Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 117

It’s said that the black mages were able to enter the research institute because of that person’s very strong will.

In the process of installing artificial intelligence into the model, they applied the principles of enchantment magic to make modularization easier and also devised a way to dramatically increase the capacity limit.

“Surprisingly, the research was very successful, and it was already in the commercialization stage just before the inspection. If that incident hadn’t happened, an artificial intelligence a generation more advanced than the current one might have been released to the market.”

The enchantment faction black mages, overjoyed, shared information among themselves, and it wasn’t surprising that this fact also leaked to the practical faction.

However, everything changed when the black mages were expelled from District 44 due to the city government’s inspection.

“Craig is probably aiming for something using that improved artificial intelligence. What I heard from my friends back then was that the capacity of the algorithm allowed in the artificial intelligence had increased dramatically, so he must want to put something in that increased capacity.”

“…Are you talking about ‘something’ summoned by necromancy?”

Lennox muttered.

“To be honest, until you told me this story, I thought the massacre at the artificial intelligence research institute was just a simple act of venting anger. But, if Craig’s goal wasn’t us, but really the artificial intelligence research institute….”

“You’re saying that wasn’t their target from the beginning.”

I had only thought they were targeting the black mages working at the artificial intelligence research institute, but the real goal was the artificial intelligence itself.

It makes sense that they didn’t find any particular clues from the corpses of the black mages who died there.

What they were aiming for was not venting anger on the enchantment faction black mages, but the artificial intelligence itself that was being developed there.

It must have been the AI data stored on the institute’s independent network.

“The black mage who you killed, who was using necromancy. Given the current circumstances, he probably didn’t move the data himself, but rather transmitted it through some means.”

“………”

Come to think of it, the black mage Lennox killed was looking up at the sky on the roof of the research institute after finishing the massacre.

At the time, I thought he was simply lost in thought, but what if even that was some kind of action that fit their purpose?

“…It was my mistake not thinking about checking the research institute’s network. I should have thoroughly searched everything that existed there.”

I was drawn to the intense theme of black mages killing each other, and I didn’t think they would touch the field of artificial intelligence.

“It’s not your fault.”

Raul said softly.

“Even I, who knew the details beforehand, could only guess the connection after hearing the information you brought, so how could you, who had nothing to do with black magic, have thought of it?”

To be precise, it could be said that the mistake was not paying proper attention to fields other than magic itself.

‘This is something I need to think about….’

I didn’t have high expectations for Raul, but the gains I’ve made are not small.

The things I just realized were information in an area that I could never have guessed on my own if I didn’t know the details of what had happened.

“Putting a ‘being’ summoned by necromancy into the framework of artificial intelligence….”

“If successful, it would be possible to suppress the risks of necromancy as much as possible while extracting the full power of the spell.”

Raul, who muttered quietly, nodded.

“After talking with you, I understand now. To make a being that surpasses the caster’s capabilities serve as an algorithm of artificial intelligence and control it at will. Craig’s final goal is probably that.”

#

“Domain construction failed. Transfer space destroyed. Seventh experiment terminated.”

“Wrong.”

Craig shook his head while listening to the low announcement.

“The process of manipulating the artificial domain was unstable from the start. If the first step isn’t right, it can’t proceed properly.”

A huge underground cavity.

Every visible wall was covered with thick iron plates at least several meters thick, a sealed space that seemed like not even a breath of air could escape.

More than a dozen black mages were busy moving around and adjusting the magic circle that filled the space, which was hundreds of meters in diameter.

Black mana constantly rose and disappeared, slowly permeating the space.

Craig silently stared down at the bottom of the cavity for a long time before turning his head.

Where he turned his gaze, there were dozens of monitors and even more people diligently typing on keyboards.

“How is the algorithm working?”

“The logical structure is complete, but the artificial intelligence gets tangled up the moment the spell activates and doesn’t work properly.”

A man with thick glasses, who was standing with his arms crossed at the very back, replied.

“Moreover, the algorithm changes into a different form every time after the experiment, so it’s useless to back up the data.”

A bizarre phenomenon that cannot be explained by thorough logical structure and calculations alone.

“At this point, I can only say that we need to collect more data on the stage where the artificial intelligence reacts immediately after the necromancy.”

The man with glasses smiled as he looked at the silent Craig.

“Well, it’s still fun. You’re not the first person to try this, but not many people have chosen such an interesting theme.”

“………”

“Can a god live inside a hard drive? This has been a topic of debate in various academic circles for decades, separate from the religion we believe in. This will give the old fogeys a new stimulus.”

The man was saying whatever he wanted, even with Craig, a powerful black mage, right in front of him.

He already fully understood that this task would be extremely difficult if they didn’t borrow their abilities at this moment.

Craig stared at the man for a while before changing the subject.

“There isn’t much time.”

A low voice came from under his beard.

“I heard that the temporary base we set up to collect data in Falcion was attacked. They’re tracking our movements faster than expected.”

“Are they agents from the megacity? I remember them being very slow and lazy people…. Things seem to have changed in the last few years.”

The man replied indifferently while operating the computer.

“The pillars we installed to disrupt the city’s ley lines are also being removed quickly. We managed to secure another power source with the funds we received from investors after the meeting, but how long Zaun can last is a completely different matter. We need to get results within at least a month.”

“It would be a problem if those bandits don’t have much time left to tank.”

Craig frowned silently as he looked at the man who was grinning as if it were someone else’s problem.

