C227: Arcane Chamber (3)
The wizards' attention was on Clinton since he was the most famous wizard here.
More than a thousand wizards' enthusiastic arguments were lighter than feathers in front of his words. That's why everyone wanted Clinton to rule.
Rudger thought as he watched the skit.
"I don't even care, and they're all trying to decide on their own. Is it like this even though I have Theon's backing?"
He thought he would be checked to some extent, but he didn't know there would be an argument that the information should be forcibly opened.
'I thought that the wizards in the top seats would be a little more polite.'
In other words, it can be said that all wizards are the same when it comes to research.
'Rather, I'm glad I'm a teacher at Theon. If I was a wandering wizard with no support, I would have robbed and died on the street.'
The worst was avoided, but that did not mean that the current situation was okay since greedy people wanted to pressure him somehow to release information.
Now what Clinton says would determine his treatment.
"Haha. Everyone has too much expectation for this old man. However, both sides' opinions are plausible to conclude recklessly."
So, Clinton continued.
"I will remain neutral. It's not good to change the conclusion depending on my choice. Is it because I'm old? I'm not motivated. What's important is the opinion of the researcher."
Clinton declared neutrality on the pretext of being old. In a way, it was fortunate, and on the other hand, it was frustrating because the ruling was not made.
However, Clinton did not withdraw his gaze toward Rudger after speaking but had a strange sense of anticipation in his eyes.
Rudger realized what he wanted.
'You're telling me to take care of it'
Beyond his benevolent appearance, he was quite calculating. That's why he took the position of imperial wizard. His skills are good, but he had to make a living.
Rudger burst into laughter inside.
'You're a naughty old man.'
After all, it was him who had to settle the situation and Rudger liked it this way. It was not in his nature to leave someone to choose what his treatment will be like.
"I've heard your opinion well."
When Rudger opened his mouth, all the wizards who were starting to argue loudly again closed their mouths.
"I never thought my research would be on the lips of so many people. I'd like to thank you first for your excessive interest."
"What?"
"What are you up to?"
On the contrary, suspicious reactions came out one by one, as if it seemed strange for him to speak confidently.
"However, this decision is entirely up to me. It is not welcome for others to decide on my treatment in front of me."
The remark caused a great stir among them.
Someone asked what that means while for someone else, that's a given.
The disturbance spread like a concentric circle once, and soon gathered again in the center, where Rudger stood.
"No matter what everyone here concludes, my choice will remain unchanged."
At that determined voice, Auguste asked, squinting his eyes.
"Mr. Rudger Chelici, are you saying you won't publish the results of this study?"
"You're going to keep it all to yourself?"
Caroline stared at Rudger.
"If so, I will ask. If I announce this, will there be any benefit to me?"
"……You've already found enough. What honor is more than this?"
Auguste, who said so, hurriedly continued because he thought it was a mistake.
"……Of course, if you make the right choice, we will reward you accordingly."
"The reward will not reach the value of the discovery I made."
It was an arrogant remark, but Auguste did not deny it.
"Then what are you thinking?"
"I don't think I'm going to be forced to hand away my research results here, so it's hard to say anything."
Auguste frowned at the remark since he was right.
It's a totalitarian idea to force the disclosure of the research. However, if such an act is modeled as for the common good, the story will be different then.
"This is the way for everyone."
Were there words that justified this behavior as much as that?
Rudger laughed inside at Auguste's words.
There weren't many opposing opinions, the atmosphere of Arcane Chamber was not half-and-half, but rather one that the results should be disclosed.
President Elisa, who tried to prevent it somehow, was also quite worried about the unexpected atmosphere.
"Or are you going to reject the common good, Mr. Rudger Chelici?"
"If so, I will ask. Lord Auguste. What answer do you think I'm going to give here, as you see it?"
Rudger asked, staring at Auguste with an unshakable gaze.
Auguste shut up at the question 'What kind of answer do I think I'll give?'
An ordinary wizard will have no choice but to look around and say yes but Rudger asked, 'What do you think I'm going to do?'
Rudger's gaze moved to Royna from August to Caroline.
"Tell me. What do you think I'll answer?"
Everyone was silent at the words as the faces of the people at the top of the table stiffened.
Rudger's unyielding attitude seemed to be saying that he would fight right away.
Was he trying to do it in front of everyone?
The spectators were flustered and nervous at Rudger's attitude.
Auguste opened his mouth in a crucible of confusion mixed with those emotions.
"That means you're going to reject the demand until the end?"
"Reject the request?"
At that, Rudger shook his head.
"It's the other way around."
"What?"
"I don't know why you said that, but I won't say it twice, so please listen carefully."
"What is that now……."
"Let me release the data."
As soon as they heard that, the people on the scene did not understand what Rudger was saying and after about three seconds a great surprise filled the Arcane Chamber.
"This choice is not forced by anyone, but my thoughts, so the consequences and responsibilities are all mine."
It's not the honor you guys throw as if you're generous, but the honor I win. It is not taken away by your coercion, but by my mercy.
The choice is mine.
"…….Are you serious?"
Caroline asked with her eyes wide open. There was still a deep feeling of distrust in her eyes.
"Yes. Didn't you press me because you wanted to hear this?"
"No, that's…… No, it's not."
Even so, she didn't know he would say yes so easily.
