Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 522

I already knew that Antares was here from the beginning.

Felix and Stella’s meaningful reactions, the faint sense of unease I felt immediately after entering the bar.

I thought he was just leaving a trace with the intention of observing, without directly interfering with this sponsorship contract, but I didn’t expect him to approach me directly.

Moreover, the word ‘expo’ he just mentioned was something Lenox couldn’t easily ignore right now.

Lenox sighed and stood up from his seat.

“How did you get your hands on my medical records?”

“I’m a long-time regular. We also have a personal connection.”

Antares replied quietly.

“While I was meeting that friend after a long time, I sneaked a peek at the database and took it. It wasn’t difficult.”

“…….”

I know that Antares’s body is not in good condition as a result of glimpsing the future.

It wouldn’t be strange if he was receiving treatment from Murphy regarding that issue.

Should I take comfort in the fact that Murphy didn’t hand over the medical records himself?

If a monster like Antares was determined to extract information and cooperated, there was no way Murphy could have stopped it in the first place.

And what does it mean that Antares went through this troublesome process purely to create an excuse to meet Lenox?

“I’ll be waiting outside. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear the conversation just now, so don’t worry.”

“As if you would.”

Antares’s figure, who didn’t respond to Lenox’s sarcasm, disappeared from the spot.

“Ban, let’s stop here for today.”

Jenny, who had a troubled expression, ran a hand through her hair and grabbed Lenox’s sleeve.

“I’ll investigate the movements of Dead Rise, so you do your job. Got it?”

“But if we don’t come to a conclusion about this issue…….”

“Ban, you know.”

She seemed about to say something, her lips moving, but then she sighed deeply and turned her back.

“To be honest, I don’t want to care about what happened in the Black Consumer Project.”

“…….”

“What can we possibly gain by digging into the past, about what happened between my grandfather and your confidant, and what kind of catastrophe led to the present?”

Jenny said quietly.

“If you want to cling to the illusions you didn’t understand and passed by, you’ll end up letting go of what you have in your hands now. I mean… I will never make such a foolish choice…”

Jenny glanced at Lenox, scratched her head wildly, and shook her head.

“No, never mind, just go!! Go home and get some rest, even though you won’t tell me your address!!”

Bang!!

Even as she said that, she very carefully grabbed Lenox’s shoulder and pushed him out of the office.

Lenox leaned against the forcefully closed office door and chuckled.

Jorden, who was silently mixing drinks below the bar, had a faint smile on his lips.

“…….”

I know what Jenny wants to say.

I need to avoid Lenox’s condition deteriorating or his injuries worsening because of the pursuit of Dead Rise.

She must have been saying in her own way that she doesn’t want me to worry even if her past gets involved in the process.

Originally, I was going to explain that Lenox’s injuries weren’t that serious, but

Since Murphy sent that kind of notice, those words wouldn’t work on Jenny.

That said, how can I explain that my condition was worse than this in the past without mentioning Lenox’s penalty?

Lenox eventually leaned against the hallway, chewing on a cigarette, and pondered before getting up.

“…I don’t know.”

“It’s always difficult to tell secrets to those close to you.”

Antares, who was waiting for Lenox at the end of the hallway, said.

Lenox turned his gaze away in annoyance at his words, as he looked down at Lenox with a somewhat cheerful expression.

“If you’re going to say something pointless that I can’t understand, just stop.”

“I’m just sharing a personal experience.”

Antares said with a bitter smile.

“Whether you say it or not, all that’s left is regret.”

“…….”

Just now, I felt like I heard something similar somewhere.

While Lenox was frowning, Antares lightly twisted his wrist and stood up.

“Since we don’t have much time, let’s get straight to the point. You’re planning to participate in the expo, right?”

Does Antares somehow realize what kind of identities Lenox is juggling at the same time?

Otherwise, such a confident question would be impossible.

However, the next words Antares spoke were enough to erase such thoughts from Lenox’s mind.

