Chapter 849: Handover (17)

“The purpose of the institute was to research Evan Vylun, not the Universal Magic System?”

Lennok grimaced at Raphael’s strained face.

“That’s an absurd answer. What good would come from researching a researcher, not a technology or a theory?”

“At first, I didn’t believe it either,” Raphael replied calmly. “But the way they tried to appropriate my magic theory was clearly a preparatory process for making a human being the subject of research.”

“…”

“The theory I lectured on was about the process of creating test cases that replicate bio-information arrays through the artificial shaping of mana. And that was clearly…”

…a preparatory step to make Evan Vylun himself the research subject. If that’s true, it makes sense how a Vylun Research Institute could have been established without Vylun himself. Lennok had also assumed that the Central Council established this institute to research something far more dangerous than the Universal Magic System.

And if the reason they widely publicized this fact and spread the information the moment they established the institute was—

“They deliberately leaked the information to draw out Evan Vylun,” Lennok murmured, lost in thought. “Did they think he would react in some way if he became aware of an institute named after him?”

“Professor Vylun is known to be a recluse, rarely appearing in public,” Raphael replied. “He’s an eccentric who refuses to communicate even after publishing a monumental thesis like the Universal Magic System. I know more than twenty professors who frequent Vulcan’s academic circles, hoping to meet him in person.”

“…”

The institute created to research Evan Vylun, and the [Wizard Mass Production Project] being conducted there. The very existence of a connection between these two facts was absurd from Lennok’s perspective. But precisely because of that, he needed to open the data here and now to confirm its contents. If he didn’t confirm why the City Council had gone so far as to establish an institute for this, he wouldn’t be able to discern their true intentions.

“I accepted the invitation to lecture with the expectation of meeting Professor Vylun at the institute. But I never imagined things would turn out like this…” Raphael mumbled, lamenting, then glanced at Lennok’s turned back. “I wish to meet Professor Vylun and discuss his research philosophy. If you, as the Magic Tower Lord, can arrange a meeting, I’d be willing to cooperate—”

CRACK!

At that moment, blinding sparks erupted from the dark hollow of the power generation facility. Just as the petrified professor, unable to react, was about to be engulfed by the gushing sparks, Lennok seized the exploding sparks in mid-air with his bare hands.

CRACKLE, CRACKLE, CRACKLE!!!

Lennok murmured, watching the strands of electricity writhe and struggle to escape his grasp. “The facility is in worse shape than I thought.”

“G-gasp…!!”

As Lennok extinguished the sparks he’d gripped, Raphael finally let out the breath he’d been holding. Lennok checked the spot where the current had just burst forth and said, “It seems the wiring is quite severely damaged, probably because it’s an old facility. Power generation is being disrupted due to a short circuit.”

Many of the wires within the power generation facility were damaged or severed. As Lennok raised the facility’s overall power generation and increased output, the damaged wires couldn’t withstand the strain. “I hadn’t expected such a problem, considering the power facility also supplies power to the institute… This is unexpected.”

“I-I heard the institute isn’t fully completed yet. I thought they planned to set up separate power supply facilities later on…”

“…”

The power generation capacity of the facility itself was sufficient for Lennok’s desired output. However, if the power supply became unstable due to damaged wires and short circuits, accessing the data Lennok had recovered would be difficult. “No choice then. We’ll discuss Evan Vylun later.” Lennok said, kneeling on one knee on the control room floor and clasping his hands together. “I’ll convert my mana into electricity to access the data. That’s better than risking problems with an unstable power supply.”

“C-convert mana into electricity, you say?” Raphael retorted, surprised. “What’s the problem?”

“I know you’re a very powerful Electromancer, but the electricity used in mechanical devices is different from magic. Even basic properties like voltage wouldn’t match.” “You said you were a layman when it came to magic-engineering technology, yet you know that much.”

“After all I am a professor who teaches students.” “I’ll handle that.” “No, more importantly, if you don’t promise to let me meet Professor Vylun, why should I help you with your plan—” Ignoring Raphael’s grumbling, Lennok drew mana over his clasped hands.

The important thing doesn’t start with the idea of shaping and solidifying mana into a form. If there’s a powerful will-thought, the shaping of mana itself inevitably follows. A fervent desire, strong enough for will to manifest as a tangible physical force in reality. And the moment that vast amount of computation, inevitably accompanying the process, is sequentially processed.

KIIIIIIING…!!

“M-Mass Sculpting!!!!”

