Chapter 749: One-Man Show (1)

“If I just loosen the target-specific resistance a little, I can pick out only Evan’s image from my memories and overlay it onto the ghost.”

Lennok said, circling the ghost that had transformed into Evan and thoroughly examining its appearance.

“Unlike the word ‘ghost,’ it has a distinct physical form, and since it borrows directly from my memories, its aura and appearance are almost identical.”

Lennok, having reached the realm of a Grand Wizard, possesses memories and self-objectification abilities so precise that they cannot even be compared to other superhumans.

Unlike others who rely on fleeting, intense images, Evan’s appearance, recreated through Lennok’s memory, is almost photorealistic.

Davi also seemed to immediately understand what Lennok meant.

[So, in other words….]

Davi, who had been contemplating, spoke with a look of bewilderment.

[It’s the same as the duplicate ability Master was looking for, isn’t it?]

The duplicate Lennok had been trying to establish anew using various methods.

Until now, it had been a difficult ability to construct due to Lennok’s strong self-awareness and presence.

However, if it’s not about the specified resistance to Lennok’s existence, but merely loosening the resistance to the ring’s ability, it was possible even now.

As soon as Lennok realized this, he successfully used the ring’s ability on only a portion of his memory to conjure Evan’s form.

Davi, too, belatedly realized that the Guide’s Ghost could be used as a substitute for a duplicate.

This might alleviate some of the suspicions about Lennok’s multiple identities that had previously only been inferred.

However, Lennok shook his head at Davi’s words.

“Unfortunately, this method only works for the Evan Vylun identity. Recreating Van or Victor would be difficult.”

Evan Vylun is publicly known as an excellent researcher, but his inherent power is that of a mediocre spirit user.

Therefore, while it wouldn’t be hard to mimic Evan by simply using the Guide’s Ghost to create a suitable appearance, it would be impossible to mimic the identities of Van or Victor, who are renowned as powerful spellcasters.

Perhaps their appearance could be copied, but the ghost could not replicate the mana, intimidation, or presence they exuded.

[Ugh, so it won’t be that useful right away, then.]

Davi said, his ears drooping slightly in disappointment.

The cyber spirit also understood that the duplicate ability was most needed for the identities of Van or Victor, not Evan.

Unlike Evan, whose identity carries little risk, Van or Victor could be endangered just by having their true identities suspected.

“What are you talking about?”

But Lennok stroked Davi’s head and smiled.

“Even if it’s just creating Evan’s duplicate right in front of me, there’s so much I can do with this.”

It wasn’t for nothing that Lennok hadn’t experimented with this ability more concretely in front of Sabrinah.

He had a hunch that to use this ability effectively, any mention or description of the ability itself should ideally not be leaked.

[What are you going to do with it?]

Leaving Davi, who tilted his head, Lennok immediately picked up his phone.

Without hesitation, Lennok connected the call to Jenny, then, hearing the voice from the other end, he spoke.

“Jenny, I believe the magic tower construction is almost complete. Isn’t it time to decide on partner companies and investors?”

[……!!]

Ignoring Jenny’s grumbling reply, as if she’d expected it, Lennok immediately continued.

“I’ve secured a good partner company. It will help in recruiting research personnel for the magic tower.”

Lennok chuckled, listening to the rapid-fire reply from the other end of the phone.

“No, it’s a very famous one. You’ve probably heard of it before.”

[…….]

“Yes. I’ll go myself.”

Saying that, Lennok checked the schedule Davi had brought up and nodded.

“The timing is perfect, as it happens.”

“Evan. I still can’t believe it.”

It was the first day of classes at Rebatenon University.

With the end of vacation and the start of the semester, undergraduates filled the school again, and the dormitories and research buildings buzzed with noise.

The dean’s office, which had become comfortably warm just after the change of seasons.

The dean, Saiolus Garteanon, stood by the window, looking down at the academic building, and spoke with a bewildered expression.

His face, returning after a brief rest following the Ghost God Palace raid, was quite haggard.

Yet, on that face, an incomparable mix of great surprise and bewilderment was simultaneously reflected.

“I never even imagined you would accomplish something like this.”

Just as many undergraduates milled around the academic building, media outlets and journalists had flocked from outside for coverage.

Furthermore, countless guests had come from outside the school just to witness this moment.

Click, click!!

Flash, flash!!

“Students, please look here for a moment!!”

“If you have time, could we get an interview? We’ll pay generously!”

