Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 905

“Ban.”

In a dimly lit, dark bar with hazy lighting.

Jenny, leaning against the bar counter, called out to Lenok with a serious expression.

“I honestly don’t know what you’re really thinking anymore.”

“……”

“Before this is over, I thought we had some kind of connection, didn’t we?”

“Jenny.”

Lenok, who had just arrived at the bar, pulled up a chair and sat down, answering.

“Don’t doubt it.”

“……”

“Trust yourself. Your memories are correct.”

“Do you think I’ll just accept that if you throw out some profound-sounding words?”

[Hehehe.]

At that moment, a seductive laugh was heard from beside Jenny.

A black veil covering her face, a jet-black trench coat, and even the handle of a small parasol hanging from her wrist.

A woman, leaning languidly against a seat near the counter, spoke in a strange voice.

[Even I’m enjoying this conversation. How cute.]

“……Madam.”

The oldest broker in this city, and a vampire who has lived for a long time.

Madam, with her chin resting on the bar counter, was staring intently at Lenok.

[Gyonrye. You seem to have a very good relationship with your broker.]

“……”

Even without a particular response, Madam’s gaze remained fixed on Lenok’s face. It was hard not to notice the blatant attention, even though only the direction of her gaze was vaguely visible through the veil.

With a nostalgic air, Madam swirled the glass she was holding and murmured.

[How envious. I also had times when I worked together with my friends like this…]

“If you think this looks like we’re working together, you should go to an eye doctor, not a bar.”

“Why are you here?”

Leaving Jenny grumbling, Lenok asked directly.

Madam is one of the most influential brokers in this city, but she rarely gets involved directly.

She spends most of her time at her mansion, focusing on her hobbies.

It was surprising that she, who is only interested in managing talented freelancers and collecting the blood of powerful superhumans, would be at the bar before Lenok.

[Well, Jenny called me here.]

In response to Lenok’s question, Madam gestured languidly.

[A cute junior is asking for help, and it just so happens that it’s an issue I can’t refuse without losing face.]

“Help?”

“You’re going to attend the hearing, right?”

Jenny replied, crossing her arms with a reluctant look.

“Honestly, I’m still against it. These kinds of hearings are just a formality, and it’s standard practice to not attend. It’s an annual event.”

“……”

“We’re trying to force our way into a party that no one wants us at. We’re like uninvited guests with an invitation.”

“Not bad.”

Lenok smiled.

“I’ve done it often.”

“……Okay.”

Jenny sighed, looking like she had given up on everything.

Lenok couldn’t possibly not know that these kinds of hearings were just a superficial event.

From the start, Jenny had a guess as to why Lenok was suddenly trying to attend the hearing.

“That’s why I called an expert. Madam is a person who knows a lot about old customs and rituals.”

“Rituals…”

[It’s not common for a hearing to be held for an 8th-level archmage, nor for that person to attend it.]

Madam chuckled languidly.

[Hearings for superhumans of this level don’t follow the laws of the mundane world. For beings that transcend levels, rules and treatment commensurate with that are necessary.]

“Is it to prevent you from killing everyone at the hearing if things go wrong?”

[Oh my, were you planning such a terrible massacre?]

“……”

Lenok ignored Madam’s fuss, and Madam finally smiled and explained.

[Of course, there’s that, but it’s also because there are regulations that were established long ago for such cases.]

“Regulations.”

[The judgment regulations created in the central city of Ars Nova to manage high-level magic users.]

Madam said.

[It’s a binding that’s well-known for being uniquely sophisticated and powerful among ancient oaths.]

“……”

Regulations created in the central city of Ars Nova to manage high-level superhumans.

Is it a geas [a magical compulsion or binding] that forcibly enforces rules by processing the procedures and regulations that exist in literature into a form of binding?

[From the moment your attendance at the hearing was decided, you’ll probably be asked to promise to abide by the judgment regulations.]

