WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 251: 251

──────

I slowly looked around.

People’s gazes were pouring toward the podium.

Could I really go through with this?

Standing here, I found myself hesitating a little. Perhaps because this was my last chance to stop.

But that hesitation lasted only a moment.

Hadn’t I decided to move forward without hesitation the moment I made this plan? If I stopped now, I would lose everything in the end.

After firming my resolve, I stepped forward.

“Thank you all for coming.”

My voice, filled with magical power, carried clearly through the room. Perhaps because I had held lectures at Professor Irian’s tower several times, my voice did not shake.

Without saying anything else, I watched the crowd.

In the silence, I could feel suspicious gazes directed at me. Meeting those gazes, I slowly moved forward.

“I know why you have come here. You must have seen my manifesto. First, allow me to introduce myself.”

Over the past week, I had spread rumors that I would be giving a lecture here. I had also distributed manifestos containing part of the lecture’s content.

Perhaps those rumors had caught many people’s interest. More people had filled this classroom than I had expected.

I had thought I would be lucky if thirty came, but more than fifty had arrived.

Half of them were even members of the Magical Power Council.

Seeing so many figures who were normally so difficult to move, it seemed my intentions had hit their mark.

I gave Isabella a small signal. She began writing letters in the air.

I stood beneath the finished words and glanced up at them.

[Artificial Tree Project]

That was why they had gathered in this classroom.

“My name is Evron. I am someone who dreams of an innovation that will change this world. This will be the first step of that innovation.”

The seated crowd began murmuring.

I looked at them and snapped my fingers. Magical power spread out and silenced the noise.

“I have lived with many questions. The question I wondered about most was the mage’s tree. Why must mages suffer to grow their trees? Why can only a tiny number of weeds become mages? Have you ever held such questions?”

At my words, one person in the crowd flinched.

He was a young man with a jewel hanging from his chest. I had passed by him several times before. He was one of the weeds.

He was one reason I had created this event. I had brought up weeds specifically to draw his interest.

Judging by his reaction, my intention had worked well.

“Many people say it is because of talent. They say that those without talent cannot become mages, and those without talent cannot advance to the next realm. That is common sense throughout the magic world. But.”

I paused and glanced at Isabella.

She rearranged the words [Artificial Tree Project], forming the shape of a person. Looking at the illusion that resembled me, I continued firmly.

“But I did not agree. That is why I continued my research, and I was able to grasp a new possibility, even if only in part. That is the Artificial Tree Project. The possibility that everyone can possess a tree.”

When I finished speaking, several people raised their hands.

They seemed to have questions.

But there was no need to give them a chance to speak. This was my territory.

I met their eyes one by one and stroked my chin.

“It seems you have many questions. I know what you wish to ask. Is this realistic? Is it not a lie? Those are your doubts, are they not?”

The people who had raised their hands gave me small nods.

I nodded as well.

“The reason you have such doubts is probably because of my shortcomings. I am only a mage on the third floor, and merely a wanderer who has lived for a hundred years. Yet I have the opposite thought.”

I raised a hand and pointed at the people looking at me.

Then I let out a small laugh and shrugged.

“I wonder if the real problem is that you could not think of something that even I could. You are bound by time and realms, holding only narrow views. It cannot be helped. That is your limit.”

I had phrased it indirectly, but my meaning was clear.

Their talent was pathetic.

Perhaps they understood that as well. They began raising magical power as they glared at me.

Facing that boiling magical power made my chest grow cold.

But I did not show it.

Instead, I smiled brightly at them, stepped forward, and spread both hands.

“I do not have limits like yours. Of course, you may object. If I truly have no limits, why have I only reached the third floor?”

I had reached the third floor fairly quickly, but that was only compared to the average.

Compared to people like Cassian and Hongryeong, whom I had met before, I could be considered lacking.

Still, it was possible to brush aside that question.

I looked around the room. Then I spotted Merov among the crowd, wearing an uncomfortable expression, and greeted him with my eyes.

“That was unavoidable. Like this Artificial Tree Project, I am moving in a different direction from others. That is also why Mr. Merov brought me here.”

The crowd’s eyes followed mine to Merov.

Merov gave a small cough and nodded.

“…Yes. He is creating a forest now, not a tree. The related documents are under review by the Council, so you will be able to confirm it.”