“Where’s the Department of Elemental Studies lecture hall? If possible, please guide us to the photo zone…!!”

Reporters, news crews, filming staff, and media personnel scurried around as if pressed for time.

Above the academic building, helicopters and drones flew ceaselessly, capturing panoramic views of Rebatenon University.

The main road cutting through the Rebatenon research complex was clogged with tightly packed parked cars, blocking traffic.

Honk honk!!

From afar, incessant honking and boisterous chatter could be heard.

Lennok, seated on the sofa behind the dean’s office, sipping medicinal water, chuckled at the dean’s words.

“Are you saying you didn’t have much faith in me?”

“No, it’s not that….”

The dean turned his gaze to Lennok and smiled back.

“It’s just that I couldn’t believe you’d suddenly accomplish something that even other senior professors within the school couldn’t.”

“I was lucky.”

“This isn’t something that can be explained by mere luck. Look at this crowd.”

The dean, looking around the school with a hint of excitement, said.

“The news that Rebatenon University is forming an agreement with Vulcan’s first magic tower. That alone has caused all the city’s media outlets to flock here. Don’t you understand what this means?”

“…….”

The reason the academic building is so full of people isn’t simply because the first day of classes at Rebatenon University is approaching.

It’s a massive agreement that transcends a mere start-of-semester event, one that could entirely change the school’s history and standing.

The first official agreement between Rebatenon University and Vulcan’s first magic tower.

Meaning Rebatenon was chosen as the first partner, bypassing all sorts of investment firms, research institutes, other magic towers, and businesses.

And the fact that Assistant Professor Evan Vylun was the one who arranged and executed this matter.

What Lennok did immediately after obtaining the Guide’s Ring and creating Evan’s form was precisely this official cooperation between Rebatenon and the magic tower.

“Just by making this happen, you’ve made a significant mark on Rebatenon’s history. I’m so pleased, I’d like to enshrine your name in the university hall right away.”

[Whoosh~]

The furry spirit on the dean’s shoulder, sensing its master’s mood, chirped happily.

Lennok had looked after it whenever the dean didn’t come to work after the Ghost God Palace incident, but with its master’s return, it seemed much more lively.

“It’s a bit late to ask now, but how on earth did you persuade that wizard to get involved in this?”

The dean, with a pleased smile, asked as he held and stroked the spirit.

“From what I’ve heard here and there, he’s not just difficult to meet, but his disposition is so volatile that you’d have to worry about your life.”

“……Perhaps his reputation is a bit misunderstood?”

Lennok replied after a brief silence.

“He wasn’t someone impossible to talk to. Progress was quick because the conditions he sought were met.”

“No, it’s not simply a misunderstanding. Adamant Thunder has done too many things over time. You know how he built his reputation, don’t you?”

The dean flatly denied Lennok’s subtle defense.

“I know a few city council members. Even those who’ve met him directly all say he’s completely insane.”

“…….”

“He’s a wizard with such twisted standards that he enjoys using force and pressure against the Central Council. So, honestly, I’m a bit worried.”

The dean said, his expression slightly subdued.

“If Adamant Thunder decided to project his power within the academic building, many people would be in danger just from that.”

Even if Saiolus didn’t fully grasp what kind of wizard Adamant Thunder was, he knew how dangerous he was.

Regardless of hierarchy, he could infer from experience how meticulous and tenacious a wizard who survived alone in Vulcan’s underworld would be.

“If Adamant Thunder had truly intended to do something, he wouldn’t have needed to create this kind of pretext.”

Lennok replied calmly.

“Even putting aside whether it’s possible, aren’t you assuming the absolute worst-case scenario?”

“…….”

Certainly, from Lennok’s perspective, dealing with the entire school wouldn’t be difficult, even without exerting his full power.

But that’s because most of the wizards affiliated with Rebatenon are scholars specialized in research and academics rather than combat.

In that respect, the cooperation between the magic tower and the university would be an appropriate means to supply the newly established magic tower with the necessary research personnel.

As he has a foot in both camps with his Van and Evan identities, he can observe the unfolding situation more closely than anyone.

The reason Lennok pushed for this immediately after acquiring the Guide’s Ring was his absolute conviction that this situation would be beneficial.

“……Yes. I suppose I’m worrying needlessly. As I get older, I have more pointless thoughts.”

The dean gave a wry smile and shook his head as if to dispel ominous thoughts.

