Chapter 331: A Leisurely Conversation
“Asahi, when did that happen?”
“Hmm, it’s hard to believe that Ringo isn’t aware of it… You haven’t checked in a while, have you? It was just yesterday.”
Asahi twirled the Ignition Magic Tool in her hand, a hint of annoyance in her tone.
When she placed the tool on the desk and let go, the small flame that had been flickering at its tip extinguished with a soft puff.
“Observing in real-time raised my stress levels, which worried Ma’am. So, I’ve been reading summaries every three days instead.”
“I don’t think you need to avoid it that much…”
With a pause, Asahi took a breath.
Ringo, with her narrowed eyes and a frown, faced Asahi. In response, Asahi raised her index finger with a spark of determination.
“Honestly, I always thought it was only a matter of time before I could use magic tools. I had hypothesized it for a while, but the use of magic is greatly influenced by the will of the user!”
“It has indeed been observed that the scale and form of magic vary depending on the caster’s perception, but how does that relate to your ability to use magic tools?”
“It’s a prediction based on observation!”
With a proud huff, Asahi answered Ringo’s question.
Ringo furrowed her brow.
“Let’s set aside the passive types for now. Active magic or magic tools are activated or deactivated by the will of the caster or user. It’s quite fascinating that they don’t activate unless one consciously thinks about it…”
Continuing her explanation, Asahi picked up the Ignition Magic Tool again.
“When in a state of sleep or dreaming, magic or magic tools do not function. So, there’s no need to worry about accidental usage while asleep!”
Asahi flicked the Ignition Magic Tool, igniting and extinguishing the flame repeatedly as she spoke.
“Regarding the activation of magic through will, it feels like I could only use it after I was convinced I could. I doubt the other older sisters could use it! I don’t think they could generate the intention to ignite!”
“…I see. So, if one doesn’t believe the fire will ignite, the intention won’t be conveyed?”
“Exactly, Ringo! If you think it can’t ignite, then it won’t!”
Magic responds to the user’s will. Just hearing this hypothesis made Ringo’s stress levels rise. Witnessing the phenomenon firsthand, she wore a truly displeased expression.
“Well, well, Ringo. It’s certainly unsettling that we can’t scientifically explain it, but it’s merely a phenomenon occurring due to reasons we don’t yet understand. Understanding this is what scholars strive for! Instead of shunning magic as irrational, let’s think of it as uncovering an unknown phenomenon!”
“…I can agree with that perspective. We are indeed dealing with phenomena we have yet to explain.”
Ringo sighed deeply.
However, Asahi was likely correct. The phenomenon of magic was undeniably occurring. If that’s the case, recording, analyzing, reproducing, and uncovering its principles is undoubtedly the right path to pursue.
“For now, it’s just a hypothesis! I’ve become able to use magic tools! This means I might even be able to use magic someday!”
“That’s quite a leap.”
“But I couldn’t use them before! Of course, I never thought I couldn’t! So, I believe it’s correct to think I’ve become able to use them over time!”
“Stop forming hypotheses based on preconceived conclusions. …However, the passage of time is worth considering.”
As Ringo observed the overly enthusiastic Asahi, she projected a plethora of image data into the air.
These were X-ray images of Asahi’s Brain Unit taken periodically. Arranging them chronologically clearly showed that changes were indeed occurring.
“Oh! This is the haze we talked about! Yes, looking at it this way, it’s definitely expanding!”
The white shadow appearing inside the Brain Unit, visible only through X-ray imaging. No issues were detected through standard inspection procedures, yet changes were undeniably happening.
“Hmm, it seems reasonable to consider the influence of Magic Essence! Eventually, this haze might coalesce and turn into a Magic Stone!”
“If crystallization occurs within the Brain Unit, it could significantly impact its computational functions, don’t you think?”
“Well, we won’t know until it happens!”
Ringo sighed again at Asahi’s complete lack of concern.
Still, Asahi’s reasoning wasn’t wrong. There’s no point in speculating about completely unknown phenomena without any basis.
“Also, we should consider what will is, right?”
“Will? Yes, for typical biological species, it’s essentially free will.”
“This will of mine is generated by the Brain Unit! And since I was able to use magic tools, it’s safe to conclude that I possess will!”
Asahi confidently declared this. However, the question of whether a Brain Unit could possess free will had already been resolved.
Unlike an AI that only returns predetermined outputs to specific inputs, the Brain Unit is valued for its differences.
The civilization that created the Brain Unit has determined that it possesses free will.
“Well, there is a theory that if you perfectly recreate the same situation, you would have the same memories and personality…”
“Due to the impossibility of achieving perfect recreation at the quantum level, that hypothesis is deemed untestable. It’s just fanciful talk.”
“Well, yes. There’s no point in dwelling on that, so let’s not worry about it! Now then, it seems our Brain Unit AI has the potential to use magic. What about other types of AI, like those composed of Photonics Neural Networks? Or AI simulated within a Supercomputer like The Core? What do you think?”
“…If we’re talking about possibilities, I would say that only individuals with the white shadows confirmed by X-ray imaging could use magic.”
Ringo responded to Asahi’s musings, which was quite rare for her character. If this had been a data exchange or a conversation through a network, such casual banter would not have occurred.
The experience of conversing face-to-face using a Communicator Android drew out Ringo’s reactions. In that sense, she was always in that state when talking to Eve.
However, the frequency of face-to-face conversations with other Brain Units was low.
“That’s true. In that case, Photonics Neural Network types also have potential. After all, this haze has been confirmed by X-ray imaging!”
“…Sigh. Asahi, I approve additional tests for the use of magic tools. Let’s have Cosmos from North End City assist us, along with the Wederia series active in the area.”
“Oh! That’s a great idea! They’re perfect for this! After all, they’re likely the ones most in touch with fantasy among us!”
Enjoy Ringo’s funny expressions! When connected to the Communicator Android within The Tree, her emotional expression control is not suppressed.
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