Chapter 1271: The Fourth Thesis (4)

Approximately five minutes before Lennok finished the tower’s ascension and arrived at the annex auditorium with Ormeon.

Aida Romil Bridges, the leader of the Technical Advisory Committee and a Senator, perceived a strange disturbance from the highest tier of the audience seating.

Behind the thick curtains that draped the rear of the seating, in the empty passage and hallway, lay a resting area.

City Council members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives stood, encircling an especially elderly man.

The expressions of the other council members, as they looked at Meyer, who led the Countermeasures Committee, were stiff.

“Councilman Meyer. What exactly is the meaning of this?”

One of the high-ranking council members leading the House spoke in a cold voice.

“There was no mention of punishing opposing faction members this severely.”

“……”

Other council members spoke in accusation toward the silent Meyer.

“Numerous figures from the political and business world, including Councilman Archwood and Councilwoman Illima, have been arrested. At this rate, even in court…”

“Your methods were excessively harsh. Even if they colluded with The Legion, there were plenty of other ways to set an example.”

“The Speaker entrusted Councilman Meyer with the Post-War Processing, not for something like this.”

Meyer was the one acting on behalf of the Senate’s authority during the Post-War Processing.

He was the Senator tasked with resolving and organizing all issues related to the Subjugation Operation.

Therefore, Meyer had formed the Countermeasures Committee and, in accordance with the Speaker’s will, had been streamlining the piled-up issues within the City Council. However,

The vigorous opposition of other City Council members had arisen during the process of purging a large number of council members who had colluded with The Legion.

“It’s one thing for Mayor Ormeon, who just returned, but Councilman Meyer, you shouldn’t have acted so unilaterally.”

“The Countermeasures Committee cooperated excessively with the Mayor, giving Adamant Thunder more authority than necessary. This is clearly an unjust act.”

Gradually, but definitively, the atmosphere grew sharper, yet Meyer said nothing.

He simply stood silently, listening to the reproachful words of the other council members.

The council members, who had been watching Meyer with displeasure, slowly turned to leave.

“We will discuss this again once the Speaker returns.”

“Councilman Meyer. We will certainly remember today’s overreach of authority.”

“If you cannot produce results commensurate with this Victory Ceremony… you will be held accountable, one way or another.”

Only after all the other council members had left did Meyer turn, leaning on his cane.

Without even looking at Bridges, who stood behind the curtain, the old councilman spoke.

“It wasn’t a very pleasant sight to watch, was it, Councilwoman Bridges?”

=Councilman Meyer.

Bridges, moving her mechanically augmented body, let out her voice.

=The atmosphere within the Senate seems quite unfavorable.

“I did overexert the authority of the Countermeasures Committee more than I expected.”

Meyer replied calmly.

“Even though they colluded with The Legion, arresting and bringing fellow council members to trial naturally makes others feel threatened. They would think it wouldn’t be strange to find themselves in a similar position.”

=…

“My cooperation with Mayor Ormeon, to funnel authority to Adamant Thunder, was probably also met with displeasure. Many must have felt it was excessive, even considering it the price of victory.”

The Countermeasures Committee was a task force directly appointed by the Speaker of the Senate, dedicated to Post-War Processing after the Subjugation Operation.

While Meyer temporarily represented the Senate’s authority, that did not mean Meyer had truly become a power figure comparable to the Speaker.

In the process of reorganizing the internal affairs of the council under the pretext of war, it was expected that other council members, who felt their authority interfered with, would resist.

Not only the council members who had just confronted Meyer, but also many influential figures from various sectors were displeased with the current situation.

It was such an audacious move that even the slightest flaw caught in this Victory Ceremony could jeopardize Meyer’s political standing.

That was how much depended on today’s announcement.

=The reason you went to such lengths to side with Adamant Thunder… what exactly was it?

“Because it’s something that can only be done now.”

Meyer replied.

“I don’t know when I will again hold the authority to purge the opposition within the council, promote a Magic Tower, and grant benefits and privileges… Considering my age, it might be an opportunity that won’t come again.”

=…

“Much time has passed since I first met him and promised to rise to the top of the city.”

Looking down at the empty podium, Meyer said quietly.

“Before it’s too late… before I can no longer keep my promise, I want to do what I can.”

=…Councilman Meyer.

Silence fell.

Bridges, whose entire body was mechanically augmented, understood how Meyer viewed his remaining time, but she couldn’t empathize.

But Meyer probably didn’t tell her this expecting understanding or empathy either.

