Chapter 768: The Third Thesis (2)

District 10. Balitz Corp. Headquarters, top-floor office.

Ykavon stood by the window of the soaring skyscraper, gazing expressionlessly at the cityscape.

From that dizzying height, the streets spread out below like a small bird’s-eye view, with people moving about as tiny as specks of dust.

Yet, to his eyes, every detail of the streetscape appeared as clear as if he were seeing it right in front of him. The wear on tires speeding down the road. The exposed roots of roadside trees. Cracks in the asphalt.

Even the figure of a researcher glancing back before disappearing in the distance.

In his arms, as he walked away, was a large, neatly packaged box.

“Do you think he knows?”

Ykavon, who had been silently staring out the window, asked, and Dante, standing quietly behind him, replied.

“If you didn’t think so, you wouldn’t have asked.”

“……”

“Even if he didn’t know, he’s sharp enough to infer it from our reaction.”

Balitz Corp. doesn’t neglect collecting intelligence on influential figures across the city. That researcher, who instantly made a name for himself with just two thesis presentations, is an extremely dangerous variable to them.

As much as they wish to be wary and keep their distance, they undeniably acknowledge his abilities and genius.

“It seems quite a few of the core development team at headquarters have been influenced by Professor Vylun,” Dante said. “We are monitoring the situation, but if Professor Vylun intends to present his third thesis at this seminar, it will be difficult to ignore the repercussions.”

“Hahaha.”

Ykavon chuckled lightly, then swung his burning eyes to look behind him.

“That Prescott guy. Don’t let him die gently. Understand?”

“Understood.”

“Once the handover to the new candidate we’re putting on the Advisory Committee is complete, we’ll deploy him for the experiment. Prepare everything by then.”

“There’s something I’d like to say about the experiment,” Dante said. “It’s too early. The testbed restoration has only just finished; if we proceed with the experiment without proper verification, the harm will be excessive.”

“It hasn’t even been a few months since we investigated the traces in District 25 and restored the testbed records.” Ykavon scoffed at the man’s blunt words. “If we don’t hurry, the Elder Council will intervene. You’re not talking as if you don’t know that, are you?”

“……”

“The authority of those old monsters is so ancient, it’s hard to predict its limits. You know it’s their only lifeline, so they won’t let go until they die.”

Ykavon turned his cold gaze back to the window.

“It would be a more constructive conversation to negotiate with the Senate.”

“I will request mediation from the Central Council. If the conditions are suitable, we can find a reasonable compromise—”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Ykavon interrupted the man, his eyes gleaming sharply. “The Elder Council views this project not as a matter of interests, but of survival. They won’t compromise under any circumstances.”

“……”

“But I’m the same. If we can just restore the experiment Kaiser conducted in District 25, these disputes will become trivial.”

“Indeed, I believe it undeniably holds such value, but…”

“So, don’t concern yourself with the Elder Council’s oversight and prepare. For my father’s sake, we must force fate’s hand.”

Ykavon’s smile, reflected in the glass, twisted grimly.

“All I wonder is how many times we’ve stood before the project Kaiser left behind.”

After concluding his deal with Ykavon, Lennok returned to his private lab, carrying the helmet crafted by the Pontiff.

No matter how he looked at it, this pure white helmet was too conspicuous to leave in Rebatenon’s lab. It would be better to securely store it here before leaving, even if it took a little more time.

“I wondered why he used a Magic Flow Recreation Module to create something like this…” Lennok muttered, having projected the helmet’s interior with the lab’s analytical device. “It actually functions similarly to a life support device. This is unexpected.”

Lennok had thought that if the Pontiff had attempted what he himself was trying to achieve through his thesis, the resulting product would likely not have been a life support device. However, after investigating the helmet’s internal structure, he discovered that the information he had confirmed in Balitz Corp.’s database wasn’t entirely wrong.

“The helmet has components like a respirator inside. It’s minimally designed to ensure breathing and vision while worn.” Lennok fell into thought. “In terms of protecting the head, it’s a rather poor piece of armor. Perhaps it wasn’t made for combat.”

[See? I told you.] Davi, as if she had been waiting, jumped onto Lennok’s shoulder and eagerly took credit. [It’s definitely what it became after failing to create a life support device.]

“……”

Davi was the only entity who, alongside Lennok, had witnessed the secrets of the world, including those of the Pontiff, up close. But if Davi, born as a Cybernetic Spirit, could witness such secrets and hidden histories firsthand without any adverse effects… Could it be because Davi herself was a creation born from Lennok?

However, instead of pondering Davi’s existence, Lennok focused on inferring the helmet’s function.

