31 - The Victim of the Academy

**Chain of Hate (5)** Time flows. The season slowly begins its transition from spring to summer. The morning sun stretches longer, much like the dark circles under Professor Georg's eyes. It was a morning when the sun began to blaze unusually early. "Someone's dead." "It's been a while…" "Should we report it first?" "We need to preserve the scene." An unidentified corpse lay sprawled out on the ground in a gruesome state. The well-worn students, accustomed to such discoveries, remained unusually calm. It's a sad reflection of our harsh reality. I'm no exception. "Will they cancel afternoon classes today?" Even in the event of a murder, there was no surprise or intrigue left. Right now, I'm more concerned with completing Ariel's medication. Standing stagnant at a standstill, it naturally draws my attention. Besides, this was bound to happen sooner or later. The existence of the Saint, Tillis, the technical alliance for investigating Ex Machina's machinery, and the influx of outsiders — all these factors have led to chaos with too many people and incidents converging all at once. Even Olga Hermod seems to struggle to find ground amidst this disorder, providing ample opportunity for others to exploit. Leaning into this chaos suits the cradle, infamously ranked as the "most desired site for terror" for the past year. "Yuna." "Yes?" Now, just calling out brings Yuna to my side. Does she have nothing else to do? I decided to ask her. As an assassin, she likely sees and hears various bits of information. If things differ from my expectations, I need to be cautious. "The deceased was an undeclared mage from the Under Chain. He originally belonged to a gang called the Gollen Family until the Saint wiped them out, after which he constantly pursued her." "That’s enough." Thankfully, it’s as I expected. It seems he sought revenge against Tillis and met his demise. Recently, too many unexpected developments made me wary, so this news was relieving, in a way. The right kind of person met their end. Let's leave it at that for now. "Oh, have we reached such a time already? I'm sorry for the mess I've made in the precincts because of my personal matters. I intended to clean up before everyone arrived..." While passing by the crime scene, Saint Tillis appeared in the distance, dragging a burlap sack. "I'm the one who took him down, so I'll take responsibility and clean up." The obvious use of the sack was undeniable. It was clearly intended for moving the body. Tillis’s bright smile bore no hint of guilt. "As expected of the Saint!" The observing students were busy praising her. It's a mad world. Had the dead guy been a researcher from Ex Machina, it could have spared us from this farce. Am I diverging from normalcy in thinking such things? "Let's go, we'll be late to class." "I don't attend class." "Neither do I." I'll just attend to mark my presence and then sleep. * * * After class, I headed to the alchemy workshop, Ars Magna, still burdened by a complex mind. However, the ones who greeted me were neither Professor Georg nor his intended assistant, Senior Zabeel. "Ah, Johan. Come in. Perfect timing. Do you know where Professor Georg went?" "Did he run away?" "Well... I knew he wasn't the most mature, but I didn't expect this." "He's probably just tired. A little break and I'm sure he'll return." "I hope so... It's his fifth disappearance." "Oh dear." How many exoduses had he attempted without me knowing? To have tried so many times yet failed each time suggests he’s very well hidden now. I know nothing about it. While I was pondering ways to avoid getting entangled in this, a woman emerged from the workshop. "Mentor." Tangled black hair and dull yellow eyes that gave off a murky impression. She wasn't a student from the cradle, and I’d never seen her before. And yet, there was a sense of familiarity. "Hm? Ah, Emilee. Did you check inside?" "He doesn’t appear to be hiding there. Should we look elsewhere?" "No, it seems he’s taken this seriously. Let's not waste unnecessary energy." "Yes." …Emilee? Upon hearing that name, I remembered. Emilee Robinhood. The younger sister of Stahn Robinhood, a close associate of Robelia, and simultaneously... "..." "Ah, Emilee? Is Johan bothering you?" "Yes, a little." An executive in Ex Machina. As soon as I recognized her, my complexion might have paled, but thankfully I quickly regained my composure. It's fine. She isn’t someone likely to harm me. Ex Machina is not a clearly villainous group, and even within it, members are markedly different in personality. Emilee is merely a genius affiliated with Ex Machina and leans relatively toward the good. “I read your research journal.” “…My research?” Compared to other researchers at Ex Machina, she maintains a somewhat proper sense of morality. However, her manners are beyond repair, reflective of her affiliation. Such is the way of genius madmen. "Yes, I found it while sifting through things inside. It seemed intriguing." "Sorry, Johan. Emilee? I believe I told you not to look through others' research journals." "Did you?" "Ah, it's alright. It's my fault for leaving it out." "I'm really sorry, Johan." Koran Lekias rubbed his forehead in frustration. Yes, it probably was difficult raising a socially inept but brilliant beast. Regardless, Emilee wasn’t likely behind the current Ex Machina incident. She had no reason to hate Tillis, and above all, the machinery involved isn't her technology. "Can I continue? Johan, my brother." "Huh? Oh, sure…" Is it her sociability, or just because I’m older? It’s confusing when she uses a friendly title in a calm voice. The naturalness of her addressing me so familiarly caught me off guard. I didn't really want to get chummy with her... "You're conducting quite a unique research." "Oh...? Emilee, do you have some knowledge in alchemy?" "Not really. The research just seemed interesting to me." "Ah, I