Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 853

“Ah, no……”

Luisen’s declaration to appoint Professor Rafael for the handover process of the Bylon Research Institute hung in the air.

Rafael, his lips moving but no words quite forming, muttered with a bewildered expression.

“What on earth are you talking about? The City Council has selected me as the person in charge of the Bylon Research Institute’s handover?”

“Not a bad proposal.”

“No, you shouldn’t agree there!”

Rafael vehemently protested as Lenok nodded.

“I, strictly speaking, am an outsider with no connection to the research institute. For the handover, it should be entrusted to an internal person like Dr. Hayward…!!”

“Ah, that is impossible.”

“Why!”

“Strictly speaking, all personnel officially affiliated with the research institute are like that.”

Luisen shook his head firmly.

“Dr. Hayward is a party to an employment contract with the research institute. In particular, he is a human ‘asset’ that must be formally transferred to Professor Bylon.”

“A, an asset?”

While Rafael was speechless at the term and widened his eyes, Luisen gave a gentle smile.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate in many ways to entrust the handover directly to an asset whose ownership is about to be transferred to Professor Bylon.”

“……”

Rafael’s expression turned stiff for a moment as he understood the meaning of those words.

He clearly realized how the Central Council was viewing them right now.

It was an explanation that would be impossible unless they were treating the researchers, including Hayward, as mere tools.

He realized that Luisen, the young man who had been so flustered by Lenok, was no different from the council members.

Staggering from the shock, Rafael muttered.

“You’re saying that I can be in charge of the research institute’s handover because I’m an outsider? What nonsense-”

“Professor Rafael is a scholar who made a name for himself by establishing the parallel theory of magic arrays, and he is a highly respected figure in academia.”

Luisen ignored Rafael and explained to Lenok again.

“He is a person who was formally invited to the research institute for a lecture, and he is also one of the very few people who are aware of the current situation and have been watching it from the sidelines.”

“……”

Luisen nodded as he rolled up the scroll he was holding.

“Considering the complex current situation, we have concluded that he is the only candidate who can satisfy both Professor Bylon and Mr. Ban.”

“……Hmm.”

Luisen’s expression wavered for a moment at Lenok’s reaction, who tilted his head without saying anything.

In contrast to completely ignoring Rafael and Hayward, he was fully focused on Lenok.

“If there is any part of the council’s recommendations that you do not like-”

“No, rather… that idea itself is very council-like.”

Lenok stared at Luisen’s smiling face, then couldn’t help but chuckle.

He could quickly grasp what Luisen had just said and the intentions behind the council’s actions.

“But it’s not that I don’t understand. That’s usually how innate problems are.”

“……”

The City Council was not simply trying to resolve this situation by handing over the Bylon Research Institute.

Beyond transferring the personnel, facilities, and achievements of the research institute as a whole, they were trying to compensate by tying Rafael’s talent to the research institute.

Rafael was an outstanding theoretical researcher, as recognized by Lenok, and a professor with a humane character.

However, he was also a talented individual with a strong researcher’s disposition, to the point that he would not hesitate to pursue anything that piqued his interest.

The Central Council must have recognized this nature of Rafael and thought they could use it in a helpful way.

The justification Luisen added was not unreasonable, but its essence was to tie Rafael’s fate to the research institute and present him as a gift.

“I will notify Evan Bylon of the relevant matters. Now that the transfer of ownership of the research institute has been confirmed, the next steps are up to him.”

Lenok replied, turning his gaze away.

“However, that proposal seems to depend on whether Professor Rafael accepts it.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

Rafael, who had suddenly come to his senses, glared at Luisen with a displeased look.

“How dare you try to handle things without my permission? This is like me taking the blame for the City Council’s responsibility!!”

“……”

“It’s not for me to say, but I’m a very busy person. There are… many people calling me from here and there, many appointments, and even re, re-”

“Re?”

Lenok knew he was very agitated, but was he really going to say the name of that organization here? He watched with a very interested look to see how far Rafael would go in his rampage, while Luisen tilted his head.

