizing higher concepts and realms, and their hierarchy was changing accordingly.

Lenox smiled, seeing the two scratching their cheeks with awkward expressions.

“It’s good to train, but don’t be too loud. Even without that, Murphy is annoyed and wants to kick you out. He’s agreed to take care of the checkups for a while, so it would be good to keep him in a good mood.”

“It’s because there’s no suitable training place… No, more than that, do we have to keep getting checkups in the future?”

“There may be side effects that are not found in a single checkup. I plan to approach this part carefully.”

Lenox said, looking down at Weian and Mila.

“Especially since the Ouroboros you used in the war is an unrefined power, unlike the Apostle Transformation ability.”

“…That’s.”

“You went into battle after receiving the power I gave you without mastering the Ouroboros magic system. It wouldn’t be strange if there were some backlash, would it?”

Only Jenny had succeeded in formally mastering the Ouroboros magic system within Lenox’s magic tower.

However, Lenox had temporarily granted the power of the Ouroboros to all the Tower’s personnel before the subjugation battle.

It was to prevent casualties within the territory through the cycle of life and death, but it also included the purpose of temporarily boosting the Tower’s power using the Ouroboros.

The reason why Lenox gave the Apostle Transformation ability to his Tower companions and encouraged them to practice was also to solve the problems related to this part.

“The potential I granted by using the Ouroboros in the war is a miracle that forcibly brings the achievements you will one day obtain to this moment.”

Lenox said, walking past the two.

“It’s the first time I’ve used it in a way that grants it to others rather than myself, so I don’t know what kind of side effects there might be. It’s not a method I prefer in the first place.”

“…”

What Lenox had imitated using the circulation of the Ouroboros was a miracle that temporarily brought the achievements that would be obtained in the future to this moment.

Strictly speaking, it was an ability that imitated and mimicked the ‘inevitability’ of the Commander, so it was not a method that Lenox himself preferred.

Nevertheless, the reason why Lenox used this method in the subjugation battle was because he thought that the safety of his companions was more important than his preferences.

“The Apostle Transformation ability is based on the Ouroboros magic system, but it is ultimately a power that manifests with the user, not me, as the center.”

Lenox smiled, turning to look at the two.

“In essence, in terms of raising your skills and potential, practicing Apostle Transformation would be much more helpful than a magic system you haven’t learned.”

“…”

“So, if you want more than that, work hard and try to learn the Ouroboros like Jenny. Or become strong enough that you don’t need my help.”

“If it were that easy, we wouldn’t be like this…”

Mila grumbled with a slightly dejected expression.

“In the first place, Jenny is the only one among us who has been taught your magic. Most of us didn’t even have a clue what the Ouroboros was. I think the others feel the same way.”

“It’s not a bad thing that the atmosphere has become focused on self-improvement.”

Lenox smiled and moved on.

“Keep up the good work. What happens from now on… might not be limited to just Balkan.”

The reason why Lenox had brought his Tower companions into the war during the subjugation battle was not because his power was insufficient.

He had anticipated that Lenox’s magic tower would have an influence that surpassed a large city after the war.

He thought that they might have to go beyond Balkan to the center, so he was trying to gauge the Tower’s power.

If he couldn’t avoid heading to Ars Nova. If Lenox’s magic tower couldn’t escape that flow either.

Just like in the subjugation battle, they had to prepare from now on for that day.

Whoooosh!!!

Dreya and Su-ryun exchanged blows with wooden staffs, and Belver and Manson sparred, clashing heavy blunt weapons.

Tatyana and Priscilla were seriously exchanging magic power and discussing the Apostle Transformation ability.

Like Weian and Mila, the companions who had received an explanation from Lenox in advance were focusing on training to maintain Apostle Transformation.

If this atmosphere could be maintained in the future, Lenox wouldn’t have to worry too much about the Tower’s power.

Therefore, Lenox, watching his companions engrossed in training, was already lost in other thoughts.

‘Olivia called the privileges of the royal family a mission, but the meaning of privilege can’t be just that…’

Through the dialogue between Ezekiel and Olivia, Lenox was able to understand the privileges of the royal family and the end of the emperor.

However, unlike Olivia’s explanation, Lenox was aware that there was more room for thought about [privilege].

If the privileges of the royal family were a power close to a mission, role, or fatalism, there would be no reason for Ezekiel to offer his true blood to confirm it with Lenox.

In the first place, there was no way that a power so strong that the [prohibition] of the project could be established would remain at just that level of meaning.

Of course, it was unlikely that Olivia would try to deceive Lenox now, but it was also true that her interests and Lenox’s were not perfectly aligned.

Perhaps there was a difference in perception between Lenox and her that left some parts unexplained.

Even if it was a message from the royal family of Ars Nova, he had no intention of blindly trusting its contents or following them.

Lenox would have to investigate the Target Designation Resistance and the value of privilege separately.

Fortunately, there were a few central nobles that Lenox knew in the magic tower…

Next to Lenox, who was lost in thought, a tired voice was heard.

“Lenox, you’re late. I just finished my checkup too.”

“…Jenny.”

Jenny, with gauze on her forearm, stood there with a pale complexion.

She was staggering towards Lenox with a dazed expression.

“You don’t look well. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine… I’m just a little dizzy from having a lot of blood drawn.”

Jenny said, pressing her temples with one hand.

“They said they needed a blood sample from the labyrinth manager for research on the enhancement effects within the territory. I thought it would be better to finish all the troublesome things at once, so I had as much drawn as they needed.”

“Research related to the territory wasn’t something that needed to be prioritized right now. If it’s affecting your condition-”

“I said I’m fine. More than that, there’s something I want to discuss with you in advance since you’re here. Can you come with me for a moment?”

“What are you talking about?”

Looking at Jenny secretly gesturing, it seemed like there was something to talk about away from people’s eyes.

Quietly following Jenny, they arrived at a small alley next to the courtyard of the ward.

Jenny, sitting on a neatly arranged park bench, looked at the mercenaries chattering in the distance.

“Before we start moving in earnest, I’m going to briefly organize the upcoming schedule.”

“What schedule are you talking about?”

“I received a call from Major General Raphael. Professor Bailon has finished preparing to present his fourth paper.”

Jenny raised a finger.

“Considering our existing relationship, the magic tower should also participate. I’m planning to decide who to send soon, but Tower Master Thorben is so eager to be sent…”

“…I thought he had been out of sight for a while, so he was begging for that?”

“It’s not just about the paper, he’s desperate to meet you? He’s going crazy because he has something to talk about regarding your lightning.”

“…”

“The selection of a new magic tower construction site within Area 49 has also been completed. Construction is scheduled to begin immediately, but it’s a bit chaotic right now. I’ll show you when things are settled down.”

They leisurely exchanged stories about the future in the quiet garden.

It was a somewhat languid and relaxed atmosphere, as if they were taking a break from their busy work.

“So, what’s the main point?”

However, Lenox knew that Jenny hadn’t called him aside just for this kind of talk.

“You weren’t going to talk about the scheduled events, were you?”

“…That’s right.”

Jenny, slowly turning her gaze, replied.

“There was something more important to talk about.”

“…”

“The Central Council sent an official letter directly inviting you.”

Jenny, glancing sideways, said with a serious expression.

“They said they will hold a victory parade to commemorate the victory of this war and announce the rewards for your achievements.”