Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 748

“If we slightly reduce the target designation resistance, we can select only Evan’s image from my memories and overlay it onto the ghost,” Lenok said, turning the ghost, now transformed into Evan, around to examine its appearance. “Unlike what the word ‘ghost’ implies, it has a definite substance, and since it borrows directly from my memories, its atmosphere and appearance are almost identical.” Lenok’s memory and self-awareness, having reached the level of a great mage, are so precise that they cannot even be compared to other superhumans. Unlike others who rely on intense, momentary images, the appearance of Evan that he recreates through his memories is almost a live-action replica. Davi seemed to immediately understand what Lenok meant. [So, in other words…] Davi said, sounding bewildered as he pondered. [It’s the same as the clone ability you were looking for, Master?] Lenok had been trying to establish his own clone using various methods. It was an ability that had been difficult to construct due to Lenok’s own strong self-awareness and presence. However, if it was not about resistance to Lenok’s existence but rather about slightly reducing the resistance to the ring’s power, it was possible even now. As soon as Lenok realized this, he succeeded in using the ring’s power on only a part of his memory to summon Evan’s form. Davi, too, belatedly realized that the guide’s ghost could be used as a substitute for a clone. This would also alleviate some of the suspicion about Lenok’s multiple identities, which he had been avoiding based on mere hunches. However, Lenok shook his head at Davi’s words. “Unfortunately, only Evan Bailen’s identity can be done this way. It would be difficult to reproduce Ban’s or Victor’s identities.” Evan Bailen is publicly known as an excellent researcher, but his true power is that of a minor spiritist. Therefore, it is not difficult to make the guide’s ghost imitate Evan by simply dressing it up with the right appearance. On the other hand, it would be impossible to make it imitate Ban or Victor, who are known as powerful mages. Appearance aside, it was impossible to make the ghost replicate the magical power, the aura of intimidation, or the energy they exuded. [Ugh, then it’s not that useful right now.] Davi said, his ears drooping slightly in disappointment. The electronic spirit also understood that what was most needed was not a clone of Evan, but rather of Ban or Victor. Unlike Evan, whose identity doesn’t carry much risk, Ban and Victor could be in danger just by having their identities suspected. “What are you talking about?” However, Lenok smiled as he stroked Davi’s head. “Even if it’s just creating a clone of Evan right in front of us, there are so many things we can do with this.” It wasn’t for nothing that Lenok hadn’t experimented with this ability more concretely in front of Sabrina. He had a hunch that, to use this ability effectively, the mention or description of the ability itself should not be leaked as much as possible. [What are you planning to do?] Leaving Davi, who was tilting his head, Lenok immediately picked up his phone. Without delay, Lenok connected a call to Jenny and opened his mouth upon hearing her voice from the other end. “Jenny, I heard the magic tower construction is almost finished. Shouldn’t we start deciding on partner companies and investors?” [……!!] Ignoring the answer that was shouting and grumbling as if she had expected it, Lenok immediately said, “I’ve secured a good partner company. It will be helpful in finding research personnel for the magic tower.” Lenok chuckled as he listened to the rapid-fire answers coming from the other side of the phone. “No, it’s a very famous one. You’ve probably heard of them at least once.” […….] “Yes. I’ll go myself.” With that, Lenok nodded as he checked the schedule Davi had brought up. “The timing is perfect.” * * * “Evan. I still can’t believe it.” It was the opening day of Lavatenon Magic University. With the end of the vacation and the start of the semester, the campus was once again filled with undergraduates, and the dormitories and research buildings were bustling. It was a cozy day, just past the change of seasons, in the dean’s office. The dean, Saiolus Garteanon, who was looking out the window at the campus, spoke with a somewhat disgruntled expression. His face was quite haggard after taking a break and returning from the attack by the Strange God Palace, but it also showed an immense surprise and bewilderment. “I never even imagined you would be able to pull something like this off.” As many undergraduates were walking around the campus, there were also countless media outlets and reporters who had come to cover the event. In addition, there were numerous guests who had come from outside the school to witness this moment. Click, click!! Flash, flash!! “Students, please look here for a moment!!” “If you have time, would you be available for an interview? We will provide generous compensation!” “Where