Rafael, who desperately tried to regain his composure, hurriedly stammered and changed his words.

“There are also people who hold grudges against me and want revenge!!”

“……”

“Of course, I accepted the lecture because I wanted to meet Professor Bylon, but for the City Council to force a role on me like this-!!”

“Ah, we have already received confirmation from the Council of Elders regarding that matter.”

“W-what did you say?”

Luisen calmly interrupted Rafael and unfolded the scroll again.

“Where was it written… Ah, around here.”

“No, I have no intention of accepting, so what confirmation did you receive!”

“You have entered the Greenbelt [a protected natural area] inside Vulcan for joint research with the Druids, haven’t you?”

At Luisen’s words, Rafael’s mouth snapped shut.

“I believe you received advice from the Council of Elders several times to obtain entry rights.”

“……”

Luisen nodded as he watched Rafael sweating profusely.

“The Council of Elders has requested your cooperation regarding that matter.”

“T-that’s……”

Rafael’s eyes spun around.

“It’s true that I received some help, but it’s also true that there was a problem because I came out of the Greenbelt a little later than planned-”

“I understand that you brought a Druid with you on this visit because of that incident.”

Luisen said, closing the scroll again.

“If you help with the handover of this matter, we will handle the issue cleanly with the authority of the Senate.”

“Still, the academic conferences that are piling up… I have to go back to school too….”

“Professor, why are you making it so complicated?”

At that moment, the magician Silford placed his hand on Rafael’s shoulder.

Silford, who tilted his top hat with a beaming smile, whispered into the professor’s ear.

“If you accept this job, you’ll be able to meet Professor Bylon, who will be taking over as the director of the research institute, right?”

“……!!”

“It’s a job you’re doing in exchange for paying off your debts. It’s something you can’t help, Professor.”

“T-that’s……”

Rafael, with a dazed expression, was listening to Silford’s persuasion as if he were bewitched.

Lenok shook his head from behind, watching the reactions of Silford and Luisen.

They knew everything about why Rafael came to the research institute and what his disposition was.

Entrusting the handover to Rafael, an outsider, meant that Rafael would have to be directly aware of everything that had happened at the research institute.

And Rafael, who was a researcher by nature, was highly likely to be strongly interested in the joint magic research conducted at the research institute.

If that happened, Rafael would forget about the situation and stay at the research institute to research joint magic.

The City Council was clearly seeing through Rafael’s nature and trying to derive the best possible outcome that would be beneficial to both sides.

Of course, the fact that such a thing was possible was because Rafael owed a debt to the Council of Elders, but conversely, it was proof that anyone who got involved with them could not easily escape.

“Well, I can’t help it.”

As he said, Rafael had already completely agreed with Silford’s words and was nodding.

“I understand. I don’t know if I can do it, but I will do my best to help Professor Bylon. But….”

Rafael’s eyes flashed with strong enthusiasm for a moment.

“Please get a definite answer from Professor Bylon that he will definitely visit the research institute in person.”

“Of course, Professor.”

Silford bowed slightly with a smiling face.

“Since all of this is being prepared for Professor Bylon, the relevant information will be delivered very carefully to Lavatenon University.”

While Rafael, who had accepted the situation, nodded weakly and Luisen was telling Rafael what he had to do.

Lenok glanced back at Hayward, who was left behind.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

“……”

Hayward, with a blank face, was silently watching the situation.

Even while watching the process of his own fate and the research institute being handed over, he only scratched his head and didn’t seem to have any intention of actively intervening.

“Did you know this was going to happen?”

“No. There’s no way……”

Hayward looked around and answered in a hoarse voice.

“However, I did think that someone might temporarily take over the position of director of the research institute at this point when Professor Bylon is absent.”

“……”

“Professor Rafael’s personality is honestly not very compatible with mine, but his abilities are definitely worth recognizing.”

Hayward got up from his seat as he looked at Rafael walking towards them.

“There will be no shortage of him to work with.”

Hayward began to explain something in a quick tone to Rafael, who seemed to be still unsure and was pondering with a hesitant look.

