Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Eilane’s decision after reading the paper was swift.
She used the copying device installed at the reception desk to print multiple copies of the paper, then had her subordinates distribute them throughout the entire Tower of Sages.
In a normal organization, people would only start noticing after morning arrived, but this was the Tower of Sages.
For alchemists, dawn was simply a good time to research.
Because of that, most of the alchemists were already awake, and the paper spread quickly.
Among them was Hyidel, an Albedo-rank alchemist affiliated with the Tower of Sages.
“Here is your vitality coffee, Master.”
“Ah. Thank you.”
He drank the mixture of a vitality potion and strong espresso, washing down his face with his hand to shake off drowsiness.
Now somewhat awake, he tilted his head in confusion.
“I don’t understand why a paper was suddenly delivered.”
“Maybe it’s related to our research?”
“Perhaps. Our work is something the entire Tower of Sages is involved in.”
Their research goal was to understand the principles of spatial distortion.
They had successfully analyzed the structure of the Marshlands’ spatial framework, but the structure data changed depending on environmental conditions, making it difficult to derive a single unified formula that could account for all situations.
They had been struggling to break through this wall.
Then, without warning, a paper delivered to the atelier had halted their research.
Thanks to that interruption, his disciples looked relieved, downing vitality potions or collapsing onto sofas for brief naps.
Hyidel chuckled at their state and decided to pause research for now, partly to refresh the atmosphere.
Sitting in his chair, he read the paper casually, wondering why it had been sent.
“…Hmm?”
But as he turned the pages, Hyidel’s eyes gradually widened. By the final page, he stood up with an excited expression.
“This is a revolution!”
At his sudden outburst, all eyes in the atelier turned toward him.
Normally calm and dignified, their master was now visibly excited, making them wonder what had happened.
Ignoring their gazes, Hyidel tapped the paper with his palm and laughed.
“Hahaha! So at last, a genius has appeared in Astrum!”
“What is it, Master?”
“The secret of spatial distortion has been completely uncovered!”
“Excuse me? Isn’t that the topic the Tower of Sages is currently researching?”
“A collaborative project has been solved? Which atelier did this?”
At his disciples’ questions, Hyidel checked the author line.
Author: Theodor, Nigredo-rank alchemist.
“Theodor! He’s a solo author! And he’s only Nigredo-rank!”
“What?!”
“Is that really true?!”
The disciples’ fatigue vanished instantly.
They looked incredulous, yet at the same time, intrigued.
This was a field where geniuses often produced explosive results.
But it was still hard to believe.
A Nigredo-rank alchemist was no small talent, but solving a problem that even Albedo-rank researchers struggled with alone defied common sense.
However, Hyidel was certain the author had done it alone.
“Idiots! You still don’t understand this field! Geniuses who shake the world always appear without warning!”
From his experience, ordinary people could never fully grasp a genius’s capabilities.
When he was younger, there had been a genius in his branch who proved exactly that.
Hyidel accepted without doubt that Theodor had analyzed spatial distortion and devised its practical application alone.
Of course, verification would be needed, since plagiarism or missing co-authors were always possible.
But he believed Theodor was not lying.
Why?
Because the paper was too beautiful to be fake—so beautiful that it invalidated months of their own research struggles.
The explanation of spatial structure anomalies in the Marshlands and the origin of distortion phenomena was structurally flawless.
“If someone can write a paper this beautiful, Nigredo or not, it doesn’t matter! I would even want to learn from him!”
“Th-that much?”
“Read it yourselves!”
He handed the paper to his disciples, who immediately began reading it in haste.
And just like their master, they froze in shock.
“This… this is possible?”
“It’s complicated, but why does it make sense?”
“So THAT’S why spatial structures differ by environment!”
They finally understood why their master had been so excited.
This was no ordinary paper.
It was a codex of knowledge that decoded the spatial distortion problem that had tormented the Tower of Sages for months.
With glowing expressions, Hyidel stood up and put on his coat.
“Prepare yourselves!”
“For what?”
“We’re going to Theodor’s atelier!”
“B-but he probably submitted the paper and is now resting…”
At his disciple’s words, Hyidel looked at them as if they had said something obvious.
“Exactly. That’s why we go now and wait.”
If this paper had reached them, it had surely reached others too.
