#523

523: The Second Paper (1)

The rooftop garden overlooked the spacious city square below, bustling with thousands of citizens attending the expo. Conrad Haven rummaged through his pocket as he gazed at the scene, holding out a cigarette case to Lennok, who had followed him up.

"Do you smoke?" he asked.

"I try to avoid it before presentations," Lennok replied.

"Is that so? Even a genius like you gets nervous about presenting a paper."

Haven chuckled as he lit his cigarette without hesitation, a fitting action for a councilman who disregarded the no-smoking rule in the city hall's plant-filled garden. The way he did so without a hint of hesitation made it seem almost legal.

"Hoo…"

Haven loosened his tie and leaned back against the railing, one hand in his pocket, staring at Lennok thoughtfully. His demeanor was less like that of a prestigious senator and more like a seasoned veteran who had weathered countless operations. Immersed in smoking, he only spoke again once the smoke began to fill the lookout area around them.

"Since Raycen left his position, a lot has changed, but there's still no one who can trumpet our messages to the public as effectively as he did."

"…"

"With him gone, we’ve struggled to communicate the council’s decisions in a way that resonates with people. Today’s event is just another example of that blunder."

Senator Raycen. Lennok knew the name well. This was the man who, in league with the dark mage Craig Tilian, had siphoned illicit funds and supported Craig’s schemes in exchange for influence. Evelyn had even hired Lennok to gather evidence, which eventually led to Raycen’s downfall at a hearing. Raycen had cultivated a friendly public image and often appeared as the face of the council, earning the nickname "the city government's mouthpiece."

"I'm not quite sure what you're trying to say."

"It would be best to let go of any hope of securing a win at this expo."

Without responding, Lennok watched Haven chain-smoking in silence.

"I'm no expert in technology, so I opted out of judging this time, but I still have an idea of what's happening."

"…"

"They already have someone in mind. To be precise, they’ve decided on a specific theme: aerial power and related technologies, which the city government wants to oversee directly and control exclusively."

Haven spoke as if he understood Lennok’s thoughts. "I can help you with that. Are you willing to hear me out?"

But Lennok just looked at Haven for a moment, then sighed and shook his head.

"Helping me doesn’t mean it’s about winning the expo, does it?"

"Hmm?"

"You yourself mentioned that you’d erase everything that happened at this expo, Senator."

"Assistant Professor Vylun, that was merely a metaphor for the situation—"

"I heard that there won't be a winner at this expo."

Haven closed his mouth.

"There were even rumors that it’s connected to the judges."

"…"

"The method by which you're supposedly helping me—am I wrong to guess what that might entail?"

"If you've already figured that much out, there's no need to hide it anymore. Did the Dean tell you?"

Haven, who had remained silent, let out a hollow laugh.

"I didn’t expect the information to have leaked already. I can’t help but be impressed by how far Dean Garteanon’s connections reach. He’s not to be underestimated."

Lennok didn’t respond. There was no need to reveal that he had already confirmed Haven’s intentions through Antares' advice moments earlier.

Haven averted his gaze from Lennok's silence.

"The council is divided over the city government’s monopoly on the Air Force and its technology."

"…"

"A considerable number of us, myself included, have continuously opposed this decision. If the government takes direct control of the Air Force, which department should handle it? And by what standards should we maintain the Air Force in the process?"

A cold smile formed at the edge of the senator’s mouth.

"No one is unaware that even maintaining the status quo would be difficult. Yet, people are pushing forward for their own gains. We’ve long tried to make others understand this reality, but it all ended up in vain."

Haven shrugged.

"Regrettably, the time has come for drastic measures."

"Are you suggesting that’s a valid reason to overturn the entire expo?"

"When I first joined the council, I wondered why my seniors fought so desperately, as if they had no future to look back on."

He reached into the inner pocket of his suit, watching Lennok’s impassive expression.

"Power struggles, assassinations, factional disputes spiraling into civil war… I couldn’t understand people who lived as though winning right now was all that mattered."

He took out a cigarette, gazing at it before placing it in his mouth.

