Chapter 525: Magic Engineering Expo (3)

“Therefore, the idling system designed to improve engine efficiency is gradually…”

“Enough.”

The vast auditorium was plunged into darkness.

The researcher, standing on a small platform illuminated by a single beam of light, flinched at the cold, stern voice.

He hastily raised his head to look up, but from the dark audience seats, no gaze seemed to meet his.

Only a slow, restless presence, silently staring with an air of boredom, stirred.

The City Government Central Parliament Senate.

The core department of the City Hall, where executives who effectively lead the mega-city Vulcan gathered.

However, from those who personally attended the expo, there was no hint of interest or anticipation.

“Time’s up.”

“J-just one last thing, I’d like to say…!”

“Researcher Batche Truya.”

The researcher’s head snapped up at the soft call of his name.

It felt like a faint glimmer of light flashed in the dark audience seats.

“You’ve succeeded admirably in showcasing your research achievements thus far.”

A gentle, chiding elderly voice.

“Don’t worry, the funding for your research will be approved without issue, so you may withdraw now.”

“…Understood.”

The researcher seemed to want to say more but held back and bowed his head.

As the man disappeared behind the platform, others began to express their thoughts.

“Rubbish.”

“Let’s remove that fellow’s laboratory from the research funding approval list.”

Contrary to what was visible from the platform where Batche Truya stood, the audience seats were not actually in darkness.

It was simply that, through certain magical formulas and various security spells, ordinary people were not even permitted to look upon their faces.

Seated in comfortable chairs bathed in soft light, the council members held their drinks and flipped through the expo catalog.

“We gave them four years, and all they did was rehash existing papers?”

“He merely made minor improvements to the commercialization of the mana-to-electricity conversion thesis from Rebatenon University.”

“So, when they couldn’t produce results, they hastily picked a hot topic and made some superficial changes.”

Though they had barely pretended to listen to the presentation, they grasped the core of it precisely.

No, they had already understood it from the start, deeming it unworthy of their attention.

“Speaking of which, I heard the author of the thesis cited in that presentation is participating in this expo.”

“The mana and electricity conversion thesis? The name was Evan Vylun, wasn’t it?”

“There’s talk that Dean Saiolus Garteanon bypassed internal procedures to make him Rebatenon University’s representative. That means he holds him in high regard.”

“I haven’t heard anything about this person.”

“You know the Dean’s personality. He wouldn’t even give a hint to council members he doesn’t consider his allies.”

“Then someone here must have been informed beforehand. What do you think, Congressman Meyer?”

Not all of the council members serving as judges for this expo were senators.

It was also crucial to have an advisory committee, auditors, heads of various organizations, and external consultants to assist the senators’ judgment.

Old John Meyer, an auditor and a member of the Central Parliament’s House of Representatives, was also present.

Meyer briefly pondered before shaking his head.

“I’ve checked all financial flows and transaction records near the expo. I secured suspicious names beforehand, but Dean Garteanon’s name wasn’t among them.”

“Oh ho.”

“If it’s merely a hint utilizing personal connections, there isn’t much we can do.”

Despite the difference in status between the Senate and House, Meyer’s considerable age made it difficult for senators to treat him dismissively.

It was also known that Meyer himself, despite joining the Central Parliament at a late age, quickly made a name for himself and secured a position in the audit office.

“Indeed, that wily old man wouldn’t do anything to get caught.”

“So, he just offered empty pleasantries, asking for a favorable review?”

“It seems Vylun is quite confident in the thesis he submitted. If he’s a genius as rumored, achieving results at this expo should be no problem.”

“They say his first thesis has been cited nearly 30,000 times already? That’s an absurd number across academia.”

“Oh ho, so it’s not an achievement based on Professor Aris Richellen’s talent and reputation?”

“It’s interesting, but unfortunately, bad timing. The theme we need to adopt at this expo has already been decided.”

The senator who spoke turned his gaze towards a man in military uniform, seated in the very front row of the audience.

“Isn’t that right, Commander Carrasco?”

“…”

“We’ve made extensive preparations to maximize the appeal of your technology bureau’s achievements. We’d be very disappointed if you didn’t meet our expectations.”

A peculiar, fish-like impression on his face. No one paid mind to the acrid smoke flowing from the thick cigar in his mouth.

He slowly looked down at the platform, then casually turned his head, resting one arm on the audience seat.

Carrasco calmly looked back at the council members, then slowly smiled and replied.

“…As long as the Central Parliament keeps its promises, that will be sufficient.”

An attitude verging on arrogance towards the city’s power brokers. Yet, no one criticized his posture.

He was one of the executives of the grand plan to develop an Air Force, conceived and organized directly by the City Government Central Parliament to replace the Defense Force’s Army. A venerable veteran and an undefeated commander, formerly a Defense Force general.

Carrasco was the commander of Vulcan Air Force’s 2nd Corps, appointed through that project, and a monster who achieved the rank of General.

Now, bearing the title of Air Force Commander, he was participating as one of the expo demonstration judges.

