The discipline known as science is alive and well on this continent, too. Even at the Imperial University that Epherene belongs to, there are related departments—and though most of their students are commoners, of course—many people study it.
However, most of it is merely used in a supporting role to underpin magic, as a kind of “language” exclusively for magic.
……That was far too strange.
Now that she had been taught science by Deculein, their disdain for science seemed utterly bizarre to Epherene, and difficult to accept.
“The reason scientific development on the continent has been slow is simple. No matter how far science advances, even the simplest magic surpasses all of it. It is a fact everyone acknowledges that science is inferior to magic.”
Of course, that did not mean scientists and mathematicians were treated with contempt. Even a commoner could live a fairly respected life if they were at least middle class and worked for a subcontracted institution of the Magic Tower.
“However, science can clearly be of greater help to the development of magic. As a means of observing mana, and as a subject of reference.”
“…….”
Epherene watched Deculein as he spoke, swallowing dryly.
Right now, a certain excitement was seething inside her heart. A sense of rebellion against the current era’s “paradigm” was suddenly raising its head, violently.
“Epherene, since you are not from the Academy, you should be able to accept it easily.”
“Yes. I’m certain. Mana is an element, and it follows the principles of science.”
Epherene declared it with utter conviction.
However, Deculein’s brow twitched faintly.
“But why did the Floating Island reject this fact? It’s so obvious. The atom of mana can be observed even with this microscope.”
Epherene tapped the microscope on the experiment table.
It was no ordinary microscope; Deculein had bestowed 「Midas’s Hand」 upon it, turning it into something almost like an artifact.
“The Floating Island is pathological. They loathe the idea of mana being subordinated to any discipline. So what you just said is dangerous.”
“……What? What is?”
Epherene asked back. Deculein replied stiffly.
“That mana follows the principles of science.”
“……But that’s true, isn’t it? Professor, wasn’t that what you lectured to me about?”
“No. Distinguish between them. The principles of mana have not yet been revealed.”
Mana follows the principles of science.
If the Floating Island heard that, it was a dangerous remark that might make them go beyond fainting in shock and even harbor murderous intent.
“That’s only ‘not yet,’ right? If we look into it closely, there’ll definitely be more. Rather, we might even be able to command mana with science—”
“That was a slip of the tongue, Epherene. The reason I spoke to you of science was solely so that you could use it as a ‘means of reference’ for magic. You must not raise science to the same level as magic.”
This time, Epherene frowned.
“Why? This thesis.”
She placed her palm on the 「Deculein·Luna Thesis」.
There was science in this thesis. There were Luna Kagan’s brilliant ideas, which had actively tried to connect magic and science. There was Deculein’s genius, which had brought it to completion in the end.
This thesis, which left her struggling yet admiring it every time she read it, clearly spoke of the importance of science.
“The more I read it, the more it seems like magic and science are equally important. Didn’t you think so too, Professor?”
“No. I only described science as a means.”
Deculein pointed to one paragraph.
[The scientific approach in this thesis is nothing more than a stepping stone for observing and interpreting mana in greater detail.]
“And this is not a logic that applies only to magic, Epherene.”
“……?”
Epherene tilted her head, drawing her neck back.
“Ah~ I get it.”
Then she continued as if scoffing.
“Because of the Academy and the magical family cartel, and the noble mages, that sort of thing? If it’s revealed that mana is part of science, their authority would be damaged, fall apart, and so on?”
To commoners, mana was a sacred and mysterious power. Thus, commoners who knew how to handle mana gained a chance to turn their lives around, but most of those opportunities were concentrated among nobles and influential families.
But what if science, which commoners learned, became as important as magic?
What if the mana they revered could be commanded through science?
Somehow, it made sense that they would hate it.
“I don’t care. I’ve spent my whole life being looked down on by nobles. You think I’d be scared of something like that?”
“The Floating Island may try to kill you.”
“……What?”
At those words, Epherene seemed flustered for a moment as well. After moving her lips several times, as if trying to say something, she asked something oddly beside the point.
“Isn’t that a crime?”
“If murder isn’t a crime, what is?”
“…….”
“Do not go too far on your own. For now, this much on science is enough. So, now.”
Thud─!
Deculein set down more than three hundred sheets of paper. They were practice calculation problems that would help with the complete formula and computations of the 「Mana Nanotube」.
“Do your own work. It is the calculation of length-to-diameter ratio.”
