Chapter 81

The academy has a research building of the same scale as the lecture building.

Katie's laboratory was on the second floor.

When Hikaru visited, a research assistant who seemed to be human from Kotobi led him inside.

The laboratory itself should be spacious, but the clutter of magical tools on the workbenches and bookshelves created a sense of oppression. Dried bird feet, blue flowers, unidentified crystals, and magic circles drawn on parchment—such a diverse array was far from what one would expect from the neat and tidy Katie.

"Oh, I'm sorry to trouble you. Everyone, please step out for a moment."

When Katie said this, the research assistants who were standing beside her—naturally intending to participate in the meeting—looked surprised.

Then they looked at Hikaru with suspicion.

"However, sir, we are assistants. We believe it is necessary to hear matters related to research."

"The conversation with Hikaru is not related to research. It's a private matter. So please step out."

The research assistants, who were further surprised by the word "private," had no choice but to comply. They glared at Hikaru and then left.

"Is it okay?"

After confirming that everyone had left, Hikaru asked.

"Yes, I'm sorry for the rudeness. Please don't take it to heart. They are enthusiastic and good assistants, but sometimes a bit too enthusiastic."

Such a display of raw emotion seemed more like—

(They are infatuated with this lecturer, aren't they?)

Hikaru thought.

"By the way—don't they seem to be eavesdropping right outside the door? Is it okay?"

Hikaru's "Magic Detection" clearly showed the assistants pressed against the wall.

Katie frowned and groaned.

"I'm sure it's around here—ah, there it is."

She rummaged through the cluttered workbenches and pulled out a cord with gemstones at both ends.

"Please hold one end."

"What is this?"

"A sound-blocking magical device. It prevents sound from leaking out. Of course, you won't hear anything from outside either."

"Wow..."

Hikaru, impressed by the existence of such a magical device, grabbed one end of the gemstone.

A strange sensation, as if a membrane had been stretched around them, enveloped him.

"Alright, Hikaru. Are you a student here? I haven't seen you before."

"I enrolled about a month ago."

"Do you aspire to be a magical device engineer?"

"No... I just came to ask you something."

"About my brother, Kelbeck?"

"Brother?"

"Ah, you didn't know he was my brother?"

Kelbeck—the "Leader of the Thieves' Guild" and the lecturer at the academy are siblings?

"I didn't know. I thought they seemed a bit similar, though."

"Have you met my brother?"

"Yes. To be honest, I didn't know anything about Kelbeck's background."

"I see... Can you tell me about my brother?"

"Sure. In exchange, can you tell me what I want to know?"

"What do you want to know?"

"About 'Holy Magic.'"

Katie's eyebrows twitched.

"Alright."

Then Hikaru told her what he knew about Kelbeck.

Kelbeck didn't seem to be hiding the fact that he was hiding in the underground of Ponde, though he certainly wasn't advertising it—so he decided to tell her everything.

Katie didn't even know that Kelbeck was in the Kingdom of Ponsonia.

"I see... 'Thieves' Guild.' That sounds like my brother."

"Why did Kelbeck leave the Federation of Forestia?"

"There was a troublesome conflict."

Kelbeck had gained a reputation as a magical device engineer in Kotobi. However, there were naturally those who envied his talent.

The ensuing rivalry—Kelbeck grew tired of all of it and left Kotobi.

"But I'm relieved to hear your story. My brother can handle himself anywhere."

"He seemed to be doing some pretty dangerous things, though."

"Developing magical devices with unknown purposes and hinting that they are his. Then demonstrating their use—showing off the unexpectedness of their purpose and the complexity of their structure. That's my brother's way. He uses this to sell himself to various people."

"...He has a good personality."

"Hehe. He's an interesting man, isn't he?"

Katie, who was usually composed, had a youthful and feminine smile when she laughed.

(You wouldn't think she's the sister of that stern Kelbeck... but they do have some similarities.)

"Thank you for telling me about your brother. Now, what do you want to know? Why are you interested in 'Holy Magic'? If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to know."

"Can't it just be pure intellectual curiosity?"

"There aren't many people who know about 'Holy Magic,' and it's often considered 'impossible' or 'a fairy tale.' I'm one of the few who seriously research it, and even I am often laughed at for being reckless."

"But didn't the artifacts excavated from Tsuubura show traces of 'Holy Magic'?"

"They showed traces... rather, there was a mention of 'Holy Magic' in part of a mural, and it explained how the artifacts were used. The weapons and tools still retain their original power, but they have been presented to the Federation government and are kept under strict security."