“Originally, there would be no winners at this expo, and all nine judges would die.”

“…What?”

“No, the word ‘originally’ doesn’t even fit. I’m just talking about something that hasn’t happened yet.”

Antares said, resting his chin on his hand.

“The city government will conclude it was a terrorist act, but rumors will spread later that it was a conspiracy due to internal strife.”

“…….”

“So, be careful of the judges or senators who approach you.”

Antares said as he passed by the standing Lenox.

“I don’t know what kind of results you’re planning to announce at this expo that has twisted the cause and effect like this.”

* * *

“Evan, Evan!!”

Bang!!

Lenox turned his gaze at the energetic voice coming from behind him.

Along with the door of the laboratory being flung open, a researcher he knew strode inside.

“There’s not much time left. We have to leave soon!!”

“I’m reviewing the final demonstration process, so please wait a moment.”

Lenox said, unable to resist a small yawn.

There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he had stayed up all night.

The deterioration of his condition due to staying up all night cannot be easily hidden even with transformation magic.

Right next to Lenox, a fox cub was excitedly jumping around in the air, touching all sorts of mechanical equipment.

“It probably won’t take long… huff.”

“How long have you been holed up in the lab that you’re so tired?”

Kasia asked, approaching Lenox with a dumbfounded expression, looking down at him.

“I haven’t seen you at the university at all, so I thought Evan had given up on submitting his thesis.”

Lenox rubbed his eyes and chuckled at those words.

“Would the dean have left me alone if that were the case? He would have nagged me so much that I wouldn’t even be able to come near this lab.”

“Is this the result related to the rumored second thesis?”

Kasia tilted her head, looking at the mechanical device that Davi was touching non-stop.

“It just looks like an ordinary magic engineering engine on the outside.”

“…Ordinary? This is an engine made by borrowing the principle of converting magic power and electric power from my first thesis.”

“That’s what I mean.”

Kasia nodded without changing her expression.

“Almost all of the top-tier hybrid engines used in Vulcan are like this, aren’t they?”

“…….”

Only then did Kasia understand Lenox’s reaction and clicked her tongue.

“Wait a minute, you don’t even know how actively your thesis is being commercialized right now?”

“Hmm.”

“Ha, I don’t know whether to call this amazing or absurd… Are all geniuses like you?”

“No. I knew it was being commercialized, but…”

Lenox said, looking back at the engine that Davi was excitedly playing with.

“I didn’t expect that something like this would already be actively applied in the commercialization stage.”

It’s an engine that was hastily made for the demonstration of the second thesis, but it means that products of similar quality to the one made by Lenox, the author of the thesis, are already being released on the market.

It’s difficult to set a theme and prove it through a clear theory, but there is more than enough infrastructure in the city to create products that can be used in practice based on the theory of the thesis.

To put it simply, I didn’t think that other engineers in the city would already be making similar engines.

Kasia, on the other hand, rolled her eyes with a dumbfounded expression at Lenox’s words.

“No, judging by the way you’re talking, it seems like you haven’t even checked the account where the royalties are being deposited. The dean told me so many times to make sure everything was handled perfectly-”

“Kasia, who told you to make sure of that?”

Kasia jumped in place at the touch of an old man’s hand on her shoulder from behind.

“Kyaa!! Dean!!”

“You’re not a field worker, so your magic power detection is still clumsy. You should cultivate your senses more diligently. On the other hand, this one…”

The dean, Siollus Garteanon, who was stroking his chin and turned his gaze, smiled at Lenox.

“You’re not even surprised, and you’re not even turning your head towards me.”

“It’s been a while, Dean.”

Lenox said, standing up from his seat after chewing and swallowing one of the stimulants on the desk.

The dean chuckled as he looked at Lenox.

“It’s good to see you making an effort at the end. I thought you had given up on this expo altogether.”