Length-to-diameter ratio. In simple terms, the ratio of a cylinder’s length to its diameter. The longer the nanotube and the shorter its diameter, the higher this value became, and the tougher it would be.
However, if it was set too high without thought, the particles themselves would crumple, making this kind of calculation practice essential.
“……All right.”
Epherene stuck out her lips sullenly.
* * *
……The Head Professor’s office.
Having left Epherene in the laboratory and returned, I sat alone in the study, thinking.
“Hmm.”
Epherene’s reaction to science and mana.
The girl had been as intense as expected, and far too radical.
“Mana follows the principles of science”—words that directly collided with Deculein’s character, steeped as it was in elitism, class hierarchy, and aristocracy.
It was dangerous and impudent, but it was also exactly what I had expected, making her admirable.
“The Floating Island will be a problem.”
However, my words that the Floating Island might kill Epherene were not a lie.
To say that one regarded mana not as a mystery but as “part of science” was no different from denying the foundation of the Floating Island.
Even if Epherene’s claim was proven true, the Floating Island would not acknowledge it. Instead, they would try to conceal it, and then erase it.
“…….”
Therefore, I would not help Epherene. If she submitted a thesis related to science after today, I would ignore it completely.
Because that was the way to protect her.
However…….
Scritch─ scritch─
I moved a pen with 「Psychokinesis」. I began a simple work of writing.
This was an attempt to draw out the modern knowledge that remained in my head.
Of course, Kim Woojin lacked background knowledge in science, but if I studied it once more with 「Comprehension」 and refined it, I should be able to produce something sufficiently meaningful.
It could be of help to that girl, Epherene.
Scritch─ scritch─
Of course, the pen name would not be Deculein.
Publishing a scientific work under the name of Yukline did not suit this side’s dignity at all.
Scritch─ scritch─
As I continued writing sentences, I suddenly pondered the title of this book.
On this continent, where science was regarded only as an accessory to magic, it might be moderately novel. But in the modern world where I had lived, it was a theory established as an all-too-obvious law.
Therefore, since it was not mine, and since this was merely the work of refining and conveying another’s work, I was reluctant to give it a title as I pleased.
“It would be right to go with the original.”
I wrote the title at the top of the manuscript paper.
[Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy]
Its original title was in Latin, a masterpiece more than worthy of being called the starting point of modern natural science, commonly shortened to “Principia.”
The work of the intellect of an era, Isaac Newton.
While exploring and studying as much as possible through 「Comprehension」 the theory that, in this head of mine, contained only formulas such as apples and gravity, and F=ma……
I consumed a thousand mana in an instant.
“It is still difficult.”
The helplessness I had felt when first learning magic was being felt once more through this science.
* * *
The next morning.
We returned to Yuren through the mirror again. Epherene looked slightly sulky, but the way she held the mana crystal core tightly in her arms was more resolute than ever.
“Are you ready?”
“……Yes.”
It was a stiff answer.
In any case, I joined Alos in the underground passage of Yuren, the path leading to the Ashes, and met three women in robes.
Maho, Rose, and Charlotte. The central figures of the duchy.
“The people who came to the fair just now said they felt a tremor. I’m thinking of evacuating them even now……”
Maho asked while looking at us with worried eyes, and Epherene answered first.
“It’s fine. We’ll resolve it. At the very least, Yuren won’t suffer any damage.”
She thumped her chest as if guaranteeing it.
Maho smiled bitterly and glanced at me, and I nodded.
“Princess, you should go up as well. It is dangerous to remain here.”
“……Yes. Yes, yes…… This favor……”
“There is no need to call it a favor. I also put up Carla as my price.”
At my words, Maho hesitated and then bowed her head. Rose and Charlotte also lowered their heads after her.
Thus, the three people of Yuren left the Ashes.
“Epherene.”
Epherene, who had been watching their backs, turned to me again.
“Yes.”
“I will check one last time. Show me.”
Her face hardened. Then she gathered mana in her palm.
Wiiiiing───
A rising membrane of mana. It looked perfect on the outside, and as if she had firmly accepted the theory, its substance was certain as well.
In other words, it was at a level sufficient to withstand a volcanic eruption.
“There is a possibility.”
“Phew.”
Epherene let out a sigh of relief, then trudged over to the crater and set down the mana crystal core. She watched my expression from there, but I said nothing.
