Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 768

It was still early dawn, before sunrise. The streets of District 49 weren’t just busy; they were bustling as if about to explode. People were coming and going from all directions, and even those from other districts were visiting out of curiosity. Usually, it was because of the newly built Magic Tower and the artifact businesses that had started to open, but today, they were gathered for a different reason. The Kyeonroe Magic Tower, where outside access was completely prohibited. Everyone was aware that Evan Bailon’s seminar would be held today.

“They’re all crazy. Is it even okay for this street to be so crowded?”

“Look at the sky. All I see are drones and filming helicopters sent by broadcasting stations.”

Naturally, among the crowds gathered like clouds around the Magic Tower, no one was leaving, despite the chaos. The very fact that they were gathered here at this hour was proof that they were keenly reacting to the most talked-about news in Balkan. Of course, they were all filled with the desire to gain some kind of profit through it.

“Look at this. The Balkan stock market server is already down.”

“Those guys are ruthless… It’s not even time for the market to open yet.”

“They’re probably just thinking about getting in first and shaking up the stock prices. It’s obvious.”

“Idiots. Do you think the server will reopen today? Give up on that. We need to aim for other profits.”

Dudududu!!

The commercialized anti-gravity airships were filming the people densely packed on the ground, and reporters with microphones were busy covering the scene. A strange, indescribable heat seemed to be swirling around the entire street. In that excited atmosphere, others were also getting heated up and restless.

“Is it really going to be a seminar about the third paper?”

“If they’ve set up a stage like this and it’s not, that would be stranger.”

“I heard that members of the Central Council, as well as corporate executives and experts from all fields, will be attending. A vague theme would only tarnish Bailon’s reputation.”

“If Lavatenon and the Magic Tower aren’t idiots, it definitely won’t end vaguely.”

The entire scene of District 49 was filled with people anticipating the impact of today’s presentation and the commotion itself. Lenok, disguised as Evan, was silently watching them from inside the Magic Tower. After checking the prototypes he had prepared and looking at the sunlight coming through the window, a knock echoed.

“It’s open.”

Bang!

A woman forcefully opened the door and entered, followed by several others. The variety of physiques, genders, and appearances made the room seem full just by their presence. The woman extended her hand to Lenok, who had transformed into Evan.

“Nice to meet you, Professor Bailon. I’m Jenisia. I oversee the administrative work of the tower.”

“…Evan Bailon.”

Come to think of it, this was actually the first time Lenok had met Jenny in Evan’s identity. Although he had divided his identities, it was proof that Lenok had thoroughly managed the range of his actions with multiple identities. Was this meeting a sign that the boundaries of those identities were blurring? Or was it, conversely, proof that Lenok’s mask and alibi had become more perfect?

“It’s better if you just call me Jenny. More than that…”

Jenny suddenly stopped talking and stared intently at Lenok’s face. Tatyana and Felix, who were standing next to her, were so shocked by Jenny’s attitude that they tried to stop her.

“Jenny, why suddenly…”

“No, it’s just that you seem much calmer than I expected.”

Jenny waved her hand and laughed.

“It’s a rare feeling among people who are close to Ban.”

“Is that so?”

“He secretly likes noisy and cheerful people. Though he doesn’t want to show it.”

“……”

Was that how Jenny perceived Ban’s usual attitude? Lenok made a slightly embarrassed expression and replied.

“We’re not close enough to be called friends. So, you’re not entirely wrong.”

“Do you think so?”

“Isn’t it more accurate to think that my absence from today’s presentation is also part of that?”

Since the agreement ended, he had never appeared in public in Ban’s identity. After obtaining the elixir and meeting the guide while trying to solve the guardian spirit’s appetite, he had hardly visited District 49. As it was common for Ban to be absent, not many people paid much attention to it anymore. In such events, Kyeonroe’s unpredictable reputation rather made his unconventional actions and deviations seem acceptable. However, Jenny’s expression did not seem to agree with Lenok’s words.