“The Central Council granting Adamant Thunder authority over the magic tower is proof that he’s not entirely unreasonable. That’s what I should believe, but….”

“If need be, I will take responsibility. Don’t worry too much.”

“…….”

“What’s wrong?”

The dean looked back at Lennok with a slightly surprised expression.

Seeing Lennok’s bewildered query, the dean smiled gently.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking that you, who were brought here by Aris, have somehow become a true teacher who worries so much about the school….”

“…….”

“Indeed. I accepted this dean position to observe the growth and satisfaction of such educators, but my heart has become too weak.”

The dean, his lips set firmly, calmly adjusted his collar in front of the mirror and turned around.

His gaze, looking down at Lennok, held a resolute will.

“It’s not for you to take responsibility. I’m ready now. Let’s go.”

It seemed the dean was under some strange delusion, but if it eased his apprehension, wasn’t that a good thing?

Lennok roughly pushed aside his suspicious thoughts and rose from his seat, following the dean.

They left the Central Academic Building, where the dean’s office was located, and headed towards the Department of Elemental Studies Research Complex.

As soon as they were spotted, a crowd rapidly approached from afar. The surroundings instantly became boisterous.

Flash, flash, flash!!!

“Professor Vylun! Please look here!!”

“Could you briefly explain the reason for signing this agreement with the magic tower?!!”

“Dean, what are your thoughts on Rebatenon’s standing significantly rising within the city government due to this agreement…!!”

Hundreds of reporters lined the path to the research complex, and spotlights shone ceaselessly.

Even in broad daylight, the camera flashes from all directions were so bright they were blinding.

“Don’t push, please maintain a safe distance!!”

“Everyone, please take one step back!”

While security personnel desperately blocked the path and shouted themselves hoarse from all directions.

Lennok and the dean arrived beneath a grand signboard set up directly in front of the research complex’s first-floor entrance.

Congratulatory messages and commemorative placards for the agreement fluttered, and the flags of Rebatenon University and the Department of Elemental Studies waved like billowing curtains.

Other attendants and professors, who were already present, stood up abruptly to greet Lennok and the dean.

Professor Bailla, the director of Carlyle Research Institute and a temporary professor, and Cassia, a research staff member and assistant professor, were also present.

In addition, all professors, graduate students, and researchers affiliated with the Department of Elemental Studies were present as if by prior arrangement.

Undergraduates from the Department of Elemental Studies were also watching from outside the lecture hall windows.

Priscilla could be seen in the distance, looking over with a tense expression.

“…….”

Her face was filled with curiosity, yet a faint sense of unease coexisted within it.

Was she thinking about the career counseling she had received from Evan previously?

Lennok looked at Priscilla and slightly obscured his face with the flag fluttering behind him.

At the same time, a jet-black airship appeared from the far side of the academic building’s sky.

Whoosh!!

“That’s…”

“Can you get a photo?”

Reporters murmured at its distinctly different appearance compared to the helicopters used by the public or other flying equipment hovering around.

A sleek, streamlined body and blade-like wings so sharp they seemed to cut.

Circular propellers rotating beneath the wings levitated the airship without making any sound.

It wasn’t flying by cutting through the air with lift, but rather had a peculiar sensation of floating, as if on water.

While others stared blankly at the elegant airship’s trajectory, it descended silently into the middle of the lecture hall.

Hiss!

As soon as the airship’s door opened, people from all directions raised their cameras.

Click, click, click!!

The Grand Wizard who founded Vulcan’s first magic tower.

The peerless superhuman who single-handedly crushed the freelancer industry and rose to its peak.

A rare eccentric possessing both the most dangerous reputation and urban legends in this city.

A grandmaster who transcended Hierarchy to create his own unique magic system, and a monster whose notoriety and achievements show no sign of fading even in this massive city.

At the very moment when camera shutters clicked hundreds of times per second, all to capture the instant that individual revealed himself directly here.

[Quite a crowd of onlookers.]

A cold voice, without any prior warning, pierced everyone’s ears.

“……!!”

A peculiar resounding telepathic message, as if directly hammering the intent into the minds of thousands of people.

It was a wizard’s Spell-Word, forcibly sharing one’s will with the opponent, making them understand the intention without it being spoken.

Immediately after those who understood its true value stiffened, and those who didn’t understand tilted their heads.

[I’ll help you avoid futile efforts.]

Crackle……!!

All the cameras people were holding simultaneously went dead.