Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 982

Celestial Incantation: Model Garden (6)

The first gate’s video, transmitted to Oliviera’s private lab.

It wasn’t a video from the informant sent to the gate, but from the Conjunctionist who had captured him.

“Avesta Chapman, huh…”

Lenok, muttering the Conjunctionist’s name, stared intently at the face of the man in surgical scrubs shown in the video.

Not only did he notice the informant’s presence, but he also figured out who was backing him.

[This male you sent to the gate. He’s more skilled than I thought. It took me a while to find him.]

Regardless of Lenok’s reaction, the Conjunctionist in the video spoke in a flat tone.

[After capturing and interrogating him, I found out he didn’t even know he was an informant. So, I had to rummage through his brain to get the information.]

Clink, clink.

The sound of metal clashing was heard from outside the screen, and the Conjunctionist’s voice continued.

[Especially, this technique of transmitting video using the optic nerve is very interesting. I’ve been analyzing it for quite a while, but I couldn’t figure out its system.]

“…”

[Eventually, after pulling out his eyeball and dissecting the central nerve connected to the brain, I realized it was a type of suggestion caused by a Mystic Eye.]

The informant Oliviera sent to the gate was given the ability to record and transmit information from the gate as a video using her Mystic Eye. [Mystic Eye: A magical ability that grants the user unique powers related to perception and manipulation.]

It was surprising that she could ‘grant’ such a technique to an informant and send him, but more bizarre was the Conjunctionist’s grotesque skill in dissecting the informant and figuring out the nature of the technique itself.

[So, I decided to do my best for this test subject.]

Zzzzz…!!

Crack, thud!!

Every time the screen shook violently, the sound of something tearing and breaking echoed incessantly.

Each time, the Conjunctionist frowned and strained his neck as if putting strength into something.

[Stay still. Yes. It’s done.]

Whoosh!!

At that moment, the camera screen spun around and followed the Conjunctionist’s hand.

The Conjunctionist, who had stepped back a few steps from the operating table, turned the camera around.

[Can you see well if I put your head here?]

“…”

The camera, which had been showing the ceiling of the operating room while lying on the operating table, was now facing forward, showing the operating table.

And on the operating table, a human figure with arms and legs fixed, trembling all over.

[It took a lot of work to keep him alive with his head severed. If I killed him, the video recording wouldn’t work.]

“This can’t be…”

Claris muttered blankly, realizing that the human on the operating table had no head.

Because she could understand that this camera screen itself was a video through a human’s eyes.

And that the Conjunctionist had just cut off the head where those eyes were located.

[After sealing the blood vessels at the cut surface, I connect different blood vessels together.]

The Conjunctionist’s indifferent voice echoed from behind the camera.

[The metabolic function breaks down, and the blood becomes contaminated as oxygen supply is cut off, but if you wash the blood vessels and inject oxygen and nutrients, you can keep it alive somehow.]

“…”

[I had to practice several times to create this state. Can you see that?]

When the camera turned towards the operating room wall, hundreds of human heads were densely hung on the wall.

Some were rotting corpses, while others were still conscious, convulsing and looking this way.

The operating room, which was covered in blood and could not be seen when the camera was pointing at the ceiling.

In that room of death, only the doctor in surgical scrubs was clean without a single drop of blood.

[Do you understand why I’m making this video and sending it to you?]

The Conjunctionist, holding the camera and facing the human head, said.

[That’s right, it’s a warning. If you send me any more of this useless flesh, I won’t let it slide.]

“…”

[If you have business at the gate, come directly. It would be nice if the Mystic Eye user herself came, but if you have a technique as interesting as that, either way is fine.]

Behind the mask, the Conjunctionist’s eyes seemed to sparkle with interest.

[Let’s talk about what you want. Do you understand?]

Crack!!

A sound like a blood vessel in the head breaking was heard, and the video ended there.

Did he just say what he wanted to say and kill the test subject as soon as the main point was over?

Lenok, who had been watching the video with a blank face, belatedly turned his gaze to Oliviera.

“You already knew, didn’t you?”

Oliviera didn’t bother to hide her unpleasant mood even before watching the video with Lenok.

It was a reaction only possible if she had guessed that the informant had been captured by the Conjunctionist and had become a toy.