Raphael’s eyes, which had been blank, widened to tearing point at the sight of Lennok directly creating a connection device. Hayward’s unconscious body twitched from Raphael’s shriek of horror and the strange vibrations echoing all around, but Lennok maintained perfect control over himself, not losing focus despite the surrounding commotion.

A power converter, featuring only the circuits and connectors neatly placed beneath the control panel. As he slowly withdrew his hands, the converter, previously enveloped in pure white light, solidified and took shape.

CRACKLE!

“This should be… enough.”

Lennok’s words themselves seemed to momentarily slow, a testament to how intensely he had incanted the spellcraft. But even that brief wait was nothing compared to Raphael’s astonishment.

“This is impossible…! How can such mass projection be achieved through mere artificial mana shaping, without any catalyst or base material?!” Raphael, gaping and frozen in place, approached Lennok as if possessed, his hands trembling.

“This directly contradicts the mana theory I lectured on today. Even for an Archwizard, it should be theoretically impossible to conjure such complex mechanical equipment all at once…!” “My head’s throbbing… Could you quiet down a bit?”

Although it required more complex processes than mimicking a researcher’s bio-information, the burden itself was far less. This was because the equipment he needed to create was fundamentally a converter based on Evan Vylun’s mana-to-electricity conversion theory. Furthermore, his experience handling various machines during his time as a craftsman in Machina under Lyman’s name was also proving helpful.

CLICK!

Lennok inserted a disk into the waist-high converter and placed his hand on it. “I’ll convert my mana into electricity to connect to the disk and access the data. The required mana amount will probably be…”

Lennok closed his mouth and rapidly calculated the estimated mana consumption in his head. Fifty minutes if using a Saint-tier computing device. If converted to magic, it would be roughly equivalent to continuously unleashing a 6th-level Military-grade magic for eight minutes. It was not a light mana consumption, even for Lennok.

After skillfully disassembling computer components from the control room, attaching them to the converter, and even adding a screen to complete the modification, Lennok said, “The volume is so massive that finding the necessary information will be a task in itself. I’ll leave the data classification and extraction to you.”

“Ah, I understand. But perhaps…” “Perhaps?” “If it wouldn’t be too rude, could I just touch it… just once…”

The burdensome expression of the middle-aged man, his eyes shining as if he wanted to research the converter Lennok had just created right away. He was clenching and unclenching his hands rapidly, yet a shred of rationality remained, making him anxiously eye Lennok. This was the complete opposite of earlier, when he showed more interest in Evan Vylun than fear of Adamant Thunder.

Lennok took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and rose from his seat. “For a moment, then.” “Th-thank you!!”

He quickly took Lennok’s spot and began obsessively scrutinizing the connection device shaped from mana. There was little Raphael, a layman in Mass Spellcraft, could truly understand, but even that seemed unimportant to him. Leaving Raphael, who continuously let out strange exclamations while turning the converter over and over, Lennok turned towards the fallen Hayward.

He stood before Hayward, who had his eyes closed, holding the lit cigarette in his hand. The researcher seemed to be slowly breathing, as if asleep with his eyes closed. Lennok silently watched Hayward like that, then took the cigarette from his mouth and held it—

“…”

“…”

Sizzle—

“I’m awake, I’m awake!! Damn it!!” Hayward rolled on the floor, frantically brushing his shoulder with one hand, then turned to Lennok, his face pale. “You’re completely insane. You didn’t even ask if I was awake!!!”

“Is there any need to wake up someone who was pretending to sleep and observing the situation?” Lennok calmly put the cigarette back in his mouth and nodded to Hayward. “I know you were awake. You heard the situation, didn’t you?”

“…”

Hayward was the one who had invited Raphael to the institute to lecture on mana theory. If Raphael’s lecture was deeply connected to the institute’s secrets, then Hayward must undoubtedly know the institute’s secrets in detail. His claim to Lennok that he didn’t properly know about the Wizard Mass Production Project must have been a lie. That’s why Lennok had kidnapped Raphael and secured Hayward, throwing him here as well.

“I… can’t speak.”

Hayward, apparently realizing Lennok had seen through his lie, flinched and averted his gaze. “All I can say is that the Wizard Mass Production Project was attempted. I can’t tell you anything beyond that, even if I know it, and I can’t say I don’t know it even if I don’t.”

“This is the first time I’ve met someone who beats around the bush so much to say they know something. If you’re going to make pathetic excuses, why not put some effort into it?” “Damn it, it’s not like I enjoy doing this…!!” Hayward yelled something, then closed his eyes with an expression of utter surrender. “…Fine, I lied to you. Kill me if you want. It might be better to die by your hand here than to take the blame for this whole situation…!!”

