Chapter 854: The Handover (22)

“Ah, no…”

Louisen’s declaration that Professor Raphael would be appointed to oversee the handover process of the Vylun Research Institute.

Raphael, who could barely speak and was just gaping, muttered with a dumbfounded expression.

“What in the world are you talking about? The City Council has appointed me as the person in charge of the Vylun Research Institute’s handover?”

“Not a bad proposal.”

“No, you can’t just agree to that!”

As Lennok nodded, Raphael protested vehemently.

“I—I’m technically an outsider with no connection to the institute. For a handover, it should be entrusted to an insider like Dr. Heyward…!!”

“Ah, that’s not possible.”

“Why not!”

“Strictly speaking, that applies to all personnel officially affiliated with the institute.”

Louisen stated firmly, shaking his head.

“Dr. Heyward is a party to an employment contract with the institute. More specifically, he is a human ‘asset’ to be formally transferred to Professor Vylun.”

“A-Asset?”

As Raphael, lost for words at the expression, stared wide-eyed, Louisen gave a gentle smile.

“Entrusting the handover to an asset whose ownership is scheduled to be transferred to Professor Vylun would be inappropriate in many ways.”

“…”

Understanding the meaning behind those words, Raphael’s expression instantly hardened.

He had just clearly realized how the Senate of the Central Council viewed them.

An explanation impossible unless one treated Heyward and the other researchers as mere tools.

He realized that this young man named Louisen, who had been so flustered before Lennok, was in fact no different from the other council members.

Staggering from the shock, Raphael muttered.

“Are you saying that b-because I’m an outsider, I can be entrusted with the institute’s handover? What kind of nonsense is—”

“Professor Raphael is a scholar who made his name by establishing the Parallel Theory of Mana Arrays, and is a highly respected figure in academia.”

Louisen ignored Raphael and explained again to Lennok.

“He was formally invited to the institute to give a lecture, and he is also one of the very few related parties who is aware of the entire situation and has watched it unfold from the sidelines.”

“…”

Rolling up the scroll he was holding, Louisen nodded.

“Considering the complex current situation, we have concluded that he is the only candidate who can satisfy both Professor Vylun and yourself, Van.”

“…Hmm.”

At Lennok’s reaction, tilting his head without a word, Louisen’s expression wavered for a moment.

In stark contrast to his complete disregard for Raphael and Heyward, he was entirely focused on Lennok.

“If there is any part of this council’s recommendation that you find unsatisfactory—”

“No, more than that… the very idea is so typical of the Council.”

Lennok stared at Louisen’s smiling face for a moment before letting out an involuntary scoff.

He had instantly seen through what Louisen had just said and the Senate’s true intentions for making such a move.

“But it’s not that I don’t understand. Problems of nature are usually like that.”

“…”

The City Council wasn’t trying to resolve this situation simply by handing over the Vylun Research Institute.

Beyond transferring the personnel, facilities, and achievements in their entirety, they were trying to compensate him by tying Raphael’s talent to the institute.

Raphael was an outstanding theoretical researcher, to a degree that even Lennok acknowledged, and a professor of good character.

But he was also a man of talent with such a strong researcher’s temperament that he would dive headfirst into anything that sparked his interest.

The Central Council must have recognized this disposition of Raphael’s and thought they could use it to their advantage.

The justification Louisen added wasn’t entirely nonsensical, but its essence lay in their intent to gift Raphael by tying him to the institute.

“I’ll notify Evan Vylun of the matter. Now that the transfer of the institute’s ownership is confirmed, the next steps are for him to decide.”

Lennok replied as such and averted his gaze.

“However, that proposal seems to depend on whether Professor Raphael accepts it.”

“Th-that’s right.”

Snapping back to his senses, Raphael glared at Louisen with a displeased look.

“Trying to handle things without my permission… isn’t this just me taking the fall for the City Council’s responsibilities?!”

“…”

“It’s a bit much to say it myself, but I’m a very busy person. There are… many people calling for me, many appointments, and even re-rev—”

“Rev?”

I can tell he’s all worked up, but is he really thinking of saying that organization’s name out loud here?

Just as Lennok watched with keen interest to see how far the rampaging Raphael would go, and Louisen tilted his head in confusion.

