Chapter 58 : Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Magical Research Department (2)

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The Empire’s plan for war.

Not only the independent nations around the Empire but also the local powers within its borders that defied the Emperor’s authority would be targeted for conquest.

“A war to unite humanity?”

“Yes, the Empire has resolved to gather humanity’s strength.”

“Are you saying the Empire is uniting humanity to prepare for when the Dome breaks, Labella-nim?”

“Exactly. There isn’t much time left. The Empire chose the most efficient method to unite humanity.”

“Efficiency…”

I didn’t think the Empire’s intentions were bad.

But their methods were far more extreme than I’d imagined.

To wage war, subjugate other forces, and gather humanity under the Empire’s feet.

My goal of conquering Myeolji aligned with the Empire’s, but I wanted to take a longer path, winning people’s hearts to inspire voluntary participation in the expedition.

Only by uniting for a shared goal could we wield true strength.

But Labella, as if anticipating my reaction, added,

“Three years from now, the Dome around Myeolji will break.”

Tello knew the Dome would eventually break, but specifying a timeline was another matter.

Yet Labella stated it with certainty.

“How do you know the Dome will break in three years?”

“Our magical research department calculated it. Look here…”

Even now, the cracks in Myeolji were slowly widening, with demons occasionally slipping out.

The Adjak family had assumed the Dome would break but hadn’t pinpointed when.

Labella, however, had calculated the exact timing by studying the decreasing density of demonic energy around Myeolji’s perimeter.

Though the theory was complex, her clear explanation made it easy to understand.

“The Empire estimates it won’t take more than five months to conquer all opposing forces.”

“Indeed. Even if the war drags on, it’ll likely happen within two years.”

“Correct.”

I stared at Labella.

In about three years, the Dome would collapse, and a war would erupt within two years.

What should I do here?

As I pondered, watching Labella continue her explanation, her large eyes narrowed slightly.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“Am I?”

“I’m just a researcher. My research isn’t what’s causing the war.”

“Of course. I understand.”

Labella still eyed me suspiciously, adding as if making an excuse,“Research is just research. It’s the powerful who decide how to use the results.”

She was right.

Labella had conducted the research; the choice was the Empire’s.

Yet she seemed to carry some guilt about the Empire’s actions.

“You said the flames of war will reach the Adjak family too?”

“Yes.”

“Is there no way to prevent the war?”

Labella paused, then spoke.

“The only way would be to meet the Emperor and persuade him directly.”

The Emperor.

With that brief title, Labella drew a clear line between herself and her father.

She had repeatedly emphasized her departure from the imperial palace while explaining the war.

I didn’t want to press or burden someone who wished to distance herself from the imperial family.

“I understand. I’ll have to find a way.”

* * *

Luphtel’s theories on mana density were incredibly complex.

They seemed comprehensible yet elusive, incomprehensible yet suddenly clear.

Not all of Luphtel’s works were restricted, but his research on demonic energy wasn’t freely accessible.

The original texts were only in Labella’s office, with no copies.

Another puzzle was that Luphtel wrote his demonic energy research as if it were mere hypotheses.

But the deeper I delved, the more I realized they weren’t hypotheses but fully substantiated studies.

How had Luphtel researched demonic energy?

How did he know how to counter the Demon King’s demonic energy?

It was perplexing, but I couldn’t ask Luphtel, who was long dead.

I could, however, ask Labella. I visited her office daily, questioning her about Luphtel’s research.

My reason for studying his work was simple.

To conquer Myeolji and see the end of this game.

Of course, Labella didn’t just teach me unconditionally.

One day, as I took notes to organize her theories, she, watching me quietly, spoke up.

“Won’t you share your secret today either?”

“You mean the method for controlling external mana?”

“Yes. I’m teaching you tirelessly, but I’m getting nothing from you, Polarin-nim. It’s a bit disappointing.”

Her face was too calm for that claim.

She hadn’t exactly taught me tirelessly.

Her soft, even tone carried her words clearly, without much inflection.

Despite her claim of disappointment, she continued her lecture.

“Everyone can absorb natural mana through breathing. That mana transforms within the body to match one’s traits.”

“Yes, thanks to your teachings, I understand that.”

