Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 848

“The purpose of the research institute was to study Evan Bylon, not public magic?”

Lenok smirked, observing Raphael’s now-hardened expression.

“That’s a ridiculous conclusion. What could you possibly gain by studying a researcher instead of focusing on technology or theory?”

“I didn’t believe it at first either.”

Raphael responded calmly.

“But their attempts to adopt my mana theory were clearly a preliminary step towards using humans as research subjects.”

“……”

“The theory I lectured on involved creating test cases by replicating bio-information arrays through the artificial manipulation of mana. And that was clearly…”

Was it preparation to study Evan Bylon himself?

Certainly, if that were the case, it would explain how the Bylon Research Institute could have been established without Bylon’s direct involvement.

Lenok also suspected that the Central Council had established this research institute to investigate something far more dangerous than public magic.

Moreover, if the reason for establishing the research institute and simultaneously publicizing it was to-

“They deliberately released the information to lure out Evan Bylon.”

Lenok muttered, lost in thought.

“They must have anticipated that he would react in some way upon learning about a research institute bearing his name.”

“Professor Bylon is known to be such a recluse that he rarely appears in public.”

Raphael added.

“He’s an eccentric who refuses to communicate, even after publishing a groundbreaking paper like the one on public magic. There are over twenty professors in the Balkan academic world alone who are trying to meet him directly, as far as I know.”

“……”

The research institute created to study Evan Bylon and the [Magician Training Program] being conducted there.

The fact that there was a connection between these two things seemed absurd to Lenok.

But that’s precisely why he needed to access the data and examine its contents right now.

If he didn’t confirm why the City Council went to such lengths to establish the research institute, he wouldn’t be able to understand their true intentions.

“I accepted the invitation to lecture because I hoped I could meet Professor Bylon at the research institute. But I never imagined things would turn out like this…”

Raphael muttered regretfully, glancing at Lenok, who had turned his back.

“I want to meet Professor Bylon and discuss his research philosophy. If you, as the Magic Tower Lord, could arrange a meeting, I would be willing to cooperate-”

Crack!!

At that moment, a dazzling spark erupted in the middle of the power facility’s dark space.

Just as the professor, who had frozen in place, was about to be engulfed by the fountain of sparks,

Lenok grabbed the exploding sparks in mid-air with his bare hands.

Pzzzzzzzt!!!

Lenok muttered, watching the strands of electricity writhing and trying to escape his grasp.

“The facility is in worse condition than I thought.”

“Hah, hah…!!”

As Lenok extinguished the sparks, Raphael finally took a ragged breath.

Lenok checked the location where the current had just erupted and said.

“It seems the wiring is severely damaged due to the age of the facility. There’s a power production issue due to the short circuit.”

Many of the wires in the power facility were damaged or broken.

As Lenok increased the output while boosting the power production of the entire facility, the damaged wires couldn’t withstand it.

“I didn’t think this kind of problem would occur since the power facility also supplies power to the research institute… This is unexpected.”

“I, I heard that the research institute isn’t fully completed yet. I think I heard that they plan to set up a separate power supply facility later…”

“……”

The power production of the facility itself was not insufficient for the output Lenok wanted.

However, if the power supply became unstable due to damaged wires and short circuits, it would be difficult for Lenok to even access the restored data.

“I have no choice. Let’s talk about Evan Bylon later.”

Lenok said, kneeling on one knee on the control room floor and placing his hands together.

“I’ll convert my mana into electricity to use for data access. It’s better than having problems using unstable power.”

“Ma, mana into electricity?”

Raphael asked, surprised.

“What’s the problem?”

“I know you’re a very powerful lightning mage, but the electricity used in machinery is different from magic. Even basic properties like voltage wouldn’t match.”

“You said you were a layman when it comes to magical engineering equipment, but you know that much.”

“…I am still in a position to teach students.”

“I’ll take care of that.”

“No, more importantly, if there’s no promise to let me meet Professor Bylon, why should I help with your plan-”

Ignoring Raphael’s grumbling, Lenok raised his mana over his clasped hands.

The important thing wasn’t starting from the idea of shaping and solidifying mana.

If there was a strong will, the shaping of mana would inevitably follow.

A strong desire to the point where will becomes a tangible physical force and manifests in reality.

And the moment of sequentially processing the enormous amount of calculations that inevitably accompany that process.

Kiiiiing…!!

“Ma, mass shaping!!!!”

Raphael’s eyes widened as if they would tear apart at the sight of Lenok creating a connection device himself, his previously sullen expression gone.

