Chapter 160: Let’s Try Developing Magic
“So, what are we going to do?”
We stood on the coastline across from the harbor. If we ventured a little further, we would reach the sandy beach, but there was no need to go that far. I had come here to practice by stealing Linford’s Sniping Magic, and the man himself had decided to tag along.
“What do you mean, what are we going to do? For now, I plan to create a gun barrel using magic, just like Linford.”
“Hmm.”
Linford stroked his chin thoughtfully, but before he could delve deeper, he asked a crucial question.
“By the way, are we not taking a break? I haven’t recovered enough Magic Power to demonstrate Sniping Magic yet.”
“Ah, I’m fine for practice; my Magic Power has recovered enough for that.”
I had around 5,000 MP left over, but it had already climbed back into the five-digit range. Linford glanced at his own MP, which was still around 900—far from four digits. I had never felt it before, but it seemed like we possessed some sort of automatic MP recovery skill.
“I see… Impressive.”
I wasn’t sure what he found impressive, but Linford appeared genuinely impressed. His demeanor seemed to have softened since our first meeting yesterday.
“Shuu. Is it alright if I create the gun barrel?”
“That works. I’ll handle the ammunition. It would be great if I could add that effect to it as well.”
If we could add the Impact Penetration Effect, I was the only one capable of doing so. That meant, inevitably, the gun barrel would be crafted by Rio. Linford, who had been listening to our conversation, suddenly looked enlightened.
“So that’s how it is…!”
Yes, that’s exactly it. There was no need for one person to create both the gun barrel and the ammunition. If we poured all our Magic Power into creating and firing them separately, the power would surely increase. Of course, I wanted to ensure I could shoot alone if necessary.
“Still, is it really okay? I’m trying to imitate Linford’s magic… and you’re even willing to demonstrate it for us.”
It’s a common rule, regardless of being an Adventurer, that one should keep their trump cards under wraps.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. This magic was what helped me become an S Rank Adventurer, and it’s already known by various people.”
I wondered if this was what they called a “famous tax.” Still, if it was something that couldn’t be prevented, then no matter how widely known it became, it wouldn’t pose a threat. The range seemed long, and there was no way to defend against attacks coming from outside one’s awareness.
“Besides, there’s a crisis in the city. This isn’t the time to be concerned about my personal secrets.”
“In that case, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
And so, the three of us began discussing and assembling the new Sniping Magic.
“I was thinking we could incorporate the mechanism of a Railgun.”
“Railgun?”
I proposed it, hoping for its potential high power, but both Linford and Rio raised their eyebrows in confusion.
“Um, it’s a device that uses electromagnetic induction to accelerate… right? It’s used in things like linear motors.”
“Oh, that thing. I see.”
“Li-linear…?”
It seemed Rio understood, but of course, Linford, who lacked modern knowledge, was lost. This was related to the thunder and magnetism magic that even my master didn’t know about. Linford probably had no clue. I left Rio to ponder and lightly explained it to Linford, but I struggled to convey it effectively. I couldn’t claim to fully understand electromagnetic forces myself.
“Haha, sorry, I don’t get it at all. I was a commoner, so I lack education…”
“Oh, is that so…?”
So he was indeed of noble birth. My master had mentioned that those with a Family Name were nobles. I had completely forgotten. However, even a well-educated noble would find it difficult to grasp modern knowledge in this Otherworld.
“I guess you could say I became a noble after reaching S Rank. I don’t own any territory, but I hold the honorary title of Baron in the Imperial nobility.”
An honorary title was said to be a one-generation rank, but for a commoner to be granted nobility was quite the rise in status. As an S Rank Adventurer, the annual pension from the nobility might not be particularly beneficial, but it was likely a kind of aspiration.
“Well, I do have an obligation to work for the Empire.”
Linford spoke proudly, but I imagined there were restrictions that came with being an Imperial noble as well.
“Ah, I veered off topic.”
Linford brought the conversation back on track and sought advice on how to create the gun barrel. He explained that he had constructed a magic that involved the process of firing magic to launch objects. The steps, such as creating a cylindrical gun barrel and causing an explosion with Wind Magic, were quite similar to the mechanisms of guns on Earth.
“I see… something like this, perhaps?”
I used Earth Magic to create a simple bullet and prepared compressed air behind it. I continued to shape a twenty-centimeter gun barrel with my Magic Power. The bullet was merely a chunk of rock, smaller than the barrel’s opening, and it lacked rifling. The Sniping Magic was being constructed by Rio through sheer imitation.
“Fire!”
With a loud thud, the bullet was launched, but it barely flew a few meters before plummeting to the ground. Nonetheless, Linford’s eyes widened in surprise, his mouth agape.
“Haha… there really are geniuses out there.”
Well then, I suppose it’s time for me to advance the development of the ammunition.