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

 

 

Hunting Magic Beasts in the Southeast Forest (5)

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The barren land, which seems to be called the courtyard, was left behind as we returned to the forest and descended the ravine. Now, we had veered off from there and were approaching the guild’s northwest outpost.

We had defeated the scaled armor rhinoceros Fatagrino, but there were many points to reflect upon. The first strike had not affected the magic art very well, so for the second strike I adjusted the magic pressure, but I enhanced it excessively. That resulted in enough heat for the head to sublimate. It would likely have been sufficient if the brain merely melted, but I did not know due to insufficient trials.

This time there was only one, so it posed no problem. Excessive mana consumption can lead to danger. Well, my sense of crisis is relaxed compared to before, when I mistakenly believed my mana was less than others’.

The amount of heat is the product of the square of the current, resistance, and time. Air resistance is overwhelming, so resistance is roughly determined by the discharge distance. Not setting parameters upon activation and instead modeling them remains a future task.

“Leon.” (Harcon)

“Yes?” (Leon)

“The magic art that defeated the rhinoceros, I have never seen before.” (Harcon)

“Hey, Harcon. It is rude to ask a magic art user about magic art.” (Griffith)

“Uhh… I am a swordsman. Asking about magic art does not help me. I want to know only roughly. What was that?” (Harcon)

Such refreshing audacity. Well, there is no need to hide it from these two.

“It is an electric shock magic art.” (Leon)

“Electric shock?!” (Griffith)

Griffith’s eyebrows rose.

“No, electric shock magic art should be the domain of advanced magicians.” (Griffith)

“Is that so?” (Leon)

Most magic art is electromagnetic force. Electric shock magic art has a publicly available formula, yet few practitioners use it. It seems difficult to use electric current directly for an attack rather than electromagnetic waves.

Why? Remote electric shock is, after all, a discharge phenomenon. Between the activation magic symbol and the target stands the air. Air is an excellent insulator, and a high voltage is required for discharge. In other words, a large amount of mana is needed. Consequently, the general mana-to-effect ratio is low.

Thus, it is difficult to use, especially for lower-level magicians. This is likely the point Griffith was making. I, however, believe it is all a matter of how it is used, that is, controlled.

“Was there any relation to seeing the activation magic symbol just above the rhinoceros’s head? Did it make it easier to hit?” (Griffith)

I see. Griffith understands well, as one who aims to become a magician.

“Exactly.” (Leon)

Half of it, anyway. The other half is to slightly improve the mana-to-effect ratio by shortening the discharge distance, but there is no need to explain that much.

“I see… so the activation magic symbol’s position can be adjusted. Hm, the Ash Boar too, then. Amazing. Do not worry, I will not tell anyone else.” (Griffith)

“What? You only understand each other among the smart ones? That annoys me. Anyway, what is electric shock?” (Harcon)

“Oh, it is lightning.” (Griffith)

Griffith seemed willing to explain.

“Lightning? Like, falling from black clouds with a boom?” (Harcon)

“Exactly.” (Griffith)

Harcon looked up.

“There are no clouds today, and the sky is not flashing.” (Harcon)

“Well, it is magic art. I am also seeing it for the first time.” (Griffith)

“Hm. So you can create lightning. That is even better.” (Harcon)

“Better for what?” (Griffith)

“Say, Leon.” (Harcon)

“Hmm?” (Leon)

“Why do you not join our clan?” (Harcon)

“Hey, Harcon.” (Leon)

“What is it, Griffith? Leon surely has the ability to join the Silver Chain Sword.” (Harcon)

“I do not deny that, but what would Master Lovel-san say?” (Leon)

“I will introduce you to Master Lovel-san myself.” (Harcon)

“Ah…” (Leon)

“Hmm?” (Harcon)

“Sorry, I do not intend to join.” (Leon)

I had to refuse before the conversation went in a strange direction.

“What? You do not like us?” (Harcon)

Harcon stopped and looked back, and Griffith came closer.