Was he already thinking of starting the handover of the research institute’s facilities and personnel?

While Lenok was watching the scene with his arms crossed, Luisen’s voice echoed again.

“The fact that there was no smooth communication between Professor Bylon and the establishment process of the research institute. The fact that the project progress, including the research topic, was not smooth.”

“……”

“Considering all the points that the wizard training plan was inadequate in terms of means and conclusions compared to its conception, we approve the transfer of all rights to Professor Bylon as of 4:34 today.”

Luisen, glancing at Lenok, said again.

“However, considering that Professor Bylon has a close technical agreement with the Magic Tower, we will also grant the Magic Tower the right to share research results and transfer shares of the research institute to the Tower Lord. The detailed ratio adjustment and profit distribution will be through mutual agreement-”

Lenok, who was listening, abruptly cut him off.

“You’re just saying in a long-winded way that Bylon and I should divide it ourselves.”

“U-um… If you summarize the core, it’s not wrong, but….”

Lenok smiled coldly at the stammering Luisen.

“What’s the reason?”

“Y-yes?”

“The wizard training plan that was being conducted at the research institute. Wasn’t it based on the superhuman training technology that the City Council had? There must be a reason why you decided to cover up this incident, even at the risk of the technology being leaked.”

“……”

The Central Council’s most sensitive reaction to this incident was not the existence of the research institute, but the secrets and technology of the project hidden within the research institute.

Since it had been leaked, they were moving to call Lenok to the council to find a reasonable agreement.

But in that brief moment when Lenok was briefly arguing with the black visor, had the opinion changed within the City Council?

Silford stepped forward, leaving the silent Luisen behind.

“Why are you doing this when you know better?”

“Inference and confirmation are different. Explain it directly.”

“The biggest reason is the existence of the Magic Tower. Are you aware that the domestic market in Vulcan has been rapidly activated due to the Magic Tower?”

Silford said, winking.

“Currently, the items imported through the Magic Tower are as hot a topic as joint magic. The Central Council will not want to break the current trend, no matter what you do.”

“……”

“But if there is a reason that became the starting point….”

The magician paused for a moment and covered his face by slightly pressing down his top hat.

He lowered his voice so quietly that even Luisen couldn’t hear him and whispered.

“I didn’t know you would rate Evan Bylon so highly.”

“……”

“To be honest, even the Council of Elders was surprised. No matter how outstanding a researcher is, it wouldn’t be strange for them to look like a bug in the eyes of a great mage.”

Silford said, looking at Lenok with a strange expression.

“If Gyeollyeon [a powerful mage] put aside even his madness and moved for the sake of one researcher, it would be enough justification for the Central Council to revise their plans.”

“Is that all?”

“Just between us, the City Council’s attitude towards Professor Bylon will also change a little.”

Silford smiled and tapped the cane he was holding.

“Half of the old monsters sitting at the top of the council are ghosts who survived the war, so they tend to look down on even the most outstanding geniuses if they don’t have power. It can’t be helped.”

“……”

“Now that they know that Professor Bylon is being protected by Gyeollyeon to this extent, they will also change their minds a little. In fact, the biggest problem is that people who should have been in the grave a long time ago are still walking around with canes as if showing off….”

As he said that, Silford pointed to Lenok’s cane and his own cane and chuckled.

“Come to think of it, we’re getting one each too. We’re not in a position to talk about others, are we?”

“……”

Lenok, ignoring the magician’s rambling nonsense, was lost in thought.

The Central Council’s unlimited concessions. But this was a result that should have been obtained from the beginning when the research institute was established under Bylon’s name.

Lenok also had no intention of intervening from the beginning unless he could take over the entire research institute, not just steal it.

The reason he had been lenient with the researchers and the forces protecting the research institute was also because he thought they were assets that would soon be in his hands.

However, it was not appropriate to discuss that fact in his current identity as Ban.

What remained was the issue of whether he would receive a clear explanation and report on what the Central Council had done here-

“Okay.”