“Respirator… breathing, huh. Why would one need to breathe using a helmet?”

If it were merely for assisting breathing, far simpler and more convenient designs were abundant. So, if there was a reason to design a life support device that heavy and worn over the head like this… Perhaps he should have brought the corpse that wore the helmet, after all. But he had already confirmed at the scene that the corpse itself had no particular distinguishing features. The Pontiff had left behind only this one helmet. And it was merely a byproduct of a failed attempt.

Just as Lennok thought this and sank into contemplation.

Davi picked up the helmet with her paws and plopped it right onto her head. [It’s heavy.]

“……”

[If I just squeeze in a bit, I think I could sleep in here?]

“Don’t wear it for too long. Something might happen.”

Although he didn’t expect any problems for Davi, who was fine even after witnessing the Pontiff’s traces, directly wearing the helmet might be a different matter. Lennok watched the little fox struggling while wearing the helmet, thinking this.

The sight of her hopping inside the helmet, with only her head covered, looked quite comical. The strangely enlarged head reminded him of an astronaut’s helmet—

“…No way.”

Lennok’s face hardened. He picked up the helmet and put it on himself. Standing motionless in front of the sprawled Davi, wearing the helmet, Lennok muttered.

“Right. It wasn’t a device to sustain the Pontiff’s own life. That’s why I didn’t realize.”

[Master?]

“If it’s an item that drastically boosts mana circulation to endure external conditions, then… yes, what the Pontiff was trying to do was…”

Lennok took off the helmet and immediately removed the respirator component embedded inside. Confirming that the Magic Flow Recreation Module he wanted was being used as a filter inside, Lennok immediately left his private lab.

“Let’s go back to Rebatenon. I need to complete the prototype today and finalize the seminar schedule.”

Beep, beep!!

He opened his phone to find dozens of missed calls from the Dean. They probably summarized the situation at Balitz Corp., notified him, and sought his confirmation. He figured it would help with the aftermath if he didn’t conceal the commotion with Prescott at the studio from the Dean.

Upon returning to Rebatenon, he found people already gathered in Aris’s lab, waiting for Lennok.

Lennok, entering the lab with his gown in hand, bowed his head to the elderly man standing at the front. “Dean.”

“You truly can’t sit still for a moment, can you?” The Dean, facing Lennok who had returned to the lab, sighed deeply and said. “When exactly do you find the time to wander around causing so much commotion?”

“It wasn’t my intention, but…”

His face was darkened and pale, showing how much he had suffered in that short time.

“Ultimately, it’s fortunate that things resolved well, wouldn’t you agree?”

“……So, what’s the real story?” Bailla, who was in the lab with the Dean, asked Lennok gruffly. The director of Carlyle Research Institute and a wizard who was temporarily filling in as professor in Aris’s stead. It had already been quite some time since she began balancing her roles as director and professor.

Bailla scrutinized Lennok’s face, her eyes gleaming sharply. “I’m curious what kind of deal you made with Balitz Corp. to even come away with a sponsorship contract.”

“Not every process goes smoothly, does it?” Lennok offered a wry smile, subtly averting his gaze. “Sometimes voices get raised during the negotiation of terms.”

“It seems young people these days call fighting until one is beaten unconscious ‘voices getting raised.’”

[This is why observant organisms are such a pain…] While Davi grumbled in his arms, Lennok casually changed the subject. “Still, with Balitz Corp.’s sponsorship, the thesis seems to be progressing smoothly. Now I can truly focus solely on the seminar.”

“Ah, there’s one piece of news I need to convey regarding that.” The Dean coughed awkwardly, a hint of embarrassment on his face, and began. “Regarding your seminar presentation, I sent an invitation to the Magic Tower last time, and a reply arrived yesterday.”

“…Is that so?”

Lennok didn’t recall being involved in any decision-making about this, so had Tatiana handled it independently? Indeed, considering the agreement with the Magic Tower, they would have had to clarify their stance on the thesis presentation at some point.

“The Magic Tower is concerned about your safety, separate from the agreement. Considering the content of your presentation, they say your safety cannot be guaranteed.”

Both the Dean, who conveyed the message, and Bailla, who listened, seemed to agree. Since there had been a commotion during the brief period of seminar preparation, they probably didn’t find it strange that the Magic Tower thought that way.

Lennok feigned ignorance and asked. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to say. Does this mean they’ll send bodyguards?”

“No, what they suggested was…” The Dean shook his head, as if troubled. “They suggested holding your seminar presentation at the Magic Tower.”

