Chapter 24

After getting approval, I cooled the Metal Lizard Metal with water magic, stored it in the item box, and returned to the workshop. Incidentally, even when rapidly cooled, the shape of the metal did not change.

The material seems to be enough for one armor plate with some leftover, but it cannot be cut as is, so I left it as one piece.

When asked what to do with the leftover Metal Lizard Metal, I decided to have it bought out since it is difficult to manage.

The remaining Metal Lizard Metal, after the magic was extracted, will be stored in a container that does not conduct magic.

For short-term storage, it is fine as long as it does not come into contact with high-magic-density objects like humans, magic tools, magic stones, or other metals, but over a long period, it will solidify due to the ambient magic in the air.

Decisions regarding the structure of the equipment will be made after the magic extraction is complete. In the meantime, I want to acquire a staff.

...So, I decided to talk to Sumisa, who was already awake, about the staff I wanted.

"Hello, Sumisa-san, I want a staff."

"You must be Kaede, right? I don't remember you, but apparently you helped me. Thank you. So, you want a staff? What kind do you want?"

"I want a staff that is about 20 cm long, sturdy, and can accelerate magic to the level of a regular staff."

"That's impossible. Without the length, you can't get the acceleration of a long staff. Are you okay in the head? Do you understand the structure of a staff?"

I was dismissed outright. How would a layperson know such things?

"I don't understand... What kind?"

"I'll only explain this once, so listen carefully. The structure of a staff is... as follows."

To summarize the explanation:

First, a staff is divided into four parts: the magic collection part, the acceleration part, the emission part, and the outer shell.

The magic collection part, as the name suggests, is the part that collects magic. This is done by inserting thin copper rods or similar into the wood that makes up the staff to collect magic. The collected magic is temporarily released near the base of the staff, on one side of the acceleration part. While copper is not the only option, it is used due to its low cost.

The acceleration part is the part that recovers and accelerates the magic released from the magic collection part. It is made by covering a 1 cm diameter iron rod with other metals like copper or gold. The acceleration power of the staff varies depending on the material of the covering metal. When magic is stored in the covering during the manufacturing process, it generates acceleration power, though the reason is unknown. Additionally, magic does not move between different metals unless the capacity is exceeded, and even then, the movement is much slower than the acceleration, so it has little effect on the magic passing through the core. Tools for processing Metal Lizard Metal are also made using this principle, and some of them, which have had their magic extracted, are in stock.

Storing too much magic only slightly increases the acceleration power for a short time before the excess magic dissipates, making it meaningless. The difference in acceleration power due to the covering is because of the different amounts of magic that can be stored.

The core, made of iron, has little variation in material, but it is used for processing and strength issues.

The emission part is the part that releases the magic. It is made by mixing powdered metal, the same as the core, into clay and firing it. This allows the magic pushed into the emission part to be expelled with momentum, pushed out by the subsequent magic. Incidentally, if no instructions are given, the released magic will move around the caster at high speed, so magic can be cast without holding the tip of the staff.

The outer shell is mainly made of wood, which is a balance of strength and weight. For prolonged battles or marches, heavy items can slow down movement and reduce concentration due to fatigue. In my case, my staff is short and only held during combat, so it just needs to be sturdy.

However, my case is different, so I don't need to adhere to these principles. My magic and combat style are entirely different from those of ordinary mages. I decided to propose this.

"Alright, let's make a staff that is as long as a regular staff, can accelerate magic, and can also be used as a sword!"

"Huh? I don't understand what you're saying."

That makes sense. If I were in the same situation and heard the same thing, I would think the person was crazy.

But I am completely serious. Seriously serious.

"Let me explain. I have a lot of magic and can cast spells while fighting with a sword, so it's possible."

"That's not an explanation."

Oops, I rushed it. Indeed, that wouldn't make sense.

"Alright, let me start from the beginning. The acceleration of magic by a staff increases with the amount of magic in the covering. Even if the capacity of the covering metal is exceeded, the acceleration increases for a while."

"Right, a newly enchanted staff has a higher acceleration rate. It will be almost the same as an old one after about five minutes, but the power will be slightly higher."