Raphael, desperately clinging to his reason, hastily stammered and changed his words.

“There are also people who hold a grudge against me and want revenge!!”

“…”

“Of course, I accepted the lecture because I wanted to meet Professor Vylun, but for the City Council to force this role on me like this—!!”

“Ah, regarding that matter, we have already received confirmation from the Elder Council.”

“W-what did you say?”

Louisen calmly cut Raphael off and unfurled the scroll again.

“Where was it written… Ah, here it is.”

“No, I have no intention of accepting, so what kind of confirmation could you have possibly received!”

“You’ve entered the Greenbelt within Vulcan for joint research with the Druids, have you not?”

At Louisen’s words, Raphael’s mouth snapped shut.

“I believe you sought the Elder Council’s counsel several times to acquire the entry permit.”

“…”

Seeing Raphael break out in a cold sweat, Louisen nodded.

“The Elder Council has requested your cooperation in light of that past event.”

“Th-that’s…”

Raphael’s eyes spun in their sockets.

“It’s true I received some help, but it’s also true that a problem arose because I left the Greenbelt a little later than planned—”

“I understand that because of that incident, you brought a druid with you on this visit.”

Louisen said, closing the scroll again.

“If you assist with the handover for this matter, we will resolve that issue cleanly under the authority of the Senate.”

“Still, the academic conferences I have piled up… I have to go back to the university too…”

“Professor, why are you worrying about it so much?”

At that moment, the magician Silford placed a hand on Raphael’s shoulder.

With a beaming smile, Silford tilted his fedora and whispered into the professor’s ear.

“If you accept this job, you’ll be able to meet Professor Vylun, who will be appointed as the new director, you know?”

“…!!”

“It’s a job done on the condition of paying off an outstanding debt, isn’t it? You can’t help it either, Professor.”

“Th-that’s…”

Raphael’s dazed expression as he listened blankly to Silford’s persuasion, as if mesmerized.

Watching Silford and Louisen’s actions, Lennok shook his head from behind.

As expected, they know everything, from why Raphael came to the institute to what kind of temperament he has.

Entrusting the handover to an outsider like Raphael meant that Raphael would have to familiarize himself with everything that had been conducted at the institute.

And Raphael, a researcher by nature, was highly likely to feel a strong interest in the Universal Magic research conducted at the institute.

If that happened, Raphael would forget the situation around him and settle down at the institute to study Universal Magic.

The City Council had seen right through Raphael’s disposition and was trying to elicit the optimal result that would benefit both sides.

Of course, this was only possible because Raphael was indebted to the Elder Council, but conversely, it was also proof that anyone who got involved with them could not easily escape.

“Yes, it can’t be helped.”

Just like that, Raphael had already fully accepted Silford’s words and was nodding his head.

“I understand. I don’t know if I can do it, but I will do my best to be of help to Professor Vylun. In return…”

Raphael’s eyes flashed with a sudden, intense fervor.

“You must get a firm promise from Professor Vylun that he will visit the institute in person at least once.”

“But of course, Professor.”

Silford bowed his head slightly with a smile.

“Since all of this is being prepared for Professor Vylun, that message will be delivered to Rebatenon University with the utmost care.”

As Raphael accepted the situation and nodded weakly, and Louisen began explaining to Raphael what he had to do.

Lennok casually turned his head to look at Heyward, who had been left behind.

“You don’t seem very surprised.”

“…”

Heyward watched the situation unfold silently with an expressionless face.

Even as he watched the process of his own status and the institute being handed over, he only scratched his head and showed no intention of actively intervening.

“Did you know things would turn out this way?”

“No. Of course not…”

Heyward answered in a rough voice, glancing around cautiously.

“I just thought that with Professor Vylun absent, someone might have to take over the director’s position temporarily.”

“…”

“Professor Raphael’s personality doesn’t really suit me, honestly, but his ability is something to be acknowledged.”

Seeing Raphael walk over, Heyward dusted himself off and stood up.

“He’ll be more than adequate to work with.”

Heyward began to explain something in a rapid tone to Raphael, who was still contemplating with a reluctant expression, as if it hadn’t fully sunk in yet.

