Saikyou Mahoushi no Inton Keikaku (LN) - Volume 4 - Chapter 20

Twentieth Chapter 

Industrial City Folen 

Having returned from his match with Selva, Alus had a late dinner that Loki had prepared with Alice and then reheated. 

Normally it was silent during dinner time, but today Loki spoke up. That was because Felinella, who’d stopped by while Alus was out, had left a message for him. 

“... And that’s why she wants you to take part in the selection matches in September, Sir Alus.” 

“...” 

What kind of harassment is this, Alus thought to himself. 

He didn’t want to participate in the tournament, but after his talk with Berwick, he was willing to accept it. But now the selection matches too? 

Whenever he dealt with one problem, another popped up to take its place, endlessly tearing away at his precious time. It was like having a wrench thrown into gears that were finally getting started. 

That said, Alus’ grades were objectively average. They were definitely not good enough to be chosen as a representative. Even then, he’d expected that Sisty would manage to force him in somehow. 

“Selection matches, huh...” 

Thinking about it, holding selection matches for those not chosen for their grades was logical. Aside from those who excelled at the Institute, matches like these were optimal when it came to giving all the other students a fair and equal chance. 

At any rate, Alus braced himself for the loss in research time these selection matches would cause him. 

The only problem was that Loki, as well as his two students Alice and Tesfia, had already been chosen, and that threatened to ruin his entire training schedule. 

So far, he’d focused on having them train their mana control to more effectively use spells, but if he would need to hurriedly throw together a training menu for fighting people, he’d end up skipping several steps of his planned schedule. 

Would the girls be able to keep up with that? 

Tesfia in particular had already made her declaration to Frose. She’d need to shift toward training for the tournament sooner or later regardless. 

“Then will you be changing the training menu for those two?” Loki, having put the pieces together and understood what had happened at the principal’s office and why, asked this with an unreadable expression. 

Loki was secretly displeased because she thought all of this was only putting further burdens on Alus. But seeing that he wasn’t even furrowing his brow, she calmed down by telling herself that it was all in the past. 

“I’d like to spend more time on each step, but considering the time left until the tournament we’ll have to follow a strict schedule.” 

His participation had been decided during his negotiations with Berwick, followed by the incident with Tesfia, and now he had selection matches to contend with as well. The situation was ever-changing. 

Once dinner was over, Alus stood by the kitchen sink and took a sip of the iced tea that Loki made to help him relax. “Damn, I think I might work myself to death...” he said, having remade his schedule taking everything that had happened into account. 

“Don’t worry. If that happens, I will accompany you... or rather, I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening,” Loki remarked jokingly, having just finished doing the dishes. With a bright smile on her face, she kept to her same-old, and possibly never-changing, way of thinking. 

“And did you know?” Loki tugged at the tired Alus’ sleeve with a smile. She wanted to at least give him the good news. 

After listening to Felinella, Alus’ silver-haired partner looked up information about the tournament, and learned something that put a smile on her face. 

“If you win the tournament...” Loki stood on tiptoes to reach Alus, who had a blank expression, and brought her beautiful lips towards his face. She was close enough that her breath tickled his ear. “You will receive mithril.” 

“Really?!” Alus stared straight at Loki with a spark in his eyes, as if he’d come back to life. 

With a slight blush, the girl nodded. 

She put her heels back on the ground, and continued, “Or rather, it appears the trophy is made out of mithril.” 

“I see, and if we melt it down, we’ll be able to get our hands on a decent chunk of it!” 

When it came to making AWRs, mithril was a first-rate material. It was extraordinarily valuable compared to celestment, which was the material typically used for AWRs. 

That said, Alus was wealthy enough for the cost to not be a problem... so why was he so excited? It was because, price aside, it rarely appeared on the market. As it could only be obtained from a mine far out in the Outer World, it was rare enough for Alus to go this entire year without being able to find any for sale in the markets, despite actively checking for it. 

Magicmasters would need to be sent out to help gather it, with their lives at stake, so even the cost of labor was extreme. 

Moreover, high-classed Fiends had been confirmed in the area around the mine, forcing most people to abandon hopes of finding any for the year. And even when it was somehow obtained, it was usually taken to the nations closest to the mine. 