Madam said, running her finger along the rim of her half-empty glass.

[There are three rules I remember. Answer questions truthfully. Don’t evade responsibility. And refrain from using mental imagery until the hearing is over.]

“The definition of the rules is vague. Did they intentionally leave room for interpretation?”

Lenok frowned and muttered.

“For a powerful geas that binds, the content is incredibly ambiguous. Above all, the third rule is…”

To leave a rule in the literature that is only for superhumans of the Saint-level or higher who can use mental imagery, it’s enough to realize how powerful the civilization of Ars Nova was.

Does it mean that in the central city, it was common enough to restrict and bind high-level superhumans that it was left as law?

While Lenok was grimacing at that fact, Madam spoke.

[What I can help you with is to choose one of the three rules of the hearing and loosen the binding of the geas.]

“……”

[Therefore, you can choose which binding to loosen.]

“So you were waiting for my decision.”

Lenok tilted his head.

“Loosening the binding of a geas wouldn’t be an easy task. Why are you helping me?”

According to Madam’s explanation, the judgment regulations of Ars Nova are a binding created for high-level superhumans.

Adjusting the rules would not be easy, so why would she help Lenok?

It’s hard to understand the motive just by saying it’s Jenny’s request.

Madam smiled.

[Honestly, I think your decision to attend the hearing is a very wise one.]

“……”

[Whether it’s positive or negative, your actions have a great consistency in that they move in an unexpected direction. And surprisingly, people…]

Madam paused slightly, took a sip from her glass, and said.

[They can’t just hate or despise someone like that.]

“……”

[It might not have been a calculated decision. It’s even better if it was an impulsive decision. Either way, I want to see an untouchable status created in this city.]

Madam whispered in a cheerful tone.

[Especially since it’s something I tried once and failed.]

“That’s an interesting answer. Did you dream of being a kingmaker?”

Lenok laughed.

“But I’m not interested in becoming the king of the city. If you’re looking for a pawn to play with, you’d better look for someone else.”

[I’ve learned this after living for a long time.]

Madam smiled gracefully.

[The pawns that follow my will and advice, in the end, can’t escape the limits I set.]

“……”

[That’s all.]

With that one sentence, Madam summarized her reason for cooperating with Lenok and nodded gracefully.

[So, which rule are you thinking of adjusting in advance?]

“The third rule.”

Lenok said.

“It may be meaningless, but I’ll make sure of that part.”

[Okay.]

Madam said, getting up from her seat.

[It will take some time to adjust the judgment regulations. It won’t take long, so I hope you’ll wait here.]

With those words, Madam immediately followed Jorden’s guidance and moved to the company building behind the bar.

Jenny, who had been listening to their conversation with a bewildered expression, finally glanced back at Lenok.

“Are you really going to be okay?”

“I can’t agree with Madam’s tastes or motives, but there’s one thing I do agree with.”

Lenok said, raising his glass.

The transparent liquid, glowing brown, shimmered beyond Lenok’s eyes.

“This kind of meeting was necessary at least once with the Vulcan city government.”

“……”

“If the justification or the benefit is there, that’s enough. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Just by Lenok showing his intention to attend the hearing, the redevelopment of the outer districts had already begun.

This was because the proponents were pushing ahead with their plans at a time when the opposition’s arguments had temporarily lost their power.

For them, they didn’t want to miss this opportunity where mages from the Magic Tower were visiting Vulcan one after another.

No matter how the hearing ends, the construction of infrastructure in the outer districts near the tower is a certainty.

If he could expand the tower’s influence in this city and gain benefits just by stepping onto the stage set by the Central Council, it was enough.

“It’s a hassle, but it’s a chance to be in front of the media.”

Lenok smiled.

“I should take this opportunity to cut off some of the unnecessary rumors about me.”

“It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen…”

Jenny asked with a dubious look.

“The hearing might be broadcast throughout Vulcan. Do you want to do a rehearsal beforehand?”

