“Oh my….”
I’m the head of the Magic Tower, currently the head of the Academy’s Department of Magic Studies.
Epona nodded while brushing her green hair back.
If someone has knowledge of magic, they can’t help but be amazed by what lies before them.
She was looking at the list of creations from the third year of the high school division in Magical Tools Studies.
Starting from the first year of the middle school division, they worked diligently to create something revolutionary.
Considering that most students don’t invent anything by graduation and only improve existing magical tools, this was a dazzling achievement.
“Guess she’s got the Emperor’s blood after all.”
Although the professors, including Epona, guided and actively led her, this was purely the student’s talent and skill.
“Amor… I knew she was a genius, but seeing the results compiled is even more astonishing.”
Epona checked each invention one by one with newfound appreciation.
“A lighting and remote control device utilizing magic stones.”
Magic tools must use magic stones, regardless of their size.
Magic stones are also used as a symbol of luxury, regardless of being a magical item or not.
Essentially, magic stones are gray-white but react to the user’s magic or magical energy, emitting different colors of light.
For instance, when touched by fire magic, they glow in warm hues like candlelight.
Amor had innovated this idea in that regard.
“Every magic stone has its unique magical power and magical pattern. Amor discovered they can resonate with each other.”
By infusing a fire-type spell into a magic stone to make it emit warm light and pre-adjusting the patterns of another stone to resonate, she invented a method to control the intensity of that light from afar.
When Judas first saw this creation by Amor, he thought:
“…Isn’t that a light bulb?”
A light that can be switched on and off with a switch.
Amor had invented something quite similar here.
At just 16 years old.
Since then, it has been commercialized and distributed throughout the royal capital.
People were thrilled about the convenience of turning the light on and off quickly.
It was far easier than having maids going around lighting candles one by one.
Moreover, when candle wax melted, they had to replace it with a new candle.
But the lifespan of a magic stone was nearly 50 times that of a candle, making it incredibly convenient.
For this reason, it was welcomed more by the commoners than the nobles.
The wealthy still used maids, viewing it as a symbol of luxury.
Using up candles was also considered a type of luxury.
The royal palace still used maids and candles for slightly different reasons.
If they didn’t consume candles in the vast palace, the livelihoods of the candle makers would be threatened.
Also, if the maids had less work, there would be no need to keep so many employed.
If they fired a large number, the maids would have nowhere to go.
For these reasons, only a few in the royal palace utilized magic stone lighting.
Anyway, returning to Epona, she moved on to the next invention.
“Long-range voice transmission device.”
This too was an invention that resonated with the unique patterns of magic stones.
This round object, despite its neat appearance, was filled with a very complex circuit inside.
Its functionality was simple.
You could converse with someone far away.
Though it wasn’t commercialized yet, it wouldn’t be long.
Thanks to the next invention.
“Actually, the real amazing thing is this one.”
The third invention was more of a ‘spell’ than an object.
For any magical tool to function, it must consume the user’s magical energy.
Magic stones don’t have a lot of internal magical energy.
The more powerful the tool, the more magical energy it requires from the user.
Therefore, some magical tools won’t work if the user has low magical energy.
Amor wanted to solve this fundamental issue.
“She shares a huge amount of magical energy and has a sensitivity to it, just like Eliya. But there are also clear differences from the Emperor.”
The difference being, she wasn’t a wizard.
Eliya was a wizard.
There was no reason for her to pay attention to magical tools.
But Amor was an ordinary person.
Hence, she could ponder how to apply the convenience of magic from an ordinary person’s perspective.
“Magic consumption efficiency improvement equation.”
With this formula that Amor created, the amount of magical energy consumed by magical tools would drastically decrease.
However, their performance would remain the same.
It would mean operating magical tools with only a tiny amount of magical energy.
Since this equation was discovered, the history of magical tools is being rewritten.
“Must be because she’s Eliya’s daughter. Changing the world at such a young age.”
Now, Amor was a third-year high school student.
She was set to graduate this year.
However, Epona didn’t want to let Amor go.
As a scholar, her instinct was to keep such talent close for as long as possible.
“Hmmm… should I talk to her?”
Epona immediately set off to find Amor.
She was staring out the window absentmindedly in her lab.
With papers and pens scattered on her desk, she seemed to be taking a break after thinking about various things.
“Amor.”
Amor slowly turned her head.
At 19 this year.
As a third-year high school student, she resembled a young Eliya a lot.
Those who knew Eliya from that time were sometimes astonished.
The difference was that Amor wore glasses.
They were also a magical tool.
They adjust the user’s visual perception based on the distance to the observed object, enhancing or reducing sight.
“Professor Epona, what brings you here? You came all the way to find me.”
“I have something to discuss. I just finished grading your graduation report.”
“Oh….”
Fall.
As third-years, they needed to start preparing for graduation, so they finished semester assessments earlier than other grades.
