Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 302

Lenok chuckled at the sight of Davi using his tail like a propeller to swim inside the glass tube.

“For something like that, it looks quite fun.”

[That’s an illusion.]

“Enough with the small talk, let’s continue the reaction experiment we were doing just now.”

Aris said, tapping on her laptop and channeling mana into a nearby pipe.

Whoosh!

The glass tube, powered by Aris’s mana, began to glow brightly, enveloping Davi’s body as he floated within the crystal.

“The fact that Davi is a new type of spirit derived from the electric system is a very important theme in this research.”

She continued, watching the clear, glass-like radiance that illuminated the inside of the lab.

“The mainstream opinion in academia is that the manifestation of spirits through a mage, their appearance and abilities, are connected to the mage’s essential source… If so, we might be able to reach a branch of the mind through Davi.”

“……”

“It’s hard to grasp what the magnetic field of a spirit mage is like in terms of principle and form, but it’s certain that it must operate around the spirit body. That’s why it will be helpful to record the mana reactions of various attributes and hierarchies, and to focus on the system with the best response.”

[…….]

At Aris’s words, Lenok quietly met eyes with Davi.

The statement that Davi’s appearance and abilities are directly related to Lenok’s mind wasn’t a far-fetched guess, when you think about it.

The cyber spirit that had been with Lenok for a long time was essentially an entity born from Lenok’s needs and desires.

However, it was uncertain how well the essence of a typical spirit formula would fit Davi, who was born by combining a strong artificial intelligence algorithm and a necromantic formula.

To properly understand Davi’s essence and origin, it would be necessary to study the adjacent systems through various attempts, as Aris said.

‘The problem is how long it will take.’

Fortunately, Lenok had already agreed on this issue with Davi.

Davi’s calculation and hacking abilities as a cyber spirit, and his formula assistance through algorithm concretization, were special abilities with such high potential in this world that even Lenok couldn’t estimate their limits.

If this spirit formula research could help Lenok understand and unlock Davi’s abilities more deeply, it would be a great help to him.

“While we’re conducting the reaction experiment, we’ll also proceed with the research on summoning magic that we couldn’t finish.”

Aris said, tapping a thick stack of books.

“Although the principles of spirit formulas and summoning magic are different, the result of manifesting a different phase from oneself in reality is the same. Since Davi has a different aspect from other spirits, we need to study the principles of summoning magic as well.”

“The investigation into summoning magic is almost complete.”

Lenok replied.

“It would be good to draw a summoning circle after the reaction experiment and check the results.”

“Okay.”

Aris clapped her hands and said.

“There’s an open space prepared for practice on the other side of the lab. Could you go ahead and draw the summoning circle? I’ll check when the reaction experiment recording is finished and bring Davi.”

“Understood.”

Lenok said, picking up a catalyst box placed in the corner of the lab and heading to the open space.

The personal lab of Aris, a tenured professor and a level 7 saint-level mage, was quite large even within Lavatenon University.

In the middle of the open space, where various scrolls and books were neatly cleared away, Lenok began to draw a summoning circle by combining several catalysts.

Although he had never used summoning magic before, Lenok’s actions of mixing catalysts and drawing the summoning circle looked quite skilled.

Lenok’s eyes calmly settled as he bent over, reflecting on his memories.

‘Summoning magic… it was one of the system magics I had been watching for quite a while.’

Back when he couldn’t even grasp the basics of level 6, let alone level 7.

There was a time when he realized that it was always difficult to find a front-liner who worked well with him, like Dylan, and he was looking for a solution.

At that time, he had visited the city library to study spirit formulas and summoning magic in order to create a front-liner himself, and he had met Aris once more.

In the end, Lenok gave up on creating a front-liner and solidified his style by gaining combat abilities comparable to a front-liner himself.

It would be a lie to say that he had no regrets about summoning magic, which required capital, environment, and luck.

‘I can’t say that my luck is good, but…’

With Aris’s lab and research funds backing him, and having reached a high level by completing the hierarchy, things were different now.

In the process of studying spirit formulas and summoning magic, Lenok had fully understood the countless branching points within the two formulas in his mind.

Even if it was impossible right now, if he continued to try in this way, it wouldn’t be long before—

“Lenok, I’m done here.”

Just as he was thinking that, Aris appeared with Davi on her shoulder.

The little fox looked pitiful, slumped on her shoulder, as if the reaction experiment had been quite tiring.

Lenok chuckled and nodded.

“I’m almost done.”

“Then I’ll wait here.”

Aris smiled and sat on a nearby stack of books, holding Davi.

Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked down at Lenok’s back.