As such, since Alpha was so distant from the mine, mithril rarely ever entered circulation here. 

Incidentally, there was also a material that exceeded even mithril. 

Alus’ Night Mist was made of that material, which was usually called meteor metal. This material was said to have been created with lost technology, and was even rarer than mithril. 

The term ‘meteor metal’ didn’t strictly refer to just a single metal. It was used for metals that were currently impossible to analyze using modern technology, and that couldn’t be manufactured or mined. Those were the metals that were given this name. 

Their properties varied greatly, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that every one of them was unique. 

The name ‘meteor’ was used, as if to suggest that the metals were gifts from the heavens themselves. 

Their worth couldn’t be put in numbers, and it normally would belong to whoever discovered it, or the rights would be given to the military. In Alus’ case, he had been the one to discover it, and because he’d retaken the continent, he was given a portion as a reward. 

Aside from the exception that was meteor metal, mithril was the undisputed greatest material for AWRs. 

“... Actually, thinking about it, won’t that being the reward only increase the risk of me being worked to death?” 

For a moment, Alus entertained the thought of how easy things would be if he abandoned everything. In fact, he might have to rethink the pros and cons of the tournament. 

“It’s okay... you will be participating, won’t you, Sir Alus?” Loki smiled as if it was already set in stone. 

Wanting to avoid making an immediate decision, Alus considered the mithril and the reward that Berwick had promised. 

While he’d receive a separate reward of ten rare books from other nations, he admonished himself so that he wouldn’t make a careless decision. Considering the reward, Berwick likely wouldn’t settle for anything less than a victory for Alpha’s Second Magical Institute. 

Alus put the books and the mithril he’d get as a reward on an imaginary scale and measured it against the time he’d waste, including the selection matches. 

In his mind, he could see the scales wavering back and forth. Eventually it started tilting toward the outcome he favored the most. Ultimately, the weight of Tesfia’s situation was added onto the scales, and sealed the deal. 

“Fine, I guess I’ll do it.” 

Lamentable as it might be, Alus decided to do just as Berwick had hoped. 

After that, Loki told Alus what she knew about the tournament. 

That said, he wasn’t sure where to start. For the time being, he rearranged the training schedule in his mind. 

He and Loki shouldn’t have any particular problems, so the practice was primarily for Tesfia and Alice. The mana control exercises using the training sticks was something that was pointless unless they kept it up, so they would simply have to do that on their own back at the dorm. 

As for shifting the training at the laboratory to a tournament-oriented schedule, Alus concluded that something closer to actual combat would be the most effective. 

The next day, he asked the two girls, who were at the laboratory for their instruction, “You two would prefer doing more tournament-oriented training, wouldn’t you?” 

“Of course! We are representing the Institute after all,” Tesfia answered him full-force. For her, it wasn’t so much a matter of nobility as that her whole future depended on it. 

“I think that would be better, too. I can’t properly use Shiylereis in real battles yet... oh, but it’s not like I hate the training we’re doing right now, okay?!” Alice finished in a fluster, waving her hands in front of her. 

“Of course you don’t. But well, we’ll change the training to a more tournament-oriented one, so you’ll have to keep up your mana control practice on your own.” 

“Okay.” 

“Got it! But will that really make us stronger all of a sudden?” Tesfia’s doubts were only natural, as changing up the training before gaining any results could be a recipe for failure. 

“I’ve already thought about that. But if you don’t trust me, you can just not do it. I’m sure your mother would be able to see through you if you haven’t improved at all. So if you want to show off such a sorrowful sight, then go ahead.” 

“I-I’ll do it, okay?!” 

Oh! I think I’ll be able to use this again. Alus grinned in his mind. 

Tesfia really is weak against her mother. And if that was enough to motivate her, he was surprised by how easy she was to handle. 

“We’ll continue today as usual, and change the menu from tomorrow.” 

After saying that, Alus headed for his desk. Activating the virtual keyboard, he opened up a certain set of analysis data. 

It was the results of the analysis of the mysterious ingot he’d bought from Budna in Folen. Just looking over it again was enough to make him want to dive back into his research. 