=Many things are at stake in this Victory Ceremony… your position will also be determined by the success or failure of today’s announcement.

Bridges asked in a low voice.

=You might lose everything you’ve built up until now. Are you truly alright with that?

“I don’t have the talent to be certain of results before I even begin.”

Meyer turned around.

“But Van is coming to witness the presentation himself. That’s enough.”

=…

The door to the grand auditorium opened, and Lennok entered.

Looking down at the emotionless face of the wizard, Meyer offered a benevolent smile.

“I have no regrets now.”

WOAAHHH!!!!

Evan Vylun walked towards the microphone on the podium with an expressionless face.

Adamant Thunder sat in the highest tier of the audience, silently watching the professor’s back.

“……”

Superhumans and Transcendent beings, belonging to the Giants of the Sunlit World and the Three Chiefs of the Underworld.

Professors and researchers, as well as government officials and City Council members, all watched him.

A researcher who achieved the most radical technological development in Vulcan’s history, and a Transcendent who single-handedly slaughtered tens of thousands and ended a war.

Two individuals, each reaching an unparalleled level of talent, who had lived lives at opposite extremes to arrive at this point.

Everyone knew that the culmination of what they desired through their cooperation and shared talents would now finally be revealed here today.

Bridges gazed at Adamant Thunder’s emotionless profile, lost in thought.

‘Professor Vylun’s third thesis was on the theme related to learning the Common Magic System.’

Evan Vylun’s third thesis was the development of a Common Magic learning device.

It focused on researching a Common Magic System that could be used by those without talent, instead of the Unique Magic System usable only by wizards.

At the time, the Common Magic he presented was merely simple spells, like creating a small light or grounding a circuit. Yet, even that alone generated an enormous reaction across Vulcan.

Millions of people flocked to purchase the learning device, which could teach only three types of magic, leading to a flourishing black market for several months.

Everyone in academia knew the stories of how the City Government struggled with regulation due to the device’s simple structure leading to rampant defective and counterfeit products.

Bridges herself remembered clearly how she had dismantled a learning device and marveled at how such a complex system as the Common Magic System could be contained within such a crude structure.

‘Professor Vylun isn’t just a researcher. He precisely knows what people want and has the foresight to select the means to achieve it. That’s why I wanted to bring him directly into the committee, but…’

Developing the Common Magic System and mass-producing the learning devices were Vylun’s research achievements, but what truly impressed Bridges wasn’t just that.

It was that this researcher, who secluded himself in his lab and rarely appeared in public, understood people’s aspirations more accurately than most business owners or investors.

That was a talent closer to innate intuition or instinct, not something attainable through mere effort or research.

Didn’t many people truly realize the intensity of people’s yearning for magic and abilities only after the learning device was released to the market?

It must have been for that very reason that all the theses he had presented so far had caused such explosive repercussions.

Therefore, it was natural that such an intense reaction was now occurring regarding the fourth thesis, which was scheduled for presentation. However,

Precisely because of this, Bridges couldn’t clearly deduce why Evan Vylun had joined hands with Adamant Thunder.

‘Although the ripple effect caused by Common Magic was immense, it was more of an independent achievement without Adamant Thunder’s assistance. Their cooperation is effectively new with this fourth thesis…’

The third thesis was presented at a Magic Tower, but there was almost no evidence of Adamant Thunder’s involvement in the research process.

After all, it was highly unlikely that a Grand Mage, said to possess the greatest talent in Eastern Continent history, would be interested in researching Common Magic for the talentless.

If so, today’s scheduled fourth thesis must be the very reason and fruit of Vylun and Adamant Thunder’s cooperation.

Everyone who knew the situation unfolding was aware of this fact.

The Dean of Rebatenon, seated in the audience below. Director Raphael of the research institute, sparkling his eyes next to him with an uncharacteristic youthfulness.

Senator Konrad Haven, watching the podium with the other council members.

Various business owners and Megatech executives, who showed their faces on the opposite tier.

All stakeholders involved in the mega-city’s research projects must have shown up in person, despite Adamant Thunder’s notoriety, for this very reason.

‘I must grasp the theme of the fourth thesis here and now to respond to future changes. If so…’

[Professor Vylun.]

Wooooosh!

At that moment, one of the City Council members who had taken a microphone in the audience spoke first.

One of the council members who had been pressuring Meyer in the back row of the auditorium before the presentation began.

The council member, looking down at Vylun with an air of reluctance, spoke in a sharp, accusatory tone.