“As Mr. Merov said, I seek to embrace new possibilities. Because it is a path I walk alone, I may be slow to advance. But someday, I will reach the end. I stand here with confidence in that future.”

I placed a hand over my chest and scattered magical power around me.

Dark shadows spread in every direction through my magical power.

The shadows filling the classroom soon began giving off bright light. A cluster of shining stars bloomed inside them.

My inner image was unfolding.

I had shown it to Merov during my advancement evaluation before. But my inner image now was quite different from what it had been then.

I ran my hand over the translucent trees filling the space around me.

These were the soul Saplings I had planted so far. The little ones had grown steadily and now boasted impressive sizes.

The stars filling the shadows poured out brilliant light. From the soul Saplings rooted in those stars, I could feel a firm flow of magical power connecting them to me.

This was the path I was taking.

Judging by this inner image alone, even a mage with a completed tree could not compare to me.

After all, this was not something I had achieved alone.

Perhaps those who had doubted me felt that as well. They slowly lowered their hands.

Showing them my inner image in order to persuade them seemed to have worked quite effectively.

“Now that my introduction is finished, I should tell you about the plan I wish to create.”

I smiled and clapped lightly.

Isabella began pouring magical power into the human shape suspended in the air.

A small seed lodged in the figure’s chest.

The seed soon absorbed magical power and became a Sapling. The Sapling quickly became a tree.

Once the tree had filled the body, I continued.

“Like this, a mage’s tree accepts magical power and takes root in the soul. To grow a tree, one must split the soul and plant a seed. But I believed that, to achieve innovation, we must move beyond this ordinary direction.”

I rummaged through my clothes and pulled out a box as large as my head from my spatial pouch.

With a light wave of my hand, I broke the seal wrapped around it.

The box opened, and something sprang out with magical power.

I could feel the people grow slightly unsettled when they saw it.

I caught it and smiled lightly.

I understood why they were surprised.

This was a grafted bundle of tree branches.

“Tree branches are fragments of the soul. If we can weave them together and make a larger tree, then anyone can use magic without relying on talent. Anyone. This is the starting point of the Artificial Tree Project.”

I casually gestured, holding it out for the crowd to inspect.

Several people rose from their seats and began examining the joined branches in my hand.

They were probably trying to determine why the tree branches were not rejecting each other.

But they would never realize what I had done.

How could they imagine that I had torn apart my own tree and used it as adhesive?

Unless I explained it, they could not learn my method.

I watched them examine the branches, then sent out magical power and retrieved them.

I smiled lightly at those who looked disappointed.

“Do not be too disappointed. This is only the starting point. I have already made a far better result. Isabella, would you come here for a moment? I would like to open your body and show the others.”

I gave Isabella a small nod.

She nodded back and approached my side.

With a soft smile, she slowly closed her eyes.

I looked at Isabella for a moment, then took out my carving knife and placed it against her chest.

I drew a straight line across it.

Her body split open with magical power, revealing its interior.

Inside Isabella’s chest were the complex circuits I had drawn. Near her heart was a faint ripple.

I carefully reached inside.

My fingertips touched something slightly hard.

I grasped it and quickly pulled it out.

At the same time, Isabella went stiff, as if she had lost her life.

It looked as though she had stopped because the thing sustaining her magical power had disappeared.

I examined what I held in my hand.

It was a pure white tree.

If Isabella had not opened her inner image herself, I could not have taken this out.

The tree, reduced in size while I brought it outside, continued pouring out magical power. Its pure magical power clearly revealed that it was a mage’s tree.

“This is my prototype.”

I raised the tree before the crowd.

Their magical power brushed over the tree in my hand. Perhaps they too had felt that it was truly a mage’s tree, because they let out quiet exclamations.

After observing their reactions long enough, I placed the tree back inside Isabella’s chest.

Then I cleanly sealed her split body.

Isabella calmly opened her eyes and looked around.

As if checking herself for anything unusual, she moved her fingers and released a little magical power. Then she gave a small bow.

“What do you think? What I have shown you is only a tree contained in a puppet’s body. But I believe that in the future, we may produce results good enough to implant in human bodies. Now then, let us look together at the future I envision.”

I snapped my fingers as I finished speaking.

Illusion magic spread through the room, drawing several screens in the air. They began showing various images of the future.