Are they already planning to start the handover of the institute’s facilities and personnel?

As Lennok watched them with his arms crossed, Louisen’s voice rang out again.

“Taking into account the fact that communication with Professor Vylun was not smooth during the establishment of the institute. The fact that the project’s progress, including the research topic, was not seamless.”

“…”

“And the fact that the wizard cultivation plan’s means and conclusion were inadequate compared to its conception. Considering all these points, as of 4:34 today, we approve the transfer of all rights to Professor Vylun.”

Louisen, stealing a glance at Lennok, spoke again.

“However, considering that Professor Vylun has a close technical agreement with the Magic Tower, the Magic Tower will also be granted the right to share in the research results, and a stake in the institute will be transferred to the Tower Lord as well, so future detailed adjustments of ratios and profit distribution will be decided through mutual agreement—”

Lennok, who had been listening, cut him off curtly.

“That’s a long-winded way of saying Vylun and I can figure out how to split it.”

“W-well… if you summarize the main point, you’re not wrong, but…”

Ignoring the stammering Louisen, Lennok gave a cold smile.

“What’s the reason?”

“Y-yes?”

“The wizard cultivation plan that was underway at the institute. Wasn’t it based on the City Council’s own superhuman cultivation technology? There must be a reason why you’ve decided to overlook this incident, despite the technology leak.”

“…”

What the Central Council had reacted to most sensitively in this incident was not the existence of the institute, but the secrets and technology of the project hidden within it.

Once that was leaked, they had moved to summon Lennok to the Council to find an acceptable point of agreement.

But had the Council’s internal opinion changed in the brief time Lennok had been wrangling with the Black Visor?

As Louisen remained silent, Silford stepped forward.

“You know better than anyone, so why are you asking?”

“Inference and confirmation are different. Explain it yourself.”

“The biggest reason is, of course, the existence of the Magic Tower. Are you aware that Vulcan’s domestic market is currently booming because of it?”

Silford said with a wink.

“The items currently being imported through the Magic Tower are as hot a topic as Universal Magic. The Central Council won’t want to break the current momentum, no matter what you do.”

“…”

“But if there’s one reason that became the turning point…”

The magician paused, slightly tilting his fedora to hide his expression.

Lowering his voice so that not even Louisen could hear, he whispered.

“It’s because we didn’t know you valued Evan Vylun this highly.”

“…”

“To be honest, even the Elder Council was surprised. It wouldn’t be strange for even the most brilliant researcher to seem like an insect in the eyes of a great wizard.”

Silford said, looking at Lennok with a peculiar expression.

“If Adamant Thunder set aside even his madness to move for a single researcher, that’s reason enough for the Central Council to revise its plans.”

“Is that all?”

“Just between us, the Council’s attitude towards Professor Vylun will also change a bit from now on.”

Grinning, Silford tapped the staff in his hand.

“Half of the old monsters sitting at the top of the Council are ghosts who survived the wars of old, so they have a tendency to look down on even the most brilliant genius if they lack power. It can’t be helped.”

“…”

“Now that they know Professor Vylun is under Adamant Thunder’s protection to this extent, they’ll likely change their tune a bit. Honestly, the biggest problem is that the people who should have been in their graves long ago are still walking around defiantly with their canes…”

As he said that, Silford pointed to Lennok’s staff and his own and chuckled.

“Come to think of it, we’ve each got one too. I guess we’re in no position to talk, are we?”

“…”

Ignoring the magician’s rambling nonsense, Lennok fell into thought.

The Central Council’s unconditional concessions. But this was an outcome I was bound to secure from the moment they established the institute using Vylun’s name.

Lennok himself had no intention of stepping in from the start unless it was to seize the entire institute.

Wasn’t the reason he’d held back against the researchers and the forces guarding the institute because he considered them assets that would soon fall into his hands?

However, discussing that fact now, in his persona as Van, was inappropriate.

All that’s left is the matter of whether to demand a clear explanation and report on what the Central Council has done here, but—

“Fine.”

Slowly calming his mana, Lennok tilted his head back.

“I will visit the Senate soon. I want to be briefed on the institute’s affairs, so select the key personnel and bring me a list.”

