Today had been the single most exhausting day in Evan’s life.
The moment he arrived, his soul was sucked dry by that absurd welcome parade.
Then the seventh pig prince came to pick a fight.
Then the second prince came to pick a fight…
If he had followed his original personality, he would’ve locked himself in a room ages ago.
“Evan, you’ve really grown up.”
That’s probably why he managed to keep a straight face even in front of the emperor.
It wasn’t even “keeping” a straight face—he was so tense that his face just froze.
If he thought any harder, his mind and brain would tangle into a knot, so he was deliberately not thinking at all.
Thanks to that, his face was practically spasming right now… but he consoled himself with the thought that once he met Professor Moriarty, it would all be over.
“He’s a noble, so the usual noble nonsense—preparations and small talk—will probably take a whole day…”
He had barely managed to recall basic etiquette and was starting to relax when—
“Rather than wasting time, it would be better to state the purpose quickly.”
“?”
“Resurrection of the Dead. I wish to hear about it from the pioneer who has already succeeded.”
…He was hearing things.
Evan couldn’t hide his bewilderment and let out a loud, awkward cough.
“…I’m not sure what you mean. Resurrection of the Dead is a forbidden act.”
“I know.”
Professor Moriarty replied in a perfectly flat voice.
“But taboos alone cannot stop our pursuit of knowledge. Someone of your caliber should understand that well.”
Excuse me?
Then why do taboos exist in the first place?
Evan was momentarily dumbfounded.
Rules don’t just exist for fun.
They’re written in blood; they tell you not to do something because you must not.
Yet this man was asking why anyone would ever need to cross that line?
There is always a reason something is forbidden.
Everyone has their own differences, but Evan wasn’t actually that passionate about alchemy.
It was a hobby, and a means to protect himself.
That’s why he made golems and medicines.
Everyone else talked about reaching higher realms, committing taboos, creating the Elixir, etc.
“I just need to make the Elixir. Finding something that makes the body perfectly healthy before that would be plenty.”
Money?
He already had tons.
He was the son of a ducal house.
He received a huge allowance.
He was also raking it in from the underworld.
He was even diligently saving in case it ever ran out.
Honor?
Didn’t need it.
Fame wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t particularly good either.
Quiet wealth was the best.
Curiosity?
He had some.
But not enough to cross the line.
Professor Moriarty, however, had no idea what Evan was thinking.
Or perhaps he simply didn’t care.
Dry, yet somehow mad eyes.
Unfocused yet piercingly sharp eyes stared at Evan.
“Someone of the Young Master’s skill must have conducted it in secret. And achieved results.”
…What exactly is the public perception of me right now?
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I have never done such a thing.”
“No need to be overly humble.”
No!
I really didn’t!
“I seriously want to flip this table…”
Evan Alkart himself had never been a character with good rumors.
Before Lee Han-ol possessed him, he was widely known as a wastrel and trash.
After possession, there had been a lot of misunderstandings, and weird rumors had piled up, but never to the extent of committing a taboo…
…Or have they? Have the rumors already gone that far?
When he thought about it, he realized most people had no idea how deep alchemy actually went.
To them, anything above “normal” probably looked like “Gasp! An incredible grand alchemist!”
Please let that not be the case…
“There seems to be a misunderstanding in the rumors.”
Evan stated firmly.
“I have never researched taboos, nor have I ever been interested in them.”
“…Is that so.”
Professor Moriarty maintained a perfect poker face, but he somehow looked deeply disappointed.
“However, with Young Master Evan’s skill, it would be different. You possess more than enough ability to gaze upon taboos.”
“My skill is nothing special.”
“That is not true. According to my estimation, Young Master Evan’s realm is equivalent to a top-tier Sword Master. You possess at least the minimum qualifications to challenge a taboo.”
“?”
…Based on what?
Alchemy didn’t even have clear realm divisions to begin with.
When Evan looked at him demanding an answer, Professor Moriarty pulled out a sheet of paper from his pocket as if he had been waiting.
“I published a theory recently. A theory that categorizes the realms of alchemists. I sent it to the Alchemists’ Tower, and they responded positively.”
“?!”
Since when?
Evan quickly searched his memories.
Was this in the original story?
It wasn’t.
“What is this now…!!”
“It’s not 100% accurate since it’s based on active alchemists, but it gives a rough sense. I received help from Mecaro.”
“Huh. That guy was working here?”
Aegis, who had been listening, reacted.
Evan turned to her.
“You know him?”
“Yeah. He was my research assistant.”
“Then he must be quite skilled.”
“No? He was mediocre. Now he can… barely make mid-grade potions, I think?”
