Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 525

Conrad Haven stood in the rooftop garden, overlooking the city hall plaza. He rummaged through his coat, observing the bustling expo below, teeming with thousands of citizens.

He offered a cigarette case to Lenox, who had followed him up, after lighting one himself.

“Do you smoke?”

“I try to refrain from it before a presentation.”

“I see. Even a genius who presents such a thesis gets nervous.”

Haven chuckled and lit his cigarette without hesitation.

Smoking was prohibited in the city hall, but he lit up in the garden full of plants as if it were a city councilor’s privilege.

However, the fact that he could act as if his actions were not illegal was a talent in itself.

“Hoo…”

Haven loosened his tie and leaned against the railing, staring at Lenox with his hands in his pockets.

He looked more like a veteran agent who had been through countless operations than an authoritative senator.

Haven, engrossed in smoking, finally spoke after the observatory area filled with acrid smoke.

“There have been many changes since Reisen stepped down from his position, but it’s true that no one else has been as good of a mouthpiece as he was.”

“…”

“After that friend, who was good at informing the public of the council’s decisions in a way that was easy to understand, left, the act of establishing a cause itself has been faltering. Today’s event is also one of those mistakes.”

Senator Reisen. Lenox knew that name.

A man who had colluded with the black magician Craig Tillion to funnel slush funds and, in return, had a hand in Craig’s plans.

Wasn’t it Ivelin who had commissioned Lenox to gather information and then had Reisen impeached at the hearing?

He had cultivated a friendly image with the public and often appeared in the media as the face of the Senate, earning him the nickname of the city government’s mouthpiece.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

“It would be best to give up on getting any results from this expo.”

Haven smoked one cigarette after another, leaving Lenox in silence.

“I don’t know much about the technical field, so I was excluded from this review, but I have a rough idea of how things are going.”

“…”

“There’s an internal candidate. To be precise, a desired theme has been decided. Technology related to the air force power directly controlled by the city government. They’re trying to exclusively gather and manage that information.”

Haven spoke as if he knew Lenox’s feelings.

“I can help you with that. Would you like to hear what I have to say?”

However, Lenox stared at Haven’s face for a moment, then sighed softly and shook his head.

“Helping me doesn’t mean you’ll fix the issue with the expo awards, does it?”

“Hmm?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to erase everything that happened at this expo?”

“Assistant Professor Bylon, that was just a metaphor for this situation–”

“I heard that there will be no winners at this expo.”

Haven closed his mouth.

“There were also rumors that the judges were somewhat involved.”

“…”

“The way you’re going to help me… Is it my delusion that I can guess what that means?”

“…If you understand that much, there’s no need to hide it any longer. Did the Dean tell you?”

Haven, who had been silent, let out a hollow laugh.

“I didn’t know the information would leak out so quickly. I can’t believe how far Dean Garteanon’s connections reach… I really can’t underestimate him.”

Lenox did not respond to that.

He didn’t need to tell Haven that he had confirmed the situation through Antares’s advice, just now.

Haven turned his gaze, seeing that Lenox wasn’t answering.

“There are differing opinions in the Senate about the city government monopolizing air force power and technology.”

“…”

“Many of us, including myself, have consistently opposed this decision. If the government directly manages the air force command, which government agency should be in charge? And what criteria should be applied to maintain the air force in the process?”

A cold smile formed on the city councilor’s lips.

“No one is unaware that it’s difficult to even maintain the status quo. They’re just pushing ahead for their own gains and circumstances. We’ve been trying to convince others of that fact for a long time, but it’s all been in vain.”

Haven shrugged his shoulders.

“Unfortunately, it’s time for drastic measures.”

“And that… you think that’s a reason to overturn this entire expo?”

“When I first joined the council, I wondered why my seniors fought so recklessly.”

He looked at Lenox’s expressionless face and rummaged through his suit pocket.

“Petty power struggles, assassinations and political strife, factional fights that turn into civil wars… I couldn’t understand people who lived as if winning right now was everything.”

He took out a cigarette, stared at it for a moment, and then put it in his mouth.