"Are you not studying the actual weapons?"

"Of course not. No one is allowed to touch them. They are more like 'sealed' than 'stored.' The seals might only be broken if Ponsonia attacks."

"Really?"

The loss of technology and knowledge has made 'Holy Magic' something that no longer exists in this world.

Hikaru thought.

(I think this person is trustworthy. She seems to be honest with me, a stranger. Of course, I can't know what she's thinking, but—information can't be gained without showing something in return.)

He made up his mind.

He would entrust this to her.

"Professor, please keep this confidential."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I probably have a weapon that uses 'Holy Magic.'"

"What!?"

That "What!?" was closer to "You must be mistaken."

It's fine, Hikaru thought, and continued.

"Here it is."

Hikaru took out the revolver and placed it on the workbench. Katie's eyebrows raised in surprise.

"It's a revolver that fires magic when the trigger is pulled. It has six chambers, containing four types of elemental magic—fire, wind, water, and earth—and two types of spiritual magic—holy and dark. The dark one is just a guess, but the magic is extremely powerful, so I think it uses 'Holy Magic.'"

"Wait a moment... Hikaru, where did you get this?"

"From the dungeon 'Ancient Divine People's Underground City' in Ponsonia."

"A high-difficulty dungeon! Is it really a weapon that uses 'Holy Magic'!?"

"That's what I said."

"———"

Finally, she seemed to believe him, her mouth agape as she looked at the revolver, then at Hikaru.

"Hikaru..."

Katie's voice was hoarse.

"Who else knows about this weapon?"

"Just me and my partner, Lavia."

"You mustn't let anyone else know."

"I said it should be kept confidential from the beginning—"

"Ah, yes, you did! I'm sorry—many 'Holy Magic' items have been brought to me, and all of them were fakes."

"All of them?"

"All of them, except one. Today, it seems I've received the one exception."

"Well, it might turn out to be unrelated to 'Holy Magic.' Can you investigate this weapon?"

"Of course! Is it okay for me to do it?"

"Sure. I don't have much knowledge about magical devices—though I do know a bit about magic."

"Magical devices and magic are almost the same."

"Is that so? But I think my knowledge is biased."

That knowledge is what Roland left inside Hikaru, specialized in the art of traveling through worlds.

"Professor, there are two conditions."

"...I see. Such a rare weapon. I didn't expect you to show it for free."

"No, that's not what I mean. One condition is that the results of the research are not made public. Only you, me, and my partner—her name is Lavia—can agree to make it public to a third party."

"Hmm... You don't want this research to be widely known."

"There might be danger."

Hikaru was concerned about the ancient Ponsonia dynasty that had perished.

The underground capital where giants were sent.

Who and what did they offend?

Until that is clear, it's best to keep the dynasty and 'Holy Magic' under wraps.

"Understood, I have no problem with that. What's the second condition?"

"I want you to study the bullets and the revolver separately. The revolver and the bullets only make sense as a set, so this is to prevent theft. I'm not doubting you—"

"Of course! That's only natural. I intended to conduct the research under your supervision."

"No... that would be too much trouble."

The research would take a considerable amount of time. It would be a waste to have to watch over it the entire time.

"I'll give you the bullets first. These are the six bullets, and the five on this side have already been fired, so they are empty—"

"Wait! Fired!?"

"Yes."

"Why... that's a waste!"

"My life is more important."

Hikaru's words made Katie's excited expression suddenly cool down.

"I see... You are an adventurer."

"Yes."

"We researchers advance our studies based on the fruits of adventurers' efforts. Whether it's artifacts or catalysts. Life is the most important thing. I'm sorry. I was out of line."

"It's not that big of a deal. The empty cartridges all look the same, but I'll give you two just to be safe."

"Thank you."

Katie received them reverently, as if they were precious gems.

"Alright, Hikaru. Before we start the research, tell me everything you can. What kind of magic was it? The shape and size of the discharge, and anything else you can remember."

Katie, preparing a pen and plant paper, had a sparkling look in her eyes.

Hikaru smiled wryly, thinking she was a true researcher.

"About the magic... but I should also tell you about where I found the revolver. It might be useful."

"Interesting. Is there a good story?"

"Next to the revolver, there was something called a 'Holy Magic Sphere,' which seemed to be a pure energy mass."

"..."

Katie remained silent for a full ten seconds.

"You found 'Holy Magic'!?"

She shouted loudly.

Fortunately, thanks to the sound-blocking magical device, the sound didn't leak out.