Someone transplanted a tree. Someone else carved circuits into one.

The sights were so vivid that the people’s eyes gleamed as though enchanted.

I continued speaking as I watched them.

“If you do not like your tree, replace it. If your talent is lacking, plant a stronger tree. That is the future I dream of and believe in. What do you think? Does this future of mine appeal to you?”

I called out passionately and clenched my fist.

The people looked quite satisfied.

I smiled lightly and bowed my head.

“I have given a brief introduction, so I would like to end today’s lecture here. Beginning next week, I plan to hold lectures every other week. Those who are interested, please come find me.”

When I finished, I heard several people clapping.

At this point, it could be said that I had successfully concluded the lecture.

Though I was not sure if this could really be called a lecture.

After the lecture ended, people gathered around me.

They began asking all sorts of questions. Was this research truly feasible? What did they need to do to attend the lectures?

It was a little bothersome, but I could not leave.

Every one of them had the potential to become my customer. I needed to answer them pleasantly.

So I maintained a kind smile and gently answered their questions.

Of course, whenever they asked about the Artificial Tree Project, I brushed them off by saying they would learn more if they attended next week’s lecture.

That seemed enough to satisfy them. They began leaving the classroom with interested expressions.

As I watched their backs with satisfaction, I sensed someone who had remained in the classroom slowly approaching me.

“You asked me to reserve a classroom, so I wondered what you intended to do. I did not expect you to be planning something like this.”

It was Merov, wearing a slightly sulky expression.

It seemed he had not liked me bringing him up in the middle of the lecture.

I bowed to him.

“Thanks to you, Mr. Merov, I was able to finish successfully. Thank you very much.”

“Artificial trees… It is somewhat related to the kind of knowledge you asked me for before. Was all of that for this?”

Merov stroked his chin with a thoughtful expression.

I nodded.

“Ha ha, yes. I combined the knowledge I requested from you with the research I had already been conducting. I succeeded in grasping a new possibility with it.”

“But you could not have achieved this much with what I gave you…”

“Oh? Is that so? What remarkable talent.”

A rough voice cut into Merov’s words.

I looked toward the voice and saw a man with completely white hair.

He was the man who had urged me to begin the lecture earlier.

Merov tilted his head toward him.

“Chairman, you are here.”

“Ha ha, Merov. It is good to see you again after so long. The friend you brought was so impressive that I came to see him myself.”

Merov glanced at me and gave a small signal.

I stepped half a pace forward and bowed.

“Greetings, Chairman. My name is Evron. It is an honor to meet you.”

“It is good to meet you as well. It has been a long time since I met such a spirited young man.”

The Chairman laughed heartily.

I carefully examined him.

I could feel deep magical power flowing from him.

The amount was not inferior even to the vault lord I had seen in Icewall City. In terms of purity alone, it might even have surpassed it.

I had heard that the Council had a Chairman, but this was my first time seeing him in person.

It had been the right choice to carry out this plan. If I had not begun these lectures, I would not have attracted the Chairman’s interest like this.

“From the interesting story you have told, I suppose you plan to charge points beginning with your next lecture. Yes, how much are you thinking of setting the price at?”

The Chairman spoke in a gentle tone.

I scratched my cheek and slowly shook my head.

“Points? I have no intention of doing that. How could I desire points before the Magical Power Council, this sacred hall of knowledge?”

Yes, this was a place overflowing with every kind of knowledge.

There was no need to sell my knowledge for points.

I smiled lightly and continued.

“I only wish to obtain a little of the knowledge I desire from those who wish to hear my lectures.”

Knowledge that could not be obtained even with points.

I swallowed those words and looked at the Chairman.

The Chairman narrowed his eyes with a trace of suspicion, but only briefly. Soon, he laughed loudly and nodded.

“Ha ha, then I should be the first to sign up for your lecture. There will surely be limited seats.”

“No, Chairman. I am simply grateful that you wish to attend. You need not sign up. I will prepare a seat for you.”

I lightly rubbed my hands together and gave him a faint smile.

The Chairman stroked his chin as if satisfied.

“Then I will remember that. But there is one thing I wish to ask.”

“What is it? I will listen carefully.”

“What you said. It is all true, correct?”

The Chairman’s smile vanished in an instant as he looked at me.

His gaze, as though it could see through me, was incredibly sharp.