The information scrolled past at high speed, as he took several minutes to repeatedly check it. These were the detailed results after using all of the equipment available to him in his laboratory. If he couldn’t find anything here, the results would be the same wherever he took them. It’d be a complete mystery. That was just how cutting edge the equipment he had was. 

The equipment measured the ingot’s reaction to mana, scrupulously examining what kind of properties and effects it had. 

Suddenly, Alus suppressed his exhilaration while pinching the bridge of his nose. 

“Is something the matter, Sir Alus?” Loki worriedly asked, without missing a beat. 

“You could say that.” 

With a perplexed expression, she looked at Alus as if to ask permission to inquire about it. 

He didn’t really have a reason to refuse, and it was a good time for a break. However, it was only natural that he’d call Loki closer and speak in a lower voice, considering the value of the ingot. 

“This is what you bought from the craftsman you are familiar with, is it not? It’s beautiful, but it’s not gold, is it?” Loki wouldn’t understand by looking at the information on display, so she instead asked Alus directly. 

“Of course. And judging from the data, this is probably what you’d call meteor metal.” 

“—! So it really exists.” 

“Well, I have the real thing too. You probably don’t know, but my AWR was made using meteor metal.” 

“I see... but this is the first time I’ve seen the real thing like this. It must be worth a lot.” 

“At the very least, it’s not something you could ever afford as an individual. Of course, most people wouldn’t even consider trying to get their hands on this.” 

“Why not? If you sold it, wouldn’t you be able to live comfortably for the rest of your life?” 

“It wouldn’t be just you, but even your grandchildren, I’ll bet. But the problem is that it’s so expensive. Even if you tried to sell it, only a nation could buy it. But if you don’t have clearly stated ownership of it, there’d definitely be a struggle for it. Nations can’t be trusted either, after all. At any rate, it is definitely worth enough to make most people dizzy just thinking about it.” 

“So what will you do?” 

“Nothing good will come from an individual hanging on to it indefinitely. Meteor metals and other special materials for AWRs are very delicate when they’re in their unprocessed state. And with its properties being unknown, I’d like to avoid running it through the machines over and over again. Instead...” 

A common trait between all materials that made for good AWRs was that mana information had an easy time settling into them. If used for over a month, that almost certainly would be the case. 

When it came to weapon-shaped AWRs, it was common to use a different material as its core. The parts that required magical materials would be the weapon’s edge or blade. 

Moreover, those materials would deteriorate considerably if any repurposing was attempted once the AWR’s mana information had settled in. 

As such, using the materials for a new AWR would result in something with a much worse performance. 

“We should probably make an AWR with this right away.” 

The moment Loki heard that, her eyes sparkled in anticipation. 

Alus didn’t particularly have a problem with that either... but meteor metals were special. Because the term didn’t refer to a specific material, the properties were extremely varied, and there were things for which they were—and were not—suited. 

“Sorry, but this doesn’t have any affinity toward your lightning attribute. It would only have the opposite effect when made into an AWR.” 

“I-I see...” Loki visibly deflated. 

“Well, better materials is not the only factor for this kind of thing. As long as you use an AWR suited for your attribute made from decent materials, it’s not going to be any inferior to high-grade materials.” 

Alus wasn’t trying to comfort her. He was simply stating the truth. Thinking that you could become a Double or Single just by using an AWR made from meteor metal was far too simplistic. If someone were to say that, they’d be admitting to their own incompetence as a Magicmaster. 

AWRs were made to efficiently assist with magic. Nothing more should be expected from them. Using an AWR that exceeded your abilities would only ruin your own skills. 

“I just thought of something,” Alus said with a smile, after checking through the data one more time. 

This metal had the property of generating a weak, low frequency electromagnetic wave. 

There was a mineral with a similar property known as magnelite, and when put close to a similar material they would create a weak magnetic field between them. 

Interestingly enough, this metal had an even stronger tendency for that, resonating and making the frequency fluctuate. An example of an application of this frequency fluctuation was the Consensors that Magicmasters used. In other words, it would be easy to create magical interference using this material. 

There were all kinds of AWRs that could be designed using this. 

Ideas were popping up one after another in Alus’ mind, and he picked out the most optimal one of them. 

Loki’s existence had already disappeared from his field of view. Despite that, she wasn’t unhappy about it. If anything, after seeing him devoting himself to thinking up a prototype AWR, she happily walked away to focus on her own training, being careful not to make any sounds. 

