《A Non-combat Magic Artifact Researcher ー Actually Was an Extroadinary S-rank Mage～》 CH 1 Chapter 1: Expulsion from the Academy I, Werner Strout (Werner pronounced with a V), was sitting in the office of the President of the Mages Academy ©` the world¡¯s finest and top Magecraft Research Division. ¡°Strout, from tomorrow on, you have no job to do here.¡± It was the President, the leader of the Mages Academy who spoke. Werner: ¡°Huh? Could you repeat that once more?¡± I had to doubt what I heard just now. I heard every word he said, but I had to have him repeat it just in case. ¡°Do you not get it? He¡¯s saying you¡¯re fired.¡± The President¡¯s right-hand man, the Director of the Magecraft Artifact Studies spoke with undisguised disdain and mockery in his eyes. Werner: ¡°Fired¡­.you say?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re fired.¡± Werner: ¡°For what reason?¡± I was the Teaching Assistant of the Mages Academy¡¯s Research Division. I completed many administrative tasks and menial work forced upon me and also had to counsel, help, and guide students and worked through a full schedule. In the morning, I would go to the lab, teach the classes and complete miscellaneous tasks, and by the time other faculty and professors are leaving in the evening, I would finally get a chance to do my own research. I would develop new Magecraft Tools until the date on the calendar changed and finally headed home. That was my day-to-day life. I¡¯m not one to enjoy bragging, but even I think I outdid myself. ¡°Why, you ask? Are you telling me that you really do not know the reason why you¡¯re getting fired?¡± Werner: ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t understand.¡± ¡°It¡¯s due to your low contribution to the Academy.¡± That¡­¡­.I cannot understand at all. Werner: ¡°Could you be more specific?¡± ¡°The overall grades of the students you have guided are completely below standards.¡± That¡¯s because they placed all the students who were about to fail out of school under my care and responsibility. Though they may have been failing and were completely neglected, I helped them reach the proper path to graduation. I thought that was the task that was expected of me to perform. To be frank, I do not enjoy educating. But I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of abandoning students who were struggling to reach their potential and had no other place to go and helped counsel them. They were told by all other guidance counselors to [watch and learn] from others and continued to fail. But if you were to take the time to teach them properly, they were able to fully utilize their abilities and succeed. But because their grades were so bad earlier, their overall grade at graduation may have been poor, but every single student was able to exceed expectations for their graduation thesis. Werner: ¡°Everyone was able to leave well-respected graduation research results. If their grades were poor, it was something that occurred before they came to me¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Stop making excuses! That rebellious attitude is also what gives you such a bad reputation!¡± The Magecraft Artifact Director spat his words out in outrage. The Director has only taught and guided his favorite students and neglected everyone else. That is why many students have failed classes and were sent to me prior to being expelled. ¡°During meetings, you always bring up unnecessary opinions and lengthen meetings¡­¡­.and are you not aware that because of that, you are to blame for the increased inefficiency of this Academy?¡± Werner: ¡°I do not recall bringing up any topics that were inappropriate or unnecessary.¡± ¡°How dare you speak to us in such a manner! Is that how you were taught to respect your elders!¡± I think I get it now. They probably got tired of me directly requesting answers and clarity during meetings. That¡¯s why after my Master retired, they decided that this would be the best opportunity to expel me. My Master is the very first President of this Academy, and is a renowned historical figure of this Academy ©` Professor Kay. He was someone that the current President would never be able to speak out against. Basically, my Master was an inconvenient eyesore. They probably thought poorly of me since I rarely followed their orders exactly as they intended and wanted to expel me at some point. But with my Master and Professor, Kay, around, they were unable to make a move. Werner: ¡°I understand. If that¡¯s the case, then I will remove my things from the lab immediately.¡± I was a Teaching Assistant only because my Master asked me to help out. With my Master retired now, there¡¯s no reason for me to continue working at the Mages Academy. ¡°Hm? What are you talking about? You are fired. You¡¯re not permitted to enter the research laboratory.¡± Werner: ¡°In the lab, there are several things I developed©`©`¡± But before I could finish my sentence, the President looked at me in surprise and horror. ¡°Are you telling me that you are planning to take those with you? Didn¡¯t you develop those Magecraft Artifacts with the Academy¡¯s budget, and now you are treating it as if they are your own proprietary property?¡± ¡°Absurd. Strout never had any morals, but to think that he would outright declare to steal the Academy¡¯s property publicly.¡± The Director also spoke with the utmost mockery he could muster from the bottom of his heart and looked at me scornfully. The budget I received for developing new Magecraft Tools was practically nothing. In a month, it would be enough to maybe eat one lunch meal. Almost 100% or to be accurate, 99.9% was paid out of pocket. During my days as a student, I received some royalties for Magecraft Tools I developed, so I am not lacking money, so that is fine, but¡­. And after I became a Teaching Assistant, the Academy has taken 100% ownership of all the Magecraft Tools as their proprietary property. Their reasoning was because I developed these while I worked during my work day. But in fact, the development of these Tools were done outside of typical work hours. Werner: ¡°I believe that I have contributed significantly to this Academy with my Magecraft Tools developments.¡± ¡°What? You think your measly research has contributed that much?¡± ¡°How ridiculous to see someone who can be so arrogant! He believes that developing a Magecraft Artifact that any student could have done is a contribution to this Academy!¡± Looks like nothing I say will be taken seriously. Werner: ¡°..........I understand. I will leave everything in the lab.¡± ¡°Of course you will.¡± ¡°They say the ambition of thieves should not be underestimated. I now see why.¡± And with that, I had to leave all my research notes and partially developed Magecraft Tools, and I was expelled from the Mages Academy. <<<<>>>> The President and Director smirked vilely at one another. All of Werner¡¯s Magecraft Artifacts were wonderful and brought in an incalculable amount of wealth to the Academy. But the more the Magecraft Artisan raised his fame, the more fragile the Director¡¯s position became. The President as well did not enjoy the fact that the direct disciple of that abominable Professor Key was becoming more and more well known. The two had mutual benefits in aligning and agreeing with Werner¡¯s expulsion. ¡°Strout is a fool, but he does make profitable Magecraft Tools.¡± ¡°Yeah, as long as we have his research notes and the partially developed Magecraft Tools¡­¡­.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be able to acquire an enormous profit. Of course, I¡¯ll record that the President was also part of the development team.¡± The President of the Academy and Director of the Magecraft Research Division planned to register their names on Werner¡¯s newest Magecraft Artifact developments. As Werner was doing, if they register the Academy as the proprietor of the new tools, they will inherit royalties. But if they register their own names, they will personally acquire an ungodly amount of money. That was their plan. And it was not long until they found out that their plot would be much harder to execute than they could ever imagine. CH 2 Chapter 2: The Magecraft Artisan Who Also Loses His Home After I was told that I was fired, they forbade me from going to the lab, so I went back to my room. I lived in the Mages Academy¡¯s dormitories. In fact, I¡¯ve been here since I started here as a student. But in front of my door was two beefy security guards. Werner: ¡°.......um, do you have some business with my room?¡± ¡°We presume that you are Mr. Strout?¡± Werner: ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You are forbidden from entering this room. This room is also the property of the Academy.¡± It¡¯s true that this is the Academy¡¯s dormitory, so it is part of their property. But I have been living here for over 10 years now. All of my belongings are in this room. Werner: ¡°I was told to leave the premises, so I would like to retrieve my belongings¡­..¡± ¡°Even so, we cannot allow you to enter the room. Those were our direct orders.¡± If it¡¯s an order from above, there¡¯s no point arguing with the security guard. So I try to come up with a way to get my belongings back. Even though it¡¯s the place I live, it¡¯s really only a room where I come back to sleep. There¡¯s nothing of monetary value, but there¡¯s a lot of past memorabilia. Werner: ¡°This room is not like the research laboratory, and there is nothing related to the lab¡¯s research development here.¡± That¡¯s why there¡¯s no real reason to close off this space. ¡°We understand your situation¡­¡­.but, we have our orders©`©`¡± The Security Guard looks apologetic when©`©` ©`©` One of the windows near the door suddenly opened, and my things were being thrown out. Even the Security Guards looked wide-eyed at the situation. ¡°Take that trash with you and get out!¡± It¡¯s extremely rude to call someone¡¯s personal belongings trash. The voice I heard from the room was a faculty member who was good friends with the President and Director of the Magecraft Artifact Research Division. Werner: ¡°I think you©`©`¡± ©`©`are taking things way too far, is what I wanted to say, but before I could finish speaking¡­ ¡°SHUT UP! GET LOST!¡± I hear a mocking voice yell out of the room followed by hysterical laughter. Looks like a group of faculty that were under the President and Director''s influence were in my room going through my stuff. What they¡¯re doing is nothing less than looting and thieving. ¡°.........I¡¯m sorry.¡± The Security Guard apologizes as he tries to pick up my things. ¡°HEY! DON¡¯T DO ANYTHING UNNECESSARY!¡± Seeing him trying to help, one of the faculty scream angrily at him. Werner: ¡°Thank you. Please don¡¯t worry about it.¡± I bend down to pick up my things. I focus on retrieving things that my Academy friends, Master, and family have given me over the years. As far as my clothes, most of it was trashed pretty badly. They tore the seams, and I could see traces where they searched my pockets. Werner: ¡°.......how could they do this to someone¡¯s clothes¡­.¡± ¡°What?! It was already like that when we found it.¡± ¡°Yeah, it was certainly like that from the beginning. Isn¡¯t that right, everyone?¡± ¡°No doubt. We were all witnesses.¡± Looks like they all agreed upon a public story behind everyone¡¯s back. Even if I protest, there¡¯s a good chance that my case will be thrown out because of too little evidence. I decided to give up on the cause, take my things, and leave. As I tried to do so¡­. ¡°Don¡¯t ever think about coming back!¡± I could hear the mocking yells of the faculty, and their hysterical laughter behind me. Before I left the dorm, I had to visit the dumpster to throw away most of my clothes which were ripped apart and useless. What was left was a few articles of clothing and some nostalgic items from the past. <<<<>>>> Now that I was pretty much thrown out of the Academy, I had a few immediate problems to deal with. Werner: ¡°I lost my job and my living space all at the same time.¡± At this rate, even though it¡¯s the middle of winter, I¡¯ll have to sleep outside. I would risking my life doing so. I could consider going back to my parents¡¯ home, but my father and brother were never supportive of my Magecraft Tool research. I¡¯d like to keep going home as the very last resort. Werner: ¡°Maybe the Merchant¡¯s Association will help me find a room¡­.¡± While I was a Teaching Assistant, I visited the Gerald Merchant Association who handled the resale of my Magecraft Tools. The Gerald Group is quite a large organization. They handle daily living Magecraft tools, jewelry, and even armor and weapons. On top of that, they also handle real estate. The Gerald Group and I have been working together for a while now. Since I was about 10, I used to go there when my Master, Professor Kay, would send me on an errand. The previous Group¡¯s President used to give me snacks as a kid and looked after me. After I graduated and became a Teaching Assistant, the President of the Association changed. Even so, we had a good relationship thus far. I entered the Gerald Group¡¯s building as I usually did in the past. Werner: ¡°Excuse me.¡± ¡°..................¡± The Merchant Association always had a lot of busy workers doing this and that. But unlike before, no one came to greet me. Normally, someone who works there would notice my presence and come speak to me. Werner: ¡°Excuse me. My name is Strout, and I have some business here.¡± ¡°There is nothing we can do for you here.¡± One of the managers spoke up. Among the people working there, he has some clout and authority. Werner: ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have time to deal with lousy people who got laid off by the Academy is what I¡¯m saying.¡± I wondered if they mistook me as trying to fake my association with the Academy. Werner: ¡°No, I¡¯m not here on the behalf of the Academy, but I had personal business¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡« telling¡« you¡«! We don¡¯t have any time to do business with miserable scum like you! Get out of here!¡± One of the workers chuckled quietly as they disdainfully looked my way. The President who was in the far back was looking coldly in my direction. It appears that the Gerald Group as a whole decided to cut business ties with me. It¡¯s even possible that the President of the Academy worked up some deal with them behind the scenes. Werner: ¡°If that is the case, I understand.¡± It¡¯s a business¡¯ right to decide who they want to work with. It¡¯s upsetting and incredibly unreasonable, but there¡¯s nothing I can do about it right now. I give up and leave the store, and walk back under the cold winter sky. <<<<>>>> Seeing that Werner left, one of the workers spoke up to the manager. ¡°Wow, did you see that? What a miserable sight.¡± ¡°Yeah, I would never want to become like that.¡± The manager responded and laughed arrogantly in Werner¡¯s direction. ¡°This means that we¡¯ll have explicit rights to all of the superior quality Magecraft Artifacts from the Mages Academy, correct?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯ll be a hefty profit for us. Although, I heard he was one of the researchers at the Magecraft Artifact Research Division.¡± ¡°But wasn¡¯t he just someone sitting at the bottom?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Apparently, he only became a Teaching Assistant because he knew that famous Professor, but he has no actual skills himself.