Chapter 211
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 211
“Qi Meridian Blockage?”
“Isn’t that incurable?”
The mention of a cure for Qi Meridian Blockage sent a ripple of shock through the conference hall.
“I heard it’s not a disease but a congenital condition. It’s supposed to be impossible to fix.”
Audience members and judges alike whispered among themselves, their voices thick with skepticism. Just as the hall began to swell with murmurs…
“Silence.”
Emperor Marcus, who had remained stoic until now, finally spoke.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a potent weight of mana and an undeniable authority that swept through the hall, instantly stifling the noise. In any other setting, the crowd might have been harder to suppress, but this was a hall filled with the continent’s greatest intellectuals and mages. Not a single soul dared defy an order from the Master of the seven Magic Towers and the Emperor of the Magic Empire of Cassandra.
Marcus, possessing the aura of a seasoned lion, fixed his crimson eyes on me. “Proceed.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I offered a brief nod of gratitude and continued my explanation.
“As I mentioned, this thesis details the treatment of Qi Meridian Blockage, and we expect the methodology to be applicable to similar conditions. I began this research because I, too, once suffered from this affliction.”
My admission that I had been a victim of Qi Meridian Blockage sent another wave of hushed whispers through the crowd. Roen’s condition was a fact known only to a select few.
“As you are all aware, Qi Meridian Blockage is caused by an internal chill that creates abnormalities in one’s ki and blood—specifically, the mana circuits—obstructing the natural flow of mana. Because of this, those afflicted are born with frail bodies and compromised immune systems, making them prone to constant illness. In severe cases, they rarely live past the age of ten.”
I clicked a button to switch the slide on the screen.
“It is hardly a fair trade-off, but those with Qi Meridian Blockage possess mana circuits that differ slightly from the average person’s, which can occasionally result in a natural genius for magic.”
As I spoke, I shifted my gaze toward Beatrice. She was watching me intently, silently biting her lip.
“I based this thesis on the fact that the condition stems from an abnormal chill within the body. The solution, therefore, lies in fundamentally expelling that chill.”
I handed the microphone to Pastel, who was standing beside me.
Click—.
Pastel took the mic, then carefully removed a pill from a case and placed it on the lecture table. Projected onto the screen via a magic device, the pill looked like a translucent orb with a noble, flickering flame burning within its core.
“Long-term use of the pill we have developed can cure Qi Meridian Blockage.”
Just then, a mage from the audience raised a hand.
“I am aware that there are already several medicines on the market that claim to treat or alleviate Qi Meridian Blockage. What makes this one any different?”
The academic conference was a forum to verify the validity and effectiveness of a thesis through rigorous peer review. The mage’s question was perfectly reasonable. I gestured toward him as I answered.
“An excellent point. There are indeed many medicines marketed as cures. However, most do not actually treat the condition; they merely suppress the mana seizures it causes.”
Qi Meridian Blockage presents many symptoms, but the most prominent is the mana seizure. Perhaps because Roen is half-demon, he doesn’t experience them, but most patients—including Beatrice—suffer from them periodically. They are known to be accompanied by excruciating pain, described as cold needles piercing the chest, followed by a violent mana overload. The frequency and intensity of these seizures only worsen with age.
The primary cause of death for most patients is the sheer shock of the pain and the eventual rupture of their mana circuits. Of course, as an Imperial Princess, Beatrice manages her seizures with top-grade pills produced in secret by the Empire’s finest mages and apothecaries, but she lives with the same looming risks as any other patient.
“Unlike the medicines currently available, this pill can fundamentally cure Qi Meridian Blockage. However, its production requires ingredients with properties of extreme yang energy—such as the heart of a Red Dragon, the essence of a Phoenix, or the inner core of a Mannyeonhwari.”
“W-What?”
“Where are we supposed to find things like that?”
The hall buzzed once more, caught between the shock of the claim and the absurdity of the requirements. The heart of a Red Dragon, along with the other ingredients, were legendary materials. They were treasures most mages would never see in their entire lives. Not even the Cassandra Imperial Family, the most powerful house on the continent, could easily source them. No matter how much money or power one possessed, one could not acquire what simply did not exist.
At that moment, Grand Duke McDowell spoke up.
“Then what ingredients were used to create the pill you have there? To my knowledge, a Red Dragon’s heart hasn’t been seen in several hundred years.”
“You are correct. Neither a Red Dragon’s heart, nor Phoenix essence, nor the inner core of a Mannyeonhwari has been discovered recently. That is why we utilized a new method.”
I changed the slide again.
“What matters is the pure flame property contained within the ingredients. We do not necessarily have to rely on the legendary materials I listed. Therefore, we combined the Dragon Heart of the Mad Dragon Calvador with the Extreme Flame possessed by a certain clan to synthesize the pill’s primary component. This combination method is the core of my thesis.”
“…!”
At this, Grand Duke McDowell and several others widened their eyes. The Grand Duke seemed surprised by the mention of Bell and her Extreme Flame, which he knew of through the Olympiad, while others were simply astonished by the sheer ingenuity of the idea.
Emperor Marcus, however, showed no surprise. He simply let out a low chuckle.
“Hmph. If you don’t have it, you make it. A very mage-like way of thinking.”
Coming from the Emperor of the Magic Empire—the representative of all mages—this was high praise indeed.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I bowed politely, took a pair of glasses from my coat, and put them on before continuing.
“This combination method was inspired by the mana absorption mechanism of a Dragon Heart. It is similar to the operating principle of a human’s Mana Heart, allowing it to neutralize the chill flowing through the body on a fundamental level…”
The explanation flowed from my lips like water. This would have been impossible with my own limited magical knowledge or what I remembered from the game.
So, how was I doing it?
I focused on the faint, translucent figure visible only through the lenses and the voice whispering in my ear.
