Chapter 835: Handover (3)
“The Vylun Research Institute… Vylun…”
That name, strangely familiar, clearly seemed to have been taken from Lennok’s other identity.
The problem was that Lennok had never heard a single word about the establishment of such a research institute.
Considering there had been no mention of it before he left for Yorta, it was highly probable that the matter had been finalized while he was visiting the Military Spirit City.
“Do you happen to know the location of this institute?”
“Oh, no.”
At Lennok’s subdued tone, the woman momentarily looked flustered and shook her head.
“I just overheard it in passing… I haven’t looked into the details.”
“……”
It would probably be fastest to have Davi gather information separately. It was clear that he needed to at least confirm the institute’s purpose and direction.
Lennok quickly reached a conclusion and offered a clumsy smile, bowing his head to the woman.
“Ah, I apologize. This is the first I’m hearing about the Vylun Research Institute. If it’s not too much trouble, could you please continue with your explanation?”
From being engrossed in operating a learning device in the middle of the street, she must be someone with a considerable interest in Universal Magic.
As expected, perhaps because she saw his interest in the terminal, the woman lowered her guard and replied.
“It’s a learning device that allows even non-wizards to use magic. From what you’re saying, it sounds like you’re interested in Professor Evan Vylun—”
“Yes. I heard he’s a researcher with a truly excellent character.”
“Excellent character…?”
The woman, looking bewildered as if she’d never heard such a thing, quickly re-adjusted her terminal.
“This learning device isn’t an artifact with built-in magic; it’s a medium that guides the user’s mana. I’m the one using the magic; this equipment just helps.”
With a simple explanation, the woman demonstrated using Universal Magic for Lennok.
“That’s truly amazing.”
Lennok clapped his hands and nodded.
The woman, looking a bit awkward, sat back down and said,
“Derivative research on Universal Magic is still actively ongoing. They say it’s excellent for assisting in the fine manipulation of mana, so even wizards are quite fond of it.”
“I see.”
“Most of Vulcan’s production factories are mass-producing this product, but even I only managed to get one a few days ago. You can imagine how hot the response is, right?”
Perhaps because of Lennok’s enthusiastic responses, the woman’s explanation became a little friendlier.
“I hope new Universal Magic is distributed soon. They must be preparing an update, but I don’t know when they plan to announce it.”
“Hmm…”
He hadn’t touched it for weeks, let alone prepared for an update, but he couldn’t tell her that.
“Even brilliant researchers have various circumstances.”
Lennok shifted his gaze slightly and replied.
“Of course, there isn’t much that such an outstanding scholar can’t do, but it might be better not to expect anything for a while.”
“Ah, yes. You seem to really like Professor Vylun…”
“Ahem.”
At the woman’s bewildered murmur, Lennok awkwardly cleared his throat.
Talking to someone he thought was a stranger, his true feelings had inadvertently slipped out.
As he tried to ignore Davi’s strange gaze from within his clothes, the woman tapped her learning device and murmured,
“It’s fine if it’s late, but I wish they’d just tell us what kind of new magic they plan to develop and distribute…”
“……”
The woman seemed completely engrossed in the sensation of using magic herself after trying the learning device.
People who inherently possessed mana but lacked the talent to manipulate it.
From their perspective, the sensation of controlling mana would surely be a desire that surpassed mere fun or interest.
Of course, Lennok had distributed the Universal Magic with that in mind, but the reaction seemed far more intense than he had anticipated.
“Even if it’s not Professor Vylun, new magic will be developed once the Universal Magic System research is complete. Wouldn’t all citizens be able to become wizards by then?”
“……I hope so.”
Lennok couldn’t quite agree with her words and forced a wry smile.
Even he, who had created the Universal Magic System, hadn’t published his paper with such a future in mind.
What Lennok had presented in his third paper was merely an achievement that suggested vague possibilities.
It might be possible someday, but it was just something he couldn’t confirm when it would be realized.
