New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (2/2 chapter)

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≪Shock Impulse v0.54≫

Dust clouds rose all over the slope, and a beat later, a chain of bursting sounds struck my ears.

Phew.

I stopped for a moment to check. Ten shots fired, eight hits. When the rock I used as a target was missed, gravel would throw up dust clouds, making it obvious. That happened twice.

My breathing was heavy. Partly from firing magic, but mostly because I was casting while running. I had worked on extending the effective range and increasing the power. But today I was trying something different.

Magic that target multiple enemies at once. That was the version 0.5 series. It was the result of an experiment I tried after Silver Arrow’s clan master, Niels-san, told me about the importance of suppression power in magic.

A hit rate of 80%. Not bad, I suppose, but it’s still too early to settle. I tried 15 shots at once too, but the accuracy dropped even further, so I already compromised on the number of shots.

I really need to review my targeting control. If I stand still and aim, I can almost always hit. But I can’t expect the ideal situation of multiple enemies frozen in place while I stand still too. It would be nice if I could make the targets move around randomly like living magical beasts, but that’s difficult.

At least by moving myself, I thought I could get closer to those conditions. But even when the relative movement vectors are the same, I still can’t land every shot. Just shows my lack of skill.

Hm? Something’s nearby. Up the slope.

“Leooon” (Conan)

The voice and me turning around came at the same time. It was Conan-niisan.

Sometimes wild dogs come onto this private land, but they usually leave as soon as I started training magic. So, that explained the strange feeling.

I hurriedly ran up the slope and moved to my brother’s side.

“What’s the matter, Nii-san? Coming all the way out here.” (Leon)

“Hahaha. ‘All the way out here’, you say. But I’m the one who first brought you here, wasn’t I, Leon?” (Conan)

“Th-that’s true.” (Leon)

That must have been four or five years ago.

“Well, today’s my day off, so I thought I’d bring a treat to my cute little brother.” (Conan)

Ah, that’s right, today’s Sunday. Nii-san carried a wicker basket in his right hand… it must have the treats inside.

“Thank you, Nii-san. But is it okay to leave sister-in-law alone?” (Leon)

They just got married. Nii-san is always busy, so on his day off he should be spending time with her.

“Hahaha. So, Leon’s old enough to think of things like that now. Ah, this lunch in the basket… Elenoa made it. She told me, ‘Please take this to Leon-san’. Makes me jealous.” (Conan)

“Ahaha. Come to think of it, I was getting hungry.” (Leon)

I did pack some food in the bag I left at the hut down the slope, but still.

“Shall we head back down then?” (Conan)

“Eh? Why not eat here? You can see the lake. It feels nice.” (Leon)

“That’s true, but the problem is this.” (Conan)

Nii-san looked at his own hands. The altitude wasn’t that high, but the slope was steep enough that you had to use your hands to climb. Mine were dirty too.

“It’s fine.” (Leon)

≪Aqua≫

I summoned a spell circle above my hands, producing water to wash them clean.

“See, Nii-san, you too.” (Leon)

“Ah.” (Conan)

I moved the circle over to him so he could wash as well.

“This was the first spell Morgan-sensei taught us, wasn’t it? Leon hated it at first, but you’re the one who mastered it best among us siblings. Thanks. Alright then, let’s eat here.” (Conan)

“Yeah.” (Leon)

We moved to a flat rock and sat down. Nii-san opened the basket, pulled out a smaller basket, and handed it to me.

“Thanks. Whoa, sandwiches!” (Leon)

Round bread cut open, with cheese, ham, and leafy vegetables inside.

“Can I eat it?” (Leon)

“Of course. Ah, right.” (Conan)

Delicious. A little spicy, but makes me want to eat more.

While munching, I saw Nii-san pour tea from a flask into cups.

“Drink this too.” (Conan)

“Yeah. Thanks. I’ve never tasted this kind of sandwich before, but it’s good.” (Leon)

“Right? Apparently, it’s Elenoa’s family’s traditional sauce.” (Conan)

“Wow. Nii-san, I’ll thank sister-in-law when I get home.” (Leon)

The tea in the cup was still faintly warm.

“Sweet.” (Leon)

“Yeah. Elenoa said, since Leon must be tired… Ah, this is really good.” (Conan)

As I ate while watching Nii-san’s smile, a pleasant spring breeze blew by.

“So, how was it?” (Conan)

“How was what?” (Leon)

“About ten days ago, you went outside the barrier with the adventurers, right? I only heard the rough story.” (Conan)

“Oh, that.” (Leon)

Nii-san nodded. I had given him a brief report after returning from the Adventurer Guild, since he seemed busy.

“Hmm. Well, I managed to take down a few magical beasts, and I confirmed that my magic works to some degree.” (Leon)

“I see. To some degree, huh. I think Leon’s magic is amazing though.” (Conan)

“But the adventurer Niels-san said I still need more experience.” (Leon)

“Of course. It was your first real battle with magical beasts.” (Conan)

“Yeah. I saw my challenges clearly too, so I’ll keep at it.” (Leon)

Nii-san nodded, then turned to face me.

“Leon, do you want to become an adventurer? You’ll be an adult at 15, and that’s soon.” (Conan)

Seven months left.

“Not really an adventurer specifically. But if I want to make a living with magic, it seems like the quickest way.” (Leon)

What I really want is control. But in this world, where there’s no electrical circuits or electronic engineering, the only proper control targets are magic.

“The quickest way, huh…” (Conan)

Hm? What’s that supposed to mean?

“Even if you make magic your livelihood, you should think it through a bit more carefully.” (Conan)

That’s true. I haven’t told anyone about my internal system, nor that I gain knowledge from magical documents. As far as I know, the Tyros Church’s teachings don’t even mention the concept of reincarnation. It’s exactly because Nii-san is so kind that I don’t want to tell him I have memories of a past life. I don’t want my family to hate me either.

“Kaa-sama said you’re reckless, Leon. She told me to keep an eye on you.” (Conan)

Since my thoughts were going in circles, he must have thought I wasn’t thinking at all.

“Hmm.” (Leon)

“So, I looked into it a bit.” (Conan)

“Eh?” (Leon)

“They say there’s a university in the royal capital Salomea where you can study magic.” (Conan)

“The royal capital? A university?” (Leon)

Ah, I never thought of that.

“Starting this autumn, they’ll be recruiting students who will turn 15 next year.” (Conan)

“Huh…” (Leon)

Everyone ages up at the start of the year. Meaning, from 14. Exactly my age.

“Why not consider that as your path?” (Conan)

“Eh? You mean, go study in the royal capital?” (Leon)

“I feel awkward being the one to say this, but I think Leon’s magic would grow a lot with proper instruction.” (Conan)

“That’s true, but going to the capital to study would cost money…” (Leon)

“Haha, I knew you’d say that. Apparently, there’s something called a scholarship system.” (Conan)

“Scholarship.” (Leon)

I see. So, this world has scholarships too. But repayment… Back in Japan, where Reo lived, scholarships were basically student loans. That memory resurfaced.

“Still, you need excellent grades on the entrance exam to qualify, and even then, unless you’re chosen among the top, the repayment amount increases.” (Conan)

“Hm? So, there are ones with less repayment?” (Leon)

“Yeah, that’s what I heard. The manager, Begart, knows more about it.” (Conan)

“Really? Then I’ll ask him when we get back.” (Leon)

 

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