Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

Newspapers, you say…

Just as I was about to retort, I could understand the feeling of a fish hooked on a fishing line.

Words get caught on the tip of my tongue and won’t come out. Why?

It was because of the word.

Newspaper.

It’s usually a word that evokes peaceful morning scenes or leisure time after meals. But since the beginning of this year, the connotation of that word has rapidly become uncomfortable for me.

So, I spoke indirectly.

“I’m embarrassed to say, but recently I’ve been so engrossed in looking at writing in the lab that I find myself backing away even at the smell of ink outside.”

“You’ve been busy.”

The professor snorted lightly.

“Tsk. I understand that feeling. When you’re cooped up in the lab, it feels like the world is flowing by without you. Well, then you probably don’t know much about statements or anything like that.”

“Yes. Would it be alright if I asked about the content of the news if only to answer your business?”

“Sure.”

Soon after, the professor rolled his eyes a few times and threw his gaze into the distance.

Is he in the process of summarizing the newspaper article’s content to make it easier to understand? [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

It seems my prediction was correct. He brought his eyes back to the front while opening his mouth.

“You know, across the sea.”

“You mean the Empire.”

“The official name has become the Reactionary Government. Anyway, they’ve officially started mobilizing troops. It seems they weren’t satisfied with just occupying the northern mountainous areas and appealing to foreign media.”

“……”

“Is that all? Perhaps unhappy that the commotion from a few months ago was simply ignored, they’ve made something like a declaration of war. ‘Give us back magic,’ this is the same as before. They added the phrase, ‘If negotiations are not accepted, we will strike the mainland of the Federation.'”

The professor paused for a moment.

He doesn’t seem out of breath.

Soon, I realized that this gap was for holding back a sneer.

“Isn’t it ridiculous?”

“Pardon?”

“Saying they’ll attack the Federation…. Where do they have the troops and weapons to do that? I wish we could use this opportunity to make that big island a definite Federation territory. Don’t you think so?”

He asked with a slight smile.

At first glance, it seems like a manifestation of the universal psychology of wanting the other person to agree with one’s opinion, but the angle of his mouth corners was too crooked for that.

He was treating me as if I were some kind of Imperial spy.

And now, his tone was urging me to admit surrender.

While figuring out the cause of this inexplicable unpleasantness, I was certain that he was a new professor.

Veteran professors are masters of social life. They faithfully follow the unwritten rule of closed groups that it’s better to hide likes and dislikes towards members.

I answered with silence this time as well.

“It’s all such unbelievable stories that it’s difficult to answer. I should hurry to properly check the news. Thank you for letting me know, Professor.”

The professor made a slightly bored expression.

However, when he took out that paper again, it was my turn for my expression to harden.

Now, I could understand the meaning of the words written there.

“Shall we get to the original business now?”

“……It’s a statement supporting military action, isn’t it?”

“Ahem, something like that.”

Just as I dislike the connotation of the word ‘newspaper,’ he seemed to find the term ‘military action’ quite distasteful.

Soon, he took out a fountain pen from the front pocket of his jacket.

“You know the phrase that the Reactionary Government keeps sending to foreign media, don’t you? Condemnation of the policy of keeping people ignorant, give us back magic… It’s strange, isn’t it? They were the ones who rejected magic studies first.”

“The fallen Empire did so.” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“The Reactionary Government is no different. What this statement says is simple. It’s asking how they can now advocate for academic relief after ignoring scholarship and falling into ruin. All the magic scholars, artists, philosophers, and writers of the Federation who have seen the newspapers have had this thought.”

The professor handed me the signature sheet along with the fountain pen.

Pen and paper.

They were familiar objects that I could handle even with my eyes closed, but I received them as if touching them for the first time.

The professor concluded.

“This is a statement to inform the government of the intentions of such scholars. We’re gathering signatures from prominent figures in the Federation. Dr. Oslo, you are more than qualified to be on this list.”

Looking at his expression as if he was doing me a favor, I thought.

It’s full of sophistry.

He never mentioned that this was a statement advocating for war, and he presumed to represent all intellectuals of the Federation as if it were natural.

But it was difficult to freely point out that fact.

There’s only one reason why he’s asking for a statement from someone who’s neither a professor nor anything else.

In reality, someone somewhere must be suspecting Eugene Oslo’s personal details and possible collusion.

The best solution immediately came to mind. Smile slightly, mutter something like ‘I truly sympathize,’ and then sign briskly.

With the high-quality fountain pen in hand, I could finish the signature without any resistance.

But.

I returned the fountain pen and paper.

“Professor. It’s only been 13 years since the end of the war.”

“Ah, yes. So?”

“Not even a full generation has passed. As a matter of human decency, I must refuse to participate in something that might increase the scars of war. I’m sorry.”

“Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue.

Soon after, I suspected that his personality might be too honest for a professorship.

“Dr. Oslo.”

“Yes.”

“I like you, Dr. Oslo. Every paper you publish is groundbreaking. So to be frank, it would be beneficial for your future research life to just sign.”

“How many have signed?”

“Hm?”

“How many people have signed that statement so far?”

The professor answered after thinking for a moment.

“Just short of 80, I suppose.”

“That’s few.”

Few.

There are dozens of professors and hundreds of doctoral students and researchers working at just the Frauvian Federal University of Magic Research Institute.