"But look at this now. Despite the countless hardships that this city has endured, the citizens survive, one way or another. It's the same here."

Turning his back on the peaceful expo scene, Haven said,

"Once you take the first step, peace and stability will eventually follow."

"…"

How broad a view does one need of the world to speak these words so casually? This isn’t some detached policy discussion, stamping numbers on papers from behind a desk. The man standing before Lennok clearly understood the lives of the city’s citizens, yet he seemed unbothered about casting them aside for his own purposes and motivations.

As Lennok remained silent, Haven continued speaking.

"I know what you're aiming for by participating in this expo. You’re looking to use the success of your paper to join the Central Council’s Technical Advisory Committee, aren’t you?"

"So, you were aware."

"I read your first paper."

Haven’s voice came through the haze of smoke.

"Others say that paper was the work of Aris Ricellen’s genius, but I see it differently. The logic of transmuting two different energies may appear to align with elemental transformation, but it’s far from the core ideals taught at Sinclair’s Magic Tower."

"…"

"Knowing this, Aris Ricellen likely allowed the paper to be submitted in the lab’s name."

People with insight like Haven would realize that the paper was not Aris’s work but Evan’s.

"Instead of organizing past and present data to draw conclusions, you’ve proven a theory by projecting into the future and looking back—a deceptively simple concept, but the talent to encapsulate that process in a few sheets of paper is rare across the entire continent."

Before Lennok could reply, Haven continued.

"If you have that kind of talent, you could present your insights in a paper at any time. So why go to the trouble of relying on Dean Garteanon’s influence to come to this expo?"

Haven pulled out another cigarette from his pocket.

"I can only assume that you want a direct connection with the council."

At that moment, Lennok understood why Haven had sought him out for this conversation. Haven knew precisely what Lennok was hoping to achieve by participating in this expo, the caliber of his talent, and what he had actually accomplished. Haven had approached him to say that he could provide what Lennok wanted.

"I can establish that connection for you," Haven said.

"Do you want a position similar to Garteanon’s on the Technical Advisory Committee, or perhaps direct sponsorship from the Central Council Senate?"

"…"

"If we come to an agreement, providing support beyond what you could imagine wouldn’t be difficult. The only things that matter are your intention and the contract—nothing else."

A sponsorship contract proposed directly by a senator of the Central Council. Ironically, this first offer was taking place not in a grand office or a lavish bar, but here in the city hall’s rooftop garden, bustling with citizens.

Haven looked down at him and asked quietly,

"Will you accept us as your sponsors?"

"And if I accept?"

"Then we’d head to my office right now to sign the contract. A contract sum in the millions, monthly support, incentives, and welfare benefits several times that amount. I promise any environment, materials, personnel, or location needed for your research."

An offer filled with irresistible benefits. With the senator himself guaranteeing it, there was no lie or exaggeration in his words. They wouldn’t hesitate to spend money and time on a talented researcher.

Lennok understood Haven’s message and how committed he was to sponsoring him. However, Lennok looked at Haven for a moment before slowly shaking his head.

"I’m sorry."

"Excuse me?"

"I believe your offer is sincere, but in the end, any research results gathered would be managed under the sponsor’s name, wouldn’t they?"

There is no benefit that comes without a price. If one accomplishes something using their money and infrastructure, a part of it must be given back to them. They may say otherwise now, but one day they might change their stance, seeking to control the research or intervene in its direction.

Lennok knew all too well that the powerful people of this vast city were exactly the kind of individuals who wouldn’t shy away from such actions. As he slowly walked past Haven, he answered,

"I don’t want anything like that. My reason for trying to join the Technical Advisory Committee isn’t for that."

"And what is it, then?"

"I just want to see the essence hidden behind this city’s splendor."

Not the current rulers who now control this city, but the powerful figures who directly contributed to building this city in the past—the Senate. To reach them, to directly ask them about the secrets of the Black Consumer Project, Lennok needed to connect with the council without relying on anyone else’s help. The moment he began to be bound by a sponsorship from a senator, aiming higher than that would be impossible.

