Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1270

Approximately five minutes before Lenox finished his promotion at the Magic Tower and arrived at the annex auditorium with Ormeon, Ada Romil Bridges, the senator leading the Technical Advisory Committee, noticed an anomaly from the highest level of the audience seats.

Beyond the thick curtains at the back of the audience, in the rest area located between the empty passageways and corridors, she saw the upper and lower house council members of the Central Council surrounding an elderly man in particular.

The expressions of the other council members looking at Mayor Meyer, who was leading the countermeasures committee, were stiff.

“Mayor Meyer, what on earth is going on?” One of the senior members leading the lower house spoke in a cold voice. “There was no talk of punishing the opposition faction members this severely.”

“……” Other council members spoke out as if they were reproaching the silent Meyer. “Archwood and Councilman Illima, along with many figures from the political and business world, have been arrested. If this continues, even in the trial…”

“The measures were too excessive. Even if they were colluding with the Legion, there were plenty of other ways to set an example.”

“The chairman entrusted Mayor Meyer with the post-war handling, not for this kind of thing.”

Meyer was the one acting on behalf of the Senate during the post-war handling process. He was the senator in charge of handling and resolving all issues related to the subjugation war. Therefore, Meyer had formed a countermeasures committee and had been resolving the issues piled up within the city council according to the chairman’s wishes.

However, in the process of eliminating a large number of council members who had colluded with the Legion, there was fierce opposition from other city council members.

“It’s understandable for Mayor Ormeon, who has just returned, but Mayor Meyer should not have acted so unilaterally.”

“The countermeasures committee has been excessively cooperative with the mayor, and the authority has been given more power than necessary. This is clearly not right.”

Even in the atmosphere that was gradually but surely becoming sharper, Meyer said nothing. He simply stood silently, listening to the reproachful words of the other council members.

The council members, who were looking at Meyer with displeasure, slowly turned around. “Let’s talk again after the chairman returns.”

“Mayor Meyer, I will remember today’s overreach.”

“If you don’t produce results commensurate with this inauguration ceremony… you will have to take responsibility in some way.”

Only after all the other council members had left did Meyer turn around, leaning on his cane. The old council member opened his mouth without even looking at Bridges, who was standing behind the curtain. “It wouldn’t have been a very pleasant sight to watch, Councilwoman Bridges.”

=Mayor Meyer. Bridges moved her mechanically modified body and let out a voice. =It seems the atmosphere within the Senate is not very good.

“The countermeasures committee did use its authority more excessively than expected,” Meyer replied calmly. “Although they colluded with the Legion, arresting and putting fellow council members on trial is understandable that other council members feel threatened. They would think that they could be in a similar situation at any time.”

=…….

“I also didn’t like giving authority to the mayor by cooperating with Mayor Ormeon. Even considering it as a reward for victory, many felt it was excessive.”

The countermeasures committee was a task force created by the Senate Chairman, who directly appointed Meyer to handle the post-war process of the subjugation war. Although Meyer was temporarily acting on behalf of the Senate’s authority, it did not mean that Meyer had truly become a power comparable to the chairman.

In the process of reorganizing the council under the pretext of war, it was also expected that other council members who felt their authority was being interfered with would resist. Not only the council members who had just visited Meyer, but also many influential figures from various fields were not happy with the current situation.

It was such an unreasonable result that even the slightest flaw in this inauguration ceremony could jeopardize Meyer’s political position. That’s how much was at stake in this presentation.

=The reason you went so far to side with the mayor… what is it?

“Because it’s something I can only do now,” Meyer retorted. “Eliminating the opposition within the council, promoting the Magic Tower, and giving benefits and privileges… I don’t know when I’ll have this kind of authority again. Considering my age, it might be an opportunity that will never come again.”

=…….

“It’s been a long time since I first met him and promised to reach the top of the city,” Meyer said quietly, looking down at the empty platform. “Before it’s too late… I want to do what I can before I can no longer keep my promise.”

=…Mayor Meyer. Silence flowed. How Meyer thought about his remaining time. Bridges, who had modified her entire body into a machine, understood but could not sympathize with him. However, Meyer would not have told her this fact hoping for understanding or sympathy.

=In this inauguration ceremony where so much is at stake… Mayor Meyer’s future will also be determined by the success or failure of today’s presentation, Bridges asked in a low voice. =Even though you might lose everything you’ve built up so far, are you still okay with it?

