Reincarnated as The Greatest Scientist in Another World

Tila pushed her way through the crowded main street of the Elven Kingdom. Her breath came in ragged gasps, cold sweat dripping down her temple. More than once she collided with passing Elves — each time she could only shout a hurried apology before sprinting on, as if her lungs might burst.

When she finally reached the towering gates of Queen Eliza's palace, Tila doubled over, clutching her pounding chest. She stumbled up to the two guards flanking the emerald-tipped spears.

"Where's Ain? Where's Syarla?!" she all but screamed.

One guard studied her for a moment, then gestured to a massive tree not far from the palace. Its thick trunk spiraled skyward, coiled by a winding staircase that disappeared into damp, leafy canopies.

Tila didn't wait for further directions. She broke into another run — her legs trembling with each step, breath echoing between the roots and vines that wrapped the ancient tree. Sweat trickled down her neck. Still, she climbed.

She reached Syarla's treehouse door and hammered her fists against it, the loud thud shaking the leaves overhead.

Inside, Syadza sat lazily by the entrance, lounging on a cushioned chair. He groaned and cracked the door open, arms crossed over his chest.

"What now, human? What do you want?" His tone was sharp, dripping with mockery.

"Ain— is he here?!" Tila gasped between broken breaths.

"Who? Oh, that scruffy human always clinging to Sister Syarla? He's inside." Syadza's eyes narrowed with disdain.

Tila shoved him aside without a second thought. The pink-haired Elf yelped in protest as she stumbled past.

"Ain! Zuko!" Tila's voice cracked as she called out.

From the back room, Ain appeared, flanked by Raksa and Zuko. Their faces shifted the instant they saw Tila on the verge of collapse.

"Tila? What's wrong?" Ain asked quickly.

Tila gulped down air, trying to speak. "Suha… her heart— it stopped!"

Syarla emerged from her chamber, staff in hand, eyes tightening at once. "We move. Raksa, Zuko— with me."

They all rushed out in a flurry. Syadza, who had just opened his mouth to hurl another insult, was nearly bowled over by Ain charging through. He yelled after them, fists swinging uselessly, then — grumbling — fell in line behind.

They climbed the stairway leading to the tree where Suha lay recovering. Everyone's breath quickened. Tila was first to fling the door open.

Inside, Suha lay motionless — skin pale as moonlight, lips tinged blue. It looked as if her blood had simply refused to flow.

Ain dropped to his knees beside her, slapping her cheek again and again. "Suha! Wake up! Suha— wake up! Don't you dare— hear me?!"

Syarla pulled him back firmly. "Move. Let me." She pressed her ear to Suha's chest. Nothing. Her brows creased — a faint line at the corner of her eyes, conceding defeat.

Then, behind them, Syadza stepped forward. "Heal!" His voice was cold, stripped of all mockery. A deep green glow pulsed from his palm, sinking into Suha's chest. Ain turned, startled. Zuko stared, frozen. Raksa clutched his own shoulder, unable to hide his shock.

Syadza shut his eyes tight, lips trembling. "Come on… cells, nerves, heart— damn you, don't you stop now, you stubborn idiot…"

Somewhere deep in Suha's mind, she sat alone in a vast white void. Hugging her knees, tears dripped into the emptiness beneath her. Despair swallowed her whole — until a shadow appeared. A woman stood before her, almost like an older reflection.

The woman reached out gently, waiting for Suha to take her hand. Hesitant, Suha lifted her gaze, trembling. But the moment their fingers touched, that soft smile cracked into a snarl of fangs. The figure bloated and twisted — wings of pitch black unfurled, horns curled over burning crimson eyes.

"You're mine now…" the thing whispered, its breath a cold void that sank deep into Suha's bones.

Outside, Syadza pressed harder. Green mana pulsed violently from his palm, pushing deeper into Suha's chest. "Wake up, you mule-headed fool—!"

THUMP! Suha's heart shuddered once. Syadza flinched. "It worked…" he whispered — relief and dread mixing in his throat.

But peace did not follow. Suha's body tensed, dark light erupting from her pores. A wave of raw magic hurled Syarla, Zuko, Raksa, and Ain crashing into the walls.

Suha rose, levitating above the bed. When she spoke, her voice split in two — guttural and monstrous. "Hhhrrraaagh…"

Syarla staggered to her feet, staff raised high. "Back! Holy Seal — activate!" Golden light burst around Suha, etching spinning runes in the air. The black aura sizzled as the holy magic consumed it.

Suha screamed, her body convulsing — and then she dropped like a puppet with its strings cut. Her breathing returned, faint but alive.

Zuko stared at Syarla, lips parted. He knew — only a Master Mage of the highest order could summon such a seal.

Ain pulled Suha into his arms as Syarla wiped sweat from her brow. "Get her to the palace. Now."