¡± ¡°(Sigh)....I guess you¡¯ll find one in every industry. Those useless idiots who only get to where they are by using their connections.¡± ¡°Yeah, with the Head of the Magecraft Artifact Studies¡¯ support and the researchers that work under him, our Magecraft Artifact division might sit at the top in no time.¡± ¡°That means a higher bonus, correct?!¡± ¡°Yeah, that would be the case.¡± As they watched Werner pitifully leave their building, everyone who worked at the Gerald Group thought so. Looking forward to their end of the year bonus, they all had their hopes high. And more than anyone else present, the President of the Group smiled darkly to himself. But there was no one there who knew that over 90% of the Magecraft Tools that were developed at the Mages Academy were developed and designed by Werner alone. CH 3 Chapter 3: The Master¡¯s Completely Useless Advice. My plan to rent a room or house from the Gerald Group did not go well. The day is almost over as the sun is preparing to set. It might be very difficult to find a place to stay before the end of the day. Werner: ¡°What should I do¡­.even if I go to an inn right now¡­.¡± ¡­..I¡¯ll be walking quite the distance. The Mages Academy is actually closer to the Royal Palace within the Capital. Around me are the luxury mansions of the Higher-Class Nobles. Even if there are store head quarters for large merchant associations that are the preferred vendors of the Palace and Upper-Class Nobles, there are almost no inns in this area. A cheap inn would be completely out of the question. In order to arrive at a cheap inn, I¡¯ll have to walk a couple of hours on the road in the middle of the winter night. Werner: ¡°.........it¡¯s gotten colder.¡± The sun set, and unfortunately, it started to snow. Just hours ago, I was doing research inside a warm room when I was called out and kicked out of the Academy. I am not wearing enough layers to walk inside a snowy night. Werner: ¡°I thought there was something inside here¡­.¡± The faculty went through and tore up the majority of my clothes, but there were some clothes that were saved. I look through my bag and pull out a very thick robe. Werner: ¡°It was a miracle that they didn¡¯t do anything to it. No¡­¡­.I guess that wasn¡¯t the case.¡± This robe was given to me by my Master, Professor Kay, a long time ago. My Master hand-made this robe from the bare materials, and it¡¯s a very sturdy and warm robe. Blades cannot cut through it, and even if it¡¯s pulled by a bull, it won¡¯t tear. Werner: ¡°I¡¯m sure they tried to rip it up but just couldn¡¯t.¡± And the reason why they didn¡¯t steal it was because from a glance, it¡¯s a very boring and pitiful looking robe. And if they kept something they stole from me, if I was to file a report, it could turn into evidence. I silently thanked my Master as I put on the robe. Werner: ¡°Hm? What¡¯s this?¡± There was something inside the pocket. It wasn¡¯t something I remember putting there. As I take it into my hand, I found a small cylindrical casing. And it even has a Recognition Interruption Spell on it as well. If you are not a Mage, even the Faculty would not have noticed it. Werner: ¡°........only Master would do something like this¡­..¡± I think I wore this robe about one year ago. I¡¯m sure that after that, he found a way to sneak this case inside it. Since my Master was going in and out of my room freely, it would have been easy for him to do. Werner: ¡°Huh¡­...so what¡¯s inside the case¡­¡­.¡± The case was hollow inside and it had a letter and a small ball inside. <<<<>>>> [My dearest Strout, If you are in trouble, pour your magic energy inside this ball and throw it high into the air.] <<<<<>>>> The contents of the letter made no sense. And apparently, the letter ended here. Werner: ¡°What is this? Well, if the Master mentioned it, it must have some meaning¡­¡­¡± I pour my magic energy into this ball, and throw it high into the air. Then¡­ ©`©`©` ¡­¡­¡­¡­ In the middle of the winter sky, an unnatural firework suddenly went off. It was still a very beautiful firework. Werner: ¡°What¡­¡­.was that?¡± I look at the letter once more. Then I noticed that letters slowly surfaced into view. Werner: ¡°The letters were supposed to appear as it responded to the firework, I guess.¡± It was a Magecraft Artifact that was made to be a set with the letter and the fireworks ©` this would have been incredibly complicated and required high amounts of skill and technique. If you wanted to make the same thing, a Palace Mage would have needed to gather his crew and work on this for several months without interruption. Werner: ¡°So what was Master trying to accomplish with such a complicated Magecraft Tool¡­¡­¡± I read the letters that surface. <<<<>>>> [How was it? Wasn¡¯t it beautiful? Sometimes, you just need to look up at the night sky and do some deep breathing exercises. If you do, you may get a bright idea come towards your way. Your Great and Amazing Master, The Grand Sage Kay] <<<<>>>> That was it. Werner: ¡°................what?¡± I don¡¯t doubt that what Master is saying is true, but¡­¡­...right now, that kind of advice is absolutely worthless to me. Maybe he¡¯s telling me that I¡¯m a grown adult now, so just think for myself? Werner: ¡°..........ah, well. Let¡¯s just get going to the inn.¡± My Master is a free-spirited and fun-loving. There¡¯s no point thinking about it deeply. That¡¯s why I walked down the road at night leisurely. Around 10 minutes passed since I fired the firework. A huge carriage ran towards me and stopped right beside me. And from there, a very well-dressed man came down. ¡°Sir Werner, we have been searching for you.¡± Werner: ¡°.................okay.¡± The man was someone I knew well. He was one of the butlers that served my parents¡¯ household. ¡°Sir Werner, I am sure that you are feeling quite cold. Please come rest inside the carriage.¡± Werner: ¡°I was heading to the inn¡­.¡± ¡°I believe a single night will not be an inconvenience to you. In fact, the Viscount is the only one currently at the mansion.¡± Werner: ¡°Fine. I understand.¡± And getting onto the carriage, I was taken straight to my family¡¯s home. CH 4 Chapter 4: Sister Bridget Inside the carriage was warm. As the carriage ran forward, I saw my family¡¯s home in the distance. As we arrive, the butler quickly dismounts before I can and holds the door open while remaining bowing politely outside. ¡°Welcome back, Sir Werner.¡± Werner: ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± I enter the mansion, and no sooner do I cross the threshold when I see my sister waiting for me expectantly and quite intimidatingly. She stared right at me. ¡°Fwew. If you got fired from the Mage¡¯s Academy and didn¡¯t have a place to stay, come straight home next time. You didn¡¯t even give us one call. You¡¯re always so©`©`¡± Werner: ¡°I thought father and brother would be here.¡± ¡°But even so¡­¡­..¡± It¡¯s not that my relationship with my father and brother are bad or that they pick on me. But my father and brother do not approve of me doing Magecraft Artifact Research all the time. Werner: ¡°Father and brother are both against my Magecraft Tool Research, right?¡± ¡°That is true, but¡­..¡± Werner: ¡°If they found out that I was fired from the Mages Academy, they¡¯ll definitely use that fact against me.¡± My father and brother oppose me doing any further Magecraft Tool Research. In order to suppress their opposition, being a Teaching Assistant at the Mages Academy was extremely useful. ¡°I also understand how father feels, and I¡¯m certain as well that they will be ecstatic to hear this news and try something to change your mind.¡± My father heads the Strout Marquis ©` one of the most prominent Noble families in this country. Because the Strout Marquis holds an immense amount of power, he¡¯s always trying to find ways to get me to stop researching and developing Magecraft Artifacts. And under my father, my brother Gustav leads the Strout Marquis Military is of the same opinion. He¡¯s always looking for an excuse to pull me into his army as a Magecraft Spellcaster. I most definitely do not want to join the military. That is why I place distance between myself and my family and prefer to remain isolated to some degree. My father only allowed my apprenticeship with Professor Kay when I was a kid because he intended for me to master Attack Spells and utilize it for the military. ¡°I understand why you find father and Gustav¡¯s intentions troublesome. But what is your excuse for not contacting me? I have always stood up for you all these years.¡± My sister was quite upset with me. Werner: ¡°I do feel terrible about that. But I didn¡¯t even know that you were here at the Capital.¡± My sister is the legally designated heir of the Strout Marquis. As the designated heir, she is first in line, and no matter who is born after her, her number 1 position is already decided and final. And the Rome Viscount is the title the Strout Marquis'' designated heir takes on as a subsidiary position to the Strout Marquis. So Rome Viscountess, Bridget, is the representative of the Strout Marquis and does scheduled visits and resides in the Capital periodically. She deals with politics at the Palace, and politics between the nobles. Because of that, she¡¯s quite busy all the time. Bridget: ¡°So you¡¯re saying that you would have contacted me if you knew that I had returned to the Capital.¡± Werner: ¡°Well, yes.¡± And with that, my sister¡¯s expression softened. Bridget: ¡°Hmph. Then I will exempt you from further scolding for not contacting me earlier.¡± Werner: ¡°Thank you.¡± Bridget: ¡°You must be hungry. We can continue our conversation while we eat.¡± We relocated to the dining room, and I ate the meal served. The food here at the Marquis'' mansion is delicious as always. There¡¯s no comparing it to the dried out bread I would be nibbling on while I did my research at the Mages Academy. My sister sipped her tea and watched as I consumed the delicious food before me. After I was full, I asked my sister a question that was bothering me. Werner: ¡°......so¡­...how did you know where to find me?¡± Bridget: ¡°You sent up the firework, didn¡¯t you?¡± Werner: ¡°I did fire one into the sky.¡± Bridget: ¡°I got a letter from Professor Kay. He said that if a firework lights up the sky, Werner is in trouble so please go rescue him.¡± Werner: ¡°........I thought that the firework was just a prank, but he intended for it to be a signal¡­.¡± The realization was nothing less than astonishing. Werner: ¡°Wait, so Professor Kay KNEW that I would be fired?¡± Bridget: ¡°It¡¯s highly likely. He is the Great Sage who has lived for over a thousand years.¡± Even as his disciple, there are many times when I don¡¯t even know what he¡¯s doing or thinking. Bridget: ¡°For now, Werner, stay at the mansion and rest for a while.¡± Werner: ¡°.........I¡¯ll have to decline. I want to continue my research.¡± I know my sister is making the offer in good faith. But my brother and father will be periodically visiting this mansion. And there are no research facilities here. Bridget: ¡°You are really in love with your research.¡± Werner: ¡°Yeah, I probably am. I think it just suits my character. It suits me more than managing the politics of the Marquis or helping with the military.¡± Bridget: ¡°.....in that case, I have no choice but to give this to you.¡± And with that, my sister nodded and whispered something to the butler. <<<<>>>> CHONKY Notes LiT (Lost in Translation) (Updated 7-NOV-2021) Marquis - Per reader suggestion, updating from Margrave to Marquis as the following distinction parallels the author''s literature: "[...] the land of a marquess [...] was on the border of the country [...]. As a result of this, a marquess was trusted to defend and fortify against potentially hostile neighbors [...]. (Per Google Translate originally) Margrave (Henkyohaku) (Þx¾³²®) Definitely not a term I come across very frequently (or I just ignore the term altogether because I¡¯m not translating). This is POP Culture Nobility Structures (meaning it is a mish-mash of varying countries and history and should NOT be trusted as a reliable source of info), but a quick 10 minute research reveals the following top-down hierarchy: Royal Family (Top Dog) Duke (sometimes direct relative of Royal Family) (Earl -- British Nobility but I may not use this) Marquis (defends territories on borders) Count (rules territories not bordering enemies) Viscount (usually does administrative stuff below the Marquis/Count) Baron (ranks higher than Lord or Knight) Lord (owns territory) Knight (someone who serves Monarch, Church, or Country appointed by Nobility) Lower Nobility (etc.) For more detailed ranks of Nobility, I might be relying on the following diagram I found on Wiki: For those who may not know this about me, I absolutely loathe politics, so it gives me the heebie-jeebies just looking at this. CH 5 Chapter 5: A Proper Letter from My Master The butler my sister spoke to went somewhere. Werner: ¡°Sister, what was that?¡± Bridget: ¡°There was a letter from Professor Kay that was addressed to you.¡± Werner: ¡°.......another letter¡­..¡± This could be a letter related to the firework and previous letter. I would be in trouble, shoot the firework into the sky, and be returned to the Marquis Household. Then, Master would have a letter addressed to me ready at the Marquis Mansion. Did he really go through all that trouble to get things done in such a roundabout way¡­¡­.? I don¡¯t know if I should be reading deeper into this or if he really just did it because he found it entertaining¡­¡­.but that¡¯s my Master Kay for you. Bridget: ¡°Do you know Professor Kay¡¯s whereabouts?¡± Werner: ¡°No, I don¡¯t know either. Last week, he suddenly resigned from his position at the Academy and then disappeared promptly.¡± Bridget: ¡°Hm? I don¡¯t understand why he would do that.¡± Werner: ¡°Me neither.¡± He didn¡¯t say anything to me, his disciple, and my Master suddenly disappeared. Apparently, he told the President of the Academy that his lower back hurt and resigned for that reason. But I had doubts about his reasons for resignation. It is rumored that Professor Kay has been around for more than a millennium, but his actual age is unknown. Professor Kay is an elf. He does not age quickly, and at a glance, he could be mistaken for being younger than me. He was in the prime of his health, but even so, he suddenly complained about his back hurting. It was suspicious no matter how you looked at it. As I thought about these things, the butler returned. ¡°Your Honor, here is what you requested.¡± Bridget: ¡°Thank you.¡± My sister took the letter and handed it right over to me. Bridget: ¡°I don¡¯t know what is written inside, but go ahead and take a look.¡± Werner: ¡°Thanks.¡± Bridget: ¡°Maybe he¡¯s building a new research facility and wants you to come help him?¡± Werner: ¡°I highly doubt that. ¡­¡­¡­..let¡¯s see.¡± I tear the letter from Professor Kay open and glance at the words. <<<<>>>> [My beloved Strout, By the time you are reading this, I will be enjoying myself at a natural hot spring out in the country. I¡¯m sure if it is you¡­. ...that you¡¯ll be troubled after getting fired from the Academy. But seeing as you are reading this letter, you were able to safely get back to your family¡¯s home. Well, you are an exceptionally intelligent and strong man, so I am not worried. But, do not forget that I am stronger. Well, well. I do feel terrible for disappearing without telling you anything. But my back was hurting. Or at least, that is my story.] <<<<>>>> Ain: ¡°He¡¯s definitely lying¡­¡­¡­..ah well.