Chapter 127
Dwener's movement came to a complete halt.
To belittle a subject that a precious student was interested in.
He must have thought it a tremendous mistake.
He continued with a look of embarrassment.
"Perhaps because everyone thinks it's nothing compared to magic, there are only a few books on it in the library."
"..."
"I guess I must have been wrong. There must be a reason everyone avoids it."
He wore a look of regret all over his face.
Only then did Dwener start moving again.
"Hmm, hmm, magical engineering, you say... I'll have to bring related books into the library."
"Excuse me? There's no need to go through all that trouble just for me..."
"Ha! This is the empire's premier academy! If it's a field that's advancing, it's only natural to pay attention to it! I'll make arrangements so you can see them from tomorrow!"
"To go to such lengths for me... I'm grateful."
"Ah, tsk, tsk! Not being able to handle even this basic task! This place really doesn't run without me!"
Dwener smiled, satisfied with his excellent handling of the matter.
However, my business here wasn't finished yet.
Pretending to be saddened, Dwener immediately reacted.
"Zero, is there something wrong?"
"...Nothing at all."
"Ha! You're going to lie even to me? Come on, speak up. Everything will be kept confidential, so don't worry."
He must mean to keep the content of the consultation confidential.
Though it was likely meant to protect a student's privacy, to me, it was an excellent situation.
Pretending to wipe away tears, I began to speak.
"I'm really happy that books on magical engineering will be brought in. But, as you know, there are limits to what can be learned from theory alone."
"That's true."
"Especially with magical engineering, it's said to be more important to see, touch, and dismantle things."
"So, you're saying we need teaching materials."
"Exactly. While books on magical engineering are great, having good teaching materials would be even better. For instance..."
"For instance?"
"Magical guns, perhaps?"
It may have been too blunt, but I had no choice.
The dialogue had changed.
'Just because someone's favorability increases doesn't mean only good things happen.'
After Chapter 1 ends, if you talk to Dwener alone by the pond, you can receive a magical gun as a hidden piece.
Originally, it should've been just five sentences, but strangely, the conversation didn't end there, and I had to speak directly.
Dwener stared straight at me.
Was it too blunt, after all?
"Surely you didn't think I would only bring in books. Of course, I planned to bring in teaching materials as well. It's just that it'll take a bit more time, so I hadn't mentioned it."
Ah, I see. It would have been nice if you had mentioned it earlier.
"We'll have to create a classroom capable of handling all the teaching materials related to magical engineering. I'm sorry, but it will take some time."
"Do, do you really need to go to such lengths...?"
It feels like the situation is escalating.
Why has the hidden piece that should have just resulted in receiving a magical gun turned out like this?
"Besides, it's not like I don't have anything to give you right now."
"Excuse me?"
Dwener let out a sly smile.
"A magical gun, you say. A good item just came in. Just wait here for a moment."
Dwener, robes billowing, dashed off like lightning.
About 20 minutes later, he returned, panting from afar.
In his arms was a massive magical gun.
"Huff... huff... Here you go, Zero."
"What is this...?"
"The latest model magical gun. It's a prototype scheduled for release in the third quarter."
The Annwood Academy, the empire's finest academy.
Being the principal of such a place, one naturally receives various gifts.
And among these gifts, prototypes like this occasionally come in.
Though they're ostensibly gifts to broaden the students' horizons, their role in 'promotion' cannot be denied.
The magical gun in my arms.
Using the Information Window out of habit, I couldn't help but be surprised.
'What? It has a skill attached?'
There was a skill called [Overcharge] attached.
As far as I could recall, this was a first.
In fact, this route was one any veteran player would use.
Simply speaking to him made it easy to obtain a magical gun.
Used to sell in the shop for early gold procurement.
'A hidden piece has been activated.'
The magical guns I sold in the shop alone numbered in the thousands. Counting other players, it would be in the millions.
But this is the first time I've seen one with the [Overcharge] skill attached.
What could have happened?
"Though it's a prototype, it's a bit different. They said they had to remove one feature because the cost was too high."
"...I see."
"Although they insisted I only keep it for display... well, it shouldn't matter. You're going to use it for disassembly anyway, right?"
"Keke... That's right. You don't have to worry."
Hmm... I'll dismantle it someday anyway.
So, there shouldn't be any major problems, right?
That's what I convinced myself of.
"...Do you think magical engineering will advance?"
"Excuse me?"
"Didn't you suddenly become interested in magical engineering? Despite others being negative about it."
Dwener's expression was seriously concerned.
The future of magical engineering. Did I need to tell Dwener about it?
'...Well, it's true I received help.'
I decided to share a bit of information.
If I'm lucky, the investment might pay off, and even after the academy collapses in two years, I'll have a means to live.