Raphael’s horrified scream and the strange vibrations echoing from all directions made Hayward’s body, who had been unconscious, twitch.

However, Lenok maintained his focus and perfectly controlled himself, despite the commotion around him.

A power conversion device with only the circuit and connector that were separately removed from the instrument panel.

As he slowly removed his hand, the conversion device, which had been covered in white light, solidified and took shape.

Jzzzzzt!!

“This should be… enough.”

Lenok’s words even sounded faintly slow for a moment, due to how focused he was on chanting the spell.

But even that brief wait was nothing compared to Raphael’s shock.

“This is impossible…! How can you achieve this level of mass projection with only artificial mana shaping, without any catalyst or base material!!!”

Raphael, who had been standing still with his mouth agape, approached Lenok as if possessed, his hands trembling.

“This is a direct contradiction to the mana theory I lectured on today. Even for a great mage, it’s theoretically impossible, yet you created such complex machinery at once…!”

“My head is ringing… Be a little quieter.”

Although it required a more complex process than when imitating a researcher’s bio-information, the burden itself was much less.

In the first place, the equipment he had to create now was a conversion device based on Evan Bylon’s mana-to-electricity conversion theory.

Moreover, his experience of working as a craftsman at Machina under the name of Lyman was also helping.

Click!!

Lenok inserted a disk into the conversion device, which was about waist-high, and placed his hand on it.

“I’ll convert my mana into electricity and connect it to the disk to access the data. The required amount of mana is probably…”

Lenok closed his mouth and quickly calculated the expected mana consumption in his head.

If he used a Saint-level calculation device, it would take 50 minutes. If converted into magic, it would be like firing a level 6 army magic non-stop for 8 minutes.

Even for Lenok, it was not a light mana consumption that he could easily handle.

Lenok disassembled the computer parts in the control room, skillfully attached them to the conversion device, and even added a screen to complete the modification.

“The capacity is so large that finding the necessary information will be a task. I’ll leave the task of classifying and selecting the data to you.”

“Ah, I understand. But, perhaps…”

“Perhaps?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I touch it just once… is that okay…”

The middle-aged man’s face was burdensome, as if he wanted to study the conversion device Lenok had made right away, his eyes shining.

He was quickly clenching and unclenching his hands, but he still had a shred of reason left, as he was struggling to read Lenok’s expression.

He had been wary of Kenroe, but his current demeanor was completely opposite to how he had shown interest in Evan Bylon earlier.

Lenok, who had taken out a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth, got up from his seat.

“If it’s just for a moment.”

“Th, thank you!!”

He quickly took Lenok’s place and was absorbed in looking at the connection device shaped by mana.

There was little that Raphael, who was unfamiliar with mass spells, could understand, but even that didn’t seem to matter much to him.

Leaving Raphael, who was constantly making strange sighs while turning the conversion device, Lenok turned towards Hayward, who had collapsed.

He stood in front of the researcher, who had his eyes closed and was holding a lit cigarette in his hand.

The researcher was breathing slowly, as if he had fallen asleep with his eyes closed.

Lenok silently stared at Hayward, then grabbed the cigarette he had in his mouth with his hand-

“……”

“……”

Chiiik-

“I’m awake, I’m awake!! Damn it!!”

Hayward, who had rolled on the floor and frantically brushed off his shoulder with one hand, looked back at Lenok with a pale face.

“You’re completely insane. You didn’t even ask if I was awake!!!”

Lenok, who had calmly put the cigarette back in his mouth, nodded to Hayward.

“I know you were awake. You must have heard the situation?”

“……”

Hayward was the one who invited Raphael to the research institute to lecture on mana theory.

If Raphael’s lecture was deeply related to the research institute’s secrets, then Hayward must also know the details of the research institute’s secrets.

It was probably a lie that he told Lenok that he didn’t know much about the magician training program.

That’s why Lenok had kidnapped Raphael and secured Hayward’s safety by throwing him here.

“I… I can’t say.”

Hayward avoided his gaze, shrinking back, as if he knew that Lenok had noticed his lie.

“All I can say is that the magician training program was attempted. I can’t tell you more than that, and even if I don’t know, I can’t say I don’t know.”

“You’re the first guy I’ve seen who’s so roundabout about saying you know. If you’re going to make such a lame excuse, why don’t you at least put some effort into it?”

“Damn it, it’s not like I’m doing this because I want to…!!”

Hayward shouted something, then closed his eyes tightly with a look of resignation.