“I remember sending you the thesis proposal and progress report consistently, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lenox said calmly, rubbing the area under his eyes.

“Wasn’t it because you knew there were actual results that you didn’t interfere?”

“Hmm hmm.”

“It’s natural to keep it a secret, but I didn’t know you were even hiding it from Researcher Kasia.”

If Kasia knew properly about Lenox’s second thesis, she wouldn’t have ended up with just that kind of reaction after seeing the engine Lenox was touching just now.

Conversely, it’s proof that the dean has been completely silent about the contents of Lenox’s thesis until today.

The dean nodded leisurely, as if he had expected Lenox’s words.

“It’s only recently that Ms. Kasia learned about your thesis. I was also being careful until your participation in the expo was confirmed.”

“Is that so?”

“I hope you don’t forget how important your role is at this expo.”

Siollus’s aged eyes flashed clearly.

“We skipped the internal competition at Lavatenon University and selected you as the representative. No matter how we handle this, there will be backlash. Do you know how many city council members are unhappy about this?”

“…….”

“The university’s internal administration is also appealing to me several times a day with petitions.”

The Magic Engineering Expo, where all researchers and certified magicians active in Vulcan gather in one place.

A place where vast capital and manpower are gathered, with not only research institutes directly under the city council, but also key figures from the magic towers and sorcerers from the Order of Spells.

At that place, the author of the thesis on the conversion of magic power and electric power will present his second thesis, and take all the glory in the name of Lavatenon University.

From the dean’s point of view, it’s an opportunity to raise the university’s name and prove that they have produced excellent talent, as well as to strengthen his position.

As many well-known research institutes, magic towers, and universities participate, it is natural for each organization to carefully select the talent to present their results at the expo.

Originally, Lavatenon University would have held an internal competition to select a representative for the expo, and Lenox would have had to participate in it and go through the process of being directly selected as the representative.

However, the dean had decided to skip all the procedures that should have been there with his authority, and decided to make Lenox the representative of this expo.

It’s natural to be dissatisfied with a measure that could be seen as unfair in some ways.

It was obvious who would bear the responsibility.

“If you don’t show clear results, it may be difficult for you or me to stay at this university for long.”

The dean added, as if trying to gauge Lenox’s reaction.

“You might also tarnish the name of Professor Richelren.”

“You keep saying things you don’t mean.”

Lenox chuckled and stood up from his seat, gesturing to Davi.

Confirming that the psychic spirit immediately stopped the engine and turned it off, he turned his gaze towards the dean.

Lenox, who was looking down at the aged magician’s eyes, said.

“If I didn’t think it was certain… you wouldn’t have pushed me so recklessly in the first place.”

“…….”

The dean of Lavatenon University, Siollus Garteanon, is an outstanding magician, but he is also a skilled person whose political moves are as noteworthy as his own achievements.

Siollus, who is active in the City Council’s Technical Advisory Committee and several academic societies at the same time, wouldn’t have pushed things forward just because he believed in Lenox’s words.

He carefully reviewed not only the thesis proposal that Lenox gave him, but also the progress report, and after carefully observing whether it was actually possible, he gained confidence.

That’s why he was able to push Lenox like this, because he judged that it was okay to skip other complicated or troublesome procedures.

The results of the second thesis that Lenox showed him.

Because he is half-certain that the content of the thesis to be presented at this expo is worth that much.

“Isn’t that right?”

“…That’s right.”

At the same time as the dean let out a subtle smile, a spirit resembling a goat rolled into the laboratory from his feet.

[Boo.]

The spirit, making a strange cry, looked around, and when it found Davi sitting on the desk, it rolled its body around as if it was happy.

[Boo-oo, boo~]

[Ugh… !]

Davi seemed a little nervous at the innocent spirit’s momentum, but then jumped down as if he had made up his mind.

Like they were standing in front of each other’s masters to have a duel, the two spirits faced each other at their feet.

Davi raised his tail and let out a powerful cry with a triumphant expression.