If that’s the number after expansion to other professions and the entire Federation, it’s far too few to be considered representative of the Federation. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“Among them are eight Russell Award winners.”

“……Pardon?”

“I told you. We’re only collecting signatures from prominent figures.”

The professor smiled slightly.

“It will grow more.”

My head hurts.

It was an idiomatic expression often used synonymously with feeling troubled, but I focused on the literal meaning of the sentence.

My forehead throbbed with each heartbeat.

The fact that the cause was too much thinking means that the original idiomatic expression wasn’t entirely wrong either.

The cause of this peculiar headache was clear.

It’s because I ultimately refused to sign.

A statement by Frauvian intellectuals supporting the Federation’s military action. Suspicion directed at magic scholar Eugene Oslo and an opportunity for explanation. A political gambling table betting on war.

Too many meanings were contained in just a single sheet of paper.

―Eugene.

Acute headache doesn’t suit as a reason for refusing to sign.

Although I managed to shake off the professor with various rhetoric and start my way home, my worries continued. After all, choices should be understood by oneself before convincing others.

So, I earnestly pondered internally.

The reasons why war won’t break out.

There are quite a few. Although I’m not an expert in politics or military affairs, I could at least consider both sides’ positions.

That’s what I did.

The Empire would find it difficult to start a war. Their military power won’t be able to cross the strait.

From the Federation’s standpoint, there’s no reason to start a war. The losses far outweigh the gains.

If they march into the former Imperial territory and suppress the unrest, it might provide some stability to the Federation citizens.

But it’s not stability worth losing the justification for national defense gained from the war a decade ago, their position as an academic nation, and the significant amount of military expenses.

There’s only one case where the Federation would take action.

When there’s a clear military threat from the Empire.

For example, if the Reactionary Government continued to advance and occupied the southern ports and granary regions of the Empire, the Federation would have to reorganize the garrison troops they had withdrawn.

―Eugene?

Ah, my head hurts.

The problem was that none of these speculations could be grounds for refusing to sign. As I said, I’m not an expert in either politics or military affairs.

So, I turned my attention to more trivial things.

Things like Lieutenant Zeller’s words that war wouldn’t break out, or the relatively peaceful appearance of the city despite the military tension.

But ultimately, the reason chosen for refusing to sign was because of the promise with Benjamin. Yes, actually, that’s enough. I am a magic scholar. I shouldn’t cross the line―

“Brother!”

I opened my eyes at Lena’s sudden voice.

No. They were already open.

The sharp pain from my dry eyes didn’t allow me to open my eyes wide.

I reflexively closed my eyelids, waited for moisture to be applied, and then opened them.

My blurry vision gradually became clear.

Finally, I realized that three pairs of eyes and curved eyebrows were directed at me.

It’s Lena, Ellie, and Sally. The fact that I can see their faces means I must have completed my return home. [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

I’m holding tableware in my hand. That means I’m in the middle of a meal.

I didn’t know why they were looking at me.

I answered appropriately.

“Yeah.”

“Are you okay?”

“Of course, I’m fine. But where’s Susan?”

Lena’s expression twisted strangely.

Lena put down her fork and mumbled an answer.

“You asked as soon as you came in. And I answered that she’s in the hospital room……”

Did I?

It seems I might have.

Since Benjamin’s hospitalization began, Susan often commuted to the hospital room and sometimes had to eat and sleep there. Today must be one of those days.

When Susan was absent, Lena and I took care of the twins, but because I hadn’t been coming home much these past few days, Lena probably couldn’t rest even when she came home.

I felt sorry.

I smiled a bit pitifully and said:

“I’m sorry. You’ve been through a lot, Lena.”

“……”

At that, Lena’s expression twisted even more.

A light of sadness seemed to seep from those eyes, but it soon changed to indignation, making it uncertain.

Lena abruptly stood up from the dining table.

“Eugene. You’re not in a good state right now.”

“I’m fine, I tell you.”

“I don’t think so. At least, I don’t call someone who doesn’t blink for a minute normal. Ellie, Sally?”

Was it some kind of order attached at the end of her words?

The twins, who stood up from their seats with resolute expressions the moment they were called, each took charge of my right and left arms, and pulled me away from the dining table.

I, who suddenly became a detainee, had no chance to protest.

“Wait a moment.”

Drag, drag, drag―

The twins focused on the escort without even pretending to hear my words. 

The destination?

My room.

Soon after arriving at the storage room, the twins each let go of my arms and headed for the bed.

Ellie, with an expression that didn’t match her stubborn look, flopped down on the bed, while Sally picked up a book from my desk and crouched in a corner of the bed in the room where candlelight flickered.

While I was standing there, dumbfounded…

Lena, who entered the room last, pushed my chest with a thud.

“Oh.”

I fell back helplessly and ended up sitting on the edge of the bed.

Feeling relieved that no mishap, like sitting on Ellie, occurred, I raised my head and asked:

“Lena. What are you doing now?”

“Lie down.” [Only on Galaxy Translations! / Axiomatic]

“What?”

“I said lie down, Eugene.”

As if not allowing any objection, Lena emphasized again.

In those large eyes, the light of the candle and the melancholy of the full moon were swirling together.

“Lie down and get a good night’s sleep. And, we’re all going to stay in this room tonight, so please understand if it’s cramped… Okay?”

T/N

Hello! Axiomatic here.

Thanks for reading this set of five, see you in the next!