is the Department of Elemental Studies lecture hall? If possible, please guide me to the photo zone…!!” Reporters, camera crews, and media personnel were rushing around as if they had no time. Helicopters and drones were constantly flying over the campus, filming the entire scene of Lavatenon Magic University. The main road that cut through the Lavatenon research building was packed with parked cars, causing a traffic jam. Beep, beep!! Lenok, who was sitting on the sofa behind the dean’s office, drinking herbal tea, chuckled at the dean’s words. “Are you saying you didn’t have much expectation for me?” “No, it’s not that…” The dean turned his gaze and smiled at Lenok. “It’s just that I couldn’t believe you would suddenly accomplish something that even other senior professors in the school couldn’t do.” “I was lucky.” “It’s not something that can be explained by luck. Look at this crowd.” The dean said, looking around the school with a slightly excited expression. “The news that Lavatenon Magic University is partnering with the first magic tower in Balkan. Just that one piece of news has brought all the media outlets in the city here. Do you know what this means?” “…” The reason why the campus was so crowded was not simply because the opening day of Lavatenon Magic University was approaching. It was a huge agreement that transcended the simple event of the start of the semester, one that could completely change the school’s history and standing. The first official agreement between Lavatenon Magic University and the first magic tower in Balkan. It meant that Lavatenon was the first to be chosen, beating out all sorts of investment institutions, research centers, other magic towers, and businesses. And the person who arranged and executed that deal was none other than Assistant Professor Evan Bailen. Immediately after Lenok obtained the Guide’s Ring and created Evan’s form, the first thing he did was to establish an official partnership between Lavatenon and the magic tower. “Just by making this happen, you’ve made a mark on Lavatenon’s history. I’m tempted to put your name on the university’s hall of fame right now.” [Woof, woof~] The fluffy spirit on the dean’s shoulder, sensing its owner’s mood, barked happily. Lenok had been taking care of it whenever the dean was absent after the Strange God Palace incident, but it had regained its vitality now that its owner had returned. “It’s too late to ask now, but how on earth did you persuade that mage to get involved in this?” The dean asked, holding the spirit in his arms and stroking it with a pleased smile. “From what I’ve heard, he’s not just difficult to meet, but his temperament is so dangerous that you have to worry about your life.” “…Isn’t it possible that there are misunderstandings in his reputation?” Lenok paused for a moment before answering. “He wasn’t someone you couldn’t communicate with. The progress was fast because the conditions he wanted were met.” “No, it’s not just a misunderstanding. The things that Kyunroe has done are too numerous. You know how he built his reputation.” The dean flatly denied Lenok’s subtle defense. “I know some city council members. Those who have met him directly all say he’s out of his mind.” “…” “He’s a mage with such a twisted sense of standards that he enjoys using force and pressure against the Central Council. So, to be honest, I’m a little worried.” The dean said, his mood slightly subdued. “If Kyunroe decides to exert his power inside the campus, many people will be in danger.” Even if Saiolus didn’t fully grasp what kind of mage Kyunroe was, he knew how dangerous he was. Regardless of hierarchy, he could guess from experience how meticulous and persistent a mage who had survived in the shadows of Balkan alone would be. “If Kyunroe had intended to do that, he wouldn’t have needed to create this kind of justification.” Lenok replied calmly. “Putting aside whether it’s possible or not, aren’t you assuming the worst-case scenario?” “…” Certainly, from Lenok’s perspective, it wouldn’t be difficult to take on the entire school even without using his full power. However, that was because most of the mages affiliated with Lavatenon were scholars who specialized in research and academics rather than combat. In that sense, the collaboration between the magic tower and the university would be a suitable means of supplying the research personnel needed for the newly established magic tower. Since he had a foot in both camps as Ban and Evan, he could observe the situation more closely than anyone else. The reason Lenok pushed forward with this project as soon as he obtained the Guide’s Ring was because he was certain that this situation would be unconditionally beneficial. “…Right. I’m just worrying unnecessarily. I’ve been having too many useless thoughts as I get older.” The dean shook his head as if to shake off his ominous thoughts, with a wry smile. “The fact that the Central Council gave Kyunroe the authority over the magic tower is proof that he’s not someone without reason. I