Chapter 261: Development Meeting
“This is my first time engaging in this kind of interaction.”
“Y-yeah…”
“Oh, that’s right! Usually, we only communicate through the Network or when we all gather with you, Older Sister!”
Seated around a round table in the lounge, Akane, Olive, and Asahi began their conversation.
“It’s common for our thought processes to shift due to external stimuli. We should actively create more opportunities like this,” Akane stated, while automated machines arranged drinks and snacks on the table. These were prepared by RINGO for the three sisters. Since Asahi could only consume liquid food, a smoothie was also prepared for her.
“I’m not particularly interested in food itself, but I wonder if my feelings would change if I could eat solid food…”
“Consuming food is a fundamental aspect of being a living organism. Since we are also part biological, it makes sense.”
“Sweets are delicious, aren’t they…?”
Asahi, whose digestive system was weak and unable to handle regular meals, still had a functioning sense of taste. She loved sugars, and she even consumed glucose syrup directly. However, her Older Sister had expressed concern about her diet, prompting her to reconsider her choices.
“Anyway, the analysis speed for magic-related matters has been declining, so I wanted to gather your opinions, Older Sisters!”
As she spoke, Asahi took a sip of her smoothie through a straw.
“Delicious!!”
“It’s made with berries, yogurt, milk, and honey. The sweetness is balanced with sugars, and it’s flavored with menthol and vanillin.”
“C-could this be handmade by you, Akane Older Sister…!?”
“When you mentioned wanting to drink it, RINGO prepared it for you.”
“Oh, I see.”
Setting her glass back on the table, Asahi waved her fingers in a playful gesture. In sync with her movement, three projection monitors appeared around them.
“I created a few items that are referred to as magic tools in the local context.”
Displayed on the three monitors were three tools. According to Asahi, they were magic tools utilizing the power of magic.
“This is the Magic Essence Meter. To clarify for shared understanding, it combines the olfactory cells of the Forest Boar, a type of monster, with a Magic Stone, utilizing the changes in magic density to alter the electric potential. And this is a stove. It generates heat. Well, there are two types: one using Magic Stones and another using Redstone. Lastly, this is a sturdy rod manufactured to verify structural reinforcement.”
The third item Asahi introduced was a lightweight yet hard rod made from the Magic Stone and shell of the giant butterfly monster, Big Moss. It was said to be harder and more flexible than titanium of the same weight.
“This seems quite useful. If kept separate from the Magic Stone, the chitin-based shell can be processed to some extent. If we shape it as desired and then make contact with the Magic Stone, it will undergo structural reinforcement in that state.”
“…It does sound useful. It might lighten the Multi-legged Tank. And even the Titan Class.”
“Exactly, Olive Older Sister. We might consider creating a prototype. We have a large supply of materials available.”
However, Asahi continued, “While we’ve found a path to create magic tools that operate using magical power, the issue is that all the raw materials are derived from monsters. This is not compatible with our specialty in mass production.”
“You mean we can’t create them from mass-producible materials?”
“Yes, Akane Older Sister. We have no prospects for industrial mass production. We might need to consider farming or breeding Threat Creatures.”
To create magic tools, it seems that materials containing or compatible with magic essence are necessary. However, at least for now, the materials that The Tree can produce industrially are inadequate. The raw materials must come from Threat Creatures.
“The problem is that to create powerful magic tools, we need correspondingly large or potent materials derived from Threat Creatures.”
“…If we domesticate them, will they weaken?”
“Unfortunately, we don’t know that yet. However, they are simply too strong to domesticate. Even if we tried to enclose a Forest Boar for breeding, it would likely destroy everything with a single charge.”
“That’s certainly true. A flimsy fence or wall wouldn’t pose any obstacle.”
As Akane munched on the decorated sweets, she agreed.
“If we assume that magic can be somewhat directed by will, the possibility that domestication could lead to weakening is a prediction we cannot ignore.”
“Because they are wild, we can obtain high-quality materials?”
“Exactly. Well, if we could find some small yet useful Threat Creatures, I would like to give it a try.”
At the very least, the Younglings of the Rain Kroin had already begun to exhibit their magical abilities. Even though they were being bred, they were not being made obedient, so they couldn’t be considered livestock. However, if those four Younglings eventually grow into large Rain Kroin, there will come a point when breeding them becomes impossible. At that stage, it would be uncertain whether we could secure useful materials from the Rain Kroin.
“Also, a Magic Stone is essential for the operation of magic tools. For instance, while it seems we could potentially breed the olfactory cells of the Forest Boar in a controlled environment, we still need a Magic Stone derived from the Forest Boar to operate the magic tool.”
“Is it impossible to break the Magic Stone?”
“If you break it, its efficacy drastically diminishes. If you split it in half, its performance drops to about one-fourth. If you divide it into four, each piece becomes one-sixteenth. It’s a rough calculation, but for use as a Magic Essence Meter, that might suffice. However, that means we can only create four Magic Essence Meters from one creature. The efficiency is extremely poor…”
Whether it’s Redstone or Magic Stones, their efficacy demonstrates a quadratic performance based on volume or mass. Connecting two will quadruple the performance, while halving will reduce it to one-fourth. By the way, even if we say we can connect them, they must be fused, so we cannot increase the size of Magic Stones derived from Threat Creatures. At least, not for now.
“We have established the technology to fuse Redstone, so it seems quite applicable. Oh, in that sense, it might be a good idea to search for magical materials derived from the environment rather than biological sources.”
“…Since Redstone is contained within lava stones, perhaps we could find other materials in different types of soil.”
“Exactly, Olive Older Sister! We call it Redstone, but I think it essentially is a type of Magic Stone. Let’s categorize it as volcanic Magic Stone!”
Research on Redstone has progressed significantly. Furthermore, we will likely receive full cooperation from the Kingdom of Repuitari, which excels in handling Redstone. If we can gather various insights, The Tree’s analytical capabilities could rapidly advance our research.
“If we can’t find anything other than Redstone, that classification will be meaningless.”
“Then let’s call it a provisional name! Well, we’ll conduct a large-scale search using the Magic Essence Meter!”
Asahi seemed to have given some instructions over the radio. She continued the conversation seamlessly.
“I believe our goal is to artificially mass-produce materials with magical functions. Personally, I do have a desire to use magic myself!”
“…Asahi, can you use magic?”
“I feel like I might be able to!”
Akane squinted slightly, seemingly skeptical. However, she didn’t seem inclined to press the issue.
“We need to figure out how to handle the Magic Stones; otherwise, even if we prepare the materials, it won’t help…”
Meanwhile, it appeared that Olive was particularly interested in the production of magic tools using artificial materials.
“It seems that magic tools don’t necessarily need a Magic Stone to be effective. There are ointments and potions that speed up healing, and those are made from processed plants. Of course, they don’t contain any Magic Stones.”
“Hmm… Maybe I should give it a try…”
“Oh, are you interested? Then let’s airlift some!”
I want to increase the interactions among the sisters. With the safety of the continental base rapidly improving, it might be time for an outing soon.