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

 

 

Hunting Magic Beasts in the Southeast Forest (1)

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On January 1, 490 A.D.,

I turned 15 years old (age counted from zero on January 1) and officially became an adult.

From now on, parental consent would no longer be required for contracts involving money. Furthermore, I may now marry, though I have no plans. Additionally, I would not be scolded even if I drink alcohol.

Now, today I shall go hunting, and in the southeastern forest at that!

Until the end of the year, I had been overwhelmed with assignments for compulsory subjects and the patent for the iron, though that is merely an excuse. Night after night, I had been improving my magical apparatus formerly known as the magical bag, now enhanced with subspace storage magic art.

I increased the freedom of item storage and retrieval, allowing specification by space instead of passage through the activation magic symbol. Essentially, I merely enabled parts that had been disabled on the block diagram of the spell, so in that regard, it was neither my original creation nor improvement. Nevertheless, heavy, cumbersome, or numerous items became relatively easier to store and retrieve.

There were further usability improvements. Previously, I had to memorize what was stored by associating it with a number, but now, upon storage, the date, time, image, weight, quantity, and name are automatically databased sequentially. This allows retrieval using my internal system.

Mana was required during storage and retrieval, yet due to the optimization of the spell, I had not perceived a noticeable depletion of mana. Theoretically, heavier items consumed more mana, so I set an upper limit for storage.

Moreover, having understood the fundamentals of low-level spatial magic art, I created several applied magics beyond subspace storage magic art. These were more interesting to me and consumed much of my time. However, controlling magic art with a model-based approach was enjoyable, and I had no regrets. Still, control was not complete by simply creating a model. Value increased only when it was used. Therefore, I commenced action to make use of subspace storage and the various other magic arts.

Having completed my preparations, I first attended to my meal. Since no meals would be served at the boarding house today and the shops would remain closed for several days, I had stocked up on various provisions and prepared additional hot water.

On the table, I stored the torta I bought at the stall yesterday, a thinly baked comb-dough rolled around vegetables and flavored with sauce.

It was warm.

Does time not pass in subspace, or is it a vacuum?

Upon reflection, if it were the latter, the contents should be desiccated, yet the vegetables were still fresh. Hence, in my mind, it must be the former. In other words, I hypothesized that subspace was the same spatial location but existed in a different temporal dimension. Although the exact nature of this time was unclear, whether past, future, or an alternate timeline, there was no way to verify it for now.

Now, with my hunger satisfied, I shall depart.

I stored the boiled water along with the pot and donned a newly tailored thick robe. Exiting the boarding house, I boarded the carriage iron.

 

—

 

I disembarked at the station nearest to the southeastern corner of the southern district and left the city. There had been light rainfall during the night, leaving the ground slightly damp, though it did not hinder walking or combat.

Looking up, the morning sky was clear, with clouds only near the horizon. That was probably why, despite wearing a thick robe, I felt cold. Although the path was unpaved, the road, formed by countless ruts in the wilderness, stretched far to the southern forest I had often observed from afar.

I shall run.

A trot using self-enhancement magic art warmed my body by the time I reached the edge of the forest. As a beginner, I followed the guild-recommended route. I proceeded along the road into the forest. The trees grew denser, and the path became enclosed by foliage, except for the area directly ahead and behind.

Hmm.

A mounted party approached. I stepped slightly aside to let them pass. Three horsemen were followed by three large wagons, with horsemen flanking the rear. They were likely a transport convoy heading to the royal capital.

After about 500 meters, the path opened slightly. A site encircled by earthen walls appeared. It seemed to be the guild’s northwestern outpost. The road led to a gap in the earthwork where a gate stood, flanked by log watchtowers. At the royal capital guild, I had been told to show my card to the guards, so I complied and entered the outpost.

Ah, there are stalls.

Several lined the earthen walls, filling the air with pleasant aromas. They seemed to sell ready-to-eat food.

Why, I should have bought them here yesterday.

That thought was fleeting.

They are expensive? Yes, they are. Perhaps 30 to 40 percent more than in the city. Hmm. Yet it must be difficult and dangerous to transport them here, so the price is understandable.

Now, upon arriving at the northwestern outpost, the first task was to gather the latest information from the guild staff. A reasonably attractive guild receptionist had told me so. Inside the outpost, a circular area of about one hundred meters in diameter opened. In the center lay a supply depot, some lean-to huts, and several tarpaulin tents.

I must head there.

As I approached, the scene became clear.

Ah, it resembles the city guild, but this is the guild’s purchasing window. The wagons I had passed earlier carried items to this location.

Avoiding the window, I went toward the guild staff gathered around a bonfire.

“Ah…” (Leon)

Two of the three staff turned toward me. They appeared to be in their late thirties to forties.

“May I be of service?” (??)

“Ah. I became a Basis civilian the other day, and this is my first time in this forest.” (Leon)

“Oh, is that so?” (??)

One stepped a few paces closer.

“I am Joseph, a staff member. May I see your guild card?” (Joseph)

“Ah.” (Leon)

I extended it from beneath my robe.

“Leon. Magician. 14 years old… no, 15  as of today. You do not appear so, but congratulations on your promotion. This forest is relatively safe if you form a party. Are you alone?” (Joseph)

“Yes, I am alone.” (Leon)

He frowned slightly.

“Well, once you become accustomed, it is not much of a problem. But on your first visit alone, it is difficult. You will not know where the magic beasts appear.” (Joseph)

He turned toward the bonfire.

“Yes, ideally, one should join a clan and hunt in a group until accustomed. Oh.” (Joseph)

Huh?

Turning, I saw two men approaching.

Geh!

“Leon, is that you?” (Harcon)

They spoke.

“Harcon and Griffith. Do you know him?” (Joseph)

Yes, they are from Clan Silver Chain Sword. They are here today as well.

“Well, first, a matter. Yesterday, a saber jaguar appeared along the Three Pines Ridge. Please disseminate this information.” (Harcon)

A saber jaguar?

“It had not been seen for several years. It is dangerous. Understood, I shall post it.” (Joseph)

The relatively young staff member nodded and ran off.

“So, Leon, what of it?” (Harcon)

“He has become a Basis civilian and has come to this forest for the first time, alone.” (Joseph)

“Alone! How fearless.” (Griffith)

Griffith also furrowed his brow.

“Now, you are going hunting today, correct? If you are acquainted, perhaps he may accompany you.” (Griffith)

“Eh?” (Leon)

Harcon looked surprised.

“Do you wish to see your acquaintance torn to pieces by a saber jaguar?” (Harcon)

Hey!

“It cannot be helped.” (Leon)

“Yes, Leon owes me, so how about splitting the loot?” (Harcon)

“Before that, what sort of magic beast is the saber jaguar?” (Leon)

“It is a quadrupedal ferocious beast with large fangs. Its body surface is yellow with spots. It is usually wary of humans, but now it is active. Rarely, one may attack multiple people.” (Harcon)

“Hmm. Thank you for the information.” (Leon)

“So, will you have them accompany you? Both are Superior-level veterans.” (Harcon)

Though I dislike them, this is extremely convenient.

“I shall request their company.” (Leon)

“Alright! Leave it to us!” (Harcon)

 

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