¡± If that¡¯s his story, there¡¯s nothing that can be done about it. I need to disregard the unimportant details and read further. <<<<>>>> [I did recommend that you take over my post, but if it is that President, I¡¯m fairly certain that he would not have promoted you as my replacement. In fact, he might have come up with some nonsensical complaint and threw you out of the Academy. But this is a good opportunity as well. The way they treated you there was unacceptable. Even if you are fired, you should be okay. But they will now be in trouble. For now, live your life the way you want to. You can isolate yourself from society if you prefer. In fact, I may need to ask a favor from you in the near future. When that time comes, I will be counting on you. As your Master, I have nothing more I can teach you concerning Magecraft Science and Technology. But do not forget, I am still much stronger than you are. I will not demand that you not isolate yourself. Presently, I am enjoying my isolation after buying a house with a hot spring. I bet you are envious. Because I am strong, I can do these kinds of things. You are a true genius. Your Magecraft Tools are all unique in design and revolutionary. Even conservatively, you have progressed the Magecraft Science at least 200 years ahead. By the way, I progressed it 800 years. I will not tell you to be cautious in developing new technology. No one can stop technology and science from progressing. Even if you try to hide it, someone else will always come up with new ideas. As long as you are not purposefully using your research and development for nefarious purposes, I think that is fine. But as your Master, as your elder, please let me say just this. Make sure to protect your Research Lab. Because you are weaker than me, it is very important that you do so. In order to live a safe, peaceful, and comfortable isolated life, that is absolutely essential. And lastly, I want to tell you something more important than that. I am still stronger than you. Your Great and Amazing Master who is most definitely stronger than you, Great Sage Kay] <<<<>>>> I don¡¯t think he needed to emphasize that he was stronger than me that much. He¡¯s lived over a thousand years, he has status and accomplished much over his lifetime, and he still feels the necessity to compete with a disciple like me. He¡¯s still a youth at heart. Maybe that is something I can learn from him. Werner: ¡°.......but even so¡­.would someone normally address themselves as the Great Sage or talk about how amazing you are this much?¡± Bridget: ¡°What did Professor Kay say?¡± Werner: ¡°He told me to make sure my Research Lab is secure.¡± Bridget: ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± Werner: ¡°That¡¯s pretty much it. Oh, and that he¡¯s stronger than me.¡± With that, I handed her back the letter to show her. My sister reads the letter and¡­ Bridget: ¡°Wow. That¡¯s really all he said." And mumbled the words to herself. Werner: ¡°Sister, there¡¯s a lot I want to say to my Master, but what he¡¯s saying isn¡¯t wrong. It¡¯s very important to make sure that all things inside your Research Laboratory are secured and safe from theft.¡± Bridget: ¡°If you¡¯re worried about security, this mansion©`©`¡± Werner: ¡°I¡¯m sure that you have great security here, but what my master is talking about is not just protection.¡± Bridget: ¡°Hm?¡± My sister stared intently at me and gestured for me to continue my explanation. Werner: ¡°When you are doing research and development, there are times when you will be using the same explosive materials you use for mining. You have to make sure that even if there is an accident, you will be able to contain the damage and destruction.¡± Bridget: ¡°I see. That makes sense. Even though you do everything you can to prevent it, it¡¯s called an accident because it still happens.¡± Werner: ¡°And well, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m using it all the time, but for making Magecraft Tools, there are some pharmaceutical and poisonous chemicals that I have to use in the process.¡± The walls of the Mages Academy are extremely thick. In case there is a poisonous gas leakage, there are also mechanisms and measures to ensure that it can be disposed of quickly, safely, and efficiently. Doing research in a location like the Marquis'' home without such safety precautions would be way too dangerous. Werner: ¡°So that¡¯s why until I can make a Magecraft Tool that will be suitable as a proper security and protective measure, I¡¯ll need to be away from the Capital until then.¡± Bridget: ¡°.......you plan to make your Research Lab outside the Capital¡¯s city limits?¡± Werner: ¡°For now, yes. A few years back when I was helping my Master, we used a base of operations nearby that I could use today.¡± Bridget: ¡°........I see.¡± Werner: ¡°So now that that¡¯s decided, I should get going.¡± Bridget: ¡°Wait, wait. At least stay for a little longer and rest.¡± My sister hurriedly spoke up. And it¡¯s not like I¡¯m in a hurry either. So I stayed at the Marquis'' Mansion for another 3 days. I want to start my isolation life. But it¡¯s actually difficult to try and do so in the wilderness. Honestly, I would like to stay isolated doing my research in the Capital. Rather than the rural areas, it¡¯s easier and more convenient to do so in the city. But in order to live comfortably isolated in the Capital and to make it a reality, there is a lot of preparation I must do. Werner: ¡°...........just a little bit. A little further, and I¡¯ll reach a safe, peaceful, and comfortable, isolated life.¡± There¡¯s a lot of troublesome obstacles ahead, but if it¡¯s for my isolated life, I have plenty of motivation. I received a lot of emergency, dry rations from my sister, and the carriage transported me into the wilderness. CH 6 Chapter 6: The Werner Planning Meeting at the Palace It was the day after Werner was fired from the Mages Academy. The news was delivered to the Crown Prince of the Rheinfelden Empire As soon as he heard the news, the Crown Prince¡¯s expression was contorted in frustration. ¡°....................are you certain?¡± ¡°Yes, my sources are trustworthy.¡± The one who answered was the Head of Intelligence and was THE right-hand man of the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince is 35 years old. In the Rheinfelden Empire where Werner lives, the Crown Prince is the true politician in power who is controlling everything from behind the scenes. ¡°........they really have done something unnecessary. And of all times, they do it when the Great Sage is absent from our country.¡± The Crown Prince lets out a deep sigh, and one of the elderly chamberlains nods. ¡°Now with the Great Sage leaving this country, we need to avoid his direct disciple Sir Werner from leaving as well.¡± ¡°Yes, I know that he is not as capable as Professor Kay, but I heard that Sir Werner is still very useful.¡± A younger chamberlain spoke up, and the Crown Prince stared intently at him. ¡°Do you really mean what you just said?¡± ¡°Yes. I have heard reports that he is an excellent researcher, but not on the caliber as Professor Kay.¡± The Crown Prince has ordered all his chamberlains to not fear speaking their own mind daily. That¡¯s why even the young chamberlain did not hesitate to make his thoughts known even with the Crown Prince glaring at him. ¡°You must reconsider your views. Do you remember the new type of explosive that was created? Sir Werner was the one who came up with that.¡± ¡°What? Do you mean that explosive? Wasn¡¯t that Professor Kay who developed it?¡± ¡°You¡¯re wrong. Sir Werner, who was only 12 at the time, made it. But Sir Werner¡¯s original goal was to make an explosive suitable for mining though.¡± The explosive that Werner made was very light for miners to carry into the mines, and it was very easy to adjust the power of the explosion. You can even change the timing of the explosive as needed. It¡¯s light so with a catapult, you can throw it inside a fortress easily. If you can adjust its power and the timing of the explosion, it can easily be converted into an effective weapon. ¡°The explosive that ended a rebellion that was thought to last 5 years in 3 days¡­¡­¡± ¡°Yes, that explosive. But the fact that Sir Werner was the developer is confidential. Do not speak to anyone outside of here.¡± ¡°As you command, sire.¡± The younger chamberlain lowered his head humbly, and the Crown Prince kindly spoke. ¡°And not only that. Sir Werner also made the Magic Backpack.¡± ¡°...........truly. It was an invention that completely revolutionized military logistics ©` that Magic Backpack? Was that not Professor Kay as well?¡± ¡°No, it was not Professor Kay. Sir Werner made it when he was 15.¡± ¡°............I was severely mistaken then.¡± ¡°As long as you understand now, it¡¯s fine.¡± With that, the Crown Prince looks at all his counselors, chamberlains, advisors and attendants surrounding him. ¡°I forbid taking any actions that risks turning Sir Werner into an enemy of this country. Make sure you engrave those words deeply in your hearts.¡± ¡°Yes, sire.¡± ¡°Even so¡­¡­¡­.for now, as long as Sir Werner¡¯s little sister, Lutricia and Thil are getting along, we should be fine.¡± Lutricia is the Marquis Family¡¯s youngest daughter. She is Werner¡¯s little sister. And Thil is the Emperor¡¯s youngest child ©` in short, the Crown Prince¡¯s youngest brother. Lutricia and Thil are formally engaged. ¡°But Lord Thil and Lady Lutricia are still only 10 years old. Even though they are engaged, we cannot expect any serious progress in their relationship any time soon.¡± A middle-aged man speaks up, but Kraus shakes his head to disagree. Kraus: ¡°Although they may just be children, it is a politically arranged relationship. Make sure the two get along with each other just fine.¡± ¡°As you command.¡± Kraus: ¡°The engagement between Thil and Lady Lutricia is more than simply deepening the ties between the Imperial Family and the Marquis. Sir Werner is extremely fond of his sister Lutricia.¡± ¡°Do you mean to say that as long as the engagement is successful, Sir Werner will not betray the empire?¡± Kraus: ¡°That is not enough. It is absolutely essential for Lady Lutricia to be happy and content in the relationship. Sir Werner is that kind of man. That is why he is easy to control.¡± Another young chamberlain next to the Crown Prince spoke up. ¡°Sire, if you are that concerned of Sir Werner betraying this country, why not resolve all worries with an assassination?¡± ¡°How dare you speak of such things! Do not forget that you¡¯re in the presence of his Highness!¡± The Head Chamberlain immediately admonishes the speaker, but Kraus immediately stops him. Kraus: ¡°Regardless of whether I am here or not, as long as it is not speaking ill towards the Emperor himself, speak your mind. That includes any criticism against me as well.¡± And with that, Kraus laughs. But his eyes did not follow the smile on his face. Kraus: ¡°But if you plan to rebel against me, do not think that I will let you die so quickly. Keep that in mind.¡± ¡° ¡° Yes, sire. ¡± ¡± With all his servants in a nervous state, Kraus kindly explains the situation to them. Kraus: ¡°It is easy to mistake Sir Werner¡¯s Magecraft inventions as his biggest strength and thus, the biggest threat.¡± ¡°Is that not true?¡± Kraus: ¡°You are wrong. What is more formidable than his inventions is Sir Werner himself.¡± But even being told directly, his younger chamberlains looked uncertain of this fact and looked at one another. With a deep sigh, the Crown Prince continued. Kraus: ¡°Look. To try to assassinate Sir Werner would be equivalent to throwing a powerful bomb into an Ancient Dragon¡¯s nest. If you can kill the Ancient Dragon with that, then all is well. If you fail, then your country will be destroyed. In other words, we are gambling the existence of this Empire, and the odds are completely against us. And even if we were to succeed with such a gamble, our country has gained absolutely nothing.¡± ¡°...........is Sir Werner really that strong?¡± A young chamberlain speaks his doubts, but Kraus only deeply nods at his comment. Kraus: ¡°His strength is easily beyond human. And currently, Sir Werner¡¯s relationship with the Imperial Family is positive and cooperative. To take an action against him at this juncture would be nothing less than the greatest of follies.¡± ¡°I understand, sire. I have engraved your words into my heart.¡± His servants seemed to have understood what it would mean to turn their hand against Werner, and Kraus deeply nodded once more in approval. Kraus: ¡°The members of the Strout Family also have a strong interest in Sir Werner¡¯s inventions, but¡­¡­¡­..in truth, what is truly terrifying is Sir Werner himself.¡± ¡°The Rome Viscountess is trying to encourage Sir Werner to continue his Magecraft Artifact Research, and the Marquis himself does not want Sir Werner to continue his research, but what are your thoughts on this matter, sire?¡± Kraus: ¡°If I had to choose, I would lean towards the Rome Viscountess. But to me, it does not matter if Sir Werner is making further Magecraft Artifacts or not.¡± ¡°.....as long as Sir Werner remains as a friend of the Empire.¡± Kraus: ¡°That is exactly correct. Normally, I would like to welcome him and appoint him to a position here but¡­¡­.¡± ¡°We have offered several times now, but he has refused every time. If you make a royal decree©`©`¡± The royal decree of an emperor would have to be followed by any noble no matter what. Refusing to do so would lead to their execution. Kraus: ¡°We will not make such a decree. If he were to flee to another country, then all of our efforts would have been for nothing.¡± ¡° ¡± As you command, sire. ¡± ¡± Kraus: ¡°Be more subtle, and do not ever force a decision upon him as we continue to uphold positive relations. That will be key.¡± ¡°As you command. But it may be more difficult that way.¡± Kraus: ¡°Do not be anxious and rush your decisions¡­¡­¡­.for crying out loud, what are those idiots at the Mages Academy doing¡­¡­.¡± At the very least, Sir Werner had secured a stable position there. How would they have taken responsibility if making Werner occupation-less forced him to leave on a journey or relocate to a different country? It would have been an incalculable loss to this country. ¡°The current President of the Academy must be an incredible fool.¡± A young chamberlain speaks up again, but Kraus shakes his head. Kraus: ¡°No fool would have been able to climb up to the ranks of President at that Academy.¡± And with that, he pauses to think. Kraus: ¡°One who could not be a fool for some reason acts like a fool. There must be something underneath.¡± What the President of the Academy just did would not benefit the Academy as a whole. And that will not benefit the Rheinfelden Empire either. Kraus: ¡°Such a foolish action may have been something benefiting the President of the Academy himself.¡± ¡°A personal benefit that would be in direct contrast to this country¡¯s well being, sire?¡± Kraus: ¡°Yes. ¡­¡­¡­..look into the President¡¯s background and his surrounding connections.