The Magic Research Institute.
After a round of seamless expansion spells, Auditorium One has become a massive hall capable of accommodating two to three thousand people for a conference.
At this moment, all employees of the Magic Research Institute, including researchers from various research groups, Muggle administrators, and even domestic house-elves, are in attendance. The screen formed by a hundred display panels on the stage of the hall reads: "The First Magical Science Awards Ceremony."
"Director," Laura checks her watch backstage, "It's about time."
"Alright, cough cough..." Murphy suddenly coughs twice, "I'll just..."
However, this coughing fit lasts over ten seconds before stopping.
Simultaneously, a feeling of weakness, as if his body had been drained, washes over him, causing him some dizziness.
Since his last display of power, his physical condition has been increasingly worrisome, with frequent hidden pains, chest tightness, coughing, dizziness, and other symptoms emerging more frequently.
"Are you alright?" Laura rushes forward to support him.
She then takes out a pill from her pocket and hands it to him, along with a glass of water.
Due to multiple Magus transformations, Murphy's body has become vastly different from that of a normal human. In the short term, medical experts are puzzled by the mechanisms behind his symptoms, resorting to treating them as they arise.
As Murphy's assistant, Laura has almost learned to be a nurse lately.
Murphy swallows the pill directly and pushes away the water, "Give me a dose of morphine."
"You've already exceeded your dosage for today," Laura reminds him.
"It's okay, my body can metabolize it."
Laura hesitates but eventually signals for someone to bring a syringe, "I'll do it for you."
Murphy doesn't respond, bending over to lean his weakened body on Laura's slender shoulder as she presses the needle-free injector against his neck and presses the button. The high-pressure jet instantly injects the liquid into his vein.
Shortly after, the pain subsides, along with the irritability caused by the pain, calming down.
Gradually, the feeling of weakness fades, and he clenches his fist, feeling the surging power within, and breathes out.
Murphy adjusts his collar to cover the mark from the injector, "Thank you for your efforts."
Then, he heads to the podium.
Immediately, thunderous applause fills the hall, countless flashlights illuminate him, making the already tall and handsome man appear as if he's stepped out of mythology.
Laura watches his tall figure, noticing his steps transition from heavy to light, sees him raise his hand, displaying a casually calm demeanor, and feels a surge of emotion, wanting to cry.
"Is this the price of becoming a deity?"
...
Murphy, however, isn't as sentimental. He gestures for the researchers to sit down, and the domestic house-elves, after another half-minute of frantic applause, are reminded by the Muggle administrators to curb their excitement from rushing the stage.
"Three years ago," Murphy begins, "we gathered here and found our cause."
"I promised to show you an immense, unexplored blue ocean untouched by modern science."
"And we would together dredge knowledge from it."
"Over these three years, we've worked hard—perhaps too hard—like Furness and Omid, to the point where my most common phrase to them became 'No, wait, let's not do this yet.'"
A wave of good-natured laughter spreads through the hall. Indeed, not just the two neuroscientists, but many scholars at the institute have shown tendencies to evolve into mad scientists after encountering magic.
Similar warnings of restraint have been issued to many of them.
Despite Murphy's intense curiosity about magical knowledge, he always maintains a bit of sanity, understanding that exploring unknown powers often comes with uncontrollable risks.
This is well-documented in both wizard and Muggle history.
His current condition might even be considered an example.
With this awareness, Murphy has been cautious. He doesn't want an overly hasty experiment to destroy the research institute he's painstakingly built.
"Thanks to everyone's hard work, we've achieved a great deal over the past three years. A significant portion of these achievements, if they could be made public, would be on par with Nobel Prize-level discoveries."
"Now, for obvious reasons, we can't risk upending human society by revealing them. But if there comes a day when this knowledge can truly make a difference, everyone's name here should be recorded in the annals of history."
"This is no exaggeration, nor is it flattery. In fact, because of your research, humanity's rational mind has set foot in a realm of magic nearly as vast and unknown as the science we knew before."
"Because of you, human civilization has expanded its boundaries of understanding and its range of capabilities."
"In this vast universe, because of you, humanity has gained more chances to survive."
"My friends, I am sincerely proud of our cause."
A frenzy of cheers erupts from below, with scholars clapping fervently, their emotions ignited, each one filled with excitement.
"Advancing human civilization."
Could there be any higher praise for a researcher?
Murphy waits for the applause to subside before continuing, "Among our achievements, some have far-reaching significance."
"They either laid the foundation and direction for certain fields, completely overturned our understanding of certain areas, or made breakthrough progress on key issues and challenges."
"In recognition of their irreplaceable role in propelling our research forward, we've decided to select ten of the most remarkable discoveries and research from the past three years and reward these brilliant researchers."
"They are:"
"Franz Kaiserdor and his magical creatures research team, for their work on the physiology and breeding of magical creatures, unveiling the mysteries of some magical creatures' unique abilities..."
"Fakundo Frum..."
"Stoyan Owens..."
"Furness Bachman and Omid Albert, and their mind magic research team, for their fundamental research on mind-reading spells, Obliviate, and other mental magics, providing us with excellent examples for our study of mind magic..."
"Andrew Tuck, and the transfiguration research team, for their exploration into Animagus principles and studies on werewolves and higher Magus, deepening our understanding of transfiguration magic to the physiological mechanism level..."
"Holdan Haber, and his curse research team, for their pioneering work on magical power and detection methods, guiding our study of the essence of magic."
As the researchers step up, Murphy personally awards them.
Each receives a cash prize of three hundred thousand pounds, a one-thousandth share in Umbrella Corporation, a significant amount of contribution points, and a pure gold medal.
But, that's not the most exciting part.
The last reward is ten wooden boxes placed on a tray.
Murphy doesn't immediately distribute them but says, "My friends."
"Three years ago, when we first embarked on this venture together, Laura Krug asked me if one day we found a way to turn ordinary people into wizards or ordinary wizards into deities, would I be willing to share such power."
"At the time, I hadn't thought deeply about the question, so I said, ask me again when such technology exists."
"However, a few months ago, thanks to the research by the transfiguration team, curse research team, and mind magic research team, especially the study on lycanthropy, we've found a way to transform ordinary Muggles into wizards."
"Although this transformation is still very dangerous and far from perfect, with transformed werewolf wizards having very low magical power and numerous side effects, yes, we've found the way."
"So now, it's time to share that answer with you all."
The hall buzzes with shocked whispers, their hearts racing with Murphy's words.
Is the Director implying what they think he is?
Is he really going to do that?
Murphy answers their speculation with his next action.
"My answer is: yes, I am willing."
"I've said this to Andrew and the others before, but I want to say it again now."
"The authority of magic does not belong to me alone, nor do I have the right to deny others access to magic. On this path to the end of magic, we are all companions; I've merely walked a few steps ahead."
"And this last reward, consider it a small gift from me, a forerunner, as you step into the world of magic."
Saying so, he waves his hand, and the boxes float in front of the distinguished researchers, opening one by one. Wands fly out from them, landing in their hands.
"My friends."
"Our journey is the vastness of the stars and the sea."
"I wish to walk with you all."
"To the very end of magic."
___________________
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