…Meanwhile, Epherene was competing with the stones in the Hall. The atmosphere around them was one of silent concentration. Drent and Rose Rio, Kreto and Louina, and the red-haired Munchkin all held their breath and stared at Epherene.
Gulp-
Even just the sound of someone swallowing was deafening. Meanwhile, Epherene felt she had become a thin piece of ice. She was worried that she would break apart at any moment.
Epherene didn’t feel good about this, but nothing would change by wasting her time with this nervousness. Epherene focused as sweat dripped down her face.
“Whew…”
The name of this competition was ‘Bouncing Stones’. It was a game of bouncing stones on the study table. The intervention of magic or mana was impossible, so the person who advanced the farthest with only skill would take first place.
“…Hiyah!”
Epherene fired, flicking the stone with her index finger. The stone rolled away.
“Please!”
However, it wasn’t always a good thing to remain in a straight line. If it fell off the table, it would be considered out. She would be in last.
“Please, please…!”
Epherene puts her hands together to pray for the stone to do well. With that affection and desire, it was no wonder she was given the nickname Leaf. The word leaf had been inscribed on the stone’s surface.
“Oh! Oh! Oh!”
“No! Stop! Stop, man!”
Did it know what she was feeling? The leaf, which was rolling down, overtook the previous No. 1 Rose Rio and settled nicely on the edge of the table.
“Nice!”
Epherene raised her arms.
“First place! I’m number one! First place, first place!”
As she ran around and cheered, Rose Rio ruffled her hair wildly.
“Damn. Hey, take it.”
She handed her research data to Epherene.
“Here. Congratulations for taking first place.”
“Mine probably won’t help much, but I’ll give it to you.”
“Ahem. Here. Take it.”
Louina, Drent, and Kreto walked up next.
“Thank you~.”
Epherene chuckled and received a copy of what they had been studying. Up to this point, they had been betting on giving all their research data to the winner.
“Since I won’t feel good if only I take them all, I will share with you guys.”
Epherene shared what she had studied with the four. Everyone accepted her offer without reservation; that was how difficult Deculein’s test was.
“Right. I don’t know if it will help.”
“Thank you~.”
Louina smiled broadly and put on her coat. Epherene tilted her head.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah. We can go outside, right? It’s about time to prepare for my project.”
Epherene came up with a belated thought.
“…Oh, the keynote manager project check?”
“Yeah, that. Professors are very busy because of that these days. Huhu, I’ll finish it soon and come back.”
* * *
The top floor of the tower, in the Chairman’s office.
I received a call from the chairman right before I started working as the keynote manager.
“Oh, right! Starting today, the project inspection by the chief executive officer will begin, right?!”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“I am looking forward to it! Since Professor Deculein became the keynote manager, the net profit of Magic Tower has increased quite a bit!”
“Not yet. Maybe next year, we’ll start in earnest.”
“I see! I’ll be watching from afar! …Oh! This test was so much fun! It was another good one!”
Adrienne seemed amused.
“I wanted to try too, but the wizards wouldn’t lend me their stones! I think they thought I was going to break them! I almost did, though!”
“Is that so?”
Since my talent was manipulation, it appeared that she planned to resist the manipulation series. So, not lending them was the right choice. It wouldn’t withstand Adrienne’s destruction magic.
“Oh, right! Since it’s a test-“
“It’s not an official exam.”
“Okay. Anyway, hey! Don’t interrupt me!”
Adrienne patted the table and glanced at me. I nodded my head lightly. Halflings hated the feeling of being ignored the most.
“I’ll just listen.”
“…Good! Anyway, talking about tests! Are you ready for the final exam to become the chairman?!”
Adrienne held out a piece of paper. It was an official letter with her seal.
[Last Mission: Protection of the Extreme Northern Area]
“Protection.”
“Yes! Not just any protection, the extreme! Extremely difficult! You’ll spend two or three months there!”
While Adrienne was talking, a quest notification floated up.
[Job Quest: Become Chairman]
◆ Acquire the title Chairman.
◆ Rare Attribute Catalog
“…”
Rare Attribute Catalog. I calmed myself. In a way, it was a reasonable reward. The appointment of the chairman was a level 2 achievement in the magic world, so of course, it was right to offer a rare attribute as a reward.
“Why~? Are you afraid~? Indeed! You can also face a tiger~! A ti~ger, a tiiiiii~ger~.”
Tiger?
“Have you seen one for yourself?”
“Yes? No! I haven’t! I heard rumors that Zeit fought a tiger and won!”
The humans of this continent transcended the ordinary, but the tigers of this continent transcended those extraordinary humans. Living in the mountains, they possessed mana that was purer than humans, and they also possessed brilliant intelligence and cunning tricks.
That is why there was, among tigers, the uniquely born individual the Great Tiger. Or, in the case of a group that occupied and reigned over a mountain, the Mountain King. Even Adrienne couldn’t guarantee her victory against the so-called Mountain Spirit Heroes.
“If they provoked me, I would fight! Even if it’s a great tiger!”
“…The great tiger doesn’t fight humans unprovoked. From a human point of view, he is a God who transcends and contemplates existence.”