Didn't he looked like he was willing to fight a little while ago? Why did he suddenly changed his attitude?
Auguste, Caroline, and Royna, who insisted on disclosing the information, were also embarrassed. The others who tried to protect him were also embarrassed.
"Really? You're going to reveal it?"
"I said I'd do it, so I'll do it
"Crazy. I can't believe he is going to share that great information with everyone. I wouldn't do it if I were him."
A murmur of voices was heard but the only one remaining calm in a magical abyss of emotion was Clinton.
He held back his desire to burst into laughter.
'Haha, how interesting.'
Clinton noticed what Rudger was thinking the moment he brought that up.
"I was going to reveal it from the beginning."'
As soon as the wizards gathered here saw Rudger's research results, they could not escape the shock.
Moreover, since only the results were mentioned and the most important processes were deliberately passed by, they naturally thought that Rudger was hiding the information.
In fact, Rudger had always maintained an attitude of never giving up but then he suddenly said that he would disclose the information.
"Since this is being disclosed for the public interest, there is no need for the Arcane Chamber to give me a reward."
"……Are you saying you really don't need it?"
"This is completely my own choice, not coercion due to threats or conciliation. How can I get paid for doing good?"
Rudger said so and created letters in the air with magic.
"This is how you make the mana inhibitor."
And the moment he saw it, Auguste realized something was wrong.
'Oh, my! He got them!'
Auguste's purpose in pressuring Rudger was to prevent him from monopolizing important information. And if he made the choice to disclose it, he was going to coax him appropriately to give the information to the Old Tower first.
Other organizations wouldn't just play around, but it didn't matter either because the factional fight, which has been fixed, was going to change.
But Rudger suddenly opened it up to all over 5,000 wizards present here.
The wizards in the audience were wide-eyed but did not stop writing the recipe Rudger unfolded.
'This is unstoppable.'
Although his desired purpose of not making an individual monopolize has been achieved his next purpose was thwarted by Rudger's unexpected action.
Of the more than 5,000 wizards gathered, how many independent wizards are present?
Now that they've all learned this information, they'll have the mana inhibitors made by tomorrow.
The chance of the Old Tower, New Tower and School Association to step up was gone and at the same time, everyone will be praising Rudger's name.
'No way, you're aiming for this?'
Since he couldn't prevent the disclosure of information anyway, he rather gave it to everyone.
"I think you've checked everything, so I'll erase it now."
No one was sorry because the people who needed to see it did it already.
"Although I have worked hard to discover this over the years, I am willing to sacrifice myself for the development of the magic world and for future juniors who will learn magic."
The calm murmuring words burst into thunderous applause and shouts from the audience.
"Oh, my God! I can't believe he gave this to everyone."
"It wouldn't have been easy to make this resolution, isn't he a living saint?"
"Rudger Chelici! Rudger Chelici!"
Some even shed tears, saying they were moved and it was the same with Caroline, who was sitting next to Auguste.
'That guy was a good guy, wasn't he? I didn't even know…….'
Even Caroline, who initially suspected Rudger, has already fallen for Rudger's trick.
Auguste finally realized that even though what he held in his hand was taken away, the winner of this argument was Rudger.
"I'd like to thank everyone who came here today, and I'll take my leave now."
Rudger bowed politely and the spotlight, which was pouring down from the ceiling, snapped out.
The regular academic presentation at the Arcane Chamber ended but even though it was all over, there were no wizards standing up.
There was still a lingering feeling of emotion in their hearts.
* * *
After leaving the presentation hall, Rudger walked down the hall, joining the president.
The president asked Rudger.
"Why did you do that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You didn't have to reveal the information. Can you improvise like that?"
"I didn't do it spontaneously. I had an idea."
"You were thinking about throwing away all the advantages from the beginning?"
"Information is bound to be released sooner or later anyway. The benefits that can be taken in the meantime are not that much. Rather, I'm in my situation due to antipathy and I'm bound to be isolated."
"……. It's because the ingredients needed to make the mana inhibitor are very common, so they're easy to get."
"The price of ingredients will soar right away, but they'll find out eventually that the mana inhibitor works only on young wizards anyway. That the demand is not big compared to the supply."
President Elisa was also convinced to some extent.
"However, you should have given me a warning. Do you know how surprised I was?"
"I'm sorry if I surprised you but no one could know about this. I needed to lead the atmosphere."
Originally, it is much bigger to give it when people don't think you'll give it than to give it out naturally.
To do so, perfect acting was needed, and even our allies needed to be deceived.
Elisa grumbled in a sulky tone.
"You won the hearts of many people with that push and pull. You expected that?"
"I don't know because I don't care about that."
"Even so, it's a bummer. It's kind of refreshing, but a bit disappointing at the same time. At least there are some benefits to it."
"You don't have to worry."
"Why?"
"Even if they know how to make inhibitors, they won't get the results they want."
"What do you mean?"
"Just because they know the ingredients and the combination, they can't make it."
Now they're excited and are going to try to make a mana inhibitor somehow, but they'll realize soon enough that something important is missing in the process of making mana inhibitors.
"Once again, you don't have to worry."
"I originally didn't intend to do that, but I don't think I can because of someone."
"Is that so? Rather, we should greet the guest first."
"Guest?"
Only then did Elisa realize that someone was blocking their path and after seeing that it was Caroline Monarch her expression hardened.