iNoveltranslation
What was the ultimate goal that alchemists dreamed of in the beginning?
Immortality?
Elixir?
Philosopher's Stone?
No.
None of those.
It was to produce gold.
In ancient times, those who hadn't learned magic were not given opportunities to earn money, and those struggling in poverty resorted to practicing alchemy to create meager amounts of gold in hopes of striking it rich.
Although the ability to transmute gold through alchemy was basic back then, in order to carry on the will of their illustrious ancestors, modern alchemists had unified all the great qualifiers under the term "gold."
[Alchemy Castle, Golden Platform]
This place remained closed unless revolutionary alchemical advancements or new luxury items were developed.
So, with revolutionary alchemy and new inventions happening simultaneously, there was no reason for the "Golden Platform" not to be open.
Roar!!
The sound of warp gates resonated from all directions in the Alchemy City.
Noble people from various countries arrived in splendid self-propelled carriages or parked their flying vehicles, turning the vicinity of the Alchemy City into a bustling crowd in no time.
A small festival had been set up on the streets of the Alchemy City to welcome such guests, featuring magical techniques unfamiliar even to mages, where road colors changed rapidly and statues danced.
"Long time no see here."
"The city of humans is always noisy and annoying."
"Don't say that. It's a place you have to come to at least once."
Due to the numerous people crowding the streets, a couple of pedestrians wearing black robes didn't attract much attention.
Robes were practically an identity for mages.
That was why…
It was possible for dark mages to confidently strut in the magical society.
"Professor Camahon of Stonedell University has been verified."
Professor Camahon confidently entered the Golden Platform, and no one around suspected a thing.
"Oh, Professor Camahon. Long time no see. I was quite impressed by your second batch's research journal."
"Professor Camahon! I'm Mozen from the third year of Baryn Magic University! Do you happen to remember me?"
Rather, to the extent that others would initiate greetings with him; he was socially prominent.
Watching Camahon receive their greetings with a laugh, Tyburn clicked his tongue.
‘Even when seen by other dark mages, he really looks like a true mage.’
With their souls being sold to the underworld, they had long lost their human emotions in exchange for potent dark magic.
Even so, the fact that Camahon could mimic humans to that extent must have been a deliberate decision to infiltrate human society.
Tyburn didn't have such intentions, so he simply observed from the sidelines.
"Tsk, exhausting.”
After seeing the mages off, Camahon brushed his suit and clicked his tongue while smiling.
"Why do you go to such lengths?"
"It's not 'such lengths.' If it's the Supreme Leader's order, I'll do my best no matter what."
"Oh, right. Weren't you a high priest of the Moonshadow Faith?"
Among dark mages, numerous factions existed, and Professor Camahon was a devoted follower of the "Moonshadow Faith," commonly known as the "Dark Demon Religion," among mages.
Previously an insignificant cult, the name "Moonshadow Faith" gained prominence in dark mage society when they could hide their dark magic under the perception of mages.
They proved their capabilities by infiltrating the colossal magical institution, Stella Academy, and from that point, their influence significantly grew within the dark mage society.
'What nonsense is a Dark Demon Religion......’
From the start, the idea of souls from the underworld coming together to form a religion seemed rather alien to Tyburn.
Nevertheless, he thought that Camahon's efforts had some usefulness.
Alchemy, the cornerstone of magical society's technology.
Among them, the Golden Platform, which could also be considered the heart, was where no dark mage would freely strut.
That was all there is to it.
From the very beginning, their purpose for being here was to be part of the Alterisha Research Institute.
Even the dark mages had to admit that the technological prowess of Alterisha’s alchemical engineering was unmatched by anyone else.
Alterisha was dangerous.
Just like the grand mages threatening the Dark Mage Alliance, Alterisha was categorized as a "Priority 1 Target."
Of course, the mages were not fools either; they had a state-of-the-art security system for Alchemy City that thoroughly excluded any dark mage intrusions.
Even if they tried to infiltrate by concealing their dark magic, Alterisha was so heavily guarded by the Mage Association and Stella Knights that assassination was nearly impossible.
But... Did Alterisha really need to be killed?
Wouldn't it be better to absorb her technological prowess instead?
Just as it had always been done, couldn't they secretly infiltrate the Alterisha Research Institute?
The upcoming "Golden Alchemical Show" at the Golden Platform would not only showcase the excellence of alchemical engineering to the world but also boost the reputation of the institute.
Countless scholars from around the world would be enamored by her skills during the alchemical show and would be inclined to join the institute.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, dark mages hid their identities and real names to participate in the Golden Platform in hopes of joining the Alterisha Institute.
Camahon and Tyburn were just one of those groups.
Unable to detect the "Dark Concealment Spell" of the Moonshadow Faith, the mages wouldn't even know how many dark mages had infiltrated the Alterisha Research Institute, and they would gradually be engulfed without even realizing.
... Same time, same place.
Kaen, the head of the 13th Shadowblade Division under the Manwol Tower, slowly observed the familiar view of the Golden Platform.
Right behind him, Vice-Captain Grace Steele muttered, "Back to this boring place," but she had also come to accept the inevitable situation.
She believed that in a location where such a grand event was taking place, there was no way dark mages wouldn't appear.
"It's strangely quiet... There's not even a trace of activity. The fact that no traces remain implies that the traces were intentionally erased."
This made Kaen even more anxious, but it seemed that Grace didn't share the same sentiment.
"Hey, newbie. Are you bored too?"
"No, I'm not!!"
"Argh! My ears! You're going to burst my eardrums! Speak quietly in a place like this!"
"I'm sorry!!"
"Geez..."
