Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

“This is… amazing.”

“It cost a gold coin each, but its performance is exceptional.”

Abel was astonished, and Ryo was in awe of the high performance of the ‘Translator’.

Despite being as small as a Japanese 500-yen coin, the alchemy tool was packed with all the features needed for translation.

The words they heard were translated in real-time into the Central Countries’ language that both could understand, and their speech was translated back into the local language, spoken by the alchemy tool.

Both wore the devices on their collars, and the local language they saw appeared in real-time translations floating in the air as if they were viewing an AR screen.

“What principle does it operate on? Aerial display? It’s been a while since I’ve encountered an alchemy tool whose principles I can’t figure out!”

Ryo, holding the ‘Translator’, looked at it from various angles with delight.

Yes, they had purchased two, one for practical use and another for research…

Abel watched with a critical eye, but since it was Ryo who paid for it, he couldn’t complain.

Although technically, it was Ryo’s money… it originally came from the funds provided by the delegation, so… it was also the country’s money.

Therefore, one could say it was the responsibility of King Abel, the nation’s highest decision-maker…

“Ryo, before you start tinkering with that, could you first arrange the means to contact our homeland?”

“Of course. I’ll get on it as soon as we return to the inn.”

Ryo nodded in agreement to Abel’s words.

He didn’t find it troublesome at all.

After all, it was also alchemy.

Moreover, ‘Soul Resonance’ was one of Kenneth’s masterpieces.

That was certain.

It overturned many of the conventional ideas of alchemy.

To tweak and improve it…

“I am really looking forward to it.”

That was a heartfelt statement.

“Dinner will be served from 6 PM in the dining hall. You may order whatever you like.”

Banhu informed them upon arriving at the inn.

In a way, it was like a buffet.

“That’s great, Abel. Even a big-eating swordsman like you can eat to your heart’s content.”

“I think you eat more than I do, Ryo…”

“A magician eating more than a swordsman? That’s absurd. Please don’t make misleading statements.”

“I could say the same to you.”

With such banter, they entered their room.

Ryo occupied the provided chair and table and immediately started analyzing the ‘Soul Resonance’.

Abel brought some papers from the ground floor labeled ‘Feel free to take’.

“Hmm… so this town is called Manyamya… it’s hard to pronounce.”

He mumbled ‘Manyamya’ softly several times.

“The third-largest town in the Komakyuta Principality… located in the westernmost tip of the safe sea area? There are numerous giant sea monsters like Krakens west of Manyamya… The coast we were on was… well, indeed west of this town…”

Abel murmured, absorbing various pieces of information.

You never know when, where, or what information might be useful.

That is almost a habit for adventurers.

It distinguished the elite from the rest…

However, after a while, he finished reading all the papers he had brought.

“No doubt… since becoming king, my reading speed has increased with all the paperwork…”

Abel muttered.

Habit is a scary thing.

Or perhaps it’s human adaptability.

Having run out of things to do, Abel idly watched Ryo’s work.

He saw ice slabs displaying characters.

Not just one… but eight?

“Even Kenneth didn’t connect that many.”

Abel murmured, recalling the scene of Viscount Kenneth Hayward’s alchemy tool creation at the Royal Alchemy Workshop.

Kenneth used stone slabs, literally stone tablets.

According to the explanation, the magic formulas and circles inscribed in the alchemy tools were displayed on those slabs.

They were then modified or new magic formulas added before being ‘transferred’ to the alchemy tool.

Directly inscribing on the alchemy tool was also possible.

But was more challenging with smaller items, hence the use of the ‘stone slabs’.

Alternatively, as Ryo was doing now, the ‘stone slabs’ were used to accurately view the inscribed magic formulas and circles.

Ryo was using ice slabs, though…

The ‘stone slabs’ had no computing function, merely displaying information, making them simple devices.

“As expected of Kenneth!”

Ryo suddenly exclaimed.

“What is it?”

A bit surprised, Abel asked without showing it.