“Oh~! How do you know that?!”
The chairman raised her eyebrows. I shrugged.
“…In any case, I will accept this mission.”
With this, the trait was decided. I could be injured in the extreme north, and clearing the quest would give me another Rare Attribute, so the bottom line was that Duct Tape would help me.
“Good! Deal confirmed! You can’t change your mind!!”
“Yes. Then, I will go back to my work as the keynote manager.”
“Yes!”
Adrienne smiled softly. I turned around and got back into the elevator.
“Goodbye~!”
I bowed to Adrienne, who was still grinning and took out the 「Rare Attribute Catalog」. I selected a trait by tearing it.
[Rare Attribute Acquisition: 「Duct Tape」]
A satisfactory acquisition notification followed. I felt the trait… the ‘tape’ filling my body.
* * *
Despite it being winter, the Imperial Magic Tower was slowly growing hotter. It was overheating, especially on the higher levels. The students were preparing for their finals, but it was primarily because the faculty were preparing, checking, and presenting their project reports to be submitted to Deculein.
“…You don’t know what questions will be asked, so be as thorough as possible.”
In Professor Relin’s office, Relin directed his assistant professors.
“Yes. But from now on, many teams are waiting. When should we apply?”
The keynote director, Deculein, would probably judge about 100 teams. All projects that were currently in progress or were ready to start were all in Deculein’s hands.
“I’ll talk to the Head Professor so we can get a date. Don’t you worry… I’ll get you the best one possible.”
Relin spoke subtly as if to imply, ‘I’m on Deculein’s team.’
“Yes.”
His subordinates also nodded, satisfied. It was also important what kind of team the advisor was in. Of course, being directly under Deculein was frankly very burdensome and still made it feel like he had fallen into a pit of evil, but there were certain benefits.
Relin looked at them worriedly.
“…Work hard. I want to help, but I have to go take the Head Professor’s exam.”
Saying that Relin wore a serious expression. His assistant professors saw him off with pride.
“Yes. I wish you the best of luck, Professor.”
Deculein’s test, the biggest recent event in the magic tower. Of course, the production of paper for the magic project was also important, but the status of this test was much higher. There were many talents, such as the Etheric Rose Rio, the addict Astal, Prince Kreto, and the exclusive wizard of the Imperial Palace, taking it alongside him.
“Good. I will head out.”
“Yes.”
Relin stepped forward like a general onto the battlefield.
……
Today, there was a long line outside the [Chief Keynote’s office]. All were professors who came to submit their achievements this year and receive approval for new projects.
—Let’s practice one more time! The theme of our project, Condensation, and Liquefaction of Mana Stones…
—No, the common questions. Give me the expected questionnaire.
—You all studied it, right? It’s really important today. If you act foolishly, your career will be ruined.
Each professor was with five or six team members, so there was a lot of buzz.
“Whew… Professor! A-Are you ready?!”
Allen, who swung the door open and checked the crowd, straightened up.
“… I think you need to get ready.”
“Oh, I’m fine! And, how is the test going?!”
“I do not know either.”
It wasn’t a test anyway. I never said it was a test, and I had real ones prepared, so the actual test in four weeks would proceed as scheduled. From the student’s point of view, it would feel like taking an exam twice in a row.
Whatever.
“Is it thirteen teams today?”
“Yes.”
Allen presented the list and report. They were all documents submitted by the teams waiting outside.
“Hmm.”
I scoured them one by one with Understanding and Man of Great Wealth. If things were missing, I would point them all out, and if they were not useful, I would point those out too, but if there was a possibility of success, I would give them enough time to explain.
“Good. Let in one team at a time.”
“Yes.”
Allen opened the door to the office. The hallway was still packed with voices.
“First team, please come in!”
All the noise stopped at that call. A moment later, the first team entered.
“Hello…!”
The wizard entering first with their head bowed was someone I had never seen before. She was a cute wizard, and her team consisted of three men and two women.
“Name.”
“I’m Marone of the Lumier rank! I am currently serving as a new professor!”
“…”
Marone, she was a Named. If Epherene and Sylvia were five stars, this one was three or four.
“Nice to meet you. Let’s get straight to the point; the subject of your thesis is….”
“It’s Condensation and Liquefaction of Mana Stones!”
Marone spoke loudly. Although she looked confident, there were many flaws in her reports and papers.
“Good. I’ll start with my questions.”
“Yeah!”
“The idea itself is fresh.”
The idea of liquefying mana stones was, of course, interesting. One of the main reasons oil replaced coal on Earth was the difference between liquid and solid.
“Oh! Thank you very much, thank-“
“However, it is rather inefficient if the minimum output is not reached even though it’s a liquid resource.”
I drew a spell in the air with my mana.
“Look. This is the formula on page 9 of your thesis. When liquefying mana stones according to this calculation and formula, the maximum output is only 73% of that of existing mana stones.”
“Huh? As of yet, we have not reached a concrete conclusion. And, we think at least 90% or more is possible.”
Marone was bewildered.
“No. Look, the calculation goes like this.”
