Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Shirone explained by drawing on a piece of paper.

When no replies returned after hearing what he had to say, Shirone lost his confidence and hurriedly added.

Other than this method, various traps can be installed as well. For example, if you use keywords

Yiruki shook his head.

No, itll be fine. Its not only good, but those are necessary elements.

Nade agreed.

Yeah. This is quite subtle. Youre using the presentation as a tool.

As the structure was established, the three began to plan detailed operations.

The only problem is this. How do we present a ghost?

The technical part was up to Nade.

He rose from the sofa and cast Lightning Shadow which created another Nade made up of electricity.

We can make a ghost shape like this. But no one will be deceived by an unmoving ghost. That is the part Im worried about.

Yiruki nodded.

We can think from there. How can we make the afterimage move?

This is what came to mind right now. Quickly linking together Lightning Shadow

As Nade moved, the afterimage was taken in each frame of Nades movement, giving the impression of walking.

I see. So youre saying we can use optical illusion to make it look real.

Right. However, magic has its limits. Moreover, I cant increase the number of individuals at my level.

Shirone asked.

What if we were to use a mechanical device?

Easier said than done. Even if we do make a device, there is a mountain pile of stuff to consider. The biggest problem is, what if people arent fooled even after we implemented the movements? If we really want to make them believe, we need it to be responsive to external stimuli.

Yiruki racked his brain for a while and said.

How about Predicting peoples reactions ahead of time?

Predicting their reaction?

We will adopt the Complex System Theory. We analyze the public's behavioral patterns and program them. Its a way to create the illusion that were actually getting feedback. Problem is thats its a huge amount of information. We need a medium and control system to deliver the information.

Hmm. Transmitting information. There certainly are limits to my electric ability. Then Ah!

Nade turned to Shirone.

Photon Output! We have Shirones photon output!

Aha! With photon output

Shirone thought there was a possibility. It was a magic he learned to take the Targeting exam, but in the magic society, the research on transmitting information through photon output was in full swing.

Now its sorted then. Nade will create a hologram device. I will make the program that will go into the device, and it will be Shirones photon output that will send my program to the device. It probably requires a huge output, can you do it?

I have to. Its a one in a million opportunity.

They finally saw a ray of light in the darkness. Nade was thrilled just to have hope for something he thought was impossible.

We can do it. We can protect our research group. Of course, assuming there will be no accidents.

The academy will be in a fuss if we succeed, right?

More than that, actually. I think the academy will be in an uproar. Ill bet my money on that. Besides, I think itll be so much fun. Kekeke. Im already looking forward to the teachers reactions.

Yiruki and Nade turned to look at each other and gave an evil smirk. With the existence of the Supernatural Psychic Science Research Group on the line, an unprecedented event in the history of the magic academy was occur.

* * *

Shirone spent his time increasing the effectiveness of his photon output. The key was to increase the strength of the output while increasing the retention time. Weightless photons could not inflict any physical force, meaning it could not be used as attack magic. However, this time around, that characteristic turned out to be an advantage. This was because Shirone could go and train in any storage room in Estas.

Shirone put out his two hands. He concentrated and cast Photon Output.

As the beam of light started to create a circle on the wall, Shirone began to push himself.

If he couldnt hold out like this for 10 minutes, then there was no point in attempting to increase the output.

Although the level of difficulty exceeded that of Class 5, it was the same for Nades hologram device and Yirukis Complex System Equation.

I have to succeed. I

Shirone clenched his teeth and held out.

After three minutes, he began to lose consciousness.

Shirone was so very disappointed as soon as he heard the percentage.

It was hard enough for him to hold out 10 minutes, so the device having only 18% efficiency meant that he had to increase his output by 5 times to reach the desired value.

Can you do it, Shirone? If you cant raise it, we will not succeed. Machines cannot compensate for a high output energy of magic.

Shirone's head bobbed.

Ill try. Im sure Ill be able to after practice.

You can really do it?

Yes. Dont worry. Ill do my best. Then Ill leave to practice some more.

Nade face scrunched up, and his eyes welled up in tears.

Really? Youre really going to it? No taking back.

Yes, I said I will!

Shirone spoke with confidence, but only his eyes were smiling.

* * *

Haah! Haah!

Shirone was on the ground, his body spread out. He was gasping for air.

Training Photon Output for over half a day was affecting his mind as well as his physical body.

The time he just achieved was 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

Nothing changed much compared to the record measured in the morning.

However, he was now able to reach 3 minutes and 20 seconds despite his drainged mental strength, so he could still say there was some improvement.

Considering he fell to 2 minutes and 34 seconds an hour ago, he did pretty well for the last-minute effort.

Even so, it's far from enough. How can I achieve 10 minutes?

For all he knew, it might have been impossible.

Photon Output consumed mental power much faster than single-shot active magic, if he continuously cast and maintained it. Ten minutes in that state was only possible in the professional world.

Hooh, I dont know. Ill recover first and try again tomorrow.

Nade entered the store room.

Shirone, are you done?

Yeah. I cant do it anymore today, even if I die. I need to rest first.

Im dying of exhaustion after watching spark after spark for hours. Its past midnight. Lets head back to Yiruki.

Has it already been that long?

After some short calculation, Shirone realized he had been practicing photon output for more than seven hours. It was a life-threatening amount of training.

If the academy found out about it, they would definitely ban him from training.

Urgh.

Shirone groaned as he lifted himself up from the ground with much difficulty.

Shirone wasnt the only one who looked like an undead creature of the night. Nades eyes were sunken, and his face was blotchy red from the exposure to light for a long time.

When they returned to the research group, Yiruki was playing with a pen while viewing the academy from a birds-eye view.

He was doing this to organize the behavioral patterns into an equation while considering the variables that could occur on the day of the operation.

Nade understood.

Like Shirone and Nade, Yiruki also seemed to have never moved from his seat ever since he sat on it.

What do you think, Yiruki? Hows the math going?

Yiruki didnt even look up from his notebook.

I can manage to make it on time, so lay down your worries.

Nades heart ached as his greed seemed to only harm his friends bodies.

In the end, the existence of the research group was one of the things the president had to be responsible for.

Yiruki, you dont have to overdo it. In fact, calculating all the behavioral patterns of all students

I can do it. I said I can do it. Dont talk to me. Im busy right now.

With that, Yiruki shut his mouth.

He was writing formulas in his notebook at an alarming rate.