“But look at this. Despite the countless hardships this city has gone through, the citizens somehow manage to live on. It’s the same thing.”

Haven turned away from the peaceful expo scene and said,

“Once you take a step, peace and stability will follow someday.”

“…”

How vast must one’s view of the world be to say such things so casually?

It wasn’t just a desk job where he stamped documents while looking at numbers on paper.

The man standing in front of Lenox clearly understood the lives of the citizens living in this city, yet he was willing to abandon them without hesitation for his own purposes and motives.

Haven continued, looking at the silent Lenox.

“I know what you were aiming for by participating in the expo. You were planning to enter the Central Council’s Technical Advisory Committee through the results of your thesis, right?”

“You knew.”

“Because I read your first thesis.”

Haven’s voice was heard from beyond the smoke.

“Other fools say that thesis was the result of Aris Richelieu’s talent, but I think differently. The logic of converting two different energies may seem similar to elemental transformation, but it’s actually far from the core ideals taught at the Sinclair Magic Tower.”

“…”

“Knowing that, isn’t that why Aris Richelieu allowed the thesis to be submitted under the name of the research institute?”

People with insight like Haven would know that it was Evan’s thesis, not Aris’s.

“Instead of organizing past and present data to draw conclusions, you prove the theory from the point of view of assuming the future… It’s easy to say, but the talent to actually put that process on a few sheets of paper is rare, even if you search the entire continent.”

Before Lenox could answer, Haven continued.

“If you have such talent, you could have put your inspiration into a thesis and published it at any time, but the reason you came to this expo with the help of Dean Garteanon.”

Haven took out another cigarette from his pocket and said,

“I can only think that it’s because you want to make direct connections with the council.”

Only then did Lenox understand why Haven had called him to tell him these things.

What Lenox was aiming for by participating in this expo, what results he was actually achieving, and how much talent he had.

Haven had come to him to say that he knew all of that and could fill the parts that Lenox wanted.

“I can make connections for you.”

Haven said.

“A Technical Advisory Committee with a similar position to Garteanon’s? Or do you want sponsorship that directly connects you to the Central Council Senate?”

“…”

“If the conditions are right, I can provide support beyond your imagination. The important thing is only your will and the contract, those two things.”

A sponsorship contract directly proposed by a senator of the city government’s Central Council.

Absurdly, the first proposal was being made not in a grand senator’s office or a fancy bar, but in the city hall’s rooftop garden, bustling with citizens.

Haven looked down at him and quietly asked,

“Will you accept our sponsorship?”

“If I accept?”

“Then we should go to my office right now and write the contract. A contract fee in the hundreds of millions, monthly support funds, and incentives and welfare allowances that are several times that amount. I promise to provide any environment, items, personnel, and location necessary for your research.”

A list of benefits that were too sweet to be true.

Since the senator had guaranteed it with his own mouth, there would be no lies or exaggerations in his words.

They wouldn’t skimp on money and time to give talented researchers plausible benefits and money.

Lenox understood what Haven wanted to say. He also understood how actively he was committed to sponsoring Lenox.

However, Lenox stared at Haven for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“I see.”

“I believe there are no lies in your offer, but in the end, the research results gathered in that way will be managed under the names of the sponsors.”

There are no benefits given without a price.

If he achieved something through their money and infrastructure, he would have to return a portion of it to them.

They might be saying this now, but they might change their attitude someday and try to control his research or interfere with its direction.

Lenox knew all too well that the powerful people of this vast city were the kind of people who wouldn’t hesitate to do such things.

Lenox slowly turned and walked past Haven, answering,

“I don’t want that. That’s not why I’m trying to get into the Technical Advisory Committee.”

“Then why?”

“I just want to see the essence hidden behind the splendor of this city.”

Not the rulers who control this city now, but the powerful people who directly contributed to building this city in the past.

The Elders.

To reach them, to ask them directly about the secrets of the Black Consumer Project.

Lenox had to establish his own connections with the city council without the help of anyone else.

From the moment he became subordinate to the relationship of a senator’s sponsorship, aiming for something higher would also become a distant dream.