Aegis shrugged.
“So I kicked him out. He even slept more than five hours a day.”
“?”
“Sleeping that much as a graduate stu— I mean, research assistant is a luxury, right?”
“Correct. That is why he was also my slowest-growing disciple. If he had even slightly less talent or no record of enrollment at the Alchemists’ Tower, I would have cut him.”
Professor Moriarty stated in a perfectly even tone.
That flatness somehow made it scarier.
This place is brutal too…
“Anyway. I cannot help you with taboos.”
“Is that so.”
“I am grateful for the invitation, but I’m afraid I cannot meet your expectations.”
Ah, I’m tired.
I’m starting to feel sleepy too.
Maybe because I’m mentally exhausted, the words that usually get filtered are just popping out.
Though it doesn’t seem to make much difference.
“Was that the reason you called me?”
“No. That was merely my personal desire. The real reason is… a lecture.”
“?”
A lecture?
He wants me to attend one?
“I would like you to give a lecture on alchemy.”
Ah, so he wants me to attend a lecture on alchemy.
“I’m not really interest—”
“If Young Master Alkart personally gives the lecture, I will pay an appropriate price.”
Evan’s words stopped.
Did I just hear that wrong?
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t have any academic degree.”
Of course not. There are no records of proper alchemy research or degrees being granted.
Professor Moriarty, true to his title, refuted Evan’s objections point by point.
“What matters in current alchemy lectures is not the closed-mindedness of old men locked in their rooms. Practical experience from those who have accumulated real-world experience and are ready to reach higher realms is far more important.”
“But I’m still too young, aren’t I?”
“That is fine. Age is just a number. Even if experience is lacking, what does it matter to someone with talent that surpasses that lack?”
Damn.
He’s really good with words.
Evan finally pulled out his ultimate weapon.
A killer move that meant: Even if you say yes, what if the higher-ups say no?
“You’d need the chancellor’s permission. Or His Majesty the Emperor’s.”
Stand!
“?”
At that moment, Professor Moriarty shot up from his seat.
With truly mad eyes, he strode forward.
“I will obtain permission directly from His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Huh?”
And five minutes later.
Professor Moriarty handed over a piece of paper.
It was an official permit.
“I have received permission.”
…I’m really going to lose it.
***
For the emperor, today had been one of the best days in recent memory.
“I feel like my lifespan has increased again.”
Emperors historically had short lives.
There was too much work and stress, but most ruined their health by overeating to relieve it.
Overwork was daily life because there was simply too much to do.
But this emperor decided to squeeze efficiency out of his subordinates instead.
He cut useless budgets and poured resources into nurturing talent.
All they wanted was big money.
And fame.
And the imperial family could provide exactly that.
He couldn’t understand why previous emperors hadn’t done it.
It only reduced the treasury a little, and it was rotting away anyway.
Better to use it than die without spending it.
Of course, the emperor didn’t particularly enjoy working either.
Just as his servants always carried resignation letters in their pockets, the emperor always carried retirement in his heart.
He was fully prepared to hand over the throne at any time.
The only problem was that none of the people below him were satisfactory.
“Far too greedy. They don’t even properly understand their own capabilities.”
Such people could become emperor, but they would only be tyrants who ruined the country.
He couldn’t bear to watch the nation fall like that.
In a way, it suited his personality.
Not one of the greatest kings in history, but a king who at least caused no problems.
“This generation… will be an era of peace.”
Of course, it was all thanks to Evan.
Because Evan had brought the Sins as a variable, countless incidents and accidents had vanished, the innocent had come to their senses, black mages had been swept away, and evil-god worshippers were scattered in pieces.
He wasn’t exactly sure, but just the fact that relations with the Demisia Kingdom had improved showed Evan’s influence was enormous.
So from the emperor’s perspective, his favorability toward Evan was easily over 80 out of 100.
“It would be nice if he became the next duke.”
Then Professor Moriarty came with a request.
He asked for official approval to appoint Evan as a temporary professor.
Naturally, the emperor’s response was predetermined.
“Excellent. If anything, offer even greater compensation and beg for more knowledge.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
There was actually another reason.
The emperor had, surprisingly, tried Evan’s medicine before.
Diet pills.
A few smugglers trying to bring in the limited batch had been caught, and the pills were offered to the emperor.
He tried one and thought, Oh?
After that, the weight melted off, and his health returned.
“It would be nice if he taught a class on that.”
Should I sneak in and listen?
The emperor casually entertained the thought that would give Evan a seizure.
Today, too, the emperor was happy.
Evan had no idea.
Peak emperor