“Hmm, I actually think he was being considerate in his own way…”

“……”

“Well, it’s not a big deal. Shall we go right away?”

Jenny casually wrapped up the conversation and immediately turned to walk.

“I’ve set up the podium, but I thought it would be good to hear the person’s opinion. Could you please take a quick look?”

“Of course.”

Lenok nodded with a casual smile and stood up. Of course, he knew the facilities inside the Magic Tower better than anyone here, but as Evan, there was no reason to refuse.

“If there’s anything you need to check, please let me know anytime.”

However, Jenny, despite having made the suggestion, looked at Lenok with curiosity and tilted her head.

“Looking at your reactions, it doesn’t seem like you’d get along so well… Is that why this kind of collaboration was possible?”

“…What do you mean?”

Jenny, who had been muttering to herself, swept her curly hair back and laughed.

“It’s nothing. Shall we go now?”

Behind the broker who was walking briskly, Tatyana and Felix looked back at Lenok with wry smiles. Felix reached out his hand to Lenok and said.

“I’m sorry, Professor Bailon. Jenny is a very free-spirited person. Regardless of her work ability, there are times when you can’t keep up with her thoughts.”

“No, it’s alright.”

“Please call me Felix Magatra. You must have met this one during the last agreement, right?”

“Nice to meet you, Professor.”

Felix casually introduced himself, leaving Tatyana nodding.

“We are here to represent the tower’s position at the seminar. Shall we talk in detail after looking at the podium?”

Following the group’s guidance, they left the room and headed to the main hall of the Magic Tower, where the seminar was scheduled to take place. Along the way, in the spacious corridors, all sorts of papers and models were displayed everywhere. Lenok, who had casually glanced at them, slightly opened his mouth when he realized that they were all related to papers submitted under Evan’s name. The first paper on the conversion of magic power and electric power. The second paper on anti-gravity technology and the reproduction of updrafts. Not only were all the contents summarized and displayed in an easy-to-understand manner, but there were also actual engine models being used. Some of them were models or design blueprints that even Lenok had never seen before. Lenok, who couldn’t take his eyes off his surroundings while walking with Jenny, quietly muttered.

“You’ve prepared everything with great care.”

Jenny glanced around and said.

“I asked your university for related materials in advance. Based on that, I made models and obtained samples to display.”

“…Are you saying you made the models yourself?”

“No, of course, I outsourced it for money. I’m not that good with my hands.”

“……”

Jenny casually pointed here and there and said.

“There’s more than just models. This is the next-generation anti-gravity engine being produced by Otterble. That’s a hovering drone scheduled to be released next week, and I even managed to sneak out some leaked photos of the official Balkan air routes that haven’t been leaked on the deep web yet…”

“That’s really impressive.”

Lenok, who had been listening to the explanation, was unintentionally impressed. Lenok knew the value of the information Jenny was talking about. He thought there were so many samples he didn’t know about, but it turned out that Jenny had used her connections to bring in a lot of prototypes and blueprints that were not on the market and displayed them. Not only did she handle all of this in a matter of days, but she also managed to decorate the corridors with plausible displays of real samples.

“Did you manage to handle all of this in just a few days since the seminar schedule was set?”

“It wouldn’t look good if the surroundings were bare, would it?”

Jenny smiled and waved her hand.

“We need to make a strong first impression on the guests who will be coming here today, so that things will be easier in the future. Just trust me.”

“…I understand.”

Even though Lenok knew her well, what was this strange sense of reliability he had never felt before? He knew she was good at her job, but there were times when her value was only truly felt when seen in a different identity and situation. While they were talking, they passed through the wide corridor and arrived at the main hall. A beautiful scene of golden concentric circles rotating and slowly spreading over the silent black void. In the hall, which could accommodate hundreds of people at once, there were even more models and samples than he had seen in the corridor.

Woo woo woong!!