“Ho ho, that part is not under my jurisdiction.”

The magician deftly changed the subject and grabbed the shoulder of Louisen, who was standing awkwardly nearby.

“Senator Azamaha. What are your thoughts?”

“Yes? No, I don’t know anything yet…”

“If you don’t know, you should go find out.”

“What?”

“I said, go find out.”

Before Louisen could answer, Silford grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and hurled him away.

For a moment, Louisen’s body seemed to shrink as if being sucked into a hole, then vanished with a single shriek.

Silford placed his hands on his hips with a satisfied look and nodded.

“Don’t worry. I sent him on an errand to find out, so he’ll do fine.”

Lennok stared at Silford and said.

“I wouldn’t have killed him even if you hadn’t done that. I’m not interested enough to bother.”

“Pardon? I don’t quite understand—”

“I was saying that your pathetic acting is more irritating.”

“Haha, was I too obvious?”

Silford laughed loudly with an awkward expression.

His act of forcefully sending Louisen away—done, conversely, to protect Louisen from Lennok—had been seen through in an instant.

Lennok gave the magician a cold smile.

“You act as if I was about to kill him. I’m not the type who gets satisfaction only from beheading the messenger.”

“Of course, I’m not saying I think that, but.”

Silford emphasized with a smile.

“There are quite a few people who think it wouldn’t be strange for you to act that way at any moment.”

“…”

“The reason for the delay in the City Council’s decision today was also because opinions were divided in the Senate, dragging things out. If not for the Elder Council’s intervention, things would not have ended like this.”

“Are you trying to take credit in front of me?”

“Of course not. In the first place, if you hadn’t refused the position of proxy, there would have been no job for me to take.”

Silford lightly pressed down on his fedora.

“However, it would be good for you to know that there is a considerable difference in perception among the council members who have not met you. That’s how much Adamant Thunder’s infamy in this city is, how should I put it…”

“I know.”

Seeing Silford choose his words, Lennok scoffed.

“To some extent, I brought it upon myself.”

[Huh. You knew, Master?]

“…Hmm. That’s not exactly what I meant.”

While Lennok ignored the spirit’s seemingly genuinely curious question, Silford subtly changed the subject.

“What I meant was that if you understand your name is perceived with a unique meaning in this city, you’ll be able to more easily comprehend the sensitive reactions of those around you.”

Having said that much, Silford glanced at Lennok’s expression and asked.

“My words weren’t too difficult to understand, were they?”

“I think I’ve been saying this for a while.”

Lennok replied with a smiling face.

“That placating and coddling attitude of yours is more annoying.”

“Ahaha, just kidding. Well then, I’ll be off!!”

Seemingly thinking he had overstepped his bounds, the magician vanished from before Lennok like a bolt of lightning.

Krrrrrng!!

Through the slowly collapsing ceiling of the facility, he could feel the presences of other superhumans watching the area.

The Black Visor, collecting his scattered mana as he stood up, and the special agency members who had held their ground even after being swept away by the demon giant.

They no longer showed hostility, but their strange posture still seemed intent on keeping Lennok confined to this space.

Staring at the members, Lennok shook his head in disbelief.

“My business with your masters is finished. Do you still have business with me?”

[…The transaction between you and the Central Council is a matter that must be kept secret. We will not receive any directive regarding this matter.]

The Jade Visor replied in a low, sunken tone.

[If there is no notification from our superiors, we must prioritize carrying out our existing mission.]

“How tiresome. Are all public officials like this?”

Lennok looked at the silent Black Visor, then gathered his mana and tapped his staff.

“Fine. On second thought, there’s still something I’ve been meaning to test on you.”

Kuuung!!

The fiendish demon giant, with thick black chains attached to its arms, crossed them and looked down upon the Aegis members.

The giant, which had been waiting obediently until the business was finished, belying its menacing appearance, spread its arms wide.

Charrreuk!!

The black chains began to move like living snakes, coiling around Lennok’s hand.

“Hell’s Bargain. A contract of no defeat, you say.”

With a smirk, Lennok grabbed the chains with the hand not holding his staff and muttered.

“Shall we see just what kind of power is defined as undefeatable in black magic?”