Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 195

Warning (2)

It had been three days since Renok returned to Balkan.

While regularly contacting Jenny, Renok organized all the mental and material gains he had made in the Autonomous Region.

Among these, his personal achievements included the Blaber Magic Tower’s unique fire magic and the creation magic he had developed himself.

The creation magic was still just a rough framework, and the only magic he could actually use was the gravity-based [Thousand-Mile Print].

It was essentially a hastily created system to elevate commonly used public magic to the level of unique magic, so its foundation was still weak.

Of course, he had decided on the direction for its development, but further progress would require more in-depth data collection and consistent theoretical research.

The electric-type magic, however, was different.

In the field of handling lightning, Renok already possessed more than enough know-how and knowledge.

He had started with the magic of the Thorben Magic Tower, which dealt with electric-type unique magic, but after dozens of property changes, it had become his own completely different lightning magic, and he had a lot to say about it.

Just by unraveling the know-how and the principles of ascension he had learned while using magic directly, he could easily produce hundreds of pages, but… Renok decided to hold back for now.

‘Since I’m known to the public as a spiritist, I should choose a theme that I can unravel by appropriately linking it with Davi’s abilities.’

As soon as he made this decision, Renok’s fingers immediately moved.

His long, slender fingers flew across the keyboard… but that didn’t happen.

“Damn it, is it possible that my lack of athletic ability applies here too?”

Even if he increased his typing speed just a little, his fingers would inevitably miss, causing countless typos.

Renok, unusually annoyed, began to carefully press the keys one by one using the hunt-and-peck method.

Davi, who had been crouching next to the laptop, looked up at Renok and wagged his tail.

[Shall I start creating the automatic writing algorithm now?]

“…I didn’t want to use magic for something like this, but please do it right now.”

If he were to write down the knowledge in Renok’s head into a paper, it would easily exceed twenty pages, but with this terribly slow typing speed, it would only be a waste of time.

Davi, who was now occupying the keyboard in place of Renok, said,

[Compared to creating an automatic flight algorithm, this is extremely simple. It will be done in three minutes. Master, you just need to think of a file title.]

“A title…”

Renok pondered, looking at Davi’s wagging tail.

“Let’s go with [Construction of an Electronic Network Interference Algorithm Using Electric-Type Property Change Magic].”

[At that point, wouldn’t it be better to just put my name on the front of the paper?]

“Sure. Let’s put a picture of you on the cover too, nice and big.”

[……]

Of course, he didn’t intend to go that far, but he was planning to write a paper on the compatibility between the real world and the cyber world that Renok had realized while handling the cyber spirit.

Now that he knew how powerful computing power and highly refined electric magic affected Balkan’s system, there were quite a few things he could discuss.

Renok and Davi spent the whole night working on the laptop.

It took about 10 hours for a paper of about 180 pages to be sent to the academy’s mailbox.

The paper, which had Aris’s lab name instead of Evan’s, arrived in the mailbox just in time for the deadline.

It didn’t take even two days for the academic world to be turned upside down.

* * *

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your face. How have you been?”

“I’m not sure.”

Renok replied and sat down in the seat opposite her.

A quiet cafe terrace in the afternoon.

It was already a secluded space with few customers. The way she had chosen a table that was cleverly hidden from people’s eyes was remarkable.

Perhaps this was the know-how that only someone who was used to arranging meetings like this could have.

“If you meet with an agent often, wouldn’t that mean you’re not doing well?”

“Oh my, you’ve become quite the comedian since I last saw you. You can even say things you don’t mean.”

Her calm, shoulder-length bob and deep green eyes.

And even the cold magic that was neatly contained and calmly settled.

Contrary to her relaxed attitude and words, her aura was as sharp as a blade.

Even though it had been a long time since they had seen each other, there was not a single change or a single sign of disarray.

Agent Evelyn Marcia.

The archer, known as the city government’s hunting dog and nicknamed ‘The Bow of the Present,’ sipped her coffee as always.

“Oh, right. I’m growing celery these days, would you like to try some? It’s great for dieting. It’s full of magic, so it’ll be good for your body.”

“…No, thanks. Are you still running a vegetable store?”

“Of course. I’m working hard, going around Balkan. These days, the profits are quite good, so I think I can quit my main job.”

Renok sighed as he looked at the nonchalantly smiling Evelyn.

“Stop saying things you don’t mean. Unless you want to give the media a good story.”

Evelyn was a member of the city government’s elite force, the Agents, a security organization. Among them, she was by far the most outstanding and well-known to the citizens.

Of course, she wasn’t the only powerhouse under Balkan’s command, but for a force as powerful as her to quit being an Agent, she would have to overcome countless objections.

“Speaking of the media, have you seen this?”

Evelyn said, handing Renok the newspaper that was on the table.

“I heard that the Lavatenon University recently published a paper that turned the academic world upside down.”

“……”

“It’s said to have presented a new paradigm for the application of electric-type magic, and I’m curious about your opinion on it.”

Evelyn smiled as she looked at the silent Renok.

“I want to hear what the most powerful electric mage I know thinks.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Renok frowned, as if annoyed, and took the newspaper.

“I learned magic in the back alleys, so I’m almost completely ignorant of theory. Even if I look at a paper like this, I hardly know what’s what.”

“Oh… so you’re ignorant of theory, is that it?”

Evelyn’s expression, as if she was going to remember every word Renok said, felt almost obsessive.

Renok pretended not to notice and turned his gaze to the newspaper.

He had brushed it off with Evelyn, but there was no way Renok wouldn’t know.

The number of messages Aris was sending had increased fivefold because of this paper, so how could he not know?

