Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins - Chapter 139

“Dr. Oslo? Please come this way.”

The mana lamps lining the corridor gently illuminate the interior of the spacious concert hall.

What if I get lost inside the awarding venue? There’s nothing more troublesome for the award ceremony than the recipient not arriving at the podium on time.

This was a worry I had until arriving at the concert hall, but it seems it was purely my unfounded concern.

In reality, everyone in the place recognized me the moment I set foot in the concert hall.

I quietly asked the elderly gentleman from the Berleu Academy of Magic Studies who came to guide me.

“Sir, how did you recognize me?”

“I’d like to say, ‘How could we not recognize the honorable award recipient?’ but…”

The elderly gentleman smiled slightly without looking back.

“In the Federation, there might be people who don’t know you at all, but there’s no one who knows you and fails to recognize you. And all the members of the Academy and the guests here know you well.”

“…I guess I won’t need to introduce myself. It seems I finally have something to be grateful for regarding my hair color.” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“Ho ho ho. You’re an interesting person.”

Having received such a generous evaluation so suddenly, a sheepish smile appeared on my face.

It’s a strange place.

It’s not that the Schwerin Concert Hall itself is an odd place. The cause was the people inside and the atmosphere.

A solemn melody flowed gently as if there were an orchestra on the stage.

Matching that atmosphere, everyone I meet smiles softly and bows to me.

It was extremely awkward.

Although it’s been six years since I arrived in the Federation, I can count on one hand the number of times a stranger has smiled at me.

Thump. Thump.

With each clarification of the melody, my heartbeat also resonated clearly.

Walking along the dim corridor behind the stage, I slowly came to a stop.

The elderly gentleman said:

“We’ve arrived. You can go up on stage in a moment.”

There was no need to announce our arrival.

The passage a few steps ahead was shining as if it were a door made of light.

Beyond it, I could glimpse officials from the Berleu Academy of Magic Studies and high-ranking figures from the Federation sitting in elegant chairs. I could also see part of the orchestra and an overwhelming sense of human presence.

It’s a situation reminiscent of the Federal University of Magic’s Entrance Ceremony and the Degree Conferment Ceremony.

The difference is that this is a place bestowing an honor far more prestigious than the already sufficiently honorable titles of Top Entrant or Valedictorian.

All the dignitaries and guests on stage must have accumulated honor that’s difficult for me, a mere temporary lecturer, to even imagine.

I remember the gazes of the students I faced at the entrance ceremony.

And that’s not all.

I remember the gazes when I walked through downtown Frauzen wearing an iron badge on my chest.

I remember the gazes I received when I was briefly left alone at the World Expo in Lutenberg.

At academic conferences. 

In the coal mine. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

In the Empire’s market. 

From my days as a beggar boy crying out for a penny in front of a tin can until now.

“……”

Those gazes were not favorable to ‘Eugene’.

This is consistent with the awkwardness I feel in the concert hall. Why are the gazes of these renowned individuals so kind, even though I’ve publicly announced my Imperial origins—

“Doctor.”

“Ah. Did you call me?”

“Yes. Let’s get ready. As this is a celebration, there’s no need to be nervous. It’s enough if you just don’t walk too stiffly. Ho ho.”

As soon as I came to my senses at the touch of a hand patting my shoulder, I heard those words.

The noisiest silence.

The silence created by hundreds of people seemed to weigh down on the brightly lit stage, but…

I took a step forward as if someone had pushed me from behind.

If Susan hadn’t pushed me, and if I hadn’t remembered that momentum, it would have been difficult.

Thump, thump, thump. 

Along with my heartbeat accelerating endlessly, the orchestra welcomes the award recipient with a concise yet elegant melody.

And so.

Light pours down.

I thought I would face hundreds of gazes when I stepped onto the stage, but that was a miscalculation.

Standing on the bright stage, I couldn’t see the dimly lit audience area at all.

At the same time, I understood the elderly gentleman’s words.

How should I put it? It feels like a solemn play.

Just as no one is born with gold paint on their face, there aren’t many things that are honorable in themselves.

Only after getting on stage could I realize that everyone gathered here was in a state of extreme tension to maintain honor, and they were trying their best not to show that tension.

“We will now present the Russell Magic Award.”

Indeed, it seems there’s no need to be unnecessarily nervous.

I walked a few more steps and stood face to face with the presenter.

The president of the Berleu Academy of Magic Studies, with a gentle impression, smiled lightly and spoke.

That is to say, as if reciting a script.