“It is not about you two or the Silver Chain Sword. I do not intend to join any clan for the time being.” (Leon)

“What? Why?” (Harcon)

“I hesitate to say it to adventurers, but I consider adventuring a side job.” (Leon)

“Even as a side job, there are those who join a clan.” (Harcon)

“Harcon, listen properly to Leon.” (Griffith)

“Ah, ah…” (Harcon)

“Also, my time is not free. Even if called upon by a clan, I cannot always respond. That is the reason.” (Leon)

“I see.” (Griffith)

“Time not being free… by the way, what is your main occupation?” (Harcon)

“Ah, I am on winter break now, but I am a university student.” (Leon)

“‘University student?’” (Harcon)

“‘University student?’” (Griffith)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“A university student, a magician, from the southern district… could it be Salomea University?” (Harcon)

“That is correct.” (Leon)

A guess or deduction?

“Ah, a junior of Master Lovel-san. No wonder you are intelligent.” (Harcon)

I see. The clan master is a magician.

“Hm. I understand why your time is not free.” (Griffith)

“Is that so?” (Harcon)

I nodded.

“A university student, eh. Um, how old are you, Leon?” (Harcon)

It is January 1, the day when everyone adds a year to their age.

“15.” (Leon)

“What?” (Harcon)

“15? Really?” (Griffith)

“Yes.” (Leon)

“Wow, you do not look that age at all.” (Harcon)

What is that?

“I see. Congratulations.” (Griffith)

“Yes. From today I am an adult. Shall we go drinking, or would a brothel be preferable?” (Harcon)

“I will not go. More importantly…” (Leon)

I indicated ahead.

The guild’s northwest outpost came into view.

 

—

 

“Cannot be exchanged?!” (Griffith)

At the outpost’s appraisal window, when we presented the scaled armor rhinoceros Fatagrino, Joseph-san expressed reluctance. We had waited in line for about thirty minutes.

“Why?!” (Griffith)

While his attitude toward the staff was confrontational, I agreed with the statement.

“I see. That is the reason.” (Griffith)

“What is it, Griffith?” (Leon)

“Items exceeding a purchase price of 1,000 Cecils cannot be exchanged here. You knew that, right?” (Griffith)

“Really?” (Leon)

Joseph-san nodded.

“This is such a large magic beast. Also, the only damage is to the head. The back is only slightly discolored. Most of the hard scales and hide, which are popular, are nearly intact. Even the horn, useful as medicine, is fine. It certainly exceeds the purchase limit. A carriage to the branch will depart soon. You may use it to transport it, so please send it to the branch.” (Joseph)

“Understood.” (Leon)

We divided the task of storing the items again and then stepped outside.

“Haah. A suitable escort indeed.” (Griffith)

“Well, it is fine. You can show Herman-san our good side.” (Harcon)

“Th-That is true.” (Griffith)

We boarded the carriage, and shortly after, the transport party departed.

 

—

 

Nothing particular occurred, and we arrived at the guild in the royal capital.

We immediately proceeded to appraisal.

Perhaps due to the season or the hour, it was quiet. We went directly to Herman-san without waiting. Since Harcon proudly announced the large item, we moved to the rear of the temporary hall.

“What? You were with Leon?” (Herman)

“Yes. Joseph-san said to accompany him.” (Griffith)

“I see. You went to the southern forest. So, what is the large item?” (Herman-)

Rather than an appraisal platform, a large cart roughly knee-high was prepared. Griffith indicated it, so we placed the large item in the center and the Ash Boar beside it.

“Oh! The scaled armor rhinoceros. Did the three of you subdue it? Impressive.” (Herman)

“Not really.” (Harcon)

The cart fell back slightly.

“The head… is carbonized. Magic art?” (Herman)

He looked at me.

“Moreover, it was not burned by flame. Very well. Appraisal including initial disassembly will take about two hours. What are you going to do?” (Herman)

Initial disassembly refers to the minimum dismantling needed for appraisal. For large items, full disassembly is done afterward. He asked whether we should wait until it is complete. It is nearly three o’clock.

“I will return. The share is split evenly as promised.” (Leon)

“No!” (Harcon)

Hm?

“The payment for the rhinoceros will be half for Leon and one-quarter each for us. Agreed?!” (Harcon)

Griffith nodded as well.

“The promise…” (Leon)

“I will not snatch the reward of a newcomer. Or are you trying to harm our reputation?” (Harcon)

“Well, we merely brought it to the courtyard. Harcon did nothing to the rhinoceros. He probably wants to look good.” (Griffith)

I do not intend to brag about such a thing. Also, taking it there was a considerable achievement.

With Herman-san’s mediation, their claim was accepted.

 

 

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