New chapter of Control Engineer is out (1/1 chapter)

Resurrected Memories

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“How is it, Leon-dono?” (Morgan)

Ah, ah.

When I looked up at his face, the terrible thing that had been happening before my eyes had settled down. I could see Sensei’s face with his brows furrowed.

“Leon?” (Hein)

Hein-niisan, who sat beside me, looked worried.

“Ah, hmm, something was in my eye! Ah, no. Something got into my eye, but it’s okay now. It seems to have come out.” (Leon)

I hurriedly rubbed my eyelids.

Sensei exhaled deeply.

“I see, very well. Then. Let us report the results of your attempt to activate the magic Aqua activation symbol drawn on the parchment. First, Conan-dono.” (Teacher)

Phew. Somehow, I managed to cover it up.

“Yes. I tried about 30 times, but it activated three times.” (Conan)

Wow, three times it got activated? Nice. I’m jealous.

“How much water came out?” (Morgan)

“The amount? Umm. The most that came out was probably about as much as that silver pitcher there. The rest was about a cup.” (Conan)

On Sensei’s table, there was a silver pitcher and a pewter cup prepared by the maid, probably for distinguished guests.

To be able to produce that much water… Amazing, Hein-niisan.

“Oh. For a first attempt, that is quite good.” (Morgan)

Conan-niisan, who had been tense until a moment ago, relaxed and his cheeks softened.

“Then, Hein-dono. How about you?” (Morgan)

“I tried 20 times. And it activated five times. The amount of water was about a cup each time.” (Hein)

“Oh. That’s a good success rate for a 12-year-old.” (Morgan)

Success rate?

“But, Hein-dono, did you not activate much in the latter half?” (Morgan)

“Huh? Were you watching somewhere?” (Hein)

“I was not watching. It is a deduction based on usual behavior.” (Morgan)

“Hah, ha.” (Hein)

“Hein-dono. You must not forget that continuity is important.” (Morgan)

“Yes.” (Hein)

Hein-niisan is said to be talented in many things, but more than that, Kaa-sama tells him to do something about how easily he gets bored. The teacher said deduction, but he is sharp instinctively in the first place.

“Very well. Then, Leon-dono.” (Morgan)

“Y-yes.” (Leon)

It’s my turn.

“I tried 15 times. But no water came out.” (Leon)

“Not once?” (Morgan)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Hmm.” (Morgan)

The teacher furrowed his brows. Unlike his reaction to Nii-sans, he looked disappointed.

“All humans have mana, but the amount varies greatly between individuals. Also, the secondary sexual characteristics… no, it usually improves greatly from about Hein-dono’s age. I myself was so.” (Morgan)

Uh. Is he trying to comfort me?

“I don’t know about mana, but… no matter what, I can’t memorize this activation symbol.” (Leon)

“Memorize?” (Morgan)

“To use magic, you imagine this activation symbol and strongly focus on it, right? But somehow, these characters… not all of them.” (Leon)

That’s right. To use magic without a magical tool, you must accurately memorize this complicated activation symbol. Somehow, I’m not good at just memorizing something incomprehensible. Even the characters aren’t the usual ones we use but ancient ones, which I can’t read.

“Leon-dono. That is something advanced magicians do. Beginners, as I explained last time, stare at the activation symbol, close their eyes immediately, and while the symbol still remains behind their eyes, they concentrate.” (Morgan)

“Yes. But that means nothing.” (Leon)

“You’re as stubborn as ever, Leon! Ah, sorry.” (Hein)

The teacher glared, and Hein-niisan lowered his face.

“Leon-dono. The activation symbol is made of combinations of fine patterns. However, those who can decipher the ancient Elvish language used there are very few even in this country. There are about 30 characters, but if you activate magic many times, you will naturally remember the patterns as patterns rather than characters. Try to keep that in mind.” (Morgan)

“Y-yes.” (Leon)

“I understand the status of your assignments. Now then, let’s proceed with the lecture. You may put away the parchment.” (Morgan)

The triangle in the upper right of the parchment was still flickering, but I tried not to look at it and rolled it up to put it in my bag.

“Is that understood? Magic is an academic discipline created by noble ancient Elves, as I have said before.” (Morgan)

Elves are a different race from us humans. They are said to have pale skin and long ears. At least that’s how they are depicted in picture books. But I have never met or seen a real Elf, so I thought maybe they don’t really exist. But in last history class, I learned Elves really existed and had strong mana and long life.

Conan-niisan listened to the teacher’s words seriously, and Hein-niisan looked a little bored, saying the lecture was too long.

“But most magic is lost knowledge, meaning the activation symbols and other concepts and origins have been lost. How regrettable. But why was it lost? Conan-dono?” (Morgan)

“Y-yes. Because the Elven race could not endure the dragon vein cataclysm about 500 years ago.” (Conan)

“Correct. As I said in history class. The Elves, who depended on dragon vein for life, declined when the it moved greatly.” (Morgan)

That’s right. As expected of Conan-niisan.

“Then, what are dragon vein? Hein-dono?” (Morgan)

“Yes. They are the sacred magical flows running under the earth.” (Hein)

“Exactly. Therefore, Leylines are very related to the use of magic.” (Morgan)

I heard that in last week’s lesson. I have never seen it, but it’s said to flow like a big river.

Hein-niisan looked at me.

Ah. Next is my turn?