Other ateliers would also be preparing to meet him.
If they were even slightly late, there would already be a long queue.
“Prepare tents! We’re staying overnight!”
If waiting one or two days meant getting a chance to meet a genius, that was a bargain.
With that perfectly alchemist-like reasoning, Hyidel left the atelier.
His disciples followed with tearful expressions.
They had no choice.
And as a later report would note, multiple emergency reports of an “undead wave outbreak” were filed with Astrum’s security forces due to the mass gathering of alchemists.
After investigating the scene, the guards simply concluded it was “just alchemists, nothing to worry about.”
The Tower of Sages neither confirmed nor denied the incident.
Consciousness slowly rose from darkness.
The weight of exhaustion had disappeared.
When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar ceiling.
Still lying in a soft bed, I sat up, stretching my body with a yawn.
“Sleep really is the best. I feel completely refreshed.”
Humans really do need proper rest.
I had pushed myself too hard this time because of urgency, but I decided I wouldn’t overdo it next time.
Maybe because I had possessed Theodor’s body?
Alchemy had become more and more fun, and I’d been cutting into sleep time more often.
At this rate, I might actually become an alchemy addict.
“Pyu!”
“Pyu-uu!”
“Hm?”
As I smiled at my own thoughts, spirits emerged from the walls and floor.
They spoke in a hurry.
Ordinary people wouldn’t understand them, but I had formed a soul contract with them, so I could.
Listening to their report, I tilted my head.
“There are a lot of people outside?”
“Pyu!”
“And they’re not adventurers?”
“Pyu! Pyuu!”
Following their explanation, I opened the curtain and looked outside.
“Woah! He’s awake!”
“He’s younger than I expected!”
“Senior! Please, I beg you! Give me a chance to speak with you!”
“I read your paper from the Tower of Sages! I have questions, please share your knowledge!”
I immediately closed the window.
The roaring voices of what looked like deranged alchemists made me scratch my head.
“That’s more intense than I expected…”
“Pyu!”
“They’ve been there since yesterday? I slept the whole day?”
“Pyu-pyu!”
Checking the clock confirmed it.
A whole day had passed.
So they had been waiting outside for an entire day?
I quickly went downstairs.
Some of them looked quite old, and I wasn’t heartless enough to leave them waiting like that.
As I carefully opened the door, the alchemists waiting outside erupted in cheers.
“We’ve been waiting for you, senior! Please teach us!”
“I’m not your senior…”
“In the world of alchemy, does age matter? If you’ve reached truth even one step ahead, you are a senior!”
This was already exhausting.
A thin, middle-aged man calling himself a junior, with feverish eyes, looked almost unhinged.
His robe color indicated he was likely an Albedo-rank alchemist, higher than me.
Before I could say anything, two knights stepped forward on either side of the entrance.
“Who are you?”
“We are Astrum city security knights, dispatched under the direct order of the Third Prince.”
So the chaos had reached the royal family.
Relief washed over me as I saw them—at least things wouldn’t spiral further.
The alchemists calmed down as well upon seeing the knights.
The middle-aged man stepped forward politely.
“I am Hyidel. I have questions regarding the paper submitted to the Tower of Sages. May we have your time?”
“Come inside. I think an explanation is needed.”
“Thank you very much!”
Once Hyidel entered, the others followed, filling the small atelier until it felt cramped.
I sighed, looking at them.
“It’s only been a day…”
“Of course. Your paper was extraordinary.”
Hyidel smiled warmly.
I had expected strong reactions, but not this extreme.
So I asked him directly.
“How was my paper?”
“It was beautiful. I’ve never seen such a clean and elegant piece of research in my life.”
This was a problem that had stalled even the Tower of Sages’ top researchers for months.
And yet it had been solved alone.
To them, this wasn’t just impressive.
It was awe-inspiring.
Hyidel adjusted his coat.
“Prepare yourselves.”
“What for?”
“We’re going to wait outside your atelier.”
“You’re going to camp there?!”
“Yes. If we’re even a little late, others will arrive first.”
And just like that, a new wave of alchemists rushed out to prepare tents.
I stared at the emptying room.
“…I don’t know anymore.”
Maybe being an idol of alchemists wasn’t such a bad thing.
I guess I should just prepare for the next presentation.