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

Look Me in the Eye and Say It!

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When I went to the dining hall, Leah-san was there.

“Good morning.” (Leon)

Ah, eh? Am I ignored?

Without saying a word, she walked into the kitchen. I thought she glanced my way for a moment.

After a short while, she returned with a tray carrying soup, bread, and salad. Still silent as ever. I had expected breakfast would be served here since the third-floor shelf had no food in it, but her reaction was unexpected.

She has not ignored me, yet her expression is stern. What could be the reason?

“Good morning.” (Leon)

Once again. Wait, this time she turns her face away.

“What is so early about it?” (Leah)

“Huh?” (Leon)

That is quite a surge of anger.

“It is already 10 o’clock. What about the university? It is Tuesday. It is not a holiday, is it?” (Leah)

“Ah, yes, there are classes today.” (Leon)

I was being scolded again. In Emilia, those who would reprimand me were limited to Kaa-sama, Conan-niisan, and perhaps Ursula. When I came to the royal capital, I had thought I had left them all behind.

“Good grief. It has not even been three full months, yet I did not think you were that kind of person. How disappointing.” (Leah)

No, no, that is not true.

“I received a letter from your mother, Leon.” (Leah)

“What?” (Leon)

“It said, ‘Leon tends to be lazy, so I ask that Leah-sama discipline him strictly’. Until yesterday, I could hardly believe it. Your mother was right.” (Leah)

“Ugh.” (Leon)

With just one handkerchief, Leah-san had been completely recruited into Kaa-sama’s faction.

“For the record.” (Leon)

“What is it?” (Leah)

“I am by no means neglecting my university classes.” (Leon)

“Hmm?” (Leah)

“For the subjects that have classes today, General Physics, Argen Language Reading, and Introduction to Ancient Elvish, I have already passed the examinations. Therefore, I am exempted from attending lectures for those.” (Leon)

“What?” (Leah)

Leah-san tilted her head.

It has not been conveyed properly, or rather, it seems she does not understand the meaning. How else could I simplify it?

“Let me put it this way. My university’s senseis told me that I do not need to attend class today.” (Leon)

That was at about the level of a Sunday school explanation. Though it was not verbally stated, it was posted on the board.

“Hmm. Leon, you will not be scolded at the university?” (Leah)

“No.” (Leon)

“You are not being lazy?” (Leah)

“No.” (Leon)

In the first place, at university one is not scolded for absence. One simply fails to earn credits. If that continues, it leads to repeating a year and then, expulsion.

“So, Leon, you are simply too clever.” (Leah)

Ugh. That is somewhat embarrassing.

“Well, in broad terms, that is true for those three subjects today. Tomorrow, however, is different. I will go at ten o’clock tomorrow.” (Leon)

“Is that true? Look me in the eye and say it!” (Leah)

She glared straight at me.

“It is true!” (Leon)

I would not lose.

“Hmm. You are not lying.” (Leah)

How could she tell?

“I see. I was too harsh in my scolding.” (Leah)

Oh. Unlike Odette-san, her nature is straightforward.

“No. There is no problem as long as you understand.” (Leon)

“Yes. I see. Now, eat before your soup gets cold.” (Leah)

—

Today I awoke late because I had been attempting to improve a magic art until deep into the night.

For verification, I came to the wasteland southeast of the royal capital, as usual. I considered going as far as that forest, gazing toward the south.

No. Today is not for hunting but for experimentation.

Let us begin.

I picked up a few fallen branches scattered here and there.

These would suffice.

While walking, I activated the spell.

“Wormhole. Insect-Eaten Hole v0.2_0.” (Leon)

Rather than something akin to a magical tool, this was named after a more primitive functional concept. The final numeral in v0.2_0 represented seconds, meaning no delay time.

Two activation symbols appeared instantly. The red one was for input. I inserted the branch I had picked up halfway in. I did not let go.

Hmm.

The blue activation symbol for output did not emit the branch. When I pulled, the branch emerged intact.

I see. Even when it disappears beyond the activation symbol, it remains connected. Otherwise, it would have torn apart.

Once again, I pushed it in completely, and it came out from the output-side activation symbol.

