Lute, age 8.
An afternoon I spent rather relaxedly, after the summers climax has passed. I was carrying my luggage while going to visit the test firing range.
I dropped the luggage at the riverside.
The cask of magic liquid metal, the metal ammo case. The assault rifle, AK-47.
2 kinds of wooden boxes are contained in the metal case. One contains .38 Special for the revolver that I hang on my waist. The .38 special (929.5mmR) box is bigger than the exclusive AK47 7.62mm russian short-circuit(experimental bullets)
Thanks to spending most time on the AK 47, it is mostly completed and im on the final stage.
The appearance is black while the stock(the part applied to the shoulder at the very back of the gun) is no longer the downward-angled solid wooden stock typical for this weapon, but a skeletal metal in-line stock.
It is necessary to match the gun barrel with the height of the eyes to aim accurately while shooting with the AK 47. But if the stock is not in-line with the barrel (or even if its straight, it is at an extreme angle) it is hard to point the muzzle straight, so the muzzle jumps up from the recoil. During sustained full-auto fire, the cumilative effects of recoil can quickly force the muzzle off-target, something that is exacerbated with a non in-line stock. In just a few shots in full-auto, the weapon becomes an anti-aircraft gun.
So to minimize the jumps because of recoil, with the AKM as a reference I lowered the barrel from eye-height to shoulder-height, used an in-line stock, and added further minor adjustments (basically, I arranged the barrel and stock in a straight line).
Also, I reproduced the internal structure precisely, and implemented the automatic system.
After firing, one part of the discharged gas enters through the gas port (an opening for gas to enter, as the bullet is fired and advances near the muzzle the inside of the barrel between the bullet and the cartridge becomes an airtight compartment, and because of the high pressure a part of the gas therein enters through the gas port) and pushes a gas piston inside the gas cylinder backwards, pushes back the turn bolt (the part that touches the bullet) and bolt carrier (the part that supports the bolt), and raises the hammer. The bolt carrier that was pushed back is restored by the recoil spring, and the next round is pushed from the banana magazine to the chamber (because the bolt is pushed no less than 1 cartridge length backwards, enough space is created and the next round is pushed up into it).
At the end of all the hard work, when the gas operated system ran smoothly, I yelled out in excitement. The other thing that I want to compliment myself on is the included switch that goes between safety, full automatic, and semi automatic modes.
When the safety selector is set to on, the selector lever blocks the trigger so it couldnt be moved.
In semi-automatic mode, the selector lever doesnt do anything. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer is released, but its movement is hindered by getting stuck on a certain disconnector hook (a part directly connected to the trigger). In that situation, the hook wont come loose unless the trigger is temporarily released to its original position.
Lastly, in full-automatic mode, the selector lever holds down the disconnector. With the hook being held down, the hammer will not get caught. Because of that, the hammer will continue to move in a reciprocating motion until the trigger is released.
Furthermore, I also added a rate reducer for when using the full-automatic mode. Thanks to this rate reducer, there is a gap between shots when rapid firing, increasing the effectiveness by making it easier to aim even when the gunner is less experienced.
It had the appearance of a metal object, but it was made from just magic liquid metal, like the revolver, so its lighter than one would imagine.
Though my mental age is no less than 30, my body is that of an 8 year old. When holding the AK-47 (prototype) I look like some middle-eastern child soldier.
If I were to think of making an assault rifle other than an AK-47, it would have been an impossible task. In the world of my previous life it could be made even in countries with low technology, that is precisely why it could be made in this alternate world.
But its still not complete. The problem is of course the ammunition. Though I started making it by trial and error simultaneously while making the actual gun, it is still far from satisfactory.
For now, because of the gas operated system the empty cartridges are ejected. That too is because its an AK-47. The piston operates without causing misfires or jams (because the combination of parts had room to spare) even when shooting cheap non-brand-name cartridges or cartridges whose powder had deteriorated from moisture.
But theres no way I can be satisfied with that. In order to perfectly display its power, I spent time looking for the optimal distribution.
The thickness of the cartridge, the burning impression in the amount of powder, the properties of the bullet core, et ceteraall of these are still incomplete.
Because I had completed the actual gun recently, I had mostly been conducting development on the cartridges.
I took out a wooden box with a label on the lid from the metal case. Each box was filled with experimental bullets improved using the results of the test firings. I took out 1 box, and filled the banana magazine with it.
I slid the fire selector off Safe and into Semi-Auto I rocked in the magazine, and pulled the charging handle, loading the first round into the chamber. I increased my physical abilities with body strengthening arts. I pointed the muzzle towards the humanoid targets on the cliffside.
BANG!
It fired.
Ku!
An empty cartridge danced in the air. Though I only shot 1 round, my shoulder endured a strong thrusting recoil.
Its power, recoil, and gunpowder combustion noise. could not be compared to the S&W M10 revolver.