It was possible that this very moment, as people vaguely dreamed of a hopeful future, was when this Universal Magic was most highly regarded.
But instead of explaining that fact, Lennok nodded and rose from his seat.
“Thank you for the kind explanation. I should go back and try using the learning device myself.”
“Oh, if you do…”
The woman hesitated slightly at his words, then asked Lennok,
“I’m thinking of going to a Universal Magic academy right now. Would you like to come along?”
“……An academy?”
“Yes. There are academies that teach people who bought the learning device how to use Universal Magic.”
“……”
“It’s student recruitment season, so if I refer you, both of us get some benefits. If you’re interested…”
“No.”
Lennok cut off the woman’s words and replied.
“It would be best not to go to an academy.”
“……Pardon?”
“The Universal Magic embedded in the learning device is complete in itself; it’s a basic mana manipulation technique that doesn’t require mastery or practice. To fit into the capacity of mass-producible devices, the magic system was simplified as much as possible, leaving no room for improvement.”
Lennok explained, looking at the terminal in the woman’s hands.
“Unless new magic is updated later for combination or advanced techniques, going to an academy now to practice Universal Magic won’t have much meaning.”
“Excuse me, didn’t you just say you recently purchased the learning dev—”
“In fact, thinking about it now, it might have been better to increase the number and performance of the embedded spells, even if it meant sacrificing mass production. But time was so short, so it couldn’t be helped…”
“……”
“No, still, I feel a little regretful that I didn’t prioritize completeness.”
Lennok, muttering to himself, lost in thought, belatedly came to his senses and looked back at the woman.
“I’m sorry. Where were we?”
“Oh, no…”
The goodwill with which the woman had been looking at Lennok just moments ago had completely vanished, and she was backing away.
She hurriedly gathered her learning device and moved away from Lennok.
“I—I have something urgent, so I’ll be going now…!!”
“……Ah.”
Lennok watched the woman disappear, having crossed the road in an instant, and smiled bitterly.
“Well, perhaps this was better than having to follow her to the academy.”
Davi, who had been watching from inside his clothes, asked, as if utterly dumbfounded.
[Didn’t you know why that organism asked to go with you, and yet you answered that way?]
“……It wasn’t like that, but there really wasn’t any need to go to an academy.”
The three papers he published under the identity of Evan Vylun.
The technology and theories he disseminated in Vulcan didn’t only change the city positively.
Some people would abuse Lennok’s research findings, deceiving others and extorting money.
The flourishing business of Universal Magic academies was one such example.
“Contact the Dean and casually inquire about regulating derivative businesses, excluding research. People who bought the learning device shouldn’t have to waste their time.”
To attend an academy to learn how to use a device created for learning Universal Magic—what a paradox.
Just then, a related news report was being broadcast on a building’s electronic billboard nearby.
[News reports indicate that the distribution rate of Universal Magic learning devices has reached nearly 30%].
[As supply stabilizes, the sky-high prices of used devices are also expected to stabilize…]
[The crime rate, which increased in the outer districts due to flourishing black market transactions, is also expected to decline.]
“……”
[However, despite active derivative research on Universal Magic, concerns are being raised about the lack of tangible results—]
[With a significant budget invested, negative opinions are emerging from various quarters. We will now bring you interviews with experts.]
Pop!
The screen showing the announcer switched, and old professors, irritable wizards, and researchers flashed by in succession.
=No tangible results have been achieved since the research began.
=Some departments have concluded that the independent expansion of the Universal Magic System will be difficult.
=Each magic spell has different structures and manifestation methods, making comparison difficult. Unless we increase the comparative group through additional updates…
=Professor Vylun must be brought in. We need more detailed consultation on how the magic system was developed.
“……”
Lennok’s expression subtly changed as he watched the news flash by, arms crossed.
‘There’s no mention of the Vylun Research Institute at all.’
Based on his earlier conversation with the woman, the existence of the institute was clearly widely known even among citizens.
Yet, there was no mention of the institute from experts or in the news.
Was it just a feeling, or did this subtle anomaly hide a secret?
