Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1274

The victory celebration for the subjugation war ended as quickly as it had begun.

The fourth paper presentation by Evan Vileon, which was held by directly inviting the Iron Fortress to the Central Council, was disrupted.

The thousands of spectators who witnessed the event were thrown into confusion, making it impossible to continue the ceremony.

Of course, not everyone in the grand plaza was so crazed as to ignore the schedule and run wild—

[The religious groups are in an uproar. You know that, right?]

“…….”

Balkan Sector 44, a megacity. Alejandro Murphy’s ward.

In the conference room being used as a temporary office in place of the Magic Tower, Lenok pinched the bridge of his nose.

On the video call, a gaunt-looking boy, Ormeon, slumped and spoke.

[There are a huge number of religious groups that want to worship you or Professor Vileon as gods. Some of them have already applied to change their corporate names.]

“Why is my name coming up there?”

[Iron Fortress. Are you really asking because you don’t know?]

Ormeon’s face contorted.

[Rumors that you cooperated with Professor Vileon’s research have been spreading since before I was released from the ban. You even came to observe the presentation in person, so it would be stranger if your name didn’t come up.]

“…….”

[In the first place, no matter how much of a genius Professor Vileon is, it’s unrealistic for him to develop such an absurd technology on his own. At least, wouldn’t it have been impossible without the cooperation of a transcendent mage who has reached the level of an Ascendant…]

“Don’t drag out your words, it’s annoying. And don’t look at me like that.”

Lenok was unfazed by the mayor’s suspicious gaze as he narrowed his eyes at the screen.

Since his face wouldn’t be visible on the video call due to the target designation resistance, there was no need to show any reaction.

“I only cooperated at their request, and the research topic and content were all determined by them. Don’t drag my name into this unnecessarily, and make sure to organize things clearly so the city council can announce its position.”

Since Lenok had no plans to go outside as Evan Vileon for the time being, he didn’t care.

However, from Ormeon’s perspective, it wouldn’t be strange if this situation was taken in a completely different way.

As if that guess was correct, the boy sprawled on the wide wooden desk grabbed his hair with both hands.

[Kaaaaaah…!! This, this isn’t the ending I wanted…!!! I was supposed to end the paper presentation as the highlight of the victory celebration and smoothly continue to the investment briefing, but what is this…!!!!]

“…….”

[No, this kind of scenario didn’t even exist when Kaise was alive. What kind of researcher suddenly tries to create, create things with a paper…!! Is he trying to become a god?!!]

“I told you to call it particle sculpting technology. It’s not creation.”

[Don’t change the subject. It’s all the same to me. That’s why the stock market across Balkan is paralyzed right now. I had everything planned for the end of this victory celebration, but things got messed up, and of all times…]

Ormeon was muttering about how he should have secured an investment promise for Balkan’s central advancement, but instead, he was receiving a flood of petitions from religious groups.

The shock from the fourth paper presentation had swept through Balkan and even halted the victory celebration, which seemed to be a significant blow to the mayor.

Lenok, who had been staring intently at Ormeon, casually tossed out a remark.

“The construction materials for the Magic Tower to be built in Sector 49 will be supplied by the Vileon Research Institute.”

[……Huh?]

“Now that we know the topic of the fourth paper is the creation of matter using particle sculpting technology, there’s no reason not to use it.”

Lenok got up from his seat, leaving the frozen boy behind.

“We’ll be procuring materials similar to those used in Kundara’s Nine Calamities [a legendary, extremely durable material], so keep an eye on related policies. Once we develop materials that can withstand the outer sea, we’ll begin rebuilding the Magic Tower.”

[No, wait a minute. Nine Calamities, are you perhaps going to drag the Magic Tower—]

Lenok, who had cut off the call with the mayor as he started to ramble, turned away from the screen.

Although he was acting nonchalant, he had confirmed that the mayor had some other purpose in mind during the victory celebration.

