Chapter 90

"Another is the steady construction of foundational theory. We need to unravel the relationship between magic and minerals... especially the mechanisms of mana density and mana absorption."

"I don't get it. Aren't you already doing that?"

"If we understand the theory, we might be able to eliminate waste and produce more efficiently."

"I see. So, if we can't change the amount of power generated, we reduce the amount used, right?"

"Exactly."

Depending on the mana density, it might even be possible to produce combustion stones using manganese batteries. I don't know how manganese batteries work... but maybe Penguin does. Manganese batteries should work on a similar principle to batteries.

"Anyway, there are still steps to take. Ultimately, both foundational research and power generation facilities are necessary."

"Right."

Penguin, who tried to touch his head with his flippers but couldn't reach, said:

"Penguin, should I assign you an assistant?"

"That would be great. I hope it's Nathan."

"I'll consider it. He's here for now, right?"

"Yeah. He's Garam's disciple, so he gets taken away sometimes."

Sequoia has been helping me with the research, but she's not enough. Penguin can't do manual work.

She has to do measurements and observations too.

I understand why Penguin wants Nathan. His purification gift is a rare ability, and he's a good, honest kid.

I think Penguin is in his 40s and has a family. He probably sees Nathan like his own son.

I may have a second life, but I was originally single and haven't aged. In stories about reincarnated beings, 20 years plus 20 years equals 40 years of life experience. But there's a big difference between someone who lived to 40 and then died and someone who lived to 20, died, and then lived another 20 years. Just because you've had 40 years of experience doesn't mean you can feel like a 40-year-old or see a child as your own.

I've experienced more than 40 years, but I've never had 40-year-old shoulders or a family, so I don't have Penguin's life experience.

But I don't think I've wasted my time. Maybe I worked a bit too much in my previous life...

So, in this life... I believe this is a time to lie low.

Just as I clenched my fist, I realized both Sequoia and Penguin were staring at me.

"Ah, no. I'm not trying to pry into Penguin's past."

"The theory is too far-fetched. I'm just a penguin now. That's fine."

"Right, right."

"You'll probably have a family someday. If I'm still alive then, please let me hold your child."

"Of course."

I won't say anything as crude as 'you can't hold a child with flippers.'

What's this dampness on my shoulder?

Is it an enemy attack!?

"Alru!"

"Yes!"

"There's something wrong with my body."

"Sequoia?"

"Take it off!"

"Hey, what are you doing, cat girl? I'm going to build a family!"

"No way!"

"Hey, don't bite me!"

Indeed, the mysterious dampness turned out to be Sequoia's dirty saliva.

She must have reacted to the word 'family' and attached herself to me at an incredible speed.

What a waste of such high specs. She should use them for something else.

But I know she's not seriously trying to drag me away. It's just a bit of banter. Alru can easily pull her off.

Alru, who had grabbed Sequoia from behind and was carrying her, was still flailing her arms and legs in resistance.

Honestly.

I turned to her with a wry smile.

"Foundational research is very important. I think someone who studies magic like Sequoia can understand that."

"You can't just appeal to intellectual curiosity."

"Okay, okay. Listen to an example."

"Hmm. Go on."

Sequoia, a true scholar, couldn't resist intellectual curiosity.

In a way, she's easy to manipulate. She's cute in that sense, but not in her usual actions.

I need to quickly move on before she gets sulky.

"Why are there no combustion stones in Cumberland?"

"Magic stones are also not found here."

"If we conduct foundational research, we might understand why."

"Hmm. And how does that relate to mass production... I see."

"Exactly."

The direct effect would be that if we know how much mana density is needed for coal to absorb mana and turn into a combustion stone, we can produce combustion stones with the minimum required mana density.

Then, when a combustion stone consumes mana, does it turn back into coal or something else? Actually, it turns into ash because the combustion stone burns when it consumes mana.

However, this doesn't explain why there are no combustion stones here.

It's possible that the mana density is simply not high enough to produce combustion stones. I think this is the correct explanation.

But why is mithril found here? There are two possibilities.

Silver might be able to absorb mana even at a lower mana density than coal. In this case, over a long period, silver could eventually become mithril.

The other possibility is the evaporation of mana.

Cumberland might have once had an environment suitable for refining combustion stones. But if the environment changed and the mana density decreased, what would happen?

If the absorbed mana can escape like air from a tire when the mana density is low, what would happen?

Like water flowing from a high place to a low place, the contained mana might flow out, and the combustion stone would lose its mana and turn back into coal.

On the other hand, if the mana absorbed by mithril doesn't escape or only escapes in very small amounts, mithril would remain stable.

This is how mithril could remain while combustion stones disappeared.

"Both approaches are crucial."

"Exactly. So, I'm going to the other shore soon."

"I'd like to go, but I can't leave the battery observation."

"You can go to the cliff anytime."

"True. Then, let's go together tomorrow."

"Got it."

I waved goodbye to Sequoia and Penguin.

"Alru, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."

"Yes!"

Alru, with her tail straight up, stood behind me.

I wonder what the top is like. I hope there's a nice breeze.