‘Now that I think about it, there were rumors circulating among city council officials that Evan Vylun wasn’t just one person…’
Perhaps the very existence of the Vylun Research Institute was established in a time and causality completely unrelated to Evan Vylun.
And if so, why would they deliberately use his name to establish an institute, knowing Evan would surely find out?
Lennok tilted his head, thinking he should visit the institute himself soon, as other people watching the news beside him began to grumble.
“So, without Professor Vylun, they know nothing? Why are the excuses so long?”
“I want to use new Universal Magic quickly. The magic embedded in the learning device isn’t enough.”
“At least release barrier or notification magic quickly. When is the fourth magic update, anyway?”
Even as they complained, each of them held a learning device created by Lennok in their hands.
People who carried learning devices instead of phones, absorbed in manipulating mana and practicing magic.
“……”
Standing in the middle of the bustling street, he picked up each piece of information they uttered.
On a discarded newspaper, a bill to restrict the use of Universal Magic in public places.
On the electronic billboard on the wall, advertisements for Universal Magic usage points.
On the screen, experts from various fields prattled on endlessly about his third paper.
They talked as if Universal Magic would completely change the city, as if vague fantasies could be actualized immediately, trying to turn it into money.
Even at this moment, technicians and researchers of all kinds, both legitimate and illicit, would be attempting to exploit Universal Magic to their liking.
Perhaps in that process, the city’s research infrastructure and personnel would dramatically improve, and Vulcan’s technology would develop significantly.
However, Lennok’s distribution of Universal Magic, making magic accessible, wasn’t solely for macro-development or collective benefit.
[……Master?]
He wanted everyone who touched Universal Magic to admire and focus on his talent, to envy and yearn for it.
To constantly be concerned about Lennok, to pay him attention, and ultimately to trust his capabilities without doubt.
To become a being who fulfilled others’ desires, and to make those wishes his own.
For joy to become trust, trust to become wishes, and wishes to turn into faith.
It was also to know if that kind of created faith had any meaning for him.
But now, having returned from Yorta after witnessing the Pontiff’s memories—
“Yes.”
Lennok, who had been standing among the crowd for a long time, looking up at the sky, chuckled.
“That’s just not my way.”
Obtaining results through others’ faith and worship was not Lennok’s method.
That was not the path to finding answers, but the path to becoming a god, a destination only reachable by abandoning everything else.
The feared end had not yet arrived, and a fleeting moment remained in this world.
He still didn’t know what the Pontiff’s chosen ‘salvation’ was, but Lennok still firmly held onto himself.
For now, that alone was enough.
After that, Lennok picked up groceries from the supermarket and went to his lab.
As Lennok bit into a fresh stalk of celery, purchased after a long time, and turned on the lights, Davi asked,
[You seem like you should rest more. Are you already going back to work?]
“I learned something in Yorta. I need to conduct an immediate examination while also checking on the institute’s affairs.”
After authenticating his mana pattern and stepping inside, research equipment hummed into life around him with strange resonance.
Whirrrr!
“I need to refrain from using the Pontiff’s power or legacy in the future. That’s why I acquired Incarnation Spellcraft.”
Lennok said, pulling out another stalk of celery and biting into it.
It was a tasteless celery that had undergone several refinements, but to Lennok’s palate, accustomed to all sorts of tobacco and chemicals, it was somewhat edible.
“Dorye couldn’t properly recall Ninefold Dorye when he fought me. That’s likely because the essence of Ninefold Dorye belongs to the Pontiff.”
[……]
“I’ll have to investigate the other secrets of Ninefold Dorye, based on the premise of skill acquisition through incarnation.”
With equipment vibrating around him, flashing blue mana light, Lennok stood before the workbench and extended his hand.
He lightly cut his finger with a simple severance spell to draw blood, then immediately put it into a test tube and ran it through the equipment.
The research equipment slowly rotated and scanned the test tube containing Lennok’s blood, displaying the results on the screen.