He had already informed Meyer of this fact, so he could leave the city council’s affairs to him for the time being.

As he looked at Sector 49 through the window, a new broadcast began to play on the screen where the call had been disconnected.

Chzzzz-

“In short, the core of particle sculpting technology lies in artificially reproducing the environment of the outer sea.”

A channel where experts from various academic fields were discussing the theory of the fourth paper.

An expert with a Technical Advisory Committee badge was holding a microphone and explaining the theory.

“By reversing the combination of the three magic theories that Professor Vileon presented, the first step is to empty the energy existing within a specific coordinate. That’s the key.”

“According to the committee member, does that mean that an environmental condition similar to the outer sea outside the world is created in that process?”

“Yes. By artificially creating a space-time that follows the rules of the micro-world, we sculpt and stack particles by overlapping ‘observations’.”

The expert’s voice holding the microphone gradually quickened.

“This is a technology that brings the rules of the quantum world into reality, a miracle that breaks down the boundary between the macro and micro worlds. The name particle sculpting doesn’t properly convey this great meaning.”

“That’s an interesting story. If matter can be created just by observing it, why haven’t other people discovered this fact until now?”

“Because it’s not something that can be done just by creating an environment similar to the outer sea.”

In response to the host’s question, a woman in a suit sitting across from him opened her mouth.

She, who maintained a neat impression as if she came from a corporate research institute, turned on her microphone and said.

“As a result of verification by research institutes and companies throughout Balkan, particle sculpting is only possible when the environment is created by combining Professor Vileon’s three magic theories. If you create a similar environment by other means, particles will not be sculpted no matter how much you observe.”

“Could it be that…”

“The particle sculpting technology announced by Professor Vileon is not a chance discovery, but a technology that was thoroughly designed by combining the three papers he had previously published.”

The woman spoke calmly.

“It may even be evidence that he had already completed the theory of the fourth paper when he published the first paper.”

“…….”

A quiet silence flowed among the audience who were listening to the words.

The host also listened to the words with an astonished expression.

“It seems that derivative research and citations of Professor Vileon’s previous papers will become more active in the future.”

“That’s a given, but… I think research on the human being Evan Vileon will be more actively conducted.”

“Research on Professor Vileon himself?”

“As you have heard the explanation, the theories that Professor Vileon has published through his papers are not achievements that a single human being can design and reach.”

The woman holding the microphone spoke with a burning gaze.

“Even the scholars of the academic world only understand the principle of particle sculpting theory through papers, and they are having difficulty even catching up with Professor Vileon’s basic knowledge. In order to know how he conceived and implemented these theories, we must closely examine and dissect the life that Evan Vileon has lived—”

“C-calm down… Everyone here knows how important Professor Vileon’s new theory is.”

“However, particle sculpting technology is not a miraculous technology that can create anything right away, as Professor Vileon’s presentation suggests.”

While the host was sweating and trying to stop the overly excited expert, another researcher grabbed the microphone.

“As a result of cross-verification by research institutes and companies, a tremendous amount of power is consumed in the particle sculpting process. It’s not just a matter of needing a lot of batteries, but a level that can’t be met even if you draw power from dozens of power plants.”

“Then, in the future, there will be many power generation facilities in Balkan to commercialize particle sculpting technology.”

“That is the policy that is being discussed first in the city council right now. They plan to develop undeveloped areas and build large-scale power generation facility complexes—”

Beep.

Lenok turned his gaze and simultaneously manipulated the current signal to turn off the screen.

He had sufficiently confirmed what people thought about the fourth paper.

The untrustworthy mayor, the decision to help Meyer, and the preparations to head to the Demon Realm.

However, there was one matter as important as all of those major premises.

‘Croken Acilus.’

A war mercenary belonging to Pandemonium, yet not following the control of anyone.