¡± ¡°As you command.¡± With that, Kraus looks slightly away into the distance. Kraus: ¡°.......if I want to keep him as an ally, I may need to consider letting Sir Werner marry the Crown Princess.¡± ¡°Your younger sister, sire? As long as Lord Thil and Lady Lutricia¡¯s engagement is progressing, I believe that further deepening the ties between the Imperial Family and the Marquis Family may be too much?¡± The Head Chamberlain speaks up and the younger chamberlains also nod at his words. ¡°We have to manage our relationship with the other Nobles as well, and I¡¯ve heard rumors that your younger sister is very fond of the Duke¡¯s prince.¡± Kraus: ¡°In the matter of marriage arrangements for the Imperial Family, personal feelings and closeness of relationship is of no value. But even so¡­¡­..she is quite a spoiled child.¡± The marriage and engagement of the Royal Family is extremely political. Because of that, there is no emphasis on the romantic feelings between the two individuals. Kraus: ¡°......it doesn¡¯t bother me if my sister is against it, but if that¡¯s the case, there¡¯s no way Sir Werner would say yes to the engagement.¡± ¡°Yes, considering Sir Werner¡¯s personality, that is a predictable outcome.¡± Kraus: ¡°Yes. If needed, I will have my daughter marry him.¡± ¡°The Crown Princess? Sire, she is only 5 years old.¡± Kraus: ¡°As far as Imperial Engagements are concerned, age is rarely of any concern.¡± ¡°It is true what you say but¡­¡­¡­¡± Kraus smiles kindly to his servants who look troubled. Kraus: ¡°If it means holding Sir Werner as an ally, I will gladly offer my dearest daughter. That is how I feel about the matter. Everyone, please act accordingly with that in mind.¡± ¡°As you command, sire.¡± Kraus: ¡°Do not antagonize him and do not force any decision upon him. No matter what, approach him with the utmost good faith when speaking with him.¡± And with that, the meeting at the Palace concerning how to deal with Werner Strout ended. CH 7 Chapter 7: Knights of Lumen As the Crown Prince held his meeting discussing their Werner strategy, another meeting was taking place around the same time. In a corner of the Rheinfelden Empire¡¯s Capital, a group of men gathered. Seven men looked at one another with deeply slanted creases on their brows. Well, to call them ¡°men¡± wouldn¡¯t be wholly accurate because there were those that were not from the Human Race. They are the highest ranked officers of the secret society known as the [Knights of Lumen]. ¡°Now that that bothersome Kay is not around, this is our chance but¡­¡­.¡± ¡°What about Kay¡¯s Disciple? He¡¯s in the way.¡± ¡°I fired the Disciple.¡± ¡°You move fast.¡± ¡°Yeah, I made sure that the President of the Academy and the Head of Magecraft Artifact Science had received plenty of donations from us through the Gerald Group.¡± As the officers realized that their plans were moving smoothly, a twisted smirk surfaces on each of their faces. The Knights of Lumen are a secret society that are rooted in illegal activities. But even so, they have a well-established, charitable public front as well. This is the [Church of Divine Light] ©` an up and coming new religious organization that has been growing rapidly recently. The Knights of Lumen are the secret, executive leaders of the Church of Divine Light. There was a prophecy delivered to the [Church of Divine Light]. The prophecy stated: <<<<>>>> Evil doers will flourish in overwhelming success and the world will be engulfed in wars, disasters, and diseases. But do not fear. In those days, God¡¯s light will envelope the world and all who believe will be saved. <<<<>>>> In order to make the prophecy come true, the [Knights of Lumen] were working to stir up and send the world into war and chaos. In order to succeed, they made alliances with heinous Monsters and even poisoned wells. They were an extremely dangerous group. ¡°The Research Lab that was under Kay¡¯s authority and all the Magecraft Artifact Tools that were under development is now in the hands of the Head of the Magecraft Artifact Science.¡± ¡°OOOOHHHH¡­.so now, Kay¡¯s Magecraft Tools are under our control.¡± One of the officers muttered briefly. ¡°But there are some concerns.¡± ¡°Like what?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the rumor that Kay hasn¡¯t developed any Magecraft Tools in the last couple of years.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible, no? What about that explosive that was used 8 years ago in that war¡­¡­¡± ¡°No one knows who made it, but it was apparently not Kay. This is trustworthy information.¡± And one of the officers spoke quietly. ¡°I call the creator of the explosive, the [Concealed One].¡± Even though they are developing amazing Magecraft Tools, their names have not surfaced. Though it¡¯s highly likely that it¡¯s someone connected closely with Kay, their identity is unknown. ¡°Is there not the possibility that it was Kay¡¯s disciple that made it?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s highly unlikely. The Disciple is only 20 years old. That would make him a 12 year old child when the explosive was made.¡± ¡°That is true. I guess that would be highly implausible.¡± ¡°Since we do not know Kay¡¯s whereabouts, we¡¯ll have to investigate the Disciple.¡± ¡°In order to find a clue to the [Concealed One], that would be our only option.¡± And the Knights of Lumen continue their meeting. They will send a surveillance team to monitor Werner to get clues to the [Concealed One¡¯s] identity. At the same time, they will complete the Magecraft Artifact Tools that is in Kay¡¯s Research Lab with the help of the Head of Magecraft Artifact Science. They decided to commence these two plans simultaneously. ¡°As long as the Concealed One is roaming around freely, the light of God will not reach this country.¡± The upper echelon of the Knights of Lumen all decided to prioritize to find the identity of the Concealed One and eradicate it. ¡°For God¡¯s Kingdom!¡± ¡° ¡° ¡° For God¡¯s Kingdom! ¡± ¡± ¡± With their voices raised, the meeting was adjourned. CH 8 Chapter 8: The Girl¡¯s Crucible As the sun set slowly and the horizon was tainted red©`©` On a plain that was far from human civilization, one girl was running away as she stumbled over the ground. A Dragon is on the heels of this girl. And among the Dragonkin, this one is a strong, well-developed [Elder Dragon]. It was more red than the sunset, and as its deep crimson scales glistened, the Elder Dragon continued to chase down the girl. ¡°Why, why is there a Dragon here of all places¡­¡­..¡± The girl ran desperately away. ¡°A dream¡­..a dream? I guess¡­¡­.it¡¯s not a dream.¡± She briefly grasped at the hope that she would wake up from a nightmare. But the Magic Power emitted from the Elder Dragon stung her outer skin, and the pain notified her that this was no dream. There should not be any Dragons in this area ©` and there should especially be no Elder Dragons here. Though the girl continues to flee, the Elder Dragon is much faster. If the Elder Dragon preferred, it could end this hunt in one swift swoop and a bite from its jaw. But as if to enjoy the chase, it prods and enjoys watching its prey scurry, and the Elder Dragon began slowly and steadily closing in on the girl. ¡°.......I can¡¯t! ¡­.not here! I can¡¯t die here!¡± If her opponent has their guard down and is playing with her, there will be an opening. The girl has in one of her pockets, her trump card ©` a magic explosive. The top Magecraft Artisans of her country combined their skills and created this Magecraft weapon. With this, she should be able to defeat even the greatest of enemies. ¡°.......you! TAKE THIS!!¡± As the girl ran, she threw the explosive towards the Elder Dragon, and immediately hit the ground. The object was the size of a human fist, and with a beautiful arch, it flew towards the Dragon. With some luck, the explosive struck the Elder Dragon on its head. Instantly, an explosive impact and sound fills the area with a bright flash and loud echo. ¡°Now¡¯s my chance¡­¡­!¡± Her trump card, the Magic Explosive, was more powerful than she had imagined. But her opponent is an Elder Dragon. It may be difficult to kill it with just that. But if it directly suffered an explosive impact, it should have at least wounded it. She needs to escape NOW. She began dragging her body across the ground to begin fleeing once again. Then©`©` [¡­¡­¡­¡­£Ç£Õ£Ï£Ï£Ï£Ï£Ï£Ï£Ï£Ï£¡] {untranslated text} ©`©`the utterly enraged bellow of the Elder Dragon reached her ears. As she turned to look at the Ender Dragon, it suffered no damage or wounds. ¡°B©`But¡­¡­¡­¡± Looks like the impact, light, and sound only surprised it for a moment. And in exchange for startling it, she now provoked its utmost anger. The Elder Dragon swung its tail wildly. The girl could not avoid it. The tail of the Elder Dragon lightly brushed the girl¡¯s left shoulder. It was not a direct strike. It only grazed her. But just with that, the girl was thrown off her feet and hurled mercilessly against the ground. ¡°Ugh¡­¡­..¡± The girl¡¯s consciousness begins to fade. As her vision darkens, she sees the Elder Dragon excitedly approach her. If it catches her, she will be eaten alive. Imagining the worst of outcomes, despair colors and twists her face. ¡°P©`Please¡­...someone¡­¡­..anyone¡­¡­...help¡­me¡­..¡± She is out in the wilderness far from human civilization. The girl knows that no one will hear her cry. But even so, she could not help but mutter the words in her distress. The giant Elder Dragon opens its maw to chomp down on the girl. ¡°......!!¡± The girl reflexively shut her eyes. The next moment, the fangs would have dug into her flesh¡­¡­..or so it should have happened. But that moment never came. [£Ç£Õ£Á£Á£Á£Á£Á£Á£¡] Instead, the Elder Dragon yelps in startled surprise. ¡°Huh?¡± The girl opens her eyes. ¡°........why is there an Elder Dragon in this area?¡± A mysterious man in tattered clothes held the Elder Dragon back with his bare hand. ¡°Wh©`What¡¯s going¡­¡­¡± [£Ç£Õ£Á£Á£Á£Á£Á£á£á£á£á£¡] The maddened Elder Dragon roars as it blows hot air from its mouth. The next second, a fireball follows the hot breath as the Elder Dragon hurls it out. A Dragon¡¯s Fire ©` known to incinerate and melt all known things ©` an inconceivably powerful fireball flies towards the man. The fire engulfs the man¡¯s entire body©`©` ¡°No¡­¡­¡­¡± The girl thought the man died instantly without suffering. But from inside the fire, the man swung his right hand. With that, the Dragon¡¯s Fireball disappeared without a trace. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Elder Dragon? Aren¡¯t you a little too excited? Have you gone into heat? Wait, Dragon¡¯s don¡¯t go into heat, right?¡± He¡¯s mumbling incoherently to himself as he places a hand on the Dragon¡¯s head. ¡°.........hmmm. Someone¡¯s controlling the Dragon with a Magecraft Artifact. Its technology is amazing but¡­¡­...what a waste of skills.¡± As soon as he was done speaking, a loud echoed from the Elder Dragon¡¯s head. Something glittered as it crumbled away and a shiny mist surrounded them. [£ç£õ£ï£¿] The Elder Dragon tilts its head suddenly in confusion. ¡°Are you okay? Do you remember what happened?¡± [£ç£ù£õ£ï] ¡°I see. I don¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying, but if you¡¯ve calmed down, I¡¯m glad.¡± [£ç£õ£õ] As if it was rescued by the man, the Elder Dragon nuzzled its snout at the man¡¯s face. And as if to convey its gratitude, it began licking the man from head to toe furiously. ¡°Good, good. Now go return to your nest.¡± [£ç£õ£ò£õ£ò£õ] After nuzzling its snout against the man for a while asking for affection, it flew off. ¡°Don¡¯t get caught by bad guys any more!¡± [£Ç£Õ£Ò£Õ£Õ£¡£¡] As if to say its gratitude, the Dragon cried out and disappeared into the distance. ¡°What¡­¡­...just happened¡­¡­.?¡± The girl just sat there in amazement at everything that just occurred. CH 9 Chapter 9: The Mysterious Girl It¡¯s been one week since I moved to the base in the wilderness away from the Capital. I was enjoying my time alone and continuing my research. Werner: ¡°.........this will be difficult as expected.¡± I mumble the words to myself. I want to make a Magecraft Tool that will setup a barrier that can survive an explosive blast from the mining explosives. And if it can prevent intruders or thieves from entering, that would be even better. If I will be researching until late at night, I will also need it to be sound proof. I need it to be able to perform multiple functions and have an on/off switch as well. Making an Artifact with one of these functions is not so difficult but having all of these functions will be very difficult. Werner: ¡°But, I can at least see a path forward.¡± I take a large gulp of water and throw a dried ration bread down my throat. It tastes awful as usual. Werner: ¡°This round is going to be a long development cycle¡­...I need to make sure to take breaks¡­...¡± I pause my research and dive into my bed. As soon as I do so, I hear a sound of a loud explosion outside. Werner: ¡°........is there a robber outside?¡± I guess it¡¯s no time to be sleeping. I want to avoid fighting in the underground Research Lab as much as possible. I¡¯m in the middle of a Magecraft Tool Development, and I don¡¯t want all my hard work to be wiped out. I would hate for the fruits of my labor to be stolen or destroyed. That¡¯s why I left the underground lab and went up to the surface. It¡¯s nearing sundown. It feels like it¡¯s been ages since I last felt the sunlight. Werner: ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t have time for that right now.¡± In front of me, there shouldn¡¯t be anything around, but a large Elder Dragon was there. And the Elder Dragon was extremely excited and was about to attack a human girl. Putting aside the Elder Dragon, there shouldn¡¯t be any humans around here either. I really couldn¡¯t understand how things ended up this way, but I move to intervene and rescue the girl. I push back the jaws of the Elder Dragon that was about to bite down on the girl. Werner: ¡°.........why is there an Elder Dragon here?¡± I ask the girl, but she only remained where she was trembling. Looks like under the circumstances, it¡¯ll be difficult for her to speak. I need to do something about this Elder Dragon first. And that¡¯s where my starts started. <<<<>>>> After the Elder Dragon flew off and left, I turn back to the girl who looked at me blankly in shock. ¡°What¡­¡­...just happened¡­¡­.?¡± As she mumbled to herself, she came to. And bowed her head deeply towards me. ¡°I do not know who you are, but thank you so much for saving me! My name is Lotte.¡± The girl called Lotte had on rags for clothes. Well, I really can¡¯t talk about other people¡¯s clothes. But her face and hair were also covered in mud. In fact, I could almost compliment her for getting this dirty. Well, I really have no place to talk about how dirty someone else is either. Although she is quite a mess, I was drawn to her beautiful green eyes. And though her clothes are ragged and dirty, the cloth itself is of high quality. Looks like she had on some expensive clothes that got severely dirty and ragged. Werner: ¡°.......I see. I¡¯m Werner. What were you doing in these parts, Lotte?¡± Lotte: ¡°I was coming to visit someone who lives near the Capital but got lost and¡­¡­.