“…Okay, I lied to you. Kill me if you want. Rather than taking the blame for this, it might be better to die at your hands here…!!”

“Hmm…”

Lenok flicked his cigarette and met Hayward’s gaze.

Even if he was a researcher who was out of touch with the news, if he knew about Kenroe, he would have heard about his notoriety.

Yet, he was saying that he would choose death rather than reveal the plan.

That must be because the way the Central Council deals with traitors doesn’t end with just one person.

They might be able to carry out a more painful and agonizing retaliation through the influence of the Central Council.

In a way, that might be the difference between the highest authority in this city and Lenok, who had built his status alone-

“……”

The researcher was desperately trying to maintain his expression, waiting for Lenok’s answer with a tense look.

Lenok stared at Hayward for a moment, then activated his magic eye.

“Cough…!!”

“It seems you’re still misunderstanding something.”

Lenok’s eyes turned cold as he watched Hayward, who was unable to breathe and clutching his neck just from being looked at.

“Am I doing something I shouldn’t be doing to you right now? Tell me.”

“……”

“Who is it that set up a research institute in Evan Bylon’s name and is conducting secret research behind the scenes?”

“……”

“Why do you think I haven’t killed all you bugs and burned down the research institute?”

“That’s…”

Hayward’s mouth closed heavily as he finally understood what Lenok was saying.

It was because he realized that Kenroe’s actions at the research institute so far did not match his chilling notoriety.

Why did Kenroe disguise himself as a researcher and enter the research institute?

Why was he focused on data recovery instead of killing all the witnesses even after his identity was revealed?

Why was he having a normal conversation with the kidnapped researcher, unlike the rumors that his madness had spread to the bone?

There was only one motive behind all those actions that didn’t match the notoriety Hayward had heard so far.

Hayward had finally understood that the matter regarding Evan Bylon was that important to Kenroe.

“You said kill me if you want?”

Lenok whispered to the silent Hayward.

“I can make you beg to die.”

“…!!”

“Who knows better than me how fragile and easily broken the human body is?”

Lenok’s gaze slowly swept down Hayward’s face as he flinched.

“The reason I’m explaining this so kindly is not because I feel you have any use or value.”

Lenok said, slowly getting up from his seat.

“It’s because what’s involved in this research institute isn’t just my own matter.”

“……”

“If you understand, cooperate. I’m planning to start right away.”

Hayward’s body, which had collapsed, was forcibly lifted as if caught by an invisible hand.

Lenok turned his back on the researcher, who was standing weakly, trying to keep his balance.

“Help Raphael classify and organize the recovered data. You can’t open your mouth, but you can’t say your hands are tied either, right?”

Hayward didn’t answer, but he obediently followed Lenok and stood in front of Raphael.

His gaze naturally turned to Raphael, who was squatting and absorbed in looking at the connection device.

“…Professor Raphael.”

“Ah, Doctor. Look at this!!”

Raphael held out the conversion device he was holding to Hayward, his eyes sparkling.

“The result of projecting mana into a mass form is so precise… I can’t believe it even after seeing it with my own eyes. For such a thing to exist in reality even for a moment, it’s nothing short of a miracle…!!”

“……”

“Come here and touch it even for a moment. It’s hard to understand its greatness without directly projecting the mana structure-”

“Come out.”

“Ugh!!”

Lenok bounced Raphael away with a light shockwave, then immediately placed his hand on the conversion device and began to draw up mana.

Woo-woo-woo-woong!!!

The mana that was violently rotating within the mage’s body was poured directly under the conversion device without a single leak.

The manipulation was so precise and perfect that even Raphael and Hayward, who were standing next to him, couldn’t feel Lenok’s mana.

Kiiiiing…!!

The moment the converted electricity flowed into the disk inserted at the top of the conversion device, the files contained in the disk began to appear one after another on the temporarily attached screen.

Raphael, who had been dragged out helplessly, scratched his cheek with an embarrassed look and stood in front of the screen.

“Hmm, I got too excited. Come to think of it, there was still work to be done.”

Hayward, who was looking at Raphael as if he was dumbfounded, asked.

“Is the professor okay with this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Following Kenroe’s demands-”

“Ah, about that.”

Raphael said as if he had just remembered.

“Come to think of it, isn’t it not really my business?”

“……”

“I did sign a confidentiality agreement, but that was only because I thought this research institute was established with Professor Bylon’s approval.”

Raphael cleared his throat and shook his head.

“I accepted the offer believing I could meet Professor Bylon, but it’s troublesome if things turn out like this. I accepted Kenroe’s offer.”