From the beginning, Lenox had no intention of accepting Haven’s offer.

“Even though the winner of this expo was predetermined?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I see… I understand your feelings.”

Haven smiled bitterly, threw away the finished cigarette, and lightly shook his hand.

He rummaged through his pocket and then took out a crisp business card and placed it in Lenox’s hand.

“But it’s also true that I don’t want a talented researcher to die in a place like this.”

“…”

“If you give this card to the guards at the back gate of the government building, they’ll tell you a safe escape route and time.”

He said that and turned his back.

“I spoke grandly, but it won’t take long. Only the seats where the judges and the audience are located. The mages and researchers from the magic towers will be safe, for the most part.”

Was he just making the offer in case, and not expecting much from the beginning?

Haven’s clean attitude, as if he didn’t have much attachment. Lenox stared at his back as he turned away.

He was so calm and indifferent that it was hard to believe he was a criminal trying to commit terrorism in the city hall where tens of thousands of Balkan citizens had gathered.

But to Lenox, that detached attitude felt like the embodiment of a more dangerous and certain disaster.

The moment he sensed that, Lenox opened his mouth.

“If that’s what you think, could you grant me just one request?”

“…A request.”

Lenox thought quickly, looking at Haven, who was slowly turning his gaze.

‘Antares only spoke about what would originally happen at the expo, not how to deal with it.’

If a senator was directly planning a terrorist attack, how absurd would its scale and system be?

If this situation that Antares had mentioned was now, did that mean Lenox had to resolve this situation?

No, but Antares had only looked into the future of the expo where Lenox did not participate and given advice, not the future where Lenox was present.

If there was a variable that would make this situation more impactful, it would surely be…

“Please postpone the schedule until after my review is over.”

“…”

Looking at Haven, who was staring at him, he chose his words slowly.

“If the order was arranged by name, my turn wouldn’t be far off. Maybe by now…”

[Lavatenon University, Assistant Professor Evan Bylon.]

A clear announcement echoed from the speakers on the rooftop garden wall.

“…It’s time.”

What did it mean to call Evan Bylon’s name at this point?

Haven didn’t answer, and Lenox looked at him and slowly turned around.

“I’ll be waiting.”

With those words, Lenox slowly walked down from the garden.

Haven leaned against the railing with his arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on his face.

From under Haven’s shadow, a faint silver glow flickered and emitted a strange vibration.

The faint vibration soon turned into a tremor of voice, taking the form of clear language.

[Councilor.]

“How was it?”

Haven asked without looking back at the shadow at his feet.

[It’s strangely seamless.]

The shadow answered quietly.

[He must not have learned martial arts, but he didn’t give me any openings to exploit. If I had moved, he would have reacted.]

“I see. So that’s how it was…”

Just now, Haven had tried to seize an opportunity to secure Lenox’s person through his attendant, but surprisingly, the attendant was saying that he couldn’t find a way to approach Lenox without being detected.

Haven’s eyes shone coldly.

“He’s not someone who will end up as an ordinary researcher or assistant professor. The request he made to me is the same.”

[Will you wait?]

“Considering the intervals between the announcements so far, it will take a minimum of 5 minutes and a maximum of 15 minutes for the review to end.”

Haven replied with an expressionless face, without looking back at the shadow at his feet.

“He didn’t ask me for a mere delay of that much time.”

[Then…]

“He asked me to confirm the contents of the thesis he’s going to present.”

Evan Bylon. Assistant Professor at Lavatenon University.

Even though he had heard that a terrorist attack might occur at the city hall due to infighting among the city council senators, he was not shaken.

Instead of making obvious pleas like, ‘Stop the terrorism,’ ‘Think about people’s lives,’ or ‘Aren’t you afraid of the consequences?’ he came up with a completely different method and brought it up to Haven at the very last moment.

He was saying that he was confident that he could change Haven’s mind with that one request.

That the variable that could stop the terrorism that would plunge the entire expo into chaos and kill all the judges was in his second thesis.

That was what Evan was trying to say to persuade Haven.

“The request was polite, but it was arrogant in its confidence. Does he think his thesis is worth that much?”

