Chapter 126
As the wooden doll lost its waist and floated in the air, small pieces of wood scattered in all directions. It had shattered the waist of the wooden doll, which was as thick as a person, with a single mana bullet.
"Hi, hieeeek!?"
Rezé, you know, it's a bit of a problem when the person who did it is the most surprised.
But Luna wasn't much different. Her mouth agape, she was shocked. Ah, it felt like a bug just flew into her mouth.
'Well, since it's similar in power to Luna's One Flash... it's understandable she's shocked.'
To think that pulling the trigger once would produce power akin to arcane magic. It's no wonder she was shocked.
"Why don't other people use this great thing?"
"It's partly because of the poor perception... but more because of the low mana conductivity."
"Mana conductivity?"
Luna and Rezé both tilted their heads in confusion. It seemed neither of them knew. Raising a finger, I began to explain.
"Mana conductivity refers to the rate at which the user's mana is converted into mana bullets."
"Ah, aha. So, that's what it is."
While Rezé's head returned to its original position, Luna's head tilted further to the left. It meant she didn't understand at all. It seemed like a tailor-made education was necessary.
"Keke, the mana conductivity of this magic gun is 30%. If you put in ten of Lunas's friends, only three come out."
"What are you talking about? Why would my friends disappear? My friends are forever! I'll drag them out of hell by their hair if I have to!"
...Why would you bring that up?
I shook my head, trying to regain my composure.
Yes, it's my fault. It's my fault for using the existence of friends, of which Luna only has a few, as a metaphor.
I decided to offer a different metaphor. After all, I'm a kind, gracious, cool, and handsome man.
"Keke, it's like putting in ten carrots and only three come out. The magic gun eats the seven. Do you understand now?"
"What? So that was it? You should have started with that."
Luna, I did start with that. It's just that you keep dragging your friends out of hell.
'Managing to explain it to Luna. I really am something.'
I was praising himself for successfully tailoring the explanation when I noticed Rezé trembling.
...What's with her now?
"To consume 70% of the carrots! This, this can't be used!"
"Right! To Rezé, carrots are as precious as friends!"
...You two never wanted to understand from the start, did you? Your goal was to annoy me, wasn't it? Right?
"Opposition to the magic gun that consumes friends and carrots!"
"We, we oppose!"
Suddenly, Luna and Rezé started their protest. It wouldn't be surprising if they went crazy right here.
But it's okay. The era I lived in was a time of great chaos with the internet and various communities. A body tempered in such hellish places.
Such incidents were common in the 'Hero of the Academy' community, and I survived there too.
These kids... ah, no. These children won't get the better of me.
"I see, you all like it. I'm glad to see you so happy about my choice."
"What are you talking about? When did we ever say we liked it!"
"Hmm! You don't have to praise me that much. I know very well that I did a good job. Kekeke!"
Luna and Rezé started murmuring to each other.
It's clear. They're praising me.
"...Sometimes he's so erratic. Let's, the sane ones, take care of him."
"That's right. Well, it's not a sin to be sick."
I'm sick? Where? Surely not in the head?
That can't be. Clearly, I'm the sane one here.
From the perspective of the abnormal, the normal must seem odd.
...Right?
"Anyway, I sort of understand the principle. But where does the 70% go?"
Oh, quite a sharp question for Luna. Pointing to the sky with a finger, I answered.
"It flew into the air. It's gone."
"What? So you're saying it doesn't give it back? Isn't that too inefficient?"
Luna's point wasn't wrong. A mana conductivity of 30%.
Not even half of the consumed mana is turned into mana bullets. It's almost as bad as garbage.
It might be fine for those with a lot of mana, but for those with less, it's a critical flaw.
It would be fatal for Rezé as well, given her traits are more aligned with 'marksman' than 'magic', and her level is quite low.
But still, there are two reasons I insist on using the magic gun.
First, because of the existence of the "Spear Rezé build".
A legendary build that once caused a stir in the 'Hero of the Academy' community.
The lack of mana is compensated for with artifacts, and attack-related artifacts and hidden pieces are focused on Rezé.
Then...
'All enemies would fall with a single blow.'
This play was possible because Rezé was a character with a 100% hit rate.
There's no risk of missing, so just focus on mana and attack power.
And how about survivability?
There's no reason to worry about that.
'As soon as she becomes a target, she flees.'
It's not about both sides taking a hit; if she can't take them out in one shot, Rezé leaves the battlefield—an extreme build.
Perhaps because the game had been released for over 10 years by then.
All sorts of veterans gathered to research Rezé, achieving significant results.
Being one of those who watched with interest at the time, I'm well acquainted with the "Spear Rezé" build.
For that, the magic gun was essential.
And second,
'Because the magic gun gets better over time.'
Just as it was on Earth where I lived, the development of technology here is dazzling.
