Chapter 618 – The Magic Axe and Alchemy

And so, I decided to immediately begin experiments in the workshop. There were various aspects to creating the axe as a magical creature… First, I had to adjust the spell formula starting with how to achieve the mechanism of floating and repeatedly unleashing slash attacks. If that didn’t work, it would just be empty theory.

“Is that the experimental axe?”

“Yeah. Well, it’s just a crude imitation with a similar shape. As long as I can reference the center of gravity and form, that’s enough.”

I nodded in response to Sheila’s question.

The plan was to use the Create Golem technique to shape a metal mass into the same form as the completed axe design, then launch it for experiments to collect data.

“Well then, shall we begin? I’ll make sure it’s not dangerous, but please stay away from here.”

When I turned around and said that, Lasnote, who met my gaze, nodded solemnly. Good.

I deployed several Magic Circles and used the technique to make the battle axe float in the air.

“Ah—. That technique.”

Rosemary was the one who spoke.

Earth Magic Sixth Level—Magnetic Wave. I had used it when fighting the Dragon Fang Soldier that Rosemary summoned.

Immediately manipulating the magnetic field and magnetic lines of force, I controlled the axe’s movements while maintaining control over its orientation—launching it, making it spin, and so on.

I made it move as if repeatedly unleashing slash attacks with the handle—the area corresponding to the grip—as the center, or rotate widely with the pommel as the center. Or again, with the blade part as the center, deliver striking blows as if sweeping with the handle. Or yet again, make it move as if dancing by carving steps in the air with the pommel. I tried various movements while investigating the control methods of Magnetic Wave.

I also created Clay Golems and increased their strength to investigate how powerful the slash attacks would be.

I finely controlled repelling and attracting forces, aiming for more precise braking and further acceleration of slash attacks.

Since it was planned to serve a support role as well, I also considered behaviors assuming positioning slightly behind allies.

Hmm. Well… If coordinating, verbal communication would also be necessary, right? If I incorporated a Magic Stone with Seraphina’s element, it should be able to vocalize too…

While thinking about various things and continuing to manipulate magnetism and tweak the spell formula, the axe eventually drew sharp arcs and roared as it diagonally cleaved through the Clay Golem’s body.

Hmm. Judging from the cut surface, it seems I’ve managed to make it unleash slash attacks with considerable sharpness. This should be practical enough. I regenerated the Clay Golem and continued experiments.

“The slash attacks are getting sharper and sharper.”

“It gives the impression of someone wielding the axe themselves.”

When Claudia spoke, Helvorte quietly answered while watching the axe’s movements.

Well… it’s a polearm weapon. For me too, imagining ideal movements is relatively easy, you could say. If it were an axe with a slightly shorter handle, I’d probably reference Grace’s slash attacks.

“That is… quite similar to how Theo moves when wielding a polearm weapon.”

Grace smiled brightly. Hmm… I feel somewhat embarrassed.

“I see… So you’re launching it with magnetic magic and having it unleash slash attacks.”

Old Sigmund, who had come out to the workshop’s courtyard, also seemed amused watching it.

“That’s right. I plan to create several types of slash attacks using Magnetic Wave and have the magical creature itself choose and use them. In practice, since it will be flying while unleashing techniques from various angles and positions, I think the movements will appear richer than the taught types. I should also be able to teach slash attacks along trajectories that would be impossible if a human were wielding it.”

“Having the magical creature itself read the opponent’s movements and execute hard-to-avoid attacks through its own judgment. Interesting.”

“There’s one more thing. I’m also thinking of making it so that even when actually gripped as a weapon, it can read the type of slash attack being attempted and reinforce it. This one might require getting used to for proper handling.”

“Hmm. Reinforcing the wielder’s movements, eh? Not a magic sword but a magic axe, so to speak.”

Also, as an opponent to fight against, crossing blades with a weapon without a wielder would have various differences in handling that would likely cause confusion.

“Hey, I’m home, Theo-kun.”

“Mm, welcome back.”

A carriage arrived at the workshop entrance, and Alfred and Caduceus got off.

“You’re doing something interesting…”

And one more person. A woman appeared with them.

A person with a languid appearance—wearing a triangular hat that gave her a distinctly witch-like appearance. She seemed dressed for going out, but her sleepy or lazy demeanor remained unchanged.

“Hello, Beatrice-san. It’s been a while.”

“Yes. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

The alchemist Beatrice. She’s the person who helped when having Caduceus crafted and when examining medicine Rosemary made.

Apparently, as part of demon countermeasures at the Royal Castle, they’ve been reaching out to capable magicians and alchemists living in Termwills, with the flow being about whether they could coordinate or cooperate with the Mage Corps. Though it’s closer to a properly paid Request than mere cooperation.

Well, in that flow, when Alfred asked if there were any collaborators for the workshop, I introduced Beatrice.

Hearing that I was conducting experiments in the workshop, Alfred immediately went out to secure Beatrice’s cooperation. Well, since I introduced her, I had Caduceus accompany him… but I didn’t expect her to come the same day.

“I heard that Caduceus’s master was creating a magical creature with a highly developed sense of self, so it sounded interesting and I came…”

So that’s it… Well, if Beatrice cooperates, the completion level should improve further.

To form a magical creature’s self, personality, and basic knowledge, the magical creature core—this time planned to be a Dragonian magic stone—needs to be taught various things through learning.

In that regard, Caduceus was a Familiar from the start, and Shadow Mercury is originally a creature with few desires… so learning through the Five Senses Link was sufficient.

Conversely, for a magical creature that isn’t a Familiar and has a highly developed sense of self, proper preparation is necessary. Alpha and Belius had souls inhabiting their magic stones from the beginning… but this time we’ll be creating from a blank slate.

“Well then, right away—”

“Yes. I’d like to hear all about it.”

Regarding the magical creature matter, Forset and Rosemary began discussing something with Beatrice about magical creatures and related spell formulas.

The three of them deployed Magic Circles without disguise and seemed to be discussing various things… Eventually, the three shook hands. Forset nodded with a satisfied expression, and Beatrice grinned. Rosemary was hiding something with her feather fan, but from my angle I could clearly see beneath the fan. She was smiling in a way that seemed either happy or mischievous…

“As expected, when high-level practitioners gather, it’s reassuring.”

Ashley said that while watching, sounding impressed. Marlene also watched while happily smiling…

Hmm, well, I suppose they’ve hit it off, or more accurately, recognized each other’s high levels. The magical creature creation will probably be that much more enthusiastic as a result…

“Well then, we’ll handle just the initial stage.”

“The basic parts—like language comprehension, we’ll make sure it understands.”

“Well, what we’re making is a flying axe, after all. There are things we can’t teach, so could you take over the personality formation and knowledge…?”

The three looked at me and said.

“Understood. I’ll continue my experiments, so please let me know when preparations are ready.”

When I answered, the three went inside the workshop. They probably went to borrow a room and create a Magic Array to apply spell formulas for making the magic stone into a magical creature core.

“Even though I asked for cooperation, it seems like it’s turning into something quite impressive.”

Alfred laughed.

Well… all three of them don’t seem like they’d compromise when it comes to this kind of work. As for me, I’ll write down the Magnetic Wave control formulas on paper to turn them into a Magic Tool.