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

 

 

Joint Magic Art Practical Training (2): Leon’s Turn

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

(POV switch – Claudia)

“Leon, is that you?” (Claudia)

Bell also noticed that he had been called upon.

“Number seven from the Science and Technology Department. You ranked first in the practical examination, did you not? Are you confident in your abilities?” (Gerald)

Ugh! Professor Gerald, why would you say that!

When I glanced at the lieutenant, his hostility toward Leon was obvious.

“Well, I have never shot at targets floating in midair before, so I cannot say that I am confident.” (Leon)

“Then, shall I slow down the target’s movements?” (Gerald)

“Oh, no. That will not be necessary.” (Leon)

“Hmph. Very well. Are you ready?” (Gerald)

Just earlier, the lieutenant had shot down the same targets, and now four earthen orbs were once again floating in the air.

Are they not moving faster than before?

“Yes!” (Leon)

“Then, begin!” (Gerald)

What does Leon intend to do?

He neither raised his staff nor prepared a stance. Instead, he opened his mouth slightly, and a faint pattern seemed to overlap before him.

*Tatta tatta tatta!*

Huh? Was that a tongue click?

The moment I thought so, a series of sharp bursting sounds echoed through the air.

“What!” (Lieutenant)

Looking up, I could hardly believe my eyes.

The air shimmered white for an instant, and the four swiftly moving orbs shattered simultaneously, crumbling as they fell to the ground.

“Ooooh…” (Spectators)

A murmur of astonishment spread through the area.

“How many seconds?” (Gerald)

“T-three seconds!” (Soldier)

“Impossible! Did he not activate before the signal to begin?” (Gerald)

Professor Gerald turned red in the face as he addressed the soldier holding the magical apparatus.

“No, sir. The activation occurred one second after the signal to begin.” (Soldier)

“Mmm. I see. Very well.” (Gerald)

 

—

 

“Oh? I do not recognize that student. He must be from the Science and Technology Department.” (Faculty Member)

“Fufufu. Indeed, he was clearly faster than that military student.” (Edward)

“This is no laughing matter, Dean. Could it be that you arranged for his departmental transfer during the interview?” (Professor)

“I exerted no pressure. However, it is true that the administrative director stopped me.” (Edward)

“In any case, it was him, then. I have never seen that targeting method before.” (Professor)

“Is that so? I interpreted it as a magic art employing sound waves.” (Edward)

“Indeed, the activation pattern before his face resembled such. He is truly too talented to remain merely a student of the Science and Technology Department.” (Professor)

“Hm. Even so, it may have been a rather strong stimulus. I wonder how they will respond.” (Edward)

 

—

 

(POV switch – Leon)

The first period ended, and I went to the cafeteria. Today, I joined the line for meat dishes.

“Leon!” (Claudia)

“Dia-san, Bell-san.” (Leon)

Dia-san looked lively as ever, but Bell-san seemed downcast.

“Ah, she has been like this since the first period.” (Claudia)

“Hm. I thought you were amazing, Leon, but being utterly defeated like that left me with mixed feelings.” (Bell)

“No, in situations like that, those who go later have the advantage.” (Leon)

“That may be true.” (Bell)

“Uuuu.” (Claudia)

“Ah, Dia, how pitiful. Leon just insulted you.” (Bell)

“I did not insult her.” (Leon)

After my turn in the trial, seven or eight others followed. One of them was Dia-san, who managed to shoot down two targets within one minute.

“But still, that lieutenant got what he deserved.” (Claudia)

“True. But he was glaring at Leon with quite an intense look.” (Bell)

Oh dear.

“Having his pride so thoroughly shattered, he must resent you. Ah, but I am not that resentful, so I am fine.” (Bell)

“There is no point dwelling on it. We might as well eat a lot and forget.” (Claudia)

Both of them loaded their trays with numerous dishes. We took our seats and began eating.

“Still, Leon, you hit all four of those earthen orbs at once. How did you aim?” (Bell)

“Hey, it is bad manners to ask about someone’s magic art.” (Claudia)

“It is fine. We are classmates, after all.” (Bell)

Heh. Bell-san is never shy.

“It is not really something worth hiding. I aimed by using sound.” (Leon)

“Sound?” (Claudia)

“Yes, one can locate things by using the echo of sound.” (Leon)

“Oh, I have heard that there are birds that hunt that way.” (Bell)

Indeed. On Earth, bats used that method as well. When I was thinking about how to approach the problem, that idea came to mind. After that, I hastily constructed the formula. Since Reo once used ultrasonic waves for obstacle detection in his robot project, it was rather easy to build a control system with SimCone.

“Speaking of sound, you clicked your tongue when the trial began, right?” (Claudia)

“As expected of you, Dia-san. Yes, I used that sound wave.” (Leon)

By emitting multiple pings, active sonar signals, I measured the targets’ positions, velocities, and accelerations in three dimensions. I, then, solved the motion equations to predict their future positions for precise targeting.

“But did you not say earlier that it was your first time facing floating targets?” (Bell)

“Yes. I knew the formula, but I was relieved it worked properly.” (Leon)

The orbs’ weights were only roughly estimated, and I ignored air resistance. To be honest, I truly was relieved.

“I see.” (Claudia)

“Still, those graduate students were amazing. Their control of the earthen orbs was impressive.” (Leon)

That was what I had wanted to achieve at Emilia’s villa, actually. I wish they had let me try more trials.

Huh? They look exasperated. Well, I do understand. Even though I had simulated it with SimConnect, it was careless of me as a control engineer to perform a live test during a school event.

I was hungry. Since the conversation paused, I decided it was fine. I cut a piece of meat and brought it to my mouth.

Delicious. The cafeteria here is quite good and inexpensive too.

“Haaaaaah.” (Bell)

What now?

Bell-san let out a grand sigh.

“Compared to Leon, I…” (Bell)

“Bell.” (Claudia)

“Well, doing it without any innovation was foolish. Right, I have decided.” (Bell)

She looked straight at me.

“W-what is it?” (Leon)

“Leon, you seem knowledgeable. Teach me magic art.” (Bell)

“Hey, Bell.” (Claudia)

“However, would it not be better to learn from the instructors of the Technical Department?” (Leon)

Dia-san nodded firmly.

“Of course I will. But the instructors teach the same things to the lieutenant too. So, if I want to get ahead, I should learn from Leon as well.” (Bell)

“Ah, no, Bell.” (Claudia)

“What, Dia? Haha.” (Bell)

Bell-san smiled faintly.

“What?” (Claudia)

Laughing, she nodded several times.

“Why not learn together? From Leon. We could visit his lodging during the holidays.” (Bell)

“Oh, that sounds like a good idea.” (Dia)

 

—

 

Ah.

As I returned to the building that housed the classrooms of the Science and Technology Department, I saw a military student standing at the entrance. It was that same lieutenant.

Hm. There is no reason for me to avoid him.

I walked past.

“Number Seven.” (Lieutenant)

It seemed he was addressing me.

“What is it, Number 12? Pardon me, my name is Leon.” (Leon)

“Hmph. Do not think you have won with such a trivial trick?” (Lieutenant)

“You mean the trial? The later one has the advantage, after all.” (Leon)

I repeated what I had said to Bell-san.

“Hmph. How cunning.” (Lieutenant)

Kicking the wall, the lieutenant walked away.

Hm. Perhaps I should take that as a sign that he would not sink into bitterness but use it as motivation instead.

 

—

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