CH 78.1

It was late fall, utility bills were already getting expensive. As for me, I’m holed up in the lab.

「If you excite this circuit……the left arm will move, and……」

When Professor Marino, the head of Torquiva Magic Academy’s Magic Construct Laboratory, poured magic power through the operating magic tool, the left hand of the small homunculus standing on the laboratory desk, was raised awkwardly.

A board-like object was on the neck of the homunculus and cables extending from it were intricately intertwined and connected to a control tool.

「Its circuits are designed to contract the muscles of the upper arm. That only makes the elbow joint flex.」

「So, you’re saying that other circuits must be excited too while keeping this one? That’s difficult.」

「We’re still working on formulating the movement from there.」

The homunculus on the table was my solution to the beast type magic construct, whose lifespan became dramatically longer compared to the former beast type magic constructs that acquired egos.

It bypassed the brain that forms the ego and thoughts and directly controlled the beast type magic construct……completely negating the autonomous behavior that is the main strength of the beast type magic construct.

I call it, “Remote Control Magic Construct”.

Maa, since they won’t understand it that way, let’s just call it control type magic construct.

「However, in the end, we couldn’t figure out how a beast type magic construct acquire ego during the scheduled time frame, right?」

「It can’t be helped. Depending on one’s point of view, it could be said that a beast type magic construct is a living being. It’s beyond our capacity to solve the mysteries of life.」

Professor Marino picked up the mug on his desk and took a sip of his cold tea.

「I guess it’s not a very good idea to make and use something that you don’t even fully understand.」

「If you are going to say that, even magic is full of mysteries, there is no end to it. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as you can use it.」

「Is that it? That’s a very merchant way of thinking.」

「It’s a commoner’s way of thinking.」

Professor Marino smiled slyly and lit up a government-made cigarette he had taken out of his chest pocket.

「I heard you started something new again.」

「What exactly are you talking about?」

「I heard that you have gathered people together to play with a ball. A dark magic professor asked what kind of game it was.」

「Ah, that’s called baseball. That is……well, it can be said to me my filial piety for my wife. Laura-san wasn’t getting enough exercise so I thought about it.」

「You went through all the trouble for that? Aren’t you a true playboy?」

I open the window to have the purple smoke that the professor exhales out. A pleasant autumn breeze blows in from the sunset tinted city.

Suddenly feeling a presence, I looked up at the sky and saw a pure white dragon flying in the bright red sky.

It was probably on its way back from exterminating a super behemoth.

I stared blankly at the impatient looking white winged dragon as it flew east, dragging the night with it.

-0-

One fine autumn day, I had come to the baseball field upon receiving a petition from the Schenker Family Security Department.

It seemed like there was a well-dressed woman who had been coming to the baseball field every day while making a lot of noises. They asked me to deal with her which means she’s probably a noble.

「So, where is this woman?」

「The one on the other side of the fence behind the umpire.」

「Batter! Hit hit hit! Hit it even if you have to die!!」

Rubica, the head of the security department, raised her eyebrows with a troubled expression and pointed to a woman dressed like a noble.

She was clinging to the fence and cheering for the batter while holding a cup of liquor sold at the stadium in her hand.

She had long wavy silver hair, amber eyes of a winner, and a tremendously loud voice.

I know that woman.

She’s the most famous knight in the city, the master of the white winged dragon, the woman who has been on pay cut all year round, the loudspeaker of the Tezion family, and the first person to be banned from the Animal Café.

Torquiva’s White Dragon Knight……”Stardust” Arcelica Tezion.