“We humans do not depend on dragon veins, but we do use them. Crops grow well, so advanced farmland or grazing land is generally on dragon veins. Furthermore, magical beasts, enemies of humanity, avoid the sacred magic, that is, dragon veins.” (Hein)

Yes, a magical beast. A magical beast is an evil thing. It attacks livestock and humans. It does not eat meat. It is to suck up mana. Also, ordinary animals have male and female pairs who bear children, but magical beasts are different. They are said to be outside the logic of this world. They are very scary creatures, but it is said there are many when you leave towns. I have never met one, though.

“Especially, the dragon veins’ land outlet called the dragon hole can be said to be a barrier that blocks magical beasts. Therefore, almost all large cities are built over dragon holes. The town of Emilia is no exception. Around Emilia, there are two dragon veins. They generally run from north to south, and from north-northwest to south-southeast, and their intersection is the dragon hole. Now, where in Emilia town is the dragon hole? Leon-dono.” (Morgan)

“Yes. It is at the castle of the lord.” (Leon)

Good, that was an easy question.

“Yes, quite so. Emilia town has developed centered on the castle of Lord Emily where the dragon hole is. The barrier size of the dragon hole varies, but near Emilia the barrier is about five kilometers east to west. However, during the active period, the barrier narrows somewhat, so caution is necessary. When is the next active period? Conan-dono.” (Morgan)

“Yes. The last one ended early spring last month, so the next is at the end of next month.” (Conan)

“That is correct. The active period is once every three months. This may be common knowledge to all of you, but it is easy to forget what period it currently is. Please be careful.” (Morgan)

“Yes.” (Conan/Hein/Leon)

Yeah. Even I know that. During the active period, Kaa-sama often tells me not to go deep into our private land to the east from here.

“Now, let’s return the topic to magic. High-level magic is secret in any country, not limited to our nation Cecilia. However, the activation marks of low-level magic are public, and some can be used by non-magicians. Your family is the Liones Trading Company. You know that one of your main products is magical tools, right?” (Morgan)

Of course I know. Our three brothers’ family is one of the top trading companies in Emilia town.
And Tou-sama is the chairman of that company. We are quite wealthy, so we can even invite amazing teachers like Morgan-sensei. That is impossible for ordinary families.

“Consider the foundational magic as something useful alongside arithmetic, even if you become merchants someday.” (Morgan)

“Yes.” (Conan/Hein/Leon)

So, I have to study properly. That’s what I think.

 

—

 

“Well, the sand in the clock is running low. I will assign homework until next time.” (Morgan)

Haa. The magic lesson that felt very long is finally ending. The teacher took parchment from his large bag just like last time and handed them to each of us.

“This magic is Breeze, a magic that blows wind from the fingertips. Even when activated, it only produces a cool breeze, not strong, so it is not dangerous. I will ask how much you could activate it in the next magic lesson. That will be the end of today’s lesson.” (Morgan)

“Thank you very much.” (Conan/Hein/Leon)

The teacher lightly bowed and left the room.

“Homework again, huh.” (Leon)

“Ahaha. Last time, Hein quit after just one hour, didn’t you?” (Conan)

“Eh. Did you tell the teacher?” (Leon)

“No way. Morgan-sensei watches us closely.” (Conan)

“Y-Yeah, that’s right. Sorry, Niisan.” (Leon)

Yeah, Conan-niisan always protects us younger brothers. Hein-niisan knows that too.

“But, didn’t the teacher seem a bit unwell? I’m worried.” (Leon)

“Yeah. He coughed several times today too. Ah, Hein, could you bring the water, please?” (Conan)

Conan-niisan went out with a water pitcher.

He is big and serious, my proud niisan.

“Yes, Nii-san. Ah, Leon, take it easy.” (Hein)

“Thank you, Hein-niisan.” (Leon)

I lifted the tray and followed Conan-niisan.

Hein-niisan is playful but a very kind Nii-san who worries about the teacher.

Now then. I opened the parchment I just received.

Ah, as expected. At the upper right, the triangle is blinking. Slowly, slowly… be aware of the triangle.

Oh. The triangle feels like it is denting, and the activation mark changed to a design I have never seen before. The characters below the triangle changed too. Before, they quickly moved downward, so it was dizzying. Hm. Still, I don’t understand the meaning.

Slowly down. The design changed again. Move downward, design changes. Changes keep coming one after another. All are unfamiliar designs…

Just as I was thinking that, the changes stopped.

“Th-This is a block diagram, isn’t it… huh?” (Leon)

Block diagram. I was surprised at the word I spoke myself. Shapes I had never seen before. Characters I should not have known. But somehow, I understood what they meant. I could comprehend them.

What is happening! Could it be I’m dreaming again? But it feels too vivid for that.

Feedback loop and scope… An application (environment) to create control software. For some reason, I felt a deep nostalgia. The title displayed at the top was BREEZE with limited functions ver1.31. (TLN: The underline was written in English)

It was English. To the right, it said SYSLAB_Simuconnect v20XX.4.21 emulator.

It really is SysLab Simuconnect. Right, I was using this. I was controlling various targets.

When I realized that, a cold sensation ran up my spine. Toudou Reo, 23 years old. Second-year master’s student at ** University… Laboratory. A torrent of information rushes through my head.

This is someone’s memory…

My hands trembled and stiffened, and my body shook with fear.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)