Gaining the ability wasn't the end.
The human body, made up of countless cells organically connected, is like a universe. It is composed of an indescribably delicate and complex structure.
Even if you just take cold medicine, you'll often suffer from side effects. If it's a drug that artificially awakens this ability, no one can guarantee its safety. There were mountains of uncertainties.
'Even materials are materials.'
It is a monster made by using a whole person. Kim Yi-Hyeon knew a little about the process of extracting factors. To put it in words, it is compression and decomposition.
There was no detailed explanation in the game, as if it had been deliberated. It was something I didn't want to know in depth.
Anyway.
From that day on, Chelsea was given the utmost care. Almost ten busy researchers were attached to Chelsea. To put it nicely, she was a patient, but to look at it from a crooked perspective, she was a test subject.
Either way, it wouldn't be a wrong expression. Although he may not be a regular member of the lab, he is a valuable colleague and perhaps a special case that I will never encounter in the lab for the rest of my life.
Let's just talk about the results, leaving the process aside.
Lazuli's factor was successfully transplanted into Chelsea's body.
"Oh my, really. You have to be moderate in your excitement."
Chelsea was so energetic that worries were groundless. At first, she occasionally showed signs of nausea, but after about three days, she completely stabilized. There was no change such as being overly active.
The results of the detailed examination were also good. Not only my body, but also my senses were fine. There were no problems that I was most worried about, such as personality confusion, which is something that can happen in dramas.
"If this continues, I'll even start monitoring you while you take a shit. You're pure perverts."
"Think of it in a positive way. It means that he cares that much."
"I know that, but…."
Chelsea fiddled with the clothes she was wearing. The material was thin and light, easy to move in. It was more like a hospital gown than a nightgown. She let out a sigh.
"Sometimes, even the boss seems oblivious."
"I?"
"In times like this, you just have to sympathize. I'm not saying this because I want some kind of solution."
Kim Lee-hyun, who had been thinking for a moment, asked.
"Does that help?"
"Hi."
I could explain this and that. For example, when talking to a woman, you should have a basic attitude of not getting cursed at. If you just pretend to listen and respond, you'll be halfway there.
"It doesn't really mean anything."
But Chelsea eventually gave a completely different answer. There were many things about herself that were too embarrassing to point out to others. Above all, Kim Yi-hyun wasn't a bad person.
At least in normal times, that is.
The problem is that I sometimes become crazy.
"How about the spell?"
"I don't think it's bad."
Chelsea looked down at her hands. She slowly opened them and clenched them into fists twice.
There was absolutely no sense of having taken another person's life into my body. Everything was the same. There was no sense of impediment anywhere, and only one thing had changed.
I can now spell. As naturally as breathing.
There was no hindrance to its manifestation, as if it was born with it.
'It's a little scary.'
The metaphor of waking up and finding yourself with wings or a tail was a bit off. As new parts of the body grow, the whole body adjusts to fit them.
It was closer to a machine. It felt like an external hard drive. It felt like a new part called a spell was added without any problems to the existing storage space.
But she didn't show any reluctance. It was her own decision, so she couldn't blame others. Above all, Chelsea herself was deeply aware of it.
How useful is this inherited spell.
As a shooter, I felt like I had wings.
"It could be used in combat right away."
The moment Chelsea clenched her fist, a small laugh came from beside her. Only then did she realize what she had just said.
"Oh, wait a minute. I think I spoke nonsense…."
Let's turn our gaze, and as expected.
"Is that what you said?"
Kim Lee-hyun was smiling sinisterly.
It was the picture of an evil business owner.
* * *
The delayed departure was not only due to Chelsea's problems.
The external position of the CellbroLogics Lab has clearly changed since the summit. We had to recognize this and take advantage of it. The Lab and Dustbone were no longer 'unwelcome guests'.
The natural enemy of the Legion. A military group that knows the Legion better than any other nation. The name "Research Institute" may sound funny, but it was a good situation for the lab.
I could soon feel the change for myself.
After Kushan contacted the Ishrad side, in mid-September, the operation team including Dustborn and the professor who had been dispatched to Ishrad arrived at the border.
"Oh, you're from the Cellbrox Lab. I've heard the story. If you don't mind, could you please submit some proof of your affiliation?"
"Excuse me. Would an employee ID and employment/wage certificate be okay?"
"Yes, that's enough."
The officer at the checkpoint looked over the documents handed over by Leila. The verification process was completed quickly. He easily granted entry permission and added a few words.
"Once you enter, your guide will be waiting for you. Thank you for visiting, and welcome to Ishrad. I hope you take good memories with you when you leave."
"Go, thank you."
The friendly attitude that seemed to treat her as an honored guest was very unfamiliar to Leila. It was understandable. Rap had always started from the position of an uninvited guest.
It was the same everywhere. Before fighting the Legion, you had to negotiate with the government or the military. Helping those who were not ready to receive help was almost like meddling.