Cheondun (Heavenly Escape) [a title given to someone with incredible speed]. Tusin (Fighting God) [a title given to someone with unmatched combat prowess]. A monster who receives an out-of-standard evaluation from everyone who knows him.

Since Jenny obtained information through the lighthouse, Lenok had also been on high alert about Croken’s existence.

If he was returning to Balkan now, it was highly likely that it was related to this matter.

However, even though Lenok was constantly running search techniques in the outer districts, Croken’s presence was not felt.

Instead, he had obtained evidence that Croken had arrived in Balkan, belatedly, from a completely unexpected place.

[Victor. Ermong’s regular report has been cut off. It seems he’s missing.]

Hailea’s message to Victor, sent through a secret line over the phone.

A much more rigid and dry tone than she usually sent.

[Ermong would never leave Balkan alone at this time, so it must be the work of someone else.]

“…….”

After the settlement of the subjugation war, Ermong had temporarily taken over the management of Balkan, switching roles with Hailea.

However, if he had left his post at this time, when he was focused on playing in the deep web, what could be the reason?

The answer seemed to be already known even to Hailea.

[He’s back. He might try to meet you.]

“I don’t know what he wants…”

Hiding something is much easier than finding something.

No matter how outstanding Lenok’s senses were, it was nearly impossible to find Croken if he didn’t reveal himself.

Moreover, if he was using this vast megacity as his stage, it would be more difficult than finding a needle in a desert.

It was even more so now that he didn’t know what Croken’s goal was in returning to Balkan.

“…….”

Come to think of it, it was always the same that he couldn’t know what Croken wanted.

While being overwhelmed by his endless violence, he had rather considered it natural.

Perhaps that was why Lenok was able to calmly accept this situation.

“…I should start.”

A question without an answer. A sense of déjà vu with an unknown origin.

These confusions were familiar to Lenok, but even so, there was something different now than before.

He now knew the means to confirm what he was curious about, and the target to ask questions to.

All that was needed was to take action himself.

Lenok, who had been looking at the moon slowly rising beyond the darkening sky, turned his steps.

* * *

Late in the evening, after the sun had set and darkness had fallen.

Lenok was sitting alone in a library located in the outer district’s downtown area.

Lenok was the only one left in the library, long after closing time. He sat alone in the reading room, where there was no sign of anyone, and tilted his pen.

While writing complex numbers and chemical formulas on paper, Lenok held a cell phone that was still on a call in his other hand.

“Yes. Please purchase the elixirs and catalysts in the same way as last time.”

Lenok continued to write on the paper while talking to the person on the other end of the phone.

“If it’s okay, please check with the Philemon Autonomous Territory. The situation there has deteriorated rapidly due to the recent appearance of conquerors, and there must be quite a few merchants whose sales routes have been blocked.”

[…….]

“…No. I won’t intervene directly. We don’t have that kind of relationship in the first place.”

Lenok hesitated for a moment at the answer he heard from the other side and shook his head.

“Once the restoration of Sector 49 is complete, I will start the item business right away. After the war, other Magic Towers are actively requesting cooperation.”

[…….]

“That’s right. As you said, I won’t have time to pay attention to the autonomous territory for a long time… Yes, I’ll do that.”

Beep.

Lenok hung up the phone and put it down, then finally closed his eyes with a tired expression.

“I’m out of it…”

Although the post-war processing was over, it didn’t mean that all the other tasks of the Magic Tower were resolved.

The preparations for the item business in Sector 49 and the launch of elixir sales, which had been suspended during the war.

The days of investigating information about the Imperial Palace while practicing extreme lightning training with Tower Lord Thorben.

On top of that, he was also paying attention to the consultation for the fourth paper submitted under the name of Evan Vileon.

[Master is always trying to handle too many things himself.]

Davi, who was curled up on the reading room desk, wagged his tail leisurely.

[If you use the work AI I developed, it will perfectly handle the work in the same way as Master did!]

“…It’s not like I think I have to handle all the work myself.”