The increased power might be due to some of the magic from the covering entering the acceleration part.

"In other words, the magic stored in the covering can be used for acceleration for a certain period. By using other metals outside the covering, the dissipation of magic can be slowed."

"Are you planning to enchant the staff every time you use magic? It takes about half the magic of a regular mage to enchant an 80 cm staff, which allows for about 20 spells."

That's true for a regular mage.

But my magic is over 500 times that of a regular mage, and my recovery rate is 500 times higher, or 5000 times with medicine.

"My magic isn't a problem. Using other metals outside the covering ensures strength. Using Metal Lizard Metal would make it usable as a sword."

"Hmm... Even if I believe that you can use both magic and a sword, how do you plan to cover the covering with Metal Lizard Metal? It doesn't melt, you know?"

Ah...

I hadn't considered the processing. Is it cast?

I remember a method in Japan for making hollow needles by rolling metal sheets.

Could that work? The magic-extracted Metal Lizard Metal is apparently soft enough to be forged.

"What about rolling metal sheets to cover the outside?"

"Let me think about it."

Sumisa wrote and erased something on a board, then looked up after about ten minutes.

"It might be possible, but it will be expensive. However, there are a few issues with your method, so I've come up with some modifications. This might work."

Sumisa showed me the board and began explaining.

"First, if the outer shell is made of metal, magic won't reach the magic collection part. This can be solved by making part of the handle of the Metal Lizard Metal the magic collection part. To prevent magic from diffusing, it's better to cast it solid and run the magic collection part through it. The Metal Lizard Metal will serve as the outer shell and magic collection part. The sword part will be entirely Metal Lizard Metal for strength. The blade will be made separately and attached later. The tip will be the emission part, so the core will also be Metal Lizard Metal for strength. However, since it will be mixed and fired, it won't be as strong as pure Metal Lizard Metal, so the tip will be made thin enough not to hinder magic emission. It should still have decent strength. Considering the melting point, the core, magic collection part, and outer shell should be Metal Lizard Metal, the covering should be iron, and the outer shell should be silver."

"O-Okay."

She spoke quickly, and I only vaguely understood what she meant.

In short, "It's possible, but it will be expensive," right? That's about it.

"By the way, how much will it cost?"

"Well, if we use the Metal Lizard Metal you brought, the cost of iron, silver, and processing should be about the same as one armor plate. However, since this is a first-time project, there will likely be failures, which will increase the cost. The price will probably be decided by the accounting department, so it's best to hear it from them. For something like a sword, a craftsman can estimate the cost, but for this, I can't. Since it can't be applied elsewhere, all the experimental costs will be on you, Kaede."

In other words, it will be very expensive, but I can afford it now. That's fine.

It could be problematic if the costs keep rising due to repeated failures.

"Alright, I'll go with that."

"Wait a moment, I'll call the accounting department."

According to the accounting department, the processing fee will be less than one armor plate if everything goes smoothly.

I prepaid for one armor plate and decided to use the Metal Lizard Metal I had left with them for the weapon.

With all the experimental and material costs prepaid, they said they would start production tomorrow. It will take about a week, though.

After the details were settled, Sumisa suddenly asked:

"You keep saying you have a lot of magic, but if you waste it, it will run out quickly. How much magic do you have?"

"Um, about 500 times that of a regular mage?"

Actually, it's a bit more.

"Stop joking and tell me the truth."

"I'm serious."

"Really?"

"I used that much magic to crush the Metal Lizard."

I showed her the armor of the Metal Lizard with a hole in it.

"...Hmm, indeed, Metal Lizard Metal with magic doesn't usually behave like this. I can accept that you have a lot, even if it's not 500 times."

"Keep this confidential."

"Why?"

"You might be chased by weird people. They might turn you into an experiment subject or lock you in a machine to produce magic."

Mad scientists might exist in this world too.

"Locked in a machine? I don't understand, but it does sound possible. Even if I don't leak it, someone else might find out, so be careful."

"I will."

I'll try not to draw unnecessary attention.

Hmm? Am I already drawing attention as a magic swordsman? I don't know, that's out of my control.