[Let me say this beforehand. Your presentation today will be a very significant event in this Victory Ceremony.]

“……”

[As the City Council has made many preparations for today’s presentation, there must naturally be commensurate results. At least, achievements on par with your previous theses—]

CRACKLE!!!

At that moment, as Vylun picked up the microphone to respond, noise crackled through it, and it sputtered.

The microphone prepared for the presentation was not working at all, and no sound was heard.

The council member in the audience gestured, and an attendant immediately activated a loudspeaker.

“Professor Vylun. Long time no see.”

Konrad spoke in a deep, resonant voice, and his words naturally echoed throughout the auditorium even without a microphone.

“This is the first time you’ve held such an event since the third thesis presentation. There were many unfortunate incidents back then.”

“……”

Was he referring to the incident where a researcher questioned Vylun about the quality of the learning device during the Common Magic System presentation?

Vylun looked at Konrad with an expressionless face, but Konrad, unfazed, spoke in a gentle tone.

“There were often those who doubted and slandered you. But now, everyone is waiting for your presentation, without even thinking of refuting your words.”

“……”

“As a public official who has watched you since your first thesis presentation at the exhibition, I knew it would come to this someday. The City Council must feel the same way I do.”

Councilman Konrad’s words, feigning to give credit while hinting that the City Council supported Professor Vylun.

The council member who had initially spoken to pressure Lennok frowned, but Konrad, undeterred, continued to speak.

“Whatever achievements your thesis yields today, this council promises to continue supporting and investing in your research in every way possible. Now, may we hear your presentation?”

“…Understood.”

Vylun, standing before the podium, replied slowly.

His expression, gaunt and somewhat blank, he raised his gaze and quietly began.

“However, the presentation won’t take long. There aren’t many demonstrations to show you today.”

“Well. For me, just hearing that there will be a demonstration at the presentation makes me excited.”

As he said that, the audience immediately began to buzz with excitement at the mention of a demonstration.

Even though Vylun was standing empty-handed at the podium, people were already starting to move, trying to get closer to see the presentation.

Seeing the attendants trying to calm the bustling auditorium, Konrad smiled and shook his head.

“That was an unprofessional and presumptuous interruption. If anyone else has questions before we begin… oh dear.”

Flash! Flash! Flash!

Before he could finish his sentence, hundreds of people all around the audience raised their hands frantically.

Researchers, professors, Megatech executives, and investors all stepped forward without hesitation.

Konrad, who had made a perfunctory remark to establish fairness for his own intervention, wore a crestfallen expression, but Vylun remained unperturbed.

“Let’s proceed by answering questions. I’ll take one question per person.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes. As this schedule was arranged abruptly, I thought I needed some time to briefly introduce the thesis before starting.”

Vylun replied calmly.

“I think it would be fine to start by talking about why I’ve been researching all this time, and the reason I wrote the thesis.”

He intended to answer the council member who had initially pressured him, and briefly explain the reason and background for writing the fourth thesis.

Even though the atmosphere was closer to a Q&A session than a thesis presentation, he seemed unfazed.

Those gathered in the audience were also not surprised, as they knew how Professor Vylun typically conducted his presentations.

“First question.”

BEEP-

[I am Ermine, Associate Researcher at Theosca Research Institute. I would first like to say it’s an honor to attend your presentation.]

A dark-skinned woman in a lab coat, holding the microphone with both hands, stood up and spoke with sparkling eyes.

[I am very curious about the content of the thesis, but since I want to hear it directly from you, I will ask about a different aspect. Are the research topics of your fourth thesis organically connected to the three theses you have previously presented?]

“Could you tell me why you thought that?”

[…There have been many attempts to find commonalities in the derivative research processes of your published theses. In that process, a hypothesis emerged that all your theses are byproducts of entropy interference research.]

Ermine hesitated, surprised by Vylun’s unexpected reaction, and replied.

[Indeed, your theses tend to focus on defying and overturning existing rules and laws. Academia, through this hypothesis, wonders if you are conducting a very macroscopic qualitative study…]

“That’s right.”

[…Pardon?]

“So much derivative research has been done on my theses, it would be strange for me to deny the intent or direction of a thesis I wrote myself.”

Lennok turned away while Ermine looked dazed.

“As you said, the past three theses were all a type of byproduct obtained in the process of achieving a single short-term goal. Whether it can be called by the grand name of entropy interference, I’m not entirely sure…”

[I am Jonin from the Yurital Celestial Stargazers’ Association.]

