Chapter 99

I thought I'd write something like this since I felt like it.

Occasionally, Jake-sensei is actually useful. ← Hey!

Yuri poked the magic bag with his finger. In this world, it's a fairly common magical item, known to everyone by name, though its performance varies. It looks like a slightly rugged tote bag, but the contents are invisible. Even when the bag is wide open, you can't see inside. Whether it's connected to another dimension or not, Yuri doesn't really understand.

This "object whose mechanism is not well understood" is generally considered a magical item by Yuri. So far, this classification isn't wrong. Both are made using magic stones, but there is a fundamental difference between magical devices and magical items.

Magical devices, in simple terms, use magic stones as a power source. For example, a device that produces hot water uses water and fire attribute magic stones. Tools use lightning magic stones as a power source. In essence, the part that would be an electrical circuit in modern Japan is replaced by a magic stone. ...By the way, Yuri has never made a magical device and has no intention of doing so, so he doesn't know the detailed mechanism.

In other words, magical devices are things that can be understood with a simple explanation of the materials and the effects after they are made. "Ah, I see," you can nod in agreement. If you get a simple explanation like, "We put this magic stone in this part and it works like this," even a layman can understand, "Oh, I see." That's what magical devices are.

However, magical items are different.

Starting with the well-known magic bag, the items Yuri uses, such as the alchemy cauldron, are all objects that defy the laws of physics. How they are made and how they work is completely unknown. ...In general, magical items are recognized as "mysterious objects like magic."

"Really, magical items are so mysterious..."

Yuri muttered to himself. It was a lazy afternoon in the living room, where he was enjoying a break. Today was one of Yuri's rare days off. Left to his own devices, he would continue housework indefinitely, so Ali ordered him, "You collapsed from overworking, so take a proper break!" There are days when the apprentices take turns doing the housework, and today was one of those days.

...In other words, Yuri was extremely bored. He was scolded for cleaning, laundry, and cooking, and even for mending clothes. When told to take it easy, he didn't know what to do because he was just doing what he liked. So, he ended up lying around in the living room with Luke, who was watching him.

"Ah, Yuri-kun, are you alone?"

"Jake... You seem to be in better spirits today."

"Hehehe, sorry about the other day."

"Thank Ulgus, not me, for carrying you."

"You're right."

Jake appeared with a book under his arm, smiling leisurely. He doesn't look like an adventurer, but if you say he's a scholar or researcher, it's easy to believe. ...He's the type who "forgets to eat and sleep while engrossed in his work."

The other day, he collapsed in the hallway, probably due to lack of sleep and the continuous heat. He was lying in a cool, shaded area, which might have been his instinct. When Yuri found him, he just thought, "Ah, Jake collapsed again," showing how accustomed he had become. At that time, Ulgus was nearby, so the strong-armed boy carried Jake to his room.

"So, what are you doing alone?"

"I'm on a day off today."

"Ah, I see. ...Did you get scolded for mending clothes too?"

"Yeah..."

Yuri stretched out on the table, and Jake chuckled. Given a day off, but with housework being his main interest, he couldn't do anything when it was taken away. Understanding Yuri's situation, Jake sat down next to him.

"Jake?"

"Shall I be your conversation partner?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, I don't have any urgent work. ...So, why were you poking the magic bag?"

"Ah, I was curious about its mechanism."

"Mechanism?"

Jake tilted his head at Yuri's words and nodded slightly. Indeed, the magic bag has a mysterious structure. Even for Jake, a researcher, it's a mysterious object. Smiling, Jake asked Yuri.

"Do you want a specialized explanation based on my scholarly knowledge, or a general explanation that I give to the apprentices?"

"The latter, please."

"Understood."

Yuri immediately chose the latter, thinking he wouldn't understand a specialized explanation. When Jake mentioned "the kids," he meant the apprentices and trainees, so if he explained it in a way they could understand, it would definitely be better. Yuri, who hasn't done much of this kind of detailed study, found it helpful.