Cold sweat ran down my back, but I did not avoid his eyes. I raised magical power.

As the magical power wrapping around my body gave me courage, I folded my arms.

“Of course. I am certain that the future I have envisioned will come to pass.”

How much time passed as I held the Chairman’s gaze?

Soon, he smiled lightly again.

“Is that so? Professor Irian would not have chosen you without reason, so I will trust you as well. Then I shall look forward to next week’s lecture.”

The Chairman patted my shoulder and slowly walked away.

At some point, he vanished in an instant, leaving behind only faint magical power.

I swallowed at that flawless skill and turned to Merov.

“Then may I be on my way as well? Since even the Chairman will be attending, I believe I need to prepare more thoroughly for the lecture. I also need to finish my research.”

Merov looked at me silently before nodding.

I gave a small bow in thanks for his permission and slowly left the classroom.

As I walked down the hallway, a familiar door soon came into view.

The space magic placed throughout the Council had naturally guided my steps here.

A sign above the door read Workshop No. 197.

This was the place where I had spent the past nine months.

I filled my hand with magical power, broke the seal on the door, and entered.

Isabella followed behind me, restored the seal, and closed the door.

The seal was exceptionally firm, enough to avoid even part of Professor Irian’s notice.

With it sealed this tightly, nobody would be able to spy on me now.

I let my body sag and dropped heavily to the floor.

Feeling the sweat I had held back run down my forehead, I let out a light sigh.

“Master, are you all right?”

Isabella took out a handkerchief and began wiping my forehead.

I quietly nodded.

“I have only gone limp.”

To deceive mages who were so thoroughly cunning, I had needed to control every corner of my body closely enough that they would not notice.

This was only the release of tension after letting go of all that constant focus at once.

“But is this really all right? This is fraud…”

I raised a finger and covered Isabella’s mouth.

Even if this place was safe, it was not something we could say aloud so carelessly.

I stroked my chin and fell into thought.

Fraud.

Yes. In some ways, this could be considered fraud.

I had called it the Artificial Tree Project and made it sound convincing, but the framework supporting all of it was fake.

I looked at Isabella.

“Since we will need to use it again next time, could you place it back in the magical power fluid? It will dry out if we leave it outside.”

At my words, Isabella reached into her chest.

She pulled out a tree and placed it in the container of magical power fluid at one side of the workshop.

I nodded as I looked at the tree, which still gave off distinct magical power just as it had earlier.

I had introduced it as Isabella’s tree, but it was actually a mage’s tree I had purchased for around five million points.

It had belonged to someone who had reached the Young Tree realm.

The Isabella from earlier had merely held that tree in her chest and brought it out again.

It was completely separate from her own tree.

Of course people had not found anything strange in it. I had presented a real tree and deceived them by calling it an artificial tree.

Isabella, having taken out the tree, took a small breath and settled her magical power.

The murky magical power released by the patchwork tree began filling her again.

That was the tree I had done my best to cultivate over all this time.

It still gave off unstable magical power, looking ready to explode the moment it left Isabella’s control.

I had improved it somewhat, but I had not yet found a clue to solving that rejection.

I shook my head at the hopelessness of it.

I had not originally intended to go this far, but I had no choice.

If I did not do it this way, I could not obtain the knowledge I wanted.

Recalling the Council’s structure that I had learned about over the past months, I clicked my tongue lightly.

The Council’s core was revealed only to its members.

A guest like me found it difficult to access it.

Merov had helped me somewhat, but he often demanded many points for even small pieces of knowledge.

So I decided to change my approach.

If it was impossible for me to approach it, I would make it approach me instead.

That was why I had stirred people up and sold them lies.

I wanted those interested in my lectures to come find me with information.

From that perspective, this was certainly fraud.

I had deceived them by claiming that something nonexistent existed.

But I did not see it as fraud.

I was certain of the Artificial Tree Project I had presented.

If I completed Isabella, that future would truly arrive.

Of course, there were a few minor problems, so implanting it in a person rather than one of my puppets would be somewhat difficult…

Still, someday, could I not really make something like that?

Therefore, rather than saying I had defrauded them, it was more accurate to say that I had sold them a dream of success.

Yes.

I was only planning to win enough to pay it back.

If I could truly create the result through what they gave me, would that not be enough?

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried