NoveLight ™
A letter arrived from the Magic Association.
The contents were none other than the schedule for the academic conference.
The specific dates that had finally been set were towards the end of this year.
November.
‘This is a disaster.’
November is less than five months away.
I had secured the first spot for my presentation,
but I was nowhere near ready to present my research.
This was the moment to proudly showcase years, even decades, of research.
But to prepare a presentation in five months, cramming, and not fall behind the other teams?
Impossible.
Even if I had ten bodies, no, a hundred, it still wouldn’t be enough.
‘The results of traditional research will only lead to pitiful outcomes.’
So, the conclusion I came to was clear: I absolutely cannot do regular research.
Normally, in order to set a research goal and produce results, I would need to repeat experiments, but the time given was far too short.
Whether the number of experiments was lacking or the process was careless, either way, the presentation would inevitably be subpar.
Therefore, the only way to avoid tarnishing Vermont’s reputation was to present something completely different.
After all, the subject was dark magic, so it wouldn’t be strange at all to use an unconventional research approach.
‘Five months left. Let’s start planning the roadmap.’
Of course, if things went terribly, I’d have to declare my absence.
But at least I’d do what I could.
I rolled up my sleeves and dove into drafting the research plan.
The goal was set: to academicize dark magic.
To uncover a system that encompasses its mechanisms and principles.
Coincidentally, I already had neodymium, the fuel for dark magic, and the demon gods, the results of dark magic, both at hand.
No one in the empire had better conditions for studying dark magic than I did.
‘So, the first step in the roadmap... Let’s start by studying the properties of neodymium.’
What I needed to do now was understand the properties of neodymium.
There were plenty of experimental materials available, but I couldn’t trust them blindly.
Not all of them had been peer-reviewed in academic circles.
Before starting any formal experiments...
"Silvia. Go get Yulia."
I decided to recruit a loyal, tight-lipped, and intelligent assistant.
"Did you hear?"
"Heard what?"
"The rumor that the master is building a laboratory in the annex."
"Oh, that weird magic circle thing, with altars and such?"
"No, that’s already been cleared out. He’s already ordered a ton of strange magical tools and experimental equipment. Looks like he’s setting up a real lab."
A rumor started circulating among the maids at the Vermont mansion.
It was said that the master had decided to resume his previously halted research on dark magic.
And not just any research, but serious research, not the makeshift, shamanistic experiments done before.
The mansion began to stir with excitement.
"It seems like he’s really going to study dark magic seriously! What should we do...?"
"What do you mean, what to do? We should support him."
"...What?"
"With necromancers who control undead armies and dark knights wielding creepy swords already around, what’s so special about studying dark magic? It would be more suspicious if he didn’t study it."
"Ah, that’s true."
Is dark magic really that bad?
We already have necromancers controlling undead armies and dark knights wielding grotesque magic swords, don’t we?
The brief stir quickly settled down.
To the hired staff, Aslan’s eccentricities were nothing new.
It wouldn’t be surprising if a few more quirks were added to the mix.
Of course, dark magic wasn’t exactly common among his eccentricities, but still, could the master, who had revived the family, really be foolish enough to destroy it himself?
The staff had already built strong trust in Aslan Vermont.
"Ha..."
And finally, the laboratory was completed in the annex.
Yulia, who had been summoned there, stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and opened the creaking, rusty metal door with anticipation.
Inside was dark and eerie.
For some reason, there was an ominous atmosphere hanging in the air.
Inside, as always, a menacing figure appeared with his back turned.
Aslan reacted sharply at the sound of the door opening.
Sniff. The smell...
Without turning around, he immediately recognized who had entered.
"Yulia."
"Yeah. It’s me... um..."
"You must have heard why I called you?"
"Yeah. You’re... going to conduct research... and need my help."
"This isn’t a regular experiment. So there are important precautions, so listen carefully. Whatever happens here, it must never be disclosed to the outside. No matter what, even if something goes against research ethics."
"Going against ethics? How...?"
"We’re going to conduct human experimentation."
"...!"
Yulia’s eyes widened at Aslan’s calm voice.
Human experimentation?
At that moment, the rumors she had heard before entering the Vermont mansion resurfaced.
It was said that secret, inhumane human experiments were being conducted in the mansion...
After coming to the mansion, Yulia hadn’t believed those rumors.
There was no space for such secret experiments, and she knew that Aslan wasn’t that cruel.
But what was this talk now?
She started to panic, trembling as she stuttered in a voice full of disbelief.
"Ah, Aslan. You don’t mean...?"
"I’ve discovered that neodymium is inside my body. There’s little time before the academic conference, and if I follow all the safety protocols and research ethics, I won’t be able to meet the deadline. So, I have no choice but to take some risks and use my body."
"Ahhh! I knew it! I knew it was going to be like this!"
Yulia fell to the floor, shouting in frustration.
This man really treats his body terribly.
When there was a monster rampage, he charged at the monsters barehanded.
When he went into a tunnel, he asked them to collapse it.
Last time, he even went to some strange place called the shadow world.
He’s a weakling who gets sunburned from just a little sunlight and gets exhausted easily.
How could he be so oblivious to his own safety?
"I don’t want to do it! I’m not going to assist in some reckless experiment!"
"..."
Did I look that free?
I still have to check on the old skeletons, make sure they’re all right.
I’m always studying when I can.
And listening to the stories of the spirits who keep visiting.
Such a research project should be left to someone with a safety disorder.
Yulia stormed off, clearly upset, but then hesitated before stepping forward again.
At that moment, a large hand suddenly gripped both her shoulders.
Ah. I thought he wasn’t going to stop me...
Yulia sighed in relief, her body relaxing.
"I understand that you’re very concerned about my safety. But it’s not because you’re worried about me, it’s because you’re worried about the slave ownership issue getting complicated. The tears you shed, pretending to worry about me, were all fake. Looks like your acting skills have improved."
"Ah! I don’t know!!!"
"I’m done teasing. The reason I called you here is for this."
"Huh? What’s that...?"
"I need to entrust you with the assistant role because you care about my safety more than I do. That will increase the chances of my success. Charlotte may care about me, but she’s even more oblivious to safety than I am, so she’s out. Among the people I trust, you’re the only one who’s smart, persistent, and cautious enough to be the right research assistant. Please, I need your help."
"Ugh, well... If you put it that way, I guess I have no choice. I’ll help you..."
It seems like I’m the only one who can help Aslan, huh?
He’s being so desperate, there’s no way I could ignore him.
I guess it’d be a waste not to put my talents to use.
Yulia turned around with a smile, feeling much better.
‘It’s still so easy.’
Just a little praise, and she’s putty in my hands.
Aslan barely suppressed a grin, forcing himself to maintain a serious face.
‘Saved a lot of money too.’
Hiring an assistant officially would have cost a significant salary.
But since this was just a ‘request,’ there was no need to pay for the help.
Saved money.
As Kali was crying, sensing Aslan’s hidden thoughts, Aslan grinned slyly.