[Future research will aim to establish reliable tests that can clearly define the pill’s mana resistance and the risk of cardiovascular events according to each experimental group…]
The answer lay in the [Sage’s Glasses] I was currently wearing—one of the Academy’s 3 Great Divine Artifacts. It was a legendary-grade artifact that not only increased the wearer’s intelligence by ten percent but could also summon the spiritual form of the Great Sage Azolte Fingard, allowing me to receive almost any knowledge in real-time.
It had been an invaluable asset in both this Qi Meridian Blockage research and the development of the next-generation core. With the glasses on, all I had to do was organize what the Sage’s spirit was saying and recite it, making the presentation of such a complex thesis effortless.
Just then, the mechanical voice whispering in my ear stopped.
[It would be best to conclude the explanation here. Revealing any more information would allow those with this era’s level of knowledge to deduce the pill’s combination method. This would result in a clear loss for you…]
The only downside was that the Sage’s spirit lacked a personality; our conversations were as stiff and mechanical as a machine’s. It felt like a highly advanced AI, so it wasn’t quite as omnipotent as one might hope.
Heeding the spirit’s warning, I brought the presentation to a close.
“That concludes my presentation.”
As I finished, sighs of disappointment echoed from the audience. I had skipped over the most crucial technical details. I felt a bit bad for them, but my goal wasn’t to popularize this pill for the masses.
This thesis was a gift prepared for a specific person.
I gestured to the documents in my hand and the pill on the table.
“I will donate this thesis and the pill to the Cassandra Imperial Family.”
The Magic Empire of Cassandra.
Their bloodline, which had produced world-class mages for generations, held a dark secret. For centuries, they had suffered from a magical ailment strikingly similar to Qi Meridian Blockage. Beatrice, who suffered from the condition, and her father, Emperor Marcus, who could only watch his daughter wither in pain, were both deeply tormented by this.
The thesis I had just presented was the perfect gift—it scratched an itch they had both been desperate to reach.
Despite my offer, Marcus’s expression remained unreadable. He asked calmly, “Why do you give this to me?”
Marcus knew exactly why, yet he tested me anyway. I couldn’t exactly say, “You should be grateful because this can cure your family’s genetic defect.”
Instead, I offered some calculated flattery.
“To whom else would I present this, if not to Your Majesty—the heart of all magic and the supreme ruler of the continent?”
“Flattering words. Then, why give it to me now?”
If I had truly wanted to give it to him, a secret, private audience would have been the more refined approach. It would have better preserved the secrecy of the Cassandra family’s condition and prevented unnecessary gossip.
Of course, that was purely from the Emperor’s perspective.
I bowed my head and replied, “Because I want many people to remember this day.”
I thought back to my commemorative speech at the opening ceremony. Back then, I had provoked the Emperor by announcing the establishment of Valerian Academy.
Valerian was an academy founded by those who advocated for the abolition of the class system.
The Cassandra Imperial Family, the most powerful proponents of the status quo, would hardly look upon it favorably. If I had done nothing, they might have used any number of methods to pressure the academy into non-existence.
But now that I had given them a gift they couldn’t refuse in front of so many witnesses, they wouldn’t be able to openly interfere with my plans.
...Well, if the Emperor were truly ruthless, he could refuse my gift here and now, then later send someone to steal the technology.
That was the standard morality for the powerful in this era, after all. But Emperor Marcus was not that cruel. On the contrary, he was a magnanimous man who appreciated talent. He would surely accept my gift here.
The Emperor, as if instantly grasping my intentions, stroked his rough beard and smiled.
“A bold one, you are. Quite different from the rumors.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Very well. I shall accept your gift. By my mana, I swear that Cassandra will remember this.”
*
With the academic conference over, the week-long academy festival was drawing to a close.
The booths that had lined Union Avenue began to pack up one by one, and the special pop-up shops, including the maid cafe, ended their service. On the evening of the final day, after the corporate presentations and the Super Bowl final had concluded, the festival’s closing ceremony began.
It was a massive success, with nearly a hundred thousand people gathered in the stadium. Emperor Marcus’s closing speech was impressive. He spoke of how humanity must fight against a common enemy, rather than squabbling amongst themselves for petty interests.
It was a profound statement, signifying both the current peace of the continent and the great war looming on the horizon. It was a sincere declaration that only the true leader of the Myrillin Continent could make. The Emperor must have sensed the dark clutches reaching for the continent and the approaching clouds of war.
A thunderous applause erupted.
Clap, clap, clap—
I joined in, adding my own applause.
Of course, there will be those who oppose the Emperor’s will.
Certain families, led by the royal family of the Knight Kingdom of Gilbert—where the Demon God’s forces have already taken deep root—would be the first to resist. In war, the enemy within is the most fearsome. To achieve true unity, we must first eliminate them—the enemies of humanity.
I am also lending my strength to that cause, so I hope that the faction of Professor Zimmer and the Second Prince will gradually grow and set the Knight Kingdom on the right path.
Once the festival ended with the closing ceremony, the Emperor and other high-ranking officials immediately departed on their floating ships. However, the millions of people still remaining in the Meteor Archipelago would likely stay for a few more days, spending money lavishly. It would be a massive economic boon for the entire archipelago.
Though, ironically, the festival’s organizer, Kiriel, was now sitting on tens of billions in debt. I suppose such ironies are part of the charm of a massive festival.
Finishing my thought, I turned to Ciel, who was sitting next to me. “Right, Ciel?”
“What are you suddenly talking about?”
“...It’s nothing. Let’s have a toast.”
Fireworks exploded in the night sky. The colorful bursts embroidering the black canvas were a magnificent sight. I clinked my glass of cola against Ciel’s and sat by the window, watching the final night of the academy festival fade into memory.