Episode 11: Mana Index Meter
Returning home from the electronics store, Yuma opened the box containing the Mana Measurement Device in his room.
While reading the included instruction manual, he inserted two AA batteries and turned on the power.
First, he would start with this black “Demon Ore.”
He pointed the tip of the hairdryer-shaped device at the stone, holding it as if he were aiming a gun. Looking at it this way, it resembled a speed gun used in baseball more than a hairdryer.
He peered into the display window that showed the numerical value. According to the manual, the “Mana Index” would be displayed here.
The Magic Gems of weak Monsters would show single-digit numbers, while those of slightly stronger Monsters could range from dozens to hundreds. The most powerful Magic Gem ever discovered had exceeded two thousand.
Yuma was curious about the Mana Index of the “Demon Ore” produced by the rare Metal Slime. But no matter how long he waited, no number appeared.
Only the digital zero was blinking.
“Huh? That’s strange.”
He aimed the Mana Measurement Device at the Demon Ore again and pressed the switch, but the result remained the same.
Wondering why, he pointed the device at himself and pressed the switch.
But the Mana Index still didn’t appear.
He reread the instruction manual and tried repeatedly, but the result was the same.
“What the heck! Is this thing broken?!”
Frustrated, Yuma grabbed the warranty, packed the Mana Measurement Device into his bag, and left the house. He straddled his bicycle and headed back to the electronics store.
◇◇◇
“Eh? It’s broken?”
The slightly chubby clerk who had helped him earlier widened his eyes.
“That’s right! No matter how many times I try, it won’t measure anything.”
“Oh, my, I’m very sorry about that. I’ll check immediately to see if there are any defects.”
The clerk said this and retreated into the store’s back area with the device.
–Seriously, making me buy something that’s broken, even if it’s used.
Yuma felt indignant, but after a few minutes, the clerk returned.
“Thank you for waiting, sir.”
While sweating on his forehead, he offered a gentle smile.
“I’ve checked, but there are no particular malfunctions.”
“Eh?”
Not broken? In front of the bewildered Yuma, the clerk lined up several jewels on the counter. Blue, yellow, and green. Colorful jewels.
“These are genuine Magic Gems. This is a 1-carat Aquamarine, this is a 2-carat Topaz, and this is a 3-carat Peridot. The Mana Index is 1, 2, and 3 from the left.”
The clerk picked up the “Mana Index Meter” that Yuma had bought and pointed its tip at the Aquamarine. After pressing the switch and waiting for about two seconds, it beeped.
The display window that the clerk showed him indeed read “1.”
He then measured the Topaz and Peridot one after another, confirming the results. The Mana Index was “2” and “3.” The numbers were exactly as the clerk had said.
“As you can see, it’s measuring accurately. Sir, if I may ask, what exactly were you trying to measure?”
“Eh? Oh, I was measuring a Demon Ore. About this size.”
When Yuma indicated the size with his fingers, the clerk said, “Ah,” and seemed to understand.
“I see, I see… I’m not particularly knowledgeable about Demon Ore, but I’ve heard that Demon Ore generally has a low Mana Index.”
“Eh!? So, you’re saying it won’t display if the index is too low?”
“That’s a possibility. This device can only measure in units of 1 or higher, so it may not display anything if it’s below 1.”
“W-wait a minute! I tried to measure my own Mana Index, but it was still zero. Is that also because my Mana Index is low?”
“Excuse me, sir, but have you defeated any Monsters in a Dungeon?”
“W-well, I’ve defeated over 100.”
Yuma answered with a hint of pride.
“That’s amazing! What kind of Monsters did you defeat?”
“Slimes. Slightly stronger Slimes.”
As soon as he heard that the Monsters he had defeated were Slimes, the clerk seemed to chuckle slightly.
“Ah, I see… Well, there might be a bit of a misunderstanding here.”
“What is it?”
“Many people seem to think that your Mana Index will always increase when you defeat Monsters, but that’s not necessarily the case.”
“Eh? Is that so?”
“Yes, you can only absorb a portion of the Mana from the Monster you defeat. In other words, if you defeat a Monster with a Mana Index of 100, the Mana Index of the person who defeated it will only increase by 1, something like that.”
“That’s so little!?”
“That’s right. So, it’s quite common for your Mana Index not to increase no matter how many Slimes you defeat…”
He didn’t know at all. He had been defeating Metal Slimes every day.
“So, either way, I can’t measure it with this device…”
“Yes, unfortunately… Since there’s no malfunction this time, we cannot offer an exchange or refund. We appreciate your understanding.”
The clerk lowered his head apologetically, but his gentle face seemed to say, “There’s nothing wrong with the product, so please leave quickly.”
Yuma wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find any more words to argue.
Yuma said, “I understand. Sorry,” and returned home with his shoulders slumped.