I stopped once. Setting a 10-second delay, I repeated the same procedure. The branch disappeared into one activation symbol and then emerged from the other.

Next, I wanted to try passing an animal through it.

Is there any animal nearby?

I had hoped for an insect, but none could be found. The royal capital’s winter seemed to come early, and I could not spot any.

Hmm. Ah.

Noticing a 30-centimeters-sized stone at my feet, inspiration struck.

Hmm.

I hooked my fingers at its edge and flipped it over.

Ah, there they are, many-legged insects wriggling in agitation.

Sorry to disturb your rest.

Since they were small, I would add a delay to make sure I did not miss them.

“Wormhole. v0.2_5.” (Leon)

I picked one up and tossed it into the activation symbol. Three, four… there it emerged, dropped onto the ground, and began crawling around as if nothing had happened.

Hmm. It appears that living creatures could also pass through without issue. I have heard that magical bags could not contain living beings, but perhaps that is mistaken. Let me extend the delay a bit further.

“Wormhole. v0.2_10.” (Leon)

Huh.

The insect I threw bounced off the activation symbol.

Once more.

No good. Again.

For confirmation, I threw in a small stone lying nearby, which was absorbed and emerged ten seconds later. However, every insect I threw in, whether with ten-second or one-minute delay, was repelled.

Could this be the reason living creatures cannot enter magical bags?

Testing shorter intervals, I found that they could pass up to six seconds, but beyond that, they were repelled.

What kind of restriction was that? I do not know. It seems illogical.

—

It had been an excellent day for experimentation. As the sun began to set, I returned to the royal capital’s streets. The experiment had yielded good results, but I needed to handle the aftermath.

Before that, I removed my robe. It was cold. Still, I had to get the dust off, or Leah-san would dislike it. She was perceptive and somehow always noticed when I returned dirty. When I shook the robe with a snap, a great amount of fine yellow dust scattered. Had I gone home like that, I would have been scolded for sure. The air was dry.

After shaking and beating it several times, and when no more dust scattered, I put it back on.

Ah, warm.

Next, I tapped my feet, and again dust rose. I should clean the lower part first next time.

I went around the Adventurer Guild building to the purchase counter. It was quiet today. Cold weather makes people reluctant to go out.

Magic beasts do not hibernate and are about to enter their active season. Perhaps this place would grow lively again come December.

The appraisal line was short, and soon it was my turn.

It was Herman-san.

“I would like to sell these.” (Leon)

“Ah, the items for appraisal?” (Herman)

I nodded and reached into my bag.

“Storage Access, 0001, Output.” (Leon)

I grasped a horn that floated up and pulled it out.

The number was the sequential identifier assigned upon storage. Items within storage displayed their numbers before my eyes.

“Oh.” (Herman)

Herman-san’s eyes widened.

*Thud.*

I placed the entire carcass of an Almiraj on the appraisal table. It was quite heavy, perhaps 12 kilograms.

Previously, I would butcher them on site and bring only the horn, hide, and magic crystal, but today I had not done any dissection. Carrying the whole carcass was fine as long as it was not too heavy or cumbersome. Butchering on site left my hands sticky with the magic beast’s blood and wasted time.

“Storage, 0002, Output.” (Leon)

I retrieved another in the same manner and placed it down.

“Oh. A magical bag, is it? Quite a rare find.” (Herman)

“I have certain connections.” (Leon)

I continued taking out five more, all sent for appraisal.

“I see. Shall we dissect and appraise them then?” (Herman)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“I have received seven Almiraj. Here is your receipt. Will you wait for the dissection and appraisal?” (Herman)

“How long will it take?” (Leon)

“Well, since it is not busy now, about 30 minutes.” (Herman)

That is fast. Of course, Herman-san would not be doing it alone, several people would divide the work.

“Then, I will wait.” (Leon)

“Very well. Keep this with you. Wait in the lobby. You will be called by number. Or, if you prefer to pass the time elsewhere, the notice board will display when your appraisal is complete. You may even come tomorrow or the next day within three days, but the meat will be automatically bought since it may spoil.” (Herman)

“Understood.” (Leon)

—

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