The 13th Shadowblade Division gathered its members after a long time.
Comprising a total of seven members, each one was a magic warrior with a record of eliminating seven or more Level 7 Danger dark mages.
Exceptionally battle-ready, those individuals, including the young man whom Grace mockingly called a "newbie," were all experienced.
The youngest among them was a fourth-year member.
"Hmm~ Are you scared that something might happen? With this many people, we should be able to handle whatever comes our way. But how about lightening up your expression a bit? The captain is always so serious."
"That's right, Captain. Let's relax a bit."
"Besides, 'Meter' can’t sense anything anyway, right? If Meter, the possessor of superhuman senses, said there’s nothing going on, there's a 99% chance that indeed nothing would happen.”
"So, let's relax a bit~"
Grace said this playfully, teasing the newcomer, and the other members also joked around or eased up amongst themselves.
Meanwhile, Kaen sat alone with his cold gaze fixed on the Golden Platform.
‘... Honestly, I hope something does happen.’
The fact that nothing was happening... it likely meant that something was quietly unfolding somewhere unknown to them.
Stella’s students could voluntarily apply for a temporary leave of absence.
Although this opportunity didn't come around frequently, it was possible whenever desired.
This was probably because Stella was an academy with a significant number of nobles.
They had plenty of reasons to skip classes, such as special matters in their territories or important family gatherings.
Baek Yu-Seol couldn't easily use such excuses since he was a commoner, but this time, thanks to Alterisha’s help, he managed to skip classes.
"Yu-Seol, what should I do..."
At the back of the Golden Platform's auditorium, Alterisha checked herself one last time before stepping onto the stage.
"You'll do well."
While Baek Yu-Seol tried to reassure her, would that really be of any help?
She had to ascend the massive platform on her own.
This presentation wasn't as straightforward as before.
Today was truly set to bring about a "technological revolution" to the world.
After today, the name of Alterisha would be plastered across every magical instrument and technology in the world.
The signal to mark that turning point was about to be ignited right here.
Meanwhile, as she delivered her presentation, Baek Yu-Seol would be meeting others in a different location.
Branding of the items.
As he was the one who devised the plan, he wanted to handle this aspect personally rather than entrusting it to Alterisha.
"Doctor, you should start preparing soon."
After one staff member approached Alterisha and delivered this message, they hurried off somewhere.
It seemed like there was a lot to prepare.
Glancing at the auditorium, she noticed that over ten thousand people had already taken their seats.
[Alchemist Alterisha]
A simple name displayed above the stage, drawing everyone to gather here.
"Uh, how is it? Are there a lot of people?"
"Huh? Yu-Seol, why are you suddenly asking?"
Alterisha was taken aback when Baek Yu-Seol, who had been quietly observing the audience in the auditorium, suddenly froze with a cold expression.
She had a sensitive reaction to his smile, so it was no surprise that she was startled.
"No, it's just... nothing important. I thought I recognized someone, but I guess I was mistaken."
"I see..."
As if to put her at ease, Baek Yu-Seol smiled comfortably once again.
"Are you nervous?"
"My heart is pounding like crazy."
"Yeah..."
"It's not nerves that make it pound like that, right?"
"Hmm?"
Alterisha noticed a relaxed demeanor in Baek Yu-Seol’s expression.
He seemed to be genuinely enjoying this situation.
"It's excitement. After today, everyone will have their eyes on you."
"Huh, excitement...?"
"There's evidence. Right now, the corners of your mouth are slightly upturned."
"Oh, oh?"
She quickly adjusted the corners of her mouth, but she couldn't confirm the fact just by touch.
"So, go and enjoy yourself. Those people would cheer even if you sneezed and came down, right?"
"Yeah..."
Alterisha reluctantly nodded in agreement, just as the host outside called out.
"Oh, oh? I'm going in now!"
As she rushed into the auditorium, a resounding applause erupted.
The flashing lights and cheers all became part of Alterisha’s stage setting.
From now on, this place would solely be a stage for Alterisha, and those who attended her presentation in person were the blessed ones who would experience the revolution firsthand.
Baek Yu-Seol adjusted his glasses and glanced at the audience in the auditorium once again.
'As expected, I knew this would happen...'
As he tried to scrutinize the audience more closely, someone urgently called out his name from behind.
"Baek Yu-Seol, you're here!"
A assistant alchemist from the faction approached him.
"Y-You, President Melian has arrived now! He was looking for you! You need to come see him~"
"No, there's no need for that."
Just as he was about to interrupt the alchemist's words, a tall man appeared from behind.
Brown cloak, brown hair.
Pointed elf ears rising above, sophisticated attire, and golden eyes within the golden-framed glasses.
President Melian of Starcloud Corporation.
He had come all the way here.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to come in person..."
Baek Yu-Seol was slightly taken aback, as he didn't anticipate Melian's presence.
"I wanted to feel the heated atmosphere of the presentation, even if just for a moment."
Melian said so and then unexpectedly stepped back.
Behind him... a beautiful girl walked forward.
The moment she appeared, the atmosphere seemed to be infused with a lavender scent, and she possessed a pure appearance to the extent that it felt like an illusion.
'Huh...?’
Although he was seeing her face for the first time, the name that came to mind through the spec was familiar.
[Villain Jeliel]
Melian's daughter and a prominent villainess in the episode distinguished by the players as 'Chapter 2.'
‘Why is this woman here...?’
She approached Baek Yu-Seol with leisurely steps and politely bowed.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Baek Yu-Seol."
As she did so, her golden eyes sparkled brightly, and she faintly smiled.
"I've really wanted to meet you."