[It’s not that I knew it.]

Oliviera scoffed.

[I should say it was a predetermined event from the moment the video arrived.]

“…”

[He’s a mentally ill person with uniquely twisted abilities, even within the Alliance. No matter what he did, there’s no reason to accept that unpleasantness as it is.]

Oliviera said, erasing the screen with a wave of her hand.

[Likewise, there’s no reason to obediently comply with his demands.]

“I agree that meeting the Conjunctionist is extremely dangerous.”

Claris asked.

“But if we don’t go through the first gate, it’s virtually impossible to get the fragments of the barrier, isn’t it?”

“I’ll go.”

Lenok said with a calm expression.

“As you said, we’ll change roles since no results have come out. I’ll go to the gate and assess the situation first-”

[No. The situation has changed from then. From the moment the Conjunctionist became aware of our existence, it’s impossible to infiltrate the gate without being detected.]

Oliviera’s Mystic Eye, looking down at Lenok from behind the veil, flashed intensely.

[If you or I head to the gate, we will inevitably have to prepare for a confrontation with the Conjunctionist. That would ultimately lead us away from our goal of heading to the Outer City.]

“…”

Lenok, who was about to say that it might not be necessary to fight the Conjunctionist, smiled bitterly and closed his mouth.

Because it felt absurd to try to persuade Oliviera with an argument that even Lenok himself didn’t believe.

Even though they had only briefly encountered him in the video, it was clear that the Conjunctionist was a madman beyond imagination.

Considering his origin as a Special Trait Sorcerer, his skills, as well as his twisted mind, must have reached an incredible level.

If he wants a fight, could they safely retrieve the barrier fragments while avoiding him?

No, could they even return safely from the gate without assuming a fight in the first place?

“I would like to go instead, but I’m afraid I…”

“The Conjunctionist is a monster who enjoys dissecting and analyzing living humans.”

Lenok cut her off sharply.

“It wouldn’t be strange if he went crazy and tried to dissect a long-lived species.”

[If you wish to commit suicide, how about donating your body directly to my research lab? That would be much more useful.]

“…”

As Claris sighed and closed her mouth, Oliviera fell into thought.

[But… it was unexpected that he found the informant. I only slipped in a simple suggestion with my Mystic Eye, so he shouldn’t have been aware that he was acting as a spy.]

“We should see it as the Conjunctionist’s ability to detect and perceive anomalies has reached an exceptional level.”

“We need someone who is skilled enough to infiltrate the gate and also capable of escaping from the Conjunctionist.”

[Yes. At least until we get our hands on the barrier fragments, we need to be able to avoid being detected by the Conjunctionist.]

“…”

“That’s a difficult condition. Frankly, even if we gather all the executives, it might be difficult to find a suitable person.”

Upon hearing those words, Lenok looked like he was lost in thought.

A resource who can approach the gate, obtain the barrier fragments without arousing the Conjunctionist’s suspicion, and escape from him unscathed.

At least outwardly, someone who appears to have no connection with Oliviera or Lenok.

“…I see.”

Lenok, glancing up, opened his mouth.

“Claris. I’ll move today’s class forward to the evening.”

[Have you thought of a way?]

“I’m not sure, but… there’s something I want to try.”

Lenok said that and immediately headed for the door leading out of the lab.

“Let’s talk again tomorrow.”

Clank!!

Lenok left without waiting for an answer.

A quiet silence filled the space where the mage had left, and a cold glint flashed from behind the veil.

In the lab, with the fluttering veil between them, only Oliviera and Claris remained.

“Just now, you deliberately didn’t tell Kyeon-roe one thing.”

Claris said, turning her gaze to Oliviera.

“Why did you prevent Kyeon-roe from heading to the gate?”

[That man has a deep grudge against the Blaber Magic Tower Lord.]

Oliviera replied languidly.

[Since the loss of the first gate originated from Kyeon-roe, it wouldn’t be strange if the Magic Tower Lord moved if he headed to the gate.]

“No. I think there’s another reason.”

Despite Oliviera’s cynical words, Claris spoke calmly.

“There’s something you want to get Kyeon-roe’s help with, no matter what. Isn’t that right?”

