Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 606

Meister.

A title that proves one’s skill and status have reached the pinnacle among the artisans working in the Machine City, Machina.

It is also used to refer to experts who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in production fields such as mechanical engineering, magical engineering, as well as agriculture and fishing.

In terms of reputation and rarity alone, they are considered more valuable and noble than even the Machine City’s Executors.

Especially in workshop districts where artisans live together, it’s a name that shouldn’t be mentioned carelessly.

“I’m very grateful for the offer, but…”

Perhaps even these words are a hint from Isabella to gauge Renok’s reaction.

Thinking so, Renok wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled.

“I don’t think my skills or background meet those demanding requirements.”

“Of course, I’m not saying you’re qualified to have the title of Meister right now.”

Isabella, without batting an eye, calmly took out a business card from her pocket and held it out.

“I’m just saying that you have a special talent that allows us to skip all the procedures, such as the training, background, and skill verification required to obtain the title of Meister, and put you forward as a candidate.”

“…”

“It starts with the selection ceremony. Proven artisans come forward as candidates to compete their skills, and those who win the competition are awarded the title of Meister based on the judges’ evaluations.”

Looking at Renok, who had closed his mouth, Isabella quietly lowered her voice.

“The position of Meister can only be obtained through posthumous succession. Once this year’s selection ceremony is over, it’s impossible to know when a vacancy will occur until the existing Meister dies.”

Is she trying to persuade Renok that such an opportunity doesn’t come easily?

Watching him slowly reach out and pick up the business card, Isabella nodded.

“There will be a simple test. If you’re thinking of participating, contact the number on this card within three days.”

* * *

The satellite districts of Machina are complexly divided.

Clack, clack!!

A breathtaking sight of all sorts of mechanical equipment and iron barriers ceaselessly moving across the ground.

Kugwagwagwa…!!

But even amidst that chaos, each time the two hooded figures moved, the barriers opened like waves, security was deactivated, and a path leading to the depths of the city opened.

The Machine City Executors. The authority granted to them while carrying out their duties, as members of Machina’s elite forces, is comparable to that of the Machine City’s High Council, Ex Machina.

Even amidst the constantly changing city districts, surrounded by all sorts of security and barriers, the Executors’ steps never falter.

“How was it?”

Ujat asked Isabella, who had been lost in thought without saying a word since leaving the workshop.

“The artisan named Ban. In my opinion, he seems more than qualified to participate in the selection ceremony.”

“He’s more than qualified.”

Isabella quietly replied.

“There aren’t even ten artisans in this city who are skilled enough to modify Clark’s equipment as they please.”

Renok didn’t know it, but the name Clark Renslet was a well-known brand among those who used high-end equipment in Machina.

This was because the manufacturing process was very delicate and precise, and although it was notorious for frequent breakdowns, it often had unique performance or functions.

Even among the high-ranking Executors, including Ex Machina, there were many enthusiasts who favored the equipment he made.

If the fact that Renok could repair Clark’s equipment became known, the number of customers seeking him out would increase significantly.

“Rather than his manual dexterity or repair skills, what stands out is his ideas… That level of genius and creativity is a capability that can’t be cultivated through ordinary training.”

Isabella said with conviction.

“He’s a born engineer. I can fully understand why Mauzer is turning a blind eye and protecting him.”

“I know that Artisan Mauzer hasn’t left the Machine City for the past few years, so I don’t know where he got such a genius.”

“He didn’t bring him. If Mauzer had tampered with any of the recently issued tickets, there would definitely be a record.”

“Ex, then?”

“That man created a ticket himself outside the Machine City and entered the city.”

“…”

At her assertion, Ujat’s expression momentarily went blank.

“Is that even possible?”

“The security barriers in the outer districts are relatively slow to update, aren’t they? Perhaps he infiltrated the outer districts, then asked Mauzer for help.”

Without even having a single private conversation with Renok, Isabella was quite accurately deducing the circumstances of Renok’s entry into the Machine City.

It’s impossible to even make a guess about someone without any information, but it’s a different story if you’ve met them in person and confirmed their personality and talent.

“He’s not overly boastful or emotional. The fact that he took over an empty workshop and started a business is likely to avoid standing out in the workshop district.”

“Hmm…”

“Judging by his excellent skills as an artisan, I think he might have been doing something similar in another city…”

“Ah, come to think of it, there’s a mage with the alias ‘Fortress’ in the Great City.”

Ujat asked, as if he had just remembered.