Lenok sighed.

“It’s just that I’m busy because I have to personally set the direction of the Magic Tower before I leave.”

[You’re so busy, but you’re still doing research on techniques together.]

“I’ve confirmed the mastery of mass techniques and the Five Laws of Extreme Lightning through the subjugation war, so I can’t be lazy in finding their applications.”

Lenok said that, put down his pen, and got up from his seat.

Davi naturally climbed onto Lenok’s hand and onto his shoulder.

“Those two techniques can be used in many ways in all the identities I use. I can’t waste an ability with that much potential, can I?”

[That’s why Master’s sleep time has been drastically reduced recently.]

Davi grumbled as he walked through the dark library corridor.

[Even if you don’t, I’m also making a magic research AI for Master, so don’t worry. I’ll make it so that Master can eat all the magic without lifting a finger soon!]

“It’s surprisingly not expected at all.”

Perhaps it was because the time he spent playing with Davi had decreased, but recently Davi had been suspiciously focused on creating AI.

The idea was commendable, but there was no possibility that Davi could create an AI that was better than Lenok himself in terms of technique research.

“Okay, check the time for me. How much time is left until the lunar eclipse?”

[3 minutes and 15 seconds left?]

“Okay, about 3 minutes…”

Lenok moved his steps, looking at the full moon that was slowly beginning to be covered outside the window.

“If I leave now, I’ll make it on time.”

Shuuuuu-

Each time he walked through the empty library corridor, the moonlight faded and the surroundings were shrouded in darkness.

As the full moon floating in the sky was covered by shadows and disappeared, the night sky turned pitch black.

He walked alone through the corridor, which was so dark that he couldn’t see in front of him, and headed to the book storage room.

The storage room was immersed in quiet darkness. A table prepared for borrowing books.

Behind it, a library employee was left alone, organizing the stacked books.

“…Hic!! C-customer?”

The employee, who had discovered Lenok in the dark, trembled in surprise.

However, Lenok was not surprised to see the employee and quietly approached him.

“I came to return a book I borrowed from here.”

“R-return, you say…?”

The employee, who had been pale and terrified, looked at the book in Lenok’s hand and made a troubled expression.

“I’m sorry, but it’s long past closing time. If you want to return the book, you’ll have to come back tomorrow morning.”

“Is that so?”

“The library return system doesn’t work at this time anyway. I’m sorry that you came so late, but…”

“Then who are you, staying here alone and working until long after the library’s closing time? Are you just a ghost?”

“…Huh?”

The employee’s expression momentarily turned blank at Lenok’s words.

He looked down at himself, then opened his mouth as he looked at the darkness cast outside the window.

The employee’s eyes, looking at the night sky where the lunar eclipse was taking place, darkened rapidly.

“Uh… what… why… am I… alone… until this time…?”

“After obtaining a fragment of transcendence, I can feel things that I couldn’t feel before, little by little.”

Lenok ignored the employee’s question and put down the book.

“I wasn’t sure, but… I think I can vaguely guess where you’re watching from.”

“…….”

“The full moon that comes once a month. The total lunar eclipse that occurs at that time. If a symbol like that covers the sky, I thought that my will would reach you through the medium of darkness.”

Ignoring the employee who didn’t answer, Lenok pointed to the title of the book he was trying to return.

[Celestial Technique: Model Garden]

“As I said, I came to return a book.”

Lenok smiled and asked the silent employee.

“Skull quiz. Do I still have to solve more?”

“…Heh.”

The library employee, who had been staring blankly out the window, opened his mouth.

The employee’s two eyes were already consumed by a dark void with no end in sight.

The employee, who had been staring at Lenok’s face, then smiled eerily.

“You’ve been honing your sense of humor while I haven’t seen you for a while, you’re a kid worth lending books to.”

“…….”

“Good. I can’t leave a guest who understands the fun of quizzes standing in the cold world.”