[…]

Haven smiled, and the shadow was silent.

“He’s a genius who once shook the Balkan Energy Division. If he’s so sure, there’s enough reason to take the time to check.”

Haven looked down at his watch, adjusted his suit sleeve, and turned around.

“Postpone all scheduled events by 15 minutes. Contact the other councilors.”

[Councilor, but…]

“I’ll wait in the audience.”

Without listening to the shadow’s answer, Haven disappeared down the stairs of the garden.

* * *

Thump!!

A vast auditorium with only dim lights on.

The moment he stood in front of the stage, the door closed, and a huge drum-like sound burst out.

A menacing roar that seemed to crush the participant’s heart.

The first-floor audience seats covered by thick curtains and the second-floor audience seats submerged in darkness made him feel like he was standing alone in a narrow room.

Lenox quietly looked up at the second-floor audience seats submerged in darkness.

They seemed to be trying to block his vision with security barriers and spells, but it was meaningless to him.

Lenox could clearly see the faces of those sitting in the second-floor audience seats.

‘About 10 people. Not all of them are senators.’

Three or four people in suits and research uniforms. The familiar face of John Mayer. And several older and middle-aged men and women looking at him with a languid expression.

Those who looked to be about the same age as Conrad Haven were probably the senators who had participated in this expo.

And one man in military uniform sitting at the very front of the audience, looking at Lenox with an interesting gaze.

His fish-like, alien face was impressive.

The dazzling insignia on his shoulder. It was obvious that he was a high-ranking general related to the air force.

He was probably the one who decided the winning theme for this expo.

“Assistant Professor Evan Bylon. It’s an honor to meet you like this.”

While Lenox was lost in thought, someone in the second-floor audience seats opened their mouth.

“You may not know it, but most of the people here have heard your name for a long time.”

“…”

“To be precise, it was before you made the academic world buzz by publishing your thesis on the conversion of magic power and electric power.”

“Is that so?”

Had Evan Bylon ever done anything that would have drawn the attention of the Senate?

The only times Lenox had exposed himself as Evan was when he dealt with the missionaries of the Guido Order and when he confronted Branch Manager Amila Bainzer.

While he was lost in thought, the judge’s words continued.

“That’s why I didn’t think you would present a thesis at this expo. Every moment is an opportunity for a researcher with genius talent. You don’t need to choose a time and place to present your thesis.”

Silence fell.

Both Lenox and the judges knew that nothing would change no matter how long they talked about it.

There was a predetermined topic for the award at this expo, and there were already researchers who had thoroughly studied and achieved results in that field.

There was no way Lenox could catch up by changing his research results or modifying the contents of his thesis now.

Antares and Sleiman, Fedora and Conrad.

Both his helpers and his competitors, whether in the light or the shadows, had given him a clue about that fact.

There was no reason to think about it for long.

Lenox immediately picked up the mobile stand containing the engine and walked slightly forward to the front of the stage.

“There have been strange rumors circulating during the three days of the expo.”

“Rumors?”

“Yes. It was a ridiculous rumor that the winner and theme of this expo had already been decided.”

Lenox smiled, looking up at the silent audience seats.

“Of course, I didn’t believe such nonsense. It’s absurd that such corruption would be involved in this expo, which is directly managed by the Central Council Senate.”

“…”

“But, even if things were to proceed that way, it wouldn’t matter much.”

“…It wouldn’t matter?”

“Yes.”

Did Cyolus Garteanon really not know the inside story of this expo? Lenox thought it was unlikely.

But the reason why he didn’t mention that fact to Lenox in advance.

The reason why Antares gave him advice to be careful, but didn’t specifically explain a solution.

The reason why Lenox had asked Conrad, who was trying to ruin the entire expo, to give him time until his presentation.

“Because the results of the thesis I’m going to present today are also very deeply related to the theme of that rumor.”

That was because the content of the thesis that Lenox was going to present today was, from the beginning, piercing the core of the theme that the councilors wanted.

Lenox smiled, fully feeling the heated atmosphere of the audience seats.

“I’m going to create a new path in the sky above this city…”