A heavily built man, seated in the opposite section of the audience, immediately sprang to his feet as he received the microphone.

[If what you say is true, does that mean the fourth thesis you are about to present also shares a similar direction?]

“No.”

[In that case, I would like to ask if there are any parts of our academy’s hypothetical assumptions that align with your goals… Pardon?]

“The fourth thesis has had a different goal and direction from the beginning, unlike the theses I have presented so far.”

Lennok turned.

“The past three theses were researched with the expectation that the technology would be actively adopted in the market immediately upon presentation. It was the result of careful consideration to ensure the technology could be used at a level that could prove its commercial viability, skipping the third stage of the hype cycle.”

[…]

“However, the theme of this thesis might be a technology that is still a bit too early to prove its practicality or commercial viability. I might disappoint some of you gathered here regarding that point.”

Vylun’s answer sounded somewhat lacking in confidence.

But as soon as they heard his words, the number of people raising their hands and stirring in their seats across the audience began to increase.

Anyone in academia or related fields would understand the significance of Lennok’s recent explanation.

[I am Mason, a fund manager from Ilryun Investment Company. Are you saying that for your previous theses, you only announced them after completing not just theoretical research but also technological development?]

[I am Morina from Charlotte Company. If you focused on technological productivity for each research, I would very much like to hear what your criteria for commercial viability are…]

“Oh dear, just my luck…”

Bridges, too, exchanged glances with other members of the Technical Advisory Committee and smiled wryly at those words.

Vylun’s explanation that, unlike his previous three theses, this one was researched without commercial viability in mind.

But didn’t that imply that Vylun had, to some extent, predicted the repercussions and commercial success of his theses all along?

Public reaction or commercial viability are not, by nature, metrics that can be precisely analyzed, predicted, or expected.

The mere fact that he had actually achieved this, whether intentionally or unintentionally, regardless of the thesis’s actual achievements, demonstrated what a ‘profitable’ type of talent Vylun was.

From the moment Bridges instinctively understood its meaning, there was no way the other sharp minds gathered there wouldn’t have noticed.

Indeed, even Megatech and investment companies, who had been waiting with a more passive attitude compared to the researchers, now lit up their eyes and scrambled for a chance to ask questions.

[If I express my intention to invest beforehand, would I be given priority…]

[Achilles, stop right now. What blasphemy are you spouting in front of the professor?!]

[How utterly vulgar. To talk about money before the presentation has even begun…!]

[The committee is observing. Everyone who is standing, please take your seats.]

The atmosphere in the grand auditorium erupted into chaos as Megatech’s Planning Department intervened en masse, unable to hold back.

Forgetting the current situation, in the noisy atmosphere, microphones were passed around, and shouts filled the air.

Objects tumbled from all sides of the audience, colliding with the microphone placed on the podium where Vylun stood.

CRUNCH! ZZzzzzzzt!!!

“……”

The microphone shattered, and the intense noise that erupted caused the speakers to vibrate as if they would tear.

Only after Vylun expressionlessly turned off the broken microphone did the commotion somewhat subside.

But Bridges realized that even amidst the chaos, Ormeon had not taken his eyes off his seat.

‘……Is he watching?’

Adamant Thunder showed no reaction, even though various parts of the grand auditorium had become quite noisy.

As Bridges felt a sense of unease at the Mayor’s expressionless face as he rested his chin on his hand, before she could fully process it—

“There would be no point in talking about this or that without even explaining the research content, would there?”

Vylun, standing at the podium, spoke in a calm voice.

Following the loudspeaker that Konrad Haven had turned on, his words were clearly audible throughout the entire auditorium even without a microphone.

“Today, I don’t know what meaning my presentation will hold for you. I no longer know what will happen next.”

“……”

“But one thing is certain: the reason I started my research was always for myself.”

In the quiet silence, Vylun slowly moved to the side of the podium and spoke.

“If everything was a process to confirm whether I could clearly explain what I pondered with a coherent theory, and whether I could convey the answers I found to others in an understandable form…”

“……”

“Ultimately, even that will only be known after today’s presentation ends.”

WHOOSH!!

At that moment, the curtain behind the podium was pulled back, and Aris walked out.

Behind her, on the widely spread workbench, dazzling mana light swirled and shone.

The audience’s gaze instantly swiveled towards the workbench, and at the same moment Aris, having finished preparing for the demonstration, turned around.

Lennok placed both hands on the workbench, raised his gaze, and said,

“Then, I will now begin the presentation of the fourth thesis.”