“Dr. Eugene Oslo. You have contributed to the development of theoretical magic studies with your discovery of the photoelectric effect. Carrying the will of the magic scholar Henry Yoris Russell, we commend your contribution.”

“Thank you.”

A firm handshake.

I then received a box containing a gold medal smaller than my palm.

“You can give a brief acceptance speech. It’s fine to be serious, or to mix in some jokes.”

It was quite amusing that the Academy president was giving such a tip, so I managed to act out a gentle smile as I moved to the podium.

After all, I am someone who has stood on the podium as a lecturer for a couple of months.

My lips parted naturally.

I delivered the acceptance speech one paragraph at a time.

It wasn’t particularly difficult as I was just reciting the prepared remarks.

The difference from when lecturing was that I just stared into empty space since there were no students to make eye contact with.

Gradually, my eyes became accustomed to the darkness/

By the time I reached the end of my remarks, I could fully see the guests seated in the audience.

I quietly raised my head and looked straight ahead.

It’s a sloped auditorium.

The scene of hundreds of guests looking down at me somewhat resembled my view when begging.

However.

Everything else had changed.

What was placed in front of me had changed from a tin can to a podium. 

The gloomy sky had become a ceiling spread with classic mana lamp lights, and the downcast gazes directed at me had become the most serious looks.

It’s been nine years.

Tightly clenching my left fist, the only part that could exert strength, I said:

“Thank you.”

The moment I ended my remarks with these commonplace words, thunderous applause erupted.

And, the exhilaration from the applause didn’t even last two hours.

“Oh my, Dr. Oslo. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

After putting down the swirling wine glass, I shake hands for what must be the nth time.

Only then did I realize why both Professor Müller and Julia had simultaneously declared that they ‘would not participate in the banquet’. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

Exchanging greetings and forming new connections.

The only thing that can be done at public events invariably happens.

Although this is a realization I’ve had many times at the University of Magic, the reason it feels new again is that I didn’t expect it to happen even at a banquet.

“I think I’ve shaken more people’s hands than held utensils in the past two hours.”

“Hahaha, you’re quite the jokester.”

“Yes…”

The elderly gentleman I had shaken hands with laughed quite heartily.

I don’t know if he’s naturally cheerful or if he’s generously displaying the virtue of social gatherings by being able to laugh naturally at any time.

The only thing certain is that my words weren’t a joke.

While discussing my paper with the elderly gentleman, I found it difficult to erase the thought that I wanted to hurry back.

After all, the Oslo family and Müller family came to Berleu as part of a trip.

I shouldn’t let the award ceremony-related schedule take up too much time.

Julia and Professor Müller, who deliberately didn’t attend, and Benjamin, who laughed it off from the start, might be fine.

But in the case of the twins, who have to stay in the inn room the whole time, they must be bored to death.

It was then.

The elderly gentleman, who seemed to have noticed my efforts, smiled lightly.

“You’re working hard. But, as a fellow scholar, there’s one thing I really want to ask.”

“Questions are always welcome.”

“What kind of paper do you plan to write next?”

“Next, you say?”

“Each of your papers has caused a stir in the magic academic world. You’ve even pioneered new fields, so it’s only natural that everyone is paying attention to your next move.”

“Well… For now, I think I’ll further refine the paper I just published.”

The elderly gentleman blinked and then bowed his head as if he had committed a faux pas.

“I apologize. My question was quite strange. I didn’t mean to pry into your research topic. Would you forgive me for asking again?”

I nodded lightly.

“Of course.”

“Doctor, where do you intend to go?”

This time it was my turn to blink.

What a metaphysical question.

If there were a fork in the road in front of me, I could answer left or right, but all that’s in front of me now is the smiling face of the elderly gentleman.

Where do I intend to go?

After pondering for a while, I deliberated between two options. 

First, ‘I’m sorry. I think the alcohol is starting to affect me.’ 

Second, ‘I think I’ll keep going as I always have.’

Since the latter was an outright lie, I was seriously considering the former.

Suddenly, a familiar face appeared in the corner of my vision.

“…Lena?”

In the end, my choice inevitably became the third option.

After making a promise that would likely never be fulfilled – ‘Let’s meet again next time and have a thorough conversation’ – I crossed the banquet hall as discreetly as possible and stood in front of Lena, who was sipping white wine in a corner of the hall.

“Oh, it’s you, brother.”

Like me, in my tailcoat, Lena was in a dress.

It’s an attire that catches the eye despite having almost no decorations or exposure.

However, instead of complimenting her outfit, I quietly looked down at Lena’s face.

It’s pale.

“Lena.”

“What are you doing here, star of the banquet? Come on, let’s go back quickly.”