“If I have time. But there’s something I need to do before that.”

Lenok said, glancing at the time.

Madam said she needed some time, so in the meantime, Lenok also had something to take care of.

Due to the recent battles at the tower, all the tower’s personnel were away for the first time in a long time.

“I’m going to fix the damaged security system and teleportation magic of the tower, and modify the tower’s functions. Can you come with me for a bit?”

* * *

The upper floors of Gyonrye’s Magic Tower in District 49.

It had been a few days since the cooperative businesses had temporarily evacuated after the chaos caused by Evan Martinez’s attack.

It had been quite a while since the tower, which was always bustling after the start of the I-Tap business, had been this quiet.

Only a serene silence flowed between the circular corridors and staircases that spiraled around.

“Oh, right, Ban. Stop getting rid of the stairs.”

Jenny, who was walking behind Lenok, opened her mouth as if she had just remembered something.

“You keep pushing them away without saying anything, so you know how hard it is to move between floors?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Does acting like you don’t know make the fact disappear?”

Jenny grumbled.

“I agree that ramps are necessary for smooth material transport, but sometimes stairs are more convenient for walking. How many times do I have to say-”

“I’m sorry, but that’s not something I control at will.”

“……What?”

“The physical staircase structure that exists in the tower’s domain is not something I’m touching.”

Lenok explained as he walked along the ramp.

“I’m just reverting the tower’s structure to the ideal form that exists in my subconscious.”

“I still don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

Jenny said, pressing her temples with her index finger.

It was as if she was forcibly suppressing the blood vessels that were about to burst.

“So, you’re saying that your subconscious hatred of stairs is naturally being reflected in the tower?”

“That’s an excellent summary.”

“Don’t lie!”

Jenny shouted, pointing to the opposite side of the ramp.

“That emergency staircase. It’s been there for over two weeks since I installed it, right?”

“……”

“You just push them away whenever you see them, and then you make up ridiculous excuses- Oh, oh!?”

Crack!!

The moment Lenok glanced at the emergency staircase, the staircase tilted diagonally and instantly turned into a gentle ramp.

Leaving Jenny speechless, Lenok muttered without blinking.

“Oh dear, I did it again subconsciously.”

“……”

“If you’re quick-witted, you’ll see too many truths.”

“……Okay, you win.”

Jenny sighed, looking like she had given up on everything.

“Come to think of it, there’s no way an archmage wouldn’t be able to control their subconscious. I should have realized it from the start.”

“That’s not necessarily true, but…”

Most of the 8th-level extreme ability users have mental problems, so it’s rare for them to perfectly control their consciousness.

However, he didn’t bother to deny the fact that Jenny’s misunderstanding had inadvertently touched on a bit of truth.

Jenny, annoyed, let her hair down and shouted.

“Ah, whatever. I’ll keep installing stairs and placing them between the towers, so break them or not, do whatever you want!! I’ll do whatever I want too!”

“That’ll be a good match.”

“……”

Thud!!

The top floor of the Magic Tower, where construction equipment and materials were placed as if it was still under construction.

It wasn’t that it wasn’t completed, but that expansion work was underway to increase the number of floors.

“Ugh, it’s a bit cold…”

Cold wind was seeping through the gaps in the walls, and Jenny shrank back.

Lenok, who blocked the incoming wind with a wave of his hand, leaned against the corridor and looked down.

Whoosh!!!

The center of the tower, which was hollow like a giant circular pit, and the first-floor lobby were clearly visible below.

Jenny, who was standing next to Lenok, glanced at the ground and asked.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“It’s an extension of what I was doing last time.”

Lenok raised his hand, and the huge magic tower began to shake greatly according to his will.

Crumble, crumble!!!!

The entire staircase and outer walls vibrated violently as if they were about to collapse, and the floor trembled.

The moment Jenny grabbed Lenok’s coat in a moment of terror.

Flash!!

A huge sphere, burning red, appeared and soared from the floor of the first-floor lobby.