In one corner of the lab, filled with books and scrolls, the setting sun shone through the glass window, painting the lab in crimson.

A beautiful twilight that even made Lenok pause for a moment. Aris quietly turned her head, following his gaze.

“……”

Time passed as unspoken thoughts and worries failed to produce answers and disappeared.

But Lenok felt that this time was more comfortable than ever. And he hoped that someone else felt the same way.

How long could this relationship last? How long could this time continue?

In the end, since Lenok was hiding his most important secret from Aris, it might be a relationship with a predetermined ending.

But even so, Lenok was still unsure whether he should tell her everything about his situation.

She was in a completely different position from the people in the shadows who knew half of District 49.

Would being honest with Aris now really be for her sake, or would it be selfishness for Lenok’s own sake?

Lenok was not yet sure of his answer enough to know that.

In this constantly changing world, in this endlessly distorted city, he didn’t want much.

But if there was something he wanted to continue, even for a little while…

“Lenok?”

Lenok, brought back to his senses by Aris’s call, gave an awkward smile.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I need to explain this to Aris.”

Lenok continued immediately, without waiting for Aris’s reply.

“I’m in the process of improving the summoning circle through my own interpretation. The order of variables I’m trying to control is system, form, size, nature, and background, and I’ve put the financial and luck factors last. The analysis of the system is almost complete, and I’m still going through trial and error with the form and size.”

As he explained, pointing to various parts of the pre-drawn summoning circle, Aris immediately understood and nodded.

“You’re trying to manipulate the elements that are determined at the time of activating the summoning circle by pre-arranging them. But if you make improvements like this, the circle won’t work properly, will it?”

“I’m planning to make up for that part using luck. To be precise, by using bad luck.”

Aris knew that Lenok’s understanding of magic theory surpassed even level 7, so she had no hesitation in sharing her opinions with him.

Aris, who quickly understood Lenok’s words, said,

“Are you planning to use cursed artifacts or relics?”

“That’s right. Summoning circles originally fill structural gaps through strong luck or something equivalent… But if you draw the entire formula in reverse, you can even reverse that principle.”

Lenok said.

“I’m forcing the reversed bad luck into the part that needs luck.”

A moment of silence. Even Aris needed time to understand that absurd statement.

“That’s… really unbelievable.”

Aris opened her mouth with a hollow laugh.

“It’s a completely opposite interpretation from what I know about magic circles.”

Taking the power source of the necessary components from the opposite direction by reversing the formula like a mirror.

It was easy to say, but in reality, it was like re-creating the formula from scratch.

This was because magic circles were not a convenient force that could be reversed simply by drawing them in reverse like a mirror.

But even after hearing her words, Lenok’s expression did not change.

“If you clearly understand the logical progression of the summoning circle, it’s not impossible. The important thing is whether it will function properly as a summoning circle when the desired logic is reversed… That can be solved through Davi’s calculation ability.”

Unlike magic, which is made up of strong will, intuition, clear intention, and calculation, magic circles require a much more systematic order and logic.

This was because the entity that implemented the formula was not the caster, but the circle itself.

“All that’s left is to create and assemble the necessary components of the circle without any errors.”

Whoosh!

As Lenok placed his hand on the summoning circle, the entire circle flared up with a bright blue mana light, shining instead of the sunset.

“This can’t be…”

Aris stared blankly at the summoning circle, then jumped off the stack of books.

She unbuttoned her shirt, rolled up her sleeves, and began rummaging through the lab’s catalyst box with a lively expression.

“Let’s experiment with the catalysts we can use right away. Pamura’s eggs, Tuuwood’s roots, Manrihwa’s seeds, Metrum’s wing tips… I’ll sweep up all the catalysts with bad qualities from the department’s warehouse.”

“You don’t have to be so hasty…”

“No.”

Aris’s eyes curved gently as she turned her gaze to Lenok.

“I might have to go on another business trip soon, so since we’ve managed to secure some time, I want to keep going until we have meaningful results.”

“……”

“I’ll go get the approval from the administration office, so wait a moment.”

Lenok chuckled as he watched Aris’s back as she disappeared out of the lab.

Davi, who had been slumped over, grumbled as if he had been waiting for it.

[That woman seems to have forgotten why we’re doing this.]

“Well… Aris isn’t someone who can’t distinguish between right and wrong.”

[Then is it just that she wants to spend more time with Master?]

“…That’s also possible.”

Even as he casually responded to Davi’s mischievous words, Lenok’s gaze sank deeply.

Aris had mentioned that she might have to go on a business trip, but considering the situation outside, it was unlikely to end with a simple outing.

Perhaps the identity of the calls Aris had been receiving lately was…

“I need to talk to Jenny again.”