[……]

“So, you don’t want to risk Kyeon-roe heading into a death trap at this point, do you?”

Claris said, as if understanding.

“If even a long-lived species like me can see it, I can imagine how his talent looks to you.”

Even to Claris, who had seen all sorts of monsters and geniuses, the mage’s capabilities had reached an unrealistic level.

Even though he already existed beyond the hierarchy, there was a sense of vastness that made it feel like he was reaching an even higher level.

It was clear that he was the same human when they faced each other and talked, but as time passed, he became more and more incomprehensible.

Claris had already sensed what the nature of that incomprehensibility was.

“Kyeon-roe probably knows it too. He’s asking knowing that, right?”

Claris said to the silent Oliviera.

“What you want in Kundara-”

[The idea was plausible, but the conclusion is completely wrong.]

The rainbow-colored light in her eyes flashed sharply.

[I do not deny the talent that defies the flow of time. It’s no different from you long-lived species.]

“…”

[I am moving to avoid being obsessed with such talent.]

* * *

After Claris finished teaching the Celestial Incantation class and left with her guardian spirit to look around the Magic Tower.

Lenok remained alone in the underground chamber, standing with his eyes closed.

“…It’s mostly sorted out.”

Claris Richelene wouldn’t be accompanying him to Kundara, so he would have to learn the Celestial Incantation from her to find a way to twist the barrier and go to Kundara. [Kundara: A location or dimension that is the target destination.]

Strictly speaking, getting out of Kundara was as much of a problem as getting into it.

At least, he had to have an escape route prepared at any time to successfully complete this journey.

That’s why Lenok hadn’t even considered any other possibilities for learning the Celestial Incantation directly.

He had learned the basics of Celestial Incantation from Claris, but the night was still long.

There were two more techniques that he needed to check as quickly as possible within the day that Oliviera had given him.

Thinking that, Lenok took out two grimoires from his chest that were emitting intense magical power.

Whoosh…!!!

Two books that scattered intense thoughts just by holding them.

The value of the contents written within was overwhelming compared to any other grimoires Lenok had seen so far.

Two forbidden arts borrowed from the Nox Biblio, the Dark Archive, with the permission of Naouise Penn. [Nox Biblio: A library or archive containing forbidden or rare magical knowledge.]

[Black God Demon Art], which replaces the microcosm by filling the whole body with darkness, and [Hellfire Illusion Dome], which manipulates the flames of the negative dimension.

“The Black God Demon Art would be more immediately helpful, but…”

A magical art that had a training method that Lenok could realistically perform, and whose abilities would be practically helpful to Lenok.

Strictly speaking, it felt closer to a physical training method than a technique, but analyzing and theorizing it was not a difficult task for Lenok.

The important thing was whether the Black God Demon Art’s abilities could actually meaningfully assist Lenok’s body.

But even knowing that, Lenok put down the Black God Demon Art and opened another grimoire first.

Hellfire Illusion Dome.

It was a technique that transformed and manipulated the flames of the negative dimension, called hellfire, into specific shapes.

The book cover had a unique shape that seemed to flicker as if it was burning with black-green flames.

The pages of the grimoire also shook as if flames were flickering every time he turned a page.

Lenok’s expression, as he quickly read through the contents of the grimoire, had become more cautious than before.

“As expected…”

Hellfire was, in other words, the flames of the negative dimension.

That meant it was a kind of [spark] that was not commonly found in this world.

The power to shape and manipulate flames that did not exist in this world, and to handle them in the form of weapons.

If he learned and used this technique, Lenok’s fighting style could become much stronger in a variety of ways than before.

But even knowing that, Lenok closed the grimoire instead of learning the Hellfire Illusion Dome.

It wasn’t Kyeon-roe who needed to learn this technique now, and this wasn’t the place where this technique should be used.

He had thought about it since he saw this technique in the Dark Archive, but the value of the Hellfire Illusion Dome was not just power.

The important thing was justification.

And it was a justification that could convince everyone else, not just Lenok.

* * *

“It seems you’ve come to a conclusion.”

The day after watching the Conjunctionist’s video.

Lenok was standing in the Cartel headquarters office with Claris.

This was because Lenok had insisted that they meet Oliviera in a place where cell phone calls could be made.

