Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 628

Elaba Artermeier.

As soon as Renok heard the name, he understood why Ibert had brought Elaba.

“Artisan Lyman, are you alright?”

“…No, it’s nothing.”

Renok, having quickly sorted his thoughts, turned to Ibert and nodded.

“Let’s hear the story first. What do you mean by needing Artisan Elaba’s help for the Simseong Hall summons?”

“The directive came from above,” Ibert replied calmly.

“After decades, permission has been granted to open the Simseong Hall to outsiders, and as I explained before, there’s a high chance Artisan Lyman will be summoned.”

“…”

“In that process, Elaba’s help is needed to allow outsiders to enter. That’s why she’s being introduced to the artisans who will be summoned this time.”

Ibert turned to Elaba, who was standing awkwardly.

“However, Elaba, having heard the rumors about Artisan Lyman, saw this as an opportunity and requested help.”

“I originally wanted to learn metallurgy to make equipment, but many workshops said my habits were too ingrained, making it difficult to work with me…”

Elaba, who had been listening quietly, felt the need to explain and hesitantly opened her mouth.

“I ended up working in a factory-style workshop that handles iron on a large scale, but Ibert said he would help if I wanted.”

“So, you were introduced and came to my workshop.”

“Wait a moment.”

At that moment, Mauzer, who had been listening without a word, suddenly grabbed Renok’s shoulder and led him to a corner of the workshop.

“Ban, can you do it?”

Mauzer whispered softly, so Elaba couldn’t hear.

“She’s the most challenging type of guest you could possibly have.”

“…I suppose so.”

The range of motion of a human body and its joints is limited from birth, and it’s natural to find the most optimized movements for oneself.

Balancing ideal movement with physical conditions is the role of habit and experience, and once it’s set, it’s hard to change.

Mauzer, as a skilled artisan, knew well how vague it was to ask for a habit to be corrected.

“It seems she barely got an introduction through Ibert’s connections, there’s no need to accept her.”

Mauzer said with a slightly serious expression.

“If you mess with her unnecessarily and her condition worsens, you might end up taking the blame.”

However, Renok understood Mauzer’s words but shook his head.

“No, I think it’s worth checking out.”

“Ban…!!”

Elaba Artermeier. Her appearance at this time is no coincidence.

Renok was convinced that the guest who had come to this workshop was undoubtedly a descendant of the artisan who designed the Ascension Gate.

The reason why that name, which had no trace in any literature, data, or databases, appeared at this time.

The reason why Elaba’s help is needed to summon her to the Simseong Hall.

Renok thought that even to confirm his speculation, he couldn’t avoid helping her now.

However, he couldn’t openly explain and persuade Mauzer of that fact.

Therefore, Renok decided to convince Mauzer of his judgment in a different way.

“This isn’t severance pay. Look closely.”

“Huh?”

Renok showed the banknotes inside the paper bag he was holding to Mauzer, who had wide eyes.

“The issue date is at least 20 years old. Yet, the preservation is excellent, and they’re crisp. What workshop would keep such money in cash and give it to a retiring artisan?”

“…”

“They must know how much money is needed to start a workshop, yet they say such things naturally. Moreover, despite being rejected by several workshops under the pretext of habits, what does it mean that she got a chance to work in front of a furnace?”

“…You’re saying she has a backer. But I’ve lived in this city for decades and never heard of the name Artermeier.”

Mauzer frowned.

“Are you sure?”

“Well…”

If it were about certainty, it might be the most certain name in the entire Machine City.

However, Renok didn’t bother to say it out loud and just mumbled vaguely.

“I’ll handle that part somehow.”

Turning and moving towards the workbench, Renok slowly observed Elaba’s tense face.

“First, I’d like to see how you usually work in a workshop. Is that alright?”

“Ah, yes. Of course.”

Renok stroked his chin for a moment, then nodded as if he had remembered something.

“Let’s make a self-defense pistol. Of course, it has to be 100% handmade.”

The parts that go into a pistol are diverse in type and size, making it good for gauging metallurgy skills.

In particular, handmade self-defense pistols are one of the best-selling items in the Machine City, so it’s a method used by workshops to test artisans.

Elaba also seemed to know about the manufacturing method of self-defense pistols, as she nodded without hesitation.

“Okay!!”

Elaba, who had responded energetically, immediately started working.

She heated the metal in the furnace, joined it, and constantly hammered it to form the parts.

She cut and trimmed the detailed parts with a grinder, assembled them, oiled them, and loaded the bullets.

That was one cycle, including placing the loaded pistol upside down with the handle facing the edge of the workbench.

Renok was quietly watching Elaba work, sweating profusely.

Even Mauzer, who had said he wouldn’t interfere, was observing her with a rather interested look.

“Hoo…!!”

Elaba, who was sweating profusely, cooled the heated iron and assembled the remaining parts, then turned her gaze.