Amor seemed nervous and pressed her lips together.
“Do you have any plans after graduation?”
“Nothing is set yet, but I got a suggestion from my mother. She said they’re forming a research team on the utilization of magical tools under the royal wizard order. She said I could join if I wanted.”
Epona, the vice-leader of the royal wizard order, was also aware of this.
Now she knew it was an organizational restructuring for Amor.
“That sounds good, but I think it would be better if a smart student like you stayed at school longer and contributed to academic development.”
“….”
Amor subtly leaned back.
Her previously gentle red eyes now held a glimmer of wariness.
“Professor, are you trying to take me to graduate school…?”
“Yep. You got it right.”
“I don’t want that.”
There’s a creepy rumor going around in the academy.
In a graduate student’s lab, the lights never go out, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
At night, you can sometimes hear laughter or weeping.
People who have gone to that research building as graduate students have yet to return…. and so on.
Though it’s said to be baseless gossip, it isn’t entirely without credibility.
Amor knew the underlying truth.
“Amor, you’re misunderstanding. But graduate school isn’t that scary, especially for those majoring in Magical Tools; they often engage in external activities, and the graduation rates are higher and faster than other departments.”
“Ugh….”
Those were tempting words.
She knew she shouldn’t be tempted.
However, Amor also had a profound interest in magical tools.
“And as for the princess, she may not handle it that much.”
That was a valid argument as well.
“Can’t be tied down by status….”
Amor understood.
She knew the ultimate reason why Eliya established this academy was for equality.
So, she shouldn’t use or depend on her status.
But in this situation, the benefits arising from that status were undeniably alluring.
“Don’t say that.”
“Oh, sorry. I just wanted to persuade you…”
“I understand your intentions… I’m not aimless either; I’ll think about it.”
“Could you give me an answer soon? I’ve recently started developing a gigantic transport machine, and I plan to integrate you right away if you join.”
“A gigantic machine…?”
That statement sparked Amor’s ambition.
That wasn’t intentional.
Amor had dreams.
She wanted to someday create a very large magical tool.
Anything, regardless of what it might be.
It could be useless or bizarre.
She just wanted it to be so big that it surprised others.
She also wanted to develop mechanical magical tools.
Like a spinning wheel, weaving machine.
Or perhaps a watermill or a wheel. A clock. Things like that.
Until now, creating machines from magical tools was uncharted territory.
Amor wanted to go beyond that.
Epona’s proposal fulfilled both of those dreams.
The next words sealed the deal.
“Yeah. The order from His Majesty was to create a long, tube-like transport vehicle. They said to lay train tracks and run large transport and moving vehicles on them…”
“I’ll do it.”
Amor made her decision.
“I can talk to mom about the royal research group, so I can balance both. Please let me do it!”
Epona smiled brightly.
It was the innocent smile of a pure scholar.
“Thank you, Amor. I look forward to working with you.”
“Yes!”
Amor officially stepped into the path of a scholar.
*
At the academy, diverse subjects are taught.
Learning doesn’t solely mean sitting down and stuffing your head with theories from books.
This learning encompasses a wide variety of activities.
For instance, in the 5th grade class A currently happening, there’s a “Trading Game.”
The rules of the game are simple.
The kids start by possessing certain items and a fixed amount of money.
Naturally, these items and money are faked and sketched on paper.
Each student has a specific role assigned.
Farmer, tailor, candlemaker, merchant, lord, and so on.
Depending on their role, their preferred items are set.
The prices for items are predetermined, but they can fluctuate randomly during the game based on the teacher’s discretion.
The children can exchange their items and money with one another, and they can negotiate too.
If they run out of money, they can borrow from the teacher, playing the role of the bank.
They can even deposit money to earn interest.
The objective is to collect preferred items while holding onto as much money as possible until the game ends, aiming to teach the children simple economics.
And in class A of 5th grade, Spei always won.
“Spei won again!”
“She gathered the most items and barely spent any money…”
“Can anyone beat Spei?”
From the beginning of the semester, Spei consistently held the overwhelming first place in the game.
It indicated a level of skill that couldn’t simply be chalked up to luck or coincidence.
The homeroom teacher admired inwardly.
“She’s perceptive.”
The fluctuations the teacher introduces in item prices or interest rates are not random.
There’s a sort of tendency to them.
Spei knows how to read that tendency.
The slightest changes affect the children’s behaviors.
And Spei foresaw it all.
For a 12-year-old girl, it was an overwhelmingly wide and deep perception and vision.
“Spei! How do you do it?”
“Teach us too! We want to know before next grade!”
“Well, just…”
Spei scratched her cheek awkwardly.
It was hard to explain.
After all, she didn’t fully grasp it herself.
You just had to do it.
Whenever the market fluctuated due to a teacher’s decision, some flow unfolded in Spei’s mind.
“Maybe it’ll play out like this?”
Whenever she thought that, it would actually happen.
