Chapter 90: Mana Database

The name of the country that Lee Hyun-seung has reincarnated into in Broad Academy Online is [Redation].

[Redation] has a unique system called the ‘Mana Database.’

The ‘Mana Database’ is a storage system that collects all of the mana energy from the people of the country. As soon as a person registers their birth, mana energy is collected from the fetus, so both the mana data of living and deceased individuals are stored there.

In other words, the Mana Database contains an enormous amount of mana data from [Redation]. Due to this,

permission to use it is not easily granted. Generally, it is only authorized for extreme cases, such as national

terrorism or serial murders. However, in this case, it was an exception because the ‘Mage Tower’ had requested

access to the Mana Database.

No matter how powerful the emperor and the top brass of Redation are, there are still groups that must be handled carefully. The most notable ones are Artemis and the Mage Tower.

In a grand palace, Emperor Seo Dae-hyeok, who appeared to be about 20 years old, asked his commander of the knights.

“I recall that the mage from the Mage Tower had requested access to the Mana Database previously. What is the current status? Report.”

“As Your Majesty instructed, we are processing the matter swiftly. However, as you know, in order to prevent abuse,

multiple agencies must unanimously approve access to the Mana Database. Currently, 2 or 3 agencies have not

granted permission for access.”

“And the reason?”

“…Even though the Mage Tower has made the request, they argue that it is inappropriate to allow access to the Mana

Database for such a personal matter. They are repeating that it doesn’t make sense to use it just to clear the name of

an academy student accused of stalking…”

“Ugh…”

The emperor groaned, sitting down in frustration, his expression sour.

The commander of the knights, watching his superior, nervously wiped the sweat from his brow. It was a strange sight, seeing a middle-aged commander nervously glancing at a young-looking emperor of about 20 years old.

“Father has completely ruined the emperor’s authority. Even using the Mana Database requires approval from others. The position of emperor is nothing but a puppet.”

“P-please forgive me! I’ve committed a grave sin! I’ll… I’ll apply pressure on them immediately!”

“Enough. Don’t act so forcefully. Father wouldn’t want that.”

He sat back in his chair, pressing his temples in frustration.

“How is Father’s condition?”

“He still hasn’t regained consciousness, Your Majesty…”

“Don’t worry about the money. Do everything you can to make sure he wakes up.”

“I understand.”

Before Seo Dae-hyeok became emperor, his father Seo Man-yong held the throne securely. Seo Man-yong disliked

authoritarianism and wanted to live a life in harmony with the people. Therefore, he divided the powerful imperial

authority and created various systems for the people’s benefit.

Originally, the emperor could freely access the Mana Database if desired, but Seo Man-yong had blocked it. Fearing

that the information in the Mana Database could be misused, his father had set the condition that all 13 heads of

state institutions must agree before anyone could access the database.

“Ugh…”

Seo Man-yong had relinquished some of his imperial authority to prevent the concentration of power in the higher-

ups, but to Seo Dae-hyeok, he was a frustrating figure. Wasn’t that the case now? Because of the unreasonable

condition that approval from more than 10 agencies was required, even though the Mage Tower made the request,

he, as the emperor, couldn’t even access the Mana Database.

‘It would be troublesome if the relationship with the Mage Tower deteriorates.’

Seo Dae-hyeok’s father had always enjoyed exploring labyrinths. It was more like a hobby. But, after being attacked

by an unknown monster in one of those labyrinths, he lost consciousness and hadn’t woken up since. He was in a

vegetative state, his life barely sustained, and there was no knowing when he would die. To save him as soon as

possible, the issue needed to be identified. The Mage Tower was crucial for this. They had numerous magical items

and artifacts that they were using to analyze his condition daily.

‘Father…’

Seo Dae-hyeok gazed at his incapacitated predecessor. What did his father mean when he spoke about the path for

the people? What did he mean by warning against the dangers of power? He didn’t know. All he could do was hope

for his father to wake up and guide him once again.