“I don’t have the talent to be sure of the results before I even start,” Meyer turned his body. “But Ban is coming to watch the presentation directly. That’s enough.”

=…….

The door of the auditorium opened, and Lenox walked in. Meyer smiled kindly, looking down at the expressionless face of the magician. “I don’t regret it now.”

* * *

Wowwww!!!! Evan Bailen walks towards the microphone on the platform with an expressionless face. Kyon-Roe sits in the highest level of the audience seats, silently watching the professor’s back.

“……” The superhumans and transcendents belonging to the giants of the light and the three-headed dragons of the shadows. Professors and researchers, as well as government officials and city council members, were all watching.

The researcher who achieved the most radical technological development in the history of Balkan and the transcendent who single-handedly massacred tens of thousands and ended the war. Two people who have reached a unique level with their talents, living lives at opposite extremes, until they reached this point.

Everyone knew that the fruits of their collaboration, what they wanted and how they shared their talents, would finally be revealed today. Bridges was lost in thought, looking at Kyon-Roe’s expressionless profile.

‘Professor Bailen’s third paper was on the theme of learning the common magic system.’ Evan Bailen’s third paper was about the development of a common magic learning device. It was about researching a common magic system that could be used by those without talent, instead of the unique magic system that only magicians could use.

At the time, the common magic he presented was only simple magic at the level of creating a small light or grounding a circuit, but even that alone caused an enormous reaction throughout the Balkans. More than millions of people flocked to buy a learning device that could learn only three types of magic, and black market trading had been rampant for at least several months.

There was no one in academia who didn’t know the story that the city government had struggled to regulate it because the structure of the learning device was so simple that defective and fake products were rampant. Bridges also had a vivid memory of being amazed at how such a complex system as the common magic system could be put into such a crude structure after taking apart the learning device.

‘Professor Bailen is not just a researcher. He knows exactly what people want and has the insight to choose the means. That’s why I wanted to bring him directly into the committee, but….’ It was Bailen’s research achievement to develop the common magic system and mass-produce the learning device, but what Bridges was really impressed with was not that.

That the researcher, who was holed up in his lab and rarely showed his face in public, was more accurately grasping people’s desires than any businessman or investor. That was a talent closer to innate intuition or a sense that could not be obtained through simple effort or research.

How strong people’s longing for magic and supernatural powers was, many people did not realize until after the learning device was released on the market. That must have been the reason why all the papers he had published so far had caused such an explosive reaction. Therefore, it was only natural that there was such a strong reaction to the fourth paper that was scheduled to be presented-

Rather, it was because of that that Bridges could not clearly guess why Evan Bailen had joined hands with Kyon-Roe. ‘The ripple effect caused by common magic was huge, but it was closer to an independent result without Kyon-Roe’s help. This fourth paper is virtually the first time the two have collaborated….’

The presentation of the third paper was held at the Magic Tower, but there was almost no evidence that Kyon-Roe was involved in the research process. In the first place, it was unlikely that the great magician, who was said to have the greatest talent in the history of the Eastern Continent, would be interested in research on common magic for those without talent.

Then, the fourth paper scheduled for today must be the reason and the result of Bailen and Kyon-Roe’s collaboration. Everyone who knew the situation knew that fact. The dean of Lavatenon, who was sitting below the audience seats. The director of the Raphael Research Institute, who was shining his eyes brightly, not befitting his age, next to him.

Senator Conrad Haven, who was watching the platform with the council members. Various businessmen and executives of Megatech who showed their faces on the opposite staircase. All the people involved in the research projects of the mega-city were showing their faces directly despite Kyon-Roe’s notoriety.

‘I need to see the theme of the fourth paper first in order to respond to future changes. Then….’ [Professor Bailen.] Whoo-oong!! At that moment, one of the council members who had grabbed the microphone in the audience seats spoke first. One of the council members who had been pressuring Meyer in the back of the auditorium before the presentation began.

The council member, who was looking down at Bailen as if he was reluctant, spoke in a voice that seemed to be scolding him. [Let me tell you in advance before we start. Today’s presentation will be a very important event at this inauguration ceremony.]

