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

 

 

Preconceptions are the Enemy

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The patent application for the magical lamp was finished, and I had also completed the prototype my Kaa-sama requested. I decided to devote myself once again to magic art training.

≪Shock Impulse v0.31≫

The moment the shimmering heat haze writhed at the tip of my outstretched arm, the wave motion extended outward. With a dull impact sound, it reached the boulder I had targeted, which was about as tall as myself. At the moment of impact, the area around the boulder turned white, and clumps of dirt and dust scattered. But that was all.

Although the surface was somewhat scratched, the boulder remained intact.

“Daaaahhh.” (Leon)

My spirit drained, and I collapsed right there.

Hmm. Last time, when I toppled a tree on the opposite shore of the lake below, the magic pressure I infused was at full power. This time, I had lowered it to less than half, yet the power was far too low. The efficiency was poor.

Of course, applying full magic pressure would increase the effect. However, the rate of increase would gradually flatten out and eventually hit a ceiling. That would be too wasteful. Such a muscle-brained way of using magic art is not what a control technician should aim for. The intended effect should be realized with the minimum mana necessary. That is how it should be.

That said, even if the shockwave is narrowed down, it inevitably spreads into space. When that happens, its power decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance. In short, the effective range becomes fixed. Even though it is magic, huh. One cannot always get close to the target.

Lately, I have been thinking about whether I could use magic art to slay magic beasts. I have not decided to make it my occupation, but it is true that it would be advantageous for both income and for working outside the dragon vein. In that sense, I want at least this much range.

Thinking that, I looked toward the target boulder. From here, it was about 50 meter. A magic beast could probably charge at me in a matter of seconds.

Hmmm…

Since last night, I had been searching through the common magic art documents, but I could not find any further power-enhancement items beyond what I had already incorporated into v0.31. Aahhh… there’s got to be something. If I cannot do something about the distance, the way I can use this magic art will be limited. Hm? Distance? What exactly is this “distance”? Well, it is the distance between me and that target.

Right.

Something about that caught for a moment in my mind.

Still, in terms of power, I want to close the distance. In terms of usability, I want to extend the range. That is a complete contradiction. My countermeasure had been to focus the shockwave. But this approach is no good. Persistence is necessary but so is knowing when to cut one’s losses. It feels like Reo’s memories are telling me that.

Should I give up?

My shoulders slumped, and strength left me.

Wait. Distance and range… these are different words. They both measure the same physical length, but… If the words are different, could it be that they mean different things?

As I was about to decide to give up, my mind felt lighter, and an incomprehensible idea emerged.

Huh? Strictly speaking, range is not the distance between me and the target. It is the distance between the point where the shockwave is generated, the activation symbol, and the target. Not much difference.

…Or maybe there is a slight difference. At most, my arm’s length plus a little, about 500 milimeter… Wait, that’s it! How is the position of this activation symbol decided?

Come to think of it, the illumination magic art Luce allows the light source’s position to be changed. I did not create it. It was already in the original magic art model. Of course, the position can only be changed within a fixed range, but it can indeed be changed. How is that realized? If the activation symbol can be placed closer to the target, the effective range would effectively be extended!

 

—

 

“Done. Shock Impulse v0.40.” (Leon)

After scouring the documents, I found the parameter that decides the position of the activation symbol where the shockwave occurs. I tried changing it, not to the tip of my arm, but to a point 40 meter away.

All right!

I thrust out my arm and focused.

≪Shock Impulse v0.40≫

It activated!

The impact sound roared from afar, and the whole boulder was enveloped in white smoke.

“Ohhh.” (Leon)

Unconsciously, I ran toward the boulder that had been my target.

“It’s cracked.” (Leon)

The boulder’s outward appearance had not changed much, but a large vertical crack had formed.

I felt like I could have done even more.

Whoa.

Circling around the boulder, I saw that the far side, opposite from where I had fired the magic art, had been smashed and scattered widely.

“I-I did iiiit!!” (Leon)

 

—

 

“You want to go outside the barrier and slay magic beasts?!” (Father)

Tou-sama’s gallant face flushed slightly red.