I developed the arithmetic operation using my mana. Marone and her teammates’ eyes followed the process blankly.
“73%. Even accounting for errors, it does not exceed 75%.”
“Ummm… still, if we adjust the formula, it could be at least 90%-“
“Even 90% is a problem. How do you plan to make up for the 10% loss?”
“…We surely thought about it. Reduce shipping costs! Rather than carrying 10 tons of stones, this liquefied-“
“Think, think.”
I tapped my temple.
“At least 500 million Elnes is needed to complete this research. It’s a study that devours money. Also, to liquefy and transport them, a separate mage must reside in the mine. They will consume the same stones as a medium to liquefy them.”
“Ummm…”
Sweat beaded on Marone’s forehead, and her complexion was dyed red. The facial expressions of her companions were no different.
“To cover all those costs inclusive… at least 120% of the output must be guaranteed.”
“A hundred, a hundred and twenty-“
“It’s the minimum. Do you have a plan?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think you do.”
“Ah.”
“If not, what are you going to do?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you even have an idea?”
“Ah.”
“Yes, ah, is there anything else you can say?”
Marone and her teammates looked to be facing a great deadlock. A pressure unlike any other bore down on them.
Gulp- Gulp-
For some reason, Allen was also swallowing hard.
“…I’m sorry.”
Marone finally bowed her head, disappointed that she ruined this briefing.
“It’s our project, but you know better than us. Our ability is still-“
“That’s not the answer I want to hear.”
I placed a hand on the paper.
“Are you confident?”
“…Yes?”
Marone’s eyes widened.
“Confident you can complete this study. Confident you can handle more than 120% of the output.”
“…”
“If you’re confident, I will apply it myself. Because this idea is fresh.”
Then she clenched her fists.
“Also, if you come under my protection, you can also-“
“Yeah! I’m confident!”
Marone exclaimed loudly, her eyes burning.
“We would like to do it! I’m Lumier Marone! By my name!”
“…”
But since I hadn’t received the most important answer yet, I twisted my lips silently.
“Good.”
I continued, pretending not to be interested.
“Also, if you come under my control, you can edit it directly.”
“Oh! Is that so! Then I will do that!”
As if knowing my notoriety, Marone’s team members watched with wide eyes.
“The only fellow professor who backed our research was the head professor and the chief keynote officer Deculein. Even if it seems like a fly trying to bite a tortoise, we will do our best! With the determination to die if we fail—!”
A study no one recognized…
Well, that was the meaning of first. The order in which the cards were discarded, nothing more, nothing less. As soon as they left, they would be pulled in from the information about the interview.
“Good. You passed.”
Bang-!
I stamped the report.
“Go.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
Marone continued to bow as she backed out.
* * *
“Man… I’m going nuts.”
Epherene was still preoccupied with the stone. She had several nosebleeds and passed out once, but she was still stopped by a wall surrounding her. If she could pierce it, she would hit her head against it over and over again, but she couldn’t even scratch it.
“…I’m exhausted.”
“I guess it’s not going well, huh?”
She heard a voice then. Epherene turned around, stretching her aching back. Louina stood behind her.
“Yes… this seems simple, but it’s so hard. Sniff, sniff.”
Epherene put down the stone. How did Deculein make these things, and how did he move them with Psychokinesis? All of this was still questionable.
“There is no answer.”
She murmured with a sigh and fiddled with the wood steel. This steel, which Deculein gave her as a gift, had now become a cherished item that helped Epherene concentrate. It was the second such item after her father’s bracelet.
Louina glanced at her.
“Um, Epherene. Isn’t that Professor Deculein’s steel?”
“…Oh, yes. That’s right.”
A faint smile crept onto Epherene’s lips. Louina gave her a significant look.
“How can you have that with you? Deculein doesn’t give his things to others.”
“Huh? Wow, everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because Deculein’s personality is so famous.”
Louina sat down next to Epherene with a grin. Then she leaned her body gently closer.
“I won’t ask why you received that.”
“Oh~, it’s not a big deal. Just, I made up my mind to become the Professor’s disciple…”
“…Disciple?”
“Yes.”
“Did he say he would accept you?”
“Yes, if I work hard.”
“Oh… how amazing. Deculein’s disciple… I thought he’d never take one.”
Louina glanced at Epherene. For some reason, a small shadow fell over Epherene’s face.
“That’s true. I… didn’t think that I was going to be Professor Deculein’s apprentice. Seriously, not even once…”
Louina watched Epherene’s expression and actions. She looked kind of sad as she fiddled with the wood steel, complicated emotions battling in her eyes.
…No way. Did this child know?
Louina decided to test the waters.
“I’m asking just in case, but do you know?”
“…Eh?”
Epherene didn’t answer, but her eyes narrowed. Louina gained some confidence from her subtle reaction.
“I guess you know.”
“Um… what?”
“That there isn’t much time left for Deculein.”
“…!”
At that moment, Epherene’s eyes widened. Louina met her gaze with a sorrowful smile.
“Perhaps I was the first to know.”
Clank-!
The wood steel slammed against the desk. The thing that Deculein gave her now resonated with Epherene’s shaking heart.
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