“Hmm…”

Lennok flicked his cigarette, meeting Hayward’s gaze. Even for a researcher out of touch with worldly news, if he knew of Adamant Thunder, he must have heard of his infamy. Yet, he chose death over divulging the plan? That must be because the Central Council’s method of dealing with traitors doesn’t end with just the individual. Perhaps they could inflict retaliation more painful and tormenting than death itself, using their influence. In a way, one could say that was the difference between this city’s highest power and Lennok, who had single-handedly built his reputation—

“…”

The researcher desperately tried to maintain his composure, his face taut with tension, waiting for Lennok’s response. Lennok stared intently at Hayward, then activated his Mystic Eye.

“Gah…!!”

“You seem to be mistaken about something,” Lennok’s gaze grew cold as he watched Hayward grasp his throat, unable to breathe just from being stared at. “Am I doing something unreasonable to you right now? Tell me.”

“…”

“Who is it that established an institute in Evan Vylun’s name and conducts secret research while hiding behind it?”

“…”

“Why do you think I haven’t killed all of you insects and burned this institute to the ground?”

“That’s…”

Only then did Hayward understand Lennok’s meaning, and his mouth closed heavily. It was because he fully realized that Adamant Thunder’s actions in the institute so far did not match his terrifying reputation. Why had Adamant Thunder infiltrated the institute disguised as a researcher? Why, even after his identity was exposed, was he focused on data recovery instead of killing all witnesses? Why was he calmly conversing with a kidnapped researcher, contrary to rumors that his madness had reached his very bones? In all of Adamant Thunder’s actions, which didn’t align with the infamy Hayward had heard, there was only one motive. Hayward finally understood that the matter of Evan Vylun was of such paramount importance to Adamant Thunder.

“Kill me if you want?” Lennok whispered to the silent Hayward. “I can make you beg for death.”

“…!!”

“Is there anyone who knows better than I how fragile and easily broken the human body is?” Lennok’s gaze slowly swept down Hayward’s brow as the latter flinched.

“Yet, the reason I’m explaining this so kindly isn’t because I feel you’re useful or valuable.” Lennok said, slowly rising to his feet. “It’s because this institute isn’t solely my concern.”

“…”

“If you understand, cooperate. I intend to start immediately.” Hayward’s prone body was forcibly pulled upright, as if by an unseen hand. Leaving the researcher, who stood precariously balanced, Lennok turned his back.

“Help Raphael classify and organize the recovered data. Even if you can’t open your mouth, you won’t claim your hands are tied, will you?” Hayward didn’t answer, but obediently followed Lennok and stood before Raphael. His gaze naturally drifted to Raphael, who was crouched, obsessively examining the connection device.

“Professor Raphael…” “Ah, Doctor. Look at this!!” Raphael’s eyes sparkled as he held out the converter to Hayward. “To think that the result of mana shaped and projected into a physical mass could be so precise… I can’t believe my own eyes. For an object like this to exist in reality, even for a moment, it’s nothing short of a miracle…!!”

“…”

“Come over here and touch it for a moment. It’s difficult to understand its greatness without directly projecting the mana structure—” “Out of the way.” “Ugh!!” Lennok pushed Raphael away with a light shockwave, then immediately placed his hand on the converter and began drawing up mana.

WWOOOOSH!!!

The mana, rotating intensely within the wizard’s body, poured down into the converter without a single drop of leakage. So precise and perfect was the manipulation that even Raphael and Hayward, standing beside him, couldn’t sense Lennok’s mana.

KIIIIIIING…!!

The moment the converted electricity flowed into the disk plugged into the top of the converter, files stored on the disk began appearing one after another on the temporarily attached screen. Raphael, having been helplessly pulled away, finally stood before the screen, scratching his cheek awkwardly.

“Hmm, I got too excited. Now that I think about it, there’s still work to be done.” Hayward, looking at Raphael as if dumbfounded, asked, “Professor, aren’t you bothered?” “About what?” “By Adamant Thunder’s demands—”

“Oh, that,” Raphael said as if it had just occurred to him. “Now that I think about it, it doesn’t really concern me, does it?” “What…?” “I did make a pledge of secrecy, but that was only because I believed this institute was established with Professor Vylun’s approval.” Raphael coughed awkwardly and shook his head.

“I accepted the proposal believing I would be able to meet Professor Vylun, but it’s troublesome if things turn out this way. I accepted Adamant Thunder’s proposal.” “…” Hayward, unable to hide his dumbfounded expression, eventually clamped his mouth shut and turned away. He probably knew there was no point in venting his accumulated feelings. But Lennok, on the other hand, felt he could finally understand Raphael’s true nature.