“After all, we just need a pretext. Wasn’t the theme specifically set for that purpose?”

Carrasco said, flicking his cigar.

“I’m not asking the council members to choose underperforming results in some kind of transaction.”

“…”

“What’s important is improving the Air Force’s prestige, which was ruined by its first sortie, and demonstrating visible progress in both results and combat achievements.”

The Air Force development project was ambitiously launched to replace the Defense Force’s Army.

One of its fruits, the Air Force fleet, was turned into scrap metal by Croken Asylus immediately after its first sortie, but the significance of air power in Vulcan did not diminish.

The extreme environment near the mega-city, where irregular magnetic storms prevent aircraft from taking off.

Building an operational air force in such conditions is tantamount to securing absolute air superiority over the mega-city.

Placing the air superiority within and outside the mega-city under the control of the city government and the Air Force.

This expo was one of a series of procedures to supplement the Air Force’s technology and secure its competitiveness.

‘He says that, but it’s no different from a competition where the winners are already decided.’

Meyer thought, calmly listening to the senators’ conversation from the back of the audience.

Of course, as an expo sponsored by the parliament, there would be no awards for poor performance or technology.

However, despite that, themes and subjects that would please the council members were decided beforehand, and that fact had been covertly used for transactional purposes.

The very act of discussing this in front of Meyer, an auditor, was tantamount to the senators asserting that this fact was not wrong.

Meyer, knowing this, remained silent instead of intervening.

‘It’s not unusual to focus on technologies related to the Air Force’s development. But what about the other researchers at the expo who didn’t know that fact…’

It would be difficult to attract the council members’ attention or achieve results at the expo with ordinary achievements or papers.

Researchers who coincidentally worked on technology themes needed by the Air Force, or those who truly achieved overwhelming results, might be noticed; otherwise, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were ignored and buried.

The fact that preferred topics for the judges were set. Where does that fact lie on the spectrum between fairness and unfairness?

Perhaps this kind of precarious tightrope walk was one of the things the old foxes of the Central Parliament had done most skillfully.

“Then, at Commander Carrasco’s request, let’s speed up our review of the participants from now on.”

“Agreed. Since we’re leveraging the expo’s procedures, we should select some presentations to show the citizens as well.”

“There are too many trying to piggyback on Evan Vylun’s thesis. We should filter those out quickly.”

As soon as the words ended, another presenter immediately walked onto the platform.

The auditorium located in the innermost part of the City Hall, where the senators were waiting for the review.

In the dimly lit corridor leading inside, dozens of researchers waited nervously for their turn.

“Ah, aah…”

Another researcher, wearing a Pegratz Research Institute gown, who had picked a fight with Lennok, walked out with a bewildered expression.

Other researchers who rushed out shortly after were not much different.

Had they hoped for an opportunity to showcase their achievements or theses, only to be utterly crushed and sent back?

Other waiting participants were busy reciting prepared speeches or repeatedly checking the operation of their work.

But amidst that, there were undoubtedly researchers who finished their presentations and walked out with a relatively relaxed air.

A chaotic corridor waiting room, where conflicting emotions of tension and calm were mixed. Instead of steeling his resolve while waiting with them, Lennok-

“You must be Assistant Professor Evan Vylun.”

“I’ve really wanted to meet you. Do you have a moment to talk?”

Lennok was receiving greetings from countless researchers and mages who recognized him.

Since the first thesis he authored under the identity of Evan Vylun had caused an immense ripple effect in various fields,

There were countless industry professionals who had heard his name, even if they didn’t know his face.

Especially researchers and mages from magic towers who had come from outside the mega-city for the expo seemed determined not to let Lennok go.

“You look much younger than I expected. How old are you?”

“I never imagined you would prove the principle of mana and electricity conversion that way. I’d really like to hear how you came up with such an idea.”

Innumerable requests for handshakes poured in from talents within magic towers and outside the city.

Of course, amidst them, there were also many who suspected Lennok and tried to test him.

“Isn’t it true that nothing has been properly verified yet?”

“We’ll find out by checking the results of this expo. We’ll see how much Professor Richellen helped with the thesis.”

“If he’s a genius as rumored, he wouldn’t bring shoddy results to such a large-scale expo, would he?”

An overtly provocative attitude, subtly challenging Lennok and observing his reaction.

However, such words were scattered by the blond man standing beside Lennok, who burst into hearty laughter.

“There’ll be plenty of time for such talk after the expo. For now, I’m curious how Assistant Professor Vylun thought of writing such a thesis, aren’t you?”

At the man’s words, other researchers naturally joined the conversation, seemingly agreeing internally.

“I agree. The very idea of predicting a future point, proposing a hypothetical experiment, and then turning back time to prove that fact from a past perspective is absurd.”

“Do you know that the proof method used by Professor Vylun is already being attempted in various ways across different academic fields?”

“I believe related papers are already being written. Soon, a proof method named after you might be established.”

“…”

Lennok quietly listened to the words around him, while keenly observing the blond man who had so skillfully changed the topic.