“……”

Only then did Lennok understand why Jenny and Tatiana had delivered this reply to Rebatenon without his confirmation. As Tatiana had directly participated in the agreement, she must have perceived that Evan Vylun’s research achievements would be exclusively revealed at the Magic Tower. Considering that, she must have thought moving the seminar presentation to the Magic Tower didn’t necessarily require Van’s permission.

The Dean spoke, looking at Lennok who was lost in thought. “During the last agreement, didn’t we omit the elemental faculty’s project demonstration? It seems the Magic Tower wants to handle that matter now.”

“……”

“Furthermore, they mentioned Adamant Thunder resolving the Necromancy Faculty’s rampage. Whether it’s to collect on a debt or uphold a promise, they seem to want to host your presentation at the Magic Tower.”

“I see.”

The Dean, not noticing Lennok’s perfunctory agreement, muttered thoughtfully. “It seems there’s a very meticulous staff member assisting Adamant Thunder. They grasp the events of that time in more detail than even I do.”

Since Jenny’s method of calculating profits and losses was flawless even to Lennok, it was natural for the Dean to feel that way. However, instead of showing his feelings, Lennok countered the Dean. “What do you think, Dean?”

“Of course, I’d prefer for you to present here at Rebatenon, but…” The Dean groaned, then replied with difficulty. “Considering the circumstances, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with accepting the Magic Tower’s proposal.”

“……”

“You already presented your second thesis at the expo, didn’t you? Presenting it outside the university won’t diminish its significance.”

It seemed the Dean had already come to a conclusion the moment he received the Magic Tower’s reply. “We incurred several debts to Adamant Thunder during the agreement. If this matter can satisfy them, I wish to leave the decision to you.”

“I see.”

“Ah, of course, if you wish to present at the school, I will certainly respect that decision. I don’t want to go through grand preparations only to cancel them either!”

While the Dean grumbled, Bailla, who had been quietly listening beside him, nodded. “Presenting at the Magic Tower would be better. Don’t listen to Saiolus.”

“Bailla! I am merely trying not to force Evan—!!”

“I read the abstract of the thesis you submitted, too.” Bailla raised her cold gaze and stared at Lennok. “It was full of utterly insane content. You don’t seriously think the reaction from those around you will be normal after presenting such an achievement, do you?”

“……”

“No one can guarantee what might happen. It would be safer to present your findings under Adamant Thunder’s protection.”

Lennok turned his gaze away from Bailla, who was muttering, ‘Perhaps it would be better to hope Aris returns quickly…’ He saw Cassia, who had been silently eavesdropping on the conversation behind Lennok, and other professors looking troubled and lost in thought.

Even the other professors, who had grown notably closer since the agreement incident, seemed unable to strongly oppose the Dean’s decision. Lennok fell into thought, observing them.

‘I thought it didn’t really matter where I presented it…’

Considering the expo, it was unlikely Lennok’s presentation wouldn’t be broadcast and relayed. Of course, from the perspective of benefiting the Magic Tower, it wasn’t a bad proposal, but the location wasn’t necessarily the crucial part.

However, Lennok thought about it, then changed his mind and nodded. “Understood. I will proceed with the seminar presentation at the Magic Tower.”

Come to think of it, he had never once visited the Magic Tower under his identity as Evan. Using the excuse of preparing for the thesis presentation, there was one thing he definitely wanted to take care of inside the Magic Tower.

As Cassia left the lab to send the reply, the Dean suddenly asked, as if something had just occurred to him. “Wouldn’t it be better to postpone the schedule? Considering what you’ve gone through, the Magic Tower wouldn’t refuse to delay it either.”

“Ah, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Lennok said this and slowly rummaged through the bag he had brought. The Dean’s eyes slowly widened as he looked at the small tablet Lennok placed down from his arms. “Wait, surely not…”

“The prototype to be used for the third thesis presentation. All necessary component procurement for its completion has been finished.”

Since he had confirmed the module functions normally, all that remained was to copy and mass-produce the relevant components. All that was left was to install the system Lennok had already completed and confirm its proper operation.

In the meantime, once the necessary procedures according to the agreement between the Magic Tower and the university were completed, the time and place would be decided.

“I just need to make several prototypes before the seminar presentation.” Lennok smiled. “Once the presentation is over, I think I’ll want to take a good, long rest for a while.”

“I apologize for putting such a burden on you…” The Dean sighed deeply and gently patted Lennok’s shoulder. “Once this presentation is over, why don’t you go on a trip somewhere? I’ll take care of all the remaining procedures here.”

Time passed quickly, and two more days went by, reaching the final day of Lennok’s scheduled timeline.

Early dawn. Adamant Thunder’s Magic Tower.

The presentation day for the third thesis had arrived.