In the Magic Studies Research Institution

Director Chae Jeong-hoon stared at the imperial document that had been sent to him. The content was a request to positively consider the use of the Mana Database, which had been requested by the Mage Tower.

Chae Jeong-hoon muttered to himself.

“Damn it. What the hell are they asking us to do?”

At that moment, his deputy, Lee Seo-cheol, asked.

“Director, what’s the matter?”

• Swoosh

Chae Jeong-hoon handed over the document he was holding.

“What is this…”

Deputy Lee Seo-cheol looked at the document with a surprised expression as Chae Jeong-hoon replied.

“What kind of person is that Lee Hyun-seung at the academy, that even the Magic Tower supports him and the emperor is acting this way? I don’t understand. This is only causing trouble for us.”

Chae Jeong-hoon held his head in his hands as Lee Seo-cheol spoke.

“If the emperor issued an official document asking for a positive review, it means, while it’s not mandatory, he’s essentially asking us to agree to the use of the Mana Database, right? If we continue to oppose it, I’m worried that we might end up getting on the emperor’s bad side.”

Chae Jeong-hoon sighed in response.

“Think straight. In order for us to continue our research, we need a huge amount of money. But the state only

supports us with a small amount, so in the process of research, we’re bound to be in the red. Even if we achieve

results, we won’t be able to make as much money as we put in. In the end, what’s important to us, what we need, is

money. And the person who provides us with money is the wife of the Artemis Guild Master—Kim Hee.”

Kim Hee had been sending money to various organizations from the past, forming connections. She was used to

sending money under the guise of “investment” rather than “bribery,” using the funds to recruit people into her

circle. Over time, the Magic Research Institute couldn’t afford to lose the substantial “investment” Kim Hee

provided, and if she made a request, they would comply.

• Reject the request from the Magic Tower for the Mana Database use, no matter what.

Kim Hee seemed to have a strong aversion to letting academy students use the Mana Database, though the exact

reason was unclear. Regardless, it was hard to refuse when the person providing funding was saying this. The

institute head, Chae Jeong-hoon, sighed and spoke.

“That student who’s been falsely accused of stalking is pitiful, but honestly, from an objective perspective, it’s

laughable to use the Mana Database just to clarify the real culprit of a stalking case. We’re not doing it for the money,

we’re just acting logically.”

He added after a brief pause.

“Let’s think of it that way. At least it’ll ease our minds.”

Chae Jeong-hoon was aware of the corruption in the Magic Research Institute, how it had become a place where

money ruled over everything, a place where they could no longer speak freely or act on what they truly wanted. But

there was nothing he could do to change it.

The institute’s vice director, Lee Seo-cheol, responded.

“Yes… then we will reaffirm our stance of opposition to the Mana Database use request…”

Just as he was saying this, the door suddenly burst open.

• KWAANG!

A woman entered, trembling, and spoke urgently.

“Th-there’s a big problem.”

Chae Jeong-hoon, flustered, responded.

“What’s going on? Calm down and tell me.”

“Baek… Baek So-yun… she contacted us. She said if we keep rejecting the Mana Database use request, she’ll come… find us herself.”

Baek So-yun. While Kim Hee held the purse strings, Baek So-yun held the strings of life.

“Goddammit…”

That crazy woman would follow through if she said she would. She wouldn’t care about the emperor, or Kim Hee, or anyone else.

• Kkadeuk.

“This situation just got more complicated…”

Chae Jeong-hoon mumbled briefly before speaking again.

“First, we need to show that we’re at least making an effort. Let’s head to the Broad Academy. We need to see why everyone’s in such a panic. And we’ll make up an excuse to reject the request again. If we have a convincing reason, she won’t be able to do anything to us.”

They quickly prepared to leave.

‘Just who is this Lee Hyun-seung, that everyone is making such a big deal about him?’ the director thought as he headed outside.

Not far from the Magic Research Institute.

“Hmm…”

Baek So-yun, arms crossed, was watching them as they headed toward the academy.

• Lick.

She lightly licked her dagger, grinning, and muttered to herself.

“Shall I see what they do from here on out?”