“……”

Hayward, who couldn’t hide his bewildered expression, closed his mouth and turned his head.

He must know that there was no point in venting his pent-up emotions.

But Lenok felt like he could finally understand what kind of person Raphael was.

‘Is he the type whose curiosity takes precedence over morals and ethics? His temperament is quite strong.’

Raphael was quite human for a high-ranking mage, and he was popular enough to have followers.

Despite being afraid of Lenok, he was willing to readily offer his research log to save the druid.

But now, on the contrary, he had completely forgotten about the druid and was only absorbed in indulging in the mass spell that Lenok had shown him.

His nature didn’t seem bad, but his words and actions were so inconsistent that it was hard to understand.

That must be because the priority that curiosity and interest occupied for Raphael was higher than any other factor.

If something caught his attention, his vision would narrow to the point where he would ignore everything else.

In a way, it was an excellent nature for a researcher, but on the other hand, it was also a clear form of distortion.

That was probably why Raphael, with his respectable title of professor, was able to join Pandemonium [A secret organization of mages].

While Lenok was lost in thought, the control room where the three of them were standing began to tremble faintly.

Krrrrrr…!!

A faint tremor, as if the entire mountain range was shaking.

As Raphael and Hayward’s expressions slightly changed, Lenok coughed and said.

“It seems the City Council has made a move. They must have figured out where I’m hiding by now.”

“It will take time to access all the data… will you be okay?”

“Don’t worry about it and focus on your work. I’ll take care of it.”

Raphael’s expression changed strangely at Lenok’s calm answer.

“…The entire power facility by yourself? In your current state?”

No matter how outstanding Kenroe was, could he fight against the special forces while supplying the mana needed for the conversion device?

Moreover, he wasn’t consuming a small amount of mana, but was pouring mana equivalent to an army-level magic into the conversion device almost every second.

Unless he was planning to stop the work for a while and kill all the superhumans of the special forces-

“No way…!”

Hayward’s face turned pale and his shoulders trembled, and Lenok chuckled.

“If that was my intention, I wouldn’t have left any witnesses at the research institute.”

“……”

A chilling rebuttal. What was even more frightening was that his arrogant answer didn’t sound like a bluff.

“What I’m trying to do isn’t to kill all the people involved in the research institute and cover up this matter. Rather, I’m in a position where I need to reveal and find out.”

“……”

“But it’s true that guarding the facility alone is inefficient and troublesome. It would be best to make the special forces retreat on their own.”

“But how can you do that with your body consuming so much mana…”

“Is there a need to use my mana?”

Lenok retorted, stepping on a thick wire and lifting it up.

“There’s a useless amount of current lying around here like seawater.”

“I don’t understand what you’re-”

Swoosh!!

With a single gesture, the wire was cleanly cut, revealing its cross-section, and a huge amount of current burst out from the cross-section.

The wire, which was being managed by a mana-embedded facility, was completely cut, and the shock caused it to react even more strongly.

Pzzzzzzzt!!!

“Wh, what are you doing!!”

“If you force a short circuit in a place like this, you can’t avoid an explosion-!!!”

Just as Hayward recoiled in horror at the spark discharge caused by the short circuit, which was incomparable to the previous one,

Lenok, who had taken off his glove, thrust his bare hand into the cross-section of the wire without any hesitation.

Tzzzzzzzz!!!!

“Uwaaaah!!”

Hayward covered his eyes and ears with both hands and lowered his head.

Despite the intense sparks that turned his vision white, Lenok didn’t even blink.

Raphael had said that the lightning of a lightning mage would be different from actual electricity, but that was wrong.

The properties of electricity, including voltage and resistance, were a flow of change that a mage should be able to handle.

No matter where or in what form it existed, if it was the power of electricity, it was possible for Lenok to forcibly incorporate it under his will.

Even if it couldn’t be used for delicate tasks like data access, under the rules of magic that Lenok had been using as naturally as breathing-

Unique Spell of the Creation System

Origin-Level Fortification

Faaaaaaat!!!

The wave of electricity that erupted from the cross-section of the wire instantly covered the power facility and soared.

The blue wave that engulfed and pulsed throughout the power facility instantly took shape and transformed the space itself.

“Wh, what is this…”

At that moment, Raphael muttered, looking around blankly at the unrealistic miracle that was changing the nature of the entire facility.

Simple Fortress Deployment

[Pseudo: Migratory Armored Dragon Star]

[Oooooooo!!!]

The head of a toad made of blue electricity rose above the facility, emitting a bizarre roar.