This was after dinner, ten days after the shock magic art transformation. I had told Tou-sama and Kaa-sama that I had something to consult them about and asked them to remain in the dining hall. Hein-niisan was also there even though I had not asked him.

Tou-sama opened his mouth and drew in a breath but then, stopped. He was suppressing his anger.

“No. Rather than saying I want to slay them, I want to see whether my magic art can slay magic beasts.” (Leon)

“And how is that any different, Leon?” (Father)

At that deep voice that seemed to resound from beneath the floor, Hein-niisan widened his eyes with a frightened look. Of course, I was also scared. But I could not back down here.

“There is also the possibility that I cannot slay them, so I am considering having the guild arrange for an adventurer as a guard.” (Leon)

“Hmmm…” (Father)

Tou-sama crossed his arms.

“Even if you say hire one, Leon, it will cost money.” (Father)

“No, Father. Leon probably has that much money.” (Conan)

I nodded.

Yes. After all, I had received the lump sum from transferring the patent rights for the magical lamp recently.

“You intend to use your own money?” (Father)

“Yes, Tou-sama.” (Leon)

“It seems you are not entirely without thought.” (Father)

At Tou-sama’s words, Kaa-sama gave a small shake of her head, and Conan-niisan’s mouth corners rose slightly.

“So, for what purpose would you go that far? Do you intend to become a hunter or adventurer?” (Father)

“Whether or not I make hunting magic beasts my future occupation is a separate matter. I want to make my living through magic arts, so I want to confirm that possibility.” (Leon)

Tou-sama closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

“What do you think, Henrietta?” (Father)

Tou-sama asked softly.

Kaa-sama blinked gracefully, then said…

“Of course, I oppose it.” (Mother)

Uwaaah.

“To aspire to magic arts… to create magical tools, that is fine. But using magic arts to slay magic beasts is dangerous.” (Mother)

Harsh. In magical tool creation, my control techniques could also be put to use. But narrowing myself to only that at this point did not feel right.

“K-Kaa-sama, with all due respect, Leon’s magic arts are quite something. A few days ago, I actually saw them for myself.” (Conan)

Ohh, Nii-san.

“Conan. I have not finished speaking. You will bear this trading company upon your shoulders. If you do not listen to the words of clients, you will make great mistakes in business negotiations. Take heed.” (Mother)

Merciless.

“Y-Yes. My apologies, Kaa-sama.” (Conan)

Nii-san looked at me with a complicated expression.

“Leon’s idea makes me sigh without end, but there is something to be said for him confiding in us family beforehand and gaining his brother as an ally.” (Mother)

…Mother?

“On top of that, I must apologize to my husband.” (Mother)

“Apologize? For what, Henrietta?” (Father)

“It is about Leon’s personality. Unlike his brothers, this child is stubborn, does not give up easily, and is tenacious.” (Mother)

“Stubbornness aside, the others are not bad qualities as aptitudes…” (Father)

“If taken too far, they become harmful. That is my responsibility. I am sorry.” (Mother)

“N-No, the child-rearing was left to you, Henrietta, so I also…” (Father)

A heavy silence.

“Returning to the topic of harm. Even if we oppose him, this child will surely do it in secret, just like with the magical lamp.” (Mother)

No. That time, I got Tou-sama’s permission first.

“And in just one more year, when he turns fifteen, we will no longer be able to stop him.” (Mother)

“In other words, Henrietta, you are saying we should allow it?” (Father)

…Is that so? Kaa-sama, despite saying you oppose it?

“Regrettably.” (Mother)

“Mmmm…” (Father)

Ahh, as I thought, Mother is my understanding ally. Scary, though.

“Tou-sama, I also ask for your approval.” (Conan)
“I also ask for your approval.” (Hein)

Even Conan-niisan. Even Hein-niisan.

“Hmm. Understood. There may be some oversights. Conan, advise him.” (Father)

“Yes, Tou-sama.” (Conan)

Aahhh…

“Thank you, Tou-sama, Kaa-sama. And thank you, both Nii-san- as well.” (Leon)

 

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