“……” [The city council has made a lot of preparations for today’s presentation, so of course, there must be results commensurate with that. At least enough to match the results achieved in the previous paper-] Jijijik!!! At that moment, as Bailen raised the microphone to answer, the sound glitched and stuttered with noise. The microphone prepared for the presentation was not working at all, and no sound could be heard.

When the council member sitting in the audience gestured, an attendant immediately activated the loudspeaker. “Professor Bailen, it’s been a while.” When Conrad opened his mouth in a dignified tone, his voice naturally echoed throughout the auditorium without a microphone. “Is this the first time we’ve had such a meeting since the presentation of the third paper? There were many unpleasant things at that time.”

“……” Was he referring to the incident of the researcher who had challenged Bailen over the quality of the learning device at the time of the common magic system presentation? Bailen looked at Conrad with an expressionless face, but Conrad spoke in a gentle tone without caring. “There have been people who have often suspected and slandered you. But now, everyone is waiting for your presentation without even thinking of refuting your words.”

“……” “As a public official who has been watching since the first exhibition where you presented your paper, I knew that this would happen someday. The city council will also think the same as this council member.” Conrad’s words, pretending to take credit while hinting that the city council supports Professor Bailen. The council member who had tried to pressure Lenox by speaking first frowned, but Conrad continued to speak without caring.

“No matter what results your paper achieves today, this council promises to continue to support and invest in your research in every way. Can we hear the presentation then?” “……I understand.” Bailen, standing in front of the platform, answered slowly. He raised his gaze with an expression that was not only emaciated but also somewhat dazed, and quietly opened his mouth. “However, the presentation won’t take long. There aren’t that many demonstrations to show you here today.”

“Well. For me, just the fact that there is a demonstration at the presentation is already making me look forward to it.” As he said, the audience began to become noisy as soon as they heard that there would be a demonstration. Even though Bailen was standing in front of the platform with nothing, people began to move to see the presentation even a little closer. Conrad smiled and shook his head as he watched the attendants calming the people in the bustling auditorium.

“It was an impertinent intervention by a non-expert. If anyone else has any questions before we start… oh my.” Pa-ba-bat! Before he could finish speaking, hundreds of people raised their hands from all over the audience seats. Researchers, professors, or executives and investors of Megatech were all coming forward. Conrad, who had added words as a formality to give fairness to his intervention, looked flustered, but Bailen was calm.

“Let’s start by answering questions. I’ll take one question per person.” “……Are you sure?” “Yes. Since it’s a sudden schedule, I thought I needed some time to briefly introduce the paper before starting.” Bailen answered calmly. “I think it would be okay to start by talking about why I’ve been doing research and why I wrote the paper.”

Was he planning to briefly explain the reason and background for writing the fourth paper, as well as answering the words of the council member who had first pressured him? Even though the atmosphere was flowing more like a Q&A session than a paper presentation, he didn’t seem to care. Those gathered in the audience were not surprised because they knew how Professor Bailen had been giving presentations.

“First question.” Beep- [I’m Ermin, the deputy researcher at Theoska Research Institute. I would like to say that it is an honor to attend your presentation, Professor.] A woman with dark brown skin wearing a research uniform grabbed the microphone with both hands and spoke with shining eyes. [I’m very curious about the contents of the paper, but I want to hear it directly from you, so I’m going to ask a question about another part. Is the research topic of the fourth paper organically connected to the three papers you have presented so far?]

“Can you tell me why you think so?” [……There have been many attempts to find common ground in the derivative research process of the papers you have presented. In that process, a hypothesis has emerged that all of your papers are by-products of entropy interference research.] Ermin hesitated and answered at Bailen’s unexpected reaction. [In fact, your papers tend to focus on reversing and changing existing rules or laws. In academia, through this hypothesis, it is speculated that you are conducting a very large-scale qualitative study….]

“That’s right.” [……Yes?] “So much derivative research has been done on my papers, it would be strange if I denied the intention or direction of the papers I wrote myself.” Lenox turned around while Ermin was making a dazed expression. “As you said, the past three papers are all by-products of the process of achieving a single short-term goal. I don’t know if it can be called by the grand name of entropy interference, but….”

[I’m Jonin from the Yuritall Celestial Gate Society.] A sturdy man sitting in the opposite audience seat stood up as soon as he received the microphone. [If that’s true, can we assume that the fourth paper you’re going to present also shares a similar direction?] “No.” [Then, I would like to ask if there is any part of the hypothesis that our society has made that matches your goal… Yes?]