Even with a criminal who was popping people’s heads like balloons, the man’s expression was still relaxed.

That’s probably because the god that the programmers, including the man, serve is a bigger monster than Craig.

It’s ironic.

The fact that the most fervent fanatics are masters of computer programming, which requires precise and meticulous logic.

But if he hadn’t accepted this contradiction, the man named Craig would have ceased to exist long ago.

Sometimes, he looks back at the moment he didn’t accept the deal the city government offered.

The answer is always the same.

And in order to resist those monsters, he has no choice but to summon monsters of his own.

Even now that he has become a city-scale criminal, what he wants has not changed.

The eyes of the endlessly foolish mage soften only when he sees the children moving below him.

That was all.

#

“The council member is expressing strong concern about this matter.”

“…………”

Ivelin Marcia’s office.

All sorts of vegetables had increased while I hadn’t seen her for a while.

As she became busier and had less time to tend the garden, it seemed she was now enjoying her hobby in her office.

Sitting across from her was a young man sipping tea with a relaxed air.

He was wearing a deep blue robe that didn’t fit the era, and his closed eyes didn’t seem to open even after savoring the tea.

“Your tea-making skills are getting more and more refined, Agent. It feels like my enjoyment increases every time I see you like this.”

Unlike the young man who was smiling with a friendly expression, Ivelin, who was leaning on the sofa with her legs crossed, replied with a sulky expression.

“That’s made with a tea bag. There’s no way I’d let an uninvited guest taste my tea leaves.”

“…….Heh heh.”

“So, I’d appreciate it if you could tell me why Council Member Leisen sent someone first after so long.”

“It’s not a difficult story.”

The young man who put down his teacup suddenly turned his head towards Lennox.

His closed eyes remained the same.

“But, before that, could you tell me who the person standing behind you is? I don’t think I’d recognize his face with my limited knowledge.”

“That’s the mage, Ban. He’s an external consultant we recently recruited.”

“………”

External consultant.

Come to think of it, I think I received a similar title when I worked with Dyke last time.

It was clear that there was no better position to emphasize that you were not an insider but a related party.

“I see. Excuse me, but could you tell me where he was active before?”

Ivelin narrowed her eyes at the young man’s nonchalant answer.

“You already know everything, so stop pretending.”

“……..”

“Stop pretending to have limited knowledge, and how about opening those eyes properly?”

‘Oh.’

To poke at a somewhat sensitive area like that, regardless of whether she knew the young man, it seemed she didn’t like him very much.

Even at Ivelin’s sharp reply, the young man laughed it off with a friendly face.

“I don’t care, but if you talk like that in front of the council member, you’ll be in big trouble.”

“Now you’re saying that?”

“…..Let’s get to the point. The council member is very disappointed that the agent side has not disclosed all the results obtained from this operation to the city council.”

“………”

“Especially the specific information obtained from attacking the temporary base of the terrorist organization Falcion. He is carefully considering the fact that you have not handed over the secrets directly related to the city’s safety to the council.”

“There were no particular objections at the presentation.”

“That was possible because the members of the upper and lower houses did not know the details. I won’t say much more.”

Clunk.

At the same time as he put down the teacup he was holding, a sharp aura flowed out of the young man.

“I hope there are no secrets being hidden for the sake of the city. This is the notification that the council member is sending to the agent.”

The God in the Hard Drive (3)

An alien energy that seemed to be mixed with mana and ki. It was a stable ki, as if looking at a blade that had been trained and refined for a long time.

It reminded me of a martial artist….

‘A martial artist?’

While Lennox was lost in thought, the conversation continued.

Ivelin made a thoughtful expression and reluctantly nodded.

“…I was just putting it off because the information that needs to be reported hasn’t been properly organized yet. I hope the council member doesn’t misunderstand.”

“Is that so?”

“I’ll have the kids organize the files and send them soon. You want that rather than sending it to the council, right?”

“If you tamper with the information….”

“Your secretariat will review everything anyway, do you think I’d do such a thing?”

“………”

Ivelin, who was staring at the silent young man with a bored expression, sighed.

“What are you, a machine illiterate who doesn’t even know how to use a cell phone, arguing about?”

“Hmm….. You’re not wrong.”

Lennox slightly opened his mouth as he watched the young man get up from his seat without being able to refute.

It was because he had never imagined that there would actually be someone in this world who couldn’t even handle the most basic mechanical equipment.

A human who lives without enjoying the benefits of civilization in this era where vampires, werewolves, and even crocodiles and birds use smartphones.

Perhaps he was an even rarer and stranger person than those demi-humans.

“I understand. Let’s leave that part to the secretariat, and let’s be satisfied with hearing the agent’s confirmation today.”

The young man grabbed the doorknob with a faint smile.

“Ivelin Marcia won’t go back on her word.”

“………”

“I hope your esteemed mage is well. I hope to see you next time with good news.”

#

The image of the young man who had left behind a lingering remark disappeared.

Ivelin silently buried herself in her chair and sighed.

“Is he someone from Leisen’s secretariat?”

“Not the secretariat…. He was the deputy head of the security team, or something, his position changes so often that I don’t remember. He’s a famous martial artist from the Mumun.”

“A martial artist….”

“He’s definitely skilled, so he’s highly valued by the council member even though he can’t handle any machines. Rather, that point is why he’s trusted.”

The advantage of not having to worry about information being leaked due to hacking was definitely an advantage that was hard to appeal to in this city.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

She spoke grandly, but in the end, she handed over the information as soon as Leisen sent someone.