Chapter 58 – The Workshop of the Magic Engineer

“Well, I’m thinking of renting a house somewhere in the Eastern District and setting up a workshop. I believe you know I’m aiming to become a Magic Engineer – I’d really appreciate your help during Theo-kun’s free time. Of course, I’ll pay you what your skills are worth.”

Alfred, sitting across the table, said this with a serious expression.

“So you mean help with things like converting various Magic spells into circuit forms, or assisting with inscribing Spell Formulas onto Magic Stones? And maybe offering ideas?”

“Hmm. Of course, I’m not asking you to reveal your secret Techniques. You seem to be able to use various types of Magic, and I’d really appreciate your advice. If you could oversee the control aspects of the Magic… I think it might allow for more refined control.”

To summarize, he wants help because he wants to Craft things.

I thought he was going to say something about creating Magic Tools that precisely define Flight Technique control methods. That would actually benefit me too, since it would allow Party Members to engage in aerial combat.

The work of a Magic Engineer involves racking one’s brains to integrate Spell Formulas into tools as patterns and designs, unifying the tool and circuits so they function properly while Crafting items.

For example, the bathroom in my house was made by a Magic Engineer. You set the Magic Stone that serves as the fuel Tank, Magic Power flows through it, which should read the Spell Formulas incorporated into the decorations, and finally the activation unit in contact with the water heats the bath – that’s how the mechanism works.

In this way, what’s called a magic circuit is something that substitutes all the processes normally required for a Magician to activate Magic on the tool side.

To achieve this, they “translate” the Spell Formulas optimized for humans into versions optimized for objects, then carve Inscriptions into the tools, draw patterns, hide them within decorations, simplify them to prevent bloating, ensure safety, and various other tasks.

My Magic Circle, for instance, is a Magic Array for activating Magic.

You could say it’s a pattern specialized for human Magic use. Magic Engineers translate and adjust this for Wood or Metal as appropriate, including the design – that’s roughly how to understand it.

It’s quite a specialized profession that also demands aesthetic Sense, making it a high-barrier occupation.

“Furthermore, I want to prototype tools that will be useful for your Labyrinth diving. Actual field testing is important too. Oh, I’m glad you mentioned offering ideas. Your way of thinking is different from others, like with your Flight Technique.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment. Hmm, it sounds quite comprehensive…”

…Magic Tools are expensive, after all. The know-how for converging various Magic into tool forms by engraving them into different items… I definitely don’t have that knowledge and don’t feel like studying it leisurely, so honestly, just from that perspective, being involved in Crafting with Alfred is a welcome opportunity.

“No… I’m asking you to oversee things while also using my unknown Magic Tools, so it’s for both training and promotion purposes.”

Just as I chose the Labyrinth and Magic as my means to establish myself, I know Prince Albert is trying to build his own foundation by making a name for himself as a Magic Engineer.

So I don’t think it’s bad to accept Alfred’s offer. I could make use of the Magic Stones and Materials I gather in the Labyrinth, and it would make days when Ashley has classes more productive too.

“Understood. I’ll accept your offer.”

“Really!?”

When I said this, Alfred’s expression brightened. He took my hand and shook it vigorously.

“Do you have Potion Mixing equipment in the workshop? If you do, it would help if I could use it.”

“I’m sure I’ll prepare it! Wow, that’s great!”

Alfred’s enthusiasm was quite high. With the negotiation going well, he seemed to be in good spirits.

“Have you finished your discussion?”

“Yes.”

I nodded when Grace asked.

Alfred became serious again and spoke.

“Well, the information from here onward is something Prince Albert asked me to pass along to you.”

He said this casually.

“From His Highness?”

“Yes, from His Highness. Did you happen to see any Knights in the Labyrinth?”

“Yes, I did see them.”

“They’re apparently searching for the Sealed doors in each section. I don’t think anything will happen, but if you do get into any trouble, let me know and I’ll communicate with His Highness. His Highness said – though he might think himself unreliable – that he’ll do what he can.”

Essentially, he’s saying he’ll help if anything happens. Having connections with Prince Albert probably has both advantages and disadvantages. Well, whatever.

“What about Sir Chester?”

Remembering that Chester was among the Knights, I asked.

“Hmm. Apparently he volunteered for the Labyrinth conquest team.”

“Volunteered?”

“Yes. He said he wants to leave the Wyvern Corps and restart his training. Since he left the faction, Greg’s faction’s influence has decreased and the Knight Order seems to be in quite some Confusion.”

Training, huh. It’s clearly influenced by his loss to me.

As for Greg’s faction… as long as they don’t get involved with me, I don’t really care.

“Well, that’s about it from me. We can work out the specific details another time.”

“Understood.”

“Then I’ll be going for today. It’s been getting quite hot recently, so take care.”

“You too.”

Saying this, Alfred broke into a smile and left.

Getting hot, huh.

• That’s right. It’s summer. We went to the beach recently, but Termwills has four seasons.

I think my house is fairly well-ventilated if we leave the door open, but hot is hot. With Kagehisa’s memories, I miss air conditioning and electric fans… but well, there’s no point wishing for what we don’t have. …I feel like we could probably make something like a fan relatively easily using Magic Stones as power, but what we don’t have at present simply doesn’t exist.

At least we can use the bath while we’re home, so I’ll make do with that.

So I prepared a cold bath by filling the tub with water, heating some and diluting it.

“Ah. Are you taking a bath?”

“In that case, may we join you as well?”

“Sure, but it’s a cold bath?”

When I answered, the two of them nodded happily instead.

The bathtub is quite spacious and there’s still plenty of room even with three people. Today it might serve as a substitute for a pool.

As always, the two of them in their swimsuits are quite Charismatic.

Termwills has abundant water resources, so if you like bathing, you could do it every day. So they don’t seem to have much resistance to cold baths originally, or rather, Purifying one’s body with water is normal here.

As for hot baths, since I take one every day, it seems both of them have come to like baths with hot water.

We’ve also obtained Savona Tree sap, so we can now buy our favorite fragrances and blend them. Since we can change them according to our mood, that’s probably even better.

That said, today we’re not doing anything special. Just floating on the water surface and gazing at the ceiling – even just spacing out like this is relaxing.

“It’s cold and feels good.”

“Truly. While taking warm baths is refreshing too…”

Indeed, this has its own appeal.

Beside me, the two of them are floating just like me.

Hair wet and clinging to their skin. Moist cherry-colored lips and pale, translucent slender shoulders. The contours of ribs visible along their sides.

Seeing such things up close is quite destructive to one’s composure. If they cling to me like before, it would be quite challenging in terms of maintaining rationality, so I take their hands myself.

For Grace, to reduce impulses. For Ashley, for Circulating Ki.

“Mmm…”

“Fuu…”

Floating on the water surface, the two of them close their eyes.

Then they let out small, contented breaths through their noses. …No, somehow this feels even more provocative instead…

Only their breathing and the sound of water echo around us. Our joined hands feel warm. It was a quietly passing time.