* * * 

That night, Alus returned to Budna in Folen with the ingot. 

While he’d come up with an image for the prototype AWR, he still wanted to hear the opinion of an expert. 

Hearing that his mysterious ingot was meteor metal made Budna let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t find it particularly regrettable. “I don’t want to be caught up in no trouble and get killed,” he said, which Alus could perfectly understand. 

If Budna could completely hide that he had meteor metal in his possession that would be one thing, but information had a tendency to get leaked. Alus could defend himself, but as a regular citizen Budna couldn’t. That’s why Alus had taken extra care in this matter. 

For now, Alus showed Budna the analysis data that showed the material’s composition and characteristics, as well as his plan for the AWR. 

“Can you finish it up in a month?” 

“Aye, but aren’t you being a little too pushy for this old man?” 

“And?” 

“Well, it should be easier than your own job, but are you sure about taking it in this direction?” 

“Yeah, it’ll definitely become a unique AWR. Are you unhappy about that, gramps?” 

“Hmph... what a crass brat,” Budna said, but unrestrained exhilaration showed on his face. 

Budna was sick of making AWRs according to a template. He felt it was a waste of what precious time he had left in his life. Frankly, he couldn’t feel any motivation doing work someone else could do. He felt that the only thing worth his time was working on something that only he could do. 

Despite it being late at night, Budna let out a hearty laugh... though it soon turned into a coughing fit. “There be no way that I can’t do it! Though I would have rejected it completely, thinking it impossible if you weren’t the one that proposed it. Well, it seems like an armchair theory, but you’re confident in it, aren’t you?” 

“Of course.” 

There was nothing more to discuss. Alus was convinced that it would work, or he wouldn’t have shown up. Adding Budna’s skills to his idea, they would make the impossible possible. 

“And just so you know, this is the formula I want engraved,” Alus said, bringing up another paper with a magic formula on it. Though it would be Alus’ job to engrave it, he simply wanted to make sure that Budna left enough space for him to do so. 

Seeing that, Budna scratched his chin and raised his voice. “I haven’t seen this formula before.” His eyes lit up like a predator spotting its prey, just like a true craftsman. 

Normally, engraving formulas was included in the craftsman’s job. However, engraving a difficult magic formula required more than just superficial understanding. It required understanding of its entire meaning and structure. 

And engraving on a straight and flat surface was one thing, but engraving on something like a curved blade required minute adjustments of the angle and spacing of the symbols. If not, the formula would fail or cause an accident. 

In short, the formulas Budna could engrave were the ones that were known and widespread in their use. Which was why Alus was the only one who could engrave this formula that Budna had never seen before. That was why they were splitting up the job. 

“It’s a light attribute formula. I’ll be messing around with it too, so this is just the basic construct.” 

Hearing that, Budna let out a voice of wonder, with an almost youthful-looking smile. He could feel a swirling in his chest. It was his spirit as a craftsman being stimulated. 

“Interesting. Right, one month, is it?” 

“Yeah, it can be a little delayed as long as it’s around one month.” 

“Don’t be stupid. If you give me a deadline of one month, then it be my job to make it on time!” 

Alus was impressed. That was the spirit of a true craftsman for you. 

“Naw, it be no problem. If this metal is like your data says, then it won’t take much time.” 

“Got it. Contact me the same way as usual.” 

“I know that.” 

“What about the payment?” 

“Once it’s done. I don’t need anything up front.” 

“Right,” Alus said, and with that he’d made his request. 

As he headed for the shop exit, he heard footsteps following behind him. Finding it hard to believe that old Budna would see him off, he turned around. 

Having apparently read Alus like a book, the old man snorted and said, “The shop will have to keep closed for a while. Nothing good can come from having any of them rumors spread.” 

Ah, right. The sound of clanging metal would likely be heard coming from Budna’s shop from here on. 

After watching the shutters close, Alus looked around him... and, not picking up on any suspicious presences, he blended into the dark of night. 

Nobody was any the wiser that the rarest of materials—meteor metal—had been brought into the city, and that another unrivaled AWR would be created at the hands of a master craftsman and the greatest Magicmaster.