“That transformed mana can be released outside the body. That’s the mystery of this world, like magic or aura.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“But until now, it was believed impossible to reabsorb mana released outside. Your control of mana shattered what we held as truth.”

Labella asked with fervent eyes,“If you share your method, Polarin-nim, I’m certain it would greatly aid our research.”

I wanted to meet her expectations.

She’d given me so much.

“I’d love to teach you, Labella-nim, but the problem is I don’t know the method myself. I just think about controlling mana outside my body, and it happens.”

“Polarin-nim, nothing just ‘happens.’”

Labella didn’t seem to understand.

As a magic researcher, she believed everything had a reason.

“I’ll show you again.”

To demonstrate, I released mana onto the floor.

A massive amount surged out.

I saw Labella’s eyes widen.

I wanted to see more of her rare expression changes, but I had to focus on the mana I’d released.

I decided to shape it into a donut, like before.

Focusing entirely on the center of the spilled mana, I willed it to move.

The mana stirred, the center absorbed, and a white donut-shaped mana formed on the floor.

“It’s astonishing every time I see it.”

Labella spoke, her cheeks slightly flushed.

But I was too focused on containing the mana that returned to me to reply.

The problem is I can show the method but can’t explain it precisely.

I hadn’t even known others couldn’t control external mana until I came to Ostrum.

“It’s hard to explain, but you need to feel the mana first. If you focus, you can sense its fine texture. Find the part to control. Then, imbue the released mana with intent…”

Despite my attempt to explain, Labella only tilted her head.

“So, you’re a mana genius, Polarin-nim. You find it natural to sense the texture, imbue intent, and control it, so it’s hard to explain.”

In truth, this level of mana control was likely thanks to my Dragon Heart.

I nodded slightly.

“Hmm, what rank are you now, Polarin-nim?”

“Fourth-Rank.”

“Fifth-Rank is where you can imbue mana with attributes or forms. But imbuing mana with intent is new to me. It seems versatile and worth researching.”

“…I'll be glad if it helps.”

Labella, with fervent eyes, asked about the intent I imbued in mana.

“The mana you didn’t reabsorb—can I study it?”

She was already excitedly collecting it in a magical flask.

She wasn’t even looking at me, but I nodded subtly.

* * *

To stop the war, I needed to meet the Emperor.

As the Emperor, he wouldn’t meet just anyone.

I’d need to reach someone who could influence him.

Labella suggested targeting the Marquis, his closest confidant.

The Marquis was obsessed with recruiting talent, so catching his eye could open a path to him.

She added it wouldn’t be easy.

“You’re leaving already? It’s not even lunchtime.”

“I have somewhere to go this afternoon.”

“Where?”

“The imperial guild office.”

“Oh, becoming a true servant of the Empire?”

“Not quite.”

I’d pondered for days but found no clear solution.

So I chose the most basic approach.

Going to the guild office, completing quests, and accumulating merit points.

Merit points would accrue slowly. It might be foolish. But most of what I’d done in this world was like that.

Besides, I felt restless.

I bid Labella farewell and left the research department.

Unlike rural areas with one guild office per city, the capital had one in every district, including Ostrum.

The guild office was a bit far from the magic towers.

I pushed through the bustling streets again.

“Oh, aren’t you the guy from the entrance exam? How’s life at the research department?”

“It’s going well. I’m learning a lot.”

“No matter how I look at it, you don’t seem like someone to be cooped up in a research department… Come visit Thunderstrike Tower sometime.”

Perhaps because I’d made waves at the entrance exam, some recognized and spoke to me.

I also sensed suspicious presences.

Following me from a distance. Other tower mages? Or imperial trackers?

I stayed wary but moved forward.

They only trailed me without acting, so I let them be for now.

It was my first time visiting the imperial guild office.

In the game, I’d been there countless times on the imperial route, but since arriving in this world, I hadn’t had the chance.

I felt a strange anticipation.

How busy would it be?

What if no good quests were left?

Lost in thought, I reached the guild office.

Opening the door, I was met with an unexpected sight.

The interior was empty.

A lone clerk sat at a large desk, dozing off.

They didn’t stir until I approached and knocked on the desk.

Startled awake, the man wiped drool from his beard and asked,“No way? You’re here for a quest?”

The clerk, roused from sleep, threw me an incredulous question.

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