They carried Suha back to the palace. In a quiet chamber, she lay nestled on a bed draped in calming flowers. Syarla stood beside Queen Eliza, voice low but sharp when describing the black power that had just awakened.

At the far end of the room, Ain stood motionless. His mind spiraled: If only I had modern medicine… an ICU… a defibrillator… Suha wouldn't be like this…

At last, Queen Eliza summoned them all to gather beneath the sacred tree's roots. They sat in a solemn circle. The Queen's gaze swept across every face.

"I have seen such power before," she said softly. "It is no magic — but a demon's chain. Somewhere inside Suha, a sleeping demon stirs. If left unchecked, it will devour her entirely."

Zuko's fists clenched. "Then what can we do?"

Queen Eliza shook her head slowly. "Nothing. It's all up to Suha now. She must reject it — or let the demon win."

Silence swallowed the room. Heavy. No one dared to speak. Outside, the night wind rattled the windows like a ghost's lament.

---

Meanwhile, deep in the Black Forest, beneath the canopy of wild, tangled branches, four Assassin Mage Generals slipped between shadows. Dozens of silent soldiers trailed behind them, boots whispering over mossy ground.

One General — a man with stark white hair and sunken yellow eyes, lips curled in perpetual malice — halted. He watched the distant glow: the Elven Kingdom, glimmering like a secret flame amid the darkness.

He grinned, fangs glinting in the moonlight. "Who would've thought we'd stumble on the Elves' hideaway? Word is they're guarding a treasure called the Aura Core. We won't just find the Null— we'll find a goldmine."

His laughter drifted through the trees, sharp and thin as the scent of blood.

---

Two days after Suha's ordeal, the surface had returned to calm. The Null lived comfortably — children's laughter echoed through root tunnels, adults slept deeply on cushioned beds. But Ain's mind was anything but still. Fragments of a plan spun in his head.

Raksa was out with Tila. Zuko had gone to the palace with Syarla. Only Ain and Syadza remained in the treehouse.

Ain stood by the wall, studying a leaf-carved box embedded in the wood. At its center, a handprint-shaped sigil glowed faintly. By night, Syarla would simply press her palm there and the glass orbs above would light the room with a soft glow.

Ain leaned closer, lifting the lid. His eyes lit up at the sight inside — a silver disk etched with strange runes, copper wires snaking from it into the glass bulb overhead.

"Mana… flows through here, turned into light. It's just like a machine…" he murmured.

Behind him, a sharp voice cut in. "Monkey. What are you poking at now?"

Ain turned. Syadza stood there, hands on hips, scowling. Ain sighed. "I'm trying to understand how your tech works."

Syadza sauntered over and dropped into a lazy sprawl on a nearby chair. "Stupid jungle monkey. Want me to teach you?"

Ain stared at him. "I have a name. Ain."

"You're still a monkey to me." Syadza grinned — mischievous, but no true malice in his eyes.

Ain drew a steady breath, ignoring him. He tapped the silver disk. "Who makes all this? Even your stoves — Syarla just touches it, flame appears."

Syadza chuckled. "Everything here runs on mana. Feed it mana, get what you want — light boxes, fire stoves, root lifts — the works."

Ain rapped his knuckles against the disk thoughtfully. "If I can build my own disk… swap mana for magic stones instead… maybe the Null could use it too. Hell— they wouldn't have to depend on magic users anymore."

Syadza watched him for a moment, then raised an eyebrow, grin curling. "Hey, monkey. If you want to build all this — who's gonna teach you?"

Ain exhaled. "That's the question. Who?"

Syadza's grin widened into something devilish. "What do I get if I tell you?"

Ain lifted his chin. "Name it."

"I want you to obey every order I give."

"Fine — as long as it's nothing weird."

Syadza pretended to consider. "If you lie, I'll smash your thick skull with this silver disk."

Ain smirked. "Deal."

Syadza curled a finger. "If you want to learn how to build these things, you need the Dwarves. All of it — Elven tech? Dwarves made it. They design, they install, they keep it running. They're the brains."

Ain jumped to his feet. "Take me to them."

Syadza clicked his tongue but his grin only grew wider. "Heh— if you want me to guide you, you'll have to beg me properly, hah!"

Ain rolled his eyes dramatically, then bowed, voice dripping sarcasm. "Please, oh great Syadza, most beautiful, most generous—"

"Haha! Good, my little servant! Keep going, monkey!" Syadza cackled.

In the end, Syadza led Ain down the winding paths of the kingdom. The workshop lay far at the edge of the main road, tucked under ancient roots and shimmering lamps.

When they arrived, a giant sign loomed over a wide metal door: DWARF WORKSHOP.

Syadza puffed out his chest with smug pride. "We're here."