From the beginning, Lennok never intended to accept Haven’s offer.

"Even if the winner of this expo is practically predetermined?"

"It doesn’t matter."

"I see… I understand your feelings."

Haven gave a bitter smile, discarding his cigarette stub and lightly dusting off his hands. After rummaging in his pocket, he pulled out a crisp business card and handed it to Lennok.

"However, it’s also true that I don’t want to see a talented researcher lose everything here."

"…"

"If you give this card to the guard at the government building’s back gate, they’ll show you a safe escape route and give you some time."

With that, he turned his back.

"I may have said lofty words, but it won’t take long—just the seats where the judges and audience are located. Most of the Tower’s mages and researchers should be safe."

Perhaps he’d only made the offer as a formality, not expecting much in the first place. Haven’s clean, detached demeanor didn’t show any lingering regret. Lennok stared at his retreating figure.

Calm and indifferent—so much so that it was hard to believe he was a criminal about to commit an act of terror at City Hall with tens of thousands of Vulcan citizens gathered. But to Lennok, that poised indifference seemed like the very incarnation of a catastrophe, dangerous and undeniable.

Sensing this, Lennok’s mouth opened.

"If that’s the case, may I ask one favor?"

"A favor, you say?"

As he watched Haven slowly turn his gaze, Lennok thought quickly.

‘Antares only spoke about what was supposed to happen at the expo, but he never mentioned how to handle it.’

If a senator had directly planned the attack, the scale and coordination would be unimaginable. Was Lennok supposed to resolve this situation if this was the very scenario Antares had alluded to? But no—Antares had offered his advice based on the future of an expo that Lennok wasn’t a part of, not one in which Lennok was actively participating.

If there were a variable that caused this incident to escalate into something even more impactful, requiring his intervention, it would likely be…

"Please delay the schedule until my evaluation is complete."

"…"

Lennok chose his words carefully as he watched Haven stare at him silently.

"If the order follows the names alphabetically, my turn shouldn’t be far off. By now, it should be…"

[Assistant Professor Evan Vylun, Rabatenon University.]

The clear announcement echoed from the speakers on the garden’s wall.

"…it seems the time has come."

What could it mean to announce Evan Vylun’s name at this precise moment?

Haven didn’t respond, and Lennok, watching him, slowly turned and walked away.

"I’ll be waiting."

With that single statement, Lennok walked calmly down past the garden. Haven crossed his arms, leaning against the railing with a contemplative expression. Beneath him, a faint silver glow flashed from his shadow, emitting an odd vibration. The subtle vibrations soon transformed, taking the shape of distinct words.

[Senator.]

"What did you think?"

Without looking down at the shadow at his feet, Haven asked.

[He leaves no openings, almost unnaturally so.]

The shadow answered quietly.

[Although he hasn’t trained in combat, he didn’t give a single chance to break through. If I had moved, he would have reacted immediately.]

"I see. So that’s how it was…"

Haven had discreetly instructed his assistant to look for an opportunity to detain Lennok, yet surprisingly, the assistant found no way to approach him without being detected.

Haven’s gaze turned icy.

"He’s not someone destined to remain just a mere researcher or assistant professor. The favor he asked of me must mean the same thing."

[Shall we wait?]

"Considering the timing of the announcements, the evaluations could take as little as five minutes, or as long as fifteen."

Without glancing at the shadow at his feet, Haven replied with a blank expression.

"He didn’t ask me for such a short delay."

[Then…?]

"He was asking me to verify the content of the paper he’s about to present."

Evan Vylun, Assistant Professor at Rabatenon University. Even after hearing that a potential attack could strike City Hall, the result of infighting among council senators, he remained unfazed. He didn’t plead for the attack to be stopped, to consider the lives of those present, or express fear of the consequences. Instead, he chose a completely different approach, and only at the last possible moment did he make his request to Haven.

He must believe that with that single request, he could change Haven’s mind. The variable capable of stopping an attack that would throw the entire expo into chaos and kill all the judges—was his second paper.