Engines operating with a quiet rotating sound were noticeable everywhere. A strange sight of drones and airships slowly floating overhead, and hover bikes and boats circling around the podium in the center. It felt more like he was at an exhibition of achievements rather than Evan Bailon’s seminar. While Lenok’s gaze was drawn to the strange atmosphere of the chaotic yet organized main hall, Jenny rubbed her shoulder and said.

“It wasn’t that difficult. Professor, you’ve done so much that just picking out what you brought and displaying it made it look pretty good.”

“I don’t think I’ve done that much…”

“Huh?”

Jenny widened her eyes as if she had heard an unexpected humble remark, and Lenok closed his mouth.

“…Anyway, doesn’t it look pretty good when it’s displayed like this? I almost want to keep it like this even after the seminar is over.”

Jenny’s eyes, looking at Evan’s face, sparkled as if she had smelled money.

“It will also be helpful for the businesses that will be opening in the tower in the future- Ah, I’m sorry. I talked too much, didn’t I?”

Jenny smiled and stepped aside, clearing the way for Lenok.

“If there’s anything you want to adjust in the facilities or interior for the rehearsal, please let me know right away. I’ll do my best to accommodate you.”

“Then I won’t hesitate.”

Lenok said that and immediately headed towards the podium that filled the main hall. Jenny, who had been watching Lenok’s back with a pleased expression, suddenly changed her expression to a strange one.

“…Professor?”

Lenok, who had been heading towards the podium, suddenly turned around and found a control panel hidden in the wall of the main hall. Jenny said with a puzzled expression as she watched Lenok open the control panel without hesitation.

“Um, excuse me, but that’s not the podium, it’s the tower’s heating system management facility.”

“I know.”

Lenok pointed to the hundreds of circuits and wires installed below the control panel and said.

“You’re using built-in thermal magic to circulate the air throughout the tower, right?”

“…Have I ever explained the tower’s heating system to you?”

While Jenny was surprised and asked about Evan’s insight into the tower’s facilities, Lenok spoke again.

“This type of heating is inefficient in a tower with distinct floors. The warm air tends to gather more at the top, where people don’t stay.”

“That’s…”

“It can be said that the indoor temperature is not suitable for a seminar venue.”

Lenok opened the laptop he had brought and immediately connected the junction of the control panel to the laptop. Only then did Jenny realize what Lenok was trying to do, and she reached out her hand in a flustered manner. This tower was a space that Ban had designed and personally installed, including all the security barriers. Even if Evan Bailon was an excellent engineer, there was a possibility of an unavoidable situation if he touched it without permission.

“Wait a minute, Professor. If you tamper with the tower’s facilities, you could be in danger-!!”

“Ah, it’s okay.”

Lenok replied casually while tapping on the laptop.

“I got permission directly from Kyeonroe himself. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

“…Huh?”

While Jenny stopped with a puzzled expression, Lenok immediately summoned a spirit with a message.

‘Dabi.’

[Yes!]

While he was tapping on the laptop, Dabi immediately updated the tower’s heating system in real-time. At that moment, the quality of the air flowing through the main hall of the tower began to change in an instant.

Hoo woong…!!

The lukewarm air that couldn’t fill the vast space turned into a warm breeze that brushed against the ears. The scent of a cool breeze that even Felix, a high-level physical ability user, could only feel if he was paying attention.

“How…”

“Amazing. How can it change this much just by tampering with the system?”

“By precisely calculating the direction of the airflow circulating inside the tower and causing them to collide and disperse at an imperceptible level.”

Lenok answered as he finished updating the heating system and stood up.

“If you mix the magic power accumulated in the tower and guide the direction of dispersion one by one, you can arbitrarily manage the temperature of the space within a few meters of the ground.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“…I don’t understand at all.”

Unlike Jenny and Felix, who slightly avoided eye contact, Tatyana immediately understood Lenok’s words and asked with a surprised expression.

“Are you saying that you completed the calculation of the magic particle trajectory guidance, which is difficult even for high-level magicians, with just a laptop on the spot?”

