Chapter 80 – Holy Mana Researcher
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Translator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes
Holy Mana Researcher
Hikaru learned of the holy mana back in the royal castle of the ancient kingdom of Poelnxinia, located in the deepest part of the dungeon Underground City of the Ancient Gods. The records indicated that holy mana was part of their everyday lives and was used all over the kingdom. Later the whole capital was transported underground. Eventually a giant’s assault caused the technology to be lost.
「What kind of energy is this “holy mana”?」Hikaru asked.
「There’s someone else more qualified to answer that question. A researcher in the academy and the greatest Magic Item Specialist, Katy Kotobi.」the principal replied.
Hikaru expressed his profound gratitude to the principal for letting him see the catalog.
「If anything comes up, please don’t hesitate to talk to me.」she said before leaving.
While it seemed she was trying to be helpful, it also sounded like she was saying “If something’s going to happen, I want you to inform me beforehand.”
Hikaru left the library to look for Katy. She should be in the middle of classes right now. He wanted to know about the holy mana. It was possible that someone from another world invented it and his revolver used it as well.
「This should be the place.」
He arrived at the biggest lecture hall in building A. It had no doors so he could hear even from outside.
Incredible…
A large room, it had a pitched floor so that those in the rear were sat higher than those at the front, allowing them to see the lecturer on the podium. It could probably easily seat a hundred students. The place was so packed that some of the students were standing. Not unlike a certain building C.
The attending students were quite different than the great sword guys. First of all, the female to male ratio was high. They were all slender, and it looked like not one of them was from Jarazack. Everyone was eagerly taking notes, comparing the books on their hands with what was written on the board.
I wonder if this is what college in Japan looks like.
A sense of loneliness descended on Hikaru as he imagined a future where he went to college.
「…You don’t need to send a special notice when creating magic items, but if you’re using catalysts with high magical power compatibility, inform the local authorities first. If things go south, they’ll contain it right away. For your winter assignment, I’m thinking of magic item creation.」
The woman on the podium, Katy Kotobi, had her back turned, writing about the assignment on the board.
A slender and well-proportioned woman, she looked classy in her spotless white lab coat, with sleeves rolled up to just below her elbows. She wore skinny pants and flat blue shoes. Her long, dark hair was tied in a braid to the left, a silver accessory attached at the tip.
Kotobi was a nation well-known for precious metal manufacturing. Wearing plenty of accessories was common, regardless of gender. Most of the students attending her class hailed from Kotobi and they all wore silver accessories. Married people wore golden ones.
「Our time is almost up. Any questions regarding today’s lesson?」
She’d been talking about the assignment in an indifferent tone, and although sounding monotonous, she explained things in an easy to understand manner which showed just how smart she was. It made perfect sense though, as she was a researcher.
As she turned to face the class, Hikaru raised his voice by accident.
「Yes? Do you have a question?」
「Ah, I uhh…」
The students stared at Hikaru who was standing at the door. No one would blame him for his sudden interruption if they knew.
「It’s a bit unrelated to the lesson, though. Is that okay?」Hikaru said, regaining his composure.「Do you know Kelbeck? He’s a Magic Item Specialist.」
Katy resembled the head of the Thieves Guild he met in the sewers of Pond. What’s more, a flame-like tattoo ran from her cheek down to her nape, just like Kelbeck.
「…Hmm.」
Her eyes, red as a garnet stone, narrowed at his question. She was beautiful, if not seemingly cold.
「There was a Magic Item Specialist named Kelbeck in Kotobi. All his inventions completely ignored efficiency and user-friendliness. To sum it up in one word, they were all “complex”. You could barely use them unless you had a manual. In terms of complexity, they were probably almost on par with the relics from Zubura.」
A resounding “ooh” came from the students. The Zuburan relics were that famous.
「But…」Katy continued, silencing the students.「Kelbeck disappeared about ten years ago. He was expelled from Kotobi’s Magic Item Specialists Guild and anything related to his inventions was taken into custody, never seeing the light of day ever again. In other words, he was treated as if he was dead. Does that answer your question?」
「Yes. Thank you.」
「What’s your name?」Katy asked after hesitating for a moment.
「Hikaru.」
「I see. Come see me in my laboratory after this, Hikaru.」
Hikaru drew enough, or rather, too much attention from the students. The majority of the students were staring at him,whispering among themselves.
Hikaru left the lecture hall and sat on a bench in the hallway. As soon as classes were over, students rushed out of the room.
「Hikaru.」League called to him.
Now that he thought about it, League mentioned not attending the magic item class because the professor was from Kotobi. Later on he started attending the lectures. He must’ve been referring to Katy’s class.
「Why, if it isn’t Lord League.」Hikaru said, standing up.
Hikaru thought about greeting him with a casual “Hey!”, but noticed three women behind the young man. Rumanian students, most likely. He decided it would be wise to not act too friendly with the heir to Rumania’s top clan.
League eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly realized why Hikaru greeted him that way and thanked him in a low whisper.
「So what was that question about?」League asked.
「I seemed to have disturbed the class. How embarrassing.」
「I didn’t know you were interested in magic items.」
「I am…」
「Then let’s attend the class together next time.」League said with a smile, but it was clear he was wary of the three ladies behind him.
「Lord League, will this take long?」
「Let’s go get tea.」
「It’s shopping day today.」
League looked like he really didn’t want to deal with them.
「I don’t really have the gift. I’ll only get in the way so I’ll have to decline.」Hikaru said.
「No need to be so modest. Let’s study together.」
「I can’t.」
「Come on.」
You’re being persistent, man, Hikaru thought.
「I need your help.」League whispered.
He sounded like he was at a complete loss. Hikaru then remembered how League didn’t come to the short sword class today. He would come alone most of the time and sometimes with Roy. He probably tried to shake the ladies off every single time. And he couldn’t do that anymore.
「I’ll think about it.」Hikaru said reluctantly.
「Okay. See you at the next class.」
League looked relieved and left, pulled away by the three ladies.
「It sure is tough being popular.」Hikaru muttered as he watched League’s back growing distant.
He then made his way to Katy’s laboratory.
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