Epherene looked at the mana crystal core with resolute eyes.
“……Mana crystal core.”
Then she spoke to it. With gentle trust and a strong resolve, as if speaking to a friend.
“Protect this volcano.”
Thuuuum─────!
At that moment, a violent rumble shook the earth. A clear omen of volcanic eruption.
Even so, Epherene did not shrink back and placed her hand on the mana crystal core.
“Let’s protect the Ashes and Yuren together. I’ll help you.”
As she said that, she warmed up her mana.
A certain aura shimmered over her shoulders.
The color of that mana was ash-gray.
Unbound by the four great elements of water, wind, earth, and fire, Epherene’s mana, possessing her own unique talent, seeped into the mana crystal core.
Wiiiiing…….
Before long, a veil of mana softly bloomed over the entire volcano.
Alos and I silently watched that sight.
“Oh…… How fascinating.”
First, the mana crystal core wrapped around the crater in double and triple layers, and Epherene’s carbon magic filled the gaps between them densely. A membrane made of so-called “mana nanotubes” sealed the volcano shut.
It was perfect not only to 「Comprehension」 but also when seen with the 「Naked Eye」, so there was nothing more to see.
“……Leaving already?”
Alos asked me as I turned around.
Looking at Epherene, who was concentrating her mana into the mana crystal core, I answered.
“Epherene has succeeded.”
“Hmm. You look disappointed. Because you lost the chance to massacre the Ashes?”
“……I am not that much of a homicidal maniac.”
Kwaaaaaaaa────!
In that instant, a roar surged up from the depths of the magma. At the sound announcing the volcano’s opening, Epherene tensed, and Alos laughed softly.
“Even if she fails, I’ll take responsibility and save your disciple. Trust me.”
“……There is no need.”
With those words, I left the volcano.
…….
“It worked———!”
Epherene shouted loudly.
It worked—! It worked—! It worked—!
She shouted it three times in a row and sank to the ground.
She had succeeded.
Of course, the volcano had erupted.
Rumblerumblerumble———!
It was still erupting even now.
But the Ashes were safe. Yuren was the same.
The great disaster she had seen in her dream did not exist.
There was no explosion that crumpled the mana crystal core and melted the magic away. There was no volcanic ash and magma devouring the world.
Even when she looked around, it was only a little hot and a little bubbling.
The mana crystal core combined with the nanotubes had successfully sealed the volcanic eruption, and it had also decomposed the surging magma and volcanic ash at the atomic level.
It had safely protected the Ashes and Yuren!
“……You succeeded?”
Alos approached and asked. Epherene grinned as she looked at her, and her eyes moved here and there as if searching for someone.
“Where’s the Professor?”
“He left.”
“……What?”
She felt a little disappointed, but soon understood and nodded.
“Because of the Magic Fair, I guess.”
Epherene sprang to her feet and hugged the mana crystal core to her chest.
Alos asked.
“You’re thinking of leaving already?”
“Yes. This, the mana crystal core. I have to present it at the fair. It’s an incredibly amazing invention.”
“Your magic seems like an astounding invention as well.”
“……Heh.”
It was hard to deny that, too.
Epherene stroked her nose, which was raised high in pride.
“May I ask what that talent just now was?”
“Ah~ Well, simply put, to borrow the Professor’s words.”
Rumblerumblerumble———!
The volcano suddenly trembled. Both of them flinched and looked back, but fortunately, it seemed to be an aftershock with no real issue.
“……To borrow the Professor’s words. It’s handling mana as mana itself.”
“Mana as mana itself?”
“Yes. Without being bound by attributes like water, fire, wind, or earth, but scientifically. Assuming that mana, too, is nothing more than a scientific element like oxygen or carbon…… Ah, I’m going to publish a related thesis soon anyway. Read it then.”
As Epherene tried to take a step, her body swayed. As if all strength had drained from her body due to mana exhaustion, she was about to fall forward, and Alos caught her in both arms……
She did not remember much of what happened after that.
“……Hehehe. As soon as I get home, I’m going to read a ton of science books.”
Epherene was simply very happy that she had proven her own potential. She delighted in all the “scientific” thoughts filling her head.
“Ah, I hope this isn’t a dream.”
Also hoping that this moment was not a prophetic dream, and confused to some extent by worries such as whether she was, in fact, still in a dream.
She fell into a very deep and pleasant sleep, a long and satisfying slumber…….