see." Koran Lekias scratched his cheek, pondering Emilee's nonchalant words. Perhaps they hadn't been master and apprentice for long? Considering Emilee's standing in Ex Machina, it wasn't surprising. Her becoming Koran's apprentice must have been just another whimsical pursuit for her. "But if it's research that even Emilee finds intriguing, this old man is curious too. Johan, if it's not too much trouble, could you briefly explain?" "Ah, sure…" There's nothing hidden about my quest to find a cure for Transcendence Sickness. Even if others know, it doesn't matter. It's unlikely anyone will connect it to Ariel. She hides her symptoms from others, and my past naturally justifies my research into this condition. With nothing to hide, I'm actively seeking help. I'm no genius, but there are a few, like Senior Zabeel, who possess brilliant minds. "Though it's at a standstill. I'm close to a completion, but the problem lies in the combination of ingredients for the cure." I had discovered the form of the final product early on. The issue was finding a way to create it. Simply throwing expensive ingredients together doesn't produce a cure. Timing, neutralizers, catalysts, and many other factors must be considered. "There are two key reagents at the core, but they are polar opposites, making synthesis difficult." "What kind of reagents are they?" "One is the heart of a phoenix, and the other is the blood of a frost giant. Each has strict temperature requirements, yet they need to be combined." One is a burning heart, and the other is flowing ice. It's frustrating that both must coexist. Mixing them might weaken one, render them both useless, or, at worst, cause an explosion. "Oh... that's quite challenging. To satisfy both, you need to find a different process." "Yes." Ultimately, I'll have to combine and deconstruct these elements with other reagents. However, a method hasn't immediately presented itself. The process will likely be lengthy. "I'd like to offer advice, but I'm sorry. I know nothing of alchemy." "Your willingness alone is appreciated." There must be a way. Eventually, with enough trial and error, success will come. Hopefully, Ariel can hold on until then. "Not sure if it helps, but to solve this problem, you might want to seek out Professor Georg." "What...?" I wanted to ask what she meant, but Emilee, as if concluding her part, turned and stood beside Koran. "Ahem! Then, we'll take our leave. Hopefully, we'll meet again, Johan." "Ah, yes. Take care on your way." Koran Lekias and Emilee exited the alchemy workshop. Their departure seemed less like master and apprentice and more like a grandfather with his granddaughter. * * * Following Emilee's advice, I decided to look for Professor Georg. If anyone else had suggested it, I might have hesitated, but this was Emilee, a top executive of Ex Machina. She claimed ignorance about alchemy, but that might be a facade. Even if it wasn’t, she might have provided a crucial hint. There was nothing to lose. "Are you here?" "Eh?" Finding Professor Georg wasn’t challenging. Yuna, my ubiquitous helper, was always around when needed. While Yuna asked for nothing in return for locating him, her sly smile suggested she had her own agenda. But there's nothing I can do about that now. I doubt Yuna would make unreasonable requests for something like this. "What's up, Johan? Did that old geezer send you to fetch me?" "He didn't say that, but he seemed to be looking for you. Don’t make the old man work too hard and just go back when you're ready." "I was going to do that anyway, kid. Uh, so why are you here?" Buried in the corner of a storage room, Professor Georg rose with a resigned air. He looked haggard, like someone who’d just faced a personal loss. "How is your recent work progressing?" Emilee suggested seeing Professor Georg. He probably doesn’t have the answer himself. If he did, he would have helped already. However, a clue exists. It couldn’t have appeared out of nowhere; there must be some link. The only current task that comes to mind is Georg’s analysis of a certain metal. It's a mysterious alloy, resistant to high pressure and heat, that doesn't rust even with long exposure to steam. Perhaps identifying this alloy could aid my stalled experiment. If necessary, I might have to assist Georg. "Analysis on that is long done." "Excuse me? Then why...?" His unexpected response caught me off guard. Was he really that capable? But then, if the analysis were complete, why was he hiding here? "Nobody believes what I say. So, what can I do?" What does he mean by this? Could it just be the delirious ramblings of someone whose brain has fried from exhaustion? Judging by Professor Georg's current state, it's more than possible... "I tried every method to uncover the true nature of that metal." "Yes." "But it's just iron, pure and simple. Not even an alloy. Yet the Imperial Research Department and the cradle keep nagging me, saying I’m slacking off." Normally, I would think Professor Georg might have been careless with his work. But something seems off. Looking at his disheveled appearance now, it doesn’t seem like he took things lightly. If that metal truly was just plain iron, then what could it have been? If the metal itself isn’t unique, then there must have been some external factor involved. "Is it a paranormal ability?" Perhaps magic or a paranormal ability might be in play? "You think I’d know? If I did, would I be hiding out here? They wouldn’t believe me even if I explained." If it were a paranormal ability, it would have to be one that controls temperature freely. I’ve never heard of such a power before, but one thing becomes clearer. The answer to my problem lies not in the material, but in a person. Someone who managed to manipulate ordinary iron with an external force to control its properties — that implies the Ex Machina researcher behind this must have the solution to my own conundrum.