“You’re drunk, aren’t you?”

“…Hic.”

It was already obvious from her calling me ‘brother’.

The soft lighting must have made it hard for people to notice how pale Lena’s face was.

Or perhaps they didn’t expect someone to get drunk on just one glass of wine.

I gently grasped her wrist as if escorting her.

“Come on. Let’s go get some fresh air.”

“No, I can’t. If I network with the people here, it would make running the foundation so much easier— Ugh.”

“Does your head hurt?”

“……”

She nods silently.

As soon as we step out onto the terrace through the wide-open doors, the heat and noise of the banquet hall fade away.

The early winter night wind sweeps through our lungs.

With the heat of the banquet gone, Lena was now clearly showing that she had overindulged, breathing heavily.

“Ugh……”

“Wait here.”

“Wh-where are you going?”

Lena opened her eyes wide.

She seemed distressed that I was leaving her alone on the terrace, but that bewildered expression intensified five minutes later when I returned with two cups of warm milk.

No, that’s not a bewildered expression, it’s more like an incredulous one.

Lena muttered as she received the steaming cup with both hands.

“Why this?”

“You like it, don’t you? It’s warm milk.”

“You didn’t go to the kitchen and requested this just for me, did you?”

“I did.”

“Oh, geez.”

Lena sighed deeply, but soon looked up at me with a slight smile.

“…I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Mm.”

The night wind is cold.

But for someone who’s drunk, the cold wind seems to be as effective as hot air in making them open up. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

After sipping the milk for a while, Lena slowly parted her lips.

“Until six years ago, I never thought I’d come to a place like this.”

“Who could predict such things?”

“I’m sober now, so don’t give halfhearted answers. And it was you who changed me, Eugene.”

“Huh?”

“Originally, I wouldn’t have had any interest in things like foundations. I would have kept working at the telegraph bureau and expanded the business recklessly. Of course, it would have been much more stressful.”

“Do you still want to accumulate money?”

Since she told me not to give halfhearted answers, I asked that.

Even though she stopped expanding her business, Lena is still as busy as I am.

The fact that she came to the banquet for the operation of the foundation while the rest of the family was resting shows how hardworking Lena is.

She must still have a headache even now.

“No.”

But Lena shook her head.

“I have enough money, and I’m not interested in honor. Now, I just need to support my brother who keeps worrying people.”

“Right, right.”

“Ugh. I guess I don’t need to say it’s a joke.”

I didn’t bother to tell her that she was still drunk, and that her expressions were much more varied than usual, revealing all her inner thoughts.

Instead, I said seriously:

“You don’t have to push yourself, Lena.”

“I’m not pushing myself. I’m satisfied with my current life. Wealth is just a quantification of my influence, and now I can finally use that influence for my family. It’s much better than when I was just working mindlessly.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad.”

“I’m more worried about you, Eugene.”

“Me?”

As I pointed to my chest, Lena nodded.

She’s worried about me? What does that mean in such a positive situation?

There was no need to ask.

Lena, leaning slightly against the railing, stared at me blankly.

“Eugene, you came all the way to the Federation to learn magic studies, right?”

“That’s right.”

“And now you’ve received the Russell Award.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve, achieved your dream. In six years.”

Ah.

Is it because of Lena’s calm tone? Only now does it feel real.

The Russell Award.

It’s nothing short of undeniable proof that Eugene Oslo has joined the ranks of outstanding magic scholars.

Now I understand the gentle gazes of the guests. The yardstick of value judgment that should have touched my hair must have been completely blocked by that small, round gold medal.

I’ve achieved my dream.

Yes. It wouldn’t be strange to express it that way.

However.

“But why are you so calm about it, Eugene?”

Lena’s eyebrows curved with worry.

Her black eyes lingered on my right side, then flinched when she realized I was watching the movement of those eyes. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

She must still be a bit drunk to be this careless.

Lena, who covered up her embarrassment by taking another sip of milk, asked with a breath.

“They say those who achieve their dreams often feel empty. Is it true for you?”

“No.”

“Really?”

I nodded without hesitation.

I could say with certainty that it wasn’t that. After all, I didn’t feel any emptiness right now.

Rather than that…

It felt like something still remained, as if I hadn’t fully achieved my dream yet.

“Ah. Snow.”

I quickly raised my head at Lena’s clear voice.

I can see snowflakes falling one by one onto the bridge of my nose.

It’s snowing.

The night began to turn white from the ground up.

T/N

Hello! Axiomatic here.

Thanks for reading, see you in the final chapter of the main story!