‘Is he the type whose curiosity overrides morality and ethics? His disposition is quite strong.’ Raphael was quite humane for a high-ranking wizard, and well-regarded enough to have followers. Separate from his fear of Lennok, he was even willing to readily offer his research journal to save the Druid. But now, conversely, he had completely forgotten about the Druid and was solely engrossed in exploring the Mass Spellcraft Lennok had demonstrated. His actions seemed incomprehensibly inconsistent despite his nature not appearing inherently bad. This must be because, for Raphael, curiosity and interest were prioritized higher than any other factors. If something captivated him, his focus narrowed to the point of ignoring everything else. In one sense, it was an excellent disposition for a researcher, but conversely, it was also clearly a form of distortion. That’s likely why Raphael, despite holding the respectable title of a professor in the legitimate academic world, could still join Pandemonium.

As Lennok was lost in thought, the control room where the three stood began to tremble faintly.

RUMBLE…!!

A faint tremor, as if an entire mountain range was shaking. As Raphael and Hayward’s expressions shifted slightly, Lennok coughed and said, “It seems the City Council has made their move. By now, they’ve probably figured out where I’m hiding.”

“You’ll need time to access all the data… Will you be alright?” “Don’t worry about it and focus on your work. I’ll block them.”

Raphael’s expression changed strangely at Lennok’s nonchalant reply. “…The entire power generation facility, alone? In your current state, you mean?” No matter how extraordinary Adamant Thunder was, could he actually fight against a special forces unit while simultaneously supplying the mana required for the converter? Moreover, he wasn’t consuming a small amount of mana; he was pouring mana equivalent to Military-grade magic into the converter almost every second. Unless he intended to temporarily stop his work and simply kill all the superhumans from the special forces—

“Surely not…!” As Hayward’s face turned pale and his shoulders trembled, Lennok chuckled. “If that were my intention, I wouldn’t have left any witnesses in the institute.”

“…”

A retort that was utterly chilling. What was even more terrifying was that his arrogant reply didn’t sound like an empty boast. “My intention isn’t to kill all the institute’s personnel and cover this up. On the contrary, I’m in a position where I need to expose and uncover things.”

“…”

“However, it’s true that defending the facility alone is inefficient and cumbersome. The best course of action would be to make the special forces retreat on their own.” “But how could you, with your mana being consumed like that…?”

“Is there really a need to use my mana?” Lennok retorted, stepping on a thick power cable and lifting it. “There’s so much excess current lying around here, like seawater.”

“What are you talking about—” SNIP! With a single gesture, the power cable was cleanly severed, revealing its cross-section, and an enormous amount of current burst forth from it. The mana-embedded cable, being completely cut, reacted even more violently due to the shock.

CRACKLE, CRACKLE, CRACKLE!!!

“Wh-what are you doing?!!” “If you force a short circuit in a place like this, you can’t avoid an explosion—!!!” Just as Hayward recoiled in terror at the sparks, far more intense than before, caused by the short circuit, Lennok removed his gloves and plunged his bare hand into the severed end of the power cable without hesitation.

ZZZZZZZZT!!!!

“Aaaaargh!!”

Hayward covered his eyes and ears with both hands, lowering his head tightly. Despite the violent sparks that whitened his vision, Lennok didn’t bat an eyelid. Raphael had claimed that an Electromancer’s lightning was different from real electricity, but he was wrong. The properties of electricity, including voltage and resistance, were a current of change that a wizard must be able to handle. Regardless of where or in what form it existed, if it was the power of electricity, it could be forcibly incorporated under Lennok’s will-thought.

Even if it couldn’t be used for delicate tasks like data access, under the rules of magic Lennok had used as naturally as breathing—

Enchantment-Type Unique Magic

Origin Tier Fortress Construction

WHOOSH!!!

Waves of electricity, bursting from the severed end of the cable, instantly engulfed the power generation facility and surged upwards. Blue ripples, swirling and exploding throughout the entire facility, rapidly took shape and transformed the very space.

“Wh-what is this…?” At that moment, Raphael mumbled, looking blankly around him at the surreal miracle that twisted the very nature of the entire facility.

Provisional Fortress Deployment

[Pseudo: Heavenly Armored Dragon Star]

[OOOOOOOOH!!!]

The head of a toad, formed from brilliant blue lightning, surged above the facility, letting out a grotesque electrical bellow.