“It’s the magic formula for this ‘Soul Resonance’. I knew it was based on Kenneth’s paper, ‘The Possibility of Long-Distance Communication Using Resonance Phenomena by Dividing Magic Stones’, but it goes further, utilizing the water vapor in the air. He perfectly understood the knowledge I taught him and applied it to alchemy… Viscount Kenneth Hayward is truly a genius!”

Ryo rejoiced as if it were his accomplishment.

He was delighted to confirm the excellence of the person he considered his mentor.

To Ryo, Viscount Kenneth Hayward was not a rival but a master of alchemy.

“So… how is it? Can you manage it, Ryo?”

“How rude! Abel, despite how I may look, I am Kenneth’s top… no, second… well, there are about ten alchemists in the Royal Alchemy Workshop, so…I’m the eleventh disciple! I can handle modifications. Creating an original from scratch might be difficult. But using the water vapor in the air is within my domain as a water-attribute magician. Just give me a moment, I can do it!”

With that, Ryo pulled one of the eight ice slabs closer and began writing something on its surface with his finger.

Using water-attribute magic, Ryo could directly inscribe magic formulas onto the ice slabs with his finger.

Different magicians and alchemists had their own methods that suited them best…

It was akin to programming.

Just as a programmer inputs code rapidly into an editor… Ryo inscribed the ice slabs quickly.

Initially, he used his finger, but soon, the magic formulas began appearing on the ice slabs without him moving his finger.

“Is he projecting the magic formulas he imagines in his mind directly onto the ice slab? Like the ‘transcription’ by Copilas…”

Abel murmured.

Reminiscing about the transcription service he often used in the city of Rune.

Lost in nostalgic thoughts, Abel absentmindedly watched Ryo work.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t had much time to idly watch something in these past three years…”

Abel muttered.

Since the Kingdom Liberation War, or even before, when he assumed the throne in Rune… he had been constantly occupied with his duties as king.

It was a path he chose, so he never felt regret or dissatisfaction.

However…

There were times when he wondered if the path he had taken was the right one.

But… he had never had moments like now, idly watching someone else work.

Even when spending time with his wife, Queen Rihya, and his son, Prince Noah.

He wasn’t simply idling…

While Abel pondered that…

“Alright, it’s done!”

Ryo declared.

“Already finished?”

“I told you I could do it, didn’t I? Well, the magic formula is a bit patched up, so it can only send a temporary message… like a voicemail. Having a conversation is impossible, so… you’ll have to give up on that.”

“No, that’s more than enough. As long as we can let them know we’re safe.”

Abel nodded, satisfied with Ryo’s explanation.

Using ‘Abel’s’ Soul Resonance, even though Abel himself wasn’t on the other end…

Abel couldn’t understand how it worked.

Yet, if it could send a message, he genuinely admired the ingenuity of Ryo and Kenneth, both skilled in alchemy.

Then, Ryo began to do something even more perplexing.

Holding the Soul Resonance, he started turning in different directions.

Muttering stuff like, not here, a bit over there, definitely not this way…

After a while…

“Yes, it’s definitely this direction. This must be northwest. Abel, I’ve found the direction to the royal capital.”

“Really?!”

Abel was astonished by Ryo’s words.

How could he know the direction to the royal capital?

“I just tested if the signal could reach the recipient. It’s like a network ping… um, it’s like sending a small message and confirming the response to ensure a proper connection. When I sent it northwest, the response was clearest, so the capital must be in that direction.”

“I don’t fully understand, but I get it…”

Abel said, turning to face the direction Ryo indicated.

Confirming this, Ryo handed the Soul Resonance to Abel.

Abel held it with both hands, cradling it gently.

“You can only send a message for fifteen seconds. Make sure you know what you want to say before starting.”

“Yeah, I have it planned. How do I use this?”

“Hold it tightly, and you should feel a connection to another place in your mind. From there, you have fifteen seconds to speak, and your words will be recorded on the other end. Make sure to let them know you’re safe.”

“Got it.”

Abel nodded at Ryo’s instructions.

Taking a deep breath, Abel closed his eyes.