A sturdy build with broad shoulders, a well-pressed but old suit, and a simple attire without any accessories.

He was the man who first spoke to Lennok in the tense corridor and enthusiastically touted his achievements.

Hadn’t he just subtly taken Lennok’s side, diffusing the tense atmosphere in the corridor?

The blond man paid no mind to Lennok’s gaze and had already started chatting animatedly with the researchers.

“I hope this thesis receives a good evaluation from the judges…”

“I’m worried since the senators themselves are participating. What would those old men know about sacred magic engineering research?”

“This year is the last chance my magic tower has given me. If I can’t produce results this quarter, I might really be dragged to the central front.”

From those lamenting and worrying, to those sharing information about the expo’s judging process.

In an instant, the atmosphere around Lennok mellowed, drawing the gazes of others as well.

Mages even showed curiosity towards the spirit nestled in Lennok’s arms.

“What a cute spirit.”

“A spirit that has undergone such concrete materialization is rare.”

“Nice to meet you. May I shake your hand?”

[Hmm.]

Davi imperiously extended a paw for a polite handshake, and the mages turned away, looking satisfied.

Davi whispered to Lennok, seemingly content.

[Mages outside the city are more polite organisms than I thought.]

“…”

“Evan Vylun. You’re still here.”

A woman in uniform tapped Lennok’s shoulder.

It was Fedora, who had introduced herself as being from the Defense Force Technology Bureau earlier.

“Did your presentation go well?”

“So-so?”

She looked at the mages and researchers standing around Lennok with a displeased expression, then glanced at the engine placed next to him and smiled faintly, as if she knew it.

“It would have been hard to change anything significant in that short time. Good luck.”

“What you said earlier about the city council members having a predetermined theme, I’ve given it some thought.”

“I’ll be going now.”

Lennok quietly murmured towards Fedora’s back as she turned away, ignoring him.

“Technology related to Air Force power.”

“…!!!”

“Or research into an equivalent flight method. It’s one of the two, isn’t it?”

Lennok smiled, watching Fedora turn her head sharply.

Fedora gazed back and forth between Lennok and his engine, an expression of disbelief on her face.

Her face now held a palpable tension, starkly different from before.

It was a gaze of wariness towards a rival, not ignorance towards an outsider.

That reaction alone told Lennok that his guess was close to the truth.

The strange overlap in research themes he had noticed while carrying Davi around other booths.

The pre-determined matters related to the theme mentioned by Sliman and Fedora.

Through these, Lennok had soon realized what the judges wanted from this expo.

Fedora, her face hardened, strode closer and whispered in a low, fast tone, audible only to Lennok.

“You, how on earth…!”

“Was it a bigger secret than I thought?”

“…!!”

When Lennok didn’t answer, Fedora immediately gathered mana and reached for his collar.

Perhaps confident in her own abilities, as befits someone from the Defense Force Technology Bureau. It was an aggressive, almost military-like response.

In the fleeting moment when surprised mages, sensing the suddenly heated air, were about to seek the source of the mana-

“Oh, it would be troublesome if a commotion started now.”

Zap!!

Someone standing next to Lennok, like a flash of lightning, touched Fedora’s brow and struck her down.

Fedora’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed, unconscious, without a chance to react.

The man skillfully caught Fedora’s body, sat her on a waiting bench nearby in the corridor, and then said,

“I’ve gone to great lengths to create a good atmosphere, and I don’t wish for it to be disturbed.”

It was a middle-aged man with dark blond hair slicked back, rising with a friendly smile.

At the words of the man who had just moments ago been laughing heartily next to Lennok, the other researchers looked stunned.

“No, what are you talking about?”

“But, we were waiting for our turn together for the expo…”

The man didn’t even glance at the researchers who had been laughing and chatting moments before.

With a light gesture, he quickly straightened his clothes and casually swept his hair back.

Just that transformed the man’s impression into something heavy and imposing.

A calm, expressionless face, unlike his previous ebullient demeanor.

The man adjusted his collar and slowly extended his hand towards Lennok.

A dark blue badge, signifying the City Government Central Parliament Senate, faintly gleamed on his sleeve.

“I am Konrad Haven.”

The man naturally clasped Lennok’s hand and shook it, smiling.

“Just an old man serving as a humble council member.”

“H-Haven, Senator Haven…!”

“How could one of the busiest executives in the Senate come all the way here…!”

Voices of undisguised shock rose from the stunned crowd. The ripple effect spread slowly, like a belated wave.

Only after listening carefully to those voices did Lennok finally realize who the man was.

A Senator of the Vulcan City Government Central Parliament.

One of the very top old foxes in the power hierarchy of this massive city had come to meet Lennok in person.

And he had done so by casually mingling among the researchers and mages waiting for their turn, even deliberately livening up the atmosphere.

“I’ve heard a great deal about you. Shall we step out and talk?”

He smiled, casually touched the engine, and then pointed behind his shoulder.

The words that followed were completely outside Lennok’s expectations.

“I’d like to have a final conversation before everything that happened at this expo today is erased.”