“So, can we now hear what method you were thinking of?”

“If the Conjunctionist is a strong person with the personality he showed, the possibility of obtaining the barrier fragments is low even if we send another informant.”

Lenok said, raising his cell phone.

“Even if we coordinate plans by communicating in real time, it would take a considerable amount of time to communicate through the magnetic storm. Either way, it’s a waste of time.”

[You. You had something in mind after all.]

Oliviera’s eyes, looking at Lenok from behind the veil, flashed with a strange light.

[What are you planning to do?]

“There is a sorcerer I know who has the right capabilities for this task.”

Lenok said, tapping his cell phone with one hand and looking closely at the calendar.

“We can entrust this task to that person.”

[…You’re saying there’s a sorcerer that powerful that you can trust with such an important task.]

Oliviera said, as if she found it hard to believe.

[It’s hard to believe that you would entrust a task to another sorcerer, but are you saying that a sorcerer with that much skill is wasting time without doing anything?]

Oliviera knew that Lenok was a crazy mage who had to handle everything himself.

He was someone who respected others emotionally, but never relied on others in critical matters.

For such a great mage to entrust a task of this importance to another sorcerer, and even guarantee their capabilities, was surprising.

Even Oliviera, who wasn’t very interested in Lenok’s relationships, showed a moment of interest in that fact.

“It’s not that I’m trusting him. On the contrary, because he’s not an ally, it’s easier to trade with him in this kind of situation.”

But Lenok, in response to Oliviera’s question, smiled strangely and tapped his cell phone.

“Above all, the mage I’m about to ask for a favor is someone you also know.”

[…A sorcerer I know.]

“I’ve been thinking about something while going through the Nox Biblio and the studio recently.”

Lenok said, putting his cell phone in his pocket.

“It’s a bit concerning that there are more traces of it left in this city than I thought, but that should be enough to approach the gate without arousing the Conjunctionist’s suspicion.”

[You’re saying there’s a sorcerer that you and I know, who wouldn’t arouse the Conjunctionist’s suspicion.]

Oliviera retorted in a cold voice.

[How is such a thing even possible?]

“It’s simple.”

Lenok turned to the two of them and smiled.

“He wouldn’t suspect a mage who has already fought me once and survived defeat to be on our side.”

[……]

“…”

A mage who had survived after being defeated by Kyeon-roe once.

Lenok’s achievements were vast, but there weren’t many people who fit that condition.

No, if you really took it literally, it was an explanation that was practically the same as specifying someone.

Oliviera and Claris’s expressions changed at the same time as they pondered the words.

[…You, don’t tell me?]

“You’re out of your mind. I didn’t know you were thinking of something this absurd.”

The battle between the two great mages that shook the entire megacity.

A sorcerer whose capabilities were guaranteed by Lenok and whose face was known by Oliviera.

“I knew you were preparing something from the moment you said you needed time, but…”

Claris muttered, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Are you really thinking of entrusting this task to that man?”

* * *

He opens his eyes.

“I’ve arrived.”

As he got up and turned his shoulders, his neck and arms felt stiff.

He stood up, awkwardly touching his chin and the hem of his clothes.

“I never thought I would be the first to come here in this identity, but…”

It was ironic.

Of the three identities Lenok possessed, the one that was once bound by the strictest mission had become free in this way.

The name of the Flame Heat Mage, who had to manage his reputation while working with the Blue Eye, was now free from any restrictions.

Not all of the things Lenok had planned and attempted had gone as originally intended.

Nevertheless, it was true that he felt a strange emotion whenever such unexpected coincidences led to new opportunities.

Chik!

Lenok, taking out a thick cigar instead of a cigarette from his chest, put it in his mouth and took a step.

“Shall we go?”

An 8th-level Flame Heat Mage, and the successor who inherited the Barrier Art of Jintun. [Barrier Art of Jintun: A specific magical technique related to creating and manipulating barriers.]

A former Blue Eye Watcher. A Slayer of the Apostles who defeated the 10th Apostle of the Order, Amrita Praubel. [Blue Eye Watcher: A member of a specific organization or group.]

Evan Martinez, the Thousandfold Burner.

Arrived at the Central Front.