As instructed, he tightly gripped the Soul Resonance.

At that moment… the Soul Resonance emitted a faint blue light.

He felt a sensation of his mind connecting to another place.

“Ah…It’s Abel. Uh… I was sent flying far away during the battle with Garwin. But I’m alright. I’m alive and not seriously injured. It seems I’m quite far from the Central Countries, so it might take some time to return. But I will definitely come back. Until then, take care of the Kingdom. Rihya, Noah, I love you…”

Abel opened his eyes after saying this.

He felt he had said everything he needed to say.

However, he noticed a water-attribute magician pointing at his face right in front of him.

“Oh, Ryo is with me too. He’s safe.”

Whoosh.

With a small sound, the light of the Soul Resonance disappeared.

The Soul Resonance in Abel’s hand had turned completely black in the magic stone part.

“Geez! That was so close! I can’t believe you weren’t going to mention me, Abel!”

“Oh, no, of course, that wasn’t my intention. I meant to say it at the end.”

Ryo interrogated him, and Abel responded.

But anyone could tell Abel’s answer was a lie…

“Abel, your lie is obvious.”

“Ugh… Sorry, I completely forgot.”

“I knew it!”

Abel admitted honestly, and Ryo puffed out his cheeks.

“Well, you made it just in time, so it’s fine.”

“Sorry, sorry. More importantly, this…”

Abel looked at the completely black Soul Resonance in his hand.

He had never heard of a magic stone turning like this.

“It seems that when the magic stone releases all its contained magic power, it turns out like this. Neil-san told me that.”

Ryo had learned this from Neil Andersen, an alchemist in the Western Countries.

“To use it continuously, we need to come up with a more efficient magic formula that doesn’t squeeze out so much power. This time, we had no choice because we were short on time.”

Ryo shook his head slightly.

Given the priorities, delivering the message was more important than creating a perfect magic formula.

“I’ll recharge it by wearing it on my ear. After a while, the color should come back.”

“I see.”

Abel nodded deeply at Ryo’s answer.

“Oh, it’s past six.”

“Yeah. Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Food tastes better after good work. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s available.”

“Indeed, you did a great job, Ryo.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

At the same time. In the royal capital of the Kingdom of Knightley. At the Royal Alchemy Workshop.

“Hm?”

Chief researcher Viscount Kenneth Hayward noticed that the ‘Central Communication Device’ in the center of the alchemy workshop was glowing blue.

“This is…”

He quickly operated the control panel.

Seeing this, the alchemists working in the workshop gathered around.

“Alright. I’ll play it.”

Kenneth pressed the switch.

‘Ah…it’s Abel. Uh…I was sent flying far away during the battle with Garwin. But I’m alright. I’m alive and not seriously injured. It seems I’m quite far from the Central Countries, so it might take some time to return. But I will definitely come back. Until then, take care of the Kingdom. Rihya, Noah, I love you… Oh, Ryo is with me too. He’s safe.’

“Ooohhh!”

The alchemists cheered as soon as the message ended.

Some even had tears in their eyes.

“Thank goodness…”

Kenneth didn’t cry, but he slumped into a nearby chair.

He believed Abel and Ryo were safe.

And he thought Ryo would use ‘Soul Resonance’ to make contact.

However, even if they managed to make contact, if they failed to receive it, the message would be lost.

Despite theoretical perfection and confidence… they had never tested the system.

Abel’s ‘Soul Resonance’ wasn’t at hand.

Abel himself was, of course, not there.

Abel’s magic power residue left in the ‘Repeater’ had been amplified for use, but… it was all a first-time, high-stakes attempt.

Even for Kenneth, who was renowned as a genius, it was daunting.

But they succeeded in receiving it.

King Abel is safe. Duke Rondo is safe.

If so, it must be reported immediately.

“Radden, report to the royal castle immediately. Establish communication.”

Kenneth stood up as he said this.

That day, the castle was filled with joy.

Records state that Queen Rihya and Chief Knight Sera embraced in celebration in the king’s office…

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