“Since they happen to have the same name, Ban, could there be some connection?”

Ujat didn’t think for a moment that the artisan staying in the workshop was Fortress himself.

All the Executors are high-ranking superhumans who are confident in their sensory abilities and their own strength.

Moreover, since they also serve as investigative agencies, they are like ghosts when it comes to judging and sensing the strength of others.

It was no exaggeration to say that there was almost no chance that they wouldn’t notice the power of a mage as famous and powerful as Fortress.

They were merely suspecting a connection because of the coincidence of having the same name.

However, Isabella shook her head at Ujat’s words.

“The Fortress of the Great City has been refraining from external activities for the past few months due to a major injury.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“The only official activity he’s recently engaged in was a city government operation a month ago.”

Isabella said definitively.

“There’s no way such a big shot would be moving around so busily in such a short period. It’s highly unlikely that he’s related to Fortress.”

Isabella, who had encountered various high-ranking superhumans, knew that powerful figures with great strength never easily left their positions.

The higher the rank and the greater the power one obtains, the more difficult it becomes to wield it even once and clean up the aftermath.

The fact that a high-ranking mage moved directly meant that there was an incident of that magnitude with significant risks involved.

“Mages, in particular, are all extremely sensitive to their condition. If they had the mental capacity to worry about this place even while injured…”

“If they did?”

“They would have been looking for a way to challenge Ascension at that time.”

“…Are you joking right now?”

Ujat chuckled and shook his head.

“Well, then it’s highly unlikely that he’s from the Great City. At least we found another artisan to participate in the selection ceremony, so isn’t that good?”

“That’s right. But…”

But even knowing that, Isabella’s reaction seemed somewhat suspicious.

“That man. It didn’t seem like he didn’t know anything about Clark.”

“…”

The attitude and reactions shown by the artisan they met at the workshop had no flaws that the two Executors could point out.

He seemed abnormally quick-witted and skilled, but that was something that could be overlooked as an individual’s exceptionality.

Rather, because of those aspects, it was questionable to suspect the artisan’s background or suspiciousness.

But even so, Isabella was somewhat intuitively aware that there was still something unsettling about that artisan.

“Perhaps he knew Renslet, rather than the name Clark.”

At that moment, Ujat’s face seemed to stiffen slightly.

“…Surely not. Does that mean he’s acquainted with Clark’s family?”

“…”

Clark Renslet’s family. The fact that they even mentioned it was enough to slightly change the Executor’s attitude.

The person who was Clark’s blood relative and his older sister was once the most respected figure in this Machine City and a great superhuman.

Maiya Renslet.

The criminal, who was called the best and strongest Executor of the Machine City, abandoned everything and fled after the failure of the Ascension Gate.

All that remains now are the countless achievements Maiya Renslet had accumulated as an Executor, and the traces of time stained with disgrace.

Executors who were well-informed about outside news had heard rumors that she had entered Pandemonium, but regardless, not many people mentioned her name.

However, it has been continuously emphasized that she is a special-class criminal who fled with the failure of the forgotten Ascension Gate, and a disaster that would trigger a dispatch order to all Executors upon her appearance.

“We don’t know yet.”

Isabella said, reaching into her pocket and quietly fiddling with the handle of the amplification device.

“But if that’s the case, it could also explain why Ban was able to repair Clark’s equipment so skillfully.”

“…”

“Maiya Renslet also couldn’t abandon the equipment her younger brother made for her, even when she was fleeing the city.”

* * *

“A Meister selection ceremony?”

“They say they select outstanding artisans through a specific process.”

Renok, sitting with his back to the workbench, answered Mauzer, who had come after receiving a call.

“They said they wanted to give me an opportunity.”

“Haa…”

Mauzer sighed deeply and muttered.

“Didn’t you definitely say you’d just quietly play the role of an artisan in the workshop?”

“The Machine City’s Executors are more capable than I thought.”

Renok, adjusting his iron mask, replied with a smile.

“I didn’t think they would identify this place and come disguised as customers in just a few days.”

“I completely misjudged.”

Mauzer replied, rubbing his forehead.

“I should have known that a mage of your caliber could easily show your talent in engineering.”

“…”

“So, are you thinking of participating in the selection ceremony?”

“I’m considering it.”

Renok replied, skillfully cleaning the workbench and the furnace.

“They said that if I receive the title of Meister, I won’t need to update my ticket periodically and can enter the inner districts.”

