第１６８４堀：改めて魔力と魔術はなんなのか (Part1)
Chapter 1684: Re-examining the Nature of Mana and Magic
Side: Cleena
Samantha and I are currently in the university library.
“...There are surprisingly many books here.”
“That is to be expected. It is a university, after all.”
“Still, it feels... cleaner than Lancer’s library.”
“Lancer never really bothered to organize his collection. As for the sheer volume... I suppose it is about the same? Though I cannot speak to the density.”
Indeed, Lancer’s library was a place where books were left in disarray—or rather, it felt as though he had intentionally stacked them to create a labyrinth.
“This is the library open to the students. You are free to read anything here. As for research results and theses, please select the relevant ones and submit a new request for access.”
“Understood.”
“Alright, Cleena, Samantha, do your best here. We’re off to prepare for our classes.”
“...Mm. Good luck, Yuki.”
And so, we were left to scour the university archives for any useful information.
Furthermore...
“Now then, Ruhau-kun. I leave the support of these two in your capable hands.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
For some reason, the university president had ordered Ruhau to remain as our escort. It was likely a mix of surveillance and genuine assistance.
That said, in terms of combat capability, he was only Level 15. For an adventurer, that’s just past the novice stage. While he clearly had talent given his studies in magic, whether he could hold his own in a serious fight was debatable.
In the context of the Lancer Magic Academy, he wouldn’t qualify for a Single rank, perhaps falling into the lower tier of Double. Still, considering his age, he was quite impressive.
“So, Lady Cleena, Lady Samantha, what exactly are you looking for?”
“...We haven’t decided on anything specific.”
“Indeed.”
“You are searching without a goal?”
“...Our job is to research the foundational technologies of this country and see if there is anything we can put to use.”
“Cleena, that is a poor way to phrase it. It makes it sound as though we are here to steal their secrets. To be precise, we are investigating whether there are any technologies that could be mutually beneficial.”
“I see, I understand your intent. However, do you truly believe such technology will be found so easily?”
“...I don’t expect it to be easy. It is precisely because this magic university has such a long history that I thought we might find some hints.”
“Exactly. If we find nothing, it is no great loss.”
“Is that so?”
Ruhau tilted his head, seemingly puzzled by our lack of urgency. He likely assumed that since we were acting under Yuki’s orders, we would be in trouble if we didn’t produce some sort of result.
But in truth, it’s not as if discoveries are made so easily.
...Though, to be fair, being around Yuki usually results in a constant stream of new discoveries that make it impossible for our research to keep up.
“Still, I was wondering where to begin. Do you have any recommendations, Ruhau-san?”
“My recommendations?”
“...That’s a good idea. Ruhau should have a general idea of what’s worth looking at.”
“I’m not sure about ‘worth,’ but there are some topics I find quite intriguing.”
“Excellent. Please, tell us. Let’s focus our investigation there.”
And so, we decided to start with the topics that piqued Ruhau’s interest. Specifically...
“Then, let us start with the history—or rather, the origins—of this university.”
“...The origins?”
“I was told that Lady Nonoa established this university as a higher institution to support researchers, but is that all?”
Yes, as Samantha noted, the stated reason for the university’s founding was to gather researchers under the state’s protection and provide them with funding. Of course, they were meant to study, but from what I’d heard, Nonoa’s primary goal was for them to conduct research and produce tangible results. It was easy to understand her sentiment—that it would be a waste to let individual talents languish in obscurity.
“No, it is not about the philosophy, but rather, the research that was initiated at the time of its founding. I thought that by looking at those, we might be able to deduce the university’s original direction.”
“Ah, I see.”
“...That makes sense.”
It was only natural to assume that the initial research served as the bedrock upon which all subsequent developments were built. If these records were in the library and granted for viewing, it was proof that they were considered safe to share. There was no point in digging for secrets if Nonoa hadn’t granted us permission to see them.
“Then, regarding the initial research of the university...”
With that, Ruhau gathered the books detailing their early studies.
“Hmm, I see. They began with an exhaustive analysis of basic magic...”
“The fundamental of fundamentals.”
The question of why magic is magic. The root of how magic is manifested through the consumption of mana. This had been studied for ages, but it was akin to asking why humans live—a question that remained unsolved. We had only managed to grasp a small portion of how it functioned. To put it simply, we knew that mana transformed into something else to cause a phenomenon.
“...The conclusion reached in Weed is the same.”
“Indeed. In fact, I have seen papers in Lancer that reached the exact same conclusion.”
Yes, these contemplations and papers regarding mana always seemed to arrive at similar conclusions regardless of where you went. In a sense, it was mysterious, yet entirely expected. When so many people arrive at the same conclusion, it suggests that this is the only explanation that holds any credibility or satisfies the mind.
“Ruhau, what is your opinion on this paper?”
Samantha sought Ruhau’s input. It was only natural, as one should always consider various perspectives.
“...Well, I largely agree with it.”
“...‘Largely’? Does that mean there are parts you disagree with?”
“Yes. The part about mana transforming into something else—I suspect this might be a form of alchemy.”
“Ah, I see. Indeed, the idea of changing into another substance relates to chemistry. It could certainly be called a form of alchemy.”
“...That is a fair point.”
Ruhau’s observation was not wrong. It was clear that magic was established through the transformation and interaction of mana. Therefore, Samantha’s comparison to the nature of chemistry was also correct.
“...Ruhau. If it’s not too much trouble, could you summarize that theory into a report or a paper?”
“Yes, I can do that. But will it truly be of any use to you?”