How dumbfounded he had been after receiving a call from Aris, who had called him with an emotional voice, saying that she had believed in Renok all along.

He had never imagined that a paper on applying electric-type magic to electronic devices would cause such a huge reaction.

According to Aris, there had been several attempts in the past, but everyone was surprised that a single researcher had achieved results in a theme that had never been successful.

When writing the paper, he had searched to see if it was a relatively common topic, but he had failed to check whether there were any actual results.

Renok’s tangible results, which were achieved by not simply releasing magic but by complementing the compatibility with powerful computing devices, were leading to a series of derivative papers.

According to Aris, the number of times Renok’s paper was being cited was already increasing rapidly.

Fortunately, thanks to Aris’s consideration, measures had been taken to thoroughly protect Evan’s identity and personal information, but the unexpected fame was enough to fluster Renok.

‘This is already giving me a headache…’

How was he going to make excuses to the undergraduates and researchers who would bombard him with questions when he returned to the university?

“I need to re-evaluate Aris Richelieu’s insight. I heard that she was focusing on nurturing her juniors, but I never thought she would achieve results in this way. Is it true that geniuses are different?”

“…I’ve heard of that woman’s name too. If you think about it, the paper from the lab is also the result of that genius, isn’t it?”

Renok quickly attributed the success to Aris, as if he had been waiting for the opportunity.

“Indeed. It’s absurd that she’s aiming for level 7 at that age. How can she reach that level while also working as a professor… I can understand why the Sinclair Magic Tower is so eager to bring her in.”

Evelyn seemed to agree with Renok’s words.

Even Evelyn, an extraordinary powerhouse, showed respect for Aris’s talent.

Considering that Grisha, who was a level 7 sorcerer, had highly praised Aris, it wasn’t that strange.

Although the world called Aris Richelieu a genius, it seemed that those with extraordinary abilities were more acutely aware of how great her talent was.

“So, is that all you wanted to say? I’d like to get to the point soon.”

He had been humoring Evelyn so far, but that wasn’t the reason Renok had come here.

If she, who usually just exchanged casual greetings with him, had called him out now, it was highly likely that it wasn’t for an ordinary matter.

Considering the situation Jenny’s bar was in, the words she was about to say were probably…

“The Cartel. You already have an idea, don’t you?”

“……”

Evelyn said, putting down the glass she was holding.

At the same time as the glass touched the table, a wave of magic emanated from her fingertips and spread out, creating an invisible barrier.

She had instantly blocked the surrounding gazes and sounds, and she stared at Renok and said,

“They’re too big. Give up.”

“What do you mean, give up?”

“Whether it’s the business you’re running, the bar, or even that woman.”

Renok closed his mouth.

“The Cartel’s executives are monsters that even we can’t easily touch. They’re all veterans who have been in this business for decades. Do you think you can handle them?”

“……”

“I’m giving you advice because I see your skills and potential. Personally, I think you…”

She hesitated for a moment and said,

“You might be a genius who is not inferior to that Aris Richelieu. I don’t want to see such talent crushed just because you want to start a decent business.”

“If you’re so worried, why don’t you help me?”

Renok chuckled and replied, but Evelyn didn’t laugh.

“I would if I could, but… it’s different from when Craig Tillion was running wild.”

The terrorist operation carried out by the necromancer Craig Tillion was very radical and effective, but it was a kind of operation that was at odds with the complex interests of Balkan.

That was why Evelyn could independently use the power of the Agents to investigate the source of funds for Leisen, a member of the city council, without any problems in terms of justification.

However, the Cartel was different.

It was basically a case where a coalition of companies that had gathered in the shadows had solidified into an organization.

The infrastructure, connections, capital, and organizational structure they possessed had reached a level that even the Agents could not easily touch.

“They are the organization that is most directly involved in the flow of cash in the underworld. If the Cartel collapses, the economic system of the underworld will collapse, and the boundary between freelancers and outlaws will crumble. There is a possibility that those who make a living by taking jobs through brokers will become outlaws. It’s a problem that’s hard to intervene in unless you directly interfere from the inside.”

“Is maintaining the status quo the best option?”

“At least until an organization equivalent to them appears… I guess that’s what you’re thinking?”

Evelyn said that much and let out a deep sigh.

Renok laughed.

“Wasn’t that what you knew from the beginning?”

It wasn’t for nothing that Jenny had been so calm even after being attacked by the Cartel.

From the moment she started her business, it was obvious that other businesses would try to keep her in check.

It was just that the opponent was more powerful than she had expected.

In the end, in order to climb up the ladder of power in Balkan, it was an opponent he would have to face sooner or later.

“I don’t intend to end up as just a freelancer. And I don’t want to work under someone else either.”

To be precise, he was reluctant to join an organization because of his circumstances, but Renok didn’t say that much.

“Then I have no choice but to grab the hand of someone who is in need and climb up. This is just part of the process.”

In the end, it was no coincidence that he had chosen Jenny as his partner.

It was hard to find someone with as much ability and ambition as her, who also needed Renok due to her circumstances.

He hadn’t expected that the head of the underworld would draw a knife from the start, but on the other hand, if the Cartel was destroyed, it meant that Jenny’s business could immediately take its place.

He had no intention of raising the white flag before even making an estimate.

“Haa… If I had known you were such an ambitious guy, I shouldn’t have gotten involved with you in the first place.”

While listening to Evelyn’s lament, Renok finished the rest of his coffee.

He didn’t usually drink coffee because he couldn’t sleep even after drinking just one cup, but it didn’t matter today because he had more things to do.

“Is that all you wanted to say?”

“Wait.”

As Renok was about to get up, Evelyn took out a note from her pocket and placed it on the table.