-1475- About to succeed?

What happened in the Fifth Medical Research Division was never mentioned by anyone again after leaving that place.

It was as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion. No one brought it up, and no one asked about it. They just kept silent, each carrying thoughts that no one else could know, as they walked down the streets of Mistgun.

However, this time, the person leading the group was Rozen.

"Next, we're going to check on Mr. Rorelai's research, right?"

Elis brought up this matter on her own, as if everything else was less important compared to this.

But isn't that indeed the case?

Obtaining a sample of a new species of Armored Beetles for research and analysis is undoubtedly important, but in the realm of humanity, there is currently nothing more important than Rozen's research.

After all, he is studying a power that surpasses High-Grade Mana.

If humanity can grasp this power, they may not only survive but also launch a counterattack against the Armored Beetles and reclaim dominion over the earth.

From this perspective, the importance of this research cannot be compared to anything else.

If that weren't the case, Rozen wouldn't be called humanity's last hope, nor would the powers within the Floating City Alliance be so eager to keep a close eye on him.

However...

"It's said that this research is still in a confidential phase, and even when members of the Floating City Alliance have requested access, Mr. Rorelai has refused to grant them permission to observe or even visit, right?"

Elis looked at Rozen with a cute smile and asked this.

"I didn't expect you'd be willing to let me see it this time. It's really overwhelming."

This wasn't Elis being modest—it was truly how she felt.

Although Elis had wanted to see the progress of Rozen's research, given that Rozen had refused access to many council members and even the chairman of the review board, she thought he would refuse her as well.

Elis had even prepared herself to persuade Rozen or find another opportunity to gather information on the research. But surprisingly, Rozen agreed directly.

This made Elis, who maintained a smile on the surface, secretly vigilant as she subtly tested Rozen.

And who could blame her?

"I had also requested to observe it once, but I was mercilessly turned down."

Freon said so.

"I, too, as the Chief Executive of the academy, expressed a desire to visit the Alchemist Division's Chief, but even he wasn't willing to allow me entry without your consent."

Cris also mentioned this.

In other words, neither Cris as the Chief Executive of the academy nor Freon as the Sky Wizard Division Chief had seen the research.

This was a condition Rozen had put forth when he first proposed the project to the Ten-Man Council.

"Unless I give my consent, no one can interfere with this research. If you can't agree to this, then I won't proceed with the research. You can decide."

Such a demand caused a lot of headaches for the Ten-Man Council at the time. After a week of endless discussions and reports to the Floating City Alliance, and even sending specialists to persuade Rozen, they tried everything from making grand moral appeals to subtly suggesting that Rozen might be conducting suspicious research behind their backs. No matter whether they used coercion, incentives, or reasoned arguments, they still couldn't get Rozen to agree.

So, considering the importance of the research, they had no choice but to begrudgingly compromise with Rozen.

As a result, currently, no one besides Rozen and those approved by him within the Alchemist Division had seen the research.

Given this situation, the fact that Rozen agreed so readily made Elis naturally cautious.

What Elis didn't know was...

"Because the research has entered its final stage, and now it's just a matter of observation and adjustment. If nothing unexpected happens, the research will succeed soon, so there's no problem with bringing you to observe now."

Rozen spoke calmly, but his words were shocking.

"You... you mean the research has entered its final stage and is about to succeed...!?"

Freon exclaimed in surprise.

It wasn't just Freon; even Cris and Elis were shocked.

"Is this... is this true?"

Cris couldn't help but urgently inquire.

"About to succeed...?"

Elis's face changed dramatically.

However, Rozen, as if he hadn't noticed anything, maintained his composed demeanor.

"Don't be so surprised. This research has already been ongoing for over a year, and it's only now that it's about to succeed. If you really think about it, that's actually slow."

Rozen glanced at Freon with a faint smile.

"Besides, if the research wasn't about to succeed, I wouldn't have had the time to teach your sister. Isn't that right?"

Hearing this, Freon was left speechless.

But it seemed to make sense.

You must know that Rozen even withdrew from the front lines and relinquished his position as the captain of the Special Task Force just to devote all his time to this research.

In this case, even if Rozen valued talent, without time, he wouldn't have been able to be the instructor for the E601 team, right?

It's because he had a bit more time that he became an instructor and even mentioned to Yuri some time ago that he could occasionally spend time with her—unfortunately, Yuri didn't get to hear the end of it.

But that no longer matters.

What's important is...

"Very soon, the power that surpasses High-Grade Mana will be born."

As he said this, a glint of sharpness appeared in Rozen's eyes.

"If all goes well, it will only take a few more months. At worst, it will be completed before I graduate. So now that the research is in its final stage, it's no problem for you to see it."

As he spoke, Rozen and his group finally arrived at the Alchemist Division's location.

With his authority, Rozen easily opened one security door after another and, along with the group, took the elevator down to the underground facilities of the Alchemist Division.

The descent brought them directly to the very bottom of Mistgun, to the thirteenth underground level.

"From here on, this is my private domain—the research lab you want to see."

Rozen was the first to step out of the elevator, turning back to the girls behind him with a meaningful smile.

"Try not to blink."

With that, Rozen stepped aside, allowing Freon, Cris, and Elis to see what was inside.

"This is..."

Upon seeing the scene inside the research lab, the three girls were all stunned.