“The fourth paper has a different goal and direction from the beginning than the papers I have presented so far.” Lenox turned around. “The past three papers were researched with the expectation that the technology would be actively used in the market at the same time as the presentation. It was the result of paying attention to ensure that the technology could be used at a level that could immediately prove its commercial viability, skipping the three stages of the hype cycle [a pattern of technology adoption that includes a peak of inflated expectations, a trough of disillusionment, and a slope of enlightenment].”

[…….] “However, the theme of this paper may be a technology that is still too early to prove its practicality or commercial viability. I think that part might disappoint those gathered here.” Bailen’s answer, as if he was somewhat unsure. However, as soon as they heard those words, the number of people raising their hands and fidgeting in all directions of the audience seats began to increase.

Because if you were a person working in academia, you couldn’t not know what the explanation Lenox had just answered meant. [I’m Mason, a fund manager at Illyun Investment Company. Does that mean that in the past papers, you not only did theoretical research but also finished the technology development before presenting it…] [I’m Morina from Charlotte Company. If you have been paying attention to the productivity of technology in every research, I would like to hear about the criteria for commercial viability that you judge….]

“Oh, of all things….” As soon as Bridges heard those words, she exchanged glances with the other members of the Technical Advisory Committee and smiled bitterly. Unlike the past three papers, Bailen explained that he did not expect commercial viability in this paper. But that meant that Bailen had predicted to some extent the repercussions and commercial viability of his papers.

The public’s reaction or commercial viability is not an area of numerical value that can be accurately analyzed, predicted, and expected in the first place. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, the fact that he actually did it was, regardless of the results of the paper, how much of a ‘money-making’ talent Bailen was. At the point when Bridges sensed the meaning, there was no way that the other intelligent people gathered here would not have noticed.

In fact, even Megatech and investment companies, which had been waiting with a passive attitude compared to the researchers, were now rushing to get a chance to ask questions with their eyes burning. [If I express my intention to invest in advance before the paper presentation starts, can you give me priority….] [Achilles, stop right now. What nonsense are you spouting in front of the professor!] [How vulgar. To talk about money before the presentation has even started…!] [The committee is watching. Everyone who has stood up, please sit back down.]

The atmosphere of the auditorium, which had become a mess with the planning department of Megatech intervening in large numbers, unable to hold back. In the midst of the chaotic atmosphere, forgetting even the current situation, microphones were being passed around and shouts were rampant. Objects rolled down from all over the audience seats and collided with the microphone on the platform where Bailen was standing.

Crack!! Jijijijik!!! “……” The speakers vibrated as if they would tear apart from the intense noise coming from the broken microphone. Only after Bailen turned off the broken microphone with an expressionless face did the commotion subside somewhat. However, Bridges realized that even in the midst of all this, Kyon-Roe was not taking his eyes off the seat where Ormeon was sitting.

‘……Are you watching?’ The sight of the mayor, who was looking at him with an expressionless face with his chin resting on his hand, without showing any reaction even though the auditorium was becoming increasingly noisy, made Bridges feel a sense of incongruity before- “It would be meaningless to talk about this and that without even mentioning the research content.”

Bailen, standing in front of the platform, said in a calm voice. Following the loudspeaker that Conrad Haven had turned on, the words were clearly heard throughout the auditorium even without a microphone. “I don’t know what meaning my presentation will have for you today. I don’t even know what will happen in the future.”

“……” “But if there is one thing that is certain, it is that the reason I started research was always for myself.” Bailen, who had slowly moved to the side of the platform in the quiet silence, said. “Whether I can explain what I was worried about with a clear theory. Whether I can convey the answer I got in a form that others can understand… If everything was a process to confirm that.”

“……” “In the end, I will only know that after today’s presentation is over.” Chwaak!! At the same time as those words, the curtain hanging behind the platform was drawn back, and Aris walked out. On the workbench that was spread out wide behind her, a dazzling magical light swirled and shone. The audience’s gaze instantly focused on the workbench, and at the same time as Aris, who had finished preparing for the demonstration, turned around.

Lenox, who had placed both hands on the workbench, raised his gaze and said. “Then, let’s begin the presentation of the fourth paper.”