The Magic Tower’s Marshal, Alpha-11, stroked his chin while looking into the hall.

    Since his human body had been modified into a machine, he had lost most of his senses, but the chemical activities in his brain—the one that invoked emotions within him—remained intact.

    Hence why...

    “No means no, Mister.”

    He felt that after Dowd said such words, the situation inside the hall turned interesting.

    A cold silence fell upon the surroundings.

    The emotion hiding in the silence was very clear.

    Surprise over the appearance of a ‘variable’ they had never thought of before.

    I never expected that he would just openly provoke them like this.

    There was one thing that everyone in the world knew.

    Picking a fight with the Magic Tower was never a wise decision.

    Regardless of ages and background, technology was one of the most valuable things that humanity had. Considering that the tower possessed the world’s only otherworldly-level technology, it was a no-brainer that one shouldn’t even attempt to stand in their way.

    There was a reason why even the high-ranking nobles of the empire were flattering them to high-heavens just to get crumbs of their technology.

    Although, when it comes to strength, that man isn’t easy to deal with either...

    On the other hand, when it came to Dowd Campbell... Assuming that he could handle Demonic Aura with ease, only people on Saint-level could even dream of handling him.

    In theory, the Magic Tower could ‘mass produce’ people with such a level though. Alpha himself was the proof of it.

    “You seem to be mistaken about the procedure.”

    As the cold silence continued, Professor Mobius—who exuded a particularly cold atmosphere even among the people who had modified their bodies with mechanical equipment—said so in an inorganic voice.

    “I’ll repeat my words again. There will be no legal issues with this procedure.”@@@@

    “I know, and I said that I don’t want to.”

    “Then...”

    There was still no hint of emotion in Professor Mobius’ voice as he continued...

    “Since the procedure is fair, if you don’t abide by our words, we can’t guarantee your safety, Dowd Campbell.”

    ‘Firmness’ was contained in those words.

    It was a calm declaration in a tone that gave no room to negotiate.

    Either follow or pay the price, that was what he was trying to hint at.

    Toward this, Dowd Campbell just let out a snort before replying.

    “Are you threatening me?”

    “I’m just stating a fact.”

    “You’re calling it a fair procedure, but practically, you’re just going to torture someone to death, no?”

    “It’s a process of obtaining information, and that human over there is the subject of said process. That’s the whole reason why we brought him here.”

    “...”

    Hearing that, the muscles on Dowd Campbell’s face twitched.

    It seemed like their conversation was drawing parallel lines—lines that wouldn’t meet each other no matter what.

    Dowd Campbell’s hostility only became more clear over time, but it was clear that Professor Mobius had no thought of backing off.

    Even among the professors of the Magic Tower—the rulers of the tower—Professor Mobius’ position was a little special.

    Experiments, data, demonstration

    Even in this den of demons whose devotion to such things had reached the realm of abnormality, the professor’s ‘desire for knowledge’ was at a dangerous level. R?A?NO?βЕs

    The atmosphere of the place quickly turned volatile. It became so tense to the point that one side might have just burst out if there was no one who would step in and adjust it.

    But still...

    In this situation, Alpha was an abettor.

    Such was the role ‘given’ to him.

    His gaze went to one of the panels surrounding the hall.

    Since Professor Astrid hadn’t made any moves even in this situation...

    It meant that they had to push through with Dowd Campbell’s choice, no matter what it was.

    Alpha let out a bitter smile.

    ...Magic Tower has been tainted by evil.

    The loss of their humanity was inversely proportional to the development of their technology.

    Originally, they weren’t the kind of people who’d do such a thing.

    It was only after a certain ‘incident’ happened did they turn this way.

    Professor Percy... I heard you’re doing well in the mundane world.

    Right now, you’ve become a dean at Elfante, haven’t you not?

    As such a thought appeared in his mind...

    “So...”

    Dowd Campbell opened his mouth again as he swept through his hair.

    “You’re telling to tell me that if I don’t torture this person to death, the Magic Tower will consider me an enemy?”

    “You are free to interpret my words as you wish.”

    Although the professor said so, it was actually his indirect way to drop an ultimatum.

    I didn’t like how they were already calling me a test subject, but I just quietly listened to Astrid with a frown on my face.

    Because based on the atmosphere, it was clear that she was on my side.

    “Professors.”

    Astrid continued while looking around.

    It was hard to recognize her expression in detail through her mechanical face, but I could tell that she was smiling.

    “Are you all not curious about the results of the projects each of you have made?”

    “...”

    At that moment...

    I unilaterally frowned at her sentence.

    I had a feeling that maybe...

    She wasn’t completely trying to help me.

    “Let’s make use of this occasion! Pit him against the Magic Tower’s best masterpieces!”

    I knew it...

    ●

    “Professor Astrid.”

    After the hearing.

    Upon hearing those words, the steel giant who was walking down the hallway stopped her steps.

    It was Professor Mobius’, who called out to her from behind.

    “...”

    She hadn’t even spoken a word yet, but she already felt exhausted.

    It was obvious what he wanted; an explanation for the stunt she pulled during the hearing.

    “What is it, Mobius? If you want me to apologize, sure, I’ll do it as many times as—”

    Astrid was about to finish her words, but she couldn’t.

    Professor Mobius had strode towards her in a flash and grabbed her neck.

    And just from that...

    “Keuk—!”

    She felt an intense pain come over her.

    Of course, the extreme pain didn’t come from the steel body she was operating.

    But rather her ‘real body’, which was connected with this one.

    She felt as if her brain was being burned in white. The sensation that felt as if her nerves were torn apart hit her whole body.

    “I’m not an idiot, Professor Astrid.”

    Mobius calmly said to Astrid, who could only let out heavy breaths, unable to even say anything.

    “You were trying to give them an ‘opportunity’ by giving them such an offer. Professor Astrid, need I remind you that they’re just test subjects we could’ve forced into the experiment and disposed of after?”

    Mobius said calmly while gripping Astrid’s neck.

    “I can tell that you’re up to something by relying on your son. And that something is none other than...you’re trying to expose the Magic Tower’s ‘war capabilities’. It’s curious that you seem to be sure they’d survive ‘fighting’ against whatever it is that we’re going to throw at them.”

    “...Kha, haak—!”

    “Well, it doesn’t matter. Whatever you’re up to, that guy would never be able to beat the Magic Tower’s power.”

    He kept talking in a calm manner.

    “Just remember, I am the one holding your leash. You are my pawn until the Magic Tower’s ‘long-cherished wish’ is fulfilled.”

    Professor Mobius’ artificial eyes shone with an inorganic light.

    “Don’t forget it, Professor Astrid.”

    His eyes were like black crystals.

    Unmeasurably clean and clear, yet...

    “Your family and you have been my ‘test subjects’ for a long time.”

    “...”

    “Which means if you don’t cooperate, I can dispose of all of you anytime. Understand?”

    It was clad in the deepest black imaginable.

    As if symbolizing this person’s endless ‘desire for knowledge’.

    Then, he hurled Astrid’s body down to the floor as if throwing away a waste.

    He watched her steel body collapse weakly with indifference before letting out a snort and walked down the hallway with clear footsteps.

    As if saying that she wasn’t even worth his attention anymore.

    “...”

    Astrid, who was left alone, let out a deep sigh.

    “...Well.”

    She muttered slowly.

    “I wouldn’t be so sure if the Magic Tower could beat my son or not.”

    Whose son do you think he is, hm?

    Her mutter dispersed faintly into the /genesisforsaken