“Her concentration isn’t bad. It’s normal not to see the surrounding scenery while working.”

Mauzer chimed in from the side, as if giving advice.

Elaba swallowed hard at those words and slowly assembled the pistol parts in order.

A skilled artisan should be able to grasp the assembly order and principles of equipment without relying on blueprints and part diagrams.

This is because they don’t always handle and maintain only fixed parts or equipment on the workbench.

Elaba also seemed to know this, as she assembled the pistol parts on her own without referring to any diagrams.

Click!!

Wiping the beads of sweat, she loaded a bullet into the completed pistol and placed it upside down in front of Renok, with the handle facing him.

“…”

Instead of immediately picking up and examining the pistol, Renok remained silent.

Mauzer turned to Renok and asked first.

“I have something to say, may I go first?”

Without waiting for permission, Mauzer turned to Elaba with a cold gaze.

“I’m sorry, but I think I know why you couldn’t stay long in other workshops.”

Elaba’s shoulders twitched at Mauzer’s cold voice.

“Your power control, sense of rhythm, and balance are all subtly off. Rhythm is important when hammering iron, but it seems like you haven’t grasped it at all.”

“…”

Elaba couldn’t say anything and hung her head low.

Mauzer didn’t care about Elaba’s reaction and immediately added.

“Design, planning ability, and outward appearances can be refined through experience. If it’s too difficult, you can outsource it. But you have to be able to handle iron yourself.”

“Ahem.”

Renok, who was still in the early stages of handling iron, just coughed silently.

Mauzer clicked his tongue, looking at the silent Elaba.

“I won’t say you don’t have the talent. But if you haven’t fixed it yet, despite being pointed out similar problems in several workshops, it would have been hard to hear good things.”

Instead of Elaba, who couldn’t say anything, Renok picked up the gun she had put down.

“It’s soft.”

“…Yes?”

“But some parts are very hard.”

Renok spoke without waiting for Elaba’s reply.

“The strength of the cartridge that holds the magazine is inconsistent. As Artisan Mauzer said, it’s proof that you can’t control your strength during the work process.”

“…”

Looking at Elaba, who agreed with a dark expression, Renok quietly tapped the surface of the pistol.

“But on the other hand, the pistol’s appearance and joints are well-organized. The appearance is flawless. Do you know what this means?”

“No…?”

“Apart from strength control, you’re very accurate in controlling the temperature to cool and harden the iron. It also means that your dexterity in organically connecting parts is excellent.”

“A, Artisan…”

“You have good dexterity and keen senses, but it’s strange that you’re unskilled in the sense of hammering iron and controlling strength, isn’t it?”

Renok said, placing his finger on the trigger of the pistol.

“Having keen senses means that the range you can perceive and control your body is wide. Yet, it’s awkward that your senses and strength control aren’t working properly.”

Renok said to Elaba, who was gripping the hammer tightly.

“I think Artisan Elaba’s physical condition itself is very good. The problem lies elsewhere.”

“…Yes?”

Instead of answering, Renok raised the gun and fired a bullet at a target placed in a corner of the workshop.

Bang!!

With a loud gunshot, the bullet that flew out hit the right corner of the wall, far off the target.

“Shall we shoot one more?”

Renok immediately took out another bullet, loaded it into the self-defense pistol, aimed at the target again, and said.

“This time, it’ll go to the bottom left corner.”

Bang!!

As he said, even though he aimed accurately at the target, the bullet made a hole in the left corner of the wall.

Mauzer shook his head, looking at the scene.

“The workshop that was just approved already has bullet holes… If Nasisa finds out later, she’ll be shocked.”

Renok ignored Mauzer’s muttering and spoke again.

“It’s not happening because the force is concentrated on one side. The barrel, which should have been hardened strongly, is collapsing, and the barrel is twisting every time you try to shoot.”

“T, then…”

“The parts that should be hammered strongly are collapsing, and the joints that don’t need force are quite complete. This can’t be explained by saying you can’t control your strength or that you lack a sense of touch.”

Renok’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint the origin specifically, but this seems closer to a problem with your innate constitution rather than your senses.”

The workshop fell into a quiet silence.

Elaba asked, looking bewildered.

“D, does that mean I have such a strange constitution…?”

“Have you had different eating habits or lifestyle patterns compared to others since you were a child?”

“Y, yes!!”

Elaba’s eyes widened.

“Strangely, I’ve disliked vegetables and only liked meat since I was a child…!!”

“Maybe you were just being picky…”

Ibert, who had been silent until now, asked at Mauzer’s bewildered muttering.

“Do you think you can solve it?”

“No.”

Renok shook his head.

“Since I’m not a doctor, I can’t be sure about the constitution problem. If I rashly interfere, something terrible might happen.”

“Is that so…”

“It wouldn’t be bad to take her to a good hospital to check her condition. Wouldn’t you agree, Artisan Mauzer?”