[ERROR CODE 992. Mana quantity unmeasurable.]
[ERROR CODE 145. Mana pattern unobservable.]
[ERROR CODE 31. System tracing failed.]
[ERROR CODE 296. Target identification failed.]
[ERROR CODE 439. Blood analysis failed.]
The result window, as expected, showed most data values as failed or impossible.
However, Lennok skillfully selected only the necessary data from among them and re-listed them.
While it was entirely impossible for such research equipment to analyze or measure Lennok’s mana or blood, there wasn’t no information to be gleaned.
Even with unquantifiable, intangible data, Lennok could read mana particle cross-sections and structural blueprint analysis if he looked at them himself.
This was because, based on microscopic analysis, he could discern trends within the irregular graphs and data produced.
The problem lay elsewhere.
[Analysis impossible. Presumed to be blood of extinct magical beast or ancient species.]
[1AA+4 grade rare analytical substance confirmed.]
[Transmit data to nearby research institute?]
Davi, reading the results on the research equipment’s screen, asked, utterly astonished.
[It seems like it’s not even reading as human mana anymore?]
“Just as I thought, the mana flow has changed again…”
After accepting mana from the Outer Sea using the Temple of the Naked Unbound Sea, Lennok’s mana and aura gradually changed.
He had first discovered this fact during the mid-term review with Pandemonium, after using the Domain against the 10th Apostle Amrita in the Far Eastern Branch.
And now, having used the Domain’s power a second time, he was getting similar results.
He was transforming, becoming more like a monster, or an incomprehensible ancient species, rather than a human.
From Lennok’s perspective, someone who could freely manipulate his mana pattern, it was convenient that he could hide it whenever he wanted and that it became unanalyzable. However, it was clearly not an entirely positive sign.
After that, Lennok began to check his body in real-time using various other pieces of equipment located in the lab.
Whirrrrrr!
Around the lab, test tubes containing Lennok’s blood were transported and distributed.
Hair and skin samples were taken for component analysis, and his skeletal structure was X-rayed to meticulously record injuries and damage.
Davi, perched on his shoulder, wearing pet-specific vision-aiding glasses she had acquired from somewhere, analyzed the data on Lennok’s behalf.
[There are no issues with internal hormone secretion or blood oxygen levels.]
Click, click!
Lennok entered a massive capsule-like device, his face pale from the cold air, but then he winced, sweating momentarily from the sudden burst of warmth.
This device measured his body’s reaction to various stimuli, such as mana-sculpted cold and warmth, to gauge his long-term condition and recovery ability.
Originally a mana-user exclusive rehabilitation training device manufactured by Balitz Corp. for patients with physical paralysis, it was perfectly suited for someone like Lennok.
[Most of your body’s reactions are below average. Except for being numb to strong stimuli like pain, it seems normal for Master.]
Hiss!
Lennok walked out, his clothes drenched. Davi tilted her head as she draped a large towel over his head.
[No need to worry about mana circuit damage or core leakage. Rather, some damaged internal organs show excessive recovery beyond average values.]
“Over-recovery?”
[It’ll probably rebalance naturally over time and get worse again…]
“……Getting worse isn’t ‘normal’.”
Lennok forced a wry smile at the absurd statement, but it wasn’t wrong.
It was clear that the discomfort he felt moving his body now stemmed from that very issue.
The side effect of his body being forcibly repaired by the Sanctuary’s power.
When unrestrained recovery was poured into him without considering Lennok’s original body condition and penalties, this kind of discomfort would inevitably arise.
In any case, he had successfully extracted the basic data on Lennok’s condition as he had intended.
The remaining task was to find an expert in this field and seek their advice.
“I need to go see Murphy.”
Lennok picked up dozens of warm papers from the output device and pulled out his phone.
A vampire from the Central City, and an unlicensed doctor living hidden in Vulcan’s underworld.
He needed to get a check-up on his body, and there were facts he needed to ask him about regarding Yorta.
“It’s time for a long-overdue health check-up.”