The revolution and development of magical engineering that begins in the middle of the game. One of the beneficiaries of this is the magic gun. As mana conductivity gradually increases, it reaches 200% in the final chapter. Sniper-related skills also accumulate generously.
'The problem, perhaps, is the stringent usage conditions?'
Due to its powerful power, there are issues with accuracy.
However,
'Rezé, with a 100% hit rate, doesn't fall under this issue.'
Although untested, it would more than suffice for use.
As you can see from what has been described so far, Rezé is quite a capable character. A weapon that improves over time, a fraudulent talent of 100% accuracy, and a spear that equally dispatches everyone in one hit.
The problem is,
'That damned rabbit runs away.'
The biggest reason the Spear Rezé build was abandoned. Because she runs away when it becomes the target of attack. From the mid-point, leveling up becomes impossible, and in the latter part of the game, there were times it would leave the battlefield on the first turn.
'I've even researched methods to kill it before it could use its all-attack skills...'
During this process, users discovered Rezé's critical issue, and one by one, they began to abandon the Spear Rezé build.
Thus, the existence known as Rezé faded from everyone's memory.
'Even a veteran like me couldn't remember it at once.'
Another critical issue with Rezé. Well, there will be a chance to talk about this problem later.
Let's skip it for now as it's irrelevant.
"Where did this come from? It's too different from the magic guns I know. Not just the size, but... it seems to incorporate technology I've never seen before?"
"It's a prototype."
"A prototype?"
"Yes. It means it was made for trial purposes before selling. So, naturally, it's improved compared to what's currently available in the market."
"I know what that means, but why do you have it if it's not even for sale yet?"
The prototype magic gun, soon to be on sale. Meaning it's the latest model. It's natural for Luna to be curious.
Why do I have it? Well...
"Keke, Principal Dwener gave it to me."
"...Principal Dwener gave it to you?"
"That's right."
"I have a bad feeling about this... Tell me the truth. Did you scam again? Seduced with incomprehensible words and stole it?"
Following a scam and then stealing.
How could one even imagine such terrible things! I'm a good person!
"Keke, Miss Luna, look into my clear eyes. Don't they look like the eyes of a good person?"
"...I need to see your eyes to confirm or deny that. Just confess now to avoid trouble later."
How could this be. My pure eyes are hidden behind slits!
It's a truly terrible situation.
There's no choice but to tell the story of what happened that day.
He slowly recalled the events of yesterday.
Remembering being extorted by Dwener... Ah, no.
Recalling the memories at Dwener's Healing Pond together.
* * *
Hidden in the forest was Dwener's Healing Pond. Upon arrival, I could immediately meet him.
The principal of Annwood Academy, and the number one.
A descendant of the Seigan family who stood against Balapar, the 4th Legion Commander, 200 years ago.
And.
'My personal easy mark.'
While Dwener was feeding bread crumbs to the carps, I approached him.
Waving my hand as if very pleased to see him.
"Principal! How are you!"
"Eh? Oh! Isn't that Zero! What brings you all the way here?"
The Principal, who had been tossing bread crumbs to the carps, rushed towards me, abandoning them.
Meaning I'm ranked higher than the carps.
'Does this mean he likes me more than the pond's carps? That's surprising.'
My likability seems to have skyrocketed.
To Dwener, the carps are like his children.
Even a veteran like me couldn't help but be moved in such a situation.
To call such a being an easy mark.
No helping it. Now that it's come to this.
'I'll have to milk it more aggressively. Kekeke!'
A psychopath? Not at all.
I've become like a child to him.
He wouldn't mind giving me anything.
It's only right (?) to gratefully accept such offerings.
"Keke, I thought I'd be lucky to see the Principal today, and here we meet. It must be a lucky day."
"Ha! It's a lucky day for me too. Didn't I meet our Zero?"
"Taking care of such a place on a hot day. You're working hard."
"Hmm, it's my duty to care even for the smallest places. Anyway, this academy wouldn't run without me, would it?"
"That's right. It would have been a disaster without a competent Principal like you!"
I casually handed him a can of soda.
Flattery, calling him a competent Principal, and a small gift.
It was natural for the Principal's mouth to stretch wide with joy.
After some routine conversation, I gently brought up the main topic.
"Do you know about magical engineering?"
"Eh? Magical engineering... It emerged a long time ago along with artifacts, and has only recently come to the forefront. Well, the consensus is that it doesn't compare to magic..."
"What do you think, Principal?"
"Well, I share a similar view. Unlike mana that utilizes the forces of nature, magical engineering has too many limitations. It could break during battle... Efforts are admirable, but old-fashioned is just old-fashioned."
"...I see."
"But why do you suddenly ask about magical engineering?"
"Actually... I've recently taken an interest in that old-fashioned magical engineering."
As I awkwardly scratched my head, Dwener, who had been happily drinking the soda, stiffened.
--TL Notes--
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