Chapter 81

"By integrating the flow of mana and the magical construction circuits I heard about from Sequoia, is it correct that the construction circuits are engraved on the fur of the thunder beast?"

"That's right. I don't dislike your approach. Indeed, even without understanding the depths of magic, if you can figure out what you're doing, you can make a judgment."

"Right. I was thinking that by unraveling the magical circuits and reversing the structure, electricity could be converted into mana. That's why I asked about magic."

"Hmm. So you've realized that it can't be understood in a short time?"

"That's right. Leave it to the experts. Magic is activated by imagining the construction circuits. However, in the case of the thunder beast, they are engraved on its body."

"Indeed. The magical circuits are inscribed on the fur of the thunder beast."

"Is that something physical? For example, a certain arrangement of substances...?"

At the cellular level, certain arrangements exist. There are substances that form the construction circuits, and they create three-dimensional shapes.

If it's a physical substance rather than an abstract concept like 'mana,' it can be scientifically analyzed.

Science has studied the structure of living organisms and elucidated the mechanisms of bioluminescence. It has also explored why beehives are so strong and why bumblebees can fly with such small wings.

There are countless examples of how the mechanisms of living organisms have been elucidated and incorporated into industrial products.

If it can be analyzed physically, a scientific approach is possible.

"Substances... I don't understand the concept, but I can 'see' them. You've seen the movement of mana, haven't you?"

"Sequoia can see much finer movements than I or Penguin, so he can read the construction circuits (three-dimensional shapes), right?"

"Yes. Reading magic through science is very intriguing. I would like to study it with you someday, but not now, right?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"One thing, you and Penguin are not skilled in combat, so there are things you don't notice. Someone like Galuga or Baltro would think of it first."

Hmm, hmm.

Combat skills... No, it's about what needs to be considered when dealing with monsters. The conversation is jumping, but this is Sequoia. He must have a reason for asking.

"If you encounter a monster, you run or use the Sequoia Guard. You've never thought about how to deal with monsters or wild beasts, have you?"

"...I asked in a roundabout way. Let me put it this way: Joshua should not think about running."

"Then what should I do?"

"Other than hiding behind me, you'd be monster food."

You're so slow that you'd be caught and eaten before you could run. Yes, that's true, so there's nothing I can do. Only those with the ability to run can actually run.

Ha, ha, ha.

A dry laugh escaped.

Sequoia, on the other hand, made a clearly displeased face but continued to explain.

"Monsters have strengths and weaknesses. For example, a fire dragon is weak against ice and strong against fire."

"Hmm. So a thunder beast is strong against lightning?"

"Yes. For example, what about a Flame Beast, a monster that emits flames from its body?"

"Water could damage it. Wait, I see. I don't know what a Flame Beast is, but you used fire as an example."

"Yes. Adventurers care about weaknesses, but for Joshua, they don't matter."

You talk too much.

Information that helps me defeat monsters is meaningless to me.

The key is the part about being 'strong against fire'—resistance.

A monster enveloped in a high temperature that can melt iron shouldn't be able to withstand the flames I produce, even if they are my own.

It's possible that its body is made of a material that doesn't melt even at the temperature that melts iron, but that's unlikely.

There is an optimal temperature for the body to function. Lizards are a good example.

They are active during the day and become sluggish at night when it gets cold.

A monster that thrives in high temperatures would be unable to move if its body temperature dropped, let alone if it reached room temperature, where it might even die from the cold.

If it emitted high temperatures even while sleeping, it wouldn't be able to eat because the food would burn.

Therefore, the inner part of the body, which is enveloped in flames, is likely to be at a temperature lower than the boiling point of water.

So, how does it maintain its body temperature? The answer is 'resistance.' In other words, the flames that touch the fur, or the heat itself, might be converted into mana.

In other words, a reverse circuit that emits flames is activated.

"I understand. So the fur of the thunder beast can convert lightning into mana and mana into lightning, right?"

"Yes. Do you understand that there's no need to decipher the magical circuits?"

"If that's the case, you should have said so from the beginning..."

"I did what Joshua always does for me. You can make use of it by realizing it yourself, right?"

"Right. Thank you, Sequoia."

"If you want to praise me, pet my head."

I did as he said and petted Sequoia's head and her fox ears.

However, I quickly stopped petting her fox ears because she made strange noises...

I only petted her head because I genuinely wanted to praise her. If I was just told to pet her, I wouldn't do it.

"In other words, if the surroundings are filled with electricity, it can be converted into mana. I see, it's similar to how a battery works."

"Interesting. The similarity between science and magical circuits is intriguing."

"I think the concept of magical construction circuits is similar to science. It was a good first day of working with the thunder beast. Thank you, Sequoia."

"If you want to praise me... mmm."

"I already petted you, didn't I?"

I covered Sequoia's mouth to prevent her from saying more.

The fur of the thunder beast converts electricity into mana when it's overcharged, and when there's no electricity, it converts mana into electricity.

There are a few points that are still unclear, but the only thing to verify now is the conversion of electricity into mana.

How to make mana flow to produce electricity, and whether the overwhelming discharge, like the thunder beast does, immediately converts electricity into mana, are not considerations.

These considerations will come into play if the thunder beast's fur, placed in a battery, fails to convert mana into electricity.

A battery charges when electricity flows through it and discharges when there is no electricity.

"Alright, let's call it a day."

"You can sleep with me if you want."

"Got it, got it. Ellie! The guest is leaving."

I shouted toward the door, and the door to my room immediately opened.