“I have a few algorithms that I made before.”

Lenok replied.

“I just modified the values and used them.”

“That doesn’t make sense. I can’t even imagine how much expertise you need in magic theory programming to make that possible-”

Tatyana was saying that, but she soon realized what she was saying and gave a hollow laugh. Wasn’t the assistant professor standing in front of her the very scholar who had gained recognition and fame for his unique talent? Even if Evan Bailon had readily done something that was impossible to understand with the experience and common sense of a Saint-level magician, how could she question it?

“I received an answer from Kyeonroe himself that it was okay to tamper with the tower’s internal facilities and environment for this seminar.”

Leaving Tatyana, who had lost her words and closed her mouth, Lenok turned his gaze.

“I’m a bit sensitive, so I’m going to create an environment optimized for the presentation before the seminar. Is that okay with you?”

“……”

The reason why they decided to hold the seminar presentation at the Magic Tower, even though the location was not important for presenting the paper. It was not only for the sake of bringing benefits to both Kyeonroe’s Magic Tower and the university, but also because they knew that opportunities to apply Evan’s known talents and abilities to the Magic Tower would not come often. Evan Bailon’s abilities as a researcher, analyst, or excellent system designer. Although he was borrowing Dabi’s power, his ability to create algorithms and handle programs was widely known as Evan’s. Lenok was planning to use Evan’s identity to take this opportunity to overhaul all the poor systems in the Magic Tower.

“If you got permission from Ban, it’s not something I can interfere with, but…”

Jenny’s reaction as she fiddled with her phone with a suspicious expression. Evan had modified the heating system right in front of her, so even if she understood, she must have thought the situation itself was suspicious.

“Could you tell me what other facilities or systems you plan to touch? It’s also important to know if it’s possible to restore them to their original state later.”

“According to what I heard from Kyeonroe, all the facilities inside the tower were constructed so that they could be operated remotely.”

“Huh?”

Jenny unintentionally asked back and nodded with a puzzled expression.

“No, that’s true, but that’s just a design for emergencies, and it hasn’t been properly used even once yet-”

“I have an image that I had in mind in advance for stable research activities. Would you like to take a look?”

Lenok said that and tapped on the laptop again. Based on the record of accessing the heating system, he directly accessed the tower’s facility operation algorithm. Using Dabi’s ability, he modified the values and data in real-time and added changes to the facilities.

Kugugugung!!

“W-What’s moving…?!!”

At that moment, the entire main hall seemed to shake greatly, and then it became quiet in an instant. While Jenny was looking around with a flustered expression, Lenok closed the laptop and stood up from his seat.

“I’ve only touched the environment inside the main hall for now. I’ll need to get the consent of the relevant parties for anything more than this.”

“…Professor?”

Tatyana, who had been looking at Lenok with a proud expression, asked back with a complicated face.

“What kind of environment are you creating that caused this vibration- Wait, just a moment.”

At that moment, Tatyana’s eyes widened as she inadvertently checked the appearance of the stairs that had unfolded above Lenok’s head. The passage connecting the floors of the tower. The dozens of stairs that had been densely built to fill the space between them. The entire staircase connecting the first and second floors had been transformed into a flat ramp. It seemed that he hadn’t touched the stairs on the other floors yet. If they agreed here, it seemed like he would be able to tear down all the stairs in the tower. Felix, who belatedly noticed Lenok’s true intentions, stammered with a dumbfounded expression.

“No, is this… is this really that important…?”

“Of course.”

Lenok nodded firmly.

“It’s an essential environmental adjustment for stable research activities and an ideal seminar.”

“……”

“I’m sure Kyeonroe will be very pleased as well.”

No one could easily answer that. It was because everyone was convinced that this researcher, who was shamelessly selling Ban’s name, had a bizarre aesthetic comparable to Kyeonroe’s.

“It wasn’t for nothing that Ban decided to make an agreement with the professor…”

Felix’s muttering unintentionally represented the feelings of the other two.