Chapter 629 – Trial of the Demon Axe

After informing Maxwell of the training procedures and making preparations, we all headed out to the workshop courtyard when Beatrice arrived as well. She seemed languid, or perhaps a bit sleepy.

“Good morning.”

“And this is Lady Beatrice.”

Both Maxwell and I greeted Beatrice.

“Yes, good morning… I heard the magical creature was nearly complete, so I came. Is that child it?”

Beatrice said while looking at the axe.

I see. It seems word had reached her. I had planned to visit her after the test run to report on the results and greet her, but she came to us instead.

“That’s right. As for the name… it might be better to hear it from them directly.”

When I said this, Beatrice nodded with a smile playing on her lips as if she understood.

“I have received the name Maxwell from our Master.”

“That’s a fine name. I’m glad to see you’ve been completed without issue.”

In response to Beatrice’s words, Maxwell bowed slightly.

“We were about to test its movements in the courtyard… Would you like to watch?”

“Well now. I did go to the trouble of coming here.”

Beatrice nodded. So she would stay and observe.

“Please, this way.”

“Since we’re all watching, I prepared tea and sweets as well.”

Grace, who was pouring tea into teacups, said this while preparing another cup. Ashley brought over baked goods on plates and began distributing them to each table.

“Thank you.”

Beatrice sat at the same table as Forset and Old Sigmund, creating a relaxed, observatory atmosphere. Perhaps because Maxwell’s responses were proper, or maybe due to the technical exchange aspect, Beatrice seemed to be in relatively good spirits.

Now then. First, we would test the power when a slash attack hits. We had set up armor and a helmet on a simple golem and made it stand.

“Shall we begin then?”

“Yes. I am prepared.”

Maxwell’s core began glowing red. Through the monocle, I could see magical power filling it.

When I gave the signal, several magic circles of a special shape unfolded around the handle like rings, and an enormous battle axe was launched out with incredible speed.

—Launched. It felt odd to describe an axe as being launched, but that was the only way to describe its initial velocity.

Leaving a trail of red light along its slash trajectory, it spun to build momentum, then descended from a high stance to cleave the helmet and split the armor in two from top to bottom.

Following through with the slash’s momentum, Maxwell spun away behind the armor.

The armor, split down the middle like a bamboo cutter, collapsed to both sides with a metallic clang a moment later.

“That was quite surprising.”

When Grace said this with widened eyes, Sheila nodded in agreement. Marlene showed a carefree smile while applauding.

“The way it uses magical power when attacking… reminds me of Theodore.”

“The method of imbuing the blade with magical power is what I learned from our Master.”

Hmm. It’s a technique that Sion and I use—channeling magical power into the blade to enhance its power and sharpness. The cut surfaces of the armor were smooth, showing how momentum, weight, and technique had combined into one.

In actual combat, fighting spirit, magical power, and magic are incorporated into offense and defense, so cutting stationary armor doesn’t fully reveal its true worth. This was more of a warm-up for the test run… but we could see that later in the labyrinth or elsewhere.

“That was good. Any problems?”

“Yes. No chips in the blade.”

The response came back sounding somewhat pleased.

“Then let’s increase the targets.”

“Understood.”

I let Maxwell try various movements as it pleased.

Magic circles unfolded. Aqua Golems were positioned here and there. Since Aqua Golems can regenerate immediately after taking damage, they’re perfect for experiments like this.

When I gave the signal, Maxwell moved as if propelled. It flew sideways while spinning rapidly, like when throwing a tomahawk—just when I thought it had made a horizontal sweep, it changed the pivot point of its spin to alter the slash trajectory and distance, then delivered a diagonal cut from the shoulder of the next Aqua Golem.

After showing a bold, axe-like strike, it then demonstrated technical skill.

It displayed techniques like the winding-up method, where a skilled polearm user amplifies and controls the weapon’s entire movement through hand motions, and repeated quick, subtle feints for harassment. Then, the pommel end would snap upward to strike a golem’s jaw from below, constantly varying its movements.

Just when it seemed to charge straight forward, right before colliding with a golem, its entire body would bounce up in a spin, delivering a downward strike to the back. The control and acceleration through magnetic force made for incredible speed.

“That earlier movement… is unique to an axe. A human wielder couldn’t achieve that trajectory.”

Helvorte didn’t change expression but nodded as if impressed.

“It seemed to speed up partway through… Is that due to magnetic control?”

Claudia seemed to be analyzing various aspects as well. Each had their own distinctive perspective.

“Yes. I can move as I wish. Then, let us also test a magic-focused combat style.”

Maxwell’s voice. After flying into the midst of the golems, it released a lightning strike from the tip crystal that engulfed all the golems around it.

While keeping the axe and handle electrified, it continued to bisect the golems with increasingly complex timing and angle changes.

Lightning makes a good weapon in close combat too. If the opponent hasn’t prepared countermeasures, simply crossing weapons or defending could result in being shocked. It would also help if someone tried to grab it.

It released lightning strikes in all directions, fired lightning like arrows, and showed various other variations.

It even performed the feat of using magnetic force to pull the armor it had test-cut earlier and smashing it like a blunt weapon into an Aqua Golem. In its own way, this could be considered a skillful use of Magnetic Wave.

“I can see Theodore’s influence in various ways.”

Rosemary watched this and showed a thoughtful expression with her eyes closed. Hmm… Probably remembering when I threw Dragon Fang Soldiers using magnetic force.

Movements naturally differ between fighting alone and fighting in a group. The movements when floating behind an ally in group combat to protect their back. Coordination methods when fighting a single enemy together. And trump cards in actual combat.

We checked each of these movements one by one, and Maxwell’s test run was completed.

Like other magical creatures, its depleted magical power needed replenishing. I took the handle, rested it on my shoulder, and began replenishing its magical power.

Since we were at it, I decided to replenish the other magical creatures as well. Ouroboros on my right shoulder, Maxwell on my left.

I placed Caduceus on my lap and Balor on my head, replenishing their magical power along with the Chimera Coat I was wearing. Well, this is like mealtime for tool-type magical creatures.

Marlene too… was smiling cheerfully while replenishing the magical power of Hider and Eclair, who were in production, placed on her lap.

While continuing replenishment in this relaxed manner, sipping tea, Maxwell spoke.

“Yes. The magical power fills up in no time. I believe our Master’s magical power is of excellent quality.”

That was its impression.

Ouroboros, Nemea, and Capella purred. Caduceus gave small nods, and Balor blinked in response, so the magical creatures seemed to affirm Maxwell’s words.

“Based on the movements I saw earlier, there don’t seem to be any major issues. Let’s descend into the labyrinth later.”

“I would be delighted to accompany our Master.”

Yes. As for the destination… hmm. The Magic Light Water Vein area seems suitable. We can create somewhat special situations there, and obtain various food items too.

“But well, we’ve had you do quite a bit today, so let’s save the labyrinth for tomorrow. For today, having Maxwell guide us around Termwills town might be nice too.”

When I said this, Maxwell’s core paused for a moment before sparkling brightly.

“Oh. That is, how should I say, quite thrilling.”

Yes. Though it’s a weapon and a magical creature, it’s also a companion. When we conversed, it showed interest in people’s lives, so having it see the town and learn various things would likely be important for Maxwell too.

Bringing along Sion and the others who were also on their social studies tour, plus Lasnote and Helvorte, to look around various places would probably be good as well.