¡± This is not a place you can arrive at by just getting lost. It¡¯s that kind of place, and also the reason why Master Kay built a lab here. This place is very far from the main road. Unless you have an abysmal sense of direction, you would never end up here. So either she really has zero senses of direction or has another reason of why she¡¯s here. Either way, it doesn¡¯t concern me. Werner: ¡°I see. So you got lost. And what about that Elder Dragon?¡± Lotte: ¡°I don¡¯t know either.¡± Werner: ¡°I see. So you don¡¯t know.¡± Lotte: ¡°Yes. I was walking in this area when it suddenly attacked me¡­¡­¡± Thinking about this logically, that¡¯s not likely. There¡¯s no reason for an Elder Dragon to be flying around this area, and Elder Dragons do not attack people unless they are provoked. And the Elder Dragon also had a mysterious Magecraft Artifact and was being manipulated. Looks like it has something to do with Lotte¡¯s situation. But regardless, it has nothing to do with me. Werner: ¡°I see. So Lotte, are you going to the Capital now? It¡¯s about a 5 hour walk but¡­.¡± I look at the western sky. The sun had gone down completely, and the red night sky was getting darker and darker. If she is going to walk, I will have to walk with her so she doesn¡¯t get lost or attacked again. It would be too dangerous to send anyone alone out in the wilderness at night. But this also has nothing to do with me. Even so, if I learned that she somehow died on the way to the Capital, it would not settle well with me. Werner: ¡°If you are heading to the Capital©`©`¡± Lotte: ¡°........um! Mr. Werner!¡± Lotte looks at me with suddenly determined eyes. Werner: ¡°What is it?¡± Lotte: ¡°I heard that Professor Kay has a residence in this area, but do you know anything about that?¡± At the mention of my Master¡¯s name, I froze for a second. CH 10 Chapter 10: Lotte¡¯s Circumstance I wonder how I should answer her. There¡¯s really no reason for me to lie about my Master either. But before I explain, I should at least get some context from her. Werner: ¡°.......what business do you have with Professor Kay?¡± Lotte: ¡°.........ummmm¡­.¡± Lotte also hesitates. She might be under a circumstance that she cannot freely speak about. Werner: ¡°Well, if it¡¯s something you can¡¯t say, that¡¯s fine. I can¡¯t talk either in that case.¡± Lotte: ¡°No! It¡¯s not something I need to hide, but rather, I wanted to become Professor Kay¡¯s disciple.¡± My Master is an extremely famous Magecraft Wizard. There are many who want to become his disciple. But it¡¯s rare for someone to know about one of his secret hideouts. Werner: ¡°I see. You want to become his disciple. How did you learn of this place?¡± Lotte: ¡°I wrote a letter expressing my desire to become his disciple to the Mages Academy, but in the reply, he asked me to head here instead.¡± Werner: ¡°.......was that really a letter from Professor Kay?¡± Lotte: ¡°Here is the letter I received.¡± Lotte brought out a letter from inside her cloak. I took the letter and read through the contents. It¡¯s true. The letters looked like they belonged to my Master. It told her to head to the wilderness and look for a Grand Magecraft Wizard. It¡¯s just like my Master to call himself a Grand Magecraft Wizard. Werner: ¡°........but I really can¡¯t understand what he was trying to accomplish with this.¡± First of all, my Master never responds to anyone who asks if they can become his disciple. Besides, he¡¯s currently living in an isolated cottage that has its own hot spring. He has zero intention of taking on another disciple. I really don¡¯t understand what my Master is thinking here. Werner: ¡°I understand your situation now. This is indeed one of Professor Kay¡¯s base of operations.¡± Lotte: ¡°I knew it!¡± Lotte looks at me with eyes sparkling with excitement. Werner: ¡°Don¡¯t get too excited. Professor Kay is not here.¡± Lotte: ¡°Huh? Where is he now?¡± Werner: ¡°I don¡¯t know that either. He said his back hurt and went to a hot spring far out in the middle of nowhere.¡± Lotte: ¡°......b©`but that¡¯s¡­.¡± Lotte seemed really shocked by the news, and in disappointment fell on her knees. Watching her, I felt some pity towards her circumstance. My Master can be very cruel. I don¡¯t mind if he has no intention of taking on a new disciple. But then he should have just ignored that letter. If he was going to reply, he should have refused the offer upfront. Werner: ¡°Sheesh. ¡­¡­...well, there is still a teacher who took after Professor Kay¡¯s position after he retired still working at the Mages Academy so don¡¯t worry.¡± The President and Head of Magecraft Science Research are trash, but there are other noteworthy professors still working there. The Professor who took over my Master¡¯s position did not have any political power, but he had very good with both teaching and research. Lotte: ¡°.........yes. Thank you very much. I¡¯ll head to the Mages Academy then.¡± And with that, Lotte began walking unsteadily. She was obviously dragging her right foot. She must have injured it while fleeing from the Elder Dragon. Werner: ¡°Well, wait. Are you planning on heading to the Capital now?¡± Lotte: ¡°.......yes.¡± Werner: ¡°It¡¯s dangerous. With her right foot injured, you may not even make it to the Capital. Besides, with the sun down, all the gates of the Capital are closed.¡± Lotte: ¡°......I¡¯ll camp outside near the Capital.¡± With an un-energetic tone, she answered. But maybe not the Capital, but around here is dangerous. There are also thieves and robbers that target the people who camp outside the Capital walls. Werner: ¡°Then it can¡¯t be helped. Tonight, feel free to rest in Professor¡¯s Kay¡¯s base.¡± Lotte: ¡°Huh? Is that okay? But in regards to Professor Kay, Mr. Werner, what is your relation to him?¡± Werner: ¡°When Professor Kay was still a professor at the Mages Academy, I was a student then. I helped him with his research and because of that, he said I can use his research facilities freely.¡± It¡¯ll be troublesome explaining to her that I¡¯m his disciple, so I try to avoid stating that fact. A disciple is very different from a student. In alignment with the ancient Magecraft Disciplinary Arts, a disciple learns from his Master in the same way. He becomes his pupil publicly and privately, and as the disciple takes care of some menial tasks, he learns the Magecraft Arts from his Master from the ground up. Although it¡¯s much more difficult than being a student, you get to learn the secret arts of Magecraft directly and in depth in exchange. The Mages Academy¡¯s education system is a form of those same principles, but it has been made more generalized, had a defined curriculum, and made sure that any professor can teach the course. Even so, if a student shows promise, there are many professors who take disciples. In order to teach the depths of the Magecraft Arts, it¡¯s more efficient doing so with a disciple. If a student becomes a Professor¡¯s disciple, they would be both a student and a disciple at the same time. I was also a student with disciple privileges back in my Mages Academy days, so I¡¯m not technically lying to Lotte. Lotte: ¡°I see. So you were a graduate from the Mages Academy.¡± Werner: ¡°If you were to enroll in the Mages Academy, you would be my underclassman.¡± As we chatted, I showed Lotte around the underground base. Werner: ¡°It¡¯s dirty, but it¡¯s better than sleeping outside. When you need to sleep or sit, use the bed. Although it does look disorganized, they are set there for a reason. Try not to touch anything. There are some dangerous materials too.¡± Lotte: ¡°Oh, yes. Thank you very much.¡± She must have been tired. Lotte sits down on the bed. Werner: ¡°Lotte, are you hungry? Here, you can eat this.¡± I gave Lotte the dried bread and water. Lotte: ¡°Thank you very much for taking such good care of me¡­¡­¡± Werner: ¡°We met by coincidence, but we¡¯ve been formally introduced now. I can¡¯t just treat you as I would a stranger.¡± Lotte eats the dried bread slowly. It probably tasted horrible to her, and she had trouble swallowing it. I sat down on the couch. Lotte: ¡°At first, I thought Mr. Werner was Professor Kay.¡± Werner: ¡°........don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± I don¡¯t look anything like Professor Kay. Professor Kay is an Elf, and more importantly, he looks more important and strong. Lotte: ¡°There¡¯s no ordinary person who can easily defeat an Elder Dragon.¡± Werner: ¡°I guess Professor Kay disliked showing himself to people publicly, so it¡¯s no wonder that people don¡¯t even know what he looks like. I guess it can¡¯t be helped if I¡¯m mistaken for him.¡± I like living a private life, and my Master is the same. Lotte: ¡°Yes, there¡¯s a lot not known about Professor Kay.¡± Since he was a Professor at the Academy, Professor Kay preferred to stay out of people¡¯s sight. During class, he would just give out the textbooks, and when giving out assignments, he would not show up directly but relay that through Magic. In fact, there are probably more professors than students who have never met Professor Kay. Werner: ¡°Here, Lotte. Show me your right foot.¡± Lotte: ¡°.........yes.¡± Lotte hesitated with some anxiety and fear in her posture, but she then put her right foot out to show me. Werner: ¡°It¡¯s probably a sprain.¡± I place some heat pads and wrap it in a bandage. Werner: ¡°Try not to move it too much.¡± Lotte: ¡°Thank you very much.¡± After a while, Lotte fell asleep on the bed. I was also tired so I slept on the couch. CH 11 Chapter 11: The Gate of the Capital It was the next morning. We woke up at the break of dawn, and I headed to the Capital with Lotte. Since Lotte had injured her right foot, I carried her on my back. Lotte: ¡°.......thank you again for everything.¡± Werner: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it.¡± I couldn¡¯t bare the idea of throwing a young girl out into the wilderness with an injured foot. I¡¯m not that thick skinned. But even then, I can¡¯t just keep her at the base lab until her foot heals. She would get in the way. I wanted to do my research alone. Werner: ¡°I¡¯m glad that it¡¯s winter now.¡± Lotte: ¡°Why is that?¡± Werner: ¡°It would have been hot if it was the summer.¡± Right now, it is the middle of winter. That¡¯s why I wasn¡¯t drenched in sweat carrying Lotte. In fact, carrying her made the trip warmer. I carry Lotte on my back and continue to walk onwards. Since I was living indoors for so long, it feels like it¡¯s been a while since I took a long walk like this. Lotte: ¡°Um, are you okay? Am I not too heavy?¡± Lotte is probably lighter than the average person, but I¡¯m still carrying one whole person. There¡¯s no way the burden wouldn¡¯t be heavy. But saying so would be honestly too rude. Werner: ¡°I¡¯m okay. You¡¯re not heavy. Besides, I needed the exercise so the timing was good.¡± Lotte: ¡°Thank you so very much. I will return the debt one day¡­..¡± Werner: ¡°A child shouldn¡¯t worry about such things.¡± Our conversation during the walk was minimal, and I continued to walk the five hours. It was around noon when we reached the gates of the Capital. With the sun up in the sky, the gates were open. As I was carrying Lotte, I tried to walk through the gate when©`©` ¡°HALT! YOU THERE!!¡± One of the gate guards called out to me. Werner: ¡°Is something the matter?¡± ¡°You look highly suspicious. We need to see your ID!¡± I completely forgot that you needed to bring identification for these things. I would go in and out on the Marquis¡¯ horse carriage and would skip over the identification process. Werner: ¡°An ID. ¡­¡­...did I have one on me?¡± If I returned to the research lab, I would definitely find it there, but I don¡¯t want to go back 5 hours and 5 hours here just to retrieve it. ¡°If you don¡¯t have one, leave now!¡± The guards¡¯ attitude is a little overbearing. But they must be working hard to not let criminals inside. It can¡¯t be helped if their attitudes swell up in that case. And showing identification is in accordance with the law, so that can¡¯t be helped either. I start searching through my pockets. Maybe I did have something in here. ¡°Hey! Put your hands where I can see them! Raise them high in the air!¡± I think they thought I was trying to retrieve a weapon or something. These guards deal with criminals all the time, so it¡¯s no wonder that they¡¯re on edge. Werner: ¡°I was trying to see if I had some ID¡­¡­¡± ¡°SHUT UP! There¡¯s no way a person like you would have identification!¡± Werner: ¡°What¡­¡­..on what basis are you¡­.?¡± The guard started making ridiculous accusations. But he¡¯s still well within the law so it can¡¯t be helped. If I was to show some ID, then he would not be able to say such things, but I haven¡¯t produced any ID at this point. ¡°Look at your clothes! They¡¯re ragged and smell awful! There¡¯s no way that you¡¯re a lawful citizen!¡± Werner: ¡°S©`Smell?¡± I was a little shocked at the comment. But as I fell silent from the sudden criticism, he continued©`©` ¡°That¡¯s right! You¡¯re probably a slave or criminal on the run! Be thankful that we¡¯re not throwing you into prison!¡± Another guard joined in with the first guard. Werner: ¡°No, I¡­¡­..¡± ¡°SHUT UP AND GET OUT OF HERE!¡± They won¡¯t even bother to hear me out. But they are still within the laws of their duty, so it can¡¯t be helped. I absolutely refuse to reprimand them for their disrespectful attitude even though I¡¯m a Noble. I put Lotte down on the ground after walking away from the gate. Werner: ¡°Lotte, do you have identification?¡± Lotte; ¡°Yes, I do but¡­¡­¡± Werner: ¡°Then you should be able to gain entry.¡± Lotte: ¡°Wait! But what about you, Mr. Werner¡­..!¡± Werner: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I don¡¯t have any business at the Capital.¡± Even if I walk into the Capital, all that¡¯s waiting for me is more trouble. I was going to head immediately back after dropping Lotte off at the Mages Academy. Werner: ¡°Lotte, will you be okay going alone from here?¡± Lotte: ¡°Yes, there¡¯s no concerns there¡­¡­.but I¡¯ll speak to the guard to allow Mr. Werner to pass!¡± Werner: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. As long as you can enter, that¡¯s fine with me.¡± Lotte: ¡°But still¡­¡­.¡± Lotte seems hesitant on leaving me here and entering the Capital alone. Werner: ¡°.....just between you and I, I¡¯m not a criminal or a runaway slave, but there are some people that I don¡¯t want to run into inside the Capital.¡± If I run into my sister, it¡¯ll be bothersome. If I run into Prince Thil, my sister¡¯s fianc¨¦, he might ask me to chat with him all day. For some reason, Prince Thil took a liking to me. Werner: ¡°That¡¯s why I originally planned to go back without entering the Capital.¡± Lotte: ¡°.........I see¡­..if that¡¯s the case¡­.¡± Lotte bows her head deeply towards me. Lotte: ¡°Thank you so much for everything. You have done so much for me. I will surely return the favor¡­¡­¡± Werner: ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. And sorry if I smelled.¡± If the guard is correct, Lotte had to be carried for 5 hours on my smelly back. Lotte: ¡°No! You didn¡¯t smell at all!¡±¡¯ And she was kind enough to deny it. She must be a very caring girl. Werner: ¡°Lotte, be careful on the way there.¡± Lotte: ¡°Thank you again. Thanks to you, my foot doesn¡¯t hurt as badly.