Lenok muttered, picking up his phone.

“I need more specific information about the current situation.”

* * *

After dealing with the remnants of the Bardiche Brotherhood and capturing their vice-commander, Lenok handed over the follow-up to Meyer.

It was impossible for him to interrogate the person directly involved in a matter directly related to the safety of a city councilor.

Meyer wouldn’t be flustered by not being able to handle this much.

He would probably be able to gather all the related information based on the captured vice-commander of the Brotherhood.

If so, Lenok also needed to gather as much information as possible within his own area.

Besides, he had one of the most successful and well-connected brokers in this business as his partner.

It wasn’t difficult to explain the current situation and the crisis facing the business to Jenny and ask for her cooperation.

“Things are more serious than I thought.”

Tap tap tap tap!

Jenny’s bar. The neat office newly built above it.

While Jenny, sitting in front of a thin monitor, was typing away on her keyboard, Dray, who was standing by the door, opened his mouth.

“There has been a strong atmosphere that the reduction and collapse of the defense forces is inevitable.”

Dray Creamgal was a former member of the defense forces’ special forces.

Although he was a retired soldier who had been discharged for a long time, he was an invaluable asset as an advisor in the current situation.

“About 20 years ago, when the city expansion development plan was in full swing, the existence of the defense forces to protect the entire undeveloped area was essential. But after that absurd city expansion project was scrapped, the symbolism of the defense forces has greatly diminished.”

After the city government realized that it could not control the entire megacity, the areas outside of the 40s districts turned into a demonic realm, no different from a lawless zone.

Even if the defense forces were to do their job as they used to, the biggest beneficiaries of their existence would only be those living in the undeveloped areas and outer districts.

In fact, it had become meaningless to most of the citizens living within the 30s districts.

“Like my colleagues who joined the company, most current and former soldiers understand that the need for the defense forces is decreasing.”

“……”

Jenny interjected.

“The defense forces headquarters has also been continuously protesting to the city council, but it was close to a mere formality. So, what do you think is the reason why the entire defense forces suddenly turned to a hardline direction?”

“Lieutenant General Treffen, who commands the headquarters, is not capable of initiating such a large-scale coup on his own. That’s why he has remained on the collapsing outer front until now, due to his self-preservation attitude.”

The fact that Dray’s answer pointed to was only one.

“There must be external intervention.”

“Exactly.”

Jenny said, then tapped on the keyboard and displayed several photos on the screen behind the office.

The outermost edge of the megacity. The mountains of the defense line, far beyond the failed satellite cities, past the extra districts and undeveloped areas.

The mobile fortress that had been firmly positioned between the mountains was nowhere to be seen.

“As soon as we briefly notified the city council, we moved the mobile fortress, which was the core force of the defense forces, to the rear.”

“……”

“It’s an abnormally fast pace compared to the headquarters’ usual actions. It would be impossible without someone’s help.”

Dray said.

Lenok rested his chin on Jenny’s table and met her gaze.

The two’s clear eyes met without flinching for a while.

Lenok, who was calmly looking up at her, asked.

“Is it Pandemonium?”

Although he had been dealing with people from the Ear Cult for a while, Lenok had never forgotten about the existence of Pandemonium.

Unlike the direction of the cult that relied on the gods of the outer seas, there were still many unclear points about what they truly wanted.

What should be the answer that Lenok should give to those he had fought with and had his life saved by?

Even while dealing with the problems in front of him, Lenok couldn’t stop thinking about that.

“…I don’t think it’s impossible.”

Jenny said, slightly averting her gaze.

“But even if they are related to this situation, it’s highly likely that they didn’t directly intervene.”

“Is it the intervention of another external force…?”

“The company’s secretariat has gathered information floating around the deep web and roughly narrowed down a few candidates.”

Along with her words, all sorts of bizarre sentences appeared on the screen.

“They are all major criminal organizations operating inside and outside the megacity. The Head of the Warlords, Thunderwing, the Sea Investigation Task Force, and Ten Counts, which has been rapidly gaining momentum recently…”

“We can exclude the Baradish Brotherhood and the terrorist organization Falchion.”

Lenok muttered, staring at the list of organizations.

They were organizations that Lenok had already clashed with once, and their purposes were also relatively clear.

“Among them, there are three most likely candidates.”

Jenny said.

“The Order Alliance Legios, which has been rapidly expanding its influence in the central front. Deadrise, the last member of the Three Heads and the most radical, and-”

The mouse pointer pointed to a gear pattern stained with dark red blood.

“The Machine Cult, a magical engineering research group commonly known as Gearsides.”