have to believe that…” “If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Please don’t worry too much.” “…” “What’s wrong?” The dean looked back at Lenok with a slightly surprised expression. Looking at Lenok, who had asked back with a disgruntled expression, the dean smiled gently. “It’s nothing. It’s just that I was thinking about how you, who were dragged here by Aris, have become such a true teacher who worries about the school…” “…” “Right. I accepted the position of dean to watch the growth and reward of such an educator, but my heart has become too weak.” The dean, with a firm set to his lips, straightened his collar in front of the mirror and turned around. His eyes, looking down at Lenok, were filled with determination. “You’re not the one who will take responsibility. I’m ready now. Let’s go.” It seemed like he was having some strange misunderstanding, but if that made the dean’s anxiety disappear, wouldn’t that be a good thing? Lenok roughly brushed aside his suspicious thoughts and got up from his seat, following the dean. They left the central campus building where the dean’s office was located and headed towards the Department of Elemental Studies research building. As soon as they were spotted, a crowd quickly approached from afar. The surroundings instantly became noisy. Flash, flash!! “Professor Bailen. Please look here!!” “Could you briefly explain the reason for the agreement with the magic tower!!” “Dean, what do you think about Lavatenon’s position in the city government greatly increasing due to this agreement…!!” Hundreds of reporters lined the path to the research building, and spotlights were constantly flashing. Even though it was daytime, the camera flashes from all directions were blinding. “Don’t push, you need to maintain a safe distance!!” “Everyone, please step back one step!” While security guards were desperately blocking the way and shouting at the top of their lungs, Lenok and the dean arrived at the grand signboard right in front of the entrance to the first floor of the research building. Congratulatory messages and plaques commemorating the agreement were fluttering, and the flags of Lavatenon Magic University and the Department of Elemental Studies were waving like curtains. Other attendants and professors who had been waiting stood up to greet Lenok and the dean. Professor Baila, the director of the Carlyle Research Institute and a temporary professor, and Cassia, a research institute staff member and assistant professor, were also present. In addition, all the professors, graduate students, and researchers affiliated with the Department of Elemental Studies were present as if they had made an appointment. The undergraduates of the Department of Elemental Studies were also watching from outside the lecture hall windows. Priscilla could be seen in the distance, looking this way with a tense expression. “…” Her face was full of curiosity, but also had a faint sense of unease. Was she thinking about the career counseling she had received from Evan in the past? Lenok looked at Priscilla and slightly covered his face with the flag fluttering behind him. At the same time, a black airship appeared in the sky over the campus. Whoosh!! “That’s…” “Can you take a picture?” The reporters were buzzing about the appearance, which was clearly different from the helicopters used in the world and other flying equipment floating around. A sleek, streamlined body and sharp, blade-like wings. The circular propellers rotating below the wings were floating the airship without making a single sound. It didn’t fly through the air using lift, but had a strange sense of buoyancy as if it were floating on water. While others were staring blankly at the elegant airship’s trajectory, the airship landed in the middle of the lecture hall without a sound. Screech! As soon as the airship’s door opened, people all around raised their cameras. Click, click, click!! The great mage who built the first magic tower in Balkan. The leading superhuman who single-handedly crushed the freelance industry and reached the top. The eccentric with the most dangerous reputation and urban legends in this city. A grand master who transcended hierarchy and created his own magic system, and a monster whose infamy and achievements have not faded even in this vast city. In that moment, to capture the moment when he appeared in person, the camera shutters were being pressed hundreds of times per second. [There are a lot of onlookers.] A cold voice was driven into everyone’s ears without any warning. “…!!” A strangely resounding transmission, a message that seemed to be directly hammered into the minds of thousands of people. It was a mage’s incantation that forcibly shared the will itself with the other party, making them understand the intention without speaking it. Those who understood its true value froze, and those who didn’t know what was going on tilted their heads. [I’ll help you avoid wasting your efforts.] Zzzzt…!! The cameras that people were holding all went dead at once.