Whoosh!!!

The intense heat source that broke through the lobby floor and rose, reached the top floor of the tower where Lenok was standing in an instant.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!

Lenok said, looking at the blazing fire, like the sun.

“The Phoenix Hall, a relic of the Blaver Magic Tower. It’s about giving a new attribute and adding functions to the heat source that powers the tower’s engine.”

“Is that the lightning rod story you mentioned before?”

“It would be difficult to try unless there are no people in the tower like now.”

The output and heat of the Phoenix Hall, which powers the tower’s engine, are not ordinary magic cores or energy sources.

It is a semi-permanent power plant that originates from the remains of the seven Blaver Magic Tower Lords and burns with their will.

For mages who handle flame-heat magic, it is a treasure of the highest order.

‘If Evan had made the Phoenix Hall his seventh magic core, he could have developed the fight in a different way…’

Perhaps Tatiana knew that too, so she desperately tried to prevent Evan from entering the tower.

But from the beginning, Lenok had no intention of making the Phoenix Hall Evan’s magic core.

Its output was too strong to be the seventh core, and there was a high possibility that it would be a case of putting the cart before the horse if the tower’s engine was extracted.

Lenok thought so and took out a metal rod bent in a bizarre direction from his coat.

Click!!

Following the part where the light of the Phoenix Hall, rotating in the air on the top floor of the tower, was particularly strong, he inserted the prepared lightning rods one by one.

After inserting about a dozen lightning rods into the corridor wall, he connected the adsorption points with magic power and drew a huge magic circle.

The moment a huge polygon, with the points where the lightning rods were inserted as vertices, accurately meshed with the circular magic circle.

Zzzzzzzzz…!!!

The lightning rods, which had absorbed the heat emitted from the Phoenix Hall, immediately changed their properties to electricity and began to absorb it into the magic circle.

Waves of dazzling current flashed from all sides of the staircase corridor on the top floor of the tower.

Jenny flinched at the sudden wave of lightning.

“Ban, this…”

“It’s forcibly amplifying the bias of magic power to force a change in its properties.”

Lenok explained.

“The magic power of the Phoenix Hall is being converted into magic power with electrical properties, but only on this floor.”

“……”

“Evan Bailon’s first paper on the conversion of magic power and electricity. You can think of it as reversing the order and processing it.”

Zzzzzzzzz!!!

The blue glow of electricity that jumped up from under their feet was enough to illuminate Jenny and Lenok’s faces.

Leaving the hesitant Jenny behind, Lenok took the first step.

“I received these artifacts in advance from the Gisu Shrine [a mysterious organization known for their unique magic] in exchange for informing them about the hearing. There were many useful parts in their magic that forcibly manipulates the magnetic bias of metals.”

Lenok took out a few more bent metal rods from his coat, inserted them into the magic circle, and supplemented it, then finally raised his gaze.

“The power to force bias is easy to apply. If you adjust it properly, there’s room to use it not only in reality but also in cyberspace like the Deep Web. That’s why we need to be wary of the Gisu Shrine.”

Pop!!

“So, if you overload the electrical magic power and control the direction of the thought-”

“Ah, right. Speaking of the Deep Web, I just remembered… Kyaaak!!”

At that moment, Jenny’s figure disappeared and reappeared on the opposite staircase corridor.

Jenny, who had lost her balance and sat down on the spot due to the sudden change in her vision.

Leaving Jenny, who was looking at him with a surprised expression, Lenok snapped his fingers once more.

Pop!

This time, Lenok appeared next to Jenny.

Lenok, who casually grabbed Jenny’s hand and helped her up, smiled.

“Like this, free coordinate movement becomes possible centered around the tower. So, what was it you wanted to say?”

“……It’s about the Deep Web.”

Jenny said, sighing and getting up.

“The managers of the Deep Web have contacted us, saying they want to meet in person about the bets placed on this fight.”