While checking the remaining sensation in my hands, I switched to full-automatic mode. Restoring my motivation, I rapid-fired.
BANG! BABABABABABABABABANG!
The noise was loud, but I also had trouble keeping the muzzle on-target. I unintentionally increased the magic power for body strengthening arts.
I shot all bullets and my whole body feels numb.
Mmm after all this is no good. The combustion speed is still too fast.
The result of that is somehowa bullet hole was unraveled at the target 30 meters away.
Among assault rifles, the AK-47 is not particularly accurate (even so, for a 100m distance it is concentrated in a circle 20cm in diameter.) But even considering that, this is not a very good result.
I jotted down my detailed thoughts on the experimental bullets, and put them in the wooden box. Of course, I also collected the fallen cartridges and put them back in their wooden box.
Next, I took the next box, and stuffed the cartridges into the magazine.
Exhausting all the boxes (except the spares) like this, I left behind my detailed impressions.
Once I finished shooting all the experimental bullets I prepared, I next started revolver practice.
She fastened the belt and held the revolver with experienced hands.
She pushed the cylinder out, and took 6 929.5mmR rounds from a wooden box.
Raising her body abilities with body strengthening, she fired at the human shapes on the cliffs.
We began practice.
When it became evening I finished cleaning up
While Snow goes besides the river bank she asks.
Lute-kun what will you do when you become 10.
In this world there is no concept of birthday; if one becomes 15 they will generally be treated as an adult.
10-years old is an important time to decide ones career. Children of the upper classes are different, but the common folk children become merchants apprentices, craftsmens students, etc. or enroll in school if the house has the leisure to do so.
Inside the orphanage including Snow and me there are 4 persons at the same age Snow is going to enter a magic school. The two girls who are Snows friends wish to be maid apprentices and took up a recruitment letter from the towns bulletin board. They sent a letter and are waiting for a answer.
In this situation only Im unable to chose a career.
Probably, she is worried as a childhood friend.
As I thought, youre going to Malton-sans place and run a toy store? No, thats not it.
In reality, the discussion comes repeatedly whether or not to learn how to become a merchant from Malton, but I refuse it entirely.
If I dont have a goal, I think using the knowledge of my previous life and selling toys wouldnt be bad. But I had already decided on a lifestyle.
I didnt intend to keep it a secret, but I havent told this to Snow or Elle-sensei.
This is a good chance so Ill tell her. I wanted Snow to know.
I was thinking of going on a journey when I turn 10. Then If I can, I want to help people in trouble or in need of help. Why do you want to do that?
Atonement for the acquaintance that was cornered to suicide in my previous life of course I cant say that. It hurts to lie, but this is what I said.
Last year I helped Snow right? That time, I felt that helping others is something worth doing. If thats so, then Snow will go on a journey with Lute-kun!
I thought Snow would say something like that. I gave her the lines that Ive prepared for this.
Snow will go to school when you turn 10, right? Then you will become a splendid magician and go to the north continent to look for your parents, that was your dream, right? If Im with Lute-kun, I can go to the north continent the way I am now.
Certainly, if Snow holds an AK-47, her fighting power would be doubled. It wouldnt be difficult to face ordinary monsters and enemies.
But Snow has talent to become a magician. Furthermore, Elle-sensei acknowledged that shell certainly become B+ rank. If by any chance before that.
I dont intend to crush that talent of hers.
I let out my honest feelings to Snow.
I would be happy to be together with Snow. But, Snow has talent to become a magician. I dont want to be with Snow so much as to eat away Snows talent. I dont want to become a burden for Snow. Lute-kun
Snow wiped her rising tears with her finger.
She stopped her legs and released her hands, then turned around to face me.
Miraculously, that place is exactly where I saved her from goblins.
Snows skin became red down to her neck, and not just because of the setting suns light. Her eyes are not filled with sadness, but with hot emotions. Snow clasped her hands together on her chest, mustering courage, she spoke out.
There is something Ive always wanted to tell Lute-kun.
At the riverside where the sun sets.
A trembling, red-faced childhood friend, staring straight ahead.
Im not a thick-headed protagonist of some manga or light novel, Im already aware of Snows feelings. The reason I didnt say anything is because shes still an 8 year old child. But now, it seems like that Snow is going to let out her feelings.
8 years after I was born. If you add the memories of my previous life, 35 years.
This is the first time a girl confessed to me.
Of course, the answer had already been decided. Its Yes!.
With the setting sun at her back, Snow mustered her courage with all her might. Putting in her whole feelings, she exclaimed loudly.
Snow Please make Snow into Lute-kuns sex slave!. Huuuwwwwhhhaaaattttt!!!?
Receiving the most unexpected of unexpected proposals, I unintentionally let out a yell that didnt lose to Snows.
Snows idiot kid levels had sped up faster than Id imagined.