Lenok, who had slowly calmed his magic, tilted his head back.

“I will visit the Senate soon. I will hear about the research institute, so select the key personnel and bring me a list.”

“Hehe, that part is not under my jurisdiction.”

The magician, who had cleverly changed the subject, grabbed the shoulder of Luisen, who was standing awkwardly next to him.

“Councilor Azamaha. What do you think?”

“Yes? No, I don’t know anything yet….”

“If you don’t know, you have to find out.”

“What?”

“Go find out.”

Before Luisen could answer, Silford grabbed him by the neck and threw him away.

In an instant, Luisen’s body shrank as if being sucked into a hole, and then disappeared with a single scream.

Silford put his hands on his waist with a proud look and nodded.

“Don’t worry. I sent him to run errands to find out, so he’ll do well.”

Lenok stared at Silford and said.

“I wouldn’t have killed him even if you didn’t do that. I’m not interested enough to bother.”

“Huh? I don’t understand what you-”

“I meant that your pathetic acting is more annoying.”

“Haha, was it too obvious?”

Silford laughed loudly with an awkward expression.

He had been instantly caught that his action of forcibly sending Luisen away was, conversely, to protect Luisen from Lenok.

Lenok gave the magician a cold smile.

“You’re acting like you’re going to kill him. I’m not the type of person who has to cut off the head of a messenger to feel better.”

“Of course, I don’t mean that I am.”

Silford emphasized with a smiling face.

“There are quite a few people who think it wouldn’t be strange if you ever did that.”

“……”

“The reason why the City Council’s decision was delayed today was also because the opinions were divided in the Senate, which took time. If it weren’t for the intervention of the Council of Elders, things wouldn’t have ended like this.”

“Are you trying to take credit in front of me?”

“Of course not. In the first place, if you hadn’t refused the position of proxy, I wouldn’t have had to take on this job.”

Silford slightly pressed down his top hat.

“However, it would be good to know that there is a considerable difference in perception among the council members who have not met you in the council. That’s how much the notoriety of Gyeollyeon is in this city, what should I say….”

“I know.”

Lenok chuckled as he looked at Silford, who was choosing his words.

“To some extent, I am also responsible for that.”

[Huh. Master knew that too?]

“……Um. It wasn’t exactly what I meant.”

While Lenok ignored the spirit’s question, which seemed to be genuinely curious, Silford subtly changed the subject.

“If you understand that your name is being taken in a special way in this city, you will be able to understand the sensitive reactions around you more easily.”

Silford, who had said that much, glanced at Lenok and asked.

“My words weren’t too difficult to understand, were they?”

“I think I’ve been saying it since earlier.”

Lenok replied with a smile.

“That coaxing and appeasing attitude is more annoying.”

“Ahaha, it was a joke. Then, I’ll be going now!!”

The magician disappeared from Lenok’s sight like lightning, as if he thought he had reached his limit.

Krrrrrr!!

Through the ceiling of the facility that was slowly collapsing, the presence of other superhumans watching this place could be felt.

The black visor, who was recovering his scattered magic, and the members of the Special Operations Agency, who had remained in their positions even after being swept away by the demon giant.

They no longer showed hostility, but they still seemed to be trying to keep Lenok in this space with a strange attitude.

Lenok, who had been staring at the members, shook his head as if he was dumbfounded.

“I’ve finished talking with your master, do you still have business with me?”

[……Your deal with the Central Council is something that should be kept secret. There will be no orders from above regarding this matter.]

The jade visor answered in a low, subdued tone.

[If there is no notification from the higher-ups, we must prioritize carrying out our existing duties.]

“It’s a tiring thing. Are all public officials like that?”

Lenok looked at the silent black visor, then raised his magic and tapped his cane.

“Okay. Come to think of it, there was still something I could ask you to do.”

Kooong!!

A ferocious-looking demon giant with thick black chains on both arms pressed down on the Aegis members with his arms crossed.

In contrast to his ominous appearance, the giant, who had been waiting quietly until the work was finished, spread his arms wide.