Worried about the impact on the future?
No need to worry about such things.
'Dwener is an incompetent character.'
At best, he might make some money through personal investment.
The idea that Dwener's actions could influence the world was utterly impossible.
"...I think it's only natural."
"Hmm?"
"Artifacts are evolving day by day. A few years ago, we even succeeded in creating artifacts without borrowing the power of mysteries. One of them is the magical gun."
"..."
"This will be a much more powerful weapon than a bow. A bow relies solely on one's own strength, but a magical gun combines one's own strength with technology."
Dwener was lost in thought.
It wasn't serious contemplation. Just thinking about whether to invest, and if so, where.
I also sank into thought, checking on my gains.
'Bringing in a lot of magical engineering materials... If I'm lucky, maybe I can get various things besides magical guns?'
Having books related to magical engineering wasn't bad either.
After all, I often read books to accumulate knowledge of this world and find hidden pieces.
But the greatest gain was, of course, the magical gun with a skill attached.
I was smiling at the increased Rezé's usage (so to speak).
"Now it seems you have no worries."
"Excuse me?"
"Huhu, when you're a principal, you learn to read a student's face and understand their inner thoughts. I'm glad I could help."
Dwener wore a warm smile.
But it was probably because I acted well, not because...
Well, what does it matter? I achieved my goal.
'Maybe... his fondness for me has increased?'
If so, I can't just stay still.
Now that I've discovered there's a hidden piece within the hidden piece, it's advantageous to maintain a closer relationship with Dwener.
I rushed in with an expression of overwhelming gratitude.
"Principal!"
"Zero!"
We hugged each other tightly.
"Always stay strong, Zero. If you have any worries, feel free to talk."
"Yes, Principal. Of course. You're the only one I can rely on in this place, the great and capable Principal!"
I thought to myself while hugging Dwener.
Keke! What a sucker. I'm busy today, so I'll be going now.
'I'll expect more from you next time!'
Whether he knew my thoughts or not,
Dwener just kept patting my back.
***
Memories of extortion... no, memories of healing and tears at the Healing Pond filled with emotion.
Just recalling it made tears almost well up.
"Eh? Hurry up and tell me. What did you do to the Principal?"
Luna's face loomed closer.
She began to press me for answers, inching her face closer.
After thinking it over, it seemed unnecessary to mention what happened with Dwener.
Luna would never understand such a beautiful story.
"Keke, the process was justified. So you don't need to worry."
"...Somehow it sounds like the beginning and the end weren't justified?"
"Keke, that's a misunderstanding."
"..."
"Kekekekekekeke!!"
Perhaps my smile was too beautiful.
Luna slowly backed away and headed towards Rezé.
"...Let's just use it. If there's a problem, we can blame that guy."
Luna, what are you saying?
Since Rezé used it, shouldn't he be responsible?
As Luna examined the magical gun carefully, she said to Rezé,
"I think it's okay to use it for a while. If it doesn't fit, you can switch back to a bow midway."
"Should, should we?"
"Yeah. It's true this is a bit better than a bow. It might be better to use the magical gun until you can handle mana."
Better than a bow? Well, let's compare.
For a bow:
Need arrows → Load the arrow on the bowstring → Pull → Aim → Fire
For a magical gun:
Mana automatically loads → Aim → Fire
Just pulling the trigger ends the whole process.
Must shoot a bow vs. Click.
Everyone would choose click.
'Most of all, the speed is different.'
The time it takes Rezé, with a strength stat of 3, to shoot one arrow.
A full 10 seconds.
In contrast, the magical gun takes at most 3 seconds.
Since all it takes is the strength to pull the trigger, it's the perfect weapon for Rezé.
Still saying it's just a bit better than a bow is nonsense.
"Hmm... Should I use it as a secondary weapon? It seems not bad until I can handle mana."
Not a bad thought coming from Luna.
However,
"Keke, you better not. It's harder to use than it looks."
"Is it hard? Isn't it just shoot and hit?"
"Just try it."
Luna didn't hesitate. She injected mana and immediately pulled the trigger.
Thump!
Boom!
"...?"
All three of us had giant question marks over our heads.
The mana bullet flew into the air.
Despite shooting straight, the mana bullet headed towards the ceiling.
She scored 0 points for shooting, but maybe 10,000 points for artistry.
"Lu, Luna! That's amazing! How could you shoot like that? That's absolutely! Absolutely impossible for me!"
Rezé's eyes sparkled as she exclaimed.
...Does she also have a talent for backhanded compliments? A genius at it.
To that, Luna brushed back her hair and said,
"Hmph, it's nothing when it comes to me."
...Luna.
That's not a compliment.
--TL Notes--
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