"Young Master, I have obtained the thesis you spoke of."
"Oh, finally!"
Ailon rejoiced and accepted the thesis from Lenol.
'Combat Aspects with Demons as Seen through the Situation of the Eastern Front'
The very topic of the thesis that is said to be causing a tremendous frenzy in the academic world recently.
Lucas's name, clearly written as the author, stuck in his eyes.
Strictly speaking, the subject this thesis deals with is not Ailon's main field.
However, isn't the author of this thesis Professor Lucas?
This extreme interest could be said to be natural.
He had already tasted Professor Lucas's lecture with his whole body.
While digging into the core, there was something fresh about it.
This thesis also made him harbor great expectations in that context.
The fact that it is a hot topic in academia is merely seasoning.
Ailon turned the first page of the thesis with an intrigued expression.
'Here, shall I see just how much you will satisfy my expectations?'
One page, two pages...
He began reading the thesis with a light heart.
...Just like that, the weekend passed by.
It isn't that his reading is slow.
For Ailon, who reads through and memorizes even a 30-volume book in half a day, Lucas's thesis, even if thick, is not something to hold onto for long.
It was just the inspiration this thesis gave him.
That stimulated Ailon's madness.
"Is the Young Master still like that?"
"Yeah."
"My goodness, exactly how many years has it been? Five years?"
"Even the Master is only worried, unable to break his stubbornness...."
It was a situation where he had completely cut off food and drink for two whole days.
Even though his concentration is amazing, cutting off food and drink was a rare occurrence.
It is because he cares extremely about his health due to his innate constitution.
However, very rarely, there were times when he would immerse himself like this, neglecting even his health.
And everything born at the end of that was something that made a mark in the history of Dust Industries, no, of humanity.
To his family, Ailon's health was a priority over such things, but since they couldn't break that stubbornness, they could only have medical staff on standby and watch.
***
I do not beg.
I regained my senses and decided to devise another method.
Since not only the best options exist in the world, let's find the next best plan.
'I must solve the demonstration in a different way.'
Right, isn't it something that I can at least mimic the form?
If it were magic, I would have had to implement it without mercy.
I found small comfort and pulled myself together.
There must be a way.
If I cannot use Aura for the demonstration, showing actual combat is....
'Shit, whether it's this or that.'
The next best plan is also unreasonable.
I am in a position where I have to find the next-next best plan.
At this rate, I might descend to a stage where not choosing the worst option feels fortunate.
Knock knock-
Who is it, at such a restless moment.
-Professor, Ailon has come to visit.
'Why is that guy Ailon here again?'
Even without that, at this time when my mind is unsettled due to the academic conference preparation, he wasn't very welcome.
'Should I send him back?'
In conclusion, no.
Since this event could also be a part of raising affection.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Ailon entered following Rit's guidance.
"Professor, I came again."
He isn't like the usual Ailon.
Where did that bright appearance go?
He even exudes a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.
'What is the matter?'
It bothers me.
Since I don't know where that psycho will bounce, I need to handle him with care.
Instead, if used properly, he could become a powerful blow.
That is why I am keeping him for now.
"Did I come at a bad timing?"
"No. Sit for now."
I offered a seat to Ailon and immediately prepared tea.
"Ah, Professor. I will do it."
"Never mind, Rit."
It is better that I do it.
"Haha, to be able to taste tea brewed by the Hero of the Eastern Front, it is a luxury in itself."
"Stop being slippery and just say the main point."
As I put down the tea, Ailon's gaze changes.
The madness rippling in those pupils made my spine chilly.
"The Professor's thesis... I read it."
He read my thesis?
That Ailon, who doesn't care about subjects outside his interest?
Ailon's field of expertise is strictly 'Magic Engineering'.
And the subject of my thesis is 'Combat Studies'.
Although Ailon is listening to my lecture right now, he isn't a character who would have an interest in Combat Studies in the first place.
"So?"
I cannot get a sense of what words will pop out of this guy's mouth.
"It is the first time I am asking this kind of favor, truly."
"...Speak."
It seems like an event to increase affection; I can spare this much time.
"In this thesis... that is... there is a part I do not understand. I wanted to ask about that part...."
Ailon's face became noticeably red.
He cannot bring up the words easily.
"You mean... you want me to annotate my thesis, is that it?"
"That is correct."
The genius of the century asks for an interpretation because he didn't understand the thesis I wrote?
Such a novel-like... Ah, there is nothing strange about it.
"Even if my thesis is not your field of expertise, it shouldn't be at a level you cannot understand."
"Rather than a problem of understanding, here, this part."
He quickly turned the thesis and pointed to a paragraph.
"The Demonic Energy Resonance Theory you presented here, if I apply a calculation formula like this to it... that is...."
...It is marvelous.
It was a setting I wrote down as if just passing by.
At the same time, this was also a clue to the core technology that becomes the foundation of D-Log Mk.6 later.
But it isn't a level one can think of with just this one line.
This guy was truly trying to leap over time.
'Wait.'
There was something that flashed through my head at that moment.
The 'Demonstration' at the academic conference.
If I apply the Demonic Energy Resonance Theory as per the idea Ailon thought of, I might be able to implement the combat dolls of Dust Industries similarly to demons.
In short, it means a path has opened where a demonstration is possible even without Aura.
"...That part will require research."