Evan was trying to persuade Haven with that exact suggestion.

"His request was polite, but his confidence borders on arrogance. Does he truly believe his paper holds that kind of value?"

[…]

Haven chuckled, and the shadow remained silent.

"A genius who once shook the Vulcan Energy Division. If he’s that certain, then there’s enough reason to take some time to verify it."

Haven glanced at his wristwatch, adjusted his suit sleeve, and turned to leave.

"Delay all scheduled events by 15 minutes. Inform the other senators."

[But, Senator…]

"I’ll wait in the audience."

Without waiting for a response, Haven disappeared down the stairs from the garden.

  *

Thud!

In the vast auditorium, illuminated by only a few sparse lights, the doors closed with a loud, drum-like sound as soon as he stepped onto the podium. The booming noise pressed down, imposing and oppressive, as if to crush the spirit of the participants.

With the ground-floor audience seats obscured by thick curtains and the second-floor seats shrouded in darkness, it felt almost as if he were standing alone in a narrow room. Lennok quietly lifted his gaze toward the shadowed second-floor seats.

They’d attempted to block vision with security wards and enchantments, but that meant nothing to him. Lennok could clearly see the figures seated in the upper gallery.

"About ten people. Not all senators."

Three or four figures in suits and research attire. The familiar face of John Mayer. Some older men and women watching him with relaxed expressions. Those around Haven’s age were likely the senators attending the expo. And one man in uniform, sitting at the very front, watching Lennok with an intrigued look.

An unusual face, fish-like in appearance, stood out. The gleaming rank insignia on his shoulder left no doubt that he was a high-ranking officer from the Air Force. He was likely the one who had decided on the expo’s winning theme.

"Assistant Professor Evan Vylun. It’s an honor to meet you."

As Lennok pondered, someone from the second-floor seats spoke up.

"You may not know it, but most of us here have known of your name for quite some time."

"…"

"To be precise, it was long before you stirred up the academic world with your paper on the transmutation of magic and electricity."

"Is that so?"

What had Evan Vylun done to catch the Senate’s attention? The only times Lennok, under Evan’s identity, had drawn attention were in his dealings with the Gido Order missionary and Branch Head Amilla Baneja.

While Lennok was lost in thought, the judge continued.

"So, I didn’t expect you to present a paper at this expo. For a researcher with such remarkable talent, every moment is an opportunity. There’s hardly a need to pick a specific time or place to present a paper."

Silence settled. Both Lennok and the judge knew that, no matter how much they discussed it, nothing would change the reality. A predetermined theme already dominated the expo’s awards, and there were researchers who had thoroughly studied that theme and achieved results. Adjusting his research findings or modifying his paper’s contents now wouldn’t close the gap.

Antares, Sliman, Fedora, and Conrad—all had provided hints, openly or in shadows, pointing to this reality.

There was no reason for prolonged contemplation. Lennok promptly took the mobile mount holding the engine and stepped slightly forward to the podium.

"Over the past three days of this expo, I’ve heard some strange rumors."

"Rumors?"

"Yes. Preposterous claims that the winner and theme of this expo have already been decided."

Lennok looked up at the silent audience and smiled.

"Of course, I didn’t believe such nonsense. The notion that corruption could infiltrate an expo directly overseen by the Central Council Senate is absurd."

"…"

"However, even if things were to proceed that way, it doesn’t really matter to me."

"…It doesn’t matter?"

"Yes."

Did Dean Syollus Garteanon truly not know the inner workings of this expo? Lennok thought it was unlikely. Yet, despite knowing, Garteanon hadn’t mentioned it to him beforehand. The reason Antares advised him to be cautious without providing a concrete solution. The reason Lennok asked Conrad to give him time only until his presentation.

"It’s because the results of my paper today happen to be deeply related to the very theme of those rumors."

Lennok’s paper directly addressed the core theme that the senators were aiming for from the outset. Sensing the excitement building in the audience, Lennok smiled.

"I plan to open a new path… in the skies above this city."