It was the same during negotiations with her peers.
“If I do this, wouldn’t I get advantageous conditions to negotiate?”
And whenever she thought that, it truly occurred.
It was the result of inheriting Eliya’s insight and boldness.
Spei wasn’t fully aware of it either, which is why she couldn’t explain it.
“When I do it, it just works out.”
“Urgh… a genius, huh?”
“Smart kids really are different.”
The children in the same class acknowledged Spei’s talent while feeling frustrated.
On the other hand, there was always a clear loser’s spot set aside.
Donum.
“Why do I always come in last?”
Donum muttered as she looked down at her empty hands.
She had no money, nor any items left.
“Donum, you’re just too nice.”
A girl said that to her.
It wasn’t wrong.
Donum gave away her money when the kids asked for it and freely gave away items when they wanted them.
How could she not give when her friends wanted something?
“Is that so?”
“No, you’re just stupid.”
Spei interjected from the side.
“You’re too foolish to do it.”
“I’m not! Don’t call me stupid!”
“Stupid’s just being stupid.”
“My mom said being kind also requires smarts!”
“…That’s different. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean being recognized in every situation.”
“What does it matter!”
The twins arguing was now a daily occurrence.
In areas that require thought, Donum clearly lagged behind.
But that didn’t mean she lacked strengths.
Like a beast, her instincts were sensitive and sharp.
There was an instance where this became apparent.
Sometimes, if there was free time in physical education class, they would play freely.
They would also play hide-and-seek, and whenever Donum was the seeker, she would find everyone right away.
When asked how she did it, unlike Spei, Donum spoke fluently.
“It’s simple; there’s a scent. Everyone has a different body odor, so I just follow that. Otherwise, the minute traces left on the ground. Or, before we start, the direction where your expressions or gazes move?”
She said this nonchalantly, as if it were trivial.
That keen animalistic sense was, like Spei’s, an overwhelming and exceptional talent.
And this instinct paired with physical ability.
Especially, Donum was great at running.
Spei acknowledged those two abilities of Donum.
“Don’t get worked up. Just prepare for the upcoming sports festival.”
Soon it would be the time for the sports festival, suited for autumn.
Donum was set to participate in individual running and the elementary school-wide race.
Currently seen as the strongest candidate for victory in the elementary division.
“Hmph. I know.”
With her brother, Fides, who was a promising candidate for the middle school unified free combat tournament.
*
Middle school division students can take specialized classes.
As soon as Fides entered the first year, he began learning swordsmanship and combat skills.
It was well-suited for his aptitude.
Once informed, he absorbed it completely, growing day by day.
So it was natural that he wrapped up his first grade in less than half a year.
Besides his innate talent, he had an exceptional teacher.
At first, that teacher issued a warning.
“Though there aren’t many jobs left that require a sword like before, wielding one signifies you might cross blades with someone. That means you always run the risk of dying. So I will never, ever teach you half-heartedly. My lack of proper training could lead to you getting hurt or killed. Do you still truly want to learn from me? Knowing that?”
He was the first to be so serious and intimidating toward him.
It shocked him.
He’d heard so many stories, but he never expected him to have such a demeanor.
That’s why Fides found himself more attracted.
Always striving to keep up with his teacher.
Still an insurmountable opponent.
A wall he must one day overcome.
And the most respected adult in the world.
Fides’ direct teacher was none other than his father.
Judas.
He had to be strict with Fides.
Fides didn’t just want to learn swordsmanship; he aspired to make strength his profession.
Recently, Eliya had established a law enforcement organization.
It was called the ‘Watchers.’
Regardless of how much Eliya unified humanity, people who will strictly adhere to order weren’t all that remained.
There were still criminals.
Fides wanted to join that Watchers group.
From Judas’s perspective, it meant his son wanted to become a policeman.
Criminals in this world could be extremely dangerous.
Generally, they carry hidden weapons.
They can form groups and act like soldiers, including dark wizards or magic-using criminals.
Judas felt proud yet worried about Fides.
But he couldn’t just tell him not to pursue this.
Thus, he had the responsibility to help his son grow into a force that wouldn’t lose to anyone.
“Hm.”
Judas said, holding a wooden sword.
“The final of the middle school unified tournament, huh? Your opponent is in third grade?”
“Yeah. I think his name was Boki… he was super tall.”
“Do you have confidence in winning?”
“I’m not sure.”
Fides loosened up with the wooden sword in hand.
His finals opponent was a tall third-year student named Boki.
Though he had seen the matches, he had never fought against him.
With something he hadn’t experienced before, Fides couldn’t rashly assure victory.
“I don’t know.”
But one thing he was certain about.
About himself.
“I’m confident I won’t lose.”
An objective but confident answer.
Judas felt pleased.
That’s my son.
He smiled warmly.
“If you lose, I’m going to scold you. Understood?”
“Yeah. I’ll win.”
The special training for the finals began.
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