...By the way, general knowledge and the country's history, among other things, are being taught to him bit by bit by Ali. At least, he has gradually accumulated enough knowledge to live comfortably in this country.

"Well, to put it simply, magical items, including magic bags, are artificial artifacts."

"Artificial artifacts, like the first alchemy cauldron that was discovered, are excavated items, right?"

"That's right. The ones that circulate in the market are made using alchemy cauldrons, but the fundamental principle is the same. They are something created by bending the laws of nature through the abilities of mysterious artificial artifacts."

"...So, in other words, it's an object whose creation is still a mystery, right?"

"That's right."

Yuri's straightforward statement was affirmed by Jake. There was no basis for denial. Some scholars are dedicated to researching magical items, but Jake had no interest in that field. He understood that it would consume a vast amount of effort without any results. He preferred to investigate and research things that piqued his interest and write papers about them.

"Then, what about magical devices?"

"Magical devices are tools designed to maximize and utilize the abilities of magic stones."

"Is the magic stone the main component?"

"No. The magic stone is just a bonus. It's processed to add a specific ability, but it's the heart of the device, no doubt."

"Both are convenient, but they are indeed different."

Yuri poked the magic bag again, and Jake agreed, "Yes, that's right." Magical items and magical devices, though both made using magic stones, are clearly different. There is an insurmountable wall between them. Jake knows this, and Yuri can sense it, too. However, Jake said something else.

"Magical devices were created with the hope of one day being able to create magical items with human hands alone."

"...What?"

"Magical items are artificial artifacts. That's a fact. They are so extraordinary that they are named after something that doesn't exist, like magic."

Yuri nodded. That was indeed true. A magic bag that can hold so much, despite its appearance, is clearly a product of magic, defying the laws of physics.

"But, even knowing it's unattainable, humans still wish for it, right? The first people who touched the alchemy cauldron were fascinated by its mystery and tried to replicate it. Magical devices are a testament to the efforts of people trying to create something like magical items."

It's a big step forward from things like refrigerators and washing machines, Jake laughed. Indeed, Yuri thought. He had heard that advanced science can seem like magic to those who don't know about it. So, magical devices are like that, striving to catch up with the magical items that seem like magic.

...Of course, they haven't caught up yet.

"Jake?"

"What is it?"

"You really are a proper scholar, aren't you?"

"...Yuri, what do you mean by that?"

Jake slumped his shoulders, and Yuri said, "Well..." He had heard from the instructors that Jake was an excellent scholar, but he couldn't really feel it. After all, Jake's usual behavior didn't make him seem like a great scholar. Moreover, who would think that such a great and wise scholar would spend his time in a beginner's clan, living at his own pace?

Besides, he couldn't help but think, "Is it really okay for a great scholar to collapse so often in the hideout?"

"...Yuri, you can be quite sharp sometimes..."

"But it's the truth, right?"

"Speaking the truth can sometimes be the most powerful attack..."

Yuri apologized to the dejected Jake. He didn't think he had done anything wrong, but he felt it was better to apologize, mainly to encourage Jake.

"Anyway, that's the difference between magical devices and magical items. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Also, I think you could learn the detailed structure if you wanted to."

"Huh?"

Yuri tilted his head at Jake's casual statement. He remembered that the "Eye of God" was a cheat in appraisal and that advanced appraisal skills could reveal the detailed structure of magical devices. He remembered that, but that was all.

"But I don't really need to know the structure if it works conveniently."

"Well, that's usually the case."

Jake nodded at Yuri's answer. Only those who want to make them are interested in the structure. For others, it's enough to know how to use them safely, even if they don't understand the complex mechanism. That's the truth.

...By the way, by evening, the completely bored Yuri was seen pleading with the apprentices, "At least let me fold the laundry." Why?

Magical items are mysterious objects like magic, and magical devices are more like scientific tools.

I'll proceed with this understanding in the future, so please look forward to it.

I look forward to your comments and feedback.