This time it was different. They were actually treated as guests.
"Haha, so far so good, right?"
The guide sent from the ivory tower was a very talkative gentleman.
"As is known to the outside world, the main axis of Ishrad is clearly the ivory tower, but it is impossible for a person to live off research alone, right? Basic industries are essential for the maintenance of a country."
He came talking to me like a taxi driver. The professor and Leila were left to react. Even if Kim I-hyun had been there, he would have remained silent, but they were in different vehicles to begin with.
Because the operation team had so many people, they had no choice but to operate multiple vehicles. Dustborne only had to follow the lead vehicle.
"Even if we try to automate it as much as possible, modern technology has its limits. It can't be done without human intervention. Most of that work goes to third-class citizens."
"Third class citizen… is that what you mean?"
"I am a citizen who did not graduate from the academy. There are various reasons for disqualification, but most of them are due to a lack of qualifications as a researcher. Since the tuition is free, there is no other reason for me to be kicked out."
The guide's tone contained a subtle contempt for the workers. An attitude that was revealed without even trying to show it. A sense of superiority that was taken for granted by people in the ivory tower.
"The ivory tower loves talent."
It was a statement that could be interpreted in many different ways.
"In that sense, we especially welcome you. The research of CellbroLogics Lab is often a topic of conversation even in the ivory tower. We were quite surprised by the idea of a device that suppresses spell output for the convenience of spell users, which is an idea that we rarely have."
"...Spells aren't something you can obtain just by wishing for them. They won't be granted even if you desperately wish for them... The same goes for the opposite case. There are also people who have difficulty controlling their own abilities."
"Yes. There are many papers in the ivory tower about the handicap that a small number of spellcasters have. It turns out that it's a problem of spell output and tolerable load, but it's still an interesting topic."
Leila had a gut feeling from the way he casually referred to the person as a 'disability'. It would be difficult to become close with this guide, as well as with the people he would soon meet. No matter how kind he was.
Apart from my aversion to people, Ishrad's capital, Wizma, which I arrived at after a few days' journey by road, was a very impressive city.
"Welcome, everyone. This is the ivory tower that our country is proud of."
The guide's face was filled with pride. It was worth it.
A huge dome surrounding the city itself. Curved buildings and vehicles running on bridges. A spiral tower rising high in the center of the city.
As we passed through the entrance of the dome, the texture of the air changed. The temperature and humidity were perfectly controlled. Even in these times, round airships were flying low inside the dome.
'It looks like some kind of artificial city.'
It reminded me of an innovation city that was being built in Dubai or somewhere with an astronomical amount of money. The difference is that it mainly researches disasters and spells, not the 4th industrial revolution such as AI or robots.
"I'll show you to your accommodations. First, let's get rid of the hangover."
The group followed the guide without complaint. Although there were some unpleasant points, the treatment was like heaven and earth compared to before. Of course, there was nothing lacking in the hotel we stayed at.
It feels like a world apart.
Leila felt a little moved. Although not as much as her, Kim Yi-hyun also spent the day in a good mood. Just in case, no surveillance cameras or wiretapping devices were found after checking.
And the next day.
After a breakfast so good that it was hard to believe that cultured meat was used, the guide came back to us after we had spent some time there, and we headed to the center of the city together.
"As you may know, there are many research institutes in the ivory tower. Naturally, there are some that are superior and some that are inferior. And that superiority directly affects their influence in the country."
The guide, who introduced himself as Kelly, explained further.
"Only six institutions are invited to the regular symposium held each year. Just being on the list is a huge honor. It may be a little difficult for outsiders to understand."
It's not just about fame.
The six institutions invited come with enormous wealth and power.
The head of each organization is called an elder and is involved in domestic affairs, big and small, like a nobleman. Even the representatives who attended the summit were elders who had held the position for a long time.
The operation team then came face to face with one of the six elders.
"Thank you for your hard work in coming such a long way."
He looked more like a seasoned politician than a meticulous researcher. The old man glanced at the agents. Then he stroked his mustache and said.
"I am Kamael Losfer, the director of the Losfer Academy."
"Thank you for your hospitality. This is Leila from Cellbrox Labs. This is…."
This time, instead of being buried in the lab, he proudly declared his identity as the president of Dustborne. There was no room for hesitation. It was already known that there was a group that cooperated with the lab due to past incidents.
However, Kamael seemed to be hearing it for the first time.
"Ah, I see. I've been spending all my time at the academy, so I'm not very familiar with worldly affairs. Would you forgive my rudeness?"
"Isn't that rude? I don't have much of a reputation."
Even as he said that, Kim Yi-hyeon did not miss the momentary reaction. The place where Kamael's gaze stopped for a moment. And the signal that Edwin silently gave with just a look.
'I know, too.'
This kid is a traitor to the Legion.