New chapter of Control Engineer is out! (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Elementary Magical Tool Production (3) – Evaluation

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“Oh, have both of you finished?” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Ah, yes.” (George)

Leaving the workroom, I returned to the seat in the middle of the classroom where I had been sitting earlier.

“Very well, let us all examine the finished magic stones together. Please call her in as well.” (Zila)

When Richard knocked on the door, Odette-san came out and took her seat.

“Now then, who shall begin?” (Zila)

“Please, go ahead. You finished a little earlier, after all.” (Leon)

I ceded the turn to him.

After a few subtle changes in expression, George-kun nodded.

“So then, what kind of magic art did you engrave?” (Zila)

“W-wind magic art.” (George)

I see.

“Activate it at once, George-kun. Richard-kun, I leave the explanation to you.” (Zila)

“Yes. Everyone, please follow me.” (Richard)

Richard-sensei began walking toward a corner of the classroom where there were no private booths, and we followed after him.

What is this?

A circle about five meters in radius had been drawn on the floor. At the center stood an iron tripod about one meter tall, topped with a small shallow basket. Richard-sensei approached it.

“This is the Initial Activation Area. For safety reasons, the first activation of a magic stone must be performed at least five meters away. Now then, George-kun, please place the engraved magic stone upon this.” (Zila)

Nodding, he placed the magic stone on the basket.

So, that is the reason. They are quite thorough about safety.

“Everyone, please step outside the circle. Ah, you too, George-kun. Very well, if you can activate it from there, please begin.” (Professor Zila)

“Y-yes.” (George)

When George-kun extended his arm toward the tripod, the demon world intensity rose over a span of about ten seconds.

“Oh.” (Leon)

“What is it?” (Odette)

Before I knew it, Odette-san was standing beside me.

“It has activated.” (Leon)

“I am watching, but is that so?” (Odette)

“Cease the mana supply once.” (Zila)

“Yes.” (George)

George exhaled deeply. It seemed that supplying mana was not his strong point.

“Um, may I hold it by hand?” (George)

“Yes, that is fine. This is your second activation, after all.” (Zila)

When he held it in his hand, the efficiency appeared to increase, for the airflow grew stronger, and when he turned it toward himself, his hair fluttered.

“Excellent. That is a success.” (Zila)

Zila-sensei clapped his hands.

As I followed the demonstration, I heard a whisper.

“At that point, it is hardly different from performing the magic art oneself.” (Odette)

When I turned toward Odette-san, she seemed to realize I had heard her and quickly covered her mouth.

“Very well. Next, Leon-kun, please activate yours.” (Zila)

George-kun stepped back, holding his magic stone. I placed the one I had just completed on the stand in its place.

“Are you ready?” (Leon)

Richard-sensei nodded, so I activated the mana supply magic art.

“It lit up!” (Odette)

The magic stone glowed red.

“What?” (Odette)

After several seconds, it faded, then shone blue, then again red. From that point, it continued to alternate between red and blue flashes.

“Oh!” (Zila)

Zila-sensei furrowed his brow.

“This is quite interesting. Have you ceased mana supply?” (Richard)

“Yes. I have implemented a mana charging function.” (Leon)

Indeed, once the charging completed, it would remain in this state for a while. George-kun turned toward me sharply, frowning.

The control was simple. The mana supply alternated at fixed intervals between the red and blue filaments. While the mana consumption during illumination was large, the filaments did not cool immediately, so rapid blinking did not consume much.

“Hmm, it seems you did not enter the Science and Technology Department by mistake after all.” (Odette)

It appeared Odette-san still held an unfavorable preconception about me.

“The formula seems to fall within the scope of the light-type magic art used in magical lamps, yet it is innovative, and I am impressed by the functionality. However, Leon-kun, what is the intended purpose of this magic stone?” (Professor Zila)

“Yes. For example, one of its purposes is to ensure safety during nighttime road travel.” (Leon)

“At night?” (Professor Zila)

“Some roads have cracked paving stones or areas where construction is incomplete. Although magical lamps are placed for indication at night, there are still parts that remain difficult to see. If several of these are placed instead, they could attract attention and improve visibility. Of course, it would require public awareness.” (Leon)

“I see. Certainly, that would be more noticeable from a distance than a continuously lit magical lamp.” (Richard)

“In other words, it serves to enhance visibility for warning purposes.” (Professor Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Very well. I acknowledge it as a complete success.” (Professor Zila)

Following Zila-sensei, everyone applauded. Odette-san, however, wore a complicated expression.

 

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The bell marking the end of the third period rang.

Odette-san gave a polite nod and quickly left the classroom.

“Leon-kun, may I have a moment?” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Zila-sensei called me over.

I followed him into the corridor, where we walked for a while before entering a room labeled Preparation Room. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books and wooden boxes, likely containing teaching materials. A desk and several chairs were placed inside, along with a low table and a wooden bench for brief meetings.

“Please, have a seat.” (Professor Zila)

I sat on the indicated bench.

“Do you need something from me?” (Leon)

“Yes.” (Zila)

Leaning back against his chair, Zila-sensei crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

“To be frank, your engraving on the magic stone is too precise.” (Zila)

“Too precise?” (Leon)

“Yes. It looks as though it was made by machine engraving.” (Zila)

Ah, so using Engrave Studio resulted in that kind of finish.

“Of course, the magic crystal was one we provided, and I do not suspect you of switching it with something engraved elsewhere.” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

That was close.

“Furthermore, to incorporate a mana charging function and complete a magic stone in such a short time is beyond the scope of a first-year student. You must have trained considerably before entering.” (Zila)

Richard-sensei, who stood behind him, nodded in agreement.

“In recent years, workshops have come to emphasize machine engraving, and those immersed in such environments tend to neglect engraving magic art. I am unsure whether that girl Odette falls into that pattern.” (Zila)

Hmm. I too believe engraving unnecessary since I could accomplish it with Engrave Studio.

“What about you, Leon-kun? You mentioned that while not from your family business, you frequently entered workshops.” (Zila)

“Yes.” (Leon)

Ah, deception always comes back to test one. In truth, I had only visited the workshops connected to the Liones Trading Company a few times.

“Yes, most of the workshops I visited specialized in consumable magic crystals produced in large quantities. Apart from the master craftsman and a few others, nearly all the magical technicians were engaged in machine engraving.” (Leon)

Saying so left me rather disheartened.

“I see. That is indeed the way of the world, yet I believe it dangerous to underestimate engraving magic art.” (Zila)

“Dangerous?” (Leon)

“There are situations where engraving magical apparatus cannot be used, and for now, humans still surpass machines in ultra-high-density engraving. Although that will likely change in time.” (Zila)

He turned away.

“Indeed. The resolution has doubled in just ten years. At this rate, it will catch up within a few decades.” (Richard)

Hmm. These two seems bound by a strong mutual trust. Perhaps they were once master and disciple.

“What I wish to say, Leon-kun, is that I do not want you to rely too readily on machine engraving. You may think of it as the rambling of an old man if you wish.” (Zila)

“No, not at all.” (Leon)

“Now then, with that said, you need not attend the Elementary Magical Tool Production practical class.” (Zila)

“What? But I heard that the certification examination will not take place until spring.” (Leon)

“Indeed. You simply need not attend the class itself. You will, however, be required to produce an assigned project, and you may devote your full attention to it. For reference, there have been a few students of your type before.” (Zila)

“I see.” (Leon)

“Of course, if you need anything, we will provide guidance and assistance. Consult with Richard-kun regarding the details of your project. That is all I wished to tell you.” (Zila)

“Understood. Thank you very much.” (Leon)

 

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