¡± Lotte bowed her head once more and headed slowly towards the gate. To not make me worry, she is trying to walk as normally as possible. But her right foot is still moving slightly strangely. I¡¯m sure that it still hurts. I watch Lotte¡¯s situation from afar. If she¡¯s rejected at the gate, I may have to rely on my family¡¯s help to get her through. ¡°Wait, wait! Were you not listening to us before?! If you don¡¯t have identification¡­¡­¡± Lotte: ¡°My identification is here.¡± And Lotte quickly produced a small card the size of her palm to show it to him. ¡°Huh? ¡­¡­...EEK! P©`Please excuse us! HEY! GET THE DIRECTOR RIGHT NOW!!¡± ¡°What? Why the director?¡± As soon as he saw Lotte¡¯s ID, his attitude instantly changed. ¡°JUST DO IT! Excuse us again. Oh, it looks like you are injured. May I call a Healer for you here¡­.?¡± Lotte: ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. I just have a small business to take care of at the Mages Academy¡­..¡± ¡°Please! If we just let you through without seeing the Director, we¡¯ll be fired on the spot!¡± They are really panicking. Maybe Lotte was a daughter of a High Noble. Well, from the looks of things, she¡¯s being handled with the utmost care and should get help getting to the Mages Academy. Lotte: ¡°No, but before that, I would like for you to apologize to Mr. Werner for your behavior earlier©`©`¡± Lotte¡¯s trying to make them apologize. Before I get sucked into more trouble, I quietly and quickly leave that area and start returning home. CH 12 Chapter 12: Back at the Mages Academy Back at the Mages Academy. The Head of Magecraft Science Research was meeting with the President of the Academy. All of the assistants were dismissed, and it was just the two of them left alone in the Research Laboratory. ¡°How close are we to completing the new Magecraft Tool?¡± ¡°..........unfortunately, there have been some unexpected complications.¡± The Magecraft Tools that were in development inside Werner¡¯s Research Lab. Werner¡¯s notebook detailing the progress of his Research. The Magecraft Tool outline, design, and diagram. All of it was brought into the large Research Lab of the Head of Magecraft Science Research. ¡°.........are you not taking a little too much time?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid Magecraft Research by nature takes much time to complete.¡± The Head of Magecraft Science Research was irritated at the lack of understanding of what true research is by the President. ¡°But you see¡­..that Strout was able to complete it within a week.¡± ¡°...........it all depends upon the type of tool that is being developed.¡± ¡°Is it really? But I am getting pressure by our sponsors to deliver something. I don¡¯t care what it is. Just hurry up and complete the new tool.¡± The sponsor the President is mentioning is the President of the Gerald Merchant Association. It is the same Gerald Merchant Association that Werner visited to see if he could rent out a house the day he was fired. The President and the Head of Magecraft Science Research has been secretly meeting with the President of the Gerald Group and owe some considerable debts as well. That¡¯s why they both had extreme difficulty pushing back on the Gerald Group¡¯s demands. ¡°........I understand the urgency. We will complete it as soon as possible.¡± ¡°I see. I¡¯m counting on you.¡± The President casually strolls out of the Research Lab. ¡°EEAAGGHHH!!¡± Being left alone, the Head of Magecraft Science Research let out a piercing shriek and threw the metal object in his hands against the wall. The President just didn¡¯t understand how difficult it was to decipher Werner¡¯s Research Notes. What was up with these theories and logic?! He could read the words just fine. He could understand the vocabulary being used. But the contents of how it all came together was left a mystery. The Head of Magecraft Science Research is a renowned academic in his field. Since Werner was a child, he was praised as one of the world¡¯s top Magecraft Science Researchers. That¡¯s why he had the confidence that as long as he had the Research Notes and the Magecraft Artifacts in development, he would easily be able to complete the rest. ¡°What''s with this gibberish written here? And what¡¯s this tool supposed to do in the first place?!¡± After spending over a week, they have not been able to properly understand the Research Lab Notes. Progress has been painfully slowed to a halt. He has even called upon every graduate student, TA, and assistant professors he could get his hands on to assist with the efforts. ¡°.......that¡¯s right!¡± The Head of Magecraft Science Research reached a brilliant conclusion. He decided to call upon Werner¡¯s Former Pupils. <<<<>>>> There were 3 students that came and all looked to be in an extremely terrible mood. ¡°We have completed our graduate thesis, but is there something else you want?¡± The students are speaking pretty bluntly with the Head of Research. The Head of Research had already forgotten. 8 years ago, when they first enrolled into the Academy. Just because he didn¡¯t like how their faces looked, out of whim, he bullied them persistently and thoroughly. They fell into psychological trauma and suffered mental illness, and as they repeated their grades and were about to be let go, Werner stepped in to help and guided them all to graduation. ¡°OH! Thank you all for coming. There was a Magecraft Artifact that was being developed, but the progress was not going so well. Would you be willing to assist us?¡± ¡°..........what¡¯s in it for us if we do help?¡± The Head of Research had to grit his teeth and not lash out at the rude attitude. But he is the one that is in trouble. He withheld his temper with all his might and smiled to reply. ¡°Of course! I will write you all recommendations as the Head of Research. I will also ask the President to do the same. How¡¯s that?¡± ¡°We have all been able to land jobs. The recommendations won¡¯t do us any good.¡± ¡°Then what about getting part-time pay?¡± ¡°........(sigh). Fine. So, which one is it?¡± The students¡¯ attitudes are most definitely disrespectful. But, they are not like this to everyone. They will only speak politely and carefully with Werner, and they won¡¯t dare to argue. That is because Werner had earned their utmost respect. And they also treat other professors in general with the same manner of respect. But their attitude flipped as soon as they saw the source of all the bullying they suffered when they first arrived at the Academy. The Head of Research held his tongue and outage as he smiled and spoke. ¡°.......it¡¯s this right here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s this one? This is one of Professor Strout¡¯s Magecraft Tool in development, isn¡¯t it?¡± And with that, the student glared back at the Head of Research. The news of Werner being fired by the President and Head of Research has spread throughout the entire Academy. Rumors spread like wildfire as people guessed that it was mainly due to jealousy. That¡¯s why the students were visibly upset at the Head of Research. But the Head of Research was oblivious to their anger. That¡¯s why he smiled as he replied back. ¡°Yes. When Mr. Strout left the Academy, he did not pass on his research to anyone or try to complete it himself. Unfortunately, this has caused us some trouble with our vendor.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t you, the Head of Research, complete it then?¡± If he could, he wouldn¡¯t be speaking to these insolent children. Though words of wrath crept up the Head of Research¡¯s throat, he choked those words down and held it back at bay. ¡°.......unfortunately, I¡¯m a very busy man.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Werner¡¯s former students took the Research Lab note and the tool in development. And they immediately understood what Werner was trying to do. For them, Werner¡¯s Research Note was incredibly easy to understand, and the undeveloped tool was being made very precisely and carefully. If it¡¯s been completed this much, they should be able to finish the rest in about 3 days with just the students alone. ¡°...........what¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see. This goes here and¡­¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s incredibly efficient. Props to Professor Strout.¡± And the students were whispering amongst themselves. The Head of Research was delighted to see that they were understanding and making progress. ¡°How is it? Do you think you¡¯ll be able to complete it soon?¡± The Head of Research asked them politely, and the students¡¯ expression instantly vanished. ¡°...........it¡¯s no use. This is way beyond our understanding.¡± ¡°.........it¡¯s too difficult. Below average students like us wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± ¡°Yeah. I would have the Head of Research and all the elite students take a stab at this first.¡± And the smile across the Head of Research twisted and strained across his face. ¡°What?! What are you talking about?! Extraordinary students like you should be able to do this!¡± ¡°Extraordinary? Are you kidding? We all barely graduated by the skin of our necks.¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve told us repeatedly how dumb we were, and how we were the shame of Academy. Have you forgotten?¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± The Head of Research had completely forgotten such pasts and just looked blankly back at the students. ¡°Well, whatever. Anyways, this tool is way beyond our abilities to assist.¡± ¡°Yeah, no matter how much you pay us, we won¡¯t be able to do it.¡± The students looked at the Head of Research with mocking exaggeration. With this, the Head of Research finally snapped. ¡°You¡­¡­¡­.do you want to have your graduation revoked?¡± ¡°What? Do you even know what you¡¯re saying? We¡¯ve already had our Graduation Thesis reviewed and approved, and our grades are final.¡± ¡°How dare you speak to the Head of Research in that manner!! With the help of the President, we will be able to easily reverse those decisions and have you expelled!!¡± In response though, one of the students just let out a deep, exasperated sigh. ¡°If you revoke our graduation papers, the next time we see each other will be in court. Is that okay?¡± ¡°ARE YOU THREATENING ME?!¡± ¡°Do you think that it¡¯s an empty threat? I¡¯m the son of the Supreme Court Justice. I¡¯m also very well connected and on good terms with every official in the judicial process. Do you think a person like that would make empty threats about litigation?¡± ¡°...........wh©`©`¡± The Head of Research becomes speechless. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the judicial process. If you are a judge there, you are considered at the top of the field of law. The other student spoke up as well. ¡°I¡¯m sure as the Head of Research, you have your own rights and privileges for sure. And we have endured this much without resorting to using our family¡¯s influence but¡­...if you are going to take it that far, we won¡¯t hold back. By the way, my father is a Duke and his father is the Minister of Finance. I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t know that.¡± ¡°.....................¡± This was indeed fresh news to the Head of Research, and now he was really at a loss for words. The Duke is considered the highest tier of the High Nobles. All held an immense amount of territory, and they had significant power and influence in the Palace. And the Minister of Finance controls the Kingdom¡¯s Budget. Undoubtedly, one word from the Government could heavily cut the Academy¡¯s budget with one wrong step. ¡°We all resisted resorting to using our family¡¯s power and endured this much. But even so¡­..¡± ¡°Yeah, but Professor Strout says if someone stronger than you tries to do something unreasonable, it¡¯s okay to use it then. That¡¯s why we won¡¯t hesitate anymore.¡± Why did he have to go do something unnecessary like that?! But the Head of Research held his tongue. ¡°So don¡¯t even think about putting pressure on our future employers either.¡± ¡°Yeah, you already have your hands full trying to complete Professor Strout¡¯s Magecraft Tool, so good luck with that.¡± With the students standing proud and opposed, the Head of Research¡¯s face ran scarlet with rage. But now that he knew who the students¡¯ parents were, he would not be able to punch them as he did 8 years ago. ¡°You¡­¡­¡­.YOU¡­¡­.¡± ¡°Why not just ask Professor Strout? If it¡¯s the Prof, he should be able to complete it within a day.¡± ¡°Yeah, just get on your hands and knees and beg at his feet. ¡®We were so ignorant and incompetent that we couldn¡¯t understand your research, so please save us.¡¯¡± ¡°G©`©`GGGGGG¡­¡­.¡± The Head of Research now grinded his teeth so hard that he was unable to speak even if he wanted to. But he still has some sense of self-preservation. The guardians of these students are part of the top tier of society, so he endured and did nothing as the students left his sight. CH 13 Chapter 13: The Late Night Visitor After I was done taking Lotte to the Capital, I began walking slowly back to my base. I will typically not step outside if I don¡¯t have to. But I neither like nor dislike going outside in general. The winter weather was pleasant that afternoon, and I strolled through it casually. I realized that walks where I don¡¯t run into anyone can be quite nice. I sucked in the chilly air until my lungs were full and enjoyed a nice walk back as I arrived at my Research Lab. It took about 5 hours to return to my base, and by that time, evening came. I was a little concerned that the guard called me smelly so I took a bath. And I nibbled at the dried out ration bread. It wasn¡¯t good at all. Now that I think about it, since meeting with Lotte yesterday night until this evening, I haven¡¯t really thought about my research. Because of that, my brain felt refreshed. Taking a bath was very relaxing and enjoyable. A couple of good ideas came up while I was taking a bath too. Werner: ¡°I might be more efficient and effective with my research if I took breaks. I¡¯ll start considering incorporating it into my schedule.¡± After I was done eating, I made some progress with making a strong barrier and then fell asleep. I realized the importance of sleeping, so I did not try to stay up all night like I usually do. <<<<>>>> During the middle of the night, I heard a knocking noise and woke up. Someone is apparently tapping on my door. The sound was faint, and I almost wanted to believe that the wind probably blew something against the door. Werner: ¡°..........is it a guest?¡± I slowly moved towards the doorway. As I approach closer, I clearly hear the knocking sounds now against it. Werner: ¡°.......what do you want at this hour?¡± As I spoke, the knocking subsided. It became quiet. The only people who know that I¡¯m here are my sister and Lotte. And both wouldn¡¯t come visit me at this late in the night. Werner: ¡°If you have no business here, I¡¯m going back to sleep.¡± ¡°.........open the door¡­¡­¡­.open the door¡­..¡± I can hear someone whispering on the other side. Because it¡¯s through the door, it¡¯s hard to hear, but I believe it¡¯s a woman¡¯s voice. Werner: ¡°Is it you, Lotte?¡± ¡°...............