[Boo-oo!]

[…Boo?]

[…….]

“…….”

Lenox desperately avoided Davi’s gaze asking for help.

[…This isn’t it.]

[Boo-oo-oo~ Boo-oo~]

The goat-like spirit rubbed its body against Davi’s body, as if it was good.

Kasia stared blankly at the two spirits and muttered.

“Shouldn’t the Vulcan City Government focus on supplying one spirit per household instead of worrying about the expo?”

“I understand how you feel, but…”

“I’m the only one without a spirit… This is unfair.”

Kasia, who was squatting down and watching the two spirits bickering for a long time, not even looking at the engine Lenox made.

The dean smiled bitterly, looked at her, and then shrugged his shoulders.

“Shall we go now if you’re ready?”

* * *

The central city hall plaza located in the 5th district of the megacity.

Under the vast semi-circular dome, there were at least thousands of people gathered without a place to step.

The sight of citizens walking between the hundreds of booths set up for the Magic Engineering Expo, looking at strange inventions and facilities.

The researchers and sorcerers at the booths were also busy moving around for the people who were watching.

“This is the most innovative amplification device from the machine city of Machina.”

“The magic power charging artifact newly developed by our research institute is…”

“The battery that uses the principle of the magic engineering engine will be the source of new technology in the future…”

“Check out the prospects for the power generation business and invest. The possibility of the energy business is expanding dozens of times with the coexistence of magic power and electric power.”

“Come and see the rechargeable toilet paper and the wireless shower!!”

Mechanical devices that emit steam and ring-shaped cars rolling around the booths.

There are sprinklers that spray water in the empty air, and rechargeable toilet paper that works when plugged into a power outlet.

Robots in the shape of animals walk around the plaza, carrying children and playing.

The balloons floating above their heads rotate in an orderly manner, drawing various pictures without flying into the sky.

“The booth allocated to our university is further inside.”

I walk inside the plaza with the dean’s guidance.

As we struggled through the crowd and entered the city hall, the noisy sounds from outside were completely cut off, and only quiet silence greeted us.

A spacious lobby hall with sunlight coming through the semi-circular glass ceiling.

In the space where the furniture and facilities that were originally in the city hall lobby were removed, dozens of booths were neatly lined up.

The booths of the major research institutes, which are the real purpose of this expo, were located directly inside the city hall building.

“Dean, it’s been a while.”

“Garteanon, is it okay for you to show your face in a place like this?”

“Old man, stop wandering around and take care of your health!!”

Every time we walk between the booths, many people who recognize Siollus greet him one by one.

The dean, with a kind face, accepted all the greetings one by one, while quickly guiding Lenox to the booth.

There are many people watching inside the city hall, but the attitude of the researchers at the booths who respond to them is quite different.

They seem to be concentrating on the preparations and groundwork they have to do, rather than being conscious of the onlookers.

It’s an atmosphere where they hardly care whether people come or not.

They know that the researchers at the booths in this building have to deal with city council members, not ordinary citizens.

“Then I’ll be on my way. When the time comes, I’ll probably call you directly and ask about the contents and results of your thesis.”

The dean, who whispered with a stern expression, said.

“As a recommender, I cannot participate in the judging, but I have made my own efforts. The rest is up to you. You know that, right?”

“If you’ve looked at the contents of the thesis, you should know.”

Lenox replied, taking out the engine parts and assembling them skillfully.

“Either I’ll be kicked out without even being able to explain properly, or I’ll sweep all the awards at the expo.”

Lenox tilted his head, loosening a protruding screw.

“We should hope for the latter.”

“Yes, good…”

The dean smiled with difficulty, unable to hide his nervousness.

“In the current situation, that arrogance is rather pleasing.”

“…Was that an arrogant remark?”

At Lenox’s words, the dean couldn’t help but let out a puff of breath.

“Completely, in that you’re not even aware of it.”