I opened my mouth while hiding my excitement as much as possible.
I must not show it.
I must hold this initiative.
"Do you have some time left before the conference? But I do not intend to just waste time. If I allot my time, what can you do for me?"
His eyes filled with madness touch my eyes.
A young flame ripples within them.
"Everything you want."
Pure exploration of knowledge.
The driving force that moves Ailon.
That is what makes such words pop out of Ailon's mouth.
"Even if I were to demand everything of Dust Industries?"
Although the actual head is said to be Steven Dust, the 'real' owner could be said to be this Ailon in front of my eyes.
Because all original technologies belonged to Ailon, and all systems are in Ailon's grasp.
"If you desire."
Naturally, I do not want Dust Industries.
What I want is not the wealth of this world or anything like that.
A means to survive flawlessly here.
And in Dust Industries, there is one of those puzzle pieces.
With Ailon's answer just now, a means to possess that puzzle piece has been created.
***
...It is something I felt once again, but Ailon's genius is truly at a crazy level.
I merely fleshed out my setting a little more concretely and explained it.
But that guy, just by listening to that, calculated and even caught errors, taking only two full days to establish a perfect theory.
A monster-like guy.
Now the result of that research was revealing its fine figure before my eyes.
"Shall we try a test run now?"
Ailon spoke with a voice full of excitement.
I am also pounding with anticipation.
Since the setting I only imagined in text is about to appear vividly before my eyes.
Ailon activated the combat doll.
Vroom-
Simultaneously with the startup, the combat doll's eyes burned brightly as it began to operate.
Moving as if it were alive is a technology already implemented, so it is not vastly surprising.
What is important now is whether the Demonic Energy Resonance Theory has been applied properly.
Actually, this part was the biggest problem.
The theory is perfect.
But since we are just verifying it in reality now, errors can occur anytime.
'If the resonated demonic energy explodes or something.... Whew.'
Ailon would have perfectly finished preparations against that, so worrying....
'Wait. He is Ailon... right.'
Psycho engineer, the no-brakes style with no reverse gear.
Worry creeps in stealthily.
"Ailon, you made perfect preparations against going berserk, right?"
"Huh? What preparations?"
He asked back with an expression that said he truly didn't know.
"...Did you not keep the rampage of demonic energy resonance in mind?"
"Ah, you mean that!"
Fortunately, he isn't a crazy b....
"I didn't?"
Crazy bastard.
Then I must turn it off right now...
It was already late.
Now my body trembles with anger and fear, not excitement and expectation.
I fixed my vision on the combat doll and braced my heart firmly.
So that I can run away at any time.
Whir-!
The demonic energy resonance system operates, and the atmosphere trembles.
The energy of demons flocks around the combat doll.
"It's a success!"
...Fortunately, a rampage didn't happen.
"Then I will experiment with the performance as well."
Ailon input the command.
The combat data that becomes the base is all taken from my thesis.
I intend to take this to the conference and use it for the demonstration.
Vroom!
The combat doll scanned the surroundings while emitting red glints from its eyes.
The most basic extermination mode.
It is the aspect displayed by monsters devoid of reason.
The combat doll began to destroy all the objects around it.
It moves truly similarly to a monster.
Furthermore, since it is even emitting demonic energy, it looked like a monster itself.
"Hmm, it is above expectations. I will stop the test run now."
It is a satisfactory result.
Now if I adjust that output appropriately and use it for the demonstration....
Huh?
Why isn't that stopping?
"Ailon?"
"Eh? Uh oh?"
Ailon looked at me while being noticeably flustered.
At that moment, I could feel it instinctively.
That I'm fucked.
The combat doll had now destroyed everything around it and turned its gaze this way.
"Ah, it seems the lifeform detection mode has started. But it is okay. I made it so it gets destroyed when Aura touches it. Professor, I ask of you."
...What.
What are you asking of me.
Just handle it with that great D-Log... Wait.
Now that I look, this guy is riding a normal magic wheelchair, not D-Log.
"You, that wheelchair is...."
"Ah, D-Log is currently upgrading to Mk.2. Haha!"
I want to throw a giant fist at the guy's face laughing awkwardly.
Anyway, that means.
It means there is no one to deal with that monstrous hunk of metal.
"It just needs to be touched by Aura. I considered it so that a big commotion wouldn't happen since you said you would use it during the demonstration."
...Yeah, thaaank you for considering it.
Now the combat doll has approached right in front of my nose.
Looking at it like this, it is quite big.
Sadly.
"Professor! Fighting!"
Ailon's cheering does not make me happy one bit.
A giant hand comes out and is about to swing towards Ailon.
The moment the world moves slowly and my life flashes before my eyes-
A cheer I can truly be happy about came down.
[A new notification has arrived.]
[RedLightWitch has donated 1,000G.]
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[k2929 has donated 100G.]
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[Mulkkeureom has donated 500G.]
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[DeolleongDeolleong has donated 1,000G.]
[Embedded has donated 300G.]
[Possessed Gold has surpassed 100,000 Gold.]
The light of salvation came down.
I opened the Gold Shop without hesitation and purchased Aura.
All of this happened in a split second.
[Unique Identity, you have acquired Aura.]
[Trait – Evil Crushing]
[Now, you can use Aura.]
[However,...]
There is no time to look at the notification following after.
I hurriedly activated Aura.
Flash-!