¡± There¡¯s no answer from the person outside the doorway. Although the guards seemed to have been careful in how they spoke to her, maybe something happened after I left. If she had to run away due to some incident, then I would need to take her in. I wonder if her identification was fake, and now she was on the run after they found out. When I think about it, Lotte was wearing very raggedy clothes. Normally, there¡¯s no such thing as a High Noble who would be wearing such tattered clothing ©` except me. Werner: ¡°Well, okay. I¡¯ll open it right now.¡± Of course, I ready myself before I do. If it is a group of robbers, it¡¯ll be troublesome. I ready myself to be able to respond to bombs or Attack Magic and opened the door. Werner: ¡°......who are you? Wait, well, what do you want?¡± Across the door''s threshold, a dragon with crimson scales was there. I accidentally asked ¡°who¡± it was, but that¡¯s pretty obvious. It was the Elder Dragon that was attacking Lotte yesterday. ¡°.........I am the Dragon you saved yesterday.¡± Werner: ¡°..................¡± ¡°I am the Dragon you saved yesterday.¡± Werner: ¡°No, it¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t hear you the first time. I can tell just by looking at you.¡± Why did the Dragon from yesterday suddenly come here? That¡¯s the real issue. Werner: ¡°So what does an Elder Dragon who was attacking Lotte want with me?¡± ¡°..........although it is the Lord''s words, I cannot overlook this matter. I am not an Elder Dragon.¡± The Dragon stated that it was not an Elder Dragon. An Elder Dragon is not the name of a specific species of Dragons. It is a category indicating the growth and maturity of one. A Dragon that was born and only lived a few hundred years is called an Infant Dragon. Once they develop and grow and become self-sufficient, they are then called Mature Dragons. Once a Mature Dragon lives a thousand years or more and becomes immense both in size and strength, they are called Elder Dragons. The Elder Dragons are especially strong. They are even called living natural disasters. And the Dragon before me was clearly as strong as an Elder Dragon. No, even among the Elder Dragons, it would be categorized in the upper tier. Werner: ¡°I am not a Lord. And if you are not an Elder Dragon, what are you then?¡± ¡°I am an Ancient Dragon. Compared to me, the other ordinary Dragon race would just be lizards with wings.¡± And the Dragon proudly puffed its chest out with pride. CH 14 Chapter 14: The Sudden Appearance of the Ancient Dragon It¡¯s true that Ancient Dragons are fundamentally different from other dragons. Rather than creatures, they are said to be closer to spirits and gods. In fact, there are certain regions that worship Ancient Dragons as gods. Werner: ¡°Although you say you¡¯re an Ancient Dragon¡­..¡± But I held my tongue immediately. I almost said, although you¡¯re an Ancient Dragon, ¡°aren¡¯t you a bit too weak?¡± or ¡°a bit too small?¡± But doing so would be far too rude. Although I didn¡¯t finish my thought, the Dragon caught on quickly to what I tried to say. And began to quickly make excuses. ¡°I©`I am an Ancient Dragon, but I am an Infant Dragon¡­¡­. BUT! I am still an Ancient Dragon! Even as an Infant Dragon, I will not lose to an Elder Dragon of the common Dragon Race!¡± Werner: ¡°True. You were as big as an Elder Dragon, and stronger than the average Elder Dragon too.¡± ¡°See©`©`?¡± The Dragon smiled broadly and swung its tail left and right. Werner: ¡°I see. So you were an Ancient Dragon.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Werner: ¡°You came all the way here to convey your gratitude? You must carry a very strict moral code.¡± ¡°Yes, I do! Thank you very much!¡± Werner: ¡°Yes, I appreciate the gesture. Please do not worry about it.¡± ¡°And¡­.I came here to return the favor. I will serve you for the rest of your life!¡± The Ancient Dragon began spouting some ridiculous nonsense. If I have a Dragon this big hanging around, it would cause huge headaches. Werner: ¡°Oh, no no! Please do not concern yourself. I could never have such a majestic being such as Sir Ancient Dragon serve a lowly being as myself.¡± It called me a Lord and said it would start serving under me, so I had to add the honorific to tip the scales back. ¡°But you have the right! Besides, if an Ancient Dragon loses one on one, it is customary to become their servant!¡± I didn¡¯t know they had such customs. Werner: ¡°Oh, no no! There¡¯s really no need! All I did was take off the Magecraft Artifact, and in no way did I defeat you in any way!¡± ¡°No, you can definitely claim victory.¡± Werner: ¡°Oh no. Never. I am but a lowly Magecraft Artifact Developer, and that is the only reason why I was able to take it off.¡± ¡°But¡­..but¡­¡­! You easily deflected my full strength attack single-handedly, and you claim that you did not win¡­¡­.?¡± The argument went on for quite some time. I really didn¡¯t do anything special. Lotte was being attacked, so I intervened and sent the Dragon away. In summary, that is all that occurred. There is no reason for this Dragon to be thanking me or asking to return the favor. But the Dragon seemed dead set on following their code of honor and insisted on repaying the debt it owed. We hit an impasse with neither side budging. Since there was no end in sight, I decided to abruptly force the end of the conversation. Werner: ¡°No no. Please, you do not have to concern yourself about this matter any longer. Thank you very much for dropping by. ¡­...but the night is getting late so©`©`¡± I felt sleepy, so I politely bowed my head and closed the door. I didn¡¯t know Dragons had such honor-bound characters. Since I know of no other Dragons, I don¡¯t know if that is ordinary for a Dragon or not. Dragons may in fact be much more honorable than humans. As I thought about these things, I entered my bed. ¡°Please let me in©`©` Please let me in©`©`¡± From outside the door, I can faintly hear the Dragon¡¯s voice. Since it¡¯s a Dragon, they can easily fly back home, but it doesn¡¯t seem to care to do so. Werner: ¡°...........ergh, I guess it can¡¯t be helped.¡± I opened the door once more. Werner: ¡°Even if you wanted to come in, you¡¯re a considerably large Dragon. The rooms that humans inhabit are quite small.¡± ¡°Then you will let me in if I become smaller?!¡± As the Dragon finished speaking, it dwindled and shrunk in size. It was now the size of a slightly large small-sized dog or maybe a small mid-sized dog. Werner: ¡°..........you could change your size?¡± ¡°I¡¯m an Ancient Dragon after all! Can I come in now?¡± Werner: ¡°That¡¯s fine. But I¡¯m very sleepy. We¡¯ll talk tomorrow. If you want to sleep, ,use the couch right there.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The Dragon wagged its tail in delight, and laid across the couch as soon as it came in. And before long, the sound of its breathing could be heard as it fell asleep. CH 15 Ch. 15: The Infant, Ancient Dragon Hati I placed a blanket gently over the Dragon who fell asleep. A large Dragon is horrifying, but I found the smaller Dragon to be adorable. A cat is adorable, but a bigger cat, such as a lion or tiger would be terrifying. It is a similar feeling to that. Werner: ¡°......I guess the Dragon was tired too.¡± Though it was tired, it still wanted to repay its debts and came all the way over here. It really is an honorable creature. And because it¡¯s an Infant Dragon, the amount of sleep it requires may be longer. I¡¯ll speak with it tomorrow to discuss a few things, and then I¡¯ll have it return to its home. If it still insists on repaying me, then I¡¯ll ask for a scale or claw in return. An Ancient Dragon¡¯s scales or claw will be a rare material for Magecraft Artifacts. And as I fell onto my bed, I immediately fell asleep. <<<<>>>> I felt a weight on me and woke up. Though my eyes were still closed, I could feel something warm and soft on my chest. Something was on there. ¡°(pant pant)¡± Something was breathing on my face. I felt my cheek get licked. Werner: ¡°........what are you doing?¡± ¡°You¡¯re awake now, my Lord! Werner: ¡°I¡¯m not your Lord.¡± On top of my chest, a small Dragon with beautiful scarlet scales sat there. Werner: ¡°..........so, what were you doing?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t help it. I felt the urge to lick you.¡± Werner: ¡°I see¡­¡­¡± Maybe it¡¯s like a dog¡¯s behavior? Dogs lick a lot too. ¡°I am able to turn into a human form. If you like, whenever I come into your bed, I can change into that form.¡± Werner: ¡°No, there¡¯s no need for that. If you¡¯re coming into my bed, I like your current form better.¡± ¡°Hehehe. Really©`?¡± Since she spent the effort waking me up, I decided to get up out of bed. Werner: ¡°Is bread okay with you for breakfast? It¡¯s not that good but©`¡± ¡°Oh, I can prepare breakfast!¡± Werner: ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. So, is bread okay? Even if it¡¯s not, unfortunately, I only have bread.¡± ¡°I will gladly have some.¡± I put the dried out, ration bread on a plate and placed it on top of the table. I made sure to not forget to fill a cup with water and place it next to it. Werner: ¡°You can go ahead and eat.¡± ¡°Thank you! I will!¡± I began to eat too. As usual, the bread did not taste great. It¡¯s not so horrible that I can¡¯t eat it, but it still tastes bad. And I don¡¯t mean to compare this to the bread that is consumed in the Marquis¡¯ house. It is worse than the cheapest bread sold to ordinary citizens. If you leave out the cheapest bread for about 3 days, you¡¯ll get a similar flavor to the dried ration bread. But even then, the cheapest bread would still have a faint sweetness lingering within it whereas this bread does not. That¡¯s how bad it tastes. Werner: ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°For what?¡± Werner: ¡°It is not something I should be offering to guests¡­.or visiting Dragons, but this is all I have.¡± ¡°Hm? I don¡¯t understand, but¡­¡­..this is good.¡± I first thought that the Dragon was just being polite. But it really seemed to enjoy the bread as it grabbed it with its small hands and took large bites out of it. Werner: ¡°If you like the bread, I¡¯m glad. By the way, I am a human named Werner. Do you have a name?¡± We haven¡¯t even properly introduced ourselves. It couldn¡¯t be helped. I was too tired and sleepy last night. ¡°(munch munch munch).......oh! Forgive me for not introducing myself! I am the daughter of the Great Ancient Dragon King, and my name is Hati. (munch munch munch).¡± She mentioned something I couldn¡¯t afford to overlook. Werner: ¡°The Great King? ¡­...what¡¯s that?¡± Hati: ¡°Hmmmmmmm¡­..it¡¯s a respectable Ancient Dragon.¡± Werner: ¡°Can I think of it as the same as the King of a human country?¡± Hati: ¡°Ancient Dragons have no country. Hmmmm¡­..how should I explain this¡­¡­? OH! We do not rule over anyone, but we are heavily respected. That would be the best way to put it.¡± Werner: ¡°I see¡­¡± This new fact about the Ancient Dragon culture piqued my curiosity. But even so, there is an even more important matter now. It is the fact that Hati is trying to call me ¡°Lord¡± and trying to serve me. Werner: ¡°Hati, if it¡¯s about yesterday, I only did it as a means to save Lotte. You do not need to feel any debt towards me. Oh, and Lotte is the human girl that Hati was trying to eat.¡± Hati: ¡°(munch mu©`) I cannot do that! I must repay my debt! Besides, Hati never intended to assault Lotte in the first place!¡± As soon as we were done with introductions, she changed from ¡°I¡± to ¡°Hati¡±. I guess it¡¯s more natural for her to do so now that she has introduced herself to me. Werner: ¡°Hm? Then Hati, why did you attack Lotte?¡± Hati: ¡°(munch)......that¡­¡­.is a very long story¡­¡­..(munch munch).¡± Werner: ¡°I¡¯d like to know after you¡¯re done eating.¡± Once I was done speaking, Hati continued to eat the bread with delight. Undoubtedly, Hati was being controlled by the Magecraft Tool that I destroyed. What I want to know is how Hati had the Magecraft Tool attached to her. Even though she¡¯s an Infant Dragon, being able to put a Magecraft Tool onto an Ancient Dragon which is stronger than an Elder Dragon is no small feat. Once she was done consuming the bread, Hati spoke. Hati: ¡°That was very delicious! Humans eat such good food©`©`¡± Her tail swayed happily behind her. Werner: ¡°I see. I¡¯m glad. So can you tell me about what happened to you yesterday?¡± Hati: ¡°There is a very good reason for that. Hati is not an evil Dragon that attacks people for no reason.¡± Werner: ¡°Could you tell me the reason?¡± Hati: ¡°Yes. Hati was traveling freely throughout the world. During the travel, as I was taking a nap in a forest, an unfamiliar human man came and spoke to me.¡± Werner: ¡°A human did? That¡¯s rare.¡± There is no human who would carelessly come speak to an Ancient Dragon that is on equal grounds with a god. If they are not causing any trouble, then humans would avoid making any contact with it. In some regions, people speak of ¡°never poking the dragon¡± similar to ¡°stepping on a dragon¡¯s tail.¡± There are some Dragons who will cause trouble even if they are not provoked, but those are rarer. Hati: ¡°Yes. It was indeed rare. The human begged for me to help it. It asked me to please move a boulder that was blocking a path.¡± Werner: ¡°A boulder? It¡¯s true that if you can borrow a Dragon¡¯s strength, you can do things more efficiently but¡­.¡± Hati: ¡°Hati is a good Dragon, so Hati accepted the request wholeheartedly and moved this boulder.¡± Werner: ¡°Good for you.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, Hati is good but¡­...that was a trap.¡± And Hati¡¯s tail began to tremble at the mention. <<<<>>>> CHONKY Notes LiT (Lost in Translation) Magic Power (ma-ryoku) (ħÁ¦) vs Mana (¥Þ¥Ê) -- I think I¡¯ve seen in American English, Magical energy being described as Magic Energy, Magic, mana, and simply Power. Going along with these conventions, the translation of ¡°ma-ryoku¡± (ħÁ¦) which is most literally ¡°magic power¡± becomes problematic(?). The only time ¡°Magic Power¡± is used is in its acronym form, MP. This is used in U.S. games too. In Isekai Novels, MP, it is also a common term used, and it will probably be used directly into the English TL if I run into it. For this series, to make it more aligned with the U.S. culture, I¡¯ll transition the TL to ¡°magic energy¡± or ¡°magical energy¡± whenever ¡°ma-ryoku¡± comes up again. I¡¯ll reserve ¡°mana¡± for when the Japanese term matches exactly with it. I wondered if I should be using identical terms and definitions across multiple series, but though it¡¯s pragmatic in a scientific sort of way, in a literary sense, it can be problematic. Many authors spend a lot of time and effort trying to make their Magic system stand out, and I¡¯ll try to be consistent with their intentions with each series (as much as the American English language would allow). CH 16 Chapter 16: Hati¡¯s Circumstance Recalling the past brought terror to Hati. Werner: ¡°A trap?¡± Hati: ¡°Yes. As a show of gratitude, they gave me a juice to drink but¡­¡­.as soon as I drank it, my head began to spin, and I could not think straight.¡± Werner: ¡°Were you sure that maybe it was alcohol and not juice?¡± Hati: ¡°.......al©`cohol? What is that?¡± Do Dragons not drink alcohol at all? No, it¡¯s maybe because Hati is still an Infant Dragon. Werner: ¡°There are drinks like that among humans. Once you drink it, you become dizzy and sometimes fall asleep.¡± Hati: ¡°Ah, a certain type of poison then. I have heard of such things. How terrifying.¡± It¡¯s not exactly poison, but I guess it is similar. Werner: ¡°After you drank the alcohol, what happened to you, Hati?¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, they put something on my head.¡± Werner: ¡°That Magecraft Tool I destroyed.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, that. After they put that on me, I could no longer move my body freely.¡± Werner: ¡°Even though you¡¯re an Infant Dragon, the fact that it was able to control an Ancient Dragon is an astonishing Magecraft item.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, yes indeed. It was terrifying. Humans are terrifying.¡± Judging by the way her tail was trembling, Hati was truly afraid. Werner: ¡°So the man who put on that Magecraft Tool told you to attack Lotte?¡± Hati: ¡°I do not recall actually. After I lost the control of my body, my head began to get cloudy and©`©` yes, it was like I was in the middle of a dream.¡± Werner: ¡°Hm?¡± Even though they got her drunk on alcohol and even if she was an Infant Dragon, to be able to manipulate and control an Ancient Dragon would require significant technology. This is definitely not the work of an ordinary thief or robber. I wonder if my Master Kay had something to do with this incident. If they knew that Master Kay¡¯s base was located around here, there might be those who¡¯ll attack it. Werner: ¡°Do you think that instead of Lotte, you were supposed to come after me?¡± Hati: ¡°......I would not know. There was a voice echoing in my head that kept prodding me to kill people, and if I saw any humans I would try to eat them. No matter how much I fought the urge, my body just wouldn¡¯t listen.¡± Werner: ¡°Now that I think about it, when you were attacking Lotte, your movements were pretty slow.¡± If it was a powerful Dragon, it wouldn¡¯t be too difficult to devour a girl like Lotte. Actually, Hati probably could have devoured Lotte in a single instant. But Hati moved very slowly as if she was slowly cornering Lotte. In truth, Hati wasn¡¯t slowly cornering Lotte but was actually resisting and holding back the urges to kill. Werner: ¡°If you didn¡¯t resist, I would not have made it in time to save her.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, you saved both of us. If my Lord wasn¡¯t there, Hati would have devoured that human.¡± But a simple doubt crossed my mind at the comment. Werner: ¡°Aren¡¯t there Dragons who eat people? Why do you not want to eat people?¡± I¡¯m sure Dragons have differing tastes too but¡­ But for Hati, her terrified expression on her face is telling me that devouring a human would be the end of her. Even if she doesn¡¯t like the taste of humans, it shouldn¡¯t affect her that much. Hati: ¡°........I do not dislike humans.¡± Werner: ¡°Oh yeah? Why?¡± Hati: ¡°Humans are cute. They are as cute as cats.¡± Werner: ¡°Hmmmm¡­..? I think cats are cute too but¡­¡± Hati: ¡°Right? Humans are as cute as cats.¡± I don¡¯t understand a Dragon¡¯s way of thinking. But if I was manipulated, controlled, and commanded to tear a cat open, I would probably resist as much as I can too. Hati: ¡°Of course, there are those who use alcohol, poison, or Magecraft Artifacts and are terrifying¡­¡­but still, humans are cute.¡± Werner: ¡°I think cats are cuter. A dog is about as cute as a cat.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, a dog is cute too but¡­¡­humans are just as cute to me.¡± Werner: ¡°Hmmm, I don¡¯t quite understand.¡± Hati: ¡°You don¡¯t understand because my Lord, you are a human too!¡± Hmmm, I guess she does have a point. A dog or cat are still cute after they age. But an adult man is not that cute. But I may feel that way because I¡¯m a human too. Werner: ¡°To me, a Dragon is as cute as a cat, so maybe it¡¯s similar to that.¡± Hati: ¡°What?! My Lord, you like Dragons too?!¡± Werner: ¡°I definitely can feel fear when they are bigger, but cats are the same in that case.¡± A cat is cute, but a lion or tiger is scary. To be precise, a lion and tiger look cute on the outside, but they are too strong and are thus scary. That is normal. Hati: ¡°I see! I understand now! My Lord likes smaller Dragons then.¡± Hati began to nod her head in cheerful agreement. But we got off topic. Werner: ¡°So, I¡¯m turning the conversation back to my original question, but did you come all the way over here to say thanks for destroying that Magecraft Artifact?¡± Hati: ¡°That¡¯s correct! If I still had that on, Hati would have killed many humans and would have been eventually slain.¡± Werner: ¡°That might be true but¡­¡­¡± Before Hati would have fallen, many more cities would have fallen first. Hati: ¡°And being robbed control of my own body, as an Ancient Dragon, I was in danger of losing my dignity. In other words, my Lord, you not only protected my life, but I am also in your debt for saving my honor.¡± Werner: ¡°You¡¯re blowing this way out of proportion¡­¡± But Hati fervently shook her head to disagree with my comment. As she swung her head, her tail also swung side to side with equal momentum. Hati: ¡°It¡¯s not an exaggeration! In the name of Ancient Dragons, I will serve you, my Lord, as my Lord for as long as you live!¡± Werner: ¡°You really don¡¯t have to.¡± Hati: ¡°No! You have to let me serve you!¡± Werner: ¡°No, really. I would feel bad if you did.¡± Hati: ¡°You don¡¯t have to feel any guilt! If you pity Hati one single big, then please let Hati serve you!¡± Hati had a very serious expression on its face. CH 17 Chapter 17: Servant So I had to ask Hati. Werner: ¡°Wait, is there a reason why you must serve me?¡± Hati: ¡°It¡¯s true that Hati wants to serve my Lord. But if you refuse, Hati will lose reputation with the Ancient Dragon society.¡± Werner: ¡°That would be terrible.¡± Hati: ¡°Yes, very. Even if Hati serves my Lord for a lifetime, it is but a few hundred years. Regaining Hati¡¯s reputation with the Ancient Dragon Society could take thousands, no, tens of thousands of years.¡± Werner: ¡°......because your lifespans are so different from ours.¡± Considering the difference in lifespan, I would feel terrible for refusing now. Looking at Hati, I could see that she was troubled, and her tail drooped and sagged by her side. I think for a bit. I don¡¯t like living with other people. That would be troublesome. But just as it is comforting to live with a cat or a dog, living with a small Dragon must be comforting too. Werner: ¡°I understand. Hati, do as you please.¡± Hati: ¡°Thank you, my Lord!¡± Werner: ¡°But even so, I understand that you want to serve me, but I have very little for you to do.¡± Hati: ¡°Hati can help clean up!¡± Werner: ¡°I understand that things look cluttered and messy, but there¡¯s a reason for that. And besides, there are materials here that will be dangerous for a novice to handle.¡± Hati: ¡°Oh©` Hati understands©`¡± Werner: ¡°So just as I said before, Hati, you can do as you please. If I have something I need from you, I will ask you directly.¡± Hati: ¡°Understood!¡± And I carefully teach Hati all the precautions of this room. I mainly focus on the dangerous chemicals and materials. Werner: ¡°If I¡¯m honest, rather than having you serve me, I would be grateful if you could get me some Ancient Dragon¡¯s claws or scales.¡± Hati: ¡°Oh, you want those kinds of things? Hati will bring some to you!¡± Werner: ¡°You don¡¯t have to forcefully remove your claws or scales¡­.or your fangs either.¡± Hati: ¡°...........why would Hati do that? What a dreadful thought! Hati will naturally shed claws, fangs, and scales in due time.¡± Werner: ¡°Then that will be great.¡± Hati: ¡°Hati will ask the other Ancient Dragons to share theirs once they are done shedding!¡± Werner: ¡°I would be very grateful.¡± We¡¯re talking about Ancient Dragons here. I¡¯m sure that their shedding cycle must be extremely far apart. And there are not that many Ancient Dragons in the first place. I would be surprised if any Ancient Dragon sheds before I die. So I will not keep my hopes up, and let it be. And I returned to my Magecraft Tool research as I normally did. Werner: ¡°Just in case an explosive incident occurs, it¡¯ll be a Magecraft Tool that creates a barrier that will protect the surroundings¡­¡­¡± I began to work and my habit of speaking to myself began as well. Then©`©` Hati: ¡°Grrr? Hati understands. So this will contain the blast of wind¡«¡± Hati came over to see what I was doing. Hati probably heard me talking and felt that it was disrespectful if she did not respond. Werner: ¡°Hati, I have a habit of speaking to myself while I do my research. You don¡¯t have to feel obligated to respond to me.¡± Hati: ¡°Oh, is that right©`¡± And with that, Hati went somewhere. I began to refocus my attention on my research again. Werner: ¡°The flow of the barrier¡­¡­.should be good like this¡­¡­.¡± Since about the day before, the research has been progressing for about a week. In this last week, I think I was able to progress past the most difficult portions. The general theoretical foundation has been completed. Now, it¡¯s time to refine and fine-tune the details. As I¡¯m focused on my task at hand, Hati came to sit on my lap. Hati: ¡°PURRRRR¡± She¡¯s like a cat and is really cute. But unlike a cat, she knows how not to interrupt my work. I pet Hati as I continue my work. Because of Hati, I was able to progress well in my research, and by evening, I had my first alpha prototype ready. Werner: ¡°Okay, I was able to finally complete the first round.¡± Hati: ¡°Grr? You finally completed it?¡± Werner: ¡°I¡¯m still in the testing phase though. I¡¯ll have to put it through some tests and wash out all the problem areas.¡± Hati: ¡°Hm©`?¡± Hati didn¡¯t seem to understand. Werner: ¡°We¡¯ll postpone the test until tomorrow. Let¡¯s have some dinner.¡± Hati: ¡°Dinner?! The dried bread! Hati would like some too!¡± Werner: ¡°......Hati, you really like the dried bread.¡± Hati: ¡°I¡¯ve never had anything more delicious than dried bread.¡± Werner: ¡°.......that much?¡± Hati: ¡°Yes!¡± I¡¯m pretty certain there is no one in humanity who would vouch this strongly for dried bread. I prepare the dinner table and food, and eat the dried bread and drink water with Hati. Hati: ¡°So good¡­.so good¡­.¡± Werner: ¡°......you¡¯re enjoying it so much, even I feel like it tastes better.¡± That¡¯s when a thought crossed my mind. Maybe Hati doesn¡¯t know what good food tastes like, so maybe that¡¯s why she thinks dried bread is so delicious. Or is it because her taste buds are far different from humans and maybe she genuinely does enjoy eating the dried bread more than our regular bread. Werner: ¡°........I guess, I¡¯ll go to the Capital and buy some regular bread next time.¡± Hati: ¡°More dried bread?¡± Werner: ¡°Dried bread and regular bread.¡± Hati: ¡°Regular bread? Is that good too?¡± Werner: ¡°To me, regular bread tastes better than dried bread.¡± Hati: ¡°Hati can¡¯t believe there¡¯s anything that tastes better than dried bread.¡± Hati continued to consume her bread as she spoke. That day, we took a bath and went straight to sleep. It would be inefficient to stay up all night. I¡¯ve learned that lesson already. Today, Hati jumped into my bed with me. Since she is warm, it is nice having her around during these cold winter nights. <<<<>>>> When I woke up the next morning, something was laying on my chest. I suspected that it was Hati at first. But it was obvious that the size and weight were very different. I was worried that maybe she grew in size while she was asleep and opened my eyes. Hati: ¡°Nyuuuuuu¡± I was being hugged by a human-form, naked Hati. CH 18 Chapter 18: Barrier Generator Test The human-form Hati had hair that was scarlet red like her scales, and there were two horns growing atop her head. He tail was long, thick, and respectable looking. And though she was an Infant Dragon, she carried all the female curves. Her large breasts were pressing against me, and she slept soundly and comfortably. Werner: ¡°...........I thought I told her to use her Dragon form when climbing into my bed.¡± Hati: ¡°Mmmmmm¡± Hati was nibbling at the clothes near my chest. She took her hands and pawed at my chest just as a cat would do when trying to get comfortable. I heard once that cats do that because when they are breast feeding from their mother, that is what kittens do, and the habit remains into adulthood. Werner: ¡°......weren¡¯t Dragons born from eggs though?¡± If they are born from eggs, a mother Dragon wouldn¡¯t be breast feeding her young. There would be no reason to learn this kind of pawing. Werner: ¡°Well, whatever. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m an expert on Ancient Dragon development.¡± Maybe I¡¯m just ignorant, and the Mother Dragon does breast feed her young. Besides that, there are many mysteries to the Dragon¡¯s biology, and there are many unanswered questions that experts are struggling with even today. Since there are even fewer Ancient Dragons, which are must more stronger, then there would be that much less information about them. Werner: ¡°I wonder if she¡¯s hungry.¡± Because of that, the clothes around my chest are drenched and sticky. Werner: ¡°Hati, it¡¯s morning. Time to get up.¡± I shook Hati¡¯s shoulders gently. Hati: ¡°...........mmm?¡± Hati tiredly opened her eyes. Werner: ¡°C¡¯mon. Wake up. It¡¯s time for breakfast.¡± Hati: ¡°......PURRRR!¡± Hati opened her mouth wide, yawned and then stretched. She raised her hind quarters like a cat, and stretched her arms in front of her. I don¡¯t mind her stretching as she wakes up, but it¡¯s problematic that she¡¯s doing it right above me without any clothes on. In the end, Hati¡¯s chest was pressed up against my face. Werner: ¡°Hati, I have something important to discuss with you.¡± Hati: ¡°(YAWN¡«). My Lord, what is the matter?¡± Werner: ¡°When you are in human-form, you¡¯ll have to refrain yourself more.¡± Hati: ¡°?¡± Hati, still naked, sat down and looked at me in confusion. Werner: ¡°First of all, didn¡¯t I ask you that if you are coming into my bed, to be in your Dragon-form?¡± Hati: ¡°Oh! Yes you did!¡± Werner: ¡°I don¡¯t mind you coming into my bed, but please be in your Dragon-form.¡± Hati: ¡°I understand!¡± I¡¯m glad that Hati understood. Between humans and Dragons, our races are different and our common sense are different too. If we are going to live together, we¡¯ll need to understand each other¡¯s perspectives and values. Werner: ¡°And if you want to be in human-form, you cannot be naked.¡± Hati: ¡°Why is that?¡± Werner: ¡°It may be common for the Dragon Race to not wear clothes, but humans normally do. If you are going to be in human-form, you¡¯ll need to wear clothes.¡± Hati: ¡°I see©`¡± As she spoke, she quickly changed into her Dragon-form. Werner: ¡°Let¡¯s eat breakfast.¡± Hati: ¡°I want dried bread!¡± Werner: ¡°.......Hati, you really do like dried bread.¡± <<<<>>>> Once we ate the dried bread and drank our water, we were done with breakfast, and we were now going to test the new Barrier Generator. We relocated outside of the best, created the barrier, and inside of it, I detonated the explosives used for mining. Werner: ¡°In these cases, being in the wilderness is really handy.¡± Hati: ¡°An explosion, huh©`. Was it the same one that Lotte was using? I want to see©`¡± When Hati was attacking Lotte, Lotte apparently threw an explosive Magecraft Artifact at her and struck her directly. Hati swung her tail as she watched with excitement, and I finished setting up the barrier. Werner: ¡°........okay, here we go.¡± Hati: ¡°Can¡¯t wait©`©`¡± ©`©`