Mauzer, who received Renok’s signal, belatedly realized the hidden intention behind those words and nodded awkwardly.

“Oh? Oh… Oh, right. I know there’s a large general hospital near the upper workshop district.”

“Ah, right. Didn’t we meet there when we went to see Nasisa?”

“I have something to talk about regarding that, would you like to go outside for a moment?”

“Yes?”

“It’s about my master and Nasisa’s health.”

“…”

For Ibert, who had worked in the Furnace Lord’s workshop, it was a topic he couldn’t ignore.

Ibert’s expression also hardened slightly at Mauzer’s serious words.

“I understand. If it’s just for a moment…”

“Take your time.”

After saying that, Renok turned his gaze sharply towards Elaba as soon as Mauzer and Ibert left the workshop.

Looking at Elaba, who seemed flustered, Renok quickly asked.

“Artisan Elaba, do you want to know exactly what your problem is?”

“…Yes?”

“If you swear not to disclose anything about what we’re about to do, I will help you.”

Elaba looked slightly surprised at Renok’s calm words, but soon nodded with a firm expression.

“…For me, who has no blood relatives, the artisans in the workshop were like family.”

“…”

“I want to work as a proper artisan in the workshop. If I can…!!”

“Alright.”

After saying that, Renok jumped up and slammed the workshop door shut.

Clatter!!

At the same time, he drew thick curtains over the workshop windows, blocking the view inside.

Elaba blinked and turned to Renok at the sight of the suddenly darkened workshop space.

“What are you doing…?”

Before answering, Renok quickly took out various tools from one side of the workbench, including wires, ampules, and painkillers, and laid them out diligently on the workbench.

“Actually, Elaba’s problem isn’t with her constitution. Rather, if you only look at her physical condition and strength, there’s no way she can’t work as an artisan.”

Renok had carefully watched Elaba make the self-defense pistol from start to finish.

Renok, who had fought on the front lines with various superhumans and tried to observe and imitate their movements and balance, now had a fairly deep understanding of human physical balance and skeletal structure.

“The expression of strength, the sense of balance and grip shown in the process of taking a posture are flawless. It even makes me think it’s an artificially sculpted result.”

Physical talent and mental talent. It’s not that you can only achieve results if you have both.

Even if only one of the two exceeds the upper limit, it’s natural to produce above-average results in most situations.

Therefore, considering Elaba’s physical condition and talent, there must be another reason why she’s producing such poor results.

“A problem with the mind, not the body. There’s something so big that it’s blocking Elaba’s talent as an artisan.”

Renok said, inserting a wire deep into the inside of his wrist.

The faint current emanating from Renok’s ticket, hidden beneath his artificial skin.

Renok brought the other end of the wire to the end of Elaba’s wrist and said.

“A mental problem that can obscure talent. The only thing that can interfere with a human’s vessel itself is a powerful geas [a magical compulsion], not a simple restriction.”

“G, geas?”

Elaba’s eyes widened as if she knew what that meant.

“In other words, it means that there’s an important memory or information that needs to be hidden within Elaba’s mind, so much so that it requires suppressing her talent as an artisan.”

Renok’s eyes shone sharply.

“Such a measure itself is something that an ordinary human cannot handle.”

At those words, Elaba’s shoulders twitched, who had been listening to Renok’s words with a bewildered expression.

“D, does that mean I’m not ordinary…?”

“We’ll have to check that properly from now on.”

Of course, he said that, but Renok was half-convinced that Elaba was not an ordinary human.

‘A geas that interferes with memory and mind. A powerful restriction that distorts and misaligns the senses. All of that is not something an ordinary human mind can withstand.’

Considering that this is the Machine City, the pinnacle of magical engineering, Elaba Artermeier is either a descendant of the Ascension Gate designer.

Or it’s highly likely that she is a being that was directly touched by the designer Artermeier.

If so, the memory and information hidden while suppressing her talent must be a secret related to the Ascension Gate.

‘Ibert said that Elaba’s help is needed to allow outsiders into the Simseong Hall.’

Renok’s eyes calmed down as he connected the connector to Elaba’s ticket [a personal device for identification and data storage].

‘The fact that the bloodline of the Ascension Gate designer is needed to open the Simseong Hall means that there is a strong connection between those two concepts.’

The Simseong Hall, where relics from the old world and other artifacts are stored, and the Ascension Gate, which was called the Makina’s supreme project but failed.

It’s not strange at this point that those two concepts are not very different and are intertwined.

He had already thought of everything he needed to do.

After connecting Renok and Elaba’s tickets, he would use it as a medium to directly observe Elaba’s mind from the outside.

Through that, he would artificially release the geas and extract the hidden memories and information of Artermeier.

Without hesitation, Renok poured magic power between the wires connecting the two people’s wrists.