“…I know you have business in the depths of Machina. If you’re moving directly, it must be a very serious matter.”

Mauzer said with a serious expression.

“But receiving the name of Meister is a completely different story. From then on, Ex Machina will directly manage your identity and location.”

“…”

“Or are you planning to spend the rest of your life in the Machine City?”

Renok knew what Mauzer was worried about when he said this.

The Machine City, Machina, is known as a paradise for mechanical and magical engineering.

However, the city’s greatest asset is not the large and powerful machinery, but the existence of artisans who can manufacture, repair, and maintain it.

The existence of artisans who breathe life into various fields, from mechanical and magical engineering to sometimes even bioengineering, is one of Machina’s most important values.

As such, artisans who are skilled and verified enough to receive the title of Meister are thoroughly managed by the city as part of its assets.

If a Meister disappears without any news or sign, the Executors will immediately move to recover the missing ‘asset’.

It wasn’t just Mauzer’s safety, but Renok’s own safety that could be greatly jeopardized.

But even knowing that, Renok smiled and shook his head at Mauzer’s words.

“You’re talking as if I’ve already secured the Meister position. We don’t even know what kind of competition we’ll have to face in the selection ceremony.”

“Ban, but…!!”

“Given the way the Executors have approached me, it will be difficult to refuse participation in the selection ceremony itself.”

Perhaps Isabella had also considered this outcome to some extent when she proposed participating in the selection ceremony.

Even if they couldn’t trust Renok right away, it would be safe to make him a Meister and turn him into a city asset.

The fact that they highly valued Renok’s skills was not bad, but it was also clear that the current situation was not what Renok had intended.

“I’m not interested in or in need of the title of Meister. Rather, based on the explanations I’ve heard so far, it seems more likely to be a hindrance.”

Renok said.

“But if I make connections with the skilled artisans participating in the selection ceremony and exchange information, I might be able to access the information and situation I want more quickly… That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Certainly, since artisans from all over the Machine City will be coming, it would be a perfect environment to expand your network or obtain the necessary information, but…”

“To stand out enough to exchange information with other artisans, while at the same time limiting my achievements so as not to get caught up in obtaining the title of Meister.”

Renok, who had been pondering, nodded.

“I think it’s worth trying once, don’t you?”

“…”

Mauzer, who had been staring at Renok with a dumbfounded expression, slowly nodded.

“Your confidence already far exceeds that of a Meister. That’s for sure.”

“I will participate in the selection ceremony. Let’s contact this number on the card first.”

Renok said, picking up the old telephone hanging on the workshop wall.

“I’ll handle the rest as I see fit, depending on the situation.”

“…You’re talking like a student solving a math problem.”

Mauzer shook his head and muttered.

“This is a very important event, one of the most significant in the Machine City.”

Renok ignored Mauzer’s words and picked up the phone in the workshop.

As soon as he dialed the phone number on the card, he was connected to the other party without a dial tone.

Mauzer, who was drinking beside him, frowned as he saw Renok’s expression slowly harden.

He forced himself to swallow the drink as if he were chewing on already spoiled alcohol, and asked Renok, who had quietly put down the phone.

“It didn’t go well? Even if they’re Executors, it’s difficult to get an artisan with an unclear identity to participate in the selection ceremony…”

“No, it wasn’t a selection ceremony official.”

“What?”

After replying, Renok got up from his seat and slowly picked up his coat.

Renok, wearing a thick jacket that would suit an artisan, looked in the mirror and carefully adjusted his iron mask.

After confirming that his features were blurred enough that it was impossible to accurately guess his features even when facing him directly, Renok turned around with satisfaction, and only then did Mauzer ask again.

“No, you didn’t even make a few words on the phone. Did you make an appointment in the meantime?”

“It was a member of Ex Machina.”

Mauzer, blinking his eyes at Renok’s casual remark, asked.

“…I didn’t mishear, did I?”

Ex Machina, the High Council of the Machine City.

The core leadership that commands Machina, the living, giant machine city.

A power group that modifies the city’s policies in the short term and presents the direction to move forward in the long term.

They are dignitaries who rarely leave their contact information in this workshop district, and even skilled artisans and superhumans rarely get to meet them.

Their status is comparable to that of the members of the Balkan Central Council.

One of the members who wielded such power had contacted Renok in response to his call.

“I got in touch with the secretary’s office. A member of Ex Machina says